The Learning Curve: Chapter 119

Edward Cullen's House

"So, Edward," my mother said right at the dinner table with Edward's parents, Charlie and Phil and I all looking on, "What in your right mind made you decide you wanted to get married now?"

"Mom," I protested. It seemed the height of rudeness to interrogate a person at his own dinner table. My dad, for his part, seemed tickled pink by the question.

"No, I want to answer," Edward said to me, putting his fork down. "I know everyone thinks it's crazy, getting married at eighteen. They say that if this is real between us, it can survive a few years of us living apart. But I didn't ask Bella because I was afraid. I asked her to marry me because I want to share my life with her – my whole life, not just a few hours a day when we're not in class or studying. And I don't want to wait for that."

I stared at my boyfriend, so eloquent and sincere, and I knew that no matter how many fish were in the sea, I had caught the very best.

"Edward's always been rather…passionate," Carlisle spoke up, breaking the heavy silence, "but he is committed."

"I don't doubt that," Renee said carefully, looking between Carlisle and Esme. "But I am concerned. After all, Charlie and I were fresh out of high school when we got married, and it didn't turn out so well."

"We're worried, too," Esme said. "But I know my son, and I've come to know your daughter…I believe they can do this. They've thought it through, they've considered all the angles, and they're ready."

That was enough to silence Renee. Edward glanced at me through his eyelashes, a small smile playing on his lips. I smiled too and pretended to be interested in my food. Conversation: over.

"Well," Phil said, ever the icebreaker, "How do you think the Mariners look this season?"

The rest of dinner passed with minimal awkwardness. The after-dinner coffee in the parlor wasn't quite as smooth. I sat with Edward in an oversized chair, holding his hand because it was the most contact I could have, given the company. I wished we could sneak up to his room and let our parents hash it out, but I knew we had to prove we were adult enough to handle marriage – which meant enduring adult conversation.

"What are you going to study at Dartmouth, Edward?" my mom asked, more polite than the last time.

"Pre-med," he said with an easy smile.

"You'll be going to med school after college, then," she surmised.

I squeezed Edward's hand, sensing danger. "That's the plan," he replied.

"And what happens when you get into medical school in one place and Bella finds a job in another?"

I narrowed my eyes at my mom. "I'll go where he goes, Mom. We'll make it work."

Renee gave a pursed her lips and looked straight at Edward. "Perhaps we could talk one-on-one?"

I opened my mouth to protest, but Edward was already standing. "Sure. Would you like to go into the kitchen?"

Renee nodded. "That would be fine."

I looked helplessly at my dad, who simply shrugged, and then at Phil, who held up his hands in a gesture that clearly said, "She's your mother. I just married her."

My head turned toward a very bewildered Carlisle and Esme, and I cringed. "I'm sorry. She's…impulsive?"

Esme snorted. "Bella, darling, I know my son. I think I'm familiar with impulsive."

A/N: I'll keep the A/N short today. Yes, you will always get random notes from me. Sorry. The Rock Chalk just can't be suppressed. I'm updating from work, probably in a way that violates my internet user agreement, so be grateful.