Chapter 21

Alexandra was yet to part with the bouquet she caught at the wedding as she sat in a chair in the backyard where the party had long since died. A few lights were still strung and provided the area with a small amount of illumination so she was not sitting in complete darkness. Pieces of half eaten cake were scattered about the empty, ruffled tables that hours ago were perfectly neat while they awaited their guests.

The summer air was thick, and Alexandra could feel a slight change by the humidity though it did little to affect her.

"Alex," Esme walked out to join her daughter in the dimly lit yard and slid into the empty seat next to her.

"Hey Mom," she said with a smile.

"Whatcha doing? Where's Michael?"

Alexandra turned and smiled, and Esme thought she looked beautiful at that moment. Her smile was true and elated, though her eyes were shy and reserved, "He's out hunting with the boys."

Esme could tell her daughter was eager to get something off of her chest, though didn't pry.

Alexandra's eyes scanned the lingering beauty of the reception around them, "Masen and Leah are on their way to the island right now. He can go out in the sun there?"

She nodded, "One of the only places any of us feel... safe enough to do that for an extended period of time."

"Dad got you that as a gift?"

Esme smiled, "It seems extensive, I know."

"No it doesn't," Alexandra said, shaking her head, still looking around, "He loves you."

She nodded and looked to where her daughter's eyes roamed the tree tops.

"Alice is so good at this," she said with a chuckle, "I love decorating with her."

"She really is," Esme agreed, puling her toward her by her shoulders. She kissed her forehead, and Alexandra leaned into her mother.

"Maybe one day we can go to Isle Esme," Alexandra said.

"Of course. I mean, you were just a baby when you were born there," Esme started.

Alexandra laughed, "I don't want to make you feel bad, but I meant with Michael."

Esme smiled and looked at her daughter, "You really love him."

She nodded and straitened up in her seat, "I do. I wish I knew how he felt about me from the beginning so I wouldn't have wasted my time on that idiot, Peter."

"Well, maybe your experience with Peter has helped you truly to appreciate how wonderful Michael is."

Alexandra thought for a second and looked at Esme, "Do you feel that way about Dad? I mean, after your marriage as a human? I just feel completely stupid for even, ugh, I don't know."

"Don't dwell on the past, honey," she told her, "It makes us who we are, no matter how painful it is to look back. You're happy now, and you found someone who loves you just as much as you love him. You deserve to share that happiness together."

She sighed, "You don't think I'm just a sucker for love, do you?"

"A sucker for love? No."

"Do you think Michael is right for me? This time, do you think I'm making another mistake?"

"I don't think you're making a mistake," Esme told her daughter seriously, "But it doesn't matter if I think he's right for you. Do you think he's right for you?"

"Yes," Alexandra answered right away, "Yes, I do. I really do." She looked down, "I just don't want to get hurt again. I want what Masen and Leah have... what you and Dad have. I want a beautiful wedding like this; right here."

Esme smiled, "Michael loves you, and if you love him like you say, I know your dreams will come true."

The two of them shared a look before Alexandra leaned over and hugged her, "Thanks, Mom."

"You're welcome," Esme said back, "I love you, honey. You are so beautiful."

"You're gorgeous," she said back with a laugh, causing Esme to do the same.

They both stood up together and Esme began to walk back toward the house, then looked back at her daughter.

"I'm going to wait out here for Michael to get back."

"Okay," she said wit ha smile.

"Thanks," Alexandra said again.

"You're welcome."

Esme made her way into the house and Alexandra heard her immediately start to chat with Alice about Cassandra's sleeping arrangements.

The night was still young, from a vampire's perspective. It was a little after two o'clock in the morning when the group of boys arrived home, a little wilder than normal.

"Alex!" Emmett called, charging her and scooping her up over his shoulder.

"Em!" She hit his back a few times, "The dress! Come on!"

Michael and Edward strolled in behind him, sharing laughs and Jasper arrived not long after.

"Where's William?" Alexandra asked as Emmett set her feet back onto the ground.

"Where do you think?" Edward ribbed.

"He's at home with Madison," Emmett said, making a face, "With Garrett and Kate."

"Weren't they going back to Denali for a few days?" Jasper asked with a wink to Michael.

Michael laughed, then quickly stopped as Emmett shot them both a look.

"Oh, don't be scared of him," Jasper told him, now winking at Emmett.

Bella and Rosalie quickly joined them outside and linked up with their respective men.

Edward leaned in and gave Bella a series of kisses before he whispered in her ear and she nodded with a smile.

Rosalie, too, was being overly affectionate with Emmett and within a matter of ten seconds and a brief excuse of a goodbye, the four of them were gone, leaving in opposite directions.

"I guess it's time for me to be Daddy," Jasper told Michael and Alexandra with a grin, "Goodnight kids."

"Night," Alexandra said to him at the same time as Michael.

They watched as he went inside to join Alice and Nicole.

Michael held out his arm, "Shall we walk?"

Alexandra nodded and slung her arm through his. The both looked back briefly as the doors to Carlisle and Esme's balcony opened and the two of them began to talk and laugh together about the day that had just passed.

"Come on," Alexandra tugged on Michael's arm and dragged him away into the woods.

"Alex-" he said with a laugh, as she began to rush him away from the house. She wasn't sure where she was going but her feet didn't stop. Her fingers linked with his and she took it as trust that he didn't ask questions or let go of her hand.

When they made their way, to which neither of them initially realized, to La Pushe Beach, Alexandra finally stopped and faced Michael.

He smiled wide in the darkness, "Are we at La Pushe?"

She nodded, "Not really planned, but yes."

Michael looked around and before he knew it, Alexandra's lips were against his and he felt all the rest of his thoughts go away. They stood together, making out beneath the rare, starry night alone on the beach. He altered his thoughts between 'yes' and 'no' as a part of him wanted to slide the straps down off of her dress that presently clung to her shoulders. He was pleased, yet anxious, that she was the one to make the first move.

Alexandra slid her hands down toward his torso and took in a deep breath, unsure of what to do next.

Michael hung his lips between her earlobe and her neck but didn't make any contact.

"Michael," she started to say, putting a hand on his face.

"We don't have to do anything," he said reassuringly, "At all."

Alexandra sighed again, and the thought of Edward and Bella, and Emmett and Rosalie darting off into the night came to her mind. She looked up at him and kissed him again, this time placing her thumbs across his belt buckle.

Michael pulled himself back slightly at first, then allowed her to do what she had intended. He went with his original thoughts and slowly pushed the straps of her dress down off of her shoulders. He then moved his mouth hesitantly back to hers and gave her a long, meaningful kiss.

"Let me know if you get... uncomfortable," he said to her, almost unable to open his eyes.

Alexandra answered with the same nervously, "Okay."

They hesitated for a minute before Michael took the lead, "Alex, I love you. You know that, right?"

"Yeah. I love you, too Michael."

They stared at each other for a minute before Alexandra initiated another kiss, closing her eyes as his lips made her way down her neck to her shoulder.