SM owns it, Dollybigmomma rocks it, I just write it.

Chapter 10 - Light Speed

We did meet my parents for dinner that night and ended up celebrating our engagement with everyone. I was still in awe of Bella as she stayed close by my side, always keeping a hand on me somewhere. She loved to touch me and didn't care if anyone saw us together.

My mother was in tears as she left that night. "She's so good for you, baby. I've never seen you so happy," she said kissing my cheek, "And her love for you just pours out of her heart uncontrollably, which is such a wonderful gift. I'm so happy you found each other."

What she said left me a little confused as my father hugged me. "That was quick. I thought you were afraid," he whispered.

I shrugged, "It's hard to be when she's not."

He smiled and hugged me again. "We're so proud of you, Edward. I know your mother's been on your case to settle down and she's bemoaned to me for years, worried that she'd messed you up somehow. I've always told her you'd settle down when you found the right girl. Thank you for proving me right, that rarely happens with your mother," he chuckled making me smile.

My mother rolled her eyes at him and then tugged him out the door. They had already said goodbye to the kids and Bella. She was getting the kids settled in bed while my parents said their goodbyes to me. I felt bad that my mother had worried that she had messed me up. She'd had nothing to do with it. If anything, she helped me survive it and be the man I was today. I loved children because of the way my parents loved me. I was glad I was able to prove my mom wrong.

I walked back to my bathroom to get ready for bed myself. I was a little shocked to find Bella in my bed when I came out in a towel.

"Do you mind?" she asked, motioning to the bed.

I shook my head no and her answering smile was seductive, at least I think that was what it was. I still sucked at reading her. I realized I was right when she slipped off the bed and pulled my towel from my hips. She hadn't even touched me yet, but I was hard as a rock and it was a little embarrassing.

"I love the way you react to me," she whispered and pulled me down for a kiss. "It makes me feel so sexy."

She always seemed to know how to fix my insecurities. It didn't take long before we had backed up onto the bed to make love, because that was what it was. I loved her. I'd finally admitted it to myself and I hoped to god she wouldn't hurt me.

We lay spent on the bed, still panting. Bella pushed me off of her and I worried for a moment she didn't want me, but only for split second because she quickly snuggled into my side, kissing my chin and shoulder. It was going to take some getting used to, but I needed to accept that I was really wanted by her, and that she wasn't going to push me away.

"Edward?" she spoke softly.

"Yeah?"

"Do you still want to wait on getting married or do you really want to do it now?"

I was surprised by her question. I sat up a little, looking down at her and realizing I wasn't the only one that was feeling insecure. It was all my fault, too. "I'm sorry," I suddenly said causing her brow to furrow. "I do want to marry you. I just..." I took a deep breath, trying to think of a way to say things to her. "I'm scared, are you sure you really want me?"

"Oh, Edward," her hands were on my face pulling me to her lips, "Only you," she said kissing me deeply. "Why can't you believe that I love you?"

I wasn't sure how to answer that. There were so many reasons she wouldn't want to marry me. I was short for a man, barely making six foot with shoes, and I was thin and nerdy. I had horrible hair and still would get pimples all over my back when stressed out. I knew nothing about pleasing women, and adults made me very uncomfortable and awkward. People thought I was just trying to keep the kids in the loop when I would explain their illness to them, but the truth was I didn't want to talk to their parents. It was easier to just focus on the kids.

"I'm such a mess, how could you want me?" I said frowning.

She squeezed me tighter. "Edward, I'll never stop wanting you," she said resting her forehead against mine. "I love your sweet spirit, your deep eyes full of concern and love. You're perfect with the children and you help others with no thought to yourself. When you love, you don't do it half-heartedly."

I looked at her confused.

"Since the moment you met my daughter, you've loved her. I could tell by the concern and determination in your eyes to make sure she was safe and happy. You never push her away and always stop and talk to her, giving her your full attention along with her doll, as if she's the most important person in the room. You're not only Timmy's dad, but his best friend and playmate. I think you play more with those Transformers than Ara ever has and she's here every day with him."

I shrugged. "Kids are easy to love," I whispered.

"You're easy to love," she answered in return.

I flinched a little, still finding it hard to believe. "Are you really okay with being with me?" I asked, "Even in public, where everyone will know?"

"Do I have to get t-shirts made that say 'Stay away from this man, he's mine' with a picture of you on it, and make you wear one that says 'Taken by Bella Swan, back off or else' in public?"

"Or else what?" I asked confused.

She giggled. "Oh, honey, I'd take down any skank that came near you. You're mine," she said poking my chest and kissing me again.

"Are you really sure you want me? You really could do so much better. You're so sweet and beautiful, and you keep house better than Martha Stewart. You'd make a perfect wife."

"Edward, tell me, what's really going on? Do you not want to marry me?" she asked nervously.

"Why would you think that? I just said you'd make a perfect wife. I'd be stupid not to marry you. I'm just worried that you're going to get sick of looking at me or being seen with me."

"Seen with you? What the hell is going on with you?" she asked and pushed me onto my back, pinning me down. "Tell me now. I need to know what I'm dealing with here because you keep freaking me out."

"I'm sorry. I guess…I'm just a freak. It's okay; you don't have to be with me." I wished I could pull away, but she still had me pinned.

"You're not a freak, Edward. Don't twist my words or we will have problems. You need to speak to me, tell me what you're afraid of."

"I'm afraid that you'll finally see me for what I am, or that you really don't want me, you just want something from me, and when you get it…" I closed my eyes not wanting to see if I had guessed right.

"If I ever cross that Jane Olsen, I'm going to tear her to pieces like she did you," she muttered and I hoped that Angela and Ben hadn't told her everything that had happened with Jane. It was bad enough that they had said anything at all, but some of that story was downright mortifying.

I had turned my head away and was shocked when I felt something wet drip on my cheek. I looked up at Bella to see her crying. "I can't believe she hurt such a sweet, wonderful man." She cupped my cheek and kissed my forehead, "I'm not ever leaving you, Edward. You wanted to know what I want? I want you for the rest of your life. I want you to love me the way I love you. I'm not ever going to be ashamed of you, Edward. I'll always be proud to be your wife."

"Are you sure?" I asked. "You're not just saying that? I told you, if you needed more money, I'd give you a raise. I'd give you anything," I offered.

"I'm glad you said that, because you do have something I want," she said sitting up and my chest tightened in panic. This was it, this was her real motivation.

"You, Edward, I want you." She snuggled down into my side and I lay there stunned by her words. "So, when are we getting married? I know you're still hesitant so I'll let you pick the date, but I need to know so my father can fly in."

"So, we're really getting married?" I asked.

She giggled, "Yes, silly boy, I'm not letting you off the hook that easily."

"I don't want off the hook," I whispered into her hair.

"Good, because I don't plan on throwing you back, you're mine, Edward Cullen."

"And you're mine, soon-to-be Mrs. Cullen."

"I like the sound of that, Mrs. Edward Cullen, Bella Cullen." She kissed my lips lightly. "You know, I never thought I'd marry a doctor."

"Why not?"

She snickered, "Because they're all stuck-up know-it-alls."

My eyes widened shocked. I hated to admit it, but a lot of doctors actually were like that.

"Don't worry; I know I'm the luckiest woman in the world. I know I have the exception to the rule having gotten my hands on you," she said squeezing me. I leaned up asking for a kiss and was rewarded with one. Things were heating up fast again when she stopped, pulling back panting. "Edward, I made an appointment to have my IUD taken out next week. It'll be running out in the next month anyway. I need to know if you want me to get on something else or if you're ready to try."

I attacked her lips. I couldn't believe she was asking me this. I couldn't believe she would so willingly give me her body and carry my child. I suddenly couldn't wait to put one there. "No," I said pinning her, "don't," I gasped in between kisses and thrusting, "I want you," I growled, not sure where it came from, "I want it out, I want me in," I finally got out, "You're mine!" I pounded into her hard and released with a roar. I collapsed on her and kissed her shoulder, "I want you to carry my child," I said squeezing her in my arms and pulled her with me as I rolled over.

She climbed up my body and kissed me deeply. "I want to carry your baby, too. I love you," she said and kissed me again. I would never get enough of this woman. I couldn't believe she actually wanted me and wanted to have my child. I wanted to impregnate her right at this moment. I suddenly wished I was an OB/GYN so I could take the damn IUD out myself and get to work on it now, but I knew that wasn't safe. We would wait for her appointment next week.

"Bella, can I come to your appointment?" I asked.

She looked at me confused, "The one to get my IUD out?" she asked.

I nodded. "Yes, I wanted to ask some questions and make sure your body is ready for a baby. I want you both to be healthy."

She leaned in and kissed me lightly. "Of course, sweetheart, you can come to my appointment and any others after that. I love you," she said again like she just couldn't hold it back. I was finally starting to believe it.

"We should get married soon, too. I want to be married before we have a baby," I said.

She smiled up at me. "Okay, when do you want to do it?"

"Today, I'd do it now if I could. My parents are in town," I said shrugging, "But I know you want your dad to be there so we can wait."

She shook her head no. "I'll call him in the morning and have him catch the next flight out. I want to be married now, too. Now that I've got you, I'm not letting you go," she said and kissed my lips softly. I was beginning to believe my mother. Bella just seemed to ooze love for me and I couldn't deny that I absolutely loved it.

"We can pay for his plane ticket and I'd better call my little brother and sister, too. With waiting for all of the flights to come in, we'll probably have to get married day after next."

"Good, that'll give me time to get a dress. I know you have a tux. I've been dying to see you in it. Will it still fit you?" she asked.

"I got it to wear to my brother and sister's weddings. I'm sure it'll still fit."

"Good, so I just need to get a tux for Timmy and a dress for Ara. Is it okay if we invite Angela and Ben?"

I smiled widely, "That'd be great. You think Ben would be my best man?"

"He better, I'm going to ask Angela to be my maid of honor."

"That sounds great," I said kissing her lightly.

"Well, it's only fitting since they're the ones that brought us together," she whispered against my lips, "And I really like being together," she said as she squeezed me in a wonderful way, making me groan.

"Yes, I definitely like being together, and I love you," I said pulling her back against me for more. I would never get enough of this wonderful woman.

A/N: Thanks for reading and please review! Dolly and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and a blessed New Year!