Howdy....

First: I am so relieved to be back.

Second: I am so sincerely sorry that the updates have been so.... non-existent.

Third: Ah.. .Kasey, Kasey, Kasey. She made it sound like I was dying. FYI: I was not. Did I go to the hospital for health issues? Yeah... for like 2 hours out of a 24 hour day. And the first hour was me sitting in the waiting room! The issue was serious but not "I'm going to die" serious (God, that would suck). I did go to different states.... to attend my living family. Not my dying family. Yes, I did move... again. Whoo. *twirls finger* (That was sarcasm by the way.) Also, I've known Kasey for 6 months.... not 6 years. Good God... I'm sorry, but I'm reading what she wrote and typing this out as I go– and man!– is this a trip!

So... with that all cleared up. I have spoken to Kasey and she did say sorry. However, though the apology was...somewhat... sincere, her actions have lead quite a whirlwind of problems on my end. I do not tolerate lying when it comes to what I do on Fanfiction or what I have done that has kept me from updating. That being said, you should all know, as Kasey does, that she will not be updating my personal information on my account/fics anymore due to my own worry that false information should be given.

I do not mean to sound harsh... I'm just a little upset.

Finally... I am ready to write.

This may be the last chapter with the exception of an epilogue.

(Sorry for the spelling/grammer errors. I will triple check if necessary.)

Song(s):

Full Moon - Black Ghosts

Bella's POV

Edward wrapped his arm around my shoulders as we walked along the park path in La Push. "So... your mom is honestly ok with this?" He gestured between us with his free hand. "With us, I mean?"

I smiled and wrapped my arm around his waist, replaying the phone call in my head.

Yesterday

I bit my lip and waited for Renee to pick up the phone. My nerves were already twisted as it was— there was no need to wait till the fifth ring to finally pick up the damn phone!

Finally— "Hola?"

Despite my nervousness, I found myself chuckling. "Mom?"

There was a gasp. "Bella? Agh! Bella, honey! How are you? Are you ok?"

"Mom, calm down." I rolled my eyes. "I'm fine."

"Good. Oh my God, Bella, guess what?"

I knew there would be no need to answer for she would just start up on her own. Her conversation with me consisted of her doing all the talking with the exception of my few yeah's and wow's and psh's. In a way, it helped me get my thoughts together and in another way... it made me impatient.

"So, Phil has workouts with the guys six days a week. It's actually quite entertaining." She paused. "Bella, you would not believe the muscle that man has got on his body. I swear, I mean—"

"Woah, Mom. Ok. Uhm, wow." I felt my cheeks burn and I twisted the phone chord between my fingers. "I mean– that's great, Mom. With Phil and you. Um.. Speaking of, I have something I would like to talk to you about."

"Oh, sure, honey." She sounded distracted.

Probably watching Phil squat. I grinned at the thought and then took a deep breath. Who knew how she would react? Just get it over with. "Remember Edward Cullen?"

Renee laughed. "Oh yeah. He was a cutie. But a player." She sighed. "They start so young nowadays. Anyways, what about him?"

"Well, he's changed, Mom. And, um.." I felt myself get all warm and giddy just thinking about him. Gah. "I love him."

Jesus. I closed my eyes and smacked my forehead. Just put it out there, why don't you? No warm ups before the big game. Whatever happened to, "He's my boyfriend"?, or "We're together now"?

"Bella," Renee was whispering. "Are you pregnant?"

A hysterical giggle escaped my lips. "No. I'm in love, not pregnant." And then I frowned. "Why does everyone have to assume there's a catch?"

We were quiet for a few moments. "Mom, are you–?"

"Are you being careful?"

I coughed. "Mom."

"I'm not talking about rubbering the poker." I heard her huff. "I'm talking about your heart. Are you being careful emotionally?"

I smiled, thinking of Edward and how much we'd gotten through in the past few months. "Yes, I am. He makes me happy, Mom."

"Ok."

I blinked. "Ok?"

"Ok." I could imagine her switching the phone to her other hand, the serious look she gets when talking about 'going green' would etch itself across her face. " Look, honey, I know you. You are my responsible daughter. I just want you to be happy. And if Edward makes you happy... then so be it. Ok."

"Wow." No one way plane tickets? No lectures how misguided love leads to marriage and ends in divorce?

"Yeah, I know. I'm so cool, huh?" Renee giggled. "How did Charlie handle it?"

"Surprisingly well. Edward's coming over for dinner tomorrow nights so we'll see..."

Another chuckle. "Good luck."

I stopped. "Thank you, Mom. For everything."

"Yeah, well, I guess we all meet our first love in Forks, huh?" There was no sadness in her tone, just wonder.

"My first and my last." I corrected her.

She laughed. "Good thinking."

Present Day

"Should I be wearing a suit and tie, or what?"

"What?" I laughed and shook my head, focusing on what Edward was talking about.

"To dinner tonight."

"Oh my god, no." I shoved him away and snorted.

He threw up his hands in surrender. "What?"

"We're going to have a casual dinner. Just wear what you're wearing now." I looked him up and down appreciatively. God, this man in khakis, green, and sneakers was— whoo! .... Yum....

"Are you checking me out?" He grinned, all cocky and knowing.

I giggle playfully at him and linked my fingers around his belt loops, looking up at him. "Why? Is it turning you on?"

Edward smiled down at me and shrugged. "Maybe." His lips lowered themselves down to mine and I whipped my head around so he got my cheek instead.

I laughed at his surprise. "Good." And then I ran, recognizing the look he got when playing football. The look that warns you you better run or you're going to get it.

"Hey!" I heard him laugh somewhere behind me. I turned my head to look back— big mistake. I stumbled over my feet a bit. I braced myself for the concrete, but I never made it that far. Large warm hands grabbed me and pulled me back up.

"Are you ok?"

I opened my eyes and turned my head to Edward who was still running towards me, a worried look on his face. I turned back around and looked down at the olive-skinned hands that still held me.

"Bella, are you ok?"

"Jacob?" I looked up to his smiling face and felt my own grin stretch across my lips.

As soon as Edward was by my side, Jacob let me go. Edward wrapped his arm around my waist protectively. "Are you ok?" He whispered in my ear.

"I'm fine." I looked at Jacob who was now rubbing the back of his neck, awkwardly. "Thank you, Jake."

"No problem, Bells." He looked at Edward and nodded in acknowledgment. "Edward."

Edward sighed and released my waist. "Jacob. Thank you. For saving Bella, I mean."

I snorted. "Saving."

They both looked at me with frowns on their faces.

"Oh, um, Bella." Jacob grinned and shuffled his feet nervously. "I have someone I want you to meet." He gestured to a girl behind him that I had failed to noticed.

As she came closer, I saw that she was beautiful. Like Jacob, she had olive skin. Her eyes were large and hazel, and when she smiled at us, her white teeth gleamed. She was tall and graceful, and she had a very down-to-Earth aura about her. Perfect for Jacob.

I was positively beaming when she introduced herself. "Hello, I'm Leah."

I shook her hand, enthusiastically. "Bella."

Edward shared a smirk with Jacob before taking Leah's hand in his. "I'm Edward."

I had only come to realize that in that moment, Edward and Jacob had overcome their differences. About freaking time.

"Leah's my girlfriend." Jacob smiled and looked at her adoringly. The whole scene made me tap my foot and aww.

I slapped Edward's shoulder. "Look how cute they look."

Edward snorted as Jacob rolled his eyes. Leah sniffed and looked at me. "Men. They just don't understand."

I laughed and took her arm, walking ahead of the guys. "We have much to talk about, Leah. I know things about Jacob that you can use as blackmail."

"Bella!" Jacob cried behind me. "Come on! I would like to actually keep Leah as my girlfriend." And then, "Come on Edward. There's a football on the blanket."

And then, even more quietly, "Dude, if I didn't love your girlfriend so much, I'd think about strangling her."

Edward laughed. "If I didn't know that you only loved Bella as a sister, that comment you just made would've caused me to strangle you."

I patted Leah's arm and agreed with her again. "Men."

.....................................................................................................

Edward's POV

Bella was scary when she cooked. Hot as hell, but scary as well. You should put that on an apron and give it to her. I smiled and leaned against the oven.

"Edward! Move!"

I jumped up and moved to the fridge. Or not.

Bella had a striped green apron on, her ponytail was bouncing as she moved, and her mittens were large on her small hands. But she took no notice as she cooked, moving and humming as she did so. She was absolutely beautiful.

I can't wait to get married. I froze.

You're still in high school.

Only for a little while longer.

Are you positive she's the one?

She's always been the one.

Do you love her?

I refuse to answer dumbass questions.

Then don't make dumbass decisions.

I'm not. Maybe not yet, but I will ask her to marry me. Bella smiled at me while she stirred, moving around as she hummed. Whatever happens, we can't lose this.

"This chicken is wonderful, Bella." I smiled, awkwardly at her, and picked up my water glass. The way Charlie was scrutinizing me, I'd need something a lot stronger than H2O soon.

"Yeah, it's great, Bells." Charlie picked up his beer and took a swig, never breaking eye contact from my face.

"Thanks." Bella cut her chicken and stuck a piece in her mouth, watching us while she chewed.

"So, Edward." Charlie leaned back in his chair.

I sat up. "Chief Swan."

He narrowed his eyes. "And don't you forget it."

"Dad." Bella warned.

"Ah, calm down, Bells. I just want to get to know the boy... Outside of all the speeding tickets."

"Dad!" Bella dropped her fork in her plate.

"No, no. It's ok. Your father has every right to question me." Bella glared at the both of us.

Charlie nodded in agreement. "The Hell I do."

"That's how a father is and should be."

"That's right."

Stop buttering him up.

Bella eyed me and smirked, shaking her head and getting back to her chicken.

I pushed my plate away and got comfortable. "So, Chief Swan...?"

He picked up his beer. "What are your intentions with my daughter?"

Bella choked and sipped her drink.

"I don't know what you mean." God, that beer was looking more inviting by the second.

"You know, Edward, I was a teenage man once too. The hormones, testosterone level going haywire." He sat up and leaned his elbows on the table. "Just give it to me straight—"

"I love your daughter, Chief." I interrupted him. "And trust me, I know how men are. Trust me, I know. I don't know what you are insinuating; that my intentions with Bella are bad? Sir, I assure you that my only focus is to keep your daughter happy, and for some unknown reason, I seem to be the one that makes that happen. It is as confusing to me as it is to you. But, I promise you, I will never do anything to hurt Bella or make her doubt our relationship. I am in love with your daughter."

There was silence. Bella was sniffling and trying to chew her chicken. Charlie just stared at me for a long moment before leaning back in his chair again. I took a deep breath and did the same.

"Son," I narrowed my eyes at his grin. "No more speeding tickets."

I sighed. "Thank you, sir."

Charlie stood up. "Do you need any help with the dishes, Bells?"

Bella shook her head.

He patted her shoulder and looked at me again. "If you hurt her," He paused for emphasis. "I will kill you." And then he walked out of the kitchen and a moment later, I heard the TV playing sports.

"Wow." I slumped in my seat and looked at Bella who got up to sit next to me.

"Wow." She agreed.

I twirled her hair. "I think that went pretty well."

"I think you're crazy."

"I think you're impressed."

She snorted. "With your speech?" She rolled her eyes and I chuckled. She kissed my lips and smiled. "Well, yeah, maybe a little bit."

I wrapped my arms around her. "I love you, Bella Cullen."

She froze as did I. "Was that a proposal?"

"What? I'm so sorry, Bella! I just meant.. I mean... Damn, it sounded kind of good though, huh?"

She chuckled, but she was tense. "Edward– I don't know— I mean, I want you , but I'm just—"

"I'll wait for you forever, Miss Swan."

She buried her head in my chest and breathed. Her soft giggle made me curious. "What?"

Bella looked up at me. "It did sound kind of good, huh? Bella Cullen?"

I touched her lips with my finger. "When the time is right."

"I love you, Edward."

Kissing her forehead, I thought about how lucky I was to have this amazing woman in my arms. "I love you, Bella."

She snuggled deeper in my chest. "Damn right you do."

There will be an epilogue. Many may not be pleased with this, but this chapter seems right to me.