Chapter 15 – Edward's Questions
EPOV
A secretive played at the corners of my wife's mouth.
Wife.
Bella was my wife.
How in the world did it get planned? I was about to ask when Bella asked, "Don't you remember when we first met?" Bella asked.
Remember? What was I to remember? We met in the woods, and she was hurt. Period.
Remember. The words were whispered to me again. I looked over at Bella as we stopped in the hall. She was so beautiful, dressed with such care in white and blue with the barest hint of silver and gold.
Bella left me standing there and started to ascend the stairs. When had we reached the stairs? One minute we were standing in the hall and now we were at the foot of the staircase. She was beckoning me to follow.
With the first step I took, a long-forgotten memory washed over me.
"Bella, I promise to one day marry you."
"Are you a dream?"
"No, I'm not."
"You have to be a dream. This doesn't feel real."
"Tell me this doesn't feel real."
I watched the replay as I, but yet it couldn't be me, captured Bella's lips in a tender kiss.
"I will marry you, Bella. This is one promise I will remember."
I once again watched as I kissed her.
"When we next met, I vow to win your heart."
I raced up the stairs, happiness surpassing anything I had ever felt.
"Isabella," I said once I was up the stairs. Her head appeared out of a doorway to the right of me. A smile brightening her face and she beckoned me into the room.
"We don't have much time to talk, Edward. I know you have questions," she said, taking my face within her hands before kissing me.
I could easily get lost in her kiss, but I extracted myself and thought for a moment. What were my most important questions? "What danger is coming and when?"
A frown marred her beautiful features, and I instantly regretted asking. "It is hard to say when the danger will come but it will result in death."
"What danger? Whose death? Yours?" I was panicking. I had just gotten her back and I might lose her again.
"Not my death, you don't need to worry about that," she answered, caressing my face. "You won't lose me ever again. As for the danger, I wish I could say. I tried to find out what is to come but I failed in that aspect of my journey. I don't think I am meant to know."
"Where..?" I couldn't ask the question. Bella seemed to know exactly what I was trying to ask.
"I traveled through time for the past three months, learning. I learned so much and gained so much insight. I crossed paths with you and Carlisle a time or two. It will all come to light and soon, though not this day. This is a day of celebration as are the next two or three weeks."
"I remember some of the meetings," I confessed confused. "I remember the pull I felt towards you. Each time Maribella would stop me and tell me our time was not yet."
"Maribella wouldn't let you remember. Though, the same was not true for Carlisle. He was my guide, my connection back to you. If it wasn't for Carlisle and you, I would have become trapped in time just as Maribella was."
"Why could Alice see nothing?" I asked. It was a puzzle I still didn't understand.
"She wasn't meant to. If she had she would have told you what was coming. I was blocking her from seeing anything concerning you and me, especially me. I know you were worried about me." She looked out the window, off into the distance.
"What is it, Bella?" Concern laced my voice as I moved behind her and wrapped my arms around her.
"This is not how I imagined this day would be," she answered, turning in my arms and at the same time wrapping her arms around me. "I wish we could have planned this day together."
"Bella, look at me," I said, taking a step back. "This day couldn't have been more perfect." She didn't look convinced so I added, "We are together that's all that matters."
She tried to hide a smile but she couldn't hide it for long. "You're right, us being together is enough." She sighed stepping away from me. "I just wish Grandfather was permitted to stay for the rest of today's celebration."
"How will the clan react?"
"I'm not sure. Today is really not the appropriate day to let the clan know of his death, but it must be done. Our new beginning will also be celebrated. The clan will know and understand Grandfather would want joy to spread today and not sadness. Mourning his loss will take place tomorrow and Monday. Grandfather will be laid to rest Tuesday. Then Wednesday both you and I will be made the McCullough. The earliest we will be able to leave is Thursday morning, but I would like to stay longer."
"Are you okay with the arrangements?"
She shrugged. "I have to be, don't I? I really don't like it but I have spoken at length with Grandfather and he laid out instructions we are to follow." She lifted a finger. "Celebrate, mourn, and become the McCullough."
A knock came at the door before it opened and in came Charlie and Carlisle, closing the door behind them.
Charlie looked uncomfortable and his thoughts a jumble of concern for Bella and uncertainty of what to do.
Carlisle was the first of the two to speak. "Bella, are you okay?"
Bella swiped her hands down her dress. "Not really, but Grandfather is at peace. He would want us to carry on as if he was still with us."
"Are we to tell the clan?" Charlie asked.
"Absolutely and right away," Bella answered with authority. "The wedding feast will still take place as planned."
"Wedding feast? Isabella, your grandfather just died and–" Charlie started before being cut off.
"I know, Dad. Don't you think I know that but Grandfather gave me explicit instructions years ago, in a way," she said with a wave of her hand. "'Carry on and celebrate,' he told me, 'the next three days will be for mourning.' I don't like it but he wants us to celebrate life today and mourn later."
Charlie rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't like it one bit but we will carry on. Would you like me to deliver the news of his death?"
"No, he would want me to tell the clan. Have they gathered for the feast?"
"Yes, all is in the Great Hall awaiting your arrival."
Bella turned to me with a smile. "Let the celebrating begin," she exalted before throwing her arms around me and placing a sweet kiss on my lips.
Laughter filled the small room at our display of affection as a camera flashed. I scooped Bella up in my arms breaking the kiss and nodded for Charlie and Carlisle to lead the way.
BPOV
After the sisters took tons of pictures, Edward carried me into the Great Hall and applause broke out as soon as we entered.
The gravity of what had happened not even an hour ago weighed heavily upon my shoulders. We had stopped in front of the dais and Edward placed me upon my feet before giving me a brief kiss.
When we separated, I looked up at him, reading the question in his eyes. I gave him a small nod. I had to make the announcement. He turned and stood behind me placing a hand on my shoulder.
"Thank you all for coming," I started once the applause and hoots had subsided. "Edward and I are honored to have you join us this day in celebration of our marriage." I paused to take a slow and deep breath. "Before the meal is served I have sad news to share." My resolve was giving away just as Edward gave my shoulder a slight squeeze. "Malcolm McCullough has passed away."
A collective gasp echoed around the room.
"Each of you knows he would want us to continue in celebration this day."
Nods greeted my words as a goblet was pressed into my hand.
"Let us raise our glasses and drink in the memory of a great Laird who loved to celebrate life. To Malcolm," I said and a course followed before everyone took a sip.
All too soon, I was led around the dais and was sitting before all gathered as the wedding feast was served.
"Are you sure you are okay?" Edward whispered in my ear.
"I couldn't be happier," I responded and I found that even though Grandfather had passed, I was very happy.
