A/N: I don't own Twilight or its characters; they belong to Stephanie Meyer. I do not own any publicly recognizable entities herein. No copyright infringement is intended.
Edward POV:
"Dad, Dad, are you in there?"
Jake was knocking on my hotel room door, reminding me of when he was a toddler, and I couldn't even use the bathroom in peace without hearing those very words.
However, that wasn't my concern right now. My concern was the fact that his fiancé's mother was sitting on the edge of my bed as we chatted, and I didn't know if Jake had a room key yet, given he was going to stay here tonight.
Bella's eyes went wide, and she hopped off the bed and rushed to the bathroom, closing the door before I opened the main door to see my son standing in the corridor, looking flustered.
He stepped inside, running his hands through his hair, a trait I knew he got from me.
"Jacob, what's the matter?"
He walked into the main part of the room as I stood by the closed bathroom door, making sure he couldn't go in there without passing me.
He turned to face me, looking serious. "It's Mom." He looked apologetic for even mentioning her. "Her flight changed... she…they are here early."
"They're at the hotel now?" Why had my heart rate picked up already?
"They're in the cab, just about to pull in."
"Oh, Jesus," I muttered under my breath. "Right, okay, well, go ahead and wait for them at reception. I'll be down in five minutes to say hello."
"You're not coming now?"
"No, Jacob. I need five minutes, okay?" I knew Jacob wanted me to stand with him when they arrived and to be by his side to help what would inevitably be an awkward meeting. However, if he was man enough to get married tomorrow, I figured he could handle this while I made sure his almost, mother-in-law managed to sneak out of this hotel room without him noticing.
He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it and nodded. "Sure."
Once he left, the bathroom door slowly opened, and Bella found me changing into a fresh shirt. Her eyes found my bare chest, but they'd lost the playful glint they had earlier as she stood staring at me with a concerned expression.
"Did you hear? Kate and Tanya are here. I should go and see them." I slipped my arms into my shirt.
She nodded. "Yeah, of course."
Before I did up any buttons on my shirt, I walked over to Bella and pulled her to me. Her cheek rested on my bare skin, and I rested my chin on her hair.
"Are you okay?" she asked quietly.
I kissed the top of her head, my lips lingering there before I spoke. "I am when I'm with you."
"You won't be with me. We'll be across the room from each other, pretending we aren't much more than acquaintances." She sounded slightly bitter but I couldn't blame her. I felt the same.
"Mmmmm, I hope you don't do this with your acquaintances," I mumbled. I held her chin with my thumb and raised her mouth as I lowered mine. Our lips connected, and I stifled a moan as we kissed.
It may have been a little longer than five minutes by the time I made it down to the hotel lobby, which was empty except for a rather bored-looking businessman whose attention was focused on his cell phone. Bella had gone ahead to the rehearsal dinner, where I assumed everyone else was starting to gather.
After double-checking the lobby, I walked into the ceremony room with my head held high. My eyes zeroed in on Bella immediately; she was laughing at something Nessie had said as she stood at the back of the room near the ornate double doors I assumed would open to allow her to walk Nessie down the aisle tomorrow.
Ahead of me, I could see Kate and Tanya talking to Jake. They had their backs to me, but I'd know Kate's frame and stature anywhere, and there was no mistaking Tanya's, striking waist-length blonde hair. Kate's arm was wrapped around Tanya's waist, her platinum wedding ring glinting on her finger. I took a deep breath and approached them, tapping Kate's shoulder when I was close enough, and leaning to speak in her ear.
"Hi, stranger." I tried to keep my voice playful, but it was hard to hide the emotions I was feeling.
She jumped a little and spun around.
"Edward! Hi!" She looked at me in surprise, taking in my appearance for a beat before she pulled me to her in a friendly hug.
Her embrace was familiar and strange at the same time but was over before I could analyze it any further.
"You're looking well," she told me, resting her palms on my chest as I scoffed uncomfortably. I looked down at her hands and saw that ring again, glinting in the light as it mocked me.
"Thanks, you too. I'm glad you could make it for Jacob's big day."
"Of course, we wouldn't miss it!" She gestured to Tanya, bringing her into the conversation as I nodded to her in greeting. Kate's hands left my chest as she pulled Tanya to her side, and I looked away, my gaze finding Jacob, wondering what he was making of all this. I saw his shoulders visibly relax as he realized that, so far, his mom and I were able to be perfectly civil to each other.
"Have you had a chance to catch up with anyone else yet?" I asked, trying to keep the conversation moving. "Emmett and my parents should be here somewhere." I scanned the room, but again, my eyes found Bella and hovered there instead of looking further.
"Jacob re-introduced us." Kate looked at me and followed my gaze to Bella. "Who's that?" She asked, a twinkle in her eye as she grinned. "She's stunning; I can tell that even from here."
"Mom!" Jacob groaned as Tanya chuckled rather than took offense to her wife's words.
"Jacob, you know I'm happily married…" Kate put her arm around Tanya's waist and pulled her even closer, "…but I notice a pretty woman when I see one."
"Mom, stop! That's Vanessa's Mom! She's about to become my mother-in-law!"
"Oh! Really? Well, it looks to me like Vanessa will age very well then."
Jacob groaned, and I chuckled at his pained expression, that was until Kate continued talking.
"She seems your type, Edward." She turned to me expectedly, and it was then I remembered how little Kate thought before opening her mouth.
She seemed to quickly realize what she'd said as she started to backtrack and change the subject. "So, I guess it's a shame she's out of bounds. I'd love to see you with someone special, though. Jacob mentioned you weren't bringing anyone to the wedding?"
I ran my hands over my jaw and tried to read Kate's tone. Was that a snippy remark, or was she being genuine? I couldn't tell anymore.
"I'm not sure you know that much about my type, Kate. I certainly didn't know much about yours." I knew I was being defensive, trying to deflect Kate from her very correct assumption, but it didn't seem to rile her. She looked over to Bella, then back to me and shrugged.
"You're right, Edward. You don't need a partner to enjoy your son's wedding. Maybe you could introduce me to Vanessa's Mom though, sheand I are going to be co-in-laws, the mothers of the bride and groom, I'd like to have a good relationship with her. Do you two get on well?" She raised her eyebrows at me; her look pressing as I tried to remain calm.
I pulled my shirt collar away from my throat, Christ, it was getting hot in here. "With Bella?" I asked, trying to act innocent and buy my brain time to think. Jacob was watching me squirm, so I cleared my throat and continued. "Sure, she's helped a lot with this wedding, and Nessie's a credit to her."
Kate nodded, "Well, introduce us then." she laughed, lightening the mood, as I inwardly cringed at introducing my ex-partner to my secret, new partner at my son's wedding rehearsal dinner.
"Sure, okay." I nodded, hoping I didn't look as panicked as I felt.
Bella caught my eye across the room. Her forehead furrowed as if she was assessing my expression. Her gaze then fell on Kate and Tanya as she walked forward, meeting us halfway.
"Bella, is it?" Kate asked before Bella could speak. "Edward's been telling me all about you, I said how pretty you were, and you're even more so up close."
"Errr…thanks." Bella looked almost as uncomfortable as I felt as I pinched the bridge of my nose and hoped this awkward conversation would end quickly.
"Bella, this is my mom, Kate, and her wife, Tanya." Jacob took over the introductions, which suited me just fine. Before Bella had time to say much more, the wedding celebrant was standing on the slightly elevated stage and clapping her hands for everyone's attention.
I sighed in relief as we had to separate, Bella and Nessie to one end of the aisle, Jacob and me to the other, with Kate and Tanya to the front row of seats.
The rehearsal went well; I stood and pretended to hand Jake the rings before taking my seat. It appeared I wasn't needed for much else until the end of the ceremony, when the celebrant was pairing people together to walk back down the aisle after announcing … 'The new Mr. and Mrs. Cullen.'
I thought she'd pair me with Kate, which, while slightly awkward, made sense to me. Instead, I was paired with Bella, and Kate and Tanya were paired together, in lieu of Ness' father not being able to walk with Kate.
Bella threaded her arm through my proffered elbow, and I saw the mischief glint in her brown eyes. She didn't seem to be panicking about this arrangement, so I relaxed my shoulders and smiled back at her as we walked together, trying to keep pace with the classical music.
When that was over, it was time for the meal, which was an informal affair in the conference room, presumably because the main room was being set up for the real wedding reception tomorrow.
I was seated in between Jake and Kate, with Tanya next to Kate and Nessie in-between Jake and Bella. Kate and I managed light conversation, and it felt nice to catch up with her without our usual awkwardness. I realized that now that I was in a happy relationship, I no longer resented her for moving on and finding happiness with Tanya.
Once the meal was over, people started to drift off, either to the bar or their rooms. Nessie was keen on getting an early night and wanted Bella to return to their room, face masks and foot spas were mentioned.
Bella caught my eye before raising her napkin and dabbing at the corners of her mouth. "Excuse me; I'm off to the restroom."
She may have been talking to everyone at the table in general, but I saw the look in her eyes. I gave her a two-minute head start then excused myself.
Sure enough, Bella was hovering outside the restroom, and she didn't miss a beat when I approached. We both raced towards the door that led to the garden, falling into each other's arms the second we were outside. With my lips glued to hers, I walked her backward until she was sandwiched between me and the brick wall. She moaned as my hands found her hair and I couldn't resist a small thrust when her hands grabbed the back of my neck and held me even tighter and even closer to her.
When we finally came up for a breath, I took a step back and grinned at her. Her lips were red as she licked them, looking half embarrassed, half glowing as I shook my head, scared of the feelings I was developing for her.
"Looks like Vanessa is getting you tonight. I don't mind; I want to be there for Jacob. But tomorrow…" I picked up her hand, which had been resting by her side and stroked over her knuckles. "…tomorrow you're all mine."
"Tomorrow, our kids will be married; we'll be…"
"Don't say it." I interrupted, sounding grumpier than I intended. I pinched the bridge of my nose and sighed. "Sorry. I know full well what tomorrow means, but my feelings for you aren't going to change overnight."
"Me either," she admitted.
"Good," I nodded. "I'll see you tomorrow at the end of the aisle." Why did my stomach roll in a delicious way when I said that?
Bella seemed to catch my words, as well. "See you tomorrow."
She squeezed my hand as I reluctantly let her go. I hung back in the garden as I watched her walk through the doors, turn and smile at me, then walk out of sight.
A/N: Thanks to my great team of people willing to help with this story. Frannie Walsh, ChristyWIX, RebAdams, Heather Stack Riggs and Julie Gotcha Dodge have giving up their time to beta and pre-read for this chapter. Any mistakes are my own because I tinker with this story all the time.
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