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Charlie and I drove to Seattle the next morning to pick up Renee and Phil. When we got there, they were waiting for us at the arrival gate. We got out of the cruiser and walked over to them.
"Bella!" Renee squealed as she hugged me. "You look wonderful! Did you get a tan?" Charlie shook hands with Phil and helped him with their luggage.
"We went to the beach last week," I told her. I didn't feel the need to tell her I was on a yacht in the middle of the Pacific. She and Charlie exchanged polite conversation on our way to the restaurant. Renee asked me about the wedding preparations as if I didn't email her about it everyday. Phil told us about his work and Charlie told us about the crime rate in Seattle. For any other teenager it would have been a boring lunch and made you want to get out of there as soon as possible. But for me, I wanted to savor every moment with my family while it lasted. Who knows what was going to happen once I was a vampire? I might not even get to go near them anymore.
"So, Bella, dear," started Renee. "Am I to understand that you are going on your honeymoon immediately after the wedding?"
"Yes, mom," I told her. "Everything's already planned out."
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"Paris," I answered automatically. It was a good thing Alice briefed me about Renee's questions beforehand so I wouldn't get caught in a lie.
"How romantic!" she cooed. Phil and Charlie just smirked and rolled their eyes. "Be sure to send postcards and pictures, okay?" I promised I would. We left the restaurant and drove back to Forks. We dropped them off at the local inn and went back home. Renee and I were gong to have dinner that night while Phil and Charlie watched a few games. Renee insisted that we needed our mother-daughter time.
Renee took me to the restaurant where Charlie took me on my graduation. The waiter seated us on a table by the window and Renee started shooting questions.
"I am so excited about your wedding," said Renee as we ate our appetizers. "I think it's romantic how you're doing this while you're so young."
"I thought you didn't want me to get married at this age?" I asked her.
"I still think that, but when Charlie and I first got married, I was so happy." I smiled at her and understood what she meant. But I knew that Edward and I weren't headed in the same direction. I was sure that we will always be together no matter what.
"Thank you for being supportive, mom," I told her. "It really means a lot."
"Like I said, Bella," said Renee. "I'm happy if you're happy and I can definitely see that you are. Even Charlie says that a lot has changed since the time you and Edward were separated. He says he understood now why Edward was in your life." I was touched that Charlie said that. It was going to be hard leaving them but I was going to make sure they were happy.
I drove us back to our house where Charlie and Phil were having a great time watching a football game. Renee decided they could stay a while longer. I made them some popcorn and sat with them in the living room. After a few hours, Charlie drove them back to their hotel. I went upstairs to get ready for bed. When I got back from the bathroom, Edward was already there waiting.
"How was your dinner?" he asked me.
"It was fun," I told him. "I'm gonna miss them so much, Edward."
"You still have a lot of time before they realize you're not aging," said Edward. "We just have to hope you're bloodlust doesn't last very long after I've changed you."
"I hope you're right," I told him.
The next day I brought Renee over to the Cullen's so she could spend time with Edward's parents. Charlie and Phil had so much fun the other night that they decided to go fishing with Billy at La Push. I drove us over to the Cullen's in my truck. There were several people jostling about the yard carrying chairs and tables and stuff. Alice came out of the front door shouting orders to them.
"Hey Alice," I called to her. She smiled and ran over to us.
"Hey, Bella!" she squealed. "Hi, Mrs. Dwyer! How was your flight?"
"It was fine. Alice, right?" said Renee. "I remember you from your trip to Phoenix last time."
"It's so nice that you still remember," said Alice. "Would you excuse me for a second? I need to take care of some table emergencies. Edward's waiting for you both inside." We nodded as Alice started shouting orders at the hired workers again.
We went inside the house where Edward was waiting for us in the living room with his parents. They all smiled at us as we entered the room. Esme started a conversation with Renee so Edward and I decided to get out of their way and see what Alice was up to. We found her yelling at her cell phone in the yard.
"Who's she talking to?" I asked Edward.
"The delivery service," said Edward. "Apparently, there's a problem with your dresses."
"Oh no," I exclaimed. Alice snapped the phone shut and then walked over to us.
"They mixed the packages!" said Alice. "Our dresses are on their way to Albuquerque and they don't believe me!"
"Don't worry," I told her. "They can just send it back tomorrow."
"That's the problem," said Alice. "The dresses arrive late. Do you want to wear your Sunday dress on your wedding?"
"Of course not," I told her. "What are we gonna do?"
"I'll think of something," said Alice. "But I have to think fast. Any idea would be helpful!" She stared pointedly at Edward.
"Fine," said Edward. He turned to me and gave me a peck on the cheek. "I'll be back later, okay?"
"Where are you going?" I asked him.
"To get the dresses," he answered. "I'll be back later, okay?" I nodded and watched him get in his car and go to the airport.
"Why does Edward have to get the dresses?" I whined to Alice.
"Because it's the easiest job," she countered. "I don't want him to help with the decorations. Jasper and Emmett are already doing that. Now you just relax and don't worry your pretty little head, okay?" I reluctantly agreed and went back inside to join Renee and the others.