SO. This is it..

BIG, elaborate thank you to my Momma Bear: Rita01tx for everything 3

The Beard

Chapter 21

EPOV

My heart was hammering in my chest but I had no idea why. Why on earth would I be nervous to see my own family?

I've missed them all terribly while I was in Seattle but, now that it was finally time to face them again, my stomach felt jittery. Maybe it was because, by now, my mom would have told everyone I was bringing Bella with me. Mom would've told the Denalis, too. The Denalis probably told Tanya and, truth be told, I had no fucking clue what she was going to do or say. Not that I really cared unless she tried to hurt my Kissabella.

Taking a deep breath in and out, I opened my eyes and felt ready to face the music.

I led Bella from the plane, out of the gate and down to the space I'd agreed to meet my father.

"So, do I just call him Mr. Cullen or do I call him Dr. Cullen?" Bella asked nervously. She'd been rattling non-stop so I guess my girl was a little nervous, as well.

"Just call him, Carlisle, baby," I sighed and kissed her temple.

"I can't do that, Edward. The man's a medical legend!" she gasped and I couldn't help but giggle at her exaggerated opinion of my father.

Just when I wanted to plant one on her, his black Mercedes pulled up to the curb.

I smiled widely when Dad rolled down the window on the passenger's side, flashing us his equally wide grin.

"Hey, kids. You ordered a taxi?" he called out.

Gee, Dad. Lame much?

"Hi, Dad," I muttered and pulled Bella close to my side. She was looking fabulously cute and nervous, her cheeks flushed.

"Get in before you get frostbite," he said, unlocking the doors from the inside.

I rolled our suitcases to the trunk of the car, opened it, and threw our stuff inside.

"You're being awfully quiet, Kissabella," I murmured, sneaking a little kiss.

I offered to let her ride shotgun but she kindly gave up the seat to me, shuffling inside onto the back seat.

"Hi, Mr. Cullen. Very nice to meet you and thank you so much for picking us up," she said to my father, a polite and eager smile on her face.

My dad tsk'ed and turned halfway in his seat, the leather creaking at the movement.

"Isabella, Mr. Cullen —bless his heart, has been six feet under for over a decade. It's Carlisle, sweetheart," Dad assured her.

I rolled my eyes at Bella as if to say 'I told you so'. She just giggled and fastened her seatbelt.

"Okay, Carlisle," she beamed. "But only if you call me Bella."

"Bella it is! Now, let's get our youngsters home. Everyone's so excited to meet you, dear!"

The ride home was extremely fun as my dad continued to ask me questions about school and the hospital. He told me right away we weren't the same kind of doctors and urged me to follow where my heart led me. Dad had always insisted I pursue my own dream and not let people talk me into anything I didn't want to do. I thanked him greatly for that.

He asked Bella questions about her thesis, as well, and congratulated her on graduating early telling her it took great commitment and a lot of hard work to get where she was now.

As we drove up the driveway, Bella gasped and I looked at her.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Whoa, this house!" she exclaimed excitedly.

There was my little architect.

I'd never looked at my home through another person's eyes before. It was just always my house; that's all there was to it. It was a beautiful house nonetheless: glass everywhere and wood alongside steel. It was a work of art…one that gave my parents many a sleepless night while it was under construction.

"Do you like it?" I asked Bella, wrapping one free arm around her waist as I rolled my suitcase to the house. Dad opened the garage and walked over with her suitcase.

"Do I like it? You're kidding, right? Who wouldn't like this? Scratch that…I love it! It's so unconventional and incredible!" she gushed, her brown eyes twinkling.

"Thank you, dear, but save some of the pep-talk for my wife. This house has her heart stashed away in it somewhere," Dad chuckled.

We walked inside together, my father leading the way telling Bella all about the house and the story behind every piece of art on display.

Loud laughter from inside the living room alerted me to the presence of my eldest brother, Emmett. I smiled immediately when I laid eyes on him.

"Mom, you're baby's home!" he yelled at the top of his lungs, standing up from his spot on the couch next to Rosalie.

"Yeah, nice to see you too, Hulk," I groused when Emmett threw an arm around me and messed up my hair.

Gah, Emmett. How old are you?

"You must be Isabella," Emmett surmised, wiggling his brows as he walked over to my girl. She smiled at my dork of a brother who went in for the typical tackle and lung-crashing hug. I swear, I could hear her squeal a little.

"Bella, actually," she told him when he finally let go of her. He smiled like a fool and introduced her to Rosalie, his wife.

"Really nice to meet you," she told Bella and went in for the more polite half-hug. They were so physical with each other, they probably never considered not everyone was open to hugs. My girl didn't seem to mind, though.

"Wow, you're so pretty," Bella said, gushing over Rosalie who laughed loudly and thanked her.

"Edward, keep bringing her around. It's doing wonders for my ego," she joshed.

"Babe, Your ego does not need any wonders or any help," Emmett huffed.

"A woman likes to hear, buffoon," she retorted, hitting him over the head.

Just when I thought the kids were about to throw the sandbox over each other, my mother walked in looking polished and coiffed to the nines. Her caramel hair was in a half-updo, her smile infectious.

"Edward, baby, I'm so glad you're here." Her hug was one only a mother could give…warm, loving and powerful.

"Mom, this is Bella —my girlfriend. I believe you two have met?" I said, turning her attention to Bella who waved sweetly at my mother and, since she was Emmett Cullen's mother—she went in for a hug, as well.

"So nice to see you again, honey. I knew you were something special the moment I met you," Mom said, making Bella blush slightly.

"So, Mom. All your kids are off the market, now. Are you happy?" Emmett wondered, crossing his arms in front of his chest as he flashed his dimples at her.

"I'm happy when my children are happy, Son," she replied simply.

"Do you guys want to go freshen up before dinner?" Dad asked and I nodded furiously.

"Carlisle, go help them with their stuff. Emmett, you can set the table before Alice and Jasper get here," Mom ordered with the authority of an Army drill instructor.

Suddenly, the house was in motion and it felt like I'd never left. We might all be grown-ups, now, but I still loved our family deeply.

Ushering Bella up two flights of stairs to my bedroom, I grinned as my dad rambled on about the view of the trees and the way the sun filtered through the windows perfectly in the morning. She didn't seem to mind his jibber-jabber, instead, going along with the conversation.

"Okay, kids. I think dinner will be ready in about an hour tops. Es has been preparing everything and was just waiting for you to get home so she could swing her lasagna into the oven," Dad informed us and I almost started salivating at the thought of my mom's lasagna.

"The one with zucchini?" I questioned.

"The very one, Son," he chuckled.

Dad left us alone to unpack and settle in the room, which I was glad about. It gave me a little privacy with my girl in this house full of my siblings.

"A lot of people are totally in love with you, Edward Cullen," she crooned, nestling her fingers in my hair and giving me a little massage. I may have actually purred.

"You're the only one who matters, though," I responded, lifting my shoulders in a shrug.

"You can't say stuff like that, Doucheward. Your family is amazing," she chided, stopping mid-massage. I definitely pouted.

"I know and I love them, too, but I love you more," I confided with a wink.

We unpacked our suitcases and moved our stuff into my walk-in. After that, Bella jumped onto my bed, her hair fanning around her head on the pillow.

"This bed is heavenly," she moaned, stretching like a tired lioness.

"It is, especially with you in it." I walked over to caress the sliver of bare skin revealed when she stretched her arms over her head. My Bella was all soft, smooth, alabaster skin.

"Oh, Romeo…" she giggled when I started hiking up her shirt even more.

"We need to shower quickly, baby. I wouldn't want to keep my mom waiting, especially with my brother's mind continually in the gutter," I smirked.

We got ready in record time and I managed to keep my hands somewhat to myself while I showered with Bella. She did give me head, though, and I was told not to touch her since she wanted to thank me. Who was I to argue with that? My girl would be getting her fair share of pleasure when we got back later.

Bella dressed in a pair of army green skinny jeans and a white hoodie while I just threw on some denim and a navy Henley.

Meanwhile, Jasper and Alice had arrived and I could hear the women arguing about fashion and the fact that pastel mint was going to be big in spring again. I rolled my eyes and entwined my fingers with Bella's as we approached the open kitchen.

Mom was busy with the oven, all the while coordinating with my dad and Emmett on what should go where on the table.

"You must be Bella." Alice came up to us and put a hand on Bella's shoulder lovingly. Her black hair was shorter than usual, framing her sharp jawline and complementing her blue eyes.

"Hi, yeah. I've heard a lot about you," Bella replied.

I sat down at the table next to my brother, Jasper. He looked well even with his hair pulled into one of those hipster man-buns.

"What's with the glasses?" I wondered and rolled up my sleeves.

"I'm getting old, Edward. It's the circle of life," he laughed and pushed the thick, silver frames higher up his nose.

Bella and Alice were hitting it off, as I knew they would. My girl asked Alice all sorts of questions about her designing and pronounced that architecture and fashion weren't that far off each other. Alice loved that. Then again, what was not to love about Isabella Swan?

Dinner was lovely as my mother managed to raise her zucchini lasagna to the next level. Bella was constantly complimenting everyone at the table and my siblings shot me winks and glances every time she said something funny or adorable.

I know, guys. She's pretty amazing.

The topics of conversation seemed to shift every few minutes but it wasn't until Emmett was scraping the last remnants of the lasagna onto his plate that the dreaded words came out of his mouth.

"Bells," he started, dubbing her with a new nickname already. "You do know about the snake that's going to drop in on the Christmas party, right?"

That got Bella's attention right away, making her set down her glass of red wine in the process. Her cheeks were tinged a light pink and I could see she was regretting that third glass my dad poured for her.

"You're talking about Tanya, right?" she asked and looked at me, grasping my hand underneath the table. "Yeah, I know all about her. Edward told me what happened and how she basically threw his entire reputation in the garbage."

"Damn right, she did," Emmett snorted.

"Language, Emmett Cullen," Mom spat at him, rolling her eyes at her eldest son.

"I'm so glad you're here. She won't know what hit her when you show up with that beautiful woman on your arm," Rosalie chipped in.

"She's a total skank, anyway," Mom said, surprising us all with her harsh words. "I overheard her mother talking to one of her friends the other day. Tanya and her husband were coming to stay with them for the holidays but, apparently, she wanted to come alone."

"Is she really still married to that old dude?" Jasper asked. Mom nodded and went on with her gossip. I could tell she'd had a little too much wine, as well.

"Garrett was away on business almost the entire month of November. Tanya threw a fit so big, he spent almost half a million dollars getting back on her good side," Mom sighed.

Classic Tanya, I thought to myself.

"Poor guy," Alice laughed.

"We actually have something to tell you," I announced, looking at Bella who had her brows furrowed questioningly.

"Whoa. Don't tell me you've knocked her up, already?!" Emmett boomed, earning a well deserved smack in the arm by Rosalie.

"No, dude. Come on…be serious for a minute," I hissed.

"Well, we actually started out together as a ploy to prove a point to our exes," I started to explain. Bella groaned beside me, hiding her face in her hands.

I told them everything with Bella jumping in occasionally to expand the story a bit further since I wasn't telling it the right way —according to her.

"Why would you want to prove anything to those kinds of people?" Rosalie shook her head in disbelief.

"Don't ask me. Somewhere along the way, I forgot the reason why. Or, shall I say, it became completely unimportant," Bella giggled.

"Girl just had the hots for my brother, Rose. I mean, who better than you can understand the charm of a Cullen?" he said, kissing her knuckles dramatically.

"Yeah, well. Plan, deal, pact or not…Tanya is going to be surprised to see you, anyway," Mom said matter-of-factly.

"How so?" Dad asked.

I loved how everyone was getting so involved in this conversation.

"Well, word is out that little Miss Tanya was spreading nasty rumors. I might have revealed the truth about her cheating on my son in the country club."

Oh, Esme Cullen. You little trickster.

"No one messes with my family, Edward. Especially not with your mother's children," Dad defended her.

"Oh, my. You're Super Mom!" Alice exclaimed.

We talked some more about the upcoming party and Alice managed to remind the girls that she had some dresses ready.

"How do you know my size?" Bella asked her, dumbfounded.

"I didn't but I do now. It only takes one look, Bella. I can tell what you're hiding underneath that hoodie and you shouldn't' be hiding it in the first place. You have a lovely figure," she replied, smiling at my girl who blushed, of course.

We said goodbye to everyone after dinner since Emmett had a client coming to pick up his new car. One that Rosalie had worked nights on so they were expecting a hefty tip or recommendation.

My parents retreated to the living room to watch one of those serial killer documentaries. They asked if we wanted to join them but I lied, telling them we were too tired and wanted to go get some rest.

The look my father gave Mom was enough to tell me they didn't buy that excuse one bit but they seemed to respect our privacy and told us to have good night.

"You have the loveliest family, Edward," Bella sighed as she pulled off her hoodie and unbuttoned her jeans. "And, damn, your mother can cook a mean lasagna. I think I gained five pounds just from staring at it."

"You little drama queen," I mused, stepping behind her to push the jeans down her hips.

"What are you doing?" she giggled when I sank down to my knees to pull them off all the way, leaving kisses where the fabric bared her luscious legs.

"Thinking about laundry rooms and black lace," I whispered to the soft skin of her thighs, taking in the sight of her heather grey thong.

"You don't like cotton, then?" she teased, looking down at me as she fingered the hem of her underwear.

"It looks great on you but it looks even better on the floor," I hummed.

I made Bella strip completely naked before allowing her to get onto the bed and crawled over her when she did.

"Why are you still dressed?" she whined softly after I kissed her deeply.

"Because this is all about you, now," I crooned against her neck, sucking the skin.

"Why?" my girl sighed and let her head fall back against the soft, downy pillows.

"Because I want to thank you for being you," I told her, sincerely.

I nudged Bella's legs apart and started trailing kisses all over her knees and thighs until she was trembling with anticipation. I settled between her legs and pulled her closer to me.

"So fucking sexy," I murmured when I looked up at her. Her back was slightly arched, her nipples hard and her eyes hooded and dark. My girl was looking forward to this, I could tell.

My fingers grazed her wetness and I swear I groaned when I heard her soft whimper. Something about Kissabella in my old bed, in my room here with me, brought out a mile-wide possessive streak.

"This is all mine, Kissabella," I groaned, sliding a finger inside her and she arched into my hand. "From the top of your head to your glorious pussy, down to your toes…all mine."

Bella hummed in appreciation when I curled my fingers upwards to hit her sweet spot.

"I just want to kiss you everywhere but I guess I'll have to start here," I said and dropped down to place a kiss on her clit. She shuddered beneath me, all soft moans and little noises.

I started working on her, adding another finger inside her, thrusting them exactly the way I knew she loved it while my tongue teased her clit.

"Fucking hell," she cursed when I nipped her sensitive flesh gently with my teeth. I smiled against her pussy, her taste so sweet and the feeling of power I had over her right now almost overwhelming.

Bella gripped my hair in an attempt to get me even closer so I pulled away my fingers and thrust my tongue inside her. Her moans grew louder and I had to remind my girl that we weren't alone in this house, even though my folks were downstairs.

Her blush spread out over her chest and her breathing turned shallow as she held my hair in a death-grip.

"Please", she pleaded, her voice hoarse and slightly shaking. "So good, oooh."

Feeling very proud of myself, I got back to business, flicking her clit with my tongue until she cried out and arched her back even more, her hips moving on their own.

"Fuuuck," she drawled breathlessly when she orgasmed and I gave her slit one last, long lick, causing her body to jerk upright so she could push me away.

"Here…now," she ordered, pushing me down on the bed, her hands flying to get rid me of the remainder of my clothing that stood between us.

She sank down on my cock, the warmth, tightness and just the feeling of Bella overpowering my senses.

"Oh, baby," I groaned when she started moving her hips against me, causing the most perfect amount of friction as she steadied herself with her hands on my shoulders.

I gripped her hips and started moving in tune with her, meeting her movements, my eyes rolling back in my head from pure and utter pleasure.

This isn't going to take long, I thought when my mouth found one of her hard nipples. I bit it lightly and Bella moaned, moving harder, riding my dick like her life depended on it.

"God, you feel so fucking good," I babbled, the smile on my face lazy and full of love for this woman.

"I love you," she breathed, the sensation in the pit of my stomach only intensifying until I knew I wasn't going to last a moment longer.

"Baby, I'm…" I grunted but she shushed me expertly by kissing the ever-loving fuck out of me before I emptied myself inside of her.

—TB—

Two days came and went before the big Christmas party was upon us. Alice had sneaked Bella, Rose and Mom away for a girls day, meaning they were going to try on clothes and spend the remainder of the time on hair, makeup and gossip. Bella was looking forward to spending time with the female half of my family, although she was still a bit nervous about it.

I pulled my dad aside after we went and got our suits. My mom was against renting anything so she'd decided to treat the four of us to brand new, three-piece suits. It seemed a bit much to me but, somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew my girl was going to love this little dress-up party. Knowing Alice and her skills, Bella was going to show up looking nothing less than a showstopper and I wanted to at least try to look worthy of having her on my arm.

I hadn't thought about Tanya all day until her father's car drove up to the club's parking lot later in the evening. Cullens being Cullens, we had arrived a tad early and accompanied my father to the bar for a little pre-party drink.

Dad swirled the whiskey around in his glass before taking a sip and slapping on a smile to greet Tanya's father leaving Jasper, Emmett and me to fend for ourselves.

"Man," Emmett nudged my shoulder, alerting me to where he was staring at the large, oak arch over the bar's entry.

I looked over Jasper's shoulder, spotting a mop of platinum blonde hair and the shortest dress I'd ever seen outside of dirty rap music videos. Tanya sure knows how to garner attention, I thought, noticing a lot of the men present shoot her a disapproving look. Most of these people have known her since she was a little girl but she wasn't a little girl anymore and it showed but not in a good way. High end or not, I was sure she'd found that dress in the children's aisle.

Gold, shimmering and skin tight, it totally clashed with her skin tone —the clearly botched spray tan she seemed to wear with pride.

I tried to look away but Emmett's laughter after Jasper's observation that she looked like a fancy goldfish got Tanya's attention. In her sky-high, strappy sandals, she strutted her way over to us, throwing her pin straight hair over one shoulder.

"Cullens," she greeted before looking at me. "Edward, how are you?"

Her smile was too sweet and entirely fake as she raked her eyes all over my body.

"Good, thanks," I muttered and took a swig of my vodka soda.

"Didn't you bring your boyfriend tonight?" she sneered, laughing like a Disney hyena from The Lion King.

Emmett turned such an angry shade of red, I thought he was going to throw her out of the nearest window.

"You sure didn't bring yours. What happened…wheelchair get stuck in a pile of dollar bills?" Jasper shot at her.

Tanya arched a thin brow in his direction.

"You need your older brothers to help you out now, do you?" she snapped at me.

"Too bad you're being like this…" she mused, checking out her expensive manicure. "I might have taken you back if you'd been somewhat civil tonight."

Just as I snorted at her accusation, the world seemed to stop spinning for a minute and my heart was suddenly pounding in my ears.

There she was, my girl, alongside Alice, Rose and my mother.

She was beyond beautiful wearing a sleeveless emerald dress that clung to her body like a tailored glove. Her lovely girls were pushed up slightly, her waist cinched in. The dress was tight all the way to the waist and then flowed down to the floor in delicate layers. She looked perfect with her dark hair pushed to one side held in place by bejeweled clips.

"Duuude," Emmett whispered in my ear, adding an elbow shot to my ribs.

Tanya was still standing with us but no one was paying her any attention. Our women were absolute goddesses and I was suddenly glad to be wearing this suit.

Bella walked over to me with a big smile on her face which only faltered a half-step when she took in the blonde snake in front of us.

Giving her a reassuring nod, I pushed Tanya out of the way so I could hug and kiss my girl.

I nuzzled Bella's neck, drowning in the heavenly perfume she wore, and entwined her fingers with mine before bringing them up to my lips for a gentle kiss.

"You look…" I shook my head. I literally had no words.

"Help me out, will you?" Bella asked and opened her little, silver purse. My smile was even bigger when she revealed the necklace I'd given her for her birthday and asked me to put it on her.

"That's her?" she whispered carefully when I clasped the lock on her necklace and brushed my hands down her bare arms.

"Yeah," I replied and spun her around, planting one on her enthusiastically. Bella giggled against my lips.

"Kissabella, you make me the happiest man alive. Honestly, you're absolutely perfect." I was turning into one sappy little bitch but I couldn't help it.

"She asked me where my boyfriend was, just now," I told Bella. She snorted and pulled up one eyebrow.

"She ain't seen nothing yet," she assured me.

—TB—

The evening went far better than I'd expected with my family around the round table enjoying the Christmas feast and the band playing our favorite classics. I'd never been a big fan of golf but my father's friends sure knew how to throw a party.

My father led Alice swiftly onto the dancefloor, twirling her around while Jasper rolled his eyes.

"Would you like to dance, Kissabella?" I asked, my lips grazing her temple.

"No, I'm good. Thanks," she replied. Smiling, she rested her head against my shoulder.

This was better than anything.

This was everything.

Hours passed and soon many of the guests were gone and I was slightly buzzed on champagne. Inhibitions faded, moods shifted and I found myself pushing Bella up against a door somewhere in the corridor near the entrance to the club. We were both breathing heavily and Bella leaned onto the doorknob so hard, the door flew open and I landed on top of her.

We laughed uproariously before realizing this was the coat room. Bella giggled a her head got stuck inside some lady's fur coat and I messed up her lipstick by kissing her even harder.

"We *kiss* might *kiss* get *kiss* caught," she managed to gasp.

I didn't care. Not anymore.

"Shut up and kiss me," I demanded, pulling her upright and into my arms. Coats rattled as I picked her up and she swung her legs around my waist, leaning against the coat rack.

"Fuck me," she whispered against my lips. I almost lost my shit right then and there.

My hands wandered under the fabric of my girl's dress finding no outline on her ass.

"No fucking panties?" I groaned against her lips.

"I took them off in the bathroom when Rose told me I had panty-lines," she said without a care in the world.

"When the fuck was that?"

"About four hours ago, horndog," she giggled and kissed me again. I growled into her mouth, my tongue attacking hers with passion I didn't even know I had.

Introducing Edward Cullen, the Horny Drunk.

"We need something steadier than this coat rack, Cullen," Bella muttered, clinging to my body.

I agreed and carried her to the right-hand wall, relishing the tight grip of her legs on my waist. She was right there, grinding herself all over my hard cock, taunting me.

"I need you," I murmured and, of course, she agreed she needed me, too.

Somehow, I got my pants undone and Bella's dress hiked up all the way around her waist. The excess fabric was working on my nerves and I was this close to ripping it to shreds. I couldn't, of course.

"Edward," Bella moaned against my neck after teasing the skin with her lips and teeth.

Suddenly, the door was flung open, the lights from the hallway illuminating our less than appropriate position. I heard a gasp and suddenly felt self-conscience that the person standing in the doorway had an excellent view of my bare ass. Bella cursed with a loud 'fuck' and I whipped my head over my shoulder spotting Tanya who seemed to be nailed to the ground.

"What the fuck," she screeched and stormed away. My alcoholic haze evaporated and I eased Bella down to the floor as gently as I could.

"Oh, God," Bella groaned, pacing around the small space, hugging herself.

"It's okay, baby," I said, trying to calm her down.

She suddenly started laughing.

"What is it with us and utility rooms at parties?"

"Yeah, well…if she really thought I was gay, that surely set the record straight," I laughed. "Straight…get it?"

"Edward, did you know she was coming in here?" Bella demanded, arching a brow at me.

"Baby, come on. I thought you were going to be coming in here," I replied, slyly. I couldn't have planned this even if I'd wanted to.

"In any case, now that she's ruined a perfectly good make-out session, let's get out of here," I said, zipping my pants back up and smoothing my girl's dress. We could continue this later.

"There you guys are," Alice complained, sighing deeply. "We've been waiting for you to take a picture together."

She waved her phone into our faces and Bella blushed a scarlet red.

"Yeah, great idea, Alice!" my father said, swinging an arm around my mom and kissing her gently.

We piled up together in front of the gazebo in the flower garden while Alice managed to get one of the other guests to take our picture.

"I love you guys," Rosalie exclaimed, throwing her hands around Emmett's neck, embracing him tightly for another picture. I felt Bella lean her head against my shoulder and I kissed her temple just the flash of the phone went off again. This was going to be some picture. I loved it already.

The rest of the night was an absolute success. The fundraiser dinner brought in about a quarter of a million dollars and I had a good case of the warm and fuzzies. Insisting a lady can never refuse a gentleman asking her hand for a dance, Emmett dragged Bella out onto the dancefloor. He just wasn't the kind of gentleman I am. I laughed as I watched him twirl her around in a twist, her smile lighting a fire inside me.

I wanted that feeling forever. I needed it.

"Mom?" I called out. My mother turned her head in my direction and sank down into Bella's now empty chair.

"Tell me, Edward. Do you love her?" she asked, her green eyes mirroring mine perfectly.

"I do," I swore.

"What do you want to ask me, my baby?" Smoothing down a stray strand of my hair, she caressed my jaw. Dad came to sit next to her, his arm draped around her shoulders as he watched our conversation.

"I…ah." I was interrupted as Emmett brayed loudly behind me, leading Bella forward.

"Your little dancer is back, Edward," he chortled.

Mom frowned at him in agitation, seeing as he'd cut us off mid heart-to-heart.

"Come outside with me, baby girl," I whispered in Bella's ear.

We walked back to the little gazebo and I draped my suit jacked over her shoulders. It was winter, after all, and the air was icy cold. Bella's nose was a little red from the cold and she sniffed, scrunching her face up in an adorable way.

"Dance with me." I held out my hand for her and she surprised me by taking it.

"There's no music here, Piano Man," she chuckled.

I just started swaying us back and forth, enjoying the silence of the night around us. The yard was empty except for the occasional smoker coming out for a cigarette.

"This is so romantic," Bella mused, her dark eyes twinkling in the fairy lights strung around the wrought iron roof of the gazebo.

"I love you," I said, leaning my forehead against hers.

"I love you, too," she responded, a wide smile on her face.

"Forever?" I asked.

"Longer, please," she replied playfully, cuddling her face into my neck.

I sighed deeply. This is too early. This is too soon. But I couldn't hold it any longer.

"Let's just start with forever. We'll see when you want to get rid of me," I chuckled.

"Probably never," Bella shrugged.

"Kissabella?" Her head shot up, her eyes meeting mine.

"Marry me," I blurted.

I could hear her gasp but I'd closed my eyes for fear of rejection.

"Oh, my God. What?" she whispered.

We'd stopped swaying by now and I simply held her and she held me.

"Marry me," I said again a little louder, searching her gaze for clues.

"In a heartbeat," she exclaimed with a grin and pulled me down to kiss her.

THE END…or is it?

I want to thank each and every one of you for reading my first fanfiction story -EVER. It's been such a fun experience and to see and read all of your reviews and rec's for this story just warms my soul.

I don't have enough words to express my gratitude, but I will tell you one thing: this isn't the last you'll see of me. Maybe Kissabella and Doucheward will return -but they'd have to talk to me first.

If you're ready for more from me, feel free to check out my other fics :D
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Until next time

xo,

PF