Chapter Fifty Six

Peter

When Char and I went back in the atmosphere had changed somewhat. Charlie was still apprehensive but he was no longer so angry. He looked at us and walked over hand outstretched,

"I need to apologise for giving you a hard time Peter. It wasn't really you I was mad at and I shouldn't have taken it out on you. I guess we're going to be family of a sort so I wondered if you'd accept my apologies".

I took his hand and shook it,

"OK Charlie. I'm used to being the whipping boy around here. I guess from what you just said that Bella and the Major are a done deal. I know you're worried but as I said, you couldn't find better people to keep her safe whatever the danger"

He nodded then went to the kitchen as Bella called to say food was on the table. Char went through to grill Bella while I put an arm round the Major and walked him outside,

"So you got round the old man in the end. You and Bella are a definite?"

He looked back at the house

"Sure looks like it. Peter I don't know how to live without her so I asked her to marry me"

"And she accepted! I need to have words with the girl. She should have held out for the whole 9 yards, flowers chocolates, an engagement ring, sex"

He whacked me on the side of the head.

"Don't upset Charlie again. He's wound up enough as it is. Just keep your mouth shut until he leaves".

I gave him an evil grin

"OK but its gonna cost you".

"What?"

"Give me time. I'll think of something".

I slapped him on the back and went back inside, hands in pockets, whistling the wedding march. Boy was he going to suffer!

Bella

Charlotte came in with a big grin on her face,

"So Bella?"

I shook my head and jerked it towards Charlie who had just finished washing his hands. I'd cooked Chilli for him as his favourite and was just waiting to get the rolls out of the oven. She nodded understanding and sat down with us at the table. Charlie was a bit self-conscious, he didn't know Char but she soon put him at ease and slowly brought the conversation round to me

"So Charlie, what are you going to do about Bella?"

He shook his head

"I have no idea. Should I tell your mother?"

"No" I Said quickly "Look Dad, when I marry Jasper I will be changing and I'd only be saying goodbye to Renee again. She thinks I'm dead. Let her keep thinking that. I can stay in contact with you because you know and we need to keep an eye on you. Don't tell anyone else please".

He thought as he chewed then nodded,

"I guess there's no point is there? Anyway, when do you and Jasper plan on getting married? I take it I'm invited?"

I hadn't even thought that far ahead,

"We haven't made the plans yet but sure, you'll come wont you?"

"Yeah, if I'm losing my daughter again at least this time I can see her go".

"Thanks Dad. You aren't losing me though, I'll still be here"

"Yeah as one of the undead" he grunted.

Char laughed

"Well look at it this way Charlie. No more birthday presents".

"So there is a sunny side to all this" he said with a smile.

Charlotte was working wonders on my Dad.

The next day he was flying back, he'd used all his holiday while I was missing so he had no choice, but he promised to come out again soon and not to tell anyone I was alive. I think he was glad he could talk to Alice and Jake about it although they were still in the dog house for arranging it all in the first place. I think he was going to be happier talking to Carlisle really and the offer of visiting the Cullen house in Forks was still open, although my being so close to all my friends was probably going to mean we never took it up.

Jasper and I took him back to the airport and waited with him until his flight was called. He gave me a kiss and a hug and even managed a handshake with Jasper again before disappearing through the terminal. It was sad to see him go but I had plenty to look forward too now and as soon as we were on the road I scooted over next to Jazz and put my hand on his thigh,

"So, you ready to talk wedding plans? I asked with a grin.

He nodded, "Whatever you want wherever you want" he smiled and my heart stuttered.

"Nothing big, nothing flashy and no guests" I said

He looked at me with surprise

"You don't want a fancy wedding? That's good to hear. I hate crowds".

"I thought we could just have a small simple ceremony with just Peter and Charlotte and Charlie of course and then...well I haven't thought any further than that".

He nodded, "Sounds good to me" and he kissed the top of my head.

"So when?" He continued.

"How long does it take to get a licence?"

He shrugged, "I'll get Peter on it. He's good at speeding things along"

"Oh so you want to speed things along?"

He pulled over on to the side of the road and put his arms around me,

"I'd marry you tomorrow Bella".

I melted into him, "Me too".

That was the end of the peaceful times however, because there was a strange car waiting when we got back and Alice and Jake sat on the porch with a fuming Charlotte while there was no sight of Peter. We got out of the truck slowly and walked hand in hand up the steps.

"Alice, What are you doing here? Bella didn't want any visitors. I told you that"

"Listen, if you think I'm going to be left out of the wedding after getting you two together dream on".

I groaned

"Alice I'm not having a wedding. Just the two of us"

"Rubbish, Charlie deserves to see you properly married off under the circumstances and you need witnesses"

"Peter and I were going to do that" added Charlotte angrily.

Alice looked at her then dismissed her,

"Bella needs her friends here for her wedding, after all its the only one she'll ever have".

Then she took my hand from Jaspers and dragged me out in to the trees, leaving Jake with Jasper and Charlotte.

Alice

"Bella you must have a proper wedding for Charlie. What about Renee, are you inviting her? And the Cullens, they'll want to come. Esme especially, she loves a wedding".

"Alice stop. I don't want a big wedding and I don't want a lot of fuss so please".

"Nonsense. Now where are you going to get your dress? There's a wonderful woman in London who makes the most fabulous one-off wedding dresses, something long and flowing I think with a long veil and flowers. I think we need..."

Bella

"ALICE" I shouted "Stop. No I don't want all the frills I just want something simple".

"You leave it to me Bella. It will be a dress rehearsal for when Jake and I get married".

"Have you set a date yet?" I asked her intrigued.

"Not yet...Hey we could make it a double wedding, that would be fun".

I zoned out at this point, wondering what I'd done to deserve all this. I felt tired and dizzy and I sat on a dead tree to rest. As I took some deep breaths Alice looked at me,

"Are you OK Bella? I asked you if you wanted three or four tiers to the cake?"

I put my head between my knees to stop the trees spinning a dizzying green blur.

"I think I need to lay down Alice. Can we go back"

I heard a deep sigh

"OK but we have to make plans, there's a lot to get done if were all going to get married together in a few weeks".