Chapter 38 — Ms. Weber, I Have a Proposal for You

The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise. It is not that we seize them, but that they seize us.

Ashley Montagu

Bella's POV

from: Isabella Swan imswan

to: Angela Weber amweber

date: Friday, Nov 1, 2013 at 9:02 AM

subject: I'm alive!

Hey, Angela!

I know it's been ages since we last spoke, saw each other, or written, but it's not my fault—it's Jacob's! He was obsessed with me, as you know, and kidnapped me after murdering my parents. Hard to believe, I know, but very true. Jacob kept me under close surveillance, and it was a miracle that I escaped on my twentieth birthday. I did have help, though, from a wonderful gentleman. His name, you ask? Edward Cullen. No, I'm not pulling your leg. I was rescued by the Edward Cullen. I didn't even know it was him!

Edward and I met the day before my birthday, and he even gave me a sweet kiss. The worse thing is: I ran from him. The next night, he was at Driftwood Bar again. I don't want to hear it! I wasn't drinking anything but water both nights.

Since the night Edward rescued me, I've been staying with him. He's a friend of my grandfather. Though much younger than him, he's thirteen years older than me. I couldn't ask for a better protector and future husband. Yes, you read that right. During the three months I've been staying with Edward, I fell in love with him and fell hard. He asked me to marry him on Halloween. We are making plans to marry in Seattle on the twentieth of December at Driftwood Bar.

From talking with your mom, I know you are studying in Milan. I can't believe your dream came true. Anyway, I wish you could come, and I'm sending you an email invite regardless (see the attached).

Bella

I stared at the screen for several minutes before hitting send. Like I had said in the email, I hadn't seen Angela since she dropped me off at home the night I was taken. It wasn't like I hadn't tried, but Jacob always came into the room before I could hit send.

Standing and stretching my arms above my head, I sighed as my muscles contracted and my back popped.

Edward wouldn't be home for six more hours, and his sisters and mom wouldn't be picking me up to go shopping for another hour. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with myself. Turning, my eyes landed on the credit cards Edward had left for me. All three had my future name on it—Isabella Cullen. My throat went dry at the thought of using any of them today, and I prayed I wouldn't have to show my ID.

I had my own money. Grandfather had set up a trust fund for me around the time I was born. Both Charlie and Renee's life insurance policies had me as the beneficiary. In a day, I went from a broke nobody to an "I-have-too-much-money" laird's granddaughter. Grandfather and Edward would argue with me on the "nobody" description, but for three years that was how I felt, and it hadn't changed in three months.

"Stop calling yourself a nobody, love," Edward said in my mind. "You are, and always have been, a remarkable woman."

I snorted but smiled. "You should be working, not responding to my wayward thoughts," I shot back at him through our connection.

"I am working. And can you blame me for checking on you from time to time? Call me a fool, but I still worry about you."

I giggled. "Fool, but you're my fool, and I wouldn't have it any other way."

The chime of the computer drew my attention. I had a new message from Angela. Swallowing hard, I sat and opened the message.

from: Angela Weber amweber

to: Isabella Swan imswan

date: Friday, Nov 1, 2013 at 9:15 AM

subject: Re: I'm alive! — I know. :)

Hey right back at you, Bella!

You are soooo in trouble. My mom let me know you had been found three days after your birthday. Although she said that I probably wouldn't hear from you for some time. She wouldn't elaborate, and now I know why. You should know, and probably do, Jacob was questioned several times. The bastard lied, and I'm glad he's dead. Yeah, I heard about that, but no details, like how he met his end.

Edward sounds like a wonderful person, and I'm happy for you. Mom told me a little about him and how you were looking at him. What she didn't tell me was you two were together. And age doesn't matter in the game of love. You have to send me a picture of the two of you.

I would love to come home for your wedding; however, funds are tight. A miracle would have to happen in order for me to come.

Hope to hear from you again soon.

Angela

Smiling, I pulled up the engagement pictures Alice had taken two days ago and attached a couple to an email.

Edward's POV

"Fool, but you're my fool and I wouldn't have it any other way," Bella communicated through our connection.

A grin split my face. Before I could send a response, Bella was transmitting an email. I would love to come … Miracle …

Hmmm … Who was this? Luckily, Bella hit reply. I quickly made note of the email address. Over the next forty-five minutes, I debated how to best approach Angela with an offer to pay her way home. Finally deciding to be direct, I started typing.

from: Edward Cullen EAMCullen

to: Angela Weber amweber

date: Friday, Nov 1, 2013 at 10:00 AM

subject: A Proposal

Ms. Weber, or is it for me okay to call you Angela?

My name is Edward Cullen, and I am Bella's fiancé.

Bella told me she was going to email you, and I'm hoping she has. She doesn't know I have your email address, and I would like to keep it that way. She also told me you were studying in Milan.

I paused in typing, taking a deep breath. If Bella found out what I was doing, I was toast, but I wanted to ensure Bella's best friend was in attendance.

I don't know what your financial situation is, but I would like to send my private jet to pick you up, and that includes the return trip, too. How does that sound? Please say yes. I know Bella would love to see you. Let me know when your classes are out for winter break.

Sincerely,

Edward Cullen

President/CEO Cullen Enterprises

Seattle, Washington

The arrow hovered over the send button, and I took another deep breath before hitting send. There was no recalling the message, no going back, so I went back to reviewing stock figures. I had to head to the studio after lunch for a meeting; I hoped Angela was a quick responder.

from: Angela Weber amweber

to: Edward Cullen EAMCullen

date: Friday, Nov 1, 2013 at 11:00 AM

subject: Re: A Proposal

Edward … should I call you Mr. Cullen, instead? I'm kidding. And it's okay to address me as Angela or Ang.

Yes, Bella emailed me twice. And I just have to say this: you two look good together, and I can tell you love her.

As for your proposal, you do know that Bella hates, and I mean hates, surprises. However, I'll admit she'll be so surprised that she'll overlook not being told, so yes, I'll take you up on your offer. My classes don't end until the eighteenth of December, but I believe I can talk my professor into letting me take my final early. I'm his top student, after all. I'm only taking one class, so I don't think it will be a problem. The rest of my credit hours are tied up in a fellowship-type job at Archaeological Museum, but the director of the program takes December off and gives his student helpers the month off, too.

I'll get back with you on a date I can be ready. I want to be there, and I can't thank you enough for making it happen.

Angela

I heaved a sigh of relief. All I had to was keep it from Bella.

A/N:

I am glad my husband can't read my mind, and so do my betas about their husband's. I'd be in soooo much trouble if he knew half the stuff I thought. For Edward, he doesn't live in Bella's mind and vice versa. They respect each other's privacy, but this "gift" is nice to have for them. It lets Edward check on Bella without picking up a phone. Would you like to have this "gift?" Why or why not? Other thoughts?