AN- Egads! I'm sorry this took so long to write, but I had a gillion conflicting visions in my head. I felt like Alice, on crack! Sigh, I think I finally got the ones I like to stick around and shooed the other away until a rainy day. Hopefully the rest of the story will come much faster again.
The Eve
Charlie didn't even bat an eye when I told him I was going straight to bed when we got home. It was only eight o'clock, but I was exhausted. My morning had started much to close to the crack of dawn when Alice barged into my room. She dragged me out of bed before Edward could finish waking me pleasantly and practically threw him out the window.
She then pushed me into the bathroom and nearly into the shower, fully clothed. I finally convinced her to wait for me downstairs. When I got back to my room, she had laid my entire outfit out on my bed, right down to the underwear. I rolled my eyes at the white jeans with a white t-shirt that said 'Bride' in bright pink sequins. At least she was letting me wear tennis shoes, white of course. I bet you'll never guess what color the underwear was.
The morning was spent going over every second of the wedding day, from sun up to sun-down. At least I got to hold Edward's hand during that particular torture. When Alice tried to go over what would happen once we left the reception, I stopped her. I informed her that her job ended the minute Edward and I got in the car to leave. She pouted, but let it go. Edward and I laughed at her.
I had lunch with my mom at the only restaurant in Forks. I laughed when I walked in and saw her. Apparently I wasn't the only one Alice felt the need to boss. My mom was wearing a deep blue t-shirt that said 'Mother of the Bride' in glossy silver writing. She saw my shirt and laughed as well, knowing I'd had nothing to do with wearing it.
After lunch we were back at the Cullen house for the wedding rehearsal. Alice ran things like a drill sergeant, complete with the really annoying whistle. She had also labeled everyone else in the wedding party clearly on their shirts. Alice's was black with 'THE BOSS" in blood red sequins. I had a good laugh at that one. But because of her efficiency, we managed to get through the ceremony five times. Alice insisted I wear the actual wedding shoes, but I managed to only trip the first two times down the isle. Okay, maybe three, but on the third one I not only didn't take Charlie down with me, but he didn't even have to catch me. I simply stumbled, then regained my balance. That totally doesn't count as tripping. Still it was probably a good thing I got so much practice walking in those damn heels. Right, try telling that to my feet.
Another reason we probably got through it so many times was that Edward and I were writing our own vows; at Alice's insistence, she still didn't trust Emmett as our priest. They were a surprise until tomorrow. I didn't think I should tell Alice I still hadn't written mine.
Then we drove into Port Angeles for a big fancy dinner with everyone. It was actually a lot of fun. I was a little glad Phil hadn't been able to come, it made things a little less tense between my mom and dad. I could tell they were both making a huge effort and I loved them all the more for it.
So, while it had been a mostly pleasant and definitely productive day, I was bushed. I said goodnight to Charlie and dragged myself up the stairs. I was sure I'd never make it without falling. I could barely lift my swollen feet. But I did finally make it to my room. I stumbled through the door and flopped face first onto my bed, deciding to get into my pajamas after I'd had a little nap.
"Had a long day?" A voice spoke from next to my bed.
"Gah!" I yelled, "Edward, what are you doing here so early?"
Edward looked quickly to the door.
"Bella?" Charlie called up the stairs, "You alright, Hon?"
"Yeah, Dad," I called back, "Spider!" I heard Charlie laugh. I turned back to Edward. "Must you give me a heart attack every day?"
Edward laughed softly, "I didn't mean to startle you, really. I have something to show you."
"And it couldn't wait until Charlie fell asleep?" I asked still a little irritated. Stupid sneaky, vampire.
"Actually, no. We'd miss it," Edward said, "Besides, if I had waited any longer, you would have been past resuscitation." He grinned at me.
"Ha ha," I said, "So now you can see the future?"
"No," he replied, still grinning, "I asked Alice."
That fact and his incessant grinning had me intrigued. "This must be something really important." I said.
"It is. Will you come with me?" He flicked his eyes to my bed, "Or are you really too tired?"
"Of course I'm not too tired," I said, finally returning his smile. "Wait, we're going somewhere?"
"Yes," he answered, his grin hitched up into the crooked one I love so much. "This is from Alice."
I looked at the gift bag he had pulled from nowhere. I rolled my eyes at him. He laughed and pushed the bag into my hands.
"You know better than to argue with Alice."
I took the bag and peeked in the top. Edward glanced inside as well. I could see dark green swimsuit material.
"We're going swimming?" I asked skeptically.
"It's a surprise," Edward answered, "But I promise you'll like it."
I sighed and headed for the bathroom
"Bella, Alice said to give you a message as well," he sounded hesitant. "Bella, don't think about it, just put it on. I'm Alice!" Once again, he sounded just like her.
"Now I can't wait to see it," I laughed.
"Me too," he agreed.
"Wait, you haven't seen it?" I asked. He shook his head sheepishly. "And you got me to let you peek?" He grinned crookedly again. "You know Alice is going to make you pay for that." I reminded him.
He cringed, "You're probably right."
I laughed again, "Edward, how could you not think of that? Alice has been your sister for decades!"
He laughed as well, stepping forward to gather me in his arms. "I tend to have a hard time thinking straight when it comes to you." He leaned down and kissed me softly. Then he released me, gently ushering me toward the door. "Go change."
"Yes, sir," I laughed.
I stopped laughing when I opened the bag in the bathroom. It wasn't just a bathing suit. It was a bikini. I couldn't wear a bikini, even for Edward. Especially for Edward, I'd never stop blushing! What was Alice thinking? Then I remembered her message and smiled. I took a deep breath and put it on. It was actually really comfortable, and it was fairly modest, considering. It actually covered more skin than my regular underwear did. I decided to be grateful Alice hadn't tried to get me into something much skimpier. I also decided since it was a cloudy night, it would be pitch black anyway. I put my jeans and shirt back on over the new suit and returned to Edward.
"Ready?" he asked.
"I guess so," I replied. "Are we in a hurry?"
"A little," he smiled again.
"What about Charlie?" I asked, "Won't he worry if I turn up missing in the night?"
"He's assuming you're going right to sleep. He heard you in the bathroom and is now sure you're only semiconscious."
"And if he decides to check on me?"
"He won't," he said with certainty, "I made Alice look several times."
"All right, then," I said smiling, his enthusiasm was hard to resist. "Let's go."
Edward gently picked me up and jumped out my window, landing lightly on the ground. I gasped at the fall.
"I will never get used to that." I said shaking my head as he moved me to his back
"Never say never," Edward said laughing as he took off running at full speed. I remembered to close my eyes just in time, pressing my face into his neck.
AN- Okay, I know it's short, but I feel bad for taking so long to post, for me anyway. So this is what I've got. I'll finish the night out ASAIC, hopefully tomorrow!
