Authors Note: Thanks to those who keep reviewing! Sorry it's been a few days with this one. College and internships have been getting in the way! I haven't decided when I'm going to end this one yet, I could do the whole wedding and after, but I don't know if it would be dragging it out, let me know what you guys think!
"Mark's here."
I sprang from the bed and bounded down the steps in a blur. My muscles were instinctively preparing to react. For a moment, all I saw was red. Upon entering the living room, Alice frowned at me and put her hands on her hips. But my eyes were only for him.
"What are you doing here?" I seethed through gritted teeth, wondering why he would have the nerve to show up after the position I caught him in with my fiancée. His expression faltered for a moment but he quickly recovered, and puffed out his chest a bit.
"My friend David never came home last night," he replied, "I wanted to know where he was."
"He's not here," I answered automatically, inching myself closer to him. I couldn't stand looking at his smug face.
"Actually, he is here," interrupted Alice, screaming at me in her mind. You promised you would stay upstairs Edward; he came to get his friend that's all.
"Oh, is that the half naked sleeping human outside that was regurgitating last night?" Emmett quipped loudly from the couch with Rosalie perched on his lap studying her nails. "If so, then yeah, he's still outside," he added uninterestingly.
"What!" I spun around angrily. "Why didn't anyone tell me? Or move him at least?"
"Well," Alice began. "Once we realized he was there, I had a vision of Mark here coming to get him, so we just decided to let him sleep peacefully, he was in bad shape-"
"Ugh!" I groaned heavily, spinning back around to face Mark. "Get him and leave."
I watched him closely as he walked through the house to the back door. A few moments later he returned with his groggy friend, who was quite embarrassed.
"Um, I'm sorry," he said anxiously, eyes trained on Alice. "It was a rough night for me."
Mark chuckled and added, "Yeah man, you missed all the fun."
I scowled loudly and I heard Emmett get up from the couch, preparing to hold me back if need be.
"All right, you've got you're friend, now get out.of.my.house." My whole body was quivering, fighting the impulse to tear him apart.
"Who was at the door Edward," a sweet voice called from above me. I turned to see Bella retreating down the steps, holding an empty water glass. She was still wearing just my t-shirt. She stopped short when she saw Mark and David, and her eyes nervously met my own.
"Hey Bella," David called; unaware of how awkward the situation was because he spent the night outside hurling. "Sorry I had such an early night, too many shots for me," he laughed.
Mark looked at me, and then looked up to Bella.
"Hey Bella," he said, and I watched his gaze appraise her carefully. I felt Emmett's large hand grip one of my arms forcefully.
"Um, hey guys," Bella replied uncomfortably. She finished her path down the steps and walked up to me, leaning her head against my chest. My arm snaked around her protectively.
"All right," Alice called quickly. "Well thanks for stopping by, we'll see you both later," she sang in a nervous voice.
"Yeah, I'll see you later," called Mark, eyes locked on Bella. 'I will definitely see you later, I'll make sure of it', he thought.
I growled loudly, startling everyone in the room, Emmett's grip on me tightened and Bella wrapped her arms around my waist. "Stop, Edward," she said quietly. I eyed him until his form was out of the door.
"Bye everyone," said David, completely unaware. The door slammed shut.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Emmett released me and I took the opportunity to wrap my arms around my Bella.
"Do you need more water?" I asked gently. She nodded and I grabbed the glass and flew to the kitchen, returning instantly with a fresh cup. She drank it gratefully.
"Thanks, Edward."
"How's your head?" asked Alice her.
"Getting better, I shouldn't have taken that shot," she said warily, looking to me.
"Well it seems to me a lot of bad decisions were made," said Emmett rudely, glaring at Rosalie. She sat undisturbed by his comment, still concentrating on her nails.
"Oh get over it," she answered him dryly.
He glared at her for a second, and then swung her down causing her to shriek in surprise. He planted a big sloppy kiss on her face, and a loud sucking noise echoed through the room.
"Ew! Emmett, get off me!" she screamed, laughing, pushing him away.
I turned to Bella, who was shivering a bit. I launched her gently over my shoulder and ran up the stairs to my room. I wrapped her in a blanket and rubbed her arms to create friction.
"Better?" I asked.
"Yes, thank you." Her eyes glazed over and I could tell her mind was thinking intently about something.
"Bella?" I questioned eagerly.
She snapped out of her daze, "Oh sorry, I was just thinking about what time I have to go pick up Renee and Phil."
"They're plane comes in at 4, so I'd say around 3," I suggested, pulling her onto my lap. She buried her face into my shoulder.
"Okay," she agreed. "What should we do until then?"
The door burst open and Emmett came strolling through. He jumped onto the bed, causing it to shake violently. Bella bounced out of my lap, and I quickly encircled my arms around her waist to keep her in place.
"Do you mind, Emmett?" I sneered mockingly. Bella laughed.
"Not at all little bro, just came up here to say I'm ready to leave."
Bella looked at me, confusion etched across her face. "Where are you going?" she asked.
I looked down sheepishly. "Um, hunting," I answered, not meeting her gaze.
"You just went last night?" she pushed.
"I know but, well, we're going to have some really big nights coming up, I wanted to be overly prepared, to make it perfect for you." I smiled. I thought about the wedding, and everything that was going to be happening after. There were three events that I wanted to be especially ready for. Probably the biggest three events of my life: marrying the truest of true loves, losing our virtue, and then bringing her into my world. Those were not things I wanted to mess up on.
"I want to be overly cautious Bella, I want you to be happy," I explained further.
"Okay," she agreed half heartedly, "I'll ask Alice to come pick up Renee and Phil with me."
"I've already taken care of it; she's already agreed to go. She can't wait to meet your mom."
"Humph," she said sarcastically. "All right, off with you Edward, will I see you later tonight then?"
"Well," I started nervously. "We might not be back until early in the morning, and I can't see you on the wedding day, its bad luck, so we kind of have to say our goodbyes now." Her face fell and I continued to reason with her. "I know, I know Bella, but this is important. And besides by tomorrow night, we will be starting eternity together, you will probably be sick of my face eventually!" I joked.
"Not likely," she muttered, but wrapped her arms tight around me. "I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you my Bella, my soon to be blushing bride."
"Ha Ha," she slapped me playfully.
I kissed her soundly on the lips and made my way to the door, my eyes not leaving her for a second.
"Until tomorrow," I called, closing the door behind me.