Just Friends

Chapter 10 – Pride

BPOV

Rosalie Anne Hale

and

Emmett McCarty Swan

request the honor of your presence to share the celebration of their marriage on

Saturday, the eighteenth of June

Two thousand and Eleven

at two o'clock in the afternoon

…

"Bella! Rose and Alice are here!" Edward called from the door.

"Coming!" I called back. I grabbed my jewelry, make-up, dress, and shoes and bolted to the door. I gave Edward a quick kiss before walking out of the apartment with my friends.

"How ya feeling, Rose?" I asked as we got into Rose's BMW.

"Nervous, excited, like screaming from rooftops," she giggled.

"So the normal bride feeling?" Alice laughed.

"Yeah, pretty much!" We pulled up to a hair salon and got out. Rose had my hair pulled into an up do and Alice's into waves. Rose had her hair curled and pulled into a low side pony tail, so it was streaming down her shoulder.

"Thanks," we all called as we left. We went back to Rose's apartment and did our make-up. Rose gave us specific instructions on how to do our make-up. We slipped on our dresses and went out to Rose's BMW again.

Our dresses were strapless, deep red and stopped just above our knees. There was subtle pleating at the top of the dress to make it look like fabric was folding down in excess.

Emmett and Rose were getting married in Rose's parent's backyard. It was huge and backed up to woods. Rose parked in their driveway and we went up to her old room. Her dress was hanging up by her closet.

"Oh, honey, you're here!" Ms. Hale said as she walked in. "Get dressed! It's already 1:30!" Rose put her dress on and her mom tied the back. She walked over to a floor length mirror and ran her hands along the fabric of the dress. There was a knock on the open door and we turned to see Mr. Whitlock.

Ms. Hale and Mr. Whitlock went through a nasty divorce while we were all in high school. Rose and Jasper spent numerous nights at my house or Edward's house due to their parents bickering over them. Who would have custody? Why not let them choose? What about school? They had been in Forks their whole life and their friends were there.

"Rose, honey, you look beautiful," Mr. Whitlock said. She smiled at him through the mirror.

"Thanks," she whispered. Rose's dress was strapless and had a triangle of silver beading in the middle of the chest line. The pleated fabric crossed so it looked like the fabric on the right side covered the left. At the left side two flowers made of a lacy material sat as if to pin the overlapping fabric to the dress. From the roses flowed the same lacy material in waves down to the floor, making a train.

"Are you ready?" he asked. She smiled and nodded. We all grabbed our bouquets and headed downstairs. We lined up and Alice and I walked out into the backyard. There was a white arch at the end of the grassy aisle. We stood to the left of the arch and the guys were on the right, with Emmett waiting in the middle.

I looked over at Alice and smiled. You could clearly see a bump under Alice's dress. One of her hands held the flowers and the other was rested on her stomach.

The music changed and Rose and her father started their way down the aisle. I looked over at my brother and he was beaming with pride, joy, and excitement. A tear fell from my eye when Emmett took Rose's hand and they turned to the officiate.

I felt eyes on me and looked up to see Edward watching me. I smiled at him.

"Hi," I mouthed.

"Hi," he mouthed back. "You okay?" I nodded once with a smile. I turned back to Rose and Emmett.

"With power given to me by the state of Washington, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Emmett, you may kiss your bride," the officiate stated with a sincere smile. Emmett grabbed Rose by the waist and kissed her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and held him to her. Everyone stood and clapped. When the pulled apart Emmett grabbed Rose's hand and led her down the aisle.

Alice coupled up with Jasper and I coupled up with Edward. We walked down the aisle and into Rose's house. I walked up to Rose and hugged her.

"You've always been a part of our family, but now it's official. Welcome to the Swan clan," I giggled. "We now have a total of three."

Rose laughed a little and sniffled. "Bella, you're the best sister-in-law ever," she giggled. "But you've got to stop making me cry!" I pulled away and looked at her. We both had tears streaming down our faces.

"Alright, everyone!" Ms. Hale announced. "Let's all head over to the reception hall!" Edward and I headed out to his Volvo and started driving to the reception hall. I rested the side of my head on the back of the seat and looked at Edward.

"What?" he chuckled and looked at me briefly before turning back to the road.

"Nothing," I shook my head with a smile.

"Babe, something's been on your mind for the past few weeks and I've been waiting for you to tell me but you haven't. What is it?" he looked concerned as he looked at me before turning back to the road.

"I've just been thinking about my parents a lot lately. About how they won't be at our wedding. How they weren't at Emmett's wedding." I judged his expression before continuing. "Don't get me wrong, I want to get married to you, so bad, but it kind of feels wrong," I shrugged.

"Wait," he furrowed his eyebrows. "Are you trying to call off –"

"Of course not! I would never even think about calling off our wedding! You're misunderstanding. I'm just saying that I feel bad getting married without my dad walking me down the aisle."

"I wish I could change that, so much, Bella. I wish I could make it so your dad could be there. And I'm sorry to say it, but you have to settle for him being there in your heart."

"I never have to settle when I have you," I smiled. We pulled up to the reception hall and got out. He led me into the hall where we were instructed to sit with the wedding party. Everyone was soon seated. Alice and Jasper sat to Rose's right while Edward and I sat to Emmett's left, with me next to Emmett.

We were all served food from the caterers. Jasper stood up and tapped his glass with a knife.

"Hey, everyone, as you know, I'm Jasper, Rosalie's incredibly handsome twin brother," he introduced himself and everyone laughed while Rose swatted him with her hand. "Wow, where to start," he sighed as he looked down at Rose. "Well, I guess I'll start by saying I am so proud of my sister. She picked a great guy, my best friend, my very annoying, very childlike best friend. But I can't imagine her with any other guy.

"When Rose and I were younger we would always look out for each other. When our parents were going through their divorce I would always make sure she wasn't around them. And if we couldn't go anywhere we would sit in her room under her blanket.

"You could say I'm a little protective of my sister," he chuckled. "I have threatened Emmett so many times I lost count. They always began the same way, 'I swear to God, Emmett, if you hurt my sister'. But I know now he will never hurt her. He needs her as much as she needs him. I wish you both a happy life, and I expect a nephew," he winked at them and held his glass up. Everyone clapped as he sat down. He quickly stood back up. "Oh, and its Bella's turn to talk."

I stood up and the clapping died.

"Hi, so I'm this big goof's baby sister," I winked at him. "And I'm now the proud sister-in-law of Rose," I smiled. "Emmett has been my rock for as long as I can remember. Always looking out for me, making sure I'm not getting picked on at school. He would always call me from college asking how everything was going, if I was taking care of myself, how my grades were. The typical parent role. But, after high school that role came in handy. As you all know, our parents were killed in a car accident on the day of my graduation.

"He never once thought about himself while he was taking care of me. He always put my needs before his. He made sure he was there when I needed him. And I did my best to be there when he needed me. Like when Rose and I were juniors and Emmett was a sophomore in college," I smiled. "Emmett admitted to me that he had been crushing majorly on her. I pulled some strings and used my magic and here they are today, six years later. I want to wish you both the best marriage possible. You both deserve it. I'm proud of you, brother bear," I smiled as I raised my own glass, a tear falling from my eye. I sat down and everyone clapped. Emmett pulled me to his side in a hug.

"Love you, Bellaboo," he whispered.

"Love you too, Em," I whispered back. After we ate Rose and Emmett had their first dance as a married couple. I stood by the open bar drinking a glass of champagne when I felt warm arms wrap around my stomach.

"Hey you," I smiled.

"Hi, love," Edward kissed my neck. "How are you?" I thought before I answered his question.

"I'm great," I said sincerely. "Today was the first time that I talked about my parent's accident without feeling like I was going to lose it," I grinned.

"That's great, baby," he smiled. I nodded.

"Will the wedding party come out for a dance?" the DJ asked. Edward took my glass from me and set it on the bar before leading me out to the dance floor. He placed his hand on the small of my back and held my right hand in his left. I wrapped my left arm around his right arm and held onto his shoulder.

After that there was a daddy-daughter dance followed by a mother-son dance. I danced with Emmett on his mother-son dance.

"You don't have to do this, Bell," he smiled at me as we swayed to the music.

"But I want to," I smiled back. "I'm just filling in Mom's spot."

"Bella, will you let me walk you down the aisle at your wedding?" he asked.

"I would really like that," I grinned. I hugged him to me as the song ended.

I walked up to where the DJ was set up and requested to sing a song. I walked up to the microphone.

"Excuse me everyone," I said. Everyone stopped talking and looked over to me. "Emmett has always encouraged my singing so I wanted to sing a song for him and Rose. It's called A Moment Like This." The music came on and I started singing.

The rest of the ceremony went by quickly and before I knew it I was being lifted out of Edward's car. I groaned but let him carry me.

"Would you like me to start a shower?" Edward asked as he set me in our apartment.

"That would be amazing," I sighed sleepily as I started pulling bobby pins out of my hair. I walked into my room and set the pins down on my vanity. I ran my fingers through my hair to make sure I had them all out. I pulled a make-up remover pad out of its container and rubbed it along my eyes. I kicked my heels off one at a time, rubbing each foot as I went.

I walked into the bathroom where Edward had water running in the shower. I slipped out of my dress and took my bra and panties off.

I stepped into the steamy shower and sighed as the water ran down my body. I turned my face up to the streaming water and ran my hands through my wet hair.

I felt a pair of hands on my hips and a pair of lips on my wet shoulder.

"I thought I would join you, you know, to save water," Edward said with a husky voice.

"Mm," I sighed. I turned in his arms and wrapped mine around his neck. He leaned down and kissed me softly. When we pulled away I rested my head on his shoulder.

"Tired?" he chuckled.

"You have no idea," I sighed.

"Come on, let's get you clean so you can go to bed." Edward washed my hair and I washed his. We finished cleaning our bodies and got out. Edward scrubbed the towel through his hair before wrapping it around his waist. I wrapped a towel around my body and pulled my hair into another towel. I sat on the counter and Edward stood between my legs. I rested my head on his shoulder again.

Edward ran his hands along my arms. He wrapped his arms around me and lifted me up off the counter. I held onto him as he carried me out to his room. He laid me on the bed and covered me with the blanket. I pulled the towels off my body and turned onto my stomach. I hugged my pillow to me and sighed content. I felt a cool gust of air as Edward lifted the blanket to get into bed. His warm body pressed against mine as he threw his arm over me and laid with the front of his body against my side.

I woke up the next morning I woke up to an empty bed. I sighed and rolled over. My face came in contact with my beeper which was on Edward's pillow. I groaned and sat up, letting the covers fall and pool in my lap. There was a note under my beeper.

B,

You looked so peaceful sleeping; I didn't want to wake you. I'm at the hospital. I have a few appointments today so I shouldn't be too long. I'll page you if I need you. Lunch? Call me, baby. I'm proud of you.

Love,

E

I smiled at Edward's sweetness and set the note on the bed. I got up out of bed and stretched. I walked into my room and pulled on some clothes before grabbing one of Edward's hoodies and pulling it on over my shirt.

I grabbed my cell phone out of my purse from last night and dialed Edward.

"Good morning, beautiful," he answered with a smile obvious in his voice.

"Morning," I smiled. "Lunch?"

"Yeah, I just have one more appointment so if you can wait until that's done we can go," he said.

"That's fine," I said. Silence took over the phone. "You're proud of me?"

"Very," he said truthfully.

"What did I do?"

"I'm proud of you for your speech last night at the wedding. It must have taken a lot of courage to speak about your parents like you did."

"It was easier than I thought it would be," I said. I heard someone talk to Edward on his end of the line.

"Oh, okay," he said to them. "Hey, love?" he said to me.

"Still here," I smiled.

"I have to go, my patient just got here. I'll call you when I'm done. Love you," he said.

"Love you too," I retorted before hanging up. I went into the bathroom and straightened my hair. After that I put make-up on. As I was finishing up my mascara Edward called.

"Justin?" I answered the phone.

"Who's Justin?" he asked, feigning seriousness.

"My insanely hot boyfriend. He used to be in a band."

"Oh, really? Which one?"

"N'Sync," I laughed.

"You're cheating on me with Justin Timberlake?" he laughed.

"The one and only," I giggled.

"Then I guess I should tell you that I've been seeing Mila Kunis," he chuckled.

"Jackie from That 70's Show?" I laughed.

"Yeah, that's the one," he laughed. I giggled. "Would you like to meet at the diner for lunch?"

"That'd be great," I agreed.

"See you there in fifteen?"

"Okay," I said. We hung up and I pulled my Chucks on before walking out. I pulled the hood up and hands inside my sleeves. It may be June, but it's still cold. I walked to the diner and sat at the usual booth Edward and I sit at. We had started coming here at least once a week after our first time and we always sat in the same booth.

Edward walked in moments later. He walked over to the booth and sat across from me.

"Hey," he smiled.

"Hi," I grinned. Cora came out with our usual drinks.

"Well if it isn't the two lovebirds?" she smirked.

"Hey Cora," I giggled.

"Hi Bella, Edward," she smiled. "Your usual?"

"Do you even have to ask?" Edward chuckled.

"I guess not," she smiled. "So tell me, when are you two finally getting hitched?"

"July sixteenth," Edward informed her.

"Oh, so it's right around the corner!" she exclaimed.

"Yeah, his mother is freaking out trying to get everything together," I giggled.

"I bet your mother is doing the same too," she smiled.

"She would be, if she were alive," I smiled sadly.

"Oh, my, Bella, I am so sorry," she said as she covered her mouth with her hands.

"It's fine, don't worry about it. It's been five years."

"I'm sure she's proud of you, honey," she smiled sadly.

"Me too," I grinned at her.

"Well, I'll go put your order in," she said. "It should be out in a little while."

"Thanks, Cora," I smiled. She walked away and I turned to Edward.

"You okay?" he asked in a low voice.

"Fine," I smiled genuinely. He grinned and grabbed my hand before bringing it up his lips.

"I have to meet with your mother today," I sighed.

"Why?"

"We have to finish hemming my dress. And finish the flower arrangements. Just finishing details."

"Sounds fun," he smiled.

"Yeah, loads," I rolled my eyes. "Did you know that Esme is getting Rose and Alice to help decorate the reception hall? And she's decorating the chapel herself? She won't even let me help."

"That's because you, love, are the bride. She's not going to let you help, just like Rose wasn't allowed to help at her wedding."

"It's not fair," I grumbled. Edward chuckled and kissed my hand again. "Oh!" I remembered what Emmett said last night. "Emmett is going to walk me down the aisle."

"That's great," he smiled. "I'm amazed at how he went from practically hating my existence for dating you, and now he wants to give you away to marry me," he grinned.

"Yeah, me too." Cora brought out our food and we ate in comfortable silence.

After lunch we paid and stopped at the door upon seeing the rain.

"Did you drive here?" Edward asked.

"No," I shook my head.

"Come on, I'll take you to my mom's," he said as he opened the door. I pulled my hood up and we ran to his car. We got in and he turned the heat on.

He pulled out of the parking lot and we headed to Esme's house. Esme lived just outside of town, like she had when we used to live in Forks. She doesn't like living in the middle of a town where all of the commotion was.

We drove down the winding road that led to the enormous house. I kissed him briefly before getting out and walking into the house.

"Mom?" I called. Esme had insisted on me calling her Mom even though we weren't technically related yet.

"In here, Bells," she called from her study-now-Bella's-bridal-room.

"Hey," I smiled as I walked in. She was pulling my dress out of the closet and unzipping the garment bag.

"Okay, we have to take measurements one more time so that this dress will fit you perfectly." She handed me the dress and left so I could change. I pulled on the old dress and called for Esme. She came in and zipped up the back. It fit almost perfectly. Esme had only hemmed the bottom.

"You and your mother have the same body frame," Esme noted as she pulled at the fabric.

"We used to share clothes all the time," I smiled softly.

"Looks like some things haven't changed," she smiled back. I took in a deep breath and looked down at the dress. "Nothing needs to be hemmed. You can take the dress off." She walked out and I changed into my normal clothes. We hung the dress up and sat at her desk.

"Okay, so, something old is your mother's diamond earrings," Esme concluded.

"Something new is my pair of shoes."

"Something borrowed is your dress."

"Something blue," I pondered.

"You're not wearing a veil, right?"

"Right," I nodded.

"We could put a blue clip in your hair."

"There we go," I smiled.

Esme and I went over some finishing details for the wedding before she let me go home.

"Hey, could you pick me up?" I asked into the phone.

"Sure thing, love. Give me a few minutes."

"Okay," I said before hanging up.

"So, Bella, how are you?" Esme asked as we sat at the dining room table.

"I've been great, Mom. I don't know, I just wake up in better moods and I feel more refreshed than I used to."

"That's great, Honey," she smiled.

I nodded. "I haven't had any nightmares as of lately either. I feel like my life has made a one eighty."

"Ma, Bella?" Edward's voice called out.

"In here, Hon," Esme called. Edward walked in and sat next to me. He threw his arm over my shoulder.

"Hopefully you haven't tortured Bella too much," Edward winked at his mom.

"I would never," Esme feigned hurt.

"No, Mom is so much easier to deal with than Alice," I giggled.

"Well, that's a give," Edward chuckled. "But if you don't mind, Mom, I'm going to take my fiancé home."

"By all means," Esme smiled. "Have a nice day you two."

"Bye," we said before walking out. Edward drove us back to the apartment.

"Hey, Edward?" I said as we walked in.

"Yeah?" he said to let me know he was listening as he headed to the kitchen. I followed him and sat at the table.

Edward grabbed a beer and joined me.

"This is just a thought, but what do you think about moving into a house?" He looked at me as he thought. He took a swig of his beer before answering.

"I think we should wait until we're married. We're already really busy with the wedding as it is and moving would just add unnecessary amounts of work."

"But you'd be okay with it?"

"Yeah, of course. I didn't expect us to live here the rest of our life," he said as he motioned to the apartment around us.

"Well I didn't know," I giggled. "There are so many memories here; even if we've only lived here almost a year."

"I can remember all of those just by looking at you," he said in a jokingly sappy voice. I rolled my eyes and grabbed his bottle of beer. I took a swig before giving it back.

"Yuck," he spat jokingly. "Cooties."

"You're such a child," I laughed.

"If I'm a child does that make you a pedophile?" he grinned. I rolled my eyes at him. I took his beer and started walking away.

"Hey," he laughed. "That's mine!"

"You're a child so you're underage," I giggled. I took a huge gulp before Edward snatched the bottle from me.

"Get your own beer," he chuckled. I laughed and walked out into the living room. I plopped down on the couch and started flipping through TV channels. Edward came in and over to the couch I was lying on. He sat in the middle of the couch, effectively sitting on me in the process.

"You're crushing me," I said as I jokingly gasped for air.

"Oh can it," he laughed. "I'm not that heavy. And besides, most of my weight is on the couch. My legs are on you."

"Same difference," I giggled. He got up and put his beer on the table before leaning over me on his hands and knees.

"You really are one of a kind," he smirked.

"The world couldn't handle two of me," I smiled. He leaned down and kissed me chastely.

"That they couldn't," he joked. I slapped his shoulder lightly. He chuckled and rolled to lay next to me. We watched TV in silence.

Hey everyone!

So, this is literally the shortest chapter I have written in a looooong time! I just want to say that I did that on purpose. This chapter was just meant to show that Bella is becoming emotionally stronger and is not going to let her past control her. Well, it also shows that Rose and Emmett got married, but yeah. Haha.

I was planning on retiring from writing fanfics when I moved to college because I would have to share a room with someone and I did not want to explain why I was always on my computer. But, instead of living in a 4 person dorm, I am living in a 2 person dorm so I get my own room. Which means more writing! And seeing as this story is finishing up in a few chapters, I can start a new story and not worry about having time to finish it! I may not update frequently due to my college work but I will as much as possible!

Thank you for reading!

Reviewers get teasers!

Lots of love,

Nikki