Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, unfortunately. If i did Carlisle would be with me.
Prologue - Marriage
1671
Bella is 16
Bella POV
I opened the door to the house and walked in.
"I'm home" I called out to my parents. Father stepped out from the hall and greeted me,
"Bella- what in the world did you do to that dress?"
"Father I'm sorry I was visiting Jacob and-"
"Never mind that I will talk about that with you later. I have an important matter to discuss with you now. Come with me." I walked behind Father and entered his study. He lowered himself into his chair and I set myself into one of the two chairs in front of his desk.
"What is it Father?"
"Bella a man has inquired for your hand in marriage," I stared at him dumbfounded.
"and I have accepted." This jolted me out of my daze. He couldn't do this to me! I wanted to marry for love and make sure the man I was marrying wouldn't mistreat me like Father did to Mother,
"Father don't you remember when I discussed with you that I didn't want an arranged marriage." He stopped in mid-sentence.
"That was more an argument than a discussion and you were being insolent like you are now. I also remember telling you that it is the father's decision on what is best for his child. And I have decided that it is best for you to get married to Mr. James Gigandet." I looked at him sad, hurt, and angry.
"Mr. Gigandet is a good man. He is moderately wealthy, educated, handsome, and best of all he knows how to treat women."
"But Father-" I started to protest.
"Mr. Gigandet will be here tomorrow for dinner and to formally ask for your hand in marriage. I expect you to say yes Isabella." That tone was familiar to me. I knew I had to do what he said but I had a very bad feeling about this.
"Of course, Father."
"Good Bella, you are dismissed, and please change out of that filthy dress." I walked out of his study and towards my room fighting tears the whole way.
The next day just after lunch……
"Mother can I go visit Jacob?" I asked just as she started clearing the dishes.
"Of course sweetheart, just help me finish here. We don't want your Father to see a mess." she replied.
"Just remember to be back before your Father gets home. You know he doesn't approve of you seeing that boy." I helped her clear the dishes and rushed out the house towards the small reservation town near the outskirts of Volterra. As I neared Jacob's house I slowed down so as not to make a fool of myself, running like I was. I climbed up the two steps leading to the front porch and knocked softly upon the door. After a minute or so the door was thrown open by just the person I wanted to see.
"Jacob!" I exclaimed as well and hugged me back fiercely.
"Can't…..Breathe!" I squeaked out. He let me go immediately and barked out a laugh.
"Would you like to go for a walk?" he asked.
"I'd love to." I replied.
"Alright just give me a minute and come on in and say hello to my father." I walked inside their small house and closed the door behind me. I went inside the parlor and greeted Billy, Jacob's father. When I finished the traditional small talk Jacob was ready to go and we left the house.
"How are you today, Bella?" he asked.
"Not so good Jacob." I replied because even though I was in a relatively happy mood now, I need to tell him about my impending marriage, and that made it spiral downward.
"What's wrong Bella?" he asked, his voice full of nothing but genuine concern.
"Jacob," I said in a somber voice,
"I'm getting married."
"Congratulations! To who? - Wait isn't that a good thing?" he asked confused.
"No it isn't when I'm getting married to James Gigandet a man I barely know." He looked at me confused again.
"Jacob my father arranged my marriage." He stared at me surprised, stunned, and shocked.
"You are joking, right?" he asked.
"No Jacob I'm not joking." I replied, sitting down on the flat rock in front of the pond we just reached. Jake sat down next to me on the rock, pulled me into his lap, and held me as I cried. He was so perfect. He knew me so well and knew exactly what I needed. When I finally dislodged my face from his soaked shirt, I looked up at him my expression apologetic.
"I'm so sorry you had to see that. And your shirt it's ruined."
"No Bella it's alright. It's better you cry with me and have support then all alone with no one." I continued to sob and when I finally gained enough control of the sobs to speak I asked Jacob,
"Please come to the dinner?"
"What dinner?" he asked.
"Tonight. We are having Mr. Gigandet for dinner and he is supposed to formally request my hand in marriage."
"Oh….Am I allowed to?" he asked.
"I really don't know." I replied and just then I heard the toll of the new clock tower.
"I have to go Jacob. I'll send you a message letting you know if you're allowed to come." I started to walk towards Volterra when Jacob exclaimed,
"Wait, Bella! Let me at least give you a ride."
"Oh alright I guess it couldn't hurt." I replied. We walked around the back of his house and I saw a carriage without any horses attached.
"I'll be right back I have to borrow the Clearwater's horses." Jacob said, then disappeared. I climbed up into the carriage surprisingly not falling flat in the dirt. Jacob came back a few minutes later with two horses and attached them to the carriage. He climbed on the carriage, cracked the reins and we rode off.
That evening...
"Bella! Are you ready yet? Mr. Gigandet will be here any minute!" my mother shouted to me.
"Just a minute, mother," I replied. "I'm putting on my shoes." In reality I was sitting on my bed clutching a copy of the letter I had my messenger write for me just an hour before. I couldn't even read it because my father didn't believe in giving girl's an education.
"Bella!" my mother shouted again.
"Coming!" I yelled in reply. I placed the letter on my bed and hastily left my room and descended the steps. I went down a little too fast though, and tripped on the third step. But before I landed on the floor a strong set of arms caught me. I looked up, blushing beet red, into a pair of baby blue eyes. He righted me and said,
"I hope you're all right Miss Swan."
"Oh! Oh yes I'm surely fine now. Thank you." He kissed my hand and then said,
"You're surely welcome my lady, now shall we go inside the parlor?"
"Oh yes of course." He seemed very nice and father was right, he was handsome. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.
Two months later...
"Are you excited, Bella?" Angela asked me.
"Today's the big day!" I smiled wanly, I hated getting dressed up, and I hated parties, especially my own parties.
"Yes... today's the big day."
"Oh cheer up! It's your wedding!"
"Thanks, Angela."
"Good luck." Then I heard the pianist play the wedding march it was my cue... I walked down the aisle and saw James waiting for me with this
smirk on his face that brought a chill to my bones. I had thought by marrying him that I might just get a chance to get away from my Father and
the horror he brought. I faltered in my step but continued walking forward determined that this would all work out.
A/N: Hey I hoped you liked it! As a side note this is only leading up to the main plot and is meant as a lead-in. Please do not judge the story only based on this because the plot is actually quite different than what you see at first. Don't forget to review! Because Reviews = Love
Tiffany
