Southern Comfort: Chapter 24

Chapter Twenty Four

"Babe, go comfort your momma before she makes herself sick," I whisper into his ear, but he doesn't move. His arm tightens around me instead and I find myself in a vice-like hold. I let him have his moment because I know he's happy. I'm afraid I'm getting his hopes up and setting us up for heartbreak, but I didn't want to keep it to myself any more.

Eventually I manage to untangle myself from him and Maggie brings it to everyone's attention that Edward is crying. He pulls away from me, unashamed that he has big man tears rolling down his cheeks. I watch him move over to Esme in an effort to comfort her.

When they pull apart ten minutes later, her sobs are now happy giddy whimpers. She moves to come over to me, but sees that the rest of us are in check with our emotions and have started eating the dinner she's prepared for us. She sits down and Carlisle slinks back into the dining room holding a bottle of wine.

"I figured we'd celebrate good and proper," he shrugs, using his old pocketknife tool to unscrew the cork. "Not every day our only boy gets engaged."

Esme stifles another sob while Maggie grabs enough glasses for everyone. I don't want to turn down the wine because I saw the way Esme looked at the pile of peas on my plate and we aren't ready for that sort of announcement, just in case. Edward squeezes my hand tenderly as Carlisle hands me a half full glass of merlot.

"Don't worry 'bout it, darlin'," he whispers in my ear. "Just pretend until I drink some of mine and we'll switch."

I nod.

Our meal is cold, but I sort of grew up on fried chicken from the fridge, so I enjoy it. Edward manages to empty his glass and make the switch, but Carlisle sees my glass and moves to fill it up again.

"No thank you, Carlisle," I stop him, placing my hand over my glass. "I'm driving."

"Oh, alright."

"Not that we don't enjoy Esme's fine cookin' and what not," Maggie interrupts. "But why were we invited to this family occasion?"

"Because your family, Mags," Edward explains.

"Uh oh," she chuckles. "Why do I feel like that's a loaded comment? What will you be needing? 'Cause I'm sure the horses will survive a week or two so you can honeymoon."

"We actually wanted to talk to you about maybe having the wedding at the ranch," I mumble. "It's beautiful and simple and-"

"You know we charge for weddings right?" Liam asks. "People always contact us wanting to hold events and such, but we always turn them down."

"We can pay!" I argue. "We weren't asking for a hand out just for permission."

Edward's arm wraps around my shoulder and he pulls me to his chest. "Careful, darlin', they're only jokin'," he chuckles into my hair.

"Of course you can get hitched at the ranch, Bella. Liam was just pullin' your leg. We don't hold ceremonies at the ranch, but we'd love to host yours," Maggie smiles. "When are you wantin' to pull this shindig off?"

"Soon," Edward and I answer together, causing the rest of the table to laugh.

"Bella?" Alice's voice is hopeful.

"What can I do for you, Mouse?" I ask.

"Can I help you plan the ceremony?" She's bouncing again. Thank God Jasper's there to hold her at bay.

"On one condition..." Edward answers for the both of us. "...It's going to be a simple wedding. Bella and I get full power to veto anything."

"Deal!" Alice claps her hands excitedly.

The rest of dinner passes by. I enjoy a slice of Esme's cinnamon apple pie with some of Carlisle's homemade vanilla ice cream. And then I eat half of Edward's. I'm not worried that anyone will suspect anything because I've always been a hog at dessert and Edward's always been the victim of my greed.

Alice and Maggie talk about the perfect location. Carlisle and Liam partake in a little too much wine and are quietly giggling about something on the couch. Esme and Jasper start playing this ridiculously complex card game that involves a calculator. Edward and I choose that time to make our exit. It's only five thirty when we enter our town and Edward pulls to a stop in front of the drug store.

"You reckon we should grab you a test?" he asks uncertainly.

"I don't know. I've never taken one before. It might be too early, ya know?" I shrug. "But if it will make you feel better, then go buy one, babe."

"Come with me?"

"Not a chance in hell." I lay across the bench seat. "Hurry up."

"Bells!" Edward whines.

"I'm not going in there, Edward. I don't want any gossip hounds seeing the two of us in the parenthood section. If you want a damn test, then go buy one alone."

"Fine," he harrumphs, slamming the door of his truck a little harshly. Ten minutes later a beet red Edward climbs back into the truck, holding a bag bigger than I thought it would be. He doesn't say anything as he starts the engine and careens down the street.

"You okay, babe?" I ask, noticing the way his knuckles are white from the grip he has on the steering wheel.

"Huh? What? Yeah, I'm fine." He waves it off, muttering to himself.

"Well, you were fine when you went in. Now you're sort of freakin' me out," I giggle. He tosses the bag towards me and I open it, finding four different pregnancy tests.

"Those are early response ones. Two of them you pee on a stick, one you pee in a cup and dip the stick into it and then there's one that turns your pee a color as a result." His neck is even flushed as he explains.

"Why did you buy so many?"

"Because I didn't know what kind to get and then Mrs. Cope came by and asked if I needed help. I got embarrassed, grabbed some of them and went to the checkout," he grumbles. "Then the cashier asked me how far along the person taking the test might be and explained that early response is probably best."

He parks in front of the house and turns off the truck. "Then another lady said you should wait until the mornin' cause you're- it's best if you just wait till the mornin'."

"Well, that's what you get for being over excited, Edward Cullen," I laugh out loud. "It's probably too early for one of these things to work and you've embarrassed the crap out of yourself."

"Yeah yeah yeah. Get in the house," he growls.

"Why?" I ask innocently.

"Because if you aren't already, I plan on knockin' you up tonight, darlin'." His smirk is sexy in a 'I'm serious. Get in the fucking house right now before we partake in baby makin' right here, right now' kind of way.

"Yes sir," I obey, saluting for good measure as I jump out of the truck.