Author's Note: I would recommend that you don't get too comfortable with Edward and Bella's happiness. You know how much I love to tear down happiness in my style. ;) Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.
Chapter 12
"I'll wait for you in the car," Edward said as we waddled back inside after an afternoon stroll with him hugging me from behind. "Don't take too long." He leaned over and kissed my right cheek. He let me go and I stared as he walked away fluidly to his car.
Smiling happily, I ascended the staircase to get my things. Edward was taking me on a date. We were going to go out as much as we could before the wedding. Today, we were going to a movie.
I paused outside of Jasper's door, which was slightly open. I peeked inside. I saw Jasper on his bed, looking through an old album. Slightly surprised by his actions, I knocked gently.
Jasper looked up as I pushed the door open. He smiled slightly. "What's up, Bella?"
"What are you doing?" I asked curiously, joining him on the bed. I sat on the edge.
"Looking through the album," Jasper said, looking back down. He gazed at the pictures of our younger selves wistfully. "Where did these times go, Bella?"
I stared at him. "Jasper…"
"I guess I'm a bit sad because you're getting married," Jasper said, turning the page. "I'm feeling a little strange. I've cared for you my entire life…and now, it's time to hand you over to someone else. You're going to be cared by another person who loves you just as much as I do." He looked up at me. He really did look sad.
"Oh, Jazzy…" I whispered. "Was that it?"
Jasper chuckled. "Isn't it enough? I'm giving away my baby sister to someone else. I feel really sad." He paused. "It's not possible for me to oppose this marriage, is it? I don't think I'm ready to let you grow up yet."
I laughed. "You're so silly. I'm not going anywhere."
"Yes, you are," Jasper sighed. "You're going to another man. You're leaving your poor old brother home alone."
I laid my hand on top of his. "No matter what happens, I'll always be your baby sister."
Jasper smiled wistfully. "Promise?"
I nodded. "No matter what happens."
He nodded slowly, looking back down at the album. "I believe you."
"Anything else?" I asked softly.
"Not really," Jasper said, frowning as he gazed down on the younger version of Edward. "I guess I should give my future brother-in-law a warning."
"A warning?" I repeated.
"If he makes you cry in any way, I'll beat him up."
"Jasper!" I said disapprovingly. "Are you really going to do that?"
"Of course I am," Jasper said. "He's my friend, but my sister comes first before him."
I shook my head incredulously. "Whatever you want."
Jasper laughed. "Go, Bella. He must be waiting. Have fun."
I smiled. "See you later."
And as I walked back outside and closed the door behind me, I saw him wearing a slight pout as he gazed down at Edward's picture.
"Did you have fun tonight?" Edward asked as we walked back to the mansion with our hands intertwined.
I nodded. "That was a good movie."
He smiled. "I'm glad. What should we do tomorrow? Anything you want."
I thought. "Let's go to an amusement park. I want to ride something scary."
"Why?" Edward asked, looking surprised. "You never did before."
"I want to test to see if I'm dreaming or not. It seems too good to be true that you're going to be with me forever."
He chuckled. "Silly. You're not dreaming."
I smiled. "We'll see."
We entered the house. There was a conversation going on in the living room.
"We're home," I said.
Carlisle, Charlie, Esme and Renee looked up. Alice and Emmett were there too.
"Hey, kids," Charlie greeted us. "Had a nice time?"
I nodded eagerly. "The movie was really good. The male actor's super hot."
Edward nudged me, his eyes narrowed. I laughed. "What? It's true. You would've loved him, Alice."
Alice smiled. "You're making the groom jealous, Bella."
I shrugged lightly. "He really was good looking."
Edward sighed, shaking his head. "I'm glad I proposed. Or you would be seeing someone else as soon as you go back to school. All the men at the restaurant were staring at you tonight."
"Don't be silly."
"It's true."
Esme smiled. "I take it you already had dinner?"
We nodded.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Planning the wedding, of course," Renee answered. "We rented the wedding hall today. The cake, we already ordered of course… Oh, and we're going over the designs for the wedding invitations. Come here, Bella. Which one do you like?"
"Edward? Can I talk to you for a moment?"
We turned to see Jasper leaning casually on the wall behind us. His face was expressionless, but I knew exactly what he was planning to do. He'd really meant it when he said he was going to give Edward a warning.
"Sure, Jasper," Edward said, looking confused. He looked back at me. "I'll be right back." He kissed me lightly before walking back up the stairs with Jasper.
I joined the wedding planners and looked over the chosen wedding invitations. They were all too fancy for my liking, but Renee made me choose one.
"Hm," Esme mused, as they looked over the light pink design with beautiful flowers embroidered around the border. "I like this one too. What do you think, Renee?"
"It's perfect," Renee agreed. "Alice?"
"It's beautiful," Alice said, nodding in approval. "But let's add a little more to it. Look at these options we can add into the design." She pointed to another catalog.
I rolled my eyes. "Simple is best, Alice."
"Ooh, I like this font," Renee gushed, pointing to a fancy script. None of them were listening to me.
Emmett looked at me sympathetically. "Just a few more days, Bella."
I sighed. "I don't know why you guys even ask me to choose. You don't listen to my opinion."
Carlisle and Charlie were talking about the possibilities once Edward and I got married. The women were still gushing over the font styles for the writing. The TV was on, but no one was watching it.
Emmett glanced at it, looking thoughtful as he stared at the silently moving figures on the screen. "Wow. You're getting married. You'll really be my sister now. I mean, really."
"I guess so."
Emmett brightened. "Let's play a video game, Bella. You should be allowed to have some fun before you can get married and be responsible all the time. How about it?"
I grinned. "You're on."
An hour later, Edward and Jasper came back downstairs to find everyone busy in the living room. Carlisle and Charlie were in a deep conversation, the women were now discussing about how the invitations should be worded, and Emmett and I were playing a fighting video game.
"Hyah! Ha!" Emmett made sounds as he advanced onto my character, ready to knock me down. "Take that! Hyah! Ha! Yah!"
Edward and Jasper stared in amazement as I gritted my teeth and concentrated on my character. I picked out certain moves in my head and transferred it to the controller. Pressing the right buttons quickly, I managed to knock Emmett's character down before he knocked mine down.
"No!" Emmett groaned. "Not again. You're too good, Bella!"
I grinned. "Time for another flick in the head, bro."
"I thought you were supposed to be all grown up now," Jasper said. "Getting married and everything."
I shrugged. "Emmett convinced me to be a little childish before I have to be responsible all the time."
Edward laughed. "That makes sense."
"Another game," Emmett insisted, scowling.
I shrugged. "Your choice, but you'll lose again. You can never beat me, Em."
"Again!"
Sighing at his childish behavior, I turned back to the TV. I picked out my new character as did Emmett.
Ten minutes later, Emmett and I were still playing the same round, neither of us relenting. Finally, Alice helped me win the game.
"I've got it!" she shouted suddenly, making Emmett jump so violently that he lost his focus.
Taking advantage of this, I kicked Emmett's player in the head and punched him in the stomach. I judo flipped him over my shoulder, and two letters flashed across the screen: KO.
"NO!" Emmett yelled. He glared at Alice. "You made me lose."
"That's not important," Alice said impatiently. "I've got the perfect wordings for the invitations."
Emmett groaned in frustration. "I'll be glad when the wedding is over. How about another match after your honeymoon or something?"
"Okay."
Emmett set down his controller and glanced back at his brother and Jasper. "Had a nice chat?"
"Very," Jasper said. Edward smiled at me, making me wonder what they'd really talked about. It certainly wouldn't have been pleasant.
"Bella, come here!" Renee urged. "Tell us what you think about the wording."
I groaned as I crawled over. I had to agree with Emmett on one thing. I would be more than pleased once the wedding was over.
Extremely glad.
AN: So there was that little brother-sister moment between Bella and Jasper. Did you like it? Remember, reviews are appreciated!
Oh, and many of you have expressed enthusiasm about me writing another vampire story, as Golden Lifestyle is coming to an end. You all convinced me to write it, and in fact, I've already started writing it! It's going to be called Loyalty, and I think it's going to be really good. I'll let you know when I post the first chapter so you guys can all go read it! Thanks, guys!
