Sorry this has taken so long. RL is a bitch at the moment. This also ended up being a 22 page chapter, so it took a little while to get through on its own. I hope you enjoy. The proofing on this has been minimal, and this is a non-beta'd fic. There will be mistakes and they are all my own. Nonetheless please read on.
Bella POV
Having grown up with Alice, I should have known better than most how the girl acted. She never did anything by halves! So when Alice said she had everything ready for her wedding already, I should have known she was not kidding.
Yet we didn't really get much time to worry about Alice's impending nuptials. After the family left, Edward and I managed to get all of our girls to bed, and were then left with the task of putting away enough gifts to last our children every birthday and Christmas until the twins started school.
I don't even think I was exaggerating either. There were just that many gifts. The curse of having the first grandchildren on either side of the family I suppose.
By the time Edward and I finally found ourselves in bed, the two of us pretty much passed out as soon as our heads hit the pillows. It was a good thing too, considering our too early wake up call.
I love my sister, but she is the devil's spawn.
I suppose she at least decided to wake us after packing our luggage. Otherwise I may very well have sucker punched the girl for ripping the sheets off of Edward and I.
Turns out it had only taken Alice an hour to dress Tanya, and pack our luggage. She didn't want to ruin the twins routine fortunately enough, so she hadn't tried to rouse them.
Though given the time, they'd actually slept in an hour or so later than normal. We all had.
It took Edward and I a little over an hour to get the twins roused, fed, bathed, dressed and packed. A feat only made possibly with Alice's help—not that I'd ever admit that to her.
I also think it helped that we didn't give the twins too much to eat. We kind of tried feeding them enough so they'd be satisfied, until we were flying. We wanted them feeding on the plane so the cabin pressure wouldn't affect them too much.
Our seats were nearer to the front of the plane so getting off wouldn't be too difficult. Edward, Tanya and I were in the center aisle. The twins were too young to seats of their own, so for the sake of passengers Edward had Allie while I had Charlie.
Fortunately enough the flight wasn't anything to write home about. We had a tail wind that shortened the trip by maybe ten minutes and the girls fell asleep when we reached cruising altitude. I was a little surprised in all honesty, but I was definitely happy about it.
Once we landed, getting through security with twins and a toddler was a little more difficult, but fortunately enough we had the family with us. Allie was a cowering mess in Edward's arms as he carried her through the check point while Charlee was a little grizzly. She'd never really seen so many people before and I think the shock of it all terrified her.
Call it an act of fate of divinity of something but when we reached the luggage carousel the twins double buggy was coming around. We were able to get the two of them settled into it, so Edward could grab the capsules.
It was a little bit of a mission juggling the rest of our bags, but we managed to get it figured out.
Spotted Jasper had never been an issue before, and today was no different. As soon as we stepped out we could see Jasper, looking beyond excited in a pair of faded jeans and a casual t-shirt. I guess the people around him noticed him too, and if I managed to catch their attentions towards him, Alice most definitely had too.
People may also have noticed the equally attractive, and by no means less happy man standing beside him. I noticed a resemblance, and it made me wonder if he was the elusive brother I'd heard seldom about until Christmas.
Alice in an act so entirely true to her character had no qualms about letting all those passing by know exactly who's heart Jasper held.
She'd dropped her bags in the middle of the thoroughfare and ran at Jasper in a dead sprint. In a well timed maneuver she'd jumped into his arms, wrapping herself around him and looked at him. From where I was standing a good ten feet away, they didn't seem to be saying anything, but they were definitely having some kind of conversation.
By the time we'd managed to get to Jasper and Alice, the two of them seemed to have pulled away from their bubble of silence. Jasper introduced us quickly to his brother, Peter and his wife, Charlotte who I hadn't noticed standing at Pete's side.
She was shy, that much was evident, but she was also very beautiful and seemed quick as a whip too.
I didn't know too much about Peter other than the fact that he enjoyed to travel and was on the road a lot. I figured he must have had a career that made that possible, as with Charlotte.
With a hand from Peter, Edward and I managed to get our luggage situated into vehicles as well as the girls. Jasper, Peter and Charlotte must have all taken separate vehicles so it would be easier to shuttle us all back to Jasper's home.
Edward and I were going to ride with Jasper, who'd driven over a van. Alice obviously wanted to ride with Jasper too, but she'd conceded to riding with Charlotte. Apparently the two weren't the best acquainted and Alice was hell bent on changing that before they became sisters.
Esme and Carlisle were happy to hope with whomever, and they ended up riding with Charlotte. That left Peter with Emmett and Rosalie, as well as a some luggage that couldn't fit in the van. I guess that was the only trouble when travelling with babies—and Alice—they each had so much luggage.
Charlie and Sue ended renting their own car. They weren't sure how long they could really stay and with a rental they knew they wouldn't be putting anyone out if Charlie did have to head back early.
I wondered briefly why Emmett wouldn't need to be called back, I mean he's Charlie's deputy. Turns out Charlie figured Emmett would be more intimidating then he should something happen to Alice, and was essentially trusting her wellbeing in Emmett's hands.
I mean I couldn't trust Emmett as far as I could throw him sometimes, but if Charlie said he trusted him, and that he was mature enough to do this, then I guess I could do the same.
Okay, saying I couldn't trust him was a tad extreme. I can't trust him not to embarrass me is all and he's actually done very little to change that perception in the lifetime that I've known him.
I won't lie. My kids were amazing. The twins never really stirred in the airport hustle, now when we had to clip them into the seats. Sure, they would probably wake up grizzly as ever, but at least they didn't make travelling too difficult.
Tanya was awake going through the airport, but once we'd gotten her clipped into her seat and Jasper started driving she was fast asleep.
The early morning got to me too, as I drifted off, my head leaning on Charlee's seat.
Edward's low whispers roused me.
"Bella. Wake up, Love. Charlee wants her Momma and she's taking it out on me."
Blinking awake, my eyes met Edward's first, before peeking over to the seat to see Charlee. I leaned over her seat kissing Edward's lips before rubbing Charlee's belly.
She must definitely was unimpressed. I swear my baby girl glared at her father before giving me a similar look.
"What's the matter, Hmmm?" I asked, running my fingers across her belly. "What's got you fussing?"
She wasn't exactly going to answer me, but talking to her sometimes settled her. I don't know why, even Kaylee couldn't say definitively, but she suggested that she may just like the familiarity of my voice. Allie reacted similarly to Edward's voice.
I acknowledged Edward as he got out of the van, but it still took me a few minutes to settle Charlee properly before I actually realized that we were here. I knew Edward has grabbed Allie, and from what I could see someone else had also grabbed the luggage.
With Charlee in my arms, I left the van. I could see a beautiful home with it's door wide open. It was kind of the picturesque farmhouse. It had a massive wrap around porch, and big windows, and trellises with flowers.
Looking at it, I couldn't help but admire it.
"Ugh, I guess we're going in." I told Charlee as I climbed the few stairs.
I did feel a little bit odd walking into someone else's home, but I hoped I would find Jasper or Alice, even Edward fairly quickly. Hell, I'd settle for Peter or Charlotte.
I didn't have to look for too long, I heard Jasper's talking to a man in what I guess was the living room. I sighed in relief when I rounded the corner and say him.
"Daddy!" I heard Rosalie say when I stepped more fully into the room. She'd wrapped her arms around an older man. From what I could make out, he was tall, much like Jasper, lean too. I wanted to look away from the sweet moment, but Rose broke the hug and settled into the side of her father as he kept his arms around her shoulders.
He must have been speaking lowly to Rose, as I watched her smile and nod her head.
"Told you she was getting big, Dad." Jasper said, I could practically hear him smirk, and I was now officially confused.
Dad?
Rose and Jasper's dad.
I cleared my throat, unsure what to say. Rose and Jasper both looked up, as well as their dad and smiled at me.
"Hey, Bella." Rose greeted, to which I returned quickly.
"Oh, right sorry. Bella, this is our Dad. Dad this is Bella." Jasper offered by way of an introduction.
"Uh, hi Mr Whitlock, I'm Alice's older sister and this is my daughter, Charlee. Her twin sister is um, somewhere as well as my toddler too."
"Pleasure to meet you Bella, if I'm not mistaken you're the reason my son met your Alice." I nodded my head. "Well it's great to finally meet you, you don't resemble Alice at all—Oh, and please, it's John. John Hale, but I understand where the confusing may come from."
The confusion must have been clear as day on my face. I think I stayed silent a little too long for conversation.
Good thing Jasper's quick.
"Ugh, yeah. Um John's my step-dad. I've never met the man who sired me Bella. I've no intention either. John is my father, as Rose is my sister."
I nodded my head as the puzzle pieces clicked, and for whatever reason I turned to Rose.
"You never told me the two of you were siblings."
Rose gave me a look that read something like 'that's all you got out of that?'.
I shrugged.
"We never told you Darlin', because we thought it was pretty obvious." I shook my head, clearly it wasn't that obvious.
An accompanying throaty chuckle had me looking towards John. He tried to bite it back and compose himself, and he succeeded…after a few minutes.
"You haven't changed at all, have you my boy." John directed at Jasper, who shrugged his shoulders before running his hand along the back of his neck. "Just because it's obvious to you, doesn't make it obvious to everyone else."
"Huh." I eventually pondered while Jasper watched on.
"I guess we never really thought about it, Bella. We're so used to everyone in our family knowing the history." She shrugged. "Sorry."
"Okay, enough of that." I decided. Bigger problems. "Can anyone tell me where my daughter is?"
"Specify, Darlin'." Jasper laughed, and pointed to the baby lazing in my arms.
"Right, sorry. Tanya. Allie's with Edward I think?"
"Red hair, green eyes." John held his hand a little above his knee. "about this big?"
Jasper, Rose and I nodded our heads.
"Right, she's out back with Peter. I think they were headed to the ranch. That little girl of yours seems to be a big fan of Peter's."
To my knowledge, Tanya had never seen a horse in real life before. A part of me wanted to be with her, Edward too, when she experienced that, but I guess with a family as willing and as large as ours there were always going to be some instances in her life that we missed.
"God speed, Bella." Rose whined, as she waited for me to find Charlee's sling. My baby was most definitely tired, but she did not want to sleep in Rose's arms.
It took me about two minutes to find it, but when I had, Rose was all but thrusting Charlee at me. I settled her in her sling as quickly as I could, and then Rose was leading me down to the stable.
"That little girl of yours is going to be a handful, you know?" I nodded my head at Rose, and she continued. "I don't know, I think she's going to just like you. Exceptionally strong willed, and very stubborn. She'll probably rule your house you know?"
I giggled quietly. I considered this about Charlee more than once. Even Edward had said as much. I mean for the most part, she already had everyone doing whatever she wanted, it was probably going to only get worse as she grew older.
"I guess Edward and I are just going to have to make sure we don't screw up. I mean, sometimes it just seems so easy with Tanya. Ever since I've met the girl she's been so good at communicating what she wants."
I heard Rose sigh, so I looked at her as we continued to walk.
"It may seem that way to you, but it hasn't ever been that easy for the rest of us. I'm sure Esme told you, Edward all but pushed his family away and ran himself into the ground trying to raise that little girl on his own."
I had been aware, and hearing the way Edward tried to do this on his own always hurt my heart.
"It wasn't until Esme forced her help on Edward, that he let the family in and help. It took a while to get Tanya to really respond to anyone else, but very slowly she opened up to us. Emmett had the hardest time, but the way she is with you, it's beautiful to see."
We chat quietly as we walked to the barn, Rosalie pointed things out to me and told stories about what growing up with Jasper was like. Their childhood sounded so happy. It was no wonder they turned out to be such good people.
"Hey, I've gotta stop Emmett from doing something stupid. The ranch is just over there." Rose pointed, and I smiled.
I'd be worried two. I hadn't heard boo from Emmett too. Most especially when there were too many different things he could get into.
"Good luck." I called to Rose with a wave as I walked toward the barn.
It was hard to miss. It was your a-typical big red barn, supersized.
The door of the barn was wide open. From my vantage point I could see Peter crouched down next to Tanya, his voice carrying as he spoke to her.
"How old are you Baby?"
Tanya's speech was broken up as she thought her words through.
"Two." I think she held up two fingers, but I couldn't tell. "Bubba's not one."
"Really? What are the bubbas names?" I couldn't help but smile at the affection in Peter's voice.
So much like Jasper.
"Charlee and Allie." Tanya absolutely loved the twins names, it was no real surprise her answer was immediate.
"Pretty names. Do you know my name, Baby?"
Tanya didn't say anything. I could imagine the frustration on her face. As young as she was, she hated being uninformed.
"Settle now, Baby. I'm Uncle Peter. Uncle Jasper's brother."
There was such warmth in his voice when he spoke to Tanya, I decided it was time to finally cross the threshold and make my presence known.
"Baby girl?" I called kindly as I stepped into the barn.
Tanya was quick to turn around when she heard me. As soon as her little eyes saw the baby sling she held her fingers to her lips.
"Bubba shh?" she asked in that way only a two year old could.
I knelt down near Tanya and let her peep over the sling to see Charlee sleeping. Tanya kissed her sisters head softly before giving me a big smile.
"Thanks for looking after Tanya, Peter. I really appreciate it." He gave me a genuine smile before extending his hand to me. I shook his hand and was shocked as he pulled me into his arms and hugged me, mindful of the baby.
"Welcome to the family Bella." He said as he gave me room to step back. "You know that little spitfire of a sister you've got really is perfect for Jasper. It's nice seeing him with a fire in his Bella and that smile on his face."
"I've only known him with Alice, so I'll have to take your word on it."
"Trust me Darlin', that brother of mine was so cool butter wouldn't melt in his mouth. Now that he's got your sister, there's more to it. Even if all he's doing is reigning your girl in."
Peter and I chatted for a couple more minutes before I noticed Tanya getting antsy.
Peter stayed with the horses as Tanya and I headed back to the house.
I was met at the backdoor by Edward, a sleeping Allie in his arms. He looked like he was waiting for me so he could put her down. Allie and Charlee had spent an awful lot of time apart, I can't have been the only to think that they'd probably sleep better together. They normally did.
I watched as Edward kissed Allie's forehead before gently laying her down in the crib. Edward leant over my shoulder and kissed Charlee's head before I placed her down next to her sister.
There wasn't too much space separating the two of them, and it was highly likely that when we checked in on them next they'd probably be right next to each other.
I couldn't help but watch the two of them sleep so peacefully. Their little lips puckered in pouts. They already had gorgeous long eyelashes, and when they slept their mouths always moved. Almost like they were talking, only sound rarely ever came out.
Edward liked to joke that they'd be like me, and they'd talk in their sleep but I hoped that wouldn't be the case. Lord knows I've said the most embarrassing things in my sleep. I certainly wouldn't wish it on my daughters.
"Love." Edward said pulling me from my musings.
"Hmm." I looked up at him to see a soft smile on his face.
"I guess Tanya's beat too." He gestured towards the bed, and sure enough Tanya had made her self comfortable amongst a nest of pillows and promptly fallen off to sleep. She'd even tucked herself in, though I didn't think she'd remain in the covers too long. She was a hot sleeper and often kicked off her covers.
"She's got the right idea though."
Edward agreed as he started kicking off his shoes and unbuckling his belt. I kicked my own shoes off and turned down the bed. We really didn't need the blankets. I pulled Tanya into my chest as Edward slid into bed. All it took was a couple of minutes before I was drifting off to sleep.
Edward and I weren't allowed to sleep. It only felt like a couple of minutes had passed before we were being dragged off the bed, Edward by Emmett who quite literally dragged Edward and me by Jasper instructed by Alice who carried me out.
By the time all of my faculties returned to be, I was being deposited onto Alice's bed, between Rosalie and Esme.
"You better have a good reason for this piss-ant, or I will maim you." I grumbled, finding a comfy spot on the bed and trying my best to slip back off to sleep.
"Hey, hey!" Alice whined. "None of that, it's my bachelorette party."
So badly I wanted to say 'and…?' but I didn't. I just looked at her.
"Well can't you have it less me?"
Rose giggled and so did Esme. Yeah, figured as much. I guess as her sister and all maid of honor, I had to be here.
"You suck, Alice." Whining I sat up. I noticed for the first time the baby monitor she had in her hands and took it from her so I could affix it to my pocket. Just as I got that in place and checked the receiver strength the door opened and in pranced Charlotte—Peter's wife—Sue, Renee and a woman who looked just like Rose. Her mom?
I won't lie. My stomach bottomed out when I noticed Alice not so subtly lock the door behind the newest guests, before she turned to face us all.
"Talk now Alice. Or I will go hormonal pregnant woman on you." Rosalie bit out.
"It's nothing bad. Just a last minute fitting before we celebrate my last night as a free woman." I cringed, hoping I wouldn't be subject to the likes of penis straws and strippers.
"Make it quick." I groaned rising to my feet. I didn't care how poorly this reflected on me, I was in no mood to deal with this.
Between travelling, caring for the twins and Tanya, and meeting all these new people in a new place I had no energy to deal with anything else. At least in a couple of hours—depending on how long I'd slept for, I'd have a reprieve.
The fitting was relatively painless. Alice pricked me with a pin though to make sure I was paying attention.
The look that came over Alice's face when everyone's dresses received their last fittings was maniacal, and more than a little scary. In the blink of an eye, the look was gone from her face, and in it's place an equally frightening look.
Determination.
Alice was never more dangerous than when she was determined. Take this last minute wedding as an example.
"It's time for food, games and fun!" She announced rubbing her hands together, before she dashed out to the balcony and wheeled in a kitchen trolley over flowing with food. Esme ducked out with her on her second pass and wheeled in a similar trolley carrying an ice-bin full of drinks—some alcoholic, some not.
"You're insane. What was the point of a final fitting if you're going to ply everyone with sugar, salts and alcohol?"
She shrugged. "Don't be a spoil sport, Bella. Enjoy yourself."
Please let the walls be soundproof, I prayed before surrendering to my sister. I'd let her have her fun now, it wasn't if I was going to be able to stay for the whole evening. I was on the clock so to speak, besides, Alice seemed to be enjoying her champagne.
An hour into the evening, Alice was more than enjoying herself, with the aid of Esme, Sue and Charlotte.
I partook in the story telling, and the sharing of childhood anecdotes, but I was only really sipping on water and snacking on the fruit platter Valerie—Rose's mom—made as a last edition.
Everyone seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves, which was a good sign. Alice seemed to be thrilled to.
It turns out, this was Alice's way of not spending the night with Jasper. There was a whole floor separating her shenanigans, and that of the boys—namely Emmett. They were all downstairs in the den. Apparently there were enough foldout couches down there for the boys if they got too drunk, and that's where all the games and liquor were kept.
Charlie and Carlisle were fortunately around to act as chaperones, as well as John so I didn't think they would manage to get into too much trouble. Not when Emmett was probably on his best behavior in an effort not to piss off his future father in law.
I genuinely enjoyed the time I got to spend with the women in my life, and I was finally getting into the spirit of things when I noticed the time. I ducked out to the balcony to escape the noise, and sure enough I could hear fussing on the other end of the receiver. Esme noticed my escape, but she merely blew a kiss and gave me a wink as I pointed to the baby monitor.
I don't think anyone else noticed my departure, and if they had, I guess Esme would have told whomever asked where I was.
I arrived at our room the same time as Edward, who kissed me chastely on the lips before opening the door and letting me into the room first.
Tanya still seemed out for the count, but I could hear Allie's whines and Charlee's grunts.
Edward, carrying Charlee and myself, carrying Allie headed downstairs so we could heat the babies bottles. We passed a giggly Carlisle in the kitchen, which shocked me a little, before we headed back up to our room.
Charlee was a guts and seemed pretty content in Edward's arms, was Allie was a lot less aggressive as she drank from her bottle. By the time she neared the end she was already dozing off, and a quick peek at Charlee she was nodding off too.
Burping Allie took a little longer than normal, but she seemed a lot more beat than usual. I wanted to bathe them before bed, but I wasn't sure if the bath was going to soothe them further or wake them up.
Instead Edward and I warmed wash clothes and wiped them down before changing their diapers and putting on their pajamas. Edward and I chose to settle the girls ourselves, as we held them in our arms.
Which probably wasn't the best idea, considering how tired we were. Before either of us knew it, we were drifting off to la la land. Charlee in Edward's arms and Allie in mine, as Tanya curled up in the middle of Edward and I.
Edward and I were awoken by broken up words and soft giggles as Tanya tried her best to talk to her sisters. Both twins were awake, Edward too though he feigned sleep to listen to Tanya's conversation.
From what I could understand of her broken English, she was talking to them about all the big girl stuff she planned to teach them.
I think for the most part I was guessing, but either way it was adorable. Every now and then I feel her reverent touch on Allie, and I assumed she was doing the same to Charlee.
She was such a good big sister. The best, really. I prayed she'd have a relationship with her sisters as close as I did with Alice, and Edward with Emmett.
It was maybe a full fifteen minutes before I could feel Allie getting restless in my arms, which is when I knew we'd slept in for as long as we could. With a yawn, I opened my eyes to look at Tanya who had a big smile on her face.
"Morning, Baby girl." I cooed, as she reached up to kiss my lips.
"Morn' Momma." She responded in kind.
"What about me?" Edward asked, looking at Tanya with a pout on his face.
"Silly Daddy." Tanya said as she kissed him. "Morn'."
"That's better." Edward smiled, "but what about Charlee?" Tanya actually looked appalled at herself as she kissed Charlee gently on her forehead. "Morn' Bubba." She said, and then spun on her heels to kiss Allie's forehead too, offering her the same greeting.
"We should probably get moving." I said to Edward as Charlee starting getting violent. Edward heaved a massive sigh, but I could see he was on the same wavelength.
Edward was doing his best to try and settle Charlee as I tried to lay Allie on the bed next to Edward when someone knocked on the door. The sound seemed to have startled Charlee as her face screwed up. I took her from Edward and started rocking her as I crossed the room to smack the ever-loving shit out of whomever was behind the door.
I opened the door to see Emmett standing there, his hand poised to knock again. I couldn't help myself I punched him, square in the chest.
"You better have a good reason for waking up my babies." I tried to say evening I lay Charlee over my shoulder and started rubbing her back.
"Alice—Mom—breakfast?" He stuttered, tripping over his words and making it sound like a question.
"Are you telling me, or asking me?" I felt Edward come up behind me. But I didn't turn to look at him.
"Tanya, why don't you go down with Uncle Emmett to get breakfast while Mommy and I get your sisters ready." The little girl brushed past me and held her arms open for Emmett to pick her up which he did, quickly too. I think he did it so he would have a shield to hide behind.
With Tanya in his arms, he looked to me again. "Sorry, Bella. Alice wanted you two up so Edward could help us start setting up, before everyone sat down for breakfast. Don't shoot the messenger, please? Alice is already pissing everyone off."
I nodded my head, and let him leave with Tanya.
My sister was seriously pushing her luck.
"Tell Alice, Edward will be there when the girls settle down. Allie's being."
Edward and I quickly got the twins ready for the day, changing their diapers and their clothes. We repacked their bags for the day before carrying them downstairs so we could feed them.
Everyone was in the kitchen eating when we came down, and I made sure to sit as far away from my sister as possible. Low and behold two seats opened up, when John and Valerie had vacated so they could help Jasper and Emmett start to set up.
Breakfast was fun, and its typical rambunctious affair, and slowly people started flitting off to either help get things ready or to get themselves ready. Edward and I were the last to leave. With Allie not wanting anyone other Edward and Charlee acting up too we'd been forced to eat single handedly. It wasn't the easiest task, but it made for far less cranky children.
With the long day a head of us, we didn't want tired and aggravated children on our hands.
It took us a little over an hour to get the children dressed, changed and ready for the day. I saw to Tanya first, because she was the easiest and most helpful when it came to dressing her, and because once she was dressed, we could simply tell he to find an aunt or an uncle and she was good to go.
The twins, well depending on their moods could make things easy of hard. Charlee started off sweet enough, but when Tanya left slamming the door behind her, sweet turned into surly and she did not want to cooperate.
Edward must have been like super dad because it took him no time at all to get Allie ready, and he was even able to lay her in the crib for a little bit while he double checked the baby bag we'd packed earlier.
In the end, by the time I was wrestling the last button closed on her onesie, Edward was securing Allie in her sling.
"You suck." I pitched at Edward before laying Charlee down in the crib for a bit so I could change for the day. Two minutes later with a pair of jeans and a button down top, as well as a comfy pair of converse I was ready.
I secured Charlee in her sling and we were headed downstairs looking for the family.
When we made it downstairs, Tanya was running around with Emmett in the back yard while Rose and Renee watched out. I could hear Charlie in he kitchen as well as who I think might have been Carlisle and John.
"What's on the agenda first?" I asked when I finally found Alice.
I mean, I knew she'd probably planned a pretty packed day. She was Alice and we were on a beautiful ranch, with a vineyard.
I tried to find a way to weasel my way out of it, but Alice wasn't having it. In return John assured me that they'd give me the gentlest mount they had.
Once I'd actually got on he horse, with Tanya in front of me. I didn't feel quite so scared. I wasn't entirely comfortable either, but I was no longer scared. Charlie always told me animals could sense fear and I really didn't want to test that theory when I had my daughter with me.
The ride was stunning when we did finally start moving. It was a heard of different coloured, and sized horses. They may have been different breeds too, but a horse is a horse. Mine had a similar pattern to a cow, only it was chocolate brown with the blondest mane. They called her Silver.
I won't lie, I didn't pay too much attention to the horses everyone else was riding, though I occasionally looked to Edward. He was constantly whispering into the ear of the horse he was riding and rubbing his back. He was a pretty horse, and Edward was so sweet toward him.
The trail, other than being a little uncomfortable to my tush was stunning. They owned so much property and as we scaled the trail, and traipsed through the vineyard we got to see so much of it. It was no real wonder that Alice choose here to get married.
It was so green and lively, and beautiful. It wasn't untouched or anything like that, but there was just so much majesty ad history, you could see all the hard work that went in maintaining everything. Jesus, no wonder Rosalie and Jasper were such hard working people, look where they grew up!
By the time we'd all eaten and wrapped up our family bonding experiences, beat didn't even begin to describe how absolutely exhausted I felt. So much hard work! We hadn't even really done anything other than explore.
Edward and I were practically on autopilot as we fed, bathed and changed the kids before putting them to bed. Tanya would be sleeping with us again, if for no other reason than the fact neither Edward nor I felt like setting up the travel cot.
The twins like clockwork started fussing around midnight, so Edward and I were as quick as possible as we feed them, burped them and changed then. Fortunately enough they went right back off to sleep too, I guess dealing with all of this family got to them too. It's hard work being an infant sometimes.
Sleep came quickly.
D-day I woke up with the shock of my life in form of my sister's face and it's far too close proximity to my own.
"Jesus Christ!" I screamed with a start palming her face and pushing it the fuck away from me. "Where is everyone?" I asked as I sat up.
I noticed the empty crib and couldn't see Edward.
Her wedding wasn't until dusk, she'd better have a reason for waking me up at what felt like dawn.
"They're up and about. Edward wouldn't let me wake you up earlier. But he can't stop me when he's helping Papa Hale, so up you get, Bella."
I groaned, trying to roll over. Edward had the right idea, let me sleep.
Alice wasn't having any of that though, as she wrestled the covers off of me. I wasn't particularly cold, but sleep without covers for whatever reason wasn't as easily founded as sleeping with the covers.
"You're the devil spawned, I hope you know that." I growled at my sister who just shrugged.
"Come on, Bella. It's my wedding day. It's the only one I'm going to have. So get your ass up, you should see what they've done so far. It's amazing. Esme and Valerie are a force to be reckoned with." Coming from the only force in my life I'd grown to fear, that meant something.
"Fine, whatever. I'll meet you downstairs in twenty minutes—just let me shower and get out of my pajamas." I could see Alice wanted to argue, but on this, I was not wavering. Wedding day or not.
Eighteen minutes later, I was clean, and feeling better about being awake. I was happy for Alice, and I could imagine her excitement, but at the same time I was feeling a little exhausted. Caring for infants, with midnight feeds wasn't easy. Trying to keep of all my children happy too was a whole other story that was incredibly exhausting too.
Alice, by the grace of god had actually prepared me a plate of food, and was sitting at the kitchen counter nursing what looked like green tea.
She left me be while I ate breakfast, and I almost finished the small plate of eggs, fruit and bacon she'd made for me when Rosalie came inside with Esme and Valerie.
"Well, everything is ready." Esme beamed clapping her hands in a characteristically Alice fashion.
Rosalie described for me what they'd set up and it did sound beautiful. Apparently they'd strung up twinkle lights over the majority of the vineyard that would be involved in the wedding, as well as stringing them from the eaves of the roof and dripping them down the balconies.
The house essentially was going to be lit up like a Christmas tree.
They'd also lined the aisle with ribbon, and lilies of the valley mixed in with babies breathe and lavender, too. It sounded beautiful, and much like a fairytale.
When I finished breakfast, I rinsed off my plate and put in the dishwasher. Alice had been pretty relaxed, chatting idly to me as she finished her tea. Rose has gone off to sit down in the living room I think, her mom and Esme going with her.
Rose was being doted on by the grandparents, she didn't seem to mind it at the moment, but I figured she wouldn't be worried about hurting anyone's feelings if they frustrated her or started coddling her.
"Hey Alice, where are my kids?" I asked, trying to listen out for them.
I actually think this was the longest I'd ever gone, not knowing where my children were. I don't even really think a full hour had passed.
"They're in the living room with the other grandparents." She said as she rinsed her cup and put it in the dishwasher.
I gave her my thanks, before I headed into the living room. Renee seemed to be having an easier time with Allie as she drank away at her bottle, but Charlee did not seem too impressed with her namesake as she continued to fuss.
I smiled, and shook my head before I crossed the room. "Here Dad." I said, taking Charlee from him. I didn't miss the look of relief that crossed his face. "She's just not used to you yet, Dad. Give her time, she'll warm up to her Papa."
He chuffed, but seemed to smile at the thought none the less. Tanya loved him, so it was only a matter of time before she talked Charlee's ear off about how cool Papa is.
"You look great with her Bella. You took to motherhood like a duck to water, makes me a little proud." Charlie said as he hugged me to his side. I kissed his cheek, and rest my head on his shoulder as I joined him on the love seat.
Charlee was happily drinking away at her bottle, and Renee seemed to watching the interaction between Charlie and I with a smile. It was no real surprise that Allie was content. That little girl was pretty easy to please for the most part.
"Don't tell your sister, but I'm goin' go for a bit of a walk. I'll be back to walk her down the aisle though."
"Okay, have fun." Charlie kissed my head, and ten Charlee's cheek before he snuck out.
Alice may have been a pretty relaxed bride thus far, well this morning, but I think even she'd pitch a fit when she finds out she doesn't know where our dad is. At least, that's what I think might happen.
Charlee was halfway through her bottle when Renee started burping Allie.
"So how's Phil, doing?" I asked conversationally. I knew he couldn't really travel because he had an injury, I just didn't know the nature of the injury.
"He's okay. A little crestfallen. He wanted to be here, and he's still dying to meet the twins, but the doctors wouldn't give him the all clear to fly, he's in a knee brace now though."
I nodded my head, that was understandable. Unfortunate, but understandable.
"Wait, should you be flying?" I'm sure she was around thirty-four weeks.
"I was given a whole list of things to look out for, and was informed of everything I could not and should not do. As long as I follow those instructions to the letter, my doctor said it was okay."
I nodded my head. I hadn't missed the fact that mom sat down a lot and didn't indulge.
Allie was already fed and Renee was holding her now smiling as she rubbed her back.
Alice came in just as I was finishing up burping Charlee, almost like it was time.
"Cool, they're taken care of, does that mean you're free to start getting ready now?" Though it was framed like a question, I think Alice meant it more as a command.
"For now I guess, I won't put my dress on until the last minute though. I hope you know that?" Alice nodded her head and I smiled.
Alice took Allie from Renee, she didn't seem to mind too much and Esme stuck around to help Renee while Alice lead me upstairs.
Valerie had offered us the master suite for us to get ready in. Apparently it has ample room, and the attached bathroom was an added bonus.
It's hard to believe how fast time can fly when you're being primped, buffed and polished within an inch of your life.
Okay, I exaggerate. It actually wasn't that bad. We had a fruit and cheese platter, that we were munching on as we dawdled through the process of getting ready. It was actually nice to just chat with everyone.
I did have to step away from the bridal parties duties to perform my mother duties, with the help of Renee who Allie seemed to have taken a liking to, and before we'd even really had time to grasp the concept of time, everyone was saddling up to walk down the aisle.
True to his word, Charlie returned so he could give Alice away.
Esme was actually going to be the pianist for Alice, so her dress was a little different to the other bridal party members. Hers was a pale silver, and a lilac sash was tied at the around her waist the bow falling to the hem of her floor length dress.
The rest of the bridal party were wearing floor length lilac dresses, with pale silver sashes, with the bows strings falling to the floor like Esme's.
My dress was the other one that didn't quite match everyone else's. It was floor length, and did had a bow at the waist, but while everyone else has a straight bodice with spaghetti straps, my dress was sweet heart and had a single strap that stretched from my left shoulder across my back, and clipped on the right hand side.
The first time I'd tried it on, it was a little snug, but it seemed to fit better a week later. I hadn't changed the way I ate or anything, I think being more active a tending to the three girls had benefit my body.
Alice's photo session was pretty relaxed. There wasn't a lot of posturing and posing. It was a lot of smiling and laughter. Talking to each other, walking through the vineyard. I guess the photographer was doing all the hard work in the end. Tanya and the twins were in some too, and Alice even insisted on Edward and I get some family shots done while we had a photographer here to take them.
I definitely wasn't turning that opportunity down. We didn't get to look at the photos, but the were definitely a lot of fun. The twins even woke up for the last half a dozen or so.
When I actually saw the aisle for myself, Rose's description didn't do it enough justice. They'd erected the wedding tent, but hadn't actually put the cover over it. Instead they'd draped it with twinkle lights, gossamer, and flowers. It was stunning. We could see the stars if we looked up, but the draping of everything carried such a fantastical vibe, you didn't even want to.
The wedding arc was thread with even more lights, but I was beyond awed regardless. It was hard to believe they'd managed to pull this off in suck little time.
Walking down the aisle I was so proud of my sister. Edward had his armed linked with mine, as we walked, and I felt like a million dollars.
I wondered how long it would be until it was me walking down the aisle on my father arm, toward Edward.
He looked so handsome in a tuxedo to. The tailored lines, and crisp colours. Even the lilac tie brought out the green in his eyes and the red undertones in his hair.
I won't lie. I missed a lot of what was said by the officiate. I had Charlee in my arms, and Edward had Allie. Tanya was fine sitting with Esme, but the twins weren't quite as content with their grandparents. Not for the third time.
They were both wrapped in pale silver blankets, though they weren't dressed in anything fancy. Just lilac onesies, and silver booties. The little headbands we'd tried to put on them didn't go over to well, but Alice seemed okay with that.
She couldn't really talk babies around to doing her wishes.
I won't lie though, I almost cried, and I swear I saw a tear run down Jasper's cheek when he was told he could kiss his bride.
Man or not, even he was moved by his own wedding, and I couldn't blame him.
The wedding moved on to the reception effortlessly, we all sat down, were served food and drinks in a relatively timely fashion and conversation came quickly and easily.
We were a family, so it wasn't too much of a surprise that we all got along.
When the speeches came around, I was nervous to say the least. It didn't help that my speech came after the slideshow Rosalie had made in commemoration of the event. She too had been around from the beginning of their relationship and had stories and images to share.
We all laughed and smiled, even awed at the slideshow. She'd done a really good job on it, it didn't hurt that Alice and Jasper were an exceptionally photogenic couple.
Clearing my throat though, I sidled up to the podium to deliver my speech.
"Looking at everyone here tonight I can see that you are all just as happy as I am about this union. I don't know any couple more deserving of this happiness than you two, Alice and Jasper. You know, it took me a while to figure what to say. Growing up with Alice, we got into our fair share of shenanigans.
"There was the time I got highlights when I borrowed her halter top without asking, and also the time she bleached my favorite jeans when I misplaced her favorite sweater in ninth grade.
"For whatever reason, I still love you Alice. I'm also fortunate to have been the person who sent you to the room dressing room—sorry Jasper. Though, I like to think it was meant to be. Clearly, you're here today.
"Even further back than that, it was my clumsiness that made everything Alice has accomplished today possible. She stumbled along the way, but since she's met Jasper, she's seems to stumble less and flourish more.
Anyway, what I want to say is that Jasper, I love you. You're the other brother, the one who doesn't piss me off, and make jokes. The soothing one, who seems to calm even Alice. You're big sister approve Jasper, well and truly. I wish you and Ally nothing but happiness."
Jasper tipped his head and smiled at me as I raised my glass, everyone else joining to as we toasted to Alice and Jasper.
That was, everyone except Emmett who instead shouted. "You're big brother approved too Jasper!"
Not that we actually asked for his approval, but none the less Jasper seemed to smile and shake his head.
That was it for the speeches, fortunately enough everyone who had anything to say to or about the couple did so in different means so the actual speaking portion of the evening was short. Very short.
Alice didn't want the traditional dances, except for the father daughter one, and seeing Edward dancing with Tanya, while Charlie danced with Alice warmed my heart. I danced briefly with Carlisle, though I hadn't intended to at all, and Rose opted not to dance at all, so I even danced with John briefly before being passed over to Edward.
I don't think Charlie was quite ready to let Alice go, as the two of them talked throughout the dance.
A part of me knew it was because after the dance, she'd be cutting the cake with Jasper and jetting off.
Twenty minutes later, she actually was and I looked on as my father wished her well with a watery smile. Renee was holding his hand, and wasn't fighting tears quite the same way Charlie was. In fact, she was a blubbering mess.
The bridal party, sans Rose, and well as the groomsmen were actually going to ride behind Alice and Jasper to the front gate where their car was packed and waiting for them. The ride took about five minutes, and in that time, I fought back tears. It was hard to believe my baby sister was a wife.
A wife! A missus!
I couldn't let her go without hugging and kissing her, so even though we were supposed to wave goodbye and turn around to take the horses back to the stables I instead dismounting and crushed Alice to my chest.
I told her I'd miss her. I told her I loved her. I told her she'd always be my little sister.
She smiled, returned my sentiments and kissed me on the cheek before hopping into the car and waving from the window.
'I'll miss you.' I whispered as the tail lights finally disappeared.
Edward had walked his horse up alongside me, as he looked down at me asking if I was okay. I just nodded my head, and returned to my horse. I surprised myself when I didn't need a leg up, and figured it was probably just the emotions I was running on that was keeping me grounded.
Charlotte had Alice's mare on a lead rope clipped to her saddle, and Peter had Jasper's horse. The couple leading us all back to the range. A couple of stable boys were on hand to take the horses from us, which they did quickly to settle them.
As soon as I was off my horse I was reaching for Edward's hand. Our walk back to the house was silent, as I just hugged myself close to his side.
When we did finally arrive to our room, the girls were all fast asleep. The long day had taken it's toll on them too, but thank fully the grandparents helped us a lot with the children.
By the time I'd wrapped up my nightly routine and joined Edward in bed, it took everything I had in me to snuggle under the covers before I was passing out. I was sad, thinking about how my little sister was finally growing up, and wistful too.
I couldn't wait until it was my turn down the aisle.
I couldn't wait to be Mrs Edward Cullen.
Bella Cullen.
It had a nice ring to it.
Thanks for reading. Alice and Jasper are jet setting off to the fashion capitals of the world.
Please leave some love.
Nic.