Saturday, November 16, 2013, 5:01 PM
What twisted people we are. How simple we seem, or pretend to be in front of others, and how twisted we are deep down. How paltry we are and how spectacularly we contort ourselves before our own eyes and the eyes of others... And all for what? To hide what? To make people believe what? -Roberto Bolaño, 2666
The noise in the room is chaotic. Glasses of champagne are sitting untouched by my dinner companions as I go over the words I've been reciting to myself the past two weeks again in my head.
He's only a few feet away from me now. He's joking with a pretty bridesmaid and I have to pretend I don't remember any of their history. I have to pretend that my heart isn't on fire at the sight of their smiling faces.
Before his eyes can turn on me I look away and stare instead at the bride and groom.
When I look at Emmett, I still see that six-year-old boy who needs help with his spelling test because mom is too busy fighting Charlie to give a damn. He still has that dark curly hair and those adorable dimples but I have to remind myself that he's all grown up now. He works a full time job and coaches pee-wee football for little boys like the one he used to be.
A lump forms in my throat. I hope for my ego's sake that I can hold back my tears when I speak to the room but I'm just so proud of the man he's turned into.
The idle chit-chat of the reception is interrupted once again by a voice echoing around the room. While I couldn't focus on the words, I know what was said because now everyone is looking at me, waiting.
A microphone appears in front of me and I stand, willing my hands not to shake as I take it.
"Hello, everyone. As most of you probably already know, I'm Bella, Emmett's older sister. As such, I think I can say better than anyone that Emmett becoming a married man is one of the strangest sentences ever to be spoken," I take a second to look at him and that stupid grin covers his face. "But I can also say that I couldn't be happier that Emmett has found someone who loves him enough to put up with his shenanigans."
Rosalie smiles shyly as her new husband wraps an arm around the back of her seat.
"When Rose first asked me to be the maid of honor, I was a little shocked, but I'm eternally grateful that I've grown so close with someone I know has the resilience to keep Emmett in check and make him so irrevocably happy at the same time. I've watched the two of you together for years, and I have no doubt in my mind that if there is anyone in this world who can make love look easy, it's the two of you. You guys have a lifetime ahead of happy memories and, if Emmett has anything to do with it, I'm sure there'll be a few scandalizing ones to add into the mix. But I want you guys to always remember that what you've found together is something sacred, and I hope you cherish it with everything you have. I've seen you help each other grow, and I know for a fact that you are the wonderful people that you are because of each other. You make each other better, and I feel that I can speak for a lot of the people here when I say that you've made us better, too."
Every pair of eyes in the room are on me but I know my pulse is only reacting to one of them.
"To Rosalie and Emmett," I say, raising my glass from the table.
Everyone in the room follows suit and I release the breath I've been holding since halfway through my speech. As the clapping dies out and I sit, the object of my anxiety counteracts me by standing. There's no looking away now, and it's agonizing because unlike me who had kept my gaze in constant movement through every word, his is firmly fixed.
And it's not on the new happy couple.
"Good evening everyone. For anyone who doesn't know me, my name is Edward."
AN: Someone recommended my story for Fic of the Week over at The Lemonade Stand. Just wanted to thank you guys for being such fantastic readers and reviewers and just for reading in general! You guys are the greatest!