Chapter Fifty Three
Jasper
I had never really got the stag night idea but I went along with it, hunting with Emmett was fun and then we got back to chat with Charlie and Phil. It was a little difficult because Phil didn't know what we were but hunting stories could always be adapted and Phil spent most of his time listening. It wasn't until the humans had gone to bed that Emmett dropped the first bombshell on me,
"I think there might be a problem with your suit"
"What? You told me you'd picked it up"
"I did, I did, I went in and picked it up from the tailors but when I looked there was a problem with one of the sleeves, the lining was ripped so I had to leave it there. I have to go fetch it at lunchtime. I just thought I ought to let you know so you don't go looking for it"
"Em I swear if that suit isn't here ready for the wedding I'm going dressed in your hide."
He looked down at himself then at me,
"Nah, its be too baggy. Don't sweat Jazz everything will be fine."
"Did you check on the cars for the guests and us?"
"I did"
"And?"
"No problems there. Two limos standing by"
"Two? What happened to the third?"
"Three? Did we want three? Are you sure?"
I was about to hit him when I saw the grin,
"Jazz you really need to chill out. Wanna go hunt again? We have time"
"No, I should stick around for Charlie and Phil."
"Jazz they can look after themselves and they're going before us in any case. Don't forget Charlie will be coming with Bella."
"What about the minister?"
"I hear he's the best".
"Why didn't I meet him?"
"Did you need to? Rose and I sorted out all the details. You're getting married not organising an assault on a city. If you were like this when you were a soldier I'm amazed you didn't get an ulcer."
I smiled, he was trying to calm me and now I missed Peter more than ever. He would have come out with some smart mouth comment and got me involved in an argument so I forgot about everything for a while. I'd never really considered getting married but if I had it would have been Peter standing beside me not Emmett. I really had been a fool and now I was paying the price for my stupidity. Bella would be my world soon but there would always be the tiniest of gaps where he should be. To stop myself wallowing in self-pity I took Emmett up on his invitation and we went over the border to hunt, not getting back until four o'clock and I knew I needed to get ready for the ceremony, our car would be here at five pm and Emmett myself and Phil would travel together, Charlie had already left by the look of things. It was then I remembered my suit,
"Emmett did someone collect my suit?"
"Yeah I asked Phil, he was going in at lunchtime to fetch Renee from the hairdressers."
"Then where is it?"
"I'll go find it. Just chill out Jazz, or you'll have a heart attack"
"Very funny Em"
"Well you're acting like a human."
Emmett
I left him to stew for ten minutes before walking in with his suit bag and a smile,
"See I told you Phil picked it up. Now go shower and I'll lay it out for you. Your button-hole is still in the fridge to keep fresh."
I waited until he was in the shower before laying the suit bag on the bed and going out with an evil chuckle, I'd waited years to get Jazz in a position where I could wind him up but it was well worth the wait. As I went downstairs I heard the bathroom door open and waited for the explosion before making a run for it, not my problem any more, my job was done, with a vengeance.
"EMMETT WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?"
Jasper
I came out of the shower feeling calmer, expecting to see Emmett there with my suit laid out ready but the suit bag was on the bed with a large gym bag on the floor and no sign of Em. I went over and unzipped the suit bag, exploding when I saw what was inside. He didn't appear so with a sigh I took out my old army uniform which had been cleaned ready to wear and in the gym bag were my sword, boots polished until they gleamed, and my hat. I couldn't help a smile, so I'd been had. I just hoped Bella was in on it or the wedding could be a very interesting affair. As I dressed my mind went back to my army days, days when I had been young and idealistic, enthusiastic, with my whole life ahead of me. When I finished dressing I went downstairs where Phil was waiting. He did a double take,
"Wow! It looks realistic I'll give them that much. I didn't know it was a themed wedding until lunchtime. You look very dashing Jasper, they got the size right."
I just nodded, how could I tell him it was the uniform I'd worn in the Civil War?
"Where's Emmett?"
"He said he had to go. Errands to run but if you ask me he was just getting out of your way. Do you want a drink before we leave?"
I shook my head as he drained his beer and popped another one. I looked at the clock,
"The car should be here any minute,"
Phil grinned,
"Yeah sure."
I looked out the window and groaned, outside stood a black limo and beside it a sleek coated white stallion.
"Hazarding a guess I'd say the car was for me. I'll see you there Jasper"
As Phil left, laughing softly to himself I swore, Emmett would pay for this if it took me another century! That's why he'd gone on ahead, he couldn't ride and he knew I'd whip his ass if I caught him alone. With a last look at myself in the mirror I put my hat on and strode outside to the stallion, he was a beauty and sported the same kind of saddle I'd used all those years ago. This had taken some hard planning on Rose and Emmett's parts. Swinging into the saddle I rode off slowly towards our new house enjoying the feel of a horse under me again. This time I was riding to a future I wanted so badly it hurt, not to a future that turned me into a monster as last time.
As I came into sight of the house I saw our guests sitting around a specially built arbour of wild flowers drinking and as they saw me they all got up watching as I brought the horse to a stop at the barn where the old hitching post had been mended only a few days ago. I dismounted and looked for Emmett but he was nowhere to be seen then Rose appeared and smiled at me before addressing the guests.
"If you'd like to go round now please."
I walked over to her taking off my hat through old habit,
"Where's Emmett?"
"Why? So you can kill him?"
"No, maiming would do."
"He's busy."
"He's my best man, how can he be busy?"
"Well he's got a change of hat I'm afraid but don't worry I'm sure he's organised for someone in his place"
"Someone in his place? Rose he's my best man what's he done? Gone out and rented one?"
"No he couldn't afford to pay for me"
I spun round at those words.
