First and foremost this is the original story before I started to rewrite it... and got stuck in the writing of the rewrite. If you are following the rewrite you will notice quite glaring differences between this and the one you have already started following. I do not intend on giving up with the rewritten version, however, I think you guys waiting for me to get over my blank slate of a muse isn't going to happen any time soon. So I am re-posting the original. This was my first completed story and it is very different from how my last stories flow.
Secondly, this is not beta'ed. NOT AT ALL. There will be mistakes in spelling (I'm Australian and some words we spell differently). The layout will honestly have you wondering what the hell I was thinking. I wasn't; well that's not true. What I was thinking was that I knew what I was doing and screw anyone else... yes I was a conceited little shit even at the age of 31.
Thirdly, there are 68 chapters to this story, including the epilogue and two outtakes. All of which have been uploaded to my profile I will try to upload as often as I can. Please understand that I have a busy life in the real world. This includes two children, one grown and the other with disabilities. So while I should be able to update wherever I am, if something happens please understand that I will miss updating.
Last but not least. I am not SM. Not even close. I do not own the franchise, work in any capacity with the publishing houses or studios. I merely escaped from reality to play with some characters that I fell in love with while reading four books in a matter of days.
I had been waiting for Emmett to turn up for what felt like forever, it wasn't usually his thing to be late especially if we were meeting for drinks at his favorite bar and grill. But sometimes it won't always go to plan.
"Miss Can I get you another one?" the waiter asked as I finished my second glass of water.
I nodded my head and watched as the man turned on his heel and headed for the bar. I was just thinking that maybe I should re-schedule this with Emmett and leave, I had plenty of things to do today and I could always have this talk another time; until I heard the gruff voice of the bear-man himself.
"Bell's I'm so sorry, I had to cover for someone at work, and then I had some major traffic to find my way through. Then to top it all I left my phone at home with Rose and took hers instead. And somehow I don't think you would want her asking why I was calling you about something." He rattled off looking like a little boy after getting caught once more doing something he shouldn't have been doing in the first place.
"It's fine Emmett, but now we don't really have much time to get through; unless you want to come shopping with me for Junior's birthday party." I smiled as I watched his face fall flat and then perk back up once the mention of shopping was brought up.
Fool he was forgot it was me not Rose or Alice sitting in front of him. I hate shopping just as much if not more than he does. He only had to carry the bags when we were all dragged into the mall by the shopaholic 3 that we have dubbed Rose Alice and Char. I'm the one that gets dragged into the shops and at times forced into change rooms with piles of clothing thrust into my hand.
"So what do you want to know?" he smiled at the waiter as he brought him a beer and the large order of food that ranged from meat to god only knows what some of it was.
"Jasper told me how you guys were tight as anything both at home and away. I was wondering who else you guys were close to." He watched me carefully, looking for some sign as to what I was up to, but I had learned to perfect my poker face after a few nights watching the boys play poker at home. That plus I had now masked the public persona expression now so it helped a hell of a lot.
"Um, yeah, okay. Well, you know about James Mathews; the guy we had to help us track your home down before you changed all your details here. He's a pretty decent guy, so I can give you his number, but I don't know many of the others still on a base or who are still in the area." He was rubbing the back of his neck by the time he had finished as I had to wonder how hard it would be to get him to give up more names.
"Well, how about you tell me more about the guys who you all talked to, and if I can't find them, no harm no foul." I prodded, I really needed some names here, well one in particular but the others would be a great thing too.
I listened as he rattled off some names with their ranks which was a good thing because if I was going to be hunting down some military guys I would need those things. It took about 15 minutes before he gave me a list of about 10-15 guys, but he still hadn't given me the one I was after.
"Wait which one of those is the Irish drinking king?" it was the way Jasper had described the funniest guy I could ever imagine; especially since his role in the army was something you wouldn't expect.
"Right McNamee the base minister. He was funny as hell. I remember he used to drink nearly all of us under the table when we were celebrating St Patrick's Day, and any other major holiday." He laughed as he spaced out for a second after finishing talking; had to wonder what he was remembering.
"Yeah, he and Jasper were pretty close considering that Jasper was always the only one he never drank under the table. That plus both had shot up the ranks pretty fast that they bounced off each other to handle the shit that came with the rank. Why do you think I always played the big fuck up in the group?" He continued before realizing what he said, and covering his mouth shooting me an apologetic smile towards Junior, the good thing was that the little guy was out cold.
After gracefully bowing out of the little shopping trip that I had offered him I left him at the bar and grill where he was going to call the guys. He was under threat of me making his life hell if he told anyone what we were talking about; that being I'd tell Rose to refrain from sex for a week. He knew she would do it without further explanation especially if the suggestion came from me.
She had gotten to know that I had something to do with his sudden change. This resulted in Rose not questioning the motives I have when it comes to punishing that guy. Come to think of it none of the girls had a problem dishing out any punishment that I asked them to give their guys. I shook my head at the whole idea of what would happen if something happened where I would have them all withheld from sex, something I don't think I'd survive; they'd all hunt me down.
I made my way through the main street looking for the perfect little present for my little man when I saw something in a side ally, the sign said Perfection, and really if you came across something like that you would automatically want to check it out. I quickly made my way down the little ally wondering what everyone would say if they saw me suddenly just change course. Though they would probably wonder why it had taken more than 5 seconds for it to happen.
The little bell rang as Junior and I entered the little store. It took less than a second before I was floored. I had to wonder if Alice or any of the girls had known about this little boutique.
"Wow," I whispered as I looked at all the amazing dresses that were surrounding me.
But it wasn't just a dress store, but a complete formal store, suits, and accessories were scattered around the floor as well. It was amazing.
"Hello, can I help you?" the soft voice from behind me made me jump, and I was glad that I had nothing in my hands at that moment. It would have been spilled all over the floor.
"I spotted the sign and couldn't resist seeing what was here. It's right though." I said pointing to the sign across the little walkway outside the door. She smiled and continued to walk into the little store.
"We cater for all events and for all ages and sizes. We don't think that your body or age should define what you look good in." she called from out the back before coming back to the room.
I maneuvered the stroller that Junior was sleeping in as I made my way over to the farthest wall. Seeing as he was still sleeping I went and looked at the dresses that were hung on the racks.
"What are you looking for?" the woman, whose badge said Anna, whispered from behind me once more making me jump. Geez, this woman was quiet.
"A wedding dress, and possibly a tux for the little one there, a bridesmaid dress and little flower girl dress." I answered as I eyed the beautiful crème colored dress hanging from the mannequin. It was perfect for little Bella with her soft hair and little features she would look like an angel.
"Well, I think I can help you out on that one. But what about your bridesmaid wouldn't she be better to come in so we can size her up?" her interest piqued as she started to pull out some different sizes for the dress I had been eying off.
I bit my lip, I don't think she would have any brides come into the store without the bridal party in toe.
"Well it's not your conventional wedding, she won't know until the day of the wedding. But I know what size she is and I have the best picture of her so I think with your help I can work off that." She simply nodded and didn't ask questions as she left to pick out some tuxes for Junior and brought them over on a little rack.
Before I could say anything she took the picture of Char and headed over to the dresses that were hung on the back wall and bringing them to hang them on the rack with the rest of the clothes. This woman was like having all three girls wrapped in one, she picked out so many dresses and tuxes for me to look through that I was gobsmacked. They ranged from color and design, completed with accessories and shoes for each dress.
"The groom, what is he wearing or is he doing that himself?" Anna asked as I perused the selection of clothes she had provided for Junior. It was pretty easy for me to choose one for him, sticking with simplicity for the two little angels that were going to be a big part of the wedding, I chose a matching crème vested tux with black dress pants and little black shoes that were similar to those for little Bella's shoes.
"Well he's doing his own, but since he's ex-military I think he might be wearing his dress uniform." I murmured as I continued to look through the rack of clothing.
"So, what now, you have the two little one's done, though I don't know how you handle two little ones? Twins?" she cocked her head to the side while she looked down at the stroller only seeing one child.
I had to admit when I thought about it; it was the most obvious answer.
"Um, no. The flower girl is my friend's daughter, but it's complicated." She nodded her head and left it at that, something I greatly appreciated.
"This is perfect for Char, but her boobs are going to be a little too full for that so we might have to go one size up and have the waist brought in." I was amazed at how this was seemingly so easily. The soft pink like material looked more like the inside of an oyster shell, shimmering with different accents as the light hit it. It flowed to just above her knees but gave perfect accent to her curves that I used to crave when we were at school together. But the best thing was the back, it was practically not there.
"Or we could use this one; it's for more voluptuous women in the breast department. The owner of this store is like that too." Anna giggled and I couldn't help but join her in the end. I knew that once the wedding was over I was going to be bringing them all here so they can see how amazing it was.
"Now all we have to do is fine you're..." she started but I was drawn to a specific dress that looked like something from my dreams.
"Miss Swan, would you like to try it on?" Anna asked as she walked forward with the dress in question in my size.
I was almost scared to actually touch the material thinking that it would disappear. I simply nodded my head as he handed me the dress and brought Junior's stroller into the large change room. After stripping down to my underwear she helped me to get into the dress. It was strapless layered with silk and chiffon over, giving an angelic yet earthy appeal to it, as it flowed down as it flared behind me.
"Wait, I have the perfect thing to finish it off." Anna, suddenly cried as she took off to the floor leaving me and Junior in the dressing room. She was back within seconds with a small bit of material that I assumed to be a veil in her hand and a pair of 3-inch heels that matched the shimmery material under the chiffon. I put on the shoes, as she pinned the veil the front of my hair and stepped back.
"If you play up those curls and leave most of your hair down with a little bit of makeup, it would be perfect." Her tone was soft and I wasn't sure why, I agreed with her 100% with her assessment.
"Oh I didn't mean it to come out like that, you're a very beautiful woman but well, I'm sorry if that came across rude." She was blushing as she fumbled with her hands.
"Don' worry I think your right, and I'm not offended. I'll take them all, but I need to leave them here for a while if that's okay." I asked as she helped me out of the dress.
"Hey, how did you know who I was in there?" I asked as we made our way towards the front desk, she had to call the owner of the store to see if I could leave the dresses and tux here until I could pick them up and take them to the house at a later date.
"Oh, um, I read your column and listen to your radio show every time. I'm sorta a fan so when you said you had the flower girl and the tux. I had to wonder how you had a second child and it didn't go out to the world. Don't worry I won't tell anyone you are here or anything like that. It's your choice not to let people know. If I was you; I'd probably be doing the same thing." She rambled out and I had to smile. This young woman had been so nice and treated me like I was just someone else from the street and not someone that was somewhat seen as a celebrity.
"Thank you, Anna, you made my day and I don't know how to thank you. Tell your boss that I'll be back every time I need to get all dressed up, and I'll be asking for you." I pulled her into a hug, as I put the card in my purse. As Junior and I made our way home I realized I never really got the present that I was looking for but I had achieved something that I had been worry about for a while now.
