Author's note: Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter!
I am sad to say that This Time is Ours only has between three and five chapters left to go ….
Originally I decided that I wasn't going to write a sequel and just have an epilogue that glimpsed into the future of our favourite couples. But after much consideration I am pleased to say that there will be a sequel!
Now on to chapter 53, some of you think Edward is going to propose… well read on and find out!
Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or any of its characters, *sigh*
Edward grasped my hand tightly as we walked in silence along the small path towards the gazebo. Through the clouds and snow flurries I could see it was twilight, my favourite time if day.
The sky had turned an inky blue as day gave way to night, a few stars twinkly brightly overhead. The snow continued to drift down softly as the fairy lights twinkled making everything appear to be sparkling.
Edward guided me up the ice covered steps and under the shelter of the white, wooden gazebo, its dark tiled roof covered in snow and icicles hanging from the railings.
"My beautiful Bella" he whispered brushing the snowflakes from my hair. I looked at him quizzically, wondering why he wanted to talk outside alone but at the same time enjoying this private moment.
He smiled at me reaching for both of my hands, covering them with his much warmer ones. Edward took a deep breath, exhaling slowly.
"Bella, from the moment I first laid eyes on you I knew you were the woman for me, the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. It sounds silly and cliché I know but I really did fall in love with you at first sight."
He rubbed his thumbs in comforting circles on the backs of my hands, "We've been through so much together over these past couple of years and we've had our moments. The happiest moments in my entire life have happened when I've been with you."
Edward's eyes were full of emotion "And also some of the most terrifying. There were moments where I thought I had lost you, through my own stupidity and…." His voice broke as he paused brushing the tears from my cheeks that I hadn't realised were falling.
"I'll never let you down again" he whispered as he sank to his knees on front of me.
"Isabella Marie Swan" his voice rang clear. I gasped, my hands covering my mouth.
He produced a small black velvet box from his coat pocket opening it and offering it to me, "Will you do the extraordinary honour of becoming my wife?"
I nodded, tears streaming down my face, "Yes!"
Edward's face broke into the most amazing smile as he slipped the sparkling, diamond ring onto my finger before lifting me off my feet into his embrace. He spun me around clinging to me tightly. "You said yes" Edward whispered in amazement.
"Yes" I whispered burying my face into his neck. "It was always going to be a yes."
He pulled away slightly capturing my lips in a searing kiss. "You've made me the happiest man alive."
I beamed at him before glancing down at my ring, it was beautiful.
"It was my Grandma Elizabeth's ring" he told me touching it gently with his index finger. "The ring Grandpa Masen proposed to her with many years ago, he bought her many pieces over the years they were together but this was always my favourite as was the story that went with it."
"They were young when Grandpa proposed, only seventeen years old, after courting for just six months. He always said he knew from the moment he saw her that they were each other's forever so immediately he began saving for a ring. He worked long hours and went without a lot to get enough money together to buy this ring. They lived in London at the time, the city they were born in."
"Finally he saved enough and headed straight to the jewellers; as soon as he saw this ring he knew it was the one. He proposed and without hesitation her answer was yes. They married two months later and immediately they were expecting my Uncle Maxwell. They moved from London to Port Angeles when my father was five years old and built their life here together."
He smiled at me continuing to gently play with the ring sparkling in the dim light. "They loved each other until the very end, Grandpa Masen died only a few years ago and my Grandma was distraught. Only a few months after his death she followed, succumbing to her broken heart."
Tears welled in my eyes and spilled down over my cheeks, it was such a sad but romantic story.
"Just before she passed she sat us all down one by one and gave us each a few of her trinkets explaining why she had chosen each to give to that particular person. Grandma was adamant that this ring be given to me, saying that one day when I found the other half of my soul that I propose to her with this ring. She had dreamed about us many years before we had even met" he looked up at me wiping the tears from me cheeks.
"When she told me about this and her dream I had to admit I thought she was crazy, but then I met you and I understood. This ring was meant for you Bella, only you."
"It's beautiful" I whispered, referring to both the ring and the story of Masen and Elizabeth's undying love.
"As is the woman wearing it" Edward said softly kissing the ring before making his way up my arm to capture my lips.
I sighed letting myself melt in his embrace, much too soon he pulled away, gently placing one last kiss on my lips.
"OH!" I exclaimed as I came to a sudden realisation. "This was what you were talking to Charlie about yesterday, wasn't it?"
Edward nodded, "I wanted to do this right, I respect Charlie and I knew that he would appreciate it."
"And…?" I probed.
"He was thrilled actually, by the fact that I had thought to ask his permission and that I was going to ask you to be my wife."
"I bet" I smirked, "That's definitely won you a few brownie points. You told Carlisle too didn't you?"
"I did" Edward confirmed, well that explained a lot, the baby comments, the twinkle in his eye when he watched us together. "I had to so I could get the ring, it was being held in a safety deposit box."
"And you wanted too" I touched his cheek gently which was flushed pink from the cold.
Edward nodded, "He's really excited Bella and he cannot wait to have you as a part of our family officially."
"I can't wait either" I whispered, "Let's go make our announcement."
A/N: Soooooo they're getting' married! What did you think of the proposal?