Edward

Sounds like someone is ready for some wedding planning.

The cat was out of the bag. And since his mom had reached out to Esme about their visit, his aunt had been relentless. At first, he didn't think his mother approved of Bella, but after he'd played his newest composition— an upbeat little song that had just emerged after he'd woken up—his mom had grabbed Bella by the arm and held her tightly. It should have come as no surprise that his mother would get on the phone right away with her sister and share the details of the visit.

And the "I love you's"... they'd said them in front of his mother. Edward had never anticipated that. Yet, he found himself grinning at work, unable to concentrate on the file before him. He wanted to text Bella, wanted to call her just to hear her voice, wanted to announce it to the world. He loved Bella. And she loved him. She'd said the words out loud in front of the very stiff Elizabeth Masen and in front of Renesmee too…and Edward thought he would melt at the declaration. It shouldn't have come as a surprise since she'd said it a number of times in her sleep, but not only had she said it while awake but had spoken those three words in front of the two most important people in his life. Edward texted Esme instead.

We're not quite there, Auntie.

But you said I love you, in front of your mom. That's a big deal, Edward!

Yes, I realize that. But, we're still taking our time.

Your mother said you weren't wearing your wedding ring.

That's true. He had come a long way, but still he didn't want to add any more fuel to the wedding planning fire.

Come on, Edward. Charlie still thinks you're engaged. Throw your auntie a bone.

We're going to let Charlie believe that for now while he's getting his treatments.

Charlie decided against the chemo route and though Bella had given him many options, he agreed to be seen by an acupuncturist and a massage therapist. Together with guidance on nutrition and tai chi, he'd been making a difference that even surprised Carlisle. Bella knew that Charlie now had more to live for. Edward had mentioned introducing him to Renesmee, but Bella had skirted around it, which bothered Edward. Given their current circumstances, why wouldn't Bella want to introduce Nessie to Charlie?

Fine for now, Edward. But I want to see Ness. We're overdue for shopping and I miss her so badly.

That must've satisfied Esme for now, but he wondered about taking Ness for a visit to see her aunt and uncle.

At least now he would use this as an excuse to text Bella.

Are you busy this weekend? My aunt is threatening to kidnap Nessie, and I thought about bringing her to Forks for a visit.

I'm swamped, Edward. I have to get the final draft of my book to my editor, and complete the finishing touches on the last 3 videos. Plus, after next week, I'm on tour again.

On tour again. He knew this was coming, and he knew she had demands from her professional life, but she'd become like air to him. What would happen once she got on the road again?

Sounds like we have a lot to discuss. Can we meet for dinner?

The text didn't come back right away. I would love to.

Bella

She'd been so grateful for this reprieve over these last 5 weeks, for this break from being on tour, and now she was diving right back into it—ready or not. Bella honestly didn't know how she would manage this time.

Was there a balance that could satisfy her professional and personal obligations?

Was that what Edward had become? An obligation?

Bella met him halfway at a seafood restaurant, and knotted her fingers as she was led to a table beside a window. Edward rose and took Bella into his arms as the young hostess set down another place setting for her and announced that their server would arrive to take their order.

Bella breathed in that scent of his after shave and rested her head against his shoulder, wanting just to stay there before he pulled away and held out her chair for her to sit. She toyed with the idea of skipping dinner altogether…

"You look good enough to eat," Edward said, echoing her thoughts.

Looking down at her simple white dress, she met his gaze. "Same." A blush sat on her cheeks as she imagined unbuttoning his shirt and allowing her hands to roam freely through his chest hairs.

"Bella…I don't know how to say this." His gaze shot down.

Her heart skipped a beat. "Say what?"

"I know you're going on tour again, but I don't know how I'm going to go so long without seeing you."

She took his hands in hers. "I was thinking the same thing."

Sure, they had their phones and the option for video calls, but this wasn't the type of relationship to engage in when everything was so new and fresh. Not when she wanted his body nightly.

Edward didn't let go of her hand for most of the meal, and by the time they left the restaurant, their bodies were desperate for connection. Edward followed Bella to her home, and once curled up against him in her bed, she felt that dread again at his departure.

She ran her nails along the hairs on his forearm, and his lips dotted the bottom of her neck. Bella smiled and turned her head to meet his mouth with hers, falling into another session where her body fused with his.

Their lovemaking kept them up past midnight, and Edward sat up in bed, rubbing his eyes.

"You're leaving? Work, right."

"I wish I could call in but my schedule is full today." It looked like it pained him to say it, and he took her hand and kissed her knuckles. "I would love nothing more than to stay here in bed with you."

She couldn't imagine anything better. "Edward…how are we going to do this? We haven't talked about it."

"I don't know, Bella. I'm obligated to work on the weekdays, as you know."

No, he can't quit his job for you, dummy, her mind told her. Do you think this lawyer would go on the road with you?

"I…can try to fly up after my conferences…I'll talk to Angela about doing some rearranging."

"I can come see you too, depending on where you are. What the weekends permit."

That was comforting, but what about Renesmee? Bella imagined Renesmee watching or attending behind the scenes. "You and Ness will have unlimited VIP seating."

Edward smiled. "She'll be very excited to hear that."

"We can make it work, Edward. Totally."

The following weekend she was scheduled to leave for Sedona to kick off her first inner child tour. An interview with a radio station was to follow. She loved the spiritual energy in Sedona and was looking forward to it, despite being further away from Edward. With Nessie staying with Alice again for the night, he showed up Friday evening, they had dinner together and she was grateful for being able to wake up in his arms the next morning.

Her eyes fluttered open, and light streamed in through the window. Their lovemaking had gone into the night by the time their bodies had had enough of each other. She awoke hours later and turned to him, admiring the planes of his cheeks, the sharp jawline, the bushy eyebrows. And those lips…she pressed hers to his, and he responded to her quickly, taking his place on top of her…but the chime from her doorbell pulled her attention away.

"Who's that?" Edward mumbled, looking at the clock.

It was past 9, but she couldn't imagine who would be showing up at her door. Didn't everyone know she'd be flying out?

"I have no idea." She grabbed her little pink robe off the chair and tied the belt around her waist. "Give me a minute. Whoever it is, I'll get rid of them."

"Or…you can just stay in bed with me and pretend they're not there."

She kissed him on the nose. "I'll be right back."

"Famous last words," he shouted, and she giggled.

She sighed as she approached the door and the chime sounded again. "Coming. Coming." Bella peeked through the peephole, and her entire body froze when she saw who it was on the other side of the door. Her heart pounded loudly, and she held tight to the doorknob. What the hell?

The voice on the other side of the door was not just going to go away. "Bella? Open up. Mommy's here."

Oh no. Mommy. Renee had already heard Bella's voice, so it was too late to pretend. Bella wished she had put in one of those Ring doorbells, to say she was somewhere else and her mother wouldn't be any wiser.

She cracked open the door, finding her mother there, holding a basket of fruit. Her eyes were narrowed as she stared down at the little statue of Buddha with a frown on her lips. "Mom, what are you doing here?"

"Surprise!" Renee's face lit up. "Aren't you going to let your mother in?"

"Mom…" Bella stood, looking at her, trying to think of an excuse…any excuse.

"Can't your mother come see her only child? It's been months."

For a reason. Bella held the door open and gestured her inside, feeling the dread well up from her toes. Renee took Bella into her arms and rocked her. "My baby. I missed you so much! Oh!"

Oh. Edward. And now her mother was here.

"Who's this handsome man, wearing almost nothing?"

Bella looked at Edward, but he was wearing a white t-shirt and shorts. Next to nothing…

"Hi," he said, coming toward her. "I'm Edward. I'm…"

"He's a friend, Mom. Edward. My friend."

His brows pulled together, he was about to say more but closed his mouth.

"So, what's your friend doing here so early in the morning? Bella, did he spend the night with you?" Renee leaned in closer. "Are you having intercourse with him?" she whispered.

Bella's mouth fell open and she faltered. What was it with her parents and their ability to make her feel 16 years old? "Mom, whatever he is doing here is not any of your business. I am an adult. I make my own decisions."

Renee shook her head. "I don't have to remind you about what the Bible says about premarital sex."

"Mom…just please. Stop. You know I don't believe that."

"Yes, Bella, I know. But God still loves you. There's hope for you, baby. I understand you and your friend here are actually engaged…according to your father."

She clapped her hand to her face. When in the heck had Charlie decided to spill this news?

"What? That's not even public knowledge…and not even the truth. We are just pretending so that Dad will get treatment for his cancer."

"Oh…" She handed the basket of fruit to Bella. "Lying, huh? AT least having sex with him didn't seem so bad if you were engaged. But now…"

"Mom…oh my…Okay, first things first. Why are you here?"

Bella led her mom to her living room and gestured for her to sit. "Well, I wanted to know if Charlie still had the photo albums from when you were a baby, and he told me the good news. Then Phil had the opportunity to give a sermon in Portland, so I took the opportunity to drive here and see you."

"You should have called, Mom. I'm very busy."

Renee's hands pressed against her thighs as she sat, and her gaze drifted up to the ceiling and then to Bella. "I know it. You are making these videos, and they go against God's word, and I wanted to talk to you about that too."

"I don't go against anybody, Mom. We've had this discussion. You have your beliefs and I have mine."

"Would you like some coffee, Ms…?" Edward asked, but he stopped.

"You can call me Mrs. Dwyer." Renee turned back to Bella. "And why is he making coffee, Bella? Does this young man stay here a lot?"

"Ms. Dwyer, I assure you I have the most honorable intentions toward your daughter."

"Honorable. Mmm…I'm sure if that were true, you would be wearing pants and not here at 9 in the morning."

"Oh. Jesus," Bella said.

Renee closed her eyes, pressing her lips together. "Do not take the Lord's name in…"

"Can we not do this right now? I actually have to get on a plane in a few hours, and Edward is going to drive me." This was a lie, but Bella liked the idea of it even if she'd already arranged transportation, she loved having more time to spend with him.

"Oh…I see."

"Tell me this, Edward. Is this relationship going anywhere? Or do you plan to keep using my daughter for sex?"

"I…love your daughter, Mrs. Dwyer, if you want the truth. And she loves me too."

Renee looked from Edward to Bella. "Is this true?"

Bella stood and took Edward's hand in his. "Not that I need your approval, Mom, but yes, I happen to love Edward. We are not engaged, but I would be the luckiest woman in the whole world if I were."

"I see."

"I am really glad you said that, Bella. Because I want you to marry me." Edward pulled a ring from his jacket pocket hanging on a chair. "I was waiting for the right time, but there's no time like the present." He knelt before her, and held open the ring box, and a shiny gold band with a princess cut diamond stared back at her.

"Edward…oh my…" She covered her open mouth with both hands. Here it was. She'd imagined that a proposal was a possibility but had pushed it away from her mind. Bella loved the idea of being married to Edward, officially calling Renesmee her daughter, even if it was only a formality, but she couldn't imagine how this could possibly work.

She did know one thing—that his smile ignited warmth in her heart. That he and Renesmee filled that hole in her life that made her feel like she was not enough by herself.

"So, are you just going to leave the poor guy kneeling there, Bella?" Renee asked with a smirk.

Bella wanted reassurance that this would work out, but it wasn't something he could give her. No, she was going to have to trust in the universe, her faith, his heart, their love.

"Yes, Edward, I'll marry you."

A/N: Okay, so did anyone imagine Renee as the super uptight Christian woman? (Okay, hopefully that did not offend anyone) Anyhow, many, many thanks to my beta EdwardsFIrstKiss for her amazing help with this chapter—she is much more with it than I am! So many thanks to you all for reading and especially to the reviewers. Love you all so much!