A Second Chance

Yes! It's finally here! :D

Warning: This chapter is still unedited because I wanted to get it to you guys faster :)

The reason for the impossible delay is at the End note, because I'm sure you guys aren't interested in reading anything before the chapter :)

So anyway, Enjoy!

A Second Chance

Chapter Five

"Are you sure that this is a good idea? I mean, should we really tell them so soon?" I turn to ask Edward.

We're now sitting in his parent's driveway preparing ourselves to face the firing squad. We'd asked our parents as well as Emmett, Rose, Alice and Jasper to meet us there, so we can tell them all at once.

It's been a week since we'd finally decided to go through with this. I'd been trying to put it off as long as possible, but today was the day Edward put his foot down.

I guess we can't delay it much longer. After all, Edward already has the marriage license and wants us to get married as soon as everything can be arranged. I didn't understand the rush at first, but when I remembered Elizabeth's threats, I agreed to his proposition right away.

"Bella," Edward sighed in exasperation. "We've already talked about this. We can't delay this any longer. Besides, it's better to get it out of the way now."

I hate that his words make sense.

I twirl my engagement ring around my ring finger. Edward had given it to me this morning, to complete the charade he'd said.

I'd nodded in understanding, although I felt strangely disappointed for a reason.

While we both sit there waiting for me to get ready to go in, I can't help but remember the last time I did this. Only it was with a different brother.

My heart aches and I, close to tears again.

"Hey," Edward reached for my hand and squeezes it in his own. "Everything's going to be okay. I'm right here." He comforts me, mistaking the reason for my tears.

"I'm fine. Let's just do this." I mumble and get out of the car quickly before he has the chance to say anything else.

He follows me immediately.

We take a few steps towards the house before I stop abruptly and Edward, who had been following right behind me, almost bumped into my back.

Elizabeth was waiting for us right on her doorstep.

Oh God.

My heart is about to beat out of my chest. Edward seems to sense my anxiety as he lays a hand on my shoulder and pushes me forward gently.

"Don't let her scare you." Edward whispers close to my ear. "It'll only add fuel to the fire."

Edward knows his mother well.

Amidst my fretting and apprehension, my mind wanders for a second and I'm curious about why Edward and his mother don't seem that close. He's even trying to help me, when he should be taking her side.

Is it that he was jealous of Riley's relationship with Elizabeth?

Is that what drove him away all those years ago?

I'm snapped out of my reverie by the sound of Elizabeth's Christian Louboutin shoe tapping on the ground. She's wearing an immaculate black dress and her hair is fixed so that not a single hair is out of place. Her arms are crossed against her chest and she's starring daggers at me. The fact that I expected her reaction does not take away from the fact that I'm still terrified by it.

But why the hell should I be?

I've done nothing wrong! I've been nothing but kind and courteous to that woman since the day we met, and what did I get in return? I was treated like crap and she tried to get between me and Riley more than once.

If anyone should be angry right now, it should be me.

Then I remember that she just lost her son, and my anger deflates as soon as it begins.

I'm so lost in my own thoughts that I don't notice that we've reached Elizabeth and are now standing a couple of steps away from her.

I quickly take a step back, bumping into Edward. Edward automatically wraps an arm around my waist pulling me back against his chest comfortingly.

Butterflies start fluttering in my stomach and I am again momentarily distracted from our current dire situation. If he's doing this on purpose to distract me, then mission accomplished.

I look at Elizabeth