Sixteen
Sitting in my room I stare out the window blankly. This wasn't how I expected this to end.
What was I meant to do?
If I told him it compromised Alice.
I was going to tell him. Eventually.
After the wedding. After Alice had her moment.
I'd done ten minutes of the after party last night before returning to my room to cry. He hadn't shown up to it telling Jasper he was unwell. That the champagne had hit him wrong.
Champagne was code for the beautiful fool he'd given his stupid attention to.
Rosalie had stayed with Emmett again. I wasn't sure he knew. If he didn't he must have reacted better for her to spend the night in his bed.
A soft knock hits my door.
"Come in," I call out, not invested in moving right now.
The last person I expected steps into the room. Esme.
"Oh," I sit up straight, wiping my face from the last of my shitty tears.
"Don't get up," she holds her hand up.
She looks good. Refreshed. Mom jeans and a sweater. Her hair pulled back.
"Tea or coffee?" She heads to the small kitchenette area.
"Coffee please," I answered.
"Yeah I agree gorgeous. I think something stronger is required," she nods.
She prepares our hot drinks, moving to join me at the small sitting area by the window where I've spent the morning sulking.
"So Edward has gone," she says suddenly.
"Gone?" I look at her shocked.
I feel every piece of me shatter. He left?
"I figured it has something to do with you," she says, "my son has always been a bit of a flight risk. He needs to work on it. I was hoping with you he would develop those flaws."
"He just left?" I ask.
"He said he had to head to London early," she nods, "that they needed him asap. But I think he needed to get away from something asap."
Weight crushes onto my shoulders of obscene proportions. I want to break down and cry. But she's here. I can't sob in front of her.
"Alice told me what you did," she says, "he's hurt and I can see why. He is sensitive even though he tries to not be. In his mind you falsified a friendship with his sister, so he wonders what else wasn't real. A worry he'd only have if he truly had strong feelings for you."
"I never meant for anyone to be hurt," I shake my head, tears finally betraying me.
"Oh dear," she leans across to take my hand, "I know that. What you did was beautiful. You made my daughter smile in a way that I haven't seen since she was a baby. She always struggled with girls. They bullied her, made her feel unwanted. You made a dream come true for her. I couldn't be more thankful for you doing that for my daughter. I can relate to that feeling too. I believe a lot of women and even men can."
I wipe at my face, trying to will away the emotion.
"Edward will see that too. Men suck at rationalising. My husband does it to this day. Alice told me you refused to accept payment, but you'd put finding a new job on hold to make this all happen," she says, "so I have a proposal for you. I'm not one to meddle in my children's life but Edward may very well fuck this up if I don't."
I sniff back a snicker.
"He screwed up and I know he's going to realise it soon," she says, "I just hope you can forgive without him having to say sorry. Considering you're falling in love with my son I don't see that being an issue."
"Love?" I recoil.
"I knew I loved his father from the first moment. When two souls connect like that you just know," she smiles at me, "have I read it wrong?"
"I.. I'm not sure," I glance at my hands, twisting them in my lap.
"Well I've come to know every expression on that boy's face and the only one I've yet to see is his falling in love face. I feel like last night when he looked at you, he showed us all of it for the first time," she says, "you need to go to him. I know Alice is furious with him and is trying to contact him. Lord help him when she does."
"I can't do that. A flight to London is…" I begin.
"Paid for," she smiles at me, "Alice didn't like that you wouldn't accept the money. She has arranged for you a seat on a flight. It leaves tomorrow morning."
"She paid for a ticket?" I gasp.
"She did," Esme nods, "Edward is angry and hurt. Once he comes around he is going to kick himself hard for leaving you. So be there when he finds that within."
"Esme. What if it's the opposite. What if I make it worse," I shrug back into my chair.
She stands and moves toward me, crouching down to wrap me into a hug.
"You'll never know if you don't try," she whispers, "I know it hurts and I know he made a mistake. I know he doesn't deserve your forgiveness right now. But I witnessed what you both had and it's so rare. It's not worth throwing it away over a small miscommunication. I get why you didn't tell him and I get why he thinks you were dishonest to him. You just need to set the record straight. Tell him how you feel, show him that raw honesty and leave the ball in his court."
"Have you got your passport?" Alice asks.
"Yes," I sigh, "you need to go home and be with your husband."
"I will when I know you have everything. You sure you don't want me to drive you to the airport?" She asks.
"No Rose will come with me in a cab," I say, "go home. Pack for your honeymoon. Surely you need to make sure you have all the lingerie."
"It's handled babe," she smiles at me.
I place the sweater I'm holding into my suitcase and look at her.
"Thank you," I say, "you didn't need to waste your money."
"I didn't," she shakes her head, "I paid the rest of the girls for their time. But you were a stubborn ass so I just used your cut for you."
"Well you didn't have to," I shake my head.
"That's not all I did," she shakes her head, "as your new best friend I want what's best for you. So I did this."
I watch her dig through her handbag and pull out a manila folder. She hands me it and smiles watching me open it, excitedly.
"What's this?" I scan the pages confused.
"Her Bridesmaid," she says, "it's your brand new business. I'm your first investor. My mother was your second. That's some marketing info, your domain name that my website designer set up. Your brides will even get discounts on my dresses."
My mouth drops.
"The rest is entirely in your control. Your pricing, your conditions. I called it Her Bridesmaid, because I figured you would play such an important role for so many brides. Build so many bonds. Hopefully not too many with asshole brothers."
Sinking down onto the bed beside my suitcase, I cover my mouth with a shaky hand.
"You both invested 50,000," I croak.
"We want you to succeed," she shrugs, "figured you could travel, work with people within the bridal industry, create a stall at an expo! Maybe write about it eventually. We wanted you to have the financial backing to get your name out there, build a brand and maybe find an office space."
"Alice," I shake my head feeling tears pool, "this is… I can't believe. How can I ever accept this?"
"If you don't I'll tell my brother you have cooties," she smiles at me, "I spoke to Jasper. Told him the truth. He was a little mad but he understood. In the end he was happy that you made me feel so at ease. You made our day so memorable. Edward only sees the bad because he opened up to you. He's scared he did it for no good reason. He never lets his emotions out and he did. Now he's scared it meant nothing to you. He needs reassurance."
"This is…" I shake my head stunned.
Standing I pull her tightly into my arms, holding her closely, as I let tears fall. A best friend supports passions no matter how crazy they are. She believed in me so much she was willing to bet on me in such an extravagant way.
"I love you," she whispers, "you've got me for life now. Regardless of what my brother says or does, I'm here for you."
"I love you too," I whisper back.
"Umm… I'd like to group hug," Rosalie's voice pulls us apart, she's teary, "please?"
"What's wrong?" I ask.
She shakes her head wordlessly and walks into our embrace.
For a moment we say nothing. Enjoying each others love and sisterhood.
"I hate both of your brothers," Rosalie suddenly says.
"Why?" Alice pulls back confused.
"She likes Emmett," I study Rosalie's face, "she likes him a lot."
"He… I can't right now. My career. He wants more but I don't think I can," she looks at me broken.
"Babe. You can't let this go," I shake my head, "he is perfect for you. He makes you happy and you make him happy. Please reconsider this. You're frightened because of how much you care and you need to forget all of that. If you don't you'll regret it."
"Emmett is a teddy bear. You just have to be honest with him," Alice says, "tell him your concerns and take it slow. He'll be patient with you."
"I told him I needed space," she huffs.
"Take it and then call him," I nod.
She lets out a shaky breath and looks at my suitcase for a heartbeat.
"That's mine," she pushes me slightly, moving to my suitcase.
thanks so much for reading x
