Bella

"Who's the hunk?" Jessica asked Bella, setting down a bowl of potato salad among the dishes of food, covered with plastic wrap. She shooed away flies and turned her focus back to Edward.

"He's Bella's fiance," Angela told her. "So, hands off."

Though Bella made it a practice not to judge others, the alcohol had loosened up the hold that her conscious mind had on her. Jessica—who'd been the gossip in high school and criticized her—now acted as though she was Bella's best friend. Her boobs and spare flesh spilled out from her v-neck and midriff—apparently nobody told her that half tops were not meant for women whose bellies had outgrown their waistbands. Jessica's two boys, ages 8 & 9 respectively, ran amok along the grass, hollering, and chasing each other with water guns, shooting innocent bystanders in the process. Her husband Trey was talking to Lauren, who'd managed to keep her figure and was divorced three times already. Word, according to Jessica, was that Lauren was on the hunt for husband number 4.

Jessica pressed her hand to her ample chest. "I'm not the one you need to worry about," she told Bella.

Bella chose not to respond to that, sipping on what was now her second beer. Edward definitely was a hunk, and unfortunately as natural as it sounded to say that he was her fiancé, it couldn't be further from the truth. The beer, though, was chiseling away at her inhibitions, and Bella had caught herself more than once imagining herself walking up to him and planting her lips on his in front of everyone.

The sun finally broke through the clouds, and as it drew closer to evening, she noticed there were faces she hadn't recognized among the large group. Among them, Jacob laughed with his wife, and Bella noted how even Mike and Angela had their hands clasped together. Jessica shouted at one of her boys, telling him to stop blasting water at people but then ruffled his hair and kissed him on his head.

Almost everywhere Bella looked, happy couples and families abounded. Yet, she wasn't a part of one.

"Uh oh," Angela said, tilting her head in Lauren's direction. Lauren wore her designer sunglasses, her flirty sundress, and reminded Bella of one of those Hollywood wives. Like a big fish in a small pond, and as she held up her cleavage for Edward's benefit, Bella felt the sting of jealousy. Edward appeared to be the bachelor of the year. "Do you want me to go take care of it?"

Bella smiled at her friend. Angela had become her own personal pitt bull, ready to growl away any attention to Edward, anyone who might distract his affection away from Bella.

Wind threatened to blow away Lauren's hat, and she pressed it to the top of her head, and the shiny polish of her fingernails gleamed in the sun. "So, how old is your daughter?" Lauren asked Edward. Everyone knew she didn't like kids, hence why she had none.

"She's at camp," he said, and Bella quickened her pace to meet him.

"It's been a long time," Bella said, approaching them from behind. "I see you've met Edward."

He smiled and braced his arm around Bella, pulling her close to him—a gesture that was surprisingly natural…and welcome. "Yes. Lauren said that you two are old friends."

If old friends meant that Lauren pretended that Bella hadn't existed, and only ever acknowledged her when she'd let Bella do all the work in Bio, then yes, they were probably besties. Don't say that, Bella. "It's been a long time," Bella repeated.

"You look like you've done well for yourself. And inheriting a stepdaughter, wow! That sounds sooo amazing."

This lit an unexpected fire that left her curling her fingers into a ball. "Renesmee is amazing. She is very smart. Like her dad."

"When are you two getting married?"

"Well, we haven't really made it official, yet," Bella said, darting her eyes to Edward.

An announcement was made for the games to begin, and Bella hung her head. Edward smiled. "What? This should be right up your alley: playing, inner child work."

"Oh…are you studying Psychology?" Lauren asked. "I took a few psych classes."

"No," he said, "Bella believes more in a metaphysical approach to life."

As true as that was, Bella was having difficulty believing that they were all one as Lauren's high-pitched laugh polluted the air around them.

"It sounds so new agey," she said.

"Actually," Edward said, "many of the beliefs have been around for centuries, and my little fiancee here is quite the teacher…she makes videos…"

"That's so interesting," Lauren said, deadpan, but her eyes were focused on one of the native American boys. She'd always been happy to spend private time alone with them but kept those interests very private. "Oh…look there's Jared! I'm going to go catch up with him." In her heeled sandals, she stalked away toward the circle of men.

Edward had seemed so closed-minded before, and Bella couldn't help being impressed that he'd acknowledged her as a teacher. She wondered if he was developing any of those beliefs on his own. "Edward, that's really very sweet, but you don't have to talk me up. I don't care what these people think."

He pulled down his sunglasses and raised his brows. "Is that so? Then, what's the harm?"

"They really don't care. There's no point."

"Okay, now you really need to lighten up." He gestured to her beer. "Finish that. Then we have some water balloons to contend with."

She leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you, Edward."

He pulled her in close, and their eyes met, fixed on each other.

"You're welcome."

Mike called out for those who wanted to participate to join in, interrupting what might have been a moment. As giddy as she felt by his presence, Bella reminded herself he was only pretending.

"Come on!" Mike yelled, waving people over. "It's time for some tug of war!"

"Drink," Edward said. "It's going to be great."

Bella tried to ignore the bitter taste of her beer as she took a couple of swallows. She resisted saying that she didn't want to play with these people…that she didn't like them.

"Feather Bella, are you in there? It's time to play."

Bella's heart fluttered. Her playmate was here, and she smiled, finishing the last of the can. "Okay, let's go have fun."

Though she'd been a little too close for comfort landing in the mud pit, Bella high-fived each of her teammates, including Edward when her team gained the victory, landing Jacob, Jessica, Trey, and a few of the others inside it.

"In your face!" Bella shouted, giddy at being the victor. She was especially enjoying how Jacob's t-shirt was now streaked with brown splatters. Skipping away with satisfaction, Bella gravitated toward the big bucket of water balloons, considering who she would like to hit first—Jacob or Lauren—but then the announcement was made to grab a partner, and Bella fought through the haze of her buzz during the egg toss. When Bella walked her egg over to Edward, it fell to the ground, and she burst out laughing. But then she tripped over her own feet going back and then stumbled, catching herself before hitting the grass.

"Ha!" Mike called out, elbowing Angela, but with hands on hips, she elbowed him back.

"Some things never change," Jacob said, pointing and laughing in that annoying way that she had forgotten. "Clumsy Bella."

Bella regained her footing, squared her shoulders, and went to him. "What did you just call me?"

"What? Just your nickname. It's just like old times."

"It's not my nickname anymore."

"Oh, does that still bother you, Clumsy Bella?" he teased.

Her fists clenched, and warmth flooded her face. "Say that One. More. Time."

"Cuh-lumsy Bella," Jacob taunted.

She drew back her arm and socked him square on the nose.

Bella's knuckles stung as Leah rushed to Jacob, who braced his nose with his hand. "Bella! What the hell?"

Bella, what the hell? She thought. She just punched her ex, and shook her hand out from the tension. In a very unconscious moment, she'd reacted in a very non-spiritual way. And it felt good. She smiled and pondered having another beer.

Edward, who'd drifted back towards the food, rushed over to her. "What is going on here?"

"Uh…your girlfriend just punched my husband."

Edward looked like he was trying to keep from laughing. "Come on, sweetie," he said, taking her by her good hand. "Let's take a walk."

As they passed the group of onlookers, Bella shook a threatening fist at Mike Newton, to Tyler, to Paul, and Seth and those other jerks who used to tease her. "Anybody else want some of this?"

Edward tucked her fist into his hand, and Charlie looked on in concern. "Am I going to have to call for some backup, Bells?"

"She's fine, Charlie."

"Are you sure?"

Edward waved to him and went to grab a bottle of water for her when he noticed she was rubbing her fist. When he looked down, he focused on the redness of her knuckles. "I think we should get some ice." He sat her down at the picnic table and grabbed a few cubes from an ice chest.

She couldn't help feeling a bit powerful, and her heart pumped with adrenaline. Bella felt she could take on each of those jerks—one at a time."You should have seen it, Edward. The look of surprise on his dumb face as my knuckles met his nose."

"Wow," he said.

"I know, right? I know I'm going to regret this tomorrow, but right now…" Her eyes closed as she breathed in the moment. "I'm just happy. Do you know how long I've wanted to punch him in the face?"

"I can imagine."

Charlie stood with hands on hips before them. "Are you okay?"

But, what he was really asking was: are you out of your mind? "I'm fine."

He set his hand on Edward's shoulder. "You're a good man, Edward. I see that you're going to take care of Bella. You have my blessing."

She refrained from saying she didn't "need" anyone to take care of her and her face lit up, and open-mouthed, their gazes met. Edward extended his hand to Charlie, shaking it enthusiastically.

"Thank you. That means a lot."

She pressed the ice cubes to her skin and though it burned, she'd never felt such relief.

"Alright, Dad! Time to talk about treatment."

"When's the big day?" he asked.

"What? I mean, I don't know," she told her dad. "You just gave him your blessing."

"I want to know when I get to walk my little girl down the aisle. Now, that's something to look forward to."

Bella looked from Charlie to Edward. "We're going to have to get back to you on that, Dad. For now, we need to get you better."

"Christmas," Edward said. "I've always liked the idea of a Christmas wedding."

She glared at him. "We have to talk about it."

"Well, that's still 5 months away. A lot can happen. No, I think you should plan it soon, while I still feel good."

She rose and met his eyes. "That was not the plan. We are going to get you better first and then you will walk me down the aisle."

"Edward? I thought I recognized you," a voice said, coming up from behind. Carlisle Cullen, the town doctor and his wife Esme were holding a bowl covered with foil.

"Uncle Carlisle," Edward said, hugging him and then his favorite aunt.

"We didn't expect to see you here today," she said as they exchanged greetings. "Carlisle is on call, and I'm taking a break from our remodel. Our downstairs bathroom looks like a war zone."

"Charlie, you're looking good," the doctor said. "Did you get a chance to visit that specialist?"

"I'm feeling good, doc. My daughter is getting married to your nephew."

Esme's face lit up, and her fingers clasped together. "Edward, you're getting married? To Bella? This is so perfect!" She clapped. "I can't wait to talk to your mom. And Renesmee will be the perfect little flower girl!" She took turns alternating hugging Bella and then Edward and then Bella again.

"It's new…we haven't told a lot of people."

Charlie spoke up, "He had to get my blessing first."

"Charlie, Edward is a good man," Esme said. She looped her arm through Bella's. "How did you meet? How did he propose? Where are you going to live? Where are you getting married? This is so exciting! The remodel will be done, and you can get married at our house."

Bella was still in shock to find out that Edward was related to the town's doctor and his wife.

"We don't know yet."

"Is your hand okay?" Carlisle asked, noticing the ice. "Do you wanna come down to the hospital and make sure it's not fractured?"

"It's fine," she said. "Thank you, Dr. Cullen."

"It's no trouble, Bella."

"Dr. Cullen's always been there to patch her up," Charlie told him, unhelpfully.

"I said I'm fine," she said, not liking this conversation. "Dad, we need to get you taken care of."

"Okay, okay. Can we enjoy the rest of the day, please?"

Edward

Things had become complicated. Now that his uncle and aunt knew, his mom was likely to be reaching out to him.

Esme stole Bella away from the crowd, and he wondered how Bella was faring with his aunt's enthusiasm for a wedding that was never going to happen.

This was all too easy. Bella just seemed to fit. On paper, it was easy to imagine a wedding where the former police chief walked her down the aisle, where his aunt and uncle sat happily with his mom and witnessed their nuptials.

He'd never imagined getting married again—let alone becoming involved with another woman.

Still, the ring sat on his finger. She hadn't said a word about it as she wore a ring of her own to call it an engagement. Nobody questioned it. And Nessie would've been delighted. She would have enjoyed this whole event.

When all eyes were on the display of fireworks over the water, Edward held Bella close. They were acting as though they were a couple. Now, with his aunt and uncle involved he was going to have to come clean with them. Carlisle had recognized the ring, and when Esme hugged him, it was more than a congratulatory hug—it was a confirmation of new love, the joy that he'd finally been able to move on. How on earth was he going to tell them the truth? Especially now when Esme was so excited. But, he couldn't risk Esme telling his mom because that would only dig him a deeper hole to crawl out of.

Then, how was Bella going to break the news to Charlie? That there would be no wedding. She lay her head against his chest, and it felt normal and natural for her to be there, but what would happen when this was over? Would they simply go back to being friends? This whole idea seemed ludicrous now.

It started off as a favor…but Edward hadn't realized what he'd gotten himself into—they'd fooled everyone. The truth would be too hard to bear for Charlie and his aunt and uncle. None of this was real, but at that moment, Edward wanted it to be.

A/N: So some feelings are coming up for Edward and Bella. What is in store for these two? I'd love to express a very warm thanks to my beta EdwardsFirstKiss for all her fabulous help. And many thanks to you for reading, following, and especially to the reviewers. I appreciate you all and hope to hear from you!