Chapter 2
Seattle with Alice
BPOV
I looked to Edward and I thought to myself, there goes my plans to spend the day with my fiancé. I was still getting used to that word and it felt funny to even think of the fact that I'm getting married in two weeks. I never thought that I would get married. Especially the ways that Renee used to make marriage sound like you were giving up fun. Oh well. I was ready for forever with Edward. I was ready to become a vampire.
"Bella, Bella! BELLA!" Edward yelled.
"Huh, what?' I realized that Edward was trying to get my attention.
"Are you alright, you kind of just went blank."
"Yeah I'm fine." I didn't even realize that I was so absorbed in my thoughts. "I was just thinking about the wedding, and the fact that I can not believe that everything is finally falling into place." Truth be told, I was actually getting excited about all of this. I was saving all my excitement for the day of the wedding so I could make Alice happy and show her that I really did appreciate everything that she did for me. For us. Also I thought that maybe being over excited would get rid of some of the nerves.
"Bella," Edward looked at me. "I love you, and try to enjoy yourself today. Be safe."
"I'll try." All I could do was try, I was not used to everything being handed to me. For Edward or any member of his family I could try anything once. "Oh and Edward, I love you too. More then anything." With that he gave me a kiss – which felt much too short – and went to spend the day with his brothers.
Then I was brought back to reality and I thought to my self, Seattle. Whatever Alice had planned for this wedding I knew was going to be utterly over the top. It's my own fault. I did give her full reign. Then I looked at my new phone for the time. It was 1:00. Our catering appointment was at 3:30 in Seattle. How were we going to make a three and a half hour drive in two and a half hours?
"Um, Alice," I gulped. "How are we going to make it to Seattle in less then three hours?"
"Bella, come on. Think about who you are driving with. Oh and I have to ask you one question about flower arrangements too before we go." By this time she was dragging me into the house to show me the flowers. "To answer your question, we're taking my Porsche. So we'll have no problem arriving on time."
"Good point. Going 170 miles per hour does get you places faster."
"Bella, stop worrying, we'll make it to the meeting on time as long as you answer my questions about these flowers." Alice showed me two very intricate center pieces. One was a beautiful ball of long stem red roses that stood about three feet above the table, and was draped with Swarovski crystals and looked very elegant. The next was another ball of flowers but this one included roses, freesias, wax flowers, and ranunculus of bright beautiful colors. Also it was draped with Swarovski crystals. They were both immaculate and beautiful. But the second one seemed to be me a little more than the first. I loved the bright colors. The red was just a little to plain.
"These are beautiful." If this was just the flower arrangements for the tables, I couldn't wait to see the entire wedding.
"I'm glad you like them, now which one would you like to have for the center pieces at the wedding?"
"Why do you ask me when you know exactly what I've picked the minute I made the choice?" It had to be the colorful one, it had so much personality to it just like Edward and I. "But, if you haven't seen which one I've picked yet I'll let you know that it's the second one.'
"I knew that you would pick that one. Even before I gave you the option."
Even just seeing the flowers has me wondering about what my wedding will be like. Our wedding. In one week I would be Mrs. Isabella Cullen. The thought of that made me smile.
"Bella, let's go. We do have a meeting to go to in Seattle."
"Are you sure we're going to make it there on time? The meeting is at 3:30 and it takes three and a half hours to get there. Even if we left now it would be defying science if we make it on time." I decided that I would think out loud so Alice knew my concerns.
"My Porsche goes up to 170 miles per hour." Oh no I hate going fast, but it's the only way were going to get there on time. "If we go that speed, and there is no traffic I could have us there in under an hour. Let's go." Alice decided that we needed to leave then and she started pulling me towards the car.
"Okay, okay. The catering meeting is at 3:30 right?'
"Yeah."
"So we have two hours, we don't need to go that fast."
"Bella, you take the fun out of everything." I always felt like I did that. They all had to be so careful around me. I can't wait for the day that we can all just hang out and they don't have to worry about how breakable I am. "Let's go."
Then, at that moment, we were off, heading out of the Cullen's driveway at about 80 miles per hour. I knew that this was going to be the fastest I would ever get to Seattle. This would probably be the scariest car ride of my life too.
"Bella, stop worrying. I can see the future so I will know if anything is going to happen." This was one comfort of spending the day with Alice. She had a pretty good idea of what was going to happen before it happened. "Just relax, and enjoy the ride. It is going to be a good day so just calm down and let's have fun."
The next thing I remember was Alice calling, "Bella, wake up! Its 3:15, we're here."
"What, we actually made it!" Then I looked at who I was with, no surprise that we accomplished a three and a half hour drive in almost half the time.
"Silly, Bella. I told you that we would make it."
I don't even know why I thought we wouldn't. Alice was always right, that's why nobody ever bets against her. Oh well, we are here to meet the caterer. At least I get to eat – since I had very little breakfast I was still hungry. Then I looked up. We were I in front of the Fairmont Olympic Hotel; it looked too high class for me to even walk into. Alice just pulled me by my arm and I could have sworn I heard her mutter something like, "When is she going to realize that this is how things are going to be in our family?" Maybe it wouldn't be as hard as I thought to get used to this lifestyle. By now, Alice had me in the lobby of the Hotel and she was talking to the person at the front desk.
"Excuse me, sir." With the charm that Alice had she could have anyone beckoning to her every call.
"Yes. How may I help you today?" The man didn't look to happy to be at work until he looked up and saw who he was talking to.
"I have a meeting with the catering director at 3:30. I was wondering if he was ready for me yet."
"Oh, yes. We spoke on the phone earlier. You must be Alice Cullen." This guy must have known what he was getting himself into, because when he said the name Cullen a smile came across his face. "Ms. Cullen, right this way. Chef Jean Marc will be out momentarily."
"It's Mrs. Cullen, and thank you." Alice said as she took her seat
"And for you ma'am." He said as he pulled out my chair.
"Thank you." I said as he walked back to the lobby.
"Alice, this place is beautiful. Are we keeping the food simple or is it going to be like the stuff they serve here?"
"Bella, I know you better then you think I do. I picked something I thought everyone would like."
"Oh okay. What am I going to be trying?"
"Well, I remembered that you said Charlie likes steak and Renee likes pasta, so I have told the Chef that we would like to try the New York strip steak and the Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo."
"That sounds amazing." My stomach decided to rumble at this point, reminding me how hungry I was.
"I knew you would love it. I just hope you love the taste of everything."
As Alice finished talking, a tall man in a Chef jacket stepped out of the kitchen with a cart of food and two assistants. He had black hair and a matching black mustache. He looked very French. I assumed that he was Chef Jean Marc. I wasn't surprised when he spoke and had a very thick French accent.
"Oh Alice, it feels like it has been ages since I have done an event for you." He said in an overly friendly tone.
Wait. One minute. When had Alice had a catered event? She is a vampire, she can't eat. I briefly thought to myself. Weird. I turned to Alice and decided to ask her. "Alice when was the last time he catered an event for you?"
"Bells, Jean catered the graduation party that we had in June. Surely you remember the delectable food that was there." There was food at the graduation party. Wow, I really was out of it that night.
"No, I'm sorry, I don't remember." Come on Alice, think of what was going on at the same time as graduation. "I seemed to be a little preoccupied with other events that happened in that period of time." Such as the fact that I was being hunted down by a vicious revenge seeking vampire. Or the fact that my best friend was a werewolf and wanted to kill my boyfriend every chance he got. Maybe it was the army of vampires, which killed forty people in Seattle. Now to think of it, it might have been the fact that, that morning I realized that Victoria and the vampires in Seattle were related. According to my vampire family I had nothing to worry about, but when you have all of the people that you love fighting for your life against an army of blood thirsty newborns. Under those conditions, your mind tends to worry about more than the food choices at your graduation party.
"Oh it's okay, Bells." She looked at me quickly and then just said, "We'll just have to make sure that there is no reason for you to forget anything at your wedding."
"Thanks, Alice." After all of the work she was doing for this – for me – I couldn't possibly let anything distract me that day.
"Oh, so you are the lovely, Bella that I have heard so much about." If Alice had talked that much on the phone about something as simple as food, what had she done about the other finer details? Every moment with her made me realize how much it meant to her when I told her that she could plan my wedding.
"Yes, sir, I believe I am." I politely looked up and smiled at him.
"Well Ms. Bella, I believe that Alice has suggested the New York Strip and the Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo." Again the thought of those dishes made me salivate. "If you are ready, I have the two dishes here. Everything is set for the reception, all I need is your okay."
He set the two dishes in front of me and I began eating. First I started into the steak – this was the dish I knew Charlie would love. It was a perfectly cooked New York strip served with a salad and a baked potato. It was simple and elegant at the same time. Something I would cook up for Charlie after work. I was glad I was hungry. There was no doubt in my mind that I could finish both plates of food.
"How is the steak?" This was the first think I hear from Chef Jean since he put the plates in front of me.
"It is brilliant. I see no problem in offering this at the reception. Next please." I could see the satisfaction in Alice's face since I didn't whine or worry about the price. I quickly learned that with the Cullen's, you stop worrying about prices when they were fronting the money.
Next I jumped in to the best pasta bowl I had ever tasted. The noodles were covered in amazing Alfredo sauce and the chicken was cooked to perfection. There was one thing that would make this even more amazing. I wonder.
"Chef, would it be possible for you to add broccoli to this dish?" I really hope he doesn't mind my suggestion.
"A Chicken and Broccoli Fettuccini Alfredo bowl." He looked like he was thinking very hard about something. "Ms. Bella. That would be magnificent! I can't believe that I hadn't thought of that myself."
With that I looked at Alice and she looked at me and nodded. So I guessed that meant our meeting was over, and it was only 4:15. She gave her thanks to Jean Marc and whispered something that sounded like, "Thank you," To him and then we were on our way.
"See, that wasn't that hard, was it?" Alice asked me, as she handed the key to the valet.
"That was actually a lot of fun." She looked surprised to hear me say that. Almost as surprised as I was that I actually said that. Then the valet gave the car back to us. As we were getting in, I recognized a sly look on Alice's face.
"Hey, Bella?" She said, with a slight begging tone in her voice.
"What, Alice."
"You love me right?"
"Of course I do. Why would you ask such a question?" Uh oh, I knew where this conversation was going.
"How much do you love me?" She wanted to go shopping. This method of her swaying me was only used with shopping or wedding related plans. I decided that today I would let Alice win. Instantly she looked at me and squealed, knowing that I'd go shopping with her before I even had to say it.
"Thank you so much, Bells. I promise it will be worth it."
"What stores are we going to, Alice?"
Alice looked nervous before she said what stores she wanted to go to. "IwanttotakeyoutoVictoria'sSecret!"
"Can you repeat that? Please." When she let it out, she said it so quickly that I misunderstood her and asked her to repeat it.
"I said that I want to take you to Victoria's Secret so we can pick you out something sexy for the night of the wedding." I just looked at her speechlessly. "Bella, come on. We all know that you and Edward plan on "trying" before he changes you. Why not have some sexy lingerie for the occasion?"
I took a minute for everything to register in my brain. Then there was only one comprehensible thing that I could think of.
"WHAT?"