Chapter 16: Marry me, if I ever get the nerve to say hello In this café, say you will.
A/N: Alright you guys this is where the real romance takes place! You know I am a romantic at heart! And Happy new year! You all are awesome!
…
Bella kept her eyes on her steak as she chewed.
It was her third one. Her aunt made sure to push the meat her way, as soon as her plate was cleared.
The dinner so far was full of small talk. She felt suffocated when her mother pulled her into a hug and commented on her weight and how Edward wouldn't approve.
Of course, Ajana stepped in to distract her mother from that awkward conversation.
To be honest, Bella had no clue what to say or do, and not just because of her mother.
Her paternal grandfather and paternal aunt were staring her down.
When they were first introduced she kindly said hello but left it at that.
What does one say when your parents have kept such a family secret from you? That the people you once thought were family, really weren't. and the family you never knew is now out in the open?
She felt her eyes brew with tears, at the absurdity of it all. But most of all anger. She hated being angry. It was one of the emotions that she tried to avoid.
"olives and cheesecake cream cheese on a bagel." A warm voice said from behind her.
Bella turned to see Quil, the hugest smile on his face.
His eyes seemed to almost glow when they looked at each other.
Right there at that moment, warmth and calm filled her body.
"Q-"
"QUIL!"
The couple looked up to see Joy Ateara running towards her son.
Bella watched as Quil's face pinched in shock and somewhat annoyed.
"ma? What-What are you doing here?" he asked.
"is that how you greet your mother? I came to see you. come hug me what's wrong with you boy?"
As Quil bent down to hug his mother, Bella got up and went into the kitchen. She knew that Quil was a big eater and had made him a huge plate beforehand.
A sigh of annoyance escaped her, as she warmed it up.
Deep down, she wanted to be alone with Quil. They had been so busy recently and hadn't had a chance to be alone. She wanted to step away from her family and just be with him.
Was that asking too much?
…..
When Bella came back outside, disappointment and annoyance filled her to see Quil's mother already piling on his plate.
Should she take it back? Save it for later?
No. no, Quil was her man.
He was her man and she wanted to be with him. She had to let go of her fears and insecurities and be bold.
So quit stalling and go feed your man! She told herself.
With determination, she walked back into the tent and strode over to Quil. he seemed to grind his teeth as his mother pawed at him and asked a thousand questions. Not to mention, he had been placed between his parents who would casually throw dirty looks at each other.
As soon as he saw her his demeanor changed and was replaced with a joy like no other.
"Hey, Bells." He greeted causally yet his eyes held another meaning.
Love.
Pure unadulterated love.
All of it was just for her.
And most of all he wanted to be with her just as much as she wanted to be with him.
"hey Q. I made you a plate."
" oh B i-"
"That's ok young lady, my son already has a plate." Quil's mother interjected with a tad of impatience.
However, Quil ignored his mother and took the plate from her.
"thank you so much, B. I appreciate it."
Bella smiled at him and went back to her meal.
She and Quil would find time at some point tonight.
…..
Once the dinner was over, Aunt Monica instructed everyone to sit by the campfire Uncle Chester started.
She then gave everyone a slice of pecan pie and ice cream.
Before Bella could sit down, her father called out to her.
" hey bells, why don't you come and have a seat over by us? your uh…grandfather and aunt want to talk to you. Sorry kiddo." Her father told her.
In a low voice, Bella spoke to her father.
"Dad, I love you but I am not happy with you. nor am I ok with this. "
Her father sighed with guilt-filled eyes.
"you have every right to feel that way bells. I should have told you but I didn't want any more stress on your life."
Bella gave her father a stern look before she made her way over to where her family sat. her mother joined them and started the conversation.
"Hello, Duncan. It's been a while." She greeted Charlie's father.
He was a boisterous and loud man with dark skin, curly black hair, and a black mustache.
" Renee I will say this one more time. It's Mr. Alvarez to you. I stopped being your father-in-law when you broke my son's heart. So don't play games with me." he then turned to Bella with an appraising eye.
"so Isabella, tell me what is my only grandchild up to these days? What brings you here to New Mexico?"
"I'm here for college. Studying psychology and Botany."
"Really? So you want to be a psychologist?" he asked.
"more like a mental health therapist or a life coach. I want to do that part-time and help Aunt Monica and Ajana in the shop I-"
"Bella! What are you talking about you silly girl!? You are supposed to be going to Dartmouth with Edward coming the spring! Duncan don't listen to a word she says! She's just being goofy!" her mother interrupted.
Bella looked at her mother as if she were crazy.
"Mom you have no-"
"Bells?"
Bella turned to see Quil approaching. He had his phone to his ear with a worried look.
"Hey, come with me, Amanda's on the phone and she's really upset."
Bella excused herself to follow Quil out to the driveway.
Before she could ask him what was going on, he took her in his arms and kissed her.
When they separated, Bella was gasping for breath.
"wow! Where did that come from?" she questioned.
Quil stroked her cheek and then rubbed her belly.
"I missed you. feel like we have been two ships in the night you know."
"oh my gosh I feel the same way. and good distraction, hows amber?" she asked jokingly.
Quil was going to say something but Bella's phone beeped.
It was a text messege from Sydney.
Hey girl! So remember that party I was telling you about? Its actually tonight at 7:30. If you want to come heres the address.
Bella looked up from her phone to see Quil wating patiently.
"Hey Q, you want to blow this popsicle stand?" she questioned
Quil lauged and shook his head.
"Babe, could you be anymore geeky? And yes, I would love to get out here. Where we going?"
"we my good sir are going to go party."
With that said, the couple excitedly go into the truck and hit the road.
….
" I don't know about this Honey B." Quil told Bella as he wrapped a protective arm around her waist and sniffed the air.
They were standing at the entrance of a cave. They had driven fourty minutes outside the city to Carlsbad caves.
"I hear people Q and there are strobe lights leading the way."
"ok but the minute something feels off, were out of here." He told her seriously.
"that's no problem with me superman."
…
"Bella! You made it!" Sydney cheered as she hugged her. "oh girl I love this outfit! you are hot! The jocks are going to be all over you! "
Bella blushed at the compliment. She wore a olive green dress with brown boots, and a brown jacket. She had put her hair up in buns at the top and then let the back down.
"actually Sydney there is someone I want to introduce you too." Bella started off and then with full confidence blurted out " this is my fiancée Quil! babe this is Sydney!"
Sydney stuttered as she greeted him. "o-oh-hi-hi! Um excuse!"
She then jogged away with a blush on her face.
Bella turned to Quil but it was the soft smile on his face that surprised her.
"what?" she asked coyly.
"you know exactly what."
"I don't know what your talking about.." she laughed.
"well then I guess I have to ask one of these mediocre girls to dance." He suggested.
Bella didn't realize that she was pulling Quil towards the dance floor until they were in the thick of it.
"oh crap!" she said in a mild panic
However, Quil laughed as he placed a hand around her waist and pulled her close.
"cant back out of it now, my little minx. You got all jealous with the thought of some other chick touching me . I love it. now hush up and dance with me."
Aw, country girl, shake it for me
Girl, shake it for me
Girl, shake it for me
Country girl, shake it for me
Girl, shake it for me
Girl, shake it for me
Bella lauged as she felt Quil's hands on her hips and a sort of freedom came over her as she danced for and with him.
Looking back on it, she wouldn't have done this a year or two ago. She either A wouldn't have shown up or B she would have shown and stood around in a corner.
But being here with Quil, everything was different. She could be free and have a little leg room to just enjoy life.
"wooo! Go bella!" Sydney cheered as she danced with brian.
By the time they hit the third song, Bella and Quil were sweating.
" babe, where in the world did you learn to dance like that?" Quil questioned as he guided her off the dance floor and to the drink table.
"I just felt free." She told him.
"bellaaa!" liam called with Sydney and brian following him. "you got some moves on you girl! Your making us nerds look good."
"Thanks liam." She said as she made moves to get a drink. However, Quil stopped her.
"not that one babe, their liquor in that."
"really? thanks for looking!" she told him as she reached for a water.
The group chatted for a while before a few of Quil's classmates showed their faces.
"Quil! didn't take you for the partying type." A guy wearing a lettermen jacket said . it was obvious he was really into sports.
"Its not really my scene, but this party isn't bad. Honey B, this is my friend conner, conner this is my fiancée Bella." Quil introduced.
Conner stepped back and shook his head.
"dude you have a fiancée? I cant even decide what major to stick with. Your crazy. No offense." Conner shrugged.
"none taken. Now if you excuse us, their playing the slow songs." Quil told them as he dragged Bella back out to the dance floor.
This time, bella laid her head on his chest as he wrapped his arms around her waist.
It was just two lovers
Sittin' in the car, listening to Blonde
Fallin' for each other
Pink and orange skies, feelin' super childish
No Donald Glover
Missed call from my mother
Like, "Where you at tonight?" Got no alibi
I was all alone with the love of my life
She's got glitter for skin
My radiant beam in the night
I don't need no light to see you
Shine
It's your golden hour (oh)
You slow down time
In your golden hour (oh)
"Q?" she asked quietly
"hmm?" he hummed. His eyes were closed as he laid his head at the top of her head.
"can you… ask me again? please."
Quil licked his lips, as he tilted her head up to look at him. Their eyes connected and spoke a thousand words that never fell from their lips.
"Honey Bee, when I first laid eyes on you I said to myself, man this chick is gorgeous. I remember what you wore that day too. White shirt, black pants, and a brown vest. Your hair was in a pony tail and you were covered in grease from helping jake with the bikes. You were the only person who showed me any ounce of kindness and patience when my friends abandoned me. you are the love of my life. My soulmate and I would be soo motherlovin, honored if you were to be my wife. Will you marry me?"
"Quil Ateara the third, how in the world can I say no to you." was her response.
It was then Quil threw her over his shoulder bypassing their friends.
"wait, Quil where are we going?" Bella laughed as he carried her to the truck.
"Honey bee, were going to go get hitched."
"you mean were going to elope!" she exclaimed.
"yes mam, if that's alright with you?"
Bella shook her head and laughed. She seemed to be doing that a lot lately.
"Q…I would love to elope! Please tell me Elvis will marry us?"
"Honey Bee, I will do everything In my power to make it happen."
….
Red eyes watched the couple depart.
It seemd their love was genuine. The shapeshifter, seemed to care for the human. And the human seemed to be in love with him.
With that said they pulled out their phone.
"…its me. The wolf …he takes good care of her. he loves her and she loves him. We cant let anybody ruin that. Meet me in las vegas. I have a plan."