Coincidence enough, Renee and Phil were getting married tomorrow, September 13, my thirteenth birthday, which also marked the one month anniversary of Alice moving in with the Cullens.
Renee was nervous about the wedding. She was nervous that it wouldn't work out and end just the same way her marriage with Charlie ended. She had cold feet.
She thought that it maybe wasn't such a good idea to get married on my birthday. She thought it wouldn't be fair to me and that she should change the date.
I assured her time and time again that it was fine and that tomorrow was about her and Phil. My birthday could be celebrated later.
The truth was, I didn't care if she forgot about my birthday. I wasn't much for presents. I never got the concept of giving gifts to people on the day that you passed out of their mother's womb.
It would be perfectly fine if my birthday passed over this year without anyone noticing.
Alice was spending the night at my house, trying to help calm Renee's nerves.
"Don't worry it will be fine. You love Phil and he loves you" Alice encouraged.
"Yeah but.." Renee started.
"No buts! You are going to walk down that isle tomorrow and get married to the guy of your dreams! You will have a happy life with him and your beautiful daughter." Alice smiled and looked at me.
Renee signed, "I guess, Bella you've been so supportive of me. I couldn't have asked for a better daughter. I'm supposed to be the grownup teaching you guys this stuff. I should be the one giving the pep talks. Instead it's the other way around. I couldn't have asked for anyone better to have as a daughter or a friend."
I smiled. It had always been like that. I have always been the responsible one, pushing Renee to go out and have fun, encouraging her, making sure the bills got paid or just lending a shoulder for her to cry on.
Even though our relationship wasn't exactly a typical mother daughter relationship, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.
"You know what, I don't think I could ask for a better mom" I grinned. Renee got teary eyed and put her hands on top of mine.
She shook her head and smiled, "You know what? I'm hungry. Anyone else want pancakes?"
"Um hate to break it to you Renee but it's four in the morning and you're getting married tomorrow" Alice stated.
"All the more reason to do it!" Renee shrieked, "After tomorrow there will be a guy running around this house and we will never be able to make pancakes with just us three at four in the morning." Alice and I stared at each other. "Come on girls, it's my last night being single. Being my bridesmaids you should at least eat pancakes with me."
Alice and I were Renee's only bridesmaids for the wedding. I was the maid of honor and Phil's best friend high school was the best man.
"Actually pancakes sound pretty good" I said smugly.
Renee jumped up and got to work. Renee's cooking was always a scary thought. She liked to make her own creations and she very seldom used a recipe. But tonight I was going to go crazy with her.
Renee added chocolate chips, sugar and chocolate syrup. Alice searched our cupboards and came up with sour patch kids and blueberries. Not knowing that all these things would be added into the same batter I grabbed a bag of gummy worms and a king sized Butterfinger.
Each of these things separate would have made delicious pancakes, but Renee being herself had to mix it all together. She called them Sour Chocolate Gummy Pancakes.
We all sat at the table with our Sour Chocolate Gummy Pancakes. Alice and I looked back and forth from each other to the pancakes.
"Alright, on the count of three, dig in. Ready? One, two, EAT!" Renee screamed.
We all took one bite and pushed out plates to the center of the table and laughed.
They tasted like the name we gave them. Some nasty sour chocolate with chunks of gooey worms mixed into a single pancake.
"I guess we can cross creative cooks off the list of future careers" Alice joked.
I nodded and looked at Renee, whose head was bobbing up and down. "I think we should get her to bed."
"Yeah probably, come on Renee lets go to bed" Alice stated as she tried to help Renee to her feet.
"Come on mom, you don't want to be tried tomorrow"
She moaned and shuffled her feet to her bedroom.
Alice and I followed her and went to bed ourselves.
The next morning it took Alice and me four hours to get Renee out of bed and we couldn't even do it ourselves.
We tried to call Phil, but he didn't answer so we called Emmett. He laughed and said he would be right over.
"Renee come on, it's your wedding day! Lets get up and get ready! You don't want to be late to your own wedding would you?" Alice said as she shook Renee back and forth.
I heard a quick nock at the door. "Finally!" we both yelled in relief and ran to get the door.
I opened the door quickly, "Hey Emm…"
"Edward?" Alice said more like a question. Edward was standing in the doorway soaking wet. I saw a car speed off into the distance.
"Um yeah" He said scratching his head.
"I thought Emmett was coming" I mumbled.
"Well he was, but then Carlisle needed him so he sent me instead.
"It doesn't madder; just help us get Renee up!" Alice shouted.
When we got into Renee's room she had her head under the covers and was holding them tight against her body.
"Renee, time to wake up" his sweet musical voice rang. I never noticed how magical his voice was. It made me go weak in the knees.
"We already tried that Edward we need someone to pick her up and put her on her feet or something!" Alice screamed, she wasn't exactly a patient person.
"Renee if you don't get up now, I'll be forced to go carry you out into the rain" He said trying to be stern, but his voice just rang like a thousand little bells.
She flinched a little, but still no significant progress.
"You leave me no choice then" He smiled and lifted her over his shoulders like a sack of potatoes.
He made it to the kitchen when Renee finally pulled through, "You are not going to bring me into that rain young man!" she shrieked.
"Ah thank god! She lives" Alice said sarcastically.
"Edward put me down. I'm a grown woman I don't need someone to carry me around like this" Renee said.
"Only if you promise not to go back to bed and you go with Bella and Alice to get ready" Edward smiled. He knew Renee; he was trying to help us.
Renee seemed to hesitate, but one look into Edward's emerald green eyes and she melted, "Fine, let's get ready girls."
"That's all we ask" Alice said relieved.
With that Edward dropped Renee to her feet and Alice pulled her into the bedroom to get dressed.
I stood there awkwardly in front of Edward in sweets and an old T-shirt. "Well um thanks for that" I said clearly uncomfortable.
"It was nothing, glad I could help with something" he smiled that amazing crooked smile.
"Yep, so are you coming to the wedding?" I said trying to keep the conversation going.
"I think so, I mean Alice considers you guys family and I consider her family so it would make sense."
"Yeah it would. It will probably all be older people though, not much fun" I said truthfully. Renee and Phil were both in there mid thirties so most of the people that were invited were around that age too.
"We can make it fun" He winked.
"Oh really, whose we?"
"Yeah, you, me, Alice, Emmett and Rose, it's not a party until Emmett break dances. Trust me there is never a dull moment with him."
I laughed, from the time I had spent with Emmett that was true. He could always make you laugh, no madder your mood.
"You guys should probably get ready and I probably should too. See you later then?" He assumed.
"Yeah see you later" I blushed.
"Save me a dance?" he asked as he got his shoes on.
I was shocked. Did Edward Cullen just ask me to save HIM a dance? I blushed a color of pink I didn't know existed and nodded.
"Great!" he smiled, he seemed truly happy with my answer. "And Bella" he added.
"Yes" I responded feeling the warmth drain from my face.
"Happy Birthday" He smiled and ran out the door.
If any of the color had faded from my face it was back now and with vengeance, at least six shades redder than before.
The rest of the morning pasted uneventfully. Alice, Renee and I got our hair and make-up down and went to pick up our dresses.
We got to the church fifteen minutes before the ceremony was supposed to start. Thanks to Renee's late start this morning.
She blamed it on us for letting her stay up late. She said that we should have known that she is an old woman who doesn't have the stamina to bounce back like us teenagers do. We weren't going to fight her so we let her blame it on us, just because it was supposed to be her special day.
The wedding went off without a hitch. I made it safely down the isle without tripping over anything. Phil and Renee both said their vows without hesitation and I made it back up the isle with only a stumble. And for me that was a total success.
I saw Edward sitting in the front pew with his family and to my surprise, no date. My heart sped up and I wanted to jump for joy, but I kept my cool, since I was in front of a church full of people.
The reception also went very well. There was plenty of food, toasts, kisses and love. Renee was so happy and I knew that this was a good thing for her.
The dancing started with the traditional first dance of the bride and groom. But of course it couldn't be a traditional song, Renee and Phil weren't much for traditional. They chose I'm a Believer by Smash Mouth.
Because they are now believers in love, I know it sounds corny, but so are Renee and Phil.
I hadn't told anyone about me and Edward's conversation early because I didn't want to jinx it.
I looked around to see if I could find him. I saw Esme and Carlisle sitting and talking to Phil's parents. Emmett and Rosalie were dancing like fools all over the dance floor, Alice was with me but I couldn't find Edward.
A thousand different situations went through my head. Maybe he changed his mind, maybe he was in the bathroom, maybe something came up. Alice grabbed me and pulled me to the dance floor.
"You're going to dance with me!" she ordered in the tone of a drill sergeant.
"Alice you know I can't dance…" I started. I can't dance! What was I going to do? I thought. I'll step all over Edward's toes, crap!
Seeing the distress on my face she calmed down and tried to comfort me, "What's wrong? Did I say something?"
I shook my head trying to seem brighter, "No it's nothing, um will you teach me how to dance?" At least maybe I'll do better if I practice.
"Yeah sure, Is this for a guy?" she smiled.
I stared at my feet, unable to answer.
"IT IS!" she squealed, "Is it Mike?" I shook my head "Eric? Tyler?" I shook my head again. "Then who? Who's left…Jake? Edward?"
I didn't answer.
"Which one Bella! Jacob or Edward?" She grabbed my dress and pulled me closer. "Tell – me – now" she said slowly.
But I didn't have to answer her because Edward showed up behind her. He was my savior. "Can I cut in?" He asked in his velvet voice.
Alice's face lit up with surprise. She let go of me and stepped back to let Edward take over.
"You look beautiful tonight" he whispered in my ear.
I blushed and turned my head to look at my feet.
He put his finger under my chin and lifted my face to meet his, "First rule of dancing, never look at your feet. It will only make it harder and if you look at the ground your partner can't into those beautiful brown eyes of yours."
I blushed; my face became so hot that it felt like it would explode.
I keep stumbling and I was getting frustrated. Edward could tell. He wrapped his arms tighter around me and lifted me up.
"Edward what are you doing?" I asked in surprise.
"Just wait" he mumbled and then set me on top of his feet and led me around the dance floor. Well more like carried. I blushed even redder. He was so sweet.
The music slowly morphed into a slower melody, something I recognized, A moment Like This, by Kelly Clarkson.
Leaned my head into his chest and breathed in the sweetest sent I had ever smelt before. I never wanted to leave him.
"Some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this" he sang. I looked up at him and stared into those emerald green orbs. He stared back at me with his amazing crooked smile. He placed his cold hand on my cheek and continued, "Everything changes, but beauty remains. Something so tender I cant explain. Well I may be dreaming but til I awake..Can we make the dream last forever? And I'll cherish all the love we share for a moment like this."
I smiled and felt my face flush, was he singing this for me? My heart melted and my knees began to shake. I started to sway but his strong muscular arms caught me. I grinned like a fool.
He pulled me back a little and said, "Stay here, I'll be right back" and ran out the door.
I stood there dumbfounded. What was that about? But in about a half a minute he was back, with a little black box in his hand.
"Happy Birthday Bella" he said quietly and gave me my favorite smile.
I took the small box from him and opened it. It was beautiful, a small golden heart shaped pendent attached to a frail golden chain.
"Turn it over" he smiled. I did as he said, and it was engraved on the back, with very small letters.
Happy 13th Birthday! Your new family, CEEREA. Standing for Carlisle, Esme, Emmett, Rosalie and Alice.
I felt my eyes well up with tears, "Edward this is too much" I stated truthfully.
"No Bella it's not. You're an amazing girl and you helped Alice through one of the most difficult times in her life. You helped lead her to us." He laughed, "Esme hasn't been this happy in a long time. She always wanted a house full of kids but was never able to. Alice being with us has been the best thing for our family. She has made us closer. We will never be able to thank you enough."
I tried to let it all sink in, but was overwhelmed with emotions. I ran into Edwards arms and cried tears of joy.
I was wanted somewhere, people appreciated me. During the course of my life I had never felt that way. It was nice for a change.
The song came to an end with the last words being perfect for my life. "I cant believe its happening to me. Some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this" I murmmered into Edwards shirt as he twilrled us around the dance floor again.
"Edward dipped me and pulled me to him again. He whispered "For a moment like this" in my ear.
Edward and I danced until 2 am through slow songs and fast. It was nice just to be in his arms.
We were only inturupted when Emmett and Jacob, my childhood friend wanted to dance with me, but soon as one song was done, Edward would come and find me.
Alice had found a someone at thet wedding to keep her entertained. His name was Jasper and he was somehow related or knew Phil. I didn't really pay attention to the details because I was still going through my night in my head.
It was wonderful. He was wonderful.
I couldn' t get that song out of my head, I hummed the melody to A Moment Like This over and over until I fell asleep.
Some people wait a life time for a moment like this.
Ok sorry it's taken me awhile. But I live in Minnesota and it's been -48OF without wind-chill and with it's about -66OF with it and it's been snowing like crazy. My school hasn't been canceled or late once during this week or year for that madder and I've had to shovel the driveway and roof. Along with doing all of my homework.
If your city/state has closes down when you get a couple inches of snow or it gets below -20, you have no idea what cold is.
Think about this, there is 100 degree difference between outside and my refrigerator! So right now the fridge feels warm! I will give anything for 30OF. It may sound crazy but it's true.
Sorry had to get that out. It's too cold!
Thanks for reading, Review!