Chapter 1- Planning and Penguin walking

Bella POV

This was truly my own personal apocalypse waiting to happen. The offensive contraptions that were before me made me flush with the embarrassment that was sure to come. "No. Way. Alice."

"But Bellaaaaaaaaaaa," she whined. I hated the whiny voice, the exact same voice she used when I refused the gold borders on the invitations, the 12 course dinner for the wedding reception, and the freesias that would cover every surface of the tables. On those things I had caved, but this, this was impossible.

"They're Vintage! Can't you just see yourself in them with the dress? Oh, you'll be gorgeous, I can see it!""Have you also seen me falling flat on my face and ripping my dress in front of everyone?"

"Teehe, I'm sure if you ripped the dress wide enough, Edward really wouldn't mind at all, especially when he sees the something blue that I picked up for you," she answered slyly.

I rolled my eyes and plopped down on her designer Lazyboy sofa. "I'm not wearing those." I pointed to the embroidered heels that were at least 4 inches. I suddenly pictured myself on beaded stilts plunging onto the ground, and if I went down somehow I was sure I'd pull Charlie with me.

Charlie's reaction to the wedding was, well, let's just say that he achieved a new shade of purple. But after several 'you'll regret this for the rest of your life speeches,' one 'I'm an adult and you can bite my ass,' speech, several packed bags and two apologies later we had at least gotten to where we were on speaking terms. Edward had been wonderful. Everything Charlie said to him he took and responded with earnestness and respect, I however was not so calm about certain comments. Hence, the bags of my belongings which were now arranged to blend in with Edward's room.

"Don't worry, Bell-," Alice paused suddenly and her face showed all the signs that she was having a vision. I stood patiently and waited. After a few seconds, her head snapped up.

"Rats," she said as she pulled the heels off the bed and placed them back in the embroidered pink box, I'm sure after seeing my elaborately made up face collide with the freesia covered aisle. She stroked one embroidered heel for a moment before looking at me annoyed. "You would've done that intentionally," she snapped.

"You're right Alice, just like every time I trip its completely intentional. No one can make themselves look stupid on purpose like I can. You know you wish you had my skill," I muttered sarcastically.

"Well the shoes won't work, obviously," she mused. " I guess its time to go shopping!" she squealed . "Alice, come on again?"

"Hmm, I'm seeing something silky, gasp, maybe we could get you glittery shoes, then we could look into buying that tiara I've been looking at," she mumbled, but even though I didn't have vampire-hearing I still heard her clearly enough.

"Absolutely NOTAlice, do your even remember the list I made, the list that you told me to make of things that would absolutely mortify me if you had at the wedding?"

"I didn't know it would be so long," she muttered. "Some things have to be negotiated," she said in a business-like voice. She picked up the clipboard that no doubt held a list of errands, and a copy of my three-page list (I was very thorough, you can never go overboard with Alice). She lightly tossed me a red sharpie to cross out some of the items on the list, then, almost simultaneously she threw me the clipboard. Unfortunately, the pen hit the small vase on the coffee table and the clipboard moved like a flying saucer to the window behind me. Somehow without thinking, I whipped around and grabbed the clipboard and caught the vase with my bare foot. I froze, realizing what just happened.

"Wow," Alice said, her eyes wide with astonishment at my quick save, and the fact that I had been actually keeping my balance on one foot for 3 seconds.

"What's going on?" asked Rosalie as she suddenly came in Alice's room. She took in my position and chuckled lightly. "Let me guess Alice, has Bella rethought the portrait idea and you're trying to paint her as a contortionist?"

"No." Alice grumbled, suddenly defensive. " That's still number 237on the list, but I'm still working on it, Bella actually made an awesome save," she smirked, "awesome for a human anyways."

I blushed, and then gravity got the best of me and I crashed onto the hardwood floor. Fortunately, Alice caught the vase and Rosalie caught me. It had still been awkward for us, but living under the same roof had made facing each other unavoidable. We weren't sisters like Alice and I were, but since the boys had all gone hunting, we had enjoyed a series of classic movie nights. As it just so happens, nothing brings future in-laws together like Casablanca and Gone with the Wind. We laughed and cried (well, I cried), and were actually warming up to each other.

After my near floor-collision experience, Alice went back to planning, but I stood there stunned for a moment. Something was different. The smell, when Rosalie saved me from falling she smelled differently. Alice, too, it was like their normally sweet smell had slightly staled. That's weird I wonder if I have a bug or something.

I was quickly dragged from my musings by a very impatient Alice. Rosalie, Alice and Esme all had had

Fittings that day, and of course, they all looked amazing in their dresses. So far, everything had gone smoothly, the only thing I had to worry about was Alice and her tendency to go overboard. At first, I had given her power over everything but the guest list, but when she began placing an order for a horse drawn carriage and doves, I put my foot down.

Almost all of her ideas had once again proven her impeccable taste, but I drew the line at anything with feathers or hooves, and even after enforcing that rule she still found a loophole and I had to beg Jasper to talk her out of the live rabbits that she argued would 'enhance the natural setting.'

The one thing that I had fully agreed to was the bar. After telling Renee, I think it would be best for everyone's sanity if there was liquor involved. I had actually spoken to Phil, and after living with her for the last moth, he agreed that Vodka would make the situation a lot less awkward; at least by the time that the 'If anyone has any reason that these two should not be wed…' part

In truth I couldn't help but enjoy Alice's enthusiasm. It made me feel like I truly had a place in Edward's family whenever Alice and I bickered over doilies, or Esme asked for my help with her garden. It was almost too good to be true.

Alice and Rosalie had been discussing hairstyles when her attention quickly flashed to me.

"You have fever, I can smell it." She stated. I had been feeling weak today, all this planning was tiring. And the whole up-all night girl bonding pair with the freezing weather was probably not the best idea. "She did feel a little warmer now that I think about," said Rosalie. Their topaz eyes quickly widened as they looked at me and then back at each other.

"EVERYONE TO YOUR STATIONS!!!! CODE F! I REAPEAT! CODE F!!" Alice yelled as she tore out of the room and was quickly followed by Rosalie. I had no idea why she was so panicked, or why she was yelling, for that matter. She, Rosalie, and Esme glided swiftly into the room in single file and circled me, each of them was holding some ailment related product.

"ISABELLA MARIE SWAN!!! You re getting married in three weeks," If you are in anything besides perfect health you endanger the whole event and so help me God, I refuse to watch a perfectly good order of 45 spinach quiches that I can't eat go to waste because you are asleep in bed with the sniffles!" Alice snapped as she thrust a thermometer into my mouth and holding it for me as if I was a two-year old . Meanwhile, Esme poured cough syrup into a premeasured plastic cup and Rosalie unfolded an electric blanket.

"Honestly Alice," I slurred, "I'm just tired first of all and second colds don't normally last three weeks. No fear great swami, the quiche shall not go to waste, all is not lost."

"Hardy har har har," shall I remind you of all the things that can go wrong when something concerns you Bella dear? Vampire Vendettas, Blood thirsty Newborns, any thing dangerous and mythical..."

"Don't leave out the whole making the Volturi hit list if she's not changed," Rosalie chimed in.

"Or the whole constant collisions with assorted inanimate objects," Esme giggled.

"Oh, sure, make fun of the invalid," I grumbled, which only made them laugh harder as they continued inspecting me for other signs of sickness.

Suddenly, Alice froze again, and when she blinked she broke into a huge grin. "The boys will be back sooner than planned." At this we all smiled. I had hated being away from Edward these last four days, even though I enjoyed the girl time. She skipped over to the window and we all followed, well, I was wrapped in a blanket from head to toe so I more or less made like a penguin and hobbled. As we gazed out the window, Emmet's hummer rolled into the driveway and made a screeched stop just before it hit the porch. "It looks like he missed me," giggled Rosalie.

I turned my head to smile at her, and when my gaze returned to the Hummer it was met by my favorite pair of topaz eyes and a smile that was just for me.

Love It? Hate it? Let me know! Ur advice is always appreciated. Next chappie will give you more history on the whole reincarnation thing, and who Bella was in a past life. I just wanted to set the scene for where Bella is in the story first. Special thanks to my reviewers, ya'll rock, thanx for reading!!