Life's A Beach
Chapter 19
A/N Here we are, back on Hilton Head Island for a little break before the Games begin. Some of you were pretty sure you knew what was coming…so let's get on with it.
As always, everything Twilight belongs to Stephenie Meyer, including some of the wonderful dialog she lets us all borrow.
The crowd at Jasper's Pub was even rowdier than usual tonight. Ever since Jasper let it be known that speed skating sensation and future Olympic medal winner Edward Cullen would be at the bar, the locals, the vacationers, and everyone else currently on the island came pouring in to grab a table.
"You know, Edward, I don't think you ever packed 'em in like this to hear you sing." Jasper tried to look innocent. "Maybe we should take away your guitar and just have you skate around the room or something."
"No way in hell, Jasper" Edward replied. He was tucked into a corner table, his leg propped up on a nearby chair and his arm tightly wrapped around Bella's shoulder. It seemed like every person he'd ever met in Hilton Head, and lots of others he was sure he'd never met all wanted to shake his hand. Rosalie and Jasper were working the bar as Alice took orders. Emmett with his pink cast was supposed to be opening beers and filling up sodas, things he swore he could do one handed, but instead he was spending most of the time doing a play-by-play of the race that had put Edward on the Olympic team to anyone who would listen.
"And then" said Emmett "then Edward smashed that no good son of a…" Rosalie smacked him with the bar towel causing him to bump his cast on the bar and knock over a container full of lemon and lime wedges. "Just like that" he yelled, sweeping his hand over the destruction he'd caused. "Just like that he slammed James across the ice and…"
"Emmett!" Edward, Bella, and Rosalie shouted at the same time. "Edward didn't hit anyone" corrected Rosalie. "But he did win the race and we are going to the Olympics!" Everyone listening roared their approval.
"It sounded better the way I told it" pouted Emmett.
"Of course it did." Rosalie kissed him square on the lips. "You know I love you, though heaven knows why some times."
Bella kissed Edward on the cheek. "Can you excuse me for a couple of minutes? I'll be right back." She slid around the table and made her way across the bar toward the ladies room.
When she was out of sight, Alice slid into the seat next to Edward. "So….." she said slowly. "What happens now? Are you gonna…" She stopped mid-sentence when Jasper came up from behind her and kissed her on the neck.
"No bothering the poor man" said Jasper. "Can't you tell he's as nervous as a kitten in a house full of hound dogs?" He pushed Alice toward the bar. "Can you take my spot at the bar for a few minutes darlin' while I do some business with Edward here?" Alice sighed but joined Rosalie behind the bar. She glared once at Jasper then went to work making some kind of crazy looking drink for the next customer in line. "Now that she's out of earshot, are you gonna…"
"Stop it" groaned Edward. "If you tell Alice, she'll tell Rose, and they'll both tell Bella. And don't get me started on what Emmett would do."
"Alright, man" said Jasper. "I guess I see your point. But that thing you asked me to hide is in my office. You let me know what you want to do with it."
"Just what I said before. You got that little cooler? I want two of those little champagne bottles I know you keep in the back room and that special cheese plate thing she likes. I'll get it when we leave."
"On it, boss" said Jasper, giving Edward a mock salute. "And not a minute too soon."
"A minute too soon for what?" Bella peeked over Jasper's shoulders.
"Jasper's working up a surprise for Alice" Edward told her. He put his finger to her lips. "Be very quiet."
"Yes I am" said Jasper "and I'd best get to it." He stood and let Bella take his chair.
"Should I even ask?" said Bella.
Edward leaned over and kissed her, then settled for running his fingers through a stray curl that slipped out of her ponytail. "Nope, my lips are sealed."
Bella leaned back and shot him a look that would melt ice. "I hope they aren't sealed too tight" she said in a sultry voice. "I have plans for those lips."
Edward shook his head to clear the images popping into his brain. "Oh, you really shouldn't have said that…"
"Can I have your autograph?" A voice squealed near Bella's ear, and two girls with the requisite long blond hair leaned over her. "Please?" Bella leaned back and rolled her eyes as she gestured for them to go ahead.
Edward turned absolutely pink. He smiled, grabbed the cocktail napkins the girls held out to him, and signed them. When they left, he grimaced. "Sorry about that. Speed skaters usually don't get that kind of attention. I'm not used to it."
"That's alright" she replied. "As long as I'm the one you go home with." She had no idea what kind of images that put in his mind. Images of coming home, to a place they shared, a place full of love and laughter and happiness. If he wasn't sure before, he was now.
"Take a walk with me?" He stood and held out his hand to her. Rose saw him, and quickly turned Emmett around and kissed him so he wouldn't notice or bother Edward and Bella as they left. Jasper stood by the little hallway that led to the back door and handed Edward the cooler as he passed by.
"We'll be back in a little bit" Edward said to his cousin. "Try to keep things under control till we get back." He winked as Jasper held the door open for them.
"Should we take Aro with us?" asked Bella, stopping to pet the sweet dog as they made their way down the back steps.
"Not this time" said Edward. "The water's a little too cold for him to knock you on your butt again. And I'm not quite up for chasing him if he takes off. Jasper said he'll walk him a bit later."
"Okay" she said, and slipped her hand into his as they reached the sand and headed up the beach. She reveled in the warm feel of his fingers intertwined with hers. It meant, well, everything. Comfort, and love, and happiness, all tied up in one. She leaned into his side as they walked. The moon was big and beautiful, casting beams of white light across the sand. Before too long they reached a quiet spot that Edward had scoped out earlier in the day.
He spread out the little quilt Jasper handed him as they left, and set the cooler on one corner. He motioned for Bella to sit, then sat next to her so their legs were touching.
"A picnic?" Bella asked, looking at him curiously.
"Just a little time to ourselves" Edward replied. "I love the gang, but they can be a little overwhelming 24/7." He opened the cooler carefully and took out the container of cheese and tidbits, placing it in front of her on the quilt. He held up one finger to show her he wasn't done, and pulled out two plastic champagne flutes. He took the little bottle of champagne and twisted the top off.
"I'm not sure I've ever had champagne that came with a screw top instead of a cork" Bella giggled.
"Hush, you. You know champagne isn't exactly the specialty at Jasper's place." He poured some in each glass. "Be glad this isn't ginger ale."
They sat for a few minutes, nibbling on the snacks and toasting each other with the champagne, which, Bella had to admit, was very romantic. Finally, Edward took the glass from her hand and planted it carefully in the sand, anchoring his own glass next to it. He put the empty plate back in the cooler, after a quick glance to make sure Jasper had put in everything he requested. When he turned back to Bella, his breath caught in his throat. Sitting there with the moonlight reflecting on the sand, the sound of the gentle waves playing musically in the background, he thought he had never seen anything more beautiful than this woman he'd grown to love so much in such a short time. Kneeling on the quilt in front of her, he took both of her hands in his. He felt very much like he did before a big race - heart pounding, adrenaline rushing through him, a little edge of fear perhaps. He so wanted to get this right, to make her understand the depth of his feelings for her.
Bella stared into Edward's eyes and felt her own fill with tears. How had she found this wonderful man, and how was it that she knew, from almost the moment she saw him, that there was a connection, an amazing connection between them. She squeezed his hands gently, hoping he could sense what she was feeling.
"Bella" Edward started "I…I wanted to tell you how I feel about you. How I've felt about you every day, since the very first day I saw you." He chuckled. "Even though you were flat on your ass in the sand, you…you were glowing. You weren't angry, you were just happy, and funny, and I think I knew right then that something very special was happening. That somehow, that goofy puppy had found the one person on that whole beach who…who fit the other half of my soul." He reached out and wiped a tear from Bella's cheek. "Don't cry, beautiful girl."
"They're happy tears, Edward. I knew from the moment I saw you too, even with my hair in my eyes and sand and salt water everywhere." They both laughed.
"Bella, somehow you understood me from that first moment. You were with me for some of the lowest lows and the highest highs. You never doubted me. Somehow, your friends and my friends became our friends, and even more, our family." He wiped a tear from his own cheek. "When you said tonight that you wanted to be the one I came home to, I thought my heart was going to burst open right then." He pulled her hands to his chest, and set them over his heart. "You are my home, Bella. The only home I will ever want and the only home I will ever need. I love you, sweet girl, with all my heart."
Bella rose up on her knees and kissed him gently. "And I love you, with all my heart. You are the kindest, most wonderful, most loving man I have ever known. My home."
Edward kissed her hands, looked straight into her eyes, and took a deep breath. "Isabella Marie Swan, no measure of time with you will ever be enough, but let's start with forever. Bella, my love…my home…will you marry me?"
Bella threw her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his. "Yes, of course Edward. Of course I'll marry you."
After some long, tender kisses, Edward gently pulled away and reached into the cooler. There he found the little box he'd given his friend for safekeeping earlier in the day. He opened the box and held it out to her. "This was my grandmother's ring. The diamond reminds me of the light you've brought into my life. The platinum band reminds me of how strong you are, and the smaller stones remind me of the way our friends and family surround us, because they love you as much as I do."
Bella held out a shaky hand. "I would be so honored to wear your grandmother's ring, Edward. Family and friends mean everything to me. You are my family, and you are my best friend."
"Bella…" he sighed, pulling her close and kissing her with all the passion he had. It didn't matter what else happened in his life, he was sure he would never feel any happier than he did right now.
They held each other in the moonlight, sharing tender kisses and happy sighs. Eventually, it was time to head back and they made their way back up the beach. They stopped for a moment to take in the scene. Music was playing, and they could hear laughter. Through the window, they could see their friends working the bar together. With a quick squeeze of their hands, they walked up to the door. No sooner had they stepped into the back hallway then the bar went completely quiet.
"What happened?" Bella asked Edward, and he simply shrugged his shoulders. It was like someone had blocked out all the sound. Cautiously, not knowing what to expect, they walked down the hallway and into the bar. Everyone stood, frozen, staring at them. Alice and Rosalie were leaning over the bar, Jasper and Emmett had stopped in the middle of clearing a table, and all eyes were facing their way.
"Oh for Pete's sake" said Bella, holding up her hand. "I said yes!" The place exploded with cheers and laughter, and all was right with the world.