Chapter 34

Esme POV

I'm capable of admitting when I'm wrong. No one likes to eat crow, but I am capable of not only doing it but being gracious about it too. I spoke to Bella when we were in California because I knew it was what Edward wanted, did it come from the heart, not really. After his fiasco of a trip home for the Cullen Christmas party I knew another conversation was due and this one would be sincere.

Was it wrong to blame Bella for everything? Yes. Did I know this? Yes. Was I use to my family doing things the way I wanted them? Definitely. That was truly the crux of the problem. Letting go, I was terrible at letting go. I blame Bella for taking Edward from me. The woman in me knew he made his own decision but the mother in me was saying she insisted he go to Chicago, my boy would never leave me if he had a choice. We spoke on the phone once a week and we would have lunch when he flew to Seattle for meetings. I noticed the changes in him but things didn't hit home until the company party.

I heard Carlisle talk of how the move was definitely good for Edward in business, he was finally able to come into his own. It wasn't Carlisle himself holding Edward back but the old boys network liked to keep him in Carlisle's shadow. Only those who understood what Cullen was doing in the medical field really understood how good Edward was in his own right. Edward being in Chicago made it easier for both of them to insist that people went to him first, instead of Carlisle, as had happened when they had been in the same building.

San Diego was the first chance to observe Edward and Bella in a relaxed setting. I was surprised at how carefree he was. Even with everything doing on in their lives, he was more relaxed than I have ever seen him outside a strictly family situation. When he pulled her into a dance in the street I was overjoyed. Edward was never one to show public affection, only an idiot wouldn't see how in love they are. I also caught the way Anthony and William watched them, it must have been quite a while since they had seen Bella this happy also.

All that happiness was in direct contrast to the man that was present at the Cullen party. Carlisle warned me that he was not in a good mood after the revelations about Mrs. Cope. I was surprised also, but Carlisle took it the hardest. She had been with him for decades and he had a soft spot for her. It hurt everyone she was involved. He also warned me that Edward had ruffled quite a few feathers with the Board and he wasn't sure he could smooth everything over by the Open House.

"Penny for your thoughts." My husband stated.

"Just thinking about the Cullen party a few weeks ago, most of the same people will be here tonight." The thought worried me because I watched in disgust last time as single and married women blatantly threw themselves at my son. Before he would have laughed it off or ignored them. I watched as he visibly became angrier with each flirtation. I wasn't surprised when he flew back to Chicago suddenly. Bella soothed his soul in ways nothing else could, not even family.

"True, plus new ones, but Bella will be here with him tonight."

"I think most of those floozy's will take that as their cue to ramp up their disgusting behavior Carlisle."

"Maybe but they can handle them and you have to admit, it could make for good entertainment tonight. Between the women and the Board I'm sure Edward will get his ear chewed off tonight." He had the audacity to chuckle.

"This isn't funny dear. I hope to avoid drama of that kind tonight."

"We'll see," was his witty response.

Yes, we did see. They worked the crowd with smiles and refused to rise to the bait of troublemakers. Of course that didn't stop people from trying. The old guard matron's in attendance loved seeing them together, if Edward was pulled away to talk business they closed ranks around Bella to keep the worst of the gossipers from her.

I lost track of them when Felix Volturi entered uninvited. Carlisle was making his way to himm when Tanya strolled into sight, taking Felix's arm and steering him toward her family. I watched a quick look of shock register on my husband's face before his smile was back in place and greeting the newcomers.

As I was working the room looking for Edward and Bella, to warn them of the new arrivals, my attention was drawn to the crowd that had gathered on the patio. The Carol of the Bells could be heard as soon as I stepped outside and I knew Edward must be playing for Bella has I remembered the dance in San Diego. The tune switched to something I was unfamiliar with, it had been so long since he played and I found myself lost in the joy of him playing again.

"Yes Edward Yes." I heard Bella shout.

"Did he just propose to her?" Liz Newton asked to the crowd in general.

"I think he did. He was down on one knee." Victoria replied. "How could he ask that whore to marry him?" That was enough, I pushed my way to the front of the crowd.

"This is a private area, please return to the party." I tried to say nicely but didn't quite succeed. I looked in the music room to find it empty before closing the doors again. The whispers and innuendo's continued as I herded the busybodies back into the house. In the few minutes it took for me to return inside the murmurs were growing.

"Is it true?" Alice and Rose ask when they reached me.

"I think so. I heard Bella shout yes and Victoria said he was on knee. Haven't they returned to the party?"

"No, we thought they were on the patio." Alice answered.

"No, they must have returned through the inside door."

"Then they are here somewhere. Let's find them. I'm so excited for him." Rose said and we went off in different directions looking for a definite answer.

After 20 minutes I saw Rose and Alice by the stairs. "Have you seen either one of them?"

"No, I think they snuck out." Alice offered.

"I can't say I blame them for that." I didn't either. This way they could announce things how they wanted, instead of confirming things tonight. The gossip tomorrow would be of what people think happened, not what did happen.

"Bellaaaa" I heard from the upper floor. Alice started up the stairs before I grabbed her arm.

"Where are you going?"

"Upstairs."

"Why?"

"To see if Bella is hurt." I wanted to laugh at my daughter's naivety. Rose was smirking, she obviously was on the same page as me.

"She isn't, trust me."

"But that was Edward yelling."

"Yes it was and I'm sure he isn't hurting her. We need to return to the party like we didn't hear a thing." Alice was still giving me a confused look. "If you really need it explained Alice ask Rose under what other circumstances he could be shouting out her name." With a pointed look to Alice I scanned the crowd for my husband to relay the events I thought had happened tonight.

BPOV

Edward ask me to marry him. Oh my god Edward ask me to marry him! I'm going to be Mrs. Edward Cullen. I jumped in his arms and kissed all over his face. I heard people talking but couldn't be bothered with that now. I was marrying Edward.

"I don't want to share with everyone right now. Trust me?"

"Of course I trust you Edward."

He took my hand and opened the interior door, leading us down the hallway away from the party. I thought we were sneaking out through the kitchen to go back home, imagine my surprise when he started up the staircase.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm taking my beautiful, almost wife upstairs to my old bedroom where I am going to ravish her properly." I had stopped walking and since that wasn't okay with Edward he picked me up and continued upstairs.

"We can't. Your parents have a house full of guests." I whisper yelled as I swatted his butt.

"Don't care. Not about the party, or the guests, or what anyone down there thinks." We had reached his room. "If it bothers you keep quiet but the woman of my dreams said yes and I am ravishing her right now." He set me down and was reaching for my dress.

"Edward!" I was slapping his hands away and giggling.

"Bella," he said in the same tone. "It's later and I want to unwrap my present."

He pulled me in for a deep kiss and I couldn't help the moan that came out. "I don't think your mother will appreciate us leaving the party this way." As much as I want him now, I wasn't convinced this was a good idea.

"Remind me to tell you the story of their 30th anniversary surprise party sometime." He was kissing behind my ear and slowly pulling my dress up. "My parents have no right to say something, a fact I will gladly remind them of, if need be."

He untied my dress quickly and let it fall to the floor.

"Fuck," he moaned as he took in my matching forest green panty set. I heard his jacket hit the floor as I turned around and removed my thong.

"We need to be quick about this."

"Not a problem." He answered, pushed on my back to bend over the bed and plunged into me.

"Edward" I squeaked out. I mean a little warning would have been nice.

"Always so wet for me." I moved one hand to rub my clit. "Cum for me Bella, squeeze my cock." A quickie was a new experience for us, but the hard pace of it had me on the edge in minutes.

"Yes Edward, yes." I moaned and squeezed him as I came.

"Beelllaa" he shouted, releasing into me before collapsing on top of me. I couldn't help but laugh softly at him.

"That was not quiet Edward. You know at least some of the guests had to have heard that."

"As I said I don't care what they hear and I meant it, maybe they heard the right way to please their wife."

"You are incorrigible."

"One of the many reasons you love me my dear." He said as he held my dress out to me.

"Maybe, but that arrogant little smirk you're sporting at the moment is..."

"Another thing you love about me." He said with a wink.

"Not when directed at me Mr. Cullen." I told him with a swat.

"Ouch, abuse. Shouldn't you wait until we're actually married to get rough with me?"

I was attempting to tie my dress and he was attempting to cop a feel, the two were counterproductive. "What has gotten into you tonight?" I asked through my laughter, he was very playful.

"You said yes, it's as simple as that Bella. You said yes." We both managed to put our clothes back in order and Edward led me into the hall.

"Where are we going now, the party is the other way?"

"To hell with the party Bella, I'm taking my lovely fiancée home and unwrapping my presents like I was promised I could. I attended the party, played nice with the other kids, even the mean ones and now I'm leaving."

He was leading us through the kitchen, when I saw William and Anthony waiting with ours coats' I realized he planned the entire thing with them. Here I thought they worked for me. Thank God we lived so close was my thought as we walked along the beach towards home.

In contrast to his rough but playful mood in his bedroom upon reaching ours he delicately unwrapped his present, again. The slowly dancing lights of the Christmas was the only light as we spent the late hours of Christmas Eve showing each other our love.

Christmas has always been a bittersweet time of year for me, being an only child with no extended family was lonely and the joy of Santa visiting only went so far, even to a child. With Edgar, Christmas morning tended to be a happy but quiet affair. In more recent years, I spent the holiday volunteering with different organizations or at different shelters. As I lay next to Edward, drifting into sleep, I couldn't help but wonder how different this Christmas with his family would be. It would be a new experience, a good one, I hoped.

I woke to Edward holding me close and gently twirling a strand of my hair.

"Good morning Sunshine, Merry Christmas." He told me with a kiss.

"Merry Christmas," I said with a stretch. "What time is it?"

"Eight, just enough time for us to open presents and then go to my parents."

"Presents? Didn't you get enough presents last night?"

"I will never get enough of that present, no matter how many times I play with it. However, I know for a fact that Santa left you at least one present under the tree. Don't you want to see what he left?"

"Santa was here?" Edward was snuggling into me and with his roaming hands was getting very frisky.

"Yes, he told me you were a very good girl this year."

"Really? You do know you fell asleep before I did and Santa told me you had been a very naughty boy this year and I should treat you accordingly?" I quirked an eyebrow at him, daring him to argue with me.

"Well, between you being nice and my being naughty we have all our bases covered. Now, let's see what happens when we combine the two." With a wiggle of his eyebrows he pulled the covers over us and as it turns out the two mix very, very well.

We had agreed to give each other one gift and I hoped Edward would like his. The idea came to me after hearing a story Esme told in San Diego about Edward when he was younger.

"Present time Isabella," he said in a sing song voice as I laughed at him.

"I swear Edward you would think you were six years old again."

"I can't help it. I want to see your reaction." His face held a somber expression as he continued. "It's been a long time since I had a female, other than family, to share Christmas with Bella and you're more important to me than any woman has ever been."

"Okay, I admit I'm looking forward to seeing your reaction to my gift also. It's not as if you are an easy man to buy for Edward."

"I'll love anything you get me Bella, you know this."

"I hope so because I have to admit a part of the gift is for me to use." He looked confused. "I think you'll love it, trust me."

"I do trust you." I said as he ran to the tree to get our gifts. "I think you're going to love it." I couldn't help but smile at his giddiness as he handed me an envelope.

"We're going to Scotland for two weeks!"

"Right after the first of the year, I've already cleared everything with Stephen."

I was looking at the information and couldn't find the itinerary. "Where's the itinerary? Are we spending all the time at the loch?"

"We'll spend part of our time there but I've only been to Scotland that once so I was hoping we could do the tourist thing also."

"That's fine, I would love to show you Scotland. Where are you interested in going?"

"It's a surprise. I have everything planned already."

"But…"

"No buts missy, it's all been planned and Stephen has given his okay. I know you don't like surprises but give me the benefit of the doubt and just roll with this Bella, you'll love it, I promise."

"Fine. I can't ask you to trust me with your present and then not do the same thing. I'm sure I will love it Edward. Now open my gift." I handed him the box, what was inside could be taken many ways and I was curious as to how he would respond. The actual present was downstairs.

"Wow, um…" I couldn't stop the chuckle I let out when I saw the look on his face.

"Look at how articulate you are this morning. It's ok to say you don't like them Edward." I pretended to pout.

"No, no, no, no sweetheart I love them." I gave him a look that said I thought he was lying. "I do really." He had now pulled the leather pants out of the box. "I'm not sure I understand what they mean though." I dropped my chin to my chest and bit my lip to keep from laughing but I'm sure to him it looked like I was sobbing. "I love them Bella, I do." He had wrapped his arms around me in comfort. "Do you want me to try them on for you?" I nodded. I felt bad because it was obvious he didn't want to put the pants on and he felt bad about that fact.

"I'm going to get dressed, the rest of the outfit is in the bathroom."

He looked at the pants and balked on his way to the bathroom. I'm sure he wondered how bad the rest of the outfit would be. I went to the closet and dressed in an outfit almost identical to his, under armor, leather pants and a sweater. I was bent over pulling my boots on when Edward came back into the bedroom.

"Fuck Bella, your ass looks great and now I have a hard on, theses pants hide nothing."

I turned around and yes he was definitely sporting a hard on. "They look great on you
Edward."

"If they look half as good as yours then they must because you look phenomenal in those. They make me think of doing naughty things to you baby." He picked me up and gave me a heart stopping kiss.

"Later Edward, I promise later. We need to get to your parents for brunch and more presents." He looked as if his heart had stopped.

"Let's change then we can go." He sounded hopeful.

"Nope," I said quashing the hopefulness right out of him. "Meet me downstairs, I'm ready to go."

"Bella, I can't go in these and I damn sure don't want anyone but me seeing you in those."

"Trust me Edward," I sang and ran out of the room. He chased me all the way to the living room and the rest of his present.

"Holy shit! Is this…are they…yes…I love it Bella. Love it!" He was swinging me around. "You had me going with the pants and the outfit, now they make sense."

He put me down to go over and sit on one of the Ducati Streetfighter S's standing in the middle of the room.

"I'm glad you like it, now that you actually understand what your present is."

"I love it and they match so we can ride together." I nodded at him. They were both yellow, they only difference was his had 'Cullen' on the tank and mine had 'Swan'.

"I have boots for you and heavy jackets for both of us." I told him pointing to the pile on the couch. "We also have lighter jackets for warmer weather and helmets."

"We're riding them to my parents?"

"We can, it's not far and we have heavy jackets and gloves. William has clothes in the car for us to change into once we get there. It's almost 50 outside, it will be cold but not unbearable."

"They are actually allowing us to ride the bikes?"

"Yes, Stephen, Anthony, and Grey will be with us on black Ducati's and of course we need to stay in the middle of them, but it's been cleared."

I handed him his helmet, black with the red lion from the Cullen coat of arms on the back of it, and carried my own, red with a white swan on the back, outside as the bikes were rolled out. I took my bike from Grey and watched Edward's eyes widen as I straddled it.

"I'm really going to like sharing this with you." I was a little confused by his statement. "If I stay behind you I have a perfect view of your ass in those pants."

"Pervert." I called him as he pulled me in for a hug.

"You love the pervert in me. It's what has me hoping I can convince Stephen to have the guys haul one of the bikes up to our bedroom tonight." He wiggles his eyebrows at me. "We are definitely breaking them in right before we leave Seattle, either way, you are in trouble when we get back tonight."

"Promises, promises" I told him as I put my helmet on and started my bike.

It was a short drive to the Cullen's and the sound of five bikes pulling up to the house brought them out onto the porch.

"Sweet Edward, nice bikes." Jasper said.

"Thanks, they are my Christmas present from Bella." That seemed to surprise everyone.

"A girl after my own heart." I heard Jasper say softly as we all went inside. I looked at Edward for clarification of Jasper's statement.

"He has wanted a bike for a while and my sister is adamantly against them, especially since they have kids." He whispered to me and I nodded. I could understand her position, a bike wasn't for everyone and could be dangerous if a person didn't know what they were doing.

After Edward and I changed and rejoined the group we were instantly bombarded with questions about last night.

"Speculation is high that you proposed last night." Carlisle said to Edward. "It is all over the papers."

"Let me see the ring." Alice demanded and Esme squealed and grabbed my left hand. "There's no ring."

"But I know I heard Bella say yes and all those women came in saying he had asked her." They both looked dejected. Edward looked at each with grins.

"Are the papers saying we are engaged?" I asked the group in general.

"No, not really. They have quotes from several people who swear they saw Edward on one knee with a ring box and others that swear they heard Bella say yes, but they also say they haven't been able to reach anyone for confirmation on an engagement. So, inquiring minds want to know, did you or didn't you propose?"

"You did say you wanted to give them something to gossip about." I said to Edward.

"I did and obviously it worked." The looks on the Cullen's faces was priceless, they had no idea what to think.

"There's no engagement?" Alice and Esme asked at the same time, both sounded almost ready to cry. On one hand it pissed me off, it wasn't that long ago they didn't want me with Edward. That feeling was tempered by the fact that I knew the thing they wanted most for Edward was his happiness and he was very happy with me.

"Well, he was down one knee, he did ask me a question, and there was a box with rings in it."

"Enough suspense already, are you engaged or not." That came from Carlisle, he was on the edge of his seat also.

"Fine, yes, I asked her and she said yes." Edward wasn't finished talking and there were squeals and hugs all around.

"I knew it. But where's the ring? She needs a ring Edward."

"Settle down Alice," I told her. "I will have a ring eventually. The two rings Edward showed me are Gaelic Wedding bands, specially forged to be seamless, as is the Celtic tradition. The rings say Gra Geal Mo Chroi (Graw Gal Muh Kree), in English the literal meaning is Pulse of My Heart."

"An engagement ring though."

"No, no engagement ring, I don't want one and Edward knows that. Just wedding bands."

"Do you want to confirm anything to the papers or leave it at speculation." Carlisle asked, things would be much easier if everyone was on the same page.

"Let them speculate," Edward said, "at least until we return to Chicago. I know it will be news at any time but the press is much more respectful of us in Chicago than Seattle."

"I agree. I could force the paper to not run anything but I hate doing that just because I don't like the attention. We can announce once we return to Chicago. You don't have to deny anything if directly asked but wait on the formal announcement until we leave." I looked to Edward for approval and he nodded his agreement.

As presents were being sorted and opened I listened with half an ear as Edward, Carlisle and Jasper discussed the party after we left. Esme and Alice were busy firing questions at me about the type of wedding I wanted, I wasn't sure they would like the answers I had for them. The truth is the smaller the better. I had a sinking feeling they would want a huge affair and that just isn't me or Edward for that matter.

"They're married? Tanya and Felix?" That caught my attention and my surprise matched Edward's.

"Apparently, I barely greeted them before they were off talking to her family and none of them seemed surprised they were together." Carlisle added.

"They did stick to themselves more than normal last night." Esme said and snickered. "Not too long after their arrival the rumors of Edward's proposal started circulating and that seemed to upset them quite a bit."

"I think it was probably the commotion from upstairs that actually ran them out." Alice mumbled. I shot Edward an I told you so look.

"Don't care." He said and returned to his conversation.

Emmett and Rose arrived not long before we sat down to eat a late brunch and the wedding talk started up again. Edward was confusing the hell out of me, he would shake his head and chuckle but wasn't answering any of the questions. If they persisted he would give them a 'Bella and I will let you know what we decide.' They finally gave up on us and discussed options among the three of them.

"I'm assuming it will be in Chicago?" Alice asked.

I wanted it in Chicago but looked to Edward to be sure it was okay with him.

"Definitely," he firmly stated. "All of you are coming to Chicago for New Year's right?"

They were coming in at different times but they would be there by the 31st. We had discussed sleeping arrangements while they would be visiting and agreed they could stay at the Manor if they wanted. I knew that was what he was getting ready to offer.

"Bella and I talked about it and there is more than enough room for you to stay at the Manor if you would like."

I saw their eyes light up, this was a definite peace offering on my part, letting bygones be bygones and they recognized that fact. The men had been to the Manor before for the bid process but the women hadn't seen it yet. The last time they came to Chicago the alarm system was having problems so we moved brunch to Yolk. This way they could explore the house and grounds to their hearts content.

"We'd love to." Carlisle said after looking for confirming nods from the rest of the group.

"Great," Edward said, clapping his hands together and standing. "I hate to eat and run but, I have one last present to share with Bella." I choked a little on my drink. I knew what he wanted to share with me. "We're in town for a few more days, so we'll get together tomorrow sometime. Merry Christmas." Edward called out as he continued to drag me from the house.

"Edward, could you have been any more obvious?" I asked, I could hear the laughter and speculation of the Cullen's as to what exactly the present was.

"We could have gone upstairs again." I shook my head at him as he pulled me into the car William had driven over. We hurried home and my suspicions were confirmed of his present to share when I saw only one bike in the garage. Merry Christmas to me.

A/N: I apologize for the long wait on this, with family coming in for one holiday and my family traveling for another things got away from me. Now things have returned to the normal level of crazy and I hope to get back on track with updating. Thanks for sticking with me. Hope everyone had a good Christmas and New Year.

HS101 should be updated next week.

Thanks for reading !