"Geez Alice if you pull any harder I won't have any hair left. I'd prefer not to be bald for the rest of eternity." She pulled mockingly at my hair.
"Bella. The hair is the most important thing next to the dress. It has to be perfect." I squinted through my one eye as Rosalie was applying my eye shadow.
"Keep. Them. Shut" Rosalie said through her teeth. I heard the door open but I didn't dare to open them at the risk of facing another scolding from Rosalie. It was probably Esme checking up on us.
I felt someone walk up behind me and place their hands on my shoulders. Warm hands. Definitely not vampire hands.
"You make a beautiful bride baby," my mother whispered into my ear.
I opened my eyes and spun around, almost causing both a hair and makeup disaster.
"Mom!" I threw my arms around her. I was so excited that I had to consciously remind myself to be gentle, that I could crush her and not even know it.
"I missed you so much sweetheart." I could feel her arms tighten around me.
Alice and Rosalie silently left the room to give us a few minutes.
My mom leaned back and ran her fingers through the hair that was still hanging at the side of my face. She tucked a piece behind my ear.
"Absolutely beautiful," she said smiling.
"Mom I'm so glad you're here, I feel like I haven't seen you in so long."
"I know sweetie. Listen I'm…I'm really sorry about not being around. You know for the funeral. I did everything I could to get to you and I felt terrible not being there."
I looked down, trying to suppress the sadness.
"I wish that you were there too Mom, but it's okay I understand. And plus I had Edward and his family, and Jacob has been great."
I looked up and found her looking at my eyes. Uh oh. Did she notice the difference?
"There's something different about you Bella. I mean you've always been beautiful but wow. You just look so…stunning. You must just be growing up on me."
I sighed a breath of relief. Good thing she was excusing it on "growing up," I wasn't prepared with another excuse yet.
"Well I know you're getting ready, I don't want to keep you, but I wanted to give you something."
She reached in her bag and pulled out a long black box.
"This necklace, was made with pearls from the necklaces that both of your grandmother's wore on their wedding day. Your..your father and I were saving it for your wedding day, so I guess the day is today." She handed me the box.
I slowly opened it and gasped. It was beautiful. It was simple. It was totally me.
"Oh Mom it's gorgeous. Will you put it on?" I carefully removed the necklace from its place and handed it to her.
Her hands glided up to my neck, where she hooked the clasp on the necklace. It fell slightly to graze my collarbone before settling. I ran my fingers over it lovingly, imagining my grandmothers wearing the pearls.
"Oh sweetie. You are freezing," she said rubbing my shoulders. "Let me turn up the heat."
I laughed a little. I forgot that I would feel cold to her.
She started towards the door.
"I'll be back later baby, I'm going to go check on Phil and get ready. Then I think I'll go and make sure everything's set up and see if Esme needs any help. So I may be awhile."
"It's okay Mom, go. Besides I'll be busy with Alice and Rosalie for awhile."
The girls were back an instant after my mom left and they continued their assault on my hair and face. Alice finished my hair. Then decided that she didn't like it. So she took it down and redid it. Needless to say it took her three hours to finally decide that she wanted it half up. The rest was done in loose curls cascading down my back.
The next time I looked out the window, the sun was getting lower on the horizon.
"Is it that late already?" I said looking at my watch.
"Time flies when you're having fun." Alice laughed.
"Ha. Fun."
It was already time to put my dress on apparently because Alice was unzipping the garment bag and pulling it out. It was breathtaking. I couldn't believe I got to wear it. It even had me, the girl who didn't get all huffy about weddings, excited. I smiled and brought my hands up to my face, almost giddy.
"Alice it's amazing." I looked it over appreciatively. It was almost like it matched the necklace perfectly. I felt my fingers running over my necklace.
"Bella, you're forgetting. I can see the future." She pointed to her temple.
"Oh right. You knew that they were giving this to me."
She walked towards me with the dress and I stepped carefully into it. Rosalie helped her ease it up on my body and I felt her hands running up the length of back, I assumed buttoning the million buttons.
I ran my fingers over the fabric, straightening it out against my body. Alice was busing attaching my veil while Rosalie helped me step into my shoes. Thank Goodness I had convinced Alice to not torture my feet today. They weren't too high.
"There. I think you're almost ready." Alice stood back and appraised. She brought her hand up to her chin. "Not bad. Not bad at all."
"You forgot this," Rosalie said as she flung something at me. I grabbed the blue bunch of fabric in my hands. A garter. Alice started to grab it, most likely to put it on my leg but I held onto it firmly.
"This is one thing I can do." I bent down and slid the garter up my leg.
"Well Bella I think you might be all ready to go. Now we're going to go get ready and go to the location. Jacob will be here in fifteen minutes to pick you up. Do. Not. Touch. Anything." I think she was scared she'd leave me and I'd change into sneakers and pull my hair up into a ponytail.
"I won't do anything I promise," I smiled at her as they both slipped out the door.
When they were gone I looked back at myself in the mirror. It was nice to finally have a little time to myself. I hadn't even realized fifteen minutes had passed until I heard a knock on the door.
"Come in," I said not removing my eyes from the mirror. I saw Jacob walk in. I heard him catch his breath in his throat and smile.
"Bells. Wow. You really are a beautiful bride."
I stood up and turned around to face him.
"Thanks Jake." I put my arms around him and nuzzled into his chest, making sure not to smear my makeup.
His hand lightly cupped my head as he placed his head on top of mine.
"Love you."
"Love you too." I pulled back. "Thanks again for..for you know doing this Jake. It means everything to me."
"You might not be saying that to me in a few seconds. I've been given strict instructions by Alice. Sorry Bells." He pulled out a black blindfold.
"Oh come on!" I said as I threw my hands up in frustration.
"Please Bells. Save me from the wrath of Alice," he pleaded.
"Okay but not until we get in the car," I grabbed my bouquet and my bag and headed out the door.
Jake carefully tied the blindfold over my eyes. I was in complete darkness. I felt him start the car up and start driving. We didn't drive very long before he parked and helped me out of the car.
I did not like this whole blindness thing. I grabbed onto Jake's arm for dear life as he led me up a few stairs and in a door.
"Okay Bells there's a lot of steps here. So is it okay if I carry you?"
"Hell yes." There was no way I was walking up "a lot of stairs" in this dress.
I felt him scoop me up and make his way up. He finally set me down and I felt the blindfold being taken off of my eyes. I was in a tiny room, if you could call it that. Alice and Rosalie were there and there was a red exit sign over a door in front of me.
"You followed my directions Jake. Good thing," Alice winked at him and turned to me. "Ready?"
"I'm ready." Alice and Rosalie started to slip out the red exit door. I tried to peek around the door but it closed to fast. Where the hell were we? I heard the music start. A minute later it switched into another song and I took that as our cue. I smiled at Jake and took his arm. He brought us forward and opened the door. If I could still cry I would have burst into tears at the sight. We were on the roof, our roof. It was done up a lot like what Edward had done before, but it was just…more. Lots more. The sun had just set below the horizon and cast orange and pink streaks across the sky. It was just dark enough that you could see all the white Christmas lights draped all over the roof. I couldn't believe she had fit more up here than Edward had. It was almost like a blanket of lights was laid across the entire roof. White hydrangeas hung from invisible strings with crystals dangling down from them. I finally looked down at the white aisle, which was scattered with bright red petals. The greenhouse was draped with all sorts of beautiful things.
Once I could tear my eyes away from what was on the roof, I saw who was on the roof. I sighed when I realized Alice had taken my wishes into consideration. There were several round tables set up around the roof. It looked like we were having the reception right out here. They parted to make way for the aisle and there was a small dance floor with a piano to the side.
The pack took up two whole tables. My mom and Phil were seated with Carlisle and Esme. Billy and Sue sat at a table with Mary Ann and little Maddie. I was surprised to see that Alice had invited Angela and Ben, as well as Jessica, Mike, and Tyler. I smiled brightly at them. I hadn't expected them to be here.
Jake had to nudge me to get me walking down the aisle. I was just so caught up in everything and everyone on that roof, I had to remember why I was really here. He was standing at the end, waiting for me in a gray suit and red rose pinned on his chest. Emmett and Jasper were by his side and Alice and Rosalie looked stunning in their shiny red dresses. But none of them could compare to my future husband. Once I started walking my eyes never left his. He was smiling my favorite crooked smile and it was as warm as I'd ever seen it. He was ecstatic. I let out a giggle and the entire crowd chuckled at my overexcitement. I finally reached him. Jake lifted my veil and planted a kiss on my cheek before shaking Edward's hand and placing mine in it.
The minister must have started the vows, but I was so completely lost in Edward's butterscotch eyes that I hardly noticed. He had to squeeze my hand a bit to get me to say "I do." He answered promptly when it was his turn, almost before the minister had finished. Over anxious much?
Before I knew it Edward was pulling me in for a kiss amid a roar of cheers and applause. It was short and sweet and he had to be the one to break. I gave him a look that told him he would be making that up to me later. We walked hand in hand back down the aisle. When we reached the end I pulled him back in for another kiss.
"So I rented out a room for you guys, to you know freshen up before you come back up here for the reception." Alice said as soon as she made it back. "And I do mean freshen up, save play time for later."
Edward carried me down the stairs to one of the empty apartments. It must have been where we were keeping all of our stuff because it was full of purses and coats galore.
As soon as Edward set me down I turned towards him. "We're married."
He laughed. "We are."
I pulled him in, kissing him a lot more passionately than I could out in public. I felt him smile against my lips.
"Alice said play time later."
"I'm not having play time, I'm just kissing my husband. And if she has a problem with that she can kiss my ass."
I spun towards the mirror and examined myself, making sure my makeup was still decent. I noticed my bag was on the vanity.
"Oh. I have..something for you." I rummaged through my bag until I found the envelope Alice had given me.
"Happy..wedding day," I said as I handed it to him.
He smiled and undid the envelope in one fluid motion.
"No way…" he looked up at me, his eyes wide. "No! WAY! You got me studio time!"
Thank you Alice.
"Do you like it?" I said as I wrapped my arms around him.
"Like it? Mrs. Cullen you are too good. This is amazing."
"Mmmm. Mrs. Cullen. I like how that sounds Mr. Cullen. Oh. And you get the rest of your present later." I winked and gave him a slight tap well below his back.
"Yeah about that…." I should have brought up the tattoo. He hadn't mentioned it until I said something about it.
"No no no," I pushed my finger against his mouth. "You are not allowed to bitch until you see it."
"Bella…" He mumbled against my finger. I nudged my finger in between his lips, forcing them to part slightly. I felt his lips encircle it and his tongue lightly graze it. "You really know how to distract me."
I laughed. "It's no fun being dazzled is it?"
"Oh no it's fun. Loads of fun. It's kind of hard to yell at you." He smiled and I knew that he wasn't going to press the issue further.
"So," I mused, trying to distract him even further. "Where's my present?" I held out my hands expectantly. I really didn't care what he got me, or if he had gotten me anything at all. He was the best thing he could have ever given me and I didn't need anything else. But Alice did say that they went shopping today.
"Actually love. You don't get your gift until we get home. It's kinda…big."
I burst out into laughter. "I know."
"Not that you pervert," he scoffed playfully.
"I just meant that it's…too big of a thing to like..move."
My hysterical laughter grew.
"Oh geez Bella." He draped his arm around me. "I swear your mind is always in the gutter."
"Well I am a newlywed."
We left the room and made our way back upstairs to join the party. I walked immediately over to my mother and Phil, who both greeted me with a hug.
"Congratulations." My mom gave Edward a hug as well and Phil shook his hand.
We made our way around to all the tables. We came up to the table with our old high school friends and I saw a flash go off in front of me. Angela had a small disposable camera in her hand.
"This is such a good idea," she said looking back at the camera.
Only then did I realize that there were small cameras on each table.
"What are those for?" I asked as I leaned into Edward.
"Well instead of hiring a photographer, Alice came up with this idea. She put disposable cameras on each table and our guests will all be our photographers."
"Wow. That's fantastic!" I smiled. It truly was. I'd love seeing our wedding through our friend's and families' eyes.
We talked with the group for a while, all about college and our reunion and what we've been up to lately. It was nice to see all of them again. I was glad to see Angela and Ben were still together. I was always rooting for them.
Pretty soon Edward was pulling me out on the dance floor for our first dance. It was met with an endless parade of flashes. As the evening was winding down, Alice announced that it was time for the bouquet and garter toss. I watched as Lauren and Jessica, the only single girls dance excitedly onto the dance floor. I looked over my shoulder, planning my throw. I closed my eyes and tossed it back, only to turn and see it land directly in Angela's hands. Nice shot Bella. I stole a look at Ben. He laughed nervously. Maybe that would get him going on a proposal.
The garter toss was a whole different story. I sat in the chair as Edward stuck his head under my dress. I felt his head on my calf, then on my inner thigh. I shifted a little in the chair. He was playing dirty. I felt his teeth wrap around the garter and he started to drag it down, but not before running his tongue lightly across my inner thigh.
I gave him a scowl as he re-emerged, garter in mouth. He winked as he took it out of his mouth and flung it to the crowd of boys behind him. It was like it all happened in slow motion. Paul leaped into the air, only to collide head on with Quil. Seth tripped over them as he reached out to grab the airborne garter, yelling a dramatic "Nooooo" as he fell to the ground. I could almost hear the Waltz of the Flowers from the Nutcracker playing in the background. Mike and Ben were left, with their hands in their pockets. I don't think either of them thought they had a chance against all these overgrown beasts. They looked at each other, as the garter headed their way. Mike looked at me and I motioned with my head for him to step away. He smiled in understanding and took a large step to his right, allowing the garter to fall right into Ben's hands. Mission complete.
The night was finally coming to an end and I for one was ready to get back and open my..big surprise. We said a quick thank you to our guests before Edward whisked me away. I was excited for this long night. We couldn't drive fast enough back to Forks; I swear I saw the speedometer reached one hundred and fifty. Edward was driving like a madman. His hands were planted firmly in the 10 and 2 position and he was sitting right up close to the steering wheel, his eyes focused on the road. He almost looked like Cruella Deville in 101 Dalmatians trying to run the truck off the road. I decided to play with his emotions a little.
I lifted the hem of my skirt up, exposing my entire leg. I lifted it up and set it on the dashboard, allowing my skin to glisten in the moonlight. Edward's eyes broke a little from the road as he tried to be sneaky and take a peak without turning his head. I felt the car roar as he pressed down the gas pedal. 160…170…190. Silly, silly boys. They are just too easy.