Chapter 27: The Accident
Author's Note: I own nothing. I just like to play with the characters that were created by Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.
Also, thank you for those of who have commented and offered well-wishes in my difficult time. It means a lot to me. Writing these stories has been my strength (as silly as that sounds) and has grounded me.
Thank you so much for reading and reviewing. It means so much to me. More than you can imagine. These stories (this one in particular) are my babies and I adore the reviews and comments I receive. Much, much love to ALL of you!
Chapter 27: The Accident
EPOV
My phone rang from its charger on the kitchen counter. I was getting a bottle of water and trying to relax after a long day at Craven. Meeting after meeting after meeting. I picked up the phone and saw the caller ID. Alice.
"Hi, Alice. How did the concert go?" I asked.
"It went very well. Smooth, like always," she chirped. "Bella was invaluable."
"She usually is," I smirked. "When did you leave school?"
"I left about fifteen minutes ago. Bella sent me a text saying she had to do a final walk-through and then she was heading out. That was about ten minutes ago," Alice said.
"Okay. Thanks, Elf," I said. "Congrats on your concert. I'm proud of you."
"Thanks, Edward. Talk to you later," Alice said as she hung up her phone. I sat back and put my feet up on the table in the family room. I was watching a basketball game, not really paying attention. I desperately wanted to talk to Bella. I wanted to take her someplace over her winter break. Someplace warm and tropical. We both deserved a vacation and it seemed like the right time to do it.
I put my water bottle down and lightly fingered the box that I kept in my pocket. After the fire on her birthday, I knew she was the one for me and I got her an engagement ring. It was a very simple, but elegant engagement ring. Platinum band with two round stones on either side of the three carat round diamond. It was large, but Bella deserved the best. I was planning on how I was going to pop the question when a knock on my door broke me from my reverie. I furrowed my brow and walked to the door. I opened it and saw a police officer standing on my doorstep.
No. Not again. I can't lose her.
My stomach dropped to my toes and I gripped the door frame.
"Mr. Edward Masen?"
"Dr. Edward Masen," I corrected. "Can I help you?"
"We need you to come to Craven Memorial Hospital," he said in a professional, yet detached tone. "There's been an accident involving Ms. Isabella Swan. Her driver's license indicated that she lived here and you are listed as her emergency contact."
"Let me grab my coat and I'll follow you," I said woodenly.
"Of course, Dr. Masen."
I pulled on my winter jacket and slipped on my sneakers. I walked to the garage and got into my Volvo. I needed to keep it together. I had to keep it together. I sent a quick text to Alice and Carlisle.
There's been an accident. Bella's at Craven – Edward
I drove carefully, mindful of the horrendous road conditions. I pulled into my spot and followed the police officer into the ER. Dr. Gerandy greeted me with a sad smile and led me to one of the trauma rooms. Don't freak out. She's fine. Don't freak out. Don't freak out.
I was so freaking out. I ran my hand through my hair and followed Dr. Gerandy into trauma one. Bella was laying on the gurney. She had a large gash on her forehead along her hair line and scratches along her face. There was bruising along her collarbone. "What's her condition?" I asked quietly.
"She's stable. She hit her head on the steering wheel and some of the glass from the car caused her wounds on her face and head. She has some minor injuries across her torso from the seatbelt and a minor sprained ankle. She's going to be fine," Dr. Gerandy said kindly. "Edward, you're not going to lose her."
"You're positive?" I asked. "She's fine?"
"She's fine. I had the best plastic surgeon stitch her up and she won't even have any visible scars," Dr. Gerandy explained.
"Why is she asleep?" I asked. My mind knew the answer. She was probably sedated for her stitches.
"She came in unconscious, having hit her head on the steering wheel. She woke up when we started removing her clothes and we gave her a mild sedative to calm her down when we began suturing her head," Dr. Gerandy said quietly. "She started slurring something fierce."
"What type of pain killer did you give her?"
"Vicodin."
"That's why. Vicodin knocks her out," I said as I sat down next to her, picking up her tiny hand. "Can you give me a few moments?"
"Of course, Edward. She's going to be fine," Dr. Gerandy said, clapping his hand on my shoulder.
He left the room and closed the trauma room door after he put up the privacy shade that we used for rape victims. Once he was gone, I lost it. Huge, fat tears rolled down my cheeks and I put my head on her lap. She looked so broken, so fragile, so weak laying there. "Bella," I sobbed. "I'm so sorry. Please be okay." I cried into her lap for a long time. My sobs eventually slowed to quiet sniffles. I laced my fingers with hers and prayed for my girlfriend.
No idiot. Your fiancée.
I sat up and took out the ring I had carried in my pocket for months. I picked up her left hand and slid the ring onto her finger. "Marry me, Bella," I whispered. "Be my wife."
Okay, you coward. Now ask her when she's conscious.
Rhonda cleared her throat and she gave me a knowing smirk. "You know you are a chicken shit. Proposing while she's unconscious. What is she going to tell your children?"
"We'll make something up," I chuckled. "I can't live without her, Rhonda. I just can't. When the police arrived on my doorstep, I immediately thought the worst. That she was gone."
"But she's not. She's got a few bumps and bruises, but she's fine. Dr. Edward, I know you were fucked over in your life," Rhonda began.
"Fucked over is putting it lightly," I said, giving her a dark grin.
"But, you have each other. You love Ms. Bella and she loves you. However, a word to the wise. Take the ring off her finger and propose when she's coherent. If my husband proposed to me when I was unconscious, we wouldn't have had any children as his dick would have been cut off," Rhonda said, giving me a stern glare. "Though it is a lovely ring. Perfect for her."
I smiled and removed the ring from her finger. I put it back into its box and slid it back into my pocket. "When will she be discharged?"
"As soon as she wakes up. Dr. Edward, you should know that this was no accident," Rhonda said.
"What?"
"I overheard the police. A black Acura sped up and stopped right in front of Bella, causing her to t-bone the car. Her SUV is totaled and the Acura is unrecognizable," Rhonda explained.
"Did they get the driver?" I seethed.
"No. The car was empty when they came to extract Bella," Rhonda sighed. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. You're not the fucker who almost took the love of my life away," I fumed.
"Edward, don't let this anger consume you," Rhonda said as she laid a hand on my shoulder. "They'll find whoever did this and arrest him." I nodded and put my head back on Bella's lap. "Try to rest, Dr. Edward. She'll be here when you wake up."
Rhonda left the trauma room and I allowed my eyes to drift shut. I wanted to crawl into the bed with Bella, but the gurneys were small and my fat ass would push Bella out of it. Eventually my brain shut off and I fell into a fitful sleep.
I woke up to the feeling of feathers across my cheeks. I cracked my eyes open and saw Bella grin down at me sleepily. I sat up and felt my back crack. "Bella, you're okay," I said as I pulled her into a tentative hug. "I was so worried."
"I'm fine," she croaked. "Got a killer headache, but I'm fine."
"You really need to stop getting hurt," I joked.
"Find my psycho ex-husband and that would be remedied," she said with a smirk. "Are you okay?"
She's in the fucking hospital and she's asking me if I'm alright? There is something wrong with this picture. Fix it.
"Bella, there is something I need to do. I can't wait any longer. When the police arrived on my door, my heart plummeted. I thought you were gone. I know that we've only known each other for a few months, but I can't imagine my life without you. I love you more than I can possibly imagine." I got onto one knee, grimacing at the ache in my legs. I am really too old. "Marry me, Bella? Be my wife?" I took out the ring from my pocket and presented it to her.
Bella gasped and her hand went up to her mouth. "Edward?"
"Please, Bella. Make me the happiest man on the planet. Marry me?" I asked, tears rolling down my cheeks. I took out the ring and put it on her finger. "Please?" Bella sniffled and looked at me. Ever so slightly she nodded and gave me a radiant grin.
"Yes," she whispered. "I'll marry you." I leaned down and kissed her lips chastely, sweetly and with all the love I could muster.
"Much better, Dr. Edward," Rhonda laughed from the door of the trauma room. "She was awake this time."
"Wha…what?" Bella asked.
"I did a dress rehearsal when you were sleeping," I said sheepishly. "Rhonda chastised me for proposing while you were unconscious."
"I'm pretty certain you'd want to remember this one's proposal," Rhonda said, smacking me on the back of my head. "He is a helpless romantic and all."
"I do want to remember it. And it was perfect," Bella answered, kissing my lips sweetly. "Now, can I go home?"
"I'll get Dr. Gerandy," Rhonda chuckled. "Congratulations. I fully expect your first born daughter to be named Rhonda in honor of me."
"Sure, sure," I acquiesced. Rhonda scuttled out of the trauma room and I went to get her a pair of scrubs to wear home. I found some nurse's scrubs that would fit her and assisted in putting them on. Bella was covered in bruises on her chest and belly from the seat belt and her right ankle was very swollen. She pointed to a bag underneath the gurney with her belongings. I swiped it and put it on the stool I was sitting on while she was asleep. Dr. Gerandy came in with a pair of crutches and a boot.
"Oh, I don't need those," Bella said. "I have a pair at home and a boot as well."
"Okay," Dr. Gerandy sighed. "Just sign here and you're free to go. Edward, take today off. You got no sleep and I've already spoken with Carlisle. They're going to reschedule your meetings for today."
"Thanks," I said.
"Also, congratulations," Dr. Gerandy said. "I'm very happy for both of you."
"Thank you, Dr. Gerandy," Bella smiled as she looked at her ring. I grinned like a buffoon knowing that I got to keep Bella for the rest of my life. She was going to have my babies and be my wife.
"Okay, gimpy," I said as I picked her up. "Let's get you home." I safely deposited her into the wheelchair that Rhonda rolled into the trauma room. I put my coat over Bella's shoulders and I pushed her to the exit. Once there, I scooped Bella back up and carried her to my car. She unlocked the car with the keys that were in the pocket of my jacket. I placed Bella into the front seat, taking the keys from her and jogging to the driver's side. My teeth chattered as I warmed up the car. The temperature had dropped and my jacket was currently around my girlf…fiancée. We're getting married! Woo hoo!
I blasted the heat and rubbed my hands together, trying to warm up. I looked over at Bella and she was out in the front seat. I drove us home, slowly and carefully. The roads had not improved. In fact, they had gotten worse. I heard Bella's phone ring from her bag by her feet. I pulled over to the side and grabbed her phone. The caller ID indicated it was her school district. I picked it up. Thankfully, it was the automated systems saying that school was cancelled due to inclement weather. I am certain that Bella would be happy that she didn't need to take a sick day today. After I got off the phone with the school, I noticed the time. It was after six in the morning. It was so dark out; it appeared to be the middle of the night.
I got to our home and I drove into the garage. I turned off the car and stared at the sleepy beauty in the seat next to me. Even with her injuries, she still was gorgeous. Her skin was flawless and translucent. Her face was heart-shaped and framed by the most beautiful mahogany hair. Her lips were soft and pink. Her eyes were the most beautiful shade of dark chocolate and so expressive. Bella's body was exquisite. She always said that she was too fat, but she wasn't. She had some extra weight on her build, but it enhanced her curves. Her perfect curves. Her breasts were the right size for my hands, soft pink buds that just begged to be sucked. Her waist was proportionately smaller to her chest and her hips were…well…perfect. I really need to invest in a thesaurus.
"Edward…"she whispered as she curled against the door of the Volvo. Then she shivered.
Get your fiancée inside, moron. Stop thinking with your dick.
I got out of the car and gently picked up Bella. She nestled closer to me, burrowing into my chest. I kissed her forehead, mindful of her sutures and carried her up to our bedroom. I laid her on the bed, covering both of us with the bedspread. She snuggled next to me and I wrapped my arms around my sleeping fiancée. "I'm never letting you go, Bella. Ever. You're stuck with me for the rest of our lives."
"Good," she murmured and she nestled closer. "Love you, Dr. McFuckme."
"I love you, too, Bella," I chuckled as I closed my eyes, falling into a deep and restful sleep.
xx AFS xx
I felt the bed jerk and Bella flew from my arms. "What time is it? I have to go to work?" she yelled. "Edward get up!"
"Bella, relax," I mumbled sleepily. "Your district called your phone when we were driving home and school's cancelled. Go back to bed."
"What?" Bella asked
"Here, check your phone log," I said, pulling out her phone out of my pocket. She hastily took the phone and saw that her school district did call. She eyed me warily. "Trust me, my beautiful fiancée. No school because it was snowy and icky. The roads just sucked when we were driving back from Craven."
"Fiancée?" she cooed. "It really happened."
"Yes, it did," I said, pulling her back into bed. "We're getting married. I love you so much, beautiful girl."
"I love you too. However, I don't feel very beautiful right now," she grumbled. "I feel gross."
"What do you remember from last night?" I asked.
"Not a whole lot. I remember being followed by some random car, too closely. The car then hit my back of my SUV and he kept ramming into the back of the car. Not stopping. I changed lanes and he raced past me and threw his car in front of me, causing me car to t-bone his car. I hit my head on the steering wheel and then I woke up in the hospital getting my clothes removed by Rhonda. Then I woke up again with you in my lap," Bella answered. "Oh, my car. What happened to my car?"
"I'm sorry, love. It's completely totaled," I said with a frown.
"How am I going to get to work?" she wailed.
"Simple solution. You take the Volvo and I'll drive the Vanquish until we get you a car," I said simply. "We'll consider it an early Christmas present."
"A car is not a Christmas present," Bella said, giving me an adorable glare. Like an angry kitten.
Don't call her that to her face, Masen. She'll wallop you with her crutches.
"Yes it is," I insisted. "However, I'm too tired to argue and I'm certain you are exhausted. So. Sleep. Cuddle. Bed."
"But…"
"No buts," I said as I gently pushed her against the pillows. "Sleep, Ms. Swan. Or should I say, Mrs. Masen."
Bella squealed and wrapped her arms around my neck. "I love the sound of that!"
"Me too," I said. Bella kissed me and curled next to me, laying her head on my chest. Within a few minutes, her breathing evened out and she was asleep, drooling on my stomach. I kissed her head and fell asleep right along with her. Never truly sleeping though. My mind raced at what could have happened last night. Bella got extremely lucky. However, if she hadn't been driving her beastly Pilot, she would have gotten more seriously injured or worse, killed.
I'm so buying her a tank.
I held her tightly, being extra careful of her injuries to her torso. I watched her sleeping form and she mumbled incoherently in her sleep. I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and I extricated myself from her steely grasp. She groaned, telling me not to leave. "I don't want to let you go, either. I'll be back," I said softly, caressing her slightly bruised cheek. I stepped out of the bedroom and into the guest bedroom, sitting on the queen bed. "Hello?"
"Is Bella okay?" Alice asked quietly. "I'm so worried."
"She's fine. A minor laceration on her forehead and some bruising. But she'll make a complete recovery," I answered. My voice sounded cold and detached. Going into autopilot, doctor mode.
"How are you, baby brother?" Alice asked.
"I was a fucking mess last night, Alice. I thought I lost her," I replied, tears falling down my cheeks. "It was déjà vu with walking into the trauma room. I…can't…Alice…I love her so much."
"I know you do," Alice whispered. "We all love her."
"I proposed, Alice," I said.
"And…?" Alice asked the excitement in her voice was evident.
"She said yes," I smiled. "However, I was a chicken and did it while she was sleeping. Rhonda, my charge nurse, ripped me a new asshole and made me do it again when she was awake."
A chorus of squeals and happy giggles filled my ears. I pulled my Blackberry away from ear, trying to negate the deafening sounds that were being emitted from my sister. "Edward! I'm so happy for you! Have you set a date?"
"Uh, no, Alice. She's sleeping and we didn't get back from the hospital until after six in the morning. But, I'm certain that Bella will not a huge wedding. I don't want a huge wedding. This would be our second marriage for both of us and it will not be a huge blow out," I chided. "I'm almost tempted to take her to Vegas or city hall."
"But, Edward," she whined.
"Alice, this is a decision that Bella and I will have to make. You are not invited unless we ask you," I said sternly. "Anyhow, I have to call Carlisle and Esme. I want to tell them the good news. I'm certain Bella would want to tell her family too."
"Did you ask permission from her father?" Alice joked.
"Um, no. Should I?" I squeaked.
"Not really. Charlie Swan is the most easy going guy ever. I'm surprised he's a cop," Alice teased. "You'll have to really work on her mom. But she really doesn't have a relationship with Renee."
"Renee is Bella's mom?"
"Yeah, she's a total bitch. She wore white to Bella's wedding to Mike. Her dress looked like a wedding gown and she was so bitter toward Bella. She had recently gotten divorced from husband number four and was taking it out on Bella and her marriage," Alice grumbled. "Don't tell Renee. She'll be too much."
"Okay, good to know," I said, running my hand through my shaggy hair. "Love you, Alice."
"Love you, too, baby brother. Congratulations," she chirped and she hung up the phone. I got up and decided to take a shower. I felt grimy and gross. I had meetings yesterday and was not in the trenches, but you still feel nasty after being in a hospital. I slipped into the bathroom and stripped out of my clothes from yesterday. I stepped under the hot stream of the shower and quickly washed my body. As I showered, I felt tears fall down my cheeks. I hadn't even realized that I was crying until loud, body wrenching sobs filled the bathroom. I fell to my knees in the shower and wrapped my arms around my torso.
"Edward?" Bella's quiet voice floated through the bathroom. "Baby?" She opened the shower door and knelt on the floor, drenching her scrubs that I put on her. She pulled me into a tight hug, allowing me to sob against her shoulders. "I'm okay. You're not getting rid of me. This," she said, waving her left hand in my face, "is a huge indicator that I'm yours forever."
"I know," I sniffled. I looked up at her and her eyes were tired and sad. "It's just, last night hit too close to home, you know?"
"I know. Come on, the water's cold and I can't get my sutures wet," she said, getting up from the shower. I nodded and got up from the floor. Bella handed me a towel and I wrapped it around my waist. Bella removed her scrub top and pants and grabbed my robe from behind the bathroom door. She shivered and scampered into the closet to put on some warmer clothes. I followed her into the closet and wrapped my arms around her waist after she pulled my Dartmouth sweatshirt over her head. She leaned back against my chest, resting her hands over mine. I linked my left hand with hers and looked at the ring that danced and sparkled on her finger. My ring. My love. My fiancée. "It's beautiful, Edward. It's also too much."
"Nothing is too much for the love of my life," I whispered, kissing her soft hair. "I would do anything for you. You must know that."
"I do know that, but this is not a diamond, it's a planetoid," she giggled. "I don't deserve it. I don't deserve you."
"No, Bella. I don't deserve you. You've been this light, a beacon for me and I can't live without you," I said. "I'd give you a planet if I could. Hell, I already gave the moon and the stars."
"Yes, you did," she laughed as she turned around in my arms. Her tiny hands rested on my pecs and she stood on her tip toes to kiss me. Her mouth brushed mine and I trembled at the softness of her kiss. She pulled away and ran her fingers across my chest. "You're cold. Get dressed."
"I'm not cold," I said, arching a brow.
"Your lips are blue and you have gooseflesh," she said. "We can't have you getting sick. Get dressed, Dr. Masen and we'll eat some lunch or dinner or whatever."
"Yes, ma'am," I said, kissing her lips. She stuck out her tongue and left the closet. I pulled out a pair of workout pants and dark green fleece. I carried my clothes into the bedroom and put on a pair of gray boxer briefs and a black t-shirt. I hastily dressed, slipping on my sneakers and went downstairs. Bella was at the island, preparing some sandwiches and I saw some soup on the stove. I got two bottles of water and sat down at the island. "So, I was wondering…"
"Wondering what?" she asked as she turned to the soup on the stove.
"We probably should tell our families about our engagement," I said, giving her a crooked smirk.
"Oh, right," Bella said, grimacing slightly. "I really don't want to call my mother. She is such a bitch."
"What happened?" I asked, playing dumb.
"When I got married to the asshat, my mother was going through divorce number three. Or was it number four? I don't remember. She's been through so many husbands," she said with a frown. "Anyhow, she was jealous of my happiness and proceeded to ruin my wedding. She wore a white dress, criticized my every move, yelled at Mike's family, calling them white trash, got hammered and fucked Mike's father in the janitor's closet. Suffice it to say, we haven't spoken since. For all I know, she's dying of gonorrhea from all the men she's fucked."
"Um, wow. Bitter much?" I chuckled.
"She's a bitch. She's worse than that, but I refuse to say the 'c-word,'" Bella said, stirring the soup with a little too much vigor. "However, I will tell my dad. Charlie is a good man. He's the police chief of Forks, Washington."
"Forks…I've been there," I said, my brows shooting up. "I was on an emergency helicopter run to the Forks General when I worked at Virginia Mason. Very green."
"A very apt description of Forks. Let me grab my phone," she said as she went up the stairs. She returned a few minutes later, talking on her phone, presumably to her father. "Yeah, Dad…I don't know about Christmas. I'll let you know. Hold on for second, I'm going to put you on speaker phone." Bella pressed a button and she laid the phone on the counter in between us. "Dad, I have some news."
"What's that, Bells?" he asked.
"You know how I moved in with Edward?" Bella asked.
"Yeah, how is that going?" Charlie questioned.
"Good. Very good. He's a great roommate," she teased. I gently pinched her hip and she kissed me sweetly. "Okay, he's more than a roommate."
"I know that, Bella," Charlie grumbled. "Alice told me that you were dating and that things are good between the two of you. What's your news, though?"
"Um, last night Edward proposed and I said yes," Bella said with a glint in her eyes.
And cue the crickets.
"Dad?"
More crickets.
"Charlie?"
Chirp. Chirp. Chirp.
"Charles David Swan!"
"Engaged? Proposal? Isn't this a little fast, Isabella?" Charlie grumbled.
"Dad, I love him and he loves me. You approved of Mike and you saw how good that turned out," she snapped.
"Isabella Marie Swan," Charlie roared.
"May I?" I asked. "Chief Swan?"
"What?"
Charm the pants off him. You can do this, Masen. COME ON!
"I know I probably didn't do this appropriately in your eyes, but I want to let you know that I care about Bella very much. I love her more than my own life and I couldn't imagine not being with her. The decision I made to propose last night was an impulsive one, but the decision to want to marry her is not. I know that Bella has told you my story."
"Yeah, you lost your parents and wife to a drunk driver," Charlie said sadly.
"Yes. Well, last night, a police officer was on my doorstep. I thought my world had shattered when he said the words 'car accident' and 'Bella' in the same sentence. I drove to the hospital and saw her in the trauma room. The attending physician, my colleague, Dr. Gerandy, insisted that she would be fine. I know she will make a complete recovery, but the sight of her on that gurney churned up horrible memories for me. Anyhow, I knew since the moment I saw your beautiful daughter that I was going to marry her. I knew the moment we spoke that she would be an important part of my life. I knew the moment when we shared our first kiss that she would be the mother of my children. I should have asked your permission for her hand and I apologize for not doing so. However, I would like to ask for your blessing?" I said. I looked at Bella and she was crying silently. Her face was tear stained but not out of sadness but of joy.
Another set of crickets have entered the room.
"Chief Swan?"
Chirp. Chirp. Chirp.
"Hello?"
"So you love my baby girl?" Charlie asked gruffly.
"With all my heart."
"You'll keep her safe from the fucktard, Michael?" Charlie seethed.
"If I have to die for her, yes," I answered ardently.
"You'll give me grandbabies?" Charlie asked. I could hear the smile in his voice.
"Yes, Charlie. He'll give you grandbabies if there is nothing wrong with me or him," Bella laughed. "Jeez!"
"Okay. I give you my blessing. But you hurt my baby girl, I will shoot you," Charlie said.
"Can you shoot Michael?" Bella asked. "He's making my life a living hell."
"I know, Bells. Believe me I know. Alice has been keeping me apprised of the situation," Charlie said sadly. "I really wish you would come back home to Forks. It's safer here."
"Dad, Forks is the size of a postage stamp. I can't live there," Bella grumbled. "I have my life here. I love it here, despite the drama of everything. I met and found Edward here."
"Okay, okay," Charlie said. "I get it. Back to your wedding. Have you set a date?"
"No. Not yet," I answered. "As soon as we do, you'll be the first to know."
"Excellent. I'm sorry about my silence, but I am happy for both of you. It's about damn time you both get some happiness. And I get my grandbabies."
"Enough about the grandbabies, Charlie," Bella griped. "I'll talk to you later. Love you, Daddy."
"Love you, too," he said and he ended the call.
"Do you want to call Carlisle and Esme?" Bella asked.
"Let's tell them over brunch on Sunday," I suggested. "We'll invite everyone over and announce it then. However, Alice knows."
"How does that not surprise me?" Bella said dryly.
"She called while you were sleeping and asked how you were doing. I told her after I had a mini-meltdown about the possibility of losing you," I said, gently cupping her cheek. Bella smiled and pulled away. A frown crossed my features and she went to the stove to dish out the soup. She put a large cup in front of me, along with a huge sandwich. She sat down and did the same for herself and we ate a quiet lunch.
"So, what else did Alice have to say?" Bella asked as she picked up the dishes. I glared at her and pointed to the couch. She growled lightly and walked to the family room. I did the dishes as Bella flipped the television channels. "Alice?"
"Oh, when I told her about our engagement, she went into wedding Nazi mode," I chuckled.
"Alice is NOT going to control our wedding, Edward," Bella said, looking at me pointedly. "Something small. I mean tiny. Vegas or city hall."
"That's what I suggested," I laughed as I sat down next to her. "Vegas is a little too clichéd and not romantic enough. Let's shoot for city hall or how about this, a destination wedding?"
"A destination wedding?" Bella squeaked.
"I don't know. I'm just throwing ideas out here," I suggested. "I was going to ask you if you wanted to go someplace tropical over your Christmas break. But, we can hold off and go on your spring break and get hitched?"
"Um, where?" she asked quietly.
"Ideally, I'd love to take you to Isle Esme, but that is not feasible for spring break. We could shoot for Mexico or Jamaica," I said.
"I've never been to Mexico," Bella said, with a sparkle in her chocolatey brown eyes. "Jamaica is overrated. I went there on my honeymoon. Meh."
"Okay, Mexico. Where in Mexico?" I asked. "I've been to Puerto Vallarta. I didn't like it. Too rocky. How about Cancun?"
"Sounds perfect," she said, nestling against my shoulder.
"When's your spring break?" I questioned.
"Um, I think it's the first full week in April," she answered, wrinkling her nose.
I pulled out my cell phone and scrolled through the calendar. "How about we shoot for the wedding being on Wednesday, April 4th? That way we can spend the first part of your break with our families and the second part on our 'honeymoon.' However, you will get a proper honeymoon after you're out of school."
"Can you get that time off?" she asked quietly.
"Shouldn't be a big deal," I answered. "I'll put in the request tomorrow with Carlisle and the acting CEO of the hospital, Marcus Gregorio."
"What happened to Aro?" Bella asked.
"He was put on administrative leave after your allegations and other women came forward with similar stories. The board felt it necessary to remove him from power. He's still getting paid, but he's not in charge of anything in the hospital," I explained. "It's only a matter of time before he's ousted permanently."
"Oh, good. He's a jerk," Bella said, scrunching her nose. "But we have a date. We're getting married. Holy shit."
"I know," I smirked. "Mrs. Bella Masen. I love the sound of that."
"Hmmmm…me too," she said as she straddled my waist. I wrapped my arms around her body and she groaned.
"Are you okay?" I asked, panic in my voice.
"No. You hit one of my bruises on my stomach," she grumbled. She lifted the sweatshirt and showed me the bruise across her abdomen that I gripped. I frowned and lightly ran my fingers over her purple bruises. "Hey, these bruises prevented me from going through the windshield."
"I know. But you were still hurt," I mumbled sadly. "What are we going to do about Mike?"
"I'm going to call Seth and the police. Hopefully, they'll be able to increase the potency of the order of protection. However, other than that, I'm not sure," she whispered, wrapping her arms around my neck.
"I'm so worried, Bella," I said into her soft hair. "I…can't…"
"And you won't," she said, looking into my eyes with a ferocity I'd never seen before. "We will be happy. We will get married. We will have a gaggle of children. Speaking of which, I need to borrow your car."
"Um, why?" I asked, arching a brow.
"I need to get feminine products. Tampons. My shot wears off the week and I need to be prepared," she said.
"Do you want me to administer it, you know, later?" I asked.
"Hell no. I want to be with you and if we get pregnant, yay!" she grinned. "Nothing is going to change how I feel about you and I am thrilled you want me to be your wife and the mother of your babies."
"You don't want me to get condoms?" I questioned barely hiding my smile.
"Nope. I love feeling all of you."
"I love you, Bella Swan," I said grinning like an idiot.
"I love you more, Edward Masen," she replied. I wanted nothing more than to carry her upstairs and make the most tender love to her, but her injuries negated my impulse. She smiled at me and then yawned widely. I chuckled only to get rewarded with a smack to my chest. "I'm wounded here and you're laughing at me?"
"Sorry," I mumbled, trying to quell my laughter.
"Meanie," she said, frowning and crossing her arms over her chest.
"I'm not a meanie," I countered. "Come on, let's take a nap. You're still exhausted and I'm probably going to have to work a double in order to make up my day today."
"I'm so not going to argue." Bella climbed off my lap and we went upstairs. Bella crawled into the bed and I removed the fleece and spooned my body protectively around hers. Her breaths were quiet and even by the time I was in bed and I knew she was asleep. I kissed her temple and held my beautiful fiancée in my arms.
A/N: I hope that this meets with your approval. Bella and Edward are engaged. Having a destination wedding. Charlie is introduced and Renee is a megabitch. Leave me love! Reviews are better than getting a three carat diamond ring from Edward. Okay, well, not really. But they still make me happy. MUAH!