Not Such a Good Surprise after All-
Bella's POV-
I now pronounce you husband and wife. It kept ringing in my head over and over. I was his and he was mine, forever. All seemed right. How had I ever doubted that this would be a huge mistake? As I looked into Edward's eyes I saw only love, loyalty, and trust. This was the kind of love you read about in Cinderella type fairy tales, but this was my fairy tale and mine was real. However, in fairy tales the girl's best friend didn't disappear because he didn't like her choice to marry the man she loved. Where could he be? But I was not going to let him ruin this night for me or for my Edward.
"I love you." His voice had brought me out of my thought as our first dance as husband and wife came to an end.
"I love you too. Forever." It felt like this was how it was always supposed to be. Nothing else in my life had ever felt so right, so why couldn't I get this nagging feeling out of my head that it was incomplete?
"What are you thinking about?" His golden eyes piercing mine had asked.
"Hmmm…..Nothing. It's nothing. Don't worry about it. Tonight is about us and our never ending life together." He cringed at the last part as he was still hesitant about my change, but something in his crooked smile told me that he knew there was something more to my thoughts. Who needed to be able to read my mind when it was so obvious in my eyes?
"Bella, love. You can tell me anything. I don't want you to ever feel like you have to hide something just because you're afraid that it might hurt my feelings." He paused ever so slightly and put his cold hand on my cheek, rubbing his thumb over my lips. "You miss him, I know. The night isn't over and he could still show. As much as I don't like him being around you I would never want to take anything away from you that makes you happy."
Here I was thinking of Jacob at our wedding reception and he completely understood. He was perfect! I needed to stop being so selfish and focus on what was right in front of me, my beautiful, perfect, loving, husband. As a new song started Seth walked over to us. I still couldn't believe that he had a tux on. He looked awkward, but in a good way.
"Edward, would you mind if I danced with Bella?" Seth asked looking almost apologetic towards Edward.
Edward smiled, "Of course, just beware that you will end up with her on your shoes."
My jaw dropped, "Edward!"
"What it's true! But it's so cute!" He kissed my forehead and handed my hand off to Seth as he walked to the edge of the dance floor.
As Seth and I danced, I think that's what we were doing anyways, he had an odd look on his face. Almost like he wanted to tell me something, but didn't know how. I waited as we swayed from side to side, neither one of us knowing exactly what we were doing. The song was almost over and he still hadn't mentioned a word as to what was on his mind.
"Seth!" I snapped looking up at him. I must have caught him off guard because he jumped.
"Yeah?" He murmured.
"What is going on? You haven't said one word since we started dancing and you keep looking around like you're looking for something," my voice trailed off as I suddenly realized, "or someone."
"Bella, he didn't want us to tell you. He's been here for about 20 minutes. He just wanted to make sure that you were happy."
"Is he close?"
"Define close." Seth has said this almost smugly.
At that instant I knew that Jacob was within hearing distance. How could I have ever doubted that he would miss out on this? I mean I knew that it must have been hard for him, but he knew how important it was to me and he had always promised to be there for me, no matter what. He had come to make me happy.
"Where?" I said to Seth as my eyes darted from one side of the reception to the other. The dance floor was in the Cullen's backyard surrounded by the forest which encircled the entire property. Great cover for a werewolf wanting to remain inconspicuous I thought to myself.
"Bella he said he didn't want you to know. I don't know if it would be a good idea to talk to him. Even though he's here, he is still very hurt. Please don't make it worse." As Seth said this I saw his eyes look towards the end of the dance floor and nod.
I turned and marched over to the edge which was cloaked in the darkness of the night. "Jacob Black, you get out here right now! I know you're out there! Come out! Don't make me come in there and mess up my dress, you know Alice will have your hide!"
Slowly a figure emerged from the darkness. Taking very cautious steps the light gradually worked its way up to Jacob's face. There was something different about him. He wasn't the happy, free spirited Jacob that I had come to know. He looked stressed and tired, so very tired.
"Hi Bells. So I supposed congratulations are in order. So umm... congratulations," he almost whispered the last part.
"Oh Jake! I'm so glad that you came!" I threw my arms around his neck and snuggled into his chest. I felt him slowly wrap his arms around me and nuzzle his face into my hair.
"Sure, sure."
I felt his head lift up from my hair and his grip on me loosen. "Hello Edward."
I turned to see Edward standing there with a polite smile on his face. For a moment I forgot that Jacob was still standing there. Edward stepped forward extending his hand to Jacob, "We're glad that you could make it. This means a lot to us."
"I didn't do this for you! This is for Bella and Bella only."
Edward nodded and shifted his glance to me. I could see the discomfort Edward held in eyes as he observed the close proximity Jacob and I held. "Alice wants us to get ready to leave for the honeymoon. She said she wants you to come upstairs and change out of your dress into your departing attire. I will tell her you'll be there shortly."
"Agh! More of Alice's wardrobe influence." I would find a way to make her pay for the horrific, tiny pieces of clothing she would insist that I wear.
Edward smiled that wonderfully crooked smile that I loved beyond belief, "I know, but just a little while longer and we will be alone for weeks. I'm going to head upstairs to change. You'll….you'll be ok?"
"I'll be fine. Just let me say good-bye to Jake and I'll be right along." I smiled as he winked at me and turned to walk away. I was getting ready to turn to Jake when Edward stopped.
"Jacob, again thank you. We will see you in a couple of weeks. And I assure you that I will take great care of Bella, just so you know."
"Sure, sure." Jacob replied as he ran his hand through his hair.
I watched Edward walk into the house before turning back to Jacob. I was preparing myself to tell Jacob good-bye, but he started speaking before I could.
"Bella, why are you and Edward going to be gone for so long?" Jacob asked with a very worried look on his face.
I looked into his eyes as I placed my hand on his cheek, "Jake, it's not what you think. I will come back fully human still. As for the length of time we are going to be gone, well I intend to have a completely human honeymoon." I couldn't help but blush at the words that had just come out of my mouth, but before I could feel my cheeks warm Jacob grabbed my wrists and looked at me with the most bewildered look in his eyes.
"What do you mean completely human honeymoon?! You can't possibly be thinking of giving yourself to him Bella? Are you insane?" His grip on my wrists was tightening.
"Jacob Black, what I do with my husband on our honeymoon is really none of your concern! And let go of me, you're hurting me!"
"Bella, I cannot allow that bloodsucker to take advantage of your body like that. He could kill you! I know that you're a bit wrong in the head, but he knows how fragile you are to him! I'll kill him Bella! If he lays one hand on you, I will kill him!"
I was so angry that before I knew what I was doing I had lifted my hand and slapped him right across his face.
"That's enough! This is none of your business Jacob. When are you going to finally understand that I want him, not you," I hissed from between my teeth.
That's all it took. Several things happened in a matter of seconds. Jacob grabbed me by the waist, put his hand over my mouth, and disappeared into the forest, into the darkness.
