Chapter 24 – DISNEY TRIP (part 5) Wednesday 3/31/2010
After last night's drama, Mom and I decide that it's time to look to the future… as in Future World in Epcot Center. Phil chooses a few shows to see but mostly follows us around. We pick the Cantina De San Angel for dinner today and I look across the small table at Phil and my mom as I finish my tacos and Margarita. I have the map of Epcot and I'm checking off the things we've done and seen.

Phil says, "That energy thing with Ellen DeGeneres was great! I love her. She's so funny! Mission Space was fun too. Oh, and Turtle Talk with that 'Finding Nemo' turtle…that was cool!"

"Spaceship Earth was so fun!" Renee replies. "Innoventions was great. All those inventions and stuff…The little purple dragon was sooo cute…oh, what was his name again…?"

"Figment, Mom, his name is Figment…as in a figment of your imagination…" I say. "That was my favorite today, although, 'Honey, I Shrunk the Audience' was pretty good too. What I really want to do right now is ride Test Track!"

"No you don't, Bells!" Emmett says, breaking into our conversation. "It was terrible! It goes so slow! I thought it would be so much faster! It only goes 64.8 mph." He leads me away from Mom and Phil with a wave.

It's now twilight and so my vampires are coming out. I shake my head at him. "Oh, Em… you're so silly! I mean, yes, 65 mph is slower than a Monday afternoon drive with Edward, but it's faster than most humans go in their cars…" I grin at him. "…and I want to go on it. Come with me!"

"Awww…do I have to? Its sooo slow…besides I already rode it with Jasper the other day…What the-…?" He starts but then looks down at his cell phone. He sighs and shows me what it says.

Em- Ride with B – U owe her and E for Sunday –A

He goes to shut it when it buzzes again.

Em- Ride with B- I'll get there soon as ride is over –E

Emmett rolls his eyes. "Ok…ok…Let's go ride Test Track, little sis."

I chuckle and grin with triumph. "Thanks, big bro." After being on the line for about 10 minutes, we get into a car with a family of four. 5 ½ minutes later, as we get off the ride, the family looks a bit frazzled. Em and I look at each other and laugh. I buy the picture. Emmett looks asleep but I've got a big smile on my face.

A ride attendant comes over and asks if we enjoyed ourselves. Emmett smirks at me. "What can we say…huh, Bells?"

I laugh and say to the lady, "I enjoyed it very much, but it really wasn't that much different than a Monday afternoon drive with my fiancé or one of his family members."

Emmett starts to tickle me and I run out of the building and straight into the chest of the Cullen I call mine. "Edward!" I squeak as I hide behind him. "Save me! Emmett wants to tickle me!"

"I'm just in time then! I must rescue my lady fair." Edward says as he poses like an actor on a stage would. I giggle and fall into his arms. He catches me and sweeps me off away from his silly brother. "Let's get a good seat for the fireworks, love."

This fireworks show is called 'Illuminations' and has many different colors and lights and it's set to a wonderful musical score. Edward sits on a bench and pulls me onto his lap. We cuddle as we watch. He takes me back to the hotel by some means of transportation or other…I'm too tired to keep my eyes open.

Thursday 4/1/2010- I wake the next morning to a very loud knock on the door. My father's idea of an April fool's prank is apparently telling us to expect him at noon and showing up at 8 am. Mom, Phil and I have breakfast with him and Sue in at a little place called Sunshine Seasons inside Epcot Park. I let Mom and Phil have a day by themselves and take Dad and Sue to see some of the boat tours. One has the 3 Caballeros as hosts. The American Adventure is a great show if your into the whole history thing. The Biergarten Restaurant has amazing food to fill our tummies. After that, we get some French pastries and check out Norway for the Viking boat ride called Maelstrom. Finally back at the hotel, Edward and I sit Charlie and Sue down in their room.

"Dad, we need to talk to you. Something happened this weekend that is affecting the wedding schedule…" I say, looking at Edward for support.

Charlie frowns at him and takes my hand. "What is it, Bells? Did he…?"

"Dad, no, just listen…please…For a day or 2 we thought I might be pregnant… and I want to be married before any kids come along. Now, I don't want to hurt your feelings, Dad, but I'm an adult and I need to make my own decisions from now on. I've decided that I've waited long enough to marry Edward…" I take Edward's hand in my other one. "More than 9 years; I've waited for this, Dad… I don't want to wait another 9 months."

Sue's hand covers her mouth is surprise. Charlie looks shocked. "You might've been pregnant? Bella, I thought Dr. Gerandy ruled that out as an option…said it would take a miracle because of the scar tissue…I could've been a Grandpa? Wow!"

"Yeah, Dad, but it turns out that I'm not pregnant right now. Carlisle has taken a look at my file and spoken to Dr Gerandy. He says that natural conception may not be possible, but if we try something called in-vitro, it'll probably work. The scar tissue is mostly in the fallopian tubes but my uterus is still able to carry a baby to term. Isn't that wonderful?" He nods in wonder. "So we've decided to move up the wedding date. Alice is arranging for it to be held ASAP." I try to be gentle but firm with the news. My father starts to protest but I cut him off. "I understand that you want to protect me, but you're going a bit 'over the top'. I'm 27 and I need your support instead of more protection. I love you, Dad; please tell me you see where I'm coming from?" I brace myself for his reaction.

Sue and Edward look at each other and then at Charlie.

He sighs. "I guess you're right, Bells. You're not a kid anymore…you've been married and divorced and… hell, you've been through stuff nobody should have to deal with and you've come out the other side. If you're serious about him and you want to have kids…you should be married first. You'll always be my little girl though…whether or not I'm the one taking care of you."

Alice gives the door a token tap and lets herself in saying, "I'm so glad that's settled because the wedding is on Saturday at dusk! Don't worry Bells, I already sent plane tickets to Jake, Valerie and Sue's kids. They'll be here that morning!"

My head is spinning as I turn to Edward. "What…? Edward…Did she…?" I take a deep breath and try again. "Did your sister just say that we're getting married in 2 DAYS?"

"Yes, I did. They had a last minute cancellation and I snapped it up for you! Now, let's get a move on! You and the girls need dresses and the guys need tuxes. Sue, you come with us! Edward you take Charlie and the other men to the concierge. He knows where you need to go." The little pixie-ish tornado has me and Sue by the hands. What seems like seconds later, all the ladies are in the dress shop and Alice is, once again, aflutter. "Bells, you go with Audrey; she's the manager and I just 'know' she'll help you find the right dress."

The next couple of hours go by in a whirl of fabrics and then it's back to the spa to try a hair-do and some make-up. I hope the guys are getting their tasks done too because if they don't Alice will be livid!

Finally back in the suite, I flop into bed and try to relax. Edward walks in and notices a blink-y light on the phone. I don't know who it could be until he pushes the button. 'Bells…? Where are you? What's this with you getting married on Saturday? I need to talk to you! Call me!'

"Dang! I forgot to tell Jake about our decision. Guess I'll just have to deal with this now! Edward, give me my cell please?" I start to dial as soon as it's in my hand.

Jacob answers on the first ring. "Bella? What the heck is your dad talking about? You're supposed to wait a year before you get married! You're trying to get around the agreement, aren't you? Well I'll revoke it if I have to. You promised us you'd spend this year living life to the fullest. You promised…" I hear something in his voice. He sounds upset…sad and almost bitter.

"Jake, calm down. Firstly, I really don't want to go into things over the phone." I say in as calm a voice as I can manage. "All I'm going to say for now is that something happened over the week we've been here that makes me want to do this sooner rather than later. I'll talk to you more when you get here on Saturday morning… I won't discuss it over the phone."

"Fine, but we'll all be there tomorrow night. The council and I want an explanation for this breach." Jacob demands in a harsh voice.

I feel an overwhelming burst of outrage blossoming in my heart. "Alright…listen up, Jacob Black and you'd better listen well." I try to stamp down my annoyance. My eyes close and I silently ask Edward for his strength and support. He somehow senses that and comes to hold my hand. "There has not been- nor will there be- any breach. You know I keep my promises. I will wait for the second portion of the arrangement, but I'll marry the man I love whenever I see fit. The wedding date is not under your control. See you tomorrow, Jake." I hang up the phone and smile before opening my eyes to find my love grinning back at me.

"You did it, love." He whispers as his arms wrap around me. "You stood up to the men in your life including me…and you convinced us all of what you need and want from life. I'm so proud of you, Bella. You've lived through so much and turned into a strong, confident woman. I love you, so much." Our lips meet in a sweet kiss and he cuddles with me through the night.

Friday 4/2/2010 - The next day is nice. Dad and Sue join me for breakfast in my suite and Edward takes off for a day with his brothers and his dad. My dad will join them later…as will Jacob and Seth…for the bachelor's night. My dad asks my plans for the day and night.

"Well, Alice and Rose are setting up my…what did they call it…? Oh yeah, 'Hen's night'…but that's not until later, so I'm all yours for the day, Dad." I say, grinning at him. "At least til Jake gets here…he wants to have a private chat with Edward and me."

Sue looks around as we are leaving my suite. "I think I left my purse in the room Charlie; I'll be right back."

Dad and I are now alone in the hall. "Dad…? I need to ask you a favor." I say quietly. "I know you want to walk me down the aisle tomorrow and you know I don't want to hurt you, but listen…not only is this my second wedding, but I've been standing on my own 2 feet for a while now. When I walk down that aisle… I'd like you to come with me but at the halfway point, I think you should step back and let me finish by myself. It's symbolic to me. It'll mean that you have faith in my ability to walk my own path and live my own life. You do… don't you? You have that faith…right?"

I see his eyes tear up but he nods. "I understand, Bells. I do have faith in you." He clears his throat a couple of times. "So what does Jake want to talk to you guys about? Why does he have such an interest in your life still? He's not in it anymore, so he should butt out… shouldn't he? He's got Val… I don't get it."

I take a breath as I think about what to say to that. "Well, Dad, he's always been my best friend and he'll never be totally out of my life. The stuff we went through together forms one heck of a bond. He was my rock when I needed one. I really don't know what he wants to talk about…" I hate that I have to lie to him but he still can't be allowed to know about this world.

Sue comes back and off we go to enjoy a bit more of Epcot.