Again, I don't own any of these characters or the story line. Of that that belongs to the brilliant Stephenie Meyer. I'm just trying to keep myself busy while waiting anxiously for Breaking Dawn.

Chapter 2 – One To Go

BPOV

Edward held my hand tightly the entire ride back to his house. He occasionally brought our tangled hands up to his lips kissing my skin softly. Once or twice though he sent my heart into a frenzy when I felt his cool tongue also against my skin. After drilling Edward for the details about Charlie's thoughts the past hour, we rode the rest of the way to his home in comfortable silence. I started to smile to myself slightly as I realized one hurdle was jumped. Jumped without me tripping and breaking my nose even. I can do this I thought to myself. Telling Charlie didn't go nearly as bad as I thought it would, as bad as it could have, and that fact was responsible for my new found confidence.

It wasn't a long drive at Edwards speed but it was long enough that before I could spot the beautiful white estate, my confidence was quickly wavering.

Edward was at my door as soon as the engine cut. He took in my expression and cupped my face in both of his hands. He brought my face up and our eyes met.

"I'm going to say this again. We don't have to do this now love. Maybe we should enjoy the fact that it went so smoothly with your father for a while."

"Edward" I breathed "I won't be able to relax until I tell Renee, and wade through her reaction. But please tell me Jasper is here."

"He's here. Let's get this over with then."

But Edward didn't move toward the house. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me next to his body. I was still looking up and our lips met. His fingers, at my spine pulled me even tighter to him. I could feel the blood rush my body and my head started spinning. Edward backed up only to put his forehead against mine. "I love you," he whispered and then began pulling me, disoriented and dizzy toward the house.

"Jasper?" Edward called, no louder than if Jasper had been in front of him. Jasper appeared at the top of the stairs within the instant. His face was at first slightly perplexed but as soon as he tasted the electricity between Edward and I, he rolled his eyes.

I started when Jasper was in front of us. "I was wondering if you wouldn't mind sitting with me while I break the news to my mom." I smiled shyly at the end. I know I must have sounded ridiculous.

"Of course. Where were you planning on making the call?"

I looked up at Edward. "How about up in my room, where you'll be comfortable," He suggested.

"That works for me," I said.

As we started up the stairs, my stomach began to fall. The higher I climbed, the lower it sank. I didn't want to disappoint Renee. I didn't want her to worry that I was making the same mistake she did. I didn't want to cause her pain, grief or worry lines. What I did want, however, outweighed the fear of these very real possibilities and that's what I had to keep focusing on. I wanted to be with Edward so I'd do what I had to make sure I could.

We were in Edwards room now and both he and Jasper patiently watched me pace the room, phone in hand, countless times. How intimidating 10 little buttons can be. I silently talked myself in and out of the idea of sending her an email.

Dear mom,

I'm engaged.

Bella

I'd need to close my e-mail account immediately, take Charlie's phone off the hook, and possibly take permanent residence in India if I did that. Not worth it I decided. I stared at the phone while I paced, nibbling off what remains of fingernails I may have previously grown. I realized after some time that I had nibbled on one finger tip so long it started to prune my skin. That's enough I thought. I stopped pacing and sat in-between Edward and Japser on the black leather couch. Immediately, Edwards fingers went to my hair and he lightly and comfortingly played with the damp strands. My fingers were shaking as I pressed the innocent numbers. I gave a suggestive glance to Jasper after which I felt a wave a calm hit me. Thank God for that little gift.

"Hello?" Renee answered on the third ring.

Damn it, I thought to myself. I was really hoping for the machine after ring two. "Hi mom!"

"Bella? Hi baby! I didn't recognize the number you called from. Where are you? Are you okay?" her voice only started sounding panicked with the last question.

"Calm down mom, I'm great! I'm calling from Edwards. How are you doing?"

"Great Bella! It's warm here, as always but I'm braving some ocean sports!"

I rolled my eyes. Hopefully she wouldn't be out in the middle of the ocean when she remembered the sleepless nights she spent in my room after watching the Jaws series. "Wow, that's great, and how's Phil?"

"He's good, we're good. Miss you though."

"I miss you too mom." Well that chit chat didn't last as long as I would have liked it to. It's still the same century. "Um mom, I called because I wanted to tell you something." I could tell my voice was getting shaky. I looked at Jasper again. He smiled back and again, I felt calm.

"Sure Bella."

"Okay, please just try to stay calm and listen to what I'm saying." Deep breath. "Edward asked me to marry him and I've said yes." I decided not to give her the opening of time I allotted Charlie and immediately continued. "I have a pretty good idea of what you're thinking and no, I haven't forgotten everything you've ever taught me when it comes to marriage. We also aren't hurrying into anything or making rash decisions. We've thought long and hard about this. We're still planning on school and have discussed the possibility of several universities. We love each other mom and we just want to make it official." I finally took in a breath not realizing until just then how much I needed the oxygen.

The silence lingered for less then a minute but I heard her intake of breath before she spoke. "This is quite a surprise Bella. I mean… I…" she cut off and it was silent a moment before she coninued. "You're so young Be…" she cut off again. "I'm not sure you or Edward can fully understand this decision." She spoke slow, deliberate. A full sentence made it out though. Definitely not the one I wanted to hear but at least she was able to form and speak complete thoughts. That was encouraging.

"Mom, I know I'm young, but I also know I'll never find anyone like Edward."

"How can you know that at your age Bella? Really, you just graduated High School!" Regardless of Renee's hysteria leaking through her words, I was still calm. Edward kept playing with my hair.

"I don't know mom, I just… know." Not having the freedom to be fully honest was taking its toll. It seemed it might be simpler to just explain the effect Edward had on my life. "Please, you don't know how hard this call was for me to make but we wanted you to know and we want your support. I'm not saying I'm expecting this to be easy for you but at least now you know, we can talk, and we can move on, right? I love you mom, please." I was pleading now.

Renee was silent on the other end and it seemed an eternity before she finally spoke. "Thank you for letting me, um, us know Bella. I can't imagine this was easy for you. This is not what I wanted for you though Bella. Not at all. Can we…" she hesitated "can we talk tomorrow? I think… I just need to think right now."

I felt like I was just hit in the gut. "Sure mom." I chocked out. I didn't want my pain to leak through my words. I didn't want her to know how much this hurt. "I love you."

"I love you too Bella. Tell Edward "hi" for me okay?"

That surprised me. "Of course. I'll call you tomorrow. Bye mom."

The line went dead. The phone remained on my ear for another long moment. I had expected this wouldn't go well. I had to give her the time she needed. She'd come around. She'd have to come around. She'd come around wouldn't she?

Edward interrupted my downward spiral into craziness with a quiet but soothing "Are you okay?"

I looked around then and realized Jasper had left the room.

"He wanted to give us some privacy. He'll keep sending calm our way though." he answered my thoughts.

I curled up next to Edward and kicked my feet on the couch behind me. His arms wrapped around me and he didn't push for a response.

We sat in silence for an immeasurable moment. Despite the gut ache, I did remain calm. I'd give her time and talk to her tomorrow. The worse of it had to be over.

Thanks for reading!