April Fool's Day

The rest of the short trip ended with very little fan fair. We ate beignets and drank coffee as we walked by the giant Mississippi river. We had fun. We laughed. We ate aspirin like it was candy.

Thursday came, and we took the short flight home. Despite being tired, Edward was too keyed up to sleep. We went in at eight in the morning to sign all the paperwork on the house. He was so excited. Then he worked the rest of the night and came home to simply collapse. He fell asleep on the couch, and I didn't have the heart to wake him. I simply covered him in a blanket.

Over the next couple of weeks, Edward and Emmett moved all of my boyfriend's stuff into my home, but mostly into a storage place not too far from our new house. We decided that we would save buying new things, or even thinking about looking for them, until after we moved in.

I had no idea how we were going to arrange things, his furniture, and mine. I wasn't exactly sure how we would mix our lives together. I had been alone for so long in my own little apartment that I just wasn't... sure. I don't know how else to describe it.

I felt a tension growing in my belly, a nervousness I couldn't put my finger on. It had all been going so well. Life had been so wonderful. It was like I had a feeling that I had come to my limit. Maybe that the universe had given me so much that perhaps it was too much and she would come to take it all back.

I was waiting for the other shoe to drop, I just wasn't sure what it was. Or what was going to make it drop.

Edward just told me I was nervous about the wedding. He tried to comfort me that being in front of those people wouldn't be that horrible. He assured me that I was a whole different woman from what I was a year previously, strong and beautiful.

I let him distract me with his comforting hands, but I knew that wasn't it. Or perhaps it was. Hell if I knew.

It was one of the few times that I wished I was in therapy. Perhaps I could have talked it out then and figured it out.

My luck wasn't that good. My entire life proved that most of the time. And at that time I felt like I was living in a dream. And it felt as if I was waiting to wake up, and it was almost painful.

That was exactly what I was thinking about when the stylist was working on me on the morning of April first. Alice was getting a manicure and a pedicure while they did my hair and makeup. Then we would switch. I just kept my eyes closed and moved the way the tiny little girl with the mascara wand told me to.

"Stop frowning. This is a wedding. Be happy," she said with a huff. "Smile at least so I can do the bronzer right."

"What's up, Bella?" Alice asked. She had been unusually quiet the entire morning herself, but I think hers was just nervousness as well. To her, it was like she was getting married for the first time. Like this was her real wedding.

"Nervous," I lied, sort of. I was nervous about tripping and busting my face, but that wasn't making me frown.

"Don't be," she sighed. "Leave that feeling to me. I've got that one covered. Try confident on for a while. One of us has to be."

"You're the most confident person I know," I snorted. "If you're not right now, we're doomed."

"Geez, thanks for being uplifting. I need something to drink." I gave her a stern look. She made me promise that I wouldn't allow her to get drunk until the reception. "Just one!"

"I want one, too."

She waved her hand, saying that she heard me before she crept into the hallway. I don't know who she conned in the hall, but she returned soon after with two glasses. "Here you go, princess."

I downed it in one gulp. "Thanks," I said weakly as I changed positions with her. It was her turn to do the makeup part. "So, how many people are coming to this thing anyway?"

"Three hundred RSVPed. I don't know half of them. My mom and dad invited everyone they know. So did Jasper's parents. I hate to say this, and I know it'll be a first, but I think that this thing got out of hand."

"You think?" I snorted. "There is no doubt."

"I think it's my mother's punishment for eloping to Vegas the first time," she sighed.

"Probably," I agreed. "My mother will have nothing to do with my wedding. She'll just show up."

"You've got one hour," I heard Rose shout from the other side of the door. She was busy getting the flower girl, Bridget, and the ring bearer, Tanya, ready in another room. "The guys just got here, and they're going to mingle with the guests."

"Thanks," Alice shouted before she sighed. "Almost show time."

I walked down the aisle holding the bunch of white lilies Alice had picked out for me. They were simple and beautiful, as was my purple jewel-toned dress. Bridget had already run down the red carpet, throwing different colored petals everywhere. Tanya had gone next, holding a pillow with the rings. She was standing to the side where the girls would be, waiting to be needed.

Jasper appeared as if he was going to be sick.

Edward looked like he was bursting at the seams with joy. His eyes lit up when he saw me, and he stood a little bit straighter. When I came to the spot in which I would stand, he mouthed the words, 'I love you' over his best friend's head. I just smiled in return, nodding my head once to show that I felt the same way.

I wasn't exactly sure how Alice moved in her massive dress. There was a long train trailing behind, the dress rustling loudly with every step. It wasn't my style, but it was utterly Alice.

I had never seen so many people in one place at one time. I felt the heat flow to my face and down my neck as I swayed a little bit. Tanya was right behind me, pushing me back into place.

"Alice would kill you if you threw up right now," she snickered in my ear.

"I wouldn't blame her," I whispered back. "I can see why she eloped for the first time."

"I want a huge wedding. Bigger than this," she answered back as Alice got closer.

"I hope you don't mind if I sit in the pews then," I told her with a wink.

I heard Edward clear his throat and I looked over at him. He mouthed the words 'you okay?'. I smiled and nodded at him, fanning my face to show I was just hot.

Finally, Alice reached her now beaming husband and took his hand. Everything moved a lot faster after that.

After the ceremony, we took pictures while everyone else headed to the reception hall. We stood a million different ways, trying to get the right shots. It felt like it was never going to be over.

Edward stood behind me, his arm around my waist, as we posed for the shot of the Maid of Honor and Best Man.

"You are so beautiful," he whispered warmly in my ear. I turned slightly to look into his eyes, the camera flashing at that exact moment. He gave me a soft smile, and I decided the camera be damned. I leaned forward and kissed him firmly.

I think the camera flashed a dozen more times during that kiss. I could have cared less.

We rode to the reception in a limo. It was being held at a huge hotel, and Alice had gotten us, her and Jasper and Edward and myself, a room for the night. It was nice that I didn't have to worry about the amount of champagne that I consumed.

Edward and I came into the hall first, the DJ announcing our names as the Best Man and Maid of Honor before announcing the bride and groom. Everyone cheered, the sound echoing throughout the entire hall.

It was crazy.

We ate, and Edward and I each gave a toast to honor our best friends before they sliced up the cake. Alice took a bite and then Jasper delicately ate it off of her fingers. They looked at each other with such love and affection. It was so beautiful.

And then the dancing began. Edward and I came out onto the floor, as did the happy couple, to start the first dance.

"I can't wait until we're doing this," he whispered in my ear, and I could feel his smile against his cheek. "You in a white dress. Me smiling at you like a fool, like Jasper right now. Though, I guess that's my normal expression when I'm with you."

"Edward," I gave a soft sigh, leaning my head on his shoulder.

"What's bothering you, my love?" He asked gently. I just shrugged, unable to put my finger on it.

The DJ invited the rest of the crowd to join in as a new song came on. I clutched tighter to Edward, my safe spot. I knew if I kept clinging to him that the bad feeling would eventually fade away.

But suddenly there was a voice in my ear. "Hey, can I cut in?"

The voice was so familiar that my head whipped around, nearly knocking my forehead into Jacob's. He was leaning down, a broad smile on his face.

"H-hey-y-y..." I stuttered.

"How you doin', Bells?" He asked. Edward stood there, just frowning and looking too confused for his own good.

"What are you doing here?" I asked instead.

"My wife works with the bride's mother. Sorry, I'm being rude. I'm Jacob Black," he said, reaching his hand over to Edward. "You're the Best Man, right?"

"Right," Edward said in a sour tone I had never heard before. I wasn't entirely sure, but I think he was jealous. He had to know he had no reason to be. He glanced over at me, a questioning look in his eyes.

"Edward, why don't you go check with Jasper to see when we need to do the thing with the garter belt and the flowers."

"Okay," he said slowly. He gave one more brief look at Jake before walking off into the crowd.

Jake brought me into his large arms, and we slowly began to sway to the music. "It's been so long since I've seen you, Bells. You look amazing."

"Thanks. I've lost some weight." I shrugged. "So, where is Mrs. Black at?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

"She's at our table. She wanted to give us some time to talk before she came over." He shrugged in return. "You know, I miss you."

"Yeah, okay," I snorted, rolling my eyes.

"God, you were always so self-deprecating. I do. You were my best friend for so long. It's weird not having you in my life anymore," Jacob said with a soft sigh. "You know, just because we didn't work out doesn't mean we can't be friends."

"Yeah, I guess you're right," I shrugged again. I felt so uncomfortable I didn't know what else to do.

"So, who is Mr. Friendly?" Jake asked, changing the subject. "A friend of yours?"

"Boyfriend."

"Explains why he hates me," he chuckled.

"He doesn't hate you," I said quickly. "I don't know what that was about. I've never seen him act like before."

"He's probably worried that I've come over here because I realized what I'm missing and that I'm going to try to steal you away-"

"Jake-" I interrupted, but he shook his head.

"Well, he's got part of that right. I do realize that I miss you. The you you were when we were kids if that makes sense. I want to be friends again if you're willing. I mean, I can understand if you don't feel comfortable with that. But I do hope that I didn't do anything when we broke up to make you hate me..."

"Jake, you didn't. Honestly, most guys could take a cue from you. You have no idea how much I respect you for being honest with me," I said, stepping back from him so I could look into his large brown eyes. "I don't think I ever thanked you for that."

"Don't hear that often," he chuckled. "Here," he said, pulling a card out of his wallet. "This is my email and phone. I'd love to know what's going on with you these days. Ness and I will come over before we leave to say hi." Jacob leaned in and pressed a kiss into my cheek. "It's so good to see you again, Bells. And looking so beautiful, too. I wasn't even sure it was you or not."

"Have I changed that much?" I asked him in surprise, my cheeks coloring.

"Well, let's just say that Edward is a lucky man and leave it at that."

I flushed brighter, smiling down at the ground. "Thanks."

"Well, I better get another piece of chocolate cake before it's all gone. Ness is six months pregnant, and she cannot get enough chocolate. I don't want this to get ugly if she doesn't get another piece," he chuckled his warm laugh before bringing my hand up to his mouth for a kiss. "Seriously, call me. We can hang out and talk."

"Alright," I spoke softly. I was pretty sure he didn't hear me as he walked away back to his wife.

Well, I wasn't sure what to make of all of that.

The room was loud, buzzing with too much activity, which didn't help my forming headache. I looked over the crowd to see if I could find Edward but either I was too short or he simply wasn't in the room. I decided if I couldn't have him holding me that I would use the time to find a quiet place to gather my thoughts.

I went to Alice. "Hey, when are we finishing up here?"

She grabbed her husband's arm, looking at his watch. He barely noticed as he talked to an older couple. "Not for another hour. Why?"

"I'm going to go up to the room and freshen up."

"Got the key card?" She asked. I pulled it out of its hiding spot in my bra. She just smirked. "Alright, don't be late. I need you."

"I'll be here," I assured her. "I'll just be a few minutes."

The room I was in was on the tenth floor, which was almost the very top. It was one of the nicer suites, though not the nicest. I knew Alice had that one. It was easy enough to find since there were only four rooms on the floor. Ours was on the eastern corner.

I made my way inside easily, using my key to open the door. It slid into the slot, and the light flashed green on the first try. I pushed my way inside, expecting to be alone.

I was not.

Edward was laid across the bed with his hands on his face.

"Hey," I said in surprise, instantly worried. "You okay?"

"Yeah," he said shortly, sitting up with a huff. He ran a rough hand through his hair, blinking slowly to make his eyes adjust to the light. "What are you doing up here?"

"I needed some air. That room was far too crowded."

"Tell me about it," he mumbled.

"Edward, what's wrong?" I pushed, walking over to him. But before I could touch him and he stood up and walked over to the window. The sun was high in the sky, almost out of view from where we were. It was still blinding bright, though there was a dark cloud on the horizon. It was threatening rain once again. That wasn't surprising though. I just hoped no nasty weather came from it. It was, after all, our season for tornadoes. It was the last thing anyone needed.

"Nothing," he said quickly.

"You're lying to me."

He lifted his chin up, his lips in a straight line. "No, I'm not."

"Is this about Jake? I didn't know he was going to be here. He didn't know either."

"You didn't have to dance with him," Edward said quietly. It took me a moment to understand the words he said it so softly.

"He was a good friend of mine for a very long time. We just talked," I said with a sigh as I sat down on the bed. "I'd much rather dance with you."

"Hm," was how he answered.

"His wife was there," I added in. "She's pregnant with their second child. He wanted us to come by and say hello before the evening was over. He wanted us to be friends again."

"What did you say to that?" He asked into the window.

"I'm not sure I really said anything," I told him truthfully. "He gave me his card and told me to call so we could hang out. I didn't really agree or disagree."

"Are you going to?"

"Only if you're by my side the entire time."

"I trust you, Bella," he said with a sigh.

"I know," I said as I stood. "Is this not about Jacob then? What's bothering you?"

"I'm not sure," he said in a low tone as he pressed his forehead into the glass. "You've been so... antsy lately. I've wondered if you've changed your mind."

"Changed my mind about what?"

"Everything."

"Edward," I sighed. "I'm just nervous is all. I haven't changed my mind about anything."

"What is there to be nervous about?" He asked as he finally turned to look at me.

"A lot of things. If it's going to work out. How life is going to be now that we're living together. If we can handle the stress of it all."

"Don't you love me though?" He asked as if it fixed everything. Edward seemed so young at the moment, younger than I had ever seen him before. His eyes were large and green, pleading with me to say that love is all we need, like a Beatles song or something.

"How could you ask me a question like that?" I asked, pained. "Of course I do. But love has nothing to do with this part. We've stayed together only a full week at one time. And that was out of town. It takes time to get used to other people's habits. What if we can't?"

"Before yesterday I practically lived with you anyway," Edward said with a sigh.

"But not while I was working. Or when you were practicing. We'll need time to adjust. I know the whole house thing seems so romantic to you, but it's going to be so much work."

He huffed, crossing his arms as he looked out the window again. "You act as if it's going to be painful."

"Please don't be this way," I said quietly. "It's nothing against you. It's more against me, really. I'm worried that I'm too old and set in my ways."

"Bella, why haven't we talked about marriage more?" He blurted out. He didn't look at me as he did so.

"We have."

"Not very much."

How was I supposed to respond to him? We had talked about it. Not on a grand scale though. There was no engagement ring on my finger, and I was glad about that for the time being. I was still working on some things. I was still working on me. I was almost there. Almost, just not yet.

"Edward, we will both know when we're ready for that. I know you are. And as worried as I am about the house, it is a step in the right direction. Just give me a little more time to get used to that, get used to living with you. And then we'll talk about it," I begged him, touching his shoulders as I walked behind him. "Just give me a little while."

"Do you want to marry me?" He asked quietly.

"Yes," I told him truthfully. "But I'm not ready to be engaged."

"What's the difference if you already know?"

"The difference is me," I tried to explain, but I was sure I was doing a horrible job of it. I wrapped my arms around his waist and began to speak against his neck. "Edward, we haven't even been together a full year. Be patient."

"I don't want to be. I want you."

"You have me," I told him.

"All of you."

"You have me," I said again. "I promise. Let's get settled into the house before we start talking about marriage, please? I know that will be hard for you, but I want to have everything in place before we're tossed into craziness again. It's been a wild year for me. I need things to settle for a while. I'm just asking for a little time."

This was the other shoe. And as soon as the words fell from lips, I felt a little better. I knew Edward was inching closer and closer to proposing to me, and I wasn't ready. I dreaded asking for more time, but as soon as I did, I felt better.

"Time?" He asked as he turned slowly in my arms, his wrapping around my waist slowly. "How much time?"

"No more than three months, I promise. I just want to make sure everything is unpacked and in place." I bit my bottom lip as I looked into his dark swirling green eyes. "Please?"

"As soon as the last box is unpacked, we're going to talk about it." He smirked at me. "I mean, really talk about it."

"Yes, sir," I smiled. "We'll stay up all night and talk about it if you want. I'll even make pancakes in the morning."

He groaned, "I'll make the pancakes. I want to survive."

I gasped, and he chuckled before pulling me in for a slow and steamy kiss. His fingers wrapped gently around the back of my neck, pulling me even closer to him.

As soon as his tongue slid past his lips to seek mine, his cell phone began to ring. I knew automatically who it was. Alice.

"Yes?" He answered. He rolled his eyes. "Yes, I realize that. No, she's with me. Stop freaking out. We still have twenty minutes. Ugh, fine, woman. We'll be down in a minute. God, yes. We are decent. Okay. Fine. BYE ALICE!" He all but shouted into the phone as he snapped it shut.

"We're being summoned?" I guessed with a raised eyebrow.

"Her royal pain in the ass is calling us. Apparently, it's time to throw some flowers and a garter."

"Let's get that over with then come back here," I suggested. Edward gave me a wicked smile.

"Sounds good to me."

I didn't catch the flowers. Like I could catch anything at all. I was too clumsy. Instead, out of the enormous group of woman that grabbed for it, Tanya caught it with a triumphant whoop. She jumped in place, squeaking her teenager squeal of joy.

Edward caught the garter easily in one hand. I'm not really sure any of the other single guys were really trying though. It was kind of funny.

The photographer took their picture together, a serious one that was very sweet and a silly one where Edward was pretending to kiss her. Tanya looked grossed out, her eyes wide and one side of her mouth was curled up in mock disgust.

I wanted a copy of both pictures for the house, along with the ones with Edward and myself.

When they were done with the pictures, Edward gave the garter to Bridget. She then promptly put it on her head and started running around pretending she was an 'Indian'.

It was very cute.

I waved goodbye from afar to Jacob as I saw him leave with his waddling wife. I wasn't exactly ready to talk to him again, and I wasn't sure if I ever would be.

Another thing that would wait for the dust to settle, so to speak.

After the bride and groom left to go to their room in their hail storm of bubbles, so did Edward and I. I felt a lot lighter than I did at the beginning of the day with my hand in his.

I knew all I needed was to be close to him. If I could have that, I could handle anything that life threw at me.

Thanks for reading!