Chapter 8
"Bella…wake up." I heard the sweetest voice say. It was Edward. He was cradling me in his arms and I was surrounded by an entire family of onlookers. I sat up and rubbed my eyes.
"Are you okay?" Alice asked.
""Yeah, I just got a little lightheaded." I stood up. Edward was watching me carefully to make sure I didn't go back down.
"One minute you were hugging me and the next you were on the floor." Jacob said with concern.
"We leave her alone with a dog and look what happens." Emmett snapped.
Jacob gave him a nasty look.
"Not now." Edward said. "We have more important things to focus on."
"I think I'm just overwhelmed by this whole situation." I said to them. "I wasn't expecting to have to rush the two biggest events of my life."
"It's getting late," Carlisle said, "why don't you go home and get some rest Bella. We can discuss all of this tomorrow."
"I'm not sure I'll be able to sleep." I said as Edward wrapped his arms around me.
"Sadie needs to get some rest too." Esme said, "Jacob, you're more than welcome to stay here with her."
"Thanks." He said.
We all said our good nights. Edward and I headed to my house. I'm sure Charlie would be wondering where I was. When we got to the front door, Edward kissed my cheek and said, "I'll see you in a few minutes."
I went in, "Dad, I'm home."
"Hey sweetie," he greeted me. "How was your slumber party?"
"I'm too old for slumber parties dad." I smiled at him. I couldn't imagine saying goodbye to him in a week. I had to think of another option. "I'm gonna head to bed."
"Good night Bella."
I rushed to him and wrapped my arms around him. I could tell he was surprised, we defiantly were not a hugging family. He was tense for a moment, but soon he embraced me and rested his chin on my head. There in his arms, I felt a since of security, even though I knew my dad couldn't protect me from what lie ahead, for a moment it felt like he could. "I love you kid. I'm really going to miss you when you move out."
"Me too, dad."
Edward was waiting for me upstairs. I changed into my pajamas and curled up next to him in bed.
"I'm not sure if I can handle all of this pressure, Edward."
"I'll go to Aro, maybe he'll listen to me and we can work something out. We need more time."
"We can't. He'll kill you or worse, he'll make you stay with him. You know he wants you to join his regime and use your abilities."
"What else can we do, Bella? Our wedding day was supposed to be perfect. I feel like he is taking that away from you, from us."
I knew that Edward was excited about the wedding. It was his one request of me, before he would agree to change me. We lay in silence for the rest of the night. I could tell that Edward was overwhelmed by the situation because he wasn't faking breaths. He was in deep concentration.