The weeks past so fast that I almost got whiplash from it all. One moment I was on the beach with Sam and now I'm in my bedroom, standing in front of the mirror and getting ready for Leah's wedding. It was the big day, and for the last few weeks we have been getting all the planning together.
The decorations for the church and the house afterward. The food offered. The sleeping arrangements. The cake, which had been my job, of course, but at least that had gone really well. Everything just went really quickly.
Right now, its 9:30 in the morning and Sam's in the shower, only having got up fifteen minutes ago. Nathaniel, Sophia, Ava, Evelyn and Wyatt are in their rooms getting ready, having been staying with us for the last two days.
I couldn't believe that it was November already. I had been here for ten months already and we only had two and a bit months before Leah's baby will be born, in late January, early February.
I haven't dressed yet, I was trying to do my hair. Looking at myself in the mirror as I twirled my curls into an organised messy updo, letting some strands hang loose. I slide a Mexican rose flower clip into my hair, letting it nestle just behind my ear. It was large and bright red, which could stand out against my cream dress. The dress wasn't what I would have chosen at first, because of the colour, but Leah told me that it was alright to wear it, since her dress was proper white and she didn't mind what colour the rest of us wear.
My make up was soft on my eyes and the same red on my lips as the flower in my hair. I slide into the pleated, chiffon sleeve dress which stopped mid-thigh. It was really floaty and soft against my skin. I gasped in surprise as the bathroom door opened and Sam padded out, the towel that should have been around his waist was being thoroughly rubbed against his hair.
I wolf whistled, "Sexy." I drawled, giggled as he winked at me, before he came to a halt and stared. I frowned, looking down at myself. "What?"
His mouth opened and closed again, "Wow, baby…you look amazing." he said, looking me up and down. "Fuck, I cant wait until our day, seeing you in a wedding dress. You are going to be magnificent."
I rolled my eyes, secretly pleased at the complement. "Okay, okay, lets just get through today first." I grinned. "But thank you." I walked over to the bed, where his suit was laid out.
Our trip to Seattle had be great. We spent three nights there in a lovely hotel and spent the days shopping for his suit. In the end we, or rather I, chose a black Armani suit with a white shirt and black tie. When he had tried it on I thought I was going to have a heart attack. He looked amazing in it, with the material hugging his muscles in the most delicious way.
"Hurry and get dried." I murmured, running my hand over the shirt to ease out a wrinkle.
"Yes ma'am." He saluted before running the towel all over himself.
I could hear the others getting ready, giggling from the girls, who were in the same room. Cussing from the boys, who obviously couldn't get their ties right. Nathaniel was the worst of course, whispering every swear word under the sun and some that even I didn't know.
"I'm going to check and see whether the boys need any help." I said as Sam chucked the towel onto the bed like a typical man. He glared at me.
"I think they can handle getting dressed." he said in a low voice.
I raised an eyebrow, "Does that sound like they can handle it." I motioned with my hand towards the door and watched as he listened for a minute before huffing out a breath.
"Fine, but don't be long."
I rolled my eyes, snapping my teeth at him as I passed, ignoring the lustful glance I got in return. I shut the door behind me and wandered towards the spare room that Nate had been staying in. The boys decided to have a room each, while the girls shared.
I rapped my knuckled against the closed door. On the other side the swearing stopped and there was some shuffling. "Come in." his voice called.
Shaking my head to myself, I pushed the door open and smiled at my friend of over ten years. "Need some help?" I asked, looking pointedly towards his bow tie that was half working and half not, while looking a little limp at the same time.
He ran a hand through his emo-cut pitch black hair, the blue had been replaced with a slightly more natural colour for the wedding. Blinking his large, emerald eyes at me, he nodded. "Please…I never was one for bowties."
Chuckling, I closed the door and walked in. "Yeah, I gathered that one, sweetheart." I walked up to him as his face went from stressed to total relaxation. His gaze softening as he looked at me.
"You look amazing." he mumbled quietly.
I beamed at him, taking in his appearance. His lithe, slender body was clad in a black tux that I gathered he must have borrowed from his dad. He was wearing black loafers too and it must have been the first time I've seen Nate looking so smart.
"Thank you." I said as I undone the mess that he had created with the bowtie. "You look great too. Never thought I'd see you in something so posh."
He chuckled, "I never thought I'd wear something so posh…so soon as well. How the hell did this happen, Bells?" he asked.
I frowned, "How did what happen?"
"You and Sam. Leah and Rye. How is it that you can come here and be ten times happier then you were with us and then Rylan joins you in that too?"
I sighed, "I'm not sure, honey." I wasn't really sure what to say. "Its not that we are ten times happier here, its that we have different things here then at home. The kind of love that me and Sam have…that Leah and Rye have…is something that changes everything. Its so hard to explain but I cant imagine life without Sam. Before I came back, I was so happy in Phoenix. I love all of you. Its just now…I cant even think about changing what I've got." I finished tying his bowtie and smoothed it down.
He stayed, just looking at me, nibbling on his bottom lip. "I wish I could have what you've got. Bet I'm not the only one either."
"You'll have it one day." I replied, knowing that he wouldn't have what I've got. It just wasn't possible. But he could have true love and he deserved it.
He stoked his thumb over my cheek, "Sometimes I wish I could have it with you, you know." he murmured and my heart thumped in my chest. I heard Sam quiet growl coming from the bedroom. He was obviously listening into our conversation. I hung my head a little and he lifted it back up with his hand. "I know you don't feel that way, but I just wanted you to know. We didn't work together but I really wished we had." he kissed me on the cheek.
"I love you." I said softly, not knowing what else to say.
He smiled at me, nodding. "I love you too, Bells. Can you believe that there is going to be a little Rye running around soon." he added, "Didn't take him long did it."
Giggling, I shook my head. "No, it didn't. I cant wait though."
"Suppose you will be joining them soon in that department."
"What kids?" he nodded, "I dunno, a while yet I would assume."
He dropped the subject, thank god and turned to look at himself in the mirror, smoothing his large hands over his lapel. "I look good." he stated and I laughed, that was the Nate I knew and loved.
"Yes, you do." I said, "I'm gonna make sure Sam's ready, I'll see you downstairs in about a half hour."
"Sure thing."
I wandered back to my bedroom, pushing the door open and seeing exactly what I expected. Sam was sitting on the bed, staring at me with a face that was void of expression. He was dressed in his suit and looked ravishing but I could tell that he was pissed and I knew it was because of what Nate said.
"It doesn't mean anything, Sam." I said as I closed the door. "He's not deluded, he knows nothing will come of it."
Sam glared, "Then why did he have to mention it?"
I stepped up to him and lifted his chin with my hand, "Don't look at me like that, mister." I growled and his face softened, I cupped his cheek and he nuzzled my hand. "Its just Nate. He has a hard time seeing people around him moving on with their lives. Don't forget that we are doing this rather early in life, he figured he had at least ten years before he had to try and catch up."
"I just don't want him as competition. You two have history." the man pouted like a four year old and I struggled not to roll my eyes.
"Exactly, history…it's in the past and its going to stay that way. You are my now and my future and you know that. So stop being silly." I leant down to kiss him quickly, just a peck so that I didn't ruin my lipstick, and then stepped back. "You look gorgeous." I smiled.
Finally he flashed me one of those grins that make me weak in the knees. "Thank you, baby." he stood up and placed a warm hand on the back of my neck, his fingers stroking the skin there. "I love you." he says, looking straight into my eyes and keeping that smile on his face.
Sighing happily, I grinned. "Love you too. But we better go now."
We headed down the stairs, hand-in-hand and into the living room. The girls were already downstairs looking stunning, Sophia, our little beauty was wearing five inch platforms to add some height and she was wearing a pleated belt dress in gorgeous silver shot blue chiffon which she kept smoothing her hands over as though she was nervous about something.
Evelyn never strayed from her business look with her dark hair falling straight to her shoulders and she was wearing a purple pencil dress that stopped just above the knee, had ruffles on the sleeves and a slightly plunging neckline. The outfit was topped off with some patent black stilettos. "Hey there, darlin's." she grinned as we entered.
Ava wolf-whistled, "Wow, you two look amazing." she beamed, jumping up to hug us, true to Ava-style she was wearing a canary yellow strapless puffball cocktail dress. Always vibrant our Ava.
"You girls look beautiful." Sam smiled and of course, they all started gushing their thanks to his complement, making me giggle.
"I hope the boys hurry up." Sophia sniffed, "I cant wait to see our Rye get married." she clapped her hands excitedly. "Leah's so pretty, that little girl is going to be stunning, I just know it."
"I know, I cant wait to meet that baby, I'm going to spoil her rotten." I chuckled, squeezing Sam's hang tightly.
Evelyn smirked, "Keep an eye on those back accounts, Sam…Bells might ruin you."
I pulled a face at her as she laughed, "She can ruin me all she likes, it wont change the fact that I'll never be without her." Sam said, making me snigger at his cheesiness, obviously the girls loved it and all 'Aww'd'.
There sounded as though there was a stampede happening as the boys ran down the stairs and came charging in. Both looking lovely. Wyatt went over to Sophia and held his arm out. "Ma lady." he grinned.
Sophia chuckled and linked her arm with his, "Why thank you, good sir." she replied in a terrible English accent.
I raised an eyebrow, "Something to tell me?" I asked.
They both giggled, "Nah, we just each others dates for the wedding." Wyatt winked.
"But the rest of us don't have dates because then there would be one left." Ava smirked, giving me a look that said there might be more to the 'date' thing then what was being said. Even if the couple didn't want to admit it. Looking back, Wyatt and Sophia have always had a thing between them that seemed to work and who knows, maybe it'll work in their advantage.
"Are we ready to go?" Sam asked, his thumb sliding back and forth over the back of my hand.
Us girls grabbed the all important clutch bags before answering in an affirmative. "Are we all going to fit in the car?" Wyatt asked, raising his eyebrows.
"Yeah, ye of so little faith." I chuckled, "Of course, Sophia's going to have to sit on your lap but I doubt you'd mind much." I smirked and he blushed slightly.
"And Evelyn's gonna sit on mine!" Ava giggled, throwing her hands above her head and spinning around.
Evelyn nibbled on her bottom lip, pretending that she was deep in thought before shaking her head and laughing, "Other way around, sistah!" she said, "I'm bigger, I'll squish you."
Ava shrugged, "Fair 'nough."
The trip to the church was interesting. Sam drove my car because we all only wanted to take one. The five of them in the back were hilarious, there was so much pushing and shoving that it felt as though we were in the lunch line in Jr High again. My seat was being nudged my knees and hands and the entire car was victim to excessive amounts of cussing and squealing.
The La Push church was beautiful. It was small and antique-looking, all pointy lines that gave it that century old look. The pack and Rylan's parents were waiting outside the entrance which was a single dark wood door with those large carved black hinges and a knocker on it. On the wall to the right of the entrance there was a large stain glass window with bright blues and reds and greens.
On the front green there was a few grave stones, which had to be expected in a church like this but I think there would be a lot more around the back of it. Around the base of the church there were rose bushes and other coloured flowers to lighten up the place.
I got out of the car and was immediately accosted by the pack taking turns to pick me up and spin me around, especially Paul who even told me how great I was looking. He was pretty easy on the eyes too, dressed up smart for the first time since I've known him.
"You really do look fucking hot, you know that." He said. Okay, so I guess his version of a complement is different to everyone else's but I'm used to it and know he means well.
"Dude." Sam muttered in a low, threatening manner.
Paul stuck his hands up in mock defence. "Just paying the girl a complement." he rolled his eyes, "Come on, we're going in in a second."
"Bella!" I turned to find dad coming towards me with his arms outstretched. I hugged him as he kissed me on the cheek. "How you doing, gorgeous?" he asked.
"I'm good, just excited."
"Same here, Sue was out the door at six this morning so she could help Leah."
Both Leah and Rye decided against the bridesmaid and groomsman thing, because there were just too many people to choose from. But Claire was the ring barer in her cute little dress but other then that we were all just guests.
"I'm not surprised, I cant wait to see what she looks like though." I gushed, only Sue knows what the dress actually looks like since it was hers at her first wedding. Of course, there was a lot of alterations that were made to it because of Leah's massive bump but apparently its mainly the same. It was why Sue was the one helping her get ready and not all us girls. I knew that I would want bridesmaids at my wedding helping me get ready in the morning and to create havoc.
"Bells, Bells…" I turned to see Claire running towards me. She had a little jewelled cupcake bag with her which was swinging as she ran.
I scooped her up in my arms and rested her on my hip. "Hey girly."
"Gonna give them rings, Bells! Rings."
"Yes you are, sweetie, that's a good job."
Dad smoothed a hand over her cutely curled hair, "Don't you look lovely."
"Yup" she nodded.
A pair of warm lips pressed against my cheek and the familiar scent of my mate surrounded me. "We're going in now." Sam whispered as he pulled a funny face at Claire, making her giggle in a way that would make any woman with slightly maternal feelings go 'awwwww'.
"Right, lets go." I smiled and headed inside at the back of the group.
The inside of the church was quaint and with the sunlight shining through the stain glass there was a romantic and eloquent feel to it.
I was happy to see that the Cullen's were inside when we got in there, I guess they couldn't exactly walk in as it was pretty sunny but they were fine inside. Jake headed towards his mate and linked their hands, they didn't kiss, possibly because they were in a church and around people that didn't know them well.
All the Cullen's were looking stunning, of course and I could sense a little jealousy from the human females and Nate was checking them out but thankfully stopped after seeing Emmett glaring at him slightly.
Sam and I sat in the second pew on the left with Rylan's parents in front of us. There was no set places for the bride's family and the groom's because that would be a bit lopsided, so we just sat anywhere up the front. Jacob and Edward sat beside us as Claire made her way over to Quil who was sitting on the pew on our right. He beamed at her, picking her up and setting her in his lap. Dad leaning over from the pew in front of him and handing him the ring pillow, I could see the two gold bands tied to it, one fatter then the other. Once everyone was settled there was a quiet whispering around the place as people waited.
Rylan was up front, sitting beside dad, his hands rubbing his knees nervously. The scent of his anxiousness filled the room and I could see the beads of sweat on his forehead. His suit was the average tux and he had a little blue camellia pinned to his lapel. I knew that Leah's bouquet was of the same flowers mixed with some white ones too.
"Hey Rye." I called out and his head shot towards me. I winked at him. "You've done good, baby!" I sent him a smile that I hoped would make him feel a little better and I saw the light finally shine through the nerves and he grinned and nodded. I think he was really nodded to himself, telling himself how well he had done in life already to have a woman like our Leah.
I heard the sound of a car pulling up and I knew that everything was about to start and when the door opened slightly and Sue squeezed through the gap I started to get nervous for my best friend too. My step-mother trotted up towards the front and stopped in front of Rye, smiling tenderly at him she placed a hand on his shoulder and leant down to kiss him on the cheek. "Welcome to our family, son." she whispered in his ear, "Its time."
Rylan sucked in a deep breath and stood up, smoothing his suit jacket down and stepping up to stand in his place. Sue sat down next to dad who leaned in to kiss her quickly before raising a hand to start the music. The unusual choice of Frank Sinatra's 'Blue Moon' started up and I thought that it was pretty ironic that a song about the moon sending a person their love was playing at a werewolf's wedding. The doors of the church opened and the bride entered with her brother on her arm.
I watched Leah walk down the aisle in amazement. To say she looked beautiful would be an understatement, it was more like she looked majestic and magnificent. The dress was stunning, a strapless all white lace gown and form fitting before flowing out in a mermaid style at the bottom. Her seven month bump encased perfectly in the lace and the rich colour of her skin was enhanced by the pure hue of her dress. Her hair was curled, hanging to her shoulders and she had a small tiara with a veil attached which was already flowing down her back and stopping at her waist. Her dark eyes were glistening with unshed tears of happiness which made me bit my lip to stop tears from rising in my own eyes.
In that moment, I hoped that on my wedding day, I could look as beautiful as Leah does now. I loved the fact that Seth was walking her down the aisle, looking handsome all done up in his suit, his arm hooked with his sisters. I suppose there was a little part of me glad that it was him and not dad that was doing it. But that was the jealous part that would have hated the fact that dad would be walking someone other then me down the aisle for the first time.
I turned to look at Rylan, who was watching his soon-to-be wife floating towards him and I couldn't help but smile when I saw his face. The unadulterated awe was amazing, his eyes were slightly wide and his mouth slack, there was a pink flush to his cheeks which just served to make him look just that extra bit in love. I lifted my camera and snapped a close up picture of his face, looking down at screen and seeing the result of the picture was great, capturing a moment like this which would never happen in the same way again was a good idea and it meant I could give Leah something special for her at the baby shower. I knew she would love this picture of her imprint.
Sam intertwined our fingers as we watched Leah reach Rye and kiss Seth on the cheek before he sat down on the first pew on the right side where dad and Sue were sitting. Rylan was looking at Leah as though they were the only ones in the room and I loved that even though he didn't feel the say intensity as she did, with him being the imprintee, he still looked as though he loved her as much as I loved Sam.
It wasn't the first wedding I've been too, Phil's sister, Leanna got married a couple of years ago and I was a bridesmaid there. Leanna looked a lot like Miss Piggy from the Muppets and I'm not being nasty when I say that, she actually does, with her gigantic bleach blonde hair and bright blue eyes frames with lashings of makeup and her skin held that pinkish tinge as if she had been standing out in the chilly weather. Not to mention the massive pink dress she wore. But that wedding was nothing like this, there was true beauty to the ceremony and it was intimate with just a few friends and family, unlike Leanna who had invited friends of friends that she didn't even know.
When it came to the vows, I was surprised to see that they had decided to write some of their own. It was good to hear their messages of love that they had for each other and the church was silent as Leah spoke first, her bottom lip quivering as she did so.
"Rylan, we met when you moon-walked right into my life and immediately into my heart. It really was love at first sight with you and I've never been happier. You are the other half of my soul and with you I'm finally complete. To me, the biggest achievement in my life will be being your wife and the mother of your children and I promise to do the best I can to make our life together a long, loving and happy one." The tears were glistening in Leah's eyes and one was released and rolled down her cheek. Rylan lifted a hand to wipe it away with the back of his knuckles. His smile was so bright I felt so though I need to shield my eyes and his own eyes were shimmering with the telltale signs of tears.
He took a deep breath before opening his mouth to speak. "Leah Clearwater, meeting you was a complete and utter surprise but it's the best surprise that I've even gotten. Before I met you I didn't care to look into the future, but now I cant help it, because I'm looking at you. You are my future and most importantly my now and I promise that I'll do whatever I can to make sure you never live with regret and sadness. I will love you and our little girl forever, never doubt that." he was quieter at the end, as if he wanted that sentence to be a little more private but all this cuteness was making me well up and I used the back of my hand, the one strapped to Sam's, to wipe my cheek. Sam looked at me and smiled, leaning down to kiss the top of my head.
When Rylan and Leah were finally pronounced husband and wife I think all the women in the room were teary. I could see Sue and Kim sniffling and Rye's mum was outright blubbing. The only females not crying was the ones that couldn't, the vamps, but they still seemed touched by it.
Their kiss was so sweet, Leah wrapped her arms around his neck and rose up on her tiptoes to press their lips together, her bump was so large that there was quite a bit of space between them. I could hear the photographer clicking away as I took a few pictures myself.
Everyone left the church, throwing rice over Leah and Rylan as they exited through us and jumped into Sam's Challenger and drove to the beach. They were going to spend an hour or so there alone so they can spent time as newlyweds before parting tonight.
Everyone else headed over to the bungalow to get everything set up for later. When we got there, the guys heaved all the couch's into the garage to free up the already large living room. Me and the girls set up the dining table was loads of buffet kind of food and I mean loads, since us wolves eat like crazy. I placed the wedding cake on a separate table and surrounded it with flowers that matched those gum paste ones on the cake itself. Paul was setting up the sound system to blast some music and the adults were piling in the alcohol and juice for the younger ones. We made sure to put balloons and a 'Just Married' banner up on the wall and opened up the back doors, making up the table out back so people can sit and chat.
"Hey, Bells!" Brady grinned as he came up to me as I was placing some chips down on the table. He wrapped his arm around my waist and squeezed me.
I chuckled, "Hi, darlin'…how you doing?" I asked, he looked so cute in his little tux.
"I'm good, just look how hot my date is." he chuckled jerking his chin towards Collin who was helping Jared blow some balloons up, with his cheeks puffed out as he was trying, and failing, to blow up a blue balloon he looked sweet.
"Ah, how innocent." I teased.
Brady blinked at me, "Yeah, about as innocent as a nun doing press ups in a cucumber field." he drawled. I chocked on air before I burst out laughing.
Patting him on the head, I said "You are something else, Brady. Not so sure Collin would appreciate that though."
He shrugged, "He loves me so he'll get over it."
"I like the way you think."
"When's Leah and Rye coming back?" he asked.
I checked my watch, "A few minutes and we can get everything started. I think that they are going to do their first dance and then the party's going to start."
"Awesome." he grinned, stealing a chip and ignoring me slapping his hand before he wandered off.
I could help but wonder whether Leah had dreamed of a wedding like this as a young girl or a wedding like I dreamed of, big and extravagant with lots of guests, a sit down meal and a honeymoon. I didn't know whether she was having a small wedding because she wanted to be married before the baby came or because that's what she wanted.
We had to wait another fifteen minutes before the newlyweds returned, laughing and smiling at each other. As they walked into the living room we all cheered and clapped. Leah looked around and the tears started again as she saw all her family waiting for her and then she started balling when she looked at her cake and I winced, hoping that she wasn't crying because she thought it was hideous.
"Oh, its wonderful." She gushed, pressing her hand to her chest.
I let out a long breath. "Thank god."
"Awww…" she cooed, turning to pull me into a hug, her hair tickling my ears. "Thank you so, so much, its perfect."
"Your welcome, sis." I beamed, pulling her closer. "You look beautiful." I whispered in her ear.
"I feel beautiful." she answered in the same quiet voice as though she was surprised by that fact. I rubbed my hand against her back and pulled away a little.
"So, how about that first dance?" I asked.
Her smiled was blinding and she walked over to Rye, who was chatting with Nate and Wyatt and getting clapped on the back a lot. She grabbed his hand and pulled him into the middle of the living room.
Dad walked around, passing out champagne before raising his glass. "To Leah and Rylan." he said, "We wish you the best of luck."
"To Leah and Rylan!" everyone repeated, raising their glasses before drinking some.
Paul blasted out Eric Carmen's 'Born to love you' and Rylan and Leah were emerged in their own world as they swayed together, whispering the words against each other lips and kissing every now and then. Half way through they beckoned us all in to dance too, so when Sam came over and held his hand out for me I took it with a smile.
"So, that's one member of my pack married off." Sam murmured against my mouth as we danced.
"Yep, I wonder who's going to be next."
"Us hopefully."
"Might be Jared and Kim."
Sam rolled his eyes, "Oh hush, we'll be next if I have anything to say about it."
Chuckling, I slid my hand down his back to squeeze his ass, "Sure thing, sweet cheeks."
He winked at me before kissing me softly. "The new year is going to be here so quickly, baby. I cant wait for it."
I smiled as the soon changed to Aerosmith's 'don't wanna miss a thing'. "It sure is, what do you say we make next year our year? We can go travelling and then plan for the future, get our lives set up properly."
"That sounds great." he nodded, "Definitely our year."
I grinned and couldn't keep it off for the rest of the night.
Of course, the next few hours were spent partying the hell out of the place. Paul's tunes were awesome and the speakers were vibrating hard with the volume of the music. There was so much eating and drinking and laughing that it was one of the best nights I have had here in La Push. Wyatt and Sophia were caught necking out back and every one spent the rest of the night taking the piss out of them. And of course, there was little obeying of the law and we all were downing alcohol, so much so, Paul actually danced to Beyonce's Single Ladies. Both Sam and I got completely sloshed and ended up having to stumble home with Nate and the others following us, doing their own impressions of drunkards. And I could tell that I may regret waking up in the morning, but at least I wouldn't be alone in my pain. Life was good.
A/N - Okay so this is a sort of filler chapter, with it being small but a proper part of the story. The next chapter is already half done and has a major step in it. I'm predicting 8-10 chapters left to do before this baby is complete and its my soul focus now so i'm hoping to do them quickly.
Hope you liked...You know the drill, REVIEW! ;) xxx
P.S sorry for any mistakes...didnt get time to check :S