Stephenie Meyer is the genius behind Twilight!
Wedding Bells
The phone ringing startled me. It was too early. Who could be calling? I answered, curious.
"Hey Bells, I hope I didn't catch you at a bad time." It was unmistakably Jacob's voice. "It's just that, well, Sara and Emily are simply... going crazy trying to set things up for the wedding, and they chased us away, and I feel bad. Do you think..." I cut him off before he could finish his sentence.
"We'll be right over. Thanks for letting me know!" I hung up the phone and called out Alice's name. She entered a second later.
"Yes?" She always looked ready for action.
"Jacob just called, Emily needs help setting up for the wedding. The boys were probably more trouble than help, so they've been kicked out. Do you want to come with me?" Alice's face lit up with the anticipation of decorating for a wedding. She had given Emily all kinds of advice on decoration ideas, seating arrangements, and music, but she seemed hesitant to ask for direct help in setting it all up.
"Let me grab a few things and I'll meet you in front." She dashed off. I turned to Edward, who was busy reading a book on the bed. He turned to me when he felt my gaze, and smiled.
"Have a good time. When do you think you will be back?"
"Well, I guess we'll help them set up and decorate, then help the girls get dressed and made up. Then we'll be back to get ourselves ready." I glided over to the side of the bed, leaned over to give him a kiss, then left.
Alice was standing next to the car, having packed several boxes into the back seat. I looked curiously in the back window. Alice had an "I'm innocent" look on her face. We got into the car and sped over to La Push. Jacob was out by the road near his house when we pulled in. We slowed down to inquire after Emily.
"Sara and Emily are up on the cliff, you know, near the jumping rock. They decided it was a better location for the ceremony. The reception will be up there too, hoping the weather stays agreeable. I'm glad it's overcast, for your sakes, since Charlie will be here. He would be shocked if the sun showed up with all of you there." He cracked a smile, the first since we arrived. We bid him farewell, then drove on up to the cliff.
The wind was being cooperative, for now. Leah had joined Emily and Sara to set up the chairs. I saw a couple of broken chairs lying off to the side. I could guess they were part of the reason the boys were shipped off. Emily had gone with a traditional set up. Neat rows of chairs, divided into two groups by an aisle that went down the center. A simple, plain arbor marked the end of the aisle. There was a small pile of poles off to the side.
Alice got right to work. She pulled out a couple of the boxes from the back seat. She opened one and pulled out two mallets and handed one to me. I followed her, knowing she'd show me what to do. She picked up several of the poles and I followed her example. We set them into the ground at equal intervals around the perimeter of the chairs. Once they were all in, Alice grabbed a couple rolls of tulle, handing one to me. She anchored one end to the pole closest to the arch, made a bow, then draped the tulle creating a swag between each pole. I tried my best to imitate her on the other side. Once that was done, she pulled another roll of tulle out and wound it around and through the arbor. Then she added some leaf garlands.
Emily stood by, watching Alice, amazed at the speed and precision at which Alice did everything. The outcome was beautiful, of course. When Alice finally stopped and looked at Emily, she hoped she didn't overstep her bounds. Emily's smile let her know she was fine. We joined Emily, Sara, and Leah behind the last row. We stood there admiring Alice's handiwork. Emily reached down into a box at her feet, and pulled out a sadly put together flower arrangement. She looked at Alice then whispered, "Help!"
Alice and I got to work quickly, rearranging the flowers, then attaching some of the smaller bunches to the edge of the chairs closest to the aisle. Alice added some to the garlands on the arbor, too. When everything was done, we encouraged the girls to get back to the house to get ready. When they were cleaned up, we helped make their hair, nails, and make-up. They were so pleased. We left them in high spirits.
We rushed home to get ourselves ready. Edward was waiting for me in our room. He was dressed handsomely, yet simply. Quite appropriate for the occasion. I dressed quickly, anxious to get back to him. He held me in his arms before we went to get Sophie. Rose dressed her and got her ready. She was really excited to be going to La Push again. She had so much to say. Her english was coming along really well. My french however, was not improving as quickly, but Sophie enjoyed listening to me try.
Everyone looked very nice as we gathered downstairs to leave. Esme came over to me, taking my hands in hers. "I haven't told you how... proud I am of you, and how you're handling everything. I'm so happy for the way things have worked out." She kissed me on my cheek, then followed Carlisle out of the house.
Edward drove slowly as we entered the reservation because Sophie insisted on hanging her head out the window. When we pulled up near the cliff, she jumped out of the car and ran over to Charlie, who was standing there looking shocked. He was thrilled when Sophie ran and jumped up into his arms. After exchanging pleasantries with him, she ran off to join the children who were playing nearby. Alice, Rose, and I headed towards Emily's house, to see if we could help with any last minute details. Carlisle and Esme went over and sat with Billy and some of the Elders. Edward, Emmett, and Jasper walked over to talk with some of the boys near the cliff's edge. They began to jostle each other, planning the next "baseball" game.
We touched up some make-up and hair, but other than that, Sara and Emily were ready. Sara was a little nervous, but as the bride, it was expected. Emily was a little worried about the caterer, but Alice said she would take care of it. I could see everything was in order, so I walked out and headed towards where the ceremony would be held. I saw Charlie standing in the same spot that I last saw him in, a look of confusion on his face.
"When did all this happen? I mean, I think it's great, wonderful in fact, but... how?" He was scratching his head, looking for answers. It took me a second to figure out what he was referring to, then I realized I had not told him much about the improved friendship between the Quileutes and the Cullen family.
"Well, it's been happening slowly. You've seen how much Carlisle has done for them in the past, and believe it or not, Edward and Jacob have become friends, in spite of me. Actually, Sara and I have become well acquainted, too. Sophie has also helped. Ever since you brought her here, she's insisted on returning to play with her new friends, so we've been back several times." He watched me carefully as I listed all of those reasons. He still looked a little skeptical, but he was trying to accept it. I took his arm and we walked over to where Billy and the others were seated. I noticed two women I didn't quite recognize. Edward joined us a moment later.
"Bella, do you remember Rachel and Rebecca?" Billy asked, pointing to the two girls sitting next to each other, looking very much alike. Of course, the twins. I had forgotten about them.
"Yes, it's been a long time. Hi!" I was surprised when they both just looked at me, with blank expressions. I tried again. "I remember playing with you guys when our dads would go fishing." They still showed no sign of recognition. Edward placed his hand on mine. I listened to what he was thinking and realized why they were behaving that way. First of all, someone had told them about Jacob and myself, and they weren't quite over that. They were also struggling a little with the idea of the Cullen family being welcome on their land. The last reason was they had not expected me to resemble the Cullens so much. "This is Edward, my husband," I said as a last chance effort.
Their eyes met Edwards for a brief moment, then they both looked down, shyly. I was just glad to see a different expression on their faces. "You live in Hawaii, right?" I asked Rebecca. She looked startled, then a smile crept onto her face.
"Yes. I'm married and I have a son, Toa. He's five. I brought him with me, you'll probably see him running around with the other children."
"Toa, that's a nice name. What does it mean?"
"In my husbands language, it stands for 'warrior'." She had a warm, distant look in her eyes as she thought of her husband, who was not able to come to the wedding.
"That's neat. And you are still at school... Washington State, yes?" I was looking at Rachel now. She seemed pleased that I knew anything about her.
"Yes, that's correct. I will graduate in the Fall." I saw Billy look proudly at her, and she returned a smile to him.
"Bella and Edward are at Dartmouth." Charlie interjected, wanting to brag a little about his little girl. I was a little embarrassed, but tickled that he was still proud.
"That's great. Congratulations." Rachel replied warmly. I felt much better now that we all seemed to be at ease. Slowly, everyone began to come and sit down.
I noticed a woman setting up a music stand up near the front of the chairs. She pulled out a flute and began to warm up, tuning her flute. Billy stood up as an Elder approached, wearing an intricately decorated leather tunic. I assumed it was the officiant who would be conducting the ceremony. He and Billy greeted each other warmly, then he escorted the man to the front row and helped him sit down. A few minutes later, Jacob and Sam approached us. Jacob looked very handsome and happy. Billy waved at them, calling them over to the officiant. Jacob looked at me before he turned, grinned widely, then left. Edward squeezed my hand as I read that Jake was so happy I was here for his wedding. I was, too.
When everyone was settled in their seats, the flutist started to play a melodic tune that was clearly of Native American in origin. It was earthy, and moving. The officiant, a shaman from Sara's tribe, stood with Jacob under the arbor. We all stood as Emily walked down the aisle. There were a few gasps from people when they saw how beautiful and confident Emily looked now that her scars were somewhat disguised with make-up. I turned to watch Sam. He looked choked up as tears filled his eyes at the sight of her. Emily also had tears in her eyes, feeling the love that now exuded from Sam's countenance. Their seats were across the aisle from each other on the first row, but their eyes never lost contact as Sam seated her next to him, on his side of the aisle.
I knew Sara was walking down the aisle now, but I could not take my eyes off of Jacob. I was filled with joy as I watched the expressions on Jacob's face as he watched Sara draw nearer to him with each step. He was entranced, a look of awe, and adoration clearly showing through his eyes and smile. Edward was watching me, sharing my joy, but for different reasons. As selfless as he was, in this circumstance, the main object of his joy was my happiness.
The ceremony was traditional, spoken mostly in an ancient tongue that both tribes were familiar with. It was eloquent and powerful. I could appreciate the spirit of the ceremony. I could see the sincere interest and respect that the Cullen family showed through their faces and body language. This experience would be another pivotal moment in our new alliance.
The Quileute people knew how to party. The reception lasted late into the night. There was food available the whole time. There was dancing and games for everyone, including the children. Edward and I were sitting and watching the children dancing together. Sophie was having a ball. I noticed one particular little boy who seemed attached to her. He held onto her dress and kept his eyes glued on her. She would giggle when she would look at him and he would smile at her. They would wander off together to the dessert table and giggle some more as they secretively stole petit fours. Then they would hide under a table and eat their spoils. They would emerge with the tell-tale chocolate and whipped cream smudges on their faces.
As it got later, we could see that the children were getting tired. Sophie and this little boy were seated on one chair, their heads resting against each other. I watched as Rebecca came over and spoke to the boy. I had wondered if that was her son, Toa. She walked over to me and asked if it would be alright if she took Sophie with the other children to rest in the house. There was one more event before the wedding and reception was officially over. Sophie came over and gave us hugs before she walked off, hand in hand with Toa. Edward and I looked at each other, smiling at this interesting turn of events.
Emily came over and invited us to join everyone near the cliff. The boys threw together a bonfire for the finale of the evening. As we all gathered around the now raging fire, the shaman came forward, wearing an ornate headdress. He started to chant as Jacob and Sara approached him. He carried a pouch that they both put their hands into. They withdrew a powder that they then threw into the fire. The flames changed colors, and threw sparks that lit up the darkened sky above us. It was mesmerizing. The rhythmic sound of a drum began to grow, and everyone around us slowly began to bounce to the rhythm. It was contagious, the desire to bounce up and down on the ball of one foot, in unison with the group. Then we all began to move slowly around the fire.
Jacob and Sara stood still near the fire. The rest of us circled around them. When I was directly across the fire from them, I looked through the fiery haze and met Jacob's gaze. The peace I felt in his gaze spoke a thousand words. Our friendship was as destined as my love was for Edward. Our paths crossed for many reasons, peace being the greatest. I felt the tear in my heart heal itself at this very moment. All was right with the world tonight.