Chapter 35 – Jasper POV

The following few weeks were hectic to say the least. Rose, Alice and Esme were doing most of the planning, along with Renee who turned up about a week after the engagement to stay at Charlie's house, on the sofa. Bella's house would have been overcrowded but Embry's mom sad that Carla could go stay with them until she went back to college. Embry would be accompanying her to college; Sam had given him the all clear as long as he returned at the first sign of trouble. Bella would not be accompanying her.

We were getting married on the 1st August, then honeymooning for two weeks together. We were going to go to Isle Esme but as it happened that was already taken – by a most unlikely couple, but I will get to that later. We were hiring a private island off the coast of Florida, where we wouldn't be disturbed so I could go out in the sun. It had a private beach and its own big house with multiple rooms, including its one cinema room. I was excited to be spending that much time alone with Bella. When we got back, Carlisle would change her. I had offered, but I hadn't been sure if I could manage it and Bella didn't want to put me through any pain, sweet as always. She said it would feel right anyway, because she already saw Carlisle as a father and this would make it more real.

But there was a lot to prepare for.

The wedding was being held at our house, and Alice was responsible for outfits, Rose decorations and Esme and Renee everything else. It was going to be a big white wedding, not that I was allowed to see the dress. Nor was Bella yet, but she was indifferent. All she wanted was to marry me; she'd have done it in a bin bag if she had to. And still looked amazingly beautiful.

Every time I saw the ring on her finger, it sent thrills up my spine. She was amazing. She'd brought me back to life after Alice, shown me that I was wrong when I thought I knew how to love. Bella had taught me about real love. Love that goes everywhere. Love that can change the world. Love that never dies. Forever.

I spent as much time as I could with Bella in the three weeks preceding the wedding, but it was hard. Alice and Rose kidnapped her a lot and instructed Emmett and Edward on what to do with me – a lot of shopping mainly. There was a lot to get done – the invites, the cake, the clothes the seating, the seating arrangements… the list was endless. So we snatched seconds together whenever we could, every last moment possible until someone arrived with the chores list and ordered us apart.

And the weird thing.

The werewolves had all come over to Charlie's house one weekend, to discuss with my family the wedding arrangements. Carlisle wanted to invite them all because they were Bella's friends and he felt the need to tell them that in person. Carlisle was strange. But anyway, him, Esme, Edward and Alice all turned up at Charlie's to talk about it and ensure things could stay calm. The lounge was crowded (and smelly) with so many wolves pressed into it. Emmett had been ordered to stay away by Carlisle, who knew he'd say something stupid and ruin any idea of peace and harmony.

So Carlisle said his bit about maintaining friendly connections, the truce is the future blah blah blah. I wasn't really listening – too busy watching Bella. The way her eyes lashes brushed lightly against her cheek. The way she blushed if someone looked at her. The way her soft hair cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall. The way she'd sometimes glance at my ring on her finger, the corners of her lips turning up. That made me want to cry with happiness and I would have done, if I could. All my dreams had come true.

Then, from the back of the room came a sigh.

"Can't you all wear some perfume or something?" Asked a bitter sounding female voice. I don't think she intended for everyone to hear, but the room fell silent just as she spoke. Everyone turned to look at her. She was pretty, but had nothing on my Bella. She had dark, almost russet reddish skin, white, straight teeth, and has straight black shiny hair cut in a bob. Her black eyes glinted with embarrassment as Carlisle raised his eyebrows.

"Uh, I mean, uh, sorry.." She stammered. Then her eyes focussed slightly behind Carlisle and her face froze in astonishment. I felt it from both of them. Him and her. The love, the realisation. The denial at first – they were enemies. Then the peace of mind because it didn't matter. Because the imprint bond is stronger than anything else.

Leah stepped forwards, disbelief and elation on her pretty features.

And Edward stepped around Carlisle, realisation and elation on his.

"Leah." He whispered and the silence in the room was so loud.

"Edward." She said, shakily.

"NO!" Yelled Sue Clearwater from behind her and tried to grab her but it was too late. She'd already fallen. In love and into Edward's cold embrace.

Who knew it was possible?

Enemies unite.

Wolf and Vampire.

Fire and Ice.

I looked at Bella, worried that this would upset her. But it didn't. Her full lips were curled up in a smile and I felt joy and understanding radiating from her. I'd have to ask about that later.

But the best thing – this signified a truce for good. Our old one had been shaky. But this was new – blood and blood. We were as good as family now, once Edward and Leah married. It was decided they would go to Isle Esme to spend some time together, to adjust their ideas to one another.

Late that night, I led on Bella's bed with her in my arms.

"Bella?" I asked, tentatively. She mumbled a 'yes' against my chest. She was almost asleep.

"Why did you not mind about Edward? Why did you feel so happy, sso understanding." She smiled slightly, eyes still shut.

"Because it makes sense now why he left me. Because he was never meant to love me, he was meant to love her. I felt a bit guilty I guess, for not taking him back. Not because I wanted to but because he'd been so good to me at first. But he left because he is meant to be with Leah and I am meant to be with you. If he hadn't have left, I'd be all alone now. I wouldn't have you."

My face split out into a brilliant grin and she slowly drifted off to sleep, occasionally murmuring my name in her sleep. About midnight there was a tap on my window and I groaned.

It was Alice and Rose, with yet another wedding chore. I kissed Bella's forehead and left her a note, in case I wasn't back before she awoke.