Chapter Thirty Nine
Charlotte
Our guests were due to arrive today and this evening Esme was going to whisk all us girls away for Bella's bachelorette party. I was relieved it wasn't going to be held here at the ranch because with the best will in the world I knew I couldn't promise that Peter wouldn't arrange to do something to interrupt the proceedings.
Bella wasn't the type for a strippergram or a pub crawl even though we would have managed somehow to give her the rite of passage that she deserved if she had. Instead, Esme had rented the bridal suite at the most expensive hotel in Boulder for two nights. This meant that not only would we be out of harm's way before the bachelor party for the Major kicked off but Bella could get ready for her wedding in peace and quiet.
It would be interesting to see Alice's reaction to the arrangements Bella and I had settled on for the ceremony and the all-important dress. I vividly remembered her wedding to our friend. I swear if Westminster Abbey in London had been available she would have insisted on booking it. If anyone went overboard it was Alice Cullen.
There were the botanical gardens hired for the evening where the wedding ceremony took place and her dress which probably cost what a working man earned over his entire lifetime with Venetian lace, gold leaf, silver thread, mother of pearl buttons, diamonds sewn on the gown in heart shapes with ruby centers.
And the poor Major, all done up in his penguin suit as Peter insisted on calling it. As a matter of fact, every male was trussed up like the penguin ready for the oven and while Carlisle carried it off to perfection both Emmett and Peter spent the entire ceremony fidgeting and ignoring hostile stares from the bride.
I know the wedding is the bride's big day, I understand that, but it's still possible to go over the top. It wasn't what I would have chosen or the Major if he'd had any say in matters, which he hadn't.
I wondered afterwards if Alice had been having fun, like a little girl dressing up as a make-believe princess. She had looked incredible and I knew that she had loved the Major but somehow something was missing. That indefinable sparkle that you see on a bride's face was missing. She acted the part but her heart wasn't in it and now I thought I knew why.
The next hurdle was the meeting between ex and future wife although I doubted either would be anything but friendly to the other. They had no axes to grind. Alice had her mate, Gabriel, and the Major his, Bella, but it must be strange the two meeting as friends again after the history that they shared.
Esme had called before they left to ask me to keep an eye on things when they arrived.
"Keep an eye on things? Are you referring to Peter? Because if you are, I promise you that he is on his best behaviour. He would never do anything to spoil things for Bella."
"Oh, no! I'm sorry Charlotte. Please don't think that. I'm not really sure what I do mean. Do you ever get the feeling that something is coming? You don't know what but it's coming. I just get the feeling that something unforeseen is going to crop up."
"Is it Edward? I mean, I know he dated Bella but he was the one who finished their relationship and he's married now."
"No, I don't think it's got anything to do with Edward or Sasha. In fact, she's excited at the thought of seeing Bella again. I can't put my finger on it but I thought if we were both on alert if there is any trouble we could jump on it before it becomes noticeable."
Her words had stayed with me. I did know that feeling she was talking about. Like you can feel trouble in the air even though things are going along smoothly enough at the time. Vigilance would be my watchword although I wouldn't mention anything to Bella or the Major.
Bella was sitting in the window watching the driveway, excited and nervous by turn to see her guests arrive.
"What do you think Esme has planned? You don't think she's going to drag us to a strip joint or anything, do you?"
I laughed, "I can't see Esme watching the Chippendales, can you? Stop worrying. As long as they don't decide to strip you, tie you down and send you up north on a Greyhound you'll be fine."
For a second I saw panic in her eyes and then she laughed, "Good one. I'll take the Chippendales if that's the choice. Where are the guys?"
I shook my head, "Peter is in the barn I think but I'm staying well away. Whatever his devious little mind has cooked up we're better knowing nothing about. He's under orders to show his face when our guests arrive and then take the boys out to play while we head off. And if I see hide or hair of him for the next couple of days I'm going to turn him into a eunuch for a couple of decades!"
Bella grimaced, "That should work."
I sighed, "Who knows with Peter? But I've given it my best shot. He and Jasper have their orders to have the chairs and tables set up, the lights and flowers arranged and the celebrant ready and waiting on the day. Other than that, they are on their own."
"Did you pack my dress?"
"I packed everything, now stop worrying."
She jumped suddenly, "They're coming."
I followed her out onto the porch smiling indulgently and remembering how young she was. All this was scary and exciting for her while the rest of us were a little more world-weary. I was actually enjoying seeing things through the eyes of someone going through it all for the very first time. It brought back memories I thought long dead.
Peter leaned against the wall of the barn with a welcoming grimace which in him passed for a welcoming smile. Bless him, he was trying. While Jasper joined us wrapping his arms around the both of us as we waited for the two cars to park.
Esme, Carlisle, Edward and Sasha were in the first but it was the second that drew our attention when the rear door opened and a huge dog jumped out barking excitedly and made straight for Bella.
She dropped to her knees, her eyes sparkling with joy as she threw her arms around the huge hound and cuddled it close to her.
"Hugo, baby."
Emmett followed the dog, beaming with delight to see the two reunited.
"Just a little early wedding present, Bells."
With one hand on the dog's enormous head, she threw the other around Emmett and kissed him in thanks.
"You got Hugo for me. Thank you so much, Emmett."
He shook his head as the dog chewed on his fist, "Not me. That was all down to Rosie. I just transported the mutt here."
The two of them knelt to fuss the overexcited dog while Rosalie, Alice, and a guy who must be her mate, Gabriel followed.
I felt it immediately, something had changed and I looked around to see the group from Carlisle's car walk over to join us.
Esme and Carlisle were in the lead and suddenly Sasha stopped pulling Edward back to her side. She was staring at Gabriel who, at that moment, had turned and seen her.
"You!"
His face twisted in anger and he took a step towards her but was held back by Alice's grip on his arm.
"Gabriel, please. Don't make a scene. It was a long while ago and it's what brought us together."
Esme and I exchanged glances of understanding. She had told me the story of how Alice and Gabriel met and about his past. Looking at Sasha's startled expression it was plain that the two knew each other.
Sasha recovered first and walked slowly over to Gabriel holding out her hand to him.
"I didn't know you were Alice's husband. It's a good thing that I let you live."
So Sasha was Gabriel's sire!
He looked down at the outstretched hand and then back into Sasha's face while Alice kept her grip on his arm.
Turning to Alice he frowned, "You knew, didn't you? Why didn't you tell me that she would be here?"
"I thought you might not come if I did and this is important to me, to us. We're all family now. Surely you can forgive Sasha for what she did? It is the reason you and I are standing here together, after all. And you understand what drove her to attack you now you're a vampire too."
Sasha hadn't moved, her hand was still outstretched towards Gabriel and she waited.
Gabriel shook his head, "I won't shake the hand of the woman who turned me into a vampire. I can forgive but I'll never forget."
Sasha nodded, her smile sad now, "That's OK. I understand. I'm glad I didn't kill you all the same."
"Why didn't you?"
She shook her head looking puzzled, "I don't know. I'd never left a human alive before and never since. I just sensed something. That's the only way I can explain it. Maybe we can become friends in time."
Gabriel shrugged curtly and turned to Bella.
"I know this is the first time we have met but I wanted to give you something for the wedding. In Brazil, it is traditional for the bride to wear gold shoes and I know you must have your outfit already arranged so please accept this from Alice and me."
He handed Bella a small box tied with a silver ribbon. Inside was a thin gold bracelet and hanging from it was a pair of gold high heel shoes.
Bella was delighted and insisted on trying it on immediately before hugging both Alice and Gabriel and thanking them with tears in her eyes.
It had certainly broken the ice between her and Alice even if there was still tension in the air between Gabriel and Sasha. It seemed crazy. There was a whole world out there, full of millions of humans, yet Gabriel and his sire had ended up connected to the same small family of vampires. What were the odds against that?
Peter, who had shaken hands with the other guests and been liberally drooled on by Hugo, came sauntering over and grinned at Alice as he held out his hand.
"You know something, Alice Cullen? We can always rely on you to supply a good fucking dose of mayhem to any occasion."
She merely smiled back, shaking his hand gently, "Why thank you, Peter. Such a sweet greeting. I see you haven't lost any of your southern charm."
He laughed and I knew everything was going to be fine. Unless that is, Sasha and Gabriel decided to go toe to toe but that seemed unlikely now.
I ushered everyone inside and we sat talking for a few minutes before folks went to put their cases in the rooms set aside for their stay when I noticed Esme gesturing for me to join her outside.
As soon as I did so I understood why. Edward was holding Alice's arm and scowling at her fiercely.
"Is this your idea of a joke, Alice? Are you trying to ruin Bella's big day?" he hissed.
Alice pulled free still gazing at him placidly which probably upset him even more.
"No, Edward. I'm the last person to want to spoil the day for Bella but if I'd warned you, would you have come?"
"Of course not. I would never put Sasha in such an awkward position."
"Exactly. And Bella would have been upset at your absence. Besides, the two of them would have met at some time, so why not now?"
"I suppose you and Gabriel had a good chuckle about how you were going to pull this stunt on her?"
"I didn't tell Gabriel either. I just relied on his common sense and self-control to get him through the shock."
"Yeah, sure you did."
Esme stepped in, "He didn't expect to see Sasha here, Edward. It was plain by his reaction. He was as shocked as she was."
I nodded my agreement and Edward took a step back from Alice.
"Well, I still think it was a mean trick to play but about par for the course with you dear sister."
Esme stepped in to diffuse the situation.
"Edward, I understand that you're just thinking about your wife's feelings but this is Bella's party and her big day is coming up so either you swallow your male ego and play nicely or I suggest you turn around and leave now. I'd rather that you did the former, but it's up to you."
As he opened his mouth to reply Sasha sauntered out and looked at us blinking in surprise.
She chuckled and took her husband's hand, "Edward, don't be such a dick. If anyone deserves to be upset by Alice's great reveal it's Gabriel, not me. He didn't do anything, I attacked and almost killed him. I turned him into a vampire. He's entitled to feel a little aggrieved. Now, come on inside and smile. We'll be leaving with Bella in a few minutes and I do not want you and me to part on bad terms."
It was amusing to see the great Edward Cullen taken down a peg or two by his wife and he knew I was laughing inside but he gritted his teeth and allowed her to guide him back inside.
Esme chided Alice for not warning her, or me, about the connection between Sasha and Gabriel but she just shrugged, her favorite gesture it seemed.
"I didn't want anyone trying to give me advice on how to play this. I looked at the alternatives and this seemed the most likely to turn out well. And it has. Now come on, let's get the bride to be out of here and leave the boys to play. I intend to enjoy myself and I suggest you relax and do the same."
I watched her back as she disappeared then turned to Esme, "I don't know how you put up with that girl, Esme."
Esme smiled, "She's generally right, Charlotte. Maddening, but right. Come on, let's hit the road."
A few minutes later we bundled into one of the cars and sped off down the drive waved off by the guys who looked as if they had something planned by the eagerness of the waves and the guilty gleam in their eyes, all except Edward who was still sulking like a small boy. He'd better give up on that pretty quick or Peter would latch onto it and make his life a living hell for the next forty-eight hours.
The last thing I saw was Hugo running circles around the guys and barking excitedly. He at least was enjoying himself. I just wondered if Peter had taken the dog into account when arranging this bachelor's party or if we would have done better to take him with us. I sighed deciding that Hugo could probably look after himself for a few hours if necessary.
