Just when things are returning to normal after the New Moon Disaster, Edward finds himself confronted by an unwanted reminder of his human life. Meanwhile, Bella struggles to deal with her human life as she prepares for her marriage and transformation later in the summer.
DISCLAIMER: I am not Stephenie Meyer, nor do I own Twilight, New Moon or Eclipse.
My life was finally back on track. Charlie was easing up on my punishment, and I was now able to leave the house during the day, as long as I was back by curfew. I was happy. Happier even than I was before Edward had left, because now I had the much brighter prospect of an eternity with him as soon as I graduated.
Edward was happy too. I was careful to avoid the subject of my transformation when he was around, as the idea still seemed to bother him somewhat. However, since my half-reluctant promise to marry him, he had warmed a little to the idea.
Edward still drove to and from school in his shiny Volvo, but I forced him to let me drive my truck when we went anywhere else. He still chafed at the limits my truck's motor offered, but I privately smiled to myself as I drove. I liked to think I was slowly breaking him of his driving 50-miles over the speed limit habit.
School went on much as usual, but at the same time much slower because of my excitement for the coming summer- hopefully my last summer as a human, as well as the summer of my wedding. Edward and I were discussing arrangements one afternoon as he walked me to my car.
"So, this summer, where do you want to go?" He asked, keeping his voice casual.
"For what?" I asked bluntly, surprised at the sudden turn of the conversation.
He shifted his weight uneasily as he fastened his seat belt. "Well, I was just thinking, for our wedding."
I blinked. "Oh." I hadn't thought about it much, really. Marriage wasn't exactly on the top of my list of priorities, even though it was with Edward.
I shrugged. "Somewhere overcast, I suppose. I mean, we want you and your family to be able to stand outside."
"Without glittering," he added.
"Yeah," I fiddled with the radio dial. "Do You have any ideas, because I'm drawing a blank. Most people want to have weddings in bright, sunny places."
He shrugged, "We could always have it here."
I flushed, "No, no, no. It's bad enough trying to walk down an aisle with everyone looking at me, but does everyone have be people I know?"
He looked at me sideway, fighting a smile, "Who else would be there? I really don't think you want any of my acquaintances at the party. Unless you do want me to invite the Volterri?"
I paled quickly, "Stop, don't joke about them like that."
Edward shrugged, but dropped the subject.
As we turned into my driveway, I remembered that I had forgotten to go shopping again.
"Shoot." I muttered, realizing I'd have to serve leftovers for the second night in a row.
Edward turned, his eyes a little concerned, "What, Bella?"
"Oh, nothing." I muttered, embarrassed by his concern. "I just forgot that I needed to go to the Thriftway."
He shrugged, "Oh, that's all. Alright, that's fine." He put the car in reverse and sarted to pull out from the driveway.
"No!" I said, mortified. "No, no. It's fine. Charlie wouldn't mind leftovers. Or I can just drive myself to the store later."
"Bella." Edward sighed, "You are not going anywhere without me. In addition, with my driving, we will be at the store and back before you can even have pulled out of the driveway in your truck."
I sighed and he gazed at me with his too-beautiful eyes. "Okay, okay." I huffed, trying to sound sulky. It was a useless attempt, however. Under his eyes I melted.
He smiled smugly and backed into the street.
"I resent that comment you made about my truck, by the way." I added. He just smiled.
Hey, sorry this first chapter is a little slow. It picks up considerably in the next one. Just keep reading. I'll put the next chapter up tomorrow.