Chapter 38: Changes
It was the big day. It was Saturday, June 11th, 2011. Edward was getting married.
He was sure he wouldn't be that guy – the one that gets scared his fiancée would leave him, or gets nervous about one thing or another.
He was exactly that guy.
Leah was trying to tame his hair since his own mom deserted him for Bella. You'd think she was her daughter. He was stuck with Leah and the guys.
"You're kinda green. If you are going to throw up again, give me a little heads up first," she hissed.
"I have nothing left to throw up," Edward mumbled, straightening his tie. Bella's lesson had gone out the window. He had to thank Jasper for the Windsor knot.
Carlisle let himself in Edward's room. "Here, son. It will settle your stomach."
Edward gulped the pill gratefully, washing it with the water he had brought.
"Are you ready? We have to leave," he said.
"Yeah. Give up, Leah!" He groaned, pushing her hands away. "My hair has never stayed flat! You aren't going to make it obey now."
"I could try."
"Stop! I'm nervous enough as it is!"
She gave up. Edward looked one more time at himself in the mirror. He could rival Carlisle's pale skin if he got any whiter.
Edward drove his car to their house where the wedding was being held. His dad stayed co-pilot since Edward never allowed anyone else to drive his car. Carlisle's pill made sure he wouldn't throw up again, because he felt like it when he stepped out of the car, at their house.
A small ball of red hit him and squeezed him tightly. Edward was going to have a huge bruise on his chest.
"Nice to see you too, Alice," he whispered.
"You look handsome."
"Thanks." He didn't even blush. All his blood had left his body long ago.
"Are you feeling well?" She whispered, concerned.
"Yeah." Edward nodded. "How's Bella?"
"Warming her cold feet," she joked.
He rolled his eyes and started to the makeshift aisle.
"Wait up!" Alice shouted, catching up with him. Edward turned to her, wondering what she wanted. She reached up, levering herself on his elbow and kissing his cheeks. "You needed some color."
Edward rubbed his cheeks and sure enough there was the gooey red lipstick.
After going to the front of the rows of chairs, he slumped into one, running a hand through his hair. Too late, he realize that he messed it again. Fuck, if I care.
Edward hated Emmett, Jasper, Jake and Ben for the previous night. With all his heart. He wanted to kill them. He could start with Ben then after a few weeks, he would continue with the others.
After the graduation party episode, Edward should have learned his lesson. Apparently, not so much. The previous night, they had ended up at Ben's house since his folks were out of town. Emmett and Jasper brought the booze. Edward had tried to deny them…and caved when Emmett made a stupid joke. That was all it took.
He had a shit long list of reasons why he had to kill him after the change.
After three or five or seven shots of whiskey…Jake decided to drink beer. Edward took one to knock against his and ended up drinking it. And another one and so on. Until he blacked out and woke up in his bed smelling of alcohol, vomit and sweat.
Thank the Lord it was his father who found him there. He was amused. And when he told Edward what day it was, Edward rushed to the bathroom and promptly emptied his stomach. Repetitively. In between praying to the toilet gods, he showered, brushed his teeth – almost five times – and munched on some bread at his dad's insistence. Needless to say, it ended up in the toilet.
"Tough night?" Emmett asked, sitting next to him.
"I fucking hate you!" Edward snapped. "It's not that I will remember much, but I'd like to remember something about today," he hissed.
"I had no idea you couldn't hold your alcohol like a man!"
"Uh…five days ago…graduation party?" He hinted.
Emmett rolled his eyes. "Are you man enough to marry little Ruby?"
"I bet I could hold up blood better, Topaz," he snapped, a little too loud. A few heads turned to them.
When they saw it was the groom…they came over and started talking. Edward's head was pounding.
He was grateful they had to repeat the vows after the priest – Angela's father, and not memorize their own vows. He doubted he could function normally.
When he saw his mom exiting the house, he made his way there, glad to be out of his former class mates' claws. Leave Emmett deal with them.
"Mom!" Edward said loudly and hugged her.
"How was your night, sweetheart?"
"Uhh nice," he mumbled, scratching the back of his head. "Umm how…"
"She's as nervous as you are," she whispered, kissing his cheeks.
"How did you know what I wanted to ask?"
"You're my son. I know what you need. And right now, I think you need to talk to me."
"Yes." He felt a lump forming in his throat. He wasn't going to start crying.
They started walking toward the small river that was behind the house, taking his dad with them when they passed him. Edward was a nervous wreck. He had no idea what he was going to tell them.
"Edward?" His mom prompted him, slightly worried.
"I'm…going to…miss you," he whispered, blinking rapidly to get rid of the tears.
"We'll miss you too. We'll see you when you get back," his dad said, putting his arm around his son.
"Where are you taking her?" she asked softly.
"Some place Esme told me about. A private island," Edward explained as quietly as possible. He couldn't have Bella hearing it. "It's just for a week or so."
"Sounds very romantic."
He nodded, leaning into his dad's side. For a second, he almost told them that that was probably the last time they were going to be together, but he didn't. He let his mom hug him from the other side, and just basked in the moment.
There was a flash of light and when Edward raised his head, he saw Emmett with a camera. He was gone the next second, smirking.
"Thanks," he said under his breath, knowing he'd hear. Edward was going to treasure that picture.
All too soon, Carlisle came for him, telling him he had to take his place. Edward stood next to Jake, waiting for Bella to come out of the house, his friend leaned closer.
"I really don't want it to end like this. Promise me, we'll stay in touch."
Edward glanced at him, surprised. "If you want."
"I won't age until Nessie's legal." He winked. "By the way, you're my best man."
"Sure," he agreed.
"She's coming out," Jasper whispered, leaning over Jake.
Edward's head snapped up and his breath caught in his throat. She was…mesmerizing. It looked like she was floating as she walked to him, holding onto Carlisle's arm. Bella's smile was infectious and soon, Edward was sporting it too.
Alice and Rose were at her side, Leah was holding the train, and Emmett was behind with the rings. Edward barely focused on them, though. He had never seen Bella looking so beautiful. He almost wished it was sunny. But the wedding was at twilight so there wouldn't be any accidental blinding sparkles.
When Bella stopped next to him, it took all his strength not to lean down and kiss her. He kept grinning, though. He couldn't have wiped it off, not even if someone pointed a gun at his head. Or more dramatically, told him that the Volturi were after him.
The ceremony was a blur of repetitions and some kneeling then they put the rings on and he had a little trouble, but in the end, it was all well. And finally, his favorite part: he could kiss his new wife.
Edward took her face in his hands and lowered his head, pressing their lips together. The electricity seemed to crackle between them. One kiss wasn't enough and soon, they started making out until someone or several people cleared their throats. Edward didn't even blush as he turned to face everyone, keeping an arm around her small waist.
Then they had to shake hands, kiss cheeks and exchange a few words with every guest. The last to congratulate them was the Denali clan. Edward didn't have good memories about them, and Bella sensed that. She tightened her arm around his waist.
He tried to remember their names, but as soon as they wished them well, they said their names. Tanya, Kate, Irina, Carmen and Eleazar.
Bella had invited her friends, Peter and Charlotte too. They were currently catching up with Jasper.
The reception went by smoothly and Edward couldn't help himself but smash some cake on Bella's face. She threw him a glare and mock-slapped him with a handful of cake. Emmett boomed about that being their first married fight.
Edward loved the taking the garter off her leg part. He didn't want to get out from under her dress. She was wearing blue underwear and he knew he had to have her for himself for a little while. When Edward finally emerged from under her skirt with the garter between his teeth, he glanced toward the boys and visualized his target then jerked his head, opening his mouth, letting the garter fly. If only, he had been a vampire…the garter would have actually landed on Jake. But he was human, and it hit his dad in the face with a loud slap.
"Guess it's time for the Silver Wedding?" He joked.
Bella's aim was better than his. Her bouquet went straight to Angela's unexpectant arms. She squealed and Ben turned red.
After so many dances Edward thought his feet would bleed, his mom stole him for a dance with her. Again, he bathed in every second with her. He told her that he loved her, more times in that five minutes than he had told her all his life.
Then Alice announced to everyone it was time for the newlyweds to change clothes and leave. Once wearing comfortable jeans, shirt and Converse, Edward gave Emmett the luggage to load into his car's trunk.
When Bella and he left the house, they had to pass through a rice shower. By the time Edward made it to the passenger's door and opened it for her, he had rice in his eyes, mouth, ears, and stuck on the back of his neck. Edward kissed her again before closing her door. As he walked to his door, he caught his dad's eye and saw him wiping a tear. Edward was fighting his own.
He started the car and did his best not to look in the rearview mirror. Once on the asphalt, the cans tied to the rear were getting on his nerves.
"It's traditional," Bella repeated as he swore yet again.
"It's my car!" He complained, and pulled over. After depositing of the mean cans, he could drive calmly to Seattle's airport.
"And you're not telling me where we are going?" she asked.
"Nope." Edward shot her a smirk.
Bella, the ever mischievous creature she was, started stroking his arm, his thighs.
"It's not working," he announced to her in a stupid breathy voice.
"Are you sure?"
His breath hitched when she brushed his dick. "Positive."
It would be almost two days until they got to the island. He officially owed Esme a lot for offering her island. Who the fuck gives their beloved an island? Should he start thinking like that now that they were part of the family?
Just like Alice had told him why she didn't have any pictures or trinkets from places she had visited.
"Why buy a small Eiffel Tower when I can hop on a plane and see the real thing?"
Simple as that. As if.
They had a layover in Huston then finally landed on Rio's airport from where they took a cab to the docks. Edward had the route memorized. Carlisle had told him the boat had a GPS and autopilot and he just had to start it. Simple as that. Again.
After so many hours of close to no sleep, he nearly fell in the ocean as he stepped onto the boat. Before he could turn and help Bella, she was on the boat with the luggage, rolling her eyes.
"This is getting more and more interesting," she murmured as Edward fished for Carlisle's instructions from his pocket.
"What? Sorry, I'm really tired," he explained.
"Are we going to Africa?"
"No." He laughed, twisting the key and pushing buttons. It roared to life and after making sure the GPS and autopilot were working, he slumped on the chair, pulling Bella on his lap.
She started kissing his neck, wounding her fingers in his hair. Edward groaned, bucking his hips into her. It had been her stupid idea not to have sex until the wedding night. And considering he had been busy studying for the finals, the only release he had was sometime in May when they had tried to sixty-nine. Fuck. It's been too long since I've had her. The few other times he'd jerked off while he was alone weren't as satisfying.
Before he knew what was happening, he was inside her, thrusting awkwardly from the angle they were going at. They were moaning and Edward didn't give a shit that anyone could hear or see them. They were dressed and it was dark outside. Besides, he couldn't see other boats out on the ocean.
He didn't remember ever having sex dressed, but it was hot. When he came, his whole body jerked and shook then he fell to the floor of the boat. They stayed there, embracing, with him still buried inside her until the boat hit land. He peeked out and saw it had taken them to the right place. He recognized it from the picture. Although it was pitch dark, he could see the white house between the trees.
"Tell me we aren't here so I can…you know…bite you…"
Edward whirled around, gaping at Bella. "NO!" He gasped, shocked. "We'll just be…here. For a week or so."
"Good, because I would have turned around if you wanted me to change you unassisted."
"I wouldn't dream of that," he promised.
When they went inside the house, Edward made love with Bella again even though he was too tired to move. She stayed on top.
.
.
.
For the following week, they explored the island, and stayed on the beach a lot. Edward even tanned. He couldn't stop himself from calling his mom and announcing her proudly that he was brown instead of red as he always ended up after staying under the sun. She laughed and told him to send her a picture. Bella was all too happy to take pictures. He sent his mom the picture with a few hours delay because his beautiful wife was a teasing nymph.
It never grew old to call her wife or Mrs. Masen. Never. And he loved it when she called him husband.
She was cooking for him, bringing him cold liquids when they were on the beach, making sure he stayed hydrated. She loved to put sun block lotion on his body. They discovered she had a foot fetish since he was the most ticklish there; she spent minutes to caressing his feet softly as not to tease him. Unless she was in a playful mood.
On their last night on the island, there was a heavy storm that locked them in the house since three in the afternoon. They watched a few movies, Edward ate some delicious pasta then they spent the night in the big white, fluffy bed. When they weren't making love, they were talking. After telling her that he would be able to be a true husband – like in her days – manipulative, hard, unyielding, she started a pillow fight. By the end of the struggle, they owed Carlisle and Esme some pillows. Edward was flopped on his back, coughing and spitting out feathers, which cracked her up. That was until he made her attack him and moved aside. She went head first in the headboard. It was his turn to laugh.
"I really wish you were less breakable."
"Hold on to that thought." He winked. "We're going home tomorrow."
"And after you stay with your parents for at least another week, we're headed to Alaska," she reminded him. Edward was going to celebrate his eighteenth birthday with his parents. It was in two days.
The way back was always shorter. Edward's car was where he had left it, a few streets away from SeaTac Airport. After loading the luggage in the trunk, they started the way back to Forks.
"Look at this!" Bella exclaimed, amused.
He glanced in her direction. She was holding something invisible to him between her thumb and forefinger.
"What's that?"
"Rice!"
"Alice is cleaning my car. It was her idea."
"It's tradition."
"Plus," he added, as if Bella hadn't talked. "She just had to write on my back window. I can't see through that shit!"
Bella started cleaning the rice from the car even though Edward told her to stop it. He needed her eyes too. He was too tired from barely sleeping over the past few days…the past week. It had been a marathon of making love.
Since he was driving a Volvo he decided to test the safety thing and let it stop itself if there was something to happen. Bella tsk-ed, but kept plucking rice.
Edward was so tired that focusing on the road made him see only straight ahead, following the white line. Somehow, he pulled on the wheel without realizing and started going toward the forest. Luckily Bella was a vampire.
"Let me drive, you're tired."
"No!" He insisted.
Edward floored the acceleration just to get home quickly and sleep. But not before he showed off his new tan. He was proud of it.
He decided to find some hard rock music. He had to stay awake.
"Watch out!" Bella shouted.
His eyes went to the road in time to see the large truck coming to them, full speed. They both tugged at the steering wheel…but it was too late. First Edward heard the metal on metal sound then he jerked ahead. His breath cut by the safe belt and steering wheel. He felt his face itching and realized the windscreen had broken. He was covered in glass.
"Edward! Edward!" Bella moaned, her voice sounded frantic.
"I'm okay," he whispered.
"No…please." She cried out. Her arms came around him. She was looking at something to his left.
It was then that he realized the car was perpendicular on the road and another car was coming full speed toward…his side. Edward fought with his safety belt and winced. Every muscle hurt.
"Save me," he told Bella, urgently.
"I can't!" She sounded broken.
"Of course, you can!"
"The truck driver is calling 911. I love you."
"No. Bella! That car!" He jerked his head to it. It was closer. "That car will kill me!"
"I can't do anything. They'll find it funny. I promise to see you very soon."
His eyes widened. She couldn't let him die! "No! My paren-"
Edward felt horrible pain flaring into his left side then everything went black. It could have been less than a second because when he opened his eyes, he saw Bella watching him worried.
"I'm okay?" He asked, uncertainly, trying to raise his right hand to her face. He couldn't feel it. What the hell?
She kissed his forehead. He looked around and noticed they were flying. Why wasn't anything hurting? That only meant that something was incredibly wrong.
"Bella, love?"
"I'll get you home. I have to do it now."
"What's…wrong? I can take it. You're going to change me anyway."
"Your spine, that's why you can't feel anything."
"Fuck." He squeezed his eyes.
They stayed quiet for a few minutes as she ran. It was weird not to feel the jostle – not to feel anything.
"Damn!" He groaned.
"Do you feel any pain?" She asked, anxiously.
"Ah, no. It's just…"
"Yes?" She prompted, peering down. "Don't tell me you are upset because of the car."
His face fell further. "Actually, I was upset because no one was going to see my new tan."
"Only you, Edward. Only you. But don't worry, the Cullens will see it."
He grinned and closed his eyes again.
No need to worry! :)
