A/N: Reviews? Please? =(
"Hello? Everybody?" Alice asked into the microphone on stage. Tapping it a bit, she looked down to see if it was working.
"Hi!" Alice beamed; looking up to see everyone now had her attention. "I'm Bella's friend Alice."
The Cullens chuckled a bit which she rolled her eyes to. "So I have a special surprise or gift I guess for Bella's new husband Sam and the crowd," she said practically jumping up and down as she talked.
"Bella," Alice said waiting for me to come on stage. Trying to hide my blush by covering my face with my long brown curly hair, I walked onstage in my white dress and a red guitar in hand.
"Hey everyone," I said with a breath. I had Sam's full attention. I could feel it and see it.
"So Alice talked me into doing a few songs up here, but I had to get a little help. Scott," I smiled to him beside me with another microphone.
"Hi everyone," he said with a blush. Scott too had a guitar in his hand; ready to play the new song I had just introduced him to a few minutes ago.
"Okay," I laughed. "Well, this first is for all those new romances growing, starting to bud, or gaining momentum," I said with a wink to the Pack.
All the guys were grinning and it soon was dead silent. Taking another breath I let out the nervous feeling in my stomach- stage fright jitters. Glancing at Scott, he seemed to be doing the same. Nodding to Embry, I gave him and Scott the signal to start.
("Kiss Me Again" by We Are the In Crowd feat. Alex Gaskarth)
I gotta say something that I've been thinking about
I can't wait to lay around with you
And tell you all the secrets
I've been keeping to myself
It's been a while since I've felt butterflies
Do you feel the same too?
If every single second could last that much longer,
Would you hold me... and kiss me again?
Underneath the moonlight
You're more than a friend
Oh... I knew it from the first time
Yeah... Hold me, feel my heart beat,
Put your arms around me and kiss me again
Grinning, I took a quick look to Scott, my guitar and the crowd.
Kiss me again...
Scott seemed to be at peace and enjoying himself, which was good. He and I were both worried of the stage freight thing. As for the crowd, it was a rush to play in front of so many people- almost like when I did at the La Push fundraiser, but this time it meant something more.
I gotta say I wasn't expecting you to come this way
And fall into my arms
And now I know I can't deny these feelings any longer
I close my eyes, I can't stop thinking about you
Crack a smile, I just can't lose
Add another minute
My heart beats to the limit when I'm with you
So, kiss me again
Underneath the moonlight
Oh... You're more than a friend
Yeah... I knew it from the first time
Hold me, feel my heart beat,
Put your arms around me and kiss me again
I can't let you go, can't let you float away
'Cuz that would be a mistake
I'm not ready to run
Can't let you go to waste
No, no, no...
Looking up again, this time for the people I knew, I found Seth and Lin. They were holding hands and smiling. Shaking my head with some laughter in my head, I bowed my head for a second before continuing to sing.
And kiss me again
Underneath the moonlight
Oh... you're more than a friend
I knew it from the first time
Yeah... Hold me, feel my heart beat,
Put your arms around me and kiss me again
Hold me, feel my heart beat,
Put your arms around me and kiss me again,
And again, and again...
Oh kiss me again...
As I finished I turned back to Embry and Scott. They were grinning like fools. As the crowd cheered I gave Embry a high five, took off my guitar and hugged Scott.
"That was awesome," he breathed. Letting out a laugh, I kept Embry there and let Rose and Alice come up, along with Collin and Seth who had just been informed while I was singing.
"So, as I said, I got warped into singing a few songs, as my last one, hopefully if Alice lets me go," I chuckled to the crowd while looking back at her, she was rolling her eyes, "this one is for Sam, my husband," I grinned. Finding his eyes with mine, we beamed at each other- letting our hearts do that weird flip-flop thing and melt at the same time. Collin started me off since he knew this tune and we all began.
("Here's To Us" by the Glee Cast)
We could just go home right now
Or maybe we could stick around
For just one more drink, oh yeah
Get another bottle out
Lets shoot the breeze
Sit back down
For just one more drink, oh yeah
Here's to us
Here's to love
All the times
That we messed up
Here's to you
Fill the glass
Cause the last few days
Have gone too fast
So let give em hell
Wish everybody well
Here's to us
Here's to us
The crowd had started clapping which was actually pretty cool. I hung onto the microphone and continued to sing (at least I knew I didn't have that bad of a voice haha).
and sang my heart out
Stuck it out this far together
Put our dreams through the shredder
Let's toast cause things got better
And everything could change like that
And all these years go by so fast
But nothing lasts forever
Here's to us
Here's to love
All the times
That we messed up
Here's to you
Fill the glass
Cause the last few nights
Have gone to fast
If they give you hell
Tell em to forget themselves
Here's to us
Here's to us
Here's to all that we kissed
And to all that we missed
To the biggest mistakes
That we just wouldn't trade
I grinned again, knowing all of those times Sam and I had kissed but also all of those times Sam had missed. The song fit him perfectly.
To us breaking up
Without us breaking down
To whatever's come our way
Here's to us
Here's to us!
Here's to us
Here's to love
All the times
That we messed up
Here's to you
Fill the glass
Cause the last few days
Have gone too fast
So let's give em hell
Wish everybody well
Well!
Here's to us
Here's to love
All the times
That we messed up
Here's to you
Fill the glass
Cause the last few nights
Have gone too fast
If they give you hell
Tell em forget themselves
Here's to us
Here's to us
Oh here's to us
Here's to us
Here's to us
Here's to love
( Here's to us)
Wish everybody well
Here's to us
Here's to love
Here's to us
Here's to us
Finishing up, I left the mic and let out a huge breath. Woah that was breathtaking. Everyone was clapping and my heart was pounding. Going over to Alice and Rosalie, I put their hands up and made them take a bow. Next I went over to Collin and Seth, giving each of them a hug and making the audience give them a round of applause.
As I went off stage, Alice caught me by the arm.
"One more Bella, just one," she pleaded.
"Alice," I groaned.
"Please Bella? Just one, a slow song- it will be a good way to end the night and get people dancing. Please?"
"Fine," I sighed. Telling Collin to come back here, I grabbed us some stools, had Collin switch his guitar and told him what I was playing. A good thing with the boys always being around my music studio and working with me was that they knew every new song I made and played. It was perfect.
Sitting down on the stool with Collin, I waited for Alice and everyone else to leave the stage and then pulled up the microphone to start singing. Taking a deep breath, I had him begin.
("Ave Maria" by Beyonce)
A/N: Ave Maria means' Hail Mary', and my interpretation of the song was a girl was being saved by love from someone (or having someone in her life she loved-obviously) so hopefully that makes sense and you all can see why I picked it.
She was lost in so many different ways
Out in the darkness with no guide
I know the cost of a losing hand
Never thought the grace of God go high
The song became emotional for me as I started thinking about my mother. (A/N: look at the part being lost out of darkness- that would be when Bella first came to La Push after mom's death). I had written this song so long ago, but it was the first song that popped into my head. Glancing around, I spotted Phil who was watching me from afar.
I found heaven on earth
You were my last, my first
And then here this voice inside
Ave Maria
Taking a look to Sam now, I gave a gentle smile and held the mic to my mouth. He was my savior. He held me up whether he was with Emily at the time or with me.
I've been alone
When I'm surrounded by friends
How could the silence be so loud
But I still go home knowing that I've got you
There's us when the lights go down
Closing my eyes, I let the song take me over. Collin was doing amazing with the guitar and everyone was clapping their hands and snapping their fingers along. It seemed to calm me as I sang my soul to the crowd.
You are my heaven on earth
You are my hunger, my thirst
I always hear this voice inside
Singing Ave Maria
Letting my eyes flutter back open, I made sure to sweep over everyone I could. There was not a single person I didn't know now, and I was touched everyone made it here.
Sometimes love can come and pass you by
While your busy making plans
Suddenly hit you and then you realize
It's out of your hands, baby you got to understand
Seeing my Aunt Betty in the crowd with my 'uncle' Joe, I felt my soul heal as the wounds were reopened about my mother. I let the warmth take over, singing my last few verses of my song now thinking back to Sam and my life here.
You are my heaven on earth
You are my last, my first
And then I hear this voice inside
Ave Maria
Ave Maria
Ave Maria
When I was done singing, I slowly opened my eyes and found everyone slow dancing with partners- even Alice and Jasper were (along with the rest of the Cullen family). Sam of course was still standing there watching me, and with all the love in his eyes, I felt blow away. Getting back to the world in front of me, I smiled to the mob of people and found it was a cute sight to see. As Collin stopped, everyone separated to clap their hands.
Thanking Collin again, I moved the microphone away and finally walked off stage.
Sam met me half way, letting me wrap my arms around him.
"Beautiful baby," he muttered as he kissed my head.
"All for you," I breathed, closing my eyes as I took in his scent.
"Are you sniffing me?" he chuckled as he held onto me.
"Maybe," I said exhaling.
"I can't believe Seth did it," I said now thinking back to everything.
"Huh?" Sam asked confused.
"Seth," I smiled pulling back to look at his gorgeous face, "he imprinted."
"I know," Sam said brushing his thumb over my cheek.
"On our wedding day," I said thoughtfully.
"Makes it perfect doesn't it?" Sam asked almost reading my mind.
"That it does," I chuckled, leaning up on my tiptoes to kiss him.
A throat cleared which made Sam pull away and I was surprised to meet Cole and Leah standing in front of me.
"Thank you," Cole said before Leah could come and attack me. The girl wrapped me in her arms in a giant hug and I patted her back hoping she would lay off the death grip.
"Okay," I forced out as she held me with her werewolf strength. Sam gave her a look to pull back now so he didn't have to verbally say it which she did. Taking in a breath, I gave the couple a confused look.
"We know you talked to them Bella," Leah said.
Cole's parents, right.
"So they are cool now?" I wondered as Sam stood beside me and took my hand.
"Yea, they are a lot better," Cole said with an appreciative look. "I don't know what you said Bella, but really thank you. They want to be apart of my life and with Leah. They accept her fully and want all of us to move back around here," he said.
Raising an eyebrow I looked back to Leah and found her grinning.
"Yea, we were thinking of getting an apartment or something around here," Cole said glancing at Leah to me.
"That's great you guys," I smiled.
"But it's all because of you. Thank you-again," Cole chuckled out.
"You're family," I said with a shrug. Cole rolled his eyes at the phrase but Leah just grinned and gave me another hug.
"Family or not, I owe you," she breathed in my ear.
"Just be happy with him," I whispered.
"I will," she said pulling back.
"And for your brother," I smiled.
"That too. I cant believe it," she said with wide eyes.
"You're telling me. One look and it was like…" I shut up as Cole was still standing there a little confused.
"Seth met someone," Leah said leaving behind a few details. Cole nodded and looked impressed.
"Isn't everyone here like family?" he wondered after a few seconds. We all let out a laugh and somewhat nodded.
"My dad brought his close friend's daughter. They are from a different tribe," Sam explained.
"Oh," Cole said. "Well sweet, now you don't have to worry about your baby bro Lee," Cole said draping an arm over her shoulders.
"I guess not," she said with a faint blush and a huge smile.
"Bella," a voice called. Turning around, I found Aunt Betty and Joe.
"Aunt Betty," I smiled, pulling my arm from Sam's to hug her.
"You look beautiful. And those songs, Bella," she said dearly.
"Hey Joe," I smiled hugging him too. Sam said his hellos too as Leah and Cole excused themselves.
"Your mother would be so happy Bella," Aunt Betty said with a sad smile.
"Thanks," I said with a breath.
"I'm so sorry we could be here sooner either Bella. We both were caught up in things and.."
"It's okay," I said cutting off my aunt as nice as possible.
"There are so many people I consider family here it was fine."
"Dealing with everything too?" my aunt asked concerned.
"Yes," I smiled, leaning into Sam. "Everything was okay."
"Good," she breathed in relief.
"Betty," Charlie said now walking up to our group.
"Dad, this is Joe, Aunt Betty's plus one," I said giving him the proper introduction. The two men shook hands.
"You were great up there Bells," my dad said.
"Thanks dad."
Us adults all talked for a while. It was great to catch up with my aunt and morph everyone together. The connections I thought these people would never have with each other happened. It was kinda cool.
"Bella? Bella!" A voice called that sounded like my mother. Snapping my head around to see where the hell the sound was coming from, I saw a big white screen behind the tent being played. Swallowing hard, I looped my hand with Sam and went to investigate. Alice was biting her lip as she helped finish setting up the white fabric. The video was still playing and she glanced up at me moving away.
"There you are Bella," My mother's voice said relieved. I was in a tutu hiding in the closet.
"Come on, time to come out," she said with the little me.
The scenes switched.
"Smile Bella," my mom said holding the camera, as I was older. I was maybe 13? We were in the kitchen making breakfast- or well I was.
"Mom, it's too early," I groaned.
"Oh come on frumpy," she said.
"Morning camera," I said in an edgy tone.
"I'm rolling my eyes right now if the audience doesn't see," my mother said, now setting the camera down as I stood at the griddle flipping some pancakes.
Unknowingly to the me at that time, my mother was getting a cup of flour in her hands and aiming it at me.
"Bella," my mom called. Turning to her, I was met with a face full of flour.
She laughed and laughed while I just stood there in shock.
I turned my head away from the screen remembering that morning. The flour was everywhere. In my mouth, hair and stuck to my face. Luckily it didn't get it my eyes but I retaliated.
Swallowing the lump in my throat I looked back to the screen and saw us having a mini food fight with a bunch of baking ingredients. We were both covered in stuff and the pancakes were burning now setting off the fire alarm.
"Bella," Sam breathed feeling my pain. Shutting my eyes for a second, I leaned back against him and held the arm he wrapped around me tightly. He was my lifeboat right now- I needed his comfort bad.
The next few scenes were me of when I was older. I was now maybe 16? My mom and I were at the beach. I was laying on my stomach reading when the camera was turning on.
"Let's do something fun," my mom's voice said as the camera shuffled a bit.
"I'm doing homework," I groveled as my pencil moved across the paper.
"Bella, you are no fun!" my mother said.
"Mom, you dragged me out here for the whole day. What are we supposed to do?"
"We swim," she said cheerfully.
"Already did that," I said. "We came out because we looked like prunes remember?" I said with a slight smile.
"We man hunt," she said in a brilliant voice.
I let out a laugh, shutting my books. "You have Phil and we've done that too. Remember Frank?" I asked.
"Oh and Aaron," she said in a dreamy voice. "He was cute for you Bella," she said with her elbow coming into the camera's view as she nudged me.
"Eww mom, no," I said turning on my back.
"Bella, come on, lets do something," she said exasperated.
Pulling my body up on my arms, I seemed to be glancing at the water. A grin spread across my face.
"Lets go surfing," I declared.
"Yes!" My mother cheered, "That is what I'm thinking!"
The camera must have been turned off for a second because the next clip of us was with our wet suits on and we were both in the water. Neither of us could actually surf, which made the scenes funny, but it was a good memory.
"Look at them go," a voice said.
"For all of you viewers who don't know, I'm Kevin. I was paid $20 to hold the camera till they were done…which by the looks of things will be pretty soon," he laughed, showing the viewers how we epically failed at surfing.
Renee and I came out of the water, dropping our board, laughing and falling into the wet sand as we gave up- just like that guy Kevin said.
Lastly there were scenes of Renee opening her locket form Phil and I. She marveled at the jewelry and then teared up, insisting we put it on her. My eyes watered up and I shut them, praying for the tears to go away.
Aunt Betty put a hand on my shoulder and I glanced to her. She gave me a small smile and patted me gently. Letting out a breath, I watched the final scenes.
"Here is my baby going off to college," Renee sniffed. Passing the camera to Phil, she ran over and attacked me with a hug. I let out a jolly laugh and hugged her back, saying I would be fine and visit as much as I could.
Phil zoomed in as Renee pulled back to look at me. She cupped my face and smooched my cheeks together.
"I love you Bella," she spoke in an actual motherly tone.
And the screen faded, ending the movie whoever decided to upset me and play it. Shuttering, I composed myself as the crowd set eyes on me. It was Phil. He had stopped it and stepped out.
Hesitantly, someone began to clap and everyone else followed.
Sam just kissed my head comforting me as I sucked in the tears. Charlie glanced at me and patted my shoulder too. "I'll go talk to him," my father said walking off to the other man.
"You alright sweetie?" Aunt Betty asked.
"Fine," I said turning back in Sam's arms and holding him close.
"Alright, we'll give you some time," Joe said pulling my aunt away.
"I'm going to kill him," Sam growled referring to Phil.
"No, its okay," I croaked, hiding my tears in Sam's chest. "I just-…emotional," I said letting out a breath.
"I love you," he said holding my face in his large warm palm.
"I love you too," I whispered before he kissed me.
"Pixie," Paul muttered, growling lowly at her as the Pack and the Cullen's came together. Sam and I saw it starting to form and as Alpha he needed to control his Pack. He didn't want to leave me though and honestly, I didn't want to leave him, so we walked up to our families together.
"Guys, what's going on?" I asked as Jasper stood in front of Alice with a hard look on his face.
"That was wrong of her to do Bella," Embry said.
"It was low," Jake added.
"Its fine," I sighed.
"No its not," Leah barked, glaring at the Cullen's again.
"Cool it guys," Sam ordered.
"I was just helping," Alice said in a small voice. "He already had it prepared- he just needed me to help him find a place to set up the screen. Bella if I would have known earlier…" she trailed off.
"Its okay," I said.
"Screw that shit Bella," Quil said.
I rolled my eyes and Sam gave them all a look to cool down or else.
"Guys, Renee was a big part of my life, I think Phil I just trying to show me in his own way my mother will always be a part of me and that she loved me. He doesn't mean anything by it. And like Alice said, she didn't know and was roped into it," I explained calmly to the Pack.
"You should be angry," Seth commented.
"I'm not," I said. "I'm upset, but I'm not mad at the Cullens, or Alice, or even Phil. Now please, let it go and lets enjoy the rest of this wedding yes?" I asked.
"Bella, it isn't really right…" Collin said speaking up.
"No, it isn't. It was an interesting thing to do- to show that to everyone- but Phil meant no harm and either does Alice."
"I guess," he sighed.
"Don't worry, Chief Swan is taking care of him," Jared said glancing at the two men. They didn't seem to be happy with each other. Sighing, I leaned back into Sam again. So much for no drama today.
"I think you need to step away from this one Bella," Jake said as I thought to go stop them.
I cocked my head to the side.
"It's a guy thing to work it out. Soon they will be throwing punches," Jared commented.
I groaned and Esme put a hand on my shoulder.
"Emmett, please go talk to them and separate it?" Rosalie asked her husband. He nodded and gave me a wave.
"No fighting today guys. I don't blame Alice or anything yes?" I asked my Pack.
They all were hesitant.
"We mean that as an order," Sam's voice rang out with that Alpha timber in it. They all bowed their heads feeling their wolf bow to the command.
"Thank you," I chirped, shifting in Sam's arms to kiss his luscious lips.
"All clear Bella Bean!" Emmett said walking back over to us. Phil was now off by the entrance of the beach and Charlie was by the water, way opposite ends of each other.
"How'd you do it?" I wondered.
"Picked 'em up and carried them."
"What?" Both families shouted.
"I'm kidding," he said rolling his eyes. We all let out a sigh of relief. That would sure raise some questions why a man like Emmett could or would pick up Charlie and Phil. Emmett may be strong and muscular looking but still, it wouldn't be good.
"I told them you didn't like it that they were fighting and they needed to separate. I wasn't leaving until they did. And finally after being a blockade to their death glares, they went their separate ways."
"Nice," I said with a nod.
"Bella," A voice called. Turning, I saw it was Phil. Sam tensed along with the rest of the crowd.
"I'll go," Emmett said again.
"No, I got it," I said stopping him. Hesitantly moving out of Sam's arms, I gave them all a smile and me Phil at the entrance of the beach.
"I see I caused some problems," he said.
"No its just…it's been hard emotionally dealing with Renee- her being gone and all," I said.
"I see," he said sadly.
"Phil, its okay," I said touching his arm.
"It was sweet, they were nice memories; some of which I forgot."
"This is for you," he said pulling an envelope out of his jacket pocket. The writing on the front was Renee's handwriting and it said my name?
"I found it when I went through her things to find the home movies and stuff," he said. Watching him swallow hard, he pushed the letter in my hands. "I don't know what it says or when she wrote it. I just found it. But it was meant for you."
Holding the note, I let my hands shake and my body quiver.
"Open it when you're ready," he said. With a kiss to the top of my head, he breathed a 'see you around Bella-roo' and left my wedding.
A part of me wished he left on a better note, but the other part of me thought this is how Phil and I were. If I was to start expecting him to be a constant in my life, I knew I would be setting myself up to fail. He would always be there for the big things in my life, but it was hard for him emotionally and physically to cope with me around. I was a reminder of Renee and all the times we had with her together. It was understandable but a chunk of me was still hurting he couldn't stick around longer.
Letting out a breath, I ran a hand through my hair and turned back to the party. Instead of going over to Sam, I detoured to my dad. Phil understood that too, I still had Charlie and was more of my father figure now. With the time I spent with Charlie here in La Push, was the time we became close.
"Hey daddy," I said standing next to him as he looked out to the water.
"I know you're upset with my actions," he said.
"But," he said before I could cut in, "Bella, you are my daughter. And I wont stand for that- him dangling your mother's death in front of you. It upsets you and he sees that, but he doesn't stop it. I don't regret yelling at him, but I will apologize for starting a scene at your wedding."
"Daddy," I breathed coming to hug him, "I'm not mad at you or want an apology. Thank you for sticking up for me. And even though Sam and I had Emmett come over to you two doesn't mean you did something wrong. You were right and don't have to explain yourself. I just really didn't want anymore attention or drama today."
"Okay baby girl," he said hugging me tightly.
"Thank you again dad," I breathed.
He nodded and rested his chin on the top of my head.