"Oh, Edward! I'm so excited!" Alice's tiny frame gripped Edward in a tight embrace and, with blurry speed, she turned to hug me. Esme beamed with joy and chuckled at Alice's growing energy.
"I wish someone would tell me where I'm going for my honeymoon." Edward, ran his fingers across my wait.
"That defeats the purpose of a surprise."
"Oh!" Alice exclaimed, but Edward's stony glare silenced her into bubbly, tight-lipped smiles.
"Alice…you're not going to be watching us…" I felt my face flush with scarlet embarrassment before I could finish the sentence Alice forced a solemn, respectful look, but a smile played on her lips before she burst out laughing. The other Cullens present joined in.
"Why are you still standing around? You need to get packed!" And Alice was gone, no doubt filling my suitcase with much-too-good-for-me outfits she found in Port Angeles. "Not that you'll need much clothing!" she called from the stairs. I had barely enough time to recover from the last flush of embarrassment, before a fresh heat returned to my skin. More laughter. I'm so glad everyone thinks my embarrassment is just hee-larious.
The family, my family, had gotten us gifts, sort of going away presents for the honeymoon. Alice had already shown me her gift from Victoria's Secret and I was beyond grateful that she didn't parade it around now in front of the others. She said the gift was for Edward as much as for me and she winked when she said it. Jasper was curiously guarded about his present. He said that he would give it to us when we got back. I questioned Edward about it, but he was predictably silent. Rosalie and Emmett, inspired by our wedding, took a vacation for themselves. Emmet left behind a first-aid kit with a note warning me to stay out of trouble.
Rosalie left nothing for me.
Esme and Carlisle had paid for the wedding, something both Charlie and I were tremendously uncomfortable with. There were arguments. Well, Charlie was the only one who got heated, turning a variety of colors throughout his speech on tradition and fairness. The Cullens remained, as always, stonily calm and smiling. And I knew better than to try to change their minds once they had decided something. I did, however, prevent them from getting me anything else. They offered to pay for our plane tickets, our hotel room, a number of crazy things. But I put my foot down. Or, I think Edward convinced them after I insisted that they had done enough.
Alice returned suddenly with two bags, beaming all the while with scandalous pride over the clothing options she had left me.
"You're really going to like what I've done with your wardrobe this week, Bella."
"Thanks, Alice." I muttered.
"You, too, Edward. You will worship me when you get home. I'll be getting a new Italian car for this."
"Did you see that happening or are you just overly pleased with yourself?"
"Oh, it's a little of both."
No one was mentioning the elephant in the room and I preferred it that way. Edward still got a little irritated when we discussed my impending transformation. I wondered if Alice could see me, the immortal me, now that we were so close to the big day. I wanted to ask her, but I didn't want Edward to be upset for the honeymoon.
"Let's get you lovebirds to the airport."