Stephenie has it all. I just decided to play with her characters and add some of mine.
Pictures of the characters on my web, here: http:/ newdawn-newday-newlife . webs . com/ residentadviser . htm.
As you know by now, remove the spaces. On FB you find me under the name of Cherry Bella.
THANK YOU, GUYS! I never expected so many reviews or story Alerts/Favorites or hits. You are great! This is seriously my only story to receive such feedback! I update every week.
Pre-read by TeamAllTwilight. Check out her new story: http:/ www. fanfiction. net /s/7397923 /1/ Lipstick_Kisses_And_Inked_Virtuoso
PS1: For those that don't know, I posted outtakes for this story. It's about Edward. And I'm working on more outtakes right now.
PS2: There is a new picture on my FB profile with the house. And one about the clothes in this chapter. :) I also put a picture of the all the characters on my FB one picture of the wedding dresses...
This is an early Christmas present! Enjoy the chapter!
"Remind me again why we didn't tell them over the phone?" Edward asked, sticking a finger between his neck and collar.
"Because this isn't news you say over the phone!" I said for the thousandth time.
"Well, I'm sure your dad will kill me."
"Why in the world would he kill you? You didn't do anything bad, and he loves you."
Edward looked at me and shrugged making me laugh. I patted his knee.
"Just relax. No one is killing anyone."
Just then the captain of the plane told us to prepare for the landing. And as on cue, sweat started rolling down Edward's temple.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say it's summer outside," I joked.
"But it's winter," he said seriously, looking out the little window.
He was too wound up to even find humor in my silly joke. It was Christmas holiday and we decided to visit everyone. We were going to stay at the apartment in Seattle where his parents and my Dad were coming as well.
The cab ride to the condo was filled with tension. I expected Edward to start biting his nails. When the cab pulled up in front of the building, we grabbed our stuff and made our way inside.
I had never been there, but I hoped there were at least three bedrooms or it would get awkward.
In the elevator, Edward glanced to his right and shouted in surprise. "Fuck, I'm so white."
"I told you to calm down. You look horrible."
"I don't really know why I am so worried."
"I don't know either. Everyone expected this step in our relationship," I told him softly.
The elevator stopped at the seventh floor and the doors opened. We picked up our things and went to the door. Before I could knock, the door opened and Rose beamed at me.
"Hi!" she said excitedly, taking me in her arms.
Through my thick clothes, I could still feel her bump. It was surreal.
"Hey, Rose," I whispered, taking a step back. "You look good."
She grinned, turning to Edward and surprising him with a hug.
"Jet lag," he mumbled, probably answering some question about his appearance.
She gave him a doubtful look but let it go. We followed her to what looked like the living room. I shouldn't have worried about the place being big. It was huge.
"About damn time you arrived!" Emmett shouted, rushing toward us.
After a few moments for looking at us, he pulled both of us in a bear hug, knocking our heads in the process.
"Ow, Emmett!" Edward protested.
"They just arrived and you hurt them!" Esme scolded her son coming to us and pulling me into a hug. "How are you, sweetheart?"
"Hi. I'm good."
"And you?" She moved to Edward, squeezing him. "You don't look very well," Esme said concerned, staying at arm length and looking at her son concerned.
"M'kay," Edward mumbled.
"Did you poison him or something?" Emmett asked, elbowing me. Lucky I was still wearing my coat.
"If there was any poisoning, it was his fault. He cooked this week," I explained. "I've been too busy with work."
"Oh, yes, tell me about it!" Rose exclaimed.
"Rosalie, you're taking after my son and it's not good," Esme reproached her. "Let the poor kids breathe. Let me help. Give me your coats."
We shrugged off them and took our boots off, which we should have done in the hallway. I had threatened Edward he'd sleep on the couch if I broke my neck tripping over his shoes. After that, they always stayed close to the front door. Where their place was.
I went to sit on the couch next to Rose and started telling her about my new job and how I really liked what I was doing, how hectic it got around holidays and that I shared a small office with two other people. By the end of my babbling, I realized everyone was staring at me. Besides Edward, who was back to almost biting his nails.
"What's going on here?" Esme asked worried. "You both act really strange."
"Why would you say something is wrong?" Edward asked loudly, slinging his arm on the back of the couch, behind me.
"First of all, I have never heard Bella talk so much. She almost rivaled Alice. Second, you look about to throw up any second. And third," Esme said sternly. "Aren't you warm honey?" Her eyes bore in mine.
"I'm good," I said honestly.
We had been acting off. I knew it. But his nerves got to me and I had no idea how to tell them. We couldn't think of how to do it.
"Do you usually wear gloves inside?" Emmett asked, smirking.
I looked down and realized I still had my gloves. Before I could say something, anything, the front door opened and a few voices drifted inside. Everyone was here.
Edward gripping my hand, gulping loudly. I wanted to take my gloves off, but I was scared shitless.
"You're here already!" Dad said happy and came to me, hugging me tightly.
I hugged him back, grinning at Alice and Jasper over his shoulder.
Once we sat back, Emmett pointed out that I still had my gloves on. I blushed, thinking furiously of the best way to approach this when Edward grabbed my hands and pulled my gloves off. He huffed and puffed, glaring at his brother.
There was silence in the room and I wondered if they had spotted the ring, not like they could have missed it. My heart was thundering in my chest, wondering who was the first to notice.
Rose gave me a weird look. "I thought something had happened…when you kept your gloves on."
"Well, you have to understand her. She's used to Chicago's cold weather," Alice defended me, giggling.
Why wasn't anyone asking about my ring? I peeked down to see if it was visible, maybe Edward's hand was covering it. Looking at my left hand…I found it empty. And I remembered how I took it off when I showered in the morning. I had forgotten to put it back! All our nervous roller-coaster was for nothing.
"Where is it?" Edward hissed in my ear so not to attract attention, but they were all watching our strange behavior.
"On the sink, in the bathroom. I forgot about it," I replied, biting my lip.
He moaned, closing his eyes. "Next year maybe," he said cheerfully, taking my hand in his.
I giggled, squeezing his hand. "Now."
"Or never?" he hinted, laughing nervously.
"What are you talking about?" Emmett shouted, finally bursting of how curious he was.
"Yes, do tell us. You two look troubled," Carlisle urged us gently.
Edward cleared his throat. "You see…" He scratched the back of his head. "On Bella's birthday…I kind of…proposed," he mumbled, looking at our hands.
"And I kind of…agreed," I supplied when no one said anything.
After a few minutes, everyone started talking at once.
"Kind of?"
"Where's the ring?"
"Why didn't you call me?"
"Are you sure?"
"WHOA!" Edward shouted. "She forgot it," he said, rolling his eyes.
"Yeah, it's been hectic today…and I take it off when I shower."
Edward nodded. "It gets tangled in her hair."
We were rambling again. I could feel nervousness rolling in waves off Edward.
"Why haven't you told me!" Alice screeched. "We talked on your birthday!"
"It happened after that," I mumbled.
"You should have called. Immediately!" she insisted.
"I think they were busy after he asked, but the next day maybe?" Jasper reasoned, smiling sympathetically.
"Yes, honey. Why didn't you tell us?" Esme wondered.
Edward glanced at me, frowning. "Ask Bella. It was her genius idea."
Thank you, my darling. I rolled my eyes. "This isn't something you say over the phone," I whispered, trying not to make eye-contact, but eventually my eyes settled on Dad. He had been awfully quiet.
"Are you going to fly to your mom's to tell her?" he asked, a small smile playing on his lips.
I felt like a deer caught in the headlights. I hadn't thought about it. Why did he have to have a comeback to that?
"We can tell her…through a webcam," I heard Edward suggesting.
I wanted to kill him. We could have done that to everyone, but I really wanted to tell them in person. With Mom was always complicated to tell her news.
"Exactly!" Alice screeched.
"Why don't we all calm down?" Esme asked loudly, getting up. "Hot chocolate anyone?"
"I'll help you," Rose told her quickly.
"You two can go to the guest room and make up a story. Quickly," Esme said sternly, looking at us.
"Yeah, we're dying to know why you kept it a secret," Emmett quipped up.
Edward didn't wait for any more encouragements and took my hand, leading me to the guest room. The door shut behind us and Edward leaned against it, running his hands through his hair.
"Fuck, woman! We should have thought of something. I have no idea what to tell them."
"We just can say…that we really, I mean, REALLY, wanted to tell them in person." I started pacing. "I can't believe I forgot it home."
"You've been distracted the whole day," he pointed out.
"And you didn't help either. When I finished my shower, you called me to help with the mean sausage that was jumping on you," I teased him.
"Seriously, I will have burn marks!"
"Don't be such a baby." I stopped in front of him.
Edward sneaked his arms around my waist and brought me flush against him. "We're kinda…fucked."
"No shit?" I pressed my forehead to his shoulder, my mind working a mile per second trying to come up with a good excuse as why we kept our engagement a secret.
"I know!" he shouted.
"Hmm?"
"We can say it was a joke." He shot me a wide smile. "Or not," he added when I didn't say anything.
There was a knock on the other side of the door that made us jump startled.
"Uh, guys? Everyone's wondering what you're doing," Jasper spoke.
Edward opened the door and leaned against the frame. "We're not ready."
"I think you are because they're getting ideas of what you're doing."
"Tell Emmett to keep his thoughts to himself," Edward hissed.
"Actually…it's your dad that said it."
"What?" Edward gasped.
"Not yours…eh, Bella's," Jasper mumbled.
"Charlie?" I shouted the clamped both hands over my mouth, realizing everyone could hear my exclamation. "Are you sure?" I whispered to Jasper.
"Positive. So just come on. You're both smart. I trust you to come up with something good. There was a reason why you kept it a secret."
"Actually, Jazz, there wasn't," Edward muttered grabbing my hand. "Are they angry?" he asked Jasper.
"More like shocked."
We arrived in the living room and I felt every eye on me. Shifting uncomfortably from the sudden attention, I waited for Edward to say something.
"Okay, we understand that you wanted to tell us in person. And we're really happy to hear it," Esme finally broke the silence.
"Finally," Rosalie said under her breath.
"They needed a little push that's why we helped," Alice said sweetly.
"That's why we were attacked with the flowers, and garters respectively?" Edward moaned. "Such family."
I could feel the tension leaving the room as everyone laughed at Edward's comment. Then Alice rushed like a little human bullet to me and hugged me tightly. "Aw, I'm so happy! We're going to be sisters!"
"It's not like she hasn't been a part of us for so long," Rose mumbled, coming to hug me. "You always felt like family."
I felt tears gathering at the corners of my eyes as I hugged them. Alice whispered that she wanted to see the ring as soon as possible, even if only on the webcam.
Then Emmett talked. "Remember your promise? I'm the godfather of your firstborn." He winked.
"I remember specifically telling you that I didn't want to expand the family any time soon, nor am I ever going to call one of my children Emmett," I hissed, turning red as I realized what I had just said. In front of everyone.
"And I told you that you were hurting Mom's feelings!" he shot back.
"If you want someone to carry your name…call your own kid Emmett Junior," I groaned.
"That will never happen!" Rose shouted, wrapping her hands over her stomach. She glanced at Esme, biting her lip. "I'm really sorry, but I can't call him that. Besides, we don't even know what it is."
"It's all right, honey. I wasn't expecting anyone to carry on Emmett's name. I just liked the name." Esme shrugged smiling at us.
"You mean, you liked that actor," Carlisle said quietly from beside her.
The conversation had stirred away from us. I was happy to see they weren't that upset. My eyes searched for my Dad, but I couldn't see him. Nor Edward. Holy shit! Where were they? I hoped he wasn't killing or scaring him.
"They stepped out for a little while," Jasper whispered, coming to me.
I nodded and sat on the couch, delving in the story of how Edward proposed. Alice's eyes kept growing in terror as I kept talking.
"That's what he thinks it's romantic? I'm going to kill him!"
"Alice, I don't care how he did it…" I protested softly. "Oh, and you can see the ring. We have a picture on his phone," I added, remembering how I had "destroyed" his picture when we were in the park a week ago.
We kept talking about how we acclimated to Chicago and living alone when Charlie returned. Alone.
I jumped on my feet, looking behind him and wishing Edward would magically appear. "What did you do to him?" I asked on a shaky voice.
Dad chuckled coming to hug me. "He's okay. On the phone."
"Oh, I thought you…did something," I mumbled embarrassed.
"I wouldn't touch him. I taught you how to punch, remember?" he joked, squeezing me. "I'm happy for you, Bells."
"Thank you, Dad," I whispered. "I'm going…to Edward," I said, gesturing to the front door.
"He's right outside."
As I approached the door, I heard him talking.
"…don't get it why…. Oh, fine. I'll meet with her on Monday…in two weeks." There was a pause. "Yeah, I know… Yes, they told me." He sighed and I could see his hand in his hair from the small crack between the door and the frame. "Yes, I will, sir…Uh…already forgot?" he chuckled nervously. "Oh, got it. Charlie because Charlotte is a cookie." He laughed. "Thank you, you too. Good bye."
"Hey," I mumbled, stepping outside.
Edward jumped, turning to me. "You sneaky little thing." He wrapped me in his arms.
"What did Dad want?"
"The usual thing, I guess. You know…hurt her and I'll hurt you? I promised he wouldn't have the pleasure of shooting me because I will never hurt you."
I grinned, kissing his lips and wrapping my arms around his neck. I knew that. I had grown to trust him more than I trusted anyone else.
"Who were you talking with?" I mumbled against his lips.
"Coach. Apparently…everyone has to have an assistant, or something." He rolled his eyes. "And because I'm not the only one that thinks it's no use, there's this girl that is helping two, or three guys at the same time."
I laughed. "Well, you have to get used to it."
"Can't… I still can't believe what's going on."
"Did I tell you how proud of you I am?" I asked, leaning back a little to gaze in his eyes.
"I think so, but you can say it again," Edward teased, nuzzling my nose with his.
"I'm really proud of you, Edward. And I love you more than you know."
"I think I have a good idea of that. Love you too." He kissed me and somehow, my back slammed into the wall behind me. We kept kissing until someone cleared their throat.
"I don't know why I'm the only one sent after you two. They should tie you down, so you won't wander off for some quick hanky-panky," Jasper grumbled.
"We were just talking," I explained.
"In French?" he retorted, raising an eyebrow.
"We're fluent in French," Edward said laughing.
"I have a pretty good right hook," I told him amused.
"Don't I know?" Edward said seriously, scratching his jaw absently. When his eyes met mine, they were sparkling. Before he could do whatever he was thinking of, Jasper urged us to go back inside.
During dinner, we caught up. Emmett insisted Edward should go to his shop and take a picture there so he'd get more clients. That broke into an argument about Edward not being a mascot and Emmett insisted that he would make a good statue. Just to save them for murdering each other, Rose brought up her first pictures of the baby. Then I took Edward's phone and searched for the picture where my ring was right in front of the camera, making him groan, remembering how I had ruined his sunset picture.
"There I was, finally finding the right angle…and Bella puts her hand in front of my phone telling me to look right at a fucking squirrel," Edward told everyone, narrowing his eyes at me.
"But she was really cute! You should have taken a picture," I insisted, finally finding the picture and passing the phone to Alice since she had been dying to see the ring.
"Oh, it's so beautiful!"
The conversation was steered to the ring and when did we want to marry. We hadn't thought that far.
"Let us enjoy the engagement," Edward groaned, taking my hand. "We're not in a hurry."
"Good to know," Charlie grunted, not raising his head from his plate.
"Dad! It's not like that. We just love each other," I told him seriously.
"I know, I know. You can't be too safe these days," he told me.
"We're not Rose and Emmett," Edward added, glancing at his brother.
If we had been alone, I would have reminded him of our fright from a few months ago, but I knew better and kept my mouth shut.
When dinner was finally over, no one ended up hurt and Edward and I went to the guest room. Edward tried to coax me to shower with him, but I denied him considering our parents were under the same roof as us, along with his siblings. I just changed into my pajamas after a quick shower in the other bathroom and by the time he returned, I was half asleep.
I though it fit perfectly with the holiday since it's Christmas for them too.
Review if you enjoyed this. And have a Merry Christmas! See you on Monday...like always.