I grabbed Rose's wrist and dragged her to the dance floor after downing our precursory shots. We were in a club called Tigress and the music coursed through my blood stream. This was our fourth stop. The other girls where around somewhere completing their tasks. I had already seen Alice do two of her body shots off of some gorgeous men but I hadn't built up enough courage yet. Aka I needed more alcohol. I had had eight shots and was barely coherent but the thought of licking a stranger's navel to neck still made me blush.
Rose and I danced together. She had had innumerable shots by now. It seemed everywhere she went someone would offer and she was not allowed to turn them down. Her movements were still fluid but her eyes looked fevered. She had four guys' numbers already, along with doing her lap dance. I was way behind.
"Bella, you have to get a move on." She shouted in my ear as she pop-lock and dropped it. My special item I needed was an obvious ass grab. I had to grab a random guys butt. I figured that would be a good way to lead to a body shot and hopefully a phone number killing three birds with one stone. I was being picky. None of these guys held any interest for me.
I waved to Rose and made my way to the bar looking for Alice. She would give me courage enough to do these things. I found Victoria instead. Her tongue was crammed down some guy's throat. His shirt was undone so I assumed she had done at least one body shot at this point. I couldn't stall any more. I pulled out my cell phone camera and took a picture of my hand grabbing a random guys butt. I was immensely relieved when he turned around and wasn't disgusting.
"Hey sexy. See something you like?" He grinned at me flexing his muscles. I smiled.
"Yes actually. Can I interest you in a body shot?" I meant that I would do one off of him but he seemed to misunderstand.
"Sure, you do have a great body." His hand grazed up my arm. I forced my smile to stay in place as we got the bartenders attention. When I went to unbutton his shirt I noticed that he had to take it off for this to work. I took a deep breath and hooked my thumbs in his belt loops to bring him closer. His eyes shinned.
"I was thinking I would like to do one off of you if that's alright." I whispered into his ear. I was carefully to slide up and back down his body as I stood on my tip toes.
"Sure thing." He smiled larger. I grabbed the hem of his shirt and edged it up. It slowly revealed chiseled abs and well defined pecs. I closed my eyes and pictured Edward in front of me. I superimposed his face over this stranger's to make this easier. It worked wonders. I felt my smile become genuine. "What's your name anyway?" The guy asked before placing a lime wedge in his mouth.
"I'm Bella, and you?" I licked a spot next to his collar bone so the salt would stick better.
"Matt." I nodded and downed my shot before licking up the salt I had just sprinkled on his body. It ended with my lips on his as I bit into the lime. Juice slid down my chin. Matt took out the rind from
his mouth and licked the juice from my neck. When he had finished I smiled at him again and grabbed a napkin to wipe anything left off so I wouldn't get sticky. "So, do you want another shot?" He asked with a primal grin. I smiled back at my pretend Edward and replied yes. We had three more shots and I ended up giving him a lap dance despite my better judgment.
I did end up getting his number eventually but soon after we were moving to the next club so I didn't have a cling on. I bade Matt a goodbye and stumbled off into the night laughing with the other girls. That was the last thing I remembered.
OOOOOOOOOOOo
I woke up to a shrill alarm blaring next to my head. I moaned and rolled over trying to block the noise with my pillow. It penetrated the fabric so I slapped at the contraption until it was silenced. I heard other people around me groan as well so I sat up.
At first I thought I had brought a guy home last night and felt serious panic until I noticed all the inhabitants of the bed were girls. We were all in Alice's apartment and there were four of us in her bed.
"Bloody hell, what time is it?" Rosalie cursed when I moved, pulling the covers off her slightly. I swiveled and stared at the clock for a moment.
"It's nine." I mumbled rubbing my temples tenderly. I don't remember getting back to the apartment and I could still feel alcohol swimming in my system. The worst of my hang over wouldn't come until it was all gone. Great.
"Wakey wakey sleeping beauties!" Alice chimed walking into the room with a platter of coffee and muffins. How she could look perfect and cheery after a night like last night I don't know. It was utterly unfair. I grabbed a mug and breathed in the intoxicating aroma.
"Fuck." Rose whispered quietly while staring into her brew.
"What's wrong?" Alice inquired. "Did you lose your purse or something?"
"What? No, nothing like that. I'm getting married today." We all sat quietly for a moment. Normally we would burst out in giggles or screamed but none of us were in any shape to do that. Rose smiled softly. Even with her hair in a messy ponytail and smeared day old makeup she was beautiful. She never looked so happy. I leaned over and enveloped her in my arms. Alice put down her tray and joined us as well. Hannah and Beth were still asleep in the bed next to us so we stayed quiet for a minute.
"You won't change right?" Alice peeped still hugging tightly.
"No, I promise," Rosalie vowed as I sighed and loosened my grip. Alice followed suit. We three stood and made our way to the living room. I did not remember coming in the night before so I took this time to investigate.
Alice had a balcony off of her living room with a beautiful room. Mount Rainer could be seen in the distance, it looked majestic shrouded in clouds. Victoria was passed out on the couch in a very un-lady like position. Her legs spread wide and he mouth open allowing little snores to escape. I suppressed a chuckle.
We sat at the kitchen table sipping orange juice for a while. It revived me quite a bit. Advil was passed out when the other girls woke up and we started to get ready. Today was a big day.
The rest of the day went by in a flash. We were all dressed and at the public garden where the wedding was to be held on time, yet little disasters kept popping up. We all kept eyeing the sky praying that it wouldn't rain as we rushed to make things perfect.
I knelt behind the flower girl pinning up the last of her golden curls when I noticed Carlisle. He was watching me from across the tent. He was standing near the opening which led to the guys' side. His eyes were smiling at me so I smiled back. He looked like he was going to say something but a hand tapped his shoulder to get his attention before he spoke.
I saw the back of Edward's copper head as he spoke to Carlisle. He looked good even from the back in a classic black tux. Carlisle's brow furrowed at something he said and they hurried to the other side. I was intensely curious but I didn't know if I was allowed to cross the sex-border. I knew that the groom wasn't allowed to see the bride, but I wasn't sure if there was a by-law about bridesmaids.
"Bella!" Alice called motioning me to follow her. I patted the little girls head and made my way to Rosalie's changing room. She looking more than stunning, more than beautiful, it hurt me to see her and yet I couldn't look away.
Her dress was a satin cream color with side sleeves and a low bust. It was long and elegant with a train that didn't need people to carry it. It had a bow on the back of her hips that twined into the train accentuating her curves. Her hair was swooped up into braids along the sides of her head ending in an intricate pattern. White roses and baby's breath were strategically placed among the strands. Her lips where blood red and her eyes a deep blue. Never had the ever been such a beautiful woman.
Tears stung my eyes as I looked at her.
"Rose," I placed my hands on her shoulders and kissed her cheek. She looked nervous.
"I don't know if I can do it." She whispered clinging to Alice and my hands.
"Why?" How could she be having second thoughts? This must be cold feet.
"What if he decides he doesn't want me?" This goddess was the epitome of perfection and she was worried a man wouldn't want her?
"That's ridiculous, Emmett loves you!" I exclaimed.
"Now, but what about a year from now? Or twenty?" Her forehead wrinkled in worry. Alice took her by the shoulders and forced her to look her in the eye.
"Rose, I have never told you this because of Emmett's stupid pride but you need to know now. We have known you for three years. Do you want to know the first thing he said when he saw you?" Rose nodded slightly. "He said 'Alice, I think I can die happy, because I think that angel just smiled at me.' He still calls you 'Angel' doesn't he? That's what he's talking about. He had loved you from the first moment he saw you. He will not falter and neither will you. There will be fights, but makeup sex is the best kind." Alice smiled wickedly. Rose's eyes looked glassy with tears. I grabbed a tissue and handed it to her.
"Thank you." She smiled a watery smile and dabbed at the corners or her eyes to prevent makeup smearing. We heard the first few notes of the canon and each gave Rose a hug. It was time.
We watched as Hannah, Beth, and Victoria followed the flower girl down the aisle. I was next. I took a deep breath hoping I wouldn't fall on my face and ruin the moment. I smiled at Rose and Alice as I stepped out to meet Jasper. He was walking with my down the aisle while Edward was walking Alice considering they were the best man and maid of honor. Jasper looked dreamy in his tux and he smiled at me tucking my hand in the crook of his arm.
The aisle seemed to stretch on forever before us as we took slow timed steps towards our destination. We made it eventually as we turned to watch the rest of the procession. Gabriel's Oboe came from the quartet in the corner and it drifted softly over us. Edward stared into my eyes as he came down the aisle with Alice on his arm. I smiled at him resisting the urge to lick my lips. Eventually they too found their places next to the alter and the melody started one final time.
I glanced at Emmett and he was fidgeting horribly. Pulling his hands in and out of his pockets and biting his lip. I had never seen him look so nervous. Carlisle stepped into view and held his hand out for Rosalie. Time seemed to freeze until she finally stepped out. There was a collective gasp from the guests as everyone took in her beauty.
The public garden had been a wonderful choice and it just accentuated Rose as she came towards us not to mention to soft fragrance surrounding us. Emmett had stopped fidgeting and had frozen completely as they neared. When Rose and Carlisle reached the step where he was to give her away and Emmett clumsily stumbled to take her hand. Carlisle kissed Rose's knuckles and gently handed her hand to Emmett.
Her hand looked small in his, but it fit. Their hands twined together as they stared into each other's eyes. Rose's smile was slow and a little shy and Emmett was beaming at her. They slowly turned and came forward to bind themselves together. Till death do they part.
OOOOOOOOOOo
The reception was held in a hotel ballroom since the clouds were looking heavy with rain. Dinner was nice but uneventful. There hadn't been enough room at the main table so I wasn't sitting with anyone I knew. I made small talk with a small older woman who thought my name was Kara. She was a distant aunt of some sort. She kept telling me how perfect I would be for her great-nephew. He was apparently a doctor but I was not even a little interested.
We all heard the click of metal on glass so we quieted down waiting for the toast. Edward stood up from his seat next to Emmett.
"Family and friends, thank you for coming. It is my honor as the best man, and Emmett's brother, to give tonight's toast. From birth we all knew Emmett was unique but never in my entire life would I have expected Emmett to find someone so perfect for him as Rosalie. They were quite literally made for each other. If it's their tenacity or their sense of humor, I'm not sure, but I could not be happier that they found each other. Let us raise our glasses and give a toast. To Rosalie and Emmett, let's hope their children look like their mother." Edward winked at Emmett. Emmett burst into laughter.
"To Rosalie and Emmett," everyone cheered chuckling. I smiled thinking about little Emmetts running around wrecking havoc on wherever they live. I shuddered for their future neighbors. The band began to play and Carlisle led Rosalie to the dance floor for a father-daughter dance. When the last few notes swirled Carlisle handed her over to Emmett and they danced their first dance as a married couple to "Unforgettable" by Nat King Cole.
We cheered as they finished and the band started a new number. I saw strawberry blonde hair for a moment and I froze. Tanya had Edward by the hand and was pulling him to the dance floor. I felt my eyes narrow. I didn't think she had been invited. I scowled for a moment before I felt a tap on my shoulder. I glanced back and noticed Jacob smiling at me.
"Oh! Hey Jake!" I felt my anger at seeing Tanya melt looking into Jake's dark eyes.
"Hey Bells, you want to dance?" He held a hand out for me. I grabbed his huge palm and led him to the dance floor. Jake looked amazing in a coal gray suit. It must have been tailored because it fit his tall frame perfectly. The song was Frank Sinatra's "The Way You Look Tonight" and Jake whirled me around the floor. He danced so freely I felt myself forget about our surroundings. It made me realize something as I spun. How very different Jake and Edward were. Edward was gorgeous and made me put my life into perspective. Jacob was raw sexuality and helped me live in the moment.
Now the only question was which was better.