Best Laid Plans Heather Burkett
Chapter 29: Claim Me
Over the next few weeks, life returned to some semblance of normalcy.
Sarah continued spending every other weekend with me, which allowed Leah and Jacob some much needed alone time. As it was, Leah spent so much time over at Jacob's house that I seriously didn't know why she didn't just move in already. But things were good – I was happy for them.
Leah and Alice both made it a point to visit frequently, worried about me having too much alone time.
But the truth was, none of it really helped.
I missed Edward.
I missed his smile and his laugh and talking to him endlessly and, late at night when I was alone, I found myself missing his touch most of all.
Just as I did after my divorce, I threw myself into work to take my mind off of things; but it didn't offer the same solace it used to.
Charlotte worked with me for the first time on a baby shower October 16th. What she lacked in strength she more than made up for in enthusiasm and wit. Together, we were able to pull everything together with half the effort. When I complimented her on it, she just referred to the old idiom "Work smarter, not harder."
But she wasn't Edward.
Even while working events, I missed his presence. I missed the fleeting sideways glances and simply the warmth and excitement I'd always felt with him near.
Even my creative outlet had lost its appeal.
I dedicated most of my time the last half of October towards finalizing the plans for the extravagant wedding of Rosalie Hale and Emmet McCarthy, which was set to be my largest project to date with an anticipated 250 guests. It was also my first time traveling so far for an event, as the wedding was taking place at the Craigdarroch Castle in Vancouver, British Columbia.
I had been hesitant undertaking the event at first, due to its size and location, but the couple had compensated me handsomely making it hard to turn down.
So, Friday, October 30th found Charlotte and me on a two-hour ferry ride to Victoria, British Columbia with our weekend bags packed. Luckily, the venue was providing the tables, chairs, tents and much of the manpower needed to pull it all together, so we would mostly be there in a supervisory capacity.
The wedding wasn't set to take place until the next day, but the event was so large in scale that we were beginning all preparations the day before.
We checked into our hotel just before noon and grabbed a quick bite to eat before heading to the mansion to begin overseeing arrangements.
The castle's gray stone exterior was large and imposing, perfect for the gothic tone of the wedding. The gabled roofs were covered in terracotta colored tiles, with multiple chimneys rising above, piercing the bright blue sky beyond.
"It's beautiful." Charlotte gasped as we parked.
I was happy to see that the tents were already going up upon our arrival.
Charlotte and I worked till about eight o'clock that night, overseeing the set-up of the tables and the preparations that were being made inside before returning to the hotel and calling it a night.
Despite the size of the event and the amount of planning it had taken to organize everything, I couldn't have been more pleased with how well everything came together the next day. The decorations were up and the flowers all in place with an hour to spare, leaving Charlotte and I plenty of time to get the band in place and receive the wedding cake from Gianna.
The theme for the wedding was a Halloween masquerade ball and, per the couple's requests, all vendors were requested to dress up for the event to draw less attention to ourselves. So, with fifteen minutes to spare, we hurried into the bathrooms to change into our outfits for the night, with masks to be put on after the ceremony.
I had to admit, it was kind of nice to dress up a little bit and be allowed to blend in.
I emerged in a black, floor length sequin gown just in time to start welcoming guests. There was a nip of autumn in the air, breezing against my spine, which was exposed by the low scoop back of the dress.
Charlotte appeared a moment later in a lacy, long sleeve, navy blue dress with multiple layers of sheer material that flowed unevenly towards the floor.
"You ready to do this?" I asked.
"Ready as I'll ever be!" She smiled.
The castle was decked out in black dahlia, espresso gladiolus, anemone mistral vinato, and black ranunculus flowers, painting the space in blacks, deep purples and crimson.
We began seating guests for the ceremony at five-thirty. With five minutes till sunset, I watched as Charlotte got the officiant into place, with Emmet soon to follow looking dashing in a black tux with a white shirt and white satin tie.
I hurried inside, getting Rosalie and the attendants into place for the procession. "You look absolutely stunning, Rosalie." I complimented as I admired her strapless gown. The Queen Anne neckline was adorned with dainty silver beading, with a larger accent piece adorning her cleavage. The mermaid style gown swept over the floor with a court train to follow.
"Thank you. For everything." She said with an endearing smile just as the procession music started.
"Let's get you to your groom. I'm anxious to see his reaction." I whispered conspiratorially, and was surprised when she actually giggled. It was the happiest I'd seen her in all of our encounters.
I motioned for the first bridesmaid and groomsmen to make their way down the aisle, spacing the next five couples out to the sound of the music. I prompted the ring bearer, followed by the two flowers girls, before giving Rosalie and her father their cue.
As I expected, Emmet beamed widely at the sight of her before breaking down in happy tears.
He was such a big teddy bear.
The ceremony was probably the most exquisite and emotional one I had witnessed in my three years as an event planner, with the couple kissing just as the sun disappeared beyond the horizon.
Cocktail hour proceeded inside the mansion, with the guests excitedly picking up their masks on their way out to the reception tents as night fell.
The mansion was illuminated with purple up-lights, casting shadows and a ghastly glow over the castle's façade, perfectly fitting for the Halloween wedding.
I sent Charlotte out to ensure the catering crew was ready for dinner service while I alerted the few remaining guests inside that the reception was about to start.
"Excuse me. If you wouldn't mind stepping outside, the reception is about to start." I repeated to the last group of stragglers, who quickly thanked me and made their way out to the foyer.
I checked the downstairs thoroughly, making sure I hadn't missed anyone when I caught a couple speaking quietly in a back hallway. "Excuse me." I began, making my way down the hall. "If you wouldn't mind stepping outside," I began as I quickly approached behind the gentleman.
As he turned to look at me, I was struck by a pair of unmistakably familiar green eyes that pierced through a black velvet mask.
I stopped dead in my tracks.
"Edward?"
His jaw went slack for a moment before he leaned into his date, whispering something in her ear as she looked at me. They kissed each other – cheek to cheek – before she excused herself, stepping past me and exiting into the next room.
"Hi Bella." My name dripped off his tongue, instantly drawing me in.
"What...what are you doing here?" I stuttered out.
He smiled, the black of his mask making his teeth shine that much whiter. "The groom's my cousin." He answered. "Am I to understand that you pulled this all together by yourself?"
I swallowed, forcing the saliva that was pooling in my mouth down past the lump in my throat. "Well, I have a new assistant." His eyes briefly flashed with anger. "Her name's Charlotte." He closed his eyes tightly and, when he opened them again, they appeared calmer.
"I'm glad to hear you've found someone." The heartache seeped into his voice.
"Well, she's no Edward, but she does her best." I admitted.
His eyes wandered over my body, undressing me slowly, before making their way back up to my face as he licked his lips. Even with the mask on, he looked breathtakingly beautiful in his black tuxedo.
"You should probably go take your seat. The reception's about to start." I hedged, my heart racing.
"You're probably right." He replied without moving. "It's good to see you."
"You too." Tears pricked at my eyes as I felt the familiar electricity between us ebbing and flowing in a new, tense way.
"You've done an incredible job. Everything looks," He looked me up and down once more, struggling to swallow, "absolutely stunning."
"Thank you. That means a lot."
Music began playing outside as the guests erupted in a round of applause. Apparently – in my absence - Charlotte had cued the bridal party to begin making their grand entrance.
"Shall we?" Edward asked, arching an eyebrow provocatively and extending the crook of his arm to me.
I slipped my hand around his elbow, taking his arm and allowing him to lead me out of the castle but, once outside, I dropped my hand nodding him towards the tents as I set out to find Charlotte to make sure everything was running smoothly.
Charlotte was absolutely frantic when I located her near the stage. "I'm so sorry, Bella. The MC began announcing the bridal party and, I couldn't find you so I didn't know what else to do."
"It's okay, Charlotte, I'm sorry I was held up. You did the right thing. Good job." She released a sigh of relief at the praise, visually calming down.
She and I separated, watching the reception space and checking in with the kitchen to make sure that everything was running smoothly for dinner service but, now that I knew Edward was here, I was keenly aware of his presence throughout the night.
It was as if we were satellites, moving around the space, circling each other without any effort.
The sideways glances I'd been yearning for were suddenly ever present and I knew, despite the month and a half that had passed, none of my feelings for him had dissipated in the least.
Nearing midnight, I lost track of him momentarily as I informed the band that we were nearing the end of the event.
I was startled as a hand slipped around my waist; hot, moist breath whispering across my ear. "Last call. Will you dance with me?"
I spun around, nearly tripping into Edward's waiting arms before catching myself and pulling away. "I shouldn't. It's unprofessional. And your date-"
"What date?" He asked, looking confused.
"The woman you were canoodling with in the hallway." I clarified, feeling myself bristle at the thought.
He gave me my favorite crooked grin and surprised me by laughing. "She's not my date, Bella. That's Liz. My sister."
"Oh." I mumbled, embarrassed.
"C'mon. One dance, for old time's sake." He smiled, placing one hand on my waist and using the other to guide my arm onto his shoulder.
All the fight drained out of me as I followed his lead, wrapping my arms around his neck as he pulled our bodies close.
"How's Alice?"
"She's good. How's school?"
"It's going well. I earn my bachelor's degree in December."
"I'm proud of you."
"Thanks. How's Sarah doing?"
"She's well. Finally got her cast off earlier this month, which made her ecstatic."
"That's great." He slid his arms further around my waist, pulling me ever closer. As his hands warmed against the skin of my exposed back, I could swear I heard him moan. He leaned his head down, burying his nose in my hair. "I've missed this." His nose skimmed along my earlobe as his lips ghosted over the corner of my jaw. "I've missed you."
Don't say it. Don't say it. Don't say it.
"I've missed you, too."
"Would it be too much if I said, as beautiful as you look in this dress, that I've been unable to stop thinking about getting you out of it?"
My breath shuddered as I leaned my forehead against his shoulder, my knees instantly going weak.
"Let me get you out of here, Bella." He requested.
I nodded.
He took my hand, leading me through the crowd and into the mansion. "In here." He pulled me into the study, shutting the doors behind us and locking them quickly before turning back to me, the black having consumed all the green in his eyes.
"Bella." He groaned, lunging towards me and kissing me passionately. The moment his lips met mine, I was transported back to the last time we were together, as if there had never been a lapse. He consumed me with such intensity that I found myself walking backwards until I bumped into what felt like a desk. I braced my hands along the edge of the desk as his hands cupped my face tenderly. He slipped his tongue between my lips and I greeted him eagerly as he deepened the kiss.
His hands wandered down my arms and onto my hips where I could feel him beginning to hitch up the material of my dress, the satiny fabric inching its way up my legs.
He released my lips, kissing along my jaw and down my throat. "I want you, Bella."
I felt the bare wood of the table pressing into the back of my now exposed thighs before he grabbed my ass and hoisted me up, sitting me on the edge of the large desk.
"Tell me what you want, Bella. I need to hear you say it." He husked, his hands wandering from my knee up to my thigh.
"Touch me. Please." I begged without hesitation.
He ghosted his fingertips over my hips and stomach before sliding them beneath the waistband of my panties, inching ever so slowly down until his fingers dove into me.
He covered my mouth with his other hand as I moaned loudly. "We have to be quiet, Bella."
I nodded, stifling another moan as he worked me with his fingertips, sending jolts of electricity racing throughout my body.
"God, you taste good. I've missed you so much." He mumbled against my skin as he sucked and nibbled on my throat.
I gripped the edge of the desk hard, arching my back and thrusting my hips against his hand as I sought to create more friction.
I grabbed his hand, pulling it away from my mouth as I moaned. "I need you." I released the desk as I reached for his zipper, slipping it down over his bulge and pulling him free from his trousers. I stroked his length quickly, relishing in the feel of the smooth skin as it moved over his hardness.
"Bella..." He moaned, throwing his head back as he began pushing into my hand.
"I need to feel you." I gasped, grabbing his dress shirt and pulling him to me, crashing my lips against his as we fondled each other.
He released me, pulling my hand away from his erection and I swear, I actually yelped with the fear that he was going to stop. Instead, he caressed my face, looking deep into my eyes as he pushed my panties aside and thrust inside of me.
I threw my head back as he grabbed my hips for leverage, thrusting deliciously into me again and again. "Look at me, Bella."
We breathed in unison, gasp for gasp, as my body tightened and my thighs began to tremble.
I did as he asked and our eyes locked as he pushed into me, our bodies swaying against each other in a frenzied passion.
"I love you, Bella." He whispered as I came undone around him, thrusting a few more times before he found his own undoing.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, leaning my forehead against his thinking of what he'd just said.
And I found...it didn't scare me.
Something had shifted within my heart and I was just beginning to think that maybe...just maybe...I might be feeling the same way.
"I know you have more work here tonight but, I'm just around the block at the Craigmyle, if you want to come by and talk later." Edward said as we straightened out our clothes.
"I can't." I pouted. "I'm rooming with my assistant and we're heading back tomorrow."
He frowned. "I see. I feel like this is goodbye all over again." He mumbled sadly.
"Look, can I call you when I get back tomorrow?" I asked, not wanting him to think I was blowing him off.
He brushed a strand of hair back from my face, cupping my cheek affectionately as he looked into my eyes with a tinge of despair. "I hope you do."
Despite my best intentions, whatever this was between us obviously wasn't over.
"I will. I promise." I said, placing my palm against his heart, trying to show my sincerity.
"Go ahead and go back out to the party before your assistant comes looking for you. I'll straighten up in here for a minute before I go back out." He kissed my forehead tenderly, resting his head against mine and closing his eyes.
"I'll talk to you later." I said, kissing him softly before making my way out of the study.
Luckily, the hallway was empty when I emerged.
I learned, later, much to my satisfaction, that Charlotte hadn't noticed my disappearing act.
I escorted Rosalie and Emmet to their bridal suite about midnight so that they could change their clothes while Charlotte saw to it that the luggage was loaded into their getaway car.
As they changed, I gathered the remaining guests on the steps of the castle, supplying each with a sparkler for the couple's grand exit. Charlotte and I quickly lit the sparklers as Rosalie and Emmet emerged a half hour later, running between the sparklers as the photographer snapped off several shots. We watched as Emmet jumped behind the driver's seat of the Bentley and Rosalie slipped into the passenger seat. Emmet honked the horn excitedly before the newlyweds drove off into the night.
I had Charlotte begin collecting the decorations and mementos that would be going with Emmet's parents as I began assisting Rosalie's parents in loading the gifts into their car. As the guests began dwindling down, I made a run through of the bridal suite, making sure that the wedding party hadn't left anything of value behind.
With the last of our duties for the night complete, Charlotte and I bundled into my Mercedes to drive back to the hotel just about two in the morning.
Charlotte quickly changed, too tired to shower, and climbed into bed. By the time I emerged from the shower, she was already passed out.
Although I was thoroughly drained from the past two days, my mind was a live wire, my thoughts racing.
What happens next?
Where do we go from here?
Do I honestly think things will be different?
My thoughts continued to swirl as sleep finally came to claim me.