Chapter 39 — Mo Gràdh ("My Love")

Love isn't something you find. Love is something that finds you.

Loretta Young

Bella's POV

Alice and Rosalie were dragging me out to Bellevue for a sleepover at their parents' house, since I was underage for all the typical haunts for bachelorette parties. I didn't mind, as I wasn't much of a partier. Esme asked me days ago what I would like to do, and I told her a nice, relaxing evening at home watching movies would be fine.

Carlisle, Emmett, and Jasper would be taking Edward out and staying with him for the night. I wasn't worried. Edward told me he wasn't much of a drinker, so he was hoping Emmett didn't go overboard with the bachelor party.

At six o'clock, and after Edward kissed me for a final time, I was in the front seat of Rosalie's car with Alice sitting behind me.

"We have to stop one more place before heading to Bellevue," Alice said as Rosalie drove past the exit and continued south on I-405.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

It was a minute or so before Rosalie replied, "To the airport."

I was confused. Alice said we were still going to Bellevue. "Why?"

Rosalie looked in the rearview mirror at Alice.

"What's going on?" I asked.

Rosalie shook her head.

"Oh, hush, Rose. Edward's arranged a surprise for you," Alice said. "He didn't tell us what it is. He only said you would like it."

My eyes went wide. "He knows I hate surprises, right?" I didn't wait for a response. "Of course, he does." I dug in my handbag for the cell Edward insisted I needed. Sure, I could yell at him in my mind, but I recently learned that we could block each when one of us needed some time to ourselves.

"Hello, love," Edward answered on the third ring.

"What did you do?" I demanded.

He hemmed and hawed a few seconds before saying, "What did my sisters tell you?"

"Oh, don't pass the blame to them. Why are they taking me to the airport?"

He had the audacity to laugh. "Sorry, love, I won't tell you why. It's a surprise, and you'll love it."

That was doubtful. I didn't want to say something I'd regret later, so I hung up.

A giggle erupted from the backseat. "And here I thought Edward couldn't deny you anything."

I crossed my arms and thrust out my lip, pouting. Dramatics was never my strength and, after a moment, I started laughing. "He better be right," I said.

Forty-five minutes later, Rosalie pulled inside Edward's private hanger. His jet was missing.

"What's going on?" I asked, turning to face Rosalie.

Rosalie glanced at her watch and then at a piece of paper. "We're a bit early. Whatever Edward got you was being flown in. According to what he gave me, the jet will land in ten minutes."

I groaned. "Are you two sure you don't know what Edward got me?"

A smile split Rosalie's face. "Do you remember when we all went to Canlis?" she asked.

"Yes." Where was she going with this?

She leaned over and opened the glove box. "The whole family knew that night you were someone special. Edward never took any girl he dated there. Alice and I rarely saw him, and we knew he was unhappy." She handed me a wrapped gift. "Alice and I can't thank you enough for making our brother happy."

Nestled inside the box was a silver wax-seal pendant with the letter C engraved in the center.

"Tomorrow you're going to a part of our family," Alice said. "And we're sure that our gift will pale in comparison to whatever Edward has us picking up, but we wanted to give you something that said welcome to the family."

Tears formed at the corners of my eyes. I wasn't sure if they were giving me the gift now as a distraction, or if they had planned on giving it to me when it was just the three of us. "Thanks, girls," I said, lifting the pendant out of the box. There was a chain attached.

"Here," Alice said. "I'll help you put it on."

Edward's jet was taxiing into the hanger by the time Alice was done. We got out of the car once the pilot cut the engine.

The door to the main compartment hissed open and lowered. I squealed when Angela appeared in the doorway, and I rushed to meet her at the bottom of the stairs. "What are you doing here?" I asked, hugging her.

"I got my miracle, and you have one nice fiancé. Edward sent his plane for me," she answered.

When I turned back, I found Alice and Rosalie smiling. "We did know," Rosalie said. "If we had told you, you wouldn't have believed us."

"Thank you," I said through Edward's and my link, hoping he was listening.

Edward's POV

I had been expecting to be dragged to a strip club or a seedy bar, but Emmett surprised me. He invited no one but Malcolm and Ian, thinking I would prefer a quiet night at home playing poker. Malcolm and Ian politely declined, and I couldn't fault them.

"Candy," Jasper said. "We're betting with candy."

"What are we, six years old?" I asked, gazing at the setup.

Emmett nodded. "Tonight we are, boys. We can add an array of cookies if you want."

Shaking my head, I laughed. "Why not," I said, throwing up my hands before sitting down. "It would be better than losing fifty bucks each to Dad."

It was Dad's turn to laugh. "And you know I give the money to charity," he said. "I used candy and cookies to teach you guys the game many years ago."

We were just sitting down when Bella's thoughts entered my mind. Smiling, I picked up my cards Emmett dealt me. Immediately, my face relaxed.

"Your bet, Edward," Emmett said.

My gaze moved to the pile of candy at my elbow. Everyone's favorite was there. A slip of paper was found next to the pile with each candy listed and its value. Glancing briefly at it, I decided to go big. "Three peppermint patties," I said, pushing them to the center of the table.

"You're welcome, love. Have fun tonight," I communicated to Bella as Carlisle examined his cards.

It was quarter to twelve when my brothers, father, and I decided to call it quits and headed to bed. The moment I saw my bed, I sighed and whished Bella was here. It was going to a long night.

Bella's POV

I tossed and turned for a good hour before taking the melatonin pill Esme had given me when we had decided to turn in. The next time I opened my eyes, sunlight was streaming in through the small upper windows. A smile spread across my face. I was getting married today.

"Eeeee," I squealed, kicking my feet in the air before scurrying out of bed, remembering Esme had said something about strawberry pancakes.

Still tying my robe, I walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. I was surprised to see Ms. Cope sitting at the counter with Esme

"Well, there's the lovely bride," Ms. Cope said, standing and giving me a hug. "We've a plate warming in the oven for you."

A laugh came from the dining room.

"Go join the girls," Esme said. "I'll bring your breakfast right out."

Angela looked up as I entered the room. Smiling, she indicated the chair next to her. "How did you sleep?" she asked, once I was settled.

"Pretty good. Well, after taking the sleeping pill," I said as Esme set a plate in front of me.

"Good, you took it. Edward was afraid you wouldn't," Esme commented. She and Ms. Cope joined the rest of us at the table.

"I told him not to worry," Alice said.

Rosalie laughed. "So did I."

Angela shook her head. "I can't wait to meet him. From what his sisters told me, he swept you off your feet."

Words failed me. So, instead of saying anything, I took a big bite of the pancakes. "Mmm," I exclaimed. "These are wonderful. I'm glad Emmett's not here. He'd hog them all."

The women around me giggled and tittered. "True. That man has a bottomless stomach," Esme said.

"Tell me about it," Rosalie commented. "I have to cut him off after two servings, or he wouldn't have anything for lunch the next day."

Grinning, I continued eating. "So, tell me how you met him?" Angela asked.

I glanced up at her. "We met at Driftwood on Emmett's birthday. His is the day before mine, you see."

"He was supposed to meet Emmett for a birthday drink," Alice added. "But as usual, Emmett was running late."

"Edward's always been one to watch the crowd. That's what he was doing when Bella approached the bar top," Esme said.

"Before he'd even realized what he was doing, he walked over and ordered a drink and ignored me completely," I remarked.

Angela was smiling, leaning on her elbows. "I find that hard to believe."

"Ask Jasper. He was tending bar that night," Rosalie said. "And had I not heard the story from him, I wouldn't have believed it. Edward, at times, likes to stretch the truth."

My smile broadened. Edward had a good reason to hide the truth. "He surprised me by kissing me that night, too. It was brief. I wish I hadn't run from him."

Angela stared at me a moment. "I would have run, too. He was a stranger and had no right to kiss you."

Ms. Cope and Esme laughed. They'd heard this story a couple of times, though Esme knew what caused him to brush his lips against mine.

"We need to get going soon. Our schedule is full today," Esme said, checking her watch.

We had gone over the itinerary last night, and a partial spa day was the plan. A manicure and pedicure along with a special wedding makeover were the treatments I would be getting. The others had added a massage; I'd opted out because the thought of a stranger rubbing my back freaked me out. Alice and Rosalie had even made arrangements for Angela.

"Bella, you have time for a quick shower," Alice said, handing me a gift bag.

"Huh? What's this?" I asked.

"Don't know," Alice responded. "Your grandfather asked me to give it to you."

Peering into the bag, I found a white velour tracksuit. The word "Bride" was embroidered in silver on the back of the hooded jacket. I groaned. It was bad enough the spa knew I was getting married today, and now this.

Angela giggled. "I didn't expect anything," she said, holding up a matching jacket. Turning it around, she revealed the words "Maid of Honor."

"Pssh," Rosalie said. "You are Bella's best friend, and she wants you standing next to her today."

"But—" I started, only to be cut off.

"Bella, I was honored you asked me, and I'll still be a part of the bridal party, just as a run-of-the-mill bridesmaid," Rosalie said. "This is your day, and you should have it the way you pictured it."

I smiled, and after standing, I gave Rosalie a hug. "Thank you," I whispered, starting to tear up at her kindness.

~~ L. C. ~~

Six hours and a lot of sparkling cider later, I was in Rosalie's office. There was still two hours until the ceremony would start, so we were just chilling and listening to all my favorite songs. I wanted to dance but was afraid of losing a hairpin and thus messing up my hair.

"Gift time," Alice announced. "Mom?"

Esme stood and walked over to Rosalie's desk, picking up two small boxes.

This was the part I was dreading, but I accepted the boxes with a smile on my face. A gasp left me as I revealed a beautiful silver snowflake pendant. The accompanying box held matching earrings. Again, I felt tears prickling my eyes.

Alice was up next, and she gifted me with a snowflake tiara. Heat coursed to my cheeks when I opened Rosalie's gift: blue and white garters with a snowflake on each.

"Why two?" I asked. They all knew I'd never been to a wedding.

"One for Edward to remove during the reception and slingshot over his shoulder," Angela provided. "The other is a keepsake for you."

Yikes. I was sure my face would be bright red when it came time for him to do that.

Edward's POV

A loud chuckle escaped me when Emmett came down the stairs mumbling about wearing a kilt.

"You have it on backwards," Ian said. "Didn't you follow the diagram I gave you?"

Emmett turned his glare from me to Ian. "I did."

"Allow me," I said. Ian was informed some time ago about my powers and with a quick flick of my wrist, Emmett was properly clad.

"I don't know why you're making us wear this godforsaken skirt," Emmett said. "Malcolm said we could wear dress pants."

With a shake of my head, I held my tongue as Jasper came whistling down the stairs and clapped him on the shoulder. "It's to show Bella that we love her. You were all for it an hour ago."

Jasper and Emmett jumped when Carlisle put a hand on their shoulders. "Plus, it's what your brother wants."

Emmett's chin fell to his chest. "That was before I tried to put the blasted thing on. How did you get it on right?" he asked, eyeing our younger brother.

"I couldn't make heads or tails out of the diagram, so I asked for help," Jasper replied, shrugging.

"The car has arrived," Malcolm announced, walking through the open front door. "And I've received word that the lassies have arrived at the bar."

Relief washed over me. Jacob might be gone, but his men were still out there, and I wasn't sure if they would be a threat. My gut told me they wouldn't bother us again.

~~ L. C. ~~

As soon as I walked into Driftwood forty-five minutes later, I wanted to rush up to Rosalie's office and gather Bella up in my arms. I would have if it wasn't for Finlay and the other guards who protected the both of us during our time in Scotland.

"Lad, you'll see her soon enough," Finlay said, pulling me into a brief hug.

I glanced at my watch. Thirty minutes. A lifetime to forever.

A/N: Thoughts?