Please read AN below.

I am the proud owner of a dozen, no, 11 mini loaves of Chocolate Chip Banana Bread. I do not own Twilight.

Chapter 45

All too soon they broke their kiss. Both were breathless and flushed. Bella opened her eyes and looked at the man she had promised herself to. She still could not believe that such a man would hold a fancy for her. He was quite beautiful. His eyes met hers and a triumphant grin spread across his face. She giggled at the pure joy she saw there.

"That was much better than the first time, yes?" He asked, a hint of mischief in his eyes, one corner of his mouth turning up in a smirk.

"You do smell much better, Sir." Was Bella's only response.

He growled slightly and tightened his grip on her waist.

"I did bathe this week, I'll have you know." He winked at her and lowered his head to capture an other kiss.

As he pulled back to look at her, he noticed a tear running down her face. He was so very concerned, why would she be crying now?

"Relief." She said when he wiped away the tear.

"Relief because although I was happy for you at the idea you may have found someone wonderful for you, I was sad that that person did not seem to be me. Many things seemed to change last time you were here and they were so positive, it made me hopeful for the future." She drew a shuttering breath.

"Then when I came back today, you were so angry, I thought you would send me packing and I would have to leave the girls and the life I have here."

"I was angry, but at myself. Mother had me convinced that I had sent you off and you would never return. I was just about to set off to see if I could find you..."

A knock on the door surprised them both. He hadn't realized that he had her still pinned to the door. He cleared his throat and moved away from her to answer the door.

"Yes? Come in."

Carlisle stood just the other side of the door. He looked at the two of them, Bella's blushing face and Edward's smug grin.

"Emmett is here, he wishes to speak with you. Can you come back down to the kitchen?" It was not the question he wanted to ask, however there would be time enough later to get his answers from his son.

"Of course, we will be down shortly." Edward answered for the both of them. After Carlisle left he turned back to Bella.

"There is much for us to talk about, many plans to be made and things for us to figure out." He smoothed the hair across her brow. He so wanted to spend the afternoon with her in his arms.

"Can we tell my family? I mean are you ready to tell everyone? Or do you want to wait and let it settle in? Mother and Mrs. Cope will be relentless with plans and questions, I dare say, there will be squealing."

"If you'd like to wait, that is fine. We don't have to tell anyone now if you'd prefer." Bella was a little concerned, was he not ready, did he not want them to know?

"Bella, if I could I would tell every person I have ever met that you agreed to be my wife. I was just wondering if you were ready for the whirlwind that is Esme Cullen in planning mode."

Bella remembered take charge Esme from when they readied the farm and the various shopping expeditions. She was a wonder to behold, nothing and no one got in her way when Esme Cullen wanted something. Bella laughed.

"I'm ready." She smiled at him.

He took her by the hand, placed a soft kiss on the back of it, and led her down to the kitchen.

When Carlisle had come back from fetching Edward he hadn't said a word regarding what he had seen upstairs. He had just looked at his wife and gave her a knowing smile.

The people gathered in the kitchen waited for the pair to return. They watched as Edward led Bella into the room by her hand.

Esme kept her self contained but burst into a smile that would light the night sky. Edward nodded his head at her, knowing that a less staid reaction would come when there was no longer company. He turned his attention to Emmett who stood beaming his own bright smile.

"You look better, Friend." Emmett said to Edward remembering the harried look Edward had this morning when they had spoken. Edward just chuckled.

"I was wondering what you were doing Friday week?" Emmett asked

"Next Friday, I have no idea. Why?"

Emmett beamed his smile again. He looked at Rosalie and patted her hand as it rested through his elbow.

"I was hoping you'd be available for a few hours. See, I am in need of a best man for my wedding..." Emmett let his sentence trail off as the joyous congratulations of the crowd interrupted him.

After many kisses and exultations Emmett and Rosalie sat at the table, tea in hand and told the story of Rosalie's brother and his debt.

"The most amazing thing is that when we went to the bank today to see if there was anything to be done, we were informed that the debt had been cleared and the farm sold for more than Rosalie was asking. They refused to tell us who had purchased the farm, but now that that is no longer hanging over our heads we are free to marry. Together we have enough for a small cottage not far from here."

"What wonderful news, Em. Such fortuitous timing. I would be honoured to be your best man. On one condition." Edward's smug look was back. "When the time comes would you be mine?"

Emmett looked at him with shock.

"Yours is not the only wonderful news today." Edward picked up Bella's hand again. He smiled gently at her.

The noise that filled the kitchen all but rattled the windows. It woke Katie and Beth from their naps on the second floor.

AN: In between a rather squealy fangirl moment and some really good news yesterday, I completely forgot to say thank you to Edward's Eternal for the FB rec.

And to Tarbecca for her fic diving.

And to majose for mentioning my story on ADF in the first place.

And SunflowerFran, BelleBiter, Fixedinforks, RochelleAllison, Hopesparkles, Robward17, Shamatt0403, Rita01tx, mo kagen, 2muchtrouble, sujari6, sweetiedolphin, Mrs. O'Shea, Capricorn17, and (insert your name here) for putting up with my odd pm's.

I'm also completely behind in responding to reviews because I suck. If I haven't thanked you yet, I'm sorry. Your reviews mean the world to me and I'm so touched, in both senses of the word.

Devil's fate helped me try to improve this chapter.

Thank you.