We're getting close to the end folks. Just two more chapters before Demons finally stop dancing. This has been a wild ride, but I'll save the sappiness for later. On with the story.
Apparently, mauve was in the purple family. Who knew? Bella scratched her nose while Esme twisted her hair into an elaborate braid of some sort. Seth opened the door and looked in.
"Ready for make-up?" Seth asked.
"Absolutely, dear. I am almost…finished, and there!"
Esme stepped to the side, and Bella tilted her head so Seth could cover up the numerous hickeys on her neck, minus her mating mark.
"You know, when Alice said she had an artist, I had no idea she meant you," Bella said.
"My Mom caught me using her make-up one time and taught me how to use it whenever my father wasn't home," he said. "I know enough to make you not look like a vampire sex doll."
Bella had a brief flashback of Rosalie fucking her against the shower wall early that morning and shook it off.
Esme snorted at the comment but said, "Language."
"Sorry, Mama E. Also, does it scare anyone else when Alice just magically has things prepared?" he asked.
"Not anymore, dear," Esme said. "My daughter is always prepared."
"Well, I'm glad we're having the wedding here. It feels appropriate," Seth murmured.
Naturally, Alice found a way to have them get married at the old Cullen estate. Apparently, the new house had been resold in their absence. All three of them paused when Demetri and Marcus carried rocks and massive bundles of lights to the backyard.
"I thought this was a small wedding," Bella said.
"This is Alice's version of small. Be happy she isn't making you wear heels."
"It's not like I can't wear them!"
"Sweetheart, while you can wear heels, it's in our best interest that you don't for today."
Bella rolled her eyes and said, "Maybe I'll just wear them during the honeymoon."
"Where are you going?" Seth asked.
"You do know Rosalie can hear this conversation, right? Alice is having her get ready outside. Lame."
"Shut up, Isabella," Rosalie huffed from across the house.
The door opened, and Leah ran in, slamming it shut and falling against it. The three of them looked at her, confused, and Leah whimpered at Seth. Seth laughed and shook his head.
"Someone finally met the Denali sisters," he said.
"The who?" Bella asked.
"Our cousins. Did Alice not tell you about them?"
"When does Alice actually tell me anything?"
Leah whined and slid down the floor with her head in her hands. Seth went back to finishing Bella's make-up. His tongue stuck out as he covered a particular massive mark. Bella pretended not to notice his amused smirk. Leah pulled herself off the ground and paced the room. The she-wolf was in a very nice, tailored suit, but her PURPLE tie was undone, and her shirt was untucked. Bella glanced at the garment bag on the wall. God, she hoped Alice didn't buy her a purple suit.
"It's not purple," Alice called out. "Rosalie vetoed it."
"Bless my future baby mama," Bella sighed.
There was a squeal, a slap, and Rosalie grumbled something under her breath. Bella had no clue what she said, but it was probably something not worth repeating. Esme chuckled and patted Bella on the arm.
"Our cousins, the Denali sisters, mated with Leah as soon as they saw her."
"Really? Wait, sisters? As in more than one?"
"You're just now catching that?" Seth asked.
Esme held up three fingers, and Bella grimaced. It was hard enough being with one vampire, but three? Poor Leah. Then again…if she could have three Rosalie's, she wouldn't complain.
"They all look like Rosalie, too," Seth added.
Bella's mouth dropped open, and she said, "Three of them? Wow. Man, if I- had a dollar for every thought I shouldn't say, I'd be one dollar richer at this moment."
Esme and Seth shook their heads, and Bella winced.
"Yes, because surely not even you would say something like that on your wedding day, may I add, where your future wife and other super-hearing individuals can hear you. Including our cousins," Esme said pointedly.
"I love my future wife," Bella said seriously. "I would never do anything to jeopardize our relationship."
Everyone in the room, plus Demetri and Marcus outside of the window, looked at her.
"Okay, in my defense, it was a life or death situation!"
They blinked in unison. Esme even lifted an eyebrow.
"Does everyone feel like I'm always jeopardizing our relationship?" Bella heard resounding answers from everyone in the house, even Rosalie. She added, "I am getting married to the love of my life with my family around me, and I will not do anything stupid!"
Seth knocked on the wooden dresser, and Bella glared at him. He laughed and stood up straight.
"Tell Rosalie that if she wants to re-mark you, she'll have to rinse you off first."
"Where we're going for the honeymoon, she'll have plenty of chances for that."
"Ew," Leah said.
"Um, excuse me, Miss Three-Vampire Mates!" Bella scoffed.
"And that means what exactly?"
Bella pursed her lips and glared at Leah. The she-wolf smirked, and Bella said, "It means that while you're in here freaking out because you have three women bound to you for life, I wonder if you're prepared for the amount of stamina you'll need in the upcoming months. Or years."
Leah's eyes glazed over, and Bella high-fived Seth. Esme pinched the bridge of her nose and shooed everyone out of the room. Seth dragged his sister with him, and Esme shook her head at Bella as she closed the door. Alone, Bella allowed herself a brief moment of panic. She was getting married. Again. But it wouldn't be for companionship. It'd be for love, for family, for passion, for eternity, and her heart nearly burst out of her chest. She yelped when Alice appeared in the window, a knowing smile on her face. She passed Bella a small piece of paper and jumped back down. Bella opened the paper, and her heart sped up for a different reason.
I love you more than anything in the world. Please stop freaking out. If it helps, I'm not wearing any underwear.
Rose.
"No! Rosalie, it does not help!" Bella hissed. "But…I love you too. More than anything in the universe."
Across the house, Bella heard 'awws' and fake-gagging. She rolled her eyes and stood up from her seat. The door opened again, and she smiled at her visitors.
"Hi!"
Jane, Alec, and Charlie shut the door behind them. Jane nervously tucked her hair behind her ear while Alec shut the window. Charlie handed Bella another paper. Bella cocked an eyebrow and opened the second paper. She read it, and she felt tears in her eyes. Bella glanced at Jane and Alec, who looked down at the ground, and Bella wrapped her children in a hug. She looked at Charlie, and he placed his fist over his chest and bowed at the waist.
Rosalie wrung her hands together while she paced the closet in her dress. She could hear the music through the window, but thankfully, her closet was soundproofed. Rosalie wasn't panicking. She wasn't freaking out. This was a moment of contemplation, a combination of her life choices in a singular moment. Was she doing the right thing? Obviously, she wanted to spend forever with Bella, but marriage? The last time she was about to marry someone, she became an eternally damned creature of the night. Rosalie stopped and rolled her eyes at herself.
"Even that was dramatic," she muttered.
"Hi, Rosie."
Rosalie turned around and blinked at Emmett. He leaned against her closed door, and she frowned.
"When did you get in here?" she asked.
"I called your name twice before I closed the door and waited for you to come back to Earth." Emmett looked her up and down. "You look incredible. Black is definitely your color."
"White felt inappropriate," she muttered.
"After what you and Bella got into last night, I agree."
Rosalie smiled shakily at Emmett and said, "Alice sent you, didn't she."
"Alec."
"He did?"
"Bella is doing the same thing with Charlie," he laughed. "Alec asked me to come and check on you since you both feed off each other like leeches."
"She's not out there yet?"
"No. Alice is playing hostess until Bella stops trying to throw herself out of the window and take you to Las Vegas."
"Oh, absolutely not!" Rosalie exclaimed. "I-
Rosalie stopped when she saw the smirk on Emmett's face. She laughed and rubbed her temples. "I shouldn't even be freaking out, should I?" she asked.
"Nope. Both of you are freaking out for no reason, and-
Emmett's phone went off, and he held up his finger. He pulled it out and read the message.
"Ah, and you're both finally about to get married. Bella's about to walk out with Charlie."
Rosalie ran up to Emmett. She threw her arms around him and whispered, "Don't let me fall, Em."
"Never."
Bella turned around when the song changed. She took a deep breath and followed the long black lace dress up to the purple and white bouquet and finally-
"Oh my god," she whispered.
Rosalie had her eyes on Emmett, muttering something to him in Portuguese, and Emmett laughed. Bella stepped off the platform, and Charlie quickly tugged her back on it. Bella flushed and ducked her head when Leah and Angela snickered at her excitement. Rosalie finally looked at Bella, and her eyes darkened considerably as she looked her up and down. Rosalie tripped, and Emmett kept her from falling. Rosalie groaned under her breath, and Bella did a little fist pump.
"You two are hopeless," Alice sighed.
Bella smiled brightly and bounced on her toes as Rosalie got closer, but then Bella zoned out once she got a closer look at Rosalie's dress. She almost hated that'd she be ripping it off later. Emmett bowed and kissed Rosalie on the cheek before he went to Rosalie's side of the aisle behind Esme. Bella offered her hand and helped Rosalie on the platform. They faced each other, and Alice began her speech, but Bella wasn't listening. She was mesmerized. Rosalie had her eyes on Alice, a distinct shine to them. Bella later realized it was amusement because Charlie nudged her in the back shortly afterward.
"Huh?" she said.
"I asked if you were ready for your vows," Alice teased.
"Oh. Really? Now?"
"Do you not have them?" Alice asked.
"What? Of course! I just- never mind." Bella took a deep breath. "Look at me. I've found forever in a beautiful, enchanting, intelligent, sweet, stubborn, literal Ice Queen who tastes like a cool winter night and smells like fresh snow."
Rosalie smiled softly and rolled her eyes.
"Her very essence soothes the fire that once burned in my soul. I dreamt of her in my worst moments, when my world was literally being torn apart. My heart continued to beat because it knew that as long as she breathed, as long as she lived, I would know happiness and peace. With her, there is no hurry. Our time together, our every shared moment is precious. Every kiss that we share is etched into my memory to never forget. Oh, and the way her body molds to mine. She was created just for me. The feel of her skin against mine intoxicates me."
Rosalie gave her a warning look, and Bella winked.
"I am immortal, but it would not mean a thing if I could not spend eternity with the love of my life. Rosalie, I love you. I always have. The moment I saw you, I knew you were mine to have and to hold. Until death do us part, which hopefully isn't for another thousand years. In sickness and in health. With our children and our pups. Our siblings, our honorary parents, our cousins, and our closest friends. I want it all with you for as long as this world turns. I love you so much it hurts when I look at you because I can't believe someone as mind-blowingly beautiful wants to be with me. I-" Bella stopped and exhaled. "I will always say yes to you. You are mine, and I am yours."
There wasn't a single person breathing in the audience. Even Angela held her breath. Rosalie opened her mouth to respond, but nothing came out. Bella squeezed her hands, and Rosalie cleared her throat. She shook her head.
"I- do you know how many times you have said that to me? In one variation or the next? Yet, each time I hear it, it feels like the first time. My vows are not as long or as extravagant. But in front of our family, friends, and children, I want to confess and proclaim that you are the one for me. You always have been. Love has not been an easy road for me. I lost my life over it. But the hate I felt for Carlisle faded the moment I met you because I would have missed out on the greatest love I have ever known. Isabella, when you left to take care of your siblings, the only thing I could think of was, please don't die before I get my do-over. I need…I need-
Rosalie grabbed her stomach, and Bella tugged her close.
"Talk to me," she whispered. "Just me."
Rosalie placed her hands on Bella's waist and placed her foreheads on hers. She said, "I'm not good with the words part. So, I'm going to be as blunt as possible. Dying was the best thing that ever happened to me. Dying brought me to you, and every day I learn to love life again. Your blood flows through my veins. It's quite poetic, honestly. I want forever with you. I always have. And I stand before you today to tell you that I am yours, just as you are mine."
Rosalie touched the mark on Bella's neck and smirked.
"You are mine," she repeated.
Alice cleared her throat, and Rosalie backed away. Bella blinked and ignored the heat in her stomach.
"Okay! To avoid drawing this out anymore, Bella, you ready?" Alice prompted.
"Yes, one second."
Rosalie frowned, confused, and Bella winked at her. Bella ran over to Jane. She grabbed her daughter and brought her in front of Rosalie. She then turned and grabbed Alec and put him next to Jane. Bella removed a ribbon from her pocket and took Jane and Alec's wrists. She wrapped the ribbon around them before she grabbed Rosalie's wrist. Bella tied the other part of the ribbon around hers, binding them together, and she nodded at Alice.
"Now, Bella postponed the ring ceremony in favor of something a little different. So." Alice took out her own ribbon and tied it around the entire family. "By the power given to me, I ask this union of not only Isabella and Rosalie but Jane and Alec as well, be blessed for eternity. I confirm its roots are based on love, peace, honor, respect, and trust, and that it will withstand any trial or tribulation thrown their way. Isabella, as protector, provider, and creator of this union, what say you?"
"I do," Bella said.
"Then, in the presence of your family, your friends, and the ones you hold close, I pronounce you, Isabella, Rosalie, Alec, and Jane... Hale."
"Wh-what?" Rosalie whispered.
"Alec and I wanted to honor our mother," Jane said softly.
"Both of them," Alec added.
"And while I do love being a Swan," Bella smiled, "I love being a Hale more."
"I gave my blessing this morning on behalf of my ancestors," Charlie said.
"And this is kind of when you say the 'i do' part," Alice told Rosalie, smiling.
Rosalie closed her eyes. Tears openly flowed down her cheeks, a good mix of venom as well, and she said, "I do."
"Sweet. Then that's pretty much the ceremony, honestly. Bella didn't want a long one."
"Excuse me! I wasn't the only one," Bella huffed.
"Can we eat now?" Seth whined.
"This is a disaster," Rosalie laughed.
"Okay, okay. Now, let's party!" Alice exclaimed.
"To the Hales!" Charlie said proudly.
"To the Hales!" everyone repeated.
Seth and Leah winked at each other before they ran to the tree line and shifted. The two wolves howled at the sky, and Alice sighed.
"I paid a lot of money for those outfits," she said.
Rosalie kissed Alec and Jane on their cheeks before she kissed Bella on the lips.
"I hate you," she murmured.
"Yeah, I know."