Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer [4]
I walked slowly through the light rain, remembering the night wed told him
As the sound of Charlies cruiser announced his return, the ring suddenly weighed a hundred pounds on my finger. I wanted to shove my left hand in a pocket, or maybe sit on it, but Edwards cool, firm grasp kept it front and center.
Stop fidgeting, Bella. Please try to remember that youre not confessing to a murder here.
Easy for you to say.
I listened to the ominous sound of my fathers boots clomping up the sidewalk. The key rattled in the already open door. The sound reminded me of that part of the horror movie when the victim realizes shes forgotten to lock her deadbolt.
Calm down, Bella, Edward whispered, listening to the acceleration of my heart.
The door slammed against the wall, and I flinched like Id been Tasered.
Hey, Charlie, Edward called, entirely relaxed.
No! I protested under my breath.
What? Edward whispered back.
Wait till he hangs his gun up!
Edward chuckled and ran his free hand through his tousled bronze hair.
Charlie came around the corner, still in his uniform, still armed, and tried not to make a face when he spied us sitting together on the loveseat. Lately, hed been putting forth a lot of effort to like Edward more. Of course, this revelation was sure to end that effort immediately.
Hey, kids. Whats up?
Wed like to talk to you, Edward said, so serene. We have some good news.
Charlies expression went from strained friendliness to black suspicion in a second.
Good news? Charlie growled, looking straight at me.
Have a seat, Dad.
He raised one eyebrow, stared at me for five seconds, then stomped to the recliner and sat down on the very edge, his back ramrod straight.
Dont get worked up, Dad, I said after a moment of loaded silence. Everythings okay.
Edward grimaced, and I knew it was in objection to the word okay. He probably would have used something more like wonderful or perfect or glorious.
Sure it is, Bella, sure it is. If everything is so great, then why are you sweating bullets?
Im not sweating, I lied.
I leaned away from his fierce scowl, cringing into Edward, and instinctively wiped the back of my right hand across my forehead to remove the evidence.
Youre pregnant! Charlie exploded. Youre pregnant, arent you?
Though the question was clearly meant for me, he was glaring at Edward now, and I could have sworn I saw his hand twitch toward the gun.
No! Of course Im not! I wanted to elbow Edward in the ribs, but I knew that move would only give me a bruise. Id told Edward that people would immediately jump to this conclusion! What other possible reason would sane people have for getting married at eighteen? (His answer then had made me roll my eyes. Love. Right.)
Charlies glower lightened a shade. It was usually pretty clear on my face when I was telling the truth, and he believed me now. Oh. Sorry.
Apology accepted.
There was a long pause. After a moment, I realized everyone was waiting for me to say something. I looked up at Edward, panic-stricken. There was no way I was going to get the words out.
He smiled at me and then squared his shoulders and turned to my father.
Charlie, I realize that Ive gone about this out of order. Traditionally, I should have asked you first. I mean no disrespect, but since Bella has already said yes and I dont want to diminish her choice in the matter, instead of asking you for her hand, Im asking you for your blessing. Were getting married, Charlie. I love her more than anything in the world, more than my own life, and-by some miracle-she loves me that way, too. Will you give us your blessing?
He sounded so sure, so calm. For just an instant, listening to the absolute confidence in his voice, I experienced a rare moment of insight. I could see, fleetingly, the way the world looked to him. For the length of one heartbeat, this news made perfect sense.
And then I caught sight of the expression on Charlies face, his eyes now locked on the ring.
I held my breath while his skin changed colors-fair to red, red to purple, purple