This is a big beefy chapter. I received six reviews for the last one, and that one was tiny. Can we hit ten this time? Please?! I've started work on a second story (thanks to my husband Zevward, and my good friend Den20), and that should be posted by tomorrow morning.
let me know what you think!
Bella's POV
I got into my father's car as he strapped my son into the carseat. "What's going on here, Bella?" He glanced up, more than simple irritation showing on his features. "You love him?!" His mustache practically twitched it's way off his face in disgust.
"'What's going on' with what, Dad?" I spat, not really meaning to sound so harsh. "Things never felt as natural with Jake, as I felt that they should. Wherever Edward is, that is where I belong."
Suddenly, my father exploded. If you've ever seen the ending of Star Wars: A New Hope, his head did that 'Death Star explosion' thing. "But Edward left you!" He was not calm now, and his raised voice summoned my wild eyes. I slammed my hand against my heart—a nervous tick, as he continued to scream. "In a forest; all by yourself, no less!" He pulled out of the driveway, on the way to the wedding hall. "And now, he makes a grand appearance, on Sam Uley's wedding day, and takes you away from Jacob?" He made several disgusted noises before continuing, "Jacob was so good for you, Bella." His hands were practically pounding on the steering wheel as he attempted to prove his point.
More pincurls than I had originally planned had wound their way out of my updo. All this arguing was killing my hair. Too bad, so sad, I suppose. "Perhaps you didn't notice that it was Jacob who left me in front of your house, with no ride to the wedding?" I spat, the irritation rising in my throat.
"He was good for me; you're right." I answered honestly. "He was better than my broken body and mind deserved, but I never felt like he was quite right. It was always Edward, dad. Edward was always where my life was headed. We got a little off track, when he left, but that's all water under the bridge now." My eyes dampened as I pleaded with him to understand me, "We both know that we can't be apart now. Do you remember telling me that sometimes the right thing to do for one person can be the wrong thing for someone else?"
That hit home, and I knew he understood. "But why today?"
"That's just how it worked out, dad. I didn't plan it that way. I didn't plan on ever seeing him again. I didn't plan on anything, really; I just lived life as it hit me." He winced as I phrased that last bit poorly. I was gesturing wildly, trying to emphasize my point. He pulled into the wedding hall, and my car was already there. How had Jacob beaten me here? Whatever they had done, it must have been quick. My whole body turned to ice. Even Edward would feel warm to me, now. "Thanks for the ride, dad."
"Don't mention it." He grumbled, as he turned the car around to go back home. I stood there in the middle of the parking lot, and suddenly debated turning around and walking home. Jacob had my keys, so I couldn't drive there. Walking home in silver heels would be a bitch, I thought sourly.
"Bella!" A familiar voice called to me. It was Seth. Seth was calling me?
"Jacob is inside. I'm surprised you two came separate. You look beautiful!" He threw his arm around me, and in that moment, my sweet Seth reminded me of Mike Newton. I still hadn't moved, and he was starting to look a little worried. Of course he would know my mental instability; not only was this town incredibly small, the wolves also shared a single mind.
Straightening up, I began to walk towards the hall. I did not expect everyone to stare, when I came in. I did not expect Sam to walk right up to me, drop my keys into my hands, and leave. What had happened here, today? I decided to go into the bride's room to see Emily, at least it would be normal in there.
Knocking softly on the door, I pulled it open, and there she was. She looked radiant. Emily and I now had a deep understanding; we were both physically scarred. At least it worked out for her, in the end. "How are you feeling?" I asked her, feeling the kindness returning to my face.
"Nervous." She looked slightly irate as she smoothed her simple white dress, and rewove flowers into her hair.
"Why is everyone so unhappy, Emily?" Confusion passed through me in waves, and Emily turned to really stare at me.
"Don't you know?" She sighed, "Jacob just left. He walked in, said goodbye, and left!" She took her scarred hand and covered her face. These wolves were like her children, and to have one missing from such a special day, must be awful.
There was a light knock on the door, and she opened it. Sam and his best man, Quil, came in. "Iiiiiiiit's present time!" Quil was always the clown, but even Sam had a soft smile on his face. He acknowledged me, though I was the source of most of his unhappiness today.
"I have something for you, Emily." He took her in his arms, and roughly kissed her. Her arms flew around his neck. Quil and I looked at each other because there was nowhere else safe to look. Finally, Quil cleared his throat, and handed Emily a cream leather folder.
"You know you're not supposed to see me before the wedding! It's bad luck!"
"That's a pale-face superstition, Emily." He brought his hand to touch her cheek, and gazed down at her left hand. Picking it up, he really beamed at her, "I hope you're ready to add another ring to that hand, woman." He grinned at her, and she giggled.
"What is it, Sam? What did you get me?" Her black eyes lit up, as her fingers opened the singular button, pulling up the top. There were two pieces of cream satin to be moved, and when she did, she let out a gasp. "Sammy! It's lovely! Help me put it on?" Her fingers were shaking, trying to get the string of pearls out of their holder.
"I got you earrings too." She nearly dropped the pearl folder when he handed her a second, smaller, box.
I took the folder from her so that she could put in her fancy new earrings. They featured a small white gold, diamond encrusted, fan accent, and three vertically placed diamonds that gave the earrings the dangle and length needed before adding the tear drop shaped pearls. I recognized them from my store, and I recalled admiring them myself.
I felt the weight of the world collapsing in on me now, causing me to buckle beneath it. I would be on my knees soon, if I didn't leave now. The weight of their love and happiness, the weight of Jacob's hurt and anger; it was all too much to bear. The ragged opening in my chest was burning, and I could barely breathe. "Congratulations, Emily. I hope you and Sam have everything you ever dream of." I kissed her on her cheek, and she knew I was going too. It hurt her that I would miss her wedding as well.
Tears were rolling down my face as I stumbled towards the car. Usually, hyperventilation was something that I'd grown accustomed to, but this time, they were rather severe. I fumbled with my keys, and dropped them into a puddle. I began to bend down to pick them up when suddenly, my eyes lost focus. I felt Edward's cool hands on my waist; my keys in his hand. "Why don't you let me drive, Bella." He said sadly, and he led me towards the passenger's side, holding open the door. I flopped in, but something uncomfortable was on the seat beneath me. "Ouch!" I saw him gaze at me curiously as I pulled the offensive object from under my bottom.
"My mother's watch." He stated simply. "I left it here for you. I wanted you to have something of me, as I hate leaving you without a reminder that I love you." His hand left the steering wheel, and hovered at my cheek. "I'll give you anything you want, Bella. Anything at all, immortality included. I'll never leave your side again."
My gaze finally met his, "What of my son?" His golden eyes pierced right through me; he would not evade me today.
"Does your—former--husband have any want of him?" I didn't expect him to stumble over the 'H' word, the way that he did.
"No." His eyes never left mine, despite his driving, and mine never left his.
"Then he shall be as mine. I will love him as my own; I already do." Without hesitation, my love made this very personal declaration. A promise to me that he would always be there, taking care of us. Edward and I had grown to a party of three. The emotions were pouring through his beautiful features. "We'll figure this all out. I want us to be together as a family. I've never wanted something as much in my entire existence. All I've wished for, these last years, was the ability to love you—to give you children! This may not be the same, but it's the closest we can manage."
It was the sniffling that gave me away, "You. Would." sniffle "Take. Me" Sniff sniff. "As broken as I am?" Sniff sniff. I wiped away the tears, ignoring the fact that my makeup was starting to wash off.
"Why yes, yes I would, as a matter of fact." He pulled into the forest; we were heading towards the Cullen's house. "I only left you because I wanted you to have a chance at a human life, but I see now that that didn't work out so well. I see that I can not entrust someone, as precious as yourself, to any man other than myself. I can not be without you, Bella." He opened the car door to help me out. Holding his hand out to me, and I took it, "There is no 'me' without 'you'. I'm nothing without you."
"That's very sweet, Edward, but what are we doing here?" I saw the slow smile spread across his face, and my heart just about jumped out of my chest, to reach its rightful owner.
My heart's reaction just made him smile brighter. "Why, Alice, of course." That was all he said, but it was enough. The door at the top of the stairs flew open, and Alice zoomed out. It was so quick, that I didn't even see it. Suddenly she was right in front of me.
"Bella, you're okay!" Alice cried, in acute relief. "I've missed you so much. My God, you look great!" She spun me around, carefully, and then began examining my accessories. "Wow, Bella, when you're not using that necklace, can I borrow it?" Must everybody have this knee-jerk reaction regarding my possessions? Honestly, I can't be that different!
"Yeah, Alice. Anything you want." I smiled faintly. After all, I'd missed her too.
"What's wrong, Bella?" Her pixie face stared into my own, trying to determine what was bothering me.
"I'm just a little upset over missing the wedding, but I couldn't have stayed. It was too hard to be around all those reminders. I got all dressed up for nothing." I stared down at my feet, and shrugged. It was a childish, but effective, method of communicating my feeling of defeat.
Suddenly Edward picked up my hand, and examined my wrist. "This is a remarkable bracelet, you know?" he was turning my hand over and over, studying it. The more he looked at it, the more creased his face became.
"Yeah, it's my favorite. I love sapphires. Art deco is probably my favorite style because of the shapes and patterns that they often used."
"Are you accepting gifts, these days?" He was fighting that crooked smile, so something must amuse him greatly.
"It depends, Edward. Is it from you?" I teased, poking his arm.
His smile grew wider. "Well, yes and no. When my father, Edward Senior, first contracted the Spanish flu, they quickly threw together a will. I was their only child," He explained, as he guided me into the house, "so naturally they left me everything. There were certain stipulations for some of her more—delicate-- items. She specifically forbade me from selling off her jewelery; it had been her most prized possessions." He led me to the sofa, and sat me down. Crouching in front of me, he kissed me squarely on my mouth, and left a trail of kisses down my neck. He didn't stop until he reached the pit at my collar bone, but his cool lips lingered; prolonging the fire.
"I was allowed to disperse certain pieces how I pleased, and I gave a few to Alice, and a few to Esme. Her most sentimental pieces, however, were reserved only for one person, and I haven't needed to think of them, until now. These estate pieces were only to be given to the woman who owned my heart. They were only to be given to the one who would sit beside me as my wife." His sweet pale face glowed with hope, and love, and trust. He wanted me to say 'yes' to him, and unlike when this had happened with Jacob, there was no apprehension. There was no hesitation. I knew what I had to do, and I knew, immediately, what I would tell him. The entire situation was so complicated, and yet at the same time, it was so simple.
"All you have to do is say one word, and what is mine, becomes yours." He was emphatic, I could tell by the way he used his hands to illustrate his points. He was on his left knee now, watching my reaction closely. "What I'm trying to say, Bella, is that there's only one person that could fill the space inside my heart, and that's you. You are my perfect match; everything that my mother would have wanted me to have." His hand cradled the back of my neck, as if he were holding me steady. "Marry me, Bella. Never leave my side again." He cradled my face in his long, slender fingers. "Please? It's all that I've ever wanted, and only you can give me that satisfaction. I love you more than life itself, Bella. Please?"
His eyes pierced right through me, and I realized that he was finished; it was finally my turn to speak. I could only manage to let my mouth fall. Words absolutely escaped me. How could I turn him down, when he pleaded with me this way.
"Alice?" He cried.
I looked to her, my mouth still open, her little face pinched as if she were trying to read tiny print. "I think that she's going to say yes." She squealed. "I'm calling Esme! Yes! Edward, your phone?!" She was skipping and twirling through the house like a whirling dervish.
"Wait, Alice." He turned and held up one finger, "Let her answer."
At that moment, even though I knew my answer, I was incapable of giving it. I was frozen, fresh out of the freezer. Both pairs of golden eyes stared at me, awaiting my response, and finally, after what seemed like an eternity, I found my voice. "If," This qualifier being the most important part of the whole speech, "you can find a way to keep our secret safe, and protect my son at the same time, then I would be honored to sit beside you." A slow smile crept upon my lips; Edward's grin had been contagious.
"Bella, I promise you that I will take care of the both of you, as long as I exist. You'll never want for anything. Your son will attend the best schools, have the greatest physicians, and most importantly, the best surrogate father. Will you marry me, Bella?" He grinned pompously, and I wanted to give him a good smack.
I considered his offering, weighing the pros and cons. It really was rather quick to just accept the proposal of a man I hadn't seen in years. "It would be a most high honor to spend forever with you, Edward Cullen." I started flailing my arms like they were wings. Silly Bella, humans can't fly. My excitement was palpable. "Yes!" I shouted, and hurled myself at him, a bullet from a gun.
This proposal had been the one I'd waited my entire life for. This one has differed from the other two in that there was no hesitation; I knew this was the right way. I knew he was my end; the place my life was headed. It didn't wash away the years of abuse I endured to get here, but it sure did make me appreciate his love all the more. Alice was screaming into the phone, and I could hear shrieking on the other side of the receiver.
"They're on their way, Edward! Ah!" Alice's shrill, piercing voice was strained with happiness. She was talking so fast and so high, that I couldn't hear properly.
He held me close, burying his face in my neck. He inhaled deeply, "Our secret?" He asked.
"I intend to sit beside you forever, Edward, and I don't intend to do it with wrinkles. Isn't seven years older than you enough?"
"Yes. I love you, Bella. I'll never leave you again. I'm sorry." He was showering me with kisses, and Alice ran up the stairs. Upon coming back down, she placed a wooden box in Edward's hands. "This was my mother's." He explained, "It became mine upon her passing, and now, Isabella Swan, it belongs to you." If it had been possible, he'd be crying; I could see it. The emotion within him was so strong; he was exploding with it.
"You've made me the happiest man alive, Bella. No man in the world will love a woman as much as I love you." He slowly inched the box closer to me, and placed it in my hands. He gave it to me with such reverence, as if it were a rite of passage, and it might have been. After ninety plus years of waiting to be able to do this, I could understand if he saw it that way.
Slowly, I spun the box so that the opening was closest to me. I laid it on my lap, and pulled it open with both hands. Inside that dark oak box were spaces for four rings, a charm, and an empty space that had held something, at one time. The first thing I picked up, was obviously an engagement ring. It was a small oval with thirteen round, rose cut diamonds. Easily a late Victorian piece. "Any finger you want, Bella. It's yours. See if it fits; I know a good jeweler, if it doesn't." He was beaming at me with such an intensity that the light reflecting, from his teeth, was blinding me.
It was a little loose for my left hand, but fit my right hand perfectly, and I left it there. I held out my hand, at arms length, and wiggled my fingers. "It's lovely, Edward!" I squeaked. "So pretty!" It was true; I loved it!
"I'll take you to Tiffany's tomorrow, and we'll get you something for your left." He smiled at me encouragingly.
I couldn't help it; I laughed at him. "I have so many loose diamonds at home, Edward. Just pick one! Don't waste your money. A diamond is a diamond. It's beautiful, and can shine brightly, but in the end, it's still just a well-cut rock."
The second ring in the box was the corresponding wedding ring. I slipped that onto my left hand, and smiled. It was a delicate two-toned piece, yellow gold and platinum, engraved. "A lifetime of forevers", it was incredibly sweet, and I found my eyes wet. It actually fit well on my left hand, and I left it there. Edward took my hand, and admired it. Quickly, he turned my hand palm up, and sniffed deeply at my wrist.
"It looks good on you." His expression was as nonchalant as he could muster, but I saw right through him. It was truly as if we were never separated. As if I were still 18, and he was proposing on my birthday.
"Oh? Do you like it?" I switched the engagement ring back to my left hand, and showed him them both together. I thought he would jump up and do a victory dance; his happiness was so beautiful. No, beautiful was the wrong word; it was breathtaking.
"Yes! I like it. You have no idea how long I've waited for this." He admired my hand with both rings now. "Ahh, it suits you. Oh, Bella, your hand looks magnificent!" He took my bejeweled hand, and touched it to his cheek, enjoying the feel of the metal against his skin.
Turning my attention back to the box, I took out the third of the rings. This one was obviously for a man. It was very heavy, and well worn. Also two toned; the outer rims about two millimeters on each side, was yellow gold. The inside was about 4 millimeters wide, and it was platinum, as opposed to white gold. I turned it over in my hand, and Edward gazed at me expectantly. Grinning, as I looked up at him, I took his hand, and slowly, savoring the moment, slid the large band onto his finger. Edward's ring would have to be sized. It was much too large, but Edward was frozen at 17; It was to be expected.
He gasped as my fingers left his hand, allowing him a perfect view of the ring there. Simple milgrain, and no diamonds. Elegant, priceless, and timeless, just like my future husband. Quickly, he plucked the final ring out of the box, before I had a chance to study it. "This ring has a story." He said quietly, breaking the intense silence.
"My father bought my mother this ring, and the matching bracelet, on their final trip to New York. It was about two years before my father took ill." He began, smiling sadly at me. "This set was her absolute favorite, and she wore it every day, even though they were really more formal pieces." He took my hand, and brought it to rest in his own , "On a train ride back to Chicago, she noticed that her precious bracelet had gone missing, and she was heart broken. My father contacted the jeweler in New York, but he said that he didn't have any of that style anymore; it'd been over a year and a half since he'd purchased it. We never did see that bracelet again." His eyes lifted, and I gazed at them through his long, lovely lashes. "I'd never seen my mother so unhappy; she cried for months." A slow, warm, smile spread widely across his face. "I hadn't seen that bracelet in over ninety years. So you can understand my surprise when I saw it on your wrist today."
"Wh-What are you talking about, Edward?" I yanked my wrist up to my face to inspect it. It had been a gift from Robert on our first anniversary. I had seen it, sitting in an antique shop window, as we walked down the street. I liked it so much that he went back the next day to get it for me.
Could it be? "Are you sure?" I asked him.
"See for yourself." He said, as he took my right hand, and slid the dinner ring onto my pointer finger. I had a chance to study it, and sure enough; it was a matching set.
"This was the only piece of jewelry that I'd picked out myself." I explained, "I saw it in an antique store when walking down the street with Robert." I smiled, thinking about that long ago memory. We'd been relatively happy then. "He went back the next day, and bought it. He gave it to me for our anniversary, and I've worn it ever since. It's my absolute favorite." I threw my arms around him, and kissed him "Oh, Edward!"
"There's more." He smiled.
There was one piece of jewelry left in the box; a charm. A diamond that was bezel set, one of the first heart shaped stones of its kind. The faceting was very simple, and was obviously an antique. This diamond would weigh over five carats. "It's beautiful, Edward. A cut like this is rare." I looked at the empty space, "Was this the space for the bracelet?"
"No, this box was made after it was lost. It's my mother's watch that sits there." He handed me the watch that I had sat on in the car. "This watch was given to her upon my birth. My father loved my mother more than words could say. He gave her anything to make her happy. They were perfect for each other." He took both of his hands, and wrapped them around my own, "We are perfect for each other, Bella. I'll give you anything, to make you happy. Anything." His eyes burned with sincerity, and I knew I could deny him nothing. I was spellbound by his love.
Alice stood there, perfectly still, her eyes taking in the situation. It was probably one of the nicest things she could imagine seeing. She'd wanted us together since day one; since her first vision. Seeing that vision finally coming to fruition was probably her own dream come true.
"They're here." She stated simply. I could hear the cars pulling into the driveway. Quickly, I pulled off all but the engagement ring, and laid them back in the box, each in their own place. I was suddenly aware of my dress, and all the expensive jewelry that I had on. It occurred to me, that I probably looked like I could be a Cullen. I was not as beautiful as they are, and my eyes are not golden, but at least I appeared wealthy enough to belong there.
Edward positioned himself on my left side, sitting ramrod straight, and very still. I steeled myself to meet my new family, this time, as an official "soon to be" member.
It was Esme who ran into the room first; her eyes shining with pride. "At last! My family is whole again!" She cried, throwing her arms around both me and my fiance, at the same time. Jasper came next shaking Edward's hand, and gave me a kiss on my cheek. A high pitched symphony was starting on the other and of the room, so I turned to see who was squealing. Alice and Esme were hopping up and down, as if they were on a trampoline, screaming like school children. Carlilse walked in next, alone, and slightly subdued. I could tell that our young patriarch had something on his mind, but he congratulated us both sincerely. He was happy for Edward, as they all were.
Emmett and Rosalie were the last to enter. I could hear him tell her to be nice, and she hissed at him. Edward was grinning at my side, and I wondered which one of them was thinking something comical. Must be Emmett, because Rosalie doesn't have too many funny bones in her body. "Fine, Rose. Stay out here by yourself, but I'm coming to see my official LITTLE SISTER!" He slapped Edward an earth shattering high five, and then nearly cracked my ribs, as he lifted me off the couch in a hug. "We've missed you, Bella." he whispered into my ear.
I smiled at him, as he placed me down, "I missed you too."
Rosalie entered the house, a baleful look on her lovely face, and wished us both a rushed congratulations. She glared at my dress, with a disgusted look on her face, breezed up the stairs, and that was all. Time didn't heal our relationship one bit, I see. Why the hell did she look at my dress that way?
I turned to face Alice, and I noticed Emmett was staring at me, "Is something stuck between my teeth?" I asked self consciously, covering my mouth, and checking my cleavage. Everything seemed to be in the correct condition...
He roared with laughter, "No! I was just wondering what museum you broke into. Which monarch's crown jewels you heisted. That's all!" His raucous laughter continued, and eventually infected everybody. Everyone except for Carlilse.
Some sudden thought made Edward turn directly towards him, "Is that so?" He asked.
"It is, Edward. I was thinking about it this morning. We would have to wait many years to test that theory, though" His face was very grave, despite the soft smile on his face.
"That should make things easier, though, shouldn't it, Carlilse? We may not have to split after all?" The hidden nature of the subject disturbed me, and it must have shown on my face.
Esme was the first to speak, in this awkward silence, "Bella dear, when do I get to meet my grandson?"
"Should I have Charlie bring him here, Edward?" I noticed that Esme didn't use any future tense; she counted us amongst her family already. They were each tracking my every movement, as if I might go to pieces at any second.
"I think that we've worried Charlie enough for today." Tenderly, he stroked my cheek. "Let me drive you back to your father's, to change, and we'll bring him here. Carlilse would like to see him.
It was when he used Carlilse's name, I understood, that it was my son causing the concern. They were worried as to how this would affect their ability to stay secret. Edward stood, and raised his hand to help me off my chair.
"Would you like to get your son now?" He asked me, picking up the box that was now mine, and handing it to me.
"Absolutely." I linked my arm in his, and he walked me out the door, my future family waving good-bye.
That's it for Emily's wedding! Visuals on facebook, as well as update notifications. New story will be called "Here's to You", and will be a lighthearted story of college sports, loyalty, and of course, LOVE!
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