- Chapter Number 12 -
"On the beach?" Rose gasps out.
"Will you be quiet," I glance back at my mother.
Renee continues to gossip with the hair stylist, content in her white 'bride' robe. Rosalie mouths an apology to me as she fixes my make up.
"I just can't believe it. You're telling me that Edward is a sex god?" She smiles at me.
"We haven't got that far," I shrug.
"You don't need to. I'd say it runs in the family, but they aren't related," she says, "Emmett is very skilled too."
"I'm sure he is," I roll my eyes.
"Don't move your eyes," she smacks my hand lightly, "I'll mess up again."
"After we left dinner he was a complete gentleman again. He kissed me goodnight at the bedroom door and wished me goodnight. Slept on the couch. I guess he wants to not push the boundaries too fast," I explain, "it's not really the conventional way to date."
"He's going at your pace," she nods, "he's so sweet. Bella he could be the one."
She taps the makeup brush into the pallet in her hand. Returning it back to my eye.
"Close them. I think you're his one for what it's worth," she says, "from what he has said to Em. He's pretty smitten."
"He seems so not real," I say, "like there's a shoe that has to drop."
"Don't do that," she leans back.
My eyes open and I see her serious expression.
"Don't let doubt win," she says, "this guy is perfect for you. Just let it be that."
"What if he thinks I'm shit in bed too?" I ask.
"Bella," her expression turns to a furious sympathy, "if I ever run into that stupid actor I will fuck him up for hurting you and making you believe you could be anything but amazing. Not only in everyday life but in bed. Edward will love it."
"I fear you running into him more than any other person I know," I lean toward her and affectionately rub a hand on her knee, "he'd need a neck brace."
"No he'd need a coffin," she huffs out, "now close your fucking eyes before you need one too."
"Do you talk dirty like that to Emmett?" I ask sarcastically.
"Why do you want some tips?" She smirks.
"Honestly kinda," I laugh, "Edward is so… vocal. I want to be like that too."
"We'll talk," she promises with a nod, "I'll have you dirty talking him into oblivion. Your sex life is about to get so hot! Did you even bring anything sexy? We need to get you some lingerie."
"You need to shut up," I mutter.
"You ladies almost ready?" The hairstylist calls out to us.
"Yep," Rose smirks at me.
"The bride is almost done," she smiles.
I twist in my seat to look back at my mother and gasp.
"Oh wow," I smile widely, "you look incredible."
With her hair and makeup all done she looks like a new person. We rarely did that growing up. I had to learn all the beautiful things through magazines and TV. She never really cared about makeup or beauty standards in general. I had to beg her to teach me to shave my legs and let me wear makeup. Thankfully now I have Rosalie to show me the way.
"Thanks, baby," she grins at me.
She looks excited and genuinely happy.
"Let's get the dress on," the hairdresser claps, "then it's almost time I think."
"I'll go take my seat," Rosalie rubs my arm affectionately, "don't let the bride fall."
"Sound advice," I reply dryly.
My mother's dress is simple and elegant. Draping over one shoulder, tight against her frame. She went without a veil and kept jewellery quite minimal. I'd never seen her looking so beautiful.
"Mom," I take her hand, "you look incredible. I'm so so happy for you."
"Don't," she sniffles, "I don't want to cry this soon."
When my mother asked me to walk her down the aisle I'd been hesitant. Not only was I terrified of all eyes on me, but I also wanted to make her feel proud. That her new stage would be entered beside an old phase. I worried she looked at me and saw her failed marriage for a long time. But they're stupid worries.
"Ready?"I squeeze her hand.
"Yep," she nods, "oh one thing."
She turns to look at me properly.
"I want you to just know that I love you. Regardless of this and whatever else. It was you and me for such a long time and it will be that till the day I have to leave you. I'm proud of you and I only ever want the best for you," a tear begins to slip down her cheek, "I hope one day you can be this happy. Marriage to the man of your dreams or not, I just want to make sure you're happy."
"I am happy," I wipe at my tears with the back of my hand, "I'll always be because I have you as a mother."
She pulls me into a tight hug, holding me close against her. Just like when I was little.
"You're my best friend," she whispers into my ear, "I hope one day you get to experience this love with your own children."
"Ready?" the coordinator interrupts our moment.
"I guess," my mother laughs nervously, "let's go marry my man."
Quickly I fix her makeup with my thumbs, wiping away any evidence of her tears. At first, when all the heads turn to look at us I feel my stomach sink. I catch Rosalie smiling brightly at us from the front row and the feeling begins to subside. Then I see him. His smile is warm, hands folded in front of him. The black tux stuck out to me more than any other person in the room.
His eyes scan down my body, taking in my floor-length gown. My mother had agreed on a chiffon dusty rose dress with thin straps and a V-neck bust. It flows as we walk, glimpses of my gold high heels seeping through as I step.
Rosalie reaches out to squeeze my arm gentle as I pass her, Edward in the row behind her winking at me.
When I arrive at the altar with my mother I lean over to press a kiss on Phil's cheek.
"Thanks, Bella," he smiles at me, a tear in his eye.
I give my mother one last cuddle before carefully making my way to sit beside Rosalie in the front row. Edward sits behind me beside Emmett. His hand reaches out to squeeze my shoulder affectionately, but other than that he refrains from touching me any more. Thank god.
The ceremony was small and intimate. No more than 45-50 people had come and my mother's parents had passed when I was young. My family was really only my mother and father. My dad certainly wasn't coming. It was most their friends, Phil's family and people they'd worked with who jumped at the chance at a holiday.
Rosalie was my chosen family so my mother had asked her to sit with me.
Her parents sat a few rows back, smiling and tearful as they watched my mothers say her vows.
"We'll now hear from the bride's daughter," the celebrant smiles at me.
Rosalie claps silently beside me.
"Get them, tiger," she whispers.
Standing I step shakily toward where I'd been told to stand and smile. The celebrant hands me a notecard with what I'd written and motions for me to go ahead.
"My mother's favourite book to read to me as a child was always Charlotte's Web. She'd make the funny voices of each character and held me as I cried when the spider died," I begin.
All eyes are on me. I feel clammy.
"When she asked me to speak at the ceremony I knew without a shadow of a doubt it had to be something from our book," I say.
Glancing over at my mother I try to hold back tears. She's already a mess. Phil rubbing her back in comfort, teary eyed himself.
"You have been my friend. That in itself is a tremendous thing. I wove my webs for you because I liked you. After all, what's a life, anyway?" I stop for a moment glancing toward Rosalie, who's dabbing away tears, " We're born, we live a little while, we die. A spider's life can't help being something of a mess, with all this trapping and eating flies. By helping you, perhaps I was trying to lift up my life a trifle. Heaven knows anyone's life can stand a little of that."
I glance at Edward and smile as he gives me a wink.
"Mother was always my spider. Writing affirmations with her love and words. Today I'm so blessed that I get to return the favour on such a special day," I finish.
My mother claps first. She claps the loudest. Letting go of Phil's hands so she can turn to hug me tightly.
Her guests politely clap, and others wipe away the last of their tears as I return to my seat.
"Crushed it," Rosalie whispers, "I'm so proud of you."
When the bride and the groom share their first kiss as a married couple everyone claps, throwing confetti as they pass down the aisle.
"You look incredible," Edward leans across the back of my chair to place his hand on my back, "you spoke amazingly too."
I turn to face him and smile brightly, thankful that he's here.
"Thank you," I look him over, "you need to wear tuxedos in my presence more."
"You like it," he adjusts one of his cuff links.
"Love it," I nod, "you look like James Bond."
Laughing he steps out from his row as people begin to go meet the happy couple. He pulls me into his arms and kisses my forehead. A euphoric feeling of acceptance ripples through his hold.
"Bella," my mother calls back to me.
I look around Edward and smile at her.
"Photos," she motions to the photographer.
"I'll see you soon," he kisses my forehead.
As I'm posing for photos with my mother and her groom, my smile feels goofier than usual. But it felt so right being there.
Thank you for reading
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