What Happens In Vegas
Disclaimer: This story is mine. Don't copy it or use it without my permission. Twilight belongs to Stephanie Meyer. This is not that story and I am not her. But, boy, do I wish I had her millions and her day job.
A/N: No EPOV in this chapter. All of the action is in Forks and he isn't there. You guys are the best and worked really hard to get me to 200 reviews. I squeed a lot when I read all of them. If you want an outtake, please let me know what you want and I will write it for you. I already have one planned and will post the outtakes as a separate story. Now, on with the story!
Chapter 21: Preparations
BPOV
Tuesday flew by in a blur. The only thing that stuck clearly in my mind all day was waking up in Edward's arms and kissing him good bye this morning. I hated this limbo. I hated not knowing where I stood with him and where we were going. To be fair, I hadn't told him how I felt either but I did plan on rectifying that this weekend.
I did manage to finish the novel I was working on minutes before I had to leave for the airport. Earlier in the day, I had called for a cab to be here and it was waiting out front. The driver helped me load my bags and I climbed into the empty backseat. My phone flashed, letting me know I had a text from Edward. The message was simple, but my heart warmed at the caring behind it.
Rosalie met me at check-in counter and was fumbling with her carry-on when, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a large hand snatch it away.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing?" I shouted angrily as I whipped around to face the would-be thief. I raised my purse, prepared to beat the would-be thief with it.
Emmett looked sheepish and Rosalie burst into peals of laughter.
"Oh my God, Bella, that is the funniest thing I have ever seen! All 5 foot 4, 115 pounds of you trying to take on Emmett over MY bag!" She was doubled over and gasping for breath. I wasn't sure what was so hilarious.
"Did you know it was Emmett when he tried to take it from you?" I retorted.
"No, but…" she gasped and giggled again.
"Sorry, Bella, I was just trying to help a girl out," Emmett apologized. "If it's any consolation, I would've run. You looked scary."
His expression and Rose's laughter finally did me in and I joined her in the giggles. "It's okay, Em. I'm sorry I went nuts on you. Are you on this flight too?"
"Yes. Alice did it. Edward said he couldn't come in until Thursday if he wanted to see the family for Thanksgiving so Jasper insisted that I come on out so he wouldn't drown in estrogen."
"Well, good! He could use the company, I'm sure. And we," I nudged Rosalie, "will enjoy having you with us. I am sure that Alice has plans for all of us this week." She nodded enthusiastically while digging in her purse for a tissue to wipe the tears from her face.
We linked arms with Emmett, one on each side, and strolled off through the terminal. Fortunately, the security line was not horrible and we all went through at the same time. Rosalie and I were putting our shoes back on while the burly female guard with a permanent frown ran a wand over Emmett repeatedly. They visually checked his bags and an older gentleman patted him down. He blanched when they suggested a more thorough search but the main guy changed his mind and waived Emmett on through. He didn't speak a word as he slipped into his shoes and gathered his small bag.
Once we were well away from security and on our way to the gate, he started mumbling, "Why me? Why in the hell do they always search me?"
Rose quirked an eyebrow at him and he explained, "Every time I get on a plane, they go through my bags and pull me aside for extra screening. Really, do I look like a terrorist? I'm like the Bumble from Rudolph, only better looking. The Bumble's not going to blow up a plane! I teach Biology, for Christ's sakes."
He and Rosalie fell into step as I trailed behind. Emmett continued to grumble about the unfairness of the airport security screening while Rosalie listened with a politely amused expression. Eventually, he came to the determination that searching him was their way of showing the lack of profiling. He had finally ceased his mutterings as we approached the gate and made to board the plane. Right before the gate attendant took our boarding passes, a large, uniformed man motioned for Emmett to join him off to the side.
He gave us both and exasperated look that clearly said 'What the Fuck!' and followed the guard to a small area behind the counter. He swiped some cloths over the handles of Emmett's carry-on and then over his hands.
"Has your bag been out of your possession since you packed it?" I heard the guard ask.
"Other than when you all had it at the security checkpoint, no!" Emmett exclaimed. "What is all of this about?"
"Just standard procedure, sir. Please wait here a moment." The guard fiddled with a case at his side. Emmett looked around in frustration. We waited off to the side, trying hard not to laugh, for him to rejoin us.
The guard dismissed Emmett and wished him a safe flight. Emmett rolled his eyes and hoisted his bag over his shoulder.
His muttering resumed as soon as he retrieved his boarding pass from the agent and walked down the gangway. "Jesus Christ, what the fuck was that? Is it because I'm a science teacher? I mean, Banner teaches chemistry and God knows that he has probably taught a million of those little fuckers at school how to build bombs. But no, I teach biology and coach baseball and I get accosted every time I travel. There is no justice in this world. Assholes like that get a free pass and I get harassed."
"Wait," I said, placing a hand on his arm and stopping him. "Banner? As in Edgar Banner?"
"Yeah, why?" he answered warily.
"He used to teach chemistry at my high school in Phoenix. He left after my freshman year after allegations that he was inappropriate with a female student!"
"No way!" he shouted. "I guess I can see it, though. The guy's just creepy."
"I was just thankful he left before I had to have him. The rumor was that the only way to get an A was to entice him, if you know what I mean," I explained as we continued to walk to our seats.
"Huh, I wonder if that's why he wears the dark sunglasses now," Emmett mused. "And that's what I mean. Fuckers like him get away with shit like that and I get hassled just walking through the airport. Jasper better be glad I like him."
We found our seats, which Alice had arranged to be together, and Emmett sat between us. He lifted my backpack to place it in the overhead compartment and groaned under the weight.
"What do you have in here, woman? Bricks?"
"Nah, just books," I answered, opening the bag to reveal the tomes I had concealed within.
"There are what, ten books in there? You know Alice isn't going to give you time to read those. And don't you read for a living?" He was looking at me like I was nuts.
"There are eleven. I know exactly what Alice has planned for me; I just didn't know what I would be in the mood for on the flight. And I do read for a living—I also read for fun," I replied indignantly.
He shook his head as if to clear it and Rose laughed. "Seriously, Emmett, this is standard fare for Bella. There are probably another four or five books in her checked bags."
I grabbed James Patterson's latest novel, stuffed my backpack under the seat in front of me, and settled in for the long flight to Seattle. I finished it before we landed and stuffed it, unsatisfied, into my bag. Rose and Emmett had both dozed off, so I pulled another book out and started leafing through it. I hadn't gotten far when we started our descent and the flight crew informed us that anyone continuing to San Francisco should remain seated while those catching connecting flights could find the gate information on the boards as we deplaned. I woke Emmett and Rosalie just before we touched down and we left the plane quickly. According to the flight information, we only had twenty minutes to make it to another concourse and out on to the tarmac.
Luckily, we made it with minutes to spare and we hopped aboard the puddle jumper to Port Angeles. The three of us made small talk during the short flight and I know that I was relieved when we finally touched down. As soon as we were off the plan, I turned my phone back on to call my dad and I was met with another text from Edward.
Call me as soon as you land please.
I dialed his number on the way to baggage claim and he answered almost immediately.
"How was the flight?"
"Long. I am glad to be on the ground. How's your night been going?"
"Eh, I've been a little distracted and it's quiet here," he answered.
"Why have you been distracted?" I asked.
"It's because he can't wait to christen his bed with you!" Emmett fake whispered into the phone. Rosalie smacked him on the back of the head and he rubbed it with a pout.
"Just ignore him," I laughed. "He's still pissed that he got stopped twice at O'Hare by security."
"Again?" Edward asked incredulously.
"Oh, yeah! They frisked him at the checkpoint and then stopped him again at the gate. I have never heard someone complain so much. Did you know that he likens himself to the Bumble from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?"
"The Bumble?"
"You know, that white Yeti creature that tries to attack Rudolph, then gets tamed by Yukon Cornelius and puts the star on the top of Santa's tree?"
"Oh dear God!" His laughter rang out through the earpiece and I held it out for Emmett to hear.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Laugh it up, buddy. Just wait till we head home and they stop you," Emmett called out.
I held the phone back to my ear. "As I said, he's still bitter."
"That is hysterical. Did you take that black bag that was sitting in your foyer?"
"Yes, why?"
"I put a little surprise in there for you. Is your dad there or are you riding into Forks with Rose and Emmett?"
"Dad is supposed to be here. Edward, is everything all right? You seem a little… uptight."
"I'm fine. It's just that there was some bad weather tonight and you flew through it," he hedged.
"Edward Cullen, were you worried about me?" I teased. I was actually kind of touched.
"I was a little concerned," he admitted reluctantly.
"Well, thank you. And the weather is always bad here. It's Forks," I said flatly.
"Hey now! That's my hometown you're talking about." I heard some commotion in the background and Edward was distracted for a second. "Baby, I've got to get back to work. Be careful getting home and I will see you in a couple of days."
"Okay, have a good night. I'll talk to you later." Emmett made smooching noises into the handset and we both groaned before hanging up.
"Emmett, you are an overgrown baboon," Rose declared and rolled her eyes. He shrugged and conceded with a shrug.
Our baggage started rolling off the carousel and Emmett graciously pulled them all off for us. When I turned around to wheel my bag to the exit, I saw my father standing against the wall with his hands in his pockets and a small smile on his face.
"Dad! You're here!" I shouted with glee, running towards him. He enveloped me in a familiar hug and held me tightly.
"Glad you made it all right, Bells." He straightened up and looked around. "Hey there, Rose. It's good to see ya."
"It's good to see you too, Charlie," she responded and gave him a small, one-armed hug.
"Dad, this is Emmett, one of Jasper's best friends," I introduced.
"It's nice to meet you, Chief Swan," Emmett said formally and stuck out his hand to shake my father's. Dad nodded and returned the handshake.
"Are you two staying here or in Forks?" Charlie asked.
"You're staying at the Lodge, aren't you?" I asked.
"Yeah, how did you know we were staying there?" Emmett asked with his head cocked.
"It's Forks, Emmett. The Lodge is the only hotel in town. Besides, Alice reserved half of it for the wedding guests," I answered. "Do you all need a ride?"
"No," Rose said as Emmett shook his head. Rose clarified, "We both rented a car but we decided to split the cost and share one. I figured we would need some way to get around."
"Sounds good. See you at Alice's in the morning, then?"
We agreed to meet there at 8:00 and I hugged both of them goodbye. They went to the rental counter and I followed Charlie out to the cruiser. This was one of the things I hated most as a teenager; riding through town in the cruiser was something of a killjoy. Now, it was just a symbol of the position that my father held in this community. He was well respected and universally liked. It was also easy to be with him. He never felt the need to clutter the silence with inane chatter. Other than asking how my flight was and how things were going with work, we enjoyed the quiet companionship our relationship offered for the rest of the trip.
It was just after ten when we finally pulled up to the house but, with the time difference, I was exhausted. Charlie helped me carry my bags upstairs to the room that had been mine since I was born. It hadn't changed much, other than swapping the crib for a bed, and the familiarity was comforting. The blue walls and yellow curtains were cheery and I was looking forward to sleeping beneath the quilt my grandmother had made.
"I know you're tired, Bells. I'm going to watch a little of the Mariners game, if you want to join me, but I'll understand if you don't," Charlie offered.
"Thanks, Dad. I am tired and I'm probably going to crash for the night. I have to be at Alice's early and I am sure she is going to keep me running all day! Are you working tomorrow?"
"Yeah, I'm working tomorrow, Thursday and Friday, but only during the day. I made sure that I had Saturday off for Alice's wedding." He paused for a moment, then said, "I'm glad you're home, Bella. I've missed you."
"I've missed you too, Dad."
He gave me another hug and a smile before backing out of the room and clomping down the stairs to watch the game. I hoisted my suitcase onto the bed to gather my toiletries and my pajamas. When I opened the bag, though, there was a white mailing package lying on top of all my clothes. Suddenly, Edward's comment about his surprise made sense. I ripped open the bag and discovered a pair of navy, pink and white plaid pants and a matching pink shirt. With a chuckle, I grabbed them and my bathroom bag and headed to the one bathroom in the house.
Once I was ready for bed, I burrowed under the covers, plugged in my phone, and called Edward.
"Hey, baby!" he answered.
"Hey yourself! Did you hate my pajamas that much?"
"Ah, I see you opened your surprise. Do they fit okay?"
"Yes, they are perfect. And I do really like them. Thank you," I said sincerely.
"You're welcome. How is your dad?" he asked.
"He's good. He's watching the game right now. Charlie doesn't change much," I said. "It is good to see him, though. How are things at the hospital tonight?"
"It's a usual night in the NICU and it's been a little busy. Alice has sent me four texts already for my input and Jasper keeps sending me pleas to save him. I am not sure what else she could possibly need to do, but she has turned on the General."
"Ugh. That does not bode well for tomorrow. I may have to call you myself just for some mental relief!" I groaned.
"Call me whenever you need to. I'll be up."
"Lucky you. I am going to let you get back to work now, though, and I am going to sleep. I think I'm going to need all my wits tomorrow," I joked.
"See, I told you. Vegas was a lot easier," Edward teased back. "Go to sleep, love. Sweet dreams."
I fell asleep to dreams of Edward climbing through my window and holding me all night. There was nothing sexual in this dream. It just felt like home. When I woke, I realized that, although I had a home here with my dad and in Jacksonville with my mother, my true home was wherever Edward was. Right now, I felt really homesick.
When I woke, it was still early, but I dressed and prepared for my day. Charlie had left a pot of coffee warming in the kitchen and was pouring myself a cup when I heard someone knocking on the front door.
"Bella! Open up! I need you!"
I rushed to the front door and yanked it open to reveal the pixie preparing to knock again. She looked frazzled.
"Alice, it is not even 7:00 in the morning! What are you doing here?"
"I need you. There is no way that we are going to get everything done before the wedding! I don't know what to do!" she wailed.
"Calm down, we'll get it all done, I promise. Where are we going first?" I asked calmly.
"To the house. Nothing is open yet." The panic was evident in her voice.
"Do you want me to follow you in Charlie's truck or do you want me to ride with you?" I asked. I was keeping my voice as calm and gentle as was humanly possible.
"Just ride with me. Or I'll ride and you drive!"
I ruefully abandoned my cup of coffee and followed Alice back out the door. She started chattering immediately about the mess at the house. Jasper had left to spend some time with his parents. None of the decorating was done for the reception and, with her grandparents already there, the house was in upheaval. Her grandmothers were busy trying to distract her with stories of their own weddings and what they thought she should be doing and her mother was running around trying to corral everyone. I knew that it could not possibly be as bad as she was making it out to be. There was no way that Esme would let that happen.
It was worse. Grandmother Platt was attempting to resituate the ribbons that Alice had managed to get up and Grandma Cullen was criticizing the seating charts and layouts that Alice had spent months on. Carlisle and Grandfather Platt were nowhere to be seen and Esme was arguing via phone with the caterer. I had only one idea on where to start. I called Rose.
Next, I pulled the phone from Esme and told the caterer that I would call him back momentarily. I asked Mrs. Platt and Mrs. Cullen to join us at the dining room table, where I had already stashed Alice, and took a very deep breath.
"Good morning, everyone," I said as cheerfully as I could manage. "I am Bella Swan, Alice's maid of honor. Alice and I have spent a lot of time on the schedule for the rest of the week and we have a list of all that needs to be done." I dug around in my purse and produced a list that we had written while drinking at a restaurant two months before. I was temporarily grateful that I never threw anything away. "I know that we all want Alice to have the wedding of her dreams, and she has been dreaming about it for a long time. Can I count on all of you to help me get everything done?"
"Of course, dear," Grandmother Platt said sweetly. "What can we do to help?"
"First, the caterers. Mom, can you tell me what's going on there before I call them back?" I pled.
"The pastry chef quit last week and they have not been able to find a suitable replacement. There is no one to make the dessert," she sighed.
"Alice, did you get the cake you wanted?" I asked.
"Of course." She looked taken aback at my abrupt subject change.
"Good. No dessert needed, then." Alice and Esme looked like they were prepared to argue the point so I continued. "Alice, I made you order the cake big enough to feed 1/3 more guests than you are expecting. At a wedding, wedding cake is dessert. We don't need flaky turnovers." Alice huffed, but consented.
"Okay, I'll call the caterers back and fix that mess, then. We cannot get into the church to do the decorations until Friday morning, right?" I looked to Esme for confirmation. This had recently changed due to a funeral that was scheduled for Thursday. She nodded.
"Alice, did all of our dresses make it here in perfect shape?" She smiled and nodded happily.
"Good. Is your dad planning to do the tuxes on Thursday after Edward gets in or Friday?"
"Thursday. The shop is in Port Angeles and they are going to stop on their way back from the airport," Alice answered.
"Have we talked to the florist?"
"Yes," Esme confirmed. "I talked to them yesterday. They are going to place the arrangements at the church and be there with the boutonnieres and bouquets by 1:00. One of them will stay there with us and the rest of the crew will bring the arrangements for the reception to the house. As soon as the pictures are finished, they will bring the altar flowers back to the house and set them next to the head table. I also talked to the photographer. He will meet us at the church at one as well. He wants to get some pictures of Alice in the garden in her dress before the ceremony."
"Perfect. And the bakery?"
Alice chimed in. "They are delivering the cake here Saturday morning."
I glanced at my chicken scratch list for show and mentally ran through everything in my head. I hated to take over like this but it was obvious that someone needed to. "I think that leaves only the decorations for the reception. Alice, did you bring your sketches with you?"
She flashed me a huge grin and bolted from the room. While she was gone, I noticed Grandma Cullen looking me over. I smiled at her and she looked thoughtfully back. Alice returned in an instant and laid them out on the table.
"Okay, here is what I envisioned…" She spent the next thirty minutes going over every detail in her drawings with the three ladies at the table. I excused myself and met Rose at the door.
"What in the hell is going on here?" she whispered furiously as she looked around the house.
"Chaos. Alice came to get me before she went insane this morning. I basically just turned into the coordinator from Hades. I think I am going to need your help. They are all batty!" I gestured towards the dining room and she laughed under her breath.
I rejoined the party and introduced Rosalie. We decided to tackle each area together, mostly so one of us could keep an eye on everyone else at all times. Alice and Rosalie led the grandmothers into the living room, leaving me alone with Esme.
"Oh, Bella, you are a godsend this morning. Thank you!" she gushed while giving me a huge hug.
"You're welcome. I just didn't want you to think I was taking over or something."
"Honey, you take over all you need to. My mother and Mrs. Cullen have been walking all over me for years. It's nice to finally see them doing what they are told for once!"
I laughed with her and we called the caterer back together. I did insist that the cost of the dessert be dropped from the bill since they were the ones unable to provide the promised service and the owner assured me that the difference would be refunded by the end of the day. He was profuse in his thanks for our understanding.
By lunchtime, the gift table was set up and arranged and the foyer was artfully draped in ribbon and tulle. Grandmother Platt was prone to story-telling and we heard all about her wedding to Esme's father. Grandma Cullen was a little more reserved and teared up a few times as she recounted her own happy day. They were bittersweet memories for her as her husband had passed away less than a year ago. I managed to escape as they were putting lunch together for the six of us to send Edward a quick message.
Alice was right yesterday. Your family is insane.
He responded quickly. Of course they are, but things cannot be that bad.
They are. I think your grandmothers got up before dawn to undo everything Alice tried to get done yesterday.
I am so glad I'm not there.
I'm not. I need a distraction. It seems I became the boss here.
Is that all I am to you? A distraction?
NO! But you do make it very easy to lose focus.
I told you Vegas was easier.
You were right. This is hell on earth.
I think I might save that last message forever. Stay strong until tomorrow.
Before I could respond again, Alice slipped out the back door to find me. She leaned her head against my shoulder and let out a huge sigh.
"Thank you, Bella. I don't know what I would do without you. You are the best sister a girl could ask for."
"I love you, Alice. That is the ONLY thing that could make me do this. And don't say that last part too loud."
"Why not? It's true."
"Perhaps, but Edward isn't ready yet. Besides, this weekend is not about me, or Edward, or Grandma Cullen, or Grandmother Platt. It's about Alice and Jasper finally getting married. I've told you before and I will keep telling you until it's all over. The only thing that matters is that on Saturday, you and Jasper marry. Everything else is just window dressing."
"Yeah, but it's all really pretty window dressing," she sighed. "I just want this day to be perfect."
"It's not going to be perfect," Rose said from behind us. I hadn't heard her come on to the porch. "Something will go wrong. You just have to smile and pretend that it's all happening the way you knew it would. Bella's right. As long as you get married, the day will be perfect."
A lone tear slid down Alice's cheek. "Thank you, girls, for being the best friends I could have ever asked for. Thank you for being here and putting up with my crazy family and thank you for helping me."
Rose and I squished Alice in the middle of our group hug and she laughed loudly. She linked arms with both of us and we marched back into the house to face the rest of the day.
While we ate our sandwiches, we planned out the rest of the afternoon. I suggested that we wait until Friday to actually do anything outside. The weather was predicted to be nice on both Friday and Saturday, but, being Washington, rain was anticipated tonight and tomorrow. I suggested that we get everything in the house decorated tonight and prepare the centerpieces for the reception tomorrow. I also suggested creating a stack for each table with everything needed so that on Friday, all we would need to do is grab the stack and set the stuff on the table. Grandmother Platt thought that was a splendid idea and grabbed Alice's table sketches to determine what all we would need in each pile.
Esme switched out the linens in the downstairs bathroom while Alice, Rosalie and I continued to hang tulle and ribbons. We also arranged some vases on various tables to hold the flowers the florist was bringing on Saturday. Grandma Cullen escaped to kitchen and I suspected that she was making an elaborate dinner. Esme was complaining about the mess she was making and giving the kitchen a wide berth.
"I swear she does these things just to annoy me," Esme whispered to me conspiratorially. "We're having a wedding reception here in three days and I've spent the last week cleaning the house from top to bottom."
"At least she is being useful now," I whispered back. "I'll reclean the kitchen myself if it keeps her out of trouble for the rest of the day."
Esme laughed brightly and acknowledged my truth with a wide smile. I was reminded of Edward's grin and my heart ached a little. I internally marveled at the twists that life takes. Esme had been like another mother to me from the day I met Alice. My own mother seldom visited and Esme had stepped into the role for me with enthusiasm. Now, she was my mother-in-law, although she didn't know it, and we were sitting in her house groaning about her mother-in-law.
Jasper and his parents arrived soon after and agreed to stay for dinner after Mrs. Cullen announced that she had made plenty. I peeked in the kitchen and blanched. Esme caught my expression and giggled.
"I told you so. I bet you are regretting your offer now, aren't you?"
"Yes!" I agreed with nervous laugh. "I had no idea!" Esme assured me that she wouldn't leave me to do it all by myself and returned to entertaining the Whitlocks.
"Bella!" Alice shouted from her bedroom.
I ran upstairs and found her pacing. "What's wrong?"
"I'm trying to plan something fun for us all to do tomorrow night and Edward has stopped answering my calls. I have to get away from the old people for awhile," she whined.
"Why do you need Edward to plan something fun? It's not like he will care," I reasoned.
"Because I don't know where to go! He used to go out when he came home but I was never old enough. Can you call him, please?"
'Great,' I thought. 'She's begging. She knows that I can't refuse her when she begs.' I tried to stall her. "Maybe he's not answering because he's busy, Alice," I suggested.
"No, he's not answering because I annoyed him yesterday. He told me that this was what I wanted and 'what did I mean that I didn't expect there to be so much drama.'"
I laughed because I could see him saying just that. "How many times have you called?"
"Three?" She sounded sheepish.
"Ugh, great. You are going to get me in trouble now, you know?" I told her as I pulled my phone out and dialed.
Edward answered on the second ring. "Please tell me that this is Bella and that Alice has not stolen the phone."
"Yes, it's Bella," I laughed.
"Thank God! She has called me three times in the last 15 minutes," he complained.
"I know, she told me. Do you have a minute?"
"I do for you," he answered. I blushed and Alice giggled loudly. "Is she in the room with you?" he demanded.
"Yes. She wants us all to go out tomorrow night and wants to know where we should go."
"Everyone is going?"
"No, she wants to get away from, as she says, 'the old people'. Your grandmothers are driving us all nuts, especially your mom. I now have to spend the rest of the night cleaning the kitchen because I felt bad for your mom."
"Why is my mother making you clean the kitchen?" Edward did not sound happy about that.
"She's not. Grandma Cullen got tired of decorating and decided to make a huge dinner. Your mom was planning to get take-out because she had already scoured the kitchen but your grandmother destroyed it. I think she is making fried chicken, but it's hard to tell through the mess. I felt bad for her," I explained.
"I think Grandma Cullen does it just to piss Mom off."
"That's what your mom said."
"Hey, at least you get along with Mom. You know she already loves you."
I was momentarily stunned and not sure how to respond. I chose to change the subject instead. "So, do you have any opinions on where we should go? Are you going to feel up to going out?"
"Sure, I'll sleep on the plane. Are we going to have a DD or do we need to stay in town so we can take a cab?"
I turned to Alice and repeated Edward's question.
She crinkled her nose and made a face. "I don't want to go to the Tavern. I guess we'll do a DD."
"There are a few places in Port Angeles then that are decent. We'll just head up there and pick the one that looks the best," he suggested.
"I think that sounds ideal. I think your dad is picking you up tomorrow. What time does your flight get in again?"
"One, I think. No chance that you will be there?"
"Sadly, no. I will be making centerpieces and making your grandmothers behave. I told you that they put me in charge."
"I'll steal you away when I get there so you can have some peace, okay?"
"I'm going to hold you to that, you know."
"Please do. I have to get back now. Only twelve more hours!" He tried hard to feign the enthusiasm.
"Bye, sweetheart."
"See you tomorrow, love."
I sighed as I ended the call. Alice gave me a sympathetic look and a small hug.
"You miss him, don't you?"
"Yes."
She smiled. "Thank you for being here and taking over. I've always been the organized one but I just cannot seem to get it together."
"I really don't mind too much. At least they listen to me. I'll do my best to make it perfect for you, Al," I promised.
"I know you will."
A knock on the door interrupted our moment and Rose poked her head in. "I cannot believe you all are hiding up here and you left me out. Everyone is here and Mrs. Cullen has declared that it is time for dinner."
We both groaned and followed Rose back downstairs. Someone had extended the table to fit and there were empty seats next to Esme, Jasper and Emmett for each of us. We took our seats and proceeded to eat a scrumptious meal of pan-fried chicken, homemade mashed potatoes, gravy, corn on the cob, green beans, and biscuits. I was stuffed even before she trotted back out with apple pie for dessert. Esme even suggested that I take a plate home for dad when I went.
After dinner, we recruited Jasper and Emmett to help us with the decorations. I worked with Grandmother Platt to entwine the tulle between the posts on the staircase and we positioned a ribbon bow on each post. She suggested that we alternate between the dark red and silver, Alice's colors, and the effect was stunning. I told her so and she beamed in appreciation. I knew where Esme had gotten her decorating skills from.
By the time I left at 10:00, the interior of the house was decorated and ready for the reception. It had started to sprinkle and Emmett drove the SUV they rented carefully down the winding driveway. Rosalie told me that they would pick me up at eight the next morning and I bid them good-bye when we arrived at Charlie's. His cruiser was in the driveway and the lights were still on, but Charlie was fast asleep on the couch. I woke him up and he trudged to bed as I turned everything off and went to my room.
I sent Edward a text to tell him good night and to my surprise, he responded before I could go to sleep.
Did you make it home?
Yes. Rose and Emmett were kind enough to drop me off. I had to escape the craziness.
What exactly am I walking in to tomorrow?
Imagine Alice times 4.
Oh, no. Maybe I can hide like Jasper.
There is no way I'm going to let that happen. You get to suffer with me, buddy.
Now that's just mean. What if I whisk you away to hide with me?
That has potential. I took a chance and added, I've missed you.
The answering text came with no hesitation. I've missed you, too, angel. I cannot wait to see you tomorrow.
Me neither! Have fun with the boys and I will be waiting at your house.
It's a date. Good night, sweet girl.
Good night.
I dropped off to sleep with my phone in my hand, thinking of Edward and anticipating his arrival the next day.
I thought I would get so much farther than this in this chapter but the grandmas took over and made it so much more interesting. Do you have any wedding horror stories? I know that I do! Click that little green button and let me know what you think?