Thank you everyone for reading and taking the time to share your thoughts. It's always nice to see new people joining and leaving a few words for all the chapters. I appreciate it!
Without further ado...Jasper and Alice's wedding.
"Your girl is a vision, Edward."
Edward stopped talking to Jasper, to turn to Peter. He scowled, "Everyone's said that. I'm holding Alice responsible for not seeing Bella today," he accused, narrowing his eyes at Jasper.
"Please, like anyone can say no to Alice today." Jasper rolled his eyes.
Peter chuckled. "You two are so tied around your girls' little fingers. I can't say that I don't admire how you've combined our lifestyle with a relationship, but I'd never be able to fully understand."
"It's not that difficult once you find balance," Edward said casually.
"Yeah, it's all about compromise and love," Jasper agreed.
Peter nodded, though, it was clear he couldn't imagine a different relationship with Charlotte, other than the one they had. They were into the Master/Slave relationship, which sometimes got Edward and Jasper talking about the depth of their connection. There had been times, in the past, when Jasper and Edward had expected Peter and Charlotte to announce they'd transited to a romantic relationship as well, but they seemed content with what they had.
"Could you go and check if they're ready?" Jasper pleaded. "The minister said he couldn't stay later than eleven. It's ten thirty."
"You got it. Might as well see what the fuss about my girl is," Edward grinned, heading toward the stairs.
Hosting the wedding in their house had its perks, but it could get a little crowded with thirty other people around. Edward hadn't seen many of these people in years, since he'd missed quite a few parties in the past couple of years. They mostly clashed with his schedule, overlapping some of his out of state meetings.
Edward had warned Alice to keep Bella close at all times, and let him know if anything scared her. Because, it was bound to happen. She was so new to the lifestyle that what she was likely to see in some of the couples invited, would scare her.
Edward stopped short at Alice and Jasper's bedroom door. He had no idea Jasper had invited Aaron Volturi, who was one of the oldest guys he knew in the community. The man had always made Edward's skin crawl, especially with the looks and innuendos at how much he'd want Edward for himself. Aaron was a collector. He had several wives, as liked to call them, and even more slaves.
"What a pleasure!" Aaron said in a delighted voice, spotting Edward.
"Likewise, Sir." Edward nodded, edging closer to the bedroom door. "I have to fetch the bride."
"Of course. This means we should find our seats?"
"That would be a good idea."
Edward watched Aaron's leather-clad body leading away a blond boy by a leash tied to his neck. Thankfully, he hadn't made the boy crawl, and he was wearing white linen clothes. Edward could recognize the boy, but his name escaped him. He seemed to be a favorite of Aaron's, since he brought him to most events.
Edward knocked once, cracking the door open.
"If it's Jasper, tell him, he's a dead man!" Alice's panicked voice cried out from somewhere in the room.
"I come in peace," Edward joked, stepping inside.
"She's nervous as hell, Sir," Charlotte said in a meek voice, keeping her eyes down.
"They in the bathroom?" The empty bedroom was a dead-giveaway, but it was the polite thing to ask.
"Yes, Sir."
Edward walked toward the ajar door of the bathroom. He could see Alice's profile and Bella's hands working on securing Alice's veil.
Alice's eyes shot to him through the mirror when he stepped inside. But he barely registered how pretty Alice looked. His sole focus was on Bella.
Edward was ashamed to admit that he wouldn't have recognized her if he passed her in the hallway. She hadn't put half the effort to look so lovely for Rosalie's wedding.
Her hair was pulled back in a tight bun, her make-up was light and discreet, showcasing the beautiful brown color of her eyes, and her lips were painted a natural pink. As his eyes travelled lower, Edward understood what everyone who'd already seen Bella had been saying.
She was a vision, indeed, dressed in a purple dress. The top part was made of lace and sheer cream material, while the skirt was tulle by the looks of it, dotted with sparkly gems.
Bella smiled at him, stepping away from Alice. "All done!"
Alice paled considerably. "I'm going to be sick."
"Now? After all my effort?" Bella complained.
Alice lurched for the toilet, heaving into it. Bella caught Edward's eye, cringing.
"Blame the kid," Alice said, lifelessly. "We have to redo the lipstick."
Edward filled her a glass of water while she flushed the toilet and wiped her mouth. "Think you can stand?"
"Of course!" Alice got up, accepting the glass of water. "Let's get me married!" She squealed, after reapplying lipstick.
"Go with Charlotte. We'll join you soon," Bella said, guiding her back into the bedroom.
"If you fuck in my bathroom on my wedding day…" Alice hitched the frilly skirt of her dress, leaving the threat hanging in the air. "Let's go, Lottie!"
Bella winced, leaning her back against the closed bathroom's door. "I don't even want to know how crazy it's outside this room."
"I think you got the worst of it, love." Edward cupped her cheek. "Let's see them married, so we can breathe easier."
"You look very handsome," she said cheekily, tracing a finger down his slim tie.
"You look damn gorgeous."
Bella blushed, lifting on her toes to kiss him. It made him wonder why she couldn't reach him better, like she usually did when wearing heels.
They clasped hands, heading downstairs. When they reached the stairs, Edward snorted in laughter. He caught a glimpse of her shoes – they were a pair of black Chucks.
"Shhh. No one has to know. This dress hides my feet."
"I was beginning to question your perfect equilibrium on heels."
"Hey, don't be a jerk about my clumsiness." She elbowed him in the ribs, making him laugh.
"It gives me another reason to keep my hands on you, to prevent you from kissing the floor," he joked.
"When I could kiss you, instead," she teased, pressing into his side.
Edward caught her lips in a short kiss, only to pull away in time to notice an old friend of his and Jasper's, hovering in the hallway leading to the backyard.
"Benjamin," Edward greeted his friend. "Have you met my Bella?"
Bella's fingers clenched around his, her worries from the past few days resurfacing. Edward had told her that she had nothing to worry about, and that there was nothing she could say or do to upset him. She only had to be respectful to the other guests, and they wouldn't bat an eye.
"No, I haven't. So pretty, Edward," he complimented.
It seemed like Edward had to be the one to keep his temper in check when others tried undressing Bella with their eyes. He refused to even imagine what they were thinking, because he was likely to commit homicide.
"Thank you, Benjamin. How's Tia?"
He pursed his lips. "Sadly, she couldn't make it. Cora came down with the flu."
Edward pulled Bella toward Benjamin, and the three of them walked to the backdoor. "How old is she now?"
"Three. Of course, she's as feisty as her mother."
Edward chuckled. "I'm dreading meeting Alice and Jasper's child."
"Everyone will need a healthy dose of Xanax before they're around that kid," Bella laughed.
"I'll have Dad give us a prescription," Edward grinned.
"Who knows? The kid might turned laid-back. Jasper's quite the calm guy," Benjamin commented, watching Bella strangely.
Of course, he wasn't used to women being outspoken, but Bella hadn't overstepped some line. Not in Edward's opinion.
"Catch you later," Edward told him. "Go find Alice. I'll be up there, making sure Jasper doesn't faint." By the groom's pale face, it looked like he was moments away from passing out. If Jasper's skin got any whiter, it would blend it with the color of his suit.
Bella giggled, heading back inside in search of the bride.
"How are you holding up?" Edward checked, stopping by Jasper's side. The flowers from the arch smelled strongly, and Edward was surprised they hadn't attracted any insects.
The rows of seats were already filled with the guests. The path leading to where they stood was dotted with white petals.
"By a thread," he grumbled.
"Bella's bringing Alice out. A few more minutes, and this is all over."
Jasper met his eyes. "Wait until you're in my spot." Edward shot him an amused look, but Jasper went on, "Alice plans to throw the bouquet at Bella. Just a little heads up."
Edward didn't have time to process how his friends were ganging up against him. It was far too soon for that step with Bella, but then again, how did anyone know when the right time was?
Jasper gasped, staring in shock at Alice walking between the rows of chairs. Bella was a few steps behind her, walking slowly, blushing worse than Edward had ever seen her.
Alice's dress was definitely one of the most beautiful Edward had seen at any wedding he'd attended before. She'd gushed about it so much that it was difficult not to remember the names of the material or the details about the skirt. Because, the skirt was the highlight of the gown – made up of infinite layers of organza forming majestic rose-shaped swirls, while the top was a simple lace pattern.
If he hadn't known Alice was pregnant, he wouldn't have been able to tell, that was how well the dressed masked her bulging belly.
During the ceremony, Bella gripped Alice's bouquet, her hands shaking, which almost made Edward break position and check if she was all right. Bella seemed to relax by the time Alice and Jasper were declared man and wife.
As the newlyweds kissed, Edward went to Bella's side. "You okay, baby?"
She nodded, tears swarming in her eyes. "I promised myself not to be that girl…who cries at weddings."
Edward smiled kissing her forehead. "It was beautiful," he admitted.
After the minister left, Alice and Jasper made rounds between their guests. Edward kept Bella at the closest table to the one where the newlyweds would share. She didn't seem to mind not being introduced to the guests.
They were in the middle of discussing the latest topic of their arguments – Bella moving in permanently. She kept reminding Edward that James might be returning, but he had bought a house for his family. She was keeping the studio, because moving in with him worried her.
"I enjoy waking up next to you," Edward protested. "Who's gonna kiss you awake when you sleep in your studio?"
"Harley," Bella answered, clearly amused.
"That could happen at my house, too. But I'd rather it were me the first to kiss you. I'll fight him, too."
"You're impossible," she groaned.
"I'm gonna win this argument."
"Good luck with that, Mr. Cullen."
"Why are you two sitting down?" Alice demanded, already reaching of Bella's hands and pulling her up. "Let's dance!"
The music was pretty loud, which made it a good thing they didn't have neighbors for miles.
Edward made to take Bella for a dance, but Alice huffed. "I'm dancing with Bella. You should go to Jasper. Save him from Master Aaron."
"I'd rather dance," Edward grumbled, but went into the pointed direction. He noticed the boy kneeling by Aaron's chair, while Aaron chatted with Jasper, while absently petting the boy's blond hair.
"Ah, Edward! We were just talking about you," Aaron crooned.
Jasper stood up, giving Edward a pleading look. As much as they respected the man, he was just a pushy old man who rarely accepted the word 'no'.
"I'm afraid I have to steal Jasper for some technicalities," Edward explained, wrapping an arm around Jasper's shoulders.
"You make sure to drop by my table later with that pretty thing of yours."
"Sure, Sir." Edward steered Jasper away. "Fuck. How did he get his claws on you?"
"I was mindlessly chatting with Pete, when he sneaked up behind me."
"Why did you invite him, again?"
Jasper shrugged Edward's arm off. "You know why. Aaron helped me a lot in the beginning, when I found my way."
"He's not the easiest person to deal with."
"Has Bella met him?" Jasper asked, as they approached their women.
"Not yet. I haven't really introduced her to anyone. Only to Benjamin, and she's met Peter and Charlotte while she was helping Alice earlier."
"Good. You can't keep her away from him, but try to find the right timing for the meeting," Jasper warned. He plastered a smile on his face, as he hugged Alice. "How's my beautiful bride?"
"Abandoned by her husband," she said, pouting.
"So, you decided to molest my girl instead?" Edward joked, pulling Bella into his side.
"We were having fun." Alice grinned, winking at Bella.
After a few dances, Alice guided her guests to the tables where there was already food placed. At the table Edward had chosen for them, there were four other empty seats, and he was wary of who'd join them.
"This is not as bad as I imagined," Bella commented, slumping in her seat. "We might stay for cake, this time."
Edward laughed. "Yeah, no ocean nearby for you to take a dip."
"There's the pool, though."
"I'd rather be the only one to make you wet tonight," he whispered into her ear, enjoying the way she shivered.
"You said you brought a surprise for me."
"I decided against it, in the end," he answered. "You were nervous enough about meeting our friends."
"You have to introduce me to them, eventually."
Just then Peter and Charlotte joined them, with Carmen and Eli not close behind. Bella stiffened at his side, which proved she was still worried about meeting his friends.
"Did I understand right that Alice pulled the reception all by herself?" Charlotte asked, in an impressed voice, glancing Edward's way.
"I helped somewhat, mostly being in her way," Bella said, giggling nervously.
"There were times, we had to tame Alice," Edward added. "I don't think I can't get over the fact that she wanted flamingos, at some point."
"Flamingos?" Carmen echoed him, shocked.
"You heard that right." Edward nodded, meeting her eyes. She looked upset about something, and judging by the way Eli shifted in his chair, it was clear they had come to the wedding already upset. Eleazar had been the exemplar Sub from the moment Edward had met him many years ago. Carmen had never complained about him, which made Edward wonder what Eli had done to deserve a spanking. "How's Spain?"
Carmen's features softened as she spoke of their time spent in her home country. She cut off abruptly when Bella exclaimed that she'd always wanted to visit Barcelona. The silence that followed was long. Edward placed a hand on Bella's leg over her dress, trying to communicate without words that he didn't mind she'd spoken her mind. Eli had lifted his eyes from the plate in front of him to stare at Bella in shock.
"Did you see that bull chasing festival?" Peter asked, trying to coax Carmen back into her story.
"I'm not into animal cruelty," she snapped. Her eyes lingered on Edward for a long time, which made him furious. She had no right to judge him or his girlfriend. She was perfectly aware of the nature of their relationship.
Next update will cover part two of the wedding.