Former Subject: Edward Cullen aka The Recently Reformed Womanizer

Chapter Thirty-nine – Finally

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot of the Twilight Saga are the property of its author. I am in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media. Copyright infringement is not intended.

Betaed by: booksglaore/bookishqua

Edward

I awoke alone in bed the following morning after the disastrous baby shower, Bella's side of the bed felt cold. She'd been waking earlier than usual for the past week.

Though the previous day could've ended in a total meltdown after what had happened at the party, Bella's resilience was a strong as ever. In the past, when faced with such troublesome and vindictive women, she had shown class and integrity by not stooping to their level. I hadn't doubted for a second that if I hadn't interfered she would've grinned through the rest of the party. She wasn't the type to lash out in a jealous rant, anyone else would've taken the opportunity. Rosalie admitted outright that she wouldn't have sat through it.

I admired Bella for holding her head up high, even playing along with my dramatic exit. Though I had worried that once we left the party she'd break down, since she'd been prone to since her pregnancy, she smiled and talked the whole ride home.

Once we arrived, she promptly directed me to the bedroom and showed me how much she appreciated everything I'd done for her. It'd been an unforgettable night, though there had been many of those since she'd come into my life. But the previous night would definitely be in my top ten best nights in my life for a while.

Come to think of it, all my top ten, Bella had been a part of.

Taking a moment, I allowed myself to breathe. The day was upon me. The day I'd ask the love my life to marry me.

Even though I thought my plans were perfect, a part of me worried that my proposal would overwhelm her. If preparations for it were any indication, the planning had been a constant source of aggravation for the last few weeks, due to all the changes and postponing. I felt somewhat relieved it was finally time. Since the incident of the party, I had worried that Bella would see my proposal as something I cooked up only because of what happened with those women. I hoped that once she saw the amount of preparations it took to accomplish it, she would know that it was planned for a while.

By the end of the evening, Bella would become mine forever.

Stretching my hands over my head, I felt something strange above me. I sat up and turned to see, and instantly regretted it. Fuck, why the hell had she left the handcuffs on the bed? To torture me no doubt, the minx. A delicious shiver ran down my spine as image after image of our previous night went through my mind.

I heard her giggle at the door. "Doesn't take a genius to know what you're groaning about?"

I groaned again, propping myself against the headboard, trying to ignore my reaction to the memories. When I laid my eyes on her, I had to bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from grunting like a caveman. This woman, my woman, looked so fucking domestic and hot. Who knew I'd be into that look.

"Fuck, baby, what are you wearing?"

"It's a strapless plaid dress," she said, carrying over a tray filled with breakfast. "Alice had to find me some last minute things to wear when my wardrobe refused to fit me any longer."

"Let me see," I said. I spun my finger around so she'd do the same. She giggled, God I loved that sound. After she safely laid the tray on the nightstand she complied. The dress was dark green color and looked good on her. It hugged her full, beautiful breasts and draped over her tummy. It was shorter than I liked, but that was because I hated other men ogling her sexy legs.

Damn, my hands itched to touch all that skin.

"Fuck, Bella," I groaned. "Turn the other way, I want to see how round your tummy is." She whined a little as she did what I asked, holding her dress taunt over her stomach. It almost looked as if she were holding a bowling ball under her dress. "You are the most beautiful woman on Earth right now. You have no idea what seeing you like this does to me." I reached for her hand, pulling her on the bed.

She blushed, the color tinting her cheeks, neck and likely her chest. Under her dark lashes, I could see something heat up in her gaze. "Show me." Oh, that was a downright challenge.

Taking her hand in mine, keeping a straight face, I put it on me under the sheet draped over my hips. "See, baby, I want you so bad right now."

"Do you really like my dress?" she asked softly, biting her pretty pink bottom lip. I nodded, wondering why she went back to dress. "I do, too. The color is nice, but it's also convenient," she teased. Then she showed me how convenient it was by flipping the top down to expose her chest.

My jaw hit the floor for a second, the expression on her lovely face looked innocent, but the subtle lift of the corner of her mouth indicated her teasing. Instant memories of what the morsels on display tasted like the night before sprang to mind, causing me to pounce on my sexy soon-to-be-bride.

Giggling beneath me, she said, "I swear one peek at my boobs and you're Cavemanward." I growled and promptly kissed her mouth. Despite my lips' preoccupation, she still laughed, but I remedied that with a slow, nipping and kissing circuit along her neck, eliciting a rich moan from her. "I really love when you get all growly."

I grunted my reply to play along, bucking my erection against her. Her laughter made my morning, and it was an excellent start to what I hoped would be an amazing day.

~oOo~

Thankfully, my wonderful family managed to get Bella out of the house and away from me. Not that I wanted her to leave my side, but I needed time to finish the preparations for the evening ahead.

Once I arrived at the club, David put me to work. It was only fair since I had him close down his club for the night. Luckily, it hadn't taken much convincing on my part. He loved Bella like family, and he would do anything to make her happy. Even if it meant that she would be married to someone like me.

Unlike his brother Julian, David still couldn't get over my past. Not that I blamed him, he'd seen firsthand how many woman I'd left the club with.

It was strange to be working alongside Julian, number two in my book. However, there was no animosity between us. Considering the bitter harpies that Bella had been exposed to on many occasions, it was oddly comforting to know that her past ex's – as we're calling them now – only wanted her to be happy.

We learned over the past few weeks, that even though Bella's goal was to have the men from her past fall in love with her, she had feelings for them, too. The emotions involved were harder for her to recognize with the label she had put on the relationship when she first met them. In her own way, after discussing each ex with her therapist, she figured out she had formed emotional attachments to all of them. Thankfully, nowhere near the level of feelings she had for me.

It wasn't something easy for me to hear, but it made me feel a little better about her past. Another startling revelation for her was their emotional attachment to her.

She had said once, that they fell in love with the woman she had become for them, but in reality the real her leaked into the role she played. They loved her, there was no doubt about it to me, however, she still had a hard time grasping that they had indeed fallen in love with her.

It was true in the way that she said that they fell in love with aspects of her, but not all of her, since she had never allowed herself to be who she really was -until me.

Thank fuck for that. All in all, our couple's therapy, and our individual sessions seemed to help us grow as individuals while strengthening our relationship.

"Hey," Jake said behind me, interrupting my thoughts. "What time are you supposed to pick up the guys at the airport?"

I grinned and shook my head. "Alice volunteered."

"Poor Jasper," he said, laughing. "Of course she did. Have you seen Nessie?"

"Sorry no. She's probably already with Bella." I passed him a speaker and went back for the other one. "Seen the rock you gave her, about time, man."

Jake shrugged. "I almost threw up before I asked, she'd told me no four times already."

I sighed and looked at him. He seemed happier than I'd seen him a while. "Was it really Bella that stopped her?"

He shook his head. "Nah," he scratched his jaw and seemed to think about what he wanted to say. "Nessie knew about my past, seen the damage I'd done to a couple of marriages. Bella was an excuse."

"Well," I smacked his back hard a few times, grinning. He stumbled forward and growled at me. "I'm glad it worked out in the end. It was good of you to keep fighting for her."

"She's worth it."

I nodded and we returned to finish setting the music equipment. A couple of hours later, my aunt and Rosalie made their way to me.

"Her dressing room is all set up in David's office," Rosalie said. "The dress, it's fucking perfect for her."

I smiled, I couldn't wait to see it. When I turned to do just that, Esme captured my arm. "Don't even think about it."

"Why? I helped Alice design it!"

"Doesn't mean you should see it before Bella does," she replied with a roll of her eyes. "Now let's finish with the decorations so you can go pick up your lovely bride to be." I groaned, but reluctantly followed orders, after all I wanted this night to be perfect. That meant I had to do as I was told, at least for the moment.

While Alice and Nessie kept my Bella busy at our house, the rest of my family and I readied the club for the evening ahead. After another hour, everything was ready.

The stage was set, the atmosphere was spot on. The voices of my friends and family mingled with the excitement of the night ahead. I managed to sneak away while my aunt talked with my uncle and Emmett.

Once inside the office, my eyes were drawn to the gown that my sweet cousin Alice designed for my Bella. A little lace, lots of beads and yards of sheer white fabric that would pool around her feet.

A smirk twitched at my lips when my gaze fell on the sexy white and silver heels. It was destined to be one hell of night. If Bella didn't kill me first. Something else twitched in anticipation.

Let the night begin.

~oOo~

Trying to remain composed enough to not give away at the nerves that suddenly kept up, I made my way inside my house. Alice had left only a half an hour ago to finish setting up everything while I fetched Bella.

My "excuse" for taking her to the club tonight was an early anniversary dinner for Julian and his wife. We all knew Bella wouldn't miss something as important as that, even if she wasn't feeling up to it. Thankfully, when I'd called earlier, she was in good spirits.

I found her in the living room near the mantle, surprised to find her in tears. That didn't bode well. "Baby?" I questioned as I wrapped my arms around her from behind.

In her hands she held a picture of me as a child, sitting on my father's lap. "You were so handsome," she whispered, shaking her head, but smiling.

"Were?" I teased. She nodded, resting her head against my shoulder. "What's the matter?"

"I can't find my baby pictures," she replied softly. "I checked every box I had Jordan and Jacob bring back from the old house. And Jordan had Julie look everywhere. They haven't been found."

Resting my chin on her shoulder, I said, "I found three albums and a shoe box full of pictures. I sent them to someone I know. They're being scanned and restored as we speak."

She turned to look at me and smiled. "Really?" I nodded and pressed my lips to hers once.

"Jordan knows, but I told him not to tell you. There was a leak in the attic, most of your childhood pictures of you and your brother were ruined."

She stilled, her fingers clutching at my shirt in what I perceived as pain. "But you saved some?"

"Yes, most of them and we called several people that were friends of your parents and found more. Plus we found the negatives."

Her answering smile lit up her tear-stained face. "Thank you!" She threw her arms around me and laid kiss after kiss on my neck and jawline. "We can be a little late to the dinner party, right?"

Instinctively perhaps, I had her in my arms in seconds, making my way to the bedroom. Reason of course intruded and had me slowing.

"Darn your manners," she teased softly, causing havoc on my insides as she nibbled on my ear.

"We shouldn't be late," I reasoned as she continued. "You're being unfair. We still need to get ready."

"Fine," she muttered. "But I reserve the right not to wear underwear." Fuck, it was going to be a long night as well as memorable. When I put her down near our bed, she suggested we take a shower together to save time. Not one to argue, I helped her undress.

While I washed her her, the lights of the bathroom flickered. "You don't think that breaker is still giving us problems, do you?" Bella asked.

"Shouldn't be," I whispered, watching the light above fluctuate. "Emmett double checked everything once the new air conditioner had been installed." We had argued about the new addition for a bit, since the last few Washington summers had been record breakers in terms of weather.

"Hope that it's not the problem," she said, making me forget for a few seconds what we were talking about as her wicked hands roamed. After a moment, I nodded and internally made a note to talk to Emmett later to take a look again. I put it behind me and helped my Bella finish soaping up.

Bella

Sweat covered Edward's brow as his eyes turned toward his window. It was considerably dark outside, more so as we left the city behind once it was obvious that our plans had changed. Since we'd left the sanctuary of our home, he'd been a nervous wreck, add the citywide blackout and he'd been agitated.

However, it wasn't until the phone call from Alice that he'd been a freaking nightmare. "Pull the fuck over, Edward," I said as his distant gaze suddenly turned to remorse.

There was no show of hesitation as he pulled into a darkened driveway of a house outside of Seattle. Having escaped the onslaught of angry voices and loud horns from the bumper-to-bumper traffic-filled streets of the city, I turned my attention to Edward.

"What's wrong?" I asked. "And don't pull that bullshit that everything is fine. You said that word to me ten times since we left the house. What is wrong?"

He hit his head against the steering wheel and sighed. "Everything is fucking ruined."

That made no sense what so ever. It was only a dinner. Or was it? "Relax, champ," I said. "I'm sure they'll just postpone for tomorrow."

He groaned deeply and hit the steering wheel again, twice. Apparently, postponing seemed to be out of the question. Then I understood. This was so much more than dinner, but how much more I had no clue. It was time to do a little sleuthing, to see if my suspicions were correct.

"In fact, it if David hooked up a generator and they had candles it would actually be a little romantic."

Edward's head jerked up and he immediately exited the car, turning toward me for a second. "Stay in here, I need to make a call."

I watched as he walked to the front of the car, pacing as he made his call. It was kind of him to talk to David, maybe the night could be salvaged after all. Then again, from the nerves I'd seen earlier, his little confession about the night being ruined, and the small box that caused a bulge to appear in his jacket pocket, it wasn't only a dinner he feared was doomed.

I bit back a smile, wondering just what he had in store for me. For the whole day, I'd known something was going on. From the insistence that Alice and I have bunch together, to Nessie's need to sit for almost two hours discussing possible locations for her wedding in eighteen months, and how could I forget the call from Robert Pattinson, an attractive young actor who called to ask if I was still practicing and willing to see him and his girlfriend again. As if the first few therapy sessions weren't awkward enough, but I referred them to someone else anyway.

My morning and afternoon had been busier than it had been in weeks. I wondered if he thought pregnancy made people unobservant. Obviously, he recruited our family to keep me busy. The night he asked me to marry him was finally here. Though it seemed that the citywide blackout, due to the staggering increase of people cooling down their homes, caused by the record breaking temperature the days had been for several days.

Though a trickle of nervousness swept through me, I knew no matter what happened I would become Edward's wife. A part of me hated that his plans had been ruined. I knew how much it meant to him to make his final proposal something special. I hoped that he'd still ask despite the change of plans. Elation had my heart soaring, expanding, and so full of love for this wonderful man who often tried to put my happiness before his own.

The call seemed not to be going well, his agitation clear in his stance and in the way his hand tugged at his hair. Then there was the pacing. With a sigh I exited the car, whatever he had planned, I couldn't stand this any longer. Whatever had happened, it wasn't worth all this aggravation. I had to make that clear, though I had my doubts that he would listen.

"Edward," I whispered softly, my hands slid up his back. The tension in his muscles made me want to soothe away his troubles. Luckily for me, I could still wear a pair of heels this late in my pregnancy so I managed to place a few kisses along his neck.

With a sigh, Edward drew in a deep breath and said into his cell phone, "Do what you can, Ali. Yeah, I'll take care of that before we get there. I know, yes, I know. Love you, too." He slid his phone in his pants pocket and once again inhaled deeply. Then he let go.

One by one each of his muscles relaxed beneath my hands. Those of his back and when I walked around him, his arms, his hands and finally his stance. Taking my hands in his, he sat back on the hood of our car, pulling me in between his legs.

His warm, soft gaze followed the path of his fingers, as the led from my hands and up my arms before his cupped my face. "I'm so sorry. I guess you figured out what was happening tonight."

I shook my head tears already at the cusp of falling. "The how doesn't matter to me."

"You deserved the best," he whispered. "A grand gesture. I haven't had my chance to do that for you."

I smiled, shaking my head. "How about when you destroyed your sim card?" He smiled at the reminder.

"I knew all the numbers by heart. I did it because I just wanted to get in your pants." We laughed because we both knew that at the time, deep inside he had wanted more.

"You didn't take advantage of Drunk Bella" I offered with a smile. He grinned.

"That was will power - not a grand gesture."

"You were the only one to do it. So it counts." He rolled his eyes and remained silent, no doubt waiting for more. "You said that you loved me in front of friends and family at the club."

"That was only honesty."

Damn, he had an excuse for everything. "You carried me when I got tired on the trail back to the hotel." Our first trip to Snoqualmie Falls and the first time we were together.

"Again, that was for purely selfish reasons. It would've been bad if you were too tired to make love all night."

"The day you came to get me from the hospital when everyone else had given up on me."

His eyes softened further, his hand on my cheek rubbed away the tear that fell. "What I'd done, my leaving you, the Gala, completely cancels that out."

"Not to me." But I knew he'd see it that way no matter what I said. "You handled those harpies at the baby shower."

He shrugged. "I wouldn't have had to if it weren't for me. And I did that because I love you and I couldn't stand to see you hurt." With a small kiss and another wipe of my cheek, he murmured, "Ran out of gestures, huh?"

I sniffled a bit. "You love me."

"Hell yes, I do." He smiled and kissed me again. "So much, Bella. Don't you see why I had to do this big!" He opened his arms wide, gesturing how big he meant. Taking his face in my hands, it was my turn to wipe at the lingering tears in his eyes. It was obvious that this meant so much to him.

"Tell me about it."

"I had this whole mix melody of songs, about us, about our relationship. Some were going to be performed by me, friends of ours and family. I had a stage erected and the song pre-recorded."

I grinned. "What was the first song?"

He snickered, dropping his head on my shoulder. "Womanizer by Britney Spears, of course."

I giggled. "Who was doing that?"

"I thought for old times' sake I'd piss off Jacob, so Nessie was going to do it." When I smiled and shook my head, he continued. "She was looking forward to it, too."

"I'm sure she was." I caressed his face and slid my hands down to his chest, unable to help myself. His little smirk told me he could easily read my mind. Stupid hormones. I rolled my eyes and asked him to continue.

"Then I was going to perform a part of Enrique Iglesias's new song, but the explicit version." Confused, I shrugged since I had no idea what song he mentioned. "Nobody's ever made me feel the way that you do. You know my motivation, given my reputation. Please excuse me I don't mean to be rude. But tonight I'm fucking you."

I laughed and smacked his shoulder, especially as his hands had worked their way to my backside. "What can I say," he said, still laughing. "At the time my only concern was getting inside you." I moaned softly, his words hot and breathless against my ear.

"We would've never made it past that song," I said softly, knowing he knew exactly what I meant. If I had given to Edward's advances that early in our relationship, we may not have been together at that moment.

"Maybe, but I don't think you would've been so easily forgotten. But you chose to make me work for it," he said, emphasizing work. "But you teased me too, with your Future, Sex, Love, Sound." Pressing a kiss below my ear, he continued. "I worked for hours on the dance moves for that song." Damn, I would've wanted to see that. Knowing me better than anyone, he added, "I'll have to do that for you later, in the privacy of our home." I moaned softly, I had a thing for dancing, singing Edward. The cocky ass knew it, too.

"That would bring us to the next stage of our relationship," I murmured, wrapping my arms around his waist as best as I could.

"Denial," he sang. "I'm not in love, so don't forget it."

"You were really going to perform that?" With a shrug he smiled. "Okay, I'm guessing the next song isn't much better than Tonight I'm Fucking You."

He had the decency to look abashed and bit his lip shyly. "Animals, by Nickelback," he murmured. When I laughed, he exhaled at my reaction and joined me. "Then Nessie was supposed to sing a few lines of Britney's other song Toxic."

His smile fell, the pain associated with the time that one of his ex's poisoned one of my drinks, swam in his eyes and in the frown that graced his lips. However, he didn't dwell on it for long.

"Then Jordan and I were going to sing a little of Sorry by Buckcherry, following that I hoped that I could convince you to sing with me." I smiled, trying to coax one from him. "I Need You." His lips pressed onto my own, lingering there for a few quite moments.

"I need you so much, Bella." Desperation, love, and fear filled his voice. It was the same emotions that had him scared when thought I'd been shot by Daniel. "I couldn't find it in my heart to find any song that could match the devastation I felt when I left you after the Gala. So I wanted to move on with the song that clearly stated that despite my imperfections, the things that I'd done to hurt you, that you were the reason for my being and for the changes within me."

Again, the tears that filled his eyes allowed me to see the sorrow he had felt and still did. It had been months since all that happened, and he had yet to forgive himself completely. As I felt the same way about not telling him the truth sooner. If I had, maybe there never would've been a separation as the one we had painfully endured.

However, that time apart had allowed us to come to terms with our pasts and made us determined to be together. It helped us form the unbreakable bond, even though the time apart had been painful, but in that pain, we both realized that we couldn't be without the other.

"Jordan and Donnie had flown in to help me with the next song," he whispered, humming a familiar tune. "Despite the pain and the drama of our lives one thing remained true." He kissed me softly, slowly before continuing. "I'm not the kind of guy who take a broken heart." I gasped and swooned, making him falter his song, but he sang some more. "I'll be loving you forever."

"But," he paused and smirked. "I knew I wouldn't have been able to hit the high note, so Jordan would've taken over. I laughed and pressed kisses all over his face. He grasped my hands and cocked an eyebrow. "You're making it hard to continue."

It was my turn to smile coyly and whisper an apology. I wasn't sorry at all. He stood up and sat me down on the hood, which was still warm. "Let me grab something." Moving quickly, he made his way to the trunk of the car and grabbed a guitar.

I had no idea he played. "I had to learn to play while were gone on tour," he said. "Jasper and Rob helped me. Thankfully, I only needed to learn a few chords for the last song."

I watched as his fingers curled around the neck of the acoustic guitar. He stood in front of me, resting one foot on the tire of our car, propping the instrument on his thigh. I bit my lip, he looked so beautiful as he strummed a few notes, made some adjustments to the strings and cleared his throat a few times.

He was nervous and stalling. Slowly, I placed my hand on his cheek and pressed my lips to his. "No matter how you asked me the answer would always be the same. I love you."

"I love you, baby," he whispered. "But I'm going for speechless, after all that's what I promised you." Referring to the time when we visited his California beach house, where he had planned to ask me to marry him, but the secret between us had thwarted his plans.

The silence around us amplified the few notes and taps on the guitar. The full moon that shined above, had become the spotlight on the most perfect man for me. Tears formed in my eyes, wiping them as they fell. It was my lullaby.

His voice quivered, watching me as he sang.

Edward

Tear after tear fell from her warm, dark eyes as I stared at her and put all the love I had for her in my notes and in her song. I barely managed to stop myself from chocking on some of the words as I sang. The lyrics had finally come to me one morning as I watched her sleep.

I sang about the depth of her eyes, the flow of her hair, and the beat of her heart. There were words of what it felt like to have her in my arms, about the love I had for her and what it felt like to be loved by her. With every tear that fell from her beautiful eyes, the more harder it was to continue.

The chorus was simple, words of how much I loved her fell from my lips in a softer tone than the verse. Her eyes closed for a moment, a sweet sigh escaped her. Upon their opening, I could see the smile that reached her eyes, a tiny sway of her body.

As I approached the end, the song from my lips grew louder as my confidence grew. There was nothing to fear, the beautiful woman before me loved me in the same capacity that I loved her. Fingers, soft and warm curled around my cheek, not only listening to words of my song, but feeling the movement of them. The tips of her fingers wiped at a wayward tear upon my cheek, a watery smile she gave me then.

"The three letter word for my happiness is you and only you. You're a dream come true. The love you bring me, given me makes me stronger, now all I need a promise for longer. You are my everything, even the heart that beats within me. Will you marry me today? And promise to love me every day?"

As the song ended, I could see as she tortured her lip between her teeth. Sliding the guitar to lay across my back, I held out the ring, taking her hand in my own. The silence around us made me aware how silent she'd become. When I cocked an eyebrow in question, she grinned mischievously and laughed.

"You were going for speechless," she whispered. Then she launched herself at me. Grinning, I wrapped my arms around her. "Is that a yes?" I asked, my mouth against the soft-scented curve of her neck as I crushed her to me. She nodded, sniffling and still crying.

I slipped my phone from my pocket and pressed a few keys. "She said yes!" I cried into my phone. She squeezed me tighter, as our family and friends hooted and hollered on the other end of the phone. Bella laughed and shook her head as I hung up, since there were questions about the how and where.

Bella tensed when someone started to clap behind us. We both turned to see an old man with a cane. "Happy to see that it all worked out," he said gruffly. He eyeballed Bella's tummy, and grunted. "See that the boy's a little late on the asking." I fucking blushed at his teasing. "Move your car before you start celebrating. I gotta go see the grand kids now."

We apologized to him and moved quickly to the car. Once inside, Bella and I started to laugh. After a minute, I pulled on the road and took her hand in mine. "Come on, everybody is waiting for us."

"It's going to take at least an hour to get there," she said softly. It was true, the moment we hit the city the traffic would be bumper to bumper due to the blackout. "Can't we go home and celebrate." Her hand in mine settled on my thigh. I groaned and shook my head. The woman had me by the balls whenever she talked in that throaty whisper.

"Sorry, baby," I said, smiling. "I promised everybody we'd be there once I asked you."

She rolled her eyes, rubbing my thigh, climbing higher. "My ring is beautiful," she whispered, watching as her ringed-fingered hand slid up my thigh. The woman was certifiably evil.

"I wanted something different for you," I said, taking her wandering hand in mine. She pouted as I brought it to my lips to kiss the tips of her fingers. "Plus, you know how much I love the color blue on you."

Bella

After we arrived in the city several minutes later, we were stuck in terrible traffic. A chime came from Edward's jacket pocket, and when he answered the text he laughed. "Alice said that I'll get a traffic ticket if I let you take advantage of me and if we don't get our butts at the club she'd hunt us down."

"She said all that in a text?" I laughed and he handed me his phone.

Road head = ticket. Get here now or I'm going hunting.

"You edited."

"I didn't want you to get any ideas," he said, laughing. "Not that its achievable in your third trimester."

"Oh that's a challenge that I'd be willing to partake in," I said coyly. He groaned and shook his head. The hand that curled around the steering wheel tightened. Innocently, I batted my lashes and bit my lip.

His eyes widened. "Don't even think about it."

"I thought about it," I replied. "But you're right, it would be rude for us not to meet up with everyone at the club. It was kind of sweet that you originally planned for them to be a part of the proposal."

He shrugged and looked thoughtful. "They pushed us together, they were a part of the reason we were together now and not later. Though their approach was less than favorable, they're influence brought us closer. Not to mention their own relationships inspired me to try to work things out with you. I saw how happy they were, and I wanted the same thing, though at the time I had tried to deny it."

I wanted to be honest with him always, and at that moment I knew I had to tell him. "I'm glad it was just the two of us."

His eyes snapped to mine, his brow furrowing. "What? Why?"

"For the same reason you wanted our family to be a part of the proposal. They were there, pulling the strings of our relationship from the very beginning until we'd taken over. This...your proposal and my answer should be ours and only ours."

Returning his eyes to the road, he looked thoughtful for several tense moments. A grin lifted the corners of his mouth in a breathtaking smile. "You're absolutely right."

"Not that I wouldn't have enjoyed your original idea," I clarified.

His smile widened and he wiggled his eyebrows. "You only wanted me to strut my stuff on stage." When I confessed that was exactly what I wanted he added, "Don't you worry, love," he patted my thigh, "I'll give you private show."

We laughed and held hands again, as he told me about the ring and the reason why he bought one. Though there was a negative memory with the heirloom ring, I made it clear that it would be something I wore from time to time. It was important to his family, to his mother, so it would be as significant to me, too.

Another text alerted Edward and he answered it secretly, not telling me about the contents of Alice's text. As we neared the club, Edward's fidgeting increased. I groaned internally, there was more to this surprise.

"The traffic is ridiculous," I muttered. "If one more person flips you off I'm going to bite their heads off."

"Road rage in exchange for road head," he said, grinning. "Nice." I rolled my eyes and sang softly to the music, trying to ignore the loud horns from nearby cars.

Several minutes later, Edward squeezed my hand. "You know I love you, right?" he said suddenly. I nodded, confused by the question and the timing. "How soon would you like to get married?"

"Well," I said thoughtfully. "I'd like to be married as soon possible, but nothing big. Then I thought that next year we can renew our vows in the meadow with everybody."

He exhaled and smiled. "Wow, we really do think a lot alike. That's exactly what I had in mind."

"Good," I said, smiling widely. "Our daughters will hopefully be walking by then, they could be our flower girls."

Edward sighed and laughed. "That's one hell of an image."

I rested my head back on the seat and looked at him. "Isn't it?" The tips of my fingers brushed the side of his face. "Any regrets?"

He shrugged. "Some, but that's only because of the pain we've been through. But no matter the path, the obstacles it took to get us here, I'd do again if it meant it was the only way to be with you."

I smiled and nodded in agreement. Traffic seemed to lessen as we pulled onto the street where the club was located. The moment we drove up to the curb, Alice and Esme quickly opened my door, pulling me out immediately. I looked back to Edward who was just as swiftly accosted by Carlisle and Emmett.

What the hell was going on?

Thrust inside the side entrance of the club, Alice led me into a room that usually served as David's office. Rosalie stood in front of a small vanity with a lethal looking curling iron and a look that clearly said, "Don't fuck with me, Bella."

I'm going to kill him.

"She's figured it out," Esme said firmly. "Hurry before she protests."

I growled as she pulled my dress over my head. Alice gently pushed me into a chair. "Her makeup is perfect, good thing she wore waterproof mascara. I only need to add a little more lipstick, fucking Edward must've kissed it off."

"I really hate that you're talking about me as if I'm not in the room."

"Rosalie, did you hear something?" Alice asked innocently. Bitch.

"Add some more powder around her eyes," Rosalie said, ignoring my look. She pulled the clip from my hair and started to curl it. "The bitch has awesome hair, shouldn't take me more than a few minutes."

"The sides need to go up since the dress is strapless," Alice chimed in.

"May I at least see the damn thing?" I grumbled, crossing my arms across my naked chest.

Alice rolled her eyes and nodded. "Edward and I designed it."

In the mirror in front of me I could see Esme, holding up the dress. I sighed, it really was beautiful, white and iridescent beads along the top of the strapless gown. Of course it was strapless. Edward had no clue how hard it was to contain the damn things.

Alice read my mind and offered, "He insisted."

"It's beautiful," I whispered, tears forming in my eyes. Alice, Rosalie and Esme seemed to be shocked by my reaction. "There's no reason to be mad, it's what I want anyway."

They all blew a breath of relief. "Thank fuck," Rosalie stated. "If I had to tie and gag you while we helped get you ready I would've."

I laughed. "Thanks for helping him," I said. Esme wrapped her arms around my shoulders after placing a robe around me.

"We love you both so much, sweetheart," she said, pressing a kiss on my temple. "You have no idea how long he's waited for you."

Rubbing my fingers across the arm around my neck, I smiled. "I've been waiting for him, too."

"Fucking twat," Rosalie said, sniffling. "Don't fucking make me cry." She looked radiant in a green flowing dress that fell just past her knees. It took a moment for me to realize that the three ladies with me were wearing matching color dresses.

Alice giggled at Rosalie's revolving door hormones and returned her attention to me. "Pucker up, babe," she purred.

I grinned and cocked an eyebrow. "Have you changed orientation recently? I'm practically a married woman, Alice. This is all so sudden." She rolled her eyes and pinched my breast! We laughed and I allowed them to take over and within twenty minutes I was ready to marry the man I loved and would love until the end of time.

But I'm still pissed he pulled this off without telling me!

Though the club was running on minimal power thanks to the generator, in the hallway, candlelight lit the path to a side entrance onto the dance floor. I recognized a figure, waiting there for me. With a gentle hug from Esme, Alice and Rosalie, they left me alone with my bother.

"Are you all right?" I asked.

Jordan shook his head. "It hurts to give you away."

I laughed. "You knew this day was coming."

He nodded thoughtfully and took my hand in his own. It engulfed mine easily, but he was so gentle as he squeezed my fingers. "From the day I met him, I knew this day would come."

"Really?"

"Yeah," he whispered, he caught the look I'd given him. Worried that he was hurting from trying to stay standing, I tried to keep my concern from my features. He saw right through me. "I'm fine. I want to walk my sister down the aisle. I'd been preparing and working hard to do this ever since Edward asked permission for your hand."

I laughed. "He asked?" He nodded and laughed with me.

"The poor guy looked nervous and fumbled through it. It was the first time that cocky, smart-ass broke out in a sweat because of me." Jordan smirked and wiggled his eyebrows. "It was so much fun to see him squirm."

I slapped his shoulder and wrapped my arms around his waist. "Easy there, sis. I don't want my nieces to wake up during the ceremony." Someone called out to him and he pressed a kiss to the top of my head. "It's time, B." I nodded and held back the tears, it felt like I'd been doing that all day.

I wobbled a bit as I pulled away from him. He steadied me and whispered, "I think it's time that you lean on me for a while. I'm here for you, to support you and your family." A traitorous tear fell and I smiled as he wiped it away. "You ready?"

When I nodded he took my hand and led through his arm. Slowly we walked around the corner and I gasped at the scene before me. Candles were on every surface of the room, and along the aisle between a few rows of chairs. There family and friends smiled as my brother and I walked in side by side.

At the end of the flower petal trail was the love my life. I glowered, causing him to only shrug and laugh. His laughter led to a beautiful smile, as he tried so hard to keep his tears at bay. My own refusing to be contained, my happiness overwhelming me for a moment.

Dressed in a handsome tux, I was about to marry the man that changed my life for the better. Who could ask for more.

Edward

From the end of aisle, I watched the play of emotions on her face. Though she was initially upset about the instant surprise wedding, I could see that the happiness seep out of her. Tear after tear fell from her eyes, and I knew that by the time I took her hand in mine, I would lose the battle to contain my own.

She looked so beautiful in the dress, radiant in her happiness and the glow of motherhood. Proud as she looked upon Jordan who walked beside her. She looked at the crowd that come to bear witness, their smiling faces and the candlelight made this all the more special.

When her attention returned to me, our relationship flashed before my eyes. From the initial and undeniable passion that grew to love, the pain and the work to make everything what it was now, and to the future I dreamt of since I realized I loved her. She was my lover, my best friend and the mother of my children.

As Jordan laid her hand in mine, I smiled at the incredible woman who I loved with all my heart and soul. The tears had finally won the battle I'd been destined to lose since the moment she agreed to marry me.

She'd been the woman hired to break my heart. Instead, she filled it with everything I'd been missing. She was my life and in a few moments she'd be my wife. I was no longer Edward Cullen, aka The Womanizer. I was Edward Cullen, lover, friend, father and husband to be.

AN: Only the epilogue left, so stay tuned for that. Make sure to add the alert for Tantra Chair Adventures - where I'll be posting a few outtakes as I write them.

I'd like to thank all of you that have stuck with me throughout this story. The pre-readers, those that listened to all my ideas and called me on my shit when I felt I couldn't write for crap. Those that whipped me into working on this story, ObsessingOverEdward, kyla713, booksgalore/bookishqua, and Vanessa, whom without their encouragement this would still be in my head instead on the computer screen.

Thanks to all my readers who made my day with every word of encouragement. You all are the best!