A/N: Here is the last chapter before the epilogue. Enjoy. Pictures on my profile.
Just wanted to say that we lost two legends within hours of each other. R.I.P. Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson.
Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns this entire crazy universe of vampires. Bryan Adam's owns "Heaven".
-oo-
Ch. 15
Spring had shown its beautiful head fairly quickly in Washington. Edward and I had been dating for about four months now. Things were going pretty well; we still had our hang ups (like Edward will not let anyone touch his precious car, nobody of the male species is allowed to look my way or they will get the Edward stink-eye or I have to have the kitchen organized a certain way). Despite all of that, I firmly believe we compliment each other very well.
Since spring was here, that meant Rosalie and Emmett's wedding. This brings us to the present situation.
The Forks town sign loomed about half a mile up ahead of us. This was it, my return. Despite my life finally falling into a comfortable sequence, I still couldn't help but stiffen at the thought of returning to this town.
Edward must have noticed my sudden change in posture because he reached across the console and laced his finger with mine, giving my hand a tight squeeze. I looked over to him and managed a small smile.
"This is going to be great, love. No reason for you to attest being here," he said not taking his eyes off the road.
"It's not that I attest being here. I will be fine, I promise. It's just an automatic response." I glanced out towards the surrounding forest, remembering my childhood instantly.
As if he could read my mind, Edward started laughing. "Remember when we were twelve and Jasper wanted to play cowboys and Indians outside my house? You and I ended up ditching everyone to go swimming in the stream; I'll never forget the look on Esme's face when we came tracking through the house sopping wet."
I couldn't help the bubble of laughter that escaped my throat. "We smelled like fish and somehow seaweed. Not really romantic." I grimaced at the thought.
"Oh like we were thinking that way then!" Edward scoffed.
"You forget that girls mature faster then boys Eddie," I smiled mischievously, knowing he hated that name.
"Don't make me pull this car over Isabella," he said returning the grin. I rolled my eyes at his competitive nature.
"I would take you up on that offer but we should have been at my dad's house twenty minutes ago. I can help you out with your problem though," I said looking down to the growing bulge in his pants. I reached my free hand across the console and lightly grazed the inseam of his jeans. This caused him to buck slightly with a hiss.
"I cannot believe I am refusing you. But I need to get us there safely. Definitely something I will keep in mind for future situations though." He wiggled his eyebrows at me.
"You're such a pervert."
"Only when it comes to you my love," he said resting our joined hands on his knee.
Fifteen minutes later we pulled onto the familiar street of my childhood. All of the houses looked the same; two-story, front porch, one car garage with the backyards running parallel with the forest.
We came to a stop in front of my dad's house, which looked the same as it did five years prior; maybe just a new paint job. Charlie doesn't like change very much; this was always evident in the house that he had shared with my mom before she left.
"I can't believe we are being forced to stay in separate houses," I moaned, banging my head against the headrest.
"It's only for one night and then tomorrow we get to stay together at my parents' place. I don't blame your dad for wanting to hog you for one night."
"I will just miss you." I pouted.
"As will I miss you. Now what did Alice say when we last parted ways? 'Turn that frown upside down!'" he said in a mock cheery voice. I had to stifle a snort because he impersonated his sister perfectly.
"Bella! Edward! You're finally here!" I heard Charlie yell from the porch. I sighed and pulled the door open, sluggishly planting my feet onto the sidewalk.
"Hey dad," I muttered as he engulfed me in a huge hug. I must have been gone for far too long because we never really had that touchy-feely relationship full of emotion. This was a side of Charlie I hadn't seen since I graduated from high school.
"Bells, it's so nice to finally have you back home," he kissed my forehead.
I heard Edward clear his voice from behind me. "Hey Charlie."
Things between them had improved slightly, but they were still reserved around each other.
"Hello Edward. Did you have a nice drive?" my dad asked conversationally.
"Yeah. No problems whatsoever."
"Good."
And that was the extent of their exchange. Oh well, better then Charlie threatening him with a gun.
"I'm going to head over to my parent's house to get settled. I will be back here at seven to pick you up Bell. Rose will want us there a little early before the rehearsal. See you then?" Edward asked.
I nodded and leaned up to give him a chaste kiss on the lips.
"Love you," I whispered in his ear.
"I love you too," he said with a wink before nodding at Charlie and making his way back to the car.
"C'mon Bells. Let's get you settled." Charlie tugged on my arm and I reluctantly followed him into the house.
"Are you ever going to remodel dad?" I asked, taking in the all too familiar surroundings.
"Eventually. I am just not good with that stuff, you know that," he said, scratching the back of his neck.
"Ask Esme for help. You know that is her forte."
"Yeah, good idea. I will talk to her tomorrow at the wedding about it."
"She'll love to help. I'm just going to put my bag upstairs…" I started walking up the staircase and turned to the immediate right which housed my childhood bedroom.
The walls were still a pale blue and my full sized bed was still pushed up against one wall, directly next to the window. Memories rushed back to me like a freight train of all the events that happened in this room.
I threw my one bag onto the rocking chair in the corner and silently thanked Alice for being guardian of all the wedding stuff. I definitely didn't feel like hauling my dress around.
I still had about three hours to spare before Edward came back to get me, so I spent the time visiting with Charlie. I told him about the progress of my book, my relationship with Edward and different ideas that he should go with for decorating the house.
At six I went up to my room and put on the dress that Alice specifically chose for me for tonight. I had just finished attempting to put my hair up into a semi-nice ponytail and putting some make-up on when there was a knock on the door.
I was halfway down the steps when Charlie opened the door to Edward. Even though it had been less then three hours since I saw him, I couldn't help the sigh that escaped at seeing him again.
That's it. I am officially gone and lost my mind. I am a bumbling idiot when it comes to this man.
They both turned when they heard me walking down the steps. Edward's face lit up into a smile when he saw me. "You look beautiful Bells. Rose better watch herself."
I rolled my eyes. "Get real Edward. Have you seen Rosalie?"
"Yes, and she holds no interest for me. I only see you," he said, coming over to give me a kiss.
"Aren't you the romantic," I teased.
We bid my dad a goodbye before making our way over to the Cullen's house. The Forks home was huge – and that is no exaggeration. Growing up, we girls were always fond of the beautiful gazebo that was built in the massive backyard. This was the location that Rose and Emmett decided to exchange vows. A large white tent was being erected off to the side to house the reception.
Jasper was Emmett's best man and Edward was the groomsman. Alice was the maid of honor and I was a bridesmaid. Having just the four of us up there with the couple seemed the most appropriate; especially since we had become our own little family over the years.
The rehearsal went off without any problems and then we were treated to a catered dinner provided by Carlisle and Esme. The only others present were the parents of the bride and groom.
I found myself back at Charlie's around eleven that night, trying to prolong my goodbye to Edward.
"Do we really have to sleep separately?" I whined.
"It's just for one night Bella," Edward said.
"I know. But ever since we got together and have been spending pretty much most nights together, I can't seem to sleep without you next to me."
"You'll be fine. Just daydream of all the great dancing I am going to make you do tomorrow!" That earned a playful smack against his shoulder; he knew I hated to dance.
"We'll see." We kissed goodnight and I made my way upstairs to my bedroom.
By 12:30 I couldn't seem to relax. The bed was too stiff, the covers weren't mine, and the sound of crickets was bugging me. I probably wouldn't mind the room if Edward was here.
By two I was desperate for some way to sleep. I knew that Alice would be at my house by eight a.m. and would be a total bitch if I had dark circles under my eyes.
Right about the same time that I thought this, I heard a slight tap on my window. I jerked myself into a sitting position and opened up my curtains. I saw movement on the other side and almost screamed until I recognized Edward. I immediately threw open the old frame and watched as he jumped into my room.
"What are you doing here?" I asked tiredly.
"I couldn't sleep," he answered quietly.
"Me either. I told you it was impossible."
"Yeah, yeah. I feel like I am seventeen again and sneaking into your room." He laughed while looking around the small space.
"The last time you were in here was when I confessed everything to you," I reminisced.
"Not my proudest moment." I could see in the dark the slight grimace on his face.
"It's in the past. Time to move on." I laid back down and motioned for him to follow suit. Once he relaxed I cuddled into his side. We were quiet for a few moments, both finally at peace for the first time that night.
"Bella?" he whispered.
"Hmmm?" I mumbled, my eyes growing heavy.
"I may have been an idiot five years ago. But I have learned from my mistakes. I love you. It may be five years late, but I just wanted you to know."
I leaned into his face and placed small kisses along his jaw until I placed a chaste kiss full on his lips. "I love you too baby. Better late then never."
We both fell asleep with smiles on our faces.
-oo-
I woke up to Alice banging around my room, demanding that I awake. I felt around and noticed that the sheets were cold. Edward must have made his escape before his sister arrived.
I hopped in the shower and Alice did my hair at my house. We drove out to the Cullen estate to help Rosalie get ready.
The wedding was set to start around one in the afternoon. The spring day was surprisingly warm and sunny; which worked out perfectly since it was an outdoor ceremony.
Rose's wedding dress was a mermaid silk taffeta gown with hand-cut flowers that created a one shouldered strap. It fit her frame perfectly. She opted out of wearing the veil and instead had us put in white flowers strategically in her hair, which she wore down and in large curls.
Alice and I had on matching dresses set in a royal blue, knee length, and strapless with a gathered bodice. The color fit the best with both of our skintones, mine being ivory and her a darker tan.
Right at one we were gathered to the side of the aisle, obscured by the shrubbery. Rose had been calm all morning, not at all nervous about saying her vows.
The flower girl, who was Rosalie's cousin, made her way down the aisle first once the music began. I followed after a minute, locking eyes with Edward. He looked delectable in the black tux and matching blue tie that went with my dress. I gave him a wink and nodded my head at Emmett once I made it to the front of the crowd.
Alice followed quickly and then the music suddenly changed. Everyone stood and Rosalie appeared on her father's arm. I looked over to Emmett who looked like he was struck dumb at her beauty. It had been amped up ten-fold for the day.
She made it down the aisle and they joined hands. We listened as the minister went through the traditional passages that Emmett and Rosalie agreed on and they exchanged their vows.
Before I realized it was possible, two of my best friends were pronounced man and wife before they leaned in for their first kiss as a married couple.
The reception started soon after just a few hundred yards from the gazebo. The guest count was around eighty and a small dance floor was placed to one side while the tables were on the other. About halfway through the night, Edward suddenly stood up as the strings for "Heaven" by Bryan Adams began to play over the speakers.
He held his hand out to me. "May I have this dance baby?"
"Yes, but only because I love you," I sighed, placing my hand in his.
He pulled me into the center of the floor, placing his hands low on my hips and drawing me in closer to him. I let out a contented sigh as I wrapped my arms around his neck and rested my head on his shoulder.
Oh - thinkin' about all our younger years
There was only you and me
We were young and wild and free
"I can't believe that Rose and Em are married," I said, breaking the silence.
"We've all been together so long, it's just hard to wrap my head around," Edward said, nodding his head.
Now nothin' can take you away from me
We've been down that road before
But that's over now
"What are you most thankful for right now?" I asked.
"You. For the fact that we took two separate paths but still ended up back on the same one eventually. I will never take you for granted," he said, leaning down to kiss my forehead. I couldn't help the shiver that ran down my spine.
"I feel the exact same way," I whispered in his ear.
And love is all that I need
And I found it there in your heart
It isn't too hard to see
We're in heaven
We looked over to Rosalie and Emmett who were wrapped up tightly in one another's embrace. I couldn't help the sigh that escaped from lips as I wished that was me.
As if he could read my mind, Edward leaned down to my ear and whispered, "That is going to be us someday."
I leaned back slightly to take in his face. His eyes held a fierce determination and his smile was full of joy. I simply nodded before leaning back into him, inhaling his scent.
Ya - nothin' could change what you mean to me
Oh there's lots that I could say
But just hold me now
Cause our love will light the way