Chapter 47

"Englishman in New York"

Bella's POV

"I thought you'd be happy that it was just going to be the four of us", Edward said, sounding anxious as he held up the car door for me to get in. "I mean, less pressure right?"

"It's fine", I replied, trying to sound unfazed by the fact that he'd just told me we'd be having dinner with his parents, just the four of us. No comforting Rosalie. No Emmett, bringing comic relief to the situation. Just me, Edward and his parents, who I badly wanted to like me.

As I got in the car I felt him looking at me, his expression worried.

"We don't have to do this, if you don't want to", he said anxiously as he got into the car. "It's not a big deal, really."

He looked at me, studying my face meticulously.

"I don't want to overwhelm you", he then added, his voice shrill with apprehension.

"Stop, Edward. You're not overwhelming me." I reached for his hand and squeezed it tight in reassurance. "You're not overwhelming me. I'm just really nervous because I really want your parents to like me. I need them to like me. And I just thought that having Emmett and Rosalie there would take some of the tension off. That's all. I do want to meet your parents."

The corners of his mouth turned upwards in response to my explanation and he leaned over to give me a quick kiss.

"If you're being realistic about this you would know that having Emmett around could possibly make this ten times more awkward than it has to be", he spoke, chuckling quietly. "He would have made at least ten crude comments about our sex life before we'd even gotten through dinner. There's no way that would have been better."

I cringed at the thought of Emmett's crass manners and the memory of all the lewd comments he'd made during these few months that I'd known him. Perhaps it was for the best if he wasn't there.

"Anyhow, you really don't have to worry. They already like you. You just have to make an appearance and confirm what they already know." He smiled at me and gave me another kiss. Once he figured he'd calmed me down sufficiently he proceeded to start the engine and soon we were pulling out of the parking lot of Forks High School. It was a Friday afternoon and the parking lot was buzzing with student's who were happy to see the end of yet another school week. Everyone was discussing their plans for the weekend and the student's of Forks High were particularly enthusiastic since the weather forecast had predicted sunny weather, which wasn't a frequent thing here in Forks. Sunny days in Forks were few and they rarely coincided with the weekend.

I could hardly blame Edward's parents for taking him and his siblings out of school ever so often on sunny days to go hiking. I knew that there had been a couple of teachers voicing their displeasure with the Cullen's habit of spontaneous hiking, but seeing as Edward and his siblings completed their schoolwork immaculately I supposed the school had let it slip. Dr. Carlisle being a highly respected and cherished member of the community probably helped too.

"What's on your mind, Bellissima?" Edward asked curiously, interrupting my thoughts. He looked over at me, shooting me a dazzling smile.

"I was just thinking that the forecast says the weather will be nice this weekend. I heard a lot of people at school talking about going to La Push this weekend. It sounded nice", I said, trying to convey that I was open for suggestions regarding our eventual weekend plans.

It wasn't as if I longed to hang out with Jessica Stanley and her group, not really. I interacted with Jessica and Angela from time to time at school, but it was mostly when Edward and his siblings weren't around. I knew it wasn't very independent and empowered young woman of me to hang around Edward 24/7, but I'd always been somewhat of a loner, even before coming to Forks. Back in Phoenix I'd had few friends except for Dan.

Still, I had to admit that Angela was in fact very nice and friendly and I probably wouldn't have minded spending more time with her, if it hadn't included Jessica that is. I knew that Jessica probably had a low-key grudge with me for having involuntarily attracted Mike Newton's attention when I'd first gotten to Forks. But I could hardly be blamed for the lack of new blood in this town, could I? Anyhow, I thought I'd made a pretty swift and absolute deal of letting Mike know that I wasn't shopping for a boyfriend and that he was wasting his time. However, Mike Newton seemed to be a bit thick-headed so I'd made it my business to steer clear of him, just to avoid any misunderstandings.

Still, his initial interest in me seemed to have upset Jessica to the point where she'd repeatedly make snide remarks at me and I was aware of the fact that she'd deliberately made sure I hadn't been invited to a number of outings. Not that I cared, seeing as the majority of their weekend outings entailed drinking low porcentage beer in a glade while listening to generic music. I'd happily miss out on that part of my adolescent experience, thank you.

No, it wasn't as if I'd gladly hang out with Jessica and the rest of her friends. But sometimes I felt as if I was missing out on something after having spent the majority of my weekend either in bed with Edward or hanging out with him and his siblings. Don't get me wrong, I got along really well with his siblings and I considered them to be my friends too by now. There was nothing wrong with hanging out with Edward's siblings. But sometimes I got the feeling that I was repeating my old mistakes all over again. When I'd been with Dan they only friends I'd really had except for him had been his friends and in the end it had turned out they hadn't really been my friends after all. There had been no calls or texts since our break-up. So yes, I knew all about the dangers of letting one's world revolve around one person.

"Yeah, I heard. We're going hiking all of us tomorrow. We'll probably be gone Sunday too", Edward replied light-heartedly while strumming his fingers against the steering wheel in time to the radio playing. It was obvious that he hadn't interpreted my subtle proposal.

"Oh, that's nice", I said, my voice saturated by my disappointment at his words.

He instantly turned to examine me.

"Oh, I'm sorry", he spoke apologetically. "I know that our hikes are an inconvenience. Believe me, I'd much rather be home with you. But dad is unyielding when it comes to our family hikes."

He shot me an apologetic smile and turned his eyes back to the road. It was obvious that he didn't intend to divulge further on the subject.

"Of course you should hang out with your family. I was just disappointed since I want to be with you all of the time", I spoke sincerely. The last thing I wanted was getting between Edward and his family spending time together.

He looked at me once again, smiling widely at me..

"I'll make it up to you when I get back on Sunday. I promise", he said and blew me a kiss.

I raised my hand to catch it and then feigned putting it in my pocket. He shot me yet another smile and then turned his eyes to the road. I looked at my hands lying in my lap and struggled to muster courage for what I was about to ask next.

"Do you think I could come hiking with your family sometime?" I asked, my voice muted as I spoke those perilous words.

I honestly didn't have any great desire to further expand my knowledge regarding hiking or camping, in fact I'd been very much discouraged by our only hike back in January. But hiking seemed to be a big thing with Edward and his family and I'd probably have to get used to it at some point if I was planning on sticking around.

Edward smiled, but kept his eyes on the road.

"You really don't have to go hiking to keep my interest, Bella. I've accepted the fact that it's not something you're particularly keen on. Anyhow, it's probably for the best if you remain on steady ground, given your history of stumbling and falling over", he spoke gleefully.

I smiled faintly and nodded at what he'd said. Still, his words stung me in some way. It wasn't as if he'd flatly rejected me, not really. But his tone of voice had given me the distinct impression that this was a part of his life that he wasn't willing to share with me. It was actually ridiculous that I felt rejected by Edward wanting to keep some of his interests to himself, I thought to myself. I figured this was probably a ghost from my previous relationship coming back to haunt me. My fear of rejection was ever present, no matter how hard I tried to tell myself that Edward was one of the good guys. Would I ever be free of my past?

"We're here", Edward suddenly said as he pulled up to the Cullen residence. He got out of the car and walked around to open my door.

I drew a sharp breath before he'd gotten around to open it. You can do this, I thought to myself. They're just his parents, I tried to calm myself. He offered me his hand as he opened the door on my side and I took, letting him steady me as I got out.

"You've got nothing to be nervous about", he assured me and then for a moment enveloped me in his embrace.

"Just don't talk about politics or reality-tv", he whispered seriously into my hair.

"What?" I blurted out, bewildered by his words.

"Relax, Swan", he said as he was booming with laughter at my alarm.

He then took a firm grip of my hand and practically dragged me to the front door. He pushed the door open and towed me inside. The house was impeccably decorated, just as it had been when I'd visited the first time. However, this time the elegance of the house seemed even more daunting and I felt myself shrink a couple of inches as Edward took my coat off. This house was a mansion and I'd seldom felt so tawdry as I did now, standing here in my plain, non-brand clothing with my plain, ordinary face and personality. I tugged uncomfortably at the sleeves of my sweater, thinking, for what felt like the thousandth time since I'd gotten to know Edward, that I wished I'd put on a skirt.

"Bella!" his mother, I presumed, called out affectionately as she came down the stairs. "I'm so happy that you could join us for dinner."

She unhesitatingly made her way over to me and hugged me tightly.

"It's so nice to finally meet you", she spoke softly as she embraced me. "I feel as if I know you already."

She let go of me and took a step back, looking with curious and kind eyes as she awaited my response. Just like her son, she was beautiful, and by looking at her you would never think that she was the mother of three high-schoolers. Her caramel-colored hair framed her delicate features exquisitely and not a single strand of hair lay out of place. She wore a dark blue dress that contrasted her pale skin perfectly. Just like the rest of Edward's family she was a goddess.

"It's really nice to meet you too, Mrs. Cullen", I said and shot her a nervous smile. "I was happy to be invited."

She shot me a beaming smile, making me feel instantly less awkward. So that's where Edward got his smile from.

"Please, call me Esme. Mrs. Cullen was my mother-in-law. Come sit with me in the living room", she chirped happily and reached out to take my hand. "I'm making lasagna, but we've still got another twenty minutes to go before it's ready. I have so many things I've been wanting to ask you."

I shot Edward a nervous look as Esme gently towed me after her in the direction of the living room.

"Come on, mom", Edward objected firmly, as he took note of my discomfort.

"Oh, you know I'm always nice", Esme countered cheerily without halting.

As we entered the living room she gestured at me to take a seat while she poured me a big glass of lemonade. Edward followed us into the living room and took a seat next to me. In the corner of my eye I could see him shooting her an irritated look, but she just smiled at him and ignored whatever message he was trying to convey.

"Would you like some lemonade too, honey?" she asked, directing herself at Edward.

"I'm good, mom", he said resignedly and put his hand on my knee. He gave my knee a gentle squeeze and smiled encouragingly at me.

"So, Bella. I hear you used to live in Phoenix", Esme inquired affably as she sat down in the chair opposing the couch. "It must be a big adjustment for you moving here. Have you spent a lot of time in Forks growing up? I do remember seeing you on one occasion, it was perhaps three or four years ago. You were visiting your father during the summer and you had had an accident with a fishing hook, if I recall correctly."

Edward burst out laughing at what she'd just said and I felt my cheeks turn crimson red with embarrassment. I'd hoped that nobody would remember the time when I'd accidentally hooked a fishing hook almost all the way through my thumb while going fishing with Charlie. But Forks was after all a small town and I supposed that my accident had been the most exciting thing to occur that summer.

"I hoped that everyone had forgotten about that now", I mumbled and smiled sheepishly at her.

"I just remembered because I was visiting the hospital when Sheriff Swan brought you in", she continued and smiled comfortingly at me.

"I can't believe you haven't told me this", Edward said to his mother, still bursting with laughter. "I can however believe that you never told me this", he continued, looking at me with tears of laughter pricking his eyes.

I made a sour face at him. If his mother hadn't been present I would have pinched the skin of his arm until he begged me to stop.

"I visited Forks a lot when I was younger. Mostly during my summer breaks", I replied to her question. "But as I got older we've mostly spent our vacations together in California. I hadn't been here for a couple of years prior to my move."

Esme smiled affectionately at me.

"Yes, California is a bit more exciting than Forks", she said pleasantly, "Well, I think it's lovely that you've come to live with your father. We're all very fond of him here in Forks, but he is a bit of a loner. It's comforting seeing him with some company."

I smiled at her kind notion.

"Yes, he's never really moved on after my mom and I suppose he became quite lonely once my grandparents passed away", I replied lightly. "Anyhow, I'm a bit of a loner too so we get along fine."

She nodded in approval.

"And what plans do you have for when you've finished high school?" she went on to ask.

"Mom!" Edward groaned. "Please don't be so lame."

Esme looked suddenly discouraged by Edward's objection and I felt bad for her that he was being so rude when she'd only asked a simple question.

"Edward, stop. It's a completely normal question to ask", I interjected and watched as he shrugged resignedly and threw up his hands. "I'm not entirely sure, but approximately 99% of me has decided to study literature once high school is out. I don't really know where that will lead me in the future, but I suppose time will tell."

"Oh yes, Edward has told me that you're an avid reader", Esme exclaimed happily. "I love reading myself. I took a couple of literature classes when I was in college and it was just marvelous. I expect that majoring in literature must be even better. It sounds like a good plan for the future."

I smiled and nodded at her.

"It's all I've ever been interested in, really", I added and smiled awkwardly at her.

"Reading is a lovely way to spend your time", she said approvingly. "And do you have your eyes set on any particular school?"

I could feel Edward's eyes burning holes in me from the corner of my eye. We'd never really discussed the future in detail and I figured we'd both kind of avoided the subject seeing as I wasn't sure of how long I'd be sticking around.

"Um, well. Before I moved here I was pretty set on going to ASU back in Phoenix. But things have become more uncertain lately", I answered vaguely, hoping that my answer wouldn't open a can of worms in Edward's head.

"Yes, of course", Esme said looking suddenly troubled, maybe realizing that she'd touched a sore subject. I could still sense Edward's eyes on me and I could almost hear his thoughts roaring in his head. New insecurities. Just what we needed.

"I'm sorry I'm late. I got held up in a call from the hospital", a voice suddenly spoke from behind me, causing me to jump in my seat.

I turned around and looked at Dr. Carlisle as he stood in the doorway to the living room. Just like his wife you never would have believed that this man was old enough to have fathered three teenagers. He looked like a classic Hollywood star with his wavy blonde hair and his elegant features.

"Come sit, darling", Esme mused and gestured at Dr. Cullen to come sit next to her.

As he approached the couch I stood up to greet him.

"It's nice to meet you, Dr. Cullen", I spoke sincerely and stretched out my hand to him.

"Yes, we meet again", he said amiably and reached out his hand to shake mine. "How did that thumb heal?" He held up my hand and carefully examined my fingers.

"You can barely tell there's a scar these days", I mumbled awkwardly and gently drew back my hand.

He shot me a friendly smile and then sat down next to Esme.

"So what did I miss?" Dr. Cullen asked charmingly.

"We were just going through Bella's medical history", Edward snickered amused.

I shot him a vicious glare, which unfortunately only made him smile even brighter.

Dr. Cullen smiled apologetically at me and shrugged.

"So, how are you adjusting to life here in Forks, Bella?" he then asked pleasantly. "How's school compared to back in Phoenix?"

"I'm adjusting pretty well, thank you. The teachers are very nice and I was lucky enough to get to know Edward, Emmett and Rose pretty early on. Having them around has made the process of getting settled here a whole lot easier", I spoke matter of factly.

Esme smiled brightly at me as I spoke and then looked at Carlisle.

"Well, we're just so happy that you came to live here. The way you have changed Edward, he's just a totally different person these days", Esme happily exclaimed while clasping her hands together.

Edward groaned audibly next to me.

"Seriously, mom", he barked. I turned to look at him and I saw him staring heatedly at his mother.

"Well, it's true, honey", Esme protested.

Edward glared at her viciously but didn't respond to what she'd said.

"I too have changed a great deal since I met Edward", I confessed solemnly and gave Esme a faint smile.

As she beamed at me I could feel Edward squeezing my knee firmly. I turned to look at him and caught him looking at me with eyes brimming with affection. I smiled awkwardly at him, feeling my cheeks flustering by the surge of emotion I was feeling. I was once again thrown by how fast things had changed in these past few weeks. It amazed me that something that had felt so daunting and impossible a couple of weeks ago now seemed so…natural. I was ripped out of my thoughts by the sound of an alarm.

"The lasagna is done!" Esme exclaimed enthusiastically, "Edward tells me you like Italian food, Bella."

"That is true."

"Would you like to help me with the finishing touches in the kitchen while the gentlemen set the dinner table?" Esme asked me amiably.

Was this the part when I was going to get a cross-examination?

"Yes, of course", I replied without hesitating. I could do this. What was the worst thing that could happen?

Edward grabbed my wrist as I stood up to follow Esme. As I turned to look at him he gave me an inquiring look, as if asking if he should step in to save me. I shook my head slightly and shot him a pale smile.

"As you please, Swan", he murmured gleefully.

As I entered the kitchen Esme was on her way to take the lasagna out of the oven.

"If you could just mix the salad that's on the counter here and add the dressing that's in the bowl right next to it", Esme instructed as she put the lasagna down on the counter in front of her.

I silently complied and carefully started mixing the salad and adding seasoning.

"I know I've probably already said too much", Esme suddenly spoke giddily as she was standing next to me. "But I just want you to know that we are so grateful to you and the way you've made Edward so happy. I know I'm overstepping right now, but I don't care. I'm just thrilled."

She beamed at me as she spoke. I returned her smile and nodded at what she's just said.

"I don't know if I've really done anything out of the ordinary, really. But he is very special to me. Even though it took me a while to grasp that fact", I spoke softly while mixing the salad.

"Matters of the heart are not always a straight path. Far from it", she replied warmly as she grated parmesan on top of the lasagna.

I glanced in her direction, studying her face and trying to discern exactly how much Edward had told her about our relationship. Edward had a very transparent relationship with his siblings and I now feared that his relationship to his parents fell into the same category.

"You're always welcome here, Bella", Esme said, suddenly fixing her eyes on me. "I know that Edward has been quite adamant about not bringing you here because of… the issues our family has been having. But you are always welcome here."

I nodded apprehensively in reply to her words.

"I know that you and Edward have been spending a lot of time at your place", she continued and I felt myself go stiff. Here goes the talk, I thought to myself.

"And I really don't mind", she hurried to add. "We're not very…old-fashioned that way. That's your business. I just wanted to let you know that you're welcome to stay over here too. I suspect that Chief Swan probably has a less…relaxed approach to these things than we do. But I just want you to know that there's no awkwardness on our side and that you're more than welcome to stay over if you'd like. Carlisle and I are very anxious to get to know you better."

My cheeks were burning, but I could help but smile at what she'd just said. Esme and Renee would hit it off beautifully with their relaxed approach to parenting.

"Thank you. I'll keep that in mind", I croaked awkwardly.

She nodded affectionately at me.

"Well, let's eat then", she continued.

The dinner-part of the evening had run pretty smoothly, except for Esme being a bit too curious from time to time and Edward teasing me about a hundred times. The lasagna Esme had made was exquisite and I didn't know how I'd be able to go back to Charlie's spartan cooking after this. Esme's cooking had spoiled me for life. After dinner Esme had presented us with a mouthwatering tiramisu and I'd devoured two servings before finally feeling I couldn't eat one single crumb more or I'd burst into pieces. By nine thirty I thanked Esme and Dr. Cullen for their hospitality and Edward offered to drive me home, which I gladly accepted.

"That wasn't so bad, was it?" Edward inquired quizzically as he sat next to me in the car.

"Your parents are very nice. I like them", I replied sincerely and smiled at him.

He smiled at me, seeming at ease by my answer.

"They like you too. But I'm sure you've figured as much by the way my mom wore her heart on her sleeve", Edward said and shuddered at the memory of how his mother had embarrassed him.

I chuckled.

"Your mom was just being nice. She's adorable", I replied, defending Esme's displays of affection.

"Whatever you say, Swan", Edward sighed resignedly, yet with a small smile on his lips.

We drove in silence for a moment. However, I felt Edward glancing in my direction repeatedly, yet avoiding my gaze as I looked back at him.

"What?" I finally demanded.

He looked at me feigning confusion and ignorance.

"Huh?" he said.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Like what?"

"Like you have something to say."

He hesitated momentarily.

"It's stupid, really", he then replied.

"What is stupid?"

"It's nothing. Forget about it."

"You can't say that and then expect me to forget about it. Tell me", I demand annoyed.

"Please, forget about it", he pleaded anxiously, only causing me to want to know what he was about to say even more.

"Tell me", I pressed.

He sighed heavily and shook his head at me while looking utterly flustered.

"Let it go, Bella."

"You know I won't."

He looked resignedly at me.

"You are hopeless, you know that? I'm not going to tell you because I will be embarrassed, okay?" he said, sounding like a sulky child.

"You're going to tell me if you want to spend the night", I retorted callously. I wasn't going to let him off the hook that easily.

He stared at me incredulously.

"You are ruthless, Swan. You should succeed the current sheriff", he grumbled.

I shrugged my shoulders at him.

"You're the one who brought it up", I said matter of factly.

He rolled his eyes at me.

"Fine, whatever. I'll tell you. I'll just make a fool of myself as usual. I'll tell you when we're alone in your room. I'm just going to hide the car first and then I'll come", he said as he pulled up to my house.

"You better show up", I countered teasingly.

"As if I could refuse you, Swan", he said pointedly and reached over to open the car door to me.

"It better be as interesting as you've hyped it up to be", I said and gave him a quick kiss before unclasping my seatbelt and getting out of the car.

"Shut up, Swan", Edward grumbled and glared at me darkly as I shut the car door.

I stood on the steps of my porch and watched him speed away, wondering what it was that he was going to ask me that made him so uncomfortable.

—-

Author's note

I've received a couple of questions regarding Edward's physique that I'd like to comment on. Those who've read the entire story so far will have noted that Edward does not seem to have cold nor hard skin. He also has the ability to shed tears. I know this isn't canon, but it had to be this way or I don't know how Bella and Edward would have been able to have a physical relationship without her noticing that there was something different about him.

Also, thanks to the readers who have written to me, asking questions but also letting me know what you think of the story so far. It makes me very happy to know that there is someone out there enjoying my work. I hope you enjoyed this chapter too!