I literally just finished the epilogue! Yes, that's right, there's this chapter left, then the epilogue! This is a sad sad day.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy it!
On with the show...
10 – Thnks Fr Th Mrrs
Bella
I shuffled my way to Alice and Rose's room in my dressing gown and slippers half an hour after Edward had left. I had took a shower, feeling the clean myself so there was no evidence of what had happened between me and Edward.
I'd never forget what happened between us. It was beautiful, and amazing, and sensual. And that's why I had to forget it. Because I had to marry Jacob that day and I couldn't do that with Edward possessing my every thought.
When I got to Alice and Rose's room, I walked straight in knowing they were expecting me. When they saw me they looked at me as if they'd seen a ghost.
"Did you not get any sleep last night!?" Rose gasped, rushing over to me, obviously looking at the bags under my eyes. "Now, tell me, where you having really loud dreams or did Jake sneak in. If he did, I'm kicking his ass!"
"What do you mean?" I said, playing the innocent card. I knew they were on about the groaning and moaning.
"You were being really noisy!" Ali complained, putting her hands on her hips in a scolding manner. She pursed her lips as she gave me a sweeping overlook. She clucked her tongue and shook her head. "You really didn't want to help us did you? Could have at least have tried to get some sleep!"
"Are you saying I'm ugly when I have no sleep?" I said in a daring way, just challenging her to say it. We ate breakfast, I resisted every accusation they made. None were right anyway. "Do you really think I'd sleep with someone on the night before my wedding? Well, maybe the hot bellhop; C'mon guys. You have to be joking!" Alice shook her head, laughing, and pointed to me, then the chair in front of the bedroom mirror. Rosalie pulled me in that direction and shoved me into the seat. I almost died when Rose whispered in my ear.
"I certainly hope you were dreaming, but I find that hard to believe when you were yelling Edwards name so loud." I gave her an alarmed look and she beamed down at me. Rose was obviously happy about the idea of Edward and I being together. "Are you sure you want to marry Jacob?" she enquired, placing a elegant hand on my shoulder.
I stared into my reflection in the mirror. It didn't look like me. The person in the mirror was pale and looked extremely miserable. She looked almost dead inside. Was that really me?
"Yes. I want to marry Jacob," I uttered, almost to myself rather than Rose. When I looked back at Rose, I saw that she'd stopped smiling and she was glaring.
"If that's what you want," she growled, grabbing a hair brush and running it through my hair, rather forcefully. I resisted the urge to tell her to fuck of and calm down, but she had every right to be pissed with me, so I endured her rigorous brushing.
I sat through hours of a rough Rosalie. Alice noticed and asked her if she was okay once of twice and suggested she went and had a cup off coffee, which she refused every time. "I'm fine." She'd reply through grit teeth.
When the girl were getting themselves ready, I sat on the hotel bed waiting for them. It was just past one and I'd had no lunch. I was hungry but knew I would have to wait till after the wedding to eat. I think I'll stay hungry for a bit longer.
There was a knock at the door and I automatically headed to get it, only to be stopped by Alice. "No! It might be Jacob. Get back in there!" She ordered. I sighed and stormed back into the bedroom section, catching my reflection in the mirror. I was in my white wedding dress. Wasn't white meant to mean pure? I almost scoffed out loud. Me? Pure? The one who'd slept with her best friend. Twice. The first time, just after I got engaged. Then the night before the wedding.
I really am a slut! My mind yelled. And the worst part about being a slut? The fact I fell in love with the guy I couldn't have anymore. I had to give Edward up. Last night, that was it. I couldn't be with him. I couldn't see him. I would try not to think about him. I was going to marry Jacob and have a great - yet sexually unfulfilling – honeymoon.
"Can I speak to Bella please? Privately?" somebody asked, their voice travelling through the wall that separated the hallway from the bedroom. The voice was similar to Edward's in the way he spoke properly and boldly. His voice was smooth as silk, but husky at the same time.
I popped my head through a gap around the edge of the wall and my suspicions were confirmed. "Hey Carlisle," I said in faux perkiness. I couldn't help but notice how much Edward and him looked alike. There wasn't enough difference for me to say that I wouldn't kick him out of bed, but enough so that I would regret it after. But that might just be that fact he was married and I was in love with his son.
"Hello Bella. Can I have a word?"
I smiled happily at him, trying to act as if nothing had happened between me and his son. But the way he looked at me gave me the impression that he knew on some level. "Of course." I opened the door and strolled across to the kitchen area, far enough so that Alice and Rose wouldn't hear, as log as we didn't yell at each other that was. Carlisle was a very calm and patient person, so I doubted there would be much shouting coming form him.
I heard Carlisle's light footsteps following behind me before I stopped at the far wall and turned back to him. He stood close and held his arms out to hug me. I leaped into his embrace. I could almost imagine it was Edward. No! Bad Bella!
"So what are you doing here?" I asked quietly, pressing my cheek against his chest.
"I wanted to know whether you have someone to walk down the isle," he replied, just as quietly. I peeked through my eye lashed and saw him looking down at me with the affection that a father would have for his child. Was that how he saw me? As his daughter?
"No. I was going to get Rose to ask Emmett. Can you do it? Will you? Please?" I said hopefully, gazing up at him. Carlisle smiled and placed a kiss on my forehead.
"It would be my honour Bella. But that's not the only thing I wanted to talk to you about," he informed me. He looked over his shoulder to check none of the others where near enough to hear what he was going to say. When he saw they were far more interested in their make up than our conversation he turned back to me, pulling a jewellery case out of his jacket pocket. "Edward left me a letter asking me to give this to you if you didn't pull out of the wedding. So, here it is," he found my hand and placed the velvet cover box into my palm.
"What is it?"
"Something I always thought he'd give to you. Just not in these circumstances. Open it," Carlisle ordered, stepping backwards as he released me from his hug. I inspected the box quickly. It was bigger than a ring box, but too small to be a necklace box. Curiosity got the better of me an I opened the box to reveal a charm bracelet with three charms on it.
"Something old," Carlisle started, pointing to the bracelet. "Something new," he continued poking the silver teddy bear charm. "Something borrowed," he pointed to a diamond covered E. "Something blue," he gestured to the last charm, a sapphire heart. I looked at it with pure amazement.
"It's beautiful," I gasped.
"Isn't it just..."
"Who's is it?" I enquired.
"Yours. It was Edward's but he managed to get everything on their, considering that Alice would unimpressed if you didn't have the standard good luck charms for your wedding day. All married women that are Cullens wore this bracelet on their wedding day. Esme thinks that it must be the bracelet because otherwise she would have divorced me years back," Carlisle chuckled.
"But I'm not a Cullen. I'm not even marrying a Cullen. I can't take this." I snapped the lid shut and thrust it towards Carlisle. He took my hands into his, pushing the box back closer to me. With the other hand he held, he kissed the back of it.
"I'll be back later. I just need to sort out some things. If that bracelet isn't on by the time I'm back, I may have Alice pin you down as I put it on you," he informed me with a evil, devious smirk. He dropped my hands and walked to the door. "Oh, and by the way, you look beautiful Bella."
"Hey!" Alice squeaked.
"You too girls," he shouted as he slipped out the door. I saw Alice and Rose watching me intently. I met their gaze then looked down at the box in my hands. I felt more guilty than I ever had been in my life. They were giving this bracelet to me when only Cullen women or future Cullen women had wore it. I could have been marrying a Cullen if I'd wanted. But no. I'd gone and been stupid Bella. I'd screwed everything up.
Carlisle (I know! Totally OMG!)
When I left the hotel room, I knew exactly what to do. I could sense her nervousness and her anxiety about the wedding. I strolled out of the building to be met by Edward, Jasper and Emmett.
"Did you give her the bracelet? Has she given up with the wedding? Is she okay?" Edward interrogated, rushing over to me. He was almost worse than Bella. He looked exhausted and like he was on the brink of a nervous break down.
"Yes, no and I don't know. If you mean physically, she's in perfect health as far as I can tell. If you mean mentally, I think she's starting to have doubts about the wedding," I answered, turning to Emmett and Jasper. "Emmett did you do it?"
Emmett nodded and pulled a part of a car from behind his back. "Jacob's going no where."
"And Jasper?"
He held up a set of keys and nodded towards a car behind him. "All set."
"Great, all we need is to give her more time and for her to see that she doesn't have to do this. The more time the better," Edward exclaimed. "Carlisle do you know what you're doing?"
"Yes. As soon as the limo driver turns up I'll give him the money. If we're lucky we'll have created an hour for her to change her mind. Edward, are you sure you want to do this?" I double checked. He was ruining his best friends wedding day because he was in love with her. There weren't any signs she felt the same way, or none that he'd told us anyway. I couldn't help but think this could be a mistake.
Rose
I couldn't believe Bella was actually marrying Jacob! Did she really think I was so stupid that I didn't realise that she was in love with Edward? Really! I was even angrier at the fact that she slept with him, basically using him, only to be marrying somebody else! If I didn't love her so much, I would have actually slapped her and not gone to the wedding.
I was convinced Edward wouldn't go down without a fight. That was why Carlisle had turned up. That was why she had the bracelet.
I was glad it wasn't only me who felt that Bella was making a mistake. Alice hadn't considered the possibilities Edward and Bella had and, therefore was oblivious the entire thing; she was just psyched about being maid of honour.
There was a less the fifteen minute drive to the church. We headed down to the limo quarter to two and I saw - who else? – Carlisle, leaning against the door. He smiled waved, almost happily. How can he be happy?! How can he be?! He must be acting!
"Hello girls! I must say you all look absolutely stunning," he said chirpily, giving us a beaming smile, the sort that made him look like a blonde Peter Facinelli; The kind of smile that had girls melting.
"Why thank you kind sir." Alice hugged Carlisle quickly before he opened the door for us. There were seats on either side. Bella and Alice sat on one, Carlisle and I on the other. It was like team Edward verses team Jacob, quite literally.
The limo started moving. What seemed like minutes later, I heard the driver curse. "Sorry, but there's a guy stuck, his car's broke down in the middle of the road. I'm gonna need to get out and help them move it."
I almost happy danced. I could tell Bella was starting to see sense, time was golden. Carlisle lent over to me and whispered, "I'm gonna go help, want to come out?"
I looked over at him and saw something in his eyes that I'd least expected. I could almost see into his mind. He'd been planning this.
"Jesus!" Some one cried from out side. Carlisle grinned and opened the door. If I was correct that was Jasper. I quickly climbed out the car, ordering the others to stay put. I was right, Jasper and Emmett were the drivers of the broken down car. Jasper, Emmett and Carlisle were talking to the limo driver, I had no idea what they were talking about, but when Jasper caught my eye, he panicked. He sent a worried glance over at Carlisle and elbowed Emmett. They both looked over at me.
I could read what Carlisle said. She's on our side. They were planning this! This was absolute genius! I ran over to them. Carlisle excused the limo driver who went over to check the broken down car. "Oh, my, god! I could kiss you right now!" I squealed. "You were planning this, weren't you?" They all nodded. "What else have you done?"
"I paid the driver to take the long route and go down the busiest roads," Carlisle confessed.
"I tampered with the car and made sure it broke on this road," Jasper added.
"I drained the battery, took out the engine and punctured the tiers on Jacobs car," Emmett finished proudly. I laughed out loud and I grinned like a Cheshire cat. For three men that seemed so innocent, they could do a lot of damage.
"And Edward?"
They looked at each other, as if wanting the other person to answer. Jasper was the one who told me. "We don't even know if Edward's doing anything. He was the one who gave Bella the bracelet. We don't know if he'll turn up at the wedding or not."
My smile faltered and looked down at my feet. I know this may not be the right time, but damn! My shoes are hot!
"But he might turn up?"
"We hope so. He didn't give us an answer."
"Then lets pray to god that he doesn't give up."
Forty minutes later we arrived at the church. Emmett and Jasper walked straight in and took their seats. Me and Alice were to walking in ten seconds before Bella. We were getting ready to go down the isle when I saw Carlisle catch his gaze with me. Walk slowly, he mouthed. I nodded.
"Hey, Al. What do you think about walking really slowly, you know, the extend the memory. The wedding day is one of the best moments in every persons life," I waffled. Alice agreed and we set off walking at a very very slow pace. I could see all of my family were there. Half of them with crossed fingers as they saw me and Alice walking down the isle.
C'mon Edward.
Bella
"Are you ready to go Bella?" Carlisle said softly as he hooked his arm around mine.
I nodded but didn't speak, I was too focused on breathing and walking. Everything was going to fast! I wanted to make time stop for a few moments so I could collect my thoughts.
But then, after a few seconds went by that I tried to think, I was walking down the isle, towards Jacob. I wanted to turn and run, but I knew I couldn't do that. Carlisle noticed my nervousness and took hold of my hand, squeezing it gently in the way Edward always did. I almost started hyper ventilating when Carlisle placed my hand in Jacobs.
In what seemed like three seconds, Jacob was saying 'I do.'
It's my turn now. "I...I...I," I spluttered. I stayed silent for a second before I opened my mouth again. I was about to say those words that would forever curse me, when I heard the three words I'd been wishing for since the beginning of the wedding.
"Stop the wedding!"
Everybody turned to look and see who had demanded to wedding to stop. I turned, expecting to see Edward. But it wasn't him.
Carlisle had stood from his seat, he stood, fists clenched, eyes wide. "Bella, don't marry him. You know you don't want to."
Jacob laughed out loud and glared at Carlisle. "Ahh, batty old man! There's always one! Why don't you just take a seat and shut up? We're not having you ruin our wedding day, are we sweet?" Jacob said in a sickly sweet way.
I didn't say anything, I could feel everybody's eyes on me. "No," I whispered, looking down at the floor.
"Then lets continue."
Then disruption two happened. The church doors slammed open and there stood, love of my life, Edward. "You know what, lets not," he barked, storming in.
"Not another one..." Jacob muttered. "What is it with you Cullens? You all enjoy ruining weddings or something?" He bellowed. Edward sauntered a bit closer. "Go sit down Cullen. Look perfect view from the front. You get to see it all," Jake said smugly, taking hold of my hand.
I saw Edward's eyes focus on it, darkening a shade or two. "See what? Bella leaving you at the alter? I can get the perfect view of that here, thank you very much," Edward growled. He turned to me and I could see nothing but love and affection in his eyes. His eyes were so beautiful. I could remember what it felt like looking into them as we'd made love.
I gulped. I wanted to look away, but I couldn't.
"Don't do this Bella. Please, don't do this," Edward sighed.
"Why wouldn't she?" Jake snapped.
"'Cos she doesn't love you!" Jake scoffed. "And if she does, she loves me a hell of a lot more," Edward finished, taking one step closer, his arm reaching out for me. "Come with me Bella? Please? I love you."
There was an 'Aww' from the crowd and I turned to see the faces of Renée and Phil. They looked confused. Billy was beside them. He looked furious. "Can someone please get rid of him?" He cried.
"I'm not going anywhere."
"Mike! Get him out of here!" Jake ordered. Mike, Jakes best man, walked over to Edward slowly but boldly.
"Get out," he seethed, not wanting to get into a fight.
"Not without Bella."
"Get. Out."
"What are you deft?"
"Get! Out! If you don't go I'll make you."
Edward folded his arms across his chest. "Go on then. Make me," he challenged.
And then Mike did the thing he least expected. He punched Edward! Straight across the jaw, hard and fast. Edward was sent to the floor merely from the surprise.
"Edward!" I yelped, pulling my hand away from Jakes and dashing over to him. "Edward are you okay?"
Edward sat up, standing up quickly after, not showing any weakness. "I'm fine sweet heart." I reached up to him, cocking his head to the side to look at his jaw. It was red and slightly swollen, but I knew that it was the surprise that had knocked him to the floor, not Mike's 'power.'
"Sweet heart?" Jacob hissed.
"Yeah. What about it?"
"No body should be calling her that apart from me," Jacob shouted, storming over to Edward till he stood less than a metre away from us.
"No body should be having sex with her apart from you. Didn't stop me did it?" The crowd gasped and there were a few 'oh my gods.' Edward did a fake, playful gasp and slapped a hand over his mouth. "I violated the laws of Jacob land. Lock me away!"
I couldn't help but snicker. Edward was really causing a scene. "If you don't get the fuck out now, I will hit you. It was one time and she came right back to me. How did it feel waking up alone? Knowing that it was me that got to sleep with her every night?" Jake taunted.
I felt my face reddening. I could see where this was going.
"And what about last night?" Edward enquired.
"What about last night?"
"Where was Bella last night?" Edward rephrased.
"At her hotel."
"With...?"
"Alice and Rosalie," Jake replied, getting frustrated.
Edward made a buzzer noise, saying Jacob had it wrong. I felt my face growing even redder. "She was in bed. With. Me." Edward did another gasp.
"Liar!"
"Oh golly golly gosh. Seems we're in quite a pickle here," Edward frowned, tapping his lips lightly with his index finger, suddenly reminding me of where that finger had been and where those lips had touched. "Well, how about we have some witnesses! Rosalie! You always did have good hearing! What did you hear coming from Bella's room last night?"
"Screaming and moaning," she called. I buried my head in my hands. Oh god. "I heard her calling Edward's name."
"Proof enough? No? Well, there is physical evidence, but, I don't think Bella would appreciate that sort of exposure in public," Edward said, winking at me. He was on about the hicky he'd left on the very top on my thigh. "So how about the one on the shoulder!" Edward suggested. He raised his fingers to my shoulder, brushing his finger tips down my neck, making me shiver.
"Get you're hands off my wife," Jake demanded, finally punching Edward in the same place as Mike had. Edward has obviously anticipated the punch because he was able to balance himself easily. He shook his head, rubbing his jaw lightly. "God. That's gonna hurt later. I'm hear to prove a point, not be turned into a punch bag!"
"And you're point is...?"
"Bella, you're not marrying the right person! Be with me, please? I love you, so, so much. Please, don't do this," he sighed exasperatedly. I looked at him and took a deep breath. "Remember why you're doing this. Remember the five week cycle of breaking up and getting back together. Remember the first night. Remember last night! Remember camp! I was you're first kiss Bella! It's like fate, c'mon. Please."
"I..."
"Bella..." Jake started. "I love you. We're meant to be together. We're the perfect couple. With everything we've been through, I'm willing to let this go, I'm willing to forget that you've shared yourself with Edward. But I'm only going to do that if you marry me, today."
I looked back and forth between Edward, Jacob and the crowd. I could hear some of them whispering stuff like, 'c'mon,' and 'Edward, pick him!,' whispers about me picking Jacob and, of course, people calling me a slut.
I took a step towards Jacob. And another.
"Bella. Please?" Edward whimpered. I could hear his voice trembling as I approached Jacob. "Bella. Don't."
"I'm sorry," I whispered and took the last step toward Jacob. I could heard the crowds sad whispers and gasps. But the only thing I could hear was the sound of Edward deep, shaky breaths. The breaths he took when he was fighting back tears. "I'm sorry," I repeated.
Am I a bitch or what?
Well, the epilogue's finished, if I get around ten reviews, I'll post it today. Fair? I think so!
Hope you liked it!
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