Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters, save Shelly and her gang. Every one else belongs to the lovely Miss Meyer.

A/N: Yay! Not a long chapter, but I like it. Rosalie seems a bit out of character, what do you think?

5. Planning

"I think pink roses would look best."

"Go with the black ones!"

"White. White would look best. Who uses black roses for a wedding anyways, Emmett?" Rosalie asked as she scoffed. I giggled helplessly as Rosalie sent Emmett a harsh glare. Emmett shrugged in reply.

"They could have an all out Goth wedding!" Emmett laughed loudly as I scoffed.

Alice rolled her eyes and playfully shoved Emmett's shoulder. "Oh, please! You are dismissed. Now go help Edward, as you should be doing." I wondered aimlessly if Emmett even realized that he was surrounded by a group of girls. Probably not.

"Flowers are much more fun than watching Edward try on tuxedos," Emmett delicately picked up a golden-yellow lily that Alice had displayed only minutes ago.

"Edward isn't trying on tuxes, he's talking to Carlisle and Jazz," Alice told Emmett with a roll of her eyes. Emmett chuckled at the nickname Alice used for Jasper.

"Fine then," Emmett attempted to act dejected, but, he was a horrible actor. "You don't want my help, I understand. I'll just go help Edward plan his bachelor party!"

I choked on the coca-cola I had just taken a long drink of. "What?" I sputtered breathlessly as I continued coughing to dislodge the soda from my throat.

Emmett roared with laughter as he left the room. "He's just kidding, Bella," Rosalie comforted as she continued flipping through a large magazine full of wedding dresses. Many times I had told them I didn't want a big wedding but, as usual, no one listened to the puny mortal.

I fingered a soft yellow rose, and twirled it gently between my fingers. "I like this color," I told Alice, who was listing the places we could have the small but important ceremony.

"I knew you would," She told me plainly as she tapped her forehead, then took the rose from my fingers and gently tucked it into her large binder which she had bought for this occasion. "Now," She started in a brisk tone, her eyes scanning across the table. Before us were stacks of magazines, brochures, and other stuff Alice found necessary. "What kind of dress do you want, Bella?" Alice asked as her brow puckered.

"A simple one," I replied stoutly as I flipped through one of the many magazines. This one was titled Everyday Bride. I snorted at the ridiculous fashions that were displayed on the shiny pages. "None of these," I said as I tossed the magazine down onto the large stack. "I just want something white, something that an eighteen year old would get married in. Something made in the U.S.A.," I added as I tossed a French magazine onto the stack.

"You know," Alice pointed out as Rosalie let out a small huff, "most of these dresses were shipped over from France," Alice pointed out as Rosalie nodded in quick agreement. Obviously, the two loved French fashion.

"Nothing too expensive then," I told them with my eyebrows raised. Both scoffed at me, and glanced outside.

"When is Edward going to be home? You seem to be in a bad mood!" Alice chided as she and Rosalie laughed lightly. I only scoffed.

"Edward is home," I pointed out as the three male vampires left Carlisle's study right above our heads.

"Perfect timing!" Laughed Rosalie as the three men filed down the stairs. "Bella's getting crabby," She pointed out the scoff that covered my face.

"They keep pressuring me into buying some stupid, foreign dress! I don't want that for my wedding!" I told the three hastily, like I was five years old. Carlisle shook his head with a smile, and Emmett burst into a fit of chuckles. Edward only flashed me that wonderful crooked smile and silently came up behind me.

"You don't have to do anything you don't want to," Edward told me in a soothing voice. I smirked at Alice and Rosalie. "But," He added as he leaned over to plant a kiss on the crown of my head, "I rather liked that dress you wore at prom junior year, and it was of French crafting."

"Oh, now you too?" I asked as I threw my hands in the air. "Fine, then! Alice, Rosalie, the dress is in your hands. Choose which ever you want, and I won't complain a bit!" I told them with a huff. Rosalie and Alice exchanged glances, and then they quickly grabbed the two French magazines I had quickly disposed of.

"You do realize what time it is?" Edward asked me as he arched his eyebrows cockily. I only stared at him in all of his perfection. I had no clue what he was talking about. Edward let out an exasperated sigh and shook his head slightly. "It's three o' clock…" he prompted. I could tell it was something of importance, but I didn't know what it was. I just shrugged it off.

"I missed lunch?" I asked as I continued staring. His beauty had captured my mind for the moment, and I didn't feel like moving.

In a second, Edward had his arm wrapped around my waist, and we were heading towards the door. "We have to see Shelly off," he told me flatly as the rest of his family called good-bye to my back.

"Oh!" I laughed. No wonder I had forgotten it. Why would I want to remember anything that was in the remotest way related to Shelly? "No wonder I forgot," I pondered aloud, my eyes fixed on my feet, which were now crunching over the gravel drive towards the shiny silver Volvo parked in front of the house. Before Edward could assist me, I slid into the leather seat and fastened my seat belt. In a flash, Edward was sitting in the driver's seat, revving the engine and backing out of the driveway.

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The drive to Port Angeles took a half an hour, as usual. Edward let me put in his compositions, so we listened continually to the lofty piano music as we drove. We talked too. Unlike most couples, Edward and I didn't lack topics. At one point, the conversation had even come around to my transformation, right before we reached Shelly's hotel.

"You promised me that…" I trailed off, letting the slow, melodramatic music fill my ears momentarily.

"I promised…?" Edward prompted, his eyes interested as he watched me closely.

I took a breath and plundered on. "Well, you promised that if I agreed to marry you, you would change me," I told him meekly. I only managed to steal one quick glance at his immaculate face. I was too afraid of the anger that would soon reside there to meet his eye.

Edward took a sharp breath. "I did promise, didn't I?" he asked. He was careful to disguise the anger and annoyance.

"Yes, Edward. I think you should do it. Do you really expect yourself to still want me when I am old, and eighty?" I asked quietly, my eyes focused on my fingernails. I finally worked up the courage to look up at him, but his eyes were now fixed on the road.

"I will always love you," Edward told me quietly, his voice ringing with passion. With that, he leaned over and gently pressed his cold lips to my own warm lips. So, he was closing the subject, was he? Only then did I realize that he had to have taken his eyes off of the road to kiss me.

Gasping, I pulled away. "Edward!" I hissed as I looked out at the road. We were parked in an old lot, which was filled up with rental cars for the most part. "Oh," I mumbled as that beautiful, crooked smile slid onto Edward's lips.

"There's Shelly," I spat acidicly as I watched my cousin pull her small suit case. A hotel worker followed her with the rest of her suit cases. All of her friends filed through the doors, weighed down with their own luggage. I groaned as Shelly made her way to the Volvo and stopped by my door. With one acrylic nail, she tapped on the window, and I begrudgingly rolled it down. "Yes?" I asked in a polite tone, the kind receptionists talk in.

Shelly popped her gum in aggravation. "I was hoping I could sit there?" She asked me in a falsely sweet voice.

"Sorry, but this seat is occupied." With that, I rolled up the window and unlocked the back door. Huffing, Shelly slid into the seat behind Edward, and Vince slid in behind me. I kept my eyes straight ahead as Edward gently squeezed my hand,

"So, did you enjoy your stay?" I asked the two as I glanced at them through the rearview mirror.

Shelly nodded enthusiastically. "Definitely! You'll have to invite us back for the wedding!" She said as she rested her chin on the seat by Edward's shoulder. I immediately tensed, and Edward squeezed my hand a bit harder to reassure me that nothing would happen.

In minutes we were at the airport. The large clock read quarter after four, and their flight didn't leave for another half hour. I inwardly groaned as Shelly delightedly shuffled a little closer to Edward, "Well, Bella hasn't eaten anything today, other than a coke, so maybe we should get something to eat?" Edward suggested.

"I need to go to the restroom," Shelly announced. A few murmurs of me too, and same here echoed through the group.

"I'll show you the way," I said flatly as Edward tucked his free hand into his pocket.

"That's okay, Bella. I can find my way around an airport," Shelly snapped as all of the girls quickly stampeded towards the bathrooms. Rolling my eyes, I shrugged and followed the girls. They weren't the only ones who needed a private moment. Shelly and her group quickly entered the bathroom, while I stayed in the small inner hall where the water fountains were located. I delicately sipped at the cold water, hoping it would rill the head ache from my head. But I immediately straightened as I heard whispered voices.

"I mean, really! Is he that oblivious?"

"I know, Shelly. You are totally throwing yourself at him." I could tell it was Kelly and Shelly talking in whispers.

"Well, it seems like he really likes Bella," Shelly spat my name as if she had swallowed something nasty. "I don't know why, though. She's not pretty." I clenched my fists and clamped my lips together. I'd heard enough. As silently as I could, I left the hallway and headed straight for Edward. He was standing in the same spot I'd left him, talking to one of the boys from Shelly's group. I fought back harsh tears that threatened to fall as Edward wrapped a secure arm around my shoulders.

I had never really cared what other people thought of me. I always new I would never physically fit in, it was one of the bad things that came with being pale and living in Phoenix. It also was a slight side effect when I moved to Forks. But it really upset me to hear it coming from Shelly's lips. I knew I wasn't as good looking as Shelly; it was totally obvious, even if she was more of a swanky, throw-herself out there type of dresser. But to hear her gang up against me was like one of my worst nightmares come true. Being told, even if she hadn't said it to me, that I didn't deserve Edward scared me. I was mortified by the idea of being taken from him again. I didn't think I could have survived again, what with Jacob completely pissed at me. I was so physically and mentally attached to Edward that another break up might actually kill me.

I took in a deep shuddering breath. I would put this behind me, for ever. No one had to know that I ever heard Shelly bad mouthing me. Hell, I wasn't even supposed to know that. I quickly shoved the memory at the back of my head, but it kept swimming back to the front as I sat there battling my thoughts. Finally, I gave up and buried my face in Edward's shoulder. His fragrant scent calmed me, and the feel of his strong muscles beneath me were reassuring.

"Well, its time for us to go," Shelly's voice sounded truly sad. For once she could betray true emotion, I thought bitterly as I glared at her. She smiled at Edward a wide boisterous smile. Edward didn't return it, for he could sense my anger at Shelly and my hurt. Instead he only gave her a stony glance, and looked down at me. I glanced up to find Shelly glaring right back at me.

Sighing, I decided to make amends with the girl who had haunted my dreams these past few days. "Bye, Shelly. Thanks for coming down," I told her with a small, shy smile. She gaped at the sincerity in my voice.

"Err, any time," She stuttered in her high pitched voice. "We'll definitely come visit again, right Vince?" Shelly asked, her sugary sweet voice back in place as she beamed at Edward. Edward gave Shelly a small smile as I did the same.

"Well then, have a nice flight," Edward told Shelly and Vince, his liquid butterscotch eyes meeting mine as I looked back at him. As if it had been an invitation, Shelly danced over and wrapped her arms around Edward's neck. Edward's face immediately became stone as Shelly attempted to pull him closer. I watched in gruesome fascination as Shelly's friends smirked at me with my mouth hanging open. Did she even realize that my hand was clasped in Edward's, or that I had, only a minute ago, been embracing him for comfort? I noisily cleared my throat, and Edward quickly unlocked Shelly's arms from around his neck.

"Call me!" She mouthed to Edward as she was dragged towards the terminal by Kelly and Vince. Vince wore a scowl, and Kelly wore a smirk.

"You should have seen her face!" Kelly whispered into Shelly's ear. I turned beat red. I knew she was talking about me. Only then did I hear Edward's amused chuckles by my side.

"You're read as a stop light," He chuckled as one finger carefully traced across my burning cheeks.

Rolling my eyes, I pulled him towards the exit. "Lets go home," I mumbled as he caught up and wrapped an arm around my waist.

"I was thinking maybe we could go see a movie. We never go on real dates," He told me as he cocked an eyebrow and looked over at me. It was true. We usually would just hang out at his house or mine or in the meadow on occasions. But it was always so rainy, and there was no point driving down to Port Angeles.

"That sounds good," I told him as we both stepped out into the gloom of Port Angeles. Like Forks, clouds blanketed the sky, shielding Edward's skin from the UV rays that caused his skin to sparkle and shine. The small movie theater was only a few feet away, not too long of a walk, and just enough distance to have to push through a crowd.

"Bella!" For a second, I thought it was Shelly shrieking at me again. I immediately panicked, and clung on to Edward's hand. My vampire boyfriend only chuckled and nodded towards a group of people in the crowd. The shrieker had been Jessica Stanley, who was accompanied by Lauren with Ben, Angela with Eric, and Jess had her hand twisted through some kid's who I didn't recognize. But Mike thankfully wasn't present.

"Oh! Its only you, Jess!" I laughed in relief as the group of Forkians closed in around Edward and me.

"What's up?" Angela asked enthusiastically. She always liked me the best of Jess's group. Actually, I was surprised that Jess was on speaking terms with me; she was pretty mad after the last trip to Port Angeles.

"Edward and I just dropped my cousin off. She's going back to Jacksonville," I told the group with a small smile. "But Jess, who's this?" I asked with a raised eyebrow. Edward just listened and stood serenely by my side.

"This is Jackson. I met him in California over summer break," She smiled at Jackson.

"Nice to meet you Jackson. I'm Bella, and this is Edward," I nodded at Edward, and Edward nodded at Jackson in reply.

"So, where are you two headed?" the words were more of a sneer than a sentence from Lauren.

"Edward and I were going to go see a movie," I told the group nervously. Jessica beamed at me.

"So were we! You should totally come with us!" she squealed. Lauren looked repulsed, and Angela looked delighted. Finally, Edward spoke up, which seemed to shock Lauren and Jess. Angela was calm, though. She'd talked to Edward once before, only because he had been sitting with me, as usual.

"That would be fun," he told Jess calmly as he took my hand and continued on to the theater. I smiled sheepishly at Jess and Angela, though Lauren was another case all together. She stuck her nose in the air and shoved to be between Jess and Ben. But quite frankly, I didn't care. Instead, I fell into step with Angela.

"So, have you decided where you are going to college, Bella?" Angela asked me in her quiet voice.

Of course I had hardly thought about college. I was still hoping that plan A would pull through, and all I'd have to worry about was my life with Edward, forever. But, Edward being Edward had made sure that I sent in plenty of applications. I was just waiting to hear back from all of the colleges.

"I haven't really thought about it, with the summer being here and all," I told Angela truthfully. "Have you decided yet?"

Angela thoughtfully gnawed on her lower lip. "I dunno yet... I want to major in nursing, or something along those lines," She told me hesitantly.

I nodded thoughtfully. "I think I prefer to stay away from medicine," I laughed quietly. After the whole blood testing incident, I preferred to stay away from blood as often as was physically possible for me. Edward gently squeezed my hand, and I quickly glanced up. Jess had already reached the front door, and was waiting impatiently for Angela and me to catch up.

Letting out a small Edward and I quickly bought tickets (the majority of the group had voted for some cheesy romance flick) but we didn't rush to catch up. Hand in hand, we entered the theater, and, rather quietly, took our seats. The previews had already started, but Jess paid no heed, and continued chatting to Lauren about a dress she was to wear for some event or other.

Sighing heavily, I leaned against Edward's shoulder. Hopefully, the movie wouldn't be too bad, and would be over soon…

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The movie was horrible. It was a cheesy romance (I should have known), and Jess was too wrapped up in Jackson to actually pay attention to the movie. So, Edward and I settled for making fun of the movie as I ate Jess's popcorn.

"Well, that was a great movie!" Jess giggled as we left the theater. Edward and I hid our smirks as we headed outside.

"Sure, Jess," I said as I absently swung my hand that was clasped in Edward's.

"You guys want to grab something to eat?" Lauren asked Jess and Jackson specifically, though Angela and I both replied with nods.

"There's that little café not too far away," Jess suggested as she glanced over at Jackson. I rolled my eyes, which was only detected by Edward, who was silently walking beside me, his cold, flawless hand in my warmer one.

"Sounds good," Said Angela as she glanced over at Ben, who nodded as well. We all filed into the café and took a seat. As usual, every one was staring at Edward, save our small group.

We were in and out of the restaurant in about an hour. I really hadn't been keeping track (though Edward seemed to have been). We all quickly parted our ways, each couple heading to their own car. Edward and I were home by 7.oo, which was a feat that none of the others had completed, I was sure.

"Edward? Bella?" Alice had spoken loud enough for me to hear, as well as Edward, as we entered the Cullen house. Edward and I headed into the kitchen, where all of the wedding junk we had been sifting through earlier had been cleared, leaving only a few sheets of paper in the dead center of the table. I eyed the papers warily as Alice and Rosalie beamed at me.

"The whole wedding is planned," Esme informed Edward and me as she entered, carrying a glass of water which she handed over to me. They were all rather attentive to the fact that, unlike them, I needed hourly nourishment. "Including the date," Esme added happily, her warm, heart shaped face beaming with pride as she handed Edward the few papers, which were stapled together.

"It looks perfect," Edward smiled at his sisters and mother as he ruffled through the pages, with me, standing on tip toes, to look over his shoulder.

"June 14?" I asked, curiosity spreading over my features. "But that's only a week away…"

A/N: Wow. Finally. Took me long enough, eh? I had stupid exams… but they are over now, so… yay!!