CPW: Are they throwing tomatoes?
FLB11: No, why would they be?
CPW: Cause we took like 3 weeks to update.
FLB11: Yeah, but at least we didn't put it on hiatus during our RL fuckery right? LOL Anyways, we've been busy plotting out the outtake that was purchased in the FGB auction.
CPW: Oh yeah, huge thanks to carolalala & swino16 who bought us in the auction. They have asked for some pretty funny shit that will be fun to write. At least for me it will be. Just saying.
FLB11: Yeah, I may still be griping about it. Anywhoo, we don't own Twilight; we just like making them do random shit.
BPOV
"Alice, you're pregnant; you're not an elephant. Try the dress on and get your skinny little ass out here!"
How the hell Alice, Rosalie and I found ourselves standing in Kleinfelds merely two months after we had all moved in with our fiancés, I don't think I will ever know. About a minute after the big move, Alice and Jasper informed us all that they were expecting, and that they were going to have a small wedding at city hall before the baby was born. What Alice failed to mention was that she would try to get the whole shindig together in three weeks. That idea was quickly shot down when Alice found out that she could never have a dress fitted in that amount of time. Alice and Jasper's plans were changed only slightly as they decided to wait until the early spring, giving Alice more time to get her dream dress, yet they would still do a simple city hall wedding.
We were all shocked that Alice didn't want a big, lavish wedding where every detail would be planned to perfection. However, I think the same amount of planning that would have gone into an entire wedding, had gone into the simple decision of choosing a dress. She had finally found one a few weeks ago, and put a rush on the order since she would be growing. Now, at four months along, Rose and I were waiting for her to come out of the fitting room, all the while searching for dresses for ourselves. Well, it was more like browsing since Edward and I hadn't even set a date yet.
"Okay, okay. Here. It looks awful, doesn't it?" she griped as she came out of the dressing room in a gorgeous tea-length dress. It draped over her barely there baby bump perfectly and the empire waistline was accented by a small rose.
"Oh my god, Alice! It's amazing, perfect, really. You have to get it!" I said, admittedly a little more excited than I thought I would have been.
"Alice, you look gorgeous, but I swear, if you look better than me at your wedding than I do at mine, we will have a serious problem," Rose gushed as she contradicted her words by rushing over to Alice and enveloping her in a hug.
I laughed as my two friends held each other and then opened their arms, enveloping me into the madness that was their emotions. Of course, Alice was infinitely more emotional than Rose or I, due to the pregnancy. Pretty much everything made her cry, which was somewhat uncomfortable, especially when she was crying over the fact that she couldn't decide what kind of muffin to get in the morning.
We waited for Alice to get fitted one last time and babbled about the details of the dress, which I wasn't particularly interested in. I began browsing the store, trying not to find anything that would be outrageously expensive, even though Esme insisted on buying one for me and Edward refused to tell me how well off his parents truly were. I never would have imagined a designer gown for myself, but Esme had told me not to put a limit on what I wanted, so I decided that looking wouldn't hurt. I doubted that I would find anything because I really had no clue what I wanted, and I wasn't exactly in a big rush to find a dress anyway.
However, there was a Jim Hjelm trunk show going on while we were there, and as I shifted through the gowns, I spotted it. My perfect dress.
It was a small ivory, A-line gown with flowing satin, tiered layers and an intricately placed flower with crystal beading tied at the natural waistline. I wanted to hug it and never let it go. I plucked the dress from its spot and carried it over to where Rose and Alice were talking to the consultant. "Where can I try this one on?" I blurted out, as they were in the middle of taking Alice's measurements… again.
"Oh, BELL-A! That gown is incredible!" Alice shouted as she hopped off the podium without the seamstress' permission and picked up my dress. She muttered something about silk and I think she said 'organza,' but I could have sworn that organza was a flower or something. What did I know about fabrics? I worked in colors and paint for heaven's sake.
The consultant and Alice ushered me into the fitting room and slipped me into the dress. How it had looked on the hanger held no comparison to how it looked once I tried it on. It fit every part of me like a glove, and it was only the sample dress. Even the consultant in the store was surprised at how well it clung to my body.
As I gazed at myself in the mirror, I gazed down at my engagement ring. I looked back and forth from the ring to the dress, and suddenly my mind was clouded with an image of a dress that was colored in gorgeous, fading blue layers to match the very ring that was nestled between my fingers every day. I looked over at Alice and Rosalie, and I could tell by the way they were both looking at me that they knew I had come up with something. I smiled back at them and they simultaneously rolled their eyes.
"I think it needs a little something," I commented casually as Rosalie groaned. Could she seriously expect any less of me? Had she just met me?
"Couldn't just have a normal, white wedding dress, could you? Everything has to be so complicated with you artists," Rosalie griped.
"Actually, Rose, this dress only comes in ivory. If you really want to get technical about it," Alice argued, a cheeky smile covering her face as Rose childishly stuck her tongue out. "Now, Bella, tell me what you would like done to this already gorgeous dress so I can determine if it is possible, before you drive the seamstresses even more crazy than I already have."
"Blue."
"Blue?"
"Blue," I reiterated. "Sapphire blue."
"You want a blue wedding dress?" Rosalie asked in disbelief. "God, why couldn't I just have some normal friends? Not ones that make me prepare a wedding at city hall in less than a month before changing their minds, and ones that want blue dresses," she continued as she looked at the ceiling as if she were actually praying.
"Oh, Rose, pipe down. None of us have been complaining while you plan your wedding and stick me and Alice in the ugliest dresses known to man, have we?" I knew she was joking for the most part, but I knew she loved Alice and me, and letting her thoughts be known was just part of what made Rose herself. That didn't mean it wasn't annoying, though. The bridal party dresses for Rosalie's wedding were really hideous. They were lemon yellow, definitely not my color, and even though she kept insisting that these were dresses we could wear again, I knew mine would be incinerated the very next day as I danced around the garbage can I would light it on fire in. It had layers of itchy fabric and was just… hideous. Did I mention it was lemon yellow?
"Gah. Sorry, Bella. I don't even want this huge wedding, but Emmett has like, twenty-seven cousins and there is really no choice in the matter. Now, tell us about this dress," she said supportively as I softened towards her, knowing full well how family could make even the best plans go awry.
"I was thinking of starting out with a white-ish bodice, and then color each layer a darker shade of blue, so it's not a freakishly color, but instead it just flows naturally. There will at least be a little tradition in there, which I know Edward will appreciate," I said wistfully, thinking of Edward. He was so going to flip out when he saw me in this dress. However, I couldn't really see myself walking down the aisle in a pure white dress. First of all, there would be snickers because all our guests would know I wasn't a virgin, and secondly, it just wasn't me. I was outgoing, creative and colorful. Hell, just the other day I wore a t-shirt with Super Grover on it when I went out to lunch with Edward and we bumped into one of the publishers of the magazine. I may have felt a bit awkward, but he didn't seem to mind and found it rather endearing, or so Edward said. I needed some color in there somewhere, and that color was blue, just like my ring.
Rosalie's cell phone started ringing just as the seamstress began taking my measurements, so she stepped outside to take the call. A few minutes later, she came back in and it was clear that she was out of breath.
"The boys… they're here. Well, Emmett and Edward are anyway. Since Jasper actually knew that Alice was here for her fitting, he didn't come. But apparently… Edward and Emmett are idiots, and didn't consider the fact that either of us might find a dress," she said between gasps of air. I immediately bounced off the podium, forgetting that there were needles stuck inside the dress, causing them to poke me in the ass.
"Ow, ow, ow!" I moaned loudly. "I'm sorry," I apologized to the seamstress before turning back to Alice and Rose. "Edward cannot come in here and see me in this dress. Every single thing in our relationship has been so untraditional, except this damn wedding. He is going to have all of the tradition I can bear to allow him, even if I have to get stuck with these needles a hundred times over."
"I'm sorry, miss, but I need to get your measurements, and this is the only room that's available right now. If you want, you can come back another time, but I make no promises that the dress will be here then," the seamstress said. Gee, New York City really is a tough town, even when you've lived here for years.
I had no idea what to do. I could hear Edward and Emmett just a few feet away, their tall, manly heads sticking out from the crowd of women they were walking through. I threw my arms over my body, as if I was trying to hide my naked body from a room full of strangers when Edward and Emmett walked up to us.
"Gah! Go away! What the fuck are you two even doing here?" I yelled in frustration. Edward's eyes snapped towards me as a look of confusion, followed by one of recognition crossed his face. "Close your eyes, you idiot!" His hand flew over his eyes, and I darted awkwardly and stood behind both Rosalie and Alice, shielding myself.
"Is it safe?" Edward asked as he peeked through two of his fingers. Emmett was now in hysterics as Rosalie began threatening his manhood.
"Not unless you want me to gouge your eyes out with the seamstress' pen," Alice warned.
"Agh, just open your eyes, Edward. You won't see anything," I said.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure, Edward," I said with a giggle. He was really so damn cute when he wasn't even trying. I felt a little bit bad for yelling at him, but the last person I expected to walk into the bridal salon today was my fiancé.
"In all fairness, I did try calling you to tell you we were coming," he said once he was allowed to look at me.
"Yeah, well I was obviously a little busy," I laughed anxiously as I continued to hold my arms around my body, shielding myself and effectively poking the pins into my skin deeper. Fuck they hurt. "What are you even doing here?"
"We were hoping you girls would be done and want to have lunch with us?" Edward stated sweetly as I smiled brightly at him.
"Em, didn't you have an audition this morning?" Rosalie asked as she continued to stand in front of me, hiding me from the view of the guys.
"Yup. Edward came with me for shits and giggles. I'm not sure if I will get the role, I think they were looking for something different."
"That's cause everyone else in the room was African American. You my friend… are a white guy," Edward patted Emmett on the back as Emmett looked completely embarrassed. "I'm not sure if you were aware of that."
"Okay, so I may have read the call sheet wrong. That's not important though. Anyway, are you girls able to eat lunch? I'm fricking starving," Emmett announced, clearly trying to deflect attention from his screw up, which I found adorable.
"Do we look ready to eat lunch?" Alice questioned snarkily. "Even though we know I don't skip meals anymore, we're not ready yet. This shit takes time." Then I watched with laughter on the tip of my tongue as Alice rubbed her hand over her belly and apologized to her baby for swearing.
"So I see. Well, Emmett and I should probably get going and let you continue doing… whatever it was you were doing before we got here. I'll see you at home," he said as he leaned in between Alice and Rose to kiss me.
"See you," I said as I watched him and Emmett walk away.
By the time we were all finished, we were all starving with the exception of Alice who had brought snacks with her. In fact, her purse looked like an aisle at the Whole Foods. However, rather than go out to eat, I really just wanted to go home to Edward and have dinner with him. We had hardly seen each other all day, with the exception of the encounter at the bridal salon that afternoon. When I got in, Edward and I ended up ordering in – Thai food – and then settling in to watch a movie. He tried his hardest to feel me up, but I was way too exhausted to fuck him properly, so I promised him two rounds the next day. He accepted that offer with a jolt of enthusiasm, and carried me to our bedroom where I slept serenely in his arms.
The next morning, I woke up next to a still sleeping Edward, with the sun shining through our window. I always loved watching Edward sleep, and watching as the sun made his hair glimmer. I decided that a quick trip to Common Grounds was in order, so I grabbed some clothes and tried to get dressed quietly, so that I could surprise him when he woke up. Of course, this was near impossible, simply because it was me and I could never do anything stealthily when I really wanted to. I ended up tripping as I tried to step into my jeans, effectively ruining my chances of leaving Edward sleeping peacefully.
"What the fuck? Bella?" he garbled, shooting up from his sleeping position and caught me sitting on the floor.
"Oops," I said as scrambled to my feet and buttoned my jeans. He looked at me quizzically, but I think that was mostly because he was still disoriented from sleep, bed head and all. "I was going to go get us some coffee. I was trying to surprise you," I explained.
Edward rubbed his eyes and smiled. "Hmm. I think this way is better, actually. Now we can go together and I don't have to worry about you spilling hot coffee on yourself." I stuck my tongue out at him as he hopped out of bed and threw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt.
I took a quick look at my calendar to make sure I didn't have anything important that I might have forgotten about, when the date struck me. "Oh my god."
"What?" Edward asked, his voice immediately laced with concern.
"Do you know what today is?" I said, turning around and wrapping my arms around his perfectly full waist.
"Um, Sunday?"
"Nope. Well, yes… but, hang on," I said as I ran over to the closet and picked up the seemingly random items of clothing. I stripped out of what I had pulled on earlier and tried on the new makeshift outfit before turning towards him. His face lit up with remembrance.
"Really? I can't believe I forgot. Too bad it's not raining today though, then you could wear it."
"Edward, you know me, as I have just proved by trying this outfit on. The same stupid owl t-shirt, the funkiest pair of shorts I own, the scarf I made when I was trying to learn knitting, and these ridiculous rain boots and the yellow slicker with matching hat I was wearing, precisely one year ago when I first saw that gorgeous face of yours. What makes you think I won't walk out of the house like this simply because you want me to?"
He walked over to me, sliding one arm around my waist and kissing the tip of my nose. "Because I love that you can still surprise me. Obviously."
"Well, for that I'm glad," I said before kissing him softly.
"You don't have to wear that though. It's brutally hot outside and as much as I love you, I don't want you sticking to me because you're wearing a rubber jacket."
I took off the jacket, hat, scarf, and boots, and replaced them with my Birkenstocks, and we headed down to Common Grounds. We both ordered our usual and spent the morning talking about the wedding. Our wedding wasn't going to be big, no matter how many times Edward had to tell his mother that we were getting married in New York, and not in Chicago where she could invite half of the city's high society.
Once we were finished our drinks, we opted to take a stroll around the city, and as if the day hadn't been perfect enough, we stumbled upon a small old café that was up for rent. My mind was immediately overtaken by images of Edward and I, our artwork on display around the entire place, all of our friends gathered around the tables enjoying pastries and drinks, and the two of us huddled up around the small fireplace when the weather was bad and no one was coming in.
It was perfect.
EPOV
I froze in front of the little shop, my mind inundated with possibilities, and when I looked at Bella she was grinning brightly at me. I hadn't seen her smile this big since the day we moved in together a couple of months ago. I lifted up her hand, which was entwined with mine and kissed her knuckles, just above her engagement ring. We hadn't yet set a date, but I wasn't as stressed about that as my mother was. I knew Bella and I were destined to be together, the wedding was just a formality.
"It's for rent, you know," Bella said casually as we both glanced at the sign in the small window. "Don't you think it would be fitting if we owned a coffee shop? Don't make me bring up the irony of this day," Bella laughed lightly and I let out a small sigh. It would be rather satirical if we owned the shop, considering we had fallen in love inside of one, but it just wasn't the direction I saw my life going.
"It would be fitting, but it's not like we can afford it, Bella," I replied simply as she kissed my cheek and grabbed the door handle of the shop, swinging on it slightly. "I mean, sure, you sold that one painting to Mr. McKenzie for like fifty grand, but I don't want us to put all our hard earned money into buying a lemon. There has to be a reason why the shop is out of business, right?"
"I couldn't maintain it," said a grey haired man who walked up behind us and smiled at Bella and me. Bella stepped away from the door and he opened it, stepping inside and ushering us in with him. "I ran this coffee shop with my wife for over twenty years. If it hadn't been for the cancer, we'd still be here. It was a very successful business until about six months ago."
The gentleman walked towards the back of the shop as I watched Bella's eyes dart around frantically, her smile growing brighter with the thoughts and ideas she was clearly having. I didn't like to say no to Bella, ever, but I didn't see how this was feasible for us. We had some savings built up, but we were saving it for our wedding and to buy ourselves a new home, not to buy a rundown coffee shop in the Village. "Makeena, that's my wife, was very artistic and had a vision of this being a gallery and coffee house all rolled into one. She wanted it to be eclectic, but somewhere people would feel comfortable. Unfortunately, real life got in the way and her art fell by the wayside in our efforts to make the shop successful."
"Oh my god, I was just having the same thought. How great it would be to cover the walls in paintings by local artists, like my fiancée and I, and showcase their work."
"Do you paint?" the gentleman asked of Bella as she nodded her head slowly.
"My fiancé here is a photographer," she advised as she reached her hand out to him and introduced herself. "I'm Isabella Swan. This stiff is Edward Cullen."
"Alistair Thomas," he said cordially as Bella took the seat beside him at a back table and they began chatting happily about art and the coffee shop in general. Alistair filled us in on more of the history of the shop and the building. He let us know that the building was not for sale, he was planning to keep that, but he was renting out the shop space on the main floor and was hoping it would eventually reach its potential. "I wish I could make Makeena's dream come true. I'm certain she would be looking down from heaven and cheering you on."
"Whoa… we never said we were going to rent this place," I corrected as I continued to look around the shop, actually impressed by how clean and nice it was. There was a red brick wall on the left side, which even I could picture housing paintings or photos from artists. The hardwood floor was clearly well cared for and the entire place just felt comfortable and homey. It's no wonder Alistair and Makeena had loved it so much.
"Edward, just consider it," Bella said with pleading eyes as I looked at her in confusion. "Sure, we know nothing about running a coffee shop, but neither did Alistair and he made this a successful business for twenty years. Plus, we have one thing he didn't," Bella said smugly as I narrowed my eyes.
"Oh, and what would that be?"
"Maggie."
"How the hell do we have Maggie? If she knew we would stop visiting her three times a day she would hate us," I replied as Bella laughed.
"Well that's easy. Maggie practically runs that shop and doesn't get paid nearly enough. I have no doubt that if we asked her to jump ship and work for us, she would. Plus, she lives two blocks away from here. It's closer for her," Bella said with a wide grin as I rolled my eyes. "She hates it at Common Grounds."
"Bella, this isn't an easy decision. There are a lot of things to take into consideration and you are acting like this deal is already signed, sealed, and delivered. I just don't think that right now is a good time for us to take on such a huge challenge like this." I hated being the logical one when Bella was clearly more of the free spirit in our relationship. However, I couldn't justify spending all of our money on a coffee shop when we knew nothing about them other than drinking their coffee and eating their muffins.
"Don't you ever just get a feeling about something instantly, Edward? Love at first sight and all that stuff," she asked me, her eyes completely lit up with joy. Yeah, I had felt like that… the first moment I saw her in Common Grounds a year ago. I just nodded my head in response as Bella winked at me. "Well, I have a feeling about this shop. I think we can do great business and encourage art in the neighborhood. I want to take a chance on it, whether you are in with me or not."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I have the money from the McKenzie sale, and I may have a little bit extra stashed away for a rainy day from my first two shows. I live fairly frugally, Edward; unless you discount all the money I spend on my art supplies and catchy slogan t-shirts."
"We should decide this together, Bella. We are engaged and this decision will affect both of us," I replied as Bella stood up from her seat beside Alistair and walked towards me with a smirk on her face.
"Edward, haven't you ever taken a chance on something?"
"Yeah, but that's beside the point."
"How much is the monthly rent on this place, Alistair?" Bella called out behind her, as he shouted out, $4,000. Shit, that was more than I thought. Then again, this was the Village, so $4,000 for a few hundred square feet of space wasn't unheard of.
"The place practically pays for itself," he added as I groaned while Bella wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed my lips softly. She was trying to crush my walls, and it was working. A little too well.
"Yeah, Edward, the place practically pays for itself," Bella purred as she kissed me again and I pulled back, staring at her with concern written across my face "Be spontaneous."
"This is an expensive venture, it's not logical to be spontaneous. Anyway, what about your art, Bella?"
"Well, once things get working here like a well oiled machine, thanks to Maggie of course, then I can focus on my art again. Plus, I know someone who would probably become a silent partner." Bella small smile went into a large grin and I rolled my eyes, worried about who she would mention. "Your mother."
"Oh no… my mother is not getting her perfectly manicured mitts into our coffee shop. She'd have you serving crustless cucumber sandwiches and margaritas… together!"
"Ha! Our coffee shop. I heard that! You won't regret it, baby," Bella gushed as she wrapped her arms around my neck and began kissing my face over and over again.
"I never said yes."
"You will, babe," Bella replied, winking at me as she went back to talk to Alistair to discuss actual business details, and I headed into the back to check everything out. It really was a perfect little shop that we could build together and turn into a successful coffee shop and art gallery. When I looked back at Bella discussing specifics with Alistair, I knew there was no way I could deny her considering how excited she was. I was leery about it, but willing to take the chance with her. I would do anything with and for her.
As we left the shop twenty minutes later, Bella had Alistair's phone number programmed in her phone and a plan to see him in a few days to discuss the details of his store rental in full. She insisted on dragging me into Common Grounds to see Maggie and we were both shocked at how quickly she agreed. We offered her the job of managing the coffee shop and Bella also called Rosalie & Alice and made plans to meet with them and Maggie later in the week to pick their brains about running a business.
When we got home that night, my mind and body were both exhausted. Bella and I tossed ourselves onto our living room couch and simply looked at each other with smiles on our faces. "You know this is going to kill our mothers, right?" I questioned with a smirk.
"How is that?"
"They have been all over us to set a date since the day they found out we were engaged, and we haven't. Now we go and decide to open a coffee shop instead? My mother is going to freak out!"
"Yeah, Renee may cause a bit of a shit storm. She keeps asking if I am pregnant and just keeping it from her," Bella remarked with a laugh. "And when I casually mentioned Jasper and Alice's wedding, she was all excited that we were going to be married next. I told her Rosalie and Emmett were doing a destination wedding in the fall and we were going to be after them."
"Well, have you thought about us setting a date?" I asked curiously as Bella curled up beside me and rested her head on my chest. Now that we were doing this coffee shop business, I found myself thinking all afternoon about wanting to settle down more than ever. It was the next logical step in my opinion, certainly more logical than two people with simply a love of coffee and art opening their own coffee shop.
"Let's just fly to Vegas and do it. Sure, our mothers will be disappointed, but I want to do something that is just for us, you know? My dress will be ready fairly soon, I think."
"I know, baby, but I don't think Vegas is us. I may have had an idea about that though," I admitted tentatively as Bella turned her head to look at me in the eye, clearly curious about what I had in mind. "Well, you know in my past I have seen a lot of weddings in the city. It only makes sense that I may have something in mind for my own, you know?"
"Oh really? Do share, please."
"Well, there's the Sky Room over at the New Museum. I know for a fact if they have exhibits open, they sometimes let guests check them out. I saw a great exhibit by Amy Granat last spring when I did a wedding there."
"Very interesting idea."
"And the Nassau County Museum in Roslyn Harbor is a good site. I did one wedding down at the United Nations that was beautiful too. They have a rooftop patio overlooking the East River and the skyline."
"Seriously, the United Nations?"
"What? It's a nice location."
"Okay."
"Okay, what?"
"Okay, we can have some big grand wedding that will placate both our mothers and you."
"Well, I don't want to do it if you aren't into it. I just think this is the only time we will get married, and I think we should do it right." I couldn't help but feel like Bella was simply placating me, and it was the last thing I wanted to do. I wanted her to be just as excited as I was.
"I'll call my contact down at the New Museum and we can go check out their space. Sound good?"
"Seriously?" I said excitedly as Bella just nodded her head up and down. "You realize I don't really care where or when we get married, just that we do right?"
"I know, baby. But you are right; our love is something to celebrate. Let's do it."
I leaned forward and kissed Bella gently on the lips as I breathed a sigh of relief. I had pictured us having a wedding surrounded by our family and friends and I was glad she agreed. With my history of wedding photography, I couldn't really imagine not having a nice wedding, even though I saw firsthand all the work that went into them.
I lazily began stroking my hand up and down Bella's back as her breathing evened out and she began to fall asleep. "Hey, what about my two rounds, missy?"
Bella yawned hugely, rolling over on her side and squeezing me tightly. "Just wake me up when you're ready." I chuckled lightly, gently shaking Bella's sleeping form up and down.
"Okay, baby."
I looked out the front window and watched the cars drive by our street as a grin spread across my face. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that meeting this complete mess of a girl last May, that it would lead me to the love of my life. I wouldn't change it for the world though. She was my everything. My Penny Lane.
Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes
There beneath the blue suburban skies...
Penny Lane.
A/N: Can you believe that all that is left is the epilogue? Us either! Thanks for joining us on this wonderful little ride. When we started this story, we never anticipated to get the response we have gotten, so thank you. You guys rock.