Preparations
I was in a beautiful white wedding dress that looked as though it was from the early 1900's. I could hear the wedding march and there were flowers and decorations everywhere. It was simple yet elegant. I reach the end of the aisle only to find that Edward wasn't there. Emmett was the priest and Carlisle was the best man. Everything was there, but Edward was missing. Then Carlisle steps up to me and cups his hand around my ear before whispering, "Edward wanted me to tell you that he changed his mind. He apologizes, but he's found someone else."
It felt as though my world was crashing around me as Carlisle spoke and I couldn't control the scream that was bubbling in my chest.
I awake with a start and sit up quickly, my scream dying as soon as I had opened my eyes. My heart was beating in my chest and I was covered in a cold sweat. The covers were knotted around my waist and I was panting. I look at the alarm clock and realize it was only 3:19 A.M. Edward was still on his hunt with Emmett, Carlisle, Rosalie, Jasper, Toby, and Esme. Alice had stayed home saying that she felt bad leaving me here all by myself like they usually did, that and she wanted to plan for the wedding.
No sooner did I look at the clock and the light turns on and suddenly Alice was by my side with a concerned expression. "Are you okay? I heard you scream," says Alice. Unable to speak through the sobs that were suddenly choking me I nod. Alice wraps her arms around me and lays her head on my shoulder in an effort to comfort me. The effort wasn't wasted and I quickly felt better. "Do you mind telling me what happened?"
"It was just a dream. I'm fine," I murmur suddenly exhausted.
"Go back to sleep, Bella. Edward will be back Sunday night and everything will be alright," says Alice with a sweet smile. I smile back and lay down, quickly falling asleep.
It's been 15 months since I had agreed to marry Edward and Alice has been planning ever since. I still remember that day:
"Please Bella?" begs Alice while giving me a puppy dog face that would make any puppy proud. It had my heart melting, but I just didn't want a wedding! Why couldn't Edward and I go to Vegas and elope like other teens who thought they were in love did? I mean, Edward and I were definitely in love, I didn't have to think about that, but that's not the point.
"Alice…I really don't want to make such a big deal out of this," I whine.
"But think of Edward! Think of what this would mean to him! Besides, you still have a year of high school, it's not like you can leave now. Plus, Quil and Embry would be upset if they didn't get to watch their baby sister get married," says Alice matter-of-factly.
Alice was going to win, and we both knew it, but I wasn't going down without a fight. "I don't believe in big weddings Alice. As long as it's official, I'm happy, and so is Edward, he said so," I state. Alice was back to pouting again.
"He'd like it more my way though! We both know it, so why can't I plan it? You don't have to do anything except maybe try the dress on for size once or twice. I'll do everything else, and I won't make it too big or anything! It'll be perfect! Please?" begs Alice again. I groan and Alice squeals in delight, clapping her hands. She knew she'd won…again. "You won't regret this!" I groan again and Alice giggles before hugging me tightly.
Now it was only a week away and I was getting nervous. I didn't have cold feet, but I wasn't sure this was the right thing. Quil and Embry were happy though, but they weren't in the beginning…at least not Quil.
Edward and I showed up at my house at 11:30 as promised. We had made arrangements to have lunch with them. Quil had been badgering me about making him and Embry a home cooked meal for a while now. Apparently now was the perfect time. So now we were standing at my door while I desperately thought of ways to keep Quil and Embry's attention from my left hand. Edward was going to buy me a ring, but he knew I'd get mad, so he settled for a hand-me-down instead. The ring I was wearing had belonged to his mother-his real mother, not Esme. I was honored when he gave it to me and promised to take good care of it.
After lunch we go to the living room where Edward and I share the recliner. Edward had my left hand in his hands and was playing with the ring, making it glaringly obvious that it was there. "That's a cool ring," says Quil walking over to get a better look at it. Obviously Quil couldn't put two and two together. Edward seemed eager to tutor him.
"It belonged to my mother. My real mother. My father had used that ring when he proposed to her," says Edward. (That might be a little off. It was either an engagement or wedding ring, but I don't think wedding rings have diamonds) It didn't take long for it to click then and Quil jumps back as though the ring had bitten him and glares at us. Embry just looked surprised.
"You're pregnant aren't you?!" demands Quil. This caused me to glare at him.
"No!" I shout angrily. It was probably a little loud for the small house, but I was mad.
"How can we be so sure?" asks Quil crossing his arms over his chest and trying to look superior. Asshole.
"Maybe because I'm still a virgin?" I say in a contradicting tone.
"You live with Edward, we don't know what you two do alone," says Quil.
"Would you like to check?" I demand. This seemed to derail Quil and he blushes.
"Okay, so you're not pregnant, but you're seventeen! What's the rush?" demands Quil.
"I'm going to be eighteen in September," I say.
"And that's a problem…?" Quil prompts.
"Because Edward's forever seventeen, and I can't get too much older than him. It wouldn't work out," I say.
"Mom would want you happy, Bells. As long as you don't let this mess up your future I don't see the problem," says Embry surprising us all.
"Thank you Embry," says Edward.
"Thank Embry. I appreciate your approval," I say with a smile.
Quil took a little longer to accept things, but quickly got over it and decided to allow Edward and I to get married. Quil and Embry would be walking me down the aisle. Alice had tried telling me that wasn't traditional, but what about my wedding was? Edward was a vampire for crying out loud!
The next morning I wake up and go down to the kitchen for some breakfast. Alice was sitting at the table empty handed obviously waiting for me. "I know I said I wouldn't make you do anything for your wedding, but I was just wondering if you wanted to look at you invitations," says Alice excitedly. I had a feeling they would be big and expensive and I would have a fit if I saw them, so I made up an excuse instead.
"Actually I have to go to La Push today. Emily needs help with the twins," I say quickly before grabbing a pop tart and running out the door with it glad that I had already gotten ready for the day before I came down.
Emily had given birth to girls, Rachel and Rebecca, and Sam couldn't have been more thrilled. Even Jacob was happy, but I think part of it was because that kept some of the attention off of himself. They were beautiful little girls, very quiet, and I never had a problem baby sitting them.
When I get to La Push I go to Sam's house and knock on the door before entering. Sam was holding Rachel in his hands while Emily sat on the floor changing Rebecca's diaper. They were nine months old. "Hey," I say happily.
"Good morning, Bella," says Emily as she picks Rebecca up off of the floor.
"What brings you here?" asks Sam.
"I'm trying to escape Alice," I say conspiratorially. Sam and Emily laugh causing the twins to laugh.
"Why?" chuckles Sam.
"She wanted to show me wedding invitations," I say.
"I don't blame you then," says Sam.
"She sent them out already. I just got ours yesterday," says Emily with a soft smile.
"It's coming up soon," I say as I take Rachel from Sam. Emily nods in agreement.
"So where's Edward?" asks Emily.
"Everyone except Alice went hunting," I say.
"Well you're welcome to hid out here for a while," says Sam with a grin. I smile and sit down with Rachel. It had been a while since I had played with her last.
End Chapter
A/N: Thanks for reading. I realize I skipped a lot of time, but it wasn't important and I'm trying to speed my story along a little. Next it the wedding, then probably the honeymoon. I haven't decided if Bella's gonna get pregnant or not though, probably not though. If anyone objects to Bella not getting pregnant, let me know though and maybe I'll reconsider. The reviews have been awesome so far. Sayonara! =]