Following the ceremony, Elizabeth directed us all onto the 'Lizzy', for a small, intimate reception.
We had just gather to take pictures when a thin, tall blonde woman wearing a white tight, bodycon dress. Much too revealing for anyone to be wearing out in public if you ask me, but who was I to judge? Maybe this woman wanted the inappropriate attention from everyone.
She had a foundation that was three shades too dark for her, making her complexion look orange.
Her heels clicked on the floor as she made her way over to where we were all gathered.
"Tanya." Sulpicia gasped with a surprised smile.
"Sully, dear, I'm so sorry for being late, my flight got here later than I thought it would." She said as Sulpicia limped towards her.
"It's alright, hon. You're here now." She said as she smiled, though it looked like she was in pain.
"So, what'd I miss?" Tanya asked, looking at all of us with interest.
We were all standing by the bow, as one of the hired waiters took pictures of us and the family, as Sulpicia slowly moved away from our group and towards the strange orange, blonde woman.
Edward looked away uncomfortably, his hands twitching around mine, before turning to look at me.
"Who is she?" I asked, quietly.
He sighed, rolled his eyes, and shook his head in exasperation. "That's Tanya." He replied.
I gave him a dry look, "So, I've heard. But what is she to you?" I asked, raising a brow.
"She is one of the many women who Sulpicia has thrown my way. You need not worry about her. She is nothing to me." He promised, looking into my eyes, before giving me a tender smile.
I hmm'd in response, before looking away with a sigh. I had all the intent to walk away to clear my thoughts when I felt his hand wrap around my wrist and pulled me back towards him.
"Don't walk away like that." He whispered.
I frowned, "Why not? I was just going to clear my mind." I whispered back.
He shook his head, "Please don't wander off while she is here. I don't trust her, or Sulpicia, to not try anything." He softly said.
I looked at him for a moment, before nodding wordlessly in response.
We were about to go sit down where Elizabeth had placed a few tables and chairs with the most beautiful, yet simple, table arrangements.
Everything was done in white and gold, except the center pieces which contained a medium sized bottle, which held fairy lights inside them, and each was topped with a small bouquet of white flowers, and greenery.
There were two plates, one white and one large gold one underneath it. Each place setting had the napkin neatly folded, and the menu wrapping in a white silk ribbon. Set on top was a white rose, a handful of baby breaths and a stem of myrtle.
Each place had three glasses, a steak knife, butter knife, a salad fork, a fruit fork, and a fish fork. It also had a teaspoon, soup and salad spoon, and a tablespoon.
"The food is ready, why don't you all take a seat." Elizabeth said.
Tanya smiled angelically before eyeing the table settings, and tutting as she realized that there were only twelve places set. "Where am I supposed to sit?" She asked.
"With the help. In the kitchen." Rosalie commented as she sat down in her spot.
Tanya scowled at her, as Sulpicia motioned for her to sit next to her and Aro, on a chair Aro had pulled out from somewhere. A plate, glasses and utensils were brought to her as soon as she did.
I thought that was the end of it, until she began to complain about the menu.
"Don't you guys have a vegan option?" She asked, frowning.
"The salad." Rosalie said, in exasperation.
"Doesn't that have nuts in it?" She asked her.
Elizabeth narrowed her eyes, before she quietly excused herself, and walked purposefully towards her, grabbed her roughly by the arm, yanked her from her seat, and pushed her into an empty cabin, slamming the door shut and locking it after them.
I stared after them wide-eyed, before looking over at Rosalie, who was biting back a smile. "Don't worry, Bells, Liz is just talking to her." She said, winking at me, before looking back down at her menu.
I anxiously stared in the direction of the cabin, concerned about Elizabeth, before I felt a hand gently land on my thigh. I looked up to find Edward looking at me, with a tender expression again.
"What's wrong?" He asked me in a soft voice.
I shook my head and pretended to find the menu interesting.
"My mom isn't going to do anything to her. Don't worry." He promised me.
"It's not Tasha I'm worried about. It's your mother. I don't trust Tasha." I told him, amused.
He snorted and shook his head, "My mom can take care of herself. Tasha is just a woman trying to sleep her way up the social ladder. It won't do her good to go against my mother. Trust me, I've seen her take my uncle Peter and Felix single handedly, she took my dad down in two second flat the other night. Tasha won't be a challenge." He commented offhandedly as the door opened.
We all watched Tanya beeline back to her seat, looking pale, even under the orange gunk she wore on her face.
A waiter came out and began asking everyone what we would like to eat, and drink. When he approached me, and asked me.
"There's only wine on here. Do you have any soft drinks?" I asked as a snort was heard.
"What a child! Who asks for a soft drink when fine dinning like this?" Tanya asked, cackling.
I cringed at the sound, realizing where and who it came from, before sighing. I knew there was going to be things that tested my patience, but I didn't think it'd be this soon.
Taking a slow calming breath, I turned and eyed Tanya with a critical eye.
"I do. Do you have a problem with this Tasha?" I asked, looking her in the eye.
"It's Tah-n-yah. And of course , I have a problem with it, Ella. If you can't drink alcohol you shouldn't even be here." She snapped.
I gave her a smile, before turning to look at the waiter. "I'll have the grilled chicken, paired with green beans, and mixed vegetables please." I told him.
"And to drink, Miss?" He asked.
"The Chardonnay please. Red." I added with a polite smile, before turning back to look at her."That's a funny comment coming from an unwanted wedding crasher." I finally said.
She gapped at me, before her face turned red under her gloppy orange face. "I was invited by Sully." She said, indignantly.
"She invited you to my wedding? Under what state of mind did you think it was okay to show up, unannounced, to a private wedding reception?" I asked, raising a brow.
"Well— I— I happen to be a good friend of the family." She stuttered.
I snorted, "Sure." I said before looking away. "Well, I'm not one to be rude, but since we're all family here, I'll go ahead and say to have fun. Just a bit of a warning though, if you do try to do anything stupid because I'll be the one who has to deal with you. You won't like it." I promised before turning away.
I could see her gaping at me as I turned away. Rosalie smirked and gave me a thumbs up, before turning to whisper something to Emmett's ear, causing him to chuckle and nod.
Edward snorted and nodded in approval and appreciation.
A few moments later, the food was brought out to us.
The waiter quickly served me a glass of wine, and brought me a glass with fizzy water, ice, and a lemon wedge in it, which I later realized was Sprite. I turned to ask Edward who asked for it but he smiled and winked at me before Senior and Elizabeth joined us at our table.
"Are you enjoying your drink?" Senior asked me, with a gleam in his eye.
Realization sunk in, and I quickly nodded and smiled in appreciation. "Yes, thank you." I said.
"No problem. You handled that b—" he began before Elizabeth elbowed him in the ribs. "Not here, dear." She told him, sweetly.
The conversation pretty much died after that, and we all ate as the speakers around us began playing soft music.
When we all finished eating, the dishes, utensils, tables, and some of the chairs were moved. Leaving only a few chairs lingering.
More wine was brought out, and soon Emmett and Jasper brought out a kareoke machine. Much to Edward's horror, and my amusement.
Esme, Alice, and Rose proceed to lead me into a different cabin, and helped me change into a different dress.
It was a white, cotton and lace maxi dress. It was off the shoulders, and had bell sleeves and a deep v in the back, yet had a boat neckline.
I felt much better in this dress than the first one.
Then they helped me slip on a pair of platform sneakers made of the same lace of the dress, and pearls.
"How do you feel?" Rose asked after she changed into a pair of red platform sandals.
I sighed in relief and grinned chessily at her. "Like I'm in heaven." I breathed.
Esme shook her head at me as she helped me, unpon the veil and release my hair from the pins and placed a flower crown on top of my head.
Alice appeared in front of me a moment later with a camera. "Breathtaking." She said with a wide grin.
I smiled before standing up and making my way back towards the bow of the yacht.
I noticed Tanya was standing very close to Edward, who looked uncomfortably around. As I passed a waiter, I grabbed a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon, and made my way over to where they stood.
A smirk pulled at my lips as I walked over, and stood next to Edward, accidentally tipping the glass a bit too much, and causing the red liquid to spill all over Tanya's white dress.
"Oh no. I'm so sorry. Let help you." I said as she gasped in surprised, which quickly turned to anger.
"You little bitch! You did this on purpose!" She cried out causing everyone to look over at her.
"I said I was sorry." I said defensively, bringing my left hand up to my chest, clutching my non-existent pearls, and looking at her, feigning offense at her accusation.
"Tanya, it was an accident. We all know how clumsy my wife can be. Right, guys? See? An accident." Edward said, as he stepped in between us.
Jasper and Emmett quickly covered their mouths and turned away trying not to laugh as Elizabeth walked over in fake concern.
"Oh dear, and such a pretty dress, ruined. Well, come on, let's go see if I have anything you can wear. I promise we'll pay for the dry cleaners." She said as she lead an indignant Tanya away.
As soon as they were out of earshot l, everyone started laughing except Sulpicia, who looked horrified.
"Did you do it on purpose?" She asked me.
I gave her a confused look, "Why would I do that?" I asked tilting my head.
"Maybe you didn't like the fact you have competition." She said, giving me a pained smile.
I scoffed, "If there was any competition, maybe. But I'm not worried about her. She's nothing but a wannabe socialite." I replied, honestly. "If I were you, I'd be more worried about your own husband. I just saw him with a waitress on the way here." I added.
She gasped in horror and hurried away.
Rose quickly made her way over and handed me a flute of champagne. "I knew I was going to love having you around. Man, if only I had a video of this night, those bitches are fucking desperate." She snorted before she drank her flute.
"Stick around the show isn't over." I said as I jutted my chin in the direction of Elizabeth and Tanya as they approached.
Everyone was still snickering as they approached, even Senior. But we went quiet the moment they came back.
Author's Note:
Thank you to those reading this story.
I've been having trouble writing since the move, and am recovering yet again from COVID, so please bare with me.
Anyways, hope you enjoyed the chapter! Until next time.
~Lots of love, Izzy.