A/N: So I hoped everyone enjoyed the other chapter. I'm trying to get two-three chapters out every week. I wanna complete this story before February.

-CT

'-inner thoughts

''-normal thoughts

Chapter 25

And the trumpets they go…

The reception looked like something out of a fairytale, human and supernatural beings were mixing , some of the vampires, the sparkling ones were pretending to drink, while the Salvatores who were amused at how quick their diamond shone brethren could fool humans for this so long, watched from afar. Bonnie was off to the side, ever vigilant with Caroline at her side, they were engrossed in their own conversations.

Anna was pretending to listen to Renee tell her about her exploits with her second husband Phil, wishing someone would just rescue her and put her out of her own misery, preferably by fire. Neil had a comforting arm around his wife, should she try to murder her former sister-in-law as he could also sense his wife's irritation. Anna smiled in relief as Esme joined them and they began discussing interior decorating and whether Esme could lend a hand for the winter collection for the House of Giovanni.

''I owe you one,'' Anna whispered under her breath, which could only be heard by anyone in proximity with vampire hearing. Esme gave a quick nod.

Carlisle was busy chatting up Marcus and internally wondered when the rest of the guard would be coming. He would protect his family, in addition to his extended family. He had grown fond of Bella's cousin Melissa; she brought out the humanity in all of them, something he was grateful for. He knew she knew what he was on their first introduction but she treated him like a normal doctor, driving him stark mad with all her random antics. He also enjoyed her interactions with the newest addition to his family, Jasper. Jasper who always doubted himself, thinking he would snap, when the simplest problems could've been solved if they had taken into consideration, that living with an empath who could feel all emotions including all bloodlust, he felt a bit ashamed for not having drawn the conclusion before.

Carlisle was 23 years old, had been for 300 years, he needed to live his life more. The times were changing, his goal was to always find a cure for the well-known diseases, he had twice as much degrees as his adopted children. An idea where his kind could live their lives how they wanted 'd start fighting for the world as soon as he was done with the Volturi.

There are a million things that run through your head while you're possibly getting married, but nothing came to her mind, it's not like she was getting married or anything. Melissa wondered what it would feel like if she were to be in Bella's position. She glanced beside her to Marcus.

1 hour ago….

Alice had worked her magic again and by the grace of God, everything was coming together in her eyes. Bella could finally feel most of the stress fall away, if only the wedding jitters could do the same. She knew she wanted this, but at what cost. She began to doubt if she really wanted Edward or did she want the forever that came with him.

He left her, her heartbeat raced as she remembered how much of zombie she was after he left. She nearly killed herself trying to see him. Was it really fair to Charlie, her father, to lose a daughter, again?

She knew she was being selfish, but Edward was half of her soul. She did a lot of growing up while he travelled around the world trying to forget her. She needed to talk to him, but as Alice as a watchdog with the wedding traditions, how would she get to Edward?

She turned to Rosalie, ''Can you call my cousin for me? I need to talk to her.''

Rosalie nodded and without a sound exited the room.

Sometime later…..

The opened slightly as Melissa poked her head through, spotting her cousin sitting stiffly on her makeup chair.

''You summoned me?''

''Mel, can you be honest with me?'' Her brown eyes seemed clouded but Melissa couldn't be sure exactly what could be going in the head of her cousin.

''Suure— what do you need ?'' Mel quirked an eyebrow as she walked to stand beside Bella who kept fidgeting under her gaze.

''What's got your lace in a twist HellsBells?'' She asked leaning against the ledge of the window pane, crossing her legs

''Am I the marrying type?— She was interrupted her almost immediately.

''Um…no Isabella Marie, you aren't nor have ever been the marrying type, you haven't dated anyone besides Edward to make any accurate judgment on functional relationships since you've been playing guardian to Aunt Renee before she got married. You like taking care of people, you don't like expensive things or lavish lifestyles, you hate standing out, but you love strange for some stupid reason. Never mind that you are a danger magnet''

They both chuckled.

''Bells, you've gotten into enough trouble over the course of three years to last a lifetime. You are accident prone, a natural danger magnet, Edward fits you for some reason, but he's built like that. He's ole fashioned, you are both ole souls. But you know you, can you really say, your heart was fully in this wedding or it was Edward's idea as a compromise, because already having found his singer, wasn't enough for him.''

Her eyes were downcast by the time the rant was over.

''Look Bells, it's your wedding day, you chose to go through with it, you say you love Edward, if you are 100% sure about that, walk down that isle, knowing that everything and I mean absolutely everything about human experiences that you would like to have in the future, has been cut down to a week. ''

She patted her cousin's shoulder gently and made her way downstairs.

MEL P.O.V

''I feel I'm getting hives by just standing here, '' I fussed with the bracelet on my hand for the one hundredth time.

Angela swatted my hand away and adjusted the bouquet I was given as bridesmaid.

''You know Damon keeps giving you an eyeful,'' she commented offhandedly.

''I'm sure Reid is going to love that.'' Angela rolled her eyes.

''He's probably wondering why I'm with a Warlock as he hasn't come across anyone good as according to Reid they haven't met many good witches like Bonnie Bennet.''

''Oh, Stefan told me about the unfortunate love triangle with his ex, some Elena Gilbert chick, who happened to be a doppelganger of his other psycho-ex Katherine Petrova. All of this centered with him and Damon, they finally decided to cut her ties completely before another warlock almost sucked Bonnie's magic and tie her magic with this chick's. ''

Angela's eyes widened, ''I can't imagine being a love triangle with your brother and girl who has happens to have a doppelganger, it's just not done. ''

''You've got to admit though, we've wrangled such a hot crowd for this wedding.''

''Dear Sherlock, I do believe we did.'' Angela said with a fake British accent.

'' Dear me Watson, however will the world survive two such minds of our caliber. '' Mel reiterated stroking her imaginary fake mustache.

They laughed.

Anna rounded the corner and walked up to her daughter, ''what's got you gals in giggles?''

They merely grinned at each and said, ''It's just a matter of perspective.''

She smiled.

''How long have you know those Salvatore's Melly?'' asked her mom.

''I met Damon while I was visiting grandpa in Italy, after he saved me , after that we became friends.'' Anna just shook her head.

''And when were you going to tell me he's a vampire.'' Her mother sounded exasperated. Mel hugged her mother's side. ''I was working up to it, eventually.'' She laughed nervously.

''Oh, is Tia and Rem here?'' she asked looking for the other two Italians.

Mel shrugged, ''probably outside with their dates.''

''It feels auspicious somehow, like there shouldn't have so many super naturals in place.'' Angela couldn't shake the feeling that something is coming.

Mel shivered subconsciously, ''I know what you mean.''

''I'm ready.'' Bella announced with a steel resolve in her eyes as she descended the stairs.

''Let's get this circus on the road.'' Melissa fake cheered.

Angela face palmed. ''You look beautiful Bella.''

Bella nodded her head in thanks and moved towards the door as Anna quickened her pace to alert the wedding procession.

Bella paused. ''I feel sick.''

Mel grabbed a bottle of cognac on the table next to the stairs and gave it to her cousin.

''This should put some hair on your chest, if not, the liquid courage out to put your butt in gear.''

''Hold it,'' Angela held up some peppermint gum and gave two to Bella as soon as she knocked back her shot.''

They helped her with her dress as the wedding marched started playing and made their way to their seats as soon as Bella had reached the outdoor altar that was covered in wild roses, blue carnations and light blue lace ribbons.

Mel shook her head as she saw the pair exchange their 'I do's''

She clapped politely.

'' A congratulations are in order then, dear Bella.'' Coming out of the shadows, stood Aro, red eyes gleaming widely.

He looked around and spotted the other vampires, ''Hmm, such an interesting gathering.''

Damon traded glances with Stefan as they stood protectively in front of Caroline and Bonnie.

''May I interject, that you're a bit outnumbered Aro and this is neither the time nor the place to start something.'' Melissa hissed as she came into view.

He cackled loudly, ''Ah, the younger swan, what a fierce little thing you are.'' He turned to Marcus. ''Brother, I see you've had your work cut out for you.''

''Carlisle my dear friend, we have much to discuss.'' Then he disappeared.

''This is strange, even for him.'' Edward remarked. '' I couldn't get a read on him.''

''Alice…''

'Nothing.'' She shook her head, ''He keeps changing his mind, now that he's spotted the others, I can't possibly know for sure.''

''Let's adjourn to the eating area everyone, '' Esme announced taking control of the situation like a pro and started ushering the human guests to their seats in the white tents.

Melissa grabbed Marcus by his wrist before he could leave and led them away.

''Have you ever seen that dude before?'' Reid asked adjusting his gloves.

''Not familiar to me.'' Caleb answered.

''Me neither.'' Bonnie answered walking up to him.

''I haven't met enough good witches, so any chance to make new friends who'd understand this crazy, is a helluva chance and isn't worth passing up.''

Pogue smiled, ''He seems like bad news.''

''He is.'' Damon answered as he joined them.

''He's the supposed 'vampire king.' It's hard enough already trying to remain a vampire by today's society but to actually have Sparkly claim monarch over my kind, is very annoying, and I am not opposed to lighting him on fire.'' He smirked evilly.

''Vampire king?'' Caroline turned to Stefan with a 'wtf ' look on her face. He shrugged.

'Between us, the originals and these new breed of vampires, it's going to take some time to get used to, but he obviously has some beef with the good doctor and his family. Now, I'm all for leaving this place to go back to mystic falls, but having that douche looked at us as if he stood above us in the food chain and we were little petulant bugs that could be squashed and that doesn't sit well with me.'' Damon continued. '' His eyes darkened as his fangs appeared. Bonnie slapped his chest, ''Just no turning off your humanity.'' He sighed and nodded.

Reid's eyes bled into black, ''If he's looking for a battle, he's gonna get one.''

Angela wrapped and arm around his waist as his eyes flickered back to baby blue to look into her hazel browns and it softened a bit as he leaned down and kissed her on the forehead.

''WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE ENTIRE GUARD IS ALREADY HERE.'' Mel screamed before resuming her pacing.

''He's going to judge them all, until he can see if Bella has survived the change well, he will then go forward.'' Marcus replied as his eyes followed her.

'' Mark my words Marcus, if anything is to happen to my cousin, my family or my friends, there will be hell to pay.''

A/N

It's a bit shorter but I'm preparing for a long weekend as Carnival is presently on the rise in the Caribbean and school has become more complicated with my Bachelors. Good news is that I'm getting my laptop this week. So I'm a bit excited.

~CaribbeanTrinidadian