A/N: Okay, short chapter. I know, I know… nothing of real importance here… Oh, except I couldn't remember if dearly beloved was a wedding or a funeral…
6. Unwanted Visitors
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…"
I couldn't believe it. The fact that I was really marrying the beautiful, perfect, immortal Edward Cullen sent another shiver down my spine, as it did every time I thought about what was happening. Edward had felt the shiver, and must have thought it was from being cold, which was absolutely possible what with the dress.
I couldn't say I didn't love the dress. It was beautiful, that is if it would have been on a run-way model. It was plain; I had to give them that; but white silk… that must have cost them a good deal of money. The dress was, as I said, lovely. The skirt was rather wide, and the silk fell to my ankles. The torso was sleeveless, though a vest of delicate white lace was draped over it like a vest, and stopped at the waistline, where a white bow was tied. I had refused the string of pearls, as well as the pearl earrings. Those I was bound to loose if I had accepted them.
The backyard of the Cullen house alone held more splendor than me in my dress. Alice had gone all out with the delicate yellow roses. A white carpet thing had been laid out to serve as an isle, and there was a row on each side, separating the families, and species. Roses lined each chair, and a canopy of white netting was draped over the make-shift alter Edward, Carlisle and I stood under. Rose petals had been scattered around us, and the sticky scent of roses filled every one's nose.
I was brought back to reality as I felt Edward's icy hands squeeze mine in reassurance. He must have noticed my far off gaze, and blank stare. Out in the crowd, which consisted of eight people, I could hear Renee sniffling. Charlie, on the other hand, wasn't crying, but watching the ceremony with a glassy look to his eyes. Phil had his arm around Renee, and was beaming proudly, as though I were his own daughter. Obviously, Rosalie, Alice and Esme weren't crying, but instead, Alice was beaming, as was Esme, and Rosalie and Jasper obviously had mixed feelings. I could tell by the way Emmett sat on the edge of his seat that he was waiting for me to do something klutzy, or to start sobbing, as most brides did. Instead, I just blushed and looked back at Edward, who was, like most of the others, beaming, though pride and passion were visible beneath his delighted face.
I heard a throat clear after a few seconds of silence. Startled, I glanced away from Edward. Everyone was expectantly staring at me. I blushed a deep crimson, and could feel my cheeks burning. "I do," I hastily whispered, barely loud enough for Carlisle, who was saying the mass, to hear.
Edward quickly testified as well, only the two simple words sounded so much better when he said them.
"You may now kiss the bride," Carlisle, who was acting as minister, said in his placid voice, his tranquil face hardly betraying any emotion. Edward's lips quickly found mine, and for one second, I had thought he'd dropped all boundaries. But I was wrong, for he soon tensed and straightened up. His eyes were dark and brooding as he looked straight ahead into the forest.
Carlisle's head seemed to swivel in the same direction, and Emmett was suddenly by my side.
"What is it?" I asked Edward as I looked into the distance, my human eyes not registering anything.
"Esme, why don't you take Renee, Charlie and Phil on a tour of the house?" Carlisle asked quickly, his eyes flashing as he nodded to Esme, who stood and beckoned Charlie, Renee and Phil inside.
"Edward? Edward, what is going on?" I asked. Edward had pulled me to his chest, as he had done many times before. But there was something about this embrace that made it different. His body was rigid, like every one of his muscles was drawn tense in anticipation.
"Nothing, Bella. They are just here for a visit," He said, as if reassuring me, though it seemed he was reassuring himself.
"Who are-" But my question was cut off as two shadowed figures entered the sunlight.
"Hello, Bella," A distinctly feminine voice purred. It was a voice I knew only from my deepest nightmares that raged in my head during sleep. It was a voice that I immediately paired with fiery red hair, and two evil, crimson eyes.
"Victoria!" I gasped as I let Edward pull me closer to his cold, stone chest.
"I'm glad you remembered me. But, I'm not alone." I realized that she was right. There was another figure standing beside her, one I recognized. It was Felix, from Volturri. He was smirking, unlike Victoria, who looked about ready to pounce and kill me right there.
"Why don't you two come in, and we can discuss this?" Carlisle asked in a perfectly calm, smooth voice. This set Victoria off.
"There is nothing to discuss!" She nearly shrieked. I could see, in the distance, Renee and Phil getting into their car, looking aggravated, and Charlie doing the same. "Bella must die. I want revenge, and you're in my way. I'll take you down too, if I must," Victoria snarled as she came face to face with Carlisle. For a second, I thought Carlisle was going to shout right back. Instead, his wits stayed about him, as usual.
"Please come inside so we can talk," Carlisle offered again, his expression rigid as he opened the back door. Felix easily slid inside, where as Victoria sent every one a glare before entering the light, airy house. I nervously glanced up at Edward, who's face deceived only one emotion: hate. The fear raced through my veins, causing my heart rate and breathing to speed up. Edward was obviously unsettled by the appearance of the two people he truly hated, and that gave me every reason in the world to be afraid. With his arm around my waist, Edward pulled me into the dining room, where Felix , Victoria and Carlisle were all seated, staring at each other.
Suddenly, Felix spoke. "We want the girl," He said bluntly, his eyes flickering up to meet Carlisle's steady gaze. With reflexes as fast as Edward's, Victoria's eyes were intently locked on me, staring me down, as if challenging me. I quickly snuggled closer into the shelter of Edward, my eyes wide in fear of my life. Victoria wasn't one to mess around with. I was surprised to see her actually talking things out in a civil manner. Just as suddenly as she had turned to us, she was looking back at Carlisle.
"Are you really going to put your family in danger for one putrid mortal?" Victoria spat, her eyes livid.
Edward opened his mouth to spit out a reply, but was cut off as Carlisle glared at him. Edward's mouth quickly shut, and instead of moving forward to sit at the table, we slid into the shadows.
"Like Victoria said, do you really want to put your whole family in danger when you could loose just one member?" Felix asked darkly, his voice smooth.
But that was the last of the conversation I heard. With out a sound, Edward had hoisted me onto his back, and we were running upstairs, and into Alice's room. Once there, Edward commanded me to undress.
"But you're-" I began protesting, but Edward had left the room in a flash. I wasn't sure where he had gone, but he had left clothes for me on Alice's bed. I quickly changed into the new pair of jeans and the soft sweater. This wasn't the first time I had been forced to cover my tracks by smelling like a Cullen. Not like it helped much, but Edward seemed to think it would.
Edward returned in two minutes tops. He was carrying a bag of clothes, but they weren't mine. I puckered my brow, but he put a finger to his lips as he pushed open one of the large windows lining the wall. "Come here," He mouthed. But I didn't have to move. He quickly swept me up into a cold embrace, and leapt from the window down onto the soft grass below. I could hardly feel the change as Edward stood straight and raced off towards the garage.
Taking in a deep breath, I hardly had time to think. Edward ushered me into an unfamiliar car that smelled new and looked it as well. Bright yellow paint covered the exterior, while cool, plush leather decorated the interior. The windows were tinted, and no music seemed to be in the CD player.
"Edward…" I whispered, wanting answers.
He only shook his head and revved the engine. "Buckle up, this will be a fast ride," Edward said through clenched teeth. Scared, I did as he instructed, and pulled the buckle across my chest. Edward's eyes looked about ready to pop out, and his mouth was set in a grim line as he threw the car into reverse and pulled out of the garage. Once clear of the garage, there was no stopping Edward. He was driving faster than usual, causing me to clutch at the sides of my seat.
"Won't they be following us?" I asked in a scared, hushed voice.
Edward's knuckles were even whiter from gripping at the steering wheel. His eyes were narrowed, and his mouth formed one thin line. "Of course," He muttered darkly.
A/N: I know, I know. REALLY short chapter. It was merely a filler, and I needed to introduce our main plot-makers… Victoria and Felix. Wow, that took me all of two nights… a new record for me!