Disclaimer: SM owns Edward, not me (sadly!)
3rd December 2010
'Will you marry me?' 'Will you be my wife?' 'Will you be mine forever?' There were so many different ways I could ask her but as I was thinking of where to ask Bee to be my forever, a thought had popped into my head and I couldn't let it go. It would be perfect for us; in our park.
So the week after Thanksgiving, I got organised. Mom and Dad knew I was asking Bella but I didn't let them in on my plans. I wanted to let the world know that I loved Bella Swan and that I wanted to marry her.
There was only one other person who knew I was going to ask Bella to marry me and that was Jake. It just felt right to tell him. I didn't ask his permission because to be fair, the only person I really wanted to ask for Bella's hand in marriage was someone I couldn't; Charlie. I'd been thinking about what his reaction would have been since I'd brought the ring. My dad told me that he would be proud to have had him as a son in the official sense as he had always seen me as a son just as sorts growing up as Mom and Dad had always seen Bella as a daughter. Jake was cool about it, happy even. It was like he'd just been waiting to hear the news.
So as I sat at our bench for the last time before the big 'ask' day tomorrow, I continued to change my mind about the actual words I would use.
4th December 2010
I'd once again pulled out all the stops to not work this weekend. It sucked that I would have to work Christmas Eve and New Years Eve but today, if Bella did say yes to my asking her to marry me, we would be sharing many, many Christmases and New Years together so working this one would be okay.
I'd asked Bella to leave this weekend open to do 'stuff' together. I didn't think she knew anything about the life changing question or should I say question's I was going to ask. Firstly I was going to ask her to live with me, to buy a new house together where we could start our home then I was going to ask her to marry me.
I was so nervous driving over to her apartment to pick her up Saturday morning. I'd told her I wanted to take her to the park for an hour. Since the weather had turned wintery, we hadn't sat in the park as much as we both would have liked but I knew that I had to do it there.
Knocking at Bella's door once, I waited. A few seconds later, Bella opened the door with a big grin on her face. She was as beautiful as ever. She was all ready to go complete with her thick winter coat, mittens and wooly hat. I left my car at hers and we strode to the park slowly, hand in hand. Bella talked about her Friday at school as I listened. I loved to just listen to Bella talk. She was so full of life and love for what she did. Her school stories always made me smile. Her rambles took my mind off the situation I was facing ahead. I'd already had my panic of 'will she say yes' in the presence of my mom and dad when I first told them I was going to propose but a lot of time had passed since then and I had accepted that I will accept her answer, whatever that might be. Plus my mom said that Bella would be silly to say no to me. Silly... I hoped to God I wouldn't be Silly Edward today. I longed to be 'seriously over the fucking moon cause she said yes' Edward today.
I sat down on our bench quickly as the nerves started to get to me. The ring in my jacket inside pocket seemed to weigh a ton as I stared at the playground. It took me a minute to realise what Bella had said.
"What's this?" She pointed at the bench back where the black cellophane was. I shrugged indifferently. "You wanna find out?" I tugged at the corner of the black material slightly before Bella's hand covered mine.
"We might get in trouble Edward. It's obviously there for a reason."
I swallowed back the last of my nerves. "I think it'll be okay if you do it. Just take extra care." Bella looked at me, trying to figure out what I meant before she slipped off her mittens and slowly started to peel back the cellophane. When her attention was fully focused of carefully peeling back the material, I reached into my inside pocket and slid from the bench onto one knee.
The black cellophane was slowing being replaced by a shiny brass plague. When Bella saw her own name, she gasped and ripped the rest of the cellophane back quickly to reveal my message to her.
Her eyes were still locked on the plague, her fingers gently stoking over the letters etched there as I began to speak.
"Bee. You know that I love you, so much and even though we've only been reunited a short amount of time, I've never been more certain to ask you this question..."
I looked to the plague which read, 'Bee, Will you marry me? Love Edward x'
We both lifted our eyes at the same time and they locked. I could see her tears brimming at the edge of her lids, ready to fall as her eyes glanced at the ring I was holding out to her and then back to meet my eyes again.
"Bella, I promise to love you forever. Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?"
Bella's nod started off as the smallest of movement before she said the one word I'd been longing to hear, "Yes."
It was crystal clear... yes. She said yes. My heart was banging against my chest so hard when I took her left hand gently and slid her ring on her finger. Once it place, I took hold of her hand but couldn't take my eyes off it. It gleamed in the winter morning sun.
"I can't believe you said yes." I mumbled to myself still looking down at the ring on her finger. The one that official ties me to her, to my Bee. I was literally pulled out of my dazed state by Bella pulling her hand away from mine so she could grab the lapels of my winter jacket to tug me to sit on the bench. I hadn't realised I was still kneeling on one knee on the floor... in the park… in winter. Once I was sat on the bench, I didn't have time to think before Bella's lips meet mine with passion. That kiss was full of joy and love and as I wrapped her up in my arms, I hoped she would stay there forever.
I'd booked a table for dinner at Bella's favourite restaurant, La Bella, across town for the next day to celebrate, just the two of us. My want to keep her all to myself was in full force but today, I wanted to share our news with the world.
Knowing that people would sit on our bench in years to come and wonder if Bee said yes to Edward was something I knew Bella would love and she did. I knew that years from now, we would sit there and tell our children, then our grandchildren about that day.
Once the news had finally sunk in she had in fact said yes to me, I asked for my second question, would she live with me before we got married in our own house. We always spent more time at Bella's apartment than my house but it was too small for full term living. I knew Bella was never fully comfortable with my house and neither was I due to who I used to share that house with so buying a house together would be something I wanted us to do. She readily agreed and I was beyond happy.
Bella wanted to let Jake and Billy know our news first so we started our long day of tells by travelling across the city to Jake's apartment. Of course, Jake knew I was going to ask so it was no great surprise. We both looked so happy when we walked through his apartment door so it wasn't so hard to figure out our news.
"We're getting married!" Bella announced. She proudly showed Jake her ring, bouncing on the balls of her feet lightly as she did; she reminded me of Alice. As Bella almost threw herself at Jake when they exchanged hugs, I saw Jake whisper something in her ear too low for me to hear. Bella nodded with that happy smile still on her face. Billy was at Jake's too so that saved us a journey. Billy too was happy for us. When Billy was talking to Bella about our living arrangement, Jake pulled me to one side.
"Edward, you know I respect you and I know you'll take care her. Thank you for making her happy. Over the last six months, I've never seen her happier, ever. You're good for her."
"She's good for me too." I smiled as I looked back at Bella who was still talking to Billy but her eyes were on us. I grinned at her and she smiled back.
"See... Made for each other."
I tore my eyes away from my fiancée to look back at Jake. "So, Jake. How are you and Leah?" I smiled and playfully elbowed him in the ribs.
He beamed back at me, "Good... Great actually." Wow, the power of Jake smile is kinda scary. It's so white!
"That's all I get? Great?" He nodded with his pearly whites still on display. I shook my head slightly and laughed, "Okay. Fair play."
We spent another hour with Jake and Billy before we headed out to my mom and dad's place. I knew Dad wasn't working so they should both be home.
"Mom? Dad?" I called out as we walked through the front door hand in hand. "We have some-"
My sentence was cut short by the person stood in my parent's living room; Tanya. What the fuck is she doing here! I pulled Bella to my side instinctively, wrapping my arm around her waist.
"Edward. I'm sorry. I'm here to apologise for what I said as I left. I called at the house but you weren't there so I thought I'd try here. I've had time to think it through and I understand and agree with you. We had been drifting apart for some time and I didn't want to see it."
She stood there looking very somber, sad even and very un-Tanya like. I didn't believe it and therefore I didn't like it one bit. I was froze to the spot unsure what to say, what to do. I wanted to be angry but I couldn't let my fantastic day be ruined by her. She was worth it. If this apology would get her out of my life for good, then I'd take it.
I glanced over at my mom and dad, both where looking at us. Dad looked apologetic but Mom looked angry, really angry.
"Well Tanya, you've said what you wanted to say so I think it's time for you to leave." Mom's eyes were piercing the side of Tanya's head but Tanya kept her gaze on me.
"Yes I think it's time for you to go, Tanya." My head turned to look down at Bella as she spoke in icy tones. I could see her hands balled into fists at her sides before she unclenched her left hand to place it on my chest. Tanya's eyes immediately landed on that ring at nestled there. A dark look flashed across Tanya's features before her face once again became expressionless.
"Well, yes. I should go. Thank you Edward for listening. I hope you forgive me." Tanya's eyes landed on Bella as they narrowed slightly, "Goodbye… Bella." She all but spat the words at my girl. Anger surged through me, my fists clenched and I went to step forward but Bella held me to the spot.
"Goodbye Tanya. Hope you have a safe trip back to New York." Bella replied sweetly. I wasn't fooled through; anger was reeling from Bella as well.
Tanya turned her nose in the air and marched out of my parent's house. Thank fuck for that!
I let out a breathe I didn't know I was holding before placing my arms fully around my Bella and hugged her. "Thanks Bee. I nearly lost it there." I whispered into her hair.
Bella pulled her head back to look at me, "I'm the one who almost lost it. God, I just wanted to... to... never mind." She shuddered slightly before burying her head into my chest with a small chuckle. I shook my head slightly, not really wanting to know what Bella wanted to do; I didn't want to thinking about Tanya anymore on the most happiest day of my life... so far.
Still wrapped up in our embrace, I raised my head to look at Mom and Dad who were nowhere to be seen. They must have retreated into the kitchen to give us some privacy. "Mom? Dad? You can come back in your own home now." I chuckled.
Dad popped his head around the door, "You sure son?"
"Yeah Dad." I laughed again.
Dad walked back in but there was no sight of Mom. "Where's Mom?"
"She'll be out in a second son. She's just trying to calm down." He gave me a small smile and a shrug.
"I'll go and see she's okay." Bella replied. She removed herself from my grasp and walked into the kitchen.
Ten minutes later, they both returned with smiles on both their faces. Bella came to sit with me on one sofa and Mom joined Dad on the other. "Good to see you smile Mom. A scowl doesn't sit pretty on your face."
"Cheeky!" She tried and failed to hide her smile.
"Yeah." I grinned back at her. "Well before we were rudely interrupted, we came over to share our news." I looked at Bella as I wrapped my arm around her waist, "We're getting married..."
A loud shriek filled the room but it didn't come from either Mom or Dad.
"Edward Anthony Masen Cullen! Where you ever going to tell your big sister this most fantastic news? Huh?"
Alice burst into the room and almost launched herself at both myself and Bella. We quickly parted to make room for my annoying big little sister as she sat between us, wrapping an arm around each of our necks and pulling us to her.
"Oh my God Bella! Where's the ring? I need to see the ring!" Bella laughed as she let Alice examine her left hand.
"Ooooooooh it's sooooooooo beautiful Bella! Oh Edward, you chose this all on your own? I'm proud of you little big brother." She gave me a kiss on her cheek as I nodded then she proceeded to squeeze the living shit out of both of us.
"Jazzy! Did you know this?"
Jasper shook his head. "No Alice. I'm in the dark as much as you are. Congratulations guys. Always knew you two would get your shit together some day."
"Jasper!"
"Well it's true Alice. You even said it yourself."
"Oh Edward," I turned to see my Mom, tears running down her cheeks as my Dad held her close. "I'm so happy for you. I told you she would say yes."
"Oh, how come Mom knew and I didn't." Alice stomped her foot playfully on the floor like a three year old.
"Because Shorty, I had to freak out with someone about the whole asking thing and it made sense to go to my Mom and Dad."
"Dad too? Oooooh." She was whining and it was so funny that I couldn't help the laughter spill from my mouth. Everyone joined in, it was infectious. After all the tension leading up to today then Tanya's surprise visit, I felt really good to just laugh.
Once we had calmed down, Alice demanded we tell them the story on how I actually asked. When Bella talked about the bench plaque and how she was so surprised, overwhelmed and so in love with the idea that people would forever know that I asked her there, I couldn't contain my happiness.
"Oh Jasper. Why couldn't you be that romantic?" Alice shook her head. "Being upstaged by your best friend." Then she tutted. I burst out laughing at the exchange and got many looks but I didn't care. I was just so happy that everything was how it should be. Well it was for me. As I was in the kitchen getting another round of drinks for everyone, Alice trotted in to help me.
"I am proud of you Edward. You and Bella belong to each other. I've always know that." My mind drifted back to similar words said when to me when I was just fifteen years old.
"Thank you Shorty. How's things with you and Jasper?"
"We're good, no baby yet but we're enjoying trying now." She winked at me. "Urgh too much information Shorty!" I made a disgusted face before it gave way to a sad smile as I pulled Alice into a hug. "I'm proud of you Shorty, so proud."
She hugged me back before sniffing back the tears, "Thanks Edward." I kissed the top of her head before stepping back. "So remind me again how Jasper's poor excuse of a proposal happened?" I ran back into the living room after having to duck to miss a teaspoon being thrown at my head.
Alice followed moments later with a tray of drinks and a smile on her face.
It was early evening before we left my parent's house. We had decided to go back to Bella's apartment for the night and call Emmett and Rose.
We put them on speaker phone to give them the news.
"Oh man, I'm so happy for you guys!" Emmett shouted while I could hear sobbing. "Rose? You okay?"
"Yeah... I'm just so happy for you both... Stupid pregnancy hormones!" Rose said between the sniffs.
Benjamin gave us his own version of congratulations by singing 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' to us that he had just learnt the tune for. Most of the words were 'dada' and 'erer', but it was still very sweet. My mind wandered to my future and a mini version of Bella in our life, my daughter. Just thinking of having a baby with Bella made me want to marry her this second so we could start trying.
After we said our good-byes and night nights to my brother and his family, I ordered a Chinese takeout as we sat on Bella's sofa and watched television, just relaxing.
After filing ourselves with way too much Chinese food, Bella jumped to her feet. "Oh I have something for us to look at!" She ran out of the room and came back a couple of minutes later with a newspaper. She sat on my lap as she opened the newspaper to the houses for sale section. I looked at her face and grinned.
"Eager aren't you?"
She smacked my shoulder playfully, "Yes I am. Aren't you? I'll put this down if you wa-" I cut Bella's sentence short by my kiss. Kissing Bella, I realised that since she'd said yes to my proposal, this was the first time we had been alone. Alone enough to do whatever we wanted. Still in our lip lock, I maneuvered Bella to lay back on the sofa as I hovered over her.
"I can't wait to marry you Bee." I murmured against her lips. Bella's eyes fluttered open as a lazy smile began on her beautiful lips. "Neither can I Mr. Cullen."
"Mr. Cullen. Don't you mean Dr. Cullen? Hmm?" I pushed my nose under her chin to lift it gently before leaving open mouth kisses to the underside of her chin, her neck, her chest; anywhere I could reach.
"Hmmm. Yes Dr. Cullen." Oh God. There was just something about my professional name rolling off Bella's tongue that made pure, hot desire course through me. My dick stirred in my jeans, seeking out any kind of contact. As if Bella knew my thoughts, she lifted her hips to meet mine. We moaned in union.
"You like that Dr. Cullen?" I groaned again into her neck.
"Yes... very much, Mrs Cullen." Bella stopped completely still as the words tumbled from my mouth. Shit. Had I been to forward? She wasn't Mrs Cullen yet ... Or she might not want to take my name at all. That particular thought made me kinda sad but if she wanted to keep her surname, I wouldn't stop her. Mrs Cullen did sound good though.
Bella lifted her head so we were face to face; eye to eye. Her lip trembled once before a single tear dropped, "There's nothing in this world I want more than to become Mrs Isabella Marie Cullen." The love and pride that swept through would have knocked me off my feet if I was stood upright.
I reached forward to sweep away the tear of joy that had fallen, "I love you Bee." I kissed her with conviction, with passion, with everything I felt for this amazing woman who laid beneath me. The woman who I would see every day of my existence. The woman who I would love forever.
Bella's hands crawled over my arms, up my shoulders and into the back of my hair and pulled. "Oh Edward, I love you too."
My kissing became frantic, hands, legs inter wined with each other. It was incredible but I needed to slow this down. I wanted to worship her body, slowly. We had all the time in the world.
I pulled away from Bella as gracefully as I took as she had wrapped her whole form around me. Once I was stood, I looked down at Bella who was panting heavily with a confused look on her face.
Extending my hand to her, I cocked my head towards her bedroom. The confusion melted away and was replaced with a happy small smile. Placing her hand in mine, I helped her to her feet before picking her up bride-style. Bella's beautiful laugh filled her living space as I paced towards her bedroom door.
"Shouldn't this happen after we get married?"
I simply shrugged as I used my foot to open the door before placing her down in the centre of her bed. Her soft chestnut hair fanned out on the pillow, her waiting chocolate brown eyes wide with excitement. My eyes wandered down her figure, taking in every curve, every detail and wondering how did I get this lucky? The girl of my dreams is here, laid out in front of me after saying she'd be my wife. Lucky bastard!
As my gaze crept back up to Bella's face, she was biting her bottom lip looking at me from under her lashes. Oh she knew exactly what that look did to me. My dick immediately hardened in my jeans as I groaned. "Don't be a naughty girl, Mrs Cullen."
Bella released her lip to moan, her hand sliding up to palm her own breast with an innocent expression on her face. "Me? Naughty? Never Dr Cullen."
It took every bit of will power I had not to just jump on her and fuck her hard. No tonight I was going slow and loving her as she deserved. I slowly crawled from the foot of the bed to settle on top of her. Gazing into her eyes I couldn't help but smile. "I'm going to love you forever, you know this right?"
She nodded as she bit onto her lower lip. She wasn't going to give in to my want of worship so I knew I had to take control. I lowered my head so my nose brushed hers before trailing my nose and lips down her jaw to nuzzle her neck as my fingers gently gripped her hips.
"You smell so good Bee." I kissed her neck again, sucking lightly. Bella whimpered as her fingers came up into my hair. They pulled and twisted before pushing me more into her. My lips slid down to the hollow of the base of her neck, down further still to her chest. My fingers came to rest at the bottom of her t shirt where I tugged, indicating I needed to get rid of the material between us. She sat up slightly so I could quickly pull the t shirt and bra off her. She lay back down in just her jeans.
"Come here." She pulled me towards her so she could lift and remove my own t shirt before I settled back on my heels between Bella's legs as I just watched her.
"Touch me Edward, please."
I lightly traced with one finger tip from her stomach, up her left side just grazing the side of her breast, to her neck to her ear, across her cheeks, her eyes which fluttered close, down her perfect nose, her lips, back down her neck between the valley of her breasts before tracing back up her right side. Then I repeated my actions again, my touch was as light as a feather. On the third time of doing this, my fingers slid over her taut nipple. She arched her back slightly and gasped. Goose bumps broke out of her skin as she tried to close her legs and squirm. Realising what she was trying to do, my hands came down to squeeze her thighs softly. I looked at her to see her eyes darken from lust and want. I popped the button, pulled the zip down and pulled her jeans and panties away in one, swift motion. Putting my hands on the tops of her now naked thighs, I gently eased them wider for me.
I lowered myself to kiss her stomach, her hip bones. I flattened my tongue out and ran it down her pelvic bone. Reaching her clit with just the tip of my tongue, I made small circles to which Bella moaned.
"Oh God yes…"
My movements remained slow and purposeful bringing her slowly to her climax. Bella stiffened momentarily before grabbing my head. Her hips started to move in a circular motion and I knew she was close... close to number one. So I moved to slowing sink two digits into her wet core. I pumped in and out slowly to the rhythm of her own movements.
Bella was panting, "Oh please… oh… oh God please… yes... yes ... YEEEEEES!" She trembled beneath me as her orgasm hit. Panting while still trying to catch her breath, Bella sat up, unfastening my jeans and using her legs to kick them and my boxers down my legs.
She moved to flip us over but I held her still. I knew what she wanted to do. "It's all about you tonight baby." Her long hair was sticking to her forehead, her breathing was still accelerated and her cheeks was flushed; she was a picture of heaven. My hands palmed her breast again more roughly this time. Her eyes rolled back as did her head as she laid back down. I squeezed and pulled her nipple between my fingers.
"Let me love you Bee." My mouth clamped down on the other nipple. Bella made a growling sound as I continued my assault. I switched my mouth to her other breast as she reached between us to grab my dick. I was about to protest when she gripped me, pumping me once. With a flick of her wrist, I was growling too.
My mouth detached from her as I left hot open mouthed kisses up to her mouth. "Fucking shit." I half whispered, half moaned.
My mouth captured hers, her tongue immediately seeking entry. When I opened for her, she purged into my waiting mouth, her hand movements picking up pace. I mirrored her actions as I entered two fingers into her which caused her to moan wildly. My thumb circled her clit and I could felt her inner walls pull me in. Shifting my hips out of her grasp, I continued my movements.
"Ah Edward… Oh God... Edward… EDWARD!"
Her second orgasm hit her hard as she screamed my name.
"Edward," she was still panting, trying to catch her breath, "I need you."
I cupped her face and kissed her lips softly as her breathing returned to a more normal rhythm. Our sweet kisses continued as I lined myself up to her entrance. She was so wet and ready for me. I entered her slowly to the sounds of moans of joy and happiness from both myself and Bella. Once I was fully inside her, no other words were needed. I loved her and she loved me. We were getting to spend the rest of our days together and we were blissful happy. We set a steady pace, both pulling and pushing together, our bodies so in tune with each others. The feeling of making love to this beautiful creature laid beneath me was enough to make my heart want to burst with love.
Bella's fingertips on my shoulders dug into me and I knew she was close again so I picked up my pace. Strong thrusts in and out had me reeling, my balls getting tighter by the second, the tension in the pit of my groin wanting to explode. I lowered a hand and swept my thumb along her sensitive bud. Her fingernails dug in me to the point of pain as her inner walls started to pull me in deeper. I bit my lip, not wanting to make a sound that would drown out the beautiful song Bella was making before she gasped and moaned. Her walls clamping down on my dick sent me falling off the edge as pure pleasure swept through my body, from my fingers to my toes. My skin tingled, becoming highly sensitive. Bella's fingers were still gripping on to my arms, drawing out my orgasm as my eyes rolled into the back of my head. I collapsed in top of my incredible angel trying not to put my full weight on her in fear of crushing her small frame.
I rolled us over so she was on top of me. I kissed her lips one last time, trying to convey my love for her with actions instead of words. I lifted her hand to kiss her ring before settling down. Bella laid to my left; curled around me, her head on my chest, arm around my waist before we both drifted to sleep, together.
Awwwww fluffy lemons :) lol. So Bee said Yes! Did you expect anything else? I have a pic of the plague from the bench - I'll put it on my blog shortly :)
Thank you to my beta and bestie, SweetLovinCullen for all her help (especially for posting this chapter for me as I have laptop problems at the mo). Thank you to everyone who reads and reviews my story. I love you all.
If you did review the last chapter, you'll know that Loved & Lost is coming to a close soon *sad panda* but I have lots of other things on the go if you're interested ...
I've signed up for the Fandom4Cancer appeal with the first Loved & Lost outtake of Edward's 16th birthday from Bella's point of view!
I've also signed up for Fandom4Texas appeal where I'll be donating chapter 1 of a new short story called 'Ladies Night'.
Summary: When Bella goes to her best friends' Ice Hockey Team's Ladies Night, she's just looking for a bit of fun but will she get more than she bargained for? AH. Bella & Edward. Hockeyward. Rated M for language and lemons.
Chapter 20 of L&L is written and will be posted next weekend so until then let me know what you think xx