Everything belongs to Stephanie Meyers.
3. A WEDDING
Standing here on the most significant day of my existence is everything I wanted, everything I dreamt of –if dreaming were possible –it is everything and more than I deserve. As I stand glancing out the vast windows in my room, in my tuxedo, waiting for my moment to walk down those stairs and take my place to wait for my personal angel to walk down the aisle. I wonder what I have done to deserve all of this.
When I think of all of the moments that have led up to this day, we've been through a lot, and being here now is magnificent. As I wait for my cue, Esme –my mother, as she is to me –enters my room.
"Edward, I'm so happy for you, dear," She gushs, her voice uneven as if she would be crying if that were possible.
"Mom," I turn, smiling at her.
"Oh, Edward. You look… so… handsome," Esme fusses.
"Mom, stop it. You're embarrassing me," I plead.
"Well, you do. Are you ready? It'll be time before you know it."
"I've never been more ready for anything," I sigh. "Everything down there ready?" I inquire.
"Yes. Alice has made this… well, you know Alice," Esme smiles.
"Yeah. I'm sure it's beautiful. You'd better get back down there. I'm sure there are things to do," I offer.
"Yes. I just wanted to give you something," she says as she comes to stand in front of me. "This belong to my son, I bought when I found out I was pregnant, and I knew when this day came… I wanted my son to have it," she hands me a golden necklace. Very old and very delicate.
"Esme… are you sure you want me to have it?" I ask.
"I've been saving it for my son's wedding day, and this is my son's wedding day. I'm so happy for you, Edward. You deserve all the happiness in the world. Thank you for being a wonderful son," she motions for me to turn.
I spin around, watching her delicate hands bring the necklace over my head and disappear behind my neck. There is a small golden square dangling from the chain. I pick it up and take a closer look. Inscribed on the square are the words 'A Mother's Pride', in a beautiful script font.
"Thank you, Esme. I love you," my voice shakes as my throat tightens from the lump forming.
"You're welcome," she spins me around to face her again. "Now do me proud and marry the woman you love," she reaches up kissing my cheek and hugging me tight.
After she leaves the room, I return to looking out the window. In the distance, up the hill a little ways a figure comes into view. Taking a closer inspection I realize it is a small woman, a woman I know, a woman who shouldn't be there. She stands out among the tall trees that are surrounding her. What the hell is she doing here?
She peers at me then waves.
Spinning on my heel, I head down the stairs and out the front door. Catching the attention of several of the guests that are lingering waiting for the festivities to begin. Some attempt to get my attention, but I have other things to deal with and continue around the side of the house.
Heading up the hill out the back, my mind is working overtime. What is she doing here? How has she found me? And most importantly, what does she want?
As I come closer her mind is simple. Her thoughts innocent. It seems this is just a coincidence. She had no idea this is where we lived? Is that believable?
"Edward, what a wonderful surprise," she greets me.
"Elizabeth, what are you doing here?" I ask.
"I was just passing through, and look who I run into," she states with a smile. "How are you?"
"Fine. This isn't a good time though," I reply looking back in the direction of the house.
"Well, you look nice. What are you all decked out for?" she inquires.
"I'm getting married. You can't be here. You must leave now," I demand.
"I'm not here to cause any trouble," she attempts to reassure me.
Hearing him approach, I wished he hadn't followed me. Apparently, I hadn't paid enough attention on my way out, otherwise I would have stopped him from coming up here.
"Jasper. Everything is all right, you can go back to the house," I state as I turn to look at him.
"Edward… Chelsea, what are you doing here?" Jasper asks, surprise etched in his tone.
Stunned by the name he used for Elizabeth, I quickly sifted through his mind.
"Chelsea… I thought you said your name was Elizabeth?" I ask spinning to see her reaction.
As she looks at me her mind slips. Everything comes into view. Her lies, her attachment to the Volturi's, the reason she's here today.
"What's going on here? What are you doing here?" Jasper asks angry in his tone.
My phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out and flip it open to see Alice's name splashed across the screen. It must be time.
"Alice," I say.
"They've got her, Edward," she is panicked. "The meadow, go now."
As the words set in, I drop the phone and run. It suddenly occurs to me what is happening. They are here and it is not to attend our wedding. Running as fast as I can thoughts flood my mind. How could they do this? Why would they do this? None of this is making sense. I can't understand why now?
Running at top speed I know she needs me and without clarity of what is happening I couldn't know for sure how much danger she was in, but I knew enough to know this wasn't good.
I heard him before I saw him. Everything was coming apart at the seams. His thoughts barreling through my mind were irritating.
Running, leaving Bella at the altar? Jacob thought.
"Go home, Jacob." I ordered, acid clear in my tone.
"Geez, what's your problem?" Jacob asks, concerned.
"Get out of here, it's none of your business," I counter.
Taking off faster there is no doubt I can out run him. It is my hope that he wouldn't be able to find me. Getting her out of there will be problem enough without having to worry about him too.
Arriving in the meadow, my angel stands in her long white wedding gown, picture prefect and extremely beautiful. At this moment, it is as if the world around us fell away and all I can see is our future together. The long life ahead of us full of happiness and love. There is nothing on this planet I want more than to look into her eyes forever and if we are anywhere but here she would've taken my breath away. But, as I got closer her panic stricken face brought everything to a standstill. She is terrified as she stands in the middle of our favorite place.
Looking at her I take the last step bringing me into our meadow.
"Edward, run," she yells at me.
What is she talking about? Run, as if I would run and leave her with them. Looking around the meadow, she appears alone, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Further out, hiding behind the forest are Felix and Demetri. What are they doing here? I walk to the center, to my Bella. Taking her by the hands, I pull her to my chest.
"It's going to be okay," I attempt to comfort her by rubbing my hands up and down her back.
"Ah, isn't that special," Felix snickers as he walks out of the shadows. "There's something you don't see every day, a vampire protecting a human," he laughs. But, his thoughts are depraved.
"What are you doing here?" I demand through clenched teeth.
"We were upset we didn't receive an invitation, Edward. Do you not consider us family?" Demetri asks as he comes out of the shadows on the other side of Felix. His thoughts are just as disturbing.
Searching their thoughts there is nothing to indicate the true meaning of their visit. There are no orders from Aro or the brothers, nothing of use to me.
"You're welcome to come, of course. I wouldn't have thought to invite you. My apologizes," I offer hoping to gain more of the reason for their visit.
"Hello, again, Edward," Chelsea comes into view behind me with Jasper hot on her trail. Searching her mind, she offers nothing of use either. It's strange, almost as if everyone is blocking their true thoughts.
Jasper is confused and offers no explanation, except to say that none of this is good. He has no thoughts as to what they were doing here.
"Chelsea, what's going on?" I ask, again clenching my teeth together.
"Don't be upset. No harm will come to you," she offers.
The three are moving closer to Bella then I am comfortable with. Pulling Bella behind me, I place myself between her and them. Grabbing each of their thoughts, someone has to slip up and reveal the true reason for their visit. It was only a matter of time.
"Then why are you here? What do you want?" I asked, once more.
"You, Edward. They want you. But you already know that. Aro has always wanted you," Chelsea informs.
"Well, you can tell Aro, no thank you. I have other plans," I say firmly.
"He knows, but he thought he would make the offer one more time," she pleas.
"Well, the answer is still no."
"That's too bad," Chelsea says with false sadness.
The other two are elated, still not revealing their true intentions. All of my concentration was on their thoughts and watching their every move. Circling, that's what I was doing. Going around and around the three that are in front of me.
One moment I was watching all of this taking place –in the next moment I was on the ground writhing in pain as Jane glides out of the forest. How had I missed her? Jasper runs to me stopping a few feet away. He wants to help, but unable to.
Bella is screaming at Jane to stop, Jane stands holding her position over me. Her mind is wide open displaying to me their plan. This is their moment, the only way they could get away with this. Felix comes forward moving in front of Bella, as he reached for her Jasper grabs him, and the battle begins. Bella shocked and horrified stands completely still… watching. Chelsea is next to come up behind Bella attempting to grab her.
Out of the forest comes a howl like no other, I knew immediately it was him. Jacob flies threw the air knocking Chelsea to her backside. With all this happening at once, with everyone on my side distracted, the timing was perfect. Struggling on the ground attempting to break Jane's grip in despair.
Bella stands staring at me, as I returned her glare, the pain set in her eyes is excruciating and I wish for death. Needing to do something, wanting to have her away from here, I need to break the hold Jane has on me. Somehow I have to get us out of here before it was too late. With all of my attempts failing I look back at her
Demetri swiftly appears behind Bella. This is it, my nightmare coming true, before my very eyes, this is the reason I should have left her long ago. Having him so close to her is agonizing. How could this happen?
In one split second the pain stopped and I caught a glimpse of Demetri's mind. Before I could react, before Bella realized who was behind her, before Jane released total control over me. Demetri stepped forward pushing his arm through Bella's chest, pulling back he had her heart in his hand.
My breath stopped.
Everything stopped.
My existence stopped.
Black… everything went black…
I couldn't think, I couldn't hear, I was wishing I were next. Waiting… waiting for the final blow that would release me from this… the blackness that somehow enveloped me. There was nothing, complete nothingness. With nothing left, with no idea what happened, I knew I wasn't dead, re-enforced by the sound of Jasper's voice.
"Edward… Edward…" Jasper keeps repeating.
I had nothing, nothing left and no reason to move.
"Edward… snap out of it." Jasper shouts.
Opening my eyes I stared at him.
"Edward, I'm so…" He stops.
Looking at Jasper verified my belief that my eyes hadn't played a trick on me, that everything was real. Everything had happened. Bella was… What do I do now? What would be the point of getting up?
"Edward, there's a house full of humans waiting for a wedding. What are we going to do?" Jasper asks, panicked.
Another voice spoke, one I knew well.
"Are you kidding me? That's what you're thinking about?" Jacob snaps, anger heavy in his tone.
"Jacob… it's true… how do we explain this?" Jasper asks.
"Who cares how you explain this. Who cares what the 'humans' think. Jesus, can we get a minute," Jacob moves closer to Jasper.
Jasper stands to his full height as the two stand toe to toe.
"I know how to handle this." I growl.
Rising I go straight to Bella. Peering down at her broken and battered, knowing it is entirely my fault, I'd finally destroyed the one pure thing in my life… my chest is hollow. There are no shreds of the human I ever was. There is nothing left, nothing but one thought invading in my mind. Picking her up I begin to carry her.
Running through the forest with Bella carefully in my arms I needed to protect her… one last time. Coming to the edge of our property, there are people gathered outside. Not caring who they are, not caring if we are exposed, my only thought is to place Bella somewhere warm, somewhere happy. Walking as slow as a human up the front porch of my house. Carlisle is the first to see us.
"Edward… what…" Carlisle couldn't continue.
Walking up the stairs, through the front door, climbing the stairs to my room. Esme, Carlisle, Rosalie and Emmett follow behind me. Entering my room with them in tow, I place Bella carefully on the bed, placing the blanket over her. Leaning down, I kiss her forehead… turning to my family.
"They killed her. They killed her for no reason," I growl.
"Edward…" Carlisle began, but stopped.
"This… will be the last thing… they ever do," I vowed.
Turning, I leave the room. Knowing what had to be done –realizing that we live in a human world –I knew there would have to be some sort of cover up. But I am unwilling to take part in that. That would be left in their capable hands, for I have other plans. There is a massacre that requires my attention.
Leaving the house I run, and run, and run. Stopping only once when I arrived at the oceanfront. Not realizing I have crossed the border, the border that divides us from the wolves. Looking around, I realize I am on First Beach a place that I am banned from, the beach that she had come to with Jacob. She is right again… it is beautiful. I knew that I was I banned from here, but can't find it in myself to care. I wished for them come and kill right now. It didn't matter. Nothing mattered.
Looking across the vast stretch of beach, I am surprised I am alone, surely they have to know I am here. Down the beach a ways Jacob's figure comes into view. He is sitting still as statue staring out at the ocean. Here, was possibly the only person on this entire planet, who could have the slightest idea of what I was feeling at the moment. Hearing the pain and anguish in his thoughts was comforting, to know I wasn't alone. He turned his head noticing me.
Getting up he strides towards me, I, in returned, walk towards him. With many thoughts running through his mind, we are on the same page. He wishes it was me… he wants me as dead. I share his thought.
"What are you planning to do about this?" Jacob growls.
"They all have to die," I reply with what I know is a look I have rarely used in the past 70 years. My mind has not seen images such as these since the days I was on my own. I have never, in my entire existence felt closer to the monster I am, then I do in this moment.
"Glad were on the same page," He looks at me with fire in his eyes.
"You can't be involved in this, Jacob," I answer.
"Don't think you're leaving me out… Not going to happen," He says through clenched teeth.
"When I do this, I won't be returning," I state.
"I know… I don't care."
"But you have an entire pack to worry about," I remind him.
"No, they have a leader, they'll be fine without me," He states.
"All right. Once I have the plan in place, I'll let you know."
"Don't wait too long. My patience isn't as good as yours," He reminds me. "What's the story going to be?"
"I have no idea. I won't have any part of that," I state angrily.
"I understand. You better get out of here before Sam sees you. They don't know yet," he explains. "That's one of the reasons I'm still in human form."
"I'll be in touch."
Turning, I head out of La Push, before crossing the line I hear thoughts that are familiar to me. Here is someone I am not eager to see, but there would be no avoiding him. Knowing it was me he wonders what was going on.
Edward, what's going on? What are you doing here? Seth asks.
"Sorry, Seth. Just lost my way, I'm leaving now," I answer offering nothing more.
It's okay. I just thought you would be getting ready for… He stops short, noticing the blood on my tuxedo.
"Seth… there'll be no wedding today. Bella's…" I can't finish.
Hearing Sam I was glad. I couldn't say the words. There were no words to say.
Seth, go to the beach and be with Jacob, please, Sam orders.
Okay, Seth answers without another question. He too, could see everything in Sam's head.
Edward, I'm so sorry, Sam offers.
"Thank you, Sam," I return.
You'd better go home. Everyone is worried about you. Carlisle called Billy. They want you home, Sam explains.
"I'm going."
Edward, again I'm so sorry. She was a wonderful person, Sam offers.
"Thank you, Sam. Take care of Jacob, he'll need you," I plead.
We will, we'll keep an eye on him. Now go on home, Sam nods his head in the direction of my house.
Turning I run off in the direction of my house. Home is not where I want to go, but have no other choice. With only one other destination in mind, that would have to wait. Wait for a better plan. When I return to that place, I would take out as many as I could before they could kill me. There are three at the top of my list. They are my first priorities. Their faces are the only ones I can see.
Arriving home, it appears as if all humans were gone, the only ones left were our kind. As I walked up to the porch Emmett, Jasper and Rosalie are sitting on the steps. Rosalie spots me first and is in front of me at once. Grabbing me around the neck she hugs me to her.
"Oh, Edward. I'm so sorry," she pleads. If she could cry, she would be.
"It's all right," I simply answer.
She backs up and glares at me. I step around her and head up the stairs. Opening the front door, I take a breath and walk in. Esme is quickly in front of me hugging me.
"Edward, please. Please, let us help you," she begs.
"I don't need help now," I say pushing her away.
Walking away, I go to my room. It is empty. The bed gone, Bella gone. I stand in the doorway frozen. Not wanting to be here and not wanting to go anywhere else.
"Edward, I'm so sorry. It's all my fault. I should've seen them coming," Alice pleads.
"No, they were very careful, Alice. It was perfectly planned. There was no getting her out of there alive. The only thing I don't know is why? Why her? Why was she so important to them? Why would Aro do this? What purpose does it serve?" I ramble on.
"I don't know. I'm almost positive Aro had no idea this was going on. Edward, I think they acted on their own," she offers.
"What?" I asked.
"I don't think Aro or the brothers knew anything about it," Alice repeats.
"That's not going to matter. They're responsible for their people and they will pay. This I promise," I vow, again.
"Edward, what are you planning?" she asks.
"They won't be ruling much longer, Alice. And don't try to talk me out of it, won't happen," I warn her.
"I'm not going to try to talk you out of anything. I want to help you," She offers.
"You can't, Alice. I don't plan on coming back. I won't take you with me. It's bad enough I have to take a wolf," I explain.
"What do you mean a wolf?" she closes her eyes for a moment. "You'd take him over me?" she yells.
Her loud voice gets the attention of everyone in the house.
"Thanks, Alice," I return.
"Well, you're going to take him over me?" she repeats.
"Yes. If you must know, I will take him over you. In this one instance, if he wants to come, I won't stop him."
Carlisle enters the room.
"Edward, could you come down for a minute. We need to talk," he asks.
"Fine."
Getting up we go down to the living room, which is now back to normal. Any signs of the wedding today are gone. They have removed all evidence of what was supposed to happen and what had happened. But just because they removed everything doesn't mean I haven't seen it over and over in my mind.
Going directly to the couch, all eyes are on me.
"Edward, what happened today was… tragic. But…" Carlisle starts, but I cut him off.
"Carlisle, no matter what you say. No matter what any of you say. I'm going to do what I'm going to do. There's no stopping me," I vow once for the last time.
"I wasn't planning on stopping you, Edward. We all want to help. The whole family wants to help. Even our other friends want to help. This has been spreading throughout our community and everyone wants to…" Carlisle hesitates.
"What? Everyone wants to what?" I plead.
"Everyone wants to take down the Volturi. They believe they've done wrong and need to be taken out of power," Carlisle expresses.
"How?" I ask.
"We're not sure yet. Others are coming and we will come up with the best plan," Carlisle offers.
"Fine. Just know that Jacob is coming. You might want to warn the others of that. I've got to get out of here."
"Where will you go?" Esme asks.
"I'm not sure. Not far," I say.
Getting up I make my way to the door.
"I'll be back I promise."
"Edward, one more thing," Carlisle says.
"What?"
Then I saw it in his mind.
He shows me everything they are planning to do. The explanation of Bella's death. A car accident is supposed to explain away everything. The fact they added me to the mix would allow me to hide for the next little while, which is fine with me. I would rather not see Charlie or Renee anyway. Facing anyone of Bella's family and friends seems impossible. To know how many people I have let down is something I cannot deal with right now. I knew in my heart I would make this right, but no matter what I did it wouldn't bring her back and her family could know nothing about it. They would never know the truth.
Leaving the house I wasn't certain where I could go. Anywhere around here was out of the question. I want know chance of running into anyone. There is one place I should go, but could I go there after they had tainted our perfect place. With nowhere else to go I head in the direction of our meadow.
Arriving to the south of the meadow I was uncertain if I could actually go in, uncertain if I could handle it.
"Edward, I'm so sorry," Chelsea offers.
"What are you doing here?" I ask.
Reading her mind, I saw everything. Alice was wrong. They were all in on this, every last one of them. My suspicions were right. If they couldn't have us, they'd attempt to take us out. Aro thought the best way to do this was kill Bella before we could change her. He thought that would send me on a rampage of revenge, and he was right. His plan was to either get me on board with his guard or kill me. The result was up to me, but either way he wants our coven gone. He wants to be the only power in the vampire world and our coven was growing too big for his comfort, so there was no choice left, but to eliminate us all. But he was wrong about what I would. He thought I would allow the monster to take complete control and come at them for revenge and I would, but I this will be done meticulously there will be no rushing for I wanted it done right. No one would survive, that I am certain of.
"I stayed to explain. I wasn't part of this. This is not what I expected to happen. Edward, I'm really sorry, if I had known…" she pleads.
Some of what she was saying was true, but there are some parts that aren't. She always worked for them, from the moment I meet her, she was with them. Her job was to come between my family and I. The Volturi's original goal was to get me to go with her and when I didn't, they came up with plan B. And even though, she was not involved with the specifics of this particular circumstance she was not honest with me, and she was part of the reason that Bella was no longer here.
My monster growled letting me know what it was going to do and I did nothing to stop him.
Without hesitation, without a thought, I reach out and grab her by the neck. Before I knew what was happening, her head was in my hand and her body on the ground. Acting on complete instinct I take apart her body building a pile. Pulling a lighter from my pocket, I set her a blaze.
Watching as the purple smoke rose from the fire, I realize I how much more I have tainted my favorite place, the only place on this planet I felt normal. I would never be able to come here again. After this day I wouldn't want to come here again. Glancing at the fire, I heard his approach.
"Couldn't wait for me, could you? You look like a dead man, they weren't far off the mark with that announcement," Jacob thought as he walked out of the forest.
"Couldn't be helped. She needed to go. And, I am a dead man," I answer somberly.
"I'm sorry, she got away from me earlier," Jacob offers.
"Don't worry about it. It's understandable with everything…" I offer.
"So what's the plan?" Jacob asks.
"I'm not certain yet, but we'll have a lot of help. My family and others are willing to help. With all of them, some of them might even live," I say.
"Well, we're willing to help too. The pack I mean. I can't take them all, but some will come. Probably at least two more," Jacob offers.
"You don't have to do that Jacob. There will be plenty of us, there's no need to put your pack at risk," I plead.
"No need. Are you kidding me? She was all the reason I needed," Jacob answers.
"I know, but she would want you to be safe. And… so do I," I plead.
"Oh, you aren't going to cry, are you?"
"Okay, enough. I'm heading home, why don't you come and see what their working out. If you think you can stand to be around us, that is," I offer.
"I think I'll live."
Together we head down the mountain towards my house. This was something I never saw coming, running alongside Jacob. I suppose Bella got her wish after all. She would be so proud to see Jacob and I coming together over a common goal. Not sure she would approve of the circumstances.
I wish she was here to state her disapproval.
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