Chapter 36 – BELLA POV

And here it is, already. The happiest day of my life. I led in bed, staring round at my empty room. All of my things had already been packed into cardboard boxes and was stored in the Cullen's garage. All the pictures on my wall were gone. Everything that signified this room as mine was gone, except the yellow lace curtains and the bed. My bed was too warm. Jasper hadn't been allowed by his family to stay last night – we were doing this the traditional way. I fingered the silver ring on my ring finger, smiling as I did it. I never thought that all of my dreams would ever come true. Yet they had. I had Jasper and the Cullens as my family forever.

I sniffed and smelt burning from downstairs so climbed out of my warm bed, stuffed my feet in my slippers and padded downstairs. Charlie was stood over by the hob, smoke pouring off a pan.

"Uh, Dad, what are you doing?" I asked cautiously and Charlie turned around and grinned guiltily at me.

"I'm cooking you breakfast. Wedding breakfast." He said, gesturing to the steaming pan with a fish slice. I walked over and took the spatula from him, quickly pulling the blackened bacon and burnt omelette out of the pan, dumping it on the nearby plate.

"Yum." I said and sat at the table. I wasn't really hungry, too nervous, but I tried to eat it for Charlie's sake. He'd been surprisingly accepting about the wedding, but I supposed it must be something to do with a) his friendship with Jasper and b) Jasper controlling his mood when we broke the news to him.

After I'd eaten, Alice and Rose arrived. Alice was getting Charlie ready, Rose was kidnapping me and taking me to her house to get my sorted out. Gulp.

Carlisle was the only one there when we arrived. Emmett and Edward had taken Jasper hunting, Esme and Renee were getting the flowers and Alice, of course, was with Jasper. I hadn't seen Carla since the day before, but she'd been there soon – Rose and her were my bridesmaids. I felt a slight twinge then, as I remembered something. When it seemed possible I might marry Edward, I'd promised Alice could be my bridesmaid. But it was too late for that now. I wasn't marrying Edward, I was marrying Jasper. It was her own fault. But still, I felt guilty. I pushed it aside. This was my happy day.

Carlisle handed me a cold drink, because he could probably swell my sweat. Ew. Poor Carlisle. He put his arm round my shoulder and squeezed.

"I'm looking forwards to having you as a daughter." He said kindly as Rose disappeared upstairs to get out all of her torture implements… I mean make up utensils.

"I already am, Carlisle." I said sipping my drink and he kissed my forehead.

"Thankyou Bella. Now, why are you so nervous?" He fixed me with his golden eyes. Carlisle could read people so well. I bit my lip. "And don't lie to me, sweetie." He warned in his stern doctor voice. I smiled.

"Well, what if…well….what if Jasper does what Edward did?" I whispered quietly. I'd been harbouring this feat for a long time now, ever since Jasper and I got together. Edward had been fascinated with me at first but time changed that. I was worried that I was only wanted while I was a novelty. Carlisle frowned and looked into my eyes for a long time, making me feel slightly uncomfortable. Charlie didn't see as much as Carlisle did, and I was worried it would be kind of hard to hide stuff from my new father-in-law.

"Oh Bella. What happened with Edward happened for a reason, because Edward was meant to be with Leah all along. It wasn't anything to do with you, it happened because Edward needed to find his true mate. And you yours. Jasper is everything that you need, and you are everything he needs. You and Edward were too similar. You and Jasper balance each other out. Jasper loves you more than anything Bella." He hugged me softly. I was reassured by his kind, wise words. "Now you best go get ready." He said, releasing me. "And no more silly thoughts, young lady!" He said, wagging his finger. I smiled and headed upstairs to be tortured… I mean to be made up.

Rose spent the whole day brushing things over my face, curling my eyelashes, cruelly plucking my eyebrows to nothing, and painting my nails. She also insisted on waxing my arms and legs so I could wear t-shirts and shorts on the honeymoon without looking hairy.

She got me into my dress an hour before the ceremony was due to start. It was pure white, fitted tightly down my body to my waist where it poofed out in a lacy, frilled skirt. No train – she knew I wouldn't remain upright if I had a train. She swept all of my hair up into coiled braids and little ringlets, fastening it all on top of my head in a smooth up do.

"Something borrowed and something old." She said, pulling out a box and handing it to me. I opened it and inside was a small, delicate silver tiara with diamonds sparkling on it. She took it and placed it on top of my hair.

"It was meant to be for my wedding. Now, it can see a happy wedding, with a happy couple." I hugged her tightly.

Charlie and Renee arrived together at that point and traipsed upstairs to see me. Charlie's eyes filled up with tears when he saw me and Renee squealed like a hamster.

"Here." Said Charlie, handing me a bag. "Something blue."

I opened the bag and smiled – it was the necklace my mom wore on her wedding day – a silver chain with a blue sapphire imbedded in a silver setting. Simple but stylish. Like my engagement ring. I hugged my mom then my dad and thanked them. I was starting to get worried at that point. It was so nearly time. What if I fell over? Tripped down the steps.

Charlie and Renee went downstairs to help Esme with the food and Rose went to get changed, promising to be right back.

I sat down and looked at myself in the mirror, brown eyes staring back out of a white face.

Something felt wrong.

I sighed. I knew what it was. I'd always known. Alice.

I wanted her to be my bridesmaid too. I wanted her to be my best friend again. I missed her so much. Yes, she'd made a mistake, she'd hurt me badly. But here, sat waiting for my wedding day, how could I hate her anymore? How could I even hate Edward? They'd given me everything I had ever wanted, served up on a silver plate. And Alice, sweet Alice, was trying so hard. The bracelet, trying to persuade Jasper to forgive me. Helping so much with the wedding.

Everyone deserves a second chance, right? Everyone deserves a chance to make things up. If I made a mistake like she had, I'd have liked the chance to make it up. I was soft. I knew I was soft. But I was sentimental – this was my wedding day. This wedding signifies a fresh start, a new life. I didn't want to start my new life without the girl who had always been, and would always be my best friend. I'd been ignoring how much I missed her. But I couldn't ignore it today. I wanted it to be the best day of my life, and for that Alice had to be there.

I sighed and grabbed my phone. I dialled Jasper's number – it was his wedding too. He deserved to have his say in it.

"Bella." He said down the phone.

"I have something to ask you." We both said at the same time. I laughed.

"You first." He said.

"Can Alice be my bridesmaid?" I asked without pausing. I had to get the words out. I wanted her there. Jasper laughed.

"What?"

"I wanted to ask you if you minded if Edward can be my best man." Looks like we'd been having similar thoughts. Like always.

"Of course he can, Jasper."

"And of course she can, Bella." We laughed. Rose appeared.

"Got to go. Love you." I said, hanging up to gawp at Rose. She was wearing a pale blue cocktail frock and she looked amazing. She grinned.

"You're prettier."

"Have you got a spare bridesmaid dress?" I asked and she nodded, smiling.

"I was prepared." She grinned and I threw my arms around her cold waist.

My day was going to be perfect.