Author's note: first thing Edward says, Twilight Movie. Esme: Edward's very fast. Because my friends are tards, I have a dirty mind about that saying. THANKS GUYS.
Chapter 11: Too late now.
Edward grinned. "People tell me I'm very fast." he said, bolting out of the first door her saw. The green forest flew by, all he could see was green. He knew exactly where he was going, and he could feel Bella's tight grip around him. He wrapped his arms around the both of them, holding her close to his body, making sure she wouldn't fall. And just like that, they were at the meadow. The sun was setting, it was probably the most beautiful time to be in the meadow. He smiled and let go of Bella, so she could get off his back.
She slid, almost elegantly off his back and moved so she was facing him. Looking around her as she walked around him, the meadow was beautiful, especially at sunset.
"OK, now are you going to tell me what's going on?" She asked, folding her arms across her stomach. She looked into his eyes.
"Well?" She asked, pouting slightly. She was incredibly curious about all this.
Edward smiled and cleared his throat. He paused, looking down at her and smiling ear to ear. "Alright, the reason why I had to go into town was to pick something up. I left it at the bank in Chicago, afraid I would loose it. I was sending it to Forks, because I heard there were a few robberies in Chicago. I didn't want it stolen so I got it shipped here. It only arrived the day before yesterday, and it was why I brought the thing up in your room." he said reaching into his pocket.
"Now, you've already agreed to this, but I want to do it right, like the old fashioned guy I am." he said pulling out a small box and kneeling down. He looked up at Bella, a soft smile across his face, waiting for a reaction from her.
As he started talking a look of confusion flashed across her face, then as he knelt down in front of her she groaned slightly, "Edward, why?" She sighed slightly looking down at him. Why was he doing this? Was he determined to make her turn into a beetroot? As she looked at him she blushed, she closed her eyes for a moment, hoping when she opened them they'd still be at the Cullen's, not stood in the Meadow, with him making her slightly uncomfortable.
Edward smiled at her again, laughing sightly. "You asked for this Bella. This was all you." he said. He closed his eyes clearing this throat.
"Isabella Swan?" He'd lose points there, for using her full name, he was aware she didn't like it. She frowned slightly at the use of her full first name, thankfully he hadn't middle named her as well. He found it necessary to use though. He looked up at her, his golden eyes soft but, somehow, scorching.
"I promise to love you forever --- every single day of forever. Will you marry me?" he opened the box slowly, revealing his mother's wedding ring.
She bit her lip for a moment before kneeling down in front of him, smiling at him, "And just how gutted would you be if I said no?" She laughed, but before he had time to answer she leant towards him and kissed his lips passionately, her arms snaking round his neck. She pulled away for a moment.
Edward face went a spew with her first words, but laughed when she did. He kissed her back passionately, his hands falling behind her neck, dropping the ring for a moment.
"Of course I'll marry you Edward Cullen." She whispered against his lips before kissing him again.
"Thank you Bella." he whispered in between kisses.
"No. Thank you." She smiled, as she whispered against his lips once more. She moved back for a moment looking at the ring.
"Now that is gorgeous." She whispered.
He smiled as she commented on the ring. "Not as beautiful as you." he whispered hold her hand in place and kissing each of her fingers, earning himself an eye roll from Bella. He then placed the ring in her finger and kissed it, looking up into her eyes.
"I can see Alice seeing you say what you said first and flipping out right now in my head." he laughed and leaned over to her, their lips molded on each others.
She bit her lip lightly. "That's one of the reasons I said it." She laughed as their lips met again, her arms tightened slightly around her neck, her fingers playing with the ring on her finger. Edward grinned, his hand finding hers, playing with the ring. His other hand found its way to the back of her neck, entangling his fingers in her hair. He moved back slightly, his lips leaving her just for a moment, far enough for him to be able to talk.
"And the other reasons?" he asked curiously, but he lips returned to hers before she could reply again. Fiancés.. at last. It felt good to have that ring on her finger, he was a bit frighten that she would say no at first.
She kissed him for a moment longer before pulling back slightly, she grinned at him, "Now that would be telling." she smirked before crushing her lips against his again. It was official now. They were going to get married. Her, Bella Swan, and him, Edward Cullen, were going to get married. She took a deep breath at the thought. A smile spread across her face, it wasn't that she disliked the idea, it never had been, no it was the frills of the whole thing that she could live without.
Edward grinned as their lips crashed together. A few minutes later he pulled away though. He pushed his away over to her side and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her to his chest as he laid down. He sighed and kissed her forehead and laid his head against the cool grass, looking up at the sky go from orange to red to purple. One of his hand rested on her stomach and the other stroked her hair gently. The stars started to form in the sky.
She sighed as he pulled away but settled her head on his chest as they lay down. Her hands covering the hand of his which rested on her stomach. She looked up at the stars for a moment before closing her eyes. This moment was perfect, she was happy, for once. Her breathing slowed slightly and she opened her eyes again before turning over to look at him, resting her chin on her hands which rested on his chest.
"Edward?" She whispered.
Edward closed his eyes, listening to the quiet sound of Bella's breathing and heartbeat. He opened his golden eyes, starring deeply into her chocolate brown eyes as she called his name. He looked at her lovingly and smiled down at her.
"Yes love?" he whispered, stroking her head gently. His hand moved to her back as she moved so she was position as she was.
She smiled and looked into his eyes, "I love you." She whispered, closing her eyes and setting her cheek onto her hands. Keeping her eyes closed, though the smile stayed on her lips. "Thank you." She said, quietly. She bit her lower lip, as she shuffled slightly closer to him, her head moving slightly further up his chest. Her eyes opening and looking into his once more.
Edward smiled as he listened to her whisper. He couldn't help but love her. "I love you too. And why are you thanking me?" he whispered back, his hand still stroking her hair. His hand moved up her back as she moved closer to him, he could feel her heartbeat through his chest, it felt like it was trying to restart his.
"I'm thanking you for a whole host of things, but mainly for just being you." She grinned and moved her head slightly so their lips met. Edward smiled and returned the kiss. She let hers linger there for a moment then pulled away, looking into his eyes. She moved one of her hands from his chest and ran her finger tips lightly across his cheek, and up into his hair, twisting strands round her fingers.
"What're you thinking?" She asked with a curious look.
He watched as she placed the curious look on her face, and his smile got crooked. "I was thinking that it was the whole we're finally actually going to get married, since I proposed to you and all. But I'm glad its more then that. My list goes on for why I'd thank-you, it would probably take my entirety to tell you." he whispered to her ear, kissing the side of her face gently.
She laughed slightly, "You have nothing to thank me for." She whispered, kissing his lips again. Her fingers still twisting his hair around themselves. Her eyes never leaving his. She smiled a broad smile.
Edward shook his head. "I have everything to thank you for." he whispered to her ear. She just smiled at him, thinking deeply.
"If you could do anything in the world right now, what would it be?" She asked quietly.
"I know you'll probably roll your eyes at this, but I doing it right now, I'm with you." he whispered to her ear again. He had been right, she rolled her eyes as he whispered his answer in her ear. His lips lowered to her neck, planted soft kisses all along her neck. Her breath caught, as usual, as he kissed her neck repeatedly, his cold lips sending shivers down her spine every time they touched her skin.
He taste her sweet skin and smiled, proud of himself for being so restrained right now. He didn't feel like sticking his teeth into her neck, sucking the blood out of her body. No, he just felt like kissing it, over and over again, tasting her sweet scent all over her neck. He pulled back for a short second, looking into her eyes.
"What about Ms. Swan?" he asked.
She sighed contentedly, the a smaller sigh escaped her lips as he stopped to speak. She thought for a moment before speaking,
"If I could do anything right now? I'd do this." She smiled pressing her lips against his gently.
"But you still have nothing to thank me for." She whispered against his lips before kissing him again.
Edward's golden eyes closed as their lips met, her whispering breathe gently crossed his lips. "I'll tell you one thing I can thank you for. For being you, for existing, and for loving me." he whispered against their lips.
She laughed slightly as he spoke, "That's not worthy of thanks." She smiled pulling away from him, looking into her eyes, "I have no choice but to love you. I love you because you're you. Simple as. Nothing I can do about it." She smiled.
His hand found her ring hand, and he twirled it around her small ringer, grinning fiercely. His lips left hers for a moment to ask "Does it fit right? We can get adjustments if needed." he whispered, quickly returning their lips together once again.
She moved her arms from around his neck and twisted the ring round her finger. "It fits perfectly. No adjustments necessary. Just like you." She grinned pressing her lips to his again.
Edward laughed as her lips met his again. "Perfect, me? Ha." he muttered as they kissed.
"Yes, perfect, you." She smiled as their lips parted.
His fingers gently explored her leg as his lips were busy, they would only go so far before returning back towards her knee. Her faced slightly flushed, and her leg tingled slightly where his fingers had run up and down it. After a few minutes her pulled away and sigh gently, cradling her in his arms and humming gently to her, like he was trying to make her go asleep. She rested her head on his chest as he cradled her in his arms.
"Bella." he said. "I love you." he whispered in her ear, kissing it gently.
She closed her eyes, sighing contentedly, "I love you too, Edward." She grinned glancing up into his eyes. She sat up and turned to look at him, her hands grasping his.
"We're really going to do this?" She asked quietly, biting her lower lip slightly.
Edward looked down at her, a soft smile crossed his face. "Yes." He said kissing her hand gently and a wide smile grew on his face. Looking up into the now night sky, he saw the stars begin to brighten across the sky, constellations being formed.
"This is really beautiful, isn't it?" he sighed. But then it hit him. What if she didn't want to? What if she was just doing this so he would be happy. Edward wouldn't let her do this. He never wanted to force anything on her. So he'd have to ask.
"But.. we don't have to get married if you don't want to.. I would understand." he said gently, holding her closer to him.
Why had she spoken? Really, she should've preempted his worry that she didn't want to marry him. "Of course I want to do this Edward. I wouldn't have agreed to it twice if I didn't, would I?" She smiled at him,
"It's just a bit of a shock to the system, that's all. I never, in all of my wildest dreams, thought that I'd be engaged, not only to someone so wonderful, but I never thought I'd be engaged at eighteen." She sighed slightly.
"So, when you gonna tell Charlie?" She asked with a teasing smile and a glint in her eye.
Edward chuckled and held her hands gently. "Good, I was worried for a second." he laughed and kissed her cheek. He sighed. Right. Charlie.
"I'll probably have to tell him soon, you know, with the whole ring and all, he'll get suspicious. Maybe tonight if I get you home early enough. Its starting to get late now." he said sighing, looking up into the sky again.
It reminded him of when he was hunting, he would just find a spot where he could see the stars and look up and look at the sky. He had studied it, and knew how to tell where everything was. He could always tell, no matter where he was, which direction Forks was. He could tell which direction Bella was, and he'd always whisper her a good night in that direction. When he hunted with Emmett, he was always teased of course, but he wasn't bothered by it anymore. He just let Emmett go on now, let him have his fun. But now, it wasn't like that, he wouldn't tease him. Probably because he saw how intense they were about each other.
"You worry too much." She smiled running a hand over his smooth, cold cheek, bringing him back to the meadow.
"Well you best hope that he had a decent day at work." She smirked, though the thought of Charlie's reaction did not fill her with glee, it was slightly amusing to think that Edward was nervous about it too.
"You wanna head back?" She asked, tilting her head to one side as she looked at him. Moving her head to the other side she moved her head closer to his, their lips touching,
"Because we can if you want to." She whispered against his lips before pressing hers on his again.
Edward pulled Bella onto his chest as they kissed. He wrapped his arms around her gently and smiled.
"We don't have to if you don't want to." he whispered, placing his lips on hers again. And laughed, think about her earlier comment.
"And I only worry because you get yourself in situations that worry me sometimes. And I'll be able to tell how Charlie is going to react as soon as we turn the corner on your street." he whispered against her lips, grinning.
She muttered as their lips briefly parted. She wasn't as eager to witness him asking her father for permission, or his blessing, whichever, anymore. Her fingers ran up his cheeks and into his hair again, as she continued to kiss him.
He pulled back for a moment and looked up at her. "I'm guessing you don't want to go now either?" he whispered, moving his lips gently to her neck, giving her a moment to catch her breathe. She took a deep breath and smiled, though she bit her lip thinking about whether or not she wanted to head home. Not that she could think too clearly with him kissing her neck.
"You're very distracting." She whispered, smiling. She closed her eyes for a moment and took another deep breath.
Edward grinned "I'm sorry I'm so distracting love, I'll try to be less of a bother." he whispered, continuing to plant kisses on her neck.
"And you'll fail miserably." She laughed as he continued to kiss her neck, thinking for another moment.
"Let's go tell Charlie. It's not fair for him to be the last to know." She said at last.
Edward sighed, his lips parting for her neck as his golden eyes met hers as she suggested they go talk to Charlie. "Alright, I'll have to ask you to do one thing first." he said, prompting himself up on his elbows.
"Can you get off me?" he said, smiling crookedly.
"Now that's going to be a problem." She smiled sitting up, snaking her legs around his back, her arms winding round her neck, as she placed her lips on his.
"And you didn't say please." She laughed her lips brushing lightly up his cheek so she could whisper the words softly in his ear.
Edward laughed as she kissed him. He kissed back passionately before pulling away. He smiled crookedly at her.
"Bella, can you please get off me?" he laughed, his voice being carried through the forest. His hand reached up to her shoulder and gently place itself on it. His eyes followed it until it reached her shoulder and then they shot to her eyes.
"Fine." She laughed sliding off of his lap and sitting on the grass beside him for a moment before standing up and looking back at him.
"So, you ready to face Charlie the cheerful?" She asked with a laugh, they both knew Charlie was not happy whenever Edward was mentioned. Edward smiled as she slid off him. He slowly rose to his feet and walked over to her, holding his hands in hers.
"I'm sure this is going to over perfectly. I've been back for, maybe four days now, after leaving you, and I've asked you to married me, and you've accepted. Yeah, he'll be thrilled." he laughed. But he stopped himself, thinking about something he had said.
"Bella, I'm sorry I left you. It was foolish of me. I know now we can't be apart, ever again." he said, looking down at the ground between them.
She rolled her eyes slightly as he apologized again. "Edward, if you're going to spend the rest of our time together apologizing for something, which at the time, you thought was for the best, I'm going to reconsider my answer." She said firmly, squeezing his hands.
Edward smiled and squeezed her hands. "I promise I'll try to not bring it up." he said and kissed her gently.
"And I'm sure Charlie will be thrilled, same as Renee." She laughed, though at the mention of her mother caused her to bite her lips slightly, "Renee." She whispered, looking at the floor for a moment. He watched as she said her mothers name and looked to the forest ground.
"What's wrong Bella? What about Renee?" he asked, looking worried. He remembered her saying something about Renee getting married so early, did this have anything to do with it?
She looked back up at him and smiled, "It's nothing. Really." She wasn't going to tell him about her worries about sharing this news with Renee. Not until she had to anyway. She squeezed his hands back gently.
Edward sighed and grabbed her hand. "If you say so." he whispered. He knew she didn't want to bring it up, so he wouldn't make her.
"Shall we get going then?" She asked trying to change the subject, she didn't want him to worry too much.
He turned to her and waited for her to hop on his back, they would have to run back to the house to get the Volvo. "It will be quick, its dark in the woods, you're bound to fall." he said, as if to answer her unnamed protest.
"Humph!" She sighed but climbed on his back as before. Her arms were tight around his neck and her legs wrapped around his waist. Her face nuzzled into his neck,
"It better be quick." She whispered in his ear before lightly kissing the skin just below it. She breathed softly, determined not to let her heart race or her breathing falter through fear, she imagined that they weren't anywhere, that there was just the two of them alone, in nowhere.
Edward grinned. "Hold on tight." he whispered as he began to run back to the house. He felt her face in his neck and smiled as he jumped over a large log. He held back a laugh, knowing she would not enjoy this at all. He stopped abruptly in front on the large white house.
"We're here Bella." he whispered to her, walking over to his Volvo which was parked in the garage. He looked over to the corner where Bella's gift once was. Good Jasper, gone to set it up in his room he supposed. He hoped it fit, he thought it would. He walked over to the passenger's seat, Bella was still on his back.
"Here you are."
She smiled and slid off of his back, "OK, that was quick." She laughed opening her door to the car and slipping into the seat. She fastened the seatbelt, always a wise move when getting in a car with a Cullen. She twisted the ring around her finger, looking down at it she sighed and bit her lips slightly.
How was she going to tell Renee? After a lifelong lecture about how smart people waited 'til they had a career before getting married. She was practically certain Renee would prefer her daughter to become a vampire than get married at eighteen. But it was..."Too late now." She whispered, unintentionally finishing her thought out loud.
Edward looked over at Bella as he sat in his seat. He had heard what she whispered as she twirled the ring, but decided not to bring it up. He started the car and pulled out of the garage, and began to hurry off to Bella's house. He began to think of what he would say to Charlie, and wondered how he would react to it all. Terrible, he thought, but maybe he would understand, at least, he hoped he would understand. As the near the house, he slowed down and began to listen for Charlie's thoughts. If his heart was still alive, it would be almost as bad as when he kissed Bella right now.
Her head shot up form her lap as they neared her house her heart racing wildly in her chest, though her breathing never faltered, she glanced at Edward and grinned.
"This is worse than anticipating Alice's torture." She laughed, but it was slightly hollow, a vague panic had set in now. She swallowed. "Hear anything?" She asked lightly.
Edward listened, and soon found Charlie's thoughts. A sigh of relief escaped his lips. "He's in a good mood, Billy was over earlier." he said, looking over to Bella, taking her hand in his and giving it a gently squeeze. A sigh of relief escaped from Bella's lips as Edward told her Charlie was in a good mood, and a smile settled on them as he took her hand.
As he parked the car, Charlie's thought changed from early to 'Bella home, probably with Edward.' He couldn't tell if he was please to see him or not. He took the keys out of the ignition and opened his door, moving swiftly to Bella's side to open her door for her. Edward held out his hand. Though the smile diminished slightly as he parked the car. As he opened her door she took his hand and smiled slightly.
"Are you ready?" he asked her quietly.
"As I'll ever be." She shrugged slightly.
How was Charlie going to take this? He wasn't Edwards biggest fan, and had probably hoped that this was all just a phase that his daughter would grow out of. Had he thought that eventually she'd end up with Jacob? The thought made her laugh slightly, though it was a nervous laugh, at one point that might've been a possibility, but not now. Not now Edward was back. Now that she was whole again.
"Let's get this over with." She smiled at him, though she leaned against him for a moment. They had to do this. And they had to do this now. Simple.
"Lets." he replied to her, opening the door to the house. Once she was inside, he followed behind her, his hand never leaving her hand. He twirled the ring around her finger and waited for Charlie to arrive. He hoped this went over well.
As she stepped inside the house she could hear the television in the other room. Smiling at Edward as he closed the door behind them, though with her free hand she stopped him twirling the ring round her finger. No need to drawn attention to that just yet. The sound on the TV was muted and she heard Charlie sigh slightly as he rose form his seat.
"Bella, that you?" He called through.
"Yeah dad, it's me...and Edward." She added on the end, best not let Charlie be too shocked before they'd told him anything.
"Oh right." Her dad muttered darkly as he headed out to greet them. Bella managed to keep he smile on her face as her dad approached them.
"You had a good day at school?"
"Er, yeah. It was alright. Sorry we're back so late, dad, we went to Edwards and Alice got a bit carried away." She smiled, hoping her mention of Alice would appease him.
"Oh, right, well..." Charlie trailed off, his head of steam cooling, he couldn't argue that Alice got carried away occasionally.
"So anything new to tell me? I've hardly seen you these past few days." Charlie asked Bella though he eyed Edward slightly. Bella, being Bella, bit her lips slightly and looked at Edward.
"Now's your chance." She whispered to him with a grin.
"His chance for what?" Charlie asked, eyeing Edward warily now, unsure about what was going on.
Edward smiled at Charlie, polite as ever. Charlie kept eying Edward, suspicious as ever. "We'd like to talk to you Charlie, we have some good news. Why don't we go into the living room?" he suggested, looking down at Bella for some support here. She would have to help him as much as she could, he could tell already this probably wasn't going to go over well.
She smiled at him, "Yeah dad, let's go sit down, and have a chat." She agreed, looking at Charlie carefully.
"Good news?" Charlie repeated suspiciously, but he turned and headed through to the living room, plonking himself on the edge of the chair. Bella hesitated for a moment, as she glanced up at Edward, then she squeezed his hand lightly and led the way into the living room. She glanced at Charlie and headed to the sofa opposite him, towing Edward behind her.
"Well? What's this good news?" Charlie practically demanded as the pair settled into their seats.
Edward smiled down at Bella. He then turned to Charlie, looking him straight in the eyes, smiling politely.
"Well Charlie, as traditions go, I was suppose to come and ask you first. I mean you no disrespect, but Bella has already accepted..." he began. He stopped for a moment and tried to read Charlie's face.
"I'm asking you for your blessing Charlie. We are going to get married." he paused again, not long enough for Charlie to protest though.
"I love her more then anything in the world, and surprisingly, she feels the same way. I know this is a bit weird, since I've only just returned. But I've explained why I had to leave and why I did that to her, I feel terrible for doing so, but she has accepted my apology. Charlie, will you give us your blessing?" he asked. He twisted their hands, showing Charlie the ring that was placed on Bella's ring finger. He waited for the explosion.
Bella looked at Edward as he spoke, the turning to face Charlie she bit her lip. "Dad?" She asked hesitantly after a moment or two. Charlie's expression had changed colours dramatically, red to purple, purple to almost blue, before he dragged another huge breath into his lungs.
"Bells...are you...sure about this?" Charlie asked at length looking down at the couples entwined hands.
Taking a deep breath Bella smiled, "Dad, I've never been surer of anything, than I am about how much I love Edward. I want to marry him." He voice faltered slightly over the 'm' word.
"So, will you give us your blessing?" She asked, her tone managing to almost match Edwards silky one.
Thinking for a moment before he answered Charlie grinned, and laughed slightly, "Sure. Sure. Go ahead, get married. But, you Bella, you have to tell Renee." He looked triumphant as he spoke. Bella took in a sharp gasp of breath as he gave her the conclusion he'd drawn, glancing at Edward for a moment. She hoped he was happy now at least.
Edward grinned as Charlie agreed and squeezed Bella's hand tightly and kissed her forehead. "Nothing is stopping us now." he whispered lovingly to her. He looked back to Charlie and gave him a wide smile.
"Nothings going to stop us, huh?" She mused quietly, her voice barely more than a whisper so Charlie couldn't hear her, but she knew Edward could.
"Thank you Charlie." he said. He imagined Alice now, gleefully running around the Cullen's house, know that the wedding was a go. He could imagine Esme and Alice already making plans for the big day while Jasper and Emmett planned his stag night. He thought it was unnecessary, it would be his last night of being single, yes, but then the next day he would be bounded to Bella for the rest of their eternities. It would be the happiest night of his life, not the saddest.
"Yeah thanks dad." Bella added, though there was a sour note in her voice. She rose from her seat and slid her hand out of Edwards, she walked over to Charlie and hugged him.
"Thanks for not shooting him dad." She whispered teasingly before straightening up and adding "I think I'm going to head upstairs to ring Renee." She sighed slightly.
"I'll see you in the morning dad." She smiled and turned to Edward, smiling and heading out of the room towards the stairs.
Edward smiled as Bella started to take her leave. He quickly pulled her into a hug before she left. "Night Bella, I'll see you tomorrow." he said, playing it on for Charlie. He looked towards Charlie and smiled.
"Goodnight Charlie." Edward said as he made his way out the door. He quickly hopped in the Volvo and drove it home.
Author's Note: Yay Charlie gives the blessing! That whole part was suppose to go in the next chapter, but it was too long, so I put it in here.
Epic chapter next. GOGOGO