A/N: Here it is! The first chapter of the sequel ya'll have been waiting for! I'm sorry to say, my grammar has not improved in the least over these weeks. However, the story goes on! So… enjoy!!
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the Twilight Series, Stephenie Meyer does!
Edward didn't put me down until we were in the horse drawn carriage waiting outside the church. Lighting still lit the sky occasionally but the thunder and violent rain had disappeared completely. Strangers cheered as the carriage clattered away from the church. If my dress and Edward's tux wasn't clue enough, the 'just married' sign hanging on the back of the white carriage would definitely confirm everyone's suspicions of a wedding.
I sat in Edward's arms rocking gently side to side as the carriage turned down another one of New Orleans incredibly bumpy streets.
This street was narrower than most, much more intimate, quiet. Only a few people walked silently along the street. The driver pulled back on the reigns stopping in front of a restaurant by the name of Giovanni's.
"Congratulations ya'll!" The driver smiled as the carriage came to a stop. Edward jumped out first, lifting me into his arms once again.
"Edward!" I protested though being in his arms did feel nice.
"Yes?" He grinned pressing his lips to mine before I could say more.
My head swam, my heart pounding embarrassingly loud. I swear I could hear my pulse in my ears.
I needed air; at least, that's what my lungs were screaming at me, I ignored them. This moment was so perfect; I refused to be the one to ruin it. Edward pulled away, the irresistible grin still intact on his lips, which I only wanted more of.
We walked through the antique door immediately greeted by a man dressed in a full on chef suit.
"Welcome, welcome!" He called in a heavy New Orleans accent, his arms open wide.
"Chef Duke." Edward nodded politely. The friendly chef pulled me into a hug, kissing each of my cheeks as he gave me congratulations.
"Thank you." I answered shyly, overwhelmed by the energetic man. Outside the sounds of more carriages clattered, voices filling the silence of the old street.
Alice danced in moments later, excitement clear in her eyes. She pulled me out of Edward's arms bouncing up and down as she chanted.
"We're sisters! It's official, we're sisters!"
"Can I please have my bride?" Edward laughed pulling me away from Alice. She pouted, a smirk appearing on her lips.
"You wish!" She grabbed me back; I was beginning to get dizzy from all the jostling. "You like it right? I know you hate surprises but you like it, right?"
"Yes, I love it… but I feel bad that all of your planning for the Forks wedding went to waste. Or was that all just an act? Were you planning this all along?" I was suddenly extremely suspicious, had they been fooling me for months?
"No, this was Edward's idea actually. I knew you'd like it more though, it's smaller and much simpler than what I had planned in Forks." She was right, only close family was all I really wanted.
Renee practically ran to me, her arms already outstretched in my direction.
"My baby!" She cried, tears threatening to spill. "I'm so happy for you!" She whispered, swaying us side to side as she hugged me too tight.
At least she was happy; I was expecting both her and Charlie to be beyond angry. Their reactions hadn't been good at all. The memory of Renee paying me a surprise visit to try and dissuade me from marrying so young made me cringe. And Charlie, I didn't even want to think about Charlie's reaction. Speaking of Charlie.
"Congratulations kid." He smiled sadly pulling me into a weak hug.
"Thanks Dad." My smile matched his though for a different reason. Everything was feeling more like a goodbye at the moment.
"Take care of her Edward." Charlie's eyes were full of warning as he grasped Edwards hand tightly.
"I will sir." Edward smiled politely watching as Charlie walked away.
"Okay Bella!" Alice came bouncing back to my side.
"Oh no you don't." Edward snapped grabbing me, I could see the dizzying jostling happening all over again.
"Stop, stop, stop." I screeched. "What Alice?" I asked wrapping my arm securely around Edwards waist in case she tried to grab me again.
"Well… don't be angry but…" She nodded to Edward, her lips moving so fast that I couldn't hear whatever she was saying. Music began to play as Edward dragged me to the dance floor.
"Oh no, please don't make me!" I begged as Esme smiled from the piano encouragingly.
"You'll survive." Edward whispered taking position.
Everyone gathered in the room to watch, the damn trouble making camcorder attached to Rosalie's hand didn't make matters any better. Not only was I one hundred percent positive I'd embarrass myself in front of everyone in the present, I would have to watch it over and over again all through eternity.
"Just follow my lead." Edward smiled as we began to move.
I followed his lead and did my best to try and remember the two weeks of dancing classes Renee forced me to take, with her, of course.
I was in shock when the music died down and an applause echoed through the restaurant, the dance was over and the only part of my body that touched the ground was the soles of my feet.
"I knew you could do it." Edward pulled me into a kiss, which was cut short by Emmett's deep voice.
"Cut it out you two, that's what the honeymoon is for." A blush spread through my cheeks and down my neck as I watched Charlie let out a deep breath, he was trying to keep calm.
Two waiters came out of the kitchen, trays of food in hand. Edward and I took our seats at the gigantic round table. It felt like a big family dinner, except for the fact that more than half of them didn't eat this kind of food… this would be interesting.
"What is this?" I said in disgust poking at the brown thing in the middle of my plate with my fork.
"It's an oyster." Edward laughed as I put my fork down. "Just try it." He handed my fork to me again.
"Okay." I said wearily, cutting it in half and taking a bite. It was actually good, different, but good. Forks scraped across plates as private conversations buzzed around us but I wasn't paying attention to any of it. I saw only Edward, my husband.
"What are you thinking?" He asked running his cool fingertips along my cheek. I blushed again contemplating if I should tell him what I was really thinking.
"About our honeymoon… where are we going?" I asked not bothering to control the involuntary smile that spread across my lips.
"Wherever you want..." My smile faded.
"When are we leaving?" I was a bit upset that he hadn't already planned the honeymoon, though the wedding was last minute.
"One second." Edward's eyes narrowed threateningly as his head snapped in the direction of his brothers that I only now realized were grinning stupidly. I barely noticed his lips moving until he was done speaking, whatever he said worked seeing as both of their grins drop into solemn frowns.
"Tired?" Edward asked nudging me a bit.
"Sorry." I apologized sitting up straighter in my chair. I can't believe I actually started to fall asleep on my wedding. "I barely slept last night." I yawned.
"Why?" He asked concerned, his hand rubbing circles into my back.
"I was worried about you." I admitted feeling foolish now.
"That's what I was worried about." He sighed "I was scared to do this wedding for so many reasons."
"And those reasons are?" I prompted.
"Well… you hate surprises for one." I nodded vigorously, that's the only reason I nearly walked out of the church. "And it was very last minute and I was so busy between tux fittings and hunting, which is the part that upset you, my unexplained absence. You know, I thought you'd figure that out on your own." I blushed, feeling foolish once again.
"We can leave tomorrow if you'd like." I nodded happily.
The wedding was over and I wanted my part of the deal as soon as possible.
"But today…" Edward continued, the serious tone his voice had taken was unnerving. "you're going to have to say goodbye to your parents." My head dropped, the blood draining out of my face. In no way could this day be truly happy for me.
"Can't we do the change after the honeymoon so I can say goodbye to forks and…and Jacob?"
"I guess, we'd have to make another plan though…about your death." It sounded so grim. "But I might be forced to change you Bella." He warned.
"Why?" I asked thoroughly confused.
"I don't want to but I may hurt you when we…when we make love. I hope I won't but I have no guarantee. We can wait if you'd like, so you can say goodbye."
"No." I said sternly, there was no way I was waiting any longer. We both got silent as I thought about what was going to happen, about how fast everything was happening.
"Love?" Edward gently lifted my chin looking me in the eyes. "You don't have to do it at all, we can still be married, I will always love you."
"Yes, I have to do it, I want to do it." I gripped his hand tighter as Alice stood.
"I have a feeling that the bride is going to fall asleep soon so maybe we should cut the cake." Did Alice really have a vision of me falling asleep?
"Are you okay?" Edward asked pressing his lips gently to my forehead as he began to stand.
"I will be." I hope, I added mentally staring at my unsuspecting parents who would be mourning my death in only a couple of days. I had to be okay.
A/N: I am so very sorry that this took me so long to get out (computer troubles). Thanks for reading AND reviewing because I know ya'll will. I can't wait till the later chapters where the story gets good!! Stay tuned, I hope I can get another chapter out soon!!
P.S. The title means Joy of life in Cajun (Creole) French. So I don't need any French speakers telling me I spelled it wrong cause it's not French. CAJUN FRENCH.