Part XXIV

BPOV (Bella)

The joy of Jacob's departure left me feeling guilty. This was what I had always wanted. I grieved the way it had ended but I knew we would've been truly unhappy "Why did he do it?" Edward asked.

I shrugged. "Jacob Santillana is an amazing person and I take personal responsibility for this. I made a mistake and he had to pay for it. He's selfless, he's proven that."

"So did you and so did I, we paid for our own mistakes, and his for that matter. That doesn't make what he did to you right."

"It's behind us, I don't want to lend a thought to it. I always thought this would never happen, at the time it was for different reasons but I don't feel that way anymore. Let's forgive and forget. But, before that," I pulled out the envelope, "here. It's from Jacob, I'm not sure what it is."

EPOV (Edward)

She handed me an envelope addressed to me. I was almost suspicious of what it would say. I half expected some terrible curse. He most likely despised me the way I did him. He was so terrible to her, I can't ignore how me made her so unhappy.

I resolved to open the envelope.

Edward, I won't be pleasant because it would be a pretense. I did what I did for her, because I love her and I hold her so dearly. Otherwise there would be no way in hell I would've swallowed my pride and asked the Duke to help annul my marriage. I'm completely aware of the fact that I did horrible things. In the end, you know I was the better choice, you let her marry me because at the time I was superior to you, now I cannot say the same. I have changed and I am remorseful of what I've done.

You spark something within her, you bring her to life and I was never able to do that. She never loved me, after all that time you were gone, even while knowing you were to be married she never lost hope. I counted on the fact that you would marry and she would forget you but I underestimated you. I thought it was all some whim but I was obviously mistaken.

I suppose to the purpose of this letter is to firstly excuse myself and to reassure you of something. Bella is as pure as the first day you met her, I never touched her. I don't want you to ever think that she is not worthy of a white dress on the day of your marriage. It's inevitable but I don't want her to be ridiculed. I didn't lie to get the annulment, it's true, I promised to wait and I did. I still love her but I suppose one day the love, the pain, will fade and perhaps that's why we didn't last.

Jacob Santillana

I had to read it twice. Of course, I suspected that she was yet a virgin but it was honorable of him to write me a letter. I found it hard to hate him the way I did. He was truly an honorable man.

Bella looked at me expectantly. "What did he say?"

I chuckled. "Nothing, really, he apologizes for what happened, that's all. Obviously, he loathes me and he has high hopes for you." I continued on my way inside. We walked through the main room out to the large garden where my mother, brother, and Charlotte sat drinking tea.

My mother smiled sweetly. "Isabella it is very nice to see you, my son seems most thrilled."

"Mrs. Masen." She interrupted to remind her of what she'd asked to be called. "Elizabeth, I owe you and your entire family an apology." She shocked us all. "I know my actions took a toll on Edward and therefore it took a toll on your family. I made a mistake and I was not the only one who paid the consequences. I would like to know if you would forgive me for disturbing your peace, if you still find me worthy of him."

My mother waited a bit before she answered. "Sweetie, this was as much of your mistake as it was Edward's. He chose to conform and that's his own fault. Even I have some fault, I demanded that he wed a woman he had no desire for but as he's always done, he defied the orders that were given to him. I cannot blame you but I do require a promise of you. This promise is not exclusive. It is required of both my sons' wives. You must promise me that you will take care of him because one day you'll be the only woman in his life and I will be dead. You complete him the way Charlotte completes Robert, Edward needs you like Robert needs Charlotte. My sons are all I have left and I leave you at the charge of my youngest, of my baby."

I don't blush, I never have it but I felt my face redden.

"My little brother is shy." Robert cooed.

I scowled.

My mother ignored us and called Claire. "Claire, go to my bedroom and bring me what we arranged for this morning." Claire skipped away.

"You all knew this would happen?" I asked.

"Jacob signed the papers with me." Robert admitted. "The information was concealed."

"Jacob informed me yesterday." My mother added. I suspected she forced the information from him. No one has yet to deny my mother.

"Robert told me." Charlotte said. I looked over to Robert who shrugged.

"She's the Duchess, she is my wife and I may tell her what I please or what rather what she pleases." Robert cleared up. "Don't be so insulted, she had to lie to you."

I sighed and took a seat next to my mother. Claire returned with a small copper box. My mother opened it and revealed her engagement ring. "Edward I suppose you want this." It was her mother's ring. My father had given her a different ring, one that was his mother's and that was the ring Robert gave to Charlotte and she once told me that this ring would be for my wife.

She laid the ring in the palm of my hand. I scooted the chair back and got to my knee. "I shall not delay a moment longer, Isabella Swan will you finally marry me before something else occurs."

She laughed as did everyone that surrounded us. "Why do you ask? Of course the answer is yes!" She said with a giggle. I slid the ring on her finger and she smiled as she looked down at it.

"We weren't invited, how utterly rude." Emmett boomed, beside him was, as expected, Rose. She was still sick but there was a light in her eyes.

"It's long delayed, cousin." Rosalie, I knew not how to call her.

"Rose, you're here."

She nodded. "I am and it's a sight to see, I am free."

From the moment I proposed everyone was sworn to secrecy. Robert wanted to have a ball in honor of our engagement but it could not be done. Bella's father and mother did not know nor would they be pleased to find out. I decided that after a week of secrecy they had to know.

"Bella we need to talk."

She frowned. "Of what?"

"We must inform your parents, this is not even official until they agree to it. I cannot and will not marry you against their will. You don't want that, I know you don't."

She shook her head. "Please don't insist. Your brother is Duke, he can make arrangements."

"I need to ask for their blessing."

"No, you won't get it. They wanted me to marry Jacob, they pressured me to go through with it. They will never accept what's happened. My mother is furious because the marriage is annulled, imagine what she will think of this."

That was what I expected. "I know Bella but that's not the point. They are your parents and I would be more comfortable asking for their blessing. Bella I want – I need – to do this right. I can't mess up. I can't let you shun your parents either. If not for them then go for me."

She looked up at me and after a moment she smiled. "Fine but I hope you enjoy disappointment, she vowed to never support this marriage." She warned.