"I hope you don't have any plans next week." I said through a yawn as I sleepily padded my way into the kitchen.
"Why's that?" Edward smiled up at me from behind a canvas.
"Well, according to the wedding Nazi, we're flying to Boston for an emergency wedding meeting with Leah and Emmett." I laughed, taking a sip of coffee and letting my arm drape over the front of him. "Wow this is gorgeous Edward. What is it?" I lost my train of thought as I took in the painting.
"You don't see it?" He grinned looking up at me.
"Wait, is that…" I scanned the canvas again, making sure. "is that, the cabin?" It was gorgeous, but very different than the art I've come to expect from Edward, usually his work is detailed, direct, sharp brush strokes. This was more abstract looking, the lines were blurred, and the colors blended.
"It is." He smiled. "Do you like it?" He asked, taking in my reaction.
"Well, yeah. I mean it's beautiful. I just didn't expect something like this from you. Why the change?"
"I just needed to get it out of my head. I guess I wanted you…everyone to see what's it's like for me sometimes." He leaned back into me trailing my fingers through his hair.
"What do you mean?" I asked confused.
He grinned, pulling me around to stand between his legs and ran his hands loosely down the back of my legs.
"I'm not crazy, I swear." He laughed. "But that's what it's like to be with you sometimes Bella. Since the first day I met you. There are moments, when you'll say something, look at me a certain way, kiss me, or even just do something from the other side of the room." He placed a small kiss on my stomach. "This is what the world looks like then, you take my breath away and everything else is this fuzzy fog. I know it's there, but the only focus I have is you. You're the only thing I can see for sure." I shivered as he let out a deep breath that danced across my stomach. "It was the opposite after our first trip to Vermont. There were times I really thought I was loosing it." He breathed a dark chuckle. "I saw everything around me, but when I closed my eyes, you were there with me. Too far away to touch, and just a blur, but you were always there. It's why I started painting in the first place." He shrugged slightly. "I've always enjoyed it, but it was just a hobby until I became sort of obsessed with it. I needed to see you. Really see you, the red highlights in your hair when the sun shines just right. The rich chocolate of your eyes. The way your eyes wrinkle up when you laugh." He smiled, reaching up to trace around my eyes. "If I couldn't make you smile and laugh in real life, I could in a painting."
I thought my heart would explode. It was pounding almost out of my chest, swollen almost to the point of pain. I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. I had to take a deep breath before trying again.
"I love you Edward Cullen." I breathed, tilting his head so I could see his magical eyes. "I have always loved you, even when I didn't want to, even when I couldn't admit it, I still loved you." I sat down, straddling his hips and kissed across his beautiful face.
"I love you too." He smiled into my lips, and then pulled away with one final peck on the tip of my nose. "What would you like to do today love?"
"Well, I should probably get some work caught up. With being gone last week, and going Boston next week, I'm going to be drowning if I don't get some stuff finished up." I wrinkled my face, never wanting to leave his arms.
"Yeah there's no chance of that." He grinned, standing up, still holding me and carrying me towards across the room.
"Ok then what do you suggest." I giggled.
"We're getting back in bed, we're turning on a movie, and we aren't moving until tomorrow morning. I might get up to order take out, but that's it. No phones, nothing else, just one last day of nothing but us." He explained laying me back on our bed.
"Hmm, a day in bed with you definitely sounds a bit better than work." I laughed as he sorted through my DVD collection. "What are we watching?" I asked as he slid in a disc and pushed play.
"HEY YO! ADRIENE! WE DID IT!" He did his best Stallone impression, bouncing on the bed, victorious fists in the air!
"Oh GOD!" I shook with laughter, pulling him into the bed with me. "You're spending way too much time with Emmett." I giggled as he pulled me onto his chest.
"You love it!" He snickered into my hair as the movie started.
I couldn't focus on the movie which was odd for me. I'd never admit it to Edward, but all the Rocky movies were actually some of my very favorite. I've always thought Rocky and Adriane were sort of the perfect love story. Today, however, it couldn't keep my attention. There were a lot of little things I didn't know about Edward. We were in love, there was no doubt about that, but a lot of the details were still blank. There was one in particular that was tugging at me. I don't know why, I mean, I certainly shouldn't want to know. It was going to make me sick to find out, but it was nagging at me.
I traced my fingers lightly across his chest, and down his stomach, outlining each perfect muscle, and smiling at they would tighten under my touch. I wasn't delusional enough to think I was the only woman who saw him this way, who saw how sexy, handsome, and all around perfect he was. Every woman in the room noticed, every damn place we went. I took in a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves and decided I was going to ask.
"Edward?"
"Hmm?" He muttered, engrossed in the movie.
"Can I ask you a question?" I looked up at him.
"Yeah, sure, sure." He mumbled with a squeeze, still not looking away from the TV.
"How many women have you been with?" I blurted out less tactfully than planned, annoyed with his lack of focus.
"What?!" His eyes bolted down to me. That got his attention.
"You heard me." I chuckled.
"What the hell brought that on?" He asked, still looking shocked.
"I dunno, I guess I was just thinking there were a lot of small things we don't know about each other. Things we should find out before we get married. So we're gonna play 20 questions." I shrugged.
"And that was the first question you felt you needed to know?" He chuckled.
"I'm curious." I pouted at his stalling.
"You don't want to know that. Next question." He shook his head.
"No, I do want to know." I persisted.
"Christ Bella." He sighed, and raked a hand through his messy hair. "Honestly, I don't really know."
"There's been that many?" I asked, my stomach turning. This was a bad idea.
"NO!" he laughed. "It's just not something I kept track of. I mean there were some, of course. Not a lot, but some." He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.
"Ok." I accepted. "Who was your first?" The question flew out of my mouth, surprising even me. Apparently I was down for some torture today.
"Umm, yeah you definitely don't want to know that." he shook his head.
"Tell me." I grumbled.
"You're not going to let this go are you?" He frowned.
"Nope." I grinned.
"Tanya." He rolled his eyes.
"Of course it was." I almost growled.
"Told you, you didn't want to know." He laughed. "Ok, your turn. How many and who was your first? He smiled down at me.
Shit! I should have expected him to ask back. I had never actually told him how I knew Sam. Shit! Shit! SHIT!
"Ok, I don't wanna play anymore." I shrugged and turned back to the movie.
"Oh, I don't think so!" Edward laughed underneath me. "Spill it girlie!"
"Four." I answered, still trying to focus on the movie.
"You've only slept with four men?" He asked.
"Yep." I replied, Rocky becoming very interesting.
"Ok, then who was your first?" I could hear his smile, enjoying my reaction.
"It doesn't matter." I shrugged.
"Why won't you tell me?" He asked, more to himself than to me. "I know him don't I?" He leaned up realizing the last part. I flinched as he got closer to the truth. "Now who the hell could I possibly know that you would have known back then?" His eyes danced as he tried to figure it out. My stomach turned. "OH!" he looked like a light bulb went on, and I groaned to myself. "IT WAS JAKE!" He accused, seeming amused.
A huge laugh erupted from my throat. "Oh GOD ewww!!" I cringed, still shaking with laughter, but grossed out at the thought of my best friend like that.
"It wasn't Jake?" He asked, shocked.
"Nope!" I replied, still trying to reign in my laughter.
"Damnit, who then." He mulled it over again.
It was obvious he wasn't going to let this go. The thought of it made me a little sick, but I knew I might as well just tell him.
"It was Sam." I mumbled and hid my face in his chest.
"Sam?" He sounded confused. "Sam who?" He trailed off for a second. "ULEY?!" He gasped. "No fucking way! Really Bella? That's so gross!" He cringed.
"Trust me I know." I grumbled.
"Wait when? After I left? I'll fucking kill him!" His whole body tensed.
"Easy killer." I chuckled. "Even if it had been after you left, you did leave." I raised accusing eyebrows. "But it wasn't. I knew Sam before you did. I dated him my whole senior year of high school." I explained.
"Really?" he looked like he was still trying to make sense of it. "I guess it makes sense. The way he looks at you. The way your dad looked at him. I can't believe I didn't see it." He chuckled to himself. "Oh GOD." He groaned.
"What?" I laughed.
"The way he fucking LOOKS at you!" He spat.
"I love you." I giggled.
"I love you too." he glared playfully. "And I thought I hated the bastard before."
"Shhh…I think that's enough questions for one day. Let's just watch the movie." I hugged him.
"Mmmhmmm." He glared again, before letting his grimace turn to a smile and pulled me closer.
My head was sort of spinning when we pulled up to the café where we were meeting Alice, Jasper, Leah, and Emmett. The week had flown by so quickly with all the work I had to catch up with, and Alice's constant phone calls about flowers, colors, places, dresses, invitations, parties. All the traveling we had been doing was catching up as well, and I felt like death on my feet. I was exhausted and would have done just about anything for a nap.
"I believe our party is already here. Hale?" Edward spoke to the host.
"Yes, of course." The young man smiled, grabbing two menus and leading through the café.
"I need to go to the restroom real quick, I'll be there in a minute." I grabbed Edward's arm.
"Do you want me to wait?" He offered.
"No, go ahead. I'll find you." I smiled.
"Ok babe." He kissed me lightly before pulling away to follow the host.
I made my way into the small bathroom and splashed cold water on my face. I looked just as horrible as I felt, dark circles around my eyes, and my hair still a mess from the flight. Alice was going to freak out when she saw me. I did my best to bring my face to life, finally content that it wasn't going to get any better I headed in to find everyone.
The host explained where the table was and I weaved through tables until I saw them. Five of the most amazing people I had ever met, all sitting and laughing together. I felt a little life come back to my face with the smile that spread. I had done so much planning for my life. Planning everything to exact detail, how had I missed this? Everything had come together perfectly. Pop and Jake had been right all along, all my planning did me no good, none of this, these wonderful people had anything to do with my plans. Somewhere in the mist of following my direct guidelines, I had met the perfect man, made amazing friends, traveled, had a great job. Having a plan had lead me to push Edward away in the beginning. Almost say no to marrying him. Push Leah out of my life. That moment, watching my friends and Edward laugh, I decided, no more planning, only living from here on.
With that, I launched myself towards the table. An eruption of squeals from Leah and Alice, both wrapping me in hugs, and rumbles of laughter from the guys.
EPOV
Hilarious didn't even begin to describe watching my Bella battle Alice over wedding plans. I couldn't help but be proud of her. Alice was a brutal little force of nature, not much could sway her, but Bella held her ground. I was definitely impressed.
"NO ALICE!" Bella groaned, and the rest of us chuckled.
"Oh come on! Edward! Don't you want your bride to be wearing all white?!" Alice pouted at me.
"Actually, she can wear jeans and a t-shirt, I'll just be thrilled if she actually shows up." I laughed. Alice glared.
"No kidding." Emmett snickered. "I'm taking odds on how long it takes her to bolt."
"Shut up!" Bella tossed a packet of sugar at him.
"Leah!" Alice interrupted, completely ignoring Bella and Emmett and her glare turned to a sweet smile, when she realized I would be no help. "Don't you think white is classic. Beautiful. What Bella should wear?!"
"I don't know." Leah shrugged. "I think her idea sounds really pretty."
"UGH!" Alice dropped her head to the table frustrated. Bella patted her back, giggling.
"Come on babe, it's her wedding." Jasper leaned down to kiss her head.
"You're right, it is her wedding!" Alice's head whipped back up, only to glare at Jasper. "Perhaps if I had my own to plan, I wouldn't be so pushy!" She crossed her arms across her tiny chest.
"Oh lord, here we go!" Jasper grumbled, obviously regretting saying anything.
I laughed, not sure his plans to hold off until New Year's eve was going to work out.
"I say we all just go to Vegas, double wedding! Gambling, and good times!" Emmett boomed.
"If you think my two best friends are getting married in some scummy Vegas chapel, by a cheesy Elvis you're out of your damn mind!" Alice huffed.
"Vegas…" Bella sighed wistfully.
"Shut it!" Alice jabbed a finger at her, and Bella laughed before mouthing save me across the table to me.
"Why are we even discussing all of this, we still haven't picked a date." Bella pointed out.
"Good point." Alice agreed. "So when are you thinking?" she asked.
"I don't know. I was thinking let's just do it like a Band-Aid. Quick and painless." She chuckled. "Obviously after Valentines day, I wouldn't steal Leah's day. Maybe Aprilish? What do you think babe?" She asked.
"You know I don't care. You pick the day, I'll wear the tux." I grinned back at her.
"April it is!" Alice squealed! "Spring weddings are so gorgeous!!"
"Great!" Bella raised her eyebrows, obviously dreading Alice's enthusiasm.
"Ok so now what about colors? Maybe a soft purple, or a light pink. Cream of course since you hate white. Maybe a light tan?" Alice rambled.
"No, I think a soft cream color and a deep crimson red." Bella shook her head.
"Red? Seriously Bella? And a deep red at that? That's a fall color!" Alice rolled her eyes.
"My wedding, my colors." Bella crossed her arms firmly.
I smiled, picturing how beautiful she was going to be. I hadn't lied, it truly didn't matter what she wore, she would be breath taking. None of this mattered, colors, flowers. All just meaningless details. She was going to be my wife, I didn't care how the hell it happened.
"Fine." Alice snapped.
"I think she's gonna explode." Emmett whispered nodding towards Alice. Jasper and I both chuckled, before receiving a nasty glare. We are all smart, educated men, we knew that was are cue to shut the hell up.
"I'm going to say a prayer for you tonight Jasper." Emmett snickered, shutting up quickly with another threatening look from Alice.
Bella was adorable, biting her lip, trying to hold back laughter. I was a lucky, lucky man.
"Ok so the church. Obviously you're going to go with the same one as Leah and Emmett." Alice said very matter of fact. "It's perfect you're going to love it!" She cooed.
"It really is Bells. It's small, and just breath taking." Leah cooed along, giving Emmett a loving smile. Funny seeing her all sunshine and kittens after just watching her very seriously threaten a girls life just last week.
"No church." Bella shook her head. "I think I know where, but I have to do some checking on it."
"Ok, that's it!" Alice fumed. "I give up!"
I smiled, loving how strong willed she was, but curious where exactly she was planning to do this. No doubt my Bella would surprise me, she always did.
"Oh stop being so dramatic Alice." Bella giggled. "These are the only things that are important to me. My dress, the colors, and where we do it." She squeezed Alice's shoulder. "Everything else is all you!"
Alice softened a bit at that. "You promise? You won't fight me?" A smile threatened to show.
"Well, I get final say. And you can't spend any more than $20,000." she laid out her final guidelines.
It frustrated me to no end that she was actually worried about the cost. She knew I didn't care, I would spend my last dime giving her everything she wanted.
"OH COME ON!" Alice grumbled. "$20,000?!"
Bella started to reply but I interrupted. "Price isn't an issue. Spend whatever you need Alice."
"No, we don't want to spend more than $20,000." Bella said to Alice, but never stopped glaring at me.
"Oh thank you Edward!" Alice jumped up hugging me like I had just given her the most amazing gift. Bella's mouth dropped, I gave her a wink and a victorious smile.
"I'm sorry? Did you hear me speak Jasper, because it seems everyone else here is deaf." Bella huffed.
"I hope you know what you're getting yourself into Edward." Jasper chuckled, rubbing Bella's back.
"Yeah, no shit. She's trying to break my back account." Emmett mumbled, and Leah pouted. "Umm, but of course it's worth it." Emmett smiled, removing his foot from his mouth.
"Of course it is." Leah glared playfully.
"Ok, so I've got so much to do!" Alice squealed jumping up and down. "Bella meet me at our apartment tomorrow. We'll do your measurements, I'll have to get everything done so your dress will be done in time."
"Actually, let's meet at Jake's bar, around 10, and I'll take you guys and show you the place I have picked out." Bella suggested.
"Ok fine whatever." Alice agreed. "We have to go, I've got a million things to start doing!" She practically dragged Jasper off his chair.
"Yeah we should get going to. I've got a meeting in a few minutes." Emmett stood up, checking his watch.
"Bye guys." Bella waved to everyone and then made her way around the table to sit beside me. "This is going to be insane." She sighed and folded into my chest.
"Definitely." I chuckled, tilting her head up so I could kiss her. "But I'd go through the depths of hell if it meant I got to have you."
"Well, that good you say that because I have a feeling dealing with Alice is going to make Satan look like a gentle kitten." She laughed before kissing me again. "And don't think we're done with this don't worry about the cost stuff either." I grinned at her horrible mocking of my voice.
"I wouldn't expect anything less than a battle." I laughed, pulled her up.
We needed to get to the hotel, she would never say so but she was obviously exhausted.
"Mmmm. Good morning to you too." I smiled, waking up to the feel of her lips and hair lightly dragging across my chest.
"It's about time you wake up." She grinned.
"What time is it?" I asked, running my hands up her thighs straddling my hips.
"Early." she frowned.
"Then why exactly are we awake?" I asked, still waking up.
"Are you complaining about waking up to your future wife straddling and kissing you?" Bella chuckled.
"Definitely not." I smirked, rolling us both over and leaning over her. "You are welcome to wake me up anytime you like." I kissed slowly down her neck.
"That feels amazing baby." She moaned. "I have to get a shower though."
"What?!" I pouted.
"I need to go talk to Jake this morning before meeting up with Alice." She giggled.
"Fine!" I grumbled and kissed her again. "I'll get dressed."
"Actually, I'm going to go by myself." She pulled me closer. "I need to just talk to him about something for a few minutes."
"Ok, then do you want me to be there at 10 with Alice?" I asked.
"Absolutely! This is our wedding we're planning, you need to be there!" She ran her fingers through my hair.
I can't explain how amazing it was to hear her talk about marrying me that way. She sounded so happy. A far cry from the girl who ran away from me when I proposed. God I loved this woman and I couldn't wait to promise myself to her for the rest of our lives.
BPOV
"Bella, what the heck are we doing at your dad's house?! I thought you were going to show me the church you wanted to do the wedding at?" Alice poked her head between Edward and I.
"I never said I wanted to get married in a church." I laughed at her confused expression.
"I'm lost too Alice, don't feel bad." Edward gave me a confused glance. "You want to get married at your dad's house?"
"Not exactly." I smiled. "Come on, I'll show you! This is what I had to talk to Jake about." I waved for them to follow me to the tree line.
"Uh you want to get married in the woods?" Alice looked more lost than ever, pointing to the dense forest.
"Basically." I laughed. "Just come on." I lead them down the narrow, grown up and almost forgotten path until we reached our meadow. "This is it." I beamed.
"You want to get married here?" Edward asked as he and Alice both looked around, at the dead grass and trees seeming a little mortified at the idea.
"I know it doesn't look like much now, but by April everything will be back in bloom." I smiled. "It's gorgeous here. Jake and I spend most of our time right here when we were kids. We always swore we'd get married here too. I can't describe it, it's just beautiful." I gushed. "Jake said he would get the path under control. Make sure it's wide enough and all."
"I don't know about this Bells." Alice frowned. "I mean outdoor weddings are hard to plan for. Especially someplace like this, there's no place for a backup plan. And it's a bit of a walk for all the guests." She gave the meadow another look over.
"Well, this is where I'm getting married." I insisted. "It's where I always thought I'd get married if I ever did."
"It will be perfect." Edward wrapped his arms around me.
"Thank you." I leaned up to kiss him.
"Well, obviously my opinion doesn't matter, so whatever." Alice rolled her eyes. "What are you picturing?"
"Well, I'm thinking I want to get married at night. Not like late or anything, just after dusk…twilight. I want twinkling white lights everywhere, the whole way down the path, all through the trees. Candles, lots of candles. And there won't be that many guests. 100 people tops." I rushed out, lost in the picture I had in my head.
"This marriage better work out cause I swear if it doesn't, you're on your own for planning the second." Alice chuckled.
"There won't be a second." Edward kissed me. "Forever." He whispered on my lips.
"Forever." I agreed.
"Ok you two are making me sick." Alice pretended to gag. "Don't worry Alice, your turn will come." Edward laughed. "Now let's get back." He grabbed my hand leading me back towards the path.
"What do you mean?! Do you know something I don't? Did Jas tell you something?" She ran behind us begging.
"Even if he did, I'd never tell." Edward laughed.
"You're a horrible people, both of you!" She glared at Edward and I "You deserve each other." She huffed and stomped towards the car.
Edward was practically glowing on the drive back to Boston. His hand never left mine the entire time, he would sigh here and there as I traced circles on the palm of his hand or ran my fingers along the back of his neck as he drove. He seemed completely and blissfully happy. I was still nervous about this whole marriage thing, but I was starting to warm up to it, and spending more time than I would ever admit to, dreaming about it in my head. Just how it was going to look, how Edward would look. What it would feel like to be his wife and not just his girlfriend. My life was changing so much, and so quickly, at times I felt a little dizzy. But I knew it was right, Edward was right, and as long as he was here, everything would be perfect.
UGH this chapter was a pain in the butt!! I'm not a big fan of it, but here it is anyway. It was needed, it sets up for the last two chapters. The next is going to be the parties, Leah and Emmett's wedding, and then the last chap is going to be the BIG DAY!!
I know it could be frustrating because we're so close to the end, but my updates might come a tad bit slower. I've got another story in my head, and I feel like if I don't start it, my brain is gonna go on overload. Unless I fall over asleep soon, I think I'm going to start it tonight. So writing two at the same time may slow me down a bit. Then again maybe not, I dunno!! But anyway, look out for the new story, I have no clue what it's going to be called yet…I'll announce that later! And of course, as always, I couldn't end without a shameless plea…REVIEW!! REVIEW!!…Please :o)
