Chapter Fifty Six

Megan

So, Aunt Alice wasn't coming today but Uncle Garrett was here with Grandpa and Nanna along with Aunt Rose and Uncle Emmett. Only one person was still missing and I knew he would come. He might just be a little late. I wanted to watch for him from the window but mummy was counting on me to help her get dressed and then walk with her to where daddy would be waiting.

"Mommy, why does the bride have to walk to the groom? Why doesn't he have to walk to her?"

"I guess because years ago a woman belonged to her father until she married and then he would give her to her husband to look after."

"We belonged to our father?"

Mommy laughed, "Yes, but things have changed. Now we are seen as people in our own right but they used to think that women couldn't look after themselves and needed guidance."

I frowned, it didn't sound right to me but I was glad things were the way they are now.

"Did your daddy walk you down the aisle when you married my father?"

"Yes, he did although I don't think he was really happy about it. Charlie didn't get along with Edward very well."

"Maybe you should have listened to him then."

Mommy crouched down and hugged me, "But then you wouldn't be here and I wouldn't wish for that."

I smiled, "Thank you, mommy. Do you think it's right this time? Do you think your daddy would have liked Jasper?"

It felt funny using daddy's real name but it got so complicated with all these daddies!

"Yes, I think he would. Charlie was very intuitive and I think he would sense how much Jasper loves us both."

"Do you think your daddy would have liked me?"

"Oh Megan, he would have loved you. He enjoyed being my father and I know he would have loved having you around."

"Emotions are really complicated, aren't they? You think you know how you feel about someone but you never really know until something happens. At least that's how it seems to me."

Mommy, who had sat on the edge of the bed, patted the space beside her and I hopped up next to her.

"Living is complicated sweetheart and sometimes we make mistakes. The thing to do is to learn from them so you don't make the same mistake again. You seem awfully concerned about all this. Are you worried that daddy and I won't be happy?"

I shook my head, "Oh no. I can tell you and daddy love each other, just like Peter and Charlotte, Nana and Grandpa and Rose and Emmett. I just wish it was more simple to know for sure. I don't want to make the mistakes you all made. All of you thought you'd found your true love just like a princess only to find he wasn't a prince but an evil wizard. Do we all have to make mistakes first?"

Mommy thought about this which was good, it meant that she wasn't just telling me what she thought I wanted to hear.

"I think we see someone and because we're young and don't understand the world we think what we feel is true love. I don't think the person we fall in love with is necessarily a bad person or trying to deceive us, maybe they are as inexperienced as we are and make the same mistake. Then, after a while you realize that the person isn't the one, you find things you don't like about them or maybe they just stop making your heart race when you see them. Usually, that happens before you get too involved."

"But sometimes?"

"Sometimes we don't realize until it's too late, which is why your daddy and I would never let you get too involved with anyone until you've known them for a long time. That way you'll know if.."

"If my heart still races when I see them."

"That's right, sweetheart. Now, I guess we should get ready. I can hear Aunt Rose playing some music in the garden which means we have ten minutes. Can you get ready in ten?"

I grinned, "I can do it in nine. Race you, mommy."

She groaned, "Not fair but OK."

Bella

Sometimes it concerned me how serious Megan was. I thought all these questions about love and relationships were tied up with how she felt about Darius or thought she did. I remembered my own childhood crushes, Jake, the boy I sat next to in kindergarten, my teacher at middle school in Phoenix. The list was endless and I wasn't alone. However, understanding this wasn't really very helpful. I could imagine how I would have felt if Renee had told me this was all puppy love, mere infatuation and I would fall out of love just as quickly when the next boy caught my fancy.

Jasper and I would have to tread carefully so as not to hurt Megan's feelings and I glanced out of the window wondering if Darius was gone for good or if he might just turn up. I didn't know him well but all I did know was positive. Compared to the rest of the Cullen women he was probably top drawer.

I thought of the people Megan knew about, Rosalie whose husband to be had participated in her abuse and near death, Esme whose husband had been physically abusive, my own husband, Megan's father, who had tried to persuade me to terminate my pregnancy and then caused the accident that cost me my human life and almost hers.

I was just finishing my hair when she came running back in looking like a princess herself. Our little girl was growing up way too fast, she almost looked like a young girl instead of a child but in truth, it was probably for the best. Having vampires for parents would have become increasingly more difficult for a human child and much more dangerous for everyone.

We had asked Carlisle about Megan's accelerated metabolism fearing that she might continue to age rapidly, a terrible thought, but he was able to reassure us.

"I've watched Megan since I first met her and done all the research I could on the few hybrid children who did survive. As you know there aren't many and most were born many years ago some centuries past. It appears that they mature far more quickly than human children until they reach puberty and then it slows a little until they are fully developed adults. Megan will be at the stage of a mid-teen within the next two years and fully adult about a year after that. Her accelerated growth is proceeding normally, however, her intellect is another thing entirely. Megan is already a very intelligent child and I think it is possible that she will become a prodigy, a mensa candidate without a doubt which means she will stretch us all. Luckily she has intelligent parents and the rest of us are only too willing to help out all we can."

"Thank you, Carlisle. So long as she's going to live a normal life that's all we were worried about."

"Then you can rest easy. I hope that you don't mind, I took it upon myself to speak to Aro. Megan will need to be stretched mentally as she progresses and access to the Volturi archives would be a great help. He offered her access whenever she wants it and will make available a suite of rooms for you to accompany her."

Of course, things have now changed in Italy. When they arrived yesterday Carlisle informed us that Aro had been tried and found guilty of the murder of his sister centuries ago. He was now in captivity in Volterra awaiting execution. His place had been taken by his wife and that of Caius by Chelsea. The whole make up of the Volturi had changed radically but I doubted it would make any difference to the invitation that had been made.

How much had changed in the past few years and none of it imaginable when I walked into Forks high school and saw Edward for the very first time. I had lost so much in that time but gained so much more and now, now I was about to take the final step and to marry the man of my dreams.

"Mommy. Mommy, are you ready? It's time. You aren't having second thoughts are you?"

Poor Megan sounded really concerned and I shook my head with a laugh.

"No. I've never been surer of anything. Is Esme ready?"

"I'm here. I just didn't want to intrude."

Esme stood in the doorway, her face lit up with a warm smile and she held out her hand to me.

"I think we should go, Poor Jasper's already looking nervous."

I took Megan's hand too and the three of us walked slowly down the stairs ignoring the crush.

"Is...Is Darius here yet?"

Esme shook her head.

"No Megan, he's not here."

Megan looked crestfallen but then seeing I was looking at her she smiled again.

"It's OK Mommy, he'll be here and if he's not then he'll have a good excuse."

"Well, let's concentrate on getting me down the aisle without tripping over shall we?"

Megan nodded and moved in front of me to throw the petals from the flowers that she had picked herself earlier and I walked slowly to the orchard Esme holding my hand.

I knew I wouldn't trip, since becoming a vampire I was able to stay upright with ease, but I was nervous wearing this long dress. It was very simple, a cream dress with long sleeves that just skimmed the ground as I had elected to go barefoot. The nightmare of those high heels Alice had forced me to wear was still clear in my mind and I had vowed never to wear such ridiculous footwear again.

Our guests were few but important and every one of them knew how important this ceremony was both for us and for Megan.

Garrett sat with Peter and Charlotte looking a little out of place but I was glad he'd come. He was the one who had helped Jasper contact me and the way I discovered I had a daughter. There was much to thank him for and I'd never really had much of a chance.

Carlisle stood with Jasper who looked as nervous as I felt. Like me, he hadn't wanted to go too formal so just wore a white shirt and black pants with a tie loosened around his throat. As he turned to smile at me I saw once more the terrible scars on his face and smiled back. They were proof if any were needed, of his love for me and my daughter.

Emmett beamed giving me a big thumbs up as I passed him to join Jasper where Esme stepped back for Megan to place my hand in his and then she moved aside to stand with her grandma as the minister, a rather bemused young man from the nearby town, presided over the short ceremony.

Afterwards, Rosalie put the music back on and Jasper and I danced. I couldn't help remembering the last time I had danced at my wedding. On that occasion, Jake had gatecrashed the party and almost ruined everything. This time there was nothing to ruin it and after our first dance together everyone else joined in. I found myself whirled around by Emmett, Carlisle and then Garrett.

"Congratulations, Bella."

"Thank you. I'm sorry about Alice."

"Shit happens and I knew she wasn't exactly stable when I married her. I guess I just thought I could be a steadying influence but I guess when there's a crack in the mind nothing can patch it forever. She'll be safe in Volterra thanks to Carlisle and Esme and I think she may even find she likes it there, among all those rich vamps in their luxurious penthouses. Me, I'm just a poor country boy."

"No, you aren't and you'll find your mate eventually. I just hope we get an invitation to the wedding."

"I guarantee it. I'm just glad I was able to help, however small my contribution was."

I kissed his cheek then found myself grabbed by Peter, "Hey now. Behave, Garrett."

He whirled me to the edge of the orchard then pulled me close.

"Now Bella, I understand it's your wedding day and all that but I really have to tell you something important. When the Major fought off those wolves his face wasn't the only part of his anatomy to get chewed up. He was embarrassed to tell you and I know it'll put a crimp in your wedding night so I thought I'd step into the breach and offer to do the deed as his best friend."

Before I could say anything, although I was struggling to refrain from laughing in his face, he was propelled into the air and through the trees screeching as he did so.

"Was my friend annoying you darlin'?"

I shook my head, "No, but he did tell me something that I think I should check out for myself a little later."

He pulled me close and whispered in my ear, "I sure hope so, Mrs Whitlock. In the meantime how about this on approval."

Our lips met and I found that nothing mattered except the man whose arms I found myself in, my husband, my love.

Later we found Megan standing by the window staring out with tears in her eyes. Despite everything we and Darius had said she had truly believed that he would appear and had been hurt when he hadn't.

"Are you ready, Meg?"

She turned trying to smile and nodded.

"My bag is in Uncle Em's truck. They're going to take me to the movies tonight and then tomorrow we're going fishing and kayaking."

"Sounds like fun but we'll miss you."

She grinned, "No you won't. You and daddy are going to have some alone time. All newlyweds need alone time, aunt Rose told me and I'll be back tomorrow night anyhow."

"Come here and give me a hug."

She did, a real bear hug then turned to Jasper and gave him the same.

Emmett tooted the horn and she ran to the door then hesitated and turned,

"If Darius calls will you tell him that I understand why he didn't come. I guess he needs time after all that's happened."

Emmett tooted again and she ran out as I promised her that we'd pass on her message if we heard from Darius although I doubted we would. In the meantime, we wouldn't be waiting for him. My husband and I had other things on our minds right now and as soon as Emmett's truck pulled out of the driveway Jasper took my hand and led me upstairs. This was our time, our alone time and we planned on making the most of it.