I've decided who Bella will start dating! But that won't be revealed until the next couple of chapters.
"Hey, Bella." Emmet's voice from the doorway startled me and I jumped slightly.
"Hi." I said, then turned my head to gaze out the window again. I was perched on the window seat in our bedroom, holding Edward's tie tightly in my fist. Emmet was hesitating in the doorway still, watching me.
"Can I come in?" He asked quietly.
"Uh, sure. Just…don't touch anything." I answered just as quietly. Emmet complied and came over to my side, standing above me.
"How are you doing?" Emmet asked, kissing my forehead in greeting. "Your phone isn't working." I wordlessly motioned to the pieces of my cell phone that now were scattered across my floor. "Oh." He said, scratching the back of his neck. "You look like you haven't slept in a while." I nodded and Emmet looked down at the window seat. "Can I sit down?" He asked, motioning to the empty spot next to me.
"No." I said shortly. "Nobody can sit there." I felt my hysteria rise. "Edward sat there." I stood up and threw my arms around Emmet, shaking with unshed tears. Emmet ran his hand through my hair comfortingly and let me cry, ruining his shirt.
I finished crying and looked up at him. I had never realized how beautiful his eyes were. And his dimples. There was something so….innocent about his features, despite his muscular frame. Without thinking, I stood on my tip-toes, leaned forward and pressed my lips against his. He was still for a moment, then his lips responded. We tangled together for a moment, then Emmet wrenched away from me.
"Oh my god, Bella! I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have-" Emmet began, looking mortified.
"Wait." I whispered, kissing him again. I pulled back, disappointed.
"Nothing." Emmet said softly, touching my lips with his thumb. I shook my head.
"Nothing." I agreed. "I just thought….maybe-" Emmet held his hand over my mouth.
"You don't have to explain, Bella. I can't imagine what these last two months have been like."
"It's been hell." I replied. "Please go, Emmet. I feel like-"
"Like you're cheating on him?" Emmet asked. I nodded.
"I can't help it." I said softly, looking at the tie I still held tightly in my hand. "I can still feel him. He's not gone, he's still here. Somewhere." Emmet nodded and kissed me lightly on the cheek.
"You'll be fine, Bella. You're strong." He murmured, and looked at the tie in my hand. "Just don't hold on to him forever. You're young, you shouldn't give up yet. I love you." He kissed my forehead.
"I love you too, Emmet." I said, and watched him walk away.
I waited for the sound of the front door slamming shut, then collapsed onto the window seat, defeated. What was wrong with me? I kissed Emmet? He's been like a brother to me for years. And he was one of Edward's best friends. At least I hadn't planted one on Jasper. I hugged my knees to my chest and wrapped my arms around them, letting my forehead press against the cool window pane.
I suddenly felt a familiar pair of arms around me and I leaned my head back, resting my head on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry." I whispered. "Can you forgive me?" I felt his lips on my neck and sighed. He took my hands and squeezed them tightly.
"Yes." Edward said softly. But it didn't sound like him; his voice was hoarse and sharp. "I want you to be happy, love."
"I'm not happy without you." I responded. Edward sighed and twirled a piece of hair around his finger.
"You're making this difficult." He breathed, skimming his nose against my jaw. I didn't respond, just leaned into his body more. I closed my eyes, and fell asleep within seconds. When I woke up, I was alone on the window seat, and Edward's tie was still in my hand.
Flashback- Alice's Wedding:
"This suit is so damn uncomfortable." Edward growled, fiddling with his tie.
"Try wearing this." I motioned to the skin tight green dress Alice had selected for me. "And these." I kicked up my foot to reveal the stilettos I wore. "Much more uncomfortable." Edward's look softened.
"Sorry. I'm just freaking out. Alice, my baby sister, getting married." Edward sighed, wrapping his arms around me. "It doesn't seem real."
"I know. But she's happy." I reminded him. Edward snorted.
"She doesn't know what happiness is." He said quietly, and I recoiled, moving away from him.
"How can you say that?" I asked, my eyes wide. "You've seen her with Jasper, Edward. She is happy." Edward smiled and pulled me into his arms again.
"Alice lives in the moment, love. She's happy one moment, then she wants something different. No planning ahead, no thinking about the consequences." Edward explained.
"Jasper changed that." I argued. "He's the practical one, the one that balances her out. He knows the consequences, and he wouldn't have asked her to marry him if he wasn't sure she was completely ready for this." Edward chuckled. "What?!" I snapped.
"You're sexy when you get all defensive." Edward laughed and kissed the nape of my neck.
"I'll have to remember that." I said irritably, trying not to lose my train of thought. That was pointless. Edward spun me around gently and his lips met mine, and I completely forgot what I was going to say. He won arguments too easily.
"You….stop dazzling me!" I laughed when his lips trailed to my ear.
"Hey lovebirds, we need to get going." Emmet popped his head in the door. "Alice said something about being 23 seconds behind schedule, and I sure as hell am not going to keep her waiting any longer the necessary."
"Wimp." I giggled as Edward and I followed him to the hall outside the room. I could hear the music start up, and Alice appeared out of nowhere. "Aw, Alice, you look-" I started to coo, but she cut me off.
"Get going!" She snapped, bouncing up and down happily. "One minute, ten seconds!"
"Oh, how could I forget?" Edward teased, and Alice whacked him with her bouquet. "Ow." He pouted, and I kissed the spot on his head where she had smacked him.
"Go!" She chirped, and the doors started to open. Edward hurriedly leaned forward and kissed his sister's cheek before taking my arm.
"Ready?" He asked, and I nodded. "Let's get this over with." Edward sighed, and we started to walk down the aisle.
Alice had kept the wedding small, for her. 200 guests gathered inside the room, which smelled intoxicatingly of flowers. Edward and I reached the altar, where we were expected to go our separate ways. But Edward sneaked a kiss in before standing next to Jasper at the altar. I blushed and ducked my head before standing in my spot.
Rosalie and Emmet were next, each of them smiling broadly. Emmet stood next to Jasper and Edward while Rosalie slid into place next me.
Alice and Carlisle were next, and Alice looked breathtakingly beautiful. Her long white dress hugged her tiny frame perfectly. I saw Jasper's look of pure adoration and smiled. Edward wasn't looking at Alice though. He was staring at me, the look in his eyes unfamiliar. A light smile played on his lips, and his eyes were wistful and…some other emotion I couldn't place. He caught me staring at him and winked before turning his attention to his little sister; who had almost reached the altar.
Carlisle kissed his only daughters cheek before releasing her to Jasper. We all sunk into our seats; already tearful. Carlisle slid his arm around Esme, who was dabbing at her eyes. I sat on her other side and held her hand as we watched Jasper and Alice take the ultimate step in their relationship.
"Do you, Mary Alice Cullen, take Jasper Brandon Whitlock to be your lawfully wedded husband? In sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse, until death parts you?"
"I do." Was Alice's cheerful answer. I could just make out her shoe tapping under her dress and suppressed a laugh. She was so impatient.
"And do you, Jasper Brandon
Whitlock, take Mary Alice Cullen to be your lawfully wedded wide? In
sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or for
worse, until death parts you?"
"I do." Jasper murmured, his voice thick with emotion. Esme let out a little whimper and squeezed my hand tightly.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife; Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Whitlock. You may kiss the bride."Alice and Jasper's finger laced together and Alice grinned.
"You've kept me waiting." I heard her accuse him, a smile stretched across her face.
"I'm sorry, ma'am." He blushed and she threw her arms around him and their lips locked. They broke apart to applause and Edward was standing in front of me in an instant; his hand outstretched.
"I missed you." I said, hugging him. Edward laughed but squeezed me tighter, resting his chin on my shoulder.
"I missed you too, beautiful." I saw Emmet pretend to gag over Edward's shoulder and I rolled my eyes, taking a deep breath of Edward's scent before he released me. "Now , love, let's not be difficult." He scolded when I stuck out my bottom lip; pouting. I stuck out my lip further and Edward groaned, leaning over to kiss me again. He surprised me by gently running his tongue against my lip; silently asking for entry. Before I could respond I felt a hand on my arm.
"Mom!" I blushed. I had forgotten that my mother had been invited Alice's wedding. She had seen the whole passionate embrace; but let it slide. I was just happy Charlie wasn't here.
"Hey, baby!" She gave me a quick hug and smiled at Edward. "You look quite handsome in a suit!" She said cheerfully, and he hugged her.
"Thank you, Renée. But this was all Alice." He explained, touching the green tie that perfectly matched his eyes.
"I like it." I said coyly, adjusting his tie. "You look perfect in a suit!" Edward rolled his eyes and Renée smiled. "Why don't we get you to the reception and get you some alcohol?" I teased. "I bet that'll make you feel better." Rennee laughed again and went off to talk to Esme.
"I know exactly what I need to make me feel better." He whispered huskily in my ear, running his hands down my body.
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A/N: I needed to put that Emmet part in! I love it!
Xoxo- Melodyella aka Mellie