(w)riteofpassion
Chapter 28

Alice and I were getting ready for the wedding. The bathroom smelled incredible, the scents of our body wash and lotions merging, mingling in the air and wafting into the bedroom.

After Alice helped me curl my hair, I put half of it up into a high ponytail and wrapped a white lace scrunchie around the rubber band securing it. I'd never seen my best friend get ready this fast before.

The black chiffon dress danced gracefully around Alice's petite frame, the sheer sleeves making her look like a fairy. Her hair was sleek and straight and her makeup dark with a bold red lip. She looked incredible, and I still looked like I hadn't slept in four days.

I popped an Advil or two, hoping it would help take my headache away.

"I, uh, I have to go outside and call for a minute." Alice stumbled over her words. I frowned.

"What's wrong?" I asked, searching for my concealer.

"Poor reception, that's all. Promised Jasper, I'd call him today." She smiles, but it's secretive and she'd been on her phone all morning.

Alice was out the door before I could question her again.

She hadn't returned half an hour later, so I got worried and called her. The phone rang about eight times before it went to her voicemail. Alice was lying to me. She wasn't on the phone with anyone.

I'd done my makeup and pulled on the dress Alice had altered. Overall, I looked pretty good. My full face of makeup did wonders to hide the fact I could fall asleep right here and now.

I checked my phone repeatedly, but no word from Alice.

"Bells?"

I opened my eyes, startled by my rude awakening. Alice sat on my side of the bed, one hand on my shoulder.

"Where the fuck were you?" I asked, whipping my head around to watch the time. It had been two hours and I must've fallen asleep.

"You look incredible!" She knew I was onto her.

"Don't resort to flattery, Whitlock. Tell me what's going on." I demanded.

"Look, I just went outside for a bit. I wanted to call Emmett and reassure him you were doing okay. I told him you read the blog and everything. He felt guilty as hell, honey."

"Okay, whatever. I'll let it slide, just because we have to go out to Bree's room, anyway. Before mother throws a fit." I stood up and straightened my dress before stepping into the silver heels I brought.

We made our way to the bride's room, where my mother was annoying the hair stylist with her constructive criticism.

"Oh, my word. What the hell happened to your dress?" She shrieked, closing the door behind us. Bree turned her head, wanting to see what mom was going off about.

"This is my dress, and hello to you, too, mother." I said, walking over to the dresser where a bottle of expensive champagne waited for me. I grabbed a glass and the bottle, pouring a generous amount.

"Want some?" I asked Alice, who shook her head.

"It's barely noon, if I start now I'll be dancing on top of tables in my underwear by the time they cut the cake." We laughed at her joke, because Alice is a lightweight. She was probably right. I shouldn't be drinking, but today was a celebration, right?

"Bella, I swear to God. Go change into your dress. You know, the one I bought for you?" Mom said, her Botox clearly wearing off.

"Mom, this is the dress. Alice just jazzed it up a bit." I shrugged.

"I like it, Mom. Looks good on her," Bree said, taking my side. It surprised me.

"I guess it's not the worst thing she's ever shown up in." My mom said. I gulped down some champagne, the bubbles tickling my throat.

"So, Alice," mom started. "I'm glad you could join us today." I couldn't believe my ears. She almost sounded genuine, and her smile was warm.

"Where's the orange juice, mom?" Bree asked, searching for mom in the mirror in front of her.

"Let me get you some, honey." Mother scurried around the room, opening the mini fridge. She returned with the unopened bottle of premium squeezed juice, filling up a glass for her favorite daughter.

"No, I want a mimosa." Bree said as Renée wanted to hand her the cup. Mom's eyes widened.

"You're going to drink, Bree? You're about to get married, are you deranged?"

Bree rolled her eyes. Clearly, I wasn't the only one who got annoyed by our mother.

"If you won't let me drain this fucking mimosa, I might turn psychotic, yes." I smirked.

After what seemed like forever, Alice and I finally made our way to the ceremony venue outside of the hotel. The garden was beautiful, decorated to the nines.

"Looks like they spend a lot of green bills to make this wedding perfect," Alice remarked. I nodded.

"Anything for their little girl, I bet." I rolled my eyes.

Alice sat down, grabbing her clutch and fishing her phone out of it, typing ferociously.

Guests started trickling in and the wedding planner by the side entrance of the garden pointed everyone to their seat.

"Come on, Ali. Time for a bathroom break." I nudged her shoulder, trying to glimpse at her phone.

"I swear to God, how can Jasper even miss you this much? You've been gone for a day." I joked.

"I know, right?" She shot back, uninterested, before she got up.

I checked my makeup in the mirror, glad to see it was all still in place. Alice took her time in the stall, doing God knows what. Her smile widened when she got out and caught me taking a selfie.

"Going to show Edward how bomb you look today?" She asked, washing her hands.

"What? No. I just wanted to check if I was photo ready. I'm not bothering him. Like you said, no need to rush anything."

If only he was here today, like we planned. Today could have been such a wonderful day together.

"Cheer up, Bella. It's going to be fine. Great, even." Alice comforted me. She got a smile out of me as she clasped my hands tightly.

"I'm willing to play the committed lesbian if you are," I joked.

She started laughing.

"Never a dull moment with you, is there?" She kissed my cheek and hugged me.

"I want you to know you're one of the most important people on this planet for me. Never let your mother or anyone else tell you you don't matter. They're full of shit and I will always have your back." Her words touched me and I hugged her tighter, fighting back tears.

"Let's get you to your seat." I took her hand and led her outside again, where now two-thirds of the seats were already taken. The ceremony started in about fifteen minutes.

They were waiting for me by the door we had to exit from on cue with the music. Diego had three groomsmen, and Bree three bridesmaids. I figured out she was one bridesmaid short and that's why she asked me. I couldn't care less. The two other girls were her best friends, but I didn't know their names. At the rehearsal dinner, I sat next to Raoul, Diego's older brother. He was more handsome than Diego, and I was supposed to walk down the aisle with him. We had a good time at dinner, so I never learned more about Bree's two blonde friends.

I only smirked when I noticed my dress looked decent, while they looked like two mint juleps.

"Let's do this, beautiful." Raoul winked at me and took my hand.

"Don't get any ideas," I mumbled before we walked down the white carpet in between two rows of seats filled with people I had never seen before.

As I watched my half-sister get married to the man she thought she loved, it hit me. I didn't care about the bells and whistles, and I didn't want any of them. They were lucky and privileged to get married in a place like this. They were fucking lucky to have each other, too.

I couldn't help myself but think of how this day could have been.

Edward would sit where Alice was now, looking heart-stoppingly handsome in a suit and tie. We'd have cake together and dance until we had too much to drink. We would people-watch and make fun of my mother and her perfect little family and make-out on the dancefloor just to mess with her. She'd tell us to behave and we would go upstairs to our room, leaving the party early and have fun with each other instead.

I would tell him how much I loved him and thank him for coming here with me.

The bride and groom said 'I do', and soon after that the crowd left their seats, wandering into the decorated bar for the reception. Staff all around worked hard to replace the ceremonial decor with the dinner tables and chairs as the wedding guests were enjoying champagne and hors d'oeuvres.

"Bella, can I have a moment of your time?" A warm hand on the small of my back startled me.

"Oh, Phil, hi!" I kissed my stepfather on the cheek. I hadn't talked to him all day.

"I really want to take this moment, and apologize, for Renée's sake." He started, almost shocking me.

"What do you mean?" I asked him, needing to hear it from someone else.

"Your mother and how she's behaving around you. I know she hasn't made it easy for you." He smiled apologetically.

"I really appreciate you telling me this, Phil. But I never once got an apology from her." I looked down.

"I know, and we have talked about it. I told her she was mistreating you, but," he trailed off.

"She didn't even realize it?" I knew where this was going. Mom didn't really understand she hurt me all the time.

"I tried, and so has Bree. But this isn't exactly something you can just put past you, I understand." He smiled.

"I can't, you're right."

"Anyway, thank you for being here today. I know she hasn't said it directly, but your mom's glad too. Now, go enjoy yourself at the reception." He squeezed my shoulder gently before walking off again.

I walked inside, the noise of the people chatting mixed with the music creating a nice ambiance. A server passed me, carrying a tray full of champagne flutes. I took one and wandered around, looking for Alice, but she was nowhere in sight.

"Mom?" I asked, walking up to her. She was in the middle of a conversation with one of her aunts, but I didn't remember her name.

"Yes, sweetheart?" She never calls me that. She must have had enough to drink.

"Have you seen Alice?"

"Oh," she acted surprised but failed miserably. "I think she went up to her room for a bit. I'm sure she'll be here soon."

I let out a deep breath, annoyed. Where the hell did she keep disappearing to?

"Did I tell you how wonderful you look, dear?" It was Phil's sister who came up at me, dressed in vintage rose and Louboutin, clutching a Chanel bag on her shoulder.

"Oh, Shelly, hi." I greeted her. This woman was always nice to me.

"My friend altered it for me," I smiled.

"It sure looks better than those hideous curtains the other girls were wearing. I bet little Bree was too scared someone would outshine her cupcake dress." I laughed at Shelly's remark.

"Or she just really likes pastel colored tulle in the most unflattering color known to man." I joked.

"Safe to say you're the bell of the ball, Bella." Shelly winked.

"How is life in New York? I heard you were working there now?" I was shocked my mom mentioned it to her.

"Uh, yeah. It's great. Hard work, but very rewarding."

"Don't forget to live a little while you're there. I know the Big Apple's nightlife used to be so much fun in my day. If there was a benefit, I was there." Shelly used to be a New York socialite when she was younger, but lived in Connecticut now.

"Well, I'm sure I'll check it out once the dust has settled a little. I just want to make sure I'm giving work my all, it's my number one priority at the moment."

"I understand, dear. If you ever want to come down to Connecticut for a visit over the weekend, know you're always welcome to stay with us." She said.

"Yeah, thanks. Maybe I will take you up on that."

I couldn't hear what she said next, because something else caught my eye.

Black suit.
Auburn hair.

No, that's impossible.

"I swear I…"

"What's that, dear?" Shelly asked me, waving at the server to bring her another glass of champagne.

"No-nothing, excuse me, please."

I rushed outside, where the sun was slowly setting, a beautiful addition to the decorations for the dinner tables and chairs for the wedding party.

What're you doing, Bella? Get a grip.

I sighed and sat down on a bench against the brick wall of the hotel, my head resting in my hands.

"Bella?"

My heart stopped when I heard his voice.

"Oh, my God." I whispered. My cheeks heated as my heartbeat went rogue.

It was him.

He was there.

Edward Cullen was in Phoenix at my half-sister's wedding.