Chapter 52.
Hunter POV.
It had been four weeks since my 'episode', and I was back to full health. Well, apart from my hair, that is. That was growing back at a normal human pace, and it was pissing me off. So, I decided to shave it all off, and I wasn't without a hat or a hood, because Emmett had guffawed so loudly at me. That earned him a punch from dad and a slap from aunt Rose. Bella didn't care what I looked like. She was just so happy to see me well again. Mom and Charlie were doing better than ever, and I was amazed to see how well Charlie had fitted into our world. Now I knew where Bella got it from. They had set a date for their wedding, which would be in a few weeks, and he decided to be changed straight after. My family, especially Jasper, had told him everything they new about newborns, so Charlie wanted to marry mom first. Dad had agreed not to leave until after the wedding, too, which I was grateful for.
Bella and I were doing great, too, but we had decided not to be married right now. She didn't feel the need for a piece of paper to tell us how much we loved one and other. And we both decided not to have children. After what had happened to me, we decided we couldn't risk having kids, just to lose them again. So, we were going to wait and maybe 'adopt' later on. Right now, we just wanted to enjoy each other as much as possible. Bella was to be changed at the same time as Charlie.
"Why?" I had asked her.
"I thought it would be easier to deal with two newborns at the same time, rather than one at a time. That, and I really don't want to wait a couple of years after Charlie changes."
I had agreed. She said she wouldn't make Charlie wait until after her, as he was the one getting married, so they were going to change together. Dad was actually pleased for everyone, which had surprised Bella.
"You were never really mine to change, Bella," he had explained, when she asked why he was happy for her now, to be changed.
Aunt Alice was the wedding planner from hell, and I was so glad Bella and I weren't doing it anytime soon. Mom was exhausted with her, but never complained about it.
"Why don't you tell her just to back off a little?" I asked mom.
"Because she's happy, sweetie, and I like to see others happy."
"But, are you happy?"
"Definitely, Hunter. Alice is actually doing me a huge favour. I have enough to worry about with Charlie's transformation, without worrying about small wedding details, too. So, Alice is worrying for me," she said, smiling.
"What's worrying you? Do you think you won't be able to stop?" I asked.
"Oh no, I know I will stop. I love him too much. It's just the length of time he will be in pain for. What if it lasts for five days, like me? I couldn't bear that."
My brow furrowed in thought. I didn't want Bella to go through that, either. Mom's change took that long because she had only one tiny bite from a baby. Would more venom help?
"I'll speak to dad and gramps. We'll figure something out."
When I asked them about it, they agreed with my theory.
"Yes, I think it would help," Carlisle had said.
"Could we inject straight into the heart?" dad asked him.
"Yes. That along with bites to the crucial arteries would definitely help," he agreed.
I felt better instantly, and mom did too. We told Bella and Charlie our plan, and they agreed to it.
So, with just a couple of days before the wedding, things were looking great. Charlie had asked mom if they could take a small honeymoon. He wanted one last fishing trip before being changed, as he knew it would be a while before he did it again. She agreed to it, for his sake, but said she would only allow it for one week. No more. She wanted him changed quickly so they could enjoy the rest of their days together.
Bella was to be chief bridesmaid, with Alice and Rosalie joining the wedding party as bridesmaids too. I would be giving mom away, and had felt proud when she asked me to do it. Charlie surprised us all by asking Edward to be his best man.
"Well, we will be kind of brothers," he explained. "And if it weren't for you, Bella and I would never be joining this world. You opened Bella's eyes to it, and in turn, she opened mine. I just wanted to show you that I appreciate it."
Everyone in the room was speechless, and dad was overwhelmed.
"Thank you, Charlie. That means a lot," dad said, when he found his voice again. "It would be an honour."
The service was to be held in our back yard, next to the river, with just the family in attendance. Emmett was conducting the ceremony, and got himself ordained online so it would be legal.
"This is great, babe," he had said to aunt Rose. "I can marry us everyday if we wanted."
"I don't think you can conduct your own marriage, Em," she said, and uncle Emmett actually pouted. I laughed at him. Sometimes he was worse than a kid.
Before I knew it, it was the morning of the wedding.
"Aren't you lot ready yet?" I called up stairs. Mom, Bella, Alice and Rose had been polishing, buffing, bronzing and whatever else women do, for hours. Why did it always take so long for women to get ready? I started pacing the floor. I was feeling a little uncomfortable, but couldn't place my finger on why. Probably just the suit. I had never worn one before, and it had the waistcoat, cravat and everything.
"Okay, we're coming down," called aunt Alice. About time too!
Alice and Rose were the first to appear. They looked beautiful dressed in simple, fitted dresses, that flowed slightly from the waist. They were midnight blue in colour, which complemented their complexion. Bella came next in the same style dress, but it was slightly lighter in colour. I gaped at her, and she blushed. She looked amazing. Then my mom arrived. My gape grew wider. I had never seen her look so stunning.
Her dress was very elegant. Champagne coloured, fitted at the torso, and then flowing down and out like an inverted calla lily. Her hair was pinned up, but with loose ringlets cascading down her back.
"Mom," I whispered. "You look beautiful. Absolutely stunning," I said, kissing her cheek.
"Thank you, sweetie."
"You ready?" I asked her.
She nodded, taking a very deep breath. "Yes. I am," she said, taking my arm.
The girls led the way, and mom and I followed suit. The rest of the family looked as if they were about to burst when they saw us, and Charlie had the biggest grin I had ever seen on his face. I led her down the aisle, and kissed her gently, and handed her over to Charlie. I could hear him whisper how beautiful she looked, and I saw a few tears in his eyes.
The service was short but beautiful, and there were loud cheers when they kissed each other. The party then headed indoors. Esme had went mad with the food. There was loads of it, and only three of us would be eating it. It was delicious, though, and I knew Bella and I would be eating the leftovers for a while. There was champagne and music, and even the family had a sip to toast the couple. The looks on their faces was priceless as they swallowed it. I managed to get a few photos of that.
After the first dance, mom didn't get a chance to relax. All the men were dancing with her, and the women with Charlie. When I finally managed to grab her for myself, she was almost giddy with delight.
"I'm so happy you have finally met someone, mom," I said, twirling her around the floor.
"Thank you, Hunter. I am so happy right now. It couldn't have been more perfect."
"I have a surprise for you," I said.
"What is it?"
"Come with me. Charlie? Could you come with us, please?"
I took them both outside, and presented them with their gift. I had managed to acquire a fully restored 1928 Pontiac. It was burgundy and black in colour.
"Hunter," my mom whispered. "Is that for us?"
"Yes. I remember you telling me once that your dad owned one. You had said you loved the car. And as he couldn't be here, I just thought you should have something from your time on your wedding day."
"It's beautiful, sweetie. Thank you so much," she said hugging me tight, venom tears shining in her eyes.
"I remember that car," dad said. "Your dad was very proud of it."
"Yes, he was," mom smiled. "If my day wasn't perfect before, it is now, Hunter. Thank you."
"You're welcome. I thought you would enjoy the fishing trip more, driving in this."
She smiled as she ran her hands tenderly over the car. It wasn't the exact car her father had owned, but the memory of it was enough for her.
"Thank you," she said again.
"I've already placed your bags inside, so you can leave anytime," Bella told them.
"Thanks, Bells. And you, too Hunter," Charlie said. "Thanks everyone for making this day so perfect."
Mom couldn't wait to get behind the wheel of her 'new' car, so they made their goodbyes and left.
"That was a very sweet thing you did," Bella said, kissing me.
"I'm just glad she liked it," I said.
"So, what shall we get up to, now that we have the house to ourselves for a week?" she asked.
"Hmm. I wonder," I said, leaning in for a deeper kiss.
