Chapter Thirty-Two
Today was Alice's wedding day. The morning whizzed by and before we knew it, it was time for their ceremony. Alice was understandably nervous, but to top it off she had a little spout of morning sickness.
"It's okay, Alice," I said as I handed her a cold rag to wipe her face.
"Ugh," she responded, "This sucks. I vow to never get pregnant again."
"It's okay, here," I said as I handed her an anti-nausea pill, "You're probably nervous."
She gulped it down, "I can't be sick today. It's my wedding day."
"It'll be alright. This will help. Edward always gives it to his pregnant patients."
She sighed, "Good."
"Okay, come on, we need to get going. We're going to be late."
She walked with me to the transit waiting to take us to the ceremony spot. It was in the same place Jasper's mother and father were united. I vaguely remembered where it was because all four of us had a picnic there one day.
Several guests were already waiting in the flowery area. Alice took a deep breath as we began to walk up the path to where Jasper was waiting. It was kind of like an aisle in a human wedding, but instead of her father giving her away, it was tradition for the mother to give their child away. Since it was the mother that gave the child life.
Well, Alice didn't have a mother here, so she asked me to be the one to give her away. Jasper's mother was standing by him, her arm looped through his.
When we reached Jasper, his mother stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. I hugged Alice and kissed her cheek as she and Jasper grabbed hands. Alice looked up at him with adoration.
I stepped to where Edward was standing, he placed an arm around my waist. I leaned into him and watched the ceremony.
Alice didn't have a tail, so, he wrapped his tail around her ankle and pulled her closer. They closed their eyes and pressed their foreheads together. It was quiet, but, it wasn't an unsettling quiet. It was peaceful, and you could almost feel their love for one another. I squeezed Edward's hand tighter.
Esme, the one they chose to tie their wrists together, stepped forward with a golden rope. She tied their wrists together. The rope would symbolize their lifetime of commitment to each other. Next, she poured a bowl water with petals over their hands to symbolize their commitment even after death.
And then just like that, they were mated. Always together, in life and after death. The ceremony was beautiful and moving. Watching the two of them made me excited for mine and Edward's mating ceremony.
Everyone stood and congratulated the happy couple. Edward and I moved to the spot where several plates full of food were. This part was like a reception. Everyone came and sat on the ground and ate. There was no table, just large comfortable pillows and several blankets so the food wouldn't touch the ground.
Edward and I sat down, watching to others congratulate Jasper and Alice. I placed my head on his shoulder.
"You look very beautiful today," Edward said.
"Thank you," I said as I looked up at him, "How long do they have to be tied together?" I asked.
"Just through the ceremony. Then when they go home they can cut it off."
I grabbed his hand and started rubbing it, watching the two of them.
"It's so warm here. So loving." I said.
He chuckled, "You're in a very lovely mood today."
"I'm just happy for our friends and I'm happy for us," I looked up at him, "I've never been in love before. The feeling is wonderful."
He smiled, "I've never loved another either," He moved a piece of hair out of my face, "I'm glad you came to Outerra."
I smiled widely, "I'm glad to."
He looked up; I followed his eyeline to see that he was watching Jasper talking with Emmett and Rosalie.
"What happened between you guys?" I asked.
"Nothing."
"Edward, you don't strike me as the type to hold such a grudge. Why are you so angry with him?"
He shook his head, staring off in another direction. I grabbed his chin and forced him to look at me. I could see in his eyes he was upset, so, I decided to squelch my line of questioning.
"Never mind," I said, "We can talk about this later."
He nodded, "Alice and Jasper are coming."
I looked over at them and smiled. Everyone moved to the blankets and found a seat. We served ourselves, everyone talking and enjoying the ceremony. Jasper and Alice were having difficulties eating, so, occasionally Edward or I would help serve them.
After everyone had their fill of the food, we listened to music, danced a little and talked. I met several members of Jasper's family and their work friends. It was a lot of people and I wouldn't remember any of their names.
At the end of the evening, I was exhausted. Everyone started to leave while Edward and I stayed behind to help Jasper and Alice clean.
"Today was amazing," Alice said as she hugged me tightly.
"It was," I smiled, "And you're married now. No escape." I joked.
"Not like I'd ever want to escape," She laughed, "Married, and soon we'll have a baby."
"Picked out any names yet?"
"Not a one!" She snorted, "When it comes I'll figure it out."
Jasper lifted Alice over his shoulder, "Great night!"
"Put me down!" Alice laughed.
"We are going home! Goodnight all!" Jasper started walking off, I could hear Alice squealing as he walked.
"Bye guys!" I said, "Have fun!"
"Will do!" Jasper said loudly.
Edward came up behind me and scooped me up in his arms. I gasped and then giggled once I settled in his arms. He started walked in the direction of our house.
"You're leaving the blankets?" I asked.
"Yeah," he said, "If anyone needs them they'll take them. We don't need them."
"You can put me down."
"It's okay. I'll carry you home." He said.
"Aren't you tired?"
"I am, but, you've been doing more stuff than I have. It's been a long day. And it was a long day yesterday."
I hugged his neck tighter, suddenly feeling very tired.
"Now we have to plan our ceremony." I said.
He smiled, "Well, the cold months are coming. It'd probably be best to wait until it's warmer."
"Hmm, that's a good idea but, I don't want to wait."
He laughed, "Neither do I. My timing is terrible. I should've asked you sooner."
I nodded enthusiastically, "I agree."
He smiled widely, "We're home."
"Oh, we are," I said in surprise, "We weren't walking long."
He chuckled, "You weren't paying attention."
"No, I'm glad we're here," I said, "Because I want to talk to you about your brother."
Edward made a face, "Bella, please—,"
"No, Edward listen to me," I said, "I want to know why you two are fighting. I mean, all these years and you two can't even be civil with one another? It's kind of ridiculous. You don't seem like the type to hold a grudge."
He sighed and set me on my feet, "I don't want to talk about this now."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't want to make you uncomfortable." He said as he walked into the kitchen.
I followed him, "Why would it make me uncomfortable?"
He poured himself some water, completely ignoring the question.
"Edward, why would it make me uncomfortable?" I asked again, "Does it have to do with Rosalie?"
His shoulders tensed up, I realized this was why he didn't want to talk about it. Whatever issue he had with his brother, it obviously involved Rosalie. I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose.
"Edward, look, I don't have family here. The closest I have is Alice, Jasper, and you. And soon, we'll be mated permanently. But, I don't want to be mated with someone who's holding a grudge with his brother. I don't want to be at war with anyone or exclude anyone from our ceremony. You have a nephew who deserves a loving uncle."
He sighed heavily, his eyes closed as he rolled his neck. I could see he was very irritated, but I wanted to somehow put an end to this craziness.
I came up behind him and wrapped my arms around his midsection, planting a few kisses on his back. I was hoping to relax him a bit, because I've never truly seen Edward angry.
"Bella, can't you just let it go?"
"No, because later on in life, when one of you has passed on, the other will deeply regret it," I leaned closer to his ear, "Edward, you don't want to lose your only brother one day and never reconcile. I know you, you'll be heartbroken, and it'll bother you forever. So, just tell me what's going on and maybe I can help."
He sighed softly, "Alright. Okay," he turned to face me, "But, if I tell you, and let you do whatever it is you're going to do, will you do that uh, one thing?"
My eyebrows scrunched, "What one thing?"
His face turned pink and he gestured with his hand down to his crotch. It took me a moment to realize what he was asking.
I put my hands on my hips, "I'll do that thing if you tell me."
He nodded, "Okay. I'll tell you. But, you do the thing first."
"No, you tell me first."
He groaned, "Ugh, you're so stubborn."
I smiled widely, "And that's why you love me dearly. Now, sit, tell me. And afterwards we'll go upstairs, and I'll do that thing for you."
I didn't have to much to say this go around. I just wanted all my readers to read and hopefully leave me a little review.