Chapter 1: So Much to Do!
The last few years since the Volturi arrived in Forks were, well how else can I explain them? Extremely boring. Bella, Edward, and Nessie lived in the little cottage Esme and I gave her for her 19th birthday. Carlisle stayed around home for the sake of the hospital and Esme, who couldn't be separated from him, took to restoring a 17th century cottage deep in the woods of Forks. Emmett and Jazz had found a new hobby: extreme motorcycle racing. They had built a racing course in the most remote corner of the backyard, and we hadn't seen much of them since. So, that left Rose and I to fend for ourselves. We left for Milan shortly after the boys were done with construction. From Italy, we hit Paris, Hong Kong, London, and finally New York City. Life went on just as it always had when we returned. We couldn't go out in Forks a whole lot because we were all pretending to be away at colleges such as Harvard, Yale, and for Edward and Bella, the University of Alaska Southeast.
Today was different, though. Today was very important. Today was Nessie's day. Her wedding to Jacob was coming up in just 4 short weeks! It's amazing how time flies. Just 7 years ago, Nessie was Edward and Bella's brand new baby girl, and now she was getting married!
Naturally, Rosalie and I had a lot of work to do. Bella tagged along, but to this day still isn't very enthusiastic about shopping. We left Esme at home to clean the house and plan out the architectural design of the living room, where the wedding would take place, and the backyard, where the reception would be held. Rosalie, Bella, Nessie, and I headed to Paris once again to find the biggest, best, and most expensive wedding dress we could find for our little Nessie.
"How about this one, Ness?" Bella asked.
"Bella, are you kidding me? This one is only $2.500! We can do so much better!" I explained.
"Really, Aunt Alice. More than $2,500 for a wedding dress? You've got to be kidding me!"
"Nessie, most people, with the exception of Aunt Rose and Uncle Emmett, get married once in their lifetime! This has to be perfect! Besides, I don't think Jacob will be willing to have multiple weddings." I could see that she was developing Bella's enthusiasm for shopping already. Great. I'm going to have to whip some serious sense into this girl after the wedding.
"Ok, I guess you're right," Nessie agreed, "this will only happen once, so I better make the best of it."
"That's the Nessie I know and love!" I replied eagerly.
With a suitcase just for the dress and smiles on everyone's faces, we boarded the plane to head back to Forks. We decided on a $5,000 Monique Lhuillier. It was an ivory strapless gown with an elongated ruched bodice, and a full skirt. It was absolutely stunning on Nessie. We also got floor length tulle veil with a diamond embellished crown.
When we returned, to my surprise, Esme had finished planning out everything. Rosalie and I were speechless when we saw the plans. Everything was perfect. There would be a beautiful altar, hundreds of chairs for our vampire friends, Nessie's friends, and the Quileutes, and flowers. Lots of flowers.
"It looks beautiful, Esme! I'm so glad I asked you to do this for me." Nessie squealed like a schoolgirl.
"Anything for my favorite little granddaughter," Esme replied.
Jacob had just finished hunting then, so Rose and I ran upstairs with the dress. I had no intention to go back downstairs anytime soon, because I could only imagine what was going on down there between Jake and Nessie. Stupid half-breeds! I hate not being able to see!
Over the next few weeks, Rose and I took care of the essentials for the wedding. We sent out invitations, called the priest, and began setting up the decorations. The excitement surrounding the first wedding since Bella and Edward's was almost tangible in the house. Even Emmett and Jasper came inside sometimes to help Edward and Carlisle out with the heavy lifting and rearranging of furniture. I couldn't help but allow my constant grin to grow wider and wider with each passing week. Finally, the day arrived.