Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

To my dear IZZZYY, thank you. As always :) You're my own 'I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing' in a purely, platonic way (hehe..) Are you cringing now?

Thanks to the leaked pics, the sun is extra brighter today *grins* Shout-out to my chuva buddies, we're all still squeeing and perving over the pics haha. And also, thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter. I'm so overwhelmed you guys. Tight hugs to all to show my appreciation (esp since I sucked at replying, so sorry).

Chapter 21

Anthony is fucking doing it to me again.

With an exasperated sigh, Edward tried to mentally block the song that started playing in his head the moment he handed his car keys to the valet. This is so not the time for my opinionated and narcissistic dick to go crazy. Go away, Anthony. He expelled a breath and glanced furtively at Bella. They were walking towards the Four Seasons Hotel's entrance door, holding hands and both uncharacteristically quiet.

Except for the fucking song in his head that seemed to turn louder and louder as they neared the door.

"Holding Out For a Hero."

For some absurd reason, his loony dick considered it the best song to commemorate the event that would happen shortly.

What's not to like, boss? You fit the song to a T. You're exactly the man this husky voiced chick was shouting for. What you're about to do is heroic, and I'm only trying to help. You're nervous and you need an uplifting song. Come on, man, admit it. It's such a bad ass entrance song, even if it's kinda gay. But then again, I'm no homophobe and I embrace my inner Boy George.

Edward mentally groaned. Seriously, dipshit? You have an inner Boy George? Boy George? I'm about to do something important and you're distracting me with your inner Boy George? Fuck you, bastard!

Anthony had the gall to scoff back at him. Here we go again with the name calling. I am emotionally battered, boss. Name calling hurts. Like, a lot. I'm just keeping it real by saying that. Just like admitting I have an inner Boy George. There's nothing wrong with that.

"Edward?"

Ignoring his dick, Edward turned his full attention to the one reason he was willing to do what he was about to do. "Yes, babe?"

"I think we better not hold hands. If they see us like this, it'll pre-empt everything," Bella suggested, looking at their clasped hands.

He nodded in agreement and let go. Good thing his dick listened and had stopped the irritating song already. He could at least think clearly now without the annoying background music.

A full minute passed before their pesky hands were at it again.

So did Anthony and his must-give-my-boss-a-background-music-for-this-event mood. This time, though, it was "Eye of the Tiger."

Edward felt like he was being led to a fucking fight or something. For the love of God, just stop with the music, you crazy shit!

What? Boss, it's manlier, and yet so peppy!

Squeezing his eyes shut, Edward tried to calm himself. Fucktard, all I need from you is blessed silence. No fucking background music, however peppy you think it is! Shut. The. Fuck. Up!

Fine, but I have to say that silence will only make you more freaked out, boss. Whatever. You're on your own.

Edward and Bella mutually stopped the hand holding again when they walked inside the hotel lobby. Both wore expressions resembling a couple of five-year-olds caught eating cookies before dinnertime.

Although, it wasn't really cookies that you were eating again and again from the wee hours of the morning until it was time to go see Bella's family in their hotel, right boss? If I wasn't a secure dude, I would be jealous of Mr. Tongue and the Fingers and the amount of attention my Marie received from them.

Shut up. Edward nervously wiped his damp palms over his jean-clad thighs then glanced at Bella whose eyes were focused on the people sitting at the hotel's lounge. "I'll be the one to tell them, right?" he clarified. A couple of audible swallows punctuated the question.

To say he was nervous at the moment would be an understatement. I'm fucking terrified. Informing Bella's family about their present relationship...I'm not a wimp. I just don't want to fuck this up. He wasn't so sure he could look Charlie straight in the eye knowing what he had done, and planned to continue doing, to the man's pure and used-to-be innocent only daughter. And if Bella's protective father decided he wasn't the man he wanted for his daughter...Fuck. Charlie has to approve of me or all hell will break loose.

But witnessing Edward lose his shit would only fuel the older man's disapproval and dislike of him. I should have kept Bella's hymen intact. I should have done the wait-until-the-wedding-night thing and be considered 'The Gentleman Who Persevered Celibacy for Love.'

Edward wondered if there was a chastity belt for men. A belt won't do at all. Perhaps a chastity cock sock? That would make more sense.

Boss, celibacy and I are not friends. Not now, not ever. And I never get cold, 'cause I'm hot-blooded, so the sock is unnecessary. I don't need it. What I need, what we both need, is for you to stop feeling guilty already. You and Bella are adults. Hell, you're each other's 'I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing!' So what if you ravished your girlfriend a few hours ago? You love her. You love each other. There's a natural need to taste, pound and penetrate your loved one as many times as humanly possible. Besides, I'm pretty sure Marie loved my moves.

Let the sexually-charged penile gyrations begin.

Edward mentally rolled his eyes. What exactly had he done in his previous life that earned him the punishment of having a dick who thought he was a cross between Elvis and John Travolta with an inner Boy George?

I do have some pretty hot moves, boss, if I say so myself. Humpa, bumpa, thumpa...yeehaw!

"Yep," Bella confirmed with a nod.

The man with the psychotic dick slowed down his steps. Anthony, leave me the fuck alone! And what moves? You hardened, lengthened and twitched. That's all you can do, moron. I'm the one with the moves here, not you. "Do you think that's wise? I mean, they are your family."

"Dude, you volunteered," Bella reminded him pointedly, eyes still fixed on her parents.

I was also deeply inside you at that time and I was feeling so fucking good, I'd have volunteered to shave myself bald for you. "Right."

Boss, you are already bald where it counts the most. The twins feel the breeze and they love it.

"Where's Alice?" Bella asked, looking around. "She has to be here for this. I hope to God Jess kept her mouth shut about our announcement."

"Jess is with Tyler. I'm pretty sure they're busy doing their thing. Maybe Alice is still in her room?" Edward suggested while taking deep breaths to calm down. Now if his cock would cooperate and stop talking about his balls, well, that would be very much appreciated.

Bella throw him a concerned look. "Babe? Are you okay?"

She called me babe. Again. "I'm fine." He smiled like an idiot, Anthony's antics forgotten.

"Hmm. One minute you're inhaling and exhaling like you're in some Lamaze class, and the next you're smiling like a man who got lucky last night." Bella rolled her eyes. "My craziness is starting to rub on you already."

Edward's idiotic smile turned even wider. "Baby, I did get lucky, not last night, but this morning. Multiple times, too."

Bella blushed. "Cut it out."

"And Lamaze class? Are we getting ahead of ourselves here?" He teased. "Not that I mind. I love babies."

Bella completely stopped walking upon hearing her boyfriend's pronouncement. "Really?"

Stopping as well, Edward nodded. "Really."

"You love babies." Her voice was heavily-laced with the unspoken comment of "highly unlikely" in it.

"I love babies." Edward confirmed, facing Bella. "Especially babies made by us."

She melted. Aww, Daddy Edward and Mommy Bella. What a future to look forward to. "Me too."

Now they were both grinning like idiots as they gazed at each other.

An-tho-ny aaand Ma-rie sit-ting in a tree. F-U-C-K-I-N-G. Giggity.

Edward wisely ignored his crudely singing dick.

"Care to share the joke?"

Both turned to look at Ness, who stood a couple of feet away from them, arms crossed in front of her chest and eyeing both of them shrewdly.

"No joke," Bella replied, reluctantly taking her eyes off her boyfriend to look at her younger cousin, grin still intact.

"No joke, just serious stuff," Edward continued with his own crooked grin still very much on.

"For two people supposedly talking about serious stuff, why are you grinning like a pair of batshit crazies, then?"

Bella tried to dim the grin on her face but failed. Because we're already talking about Swan-Cullen babies when we basically just became a couple yesterday! "Because we're happy talking about serious stuff."

Ness chuckled. "Right. Whatever, you guys. I smell an announcement, a few tears from Aunt Renee and my Mom, a couple of deafening shrieks from my sister and a man-to-man talk between Edward, Uncle Charlie and Dad." She paused then shrugged. "But that's just me and my nose. Feel free to correct me anytime. Or now. Whatever."

Bella's cousin has a very nosey nose, boss. I'm impressed.

Edward pretended to think it over then shook his head. "Sorry, Ness. It's an announce-to-a-group kind of thing."

"Fair enough; I'll wait." Then, with a sassy wink a-la-Tyler at the both them, Ness rejoined the family.

"She scares me sometimes," Bella admitted with a nervous laugh as they continued walking.

"Maybe we're just that obvious," Edward muttered, feeling the nerves starting to attack him again. Go to your happy place, Edward. Think about you and Bella, dancing while you sing "I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing..."

As expected, hugs and kisses were exchanged the moment they reached the family. Bella was fussed over by her Mom and Aunt, alternately getting hugs and kisses on the cheeks from the two older women.

Ness rolled her eyes at them. "Sheesh, Mom, Aunt Renee, stop treating Bel like you haven't seen her in twenty years. You're creeping people out, including me."

Renee already looked like she was about to cry.

Vanessa looked too excited, for some reason.

"What is going on here?" Alice asked in amusement, watching her mother and aunt smother Bella.

"About time you got here. I'm starving," Ness grumbled.

"Sorry. Heidi and I barely slept at all. We chatted until the wee hours of the morning," Alice said then smiled at the woman beside her. "Hey guys, this is my newest BFF, Heidi Bradley. Heidi, meet my family. The tall man is my Dad, Phil, and the one beside him with the moustache is my Uncle Charlie, Bella's Dad. The two crazy women presently smothering my cousin are my Mom and Aunt Renee, who is Bella's Mom, and the starving kid is my baby sister, Ness." She glanced at Edward and giggled. "And you know E. Cullen and Bella already."

Phil and Charlie shook Heidi's hands in turns.

Vanessa released Bella to hug her daughter's newest BFF.

Renee looked at Heidi curiously but remained standing beside her own daughter. "You're Edward's girlfriend, right?"

Ness moved closer to Bella and gave Heidi her own version of the bitchface.

"No!" Edward denied vehemently. Fuck! I'm about to tell them I'm in love with and dating their daughter and niece now, and they all thought I was still with Heidi? This is so not good. What a way to make a first impression as Bella's boyfriend. "We broke up already." He winced at the squeaky way his voice sounded, cleared his throat, and then tried again. "We're no longer dating."

"Edward and I are just friends now, Mrs. Swan," Heidi seconded, feeling a bit uncomfortable with the way Alice's younger sister is glaring at her.

"Oh." Renee glanced at Bella who smiled at her.

"Mom, Heidi and I are friends, too," Bella clarified then looked at Ness. "Drop the face, Ness. If it wasn't for Heidi...well, erm. I just owe her a lot."

Ness hmm-ed, eyes still on the model. "You mean the H.E.A.? She's part of making it happen?"

"A huge part."

Ness turned to look at her cousin. "So there is an H.E.A?"

Bella's cheeks reddened. "Definitely."

"Awesome!" Ness exclaimed, throwing Edward a smirk before offering Heidi a genuine smile. "Hi. Sorry about that. I'm just..." she shrugged.

Heidi smiled in return. "It's okay. I get it."

Nessie chuckled. "Good to know. For a long time, a pair of dense people never really got it."

Heidi rolled her eyes at Edward. "Tell me about it."

"What in the world are you two talking about? And what is H.E.A?" Alice asked, confused.

"I have something to say," Edward abruptly announced, looking at Bella for encouragement.

"Here?" Ness asked him incredulously. "Dude, believe me. You'll want us to be properly seated for this and with less people around."

Edward and Bella exchanged looks.

"I want to hear it. Now. Here."

Okay. Charlie had a deadly serious voice that totally made the hairs on the nape of Edward's neck rise. He swallowed with difficulty, his entire life flashing before him.

"Holding out for a Hero" started playing again in his head.

Jesus Christ. What the fuck, Anthony?

All eyes turned to stare at him expectantly.

Look at the bright side, boss. Charlie and Phil will think twice about killing you in front of these people.

If only the Chippendale-wannabe wasn't gyrating in time with the opening bars of 'Holding out for a Hero' when the prick said it, Edward would most likely have felt reassured. Now, his cock's perverted antics seemed to only emphasize the fact that Mr. Edward Cullen was a horny bastard who had corrupted sweet and innocent Bella – and planned to continue doing so, as often as she'd let him.

This kind of bullshit thinking is so not helping me right now. He cleared his throat. Focus! Ignore your dick! Happy place! "Bella and I are together. I mean, um, we're officially a couple since, erm, after her birthday party." Nice, doofus. Just say it like that. He grimaced. Fuck, that was lame.

Doofus needn't worry, though, because the response his announcement got – however pathetically it was delivered – was pretty positive.

Alice shrieked.

Heidi grinned.

Renee hugged Bella happily.

Vanessa clapped-bounced-clapped.

Ness looked smug.

Phil smiled.

Charlie was...blank.

I knew Charlie would be the hardest one to convince here. "Sir, I just want to assure you that I'm in love with your daughter and I will never hurt her in any way. I love Bella, and her happiness and well-being mean a lot to me."

Still no reaction.

Edward started to sweat even though the hotel lobby was fully air conditioned. Anthony got scared enough that the music abruptly stopped.

Bella whispered something to her mother and walked to stand beside Edward. Giving him an assuring smile, she entwined her hand with his then looked at her father. "Dad, we both know you like Edward, so please cut it out. This scare-the-boy-away act is only applicable to high-school Bella. Adult Bella is very much in love with this one, so I would appreciate it if you would be more welcoming and less threatening. Please. I'm keeping this one forever."

Edward reddened and may or may not have puffed his chest a little bit hearing what Bella said. She's keeping me forever. She fucking used the word forever! I am her everything and forever!

Charlie's moustache twitched. Twice.

Oh lookie, the hair twitches just like me, boss!

Edward inwardly sighed. Shut up, Anthony.

"Come on, Uncle Charlie. We all love Edward! Drop the Hitler impersonation already," Ness whined.

Vanessa and Phil laughed. "Welcome to the family, Edward."

Alice gave them both a hug. "Finally!"

Heidi pinched Edward's cheek then embraced Bella. "I'm so happy for you two."

"Thanks to you," Bella replied, kissing her cheek.

"You are meant to be together, Bella. You just needed a little nudge."

"More like a shove. A really forceful shove," Ness chimed in, grinning.

Alice giggled. "So true."

Renee gave both Bella and Edward a teary smile. "You have no idea how much I wanted this to happen. I didn't want to force you two into something, but I never really stopped hoping. Now that it finally did, I am so happy. I'm sure Esme will be, too, when she learns about this."

"Really, Mom? You hoped that Edward and I would end up together?"

Ness and Heidi exchanged looks then both rolled their eyes. Alice face palmed.

"Of course! All of us, actually, even your Dad," Renee replied, winking at her own husband.

Edward sneaked a look at Charlie and doubted it. Bella's Dad had liked him then, but he wasn't so sure now.

"Dad? It's your turn now. Come on," Bella prodded, narrowing her eyes at her father.

After what felt like an eternity to Edward, Charlie finally moved to stand in front of him. He was definitely taller than Bella's Dad, but Charlie had been Chief of Police for a long, long time. The authoritative presence was still very much there and paired that with the moustache... Charlie could still intimidate anybody. Charlie could even make a grown man like him wobbly kneed.

"Are you sure you love my daughter?"

"I'm in love with her, Sir. I love her very much." Fuck! The pre-pubescent squeaky voice came out again.

Charlie sneered.

The Moustache Man totally loves scaring you, boss. So not cool.

"I love her. So much," Edward confirmed, this time in a much surer, completely un-squeaky man-voice, meeting Charlie's eyes unblinkingly. He felt Bella squeeze his hand. He squeezed back, never tearing his eyes away from Charlie.

The ex-Chief grunted. "Well and good." There was a significantly long pause before he extended his hand to Edward.

"Welcome to our family."

Bella and the rest of her family, even Heidi, expelled their varying sighs of relief.

Edward shook his hand. "Thank you, Sir." Thank fucking God.

"You know the drill right? Hurt her, make her cry and I'll hunt you down and—"

"Nothing," Renee interrupted, frowning at her husband. "Come on, they're both adults and we have all witnessed over the years how well Edward took care of Bella. It was bad enough that you played the bad cop routine to your daughter's boyfriend even when she already asked you not to." She then turned and gave Edward a warm smile. "The Dwyer-Swan family highly approves of you, Edward. Believe me, we all do."

He'd received Bella's family's complete acceptance.

Edward blinked back tears. Not again. What the fuck is wrong with you, Cullen? Keep it together! "T-thank you, Renee."

Seeing Edward's expression, Bella pursed her lips together and turned to give him a hug. They whispered words back and forth and seemed to be lost in their own bubble for awhile.

Alice felt a tiny bit envious. Her mind conjured a certain tall, blonde man with a southern drawl who seemed not too impressed with her. Just my luck – the only attractive man I've met here, and he wasn't interested.

Heidi wistfully watched Edward and Bella as well. The couple proved that, however rare it was, true love was still out there. Edward himself proved that there were still men who could love completely, the way he loved Bella. Just stay away from rabid, ambitious snakes in sheep's clothing, Heidi. Or, in this case, Armani suits.

Vanessa dropped a quick kiss on Phil's cheek.

Renee and Charlie smiled at each other.

Ness missed N like it was nobody's business. He is so getting laid on his birthday.

"I think I'm gonna cry now," Alice joked after a couple of minutes. Watching the pairs reaffirm their love thanks to E. Cullen and Bella's cutesy PDA would've been more bearable if she was with someone as well. But she wasn't. She was alone, with no possible prospects on the horizon, and she was getting old...Snap out of it, Alice Dwyer!

Bella untangled herself from Edward to smile at her cousin. "I did that a lot early this morning. So please, no more crying, even if they are happy tears."

Ness sighed. "Looks like I missed one epic party last night. I wonder what happened to make these two finally figure out what's going on." She gave her older sister the evil eye.

"Did you two even sleep?" Alice curiously asked, looking at Bella then Edward, ignoring her baby sister's full-out resentment.

"We had a lot to talk about so no, not really," Bella admitted.

"Of course, three years of friendship, then this." Renee smiled at the new couple. "That's understandable. It's good that you actually talked about it."

"True. You have a lot to discuss, definitely a lot to cover," Charlie agreed then paused. Looking pointedly at Edward, he added. "You did cover everything, right?"

Bella shrugged. "No. We didn't have much time, Dad."

Charlie went full on moustache-twitchy, scowly, my-daughter-has-been-sexually-compromised-so-must-kill-the-pervert-now agitated Dad. "That's not an excuse, Isabella!"

"Huh? Why? It was almost four in the morning when we started, Dad. However happy and excited Edward and I were then, it wasn't possible. I mean, we were both tired to begin with," the oh-so-keen daughter replied.

Fuck. Edward mentally face palmed. He tried to send Bella a message but his girlfriend wasn't even looking at him. Personally, he wasn't even sure himself if he should acknowledge Charlie's none-too-subtle reference to his and Bella's sex life, but then again, it was already implied that they all expected them to be doing it. Charlie was just being a concerned Dad. So... "We did, sir. I mean, we covered everything that was important."

Bella looked at Edward then to her Dad and back again, brows knitting. Then she heard Ness' mumbled "Oh, brother" and it clicked. Dad just asked us about condoms. She cringed. Eeek. I'm part embarrassed, part offended and completely horrified that my own Dad felt the need to check if my boyfriend and I practice safe sex.

Refusing to blush (like that was possible, frankfurter her life!), the brunette wrinkled her nose and frowned a little at her father. "Dad, I'm twenty- five-years-old, and I've always been responsible. Granted, I never really had to think about sex since I only started having it yesterday..." She paused then corrected herself, "I mean two days ago. And it was with Edward, of course. It's not like I would let other men kiss and touch even taste me." She visibly shuddered at the thought.

Jesus Fucking Christ. "Bella? Um..." Fuck. Edward cleared his throat and threw her a pointed look. "Just get to the point, babe." And stop divulging information about out sex life, especially to your family and my ex.

Ness fake-coughed "T-M-I," which made her older sister giggle. Renee, Vanessa and Heidi looked thoroughly amused while Phil started fidgeting. Charlie wore a constipated expression on his face upon hearing what his only daughter had said. I should've kept my mouth shut.

Bella took a deep breath, oblivious to the reception her little speech was getting. "Okay, in short, please give me the benefit of the doubt, Dad. No, scratch that. Give us – Edward and I – the benefit of the doubt. I assure you, we deserve it."

She could've successfully pulled off the offended I'm-a-responsible-adult-I-don't-really-need-this look if not for her red face and ears. Dang it, even the tip of my nose feels warm. I've never been this embarrassed in my entire life.

It was a good thing that Charlie had certainly learned his lesson well – Edward had a feeling he'd never ask a question like that ever again, for fear of the T.M.I. It's best for me to be on a need-to-know basis when it comes to Bella, Charlie thought. She's right. She's an adult. I don't want to experience hearing her talk about that ever again. Renee walked over to her husband and patted his back, chuckling. Heidi was trying hard to not even crack a smile, which was pointless, because Ness' grin was wide enough for the two of them anyway. Vanessa did her own silent consoling to her still-fidgeting husband.

"Guys, I have something to announce as well!" Alice exclaimed, effectively changing the subject.

When everybody's attention was on her, Pixie beamed at Heidi then clapped-bounced-clapped. "I'm moving back to Seattle!" she shrieked then punctuated it with a very enthusiastic "squeeeeeeeeeeeee."

I think my balls shrank at such high pitch squeee-ing, Edward thought, wincing a little. He restrained himself from feeling the twins up to check if they were still hanging in there. Pun intended.

"For real?" Bella asked with a grin.

Alice nodded. "You're looking at Seattle's own Rachel Zoe."

Pause.

Heidi couldn't stop the giggle that escaped her mouth when only she and Edward seemed to recognize the person Alice mentioned.

"Sometimes I wonder if I'm really from this family." Alice said with a shake of her head. "Bonus points to E. Cullen, who's the only one who knows Rachel Zoe. To the rest of you, she's this really famous celebrity stylist."

"And Edward knows her. Hmm." Ness turned to look at him, tongue in cheek. "Why, future cousin-in-law, I didn't know you were that fashion forward." She gave Edward's infamous black Nikes a pointed look.

"Lay off, baby sister. Rachel used to be Heidi's stylist."

Heidi nodded. "But now, Alice is my new stylist."

Alice beamed some more. Excited chatter and a combination of Alice-Vanessa squeeing ensued. Edward turned to Bella and explained. "I met Rachel Zoe not because she used to be Heidi's stylist, but because she was the stylist hired when our team was featured on some magazine."

Ness chuckled. "Riiight."

Bella grinned seeing Edward rolled his eyes at her younger cousin. "Ness, please stop teasing my boyfriend." Or I'll talk about your own.

It wasn't said out loud, but the message was clearly implied by the left eyebrow lift.

Ness raised both hands in mock-surrender then winked at the both of them before sauntering over to her mother and sister, who were chatting animatedly while the others looked on.

"So..."

Bella gave Edward an enquiring look. "So...?"

He beamed. "I'm officially Bella Swan's boyfriend."

"Looks like it," she agreed with a shrug. "Not that it amounts to anything. I'm just Bella."

Edward wrapped his arms around his girlfriend (insert Bella Swan's boyfriend's goofy smirk at that thought) and pulled her closer. "I will not allow that kind of talk, you hear me? You're a wonderful person and I became the luckiest bastard in the world when you chose me to be your boyfriend." His face turned even more serious as he levelled his face with Bella's and staring directly at the pair of chocolate brown eyes stated, "I love you."

And with that pronouncement, Bella Swan turned into a puddle of goo. With a wobbling chin and teary eyes, she mumbled "I love you, too" before pulling Edward into a tight hug, on tip toes and all.

A perfect moment.

Just like what had happened an hour ago in their living room.

Edward burrowed his face in Bella's neck, grinning to himself as he basked in everything Bella: her smell, the silkiness of her hair, and the softness of her body...fuck, he was so happy. For the first time in his life, he could honestly say that he was fucking happy. The universe had finally given in and cut him some slack.

Or so he thought.

Two weeks later, Edward was sure he had somehow jinxed everything just by thinking that.

Songs mentioned:

Holding out for a Hero - Bonnie Tyler

Eye of a Tiger - Survivor

A bit of angst next chapter? We'll see :)