DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE CHARACTERS FROM TWILIGHT. THEY ALL BELONG TO STEPHENIE MEYER.
EPOV
I waited until they had disappeared down the driveway before I moved.
First I went into the kitchen, knowing that Esme was in there and that she knew I was downstairs. She would get worried that I wasn't having any breakfast before going upstairs.
Wandering into the kitchen, I saw her sat there reading the paper that Carlisle had probably left before leaving for work. I walked past her and made myself some breakfast, pulling out some cereal and popping some bread into the toaster. I sat down in front of Esme and she looked up and smiled at me.
"What are your plans for the day, honey?" She asked me, looking back down at the paper and taking a sip of the green tea she had in front of her.
"Um," I thought, walking over and taking the toast out of the toaster, before moving back over to the table and taking a bite of my toast. "I was going to go into Seattle today."
I saw her look up out of the corner of my eye. "Edward." She sounded worried. "I don't know...."
I sighed and looked at her. "I can't stay locked up inside the house for the rest of my life." I looked at her to see her eyeing me warily. "There are some things I need to do and I can't do them in Forks or Port Angeles, okay? Some things that I need to get." I wasn't going to say anything about what I had planned. I hoped that Bella didn't say anything about what had happened last night to anyone. Knowing her she probably wouldn't. She wouldn't want to draw to much attention to herself, but then again, after tonight I wouldn't care. I wanted people to know.
"Do you want me to come with you?" She asked, still looking at me with a wary expression. Like she didn't trust me. But then again, why the hell should she trust me? I hadn't really done anything over the last decade or so to warrant her trust.
I shook my head taking another bite of toast. "No. This is something I need to do on my own." I made my expression serious now. "You can't protect me forever." I looked at her with an expression that begged her to understand. It seemed that she did, because in an instant her features softened and she smiled.
"I know," She smiled and placed a hand on my shoulder gently. I closed my eyes until I got used to the contact, focusing on my breathing. "But....even though you're technically an adult now, you're still my baby. You all are. I can't help but want to protect you Edward. I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost you. Or any of you. I just worry about you that's all. I know it may seem that I'm being a little overbearing or annoying even, but I'm only there because I love you. I love you so much, Edward."
"I know Esme." I looked down, not really wanting the rest of my breakfast anymore. "I just hate the fact that I've put you through so much hurt before now. I hate to think of the pain that I've caused this family before now." I looked up at her and saw tears glistening in her eyes. "I want you to know that I love you too Esme. You are the kindest, most loving, most caring person I have ever met. You are an amazing mother." I then did something that surprised her. I leaned over the table and wrapped my arms around her slight frame. She tensed a little and then her arms wrapped around me in an embrace.
She was smiling as I pulled away from her and she ran her hand gently down my cheek, lovingly. "You know," she whispered. "Even though she may have to go away for a while..." My heart dropped when I realised what she was talking about. "You and Bella.....oh...honey, the two of you are going to be so happy together. You two have the kind of love that people dream about, the kind that is written in fairytales. I see it every time I look at the two of you. It's written....in your eyes. They say that the eyes are the window to the soul. Well, I can tell you that the souls of the two of you, are destined to be together. There's no other way to put it. You both yearn and crave for the other. When one of you moves the other will subconsciously adjust their position to match theirs. It's beautiful to watch and to know....that finally....your son...is happy."
"Thank you Esme," I whispered. "I am. I am happy." I took a deep breath. "Being without Bella is going to be .... hard." I chuckled darkly. "That's a bit of an understatement." I mumbled looking at the table again.
She placed a finger under my chin and lifted my head up so I had to look at her. "You can do it." She whispered. I nodded solemnly. Could I? Could I really do it?
"I should get going." I stood up and took my plate over to the dishwasher. After placing them in the dishwasher I headed out of the kitchen to go and grab my car keys, wallet and jacket.
"Oh, honey. Chris isn't coming today. He's ill. We've rescheduled the session for Thursday." She called after me and inwardly I was skipping and jumping about. "Call me if you need anything."
I hated family sessions. It was like everyone was judging me. Stripping me bare for the world to see. Even though they weren't, or were trying their hardest not to, it was all that ran through my mind throughout those sessions. Besides, this way, I had more time to myself to get everything perfect.
I grabbed my jacket off of the stand and threw on my shoes before I walked down the steps and climbed into my Volvo. I had been so happy when I had had it given back to me. Another, sort of birthday gift from Esme and Carlisle. They told me that they trusted me enough with it, so they gave me back the car keys. The others were no longer allowed to use it for school, so they had to settle for Emmett's Jeep instead. Something again that I was happy about. I wasn't all too keen thinking about them driving everywhere in my car.
I pulled out of the driveway and started along the highway that led to Seattle. I didn't like this road. It reminded me of when I had been forced to the clinic. That was a day I wanted to forget and yet would always remember. The fear, anger and betrayal, the hopelessness, helplessness and finally being alone.
I turned on the radio and tried to tune out my thoughts of the clinic. I didn't really listen to the music that was playing, just using it as some background noise, preferring that to sitting in silence all the way there.
I thought about what I was going to do. I was headed into Seattle to try and find an engagement ring for Bella. It was going to be hard. I knew that she would want something stated yet simple. Nothing oestenatious like everyone else we know. I was running through a checklist in my head and envisioning how this night could go when I started approaching Seattle. I checked the time and saw that it had taken me a little over three hours to reach Seattle, but then again I may have been going just a little over the speed limit for most of the way there. I wound through the streets, looking for a place to park, when I found a parking lot. After parking and paying and displaying I walked out into the bustling city that was Seattle. I may have been there before, but my experience was nothing like it was going to be today.
I wandered down the street, noticing that I was getting a few too many "interested" looks from the girls and women around me. I tried to ignore them as I walked but they were starting to get annoying. I walked into a jewelry store and knowing, in my mind what it was I wanted for my Bella, I let my gaze wander over the many magnificent rings that were on display.
"Can I help you sir?" A woman came up and asked me.
"Yes," I turned to face her and saw that she was making what I supposed were meant to be "sexy eyes" at me so I cut to the chase. "I'm looking for an engagement ring. Something simple, yet beautiful."
"Of course." She nodded slightly. "Follow me." She turned and walked away from me, swaying her hips a little too much in the process. I glanced at a guy behind the counter and he had a huge grin on his face. He had obviously seen her attempt at flirting and found it amusing. I followed her to where the collection of engagement rings were, but I couldn't find one that would suit my Bella. "Do you see anything you like sir?" She asked me.
I shook my head. "No," I whispered. "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid you don't appear to have what I'm looking for for my Bella."
I thanked her for her help and left the store, quickly before I had to endure another one of her pathetic flirting attempts. That had been a worrying experience. I wasn't used to being treated that way, other than .... Tanya.....that is. It made me shiver just to think about her. She was a psycho. Her sister Irina on the other hand, I got along really well with. I still found it absolutely amazing to think that someone like Irina, who was kind and caring, could be related to a complete whacko like Tanya. It confused me no end. Unless one of them was adopted. That would make more sense.
This process continued for three more stores. I decided to try one last store before I gave up and went home. If I couldn't find the perfect ring for Bella then it wouldn't do to carry out what I had planned for tonight.
I walked into the store and began to let my gaze fall onto the many engagment rings they had. It was in that store that I saw it. The perfect ring for my Bella.
It was a heartshaped diamond. Not overly large but it still gave off quite an impact. The main diamond was framed by two more hearts leading off from the band. Each of these hearts was set in diamond, each one holding fourteen tiny diamonds. It was set in platinum and was perfect. It was absolutely perfect for my Bella. (A/N: Link at bottom of page.) It was the ring. I just knew it.
"Excuse me." I called over one of the employees of the small store. He walked over with a small smile on his face. "Can I have a look at that ring there please?" I pointed to the ring and he opened up the case, retrieving it and placing it on the counter in front of me. I picked it up and looked at it closely.
"It is the paved-platinum, brilliant cut heart-shaped diamond, with diamond heart band." I looked at him and he smiled at me. "It's an excellent choice sir."
I looked at it for a moment more, before looking back up at him. "How much?"
"Seven." He replied and I nodded.
"Okay." I looked back at the ring and placed it on the counter. "I'll take it."
He smiled at me taking the ring over to the counter. "She must be one hell of a lady."
"She is." I smiled at him and he returned it warmly. "She's perfect."
"I'm guessing that by the choice of ring, she doesn't like anything oestentatious. She likes things that are simpler than most people do, she doesn't like to be the centre of attention or to be fussed over, and she means the world to you." He grinned again. "Am I right?"
I nodded, amazed. "That's my Bella perfectly. How did you-"
"You can tell a lot about a woman, from the engagement ring her partner buys." He explained knowingly. "Assuming that they really know her that is." He wrapped up the box and placed it into a small bag before handing it to me. "Good luck and congratulations."
I walked out of the store feeling happier and more accomplished than I had all day. I had found it. The perfect ring for my Bella. I hoped that she would accept it. I hoped that she didn't think that it was going too far, but then again, she accepted my proposal last night, even though it may not have been the most romantic thing in the world, she had accepted nonetheless. I was going to change what she thought of me tonight. Tonight, it was going to be perfect.
I stopped at a store and bought some candles for tonight. Like I said, everything had to be perfect and what better way was there to set the mood than a little candlelight?
The drive home was monumentally slow. Even though I knew that it was the same distance and therefore would take the same amount of time to get back as it did to get there, it felt like it was taking forever. Maybe it was because I was excited about tonight, I don't know but whatever it was, it could leave me alone.
When I got back to my house it was nearing five-thirty. As I walked through the door, Alice gave a pointed look and I gave her one back that told her not to ask. I was glad that they were all going out as it meant that they would all be too busy getting ready to bother me. It also meant that Bella wouldn't be there at that particular time. Even though I had missed her terribly throughout the day, the same as usual, the thought of what I was planning for tonight kept that at bay somewhat. It would be worth it to spend a little extra time away from her when I knew that I was going to spend the rest of my life with her. Or at least I hoped anyway. I had hidden the jewelry bag, including box and ring in my jacket so none of them could see what I had planned. I heard Alice following me up the stairs but I knew that she was going to get ready and not following me.
"Are you sure you're not going to come tonight?" She moaned at me, causing me to stop in my tracks.
"Yeah, Alice I'm sure." I said before turning around. Turning around I gave her the best "I'm not up for it" smile I had. "I just don't think I'm ready for that yet."
She nodded and smiled at me. "Okay then." She grinned. "Let's just hope that you are ready for the next one. I hope you are anyway."
I wandered into my room and closed the door tightly before I pulled out the bag from my jacket. I took out the box and managed to hide the bag somewhere I knew that even Alice wouldn't go. My underwear drawer. She wouldn't go in there, and for that I was thankful.
I sat down on my bed and opened the tiny box, gazing at the ring sitting, nestled in the velvet, glistening up at me. It was perfect. I wanted this whole night to be perfect. I knew that I wouldn't be able to do anything until they left so I flopped down on my bed and waited for them to go. It was a long wait, one of the longest in my life. I had never thought that they would leave. Just before I knew that they were going to leave, I jumped in the shower, making sure to hide the ring in case anyone came into my room. Not that they would, but it was better to be safe than sorry.
As soon as they left, I got to work. I made sure that the whole house was absolutely spotless, running up and down the stairs as I cleaned, making sure everything was immaculate. I know that Bella spent most of her time here anyway, but I wanted this night to be special, and nothing, not even Emmett and Jasper's unruly clutter, was going to ruin this for us. I laid the candles out throughout the house and lit them all before turning out the lights downstairs. She would probably think that I was asleep when she pulled up, so she wouldn't think anything of the darkness. My room was facing away from the driveway so you couldn't see whether there were any lights on unless you walked all the way around the house to check.
After a while, I heard the roar of Bella's truck and let out a chuckle at the idea of her driving that hideous thing. I didn't trust it. Personally, I hated it, but Bella loved it so I would never say anything to her about it. I ran up to my room to wait for her as I heard the door of the truck slam as she began walking towards the house. I was glad that she had her own key or else this whole thing would have been for naught.
I left my door ever so slightly ajar, as I went and sat down, waiting for her. I couldn't help but grin as I heard her put the key in the door and the door open as she entered the house.
"Edward?" I heard her call out to me. She knew I was here, and yet she was probably wondering where I was.
Well, here goes nothing.
Awwww isn't he cute? :D
http://www[dot]bridal[dot]cartier[dot]com/index[dot]php?t=1&nav=ficheprod&ref=N4189400&cc=eu&codeLang=en - the engagement ring Edward picks out for Bella.
Please review xx
