Chapter Thirty
April 2005
She looked like a vision as she glided down the isle toward him. Her mother almost had a conniption fit when she refused to wear white on her wedding day, choosing, instead; a designer gown made of the loveliest pink and beige silks and chiffon with satin piping. It had led to a monumental argument about virginity in which she had blurted out in front of the whole dinner table that she wasn't an innocent, causing her family to glare at him. She had apologized by giving him a blow-job on the front porch of her father's house that night, her way of rebelling, even if it was three AM when she did it and everyone had been asleep for hours.
She was beautiful and she was his and he swore before any God that would listen that he would never betray their love.
She and her father came to a stop before them. Her father looked at him coldly but he stood his ground. "She's my baby. I've not been what I needed to be for her, but, do well by her, son."
"On my honor, sir," he told him.
She smiled at him softly through the veil she had insisted on and he felt tears stinging his eyes. "You're beautiful," he said on a choking breath as they walked up the three steps to the minister.
"And you're so getting laid tonight," she whispered back.
He let out a snort. "We are in a church," he reminded her.
"And last time I checked, everyone in here knows what we're going to do tonight."
He let out a little laugh, trying to remain quiet as they stood before the priest, who looked at them with a chagrining expression. Both of them sobered as they straightened their faces and smiled at him innocently.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony. Does anyone have reason why these two should not be joined?" The cleric waited the appropriate amount of time and then said, "Very well. Who gives this woman?"
Her father, standing behind them, said, "Her mother and I do."
The priest nodded and as her father sat down, said, "Today, we are here in the presence of God to join Jacob William Black and Lynessa Irion Masen…"
Edward zoned out as the wedding took place. He was too busy looking at Bella, who was ravishing in her brown satin bridesmaid's gown. She moved her bouquet and the candlelight glinted off her engagement ring, causing him to smile.
He blew out a breath as he thought of what happened the night she ended up putting it on her hand…
Flashback
Jasper giggled. "Yeah, fuck her, man. In fact, fuck all women. They ain't nothin' but trouble!"
Edward's eyes grew just a bit wider before Jasper's lips descended upon his own. They closed for just a split second before he realized what they were doing and he pushed Jasper away. "What the fuck, Jazz?"
"Back up! Everyone back away!" they heard a voice say.
Two policemen came into view and one just shook his head. "Celebrities?" he asked.
Edward nodded, still dumbstruck. "We're the lead singers for 'Breakdown'."
"Ah, hate I asked," the man said as he grasped both their arms. "Come on with me, boys, let's get you down to the station…"
Thirty minutes later, Edward's head was in his hands as he sat on the bench in the holding cell. "What the fuck just happened?"
Jasper just looked at him. "I believe it's called 'public intoxication", Edward," he said calmly as he took a puff of a borrowed cigarette. "No big deal."
"No big deal?! When my parents hear about this…"
"Last time I checked, you were an adult, Edward."
"For God's sake," Edward muttered. "That fucking kiss is going to be all over the news! The tabloids! You dumb redneck fuck!" he screamed as he went for Jasper's throat. They tumbled to the floor and began to wrestle about, their inebriation not allowing either of them to get much in the way of hits in.
"Nice, guys," Jacob said from the other side of the bars.
"How utterly barbaric," Carlisle sniffed.
"Hey, I think we ought to just leave them in there, what'cha think?" Emmett put in.
Edward and Jasper jumped to their feet. "You guys going to get us out?" Edward asked eagerly.
Carlisle looked at the other two. "What do you gentlemen think?"
"I say leave 'em. After their little gay pride show, I think they should just cool off overnight, see if they still luuurve each other or if they wanna go back to pussy like the rest of us."
"Fuck you, Em," Jasper growled at him.
"Uh, no thanks, Jazzy, I'm pretty damned satisfied with my Rosie right now."
"Why I oughtta…" Jasper started, but Edward held him back.
"Look," Edward said. "Just because you've never been fucked up enough to…"
"To what? Stick your tongue down another dude's throat?"
"Eww, did you, Ed?" Jake asked.
"No," Edward said petulantly.
Jasper snorted. "I'm pretty sure I felt tongue."
"You're full of shit, Jasper!" Edward yelled at him.
"Shut up, all of you!" the police officer said as he walked in. "You two," he said, pointing into the cell. "Bail's been paid. You're out of here."
He ushered Jasper and Edward out of the cell and made them sign some papers before they were able to leave with the other three guys. "Is it bad?" Edward asked as they walked toward the doors.
Carlisle's eyebrow rose. "The press? Yes, definitely."
"Fuck," Edward murmured as they saw the lights waiting for them just outside the doors.
"You guys can take the back," the officer said, sounding amused. "If…you'll sign an autograph for my daughter."
The five men looked at each other and eagerly signed some papers for him and took a few pictures with his digital camera as well before he snuck them out the back door. They ran as fast as they could to Emmett's big SUV, dodging paparazzi and yelling 'no comment!' at the top of their lungs.
Finally they got on the road and headed toward home. "Uh…thanks," Edward said bashfully.
"Yeah, thanks," Jasper said almost as softly.
Emmett let out a snort. "Well, you're welcome. But let me tell you this; if you think I'm going to forget this shit happened tonight, you've got another fucking thing coming."
Both men groaned as Emmett cranked up the radio and sang along obnoxiously loud.
Meanwhile, back at the house, Bella was walking in the foyer. "When will they be here?" she asked as she paced.
"They're on their way back," Rosalie said calmly. Emmett had called her from the police station to let them know they would be leaving soon. This had the makings of a disaster for Edward and Jasper, but she couldn't quite help laughing at the situation. She was so thankful that Emmett was as grounded as he was. Sure, he could be a total goof, but he at least had a decent head on his shoulders.
"Come on, Bella, let's have another drink," Esme said with a giggle, causing Rosalie to roll her eyes. Bella, Esme and Lynessa were all a little drunk. Rosalie hadn't been drinking, though. She had a surprise for Emmett once they got back home. Telling your husband on Valentine's Day he was going to be a father sounded like a good idea to her. He would be so confused when he opened his gift and it was a stuffed bear wearing a bonnet, bib and booties.
Just then the door burst open. "We're baaaack!" Emmett shouted.
"Edward!" Bella said, running forward to Edward, who grabbed her and began whispering to her ear of his love. She cupped his face in her hands and said, "I'm so sorry; Edward, I love you. I promise we'll work our way through this. Please don't leave me."
"I could never leave you, Bella. You are my world. Even if you left me, my heart would always be yours until the day I died."
"And you're mine," she said moments before his mouth fused to hers.
"Take me home and love me all night long, you British bombshell, you!" Esme said drunkenly as she fell into Carlisle's arms. He blushed crimson for a split second before sweeping her up into his arms like Rhett did to Scarlett and said, "With pleasure, my lovely, with pleasure," he told her. "Good night, all. We have a bed to see," he said as he carried her out to their car.
Lynessa giggled. "Come on, Jakey, lemme see how long it takes you to take off my bra!"
He, too, turned red and said, "Nessie, you aren't wearing a bra!"
She snorted. "I know," she said, attempting a sexy voice.
He grinned and grabbed her, tossing her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. "Alrighty then," he said with a slap to her ass as he carried her up the stairs.
"Shall we?" Emmett asked with a dandy air as he held out his arm for Rosalie. She giggled and winked at him as he led her out the door.
Jasper watched as everyone went their separate ways with their loved ones and sighed as he pulled out a cigarette. "I guess I need something a little stronger than you tonight, my friend. Think they'd notice if I drowned myself in the pool?"
End Flashback
"Ed," Emmett whispered, knocking Edward out of his ruminations.
"Yeah?"
"Dude, wanna pay attention? They're about to do the 'I do's'."
Edward blinked and watched as his sister became a woman before God. She was married now. His kid sister was a married woman. Now if only he could get Bella to nail down a date…
"My feet hurt," Lyn said as she sat down from the dance with her brother. "How are you, Rose?"
Rosalie looked stunning as usual, but slightly green. "I've been better."
"Here, babe," Emmett said as he walked up. "I had to go to three different stores before I found the kind of crackers you like."
"Aww, Em, you didn't have to. I would have done with any saltines."
"Yeah, but you like the low sodium, fat free ones, right?" he asked hopefully.
She smiled and pulled him by his tie down to kiss her lips. "Yes, you're exactly right. Thank you very much."
"You wanna dance, baby?" he asked.
She shook her head. "Go on out there with the guys," she said, inclining her head toward where Jacob, Edward, and Jasper were doing 'the funky chicken'. "I'll dance with you when a nice, slow song comes on."
He bent down and kissed her once more before he walked off, easily jumping in with the others.
"Wow. I hope Jake's that good to me," Lyn commented.
"You're not pregnant, are you?" Bella and Rosalie asked at the same time.
Lyn laughed. "No, we're being very careful in that department. I'm still quite eager to keep up my modeling contracts and Jake said he doesn't want to tour much unless I'm with him if we're expecting a mini, so, no."
"Speaking of mini's," Rosalie said. "What about you and Edward, Bella? Now that the shit storm is over, when are you guys going to get married and have one?"
Bella looked down at her ring. She had been such a fool, she knew that, and now after the 'snog-gate' as Carlisle had dubbed it, things were finally getting back to normal.
They all remembered how ashamed Edward had been when the boys had returned with them from the police station. Jasper was irked due to his bike being impounded, but shame-faced by the evening as a whole. He had not been caught doing something so stupid since becoming an adult. It was…unnerving to realize how easily it could happen.
Bella then thought of what had happened after she and Edward had gone upstairs. They had sat down and talked things out, and after making love, it had been she that had asked him to become engaged. Now they were very public with their love and very happy. "I don't know yet," Bella said, addressing Rosalie once more. "We're still deciding the who, what, when, and where of it. I was thinking a destination wedding, actually, so I guess we'll see."
"Oh! Make Edward take you to Paris!" Lyn said. "It would be a perfect place for a wedding!"
"Or Italy," Rosalie offered. "Wine, pasta, olives, what's not to love about Italy?"
They all giggled and Bella said, "Well, when the time's right, I promise to let you know," she said pointedly as Esme came up.
Esme's eyebrow rose. "I take it you're referring to mine and Carlisle's abrupt nuptials?"
Bella nodded. "If you would have known how I had to talk Edward down…I think he was contemplating homicide."
"Telling lies about me again, love?" Edward asked as he bent down to kiss Bella behind her ear.
She giggled. "Stop! You know how I'm ticklish there!"
He smiled and did it again. "Lyn, Father requested the 'father/daughter' dance now, if you please."
Lynessa sighed and stood. "Be nice," Edward said. "We all know how he is, but I think in time, he'll forgive Jacob for your blurting out about your…sex life."
Lyn laughed and kissed Edward's cheek. "Oh, dear brother, if you only knew the half of it…"
"I'm glad I don't," he growled as she walked away.
Bella stood. "Come dance with me," she demanded quietly as she reached for Edward's hand. She led him out onto the dance floor and snuggled into him. "I love you," she said into his chest.
"I love you too," he whispered into her hair. "I can't wait for this to be our wedding." he said. She didn't comment, so he asked, "So…have you thought of a date yet?" He spun her out and pulled her back to him.
She shook her head. "When the right time comes, it'll come."
He stopped and she stepped on his foot. "Ow. What do you mean 'when the right time comes'?"
"I just mean that now, what with the new tour starting and Emmett and Rosalie's baby on the way, and Jake and Nessie's marriage…it's just not the right time."
"When will it be, Bella? Why the fuck am I the one that's having to drag your ass to the altar? I've had to drag you every step of the way."
"You aren't dragging me, Edward! I just don't want to…"
"To what? You know what your problem is? You have a fear of commitment!"
"Yes, Edward. I do!"
He paused. He had turned to walk away from her but stopped and stared at her. "What?"
"I'm terrified of commitment," she said softly. "I had to watch my mom and dad's bitter divorce and I was stuck in the middle of it and I just don't…"
"You have to have faith in me, in us, Bella, because I can't have faith in us without your full cooperation."
"I'm trying, Edward. You have to work with me."
"If you would just talk to me…" He ran his fingers through his hair. "I feel like such a girl. I shouldn't care. I shouldn't give a fuck about this, but I can't help myself. I want what Carlisle and Emmett, hell, even Jake has it. Why can't you just…"
"I'm not ready!" she told him. "I don't know when I'll be, okay? Give me time. I know that's not good enough and if you want to just say you've had enough of me, then fine, but I don't want to be dragged through something else like my mom and dad's divorce. If you can't accept that, then, I'm really sorry, Edward."
"Don't say that; don't you think for one minute I would live without you, Bella. I would die without you."
"I would die without you," she whispered. "I know it's a lot to ask, but please be patient with me."
"I'll try," he said as he kissed her lips.
