Engaged. The word rang through my ears like an overzealous bell, exterminating all other impending thoughts. I sighed, and rested my head against the frosty window, my thoughts miles away.
"Bella?", Edward asked softly, his velvet voice filling me with automatic comfort.
"Sorry…just worried about Charlie", I answered truthfully. No need to let him know about any other wedding related worries.
"Love, it will be fine. Charlie will overreact absurdly, as always, but he loves you. He'll come around." he soothed, wrapping his stone arm secretively around my waist, while keeping one hand loosely on the wheel.
We were driving down my dimly lit street, just seconds from breaking the news to my grumbling father. His eighteen year old daughter, married. I cringed inwardly, still adjusting to the thought myself. My heart spluttered furiously, as Edward leaned in, his glorious face just inches from mine, his sweet breath tickling my senses.
"Bella, you don't have to do this. You can go to college, keep your friends, family, and worry about anything else much later.", he whispered, his honesty coating every word.
I struggled to regain my wits, still stupidly affected by his transparent beauty.
"Edward", I started, seemingly for the thousandth time. "I want to be with you now, tomorrow, and forever. There is absolutely nothing you can say to keep me away. I love you."
He smiled my favorite crooked smile, and slowly pressed his marble lips to mine. I vigorously wrapped my fingers in his tousled bronze hair, and molded myself to his figure. He responded eagerly, deepening the kiss, causing my breath to grow ragged. Finally he pulled away, grinning. "You sure you don't want to take care of your side of the bargain tonight?", he teased smugly.
"Well, as tempting as that is", I said, untangling my legs from his waist, "We have an engagement to announce"
"I suppose you're right", he sighed, opening his door, only to be at mine less than a second later.
This was it. The moment I'd been dreading for weeks. I took a deep breath, and begrudgingly pushed open the front door.
"Dad!", I called into the living room. "I'm home!"
"Hey kids", he rumbled, shuffling into the kitchen, eying Edward disdainfully.
"What do you want for dinner, Dad? I'll fix you anything.", I rambled desperately. Edward gave me a pointed look, and I sighed then added. "Um Dad…wee have something we would like to talk to you about."
"We?", he asked, picking up on my emphasized plural.
"Yes, we", I began, thinking carefully how to start. "Edward and I love each other, as you know. And recently Edward asked me to….", I took another deep breath, preparing myself for the fit I was sure to receive, "marry him", I finally finished, flashing left hand in Charlies direction.
Charlies reaction was surprising, to say the least. He sat down slowly, his face filled with obvious controversy. "Bella", he started, his voice clearly strained. "As much as I may want you to rethink this, or simply never see him again", he nodded toward Edward, " I have come to accept that he loves you. I cant say I didn't see this coming.", he sighed, putting his head in his hands.
Suddenly, with a vengeance I had never seen Charlie possess, he stood up, looking pointedly at Edward.
"But, Edward, if you ever so much as think about leaving her again, I will kill you. That's not a threat. Its a fact"
I shot Charlie a withering look, but Edward just looked him in the eye, his face the picture of sincerity.
"Charlie, I can assure you that will not be necessary. Bella is my life, my love, my only outlet to happiness. It will be impossible for me to even consider leaving her again. And if something, somehow did tear me apart from her forever, you wouldn't need to kill me. The job would already be done."
It was impossible to doubt Edward piercing honesty, from his now pained expression. Charlie seemed pacified, just nodding slowly and asking when we were planning on having the wedding.
"August 13th", I replied, glad to play a part in the conversation again.
"And I assume Alice is playing a part in planning this?", Charlie asked, one eyebrow comically raised.
"Oh yes, Alice has granted herself full planning control", Edward chuckled, sending me a wink, and tenderly squeezing my hand. My heart pounded, just from the direct touch of his chilled skin. I was really going to have to work on that.
"Well, good. I suppose I'll order some pizza now…"he trailed off, obviously hinting at something.
I rolled my eyes. "Don't be silly, Dad. I'll cook you some pasta", I said, moving over to the freezer
An hour later after I had finished in the kitchen , Edward and I were on our way back to the Cullens for immediate wedding planning. Alice was already in full spin. I sighed, and rested my head on his shoulder, incredibly relieved to have Charlies approval. Tomorrow I would deal with Renee'. I cringed, knowing that conversation would most likely not be a pleasant one.
Sometimes I swore Edward really did hear my apparently concealed thoughts. He stroked my hair slowly, his cool touch sending tingles down my spine.
"Renee' will understand eventually. She just wants you to be happy", he said, his voice like honey.
"I know", I replied, leaning closer to his stone figure. "I just hope she isn't too disappointed in me." I soaked in his expression, hoping not to have hurt his feelings
But to my relief he just looked empathetic, kissing my palm as he drove effortlessly down the black winding road.
I sighed again, and let myself temporarily relax for what seemed like the first time in weeks.
ok so did you like it? please review and tell me! i promise i will have an update up soon, so look forward to wedding plans and some other good stuff (: i love you all for reading!
OK PEOPLE im working on chapter two and would LOVE to post it by tomorrowish BUT you need to review! so im setting the bar to... FIVE... yes five reviews until i post chapter 3! so pleassse review!