The Moon And The Sun

by Rivca

After everything that happened with James, Alice goes to see Bella in the hospital, tells her that Edward is just looking for an excuse, for something "bad" to happen to convince himself that she's better off without him, safer. She also warns Bella of the dire consequences if Edward does leave. When Bella sees Edward next, she confronts him about it, convinces him to stay.

13. 13 BIG ANNOUNCEMENT

BELLA SWALLOWED AUDIBLY, reflexively, tilting her head to look at Edward, her body becoming figuratively clammy with sweat, because Bella's body was incapable of sweating right now, the cold temperature of Edward's skin keeping her body temperature normal despite the clothing she wore, which, in Bella's eyes, was perfect, part of the reason why she chosen this outfit and not a short sleeve dress. It wasn't that she was afraid of telling Charlie she and Edward were engaged, quite bluntly, she'd marry Edward regardless of what Charlie thought, whether or not he approved it, but perhaps she and Edward should go back to their own, little cottage before going to see Charlie so Bella could change, put on a t-shirt and jeans, that way Charlie wouldn't ask any questions, become suspicious.

Bella reached up with her left hand, cupped Edward's cold cheek, let her thumb brush over the beautiful, full curve of his lips. "Um, Edward, Love, my beautiful fiance and future husband, maybe we should go back home before we do that, you know, so I can change, put on jeans and a t-shirt so Charlie doesn't ask any questions, becomes suspicious."

Edward cupped her face, thumbs stroking her cheekbones, pressed his forehead to hers. "Be self-conscious not, Bella, my beautiful bride-to-be and future wife, you can wear whatever you like wherever we are, be it in our home, our own, little cottage, here in the Cullen household, or in Charlie's house, need not change for anyone should you not really wish to. And fret not over Charlie becoming suspicious when he sees you dressed thus, as you will not be living with him anymore but with me, at home, in our own, little cottage." A pause, Edwards eyebrows knitting together, a little vee marring his forehead. "Though right you are, we should indeed go home before heading over to Charlie's house so that we can get there via a car ride."

Bella groaned, buried her face against the junction of his neck, where it met with his shoulder, pressed a soft, warm, honey-sweet kiss to the skin there, where, if he'd been human, she'd have been able to feel his pulse. "Please don't, under any circumstances, follow traffic laws unless you absolutely have to, I hate driving slow when I'm with you, have no need to follow traffic laws, have the opportunity to mimic the way the wind feels on my face when you run, fast like only you can, with me in your arms."

He chuckled, low and soft and filled with love and radiant joy. "You need not fret over that, Darling, us driving slow, following traffic laws, as I, too, loathe driving slow when I need not do so, will not be taking my Volvo but my Aston Martin, a car that is much, much faster."

Carlisle blinked, startled and shocked. "You truly have changed a lot, Bella, you used to not like it when Edward didn't follow traffic laws, drove very, very fast, faster than even the rest of us drive."

Edward's grin was huge, filled with happiness and satisfaction. "It would seem that I am spoiling her too much, Carlisle, but I am not sorry about that." Edward stroked a hand slowly, gently, carefully so as not to ruin her hairdo, over Bella's hair as he spoke, asked Carlisle a question which was seemingly random, but not if Alice'd shared the contents of her latest visions with the family. "Do you happened to have a pregnancy test here, either in the house or in your office?"

Carlisle didn't answer, moved fast, handed Edward a small box containing a pregnancy test, which he placed in one of the pockets of his jeans. "We thank you, Carlisle, my Bella and I."

Carlisle gave Edward a small nod. "You are most welcome, Edward, good luck telling Charlie news of your betrothal." Carlisle tapped his foot against the floor in a very specific rhythm, thinking of something, silently communicating with Edward, before finally speaking out loud for Bella's sake. "Will she be coming to your and Bella's graduation, your beloved mother, Elizabeth?"

Edward pressed a kiss to the top of Bella's head, one hand massaging her shoulders, making her melt against him, unable to stop touching her, constantly showing her how much he loved her, Bella, for her part, doing the same, taking his hand, the one with his very expensive wrist watch, tracing aimless, random patterns on his cold skin with her forefinger. "This, Carlisle, what you are verbally asking me, I do not know, and we have not discussed it yet, my beloved mother and I, though I know not if Bella and I will come back here today after speaking to Charlie, as she and my beloved mother, along with myself, agreed to meet her at our home after we spoke to Charlie. Perhaps it is best, though, if she does attend my and Bella's graduation, as it will prepare the small town of Forks for her imminent presence in our wedding. However, regardless of whether or not my beloved mother attends our graduation, you will be there, too, along with Alice and Esme, not only because Rosalie, Emmett, and Jasper will be graduating as well, but also because I have not forgotten, nor will ever forget, what you have done for me, for that is independent of the fact that my beloved mother, Elizabeth, is back in my life, mine and Bella's both."

Carlisle's eyes, they shone with pride, something similar to deep, fatherly love, and awe. "Such impeccable manners you have, Edward, your beloved mother, Elizabeth, taught you well."

The love for his mother, love only a son could have for a mother, was clear in Edward's voice when he spoke as he rose, Bella cradled in his arms, like how a groom carried his new bride. "Yes, she did indeed."

With that, Edward and Bella were gone, Edward carrying her out of the Cullen household, running through the trees, to the other side of the Forks River, fast like only he could, and they were back in their cottage, Edward carrying Bella upstairs, to their bedroom—in less than two minutes.

Not saying a word, he set her down gently on the edge of their bed, and Bella looked down at the thick, soft, cream-colored carpet, stared at the mangled, twisted tube of tungsten abandoned there, memories of last night, the way Edward'd politely kissed and caressed her body through her clothes as they practiced for their wedding night and honeymoon—filling her mind. She shook her head, felt a small smile tugging at her lips, a blush spreading itself across her cheeks, looked up, saw Edward had been looking at her curiously, was now walking to their closet slowly, like a human, taking out a small, beautiful, delicate white handbag embroidered with a soft pattern of flowers created of silver thread, dropping the pregnancy test inside, before he came back to Bella, handed her the beautiful, delicate purse, took her back into his arms. "Come, let us go see Charlie, tell him news of our betrothal."

He moved, fast like only he could, and they were in the car, Bella already in the passenger seat, her seatbelt on, Edward beside her, her left hand held firmly in his, his thumb tracing soft, soothing circles on the back of it, over her ring, in less than a second. Edward drove fast like he always did, not bothering to adhere to traffic laws because he didn't need to, not with his ability to read minds and very fast reflexes, Bella's leg that was not broken bouncing nervously as they got closer and closer to Charlie's house.

Okay, yes, she had to admit to herself she was a little nervous about telling Charlie about her and Edward's engagement, seeing his reaction for herself, though Alice'd told them everything would work out fine in the end and she would marry Edward regardless of what either of her parents thought, but most of her anxiety, it came from the fact that Charlie had rarely seen her dressed like this, and when he had, it had been because of a special occasion or because she'd been "hanging out" with Alice. But those few times, they were different than this one, not only because of what she and Edward had to tell Charlie, but also because this dress, it was different than all the others Charlie'd seen her wear, soft and elegant, old-fashioned in a way none of the others were.

A light squeeze of her hand, kisses being pressed to each of her fingers, her ring, the inside of her wrist. "Why is your heart beating akin to that of a trapped bird's? Everything will be fine, Darling, remember, Love, Alice looked ahead for us, told us a summary of what was going to happen."

She touched her fingers to his cheek, kissed him, deep and honey-sweet, her beautiful fiance and future husband not needing to keep his eyes on the road to know where he was going, because he could look through other people's eyes, read their minds. "I know, and honestly, I'm not worried about Charlie's reaction when we tell him we're engaged, not really, because, to put it quite bluntly, I'll marry you whether Charlie and Renee like it or not, approve it or not, even if they think we're too young. I don't care what they think, I don't care what everyone else thinks, I love you, Edward William Cullen Masen, and there's nothing and no one in the world that can change that, the way I feel about you, but I am worried about what Charlie will think when he sees me in this beautiful dress, coupled with my hairdo."

Edward's reaction to her words, it shocked her, but it really shouldn't have because if she was in his place she'd have probably done the same thing. He stepped on the accelerator, hard, made the car go fast as it could, zoomed passed her house, parked under the same shadow of the tree he had when he dropped her off at her house after he'd "rectified" the situation, proposed to her—turned off the engine, reached over, took off her seatbelt, brought her onto his lap.

Not saying anything, he cupped her face, fingers stroking her cheeks, kissed her, soft, sweet, and deep, deeper than ever before while still being careful not to hurt her, his hands gently, politely, running up and down her back, the curves of her body, though she could feel his body straining as he fought the urge to hold her even tighter, crush her to him with all of his strength. "You, my Bella, love, are the most incredible, beautiful, rave woman I have ever met. Everything you just said, that is exactly how I feel about you, too, and I will not permit anyone or anything to stand in the way of our matrimony, not so long as that is what you want, to be bound to me in matrimony. And fret not over what Charlie reckons over your dress, as it matters not, truly, Darling, for he is not the one buying you clothes, nor will you be living with him, not anymore. Come now, my beautiful bride-to-be and future wife, I would run with you in my arms, fast like only I can, carry you to Charlie's house."

He took off his seatbelt, opened the door of the car, got out, Bella yet held firmly in his arms, cradled close to his chest. Shifting her weight so he held her with naught but one arm, he took the car keys out from the pocket of his jeans, locked the car, turned on the alarm, placed the keys back in his pocket, then Edward, her beautiful fiance and future husband—he ran, fast like only he could, the wind whipping across their faces, matching grins on both of their lips, and they were in the porch of Charlie's house within seconds.

He set her down gently, his arms coming around her waist, taking most of her weight, then turning her to face him, crushing her to his chest, fitting her to the stone shape of him. "Listen, Love, Charlie reckons we are not at school because Mr Green, the principal of our High School, decided to extend the weekend, give everyone Monday off, as finals and the end of the school year is coming up soon, and he wants everyone, teachers as well as students, along with all the staff, to have the freshest mines possible. So, Darling, therefore, you need not fret over us having to explain our presence here, at his house, rather than at school—because though I cannot read your mind, I know you quite well, my sweet, only love, and soon I will know you as only a husband should know a wife, we need only wait a couple of more weeks."

She wrapped her arms around his neck, buried her fingers in his hair, pulled gently at the soft, heavy silk, and Edward, understanding what she wanted, lifted her, let her press her lips gently to his. "Thank you for telling me." Bella let out a sigh, rummaged in her small, delicate purse, assuming, correctly, Edward had placed the keys to Charlie's house in it, along with the pregnancy test. "Let's get this over with so we can go home, back to our own, little cottage, see your beloved mother, Elizabeth, as there are some things I want to ask her, plan with her, and I love how it feels when the three of us are together, because you, my love, my beautiful fiance and future husband, become super happy."

Bella turned, Edward's arm yet around her waist, taking most of her weight, inserted the key in the lock, opened the door. She heard the sound of the TV, loud and booming, which meant Charlie was home, had not yet gone to work for some reason. It wasn't surprising, after all, Alice'd all but told them he'd be here. "Bella!" Charlie's voice was loud, a yell so Bella could hear him over the sound of the loud TV.

'Yeah, Dad, it's me and I'm with Edward!" Bella called back.

Shuffling sounds, a click, the sound of the TV being either turned off or muted. "Oh," Charlie sounded startled, surprised to hear that she was with Edward, but he really shouldn't have been, "come in, kids, I'm in the living room." Slowly, carefully, Edward helped Bella walk to the living room, and Charlie didn't even wait for them to sit before he spoke again, his mouth dropping open when he saw Bella, the way she was dressed. "Wow, Bella, you look beautiful. You must be feeling a lot better, huh? So what's up, kids?"

Neither Edward, nor Bella spoke, not until Edward sat down on the couch opposite of Charlie, pulled Bella into his lap, pressed a kiss to her nape. Even then, though, it was only Bella who spoke. "Yeah, Dad, much better, thank you, both for the compliment and for asking how I'm feeling. So, listen, Edward and I have some very happy, exciting news to tell you."

Charlie nodded, swallowed audibly, and Bella could see the skin of his throat moving, bobbing up and down, was sure Edward could hear his heartbeat increasing in tempo.

Bella didn't waste any time, beat around the bush, lifted her left hand, her fingers linked with Edward's, Charlie clearly able to see her engagement ring. "We're engaged, getting married in around four weeks time."

Charlie paled, all the blood draining from his face, his heart no doubt beating a million miles per minute. "You're not pregnant—"

Bella shook her head, not letting Charlie continue with his train of thought, her smile incandescent with joy and love, because now that Charlie knew of her and Edward's engagement, she wouldn't have to take her engagement ring off in front of him, though perhaps she should take it off when they were back in school, for graduation. She knew what teenagers were usually like, how their thought process worked, and while she didn't care what anyone thought of her and Edward getting married so young, after all, they were, in everyone's eyes, only seventeen, she didn't want her and Edward's private life to become the new gossip of the small town of Forks. "No, Dad, like I told you before, Edward's very old‐fashioned and a gentleman." Bella reached into her small, delicate purse, pulled out the pregnancy test, making sure Charlie was able to see it. "If you want and don't believe us, though, I can go take a pregnancy test right now."

She shifted, went as if to get off of Edward's lap, when Charlie held his hands up, a flush spreading across his cheeks. "That's really not necessary, Bella, if you say you're not pregnant, then I'll believe you." Charlie's eyebrows knitted together, a little vee marring his forehead. "I know you and Edward love each other a lot, but you're both so young, haven't even finished high school yet. What do Carlisle and Esme think of this, the two of you getting married so young? And your biological mother, Edward, does she know about this? How does she feel about it if she does? Has she even met Bella? I know she's busy taking care of some family affairs, but this, you getting married so young, it's something she should know about."

Edward pressed a kiss to the inside of Bella's palm, his smile matching hers, and it was he who answered Charlie. "Don't worry about us not graduating High School, dropping out, as that is not going to happen because Mr Green is allowing Bella and I to graduate early, along with this years graduating class, part of the reason why Bella and I are getting married now, as we want to travel the world, not right away, of course, but I wouldn't be living with Bella intimately, like husband and wife, sleeping with her, unless we were married first. As far as what Carlisle and Esme think of this, our engagement, they're really happy for us, as they already consider Bella a part of the family. And my beloved mother, Elizabeth," Edward smiled, quick and fleeting, "she absolutely adores Bella, looks at her as her own daughter, her own flesh and blood, as they met shortly after we started dating, is actually helping her with her wedding dress and outfit."

He lied with ease, her beautiful fiance and future husband, but his lie, the one about Bella meeting his beloved mother, Elizabeth, shortly after they started dating, it would explain away Bella and Elizabeth's close bond so neither Charlie, nor Renee would ask too many questions.

Charlie nodded. "Oh, okay, I see. Well, congratulations, both on your engagement and impending graduation." Bella was about to let out a sigh, though she already had known everything would turn out fine thanks to Alice, when Charlie held up a finger, a smug, little smile tugging at his lips, added, "I will not be the bad guy of this story, you will have to be the one to tell your mother about your graduation and engagement, Bella and you know how she feels about early marriage. Also," Charlie's eyes gliding from Bella to Edward, "I'd like to meet her in person, your biological mother, see how she feels about this—you and Bella getting married so young—for myself, though she must be very, very proud of you for graduating early."

A pause, Charlie glancing anxiously at the clock on the wall, then back at Edward and Bella. "This, me meeting your biological mother, Edward, speaking with her, it will have to be another day, though, maybe later on this week, as Billy and Jake are coming over, will be here in about fifteen minutes. Maybe you guys should stay, you know, so you can be here when I tell them about your engagement. Billy's my best friend, after all, I wonder what he'll make of this, my one and only daughter getting married so young."

Bella flinched, curved herself around Edward, pressed herself closer to him, Charlie's smile widening, likely because he assumed, Bella was nervous about telling her mother, Renee, about her and Edwards engagement, but Charlie's assumption, it was way, way off the mark. This, the way Bella was behaving right now, curbing herself around Edward and Edward was tightening his hold around her, cradling her even closer to him, it had nothing to do with her being afraid about telling Renee about her and Edward's engagement. Quite frankly, she'd mary Edward regardless of whether or not Renee and Charlie approved. Her fear, because yes, Bella was afraid, it came from knowing that soon they'd be close if not in the same vicinity as Jacob, a possible werewolf.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down, slow down her heartbeat, which she was sure Edward could hear beating like that of a trapped bird's. "Um, actually, Dad, Edward and I really have to go, just came here on a quick visit to tell you about our engagement and early graduation. You know, planning a wedding is not easy, especially a wedding that will take place in a round a month."

Charlie blinked, self-conscious, a blush spreading across his cheeks. "Of course, I should have thought about that, but I'm not good with this type of things, you know that, Bella." Charlie bit his lip, glanced quickly at Edward, then away, back at Bella. "Maybe it's better if you continue to live with the Cullens, Bella, even after your leg heals a bit more. I'll miss you, of course, but maybe it will be easier for you and Edward to plan your wedding this way, as you won't have to keep going back and forth, between house to house. And I'll see you both later on this week so I can meet your biological mother, Edward, ask her some questions."

A nod from Edward as he gave Charlie a charismatic smile, began to rise, pulling Bella off of his lap, his arm coming around her waist, taking most of her weight. "Yes, I think that might be best, Charlie. Thank you, both for being so understanding and for approving of my and Bella's engagement, it really does make things a lot easier for the two of us."

Charlie nodded, was about to speak, but Edward and Bella were out the door before he could, Edward moving quickly but still like a human, eager to get Bella out of what could potentially be a very dangerous situation, especially with her luck.

Soon as they were out of Charlie's sight, Edward took her back into his arms, moved fast like only he could, and they were back in the car, his Aston Martin, within a couple of seconds, Bella sitting on the passenger seat, her seatbelt on, Edward beside her, her left hand held firmly in his. She took off her seatbelt, began attempting to crawl into Edward's lap, and Edward, understanding what she wanted, helped her, his hands settling on her waist when Bella was in the position she wanted. Not saying a word, she cupped his face, stroked the heavy silk of his hair, kissed him, soft and honey-sweet. "I love you, Edward William Cullen Masen, my beautiful fiance and future husband."

His hands came up to gently frame her face, pulled her away from him slightly. "As I love you. Come, let us return home, to our own, little cottage, as I am certain my beloved mother, Elizabeth, will be there soon, will want to know how things with Charlie turned out, and I wish to spend some time alone with you before that."

He didn't even bother placing her back on her seat, simply drove with her in his lap fast like he always did, not bothering to adhere to traffic laws, and they were in the forest, going to the other side of the Forks River, in less than a quarter of an hour, and soon they were parking outside their home, Edward taking off his seatbelt, carrying her out of the car. He took her upstairs, to their bedroom, laid her down over their bed, took off his shirt in one of those fast, easy movements only he was capable of, having already turned on the heating system, his cold, gentle hands exploring the curves and valleys of her body politely, making sure to steer clear of her breasts, for they weren't married yet, and Edward, old-fashioned man that he was, he wouldn't touch her like that, not until they were bound in matrimony. His kisses, they were soft and honey-sweet, made all of her thoughts go out the window, but Bella, she needed to think, needed to ask him some questions before they continue with this. It took all of her concentration and willpower, but she set her hands against his perfect chest, pushed gently.

He groaned, but sat them both up, pulling Bella into his lap, her legs on either side of his hips so she was effectively straddling him, one hand on her back, fingers spread over at the center of her spine, the other on her cheek, framing her face. "What, my Bella, what is it that makes you want to stop kissing? Usually it is the other way around, you know, with me being the cautious one and you wanting to throw caution to the wind . . . not that I am throwing caution to the wind, as I am still being really careful, but you are not usually the one to pull away first."

Bella buried her face against his shoulder, started kissing him again, her lips, warm and yielding, shaping themselves around his—pulling away when Edward came to life again, was about to lay them back down. "It's not that I want to stop kissing you, you know me, if it was up to me, I'd never stop kissing you, not even to take care of my stupid human needs, but I'm worried about telling my mother, Renee, about our engagement and I also wanted to discuss some things about the logistics of us moving to England after I give birth, when we get my thirst under control."

Edward opened his mouth, went as if to speak, then closed it, went as if to kiss her, but Bella stopped him with a hand against his chest. "I'm not worried about what she'll say, whether she'll approve of us getting married so young or not. Like I told you before, I don't care what anyone thinks, all I want to do is marry you, but I am worried about her wanting to come to Forks to help with the wedding planning and my dress. I mean, you yourself said it, that compared to Charlie's thoughts Renee's thoughts are loud, almost obnoxiously so, and I don't want her to know anything about my wedding dress or outfit, for that matter, because I want to surprise you, get a genuine, surprised, shocked reaction from you."

He leaned in, went to kiss her again, didn't stop when Bella placed her hand against his chest, his lips gently, slowly, sweetly, pressing against hers, one hand coming up to frame her face, her hair. "Ah, fret not, my Bella, as everything will be fine and you will still be able to surprise me with your wedding outfit. Despite all of Charlie's teasing, wanting you to be the one to tell Renee about our betrothal, he was going to call her soon as we left, tell her the big news, both of our betrothal and early, impending graduation. I reckon finding out that my beloved mother, Elizabeth, is back in my life, in both of our lives, was a shock for Charlie, as none of the inhabitants in this tiny town of Forks truly expected my mother to come back for me. As far as you not wanting Renee to be involved with wedding planning or your wedding outfit, fret not over that, either, and we will talk to my beloved mother, Elizabeth, come up with a solution."

She surprised herself and Edward by lunging herself at him, knocking them both flat on the bed, kissing him, deep and honey-sweet. "You know, it's great to have a fiance who can read people's minds, makes things a lot easier." Bella paused in her exploration of his throat, looked up at him through her eyelashes, confused. "I thought you couldn't read Charlie's mind clearly, only saw certain images rather than a concrete thought, had to infer what he was thinking?"

His left hand came up to stroke her hair slowly, gently so as not to ruin her hairdo, while his right hand took her left one, brought it to his lips so he could press a kiss to her engagement ring, his voice, when he spoke, filled with love and excitement. "Yes, you would usually be right, but, it seems like, like with so many other things about me these days, my ability to read minds is changing, becoming stronger, especially when you and I are together." A shrug, his brilliant, incandescent smile making her heart beat faster. "Perhaps this means our abilities are linked together somehow, though we will not know if my theory is correct for sure until after I change you and we discover what your special ability is, because I am almost certain you have one, as I still cannot read your mind. I have never heard of such a thing before, of two vampires whose special abilities are linked, but you and I, my Bella, my sweet, only love, we are not traditional in any way, shape, or form."

A sweet, deep, tender kiss pressed against her lips, his tongue, cold as ice, leisurely exploring the seam of her lips, Edward very carefully, slowly, taking her lower lip between his very sharp, lethal teeth, biting down gently, the pressure softer than a feather so as not to break her soft, fragile, human skin, draw any of her blood. "What is it that you would like to discuss regarding our impending move to England? I can hear your heart beating akin to that of a trapped bird's, your sweet blood roaring in your veins, and you have no reason to fret so, my Bella, Love, my beautiful bride-to-be and future wife, we will have everything we might possibly need in England, this I promise you."

Bella hid her face in the junction of his neck, the cool temperature of his skin, that of a vampire, cooling her own skin, soothing, Edward shifting, one hand, slow and gentle, coming about her throat, the hold loving and possessive. "I know, I believe you, but there is one teeny, tiny problem, a problem so small, I bet you saw it not . . . how are we going to take care of my immigration status so we can live in England permanently, at least for the foreseeable future, many, many years to come? I mean, as US citizens, we can only stay in England as tourists for six months before having to return to the US."

He laughed, her beautiful fiancè and future husband, soft, heavenly, musical, deep, and male, laid them back down on the bed, coming over her, his body pressing hers gently into the mattress, his hands holding hers on either side of her head, his fingers linked with her own. "Oh, my silly, beautiful bride-to-be and future wife, my Bella, you have no reason to fret so, Darling. I have dual citizenship, I am an American and British citizen thanks to my beloved mother, Elizabeth, and my father, Edward senior, too, who, in turn, each got their British citizenship from their parents respectively. Soon after we get married, I can ask for a marriage visa for you, then indefinite leave to remain, which will, in turn, lead to citizenship. Of course, these, the legal processes, require both parties to be at least eighteen, but you need not fret about a thing, ,as I have connections within England, connections which none of the Cullens know about. Sure, all of this will take some time, the legal processes, but we have plenty of time yet."

A pause, one of his hands letting go of one of hers, stroking her hair, tracing each of her eyebrows, the lines of her face. "Perhaps, while you are with my beloved mother, Elizabeth, designing your wedding outfit, other than go hunting so I have to leave you often not, I should do some more research as to what your pregnancy will involve, exactly, get the legal processes started." Edward took another soft, sweet kiss from her. "I am certain that while your pregnancy will not be as slow as a normal, human one, it will not be that fast, either, else, what would be the point of your aging stopping for the duration of your pregnancy. I am not certain of the exact rate of growth of our future child, be it Edward or Nessy Elizabeth, but I will attempt to find out so that we might be better prepared. " A glance at his watch, a soft smile tugging at his lips. "Come, let us go downstairs, to the drawing room, as my beloved mother, Elizabeth, will be here soon, and I wish to make you something to eat in the meantime. We can continue this conversation, planning, figuring out the details, later, once my beloved mother, Elizabeth, takes her leave."

Edward shifted, got up, off the bed, took Bella into his arms, moved fast like only he could, and they weren't in the drawing room, though he'd told her that is where they would go, but in the kitchen, in less than a second, Edward setting Bella down on top of the counter so she could be close to him while he prepared the mise en place for her lunch, which ended up being some lamb seasoned with herbs, white rice, and roasted vegetables, along with a healthy version of what he explained was called Eton Mess, a very popular English dessert.

Bella was halfway through eating the Eton Mess, when a bright light filled the kitchen, followed by Elizabeth's voice, the motherly love and pride in it on mistakable. "Hello, my beautiful boy, my Edward, my beloved son, I trust everything went well with Charlie and the test so you and your beautiful bride could graduate high school early?"

Edward turned from where he'd been busy writing down some of the things he and Bella'd been discussing with regards to their wedding and future—not that he needed to write anything down, his memory a vampiric one, perfect and flawless, but this, what he and Bella were doing right now, it was creating a memento, like how Alice'd started writing everything they discussed with regards to her wedding dress and outfit—went, happy and willing, into his mother's embrace, Elizabeth already corporeal. "Yes, Mama, everything went well, both with regards to the test and Charlie, though, Charlie, he wishes to meet you, ask you many questions, and he called my Bella's mother, Renee, soon as we got out of his house, told her about our engagement and early graduation, which means she will probably wish to come, help us with the wedding planning, Bella with her frock and outfit, but my Bella, she wants that not, as her mother's thoughts are loud, almost obnoxiously so, and she wishes to surprise me."

Elizabeth laughed, soft, feminine, and musical, reached up to touch Edward's cheek, Edward bending down to make it easier for her. "Ah, I am certain we can figure something out with regards to Bella's mother, Renee, not helping with the wedding planning and Bella's wedding outfit, if that is what the two of you want. The sooner we, the three of us, Bella, you, and I go see Charlie, your future father-in-law, the better. Will tomorrow do, do you reckon? Tell me ahead of time, my beautiful boy, what does Charlie wish to ask me, to know, so that we all might be on the same page?"

Edward stepped out of his mother's embrace, her touch, helped Bella up, off of the chair she'd been sitting on, one arm about her waist, taking most of her weight so she didn't put any of it on her broken leg, cradled her to him, fitting her to the beautiful, stone shape of his body. "Yes, Mama, perhaps we should arrange things so that the three of us can go talk to Charlie together tomorrow, and he can meet you, though we will have to make certain we go over there at a time when the filthy, rabid, teenage dog and Billy are not there. As for what he wants to know, there are so many things, his thoughts akin to rapid fire, as he was not expecting for Bella and myself to get married so young, though he had a feeling, knew deep down Bella and I would inevitably end up together. The two most important things, biggest questions he has are if you are all right with our betrothal, Bella and I getting married so young, and if I am going to change my surname back to my birth one, as you, my darling, beloved mother, are back in my life now, mine and my Bella's, and not going anywhere ever again."

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, her eyes glittering, two jewels of emerald green. "Are you legally going to change your name back to what it was when I gave birth to you in 1901?"

Edwards smile . . . it was beautiful and inhuman and like that of the treasure cat's, but there was something else there, on his beautiful face, too. He seemed . . . torn, as if there was a huge weight on his shoulders. "Perhaps I will simply change the order of my surnames so they are the same as when you, my darling, beloved mother, gave birth to me with the addition of the surname Cullen at the end, as I have certain English documents with my given name still, but I cannot, must not forget everything Carlisle and Esme did for me, disregard them as if they are nothing to me."

Before Elizabeth could respond, the words on the tip of her tongue, Bella pulled him down for a soft, quick, passionate, but respectful, polite for company, kiss, because she knew exactly what documents he was talking about, the ones that made him a British citizen, and they both heard Elizabeth's quiet laughter. When they broke away from the kiss, they saw Elizabeth was shaking her head, smiling softly. "You, my beautiful boy, my Edward, my beloved son, always did like your privacy, and I see that has not changed one bit, not even after all of these years you have spent on earth, the fact that you are a vampire, part of a large family, though they, the Cullens, are not your blood kin. Perhaps we should meet Charlie in the Cullen household rather than at his house, as I am certain he has a lot of questions for Carlisle and Esme, too, after all, they have been acting as your parents for a very long time."

Bella flinched, pressed herself closer to Edward, who, in turn, tightened his arm around her, pressed a kiss to her forehead, then her lips. "What of Rosalie?" Because Bella was pretty sure Charlie wouldn't be able to go to the Cullen household until the late afternoon, early evening, it was a work day, after all, and Rosalie, she was already jealous, viciously envious, really, of Edward and Bella, and things could get pretty awkward, downright hostile.

Edward turned Bella to face him, wrapped his body completely about her, protective and loving. He reached up slowly, deliberately, cupped her cheek with one hand, his fingers cool and soothing against her skin. "Fret not over Rosalie, Bella, Love, we will call Alice after we narrow down the time when Charlie will come to the Cullen household, ask her to make certain she is not there." A pause, Edward delicately, lovingly, tracing her eyebrow. "Perhaps you should call Charlie now, ask him what the best time is for him to meet us at the Cullen household."

Bella took a deep breath, pulled out her cell phone, dialed Charlie's number. It rang three times before he picked up, sounding startled, which wasn't a surprise because Bella rarely, if ever, called him when she was with the Cullens. "Bella, do you need anything? Billy and Jake just left, and I told them about you graduating early, your and Edward's engagement. They weren't pleased about the engagement news, seemed quite angry, actually, told me to do everything I possibly could to stop the wedding, but I know how much you love Edward and Edward loves you, know that if push comes to shove you'll just run away, find a way to legally get married without my consent, and I don't want to squander my chance to walk you down the aisle. "

Bella's body trembled in Edward's embrace, her lip beginning to quiver, and he picked her up, her beautiful fiance and future husband, akin to how a groom carried his new bride, took her to the drawing room, fast like only he could, his beloved mother, Elizabeth, following close behind, sat down on the chaise longue with her on his lap, cradled in his arms, Elizabeth sitting down beside them, her arms, reassuring, loving, and motherly, around them both. "No, Dad, I'm fine, I don't need anything. So listen, Edward and I are with his mother right now, and we wanted to know if you could meet us at the Cullen house tomorrow?"

A long pause on the other end of the phone, Charlie taking a long time to reply, almost too long, then, "Can it be around 5:30, 6:00, as late as possible? Also, what should I bring? I can't show up empty-handed, not when seeing your future in-laws formerly for the first time."

Bella winced, picturing Charlie cooking, smoke billowing all around the house, the taste of the food, whatever he decided to bring, horrible and burnt, not that Carlisle and Esme would enjoy it either way, but still . . . Elizabeth motioned for Bella to put the phone on speaker so she could talk to Charlie, and she did. "No, Charlie, you don't need to bring anything, it's fine. I'm planning to make one of Edward's favorite things, spoil him, I've really missed him."

Again, Charlie took a long time to reply, and when he did, he sounded startled and shocked. "Elizabeth? It's really good to meet you, though it's just over the phone for now, and we will meet in person tomorrow. Edward never mentioned his biological family being from England."

Elizabeth laughed, and her laughter, it was soft and beautiful and feminine, reached up to touch Edward gently on the cheek, Edward bending down to make it easier for her, his smile soft, that of a son who loved his mother. "Oh, my beautiful boy is very private about such things, doesn't like to brag or expose his private life to just anyone."

Bella decided to end the phone call before Charlie could think, ask Elizabeth, Edward, or herself, more questions. Tomorrow will be an inquisitorial day for sure, Charlie putting his "Chief of Police" skills to their maximum use to find out everything he could about Edward, Elizabeth, their family, why Elizabeth had been away from Edward for so long when it was crystal clear mother and son both loved each other very much. Bella didn't know what they were going to tell him, as it definitely wouldn't be the truth, but she didn't panic, knowing the three of them, along with Carlisle and Esme, would have a concrete, detailed plan for what they were going to tell him well before Charlie got to the Cullen household. Of course, Bella's heart did start beating faster, her blood humming in her veins, but that, it was for an entirely different reason, though, it, too, had to do with Charlie. "Alright, Dad, we'll see you tomorrow . . . "

She hesitated, blushing, what she wanted to tell Charlie, to add, it was a complete, and utter lie, bit her lip so hard, she drew blood, and not a couple of droplets, either, but a whole, small pool of it that trickled down her lips and over her chin, staining her white skin a vivid scarlett. She flinched, though it wasn't because of pain, shifted in Edward's loving embrace, away from him, not wanting to bring him any pain, cause his throat to burn because of the sweet scent of her blood, a scent that—Bella knew, was more appealing, sweeter to him than any other human's blood had ever been. A small shake of his head, a soft, loving smile on his beautiful, perfect, angel's face, some silent communication having been clearly going on between mother and son, because what Edward did next, it startled her, and she would have never, not in a million years, seen it coming.

Gently, carefully, deliberately, he repositioned Bella on his lap so she was completely facing him, then slowly, even slower than what was considered "normal" human speed, he lifted one cool, long, strong finger, touched it to the bottom of her chin, where her blood was beginning to gather, starting to stain her throat. Not taking his beautiful golden eyes from hers, his irises sparkling, dancing with pure, decadent, unconditional love, he, again, slowly lifted his finger with her blood in to his mouth, licked it off, closing his eyes as he did so.

When he opened them again only seconds later, she saw his irises were shifting color, turning into a green that was very akin to the one of his mother's eyes, only Edward's, it was a thousand times brighter, more pure. She gasped, for she never would have thought it possible, that her blood could have such an impact on the color of his irises, that she'd get to see the "original" color of his irises, for this, it definitely hadn't been the original version of his irises, as no human could ever possess their color now, it was so very beautiful. He repeated this again, dipped his finger in her blood, took another sweet taste. His beautiful irises shifted color yet again, turning into a blue so pure, Bella'd never, nor will ever, see it on anyone else's face ever again. His irises, they were like thousands of shattered, light blue crystals or glass, akin to majestic glaciers, but a million times more beautiful.

He did this several more times, continued to drink from the blood that was yet dripping down her chin, beginning to stain the soft, beautiful, sensitive skin of her throat a vivid red, until her skin was clean of blood . . . well, as clean as it could be, for, despite all of his efforts, the more he dipped his finger in her blood, wiping it away, licking it off, the more blood seemed to pour forth from her, his irises changing from blue to green and back again and again. Then, when her skin was as clean as he could get it, he took her face between his hands, gently, thumbs stroking her cheekbones, kissed her lips that were yet bleeding, his tongue, cold as ice, coated in vampire venom, discreetly running over the seam of them. She shuddered, fought the urge to press herself closer to him, wrap herself about him, moan, vividly conscious that they were not alone, Edward's beloved mother, Elizabeth, sitting next to them, Charlie on the other side of the phone, heat pooling low in her stomach, to the hot, aching place between her thighs, an unfamiliar, but welcome feeling.

It was as if his venom had some sort of sexually charged endorphins, pure love, and desire, desire that was not lust, for it was too pure, too intense for that, raising through her system, both of their systems, and, Bella was startled to realize, this was not the only effect Edward's venom was having on her body. Her lip, it was healing very rapidly, as if his venom had locked on to her injury, was vanquishing it. It was a shame, really, how rapidly her injury was fading. Bella didn't like being or getting hurt, of course not, she wasn't a masochist, but this meant Edward would probably pull away soon, stop kissing her thus. Soft, quiet, musical, male laughter, too quiet for his mother or Charlie to here, which Bella was very grateful for. Whether Edward was laughing because he could guess the tenor of her thoughts from her body language or because of her arousal, she didn't know, but she basked in the way he was kissing her, a way that was still polite for company, but that made her feel loved and cherished, her bones melt, and her heart beat faster, for a couple more seconds before he pulled away, a soft, contented, satisfied, loving smile on his beautiful face.

She counted to five inside her head to steady herself, regain her equilibrium, Edward's cold, strong, but very gentle, loving arms about her body, keeping her gathered to him, his hands stroking up and down her back, her arms, before she spoke again. To her surprise, when she did, her voice sounded steady, gentle, but firm, not at all like she just been kissing the love of her existence, and though what she told Charlie next was a complete and utter lie, her voice didn't break, though she, of course, blushed again, but Charlie wasn't here to see that. "Alright, Dad, I have to go now. Try to get here as early as you can tomorrow, as Edward and I have a lot of work to do, what with graduation and our wedding coming up, need to get lots and lots of sleep, can't waste time or energy, as planning a wedding, especially one that is taking place so soon, takes a lot of time and energy."

Before Charlie could reply, keep her on the phone for a second longer, Bella hung up, Edward already pulling out his phone, dialing Alice's number. "Alice . . ." The rest of Edward's words, his instructions, were spoken too low and fast for Bella to be able to hear, understand, and he hung up less than a minute later, his eyes, which had turned back to a shade akin to that of his mother's, only a million times more beautiful and intense, dancing, filled with love, pride, joy, and excitement. He turned to his mother, readjusting Bella on his lap so she was facing the two of them at the same time, asked questions which Bella herself wanted to know. "How is this possible, Mama, how can I drink from my Bella's blood, which is sweeter to me than any other blood I have ever tasted, a thousand times more appealing, without losing control? Why are my irises changing color, not to the usual crimson, but to the ones I had when I was human? You said I could drink blood from a blood bag if my Bella, too, begins craving blood—but this fits not the "blood bag" category?"

A shrug, a loving, motherly smile. Elizabeth reached over, touched her knuckles lovingly to Edward's cheek, even as she took one of Bella's hands in hers. "The answer, my Edward, my beautiful boy, my beloved son, is quite simple. Akin to everything else that you are able to do that your adoptive family, the Cullens, are not, this, what is happening to your irises and to your body, both of your bodies, it is because of one simple, beautiful, powerful thing—love."

Edward's eyebrows knitted together, a little vee marring his forehead, one hand wrapping gently, possessively, lovingly, about Bella's throat. It was strange, so very strange, this occurrence, his irises changing color to the ones he'd head when he'd been human. He'd drunken from her blood before, back when he'd sucked James's venom out, but this hadn't occured. Bella was surprised, but very possessive and pleased when she discovered that Edward's train of thought matched her own. "But, Mama, I understand not. Taken blood from my Bella before this, I have, yet this occurred not then."

Elizabeth's eyes brightened. "Ah, but my beautiful boy, you were not then as you are now, betrothed to your beloved. you see, my beautiful boy," Elizabeth began to explain herself further, "the second you formally asked your beautiful bride to marry you, slipped a ring onto the ring finger of her left hand, your souls began to bind, meld together as one. This connection, this special bond the two of you have, is much stronger than usual, not only because you are a vampire, but also because the two of you are still virgins, will remain so until your wedding night, your souls whole, hence why none of your adoptive family have this special bond, for each time two people sleep together, they give away a piece of their soul to the other. When, however, the love is genuine and not only lust, the two parties in the relationship yet virgins, their souls begin to meld, become one, the second they become betrothed, a ring being slipped onto the ring finger of the woman's left hand."

A pause, Elizabeth shifting, getting somehow even closer to them, cupping more of Edward's face, her touch loving and motherly. "This, my beautiful boy, is why I instilled such values in you, why I taught you to wait to make love until you were married, not only because of what was customary at the time of your youth, but also so when you found your beloved, the one you were meant to be with for the rest of your life," a glance at Bella, a quick, soft smile, "your souls could be whole and completely bonded during your wedding night, after you have made love to each other for the first time, which is, incidentally, when your souls will be completely bonded as one."

Another pause, Elizabeth stroking first Edward's, then Bella's hair, before her hand returned to Edward's cold cheek. "It is a very good thing indeed that this occurred, that Bella bit her lip so hard, drew blood . . ." Elizabeth's eyes shifted abruptly from those of her beloved son to those of Bella. "Not that I ever want or like you getting hurt, Bella, you beautiful, darling girl, but this allowed me to show you, both of you, not to ever be afraid, reckon that you will cause each other harm, even if you, my beautiful boy, take some of Bella's blood into your system. It happened during a very convenient time, too, for we will be seeing Charlie tomorrow eve, and now he will not question how it is that you are my beloved son, yet you have eyes like the rest of the Cullens, for he will no doubt be on high alert and vigilant tomorrow, as that will not be the case anymore. Though, in order for your irises to remain thus, not turn back to gold while we are with him, as the effect Bella's blood is having on you now will fade away within a half an hour, you need to take in more of her blood, about two hundred and thirty-six milliliters, for it to last twenty-four hours, and no, my beautiful boy, fret not that you will make your Bella weak by doing this, as her blood will be fully replenished after a couple minutes of you taking it out of her, drinking it. Of course, drinking her blood will change some more things about you, make you stronger, stronger than even a newborn vampire, more beautiful, too."

Bella and Edward leaned forward, both spoke at the same time, said the same thing, as if they'd been reading each other's mind. "Can these changes become permanent?"

Elizabeth laughed quietly, with open joy and motherly love. "Yes, of course." When they leaned forward even more, waiting for new information to come, Elizabeth shook her head, smiling, so many secrets in those old, loving, motherly eyes. "No, this you will have to wait to find out until after your wedding to find out. Tell you this, I can, though, when you turn your Bella into a vampire, it will not hurt her, your venom, but the total opposite, bring her complete and utter pleasure and love."

"The color of my Bella's eyes, Mama, will it not change, turn crimson, when I change her?" Bella could hear the hope and longing in Edward's voice, for she knew how much he loved the color of her eyes, knew he would mourn it, too, if it turned crimson, then eventually gold, when he turned her.

Elizabeth stroked Edward's hair comfortingly, soothingly, the touch that of a mother who loved her son very much. "No, when you turn her, the color of her eyes, it will change not."

Edward cradled Bella even closer to him, buried his face against her hair, inhaling the scent of it, of her, muttered, "Oh, thank God," under his breath.

Elizabeth glanced back, out of one of the many, massive windows, saw it was dusk, the sun just beginning to set, a couple of stars scattered across the sky here and there. She turned back to Edward and Bella, pressed a kiss to each of their cheeks respectively, began to rise from the chaise longue, even as she reached out again, took Edward's face between her hands, the hold gentle, loving, and motherly. "It is quite good to see your father's eyes in your lovely face again, my beautiful boy. Such eyes you had as a human, my Edward, shifting between the blue of your father's eyes and my emerald green as you were, and still are, closer to me—for you were special even then, as a human."

Elizabeth dropped her hands from Edward's face, glanced out the window one more time. "It is getting quite late, I should take my leave now, will meet you here tomorrow at around 4:45 p.m. so we might have time to discuss things as a family, just the three of us, before we have to take our leave, go to the Cullen household."

Bella flinched, pressed herself closer to Edward, reached out a hand, grabbing Elizabeth's, preventing her from leaving. "Wait, you cannot leave, not yet, not until we discuss something else."

Hearing her distress, Elizabeth sat back down on the chaise longue, gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. Edward, for his part, pressed a sweet kiss to her forehead, that single kiss turning into a trail of cold, soothing kisses all over her face until his lips ended up over her own, though he pulled away just enough so he could speak after naught but a moment, his cold, sweet, intoxicating, addictive breath washing over her skin as he spoke. "What is it, my Bella? Tell us what it is that is making you fret, my sweet, only love, for I can hear your heart beating like that of a trapped bird's, staccato fast, and I know it is not from my kissing expertise."

She felt her lips curve into a soft, loving smile, for he always knew what to do, her beautiful fiance and future husband, just what to say, to make her feel better, reached up to caress his cheek, sighing contently at the feeling of his cold, hard, but soft, diamond skin against her own. "Charlie is up to something, something big. I know not what it is, but I know he is, indeed, definitely up to something, otherwise he wouldn't have asked if our meeting time could be around five thirty, six a clock, as late as possible, just given us a specific time instead. As I have told you many times before, I will marry you regardless of what Charlie, Renee, or anyone else reckons, but I wish very much that tomorrow will go smoothly, as it will make things much, much easier for us."

Soft, quiet, musical laughter, both from mother and son, but it was only Edward who spoke, caressing Bella's face as he did so. "Oh, Bella, you need not fret so, my beautiful bride-to-be and future wife, our wedding will go through regardless of what transpires tomorrow." He pressed a soft, sweet kiss to the tip of her nose, then her lips. "Besides, Charlie already approved of our engagement, remember? So, Love, whatever he is planning, it cannot be what is going on in that beautiful, mysterious head of yours, and," he traced her eyebrow with one cool finger, "even if what he is planning matches what is going on in that beautiful head of yours even a little, we will find a way to salvage the evening, I will not allow tomorrow eve to be ruined, and neither, of course, will Carlisle, Esme, or my beloved mother, this I promise you."

"Definitely not," Elizabeth agreed, stroking Bella's hair gently, the touch that of a mother to her child, then shifting her attention to Edward, doing the same, before disappearing with a flicker of light.