Chapter 40: The Things

Alice's POV

"So how many weddings have you and Jasper had?" Rosalie had she was attempting to count on her fingers but I knew exactly how many times I had committed myself to the man of my dreams. We were lounging on the bed. I was a barrel of nerves because I didn't know what was going on or when the ceremony was going to be happening. I had a pen and pad nearby just in case I thought of something clever for my vows.

"This will be our twentieth time, I said proudly. I remembered how each ceremony was different. Jasper was really good at finding new ways to tell me he loved me, which was good because I loved being adored by him.

"Wow, I don't know if I would have it in me to do it that many times with Emmett. I love him I just don't know if need to recommit to him that many times. He knows I'll never leave him," Rose shrugged.

"I'm surprised you wouldn't want to get married a million times Rose with as much as you love getting dressed up," Leah added. She had ordered a lot of food from room service and was eating a lot even for her.

"I don't mind going to weddings for that very fact but to be the bride is not an easy feat. You're on display and you have to perform. Plus, it makes me so damned emotional," Rose fussed and Leah arched her eyebrows.

"So far I have remarried Emmett about five times and I think that's enough. It just reminds me of all the things I would want with him but could never have. I would want to house by ourselves, kids, and to grow old with him. All we have is weddings … yeah we can have those," Rose said dryly as she picked at the covers on the bed.

"You have weddings and the ability to grow old together … even if no one else knows you're old," Esme advised. "I know I have told you both this quite a few times but our coven is very lucky. We all have found soul mates that makes living for centuries pretty effortless. In all my years of living I haven't found anything better in this world than love," Esme smiled and so did I. Rose had the tendency to dwell on the negative. She's right there's a lot of things we won't get to experience but at least we had each other. Most of the time I think we aren't enough for her.

"I would only want to do it once I think," Leah mused and brought us all from our individual thoughts.

"I would want to do it and in a perfect world my mom and brother would want to be there. I would want to commit myself once in front of everyone and recommit myself to our love every day for the rest of my existence … beyond forever."

"That was really pretty can I borrow that?" I chuckled and Leah shoved my gently.

"No, it's copyrighted," she teased. "Besides you've already done it more than once so I would make sense."

"Yeah plus she may need them in the near future," Rose tease as she nudged Leah. Leah gave a half smirk a characteristic she'd stolen from our brother.

"I don't know about that. Our relationship is still young I wouldn't want Edward to rush into that with me. I … never mind," she muttered as she got up and went to the bathroom. We all looked at each other.

"Never mind?" Esme looked at me for clarity. It was my turn to shrug. Leah was unnecessarily insecure about her relationship with Edward. She constantly wanted to compare to his feelings for Bella but she and Bella are two different people. Edward's feeling for Leah are different … they're stronger. A buzzing from the nightstand drew my attention from my thoughts. Leah's phone had gone off for the sixth time tonight. My poor whipped brother was really missing his girlfriend.

"Hello, Leah's phone this is the bride speaking why are you bothering us," I answered. I heard him groan annoyed.

"Hello Alice, where's Leah?"

"The bathroom. So what's your deal what is that you have to say to her so badly that you've called a million times," I chuckled and put him on speaker.

"What are you all doing so much that she can't answer?" He posed his question with attitude in his voice.

"Girl talk Edward … it's very important to have that before your wedding day," I teased. Rose rolled her eyes and giggled despite herself. Leah came out and looked confused for a millisecond but quickly pieced everything together.

"It's not nice to harass your brother," she said before quickly regain possession of her phone. Sometimes I forgot she was much faster than us now. Even though she regained possession of her phone she didn't take it off speaker.

"Hey," Edward's voice lowered but it wasn't in an attempt to be seductive like most men. He seemed relieved in some way.

"Hey," Leah muttered and fought against herself not to grin ridiculously. I fought against laughing at both of them they hadn't even been separated for a day and they seemed lost without each other. It was really kind of pathetic, cute but pathetic nonetheless.

"I didn't mean to interrupt your night I just wanted to make you sure I told you … you know the things before bed." Leah's smile grew wider it seemed she'd forgotten we were in the room until Esme cooed. She her eyes widened for a moment but then she took her phone call outside. I was a little pissed I wanted to know what the things were. Once she left Rose asked the question I was mentally muddling over myself.

"I wonder what the things are?"

"I don't know but I love this side of Edward. I do agree it's only a matter of time before he asked her," Esme mused.

Edward's POV

We finished preparing for the wedding in the early hours of the morning. I retired to my room and it was then that I realized I didn't know how be without Leah anymore. That may not be entirely true. I knew how to be alone I just really didn't want to be.

"So are you having a good time?"

"Yeah," Leah answered but something in her voice confused me. "I was but when you called and reminded me how much I missed you. Don't comment on it because you'll make me feel stupid," Leah blurted out before I could even comment. She was obviously embarrassed so I decided on something simple.

"I miss you too," I chuckled even though I didn't mean to. Leah chuckled a little and then sighed.

"Look Edward, I'm going to ask you something … don't make too much of it I just want us to be on the same page," she forewarned me and now I was nervous and her silence followed.

"Okay, you Clearwater you have my attention."

"Tonight all everyone has been talking about is marriage and their weddings … I was wondering when you think we'll be ready for all of that," she asked and if I had a heartbeat it would've stopped.

"What?"

"I mean you don't have to say the right thing Edward, you just have to be honest. God, I wish I had waited until I got home to ask so I could read you," she confessed.

"Ditto baby." We both laughed. I breathed a deep breath and relaxed just hearing her laugh put me at peace.

"I was ready to marry you the first time we kissed Leah. You know that," I said simply. "I have been waiting to ask you until I was sure you'd say yes. The only thing you are insecure about is my feelings for you I wanted you to be secure with me before I asked."

"I'll never be completely sure Edward," she scoffed. "You don't get it do you. The reason I'm so nervous about you is because you mean more than the world to me. I don't want your mind to change and you to want someone else because you … Edward you're amazing and I love you," she breathed and even though she wasn't close to me her words radiated throughout my body and I felt her warmth.

"I love you too Leah," I whispered I don't know why but it felt right.

"Hmmm … I feel it," she murmured. "Is that what you were going to tell me?"

"Yeah, I always whisper it before you go to sleep I didn't want tonight be any different," I confessed.

"I doubt I will getting any sleep tonight Edward, but I'm glad you called. By the way I knew you did that," she snickered and in the background I heard Alice calling for her.

"Go make yourself busy for a few hours EC I will see you soon," she said and she seemed a little somber.

"Goodnight my Leah," I said before hanging up the phone. I looked at my watch it was almost 4AM. It was only a few hours and we would be reunited. My Leah would be beside me at home.

Author's Note: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter the next chapter will be the wedding. Fun stuff in store!