Edward sat at his kitchen table, a beer in hand, Tanya next to him, his father across from him, when Alice and his mother came through the door, wardrobe bags in hand, smiles gracing their faces. He hadn't seen them in so long; his memories hadn't done them justice. The last time he had seen them they were both in tears, Alice's face red and splotchy. He stood when his little sister saw him, her eyes widening as they roamed over his body. "You're really here." She ran into his open arms, happier tears soaking into his shirt. "You're coming to the wedding?" She felt him nod his head in agreement and smiled again. "Everything will be perfect now. You'll both be there."
Edward visibly stiffened, all people in the room taking notice, especially Tanya. Who was going to be there that had Edward so worked up? Edward knew instantly who his baby sister was referring to and he wasn't exactly ready for that. How could he remain civil with someone he hated so much? While he was thankful his sister didn't say the name out loud, it didn't stop his mind from screaming it. Bella would be there. He'd have to come face to face with her. A knot formed deep in his stomach, he absolutely did not want to see her. Not now. Not ever. "I'll be there." He had intentionally left Bella out of the statement because he didn't trust that she'd actually show up. She hadn't proved to be very trustworthy in the past.
Alice pulled away, still smiling, and wiped her tears., completely unaware of her brother's ill thoughts toward Bella. "You need to be fitted!" She held her brothers large hands tightly in her small ones, "Jasper will be so excited! I need to go call him!" her mouth was moving ten times faster than she could think. Edward laughed placing his hands over her mouth.
"God, Alice, breathe!" He smiled down at her, her excitement infectious. "Of course I've spoken to Jasper and my measurements have been here for weeks." He removed his hands and directed her toward the table. "This is Tanya." He gestured toward the woman at the table, and though Alice was sure her smile was intended to be warm and inviting, it looked insincere and fake.
Alice bounced a bit on her toes, the surprise of her brother being home, after so long, was almost too much to handle. But the girl glaring at her from across the room was bringing down the excitement. She needed to call and talk to someone. She wanted to call and tell everyone, but most of all, she wanted to call and tell Bella. She frowned at the floor for a moment before looking up at her brother again. "I'm going to call Bella!" she let him go and ran toward the stairs, but not before noticing how tense it had made him.
After his sister was gone, Edward ran a hand through his hair. Sighing heavily he turned back toward the table, neither one of his parents making eye contact, an expectant look in Tanya's eyes. "Honey," his mother began, holding out her arms to him. "You'll be walking with Bella in the wedding."
Edward ignored his mother and flopped down in his chair, his knees bouncing nervously, anxiety rolling from his body. No one had told him she'd be at the wedding, much less in it. He blinked hard, trying to keep his memories at bay. Somehow he knew she'd be there. Knew Alice would invite her. He just hadn't expected to be forced down the aisle with her. Not after what had happened between them.
Tanya rubbed her hand up and down his tense arm, trying to force his attention back to her. "Who's this Bella, baby?"
Edward clutched the little black box in his hand, deep inside his pocket, smiling so hard that his face hurt. Tonight would be the night, he'd start the rest of his life with the girl he loved more than anything in this world. Tonight he'd ask Bella to be his wife. He was going to start his residency soon, he'd have to move, they both knew that, but he couldn't picture going without her, couldn't see him being able to do this without her, couldn't imagine having to love without her. His other hand held hers, they were walking toward the restaurant where they had their first date, a little Italian place called La Bella Italia and he wasn't sure he could wait. He'd been aching to do this.
"Bella…" he tugged her to a stop in front of the restaurant, turning her so they were standing face to face. "I love you, Bella. With all of my heart." She smiled at him, tugging his hands so they could move forward.
"Of course I know that, lets go inside, I'm hungry." She turned to walk, but he stopped her again, a determined look in his eyes.
"I'm not done yet, Bella." His hands cupped her face and he placed one soft kiss on her lips. "I love you Bella, and I don't want to be without you. Not ever. I want to wake up with you every morning, I want to hold you when I fall asleep, I want to call you my wife." He smiled at her again, tears he interpreted as happy flowing freely down her face. He knelt in front of her, people around the restaurant gathering around, happy chatter could be heard by the two of them, but they chose to ignore it. He pulled the box out of his pocket, opening to show her the most beautiful ring she had ever seen, a ring that would be perfect for her if she were to let this happen.
"I dont know what to say." Her eyes weren't on his face, but on the ground.
"Say yes, Bella. Say yes and spend the rest of your life with me. Be with me, forever." He sounded so sure, so confident that the rest of their lives would be forever, that they would be long. His would be long, his life would be fulfilling. Hers would end, it wouldn't last, he would be crushed. She shouldn't have let this happen. Shouldn't have stayed with him, pulled him along, she shouldn't have let herself think that this could be real for them.
"I can't Edward." She pulled her hands away from his, wiping her face clear of her tears. "I can't do that." She started to back away from him slowly, "I…I just can't." She turned, pushing through the crowd that had gathered around them. Left him there, on one knee, a diamond ring in his hand, his heart shattered on the cement.
Edward looked down at Tanya, moving to pull her hand into his. "No one important."