Rating/Warning(s)/Note(s): T, Shadows
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Prompt: Pliant

The great thing about vampires and werewolves is the speed. It only took minutes to get the luggage unpacked. Jacob winced a few times as Alice sped by him, back and forth between the bag on the bed and the closet filling with clothes. Marta and I tried to help, but it was obvious she was merely tolerating our involvement. Eventually we sat on the bed to get out of the way.

We all went to see the barn once Marta and I were unpacked. It didn't look like anything had changed on the outside, but as soon as we walked in it Jacob let out a low whistle. Inside was the ultimate man-cave. A great room greeted us, the walls and floor polished to a shine. Somehow I knew we'd never find a splinter anywhere. Huge rugs delineated rooms in the open space, making the flow from the living room to the dining room and on to the kitchen smooth. Everything was decorated in warm tones, so that while somewhat dark it was still rather cheery.

Jacob's bedroom was built into the loft overlooking the main area below with a circular staircase connecting the two floors. Marta raced up the steps behind Jacob to see what had been done and let out a squeal. I looked over to Edward in question, but he just winked and whisked me up the stairs. What I saw brought tears to my eyes.

On one knee was Jacob, holding a small box, looking at Marta with so much hope and love it took my breath away. He didn't even say anything before Marta was nodding silently, her own tears coursing down her face. With a grateful smile he stood, opened the box and extracted the ring. Their lips met as he slid it onto her finger.

"Let's give them some space," Edward whispered in my ear as he pulled me away. Twining his fingers in mine he led me from the barn to the cottage, smiling slightly. "I think that went well."

"You knew?" I asked, shocked he hadn't told me.

"Of course. Who do you think bought the ring? With Alice's help, of course."

"How could Alice help?" I asked. "I thought Jacob obscured her vision."

He let out a laugh. "She cheated. She had me ask Jacob which ring, then he left, and then she thought about Marta wearing it." He let out another chuckle. "It was very convoluted, but effective."

I nodded my understanding, trying very hard not to wish Edward would ask me. He didn't often kiss me, so I suppose marriage was quite a big step. Instead I sat at the desk and booted up my laptop, efficiently set up by Edward, complete with secured wi-fi, with the intent of email my parents to let them know of the engagement.

"The hardest part was figuring out how he would propose," Edward continued, lying on the bed behind me. "There was simply no way for Alice to see around him to see what would work. The imprinting came in handy there, because it pulls him in the direction he should go."

"Mmhmm," I replied, opening up the web browser.

"Bella," he whispered into my ear, making me jump at his sudden closeness. With a finger under my chin he turned my head until his lips hovered over mine. "Do you know how much I love you?"

My heart stopped as I gasped at his words, then instantly restarted, hammering in my chest when his lips touched mine. Without knowing I was moved I felt the bed at my back as he lay beside me, his lips never moving from mine. One of his hands reached around my waist, pulling me onto my side to hold me close to his body, pinning one arm beneath my body. I was like softened butter, completely pliant in his arms.

The room began to spin slightly when he trailed kisses down my jaw. "Breathe, love," he whispered in my ear. I wove the fingers of my free hand into his hair, surprised by the softness. "One day it will be us, just not now."

That made me freeze. "What do you mean?"

He pulled up onto one elbow as I lay down onto my back. "I want to marry you, Bella, and I will." His lips curled up on one side. "If you'll have me."

The arm that had been pinned was now free so I slid it under his waist, wrapping it around him. For some reason I felt shy. "You love me?"

He rolled his eyes and rolled onto his back, looking at the ceiling for a second before turning his head to look at me. "Isn't it obvious? I followed you for a year before you even knew I was around." He moved so he was on his side again and lifted his hand to run his fingers down my cheek. "When I first encountered you it was all I could do to keep from hunting you, if you recall, but then I saw Alice's vision of us. I wanted it."

I lifted my hand to mirror his movement on my face. His skin was hard and cold, yet somehow soft, like velvet over marble. "I want it, too."

His face split in a grin. "So one day you'll marry me?"

I couldn't resist. "So one day you'll propose properly?"

"It's a promise," he said. "Don't forget to breathe." Then his lips returned to mine.

Happy Monday!