"You were selfish" I snapped.
"I was. And I always will be when it's about you" Edward said. "If I can keep you safe, it doesn't matter the consequences, I'll do anything"
"And I would never forgive you if something happened to any of them" I said scowling at him.
"Bella…"
"Promise me you will never try to fool me again like that. And you will never try to stop me, because I know what I'm doing and what's necessary"
"I can't promise you that. Not without knowing you will be safe" he shook his head.
"Then we will never work"
"Stop" Alice interrupted. "Bella, we are sorry, we shouldn't have lied to you or ignored the others' safety. You are right" she rolled her eyes at the scowl Edward gave her. "But for the love of all things holy, don't even think of calling off this wedding"
Only Alice to worry about a wedding when we had the enemy in town.
But she was right. I needed to be changed as soon as possible, and Edward wouldn't do it without marriage…
I broke the seal from the gymnasium and sighed as Edward came close to me.
"I'm mad at you" I said quietly.
"I was pretty mad at you too" he said with a sad smile. "And at me"
"Then we agree that what you did was stupid?" I asked.
"We agree on disagree" he said.
"Edward"
"I am sorry, love, but if needed, I would do it again, I won't lie to you"
Shouldn't I be happy that at least he was honest?
"Fine… We should all go. Klaus told Jenna about vampires, she is freaking out, and… Well, we have a wedding tomorrow"
He smiled at me and kissed me softly. We all went to the boarding house. Carlisle met us there, apologizing for having been stuck at the hospital. We all gathered in the living room. Elena was updating her aunt on what was going on. Jenna seemed a bit fearful of Stefan and Damon, often glancing at them, and when the Cullens entered the room she tensed. Edward assured her they wouldn't harm anyone and she nodded, although still tense.
"Ric said…" she shook her head. "Klaus said that you would regret if you knew the consequences of your actions" she told me. "Something about a grimoire and the Cullens?"
I tensed. Bonnie explained to her that we were witches and what grimoires were.
"What did Klaus mean?" Jeremy asked.
"Can any of you run to my house and grab all my stuff? My grimoire and a box with other stuff..." I asked the Cullens.
Emmett and Rosalie left.
"What?" Bonnie asked seeing my frown.
"There is a spell on my grimoire that could kill all vampires… of the other kind" I said and begged the Cullens to forgive me as they stared at me in shock. "I'm sorry…"
"Wait, what?" Jazz asked scowling.
"Remember what I told you that my ancestors created your kind? Well, they also made sure to have a back-up plan in case your kind got out of control. Witches of my bloodline can kill you all. I inherited a talisman that would give me enough power…"
"Klaus knows that we would go after him for your death" Edward said. "That's why he wants the spell and the talisman"
I nodded.
"What about Ric?" Jenna asked worriedly. "What happens to him?"
"Nothing. We can only hope Klaus will get out of his body soon and let him go" Stefan said.
"We can only wait now" Bonnie mumbled.
Later, after Rose and Emm got back with my stuff, as we were deciding on security measures, the doorbell rang. Jenna, who seemed a bit lost in a talk of vampires and witches, went to get the door.
"No! Go away!" we heard her scream.
I followed Carlisle, Damon, Stefan and Edward.
"Jen, wait" Ric said stopping her from closing the door. "It's me!"
"No" she insisted.
"It's really me… Look, I took you to dinner one night when Jeremy and Elena were out. I kissed you in the middle of the restaurant and admitted I was going to be stupid and not kiss you on the porch as I dropped you off because…"
"You were desperate" she sighed and let him in. "It's you"
He hugged her and kissed her, saying he was sorry Klaus had used him to scare her.
He told us he didn't remember anything of the last two days, and we had to update him on what happened. We agreed on dividing so everyone was protected. Damon, Stefan and Bonnie Rosalie would be securing Elena, Jenna, Jeremy and Ric. Caroline would keep an eye out for her mom and Matt in case Klaus tried to get them as bait and Esme would help her. Edward, Emmett, Alice and Jasper would be protecting me and dad. With everything settled, we said goodbye until lunch the next day when we would gather to start getting ready for the wedding.
The next day I woke up with Alice shaking me. She said we had already broken the rules when Edward slept with me, but from that moment on, the groom had been prohibited to see the bride. I asked her if we didn't have enough worries without that. She said we needed to relax and enjoy the wedding because it probably would be my last day of peace for a long time.
Elena, Jenna, Bonnie, Caroline met me in the Cullen's house, where Rosalie and Esme had everything to get us ready. Edward was at the boarding house, so he wouldn't get a peek on me before the ceremony. Jasper, Carlisle, Emmett and Jeremy were setting things up with Alice occasionally visiting the garden to keep an eye on their work.
My mind was racing as I watched the girls get ready. I was getting married. With Edward.
With so much going on lately, I hadn't had the time to really think things through.
The fact that all people were talking about around me was dresses, shoes, hair, make-up and wedding, was getting on my nerves. It all sounded forced. No one was really thinking about wedding all day. We were all worried about Klaus.
But wasn't this wedding the solution? Once I married Edward, he would change me and then it would all be over. Klaus wouldn't be able to break the curse and no one would be in danger.
The first to get ready was Esme and Rose. Esme wore a light grey one shoulder gown with feathery skirt. Rose wore a one-shoulder gown too, but dark pink with ruffled skirt. They left the rest of us to get ready and went to move the piano to the garden. They looked so delicate and feminine that it was strange knowing they could easily carry a piano.
"Cold feet?" Elena asked teasingly as she did my nails but I could see she was truly worried.
"Would you?" I asked quietly. She seemed confused. "If Stefan asked you to marry him…"
"Well, if I was getting ready for the ceremony… I would have to had said yes, and I wouldn't accept if I wasn't sure…" she frowned. "So, no, I think I wouldn't be with cold feet"
I smiled and swallowed half of the glass of water that was by my side.
"Mine are toasty warm" I said.
Alice helped Jenna with her hair. Jenna changed from her jeans and sweater into a printed green chiffon gown with her back bare. She went to check on the seat arrangement at Alice's request.
As the time for the ceremony approached, my bridesmaids began to get ready.
I had chosen a deep green dress of ruched silk with a crisscross detail on the back for Bonnie. Elena had agreed with me that Bonnie looked good in green while helping me pick the dress, and seeing her ready proved us right. Caroline's dress was a pale brownish pink with a slit on her chest and bare back. She had insisted on a brighter pink, but Alice convinced her that a brighter pink wouldn't be good for a winter wedding. And Elena's dress was an inside joke to me. She had told me she liked red, and that Stefan liked her cheerleading uniform, that was bright red. And knowing Damon's favorite color was red, I had chosen a deep red gown, with her back and cleavage covered in thin sheer.
Alice's dress I hadn't chose, but I chose the color, and it was deep blue. It was a cap-sleeved beaded chiffon gown, with a slit until mid-thigh.
And then there was me.
The girls had pulled the front of my hair in braids that met on the back, and then curled all my hair. My make-up was light, delicate. I had opted on not wearing a veil. Alice finally revealed my dress to the girls and they gushed over it. It was a dress I imagined a princess wearing. It was really beautiful. It had a tight bodice, a thin bow in the waist, a sweetheart neckline and with a flowery pattern embroidered. The skirt was really full and of tulle, making me need help on getting the dress on. Alice zipped it up and smiled at me on the mirror.
"You are perfect" she said.
"Thank you" I mumbled.
I sat and Caroline helped me put my white, crystal chandelier sandal with a satin bow on the ankle.
"Almost done" Caroline said happily.
"Blue, old, new, borrowed" Elena said and approached with a velvet box. "It's borrowed, it was my mother's"
It was a beautiful white gold bangle with diamonds. I extended my shaky hand and she put it on me, giving me a hug. I took a deep breath and Caroline ran to us with a mischievous grin.
"It's new" she said and gave me a small bag.
I opened it and laughed as I pulled out a black and red lacy garter. With some difficulty caused by the dress, I put it on. And smiled at Bonnie.
"It's really old. I wore on my first ballet presentation, when I was four" she smiled reaching up and putting on the crystal flowery comb on my hair.
"Thanks, girls" I said smiling at them.
"Wait, I got something blue!" Alice said excitedly. "It's from me and Jasper, a wedding gift"
She opened the velvet box and my eyes went wide. The necklace was pretty, a white gold chain, and the pendant had a huge sapphire and diamonds surrounding it. I smiled at Alice and took off my rose necklace that I hadn't taken off since Elijah gave me. Alice replaced my necklace for the new one.
"Welcome to the family" she whispered in my ear as she hugged me.
Isabella Cullen.
I looked myself in the mirror. I was the image of a perfect bride as I forced a smile.
"Do you want to talk?" Elena asked and adjusted my skirt.
Bonnie was seeing the pictures she had taken that afternoon of us getting ready, Alice went to check the bouquets and Caroline was having fun watching her mother – apparently my dad's date through the window. I had only took one look, happy to see my dad smiling at the beautiful blond woman, a older version of Caroline, in a dark bronze gown.
"Can we talk something… not wedding related?" I pleaded.
"Sure… Ahn, so… Elijah told you about that spell?" she asked with a frown.
I chuckled.
"We really need more soothing topics" I said.
"Yes" she agreed smiling.
"But, yes, Elijah told me…"
"Bella…" she sighed. "I think he could help. He was helping, although in a twisted way"
"I think so too" I mumbled. "But Damon and Stefan won't let you wake him…"
"Yeah" she mumbled.
"Shoo" I heard Alice hiss.
There was a tapping noise on the window and I frowned thinking maybe Edward was trying to sneak in. I looked at the window and Alice was waving off with a scowl. I walked closer and saw a crow.
"Alice, it's fine" I said nervously.
She frowned and stepped back.
Caw.
"Can you all give me a moment?" I asked them.
The girls agreed and walked out of the room. Alice hesitated but with a scowl, she nodded. I opened the window and the crow jumped to the windowsill.
"Come in" Alice said begrudgingly and walked out of the room.
Caw.
I grinned at the crow and he flew in. I closed the window and turned around. Damon smirked at me. He was wearing a dashing black suit with a black shirt under it and a black tie.
"You couldn't wear a white shirt for my wedding?" I scowled.
"No" he shrugged.
"You can be infuriating sometimes, Mr. Salvatore" I laughed.
"You are beautiful" he said extending his hand.
I bit my lip and took his hand. He spun me around and when I was facing him again he pulled me closer. He gently pulled my lip away from my teeth with his thumb and gave me a smile.
"You really are stunning" he whispered.
"Thanks" I said blushing.
"I see you took off your necklace"
"Yes, this is my 'something blue'" I said touching the pendant.
"Hm, I think my wedding present might suck after that dress and the necklace"
"You got us a present?" I asked surprised.
"I got you a present. I'm sure Sparkles won't like it" he grinned and took a small box from the inside pocket of his jacket. "You know… Mrs. Sparkles doesn't quite suit you"
"Damon" I scowled.
"Here" he extended the box.
I opened it and saw a key.
"A bike… It's in the driveway" he said. "I saw you really liked my bike"
"Oh my gosh!" I squealed and hugged him. "This is awesome!"
"Glad you liked it" he said wrapping his arms around me.
When he let me go, there was a knock on the door. He frowned at the door and smiled at me.
"I think that's my cue to leave" he said. "I… I really wish you to be happy"
"Thank you, Damon"
He kissed my cheek and in a blur disappeared. I called in the person who knocked, and looked down at the box with the key again. There was a small piece of paper folded. I opened it and saw it was a poem. One I knew because I had written in my diary, some time ago, around the time Edward came back.
I asked a wise man,
what was the difference
between love and friendship.
He told me this truth.
Love is more sensitive,
Friendship safer.
Love gives us wings,
Friendship the ground.
In Love there has more affection,
in Friendship understanding.
Love is planted,
and carefully cultivated.
Friendship comes cheek,
and with the exchange of joy and sorrow,
becomes a great companion.
But when the love is sincere,
it comes with a great friend.
And when the friendship is real,
it's full of love and affection.
When you have a friend,
or a great passion,
both feelings coexist,
within your heart.
"Bella?"
I blinked and stared at Alice's face. She was worried.
"Yes?"
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, fine" I said with a smile.
I turned to put the box with the key and poem inside my bag. I hesitated on closing the zipper but then turned to get my bouquet from Alice.
"Everyone is waiting" she said as we walked downstairs carefully, since I was with a huge dress and in heels. "The girls will go first, then me, and after I walk out count to ten before you and Charlie walk out"
"Ten, alright" I nodded when we reached the first step.
She kissed my cheek and ran to Emmett. He gave me a wink, and linked his arm with Alice's. I smiled at my dad, and he offered me his arm.
"You look pretty, Bella" he complimented.
"Thanks, dad"
"Ready?" he asked as Alice and Emmett walked out through the double doors that faced the garden.
I nodded taking deep breaths. One, two, three…
I was getting married.
Five.
With Edward. The perfect guy, the dream guy of every girl.
Eight, nine…
I squeezed my dad's arm and he led me to the doors.
That was it.
What I should be dreaming of since Edward and I kissed.
What I wanted…
Right?
My steps faltered and dad shot me a worried look. I had just got into people's sights. Edward was waiting for me on the altar between the minister and Emmett. I looked around. Only a small group, close friends. The chair by Damon's side was empty. He didn't bring Andie.
"So why are you with that… Edward?"
"It's complicated"
"Damon is complicated. So you chose what gave you security"
…
"You know him. You know he can change but won't. You accepted him for whom he is. He is blind, Bella. Perhaps it will have to be too late for him to truly see your value"
...
"Damon will always mean something to me. I don't… love him. I just… We connected in a different way than you and I did. So, if I care for him, if I met him at all, it's all your fault. Live with it, Edward. And realize that things aren't always black or white, they are grey too"
…
"I want to be human, for you, for Elena, and this is what I get. I miss being human, but I'm not. And it fucking hurts to try"
"I never asked you to change"
"I'm not good and I don't want people expecting me to be good"
"You didn't have to put a façade, Damon. You weren't good to me. You were just you. And that's what I wanted. That's all you had to be… you"
"I wanted you to fight for me, to show me the Damon I liked wasn't gone when we came back to this fucking town. I wanted you! I want you! And you are fucking with my head! Is that clear enough for you?"
…
"Well, it's of the best interest to all women if I steer away from women"…
"You'll be dead, Isabella" …
"You killed a lot of people, hurt me sometimes, and I still love you"…
"The fact you hesitate on saying that shows how much you love him"…
"He brought me happiness in a dark time of my life. He… He was my moon, Elena"
"I really wish you two work things out and stay friends… You seemed good to him. You keep him grounded. You're to him what Lexi was to Stefan… Damon needs a Lexi"…
"I don't understand him anymore. We used to be friends. I used to feel like I knew him better than anyone else, even himself. He seems set on making me regret everything"
"He does care. Every time he makes a decision to protect Elena, you're in his mind too"
…
"You said you loved me, and that wouldn't change… You said I made you happy"
"You want me because I'm the only one who has been honest with you, who has felt something real and lasting for you, Damon. Because I'm the only one that hasn't given up on you. But I need to feel the same. I need someone to love me back. And Edward does. I love him. And I can't just cancel everything now and hope that someday you will give up on Katherine or Elena. I can't stop my life for you. You're being selfish by asking that from me"
I stopped halfway to Edward. Dad looked at me with a frown. Alice was looking at me with shock, she knew. I shook my head as if it would clear it. Edward was staring at me with a blank expression.
"I…"
People stared at me as they waited, for something, for anything.
"I-I… I'm sorry" I stammered out quietly.
"Bella" Edward said softly, calling me.
"I can't" I said lifting the skirt of the dress. "Sorry"
I turned and ran inside the house. I was breathing heavy although I wasn't exhausted. I looked around the living room and saw Elena's purse on the couch. I opened it and grabbed her keys before running out of the house and getting into her car. I drove top speed away from there and with no destination. I just couldn't stay there.
An hour later, Stefan found me. I had been sitting in the porch of the house Edward got for us. The house that would be a home, maybe. Stefan was still on his suit but his tie was loose. He sat by my side on the steps and didn't say a word.
"It was a bad idea inviting Damon" I finally said.
He inclined his head saying 'probably' and questioning me silently.
"I just… Did you know he offered to change me? Damon. But I said no. I always had this idea in my head that something like that should have a real reason, love… Carlisle changed Esme because she was his soul mate and then changed Emmett for Rose…" I shrugged. "And Damon… He loves Elena. His brother's girlfriend. Your girlfriend" I chuckled. "What happened?"
"You know… Damon was my closest friend, I looked up to him the most in the world – even more than my father, though I'd never admitted out loud" he mused. "I blame all this on Katherine. She put us against each other, set Damon's mind so deeply he's obsessed with Elena…"
"It's not her fault" I said and he frowned at me. "It's mine. Katherine's too, but also Elena's…" I sighed. "The story repeats as the characters repeats"
"What?"
"We were all destined to this. Destined to heartbreak, and loss…" I frowned. "I… I should have done it, married Edward… But Damon…"
"Would always be on the back of your mind?"
"Yes… And that isn't fair to Edward"
"Damon won't give up on Elena so easily… Even if you get back together…"
"She will be on the back of his mind" I said and looked at him with a sad smile. "Isn't that twisted? Edward will love me, I'll love Damon, he'll love Elena, Elena will love you and you… We'll Elena is the only lucky, because you love her back"
"My brother is a fool" he said. "I really like you, Bella. You bring balance, and I don't mean that just because you are a witch… When he was with you, I saw pieces of the Damon I looked up to, the human Damon, before Katherine. I miss that Damon. And I had hoped you could bring him back. But…" he sighed. "Although I know you would be good for him, perfect… I don't want you to waste your time on my brother. He is stubborn and refuses to see what's in front of him. Don't wait for him, Bella. It's not worth it"
He was not telling me to go back to Edward. He was just telling me not to expect things from Damon.
"It's worth it for me, Stefan" I said softly. "He's worth it"
I leaned my head against his shoulder and sighed, watching the moon rise.
AN: Got it? Moon = Damon... Moon Rise! :D
I hope you enjoyed it. To those who couldn't wait to Bella and Damon to get back together, well, Edward will be gone very soon...
Check the Polyvore collection for this story... I seriously loved the dresses I picked for this chapter!
REVIEW!
xoxo Luuh