Disclaimer:
Characters based on Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Saga.
When the Cullens left, the house became quiet. It was great to have them around; at least I didn't feel so left out. Carmen had Eleazar and now Kate had Garrett. I felt like a fifth wheel. I hunted mostly by myself or if I went with any pair, I would excuse myself and head back alone. It was not long before Kate noticed my behavior.
"Tanya, are you okay?" Kate asked and I nodded.
"You've been so quiet since the Cullens left."
"It just felt so quiet without them and I missed playing with Renesmee. It was nice to play with a little girl," I answered.
"I have been selfish, haven't I? I didn't even think that you'd be lonely," Kate whispered.
"What are you talking about? You guys are here, nobody left, I'm not alone."
"Yes, you are. I should have thought of you before I said 'yes' to Garrett."
I hugged Kate, "Are you crazy? You don't want to lose a great catch like Garrett. Stop worrying about me, I'll be fine. You said that it would take time and I have time." I squeezed her shoulder, "Sorry if I acted like a sore loser when I'm with you guys."
"I should be more considerate," Kate said as she leaned her head on my shoulder.
"You're in love; you have no time to be considerate," I joked and she laughed.
--
Alice kept in touch with Kate to discuss some of the wedding preparation. Instead of September, they agreed to bump up the wedding to August to give Kate and Garrett a month's getaway before Renesmee's birthday. Kate was ever so grateful with Alice's planning skills and became more excited about her upcoming wedding.
Months quickly passed and August came. We drove down to Forks for the wedding. The door opened and Alice greeted us with open arms, "You're here."
"It's great to see you!" we quickly hugged.
"Tanya, go upstairs. Your dress is on my bed, try it on. We'll be there in a few," Alice instructed.
"Aren't you even going to let them settle down?" I heard Jasper asked before I closed the door.
The dress laid out on the bed was beautiful; it was a copper/bronze dress with wheat colored sash. It hugged on all the right places, accentuating my body. I was still admiring how it looked on me when Alice opened the door, "Oh, look at you, it fits!"
"Amazing. How did you know my size?" I asked while checking out myself on the mirror.
"I used Bella as my model then I altered it just a tad bit." Alice pulled out three dresses from the closet and handed them to Bella and Rosalie while she took hers. "Put it on so we could show Kate the dresses. Tanya, the shoes are underneath the bed." I handed them their shoes and we walked down the stairs. With the look on Kate's face, I knew she loved it.
We changed out of the dresses and headed back. Renesmee was napping and I went to her side. She was drained from the excitement but Rosalie said she would be wide awake in no time.
Kate and Alice left quickly to get Kate's wedding dress. I thought Alice would pick that first, but it would be hard to get one without the exact size. With Alice's party planning skills, nothing was hard or impossible.
--
Time flew and finally Kate's big day was at hand. "Finally!" Kate screamed as soon as the sun rose the next morning.
"Someone's excited to get married," Carmen smiled as we all laughed.
"I have never been married before so this is all new to me. Alice, are they going to be here on time?" Her voice suddenly cracked; she was nervous.
"Relax, Kate, the wedding is not until six tonight."
"Can you please check, just to make sure?" Kate asked Alice to tap into her vision.
"Chill, Kate." Alice closed her eyes, "everything's going to be fine."
"I'm getting married…I'm getting married…" Kate started singing and grabbed my hand to dance with her. No way was I doing this alone, so I grabbed Alice who then grabbed Carmen and Rosalie. Esme and Bella made their escape to the kitchen.
The flowers were delivered and with everyone's help, all the preparation was finished in no time. We changed to our dresses and our two non-vampire guests arrived, Jacob and Seth. Edward, Carlisle, Emmett, Jasper, Eleazar and Garrett arrived from the cottage in their suits.
Everyone settled around the house. All the women were upstairs with Kate. She was yet to wear her gown.
"This is it. Are you ready?" I asked my sister. She smiled and nodded.
I hugged her, "Oh, Kate, I'm so happy for you!"
"No drama yet, ladies, and Tanya, you'll ruin both your make up!" Alice exclaimed as she shooed me to the other room.
At six o'clock, Edward sat on the piano and started playing. Alice came down the stairs followed by Bella and Rosalie. I came down the steps followed by Renesmee who was escorted by Carmen and Esme. After we all reached our place, Eleazar opened the door from Carlisle office to lead Kate. None of us have seen her dress except for Alice who picked it out with her. She's wearing an ivory low v-neck floor length gown.
"She's beautiful," Garrett gasped. He was looking at her adoringly. I knew that Garrett was deeply in love with my sister and when I saw how he looked at Kate, I knew Kate found her forever happiness. After Eleazar handed Kate to Garrett, he stood beside him. No other man witnessed how Garrett and Kate's romance bloomed aside from Eleazar. It was just right that he became the best man. Carlisle presided the wedding. It was short but the emotion between Garrett and Kate was beyond words.
Since most of us didn't need to eat, the dancing started as soon as the ceremony was over. I decided not to dance with Edward. It would bring back unwanted memories. I dance with Seth most of the time since he had no partner.
When the time came for the bouquet toss, Kate walked up to me and handed me the flowers, "You'll be next."
"Is that my cue to find me a man?" I asked and everyone laughed.
Jacob and Seth stood up in the center to catch the garter from Garrett.
When Garrett threw the garter, Edward glared at Jacob and said, "Don't you dare catch that, mutt."
Jacob got distracted and Seth grabbed the garter, "Don't worry, Edward. I got you covered."
I stood beside Seth and joked, "If only you're a little older. Oh well." We both laughed.
Jacob and Seth left. Not long after, the newlyweds made their exit and the wedding fever high subsided.
--
The month quickly passed. Kate and Garrett arrived the day before Renesmee's birthday party.
"So, how was the honeymoon?" I asked my sister.
"It was bliss," Kate smiled and squeezed Garrett's hand.
"I bet it was," I smiled and hugged both of them.
"I really hope you find someone special," Kate said.
"In time, sister, in time. But for now, you better prepare yourself from honeymoon event ambush." I turned to Garrett, "I'm sure Emmett is dying to know what you were up to." The three of us laughed.
--
The morning of Renesmee's birthday, we helped Alice finish the decorations around the house. The guys helped set up the seating outside.
Carlisle called Eleazar, Carmen, Kate, Garrett and I, "As you know, we have human friends coming by. They know about you but we think it would be better if you do not meet each other during the party. I know the humans would not have any problem with you as some of them you've seen in Edward's wedding, but I'm not sure about the werewolves."
"We understand, Carlisle. It's time we go hunting anyway. We'll just head up north," Eleazar answered.
"Thank you, my friend."
"What time could we come back?" I asked.
"We told them the party is between three in the afternoon and seven at night. After seven, it should be safe for you to come back," Carlisle answered. We all nodded and headed out.
--
As expected, Eleazar walked hand in hand with Carmen, as did Kate and Garrett. Kate grabbed my hand and I walked with her and Garrett. I appreciated her gesture. Kate made sure I was not out of place. However, when we started to hunt, the pairs started to separate and I was left by myself. I slowed down before and quickly fell behind. It wouldn't be long before Kate would notice my absence. I could easily protect myself from any impending danger; Kate didn't have to worry about me. I was sure she would understand.
I saw an elk wandering around the forest. I waited for a minute or so before I attacked. I drained it in no time. I stood up and slowly walked around. I climbed up a tree, sat on a branch and took in view. I sat there and waited for time to pass. I could see Garrett and Kate from one area; Eleazar and Carmen on the opposite. I envied both of the pairs. I wished I could find someone. I didn't mind being alone before but since Garrett came into Kate's life, I felt another pang in my heart. I lost Edward to Bella; Carmen and Eleazar joined our family together; Irina had Laurent for a little time and now Kate found Garrett. It felt like the world of love decided to leave me on the sidelines.
I tried to think other things, anything but my love life, or the lack thereof. I remembered how Irina, Kate and I compared the guys we flirted with when we went to town. We've thought of changing some men to be our partners, but after we gave up on human blood, none of us thought we would be strong enough to stop once we bit them. I thought of our 'mother,' Sasha. She changed all three of us and we were happy together. I don't need a man to be happy, I thought to myself. I just need my family and friends. Yes, my family who paired up already. How about friends like Rosalie and Alice? Then I thought they had Emmett and Jasper; it would still make me feel like a fifth wheel. Being single sucked.
My brain got tired thinking of other things. No matter what I thought of, it would always come down to having someone special. I would just give myself a headache. I looked at my watch and it was a little past five. I looked over the horizon and saw the others. It didn't look like any of them had any plan of heading back just yet as it was still pretty early. I climbed down from the tree and headed back to the house. I decided to walk instead of running; it would take longer to get there. It took me good two hours from before I reached the house.
Time was a bit past seven; it should be safe to go inside. I looked around to make sure there was no one left. I sniffed and it smelled like a wet dog. Jacob, I thought. I walked to the front door and was about to reach for the knob when the door opened. I looked up and saw someone standing in front of me; someone I had never seen before.
I didn't know what took over me, but my body refused to move. He was looking straight to my eyes and I couldn't take my eyes off him either. I held my breath, for how long I couldn't remember. I was glad I didn't need to breathe or I would have passed out. He was pretty tall and his body built; he shared a lot of characteristics with Jacob and Seth but his eyes bore on me in a way I couldn't explain. I never met anyone who had this effect on me before, not even Edward.
I stood there for who knew how long. I heard Bella's voice from the background, "Embry, this is Tanya. Tanya, this is Embry. May I suggest we all get seated in the living room?" Embry. His name is Embry. It sounded beautiful to my ears.
He extended his hand and I reached for it. When he put my hand on his lips, I shivered. "Pleased to meet you," he said. I was too dazed to say anything. Before I knew it, I was seated on the sofa. I had no idea how I got there; all I cared about was that he was still holding my hand. I didn't know anything about this man who was holding my hand aside from his name, but I knew, right then and there, my heart, my mind, my being was captured.
