All characters belong to Stephanie Meyers.
PRELUDE TO A WEDDING
Since our time in the clearing, things have been moving pretty fast. My house was a buzz with the upcoming nuptials that were set to take place August 13th. Esme was thrilled, speaking daily to Renee on the phone about wedding plans. Alice sparkled with enjoyment as she danced around the house making decisions on everything from flowers to dinner settings. This house was swimming with preparations thanks to Alice. Most had to be kept secret from Bella, but I was allowed to see some of the stuff she was planning.
With so many things already taken care of, it was astounding how much still needed attention. There were tuxedo fittings, dress fittings, catering arrangements, flowers to order, cakes to taste –although none of us could taste the cakes –we had to have a stand in for that part, using Charlie and Bella for that particular assignment. Bringing cakes over for almost two weeks straight attempting to find –as Alice would say –the perfect one. Who knew choosing a cake could be such a big deal, and as the conversation went with Alice, it was a huge deal.
"Edward, the cake is the center piece of the day. If you don't pick the right one the day's ruined," Alice whined, making an annoyed face, as if I should know this.
"Alice, it's a cake. Something we can't even enjoy. I hardly think it deserves this much commotion," I said, rolling my eyes at her.
That was the moment… the moment I was hit by a revelation of just how important details could be for a wedding. And how had I learned that important piece of information… it was simple, after my harmless little statement, Alice dropped the cake she was holding on my head, a reflex reaction that I hadn't see coming. From that moment on, I had no further comments about wedding preparations. Whatever Alice wanted –she could have.
She moved about the house on a daily basis planning, and planning, and yet there was still more planning. I never questioned anything, as far as I was concerned my only job was to show up, and that was something I could handle.
Bella asked me once in a while how the wedding was developing, and I would reply with my standard answer… you know Alice. That would make Bella shudder because she did know Alice and she had fears. Her fears were justified, who knew what Alice was doing, for all we knew she could have us on some cliff side, wearing some ridiculous outfits, saying I do. But, I refused to comment on anything again… I had certainly learned my lesson. If Bella wanted to know something, she would have to ask Alice herself and risk the repercussions of her questions.
Having my own concerns there were a few other things that needed my attention. Bella's truck for instance was a sore spot for me, being a constant reminder of her former best friend. A best friend who had recently disappeared. After Jacob recovered from his injuries, he simply left town, with no explanation. Leaving me to wonder if my invitation to the wedding had sent him on his way, all indications pointed in that direction, but without hearing his actual thoughts, there was no way to be certain.
Seth attempted to hide anything about Jacob from me, but once in a while he would let something slip, making me believe Jacob's sudden disappearance was my fault. Seth and I had kept in touch since our collaboration against Victoria and Riley. We talked every week while remaining under everyone's radar. While he ran patrol and I would meet up with him to hear how everything was going, hoping to get some information on Jacob. He never had anything new to tell me. They could hear Jacob, but he refused to talk to them or tell them where he was.
Replacing Bella's truck –and liberating her of those memories –was a priority of mine. After she had agreed to marry me I was able to convince her to accept a new car from me. There was a condition to this and that was her truck had to die first. For anyone else that might have taken a while, but I had a terrific mechanic who knew absolutely everything about vehicles. Together Rosalie and I managed to put that old truck out of its misery and remain undetected.
For Bella's new vehicle I wanted something strong, something reliable and something that would keep her safe under any circumstances. The new vehicle would also have to be inconspicuous. She could have no idea what she was really driving, and I knew of such a vehicle.
If my fiancée –what a thrill to be able to say that –insisted on driving herself around… alone… then I would have to make certain she was safe. That took some extraordinary measures on my part. Needing a vehicle that could withstand anything that could happen to Bella, and with her luck those things could be numerous. I searched until I found such a vehicle, it was actually Rosalie that brought this particular vehicle to my attention.
It was beautiful, fully loaded, had plenty of body armor –four thousand pounds to be exact –tinted windows, missile proof glass… alright, I went a tad overboard, but you never know what could happen. Well, okay… I had a pretty good idea what could happen, but still it made me feel better. Besides, the vehicle was all nicely disguised as a Mercedes Guardian, which were not available in the U.S. yet, so Bella would never find out what this vehicle really was.
After finding the Mercedes Guardian, I realized she would only need that type a vehicle for a period of time –it would become known as her 'before car'. Searching around, I was looking for an 'after car'. A car that she would want to drive, one that was more her taste and one that would be perfect for Bella when she was one of us. After a long search, I found the perfect vehicle, I bought her an Audi. That car would remain hidden until after her transformation.
Since she was my fiance, there were a few more things I bestowed upon her, strictly for emergencies… a credit card and a cell phone. Really, she could use them anytime she wanted to, but these were the tactics I used to convince her to accept them. The final thing I convinced her to accept was the Ivy League school we would attend. She thought it was senseless to send them money securing our spots, but I knew somehow I would get my way about that, too. We were headed for Dartmouth. Wild horses couldn't stop me from getting us there.
Not wanting to be homeless when we went to Dartmouth, I had acquired one more thing without Bella's knowledge. It was a small thing, but I knew in the end she would be pleased, after I convinced her that school was the right thing for us. After purchasing a house in New Hampshire we were all set to attend college. It was a very modest house, and she wouldn't be too mad… I hoped.
With everything I wanted in place it was time to attend to the one thing Bella wanted. My concern rested with her safety. I remained unconvinced in my ability to control myself. There was no way to be certain, and from all of the discussions I've had with the males in my house, I was more confused than ever. They seem to think we'd be okay, but they couldn't say with certainty that Bella would be safe. With such doubt I remained incredulous that we could have a normal honeymoon.
While I was unsuccessfully attempting to convince myself to hold up my end of the bargain with Bella, Alice caught wind of what I was considering. That led to another discussion that I never intended to have, especially with her. There were times she could be an annoyance, this being one of them.
"Edward," she announced when she entered my room.
"Oh for the love of all that's holy," I mumbled.
"Edward, I came to talk to you about…"
"Stop right there… I'm not discussing this with you, go away," I muttered.
"Edward, I can help you, more than those boys did," she replied.
"How? How can you help me, Alice?" I asked.
"Well, I've been there," she offered.
"What do you mean, you've been there?" I asked.
"Before I met Jasper… I'd never loved anyone before him," she said.
"That's not the same, Alice," I stated.
"Not exactly, but I was just as nervous as you are now. Finding him was the best thing in my life, but doing that… I was scared, for all the reasons you are. It's true I couldn't hurt him physically, but I could hurt him in other ways. It's the other ways that were more important. You love Bella, and she loves you, that will make everything happen as it should. To worry about the rest is silly, trust me. You'll know exactly what to do when the time comes," Alice explained.
"I hope your right, but I'm not as convinced. Thank you for insight, though." I said.
"No problem. It's time for a tux fitting, so let's go," she demanded.
"Yes ma'am, I'm right behind you."
Following her to her room, I went into her bathroom to change into the tuxedo that was waiting for me. When I was finished dressing I went back to Alice's room.
"There… happy!" I questioned.
"Oh… Edward, you look… you look so handsome," Alice gushed.
"Stop it, or I'll rip it off," I muttered.
"Edward, it's true, now let me see. Turn," she demanded.
"Alice, come on," I chanted.
"Edward! Turn!" she demanded, again.
"Fine, but hurry up."
Turning, I felt utterly ridiculous, as if I were on display. I'll be glad when this wedding was over with. The things she had me doing were absurd, and I was getting tired of it. But, after the cake incident I refused to say anything, I would do as requested until it was over. And once this was done she would pay, I would make certain of that.
"You'll love the wedding so much, you'll forget everything I've made you do," Alice said, as she giggled.
"You are so annoying. Are we finished here?" I asked.
"Yes, you can change now. We're finished and your tux's is ready," she said, smiling.
"Thank you."
Turning for her bathroom, I went to change out of this monkey suit. Standing in Alice's bathroom, looking in her mirror, she was right –the tux sure looked good. It made me look like someone else, someone worthy of Bella. I was the luckiest man on the planet, persuading her to say yes, now I would spend the rest of eternity earning her love.
Finished with Alice, I went to join Jasper and Emmett in the living room. They were watching TV. They were quiet when I entered –rephrasing that– they weren't talking out loud. Mostly they were grumbling about the wedding.
"I know it's been difficult around here with all the wedding preparations, but it'll all be over soon," I said.
"Not soon enough," Emmett muttered, then whispered. "If I have to try that suit on one more time…"
"I know, I know, Emmett, it won't be long now," I promised.
"We know Edward, it's just maddening," Jasper said.
"Well, she belongs to you, Jasper. Why don't you handle her?" I asked.
"Yeah, right, like she'd listen to me," he said with a grimace.
"Okay, enough of this talk, before she hears us," I whispered.
The last thing I needed was to take anymore of Alice's harassment. I'd been through enough and I wanted this day to be over. Once this day was over with, Bella would be mine forever, and that was all I ever desired. So the sooner that day came, the sooner our existence together could begin.
Slithering out of the living –I just couldn't take the mental thoughts exploding from Jasper and Emmett about this wedding anymore– I retreated to my room for some solidarity. Being alone for a while was exactly what I needed. Getting away from the many anxieties the wedding was causing seemed like the best possible scenario at the present moment. Stretching out on my bed –the bed I bought for Bella– memories of the night we told Charlie about our impending nuptials swirled my mind.
Hearing Charlie's cruiser approaching the driveway, Bella stiffened at my side. The anxiety pouring out of her was quite evident, but it was difficult to understand what her fears were about. It wasn't as if we were confessing to a crime, we were simply doing something most people do in their life.
"Stop fidgeting, Bella. Please try to remember that you're not confessing to a murder here."
"Easy for you to say."
That was easy for me, one of the easiest things I've ever had to do. To let Charlie know of my true feelings for his daughter, to share the love we felt for each other, after all this time was exhilarating. Bella on the other hand, was absolutely freaking out, the tension rolling off her was thicker than a wall.
"Calm down, Bella," I whispered, listening to the sound of her heart racing.
The door slammed against the wall, which made Bella jump.
"Hey, Charlie," I called out, hoping to calm her.
"No!" Bella protested under her breath.
"What?" I whispered back.
"Wait till he hangs his gun up!"
Laughing, I placed our hands together on my knee with the ring brightly shinning front and center.
Charlie came around the corner, still in his uniform. His mental thoughts were not of a good mood.
Geez, do they have to spend every minute together? Charlie thought automatically. Stop. I promised to behave and be nice to Edward.
"Hey, kids. What's up?"
"We'd like to talk to you," I said. "We have some good news."
Good news! I doubt these two have good news, especially if they are willing to tell me. Somehow I doubt its good news. Charlie thought.
"Good news?" Charlie growled, looking straight at Bella.
"Have a seat, Dad."
Charlie raised his eyebrow suspiciously, and then stomped to his recliner. If this is such good news then why do I have to sit? Charlie's mind was swirling with ideas, none of which were close.
"Don't get worked up, Dad," Bella began after a long moment of silence. "Everything's okay."
I grimaced at her choice of words, but Charlie was not feeling the same as I. He was filled with uncertainty, concern for what we may have to say.
"Sure it is, Bella, sure it is. If everything is so great, then why are you sweating bullets?"
"I'm not sweating," she lied.
She leaned away from Charlie and cringed into me, wiping the back of her hand across her forehead.
Charlie on the other hand was jumping to the wrong conclusion.
"You're pregnant!" Charlie exploded. "You're pregnant, aren't you?"
Charlie glared straight at me. She better not be! He warned with his thoughts.
"No! Of course I'm not!" Bella responded immediately.
Charlie's glower lightened a shade. "Oh. Sorry."
"Apology accepted."
After a long pause waiting patiently for Bella to explain further, I realized she was not going to be able to do it, so it was up to me. Passing on a smile to her, I turned to face Charlie.
"Charlie, I realize that I've gone about this out of order. Traditionally, I should have asked you first. I mean no disrespect, but since Bella has already said yes and I don't want to diminish her choice in the matter, instead of asking you for her hand, I'm asking you for your blessing. We're getting married, Charlie. I love her more than anything in the world, more than my own life, and –by some miracle– she loves me that way, too. Will you give us your blessing?"
Bella stared at me in amazement, appearing lost in what I had just said to Charlie. He was not so taken by my words, and his eyes were locked on the ring that now sat on Bella's hand.
Bella stopped breathing as Charlie's color began to change –fair to red, red to purple, purple to blue. Bella began to get up but I squeezed her hand and murmured. "Give him a minute," so low that only she could hear.
Charlie's thoughts were loud, extremely loud. They spread through the room at an alarming rate.
She's pregnant. She has to be. Why else would they want to marry? What is going on here? I don't understand this. Charlie was thinking.
Gradually, shade-by-shade, Charlie's color returned to normal. His lips pursed, and his eyebrows furrowed, he was deep in thought. He studied the two of us for a long moment, relaxing I knew he would be okay with what we were doing.
"Guess I'm not that surprised," Charlie grumbled. "Knew I'd have to deal with something like this soon enough."
Bella exhaled.
"You sure about this?" Charlie demanded, glaring at Bella.
"I'm one hundred percent sure about Edward," she told him.
"Getting married, though? What's the rush?" he eyed Bella suspiciously, still certain there was more to this then we were saying.
Bella sat silently beside me, cringing into me again. Sensing she was unable to explain anything I would have to step up once again.
"We're going away to Dartmouth together in the fall, Charlie," I reminded him. "I'd like to do that, well, the right way. It's how I was raised," I shrugged.
Charlie's expression twisted, looking for an angle to argue from.
"Knew this was coming," he muttered to himself, frowning. Suddenly his face went perfectly smooth and blank. His thoughts turned to Renee.
"Dad?" Bella asked anxiously. She glanced at me, but I gave her no indication what he was thinking.
"Ha!" Charlie exploded. Bella jumped beside me. "Ha, ha, ha!"
Charlie thought that was it, he believed once Bella told Renee of our impending nuptials she would flip her lid and stop us. The thought of this made him double over in laughter. I almost laughed right along with him, but fought to keep my face straight.
"Okay, fine," Charlie choked out. "Get married," another roll of laughter shook through him. "But…"
"But what?" Bella demanded.
"But you have to tell your mom! I'm not saying one word to Renee! That's all yours!" he busted into laughter again.
That was the end of the conversation with Charlie about the wedding. He had taken it better than I expected, in fact he was pretty calm about it. That was until Renee didn't make any fuss over it. Her only worry was whether Bella was happy, if this was what she wanted then Renee was happy for her. That didn't go over well with Charlie, he was counting on her to be the heavy, and when she wasn't there was nothing he could do.
Lying here thinking of that moment made me miss Bella. Being away from her was the worst feeling in the world. She had to return home to have her final fitting, both her and Charlie. Alice went to supervise the fittings. Of course, I was not allowed within ten feet of the house while the fittings were taking place. Alice was rather insistent that I not see the dress before the day of. She had been hiding it quite well from me, which was not the easiest task.
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