I opened and closed my eyes and stretched my arms over my head- feeling warm and cosy. I started going over the upcoming day.
"Hm, Saturday, Saturday... What was I doing on Saturday?" My eyes flew open. Saturday. Dinner at the Cullen's.
It's going to be fine.
No it's not.
It is.
Esme is going to hate me.
Don't make me fight you.
My thought process came to an abrupt halt. I am arguing with myself. In my head. Get a grip woman.
I climbed out of bed and took a shower. I ate breakfast and started reading a new book. I glanced at the clock for what felt like the hundredth time that morning.
08:17. Only ten hours left.
After another ten minutes of trying to read the book I gave up. I needed to be around people.
"Bella? What are you doing here? Isn't this your day off?" Came the incredulous voice of Tia.
"Yes, well I got restless." I walked behind the counter and checked in.
"Why?" Tia said. I could feel the strained expression on my face.
"Oh. OH. Is it because of that dinner-thing tonight? Are you nervous?" Tia sounded doubtful.
"Yes okay, it is. I'm nervous. We are going to tell them tonight and that's kind of nerve-racking. I couldn't stop fidgeting at home, so here I am."
"But why are you nervous? As far as I've seen they love you." Tia looked confused.
"Well, that was at a time when I wasn't with her youngest son..." At this statement Tia grabbed my arm and dragged me through the door to the bakery, where Angela was busy shaping sour-dough bread for the day.
"Angela tell our dear delusional boss that she is a sweet person. Now. Before I decide to smack some sense into her." Tia demanded.
"Why? Bella what is she talking about?" Angela continued with her task, being used to Tia's dramatic entrances by now. I started to answer Angela's question when Tia started up again.
"I'll tell you what I'm talking about, this crazyface over here thinks she will be loathed and unwelcome at the Cullen's because she decided that making their youngest child happy is a criminal offense!" Tia was breathing heavily at the end of her rant and took a few deep breaths.
"Bella, is that really how you feel?" Angela tentatively asked.
"No, yes. I just..." I sighed. "I'm afraid of what this will mean, I mean, I know what I'm dealing with as things are right now you know? We handle ourself's and are happy together and I can't help but wonder what would happen if more people knew. If that additional involvement will make us stronger or weaker and if it will cause a bad reaction or not... Does this make any sense to you?" I finished.
"No." Tia said.
"Tia." Angela hissed. "Of course it makes sense that you feel like this, but what I can't figure out is why you feel like this, haven't you known the Cullen's forever?" Angela said finally stopping her task.
"It's ridiculous, I'm being ridiculous and..."
"Damn right!" Tia exclaimed, making me smile involuntary.
"Tia, I'm ridiculous and I know it, but that doesn't stop the nerves from appearing." At that, both Tia and Angela's face softened and they collected me in a group hug.
"It's okay to be nervous to a certain extent Bella..." Angela started.
"But right now you're just being stupid. That boy likes you and if his parents don't like you they can fuck off." Tia finished. I let out a startled giggle. That turned in to a full laughter, that then turned all three of us into laughing maniacs. When it had calmed down I said:
"Why do I employ you people, you're clearly crazy." I had a huge smile on my face.
"Because you love us and we love you, and we are your much needed reality check sometimes." Angela smiled back.
"And because you are exactly the amount of crazy to match us. You know 'it takes one to know one'?" Tia said teasingly.
"Well, yeah, true. Thanks guys." I said. I turned to Tia.
"But crazyface? Really?" I questioned her.
"Well, that might have been over the top but it got my point across didn't it?" Tia stated smugly.
"Eh, you got me there." We released the grip we had on each other.
"So.. I'm going to sit here and sketch for awhile, just so you know." I said.
"You mean that you're going to empty our storage on tea?" Angela said teasingly while Tia nodded along agreeingly.
"Damn straight!" I said as I collected my sketch book and sat down.
Being at work helped calm me down, I was relaxed and full of anticipation when I got home and started getting dressed.
Perusing my closet I finally decided on a royal blue summer dress with a thin moss green cardigan. Refusing heels I wore one of my comfiest pair of ballet flats. After putting on a coating of mascara and trying to smooth my hair out, I put on my favorite italian hornet necklace and deemed myself ready.
"You look fantastic, are you ready to go?" Came the confident voice of Edward. I went into his arms and snuggled into his warmth.
"Hi Green-eyes." I said into his neck.
"Are you still nervous Tesoro?" He asked as he dropped a kiss on the top of my head.
"No, I'm calm for the moment." I said honestly. I loosened my grip and looked up at him.
"How are you?" I asked imploringly. His eyes darted across the room.
"I'm fine." His eyes landed on mine again.
"Fine?" I said skeptically.
"Fine. Why do you ask?" He stated with an air of finality. I glanced down at my watch and then back up at him.
"Because you said you would pick me up at exactly six o'clock." He looked confused.
"Yes and?" I smiled at him.
"It's only a quarter past five handsome." I said with an wink.
"So, why are you nervous?" I continued. He sighed.
"Same reason you are I imagine." He gripped my waist tighter. "You've no idea how much my family adore you Bella. If someone hurt a hair on your head, God forbid, they would never doubt to protect you, but that said, I'm more nervous about how overwhelming the positive reactions will be because I know that there will be no negative ones." He kissed me quickly.
"Thank you." I kissed him back. "So... Go now and be there ridiculously early or sit on my couch and be there later?"
"Couch. Definitely couch." Was the only response I got before I felt myself being towed to the living room.
"Can you stop with the twitching?" At Edward's amused voice I stilled my leg.
"Sorry, I'm just... The nerves struck again." Edward took ahold of my hand.
"They shouldn't, we're only five minutes away and everything will be fine." He stroked the back of my hand with his thumb. Soothing my nerves for a few moments. I looked out of the window.
"Logically I know that, but I still feel jittery. And I just remembered that we haven't talked about exactly how we should tell them. Before, after, in the middle of the dinner? Just as we're leaving? When? Fuck." I rambled. I could feel Edward's shoulder shaking in laughter and looked back at him.
"Don't laugh! It's not funny!" I said as I lightly slapped his arm. The only responses I got was an laughing side glance and a small smile.
I took a deep breath and leaned back into the headrest. I let out a self deprecating laugh.
"I know I'm being ridiculous, I just can't help it." I let out a heavy sigh. A chuckle came from my left.
"You're not ridiculous Bella." He stopped at my doubtful stare. "You're not! What I don't get is why you're being nervous, my family, as I said, loves you." He put his hand on my thigh, stilling my once again shaking leg.
"You're right, you're right." I put my hand atop of his. "Thank you."
We pulled up at the gate, making a slow decent down the long gravel road.
"But seriously, how are we going to tell them? How do you even start that conversation?" I questioned.
"Like this: Hello mother, father. You know Isabella Swan right? Two months ago I didn't care for her but now I find her almost tolerable." Edward said with a fake snobby voice. He pulled up and parked and then turned to me.
"How does that sound?" Edward said with a smile.
"You're so sweet." I leaned up and kissed Edward. "I find you almost tolerable as well." I joked and gave him another quick peck and reached for the cars door handle.
"Bella." His voice came warningly.
"Really? You know you don't have to open the door for me right?"
"I know, but I want to. Let me do it please?" He said with a pleading puppy-eyed look.
"Do it then. Silly man." I said shaking my head.
"You like me and you know it." He winked.
"I know, I also know that we're late so go ahead, valet man."
"That's the spirit." He said before climbing out of the car.
I followed him with my eyes as he walked around the car. Sweet, silly man. Right before he opened the door I saw a playful look on his face. He opened the door and bowed.
"M'lady." He said and tipped his imaginary hat before reaching out his hand and helping me out of the car. I glared at him.
"You've got that look on your face. What are you planning?" In response he collected me in his arms, holding me in a loose embrace. I gave him a warning look.
"Edward... What are you doing?"
"This." He leaned down and kissed me.
Our amazingly sweet, breathtaking kiss felt like it went on forever. I reacted in habit and put my arms around his neck, playing with his hair, sighing and sinking into the kiss, forgetting where we were and what we were supposed to be doing. We finally separated and Edward looked at me.
"Are you okay? Was that okay?" He looked anxious.
"Yeah amazing, why do you ask?" He tipped his head towards the house.
"Because Alice, Rose and mom stood by the window." I narrowed my eyes.
"And saw everything. Sneaky, very very sneaky. I approve. Nice way of curbing my nerves." My eyes had gone wide at the realization and I moved my hands from his neck to his waist.
"But don't do it again." I said glaring at him.
"Never." Came the fast answer. He shook his head.
"Good." I said giving him another long kiss.
This time we were interrupted by a loud squeal. I put my head on Edward's shoulder.
"AAAAAH! Ohmygodohmygodohmygod! I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!" I felt Edward's silent chuckle.
"Alice, you didn't know." Jasper said with a snicker.
"I suspected!" She retorted. I looked up over his shoulder.
Everyone stood at the top of the grand stairs looking at us. Rose looked at us knowingly, Alice was excitedly jumping up and down, Jasper looked amused. Esme looked teary eyed and Carlisle rubbed her upper arms in calming motions while smiling proudly. Emmett looked like... Emmett. Like he was thinking out jokes in his head about this.
"Well it's done now I guess." I said.
Edward kissed my forehead, my cheeks and my lips.
"Ready?" He asked.
"Bring it on." I smiled. Taking my hand Edward and I walked towards the stairs.
Where I got promptly tackled.
"Alice! Can you please stop trying to suffocate my girl?" Edward's statement earned a squeal from Esme.
"No! Come on Bella, Rose." While dragging both me and Rose into the house I looked back at Edward with a pleading look. "Save me." I mimed back. The only response I got was a smug look and a salute.
Asshole.
Bella looked back at me with a pleading look as Alice dragged her away. She mimed "Save me." And I must have looked as smug as I felt, since her eyes narrowed and when I saluted her I could practically hear her cussing at me.
"Whoa, she does not look happy." Emmett stated with a teasing look.
"Shut up Emmett." Esme said as she threw her arms around my neck. "I'm so proud of you Edward! Finally you've found yourself a proper woman, nothing like that Tanya, but Bella! I'm so happy for you! Do you know that I've had a hunch about this since you two were kids? It was so obvious. You two just clicked! And think of the grandchildren! They'll be gorgeous!" I had to stop her. I removed her arms from around my neck and took a step backwards.
"Mom, slow down. Like waaaay down. Not kids, not marriage, not even engaged. And how could we 'click' as children? We didn't even speak to each other! And we've been together for less than two months for gods sake!" Shit.
"Aha yes, but you love her." She cockily said.
"How could you know that mom?" Emmett interrupted.
"A mom can tell, that's how I knew that you loved Rose before you did yourself and how I knew that Alice loved Jasper before she, well, admitted it." Mom said with confidence. She turned to me.
"So, do you?" She continued.
"Do I what now?" I stalled. My dad slapped the back of my head.
"Don't be a wuss." Came Jasper's input.
"Do you love her Edward?" My mom implored.
"Yes mom, I love her. But she doesn't know that yet, and I would be very grateful if I could be the one to tell her." I stared at my mom, begging her to understand and keep quiet. I could see her eyes light up with joy.
"I got to find her! Where do you think Alice dragged her off to?" My mom took off into the house as well, leaving me with a very bad feeling. I started to go after her when I felt a hand on my shoulder.
"Leave it." My dad said. "I think it's time for what you mother likes to call 'girl talk' and as a word of advice, you don't want get involved."
"I just... Bella's... Shit." I stuttered. Emmett chuckled.
"That's right, shit." Emmett laughed. Jasper punched him on the arm.
"Aoch, motherfu..." Emmett trailed off. Jasper smiled an evil smile when dad glared at Emmett, daring him to finish that sentence.
"I'm hungry, so I'm going in. But don't screw this up Edward. She's better than that." Emmet finished and went inside.
"Good work, I'll look forward to seeing you in a good mood for a change." Jasper said before following Emmett.
"Ignore your brother." Dad pounded me on the back.
"Let's go inside." He finished.
The rest of the night went by quite peacefully, Esme had let out a small squeal when she saw me and Edward hold hands unconsciously, but the biggest surprise was over and we all behaved like it. That said, it was exhausting. I was relieved when we left. I needed a breather. Edward seemed to understand since we sat quietly all the way home, only holding hands and being glad we were together.
"How are you holding up?" Edward asked as he pulled up to my house and turned off the ignition.
"I'm good, tired, but good." I said with a smile.
"Good, I'm glad." He kissed the palm of my hand and exhaled.
"How was the 'girl talk'?" He leered at me.
"Hard work. Very hard work." I said.
"Well then, I'm glad you survived." He said sarcastically.
We fell silent, looking at each other. Edward leaned in, touching his forehead to mine.
"I missed you this week. Couldn't sleep properly either." He admitted in a low voice.
"Me neither." I answered back. He took my hand and started playing with my fingers.
"Sooo what do you think we should do about it?"
"Edward Anthony Cullen, is this you discreet way of asking if you could sleep with me again?" I raised my eyebrows, letting a small chuckle out.
"Yes, absolutely." He stopped playing with my fingers and with a responding chuckle looked at me.
"Did it work?" He opened up my palm and placed several hot kisses there before moving up to my wrist.
"Absolutely." I said with a small, but happy, smile.
So, a long awaited chapter is up, I hope you liked the brief meeting! Review and comment and all of that if you feel like it!
Thankyouforreadinglovlies!