BELLA
Today was Angela and Ben's wedding. Angela had invited Edward and me a while ago and had recently given me a call about being her bridesmaid. She admitted that I wasn't her first choice as we hadn't spoken for a while and didn't know if I would want to be a part of the wedding but one of her bridesmaids had been rushed into hospital after a car accident and was in no state to take part in the wedding and instead of wasting an already bought dress and having odd numbers with the bridesmaids and groomsmen she asked if I would step in. I quickly agreed saying I would love to be her bridesmaid. She said that she was pretty sure the dress would fit me but if not the dress maker was willing to make last minute alterations. I had had my dress fitting last week and as it turned out all the dress needed was to be taken in slightly at my waist. Other than that it fit perfectly.
So Having Alice done my makeup and hair, I grabbed my purse and walked down the stairs of our house. Edward was waiting for me already in his tux. I smiled at him.
"Are you ready my love?" he asked, I nodded.
"Have fun!" Renesmee said to me, I went over to give her a kiss.
"We will," I said and I said goodbye to Eddie, Jacob and Chloe before we left the house. We got to the hotel in less than two hours. I had to be there three hours early, seen as I was now a bridesmaid in the ceremony. We checked into the hotel that Angela was having the wedding at and the receptionist directed me to Angela's room. Edward and I found the room easily and I tapped lightly on the door.
"Oh! Who can that be?" Angela said, she sounded panicky.
"I'll get it," a woman said and came to open the door.
"Hi, I'm Bella, I'm one of the bridesmaids," I said to her.
"Oh yes!" she said then turned to look back in the room. "Angie its Bella," the woman said and made room for me to come in. "He can't come," she said pointing at Edward.
"That's fine," I said and turned to my husband, I kissed him quickly.
"See you later," I said to him and he waved before walking off. I walked into the room to find Angela sitting at the dressing table fiddling with some cosmetics.
"Oh hi Bella! Oh I'm so happy you're here." She said and stood up. "This is Carly, she's my other bridesmaid, and this little one is Jasmine, her daughter, my little flower girl." She said pointing to the four year old little girl colouring on the floor. She then walked over to the far end of the room where a Moses basket was resting on a table. "And this…" she said picking up the baby boy from the basket and cradling him. "Is my son, Thomas," she grinned looking up at me. I had almost forgotten Angela was pregnant last time I saw her, I grinned widely back and her and made my way over to her. "Here," she whispered and handed me the baby. I took him in my arms, he stirred slightly, I wrapped the blanket tighter around him, I didn't want him to get cold from my skin.
"Hey baby boy," I cooed at him, his eyes opened and big blue eyes stared back at me. "Hey," I cooed again smiling at him. He was adorable, not as cute as my own kids that is, but I was bias. He was still cute. "He's beautiful," I said to Angela, she had made her way back over to the dressing table and Carly was doing her hair. She smiled at me through the mirror.
"Thank you," she said with a proud smile. "Tough delivery though, he just didn't want to come out," she laughed. "I had to have a c section. When you have kids Bella make sure it's a natural birth or you'll have an ugly scar on your stomach like me," she said. I smiled at her; she thought that was a tough delivery... I would take a normal c section over my children's births any day. My spine has been broken twice, and I had died the first time. A c section was not a tough delivery. I turned around to place Thomas back in the Moses basket and I quickly ran my finger along my scar on my stomach. The perfect line where I had been cut open twice.
"I hope you and Edward have kids it really is a blessing. They can be a bit of a handful but they really are so precious. I can't explain how amazing it is to see your own child for the first time." She said proudly. I know the feeling. I said in my head. Of course I couldn't say it out loud and I was surprised at how much that didn't bother me.
"We will, eventually," I assured her.
"When you do let me know!" she said.
"I will," I grinned.
"How long have you and Edward been married now?" She asked.
"We've just had our seventh year anniversary," I answered.
"Wow has it really been that long?" she asked.
"Mhmm," I answered her sitting down on the bed.
"Time has flown by." She said.
"It has." I answered. I looked down at the little girl colouring. She was very pretty. She had long mousey brown hair. I could see her features of her face but not the colour of her eyes as she was looking down. I think she caught me looking at her because she looked up at me and smiled. I couldn't help but smile back. It was scary how much I adored children after having Renesmee. Their innocence and personalities were just infectious. Her eyes were green; they reminded me of the colour of the grass in mine and Edwards meadow.
"Hey," I said to her with a smile.
"Hi," She said, she didn't seem shy at all. "What's your name?" She asked putting her crayon down to look at me properly.
"Bella, what's yours?" I asked, I already knew it, I remembered Angela introducing her but I wanted her to tell me.
"Jasmine," she answered.
"That's a very beautiful name," I said to her. She smiled widely at me.
"You're very pretty," She said, I laughed slightly.
"Thank you, you are too," I said to her, she smiled.
"Want to see my drawing?" she asked.
"Sure!" I said and knelt down next to her. I had no idea what the drawing was of. I wasn't used to the normal development of children. By the time my kids looked four they were already replicating Monet pictures perfectly. I smiled at the picture.
"It's not finished yet. It's the flowers auntie Angela has," she said. Ohh, they were flowers?
"It's really good Jasmine. I like it," I said to her with a smile.
"Thanks!" she chimed and pulled another piece of paper out from under hers. "Do you want to draw something?" she asked and handed me a red crayon.
"Sure, thanks," I said to her and took the crayon from her little hand. I was surprised at how much better I was at drawing now I was a vampire. I couldn't believe in the seven years I had been a vampire I had never sat down and drawn anything. I decided to draw mine and Edward's cottage. I switched between the crayons Jasmine owned, there were only the three basic colours and black so it was difficult getting ever colour of our cottage in, I supplemented the exotic colours for simple ones.
"That's lovely Bella!" Jasmine called looking at my paper.
"Thanks, I love your flowers," I said to her, she looked up at me and smiled widely. Was it crazy that I was enjoying the company of a four year old more than most adults? I smiled back and continued with my cottage drawing. Soon enough Angela wanted Jasmine and I in our dresses, so we got changed and as the time came closer and closer to the wedding Jasmine spent the entire time talking to me, she told me all about her family and her life. I listened intently, I couldn't help but compare Jasmine with Renesmee when she was this age, I never fully noticed the extent of Renesmee's intelligence at that age. Renesmee was born an adult almost. I fully enjoyed the time I spent with Jasmine that morning. It adjusted my view of children and how different mine were.
As I walked down the aisle I could easily pick out Edward grinning at me. I rolled my eyes. He was meant to be looking at the bride not me. After the ceremony Edward claimed me instantly.
"You look beautiful," he whispered in my ear. I smiled at him.
"Thank you," I answered.
"Bella!" I heard a familiar voice call. Mike Newton was striding up to us with a huge grin on his face. "Wow you two haven't changed a bit!" he said and pulled me into an unexpected hug. Edward kept his arm tight on my waist. I laughed nervously and pat his back.
"Hi Mike!" I said as enthusiastically as I could. I felt Edward's arm tighten on my side, if I was human he would have crushed my bones.
"How have you been?" he asked with a huge smile on his face.
"I've been good thanks, what about you?" I asked. I took in Mike's appearance. He looked older; he was also a lot more handsome than he used to be.
"I've been great; I've got my own business now. I'm a business man," he grinned. I smiled back.
"Congrats," I said, not knowing what else to say.
"Well it was great seeing you! I need to go and congratulate the groom," he said and patted my shoulder before walking off. I turned to look at Edward; his eyes were wide and fuming.
"How bad?" I asked waiting for him to tell me. He pulled me into him and tucked me under his arm. I laughed slightly.
"Don't let it get to you," I said to him patting his chest.
"His mind needs to be washed out with soap, I've never seen anyone's so… dirty," he said, I laughed at his choice of words.
"I don't think I want to know," I said as we made our way through the crowds to a clearer area.
"You don't," he muttered.
"Bella!" I heard a familiar small voice. Jasmine came running up to me in her little pink flower girl dress. I bent down to her level.
"Hey sweetie," I greeted her.
"Did you see me throw the petals on the floor? Was I good?" she asked.
"You were brilliant," I assured her with a smile.
"Thanks," she said with the widest smile and swung her body slightly on the spot.
"Jasmine, I'd like you to meet my husband, this is Edward," I told her standing up to grip Edward's hand.
"Hi Edward, I'm Jasmine," she said confidently.
"Hello Jasmine, you look very pretty in that dress," he said to her. Her face lit up.
"Thank you Edward," she said with an even wider smile. "My brother is called Edward, he's only two though, he's at home with my daddy. They're coming later," she said to us.
"Jasmine! Jazzy!" I heard Carly calling from somewhere in the room.
"Oops, gotta go. I'll see you later!" Jasmine said to us and ran off to find her mother.
"Who was that?" Edward said to me pulling me around to look at him.
"That was Jasmine, I met her in Angela's dressing room earlier, she's really sweet," I told him. He smiled at me.
"Cute," he said and pulled me closer to him, just as he was going to kiss me I heard the very familiar voice that could only belong to one person.
"BELLLLA!" Jessica called. I sighed, turning from Edward to see Jessica in a bright pink summer dress coming towards us. "Oh my gosh! You haven't changed at all! That's incredible. What cream do you use?" she said walking straight up to me. She then turned to Edward and swallowed loudly. "My my you are exactly the same, still as hot as ever. I used to have a crush on you," she said with a smile at Edward.
"I know," he replied, her face dropped.
"You knew?"
"Mhmm," Edward said with a cocky smile.
"Ah well, only one girl for you eh? Little Bella Swan," she grinned at me, I smiled awkwardly and Edward tightened his hand on mine.
"If you would all like to make your way into the banquet room for your meal," the announcer said, I suddenly turned to Edward with horror in my eyes. Would we have to eat? He smiled at me, and led me out the room with the rest of the guests. We found our names and sat down at our table. We were on the table with Mike, Jessica and a bunch of others from Forks High School.
Edward do we have to eat this? I asked in my mind, suddenly afraid. He reached for the bread roll and broke it open; he put it in his mouth and chewed before swallowing. Ew ew ew ew. I was staring at the food in front of me.
"Bella are you okay?" Jessica asked.
"I I…erm, feel a bit sick," I said honestly. I didn't want to eat it. Edward placed his hand on my thigh, just before Edward took another bite my phone started buzzing in my bag. I reached for it, happy for a diversion.
"Sorry excuse me," I said to them and put the phone to my ear. "Hello?" I asked, I had seen the caller ID as Alice.
"Hey Bells. This is your distraction so you don't have to eat nasty human food. Tell them that Carlisle just rang you and Chantelle, your younger sibling has been taken to hospital with an unknown illness. Don't worry, she's perfectly fine but you and Edward have to go but you will be back later hopefully. Act shocked Bella." She said to me.
"Oh, is she okay?" I asked playing along.
"Good job Bells. See you later."
"Okay we'll be right there, bye," I said and hung up I grabbed Edwards hand.
Alice is giving us an alibi lets go I don't want to eat this. I thought.
"I'm so sorry we have to go, our sister has been rushed into hospital. Could you tell Angela we will be back later? We just need to make sure she's okay," I said to the table.
"Of course," Mike answered. I smiled at him and stood up dragging Edward out the room. We went straight to the bathrooms so Edward could regurgitate his food. I stood with my arms crossed at the door of the men's bathroom.
"You know, you didn't have to eat that," I said to him. He stood up and flushed the toilet.
"I was trying to act normal."
"Didn't you know what Alice was going to do?" I asked.
"Yes I did."
"So why did you do it?" I asked.
"Because someone knew." He said walking over to me.
"What?" I asked completely astounded.
"Someone was speculating what we were, they knew we didn't eat so I decided I'd throw them off track."
"Who?" I asked.
"I don't know all I heard was his mind," he told me and took my hand leading me out the building.
"Well isn't he going to get suspicious with us not being there?" I asked. He shrugged.
"He saw me eat, I hope it's enough," he answered and we walked into the forest.
"Where are we going? I can't get my dress dirty," I told him. He looked at me up and down.
"You could always take it off," he said suggestively. I laughed at his joke.
"Yeah it would still get dirty on the floor," I told him.
"There is a hotel right there… with lots of beds… and coat hangers to hang your pretty dress on," he said pointing at the hotel we had just come out of. I laughed as he trailed kisses along my collarbone. "We have like three hours to waste. Come on," he moaned dragging me back to the hotel. I skipped alongside him until we reached the desk. He ordered a room and we found our way to it. He opened the door and pushed me in. Locking it, he grabbed hold of my waist and kissed my forcefully. I felt like a teenager sneaking off to make out with my boyfriend. If my children could see me now.
"Wait wait," I said to him, he pulled back and frowned. "I'm not having this being ripped off me like my clothes normally are. Let me get undressed myself without your help," I said raising my eyebrows at him, daring him to argue with me. He sighed and walked over to the bed.
"Fine, at least I get to watch," he said sitting down with the cockiest smile I'd ever seen. I laughed and gently took the dress off; I really didn't want to ruin it. The second I was in just my underwear I felt his arms around me tugging me to the bed.
"Take your clothes off. Gently," I ordered him.
"Hmm we've never done it like this before," he said walking over to me in his underwear. I giggled as he trailed kisses all over my body.
When the three hours were up and we thought it was a decent time to show our selves again, we got dressed and made our way back to the reception. Everyone was in the disco room, dancing and talking.
The first person to see us was Jasmine.
"Bella!" she sang running straight to me.
"Hey hun," I greeted her. She had her arms extended to me so I lifted her up. She picked up a piece of my hair.
"Didn't you have your hair up before?" she asked.
"I took it down," I told her, looking briefly at Edward grinning at my side.
"You have pretty hair," she told me.
"Thanks so do you," I said, I knew this girl strived off compliments so her grin wasn't surprising.
"Thanks!" she said and pointed to a table on the far left of the room. "Go over there," she ordered me. I did as she asked and walked over to the table. Carly was sitting down with a two year old boy in her lap, as well as a young man at her side.
"Mommy, daddy this is Bella and Edward, they're my new friends," she said wrapping her arms around my neck in a tight squeeze. I could feel Edward's hand on my back; it slipped around to the side.
"Hi Carly," I greeted the other bridesmaid.
"Bella, Edward, this is my husband Richard and my son is also called Edward," she said smiling at us.
"Hello," Edward greeted them.
"Do you have any kids?" Jasmine asked us. My face dropped.
"No," I said, no louder than a whisper.
"Oh," she said sadly.
"Oh really? You are great with Jasmine, you should definitely consider them. That's of course, you know if you want them. It's a tough life," Carly said to us just as her son started fussing.
"We can't have kids," Edward said taking a seat. I took a seat next to him, adjusting Jasmine on my lap. I was aware what I had told Angela earlier in the hotel room about having them in the future, I hoped Carly didn't catch onto it, I didn't speak to Edward about what our story would be.
"Oh dear. I'm sorry," Carly said.
"Have you thought of IVF?" Richard asked, speaking for the first time.
"Yes, it didn't work," Edward told them.
"Oh what a shame, IVF is really expensive too." Carly said. Edward nodded and placed his hand on the side of my thigh, rubbing it lightly with his thumb.
Luckily the subject changed from kids to jobs and lifestyles. We spent most of the night with Carly and Richard and although they didn't know it, we had surprisingly a lot in common with them; of course we couldn't tell them we had two kids of our own but it was nice to hear stories and make references in my head to our kids. Jasmine didn't leave my side all night. So it was sad when I had to leave her at the end of the night. She was being held by her dad with her head resting on his shoulder, she looked really tired. I reached out to stroke her hair away from her face.
"It was very nice meeting you Jasmine," I told her. She smiled and reached for me from her father's arms. Richard allowed me to take her and I hugged her tightly. She kissed my cheek.
"Bye Bella," she said climbing back into her father's arms,
"Bye Jasmine," I said to her stepping back to my husband's side.
"We should get together some time, maybe go out for a meal or something," Carly said to me.
"Definitely," I told her. It was a little hard considering we lived nearly two hours away from each other but we might be able to make it work.
We said goodbye to Angela and Ben and we were finally on our way home.