Disclaimer: I wish I owned Edward & Bella but… alas, I don't.
This is the second to last chapter AND the LONGEST!!!! I'm SO excited!! Thank you for all the reviews and hope that you like my ending! I really can't believe that I have finally got to THIS chapter! I have been writing everything to get to this one!! THANK YOU FOR ALL THE REVIEWS!!
Chapter 21: The Bloody Dress
"Alice should have told you nothing," I whispered without any strength.
"She didn't," she stood in front of me now. She held her hand out to me and I stared at it wanting to take it so bad yet fearing the consequences of it.
I felt on the brink of ruin and salvation. I felt overbalanced with emotions not knowing which way I would fall in the end as she began to tell her tale. Memories flashed through my mind as her words washed over me.
"You look so beautiful, Bella!" Alice shriek, "Edward is going to die!"
"You really think so?" Bella twirled around in her white wedding dress. The dress was all pure white with patterns at the end of it, all around it. The bottom was poofed out while the top molded to her figure. The sleeves fell down her shoulders… it was utterly beautiful. "It's a beautiful dress isn't?"
"Yes but you make it beautiful, baby girl," Renee whispered with tears in her eyes. Bella turned to face her mother and quickly walked to toward her to give her a hug.
"Thank you, mom," tears began filling Bella's eyes, as well.
"Hey! No crying! Or we will all start bawling," Esme said making everyone laugh. Only Renee didn't know that Alice, Esme and Rosalie did not cry which made it funnier.
"Renee and I will make our way to the church," Esme said towing Renee out of the room.
"Maybe you should have invited more people," Rosalie said.
"Maybe… but I wanted only my family with me," Bella smiled at Rosalie. Rosalie nodded and left the room.
"She's coming around," Alice shrugged. Bella nodded and laughed nervously.
"Tell me, Alice, will everything come out good?" she studied Alice's face. She saw doubt flash across her face for a split second then grinned the uncertainty away.
"Everything will be perfect, Bella."
"Are you sure? Please, Alice, tell me. Whatever it is tell me."
"It has nothing to do with today, Bella, so don't worry about it."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, come let's go… it's nothing. I shouldn't have said anything. I don't want to ruin your wedding day."
"Alice, tell me what's bothering you?"
"The vision of you with the red dress…" she hesitated.
"You still see it?"
"It doesn't matter, Bella. We stopped it, remember? We stopped it." Bella nodded her agreement.
"Come let's go. Edward is waiting for you," Alice grinned. Bella's eyes lighted up at the mention of his name. She laughed nervously again and nodded her head.
"Can you believe it, Alice? I soon will be Isabella Cullen."
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Edward paced back and forth from left to right as he waited for his love at the altar. A hand on his shoulder stopped his pacing.
"Calm down, son," Charlie said, "She will be here."
Edward looked at his father-to-be and nodded. Yeah, Bella's coming, he thought, but what if she changed her mind? What if she didn't want to be like me anymore? Did she, finally, realized the monster that I was? It would be better wouldn't it? But… but I want her with me! What if she fell out of love with me?
Edward felt panic begin to overwhelm him, once again, but just as sudden he felt extremely calmed. He glanced over at one of his best man and mouthed a thank-you. Jasper nodded at him in acknowledgement.
The church was adorned with white flowers all over the place that Edward did not even notice. Edward wore a white tux that Bella had chosen for him. His brothers had joked around that he looked gorgeous. His fidgeting on the altar made both Emmett and Jasper poked fun at him once again. Charlie, Carlisle and Phil chuckled at their antics to distract Edward. They did not seem to work.
The doors to the church opened which took everyone's attention. Jacob Black walked in slowly as if not sure whether he was welcomed. Edward did not want him there but Bella did, so he sent him a nod. Then went back to pacing.
"Jake!" Charlie exclaimed walking toward him, "I'm so glad you came. Bella will be very happy." Charlie took Jacob by the shoulders and took him to sit on Bella's side where Phil sat. Edward felt regret that Charlie felt hurt that his best friend, Billy, did not attend. It was his fault that they had broken off their friendship. Billy completely disapproved of their wedding and had made it loud and clear to Charlie. But Edward forgot about the Quileute problems when the doors of the church opened once again.
Esme and Renee entered together smiling and then they both separated to sit on opposite sides. Edward looked toward the door waiting. It seemed like an eternity later that he saw Rosalie poke her head and nod toward Emmett. Nervousness swept over Edward at the thought of finally achieving his happily-ever-after.
He vaguely heard the marching song begin to be played. Rosalie came in first, then Alice… Where's Bella? He thought panicked. He glared at the doors willing them to open.
They opened. His breath felt like as if it had been punched out of him. She looked stunningly beautiful that it took his breath away. Edward Cullen watched and waited as his angel approached him. The goddess walked to him so that he could love, worship, lavish with riches, and take care of her. Edward knew that he would love her for eternity no matter what the future had in stored for them.
Bella could barely see as she walked toward him for tears blinded her way. She couldn't believe that such a god-like-vampire would want to spend eternity with her. She, an ordinary human, a klutz, a I-faint-at-the-sight-of-blood-human… just someone so plain like her. She couldn't understand but she didn't care. As long as he allowed her to be with him, she would not care. She would love him and always take care of him.
Bella thought that she was going to make it to the altar without making a fool of herself but she didn't. Edward laughed as Bella took the last step to reach him and tripped over her own feet. He easily caught her in his arms and kissed her red cheeks. They gazed at each other with love shining out of both their eyes. He turned them both around to face the altar.
The wedding ceremony began. He gazed at Bella and only vaguely heard the priest state the reason why they were all there. Edward did not need a reminder; he knew exactly why he was there. Today he would make Isabella Marie Swan his for all time.
Then, the priest asked that dreadful question of "Is there someone in here who would like to speak against this union from taking place? If not forever hold your peace."
Edward heard the annoying thoughts of Jacob wanting to jump up and declare him an abomination and vampire. He saw it plainly in the dog's mind as he did what he wanted to do. I clenched my teeth from growling and snapping at him to not even to dare speak. Then Jacob Black thought of the way Bella looked completely happy and Jacob knew that he wanted that above all else. He wanted her happy for all time. So he stayed quiet and would forever hold his peace. Edward was concentrating on wolf's thoughts that he had not heard anything else until a voice interrupted his thoughts of murdering and thanking Jacob Black.
"I do." The voice was extremely familiar and sent prickles of danger down his spine.
No! he thought, Alice had not seen thisAlice said everything would be fine.
Edward quickly scanned Alice's mind to find utter surprise and anger that she was there. Alice had not seen this coming. Edward was shocked that she had not told him that she had still seen the vision of Bella and the damn red dress but not of this. He quickly got up to face the red-headed scum as she stood in the middle of aisle.
Edward read her thoughts but it was hard to concentrate when he heard so many more clashing around the church. Renee and Charlie's thoughts of anger that someone would interrupt the wedding and panic that Edward was going to break Bella's heart once more; Jacob's werewolf instincts at a high level with him trying to control himself and reminding himself that there were humans around; Phil and the Priest's astonishment; and all his family's worry and anger toward the vampire. He tried to block the others as much as possible to concentrate on Victoria's thoughts.
But her thoughts were worse than everyone else's put together. She was angry that the Cullen's had killed her creations, emotionally hurt about James and so many other thoughts and emotions flashed through her mind that Edward could barely pin point them before she would think something else. He knew for a fact that she was alone, though. That was one of her clearer thoughts.
Alone, she thought, so alone now. Nothing matters anymore. So alone. James, I'm so alone.
Victoria was suicidal. Edward kept Bella behind him trying to give her as much protection as possible.
"Get out!" Edward and Jacob growled at the same time.
"Why do you think so?" the priest asked. Shut up, Edward thought.
"You must leave, Victoria," Carlisle said gently. He was thinking that we had to take out all the humans inside the church out or just Victoria. I was so glad that Bella had decided to only have her family including Jacob and the priest. That meant only five humans to keep safe. Alice and Rosalie moved to protect Renee, Charlie and Phil when Edward looked toward his siblings pointing his head toward his in-laws. Esme moved to protect the priest.
"What do you want Victoria?" Edward asked.
"You shouldn't marry them priest because he's a murderer!" Victoria pointed to the groom. Renee gasped. "He killed my husband and the rest of my family!"
"What?! Oh, my…" Renee whispered before fainting. Edward heard her last thought that she couldn't believe that her daughter was marrying a murderer. Renee was caught by her husband and Charlie. They both held her on the ground fussing over her. They did not believe Victoria to be much of a danger. Edward wondered at that for a split second but Bella's cry caught his attention.
"Mom!" Bella took a step toward her. Edward stopped her and shook his head at her; if she went it would bring her closer to Victoria. The scum wanted to take Bella with her.
"Stay back, Bella," Edward warned her. She paid no heed to him as she stilled looked toward her mother. He took her head in his cheeks. "Listen to me, my love. Stay back!"
"OK," she whispered still hesitant.
"Yes, pet, stay back!" Victoria mocked. We all growled at her words. Jacob seemed to be having a harder time controlling himself. With Renée becoming a distraction the Cullen's and Jacob surrounded Victoria very quickly.
"Do you have proof, my child, that what you say is true?" The priest asked.
"Call a doctor for my mother-in-law," Edward ordered the priest without looking away from Victoria. Suspicious and doubt crossed the priest's mind but with Esme's insistence he agreed. He and Esme left to call the doctor from his office. Edward wished that Bella would leave but knew that she wouldn't. He couldn't afford to argue at this second. He had to protect her.
Edward stood in front of the red-headed with his father, brothers and Jacob at his sides and back crowding Victoria.
"Let's go outside, Victoria," Carlisle said softly. They took a step forward forcing her to take one backwards.
"Let's take care of this once and for all," Edward growled at her. Step by step they stalked her backwards to the doors of the church. One more step and Victoria would be out the door where they could attack her. But she took no other step backwards once they reached the threshold of the door. Victoria, suddenly, began laughing hysterically.
"What the hell is wrong with her?" Rosalie glared toward the front of the church. Both her and Alice were in the middle of the church in the aisle.
"You may all kill me but I will take your pet with me!" Victoria yelled violently to Edward.
"NO!" Alice gasped clutching her head as the vision of the red-dress completely overwhelmed her. Rosalie caught her in her arms not knowing what to do.
Edward went numb not understanding what was happening. He saw in Victoria's thoughts the surety that she would kill Bella. But she was surrounded with no way to get to Bella. Suddenly, he understood everything. She could control any human to do as she commanded. An explosion of sound reverted through the church sending panic all through Edward's world. Edward turned to look at Bella. He saw her standing on the altar with complete surprise on her face gasping for breath. Edward saw in slow motion as Bella looked down her dress and brought her hand up to clutch her stomach. She struggle for breath as her hand overflowed with blood.
"No," Edward whispered and ran back to her as another shot rang through the church but Alice and Rosalie stood in his way. Time seemed to stop for Edward as he realized that he was a half a second too late from stopping the second bullet from hitting her chest. He caught her in his arms as the impact pushed her forward.
Edward did not pay attention to anything around him but Bella. He was told later that Rosalie took the gun away from Mike and knocked him out. Jasper and Emmett with the help of Jacob Black had killed and burned Victoria out in the woods. He only learned this many years later. In that moment he only knew the agony of knowing that he was losing the love of his life. He couldn't breathe or think as her beautiful white dress turned red with blood.
"It was not red!" he cried hysterically, "The dress was not red, Alice!! It only looked red because of the blood!!! It was not red!"
"Bella!" He vaguely heard Charlie cry next to him. "Oh, my beautiful daughter." Esme had run out when she had heard the sounds and held Renee when she awoke as they both cried soundlessly. Phil sat on the bench silently crying.
"Carlisle!" Edward cried desperately looking up at his father when Bella's eyes fluttered closed. He had not, even, noticed when Carlisle had come. He heard Carlisle's thoughts before his father shook his head sadly.
"NO!" He cried, "No! I can change her! I can change her right here Carlisle!"
"No, Edward, you can not change her here… you would expose our secret," he said so low that only he could hear it, "And even if I allowed you to try… she would still die, my son."
"No! She can be saved! She can be!! I can change her!!" I refused to believe it and said it loudly not caring who heard me.
"Hear me, my son. Listen to me! She either dies now with almost no pain or dies with excruciating agony. Edward she has been shot. She will not live through the transformation. Her body will not be able to take it." Carlisle kept his voice low and precise willing Edward to understand. Edward couldn't.
"No! She… she must, Carlisle… I can't… I can't live without her," he sobbed not seeing anything but the pain that his Bella was slowly leaving him. "Please, Carlisle, tell me you can save her." Edward knew his father's thoughts yet refused to believe them. He refused even as he saw Alice's vision become reality. Bella's beautiful white dress slowly became soaked with more and more blood.
"Carlisle," Charlie asked tears streaming down his face. Edward envied his tears, he wished he could cry, too.
"I'm so sorry, Charlie," Carlisle closed his eyes. "I'm so sorry." Carlisle went to him as he gasped and cried harder. Carlisle held him in his arms as they both shook and mourned together.
"Edward," Bella whispered. Edward snapped his eyes away from her wounds to see her warm brown eyes looking at him with such great sadness. "I don't want you to die, Edward. Please promise me that."
"No! Bella I can't. I can't live without you. I just can't."
"Please," she whispered. He shook his head rejecting her request yet not being able to deny her anything. "Whatever you want, my Bella…. I promise."
At his words, Bella seemed to forget the pain that she was in and acted as if nothing were wrong.
"The day is beautiful, isn't it?" Bella asked smiling brightly at him.
"Yes, Bella. Whatever you say," he chocked. Bella laughed very softly.
"Please, don't be sad. I'll be OK."
"I will never see you again," he said. Alice thoughts told him so.
"Yes, you will. I know you will." She whispered very softly and had he not been a vampire he wouldn't have heard her.
"Where you're going… I can never go, Bella," he swallowed his sob.
"Yes, you can. I will be there waiting for you. Always."
"You will wait in vain. How can I join you when I have no…?" he stopped abruptly. Edward had not meant to say that out loud. His heart broke into a thousand pains and he knew with all his heart that it would never heal. Bella's eyes filled with tears. He had expected that, what he had not expected was her anger. Suddenly, she gasped angrily and glared at him.
"Well, if you don't go. Then I will just have to come get you!"
"Oh, my Bella," he hugged her tightly. Edward wished it were true. "Don't worry love. We will always be together. No matter what… we will be."
"Yes… We will…" She sighed.
"I love you," Edward gasped knowing that he would not be able to say that to anyone else. Edward Cullen kissed his Isabella Swan for the last time.
"I love you," her last breath whispered. Edward heard as her heart beat its last beat. He yelled in great anguish that he had lost the love of his life.
I felt the emotions of my wedding day hit me in my chest and made me cry out softly.
"Edward," Asheni reached for me.
"No!" I scrambled away from her. "Get away from me!"
She stopped hurt all over her face at my words.
"How could you know that?" I gasped. Some of the things she had said I had not even known. Alice had never informed me that she had told Bella about the vision that day. "How?"
"I dreamt it," she pleaded for me to understand but I couldn't, "Do you understand now?"
"No! Alice told you! She must have!"
"She told me nothing. I love you, Edward!"
"Leave me!" I yelled yet she made no move to get away, "Do you enjoy my pain?! I have endured this pain for a thousand years! Do you enjoy it?"
"It was unnecessary!" she yelled.
"What Asheni? Do you think that you can erase my memory and love for her? I loved her! I loved her and I lost her! I could never…" I ran out of words as a sob escaped me. She stepped closer and I growled at her to keep away.
"I told you that I would come back for you, didn't I?" she whispered. All emotion wiped away from me. "I promised that I would come back," tears began streaming down her face.
"What?" I couldn't think.
"I know the story because… it's me, Edward. It's me… Bella."
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