Chapter 3:
The morning of Bella and Edward's anniversary dawned bright and clear. Despite the joyful connotation with the day, Bella found herself dreading whatever Alice was planning for her. She knew that Esme had done her best to keep Alice calm, but that was easier said than done.
Sighing, Bella stretched out across the couch and closed her eyes. She lost track of time until she felt someone climb over her on the couch and lay down next to her. she smiled and opened her eyes to see Edward resting his head on her chest comfortably. She ran her fingers through his hair.
"Happy anniversary, honey," she whispered.
"Happy anniversary." The couple laid there, lost in their own unique thoughts for several minutes, until Edward sat up slightly. "I got you a gift." She growled in protest. "I didn't spend a lot on you, I promise," he assured before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a beautiful necklace. It was the outline of a 14 karat gold heart with delicate gold swirls going towards a ruby cut in the shape of a heart in the center. The pendent hung on a delicate chain that was actually incredibly strong.
"Edward-" He pressed a firm finger to her lips.
"Shh, love. I have a right to get my wife a gift on our anniversary, so I got you this. Sit up so I can put it on you." Bella happily complied. She sat up and turned around slightly as she swept her hair off her neck. Edward brushed his lips across the back of Bella's neck before he fastened her gift around it. Right away her fingers flew to the hollow in her neck where the necklace settled and carefully fingered it.
"Thank you," she whispered. Edward was usually amazing about not buying her things; most of his gifts went to Nessie then, so she knew to appreciate when he broke their silent agreement. She knew that his heart was always in the right place.
Back at the Cullen's house, Nessie and Jacob were helping Alice put up some last minute decorations. True to her word, things actually weren't that bad. Just like Edward and Bella's wedding, there were plenty of flowers, but Esme had somehow managed to keep Alice pretty calm.
"Mom's gonna hate having a party," Nessie commented as she straightened a vase of lilies on top of the piano.
"She'll live. She's survived parties in the past," Jacob commented with a shrug. Alice shot him a dirty look. It was no secret that she hoped that Bella would eventually get over her hatred for celebrations. A hundred years had come and gone without any change, but they had an eternity to work on it.
"Why does she hate parties so much?" Nessie pressed; she loved parties.
"She's always been like that; it's just how she is," Alice replied with a bitter undertone.
Edward and Bella arrived exactly at five that evening just like Alice mandated. There were flowers all over the place, but it didn't look tacky. Alice had an artful way of overdoing it.
"Happy anniversary, honey," Esme gushed the second the couple entered the front door. She squeezed each of them and gave them a motherly kiss on the cheek.
"Thanks Mom," Edward said politely. More and more lately he had taken to referring to Esme as 'Mom.'
"Thank you Esme." Edward slid his arm around Bella's slender waist, and they entered the house. Right away they were literally tackled by Alice.
"See, I didn't go overboard," she commented before throwing her arms around the both of them at the same time.
"Did you guys behave yourselves today?" Emmett joked, earning him a whack from Rosalie.
"Please don't; these are my parents," Nessie commented from her seat on Jacob's lap. In her hand was a crystal wine glass filled with red wine. While Edward eyed their public display of affection, Bella eyed the glass of wine. Because of Nessie's youthful appearances, both of her parents felt a certain level of protectiveness towards her. Nessie flashed her parents a momentary knowing look before nuzzling Jacob's neck affectionately.
The party was small and simple, much to Bella's undying appreciation. All they really did was sit together as one big family and spend time together. The only thing that made it different from a typical night at the Cullens' was the brief giving of presents.
"This one is from me and Carlisle," Esme said as she handed over what was obviously a book wrapped perfectly in white wrapping paper. As Bella took the package, she gave her mother-in-law a skeptical look. "Don't worry, we didn't buy something expensive." She shook her head. Cheap by the Cullens' standards was still outrageously expensive. She carefully tore off the paper revealing a deep blue photo album with a gilded gold border. Edward reached over and opened the album. The very first photo was one from their wedding. Bella ran her fingers over the smooth plastic protective cover. She flipped the page only to find a picture of her, Renee and Charlie. An uncomfortable silence fell over the room as Bella stared down at her long dead parents for the first time in ages.
"Bella, love?" Edward asked as gently as possible after nearly a minute of heavy silence.
"I'm fine," she insisted, slamming the album shut.
I'm sorry, Esme thought. Edward shook his head ever so slightly as he slid his arm around Bella.
The celebration began to wind down around midnight. While Nessie talked with Carlisle and Rosalie, Jacob discreetly pulled Edward and Bella into the kitchen to talk privately. They had a good feeling as to what this was about.
"Edward, Bella, I want to ask Nessie to marry me on her birthday," he said outright. Bella and Edward looked at each other. A hundred years of being together, it had taken Jacob hundred years to work up the nerve to propose.
"Are you asking us for our permission?" Edward questioned. Jacob nodded.
"Yes, it seemed like the thing to do." Bella looked at her husband with sparkling eyes; he knew her thoughts on the issue at hand.
"You have our permission." Jacob's signature lopsided grin spread across his face, and Bella rushed forward to hug him. Hopefully he'd officially be a part of their family soon.