TLS
Prompt: black and white pic of a girl, wearing a wedding dress, sitting on steps carved into a hill - forest backdrop.
Dad hadn't gone with me to pick this dress. When I notice his reaction reflected in the mirror it's nearly impossible not to cry. But I hold it together, tight throat be damned.
He comes up behind me and tells me I look like a dream, which for him is pure poetry. Mom dabs her eyes, and my girls, my best friends fluff and fawn.
"Have you seen him?" I ask Rose.
Her smile reaches her eyes, and she nods.
I breathe.
I stuck by you. Through arguments and promises that held little less than nothing. A couple years worth of slips and spirals, somehow we'd managed to climb out.
You asked me to marry you six months ago. Rose said to think long and hard. I had. Believe me, I had.
I'd never been able to say no to you. I wondered if you'd ever realized because you were so surprised when I said yes. You were elated, and I knew.
Alice fastens the clasp of my necklace. "I can't believe we're finally going to be sisters."
My hands shake. I need to touch you.
I've been tethered to you since we met. Invisible strings stretched so far I thought they'd snap. You were scared of becoming everything you hated, and when you ran you came back to me. Your whispers soaked through my skin. You woke me.
You love me, like no one else could ever possibly love.
You set me aflame.
Rose hands me my bouquet. "Ready?"
"Since forever." I laugh. For the first time I'm calm.
Dad offers his elbow, kisses my cheek.
There's a knock on the door, and I know.
I fucking know as soon as Emmett walks in.
"Bella?"
"No." I thought I was enough for you.
"Bella, I'm so sorry. Edward's gone."