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Bella sat at the kitchen table and fiddled with her charms, going through each of them one by one.
The bronze button Garrett had given her, the charm Jake had made, the Cullen crest, and, lastly, the blue and purple lure Charlie had given her to remind her of him. Bella smiled as she held the piece, chuckling at the memory of Charlie giving it to her. Her father and simply come in one Saturday night after fishing, sputtering some words about her always being his little girl and never wanting her to forget him, and tossed her the now hook-less lure to put on, as he said, 'the thing around her neck'. She had thrown herself into his arms and told him she loved him, knowing he had figured out something would inevitably tear them apart. He made her promise to come back and visit whenever she could, no matter how much things had changed, and she had readily agreed.
The only charm she was missing was the small, priceless pearl Alice had given her, which now hung on the chain of the man seated next to her.
Garrett reached over and took her hand, giving it a light squeeze as the music outside began to play. He kicked his feet out, which were covered in his well-loved boots, and cast a smirk towards the psychic, who was flitting around making sure everything was just right.
"How are you feeling about marriage now, Isabella?" Garrett asked as they both stood, him to go take his seat and Bella to get ready to walk down the aisle.
The girl smiled as she accepted the large bouquet of roses Alice handed her, "I think I could get used to the idea." She tucked her treasures inside the front of her dress, not wanting to ruin Angela's big day, "It's not so scary anymore when you have the right partner."
"No, it isn't." Garrett replied back, his smile reaching his eyes.
She grinned, "Oh, but I will be keeping my name."
Garrett turned around with a knowing wink as he continued to move out, "I would expect nothing less!"
Bella just laughed, relishing the feeling of being in love. Just like Alice envisioned, the ceremony went off without a hitch. Bella couldn't have asked for a better, carefree day. The night drew in and the stars danced above them while the light atmosphere of the party grew below.
"Ready?" The blushing bride, who Bella had never seen more outgoing and happier before, called over her shoulder as she readied her bouquet for the toss.
Bella stood off to the side, enjoying the view.
"What, you aren't going to try for it?" Jake smirked, sliding up next to her, for once dressed appropriately for an event in his button down and slacks.
She shook her head, her face coloring.
"So, I heard through the grape vine – that is code for Jasper – that you are going to the UW in the fall." Jake inquired, trying to keep the topic light.
"Yeah, I want to earn my degree, not just use heightened, perfected senses to breeze through it." She replied.
Jacob cocked a grin, "So…"
"I got an extension Jake." She replied, her tone exasperated, "And I don't want to talk about it, please, I just want to enjoy tonight."
"Well then, I think you need a dance to get your mind off of it!" Before she could protest, he took hold of her hand and pulled her onto the smooth floor.
"Do you mind if I cut in?" Jasper asked as the tune slowed.
Jake gave a gracious bow, "Be my guest."
"What has gotten into him?" Bella chuckled, "It's like there is nothing in the world wrong with the tribe and your kind coexisting."
"War changes people, you think about why you are fighting and what you are willing to sacrifice. It makes you grow up." Jasper explained, gracefully spinning them around the floor.
"Jasper," She started slowly, catching sight of Esme who was forcing a smile as she interacted with everyone, "Have you heard from Edward?" She tried to whisper but of course every immortal present could make out her questions.
"He is still in Alaska." Jasper answered, looking down at her to test her resolve, "He decided to stay with the Denali's, to pair off with Kate for the time being."
"The one he cheated on me with." She replied, getting the usually unfazed immortal to grimace at how emotionless her tone was. Her reaction revealed just how indifferent she was to the situation now, "Did he at least have the decency to say goodbye to everyone?"
Jasper slowly nodded, looking for a change in topic so that he could feel her happiness once more. He got what he wished for when her eyes fell across the floor to her mate, who was chatting pleasantly with Ben and Seth. Garrett grinned, feeling her gaze.
The Major drank up her euphoria, enjoying the emotional break from the envious guests and his distressed parents.
Bella blushed and turned away when the Patriot started weaving his way through the crowd towards them.
"I believe it is my turn to share a dance with Isabella." Garrett smiled, inclining his head and looking to Bella, "If that is alright with her, of course."
"If her feelings are anything to go by, it is more than alright." Jasper winked, stepping aside for the two to begin their dance.
Bella sighed contently, resting her head against his cool chest and enjoying the feel of his arm wrapped securely around her. There was no place she would rather be.
"I saw you got into the University." Garrett whispered, closing his eyes as he leaned his head against hers.
Bella smirked, "Did someone go through my mail?"
"Sort of hard not to notice, you left the letter on the kitchen counter." He retorted, grinning.
Her brow knit, wondering when he would have seen it, but shrugged the idea off, something else consuming her thoughts. The pair danced for a while longer, Garrett watching her intently, knowing something was on her mind but waiting for her to bring it up.
Finally, Bella stopped their swaying and looked up to his face, "T-there…there is something I want to ask you."
He looked to her, a slight worry etched into his unaged face. He nodded for her to go on.
With one last uneasy breath, she pressed on, "Will you marry me?" She closed her eyes and held her breath, scared of his response.
Eventually, she had to open her eyes because he said nothing and she couldn't wait any longer. Garrett's beaming face came into view. Reaching up, he brush aside a loose curl, "If you had only waited till tonight, my Isabella." As he spoke, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring. The band was silver and in it lay a rough-cut amethyst; the same shade as the dress he first saw her in, "I can't believe you weren't more curious as to why I knew about your acceptance."
Her eyes grew, "You asked Charlie?"
"Of course, what sort of vampire do you think I am?" He chuckled, the ring catching the light in the palm of his hand, "Though you got to ask the question first, and my answer is yes."
Bella's warm smile lit up her face and her eyes flited to the porch, were a gathering of the coven and wolves crowded, each face mirroring hers. Seth was almost bursting alongside Alice, but Bella touched a single finger to her lip and shook her head as she pulled off her necklace and added the ring to her precious treasures. This was Angela's day and she wouldn't overshadow it.
They had eternity to celebrate, after all.
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AN – So…this was supposed to be the last chapter for Centuries but I came up with more I want to add to the story while I was reading back over it. I need to go back and edit some typos in certain chapters and the true final chapter will basically be a long one shot which you can take or leave as the ending :)
Thank you to all of you who have stuck by this story and are enjoying the ride! It is much appreciated!
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