Chapter 44: The Final Straw
I'm not one for possession, there's not much in life that I can say that I've longed to claim, but every since I asked Leah to marry me claiming her was all I could think about. I couldn't believe I was marrying my best friend, I smiled to myself as I adjusted my grey tux. Alice had done a great job of putting this wedding together quickly. I'd witnessed how quickly Alice could transform a space into something beautiful. Our living room was dimly lit and had a combination of white roses and lilacs all over. She arranged white wicker chairs with grey and lavender draping on them and between the chairs there was a silver grey roll out carpet. Esme, Alice, and Sue were working on the final touches and greeting some of the guest that had come early. Rose was helping Leah prepare, it seemed that those two were really inseparable lately.
After securing my cuff links I worked on my bow tie. I was no good at tying them evenly.
"You look like you need some help," Esme stepped in she was wearing the lavender strapless dress that Alice had picked out for her.
"Yes please, you know how I hate these things." Esme laughed and began adjusting my tie.
"The littlest things drive you men mad," she murmured as she finished with it. Her eyes saddened a little as she looked in my eyes. "I don't know why but your union to Leah has me a little emotional, for some reason I feel like I'm losing my little boy … I know it's silly." I smiled at my pseudo mom and wrapped my arms around her.
"You know that I'm not going anywhere, I'm just making an honest woman out of Leah. We'll still be under your roof and you'll see me every day." I rubbed her back and she nodded.
"I know that. I just I can't explain the feeling, sweetheart. I know that you've made the right choice, Leah she makes you so happy and I can see how much she cares for you. I just want you both to know I'm happy for you." She released her grip on me and took a deep breath.
"I told Alice, I'd go check on the bride to be. She didn't want to go in I think she feels that Leah doesn't want to see her." Esme shrugged. "I think Leah is more forgiving than that." She headed out of my door and her presence was replaced Carlisle and my brothers. They all shared stories and well wishes with me as they dressed.
"Well, in about an hour Leah will have successfully locked in the ball and chain," Emmett laughed and he put blazer on.
"I would happily be locked down by Leah," I smirked knowing that my dear brother would think of this in the smuttiest of manner possible.
"Kinky," Emmett murmured and Jasper snickered.
"I think Leah had you under her spell the moment she laid eyes on you," Jasper said, "she saved you when you didn't know you needed saving."
"I should steal some of that for my vows Jasper." I laughed; I'd never known Jasper to be so mushy.
"You could probably say anything and Leah wouldn't care. That girl is crazy about you." Emmett gripped my shoulder tightly. "Congrats man." I gripped his hand and then turned to the door and hopefully my future.
I stood in between Carlisle and Emmett, as the soft playing of the piano ushered in Sue, Esme, and then Rosalie. I watched as Sue took her place beside Seth. She looked on with watery eyes. She worried about the others on the Res, she also wondered if she'd done the right thing by not protesting this. She had me worried that she was going to say something during the wedding. Then she remembered seeing Leah smile with me and seeing me lift and spin Leah around in the air.
He loves her. I'm doing the right thing. Sue thought as she squirmed in her seat. Leah deserves love. I gave Sue a small smile and then the traditional wedding march began to play. Everyone stood and look toward to stairs and waited, waited, and waited. Sue looked at me with wide confused eyes. I'm sure my look mirrored her concern.
"I'll go check on her," Rose volunteered before using all of her speed to go upstairs.
"You think its cold feet?" Emmett whispered and I shook my head.
"Something's wrong," I looked at Alice and she shrugged before seeing a vision that caused the joy that I was feeling to turn to full blown anger. She saw my Leah laid out in her wedding dress with blood flowing from her head. Alice hopped up and looked toward the stairs as Rose came down.
"She's gone! She's gone! We have to find her!"
"Do we know what happened?" I looked at Alice but Rose answered.
"She was taken … I smelt dog, but not Leah. I have a good feeling I know who it was."
"Jacob! THAT …" I stormed out of the house and focused in on his thoughts. I couldn't believe that I didn't even know he was here. I took a moment to debate should I use my car or run for it. I decided on my car if she was injured before I got there it would be easier to get her to Carlisle. I couldn't believe I was worrying about this on what was supposed to be the happiest day of our lives. As soon as I started the car I got a read on Jacob's thought.
Can't you just say what you need to say to her so we can move on? I saw Leah lying on the floor just as Alice had seen in her vision.
No Jacob! She's not even awake; I want her to hear what I have to say! Bella was pacing back and forth and picking frantically at her fingers. I could tell that she was in her room I now that I knew where I needed to go. I started my car and took off.
Jacob was starting to worry about her and realize that he'd gotten deeper into this situation than he wanted. Look at what I've done for you Bella! I've hurt someone I really considered family and for what? What is it that you have to say to her so badly? You told me you were over Edward but here we are doing this on their wedding day. What is it that you want? Jacob's frustration seemed to startle Bella.
Jacob, I love you for doing this! You and me we are connected, and we are saving Edward. Even if he doesn't love me Leah is not the woman for him, you and I both agree on that. Leah is evil and needs to be stopped. Jacob had closed his eyes because I couldn't see Bella anymore. He didn't agree with Bella he knew that Leah wasn't evil. He was regretting helping her escape.
Bella this is wrong! He opened his eyes and Bella launched herself placing herself in his lap and kissing him forcefully. This was all too much for me to grasp.
I finally pulled up to the Swan residence, got out of the car, and raced up to Bella's room to catch the crazy couple still embraced. I walked into the room and Bella jumped off Jacob's lap. I could care less that they were making out, I barely looked at them. I was worried because Leah hadn't even begun to regain consciousness. My poor Leah kept being knocked in the head. I lifted her into my arms.
"What did you hit her with?" I murmured as I examined her wounds.
"A- a bat … I'm sorry I didn't mean for all of this to happen. I just want Bella happy." Jacob cried. "Please tell Leah that I'm sorry." I nodded and started towards the door.
"Edward!" Bella yelled and I couldn't even look back at her.
"You will leave Leah and me ALONE! UNDERSTAND?" I was trying to keep my cool. I didn't want to argue with anyone. I just wanted get Leah back home and to marry her.
"But –but," she started to talk.
"Bella! I don't want to hear you or see you ever again!" I didn't have the time to engage Jacob in conversation. I looked at Leah wound it was healing slowly. As I took Leah downstairs she moved in my arms.
"Eddie," she murmured and I smiled.
"Yeah that's right Eddie," I whispered and kissed her forehead, "time to go home and get hitched little woman." I loaded my unconscious fiancé in the car and headed home. I wondered why nothing in our lives could be easy. Leah murmured, held her stomach, "baby."
"Baby?" Visions of Leah's conversations with Rosalie and Carlisle ran through her head. She also thought of all the time Rose had brought her blood. Leah began to slowly shaking her head to and fro trying to regain consciousness.
"Baby?" My family had some serious explaining to do! I couldn't believe that Leah had been keeping a secret from me after all of the upset she made about me not telling her about her supernatural abilities. I looked at my Leah who was smiling in her sleep her wound almost completely healed. There had to be reasons for her big omission all I had to do is wait for her to wake up to learn the truth.
