A/N - Happy Saturday, and Happy Thanksgiving weekend to all my Canadian readers! Mehek18 has made a goregous banner for this story. If you'd like to check it out, the link is on my profile page. Thanks to A is for Angel for having it made for me! Enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 53 - Rehearsal
December 2009
EPOV
The week leading up to the wedding went impossibly fast. I was excited for it to come, so therefore, like a kid at Christmastime, I expected the days to move as slow as molasses in January.
Bella had one more meeting on Monday, and that was it until the new year. Apparently Jasper was heading out of town for the holidays, but told Bella that if she needed anything, she could reach him by e-mail.
What pissed me off was that he gave her his cell phone number, too. But, I took a deep breath and let it go. I was passed this now. Bella was marrying me on Saturday. She couldn't have made her feelings of love to me more clear.
While we were in the city, she and I went out and bought bathing suits. It was such a crazy thing to do in the dead of winter, but were we were going to the gorgeous beaches of Jamaica, so we were definitely going to need them.
Bella looked excited. She took the bathing suit as another clue to where we were going. "Somewhere hot?" she asked, while she flipped through the racks of bathing suits.
I laughed. She clearly hated secrets. "Or, it could be the pool in a hotel in Alaska," I teased, making her laugh. She walked over to me and kissed my lips, bringing a smile to my face. I loved this girl.
"Edward, look at this," Bella said, excitedly. She held up a purple bikini that had zebra print on the top, and was solid purple on the bottom.
"Sexy," I said, even though it looked the same as the rest.
Bella laughed at me. "No, look at the back," she said, turning the hanger around. Right across the bum was the words 'Just Married' in white script.
"Yeah, get that one," I said, loving the idea that everyone on the beach would know my girl was off limits.
Bella laughed. "I kind of figured you'd like it."
She tried it on, and I waited for her outside of the change room door. I smiled when she peeked her head out. "Ready?" she asked, smiling.
"Oh, I'm ready," I said. She swung open the door and I couldn't help the huge smile that spread across my face. She was stunning. She did a little spin, and it took everything I had not to trace that curve of her lower back over her ass with my fingertips. My girl was hot. "Gorgeous, sunshine. We're getting that one."
"But I still have a couple more to try," she said, seriously. Her smiled snuck out and I knew she was teasing me. She started to laugh and I shook my head at her. This woman was all mine.
Bella had been completely carefree and happy this entire week. I had expected her to be stressed or nervous, like she had been before her presentation in the States. But my girl was still surprising me every day. She looked genuinely thrilled to marry me.
I woke up Friday morning, the day before the wedding, to Bella kissing my chest. I opened my eyes and smiled at her. She was straddling my thighs, wearing nothing but those darn green flannel PJ pants. Ever since her little lingerie party on Saturday, she had been wearing those flannel pyjamas.
She absolutely adored them. And while they looked soft and cuddly, she was now covered from neck to ankles every night. But, I guess who could blame her. It was freezing out here, now. I was hoping, however, that I could keep her warm. She had hidden all the other lingerie from me, saying it was for the honeymoon. I was definitely excited by that prospect.
I reached up and ran my fingers through Bella's long, sexy hair. "Happy day before our wedding," Bella said, swirling her hips over mine.
I groaned. "Mm hmm," I hummed. "So are you sure I have to stay at Em's tonight?" I asked, hoping I could get out of it. Rosie, Jess and even my turncoat best friend, Em, thought that Bella and I should spend the night apart before the wedding.
Bella giggled. "Cowboy, just think how amazing our wedding night will be," she said, smiling down me. My hands got a life of their own and started exploring Bella's gorgeous body. "Mm. Um, plus, my parents are spending the night here tonight, and Jess, too."
I chuckled. "Darn traditions, huh?" I asked, wrapping my arms around her, and pulling her down to my chest.
Bella and I decided to spend our wedding night here in our own bed. With the weather being snowy and cold, and the sun going down so early, we decided it would be safer to make the three hour drive to the airport for the honeymoon the next morning. I didn't want to lose out on the whole wedding night for travelling.
Bella started kissing my throat and biting at my ear. "Just think," she whispered. "The next time we're in bed together, I'll be Mrs. Bella Cullen."
She giggled after she said it and it made me smile. "I love the sound of that," I told her, making her smile even wider. I rolled us over so I was on top of her. I got up on my knees and yanked her flannel pants down her thighs. "Now, is there a rule against me making love to you right now, the soon to be Mrs Bella Cullen?" I asked.
She laughed. "If there is, I don't want to know about it," she said, smiling.
"Mm. I love how you think," I whispered, before kissing her soft lips.
We made love, soft and slow this morning. Bella had tears in her eyes when we finished, and I had pulled her into my arms, reaching up to wipe her cheeks.
"What's wrong, gorgeous girl?" I asked, softly, kissing her forehead.
She shook her head. "Nothing. I'm just so happy," she said, taking a shaky breath. "We're so lucky to have each other."
I smiled, leaning in to kiss her pretty lips. "We are lucky," I said. "But, I'm going to have to put my boot down. No more tears, sunshine. You're going to make me cry in front of all our friends," I teased, trying to make her laugh. "I'm supposed to be a tough cowboy, remember?"
She giggled, and I smiled, because there was nothing better. "I'll try," she said, reaching up to run her fingers through my hair. "I love you."
I kissed her, again. "I love you, too. Come on, sunshine. Let's go feed our horses."
Bella wiped her cheeks, before she pulled on her long johns, jeans, a t-shirt, a sweatshirt, and two pairs of socks. She was definitely getting used to this lifestyle. I got dressed and we held hands on the way down to the stable.
We did our chores, before coming back in the house to eat. I made Bella some hot porridge and eggs to warm her up. After we ate, we stuffed the turkey and put it in the oven. Bella decided that she wanted to have everyone here for dinner after we had the rehearsal at the church.
I wasn't sure if she should make so much work for herself, but her mom and Rosie offered to help her put the meal together, and Bella assured me that she wanted to do it. She had said, she wanted everyone she loved together the night before the wedding. My girl was an angel.
We had our shower, together, of course, before getting ready for the day. I wore my nice sweater and pants, and Bella wore one of her pretty dresses. There was anticipation in the air, and I felt a little bit nervous because of it.
"You okay?" Bella asked, looking at me through the reflection in the mirror while she put on her makeup. "You look a little tense."
There wasn't any doubt or fear in my mind. I knew that I wanted this marriage more than anything in the world. But, I wasn't a very social guy. I had always kept so much to myself. So, the idea of having so many people out here made me a little apprehensive.
"I'm okay," I told her. "I'm pretty damn excited."
She set her mascara in her makeup bag before walking over to the bed, and sitting on my thigh. She wrapped her arm around my shoulders and leaned in to kiss my lips. "So, am I," she said, smiling. "But, you're sure, cowboy?"
"Well, I am a little nervous," I admitted, and she nodded her head in understanding. "Not at all about the marriage, though. Just the whole, uh, event."
She leaned in and kissed my forehead. "I know," she said, making me smile. Because she did know. Bella knew everything there was to know about me. She understood me, and she honestly didn't even have to ask me what was bothering me right now. She knew. She just wanted to give me the opening to talk if I needed to.
"It's going to be great, cowboy," she whispered. "Just focus on me, and pretend no one else it there." She giggled a little.
"What?" I asked, rubbing her shapely thigh.
She blushed a little then looked me in the eyes. "Remember in North Carolina, when I was nervous to give my speech, and you sat there naked on the bed in the hotel and told me to picture you naked?" she asked, making me laugh.
"I do remember that, actually," I laughed.
"Good. Then do that tonight and tomorrow," she said. "Picture me naked. It worked for me."
I pressed a kiss to her lips. "Consider it done," I said, making her laugh. I pulled her into a tight hug. "It's going to be a good day."
BPOV
This was it. The day before our wedding day. I couldn't believe the emotions coursing though me. I was excited, happy, reflective, hopefully, loved and worried about Edward. I knew that he wasn't really comfortable with social situations, and just getting ready today, I could see that in his face.
He wanted to get married at his church, and the only people we had invited there, were people that we loved. But, I knew that he would still be a little uncomfortable. I knew a lot of that stress came from his parents.
For some reason, completely unknown to me, Carl and Mae had no interest in their son's life. I had only met them once in the four months that I knew Edward. And that was the day that we announced our engagement.
They had promised to come to the wedding, but didn't come to our bachelor/bachelorette party last weekend, and when I had called Mae on Sunday, and invited her to the rehearsal, or even just dinner afterwards, she turned me down.
I waited until Edward was outside plowing the driveway to call. I didn't want him to hear the conversation. "Mae, I know it would mean a lot to Edward if you could make it," I said, pacing back and forth in the living room.
"I know, sweetheart, but Carl doesn't want to make two trips out to the farm in this weather," she explained. "We'll be there tomorrow at three at the church."
"Oh, Mae, the ceremony starts at two o'clock," I corrected her.
"That's right, Bella. Two," she said. "I'll see you on Saturday." She hung up the phone and I collapsed on the couch. I had tears burning at the back of my eyes. Edward had never asked his parents for anything. I was heartbroken, and I knew that it would upset Edward. He tried to wave it off, but how could it not upset him.
I called Rosie, and starting sobbing in the phone. "Bella, honey, calm down and tell me what's wrong," she had said, and I already felt more relaxed.
"It's Carl and Mae," I said, wiping at my eyes and nose. "They won't come out to the rehearsal, and she thought the wedding was at three o'clock on Saturday. Rosie, they would have missed the entire ceremony."
"Okay, Bella. I need you to relax, okay? Carl is an asshole. He always has been. And, I don't like to gossip, but Bella, he's got a temper and he yells a lot. He also has a way of belittling people," she told me.
Hearing that, I immediately gained more of an understanding of Edward's childhood. He was never encouraged, and his mother, who should have filled that roll for her only child, was likely too afraid of her own husband to stand up to him. So, she sat back and took it.
For Edward, and for her own well being, I wished that she would have taken Edward and left Carl. I still wished that for her. Carl was a bully. In a way, I think it was a good thing that they weren't going to be here for the rehearsal.
I thanked Rosie, and went upstairs to clean myself up. But, Edward being Edward knew something was wrong went he came in the house. He came to sit with me in the living room, and picked up my feet, setting them on his lap.
"Tell me what's wrong?" he asked, as he rubbed the arches of my feet with his thumbs.
"I'm alright, Edward," I told him, smiling.
"Okay, but can you tell me what made you cry?" he asked, not letting me get out of it.
"I called and invited your mom and dad to the rehearsal," I explained, and Edward leaned his head back on the couch. He had told me not to bother, because they wouldn't come, but I wanted to make the effort. I wasn't going to purposefully leave them out of the wedding. That had to be their choice.
"I know what you said, Edward, and I'm sorry that I didn't listen, but I like to make an effort," I said, sitting up and resting my chin on his shoulder. "Please don't be upset with me. They aren't coming."
I felt the tears come back at the thought that Edward would be upset with me. He let out a deep breath, before lifting his head back up and looking at my face. "Bella, sunshine, don't cry. I'm not mad at you. I know you have a heart of gold, but that's why I didn't want you to call them. I knew you would get upset, Bella," he explained, lifting me onto he lap.
"I don't like to see you cry. Please just trust me when it comes to my parents, okay?" He continued. "If they show up, then fine. If not, it doesn't matter to me. Bella, love, I am marrying you. We're going to start a life together. We're going to have babies and ride horses, and just live a life of love and happiness.
"My parents are my past. I love them because they raised me, educated me, and left me the farm. But, Bella, you are my present and future," he told me, making me smile and tear up, again. "Please don't worry about anything. I want you to be happy."
So, just as Edward had asked, I put the thought of his parents out of my mind. And, he was right. The week had been happy and carefree. But, now, the day before the wedding, I saw some of Edward's apprehension, and it brought back some worries for me.
I tried to encourage him, and seeing him smile, made me relax. We were doing this. This was our time. I was marrying Edward, and this was going to be the time of our lives. The doorbell rang and Edward kissed my lips.
"And so it begins," he said, laughing. We walked downstairs and I smiled as I opened the door and Jess flew into my arms. We got her settled in our room, as she would be sleeping with me tonight. My parents had the guestroom, and I wanted Jess with me.
My parents came about an hour before the rehearsal. I started crying when I saw my dad carrying in my wedding gown, in the dress bag. Edward wrapped his arms around my shoulders from behind, and kissed my cheek. I knew he was just as excited to see me in my dress, as I was to wear it for him.
Edward got my parents settled in the guest room, while Jess and I hung my gown in my bedroom. We may have peeked at it, and squealed. I was so thrilled to wear the dress, and to be a bride.
Edward popped his head into the room just I zipped up the bag. He was smiling, and I wanted so much to show him the dress. I knew he was going to love it. I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around his neck. He kissed my lips. "Stop teasing me," he whispered, making me laugh.
He looked energized and happy, and I knew that having my parents here made him feel that way. He had really taken to them, and I was thrilled that he felt like a part of the family. My parents were amazing with Edward, and my dad seemed to really step into that father role that Edward had never had.
My parents drove us all to the church, where we met Em and Rosie. After hugs all around, we went inside to meet Pastor Weber, his wife and daughter. Edward introduced my parents and Jess to his pastor. I smiled just looking at Edward. He cheeks looked flushed, and he just looked overjoyed. It was really beautiful.
The pastor walked us through the wedding. He stood Edward and Em together at the front of the church, before he had Rosie walk down the aisle, followed by Jess, and then my dad and myself. I found myself crying, again, even though this was just a practice run.
Edward looked so beautiful standing at the end of the aisle. When my dad and I got to the end of the aisle, and my dad took my hand, setting it on Edward's palm, all three of us had tears in our eyes. I kissed my dad's cheek, before walking forward to wrap my arms around Edward.
"Bella," Pastor Weber said, laughter in his voice. "Save the snuggling for after the ceremony." We all laughed, and I stepped back, blushing.
"Sorry," I laughed. "He's just so amazing." Edward winked at me, and we held hands while the Pastor went through the vows with us. Edward and I walked down the aisle, and we turned to watch Em walk behind us with Jess and Rosie on either arm.
"It's going to be perfect," I said, and Edward leaned down to kiss my lips. He was glowing.
The ten of us all went back to mine and Edward's place for dinner, including the Webers. The more the merrier, I figured. Edward and Em went to feed the horses, while we got dinner together. My mom worked on gravy, and Rosie heated up a huge bowl of mashed potatoes she had made this morning. Mrs. Weber made the salad and I had little Angela help me with a quick pudding dessert.
Having everyone together tonight was exactly what I wanted. Edward carved the turkey and we all gathered in the kitchen to eat together. We brought extra chairs in the kitchen and squished around the table. Everything tasted wonderful and Edward and I kept looking at each other and smiling. We had a whole lifetime of moments like this one to look forward to.
We ate dessert in the living room, before the Webers left for the night. My parents seemed to really hit it off with the pastor and his wife. The night couldn't have gone more smoothly. At seven o'clock, Rosie and Em got up to leave. And I knew what that meant. Edward was leaving, too.
I pulled him into the kitchen so we could have a minute alone. He smiled, leaning in to kiss me. "Well, this is it, my beautiful bride to be," Edward said, making me smile. "The next time I lay my eyes on your gorgeous face, you'll be walking towards me in your stunning dress."
"I love you, Edward Cullen. And I can't wait to be yours," I whispered.
Edward leaned in, kissing me deeply. When he pulled back, he smiled. "You already are mine, sunshine," he whispered. "And, I'm yours. We're just making it official."
I took his hand and walked him to the door. He took the dog with him, so I gave Seth a kiss on the top of the head, before giving everyone hugs and kisses. "I love you, Bella," Edward called from the truck, making me smile. I walked out to the porch and waved at him, as he drove off. This time tomorrow, I would be married to that man. And I couldn't have been happier about it.
We all went back into the house, my parents offered to wash the dishes for me. I hugged and kissed them goodnight, before Jess and I went upstairs to bed. Jess called her boyfriend Mike, so I went to have a nice hot bath.
As I soaked in the warm bubbles, I closed my eyes thinking about tomorrow. I knew it was going to be an amazing day. I was going to marry Edward Cullen, my cowboy.
