Today was the big day. Alice, Rosalie, Esme and I spent the entire night running around to finish setting things up. Emmett and Jasper left late last night to take Edward out hunting. In the human world. The guys took the groom out to a strip club or something. Not on a hunting trip. But they both seemed excited about it. Well, Emmett was more excited to peek in on Edward and Bella. I rolled my eyes at the thought and finished putting together the bouquet for one of the tables.
"Ok, I'm going to get the bride!" Alice sang as she danced towards the front door.
"I can't wait to see her all done up! Hurry up." Esme looked like she'd be crying if she was capable of it.
"This is insane." Rosalie mumbled as she wondered around the room, poking and re-centering the already perfect arrangements.
"Rose, this isn't a day for you to say anything. Leave Bella and Edward alone. Especially Bella. She's a grown woman who makes her own decisions." Esme warned her and continued to center the piano just right.
"But I still…" Rosalie trailed off when Esme flitted over to her.
"I know you mean well, dear, but look how happy the both of them are. Bella is not you, maybe you were meant to always be a human, but Bella knows what she wants. Support your brother today. There is nothing that you can do to stop him from marrying her, or her from marrying him. She will be your sister-in-law in just a few hours, then a sister shortly after that. Not everyone thinks like you. Respect that." Esme kissed Rosalie's cheek before moving to organize the candles.
I hurried up and made myself look busy before Rosalie noticed I was listening. She sighed behind me and I heard her wonder outside.
"Alice and Bella are back!" Esme called out excitedly. Just as she said the words I heard Alice's Porsche speeding up the driveway.
"Since when is the bride not allowed to see the decorations?" I heard Bella from the garage. Esme was laughing quietly from the kitchen.
"Since she put me in charge. I want you to get the full impact coming down the stairs." Alice answered her.
I caught a glimpse of them as they walked into the kitchen. Esme stood quietly not to distract them. I did the same. Alice had her hand over Bella's eyes. Her hands reflexively out in front of her trying to make sure she wasn't going to bump into anything. She breathed in and gasped.
"What is that?"
"Is it too much?" Alice sounded worried as she stared at the back of Bella's head. "You're the first human in here; I hope I got it right."
Bella sniffed again and smiled. "It smells wonderful!" Bella stuck her nose in the air and pursed her lips. "Orange blossoms… lilac… and something else -- am I right?" She asked.
Damn she was good.
"Very good, Bella. You only missed the freesia and the roses." Alice looked over at me and winked before she motioned for me to follow her.
When we got into Alice's bathroom I stifled a laugh at Bella's expression. She looked over the counter full of beauty products like they were cobra's ready to snap at her.
"Is this really necessary? I'm going to look plain next to him no matter what." Bella mumbled.
Alice placed her hands on her shoulders and pushed her down on the chair. "No one will dare to call you plain when I'm through with you."
Bella rolled her eyes. "Only because they're afraid you'll suck their blood."
I had to laugh at that. It was true. Bella turned to look at me and forced herself to smile. She looked back up at Alice worriedly.
"She's under control, and if she's not she can go far away." Alice raised an eyebrow at me.
"I'm fine," I muttered.
I watched Alice pull Bella's shirt over her head and Bella seemed relaxed, for the most part. She leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes.
"Bree, hand me the pink bottle." Alice mumbled. She was smearing some blue lotion across her neck and shoulders. Bella jumped every so often when Alice's cold fingers touched her skin, but she would relax again.
"What is this for?" I asked as I handed it to her.
"Make her skin smoother than it already is. The other one will make her skin shimmer in the light." Alice turned to smile at me. "While I'm putting this on her, can you take the makeup out of the bin for me?"
I nodded and did as she asked.
Bella yawned and opened her eyes just as Rosalie flitted into the bathroom. "They're back." She informed us.
"Keep him out of here!" Alice hissed.
"He wont cross you today." Rosalie reassured her. "He values his life too much. Esme's got him finishing things up out back. Do you want some help? I could do her hair."
Bella's jaw dropped as she stared at Rosalie. My face had to mirror hers because this was a totally different Rosalie than just a few hours ago. What Esme said to her must have really stuck.
"Sure," Alice said without looking away from Bella's face. She quickly closed Bella's mouth and turned her face away from Rosalie. Bella composed herself and looked into Alice's eyes. Alice winked at her and put down the makeup brush. Her hands moved to her hair. "You can start braiding. I want it intricate. The veil goes here, underneath," her hands moved through Bella's hair and I suddenly wondered what it felt like. I could smell the scent of her shampoo as Alice swung her hair around. Rosalie's hands replaced Alice's and she went back to Bella's face.
"Bree, can you come help the boys please!" Esme called up the stairs. "They need an extra set of hands."
"Sure," I sighed and flitted down the stairs. "Where's Jasper?" I asked when I stepped outside.
"Went to go pick up Bella's mother and Phil." Edward said. The expression on his face made him look human. The pink in his cheeks from hunting was a little brighter than normal, and his smile touched his eyes. "You afraid of heights?" He asked and gestured towards the lights sitting on the ground.
"No,"
"Good, You hang the lights, and I'll help Emmett finish up with the tables and the flowers." I had to laugh at him. I have never seen a human guy so excited to set up flowers, let alone a vampire. But then again this was Edward we're talking about. He'd tie together flowers for the rest of eternity if he was doing it for Bella.
Edward wrapped his arm around my shoulders and his lips were at my ear. "I don't know if I'd go that far, but if it's something she wanted than yes, I'd do it." He hissed.
I leaned away from him to look at his face. His smile grew wider, if that was possible, and he messed my hair before he went back to help Emmett.
I was just hanging the last light when I heard Esme calling me back inside. She wanted me to come back in so Alice could do my hair. That meant Bella was finished. I suddenly couldn't wait to see what she looked like.
When I walked back inside Jasper was walking in the door with Bella's mother. She went right to Esme and hugged her. Did she know she was hugging a vampire? I went to walk past them, but Renee turned her head away from me making her hair brush her scent in my direction. Her scent smelt better than Bella's. My gaze zeroed in on her neck, but strong hands pulled me towards the stairs.
"You're not going to ruin this day." Jasper hissed behind me as he pushed me up the stairs.
"Jasper!" Bella gasped then smiled. "My mom's here?"
Jasper nodded and pushed me into the farthest corner of the bathroom. "You look stunning, Bella. Very pretty." He smiled and turned himself to block my way to the door.
"You can stay, but think of something else. I don't want Edward to see her yet." Alice sighed and looked around Jasper to me. "Did she see her eyes?" I couldn't believe she was already dressed.
"No, she was talking to Esme." Jasper answered her.
"Ok, Rose, can you take Bella into your room while I finish up Bree?"
"Er, Alice. If you don't mind… can I stay near Jasper? He's calming Bree right now and I'm enjoying not panicking right now." Bella said quietly.
"Fine," Alice chuckled.
Bella sighed, relieved and looked at Jasper apologetically. "Do you mind?"
"No, not at all." Jasper reached behind him and took my arm to pull me down on the chair that Bella was sitting in earlier. Alice immediately went to work on my hair. I watched Jasper reach for Bella and made sure she was out of my sight. I was unnaturally getting used to her scent. I don't know what he was so worried about.
"Crap," Alice groaned and spun around to grab a small white container. "Put these in. Renee is coming up the stairs."
I did as Alice asked and as soon as I put the second contact in Renee walked into the bathroom. Alice had finished with my hair and pushed me towards my room. "Your dress is hanging in your closet." She informed me.
I nodded and made sure to walk slowly towards my room, so Renee wouldn't catch anything off.
I heard her cooing over Bella in the bathroom and I tuned it out. I didn't want to hear her voice either. It was too tempting.
"I'll be back." I heard Jasper say quickly.
"Wait!" Bella called after him.
"Bella, take deep breaths." Alice was trying to calm her.
Jasper appeared behind me and growled lightly. "I don't want to babysit you all day. Either control yourself or I'm going to tie you up."
"I'm fine, I won't ruin this day." I mumbled.
"Ok, do you need me to stay in here?"
"NO!" I snapped. "I have to get dressed.
"I'll stay in here with her." Rosalie flitted in behind Jasper.
"That'll work." Jasper said quickly and rushed out the door.
"Come on, I have to go start." Rosalie pulled me behind her and we walked slowly downstairs. Everyone was here and seated. It wasn't a large crowd, but they all looked happy to be here. I could easily tell Bella and Edward's families apart. It was almost comical in a way.
Rosalie left my side and started the music. Her fingers were talented. I never heard music sound so pretty. She was a natural. Edward shook his head and winked at me. Apparently I was wrong on my assumption. Did he play piano too? He nodded answering my question. I smiled.
He sighed and Carlisle reached in front of him to squeeze Edward's shoulder. They walked over to the alter and for the first time, I saw a vampire fidget impatiently. Rosalie motioned for me to walk down the isle. I wasn't in the wedding, but I was standing up there because I was a sister. That made me smile as I continued my walk. My dress matched Rosalie's, but Alice's was slightly different. As soon as I stopped where I was supposed to Alice danced gracefully down the stairs. She looked straight at Edward and winked at him before she stood in front of me. Rosalie changed the music and everyone stood up and turned around. I heard Edward's breath catch off sharply as he glanced eagerly at the stairs.
