The other dress Alice had brought over, turned out to be much more suitable for a wedding. It was a dirty gray color, made of tulle, and with a decent cleavage that wouldn't focus the attention on her boobs. The dress fell above her knees and hugged her body in the right places, and even though Bella wasn't a fan of showing her slender figure, she had to admit that she looked good. Her black pumps were waiting by the door.
For the moment, she was busy trying to recreate a fancy updo with her hair while staring at a picture on her phone.
There was a knock on the bathroom door.
"Five more minutes," she called to Edward. He probably wanted his bathroom back, since she'd hogged it for over an hour now. After showering, she got dressed, then worked on her make-up – the smoky eyes look turned out better than she expected.
If only her hair would cooperate…
The door of the bathroom opened, but instead of a fuming Edward, Bella was surprised to see Tanya advancing into the room.
"Can I help?" she offered.
"Did Edward send you over?"
A small smile played on her lips. "Mr. Cullen figured you might need help."
Bella rolled her eyes. "Think my hair could ever look like that?" She pointed to the picture on her phone.
Tanya stared at it for a long time, then demanded for Bella to sit on the ottoman. She took out all the bobby pins Bella had put in her hair, placing them on Bella's palm, before combing her hair. Then, she used the curling iron on the tips only, before making good use of the bobby pins and several hair pins. After a touch of hair spray, Tanya stepped aside.
Bella stood up and went to look in the mirror. "Whoa! Wow, Tanya!"
Their eyes met through the mirror.
"Thank you," Bella said, gratefully.
"It's no trouble. If you ever need help, let me know."
Bella nodded. She picked her pumps and clutch from Edward's bedroom, and went to the living room with Tanya close behind.
Edward was leaning against the front door, staring at his phone. His head shot up when he heard their footsteps. He looked damn gorgeous in a black tux with the top button left open and his bowtie hanging on either side of the collar.
His green eyes widened, and he pocketed his phone, standing straighter.
"Sorry it took forever," Bella mumbled, stopping in front of him.
"What happened to the blue dress?" He took her left hand, giving her a once-over, licking his lips.
"I think your sister would like the undivided attention upon her. I'm already nervous as hell, so wearing that flashy dress wouldn't have helped."
He chuckled. "I see the appeal in this one." He tugged at a loose curl of hair, left that way for fashion purposes. "Let's go, before I decide to skip my sister's wedding."
Bella braced herself on his forearm, as she slipped on the pumps.
Edward led her to the SUV, with a hand on the small of her back, and then they climbed into the backseat. Felix started driving as soon as the door was closed behind Edward.
Bella squirmed in her seat, nerves churning in her stomach.
"What's wrong?" Edward interlaced their fingers, smiling softly.
"I'm going to meet your family. That's huge."
"Stop worrying. No one expects me to bring a plus one. Except, the happy couple – they know you'll be there."
Bella caught her bottom lip between her teeth, but released it immediately. She was wearing lipstick, something she wasn't used to.
"Please, relax." Edward brushed the back of his hand over her cheek. "We'll leave as fast as the polite etiquette allows us."
"You're family – her brother – the etiquette might say you have to leave early the next morning."
"Some rules are meant to be broken." He winked.
"Is that so, Sir?" She smirked, sneaking a hand behind his neck, keeping eye-contact.
"Isabella." His voice was low, serious, and panty-wetting.
"Yes, Sir?" she whispered, innocently.
"I swear to God…" He narrowed his eyes at her.
Felix chuckling, broke the spell.
"Mind your own fucking business," Edward snapped.
"I've got to say…you found your match." Felix kept laughing.
Bella retreated to her seat, giggling and blushing. She was aware that they had agreed to explore where both relationships might go, which meant that she had given him consent to do whatever he wanted with her body.
She was grateful for Felix upping the volume to some pop song playing on the radio. He wasn't as serious and inhuman as she'd pictured him. Bella could actually see herself befriending him better than Tanya.
They were all silent until they reached their destination. The resort placed on the beach was the best venue for a dream wedding.
Edward clutched her hand, as they walked inside the resort. They were greeted by a tall, blonde woman, dressed in black slacks and a white shirt. She ticked Edward's name off the list, not seeming to mind he'd brought a plus one.
Bella felt like an idiot as she gawked at the grandeur of the place. She trusted Edward to keep her from falling, in case her heels worked their black magic on her ankles.
"So, it's going to be indoor?" She had thought they were attending an outdoor wedding.
"When, has anyone ever gotten married indoors in Santa Barbara, Bella? Besides, it's July."
She shrugged. "This is my first wedding," she mumbled.
Edward turned to stare at her, surprised. "Through here." He waved to a set of double doors opened wide.
They stepped into a large ballroom with full-length panoramic view to the coastline. Another set of open doors led to the patio area. There were many round tables, nicely decorated. The whole room was decorated with style and in pale, delicate colors. Through the doors leading outside, Bella could see the make-shift aisle and the rows of white benches. The archway at the end of the aisle was made of white roses from what she could see.
"This is so beautiful."
"Mom helped with the design part," Edward explained. "Speaking of…" He nodded to a woman dressed in a pale, lilac dress. She was approaching them.
Bella gulped, gripping Edward's hand tighter. She'd never met the parents, but then again, she'd never had a boyfriend. The only parent she knew was Jake's dad, but Billy didn't count. She'd grown up knowing Billy.
"You made it!" The woman threw her arms around Edward.
It was clear that Edward wasn't comfortable with the affectionate hug. He'd gone rigid. His free hand patted his mom's back.
"Mom, I'd like you to meet someone." If Bella didn't know him, she'd think he sounded shy.
His mom pulled away, and she finally noticed Bella. Edward's mother was beautiful, but she hadn't expected anything less, based on the genes Edward had. Her warm brown hair was caught in a loose bun at the base of the neck, and a delicate necklace hung around her neck, completing the mother-in-law look. Her soft hazel eyes stared at Bella for a long moment, before turning back to her son.
"This is Bella…" Edward tilted his head to the side, smiling at Bella. "…my girlfriend. Bella, this is my mother – Esme Cullen."
His mother continued to stare at Bella in an unnerving way. "This is quite the surprise," she finally said. "It's nice to meet you." She extended her hand.
Bella caught her hand, forcing a smile. "Likewise." She felt as if under the microscope, as Esme kept looking at her curiously.
"You should check on Emmett," Esme told Edward, grimacing.
Edward rolled his eyes. "I'll be right back." He pressed his lips to Bella's forehead, before disappearing the way they'd come.
Bella figured out that he knew the location well, since he'd helped with the wedding preparation. She wished, he didn't have to go, because now she was all alone with his mother – and that was a scary concept for her.
The sound of heels clicking in the vast room, attracted Bella's attention to the bride herself. Bella had no idea what she should have expected from the wedding dress, but it wasn't the simple, yet elegant dress she saw Edward's sister wearing. It was embroidered and definitely hand-beaded throughout the bodice and on the skirt. Rosalie's golden locks were caught in a loose updo with tiny white flowers pinned into it. She was a vision, even though her beautiful face was set in a frown.
"Did you find him?" She stopped in front of her mother.
"Edward just went to him," Esme answered, soothingly. "I think I told you to be careful with the dress. You're going to dirty the hem."
Rosalie rolled her eyes, sparing Bella a brief glance. Then her eyes were back on her mother. "He better be out there in twenty minutes."
"Stop worrying." Esme surprised Bella by wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Have you met Edward's new girlfriend?"
Rosalie's head whipped in her direction so fast, some of her hair slipped out from the updo. Esme fussed, redoing it silently. Rosalie kept staring at her with cold, blue eyes.
"Leave it," she snapped at her mother, then hitched the skirt of the dress, stalking back toward the patio.
"You'll have to forgive my daughter. Getting married can do a number on a woman's nerves."
Bella chuckled nervously. "I'll bet."
"Let's head outside." The words were barely out of her mouth, when there was a commotion behind them.
"Daaammnnn!" Emmett whistled loudly. He looked as cheerful as ever, a touch paler, but nothing to worry about. His white tux looked good against his tanned skin. "I couldn't believe Edward." He wrapped his muscly arms around Bella, nearly suffocating her.
"Do you mind not molesting my girl?" Edward snapped.
Bella was thankful to be saved from Emmett's bear hug. "Well, since the wedding invitation was made…"
"I'm glad you're here." Emmett grinned.
"I think you're about to have your first not-quite-yet-married argument with Rose," Esme said, jokingly. "She's worried you wouldn't be there on time."
Emmett cringed. "How upset is she?"
They walked toward the patio, their voices disappearing outside.
"I think your sister hates me," Bella whispered.
Edward cringed. "It might be my fault. She thinks it's because of you, I haven't been well lately…"
"But it was my fault," she insisted.
"No. It was only Tanya's fault playing the right cards against your fragile trust into what we could have." Edward cupped her cheek. "I'm sorry for abandoning you."
"It wasn't that bad."
They walked outside on the patio, where there were around a hundred people in the least. It was a small wedding, compared to what Bella had imagined. The location was ripped out of a fairytale with the rose arcade and all the other floral arrangements, with the ocean behind, reflecting the setting sun.
"Rose doesn't do it halfway," Edward explained, probably noticing Bella's awe.
She hummed in agreement, because it was easy to have whatever you wanted when you were rich. If she'd be the kind of girl to fantasize about weddings, this would be the ideal wedding set in her mind, but she wasn't the kind of girl to dream of weddings and soulmates. Bella was just some poor, orphan girl, abandoned by her only family left alive.
On the way to the seats, Edward was stopped by a dozen people. He engaged them in polite small talk for several minutes, before escaping their claws. When they reached the front rows, Edward steered her to sit next to his mother, who was holding hands with and whispering to a handsome, honey-colored haired man. This had to be Edward's dad.
"Hey," Edward said in greeting, sitting next to Bella.
"What kept you? Esme was just telling me that you brought a date." His dad leaned over to get a better look at Bella.
Bella wanted to hide behind Edward. She hated being in the center of attention.
"Dad, if Mom doesn't care what a ladies' man you are, it's her problem. Can you please attempt not to scare Bella?" Edward narrowed his eyes at his father, but Bella noticed he wasn't that upset. Edward seemed to be exasperated. "Bella, please meet Dr. Carlisle Cullen, my father."
Bella chanced a look at the man in question, and found him staring at her curiously. "Don't mind my son. He's just sore, I've still got the groove." He winked.
"Carl!" Esme gasped, slapping his arm, playfully.
"Fuck," Edward muttered under his breath.
Bella leaned into his side, wrapping her arms around his left arm. "I like how close you are to them. I miss this," she whispered. Edward peered down at her, his eyes filled with sadness. She reached up to his face, stroking his cheek. "Don't be sad."
Edward closed the distance between them, catching her lips in a soft kiss.
All too soon, he had to take his spot by Emmett's side under the flower archway.
Reviews are love. Thank you for sparing the time to leave one.
*hands over Voodoo dolls in shape of Rosalie*
PS: if you'd like a visual for the dresses, better than the one in the teaser, please check my FB group: addict_writer fanfiction.