Chapter 4 is now complete. An apology is in order for all of my viewers and loyal followers. I had recently gotten a fulltime job and it has been taking a lot of time from my writing. Its also given me a writers block that can be considered the size of a full fledged migraine. I am sorry that I have not gotten back to you sooner and hope you will continue on with the final installation of my twilight saga.
The characters as well as the books and movies are not mine.
Chapter 4: Nerves and Wedding Bells.
Not long after the celebration that was her High School Graduation, the Cullen's and the Swan's began the hustle and bustle of wedding plans. Renee stayed in Forks for a while in a small hotel just outside the city. With Phil's paycheck she could afford to set herself up there for the next year. Since she hadn't been there much for Bella since she came here, the woman wanted to stay to help her little girl plan her and Alice's big day.
In all reality, Renee love the little sprite that was Alice. Who couldn't? So upbeat and outgoing, and really the best thing that had ever happened to her daughter. Sure when she disappeared there had been a bit of confusion going around but the Cullen's sure fixed that right up in her opinion. Renee had never seen Bella so happy in all of her years. Alice and the whole of the Cullen family seemed to put a permanent smile on the brunettes face.
About a week or so before the wedding, Renee took Bella out to get some shopping done. The two went to Port Charlotte to look at some dresses as well as some other things. Bella wasn't so keen on wearing the whole white dress and veil thing but whatever Alice wanted, she got. The brunette rung her hands together thinking of the pressure it would be to pick out a dress for her wedding, that's why she was glad to have her mom there.
As the mother and daughter pair reached the door to the dress shop, Bella began to get a touch nervous.
"You ok, Bells?" Renee asked before they went in the store.
Bella wasn't sure what to say to her mom so she kind of shook her head. Her mother stood in front of her then to put her hands on her shoulders. It was a comforting touch to the teen and she visibly relaxed. Bella looked into her mom's identical green eyes then and heard her voice.
"It's ok to be nervous Bella, it's a very big decision. But I'll tell you right now, you could wear a sack on your wedding day and you'll still be the most beautiful girl in the room." Bella's eyes filled with tears at her mother's words and she knew she was right. Nothing would ruin her and Alice's special day not even her nerves. But she knew she would have to pick something out sooner or later.
So, with her head held high, Bella grasped the door knob and pulled open the door. What awaited her inside was a sight she had never seen before. Sure Bella and Angela went shopping years ago for prom dresses, but that was so long ago, and less extravagant.
This store in particular held many things that were white, paisley, beaded, and flowered. The brightness in the room was enough to make Bella shield her eyes. Lace and the color white invaded her every thought, but with her mother by her side, Bella couldn't bring herself to be scared or nervous.
Renee found a receptionist not far from their position and saw a measuring tape around her neck. She walked up to the older woman and asked if she could do a fitting for her daughter. Bella's face went a shad of pink as the two women appraised her. Most of the time she didn't like being the center of attention, that was Alice's thing, but for now it would have to do.
The receptionist guided her customers to a pedestal and Bella stood upon it. The girl held up her arms when prompted and stood up straight when her posture was failing.
"When's the big day?" She asked checking Bella's height.
When the soon to be bride didn't answer, her mother did.
"A week from tomorrow."
The woman gasped. "So soon and you haven't found a dress yet? That's cutting it close dearies."
When she was done with the measurements, she ran off in search of the perfect dress for Bella. The girl sat on the surface of the pedestal and waited for the woman to return. It didn't take her long and that was a good thing for Bella. In all honesty, she wanted to be done with this whole dress thing as soon as possible.
The receptionist had a few choices in her arms and she set them gently on the back of a chair.
"Do you want to stay with her miss?"
The question was directed at Renee. She nodded and watched as her daughter tried on the few dresses that were there. The front door to the store opened once again and Bella smiled when she saw the new arrivals. Esme and Rosalie walked towards the mother and daughter pair. Esme was smiling at Bella with unshed tears in her eyes.
"A little birdie told us you were going dress shopping today." Rosalie whispered in Bella's ear. The girl rolled her eyes at the comment knowing that Alice told the two Cullen's. Esme stood next to her mother and looked as if she was going to cry. The elder looked so proud to be ready to call this girl her daughter.
Bella couldn't wait to be a part of the Cullen family. By marriage and by vampiric standards. After the wedding and the honeymoon, Alice would change Bella into one of them. Into a creature of the night, one that would live forever. She couldn't wait to spend eternity by Alice's side. Nothing would take that gift away from her.
She turned to see Esme and Renee talking to each other about the different dress choices around the store. Bella sighs in relief as the two women go around the store and gossip about the little wedding details. The girl turned and looked at herself in the mirror; she was surprised at what she saw.
At the best times Bella thought herself to be very plain, this unfortunately was one of those times. She wondered for so long how Alice Cullen, the most beautiful girl in her world could love her so completely. She wondered for so long, that tears began to well up in her eyes at the thought of it all just being a dream. She covered her face with her hands as the tears began to slip, but it wasn't long before she felt a pair of strong yet feminine hands on her shoulders, and a voice echoed in her ear.
"Don't worry your pretty little head, sis. Alice loves you beyond measure. You know that."
Bella stopped crying almost immediately. She looked up at her reflection, along with Rosalie and almost felt foolish for the way her thoughts went a moment ago. The brunette wiped away the tears and took a deep breath. The blonde was right, after all it was Alice that said yes to her when she proposed. Bella smiled eagerly at the memory.
She remembered how Alice just about wept at the sight of Bella on one knee and the ring set in the box before her. Bella couldn't believe she said yes but she did, and now her wedding was a week away.
The mothers made their way back to the pair and the shop owner came around the corner of a back room with a dress in her hands.
"I think I have just the thing for you dear."
Bella smiled at the older woman as she set the dress down on a chair that was not occupied. She unzipped the package and all of the women gasped at the beauty of the dress itself. It was a white silk dress that looked like it could hug the very form of Bella's body. It was long sleeve which she was thankful for considering the cool weather that was always present in the small town.
Bella walked up to the dress and looked to the designer if it was ok for her to pick up the garment. The older woman gave her consent and the teen picked up the dress very carefully. Without tarnishing the fabric, Bella turned it around so she could see the back side. Lace covered a good portion. It took a few Victorian style swirl until it met up with the silk of the gown.
Now here's where the design gets tricky. A trail of pearls run down the spin of the dress separating the lace into two sides. The trail stops just before the buttocks. The pearls also run up the forearm of the sleeves as well she noted.
The dress itself is so overwhelming but she can't help but want to try it on. Bella asks the shop keeper for a fitting on the dress and the woman happily acknowledges her request. They go back into a small fitting room and the older woman leaves her alone to undress. As Bella removes her clothes, she wonders what Alice would be wearing for the special occasion.
'Probably something absolutely intoxicating I'll bet.'
Bella laughs at her train of thought. Speaking of train, the train of the dress is longer than she expected. So Bella poked her head out from behind the curtain and asked for the shop owner for help with the dress. The older woman gladly helped her young customer and made sure Bella didn't step on the long train while stepping into the dress.
The fabric slipped up Bella's body and it was a little chilly. Goosebumps rose on her pale skin as the woman fastened the back of the dress. Moments passed that felt like hours but once the garment was on, Bella walked out from behind the small curtain and moved over to where the group sat.
All women gasped at Bella's natural beauty in the dress. It was almost like it was made for her. Renee was visibly crying while Esme was trying hard to hold back tears of her own. Renee helped her daughter onto the small pedestal and moved so she could look into the mirror.
Bella jumped at the sight of herself, not really believing what she was seeing. The dress hugged her body just about perfectly, and the train, now that she was on the pedestal, didn't seem too long at all. Bella turned so she could see the back. Her slightly tanned skin was a beautiful contrast to the porcelain white silk of the dress, and the lace was a perfect addition.
The shop keeper looked the young girl up and down trying to figure out what was missing.
"Ah, I know."
She disappeared for a moment, and came back with something else in her hands. It was the veil for the dress. It was a comb beautifully crafted with rhinestones and sterling silver. Bella couldn't ask for a better addition to her dress. The veil reached all the way to the mid-rift of her gown.
"It's beautiful."
Bella starred at the whole ensemble in awe. She imagined Alice standing at the end of the aisle while she was walking toward her in this dress and she chuckled. The pixie always had a habit of making her feel more beautiful every day. Bella had never felt that once in her life. Not only did she love Alice with every part of her being, but she was grateful to her for taking care of her fragile heart.
Bella couldn't wait for her wedding day which was only week away. She was shaking with anticipation for the big day ahead when she heard her cell phone buzz on the ottoman next to her. She moved delicately in the dress and picked up the device. It was a text from Alice. She smiled and opened the message.
'Hey baby. Something really weird just happened and don't freak out cuz it wasn't anything bad. No visions or anything like that but we got an invitation from Aro and Sulpicia to spend our honeymoon over at their place. I've been thinking about it cuz we haven't made any plans for the trip. I mean we could spend a few days there and then head out to do our own thing if you want. Just let me know what you want to do so I can send them a reply love.'
Bella responded quickly with a confused look on her face.
'Why would they want us there? Was there any reason or explanation?'
Bella remembered her first trip to the ancient vampire's domain and it wasn't a pleasant one but the more she thought about the trip, the more she became excited about vampire culture and their heritage. Each second that ticked by Bella wanted to really go and consult with the elder vampires about what had transpired in each of their pasts.
A reply from Alice came swiftly.
'Nothing really just a formal apology from our last visit and Sulpicia said that she would give us a grand tour of the castle grounds if we so wished. Like I said darling, we don't have to stay for long.'
The brunette didn't really need any more encouragement in making her decision so she typed in a few words locked her phone up. She looked back up at the dress and wondered if Alice would enjoy seeing her in it.
Renee placed a hand on her shoulder as if reading her mind and gave her an encouraging smile. "She's going to love it Bella. You look so beautiful."
Tears threatened to fall down her mothers' cheeks and that brought a sting to her own eyes as well. Bella looked to Esme and Rosalie as well and she could tell that they were holding back tears of their own for two completely different reasons.
'Now would be a good time to wrap this up before we all start freaking bawling.' Bella thought. So she turned to the shop owner and smiled thoughtfully. "I'll take it." Her smile was so bright that she seemed to glow in a certain radiance. Bella could feel a weight being taken off of her shoulders, she felt lighter, she felt like she could take on the world.
Sure, Victoria might be a big problem in the near or distant future, but that was for another day. Her wedding was coming up soon and come hell or high water, she was going to marry the vampire she loved. Nothing was going to change that.