26
Bella was slowly losing her mind, and it had nothing to do with the disease killing her. As Alice hurried off to prepare everything for the wedding, she tried her hardest to do her job, but more than once she had to remind herself that Edward was not the only player on the court. It felt like every time she took a picture, he was the main focus. He was everything to her, everything she never thought she wanted.
Even before Kufs entered her life, before her world shattered, Bella had never thought of herself as someone who would get married, have a family. She just lived her life. But she wasn't looking for someone to sweep her off her feet, to give her a reason to live, to love, but Edward had given her both of those. Even though it scared her, she knew she couldn't go on without him by her side.
Had they only met a week ago? So much had changed, yet it felt like Edward had been a part of her life forever. He came into her life, and though she fought it, he refused to let her runaway. It was selfish, of course. She should let him go. She shouldn't want him to hold her as her body betrays her, to love her, to need her, but she wanted all of him. And for some reason, he wanted all of her, too. She was so fucking lucky.
As his and Jasper's match ended, Bella snuck away, knowing that she needed a minute to gather herself before the next match, this one between Kate Denali and Angela Weber and Lauren Mallory and Jessica Stanley, who Bella was supposed to have a shoot with on Saturday, the last day of the tournament. She hadn't seen any of them play but knew both teams were on the brink of going home with one loss each.
Bella entered the hospitality tent and found Seth and Felix huddled over a laptop together in the back, which seemed odd to her. They looked up, spotting her, and quickly moved away from each other, which only amused her more. Though, she didn't have the energy to worry about it, so instead, she walked over and grabbed a bottle of water, a package of peanut butter crackers, and settled at a table to reload her memory stick.
"Hey, Swan," Felix said, pulling the chair across from her out and sitting down, with Seth in the other chair. "How's it going?"
"Good," she told him.
He nodded, placing his hands on the table. Seth cleared his throat, but didn't say anything, which almost had her laughing.
"Did you need something specific?" she asked, placed her camera on the table, and opened her water.
"Um," he said, shaking his head. "No, no, just thought we should check in."
"Ah." While she nibbled on a cracker, they continued to sit there and stare at her, which only irritated her more. "Okay, what the hell is going on with you two?"
"Nothing," they said together.
"I mean," Felix paused and cleared his throat, "There, um, there's been a change of plans for the rest of the portfolio shots."
"Okay," she said, slowly and waited for him to continued, but he just sat there. "Are you going to share with me what is changing?"
Felix laughed, a horrible forced, fake laugh. "We're cutting Lauren and Jessica, since we don't have another men's team to shoot in placement of Newton and Crowley."
"So, we are just going with who we have so far?" she pressed, tilting her head to the side.
"Yes," Felix said while Seth said, "No."
"Well, which is it? Yes, or no?"
"No," they said, sharing another look before Felix said, "While we aren't going to do anymore solo shoots, like we have been doing, we are going to have an end of the tournament . . . party, I guess. Formal, of course."
"Of course," she said. "And this affects me how?"
"Oh, um, we'd like you there," Felix said.
"To take pictures," Seth added. "I mean, what a great opportunity to capture the spirit of PV." He looked at Felix before turning to Bella. "Right?"
"I guess," she said, standing up. "It's your money."
"Great," they said together.
"We'll let Peanut know the details," Felix added.
Bella nodded and picked up her camera. "Are you sure you're all right? You two are acting weird as shit."
"We're fine," they said together.
"Okay, if you say so." And turning, Bella left them standing there, and tried not to add their weirdness to her list of things to worry about. Besides, she was getting married today. She had enough on her mind.
—BDBH—
By the end of the day, Bella's nerves were on fire. She and Edward had avoided each other through most of the day, but they had managed glances at each other. Every time, her heart raced and it took all her control not to throw herself in his arms. She couldn't wait to be his — only his.
Alice reappeared just as the last match ended. "Okay, Swan, are you ready?"
"Yeah," she said. "Just waiting for Edward."
"He's meeting us there," Alice chirped, hooking her arm in with Bella's and dragging her away.
"He is?" she asked.
Alice nodded. "Jasper's taking care of it."
"Oh, okay," Bella murmured, looking over her shoulder at Edward, who was being held back by Jasper. "Peanut."
"Hey," she said, pulling her attention back to her. "Trust us."
"I do," she whispered, sparing Edward another look before allowing Alice to lead her car.
Alice drove her back to their studio. When they walked in, Bella was found a clothes rack with several dresses, several boxes of shoes, and flower bouquets. Blown away by how much Alice had done in such a short amount of time, she brought her hand up to her lips, trying to find the words to express how she felt.
"It's okay, Swan," Alice said, placing her hand on Bella's shoulder. "I know."
"Peanut, I . . ."
"I love you, too." Alice pulled away and walked over to the dresses. "Now, come decide what dress you want to wear."
Bella bit her lip as she joined Alice, letting her hand slide over each dress. They were all beautiful. Simple. Just like her. Alice knew her well enough to know better than try to force her into something frilly and lacy. It was the third dress that drew Bella's attention. She pulled it off the rack, holding it up in front of her. Strapless, silk, ivory, falling to her knees, she knew it was the one.
"That's the one I liked," Alice said, quietly. "Come on, let's get ready."
"Okay," Bella whispered, shakily.
—BDBH—
Two hours later, they were ready. Bella had been pampered. Though she wasn't one to wear much in the way of make-up, Alice highlighted her natural glow, as she put it. She had slipped into the amazing dress and put on a pair of simple white sandals that tied around her ankles.
"Are you ready?" Alice asked, placing her hand on Bella's elbow.
"Never been more ready," she breathed, looking at her best friend. "Thank you, Peanut."
"Oh, Swan, you're welcome." Alice reached over and picked up one of the bouquets, this one with roses mixed with plumerias. "I like this one."
"Me too," Bella whispered. "I can't believe I'm doing this."
"I can." Alice placed her free hand on Bella's cheek. "You deserve to be happy, Swan. For as long as you can, at least."
"I hope so."
Alice didn't say anything else as she picked up the other bouquet and lead Bella back out to her car. They made the trip in silence, surprised when they headed away from the courthouse. She and Edward had planned on going to the justice of the peace, but it would appear Alice had other plans. She trusted her best friend. Instead, she imagined what it was going to be like to stand with Edward.
Bella was surprised when Alice pulled up to Ka hanu o ka'ānela. "Peanut?"
"You didn't think I knew about this place, did you?" Alice asked with a laugh.
"No," she admitted.
"A few weeks before your dad died," she said, softly. "He . . . Well, he must have known what he was going to do, because he told me you liked to come here when you get scared."
"How did he know?"
"Charlie Swan knew everything about his girls," Alice giggled through her tears. "He would be so proud of you, Swan. So proud."
"You think so?" she asked, unable to keep her own tears from sliding down her face. She quickly wiped it away.
"Oh, yeah," Alice whimpered. "All he wanted was his girls to be happy."
"I wish he were here to give me away." Bella blinked several times, trying to keep from openly sobbing. "But then again, if he were here, I probably wouldn't be getting married."
"You think so?" she asked.
"If I hadn't lost him like that, I don't know that I would have allowed myself to get close enough to Edward to fall in love with him." Bella looked at Alice. "You told me this tournament was going to change my life, Peanut, and it did."
"I'll save the 'I told you so' until later." Alice placed her hand on Bella's arm. "Now, are you ready to become Mrs. Mason?"
"Yes," she breathed.
Alice climbed out of the car first and hurried around to the passenger side and opened the door for Bella. Once they were both out, she took one of the bouquets and hooked her arm in with Bella's, leading her down the small pathway to the beach. However, when they walked through the brush, Bella gasped. Standing in front of her, surrounding Edward, were Esme and Carlisle, Seth and Tanya, Rose and Emmett, Felix, James, Laurent, and Jasper. Tears flooded her eyes as she looked from them down to Alice.
"Did you do this?"
"Of course, I did," she said, smiling. "I know you and Mason wanted something simple. Well, you're still getting something simple, Swan, but we wanted to be here with you. Family sticks together."
"Peanut," Bella whimpered, turning and hugging her best friend. "I love you."
"I love you, too," she whispered. "Just be happy, Swan. That's all we want for you."
"I am happy." Bella shifted her eyes to Edward, who smirked and winked at her. He was wearing a pair of khaki pants and a white dress shirt with only three buttons done and the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. "Very happy."
"Good." Alice pulled away and walked over to Esme, holding out the bouquet to her. "It's time."
Esme hugged Alice before walking over to Bella, offering her an arm. "You look beautiful, sis."
"Thanks," she murmured. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you."
Esme shrugged her shoulders. "It's okay. I get it."
"Do you?" Bella asked.
"Yeah," she said, quietly. "He's your strength."
"Essie," she whimpered.
"I know, sis," Esme cried, bringing her hand up to her cheek. "Now, are you ready?"
Bella nodded, knowing what they needed to say had been said. She hadn't made the last week, month, year easy. It was clear to her, though, that she needed Edward. As Esme said, he was her strength.
Esme gestured toward Seth, who pulled a guitar from his back and started strumming a slow melody. Tears flooded Bella's eyes as their friends — no, their family — shifted to either side of the small aisle, leaving a pathway to Edward, who stretched his hand toward her.
Bella couldn't keep away from him another second and found herself almost pulling Esme down to him. She laughed but didn't try to slow her down. When she got to him, Bella turned and pressed her lips against Esme's cheek, before shifting her attention back to Edward. Her skin warmed as she placed her hand in his, allowing him to pull her into his arms.
"You look beautiful," he murmured, nuzzling the side of her neck as he kissed his way up to her ear. "Are you going to marry me today?"
"Yes," she moaned, tugging his head back and looking him in the eye. "Are you going to marry me?"
"Yes. A million times yes!"
Everyone laughed, reminding them that they weren't alone. Bella felt her cheeks warm, though she wasn't embarrassed.
"Then let's begin," Carlisle said, moving so that he was standing in front of Bella and Edward.
"You're performing our ceremony?" she asked, smiling.
Carlisle laughed. "When Peanut told us you and Edward were getting hitched today, I knew I needed to do this for you, Bella. Turns out, you can get ordained in a matter of minutes." He reached over and placed his hand on the side of her face. "And I would do anything for you, Swan. Anything."
"Thank you," she whimpered, unable to keep the tears from falling down her face. She leaned over and hugged him. "For everything you're doing to save me."
"I'll never give up," Carlisle whispered just loud enough for her to hear. Then, clearing his throat, he leaned away and said, "Now, let's get this party started."
—BDBH—
As has been the norm lately, once Bella and Edward said their 'I do's' and Carlisle pronounced them 'Husband and Wife', a party did ensue. A bonfire was started and Alice, being the amazing person she is, managed to get food and drinks delivered just as the ceremony ended. Bella had no clue what she had had to do to make everything happen, but she would never be able to thank her for everything.
There was music and laughter, and once again, Bella found herself standing by the edge of the water. She had long kicked off her sandals and was letting the water wash over her feet. For the first time in a long time, Bella felt hope for the future.
"Hey."
Looking over her shoulder, she found Jasper standing behind her, hands shoved into his pockets. He had stood next to Edward, serving as his best man. "Hey, Cowboy."
Jasper smiled at the silly nickname and moved so that he was standing next to her. "You look beautiful."
"Thank you," she said, softly. "It's all because of Peanut."
"Nah," he disagreed, nudging her with his shoulder. "She just enhanced what was already there."
"Yeah?" she asked, biting her lip.
Jasper nodded. "Mason told me he's . . . taking a break after this tournament."
"Oh." She wrapped her arms around her body. "Are you upset with his decision?"
"Surprised," he said. "Not upset. Mason has always just been about the game, about being the best of the best. But now, he's not."
"Guess that's my fault, huh?"
"No, no, that's not what I meant," he insisted, putting his hands up. "Fuck, this isn't coming out right."
"I think it's coming out exactly right," she laughed. "If Edward hadn't met me, if I wasn't sick, he wouldn't be putting his career on hold."
"Probably not," Jasper admitted. "But he's the doing the right thing."
"He is?"
Jasper nodded. "All Mason cared about was winning. He didn't care if . . . if he humiliated our competition in the process. There were times, he . . . he became too intense."
"Yeah," she murmured, thinking about the way he had pursued her.
Jasper reached over and took hold of her left hand, lifting it so he was staring at the rings on her finger. "He didn't even know he needed you, Swan."
Bella smiled. "You called me Swan."
"What?" he asked with a chuckle.
"You called me Swan. It's been ma'am or Bella since the day I meet you, Cowboy, but you just called me Swan."
"Oh, sorry," he mumbled.
"I liked it." Bella leaned up and kissed his cheek. "It's what my family calls me."
Jasper's smile grew before he turned and hurried back up to the beach, wrapping Alice in his arms and kissing her. She squealed, and Bella turned away. One day, she hoped she would get to be there when Alice married the love of her life, like she had been there for her.
"Hey," Edward murmured, slipping his arms around her waist and pressing his lips against the side of her neck. "I missed you."
"I missed you too." Bella turned and nestled herself in his arms. "Did you know they were going to do this for us?"
"No," he said, pressing his lips against the top of her head. "Whitlock told me after our match, said . . . said Peanut wanted to make sure everything was perfect for us."
"It was." Bella tilted her head back and looked at him. "Do you wish your mom and stepdad had been here?"
"I wish we had the kind of relationship where they would have been here, if I'd asked."
"Are you going to tell them?"
Edward nodded. "I won't hide you, Bella, but I don't know that they'll care. They don't really seem to have feelings either way, when it comes to me."
Bella frowned.
"Don't do that," he said, bringing his hand up and stroking her cheek. "I have the family I need right here."
"They are pretty amazing, aren't they?" she asked, laying her head on his chest as they looked at those who loved them the most.
Carlisle and Esme were standing with Emmett and Rose, the later who snuggled up against each other. It was nice to see them connecting. Tanya and Seth were slow dancing a few feet away from them, James, being James, had his tongue down Laurent's throat. It was just the way he was. Felix was talking animatedly with Alice and Jasper, both of whom were nodding excitedly at whatever he was telling them.
"Take me home," Bella whispered, looking up at him.
Edward pressed his lips against her before keeping his arm around her and leading her up the beach, past everyone who smiled and waved them off. Together, they left, ready to start the rest of their lives together. No matter how short that life may be.