It's the moment we've all be waiting for! 4 more chapters after this… And to those of you wondering where Renee has been through this entire story? You're about to get your answer…
I don't. They do.
Chapter 23
Bella.
"Mama… Mama!"
I craned my neck to search for my beautiful daughter behind me. "Ellie!" I called. If it wasn't for the beautician sorting out the state of my nails, I would have gone to search for Ellie myself.
"Mama!"
"Ellie Belle!"
She rounded the corner of my borrowed room, dressed in little pink pyjamas. I didn't want to risk her gorgeous dress by allowing her to wear it too soon and then get food or juice all down it. So for now, she's in her pyjamas. I could only pray that Edward had had the same idea, and he wasn't letting Marco run wild in his expensive suit. Thinking about my boys made me miss them all the more.
We arrived in Forks on Friday and they were instantly rushed away to the Cullen house where as Ellie and I were made to go straight to Charlie's. It was now Sunday and I haven't been allowed to send even a text message to Edward - to ask him how they are. I know I'll see them this afternoon, but I still miss them something crazy.
Thankfully I had one of my babies with me - I'd have been losing my mind had I been on my own.
"Mama… hi!" Ellie appeared at my side grasping a drinking cup half full with juice. Without warning, she was clambering onto my knees - the new skill the twins had mastered. Don't leave them awake in their cribs - they'll climb over the bars. Don't put your mug of coffee on a low-ish surface - they'll clamber onto something and scald themselves. They were so mobile suddenly. It scared me.
"Hey baby girl."
Ellie had her back to me and her chubby little legs were straddled over mine. She would thrust her head back whenever she took a violent sip from her cup, and it was clearly very distracting to the beautician. She often forgot that she was in the middle of painting my nails, due to the adorable child on my lap.
"Dada?"
My nails had been done, now it was time for hair. "You will see Dada later," I soothed, "he's getting ready with Cooper and Marco."
A tiny frown crossed her face, "Dada." She repeated with a little more firm in her voice. I couldn't help but smile. She's a daddy's girl.
"Yes, we'll see Daddy at the wedding." Like she knew what a wedding was…
I could tell she missed the boys desperately. Especially Marco. The Twins do everything together, and she would often look around the room to seek out her other half. She never cried, but her lip wobbled when he wasn't found.
My poor babies…
It broke my heart.
0-0
My hair was done, my make-up was done and the time was quickly ticking past. I had about an hour before needing to be ready, and an hour and a half before the ceremony actually started. I felt sick with nerves - a serious case of butterflies swarmed around my stomach. I don't understand why I'm nervous. All I need to do is stand in front of my friends and family, say some words and agree to some vows. Why does that scare me so much? I don't have any doubt about my love for Edward. Yes we may fight and yes there are times when our children are put before me, but would I change that? Of course not. I want them to grow up and have no doubt about our love for them. I want their memories to be of us doing everything we could for them,
"Knock knock!" My soon-to-be sister-in-laws, dressed in their cappuccino coloured, strapless, full length dresses, strolled into the room. Alice's usual spiky bob had been curled sweetly and pinned so that one side sat up behind her ear held together with a light pink flower, and Rosalie went for almost the same style expect her hair fell delicately over her left shoulder.
"Are you ready, Bell?"
I stared down at my freshly manicured toes. "I don't know…"
Rosalie knelt down before me and took my shaking hand in hers. "Everyone gets nervous and everyone gets scared, but once you reach the end of that aisle, the fear vanishes. Honestly, before I married my oaf of a husband, I started to doubt what the hell I was doing and I was close to calling off the whole thing but that changed and I don't regret it for a second. I know you're scared now, but trust me, that will soon pass."
After the encouragement from my friends, I felt positive in what I was doing. Alice blew all our expectations out the water and had made the most beautiful dress I had ever seen. She listened to everything I had said and it was almost a replica of what I had envisioned in my head. It was, as she called it, a 'body con' dress which followed the shape of my every curve, until it reached mid thigh, where it flowed out like a ball gown. It had a lace halter neck, and the lace then continued down with the white satin of the dress. From the back, the straps continued down the sides and didn't join 'till my lower back where the dress began. It probably showed off a little more flesh than I was comfortable with, but Alice knew what she was doing, and I couldn't have loved it any more.
Around the middle of the dress she had tied a thick, cappuccino coloured ribbon, which knotted as a faultless bow at the back and fell quite a way down the dress. On the front and slightly to my right side, to keep the ribbon in place, a flower motif - made from the same lace - had been sewn over top. I hadn't mentioned the ribbon when we planned it, but it matched our colour scheme perfectly.
My hair had been styled like a pleated bun on the lower back of my head; the stylist added a few tiny white plastic flowers into the pleats.
With only twenty minutes before the ceremony was supposed to start, everyone was ready. From the open windows, you could hear the faint music being played in the secret garden where it was all being held. According to Alice, everyone had arrived and Cooper wanted her to pass on the message that he was getting bored.
That boy…
Ellie was now in her flowy white dress and 2 pig tails had been formed with the top part of her short hair. I was an emotional mess watching my daughter get ready for my wedding. She loved the attention, and that adorable giggle never stopped when someone worked on her hair and the other adjusted her dress.
"I remember you being that age, Bells."
I spun around in shock at the sudden voice. "Dad!" It wasn't often that I saw Charlie in a suit, and I could tell he wasn't comfortable in it. "You look very handsome."
"Hmm…" He adjusted the tie knot that sat at the base of this throat. "You ready?"
"…Yes… yes, I believe I am."
Charlie nodded and patted my hand. "Your mom and Phil are in crowd," he said with a sigh.
I had sent mom and Phil an invitation, but never heard anything back, so never knew whether they were coming or not. I tried phoning, but whenever it came to asking for an answer, Mom changed the subject or never gave a definite response. So I didn't know how to feel about their presence.
"Why… why didn't she come and see me?"
Charlie let out a heavy sigh and shrugged his shoulders, "I told you my view on her coming, Bell."
"I know you don't want her here, Dad, but she's my Mom; it wouldn't have felt right not inviting them."
"Well, I just hope she hasn't helped herself to the free wine and harassed Coop and Marco."
I shock my head solidly. "No - Edward knows about Mom's 'little' problem and wouldn't ever let that happen."
"Alright, everybody!" Alice called attention of the room. "If everyone is ready, then it's time to start!" She clapped her hands excitedly which Ellie and Lottie copied with giant smiles on their faces.
0-0
Lottie started off the procession and threw handful of flower petals on the grass like mommy had taught her. Next were my bridesmaids - Alice, Rosalie and Angela. Rosalie took a hold of Ellie's hand to help her down the aisle. I heard her mumble an excited 'Dada!'. I could have cried.
With a deep breath and an attempt to swallow the lump clogged in my throat, it was my turn. Everyone had stood up from their seats and were snapping pictures of me left, right and centre.
Stand up straight… don't trip… keep smiling…
That was my mantra all the way down the aisle. Inside, I was screaming.
It felt miles long, and I could see Edward standing proud under the wooden archway. I wasn't taking notice of anyone beside me; I only had eyes for him, and our two boys who stood to one side.
Charlie passed me over to Edward and kissed my cheek before he left for a seat.
"You're beautiful," Edward whispered and placed a kiss against the back of my hand. "I love you."
"I love you, too." I tried desperately to keep the tears at bay, but it was all becoming too much for me.
"Mammm!" Marco called for me from the arms of his Uncle Emmett. His light fringe had been brushed to one side, and was dressed in a brown waistcoat suit with a bow tie.
I will not cry, I will not cry, I will not cry…
The minister called the wedding into action. Edward never let go of my hand.
0-0
"Do you Edward take Isabella to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward till death do you part?"
"I do."
"Do you Isabella take Edward to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward till death do you part?"
"I do."
Cooper was called up to pass the minister our rings. He tipped forward the peak of his fedora hat and winked charmingly as he went back to his spot.
"I give you this ring a symbol of my love, as I give to you all that I am, and accept from you, all that you are."
The rings were passed and slipped on as we both spoke those vows. Looking Edward straight in the eye, I spotted the love pouring through them. He looked so proud to call me his wife. I hoped he knew I felt the exact same way.
"You may now kiss the bride."
The cheering began as we became lost in our first kiss as Mr and Mrs Cullen.
"You can't get rid of me now, babe." Edward whispered as he brought me closer into his side.
"Wouldn't dream of it."
0-0
We were swarmed by family and friends congratulating us and saying how lovely it all was. Esme held me in the tightest hug - it took both Edward and Carlisle to get her to let go. "I'm so happy for you both!" She wiped away an escaped tear. She started me off again. "My baby boy is now a married man! And I couldn't wish for anyone better to call my daughter-in-law. Apart from Rosalie, of course."
We all laughed at her over-excited rambles. "Thank you, Esme; I really appreciate hearing that."
"Mama!"
"Dada!"
Edward and I turned to the calling of our names to witness Charlie heading over with Ellie and Marco being cuddled on each side. "They were getting a bit restless."
I took Marco, 'cause I missed my baby boy. "Thanks, Dad."
"You're welcome. Congratulations, Bells; you made the most beautiful bride." I thought I heard a break in his voice. My father had never let his emotions get the better of him, but clearly watching me get married was an exception. He then turned to Edward and clapped his shoulder with a hand. "You're a good guy, Edward - I trust you to take great care of them."
"You have my word, Charlie."
"Grandpa Chief!" From across the field, Cooper left whoever it was he had been talking to and sprinted over. He held onto his hat so it couldn't fly off. Coop swung his arms around Charlie's legs and squeezed tight. "You're like my real grandpa now, right?"
"Have I not always been your grandpa?"
"Well, yeah, 'cause, y'know, I call you Grandpa Chief, but now that my Madre is actually properly married to my Padre that means you're, like, actually properly my grandpa! Exciting right?"
"Bella?" And old familiar voice broke me from their conversation. I turned around to spot Renee in her blue silk dress with a glass of champagne in hand. Her husband, Phil, stood a step behind her.
"Mom." It had been so long since I last saw my mother - a good four years ago. She looked older, and thinner, but still my same old, hair brained mother.
"My goodness Bella; you look gorgeous."
"Thank you." It was a very awkward situation. I didn't know what to say, and I don't think she did either.
"Mrs. Dwyer," Edward linked his hand with mine - a way to say he was there for me. "It's nice to finally meet you."
I noticed how he said 'nice' instead of his usual 'lovely'.
"Likewise, Edward. Thank you for looking after my daughter." Renee's eyes then went to the small boy in front of us. "And you must be Coop?" Of course I had mentioned Cooper plenty of times over the phone, but she had never seen a picture.
Coop hunched back his shoulders. He had entered protective mode. "My name is Cooper Michael Cullen. If you're my friend, you can call me Coop, but you're a stranger, so you have to call me Cooper."
As menacing as he wished it sounded, Renee just laughed. "Well aren't you the cutest little boy?"
"You obviously don't know me very well, 'cause I'm actually a man, not a boy."
"Oh, I'm sorry for the misunderstanding, Cooper. Um… Bella, can I talk to you alone for a minute?"
I didn't understand why we couldn't talk around everyone else, but if that was the only way I would get some answers, then I accepted it.
I passed Marco over to Edward. "I won't be long." I promised, and kissed my husband briefly on his lips.
0-0
"I didn't think you were going to show." I found it very hard to look my mother straight in the face, so I opted for the new ring that took place on my third finger.
"I could never miss my daughter's wedding, Bella." But you could miss the birth of her children…
"All I needed was an answer - yes or no - but even that was too hard for you to give me."
Renee take a hold of my arm. I had to look at her. "Things haven't been easy for me recently, and I was putting that before anything else that mattered. I am incredibly sorry for acting the way I did, and I hope that you can forgive me." Her eyes were pleading with mine, but I don't succumb to forgiveness that easily.
"What happened? Why didn't you tell me? Has it being going on for long?"
There was a pause before Renee began to talk. "It happened just over a year ago - that arts shop I opened up? It went into liquidation and we were forced to shut down without notice. What with Phil's injury and need to retire from baseball, it became increasingly difficult to keep a track on our money. We fell into deep debt, and that… I'm not proud of it, but that led me to drinking… quite a bit every day."
I knew about her problem with drink. The number of times I rang her for an update and she couldn't piece together a sentence for being so drunk, then I would ring a week later, and she had no recognition of even talking to me. But that was the first time I had heard the reason behind the drinking.
"Why didn't you tell me? I could have helped you somehow." It hurt, it really hurt to know that my own mother had went, and was still going, through that mess, but she couldn't rely on her own daughter for help. I hoped, in years to come, if Edward and I found ourselves in a situation like that, that we could look at our children for help.
"You know what I'm like Bella - I'm stubborn; just like you. Also you had just given birth to your twins - I was the last thing you needed to worry about."
Anger bubbled through me. "So you just sat there, drinking away your pain and potentially damaging your life? Yes, I had just had Elizabeth and Marco, but that is no reason to ignore my help! I needed you, Mom! If I fought with Edward, or had had a stressful day I wanted to have the ability to pick up the phone and have you make it better, not listen to some drunk slurring and a sudden hangup!"
"Oh, Bella… I'm so sorry. I know I have been a terrible mother these last few years, but if there was any way you could -."
"No." I interrupted her sympathy talk. "I appreciate that things have been difficult but I don't appreciate how you dealt with it. I can't forget everything you did and instantly forgive you - I'm sorry. Maybe, if you show me that you're still the mother I had when I was growing up, the one that lived life to the fullest and always looked on the bright side, we can sort something out. But it isn't going to happen as quickly as you would like."
She nodded solemnly. "I understand that."
"I want you to meet my children -your grandchildren - and get to know their beautiful souls. I want you to meet my new husband and see just how incredible he is. But more importantly? I want you to stop drinking, so that we can have a weekly phone call without the worry of who I'll talk to on the other end."
"I promise, Bella. You mean everything to me and I will do what it takes to get our relationship back on track."
I had to believe her, and trust that is what she would do.
"Good. Now can we get back to the party? It is my wedding day after all."
0-0
"Did you get some answers?" Edward held me to his chest with his arms around my stomach. He kissed the back of my shoulder.
"Yes and I'll tell you everything later, but promise me I won't be like her. Please make sure I always put the kids first."
He spun me around stroked my cheek with the back of two fingers and looked at me with concerned eyes. "Of course I will. But you already do put them first - I'll never have to change that."
His lips came onto mine in such a gentle, sweet kiss. It pulsed with his love for me. My hands sneaked behind his neck and played with the collar of his shirt. His tongue caressed mine as the tension and need for each other grew. Hands roamed and things were getting dangerous… but we weren't alone.
I didn't want to end it, neither did he, but it had to.
Sneaky giggles and heavy laughs were heard coming from a certain little boy in a fedora and his beast-like Uncle.
"Get a room!" Emmett called.
"Yeah! Go make babies somewhere else!" I heard the slapping of a high five followed by more laughing.
"Rain check?" Edward's face copied mine in a state of blush.
"Definitely."
"Good." We share one last brief kiss, "I love you."
"I love you more."
0-0
"Mr and Mrs Cullen would like you all to stand for their first dance…" The DJ we hired made the call over his microphone. The grand house we had hired out for the wedding came with an enormous function hall, which suited us perfectly for the after-party.
Edward led me into the centre of the floor and took me in his arms. He had lost his jacket, after complaining that it had gotten too hot, and I had changed into some pretty flat shoes. To save my feet, y'know?
I had no idea which song was about to play, because Edward wanted it to be a surprise, and I indeed was pleasantly surprised when 'A Thousand Years' by Christina Perri came out through the speakers. At that point of the day, my eye make-up was a mess - I had cried so much before, during and after the ceremony. So when I began to cry as the song played, I couldn't have cared less.
"I know how much you love this song. I thought it was perfect."
We slowly spun in circles, holding each other tight and ignoring the various camera flashes.
"It is perfect, you are perfect…"
I have died everyday waiting for you,
Darling, don't be afraid I have loved you,
For a thousand years,
I'll love you for a thousand more.
"We have been through a lot together, but this is only the start, my love. I promise to be by your side through everything. We will raise our children and we will be happy; so happy. Whatever happens from now on we will deal with it together. You have made me the happiest man, and I love you more than anything."
"You don't need to reassure me, Edward; every day you show me that. You're the greatest father, and my best friend - I, too, love you with everything I have."
I barely had the time to breath before Charlie grabbed my arm and pulled me back to the dance floor. "You didn't forget our special dance, did you Bells?"
Again, he had been put in charge at choosing the song. An acoustic guitar began to play over the speakers in a fast beat. The song was 'Red Robin' by Clark Richard.
She is just a baby,
She's my little girl,
She looks just like her mommy,
Sporting little curls.
She's got lots to learn,
Though she's sure to know,
That I'll quietly spot her,
Anywhere she goes.
Damn you, Charlie. I thought I had stopped crying for once!
"Oh, Dad."
"You're not my little girl anymore, I need to remember that."
I laughed softly. "I haven't been your little girl for quite a few years, old man."
"My little girl has her own little girl. You'll feel my pain soon. Trust me."
I think I have some idea.
"Just remind that husband of yours that I know how to fire a gun, and will track his ass down should he hurt you."
"You have nothing to worry about, Charlie. And you taught me how to fire a gun too, remember."
0-0
The party was in full flow, and so was the free wine. I had thrown my bouquet which Angela proudly caught - but not without pushing her way to the front.
Cooper busted some moves on the dance floor, showing everyone how it goes. Ellie and Marco performed some bouncing routine and Carlisle and Charlie fought over who could 'Dad dance' the best. I must admit Carlisle's performance of Night Fever was pretty epic.
I had the odd dance with Renee, and I was pleased to see she had kept to her word about not drinking.
Then all of a sudden the music came to a stop and the DJ began to talk.
"Emmett and Cooper have a surprise for the bride and groom."
Edward and I shared a scared look. Surprises coming from those two couldn't be good.
The whole room plunged into darkness until a spot light came on on the right. A familiar tune began to play as the crowd parted like the red sea. At the back, under the spot light, stood Emmett. To the tune of 'Eye of the Tiger' he made his way towards us, pumping his arms like he was about to enter a boxing ring.
Everyone around me started to laugh.
The music stopped before the lyrics began, and Emmett had reached the centre. Then, to the left, another spot light started, and the crowd parted again. There was Cooper, and overhead, 'Lose Yourself' by Eminem was played. He strutted down to his uncle. Reaching the middle he flung his hat to the side like a frisbee.
Once again, it all came to a stand still.
Until the real fun began.
A fast paced song was played and lyrics cut in automatically. "Coz true love lasts forever, and now we're back together, and if he never met her, so looking back, I'm glad I crashed the wedding…" Emmett and Coop jammed out on their air guitars and halted at the same time that the song did.
A new song started to play. I realised then, they had made a playlist using tiny clips of different songs.
And Cooper started to twerk.
Yes. Twerk.
"…I like big butts and I cannot lie, you other brothers can't deny, when a girl walks in with a itty bitty waist, and a round thing in your face, you get SPRUNG…"
"…You better shape up, 'cause I need a man, and my heart is set on you. You better shape up, you better understand, to my heart I must be true. Nothing left, nothing left for me to do… You're the one that I want, you're the one I want, oo-oo-oo-honey…"
They did a dance to portray every song that played.
"…If you're lost you can look - you will still find me. Time after time. If you fall I will catch you - I'll be waiting. Time after time…"
"…Oooh, my love, my darling. I've hungered for your touch…"
"…Love me tender, love me dear, tell me that you are mine…"
"…Oh please, say to me, you'll let me be your man. And please, say to me, you'll let me hold your hand. I wanna hold your hand…"
"…You make me feel so young, you make me feel as though spring has sprung. And every time I see you grin, I'm such a happy individual…"
The whole audience around me were in hysterics. For their final song, we had returned to the cheesy 'Grease' songs.
"…We go together, like rama lama lama ka dinga da dinga dong. Remembered forever, as shoo-bop sha wadda wadda yippity boom de boom. Chang chang changitty chang sha-bop. That's the way it should be, wah-oooh, yeah!.."
The room erupted in applause as our young performers bowed theatrically. They must have worked hard on that for a long time, to pick the songs, edit them into the perfect verses and decide on the routines.
"Did you like it, Mom?" Cooper had the widest smile on his gorgeous face. He was so proud of himself.
"I loved it. Thank you, Sweetheart."
He allowed me to kiss his cheek, before going to Edward. "Did you like it too, Dad?"
"Of course I did, Bud. You're such a caring little boy. Thank you."
He shrugged his funny little shrug, "it's okay. Maybe you can do the same when it's my wedding?"
"We'll have plenty of time to perfect it then, won't we?"
"I dunno," Coop replied, "I'm such a charmer, the ladies will wanna marry me, like, right now."
I put my arms around my son's shoulders. "No girl is going anywhere near you unless I deem them appropriate."
Cooper sighed, "Aw you're not gonna be like one'a those moms are you?"
"Of course not!" I grinned and kissed his cheek sweetly, "I'm gonna be worse."
0-0
And there we have it. Thank God that's over with LOL. Next chapter will be the honeymoon and I have a really busy week next week, so it will be up as soon as physically possible.
You can find a collage of all the outfits over on my Facebook page, RosieRathbone FanFiction. May I just say, the Twins are friggin' adorable!
Thoughts? X
Emmett and Cooper's Playlist.
Eye of the Tiger - Survivor.
Lose Yourself - Eminem
Crashed the Wedding - Busted
Baby Got Back - Sir Mix-A-Lot
You're The One That I Want - Grease
Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper
Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers
Love Me Tender - Elvis Presley
I Want To Hold Your Hand - The Beatles
You Make Me Feel So Young - Frank Sinatra
We Go Together - Grease