Chaoter Four.
Chapter Four: Reunion
When I got downstairs I saw the three of them standing around awkwardly. Mom was giving Charlie a detail-by-detail account of the horrors of flying while Phil stood and smiled simply. As soon as I came into view my mother’s eyes lit up.
“Bella! Oh, honey, do you have any idea how much I’ve missed you?” She ran forward past Charlie and embraced me. I hadn’t noticed until now just how much I had missed her.
“Not as much as I missed you,” I responded. She let go and stood in front of me so that she could get a proper look. Phil looked at me and nodded a hello.
“Hey kiddo, how’s life in the town of Forks?”
“Pretty great,” I said and I saw Charlie beam. Charlie’s face soon turned to confusion and shock and I looked to my mom to see why and caught on immediately.
“Its too early to cry, mom. You can do that tomorrow.” I stepped forward and hugged her. Charlie was still out of his element with the whole women hormones thing, so I thought I’d handle this one. Phil didn’t seem too disturbed; I guessed he was used to Renee and her emotions.
“Its just--you’re so young! How do you know you’re ready? You’re still my little girl, Bella,” she sobbed. This took me by surprise. I wasn’t expecting her to be so emotional, especially not right away. I guess I never considered what my parents were giving up when I accepted Edward’s engagement.
“I’m ready, mom. Don’t worry about that. I wouldn’t do this unless I was sure.” I broke our embrace so that I could look her in the eye. “Trust me on this one. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.” This seemed to calm her a bit, but she still looked skeptical. We were still standing in the doorway so I motioned for all of us to sit down on the sofa. Charlie opted for the chair.
“Did you guys get a chance to eat? Do you want me to make you something?” Phil patted his stomach a couple times and assured me he was still full from their dinner. They ate at an Italian restaurant at the airport. We continued in small talk for a while, my mother’s eyes never leaving me. I had a feeling she was searching for some sign that would give her rhyme or reason for my decision. The conversation was waning and it was time to address the less than comfortable sleeping arrangements.
Charlie originally wanted mom to stay in my room, and Phil to sleep on the sofa. This clearly wouldn’t work, especially since I couldn’t be away from Edward tonight. I needed him. With much persuasion we finally decided that I would stay in my room, Charlie would sleep on the sofa, and Phil and my mom would take Charlie’s bedroom. Charlie’s bed was king-sized and much too big for one person. Despite the awkwardness of it all, it was the most logical. After getting Phil and my mom settled, we said our goodnights and headed to bed. On my way to my room I thought I heard Charlie grumbling something that sounded like, “not even his house.”
I walked into my room and stared in awe at the emptiness of it. I shut my door and looked around, searching for Edward. Where had he gone? Panic spread across me, but before I could call out his name there was a soft knock on my door.
“Come in,” I said, still preoccupied. But just as I walked by my closet to see who was knocking, I saw a flash from the corner of my eye. Wind bristled across my chest and I noticed that the pendant I was wearing was right side up, having put it on backwards before without noticing. Relief spread through me.
“Hey, honey. Hopefully you’re not too tired for a girl chat.” She smiled expectantly at me. This was more interrogation in one day than I’ve experienced in a lifetime. I loved my mother but her timing left something to be desired.
“You’re the one that was traveling all day. But no, I’m not too tired.” I felt as though I at least owed her that.
“I just wanted to make sure you’re ready, is all. Honey, I know that when you’ve got a crush on someone it can feel like love, but-“ I stopped her before she went any further.
“This isn’t just a crush, mom. I love him-more than anything. I don’t know how to explain it to you. I couldn’t ever exist without him. I didn’t rush into this, I know what I’m doing.” I hoped that this would convince her. I hated defending my relationship to her, it made me feel guilty. But I knew I was right. I knew I was making the right decision. Edward hadn’t pushed me into anything. We both sat down on the bed facing each other, like girls would do at a sleepover. She suddenly scooped up my left hand to better examine the ring.
“How did he afford such an expensive ring?” Her voice was admiring but skeptical.
“It was his mother’s.” I smiled to myself.
“Oh.” She sounded disappointed, as if hoping to find some unseen flaw. She soon gave in. “Its beautiful, Bella.”
“I know.” Beautiful was an understatement. In all my weariness about displaying the ring on my finger, it was true I’d always loved it.
“I just want you to know that just because you’ll be married, it doesn’t mean that you can’t rely on your parents for help. Charlie and I will always be here for you-whatever you need. Please don’t hesitate.”
“I won’t, mom.” I looked up at her worried expression. To sound more convincing I added, “I promise.”
“Well, as long as you promise. And don’t go making me a grandmother too soon. I still want to feel young while I can.” Her eyes looked playful.
“I don’t think you have to worry about that.” It was true, she didn’t. I tried to mirror her playful expression. Remembering my moment with Charlie earlier, I filled her in on the events, finishing with the pendant.
“Oh! I just assumed it was something you picked out yourself. It’s so perfect for you. Are you sure Charlie picked it out?” She seemed stunned.
“I know, I was shocked, too. But I love it.” I smiled remembering the memory. “I love you, mom.” I wasn’t expecting to say it but it found its way to my lips before I had a chance to register the emotion. It seemed like my life was coming to a rapid close and everything was piling up. This might be the last intimate, human moment I would have with my mother. How many times today had my last human moment occurred? Why wasn’t I paying more attention? I started to cry and my mother looked alarmed.
“I love you, too, Bella.” As she reached out to hug me I saw her eyes tear up as well. We just sat there, sobbing into each other’s shoulders for an undefined period of time. When our sobs had lessened, but not stopped, we let go of each other and wiped at our eyes.
“Look at us,” my mother laughed. She was beautiful, but I had always known that. Seeing her here now, with tears and a smile stretched across her face, her beauty overwhelmed me. “We’re a bunch of blubbering idiots.” We laughed together.
We sniffled our goodbyes and hugged once more. It had been an exhausting day, emotionally and physically and we both needed sleep. Once she was safely out of the room Edward emerged from the closet. I stood in the middle of my bedroom, where I had been standing when my mom left. I couldn’t move, not even a fraction. I tried to put my lips in motion to tell Edward to come closer, but I didn’t have to.
Without a word he stepped toward me and wrapped his arms around me. His arms, hard and cold, were strangely comforting. His feet were toe to toe with mine, and his body pressed lightly against me. His hand moved up to press my head against his shoulder, where I eagerly left it. I breathed in his intoxicating scent and was surprised by the sedative effect it had on me. He pressed his chilly cheek to the top of my head, and I felt his sweet breath dance over the top of my head.
“Thank you,” I breathed. In response he sweetly kissed the top of my forehead. “Will I love them as much, you know, after?” I didn’t want him to think I was having doubts, but I needed to know.
“I suspect so. Though of course there’s no way to be certain.” Effortlessly he carried me to my bed and laid me down. I didn’t even notice we were moving until my legs brushed against the bedspread.
“Stay with me.”
“Of course,” he assured me.
“Forever,” I verified.
He nodded simply and embraced me tighter. I lifted my head to kiss him but he beat me to it. The smell of his breath was amazingly sweet, and as my lips parted he pulled away, smiling. I shot him an angry look that didn’t last for long.
“Not now, you need your rest. Sleep, Bella, we’ll have plenty of time to talk. I’m not going anywhere.”
Before the last syllable was out I was already drifting into haziness.