Ack, I'm so sorry this is late again! I'm terrible at deadlines...I always end up writing so much more than I planned on. I hope you all forgive me and from now on, if I set a specific time for the next chapter to be out, feel free to reach through the computer monitor and smack some sense into me.
I haven't replied to any of my reviews yet because I've been too busy writing (and then scrapping what I wrote and rewriting :p ). but as always, tha;nks again for the fabulous feedback I've received so far. It's very much appreciated!
And who else is totally excited that Breaking Dawn is going to be out in about two days? Even my tiny little podunk town is having a BD Release party...yeehaw!
Anyway, without further ado...Chapter Ten.
Edward:
Cause it's you and me and all of the people
Nothing to do, nothing to lose
And it's you and me and all of the people and
I don't know why I can't keep my eyes off of you
'You And Me' Lifehouse
I looked calm, I was certain, standing there under the ridiculously floral archway, trying to preserve my dignity even as a couple of stray pink petals floated downward to land on my head. I kept my expression pleasant, implacable, giving no hint to the storm raging inside as I awaited my bride. The crowd was beginning to murmur restlessly, shooting each other looks, some twisting in their seats to peer in the direction where Bella should be appearing.
I looked at Alice, standing there in her pink maid of honor gown, a bit tighter and lower cut than the other bridesmaids' dresses. My sister flashed me what was meant to be a comforting smile. Everything is fine, Edward. Bella is coming. I know she is.
Actually, she didn't. My jaw tightened in acknowledgement of that fact. For there was no reassuring imagery to accompany her words, just a blank space where Bella and her future should be. Because she was with him.
It was both easy and excruciating to not search out Jacob Black's thoughts. Easy, because of the crowd around us, their chaotic, internal monologues clogging up all my mental highways and giving me the closest thing to a headache that a vampire could possibly experience. Excruciating, to not allow myself to search for him and through him, Bella, because as much as I knew they deserved privacy I was absolutely frantic to know what Jacob could possibly be saying to her that was keeping her from coming to me at this vital moment.
Alice was frowning at me now, obviously guessing the direction of my thoughts. Stop it, Edward. You need to have more faith in Bella than that.
For a moment I frowned, and then a sense of peace washed over me, courtesy of Jasper. I sent him a thankful look. It was far easier to think clearly now and I knew Alice was right - I was being ridiculous. I thought back to the conversation I'd had with Bella less than an hour ago and felt deeply ashamed of my fleeting doubts. She had suffered so much and stayed at my side, unwavering through it all. Even when I left her, she'd still been mine. Nothing could break the bond between us now. I'd waited a lifetime for her...I could wait a few more minutes. With a genuine smile, I nodded at the bandleader and he raised a hand, signalling to his flagging bandmates to begin playing in earnest once more.
My faith was almost instantly rewarded. Around the corner, Charlie and Bella appeared. The rest of the world fell away as I stared at her. There could not be a more beautiful creature in existence, and she was mine. Forever.
Bella stared right back and I marvelled at the directness of her gaze, the smile on her face, the sureness of her steps. This was not the nervous girl who had shuffled self-consciously through our wedding rehearsal just last night. I shouldn't have been surprised though. That was my Bella, with the appearance of a lamb, yet the heart of a lion - she may quail at the small steps but when it came time to jump the ravines she was pure courage through and through.
And then she was before me, and I could not tear my eyes away from her as the minister's voice boomed out. "Who gives this woman's hand in marriage?"
"I do." Charlie's response, much like Bella, was surprisingly sure.
Words blended into one another for the next few minutes. I was aware of nothing but Bella, of her eyes looking so forcefully back into mine, of her full lips repeating our vows, of the warm touch of her fingers as she slid the ring onto my finger, and I did the same for her. This was beyond bliss, beyond heaven...it was so much more than I could have ever hoped for or deserve. Too soon, and yet not soon enough, the minister's voice rang out. "I now pronounce you man and wife...you may kiss your bride!"
How could I put into words the sensations that coursed through me, the emotion I felt, when I pulled back Bella's veil and took her face in my hands?. It was beyond me, it transcended me, the way I felt when our lips met. I pulled her as tightly to me as I dared without hurting her and kissed her warm lips until I dimly became aware that the cheers of the crowd were turning into hoots and laughter. I pulled back and Bella was blushing, but her eyes sparkled at me.
"I love you, Isabella Cullen." I murmured, my lips against her hair.
--
Too soon, the moment was interrupted, although that itself brought its own kind of joy. Our loved ones were gathering around us now, offering congratulations and hugs. Bella's mother was crying so hard I could not understand the garbled words she spoke to me, but I must have responded appropriately regardless because she smiled at me warmly before moving on to her daughter.
Then Carlisle and Esme were before me. Neither of my parents said much as they embraced me, overcome by emotion, but their jubilant congratulations were quite clear to me. They, too, moved on to Bella, and then Elisa was there, hugging me happily. "Congratulations, Edward!" She chirped, her face still pink and shiny from recent tears, though it was clear they'd been happy ones. "It was such a beautiful ceremony, and I am so happy for you guys..." She sniffled again and wiped her eyes.
"Thank you, Elisa, for all the work you put into this." I told her, smiling.
Elisa shrugged. " I think I got in Alice's way more than anything, but you're welcome." She grinned, and then her eyes slid sideways to Bella, who was still pre-occupied by well-wishers and then back to me. For a moment she looked just the slightest bit troubled.
Hey Edward, are we keeping the little visit from your vamp tramp a secret? Because it's not like I want to tell Bella but the whole secret thing hasn't really worked out too well for you so far...
I breathed out heavily, but nothing could really put a damper on my euphoria, even the thought of discussing Tanya's visit with my new bride. "Don't worry, Elisa." I told her as quietly as I could and allow her to still hear me. "I'll tell her myself...soon."
Elisa smiled at me, looking relieved. Then she bounced over to speak to Bella and I found myself face to face with a beaming Alice.
"It's about time." Alice's voice was absolutely gleeful as she embraced me. I returned the gesture whole-heartedly and then Alice stepped back. "One big day down, one to go." She informed me, her eyes sparkling. The image appeared almost immediately - one that had first unsettled me like almost nothing else in my whole existence, yet one I recognized well by now, having seen it dozens of times over the last two years. It was my Bella, her skin alabaster, eyes golden, smiling. As always, her face was the only clear thing in the vision, the rest of it murky and obscure, the circumstances apparently not decided on yet. The image shimmered before us for a moment, then faded, and I sighed.
Alice made a small face at the sound of my exhaled breath. "You will do it, Edward. Soon. We can't risk losing her again because of your foolish stubbornness."
"We won't ever lose her again, Alice." I knew she understood the promise behind my words.
She looked at me for a long moment, then smiled. "Thank you." My sister turned to go to Bella, then tossed me a glance over her shoulder. "Oh, and Edward...enjoy the storm."
"What?" I asked, bewildered, but Alice would not let me see the meaning behind her words and it was too late to stop her, she and Bella were already deep in conversation.
The next twenty minutes or so were much of the same...it seemed every single person at the wedding felt the need to congratulate us personally. Bella was the epitome of graciousness as she returned their heartfelt words with smiles and sincere thanks. I, on the other hand, was beginning to feel distinctly impatient as the seemingly never-ending stream of guests barely allowed us to even look at each other. Finally the herd began to thin, people beginning to make their way across the lawn to the tables or to the dance floor where the band was re-grouping and the DJ was setting up. I sighed in relief as I reached out to draw Bella close to my side.
"Is something wrong?" She asked, her voice all innocence as she pressed herself into me, reaching up to caress my face.
"Too. Many. People." I growled back as I tried not to give into the urge to make like a caveman and drag her upstairs. Her gentle touch was maddening. "How much longer is this going to go on for?"
Bella was laughing now, obviously enjoying my impatience. "Hours. The servers haven't even brought out the food yet."
I groaned loudly. "This is all your fault." I informed her. "If you'd just let me run off with you, we'd be completely alone right now."
"Edward!" Bella gasped indignantly but her voice still held laughter.
I sobered. "Bella, thank you for going through with this. You don't know what it means to me...to everyone here."
"To me, too." She whispered back. Standing on tiptoe, she pressed her lips against mine and I allowed myself to get lost in her for just a moment, glorying in the fact that she was mine, my wife, until the end of time. Her arms wound around my neck and it was only with a Herculean effort that I was able to pull away from her. We sighed at the same time, and then laughed. I reached for her hand, winding her fingers with mine, and we were both silent, just enjoying each other.
Bella tensed suddenly beside me, her expression both pleased and apprehensive, and I saw the reason immediately. Jacob was coming out of the crowd towards us, his demeanor deceptively relaxed. I eyed him cautiously as he stepped up to Bella first.
"Congratulations." He told her softly, his voice pleasant, a wide contrast to his volcanic thoughts.
"Thank you, Jacob. It means so much that you came." Bella's voice trembled just slightly.
"Yes." I said quietly. "It does." I could hear the memory in his thoughts now, what he had said to Bella before the ceremony, and I felt a rush of genuine amazement. He had put everything that he'd ever wanted for himself aside to make sure that she could have this day, this future, with me, that she could leave him behind without regrets. It was an extraordinarily unselfish gift.
Jacob kept his smile firmly in place as he turned, and Bella looked shocked as he extended a hand to me. For his sake as much as hers, I went along with the pretense, clasping hands with him even as his vehement thoughts hissed their way into my head. My gratitude towards him for everything he had done for Bella was never-ending. I could take whatever hostility he was slinging my way happily in return.
Even as I thought that, Jacob was clearly misinterpreting my expression. I don't want your pity, bloodsucker. Just keep her safe. I nodded my head as if in response to the blatantly insincere congratulations he was now speaking to me, knowing he would understand.
I mean it. If anything happens to her - if those Volturi leeches get her or if you lose control and kill her yourself, do you have any idea what I'm going to do to you?
I raised an eyebrow slightly as I waited for the inevitable death threats, but Jacob was not content with that. His smile was wider now as he engaged us in menial small talk, all the while lobbying mental fireballs at me.
Oh, I'm not going to kill you. The opposite, actually. If Bella dies because of you, I won't let you cop out of the guilt by offing yourself. Instead, I'll become your new best friend, on you like white on rice 24/7. I'll devote my entire existence to keeping you alive, making sure you suffer through every single second of eternity without her. Hell, I'll move into your house if I have to. It will be you and me, together forever, Edward. A fate worse than death, punishment more terrible than anything that hell can dish out. That incentive enough for you?
I couldn't help the genuine shudder of horror that rippled through me at that, and Jacob smirked. Bella looked back and forth between us, her eyes becoming a bit concerned. Jacob noticed her expression and fixed a more sincere smile on his face, but he was stepping back from us now and I could hear that he had endured all that he could. "Look, Bells, I'm sorry but I've really got to get going."
"Oh." Bella's face fell slightly. "You don't want to stay for the reception?"
Jacob's thoughts clearly revealed that he'd rather having flaming hot coals pressed against his eyeballs, but his expression showed no hint of his inner turmoil and I marvelled at his self-control. "Naw. I've been gone long enough - got a lot of people back at the rez that I gotta catch up with." He shrugged.
"Of course." Bella murmured softly, and I knew that she also realized how hard it would be for Jacob to stay and have to watch us celebrate our union. She reached for his hand, and squeezed it lightly. "Thank you again, Jacob. I am - " She took a deep breath and I stepped back to give them a little privacy. "I'm really going to miss you."
"Me too." Jacob's voice was hushed now, a bit of the mask slipping.
Bella's eyes filled with tears. "Jacob - " She began.
"Please, just don't." His voice was a low whisper now. For a moment they were both silent, then he smiled again. "Goodbye, Bella."
"Goodbye, Jacob." Bella's tears were threatening to overflow now, and I ached for her, knowing this was just the first farewell of many.
He tossed me a final glance but only spoke to me in his head. Remember what I said.
I grimaced. How could I ever forget? If I'd still had the ability to dream, his little speech would give me nightmares.
Bella leaned into me as we watched Jacob walk away. He did not look back. Bella took a deep, shaky breath and I looked down at her in concern. To my surprise, she smiled at me. "Don't worry about me, Edward. Of course I'm sad butI had to let him go a long time ago. I'm just so glad to know that he is going to be alright."
I had doubts about that myself, but it would have been cruel to voice them, so I just held her close and stroked her hair as we both watched Jacob weave his way through the crowd. I was waiting for him to make a discreet break for the forest, but suddenly he caught sight of someone and veered left. Bella noticed too, and then I saw her eyes widen as she saw who he was heading for - Elisa. We both saw him touch her lightly on the arm to get her attention. Elisa turned around, and when she saw who it was she squealed lightly and then launched herself at him with her usual lack of restraint, hugging him. He looked taken aback for a moment, but pleased as he hugged her back.
Bella gasped. "Jacob - and Elisa...they've met? When? Where was I?" I didn't need to answer - I could almost see the wheels turning rapidly in her head. "Before the wedding - that's why no one could find her!" She gave a startled laugh. "Wow...they seem like they know each other rather well for such a short acquaintance."
"Elisa seems to have that effect on people, I've noticed." I kept my tone deliberately casual but I was gauging every nuance of Bella's reaction to what she was seeing.
She studied them for a moment, and then gasped lightly, turning to me. "They didn't...I mean, Jacob didn't...you know, with Elisa, or on Elisa or however it - " Bella stopped speaking as I shook my head. "Oh." She sighed. "That's too bad."
I lifted my brows in mild surprise at her words. She looked genuinely disappointed, but then she took in my expression and chuckled. "It's just that someone like Elisa would be good for him. Someone good-hearted, who could take care of him and make him laugh again..." Bella looked back at them, and Jacob was laughing now at something Elisa was saying. "See?"
I didn't say anything to that, but there must have been some imperceptible darkening on my face because Bella laughed. "Something tells me you don't love that idea, of the two of them. Why? Because it's Jacob? Or - "
"It's not that I don't wish Jacob well. I do, more than I can express, actually. I truly hope that he finds the one that's out there for him - he deserves to be happy. But Elisa is..." I wasn't sure how to phrase it correctly. "Too young. Besides, she's leaving." I finished, knowing how weak that would sound, but I didn't want to tell Bella what I really meant. I could tell by his attitude that Jacob was not exactly immune to Elisa; she was having some kind of effect on him, but the majority of it was lost in his longing for what he could not have. Bella was the one on his mind and in his heart, and Elisa deserved better than to be someone's second choice.
Bella sighed again. "I'm having a fantasy here, Edward, and you're wrecking it. It would be so perfect, if she could be the one...we'd all be family, all the resentment and heartache over with. Happily ever after. Why isn't real life ever that easy?"
"That wouldn't bother you though?" I couldn't help but ask.
Bella moved closer to me, taking my left hand in hers, linking our fingers together and idly tracing our rings. "Honestly?" She gave a deliberate pause and then smiled directly at me. "No. Not anymore."
Elisa had noticed us watching her by now, and she looked self-conscious. Jacob looked up too, following her gaze, and his expression cooled. He gave us a small wave and then took Elisa by the arm, steering her around the corner of the house and out of our sight. Bella watched them go and then shook her head slightly. "I suppose we should go mingle - "
"Hello, newlyweds." Rosalie was suddenly in front of us and I realized she had been one of the few to not speak to us right after the ceremony. "Congratulations. Welcome to the family, Bella." There was no mistaking the sincerity of her words and I smiled at her in appreciation. Bella looked touched as well as Rosalie reached out to squeeze her hands.
Rosalie then turned to me, deciding to get right to the point. "I didn't get you a wedding present." She announced, her teeth gleaming as she smiled at us.
Bella laughed. "That's alright, Rosalie. We didn't want any, remember?"
Rosalie just raised a perfect eyebrow and I sucked in an admiring breath as I saw the image in her mind. Her smile widened into a pleased grin as she saw the impressed look on my face. "Niiice." I told her, figuring she genuinely deserved the praise. Impressive that she'd managed to hide this from me.
"What am I missing here?" Bella looked confused.
"Rosalie is saying she didn't get me a present." I explained to her. "She did, however, get you one."
"Of course I didn't get you a wedding gift, Edward." Rosalie rolled her eyes, ignoring Bella's now dismayed expression as she turned to her. "Do you have any idea how wholly unsatisfying he is to shop for? Every year at Christmas it's the same thing. He either reads my mind to find out what I'm getting him, or he asks Alice to tell him and since he's her favorite, she always does. Then he always manages to find some way to exchange it for whatever he really wanted before I ever even get it under the tree. Going through that once a year is enough."
"Edward, that's awful!" Bella frowned at me now, temporarily distracted from the subject of her gift.
I just shrugged, still smiling. There was no real point in telling Bella that Rosalie, on the other hand, let me put in weeks of effort into her presents only to loudly insult them in front of everyone on Christmas morning, and then make the biggest show of exchanging them that she could. Rampant insensitivity seemed to be a trait that defined our relationship, from the earliest days when we had instantly disliked each other until now, even though we had grown to genuinely love each other as family. Oddly enough, it had become strangely entertaining over the years, a constant competition to see who could be the most obnoxious. It was the one thing I rarely beat her at.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Rosalie was asking now. "Let's go check it out."
Bella gave me a wide-eyed look that turned into alarm as Rosalie and I turned towards the garage, realizing exactly what type of present Rosalie had gotten her. Whatever protest she was about to make, however, dried up when Rosalie reached out and took her arm, linking them together as casually as if they'd always strolled around like the best of friends. Bella looked absolutely stunned, but Rosalie chose to ignore this as we walked quickly to the garage.
Bella held her dress up tentatively as we stepped onto the dusty concrete inside the outbuilding, and Rosalie flipped on the light. The building was far emptier than it usually was. Over the past few weeks, my family members had taken turns driving vehicles and irreplaceable possesions to our new home in Newfoundland. The only vehicles that remained were the Volvo, which I still hadn't decided what to do with, the Aston Martin that I had planned on driving to Canada with Bella, a new van that Carlisle had purchased just for the trip, and the Porsche that Alice and Jasper would be driving. And there was one more vehicle, hidden carefully under a tarp. Rosalie strode over to it and with the grace of a supermodel whisked the tarp off. "Surprise!"
Bella's jaw dropped. After a moment of staring, she hurried over to Rosalie's side. "It's...it's...gorgeous! What kind of - "
Rosalie laughed, clearly pleased with Bellas's reaction. "It is a '67 Mustang, fully restored, brand new V8 engine and more. Since you were so fond of that rusty truck of yours, I figured you might have a taste for the classics."
"I do!" Bella's eyes were still wide with amazement as she walked the length of her new car, trailing her fingers over the glossy black paint job and eyeing the red leather interior. "I mean, I didn't even know I did, but I totally, completely love it! "
Even I had to admit that the car was perfect for Bella. It had not only that vintage feel, but just a hint of the danger she seemed so fond of. I sighed resignedly as Rosalie grinned at me. "It's so much better than that pretentious, overpriced piece of machinery that Edward wanted to get for you." She informed Bella smugly.
Bella was too absorbed in her new car to answer. I shrugged at Rosalie. "Perhaps." I admitted. "But it's not nearly as safe. Maybe you can drive it to Canada and put it away until - " I didn't get to finish that sentence...Bella straightened up and both she and Rosalie shot daggers at me with their eyes.
"No way." Bella announced firmly. "The Mustang is staying right here until I drive it to Canada. I can't wait to try it out!"
"Bella - " I started to protest but Rosalie kicked me lightly.
"Stop being such an overprotective ninny, Edward." She scowled at me. I can't believe it, but I'm almost looking forward to the day that you'll no longer have an excuse to wring your hands over fragile little Bella every second. Her thoughts informed me icily.
"I can see how this is going to work. You're going to side with Bella from now on every time we have a disagreement, aren't you? Traitor." I muttered. Now that Rosalie had absconded to Team Bella, it was clear to me that I had no hope of ever winning another argument.
"That's what sisters are for." Rosalie responded, still smug.
"Thank you, Rosalie." Bella was beaming at her now, and we all realized her thanks wasn't just for the car.
At that moment the garage door re-opened and Emmett came in, followed by several of our guests, all men, whose eyes lit up at the sights before them. "Rose." Emmett smiled at her. "I thought I saw you headed this way and these guys were all excited to see what you've been working on in here."
Rosalie brightened as she and Emmett led the others over to the Mustang and began to talk mechanics. It was something she and Emmett both enjoyed, shining the spotlight on her and her considerable talent, and rubbing it just a bit that not only was she shockingly beautiful but had a gift for cars that most professional mechanics would sell their souls for. Every single one of those men would leave knowing he had just met the perfect woman, and that he had no chance of ever obtaining her, and I could tell by Emmett's roguish grin that he would enjoy that too.
Leaving the two of them to it, I took Bella's hand and we walked back out into the day. For a moment, we were quiet as we strolled back onto the lawn hand in hand, and then I looked down at her. "How are you enjoying married life so far, Mrs. Cullen?"
Bella rolled her eyes, but then a wicked smile curved her lips. "Why don't you ask me...tomorrow?" Her voice was all suggestive sweetness and I could only stare, mouth agape as I tried to reconcile the fire she'd once again stoked inside of me. "You are diabolical." I breathed, and she chuckled.
The intrusion of the mundane came to my rescue once again. My attention was diverted this time by the stormy thoughts of my brother Jasper, and I turned to see him leaning against a nearby tree, oblivious to our presence. He was glowering across the grounds at Elisa, who had returned from her stroll with Jacob and was standing next to Jessica, talking with a group of our old high school classmates.
Bella followed the direction of my gaze. "What's wrong with Jasper? Why is he staring at Elisa like that?"
I noticed the hint of defensiveness in her voice - it was beginning to grate on all of us, Jasper's unchecked hostility towards our newest family member. Even as we watched, Alice made her way over to Jasper, taking his hand and whispering in his ear. It took a moment but he finally relaxed, though he shot Elisa one last cold glance before walking off with Alice.
A nudge from Bella reminded me that she was still waiting for an answere. I considered my words carefully - it looked like an uncomfortable subject was about to come up sooner than I had planned on. "Something happened earlier. Jacob wasn't our only unexpected visitor. Someone else showed up as well...Tanya."
"Tanya." Bella repeated, her voice flat. She turned her head and began scanning the guests, her expression wary.
"She didn't stay." I answered her unspoken question. "Tanya wasn't here to attend the wedding."
"Then why was she here, Edward?" Bella's voice was just a little too controlled. She waited for a moment. "That's what I thought." Unexpectedly, she laughed. "I suppose I can't blame the girl for trying."
"I can." I muttered. "And she's not exactly a girl, either."
Bella looked confused now. "I don't understand, though. What does this have to do with Elisa and Jasper?"
I rubbed my forehead. "Elisa ran into Tanya as well." I explained. "When she realized why Tanya was here...well, let's just say our young champion was displeased. And not afraid to be vocal about it."
Bella stared. "Edward, tell me she didn't make a scene."
I chuckled. "You do realize this is Elisa we are talking about here, right?"
Bella laughed, but then bit her lip. "She's got to stop doing that! I admit, I actually do admire her ability to..." She struggled for the right words.
"To say anything to anyone, no matter how inappropriate?" I guessed and Bella nodded.
"Yes! Sometimes I wish I had her guts, but if she isn't more careful she'll end up getting herself into big trouble one of these days. Her world is different now - Elisa can't go on acting the way she used to without realizing the consequences have changed. Edward, you've got to talk to her."
"Rosalie already did." I told her. "And..." I paused for a moment, looking across the grounds again. Jasper and Alice were deep in conversation with a concerned looking Carlisle and Esme now. I listened for a few seconds before I spoke again. "Carlisle is going to speak to her too."
Bella nodded. "That's good. But I think you have a lot of influence on her...are you sure you shouldn't speak to her as well?"
"I don't know if I could keep a straight face during that conversation." I admitted ruefully. "The whole scenario was rather amusing, actually."
Bella was grinning now too. "I'll probably end up thanking her at some point myself." She admitted. "OK, but I still don't understand what this has to do with Jasper. He's upset that she insulted Tanya?"
I shook my head. "No...it's more complicated than that. Jasper feels that - "
At that moment, a voice boomed across the grounds, making us both jump slightly. The DJ had turned on his microphone, and belatedly we realized that nearly everyone was surrounding the dance area. Bella blanched...she knew what was coming.
"Well, folks, we're going to open the floor with a special song for our newlyweds. Will the bride and groom please come on down? It's time for your first dance!"
Bella moaned as all eyes turned, searching and then finding us, eager voices beckoning us forward. I laughed as I raised her hand to my face, pressing a kiss into her palm, and then pulling her with me, everything else forgotten.
Elisa:
You can't make the snow fall in summer
Or make him not want her
And not leave you behind
Maybe he'll stay in touch years down the road
And hope that he's still on your mind
The sun may come up and go down again
I'll still swear it's a beautiful life
'Beautiful Life', Charlotte Martin
Tears had always come easily to me, and the second I saw Bella come around the corner of the house on her father's arm they flowed as freely as if someone had reached into my head and turned on a faucet. I cried harder when Chief Swan handed her off, and she and Edward were facing each other in front of the minister. The way that they stared at each other as they stood underneath the archway...it was like watching Romeo and Juliet come to life without the depressing family feud and suicide crap mucking it all up.
What really opened the floodgates for me though was the sight of Jacob Black, coming from seemingly nowhere, slipping into a seat next to his shocked looking father. As if he felt me staring, he looked directly at me and smiled faintly. I knew then that he had done it. He'd come here for Bella, and he'd set her free. My heart swelled with emotion and from that point on I pretty much had absolutely no chance of regaining my composure during the ceremony.
At least I wasn't the only overly emotional person around - I could see Renee in the front row, sobbing with her head on her husband's shoulder and next to them, Esme was wiping her eyes with such an emotional face that you'd have to really stare in order to see that she wasn't actually shedding any tears. Several other sentimental souls were looking rather misty eyed as well. Mrs. Haversham, who was much further back, was the loudest crier of all, bawling and blowing her nose so loudly that people seated near her were giving her dirty looks. Beside me, Jessica had begun to sniffle as well. Angela made a valiant effort to keep a calm face, but after a few minutes of watching us succumb to near hysteria she started tearing up too.
After the ceremony was over and we'd congratulated the newlyweds, the three of us practically raced to the bathroom where we fought for space in front of the mirror and took turns fixing each others smeared makeup. When I came back from the restroom, the first person I noticed was Jacob again, talking to Bella and Edward. He was smiling, but I couldn't but notice the darkness of his eyes and the rigid set of his shoulders. I had to fight against the urge to go rescue him and I sighed at the sheer stupidity of that impulse. First I practically beg him to come to the wedding and sacrifice himself for Bella's happiness and then, when he actually goes through with it I want to save him from all the pain I'd known it would cause him. Hello capriciousness, thy name is Elisa.
Trying to distract myself, I began to wander across the grounds. I saw Jessica standing with a group of people I didn't know, waving me over, and I was about to walk over and join them when I felt a heated touch on my arm. I turned around and Jacob was standing there, smiling at me.
Happy that he'd sought me out and especially that he didn't seem to blame me for the ordeal he'd just been through, I didn't think before I threw my arms around him. "Jacob! You came back!" He looked surprised at my overly exuberant greeting and briefly I wondered if I should be embarrassed by my own impulsiveness, but quickly decided I didn't care. I had thought we'd said goodbye forever and now here he was again - why get hung up over the details?
We pulled apart and for just a few seconds, awkward silence reigned until I spoke again. "You did it, didn't you?" I didn't need confirmation for what I already knew. "You are so totally my hero." I giggled at the look on his face when I said that. "You look different. Who cut your hair?"
Jacob's lips quirked. "Emily. She was pretty much the only person at home who understood why I had to come back. Well, Seth was on my side too but Leah was still out-shouting him when I left." He sighed. "I wanted to thank you, Elisa, for saying what I needed to hear earlier. It really made a difference."
I smiled. "Even I'm bound to get something right every once in a while."
Jaccob wrinkled his nose at me. "Somehow, Elisa, I really doubt this is the first time you've managed to say exactly the right thing at the right time."
I shrugged. Might as well let him go on thinking that - since I wasn't going to see him after today there was no real need to clue him in on how generally inept I really was. I let my gaze trail up and down his long frame, observing all the details that had changed in just the short time since I'd last seen him. He looked so different from the person I'd met in the woods earlier today, almost too civilized in a way, but his eyes - they frightened me a little. There was a deadness in them that was alarming, like some part of him had just given up. I decided not to think about that too much. Let it just be for today, was all I could hope. Maybe tomorrow would be better for him.
Jacob frowned a little as my eyes traveled over him. "Something wrong?"
"No." I smiled as I let my eyes make the circuit once more. "I'm just checking you out. You clean up really well, do you know that?" I watched with amusement as his skin turned copper colored like it had earlier in the forest. "Are you blushing? Again? Do you know I've never been able to make a guy do that before?"
Jacob laughed now, and a bit of life sprang back into his gaze, much to my relief. He surveyed me with dancing black eyes for a moment, but slowly, the light faded and my heart sank just a little. Something seemed to catch his attention and he looked up. I did as well to see Bella and Edward standing several yards away. To my surprise, they were both staring at us, and I flushed slightly, wondering if Bella had seen me practically throwing myself at her sort of ex. That was going to make for an awkward conversation later.
Jacob seemed to not want to be in their line of vision either. He took my arm. "Let's go this way." It wasn't really a suggestion - he was already leading me around the corner of the house, towards the forest where we'd first met. For a moment we walked in silence, then he stopped just short of the treeline. "Anyway, I'm going to take off, but I wanted to say goodbye first."
"Goodbye?" I frowned. "You haven't even really said hello yet." I wished he would look at me, really look, just once before we said our final farewell. It was quite disconcerting to have a whole conversation with someone who stared right through me like I was a ghost.
Jacob seemed to think my downcast expression was irritation with him for bailing so quickly. "I'm sorry, Elisa, but I just can't stay. I can't watch..."
I put a hand on his arm, not wanting him to have to finish that sentence. I knew what he meant - he'd done everything he could for Bella and anything more was just added salt in his wounds. "I understand, Jacob, I really do."
"Thanks." Jacob shoved his hands in his pockets. "So, you sure you don't want to come with me? Emily and Sam would be real happy if I brought you back. They're not too thrilled that the Cullens are taking off with you for parts unknown."
I sighed. I heard the hint in his words and I wasn't about to clue him in on where we were heading. "No thanks. But could you - " I hesitated for a moment. "Will you tell them thank you for me? I know I didn't really say it before, but it means a lot that they offered. I'm sorry that I didn't get the chance to know them better." Or you. I thought to myself.
"Sure. I'll tell them." Jacob nodded. "Well, I guess this is it, huh?"
"Yeah." I paused for a moment. "I won't forget you, Jacob Black."
He smiled. "I won't forget you either, Elisa." But his eyes belied his words...they were distant, looking away from me, back towards the noise of the festivities that we could not see, back towards Bella.
"Really?" I crossed my arms, feeling a little chilled. "Because it looks to me like you already have."
"What?" Jacob looked back at me now, his expression confused.
"Nothing. Don't worry about it." I shook my head. It wasn't so much that I felt bad for me. I'd be over this little Insta-Crush that I'd developed on him despite myself soon enough. But Jacob...well, I suspected if he had his way he'd be frozen forever in this state of mourning for Bella and it made me sad for him. Boys could be so stupid. Selfishly, I was almost glad that I would not see him again. Watching him and what he was doing to himself was already hard enough. Seeing him suffer over the long term, if I'd had enough time to grow really attached to him, would be pretty much unendurable. I hoped I was wrong though. Maybe I wasn't giving him enough credit. He deserved a little time to grieve, after all.
"I suppose I should get going." Jacob was saying now, bringing me out of my thoughts.
"Sure. Goodbye, Jacob. I hope...that you have a really good life, with everything you deserve." I smiled at my own lame farewell even as I felt that annoying lump trying to rise in my throat again.
"You too. Hey...Elisa." Jacob had turned towards the trees, but quickly he turned back and finally it was there, what I had been waiting for, a look that was just for me. I looked back at him questioningly and he grinned. "You know, in another world, you and me...I think it could have been fun."
I couldn't help but smile at that. "It probably would have been."
And then he was gone, disappearing into the shadows. I stood there for a few long minutes, just gazing at the empty space where he had just been. It seemed very unfair that goodbye hadn't been any easier to say the second time around. There was a familiar burning sensation beneath my eyelids, but I refused to give into it this time. Instead, I thought about his last words to me. There might just be hope for the boy after all. And with that bit of hope making me smile, I turned and headed back towards the reception.
To Be Continued...
A/N (and it's a long one...)
-sigh- I admit I'm really sad to see Jacob go. I definitely wasn't the biggest fan of his character, but he grew on me a lot while I was writing this, (like Elisa, I realized that I had greatly undervalued him) and I was so tempted to scrap my future plans for Elisa and set the two of them up. I wasn't expecting them to have such a good connection (well, they did in my mind, anyway), but really, neither one of them were ready for a big mystical soulmate connection. Don't worry though...someday, Elisa's prince will come (and because I'm evil, their relationship will be full of obstacles and complications, I'm sure. :p ) And we just might have not seen the last of Jacob, either...
Anyway, Elisa's segment was originally supposed to be much longer but I felt the rest of it (which is pretty much reception fluff; a few funny and sentimental moments here and there) detracted too much from her final encounter with Jacob. In the next chapter, would you like to see the reception continue or are you ready for the story to move on? Let me know...it will help me decide which direction to go.
In the meantime, I believe I promised a new story summary, now that Bella and Edward are actually married and the old one doesn't quite fit anymore. OK...here goes.
Fifteen year old Elisa was once an everyday Twilight fangirl, but now, inexplicably, she's become a part of Edward and Bella's world. Her struggle to fit into her new life, however, may become a fight just to survive at all as a betrayal turns a frightening premonition into a grim reality and the Cullens discover that even their best efforts may not be enough to keep either Bella or Elisa safe...
OK, that was rather vague...I'm working on it. Also, however, I do have some teasers for you all...a few quotes from later chapters (yes, I stole that idea from Stephenie Meyer's daily Breaking Dawn quotes. Sue me. :D ) Read at your own risk, however...I kinda suck at teasers - sometimes they are far too vague or they give away too much. And please keep in mind that some of these quotes are from chapters far, far down the line. I don't write chapters ahead of time (if I did, I wouldn't have so much trouble with deadlines) but I do have the entire storyline written out, and as scenes come to me I tend to write down bits and pieces. And these could be out of order as well.
Teasers:
"I don't believe this." I stared around at the ring of faces surrounding me, seeing nothing but concern and knowing I shouldn't resent them for it but I was just so frustrated. "I finally meet a guy who's sweet, cute, available, and very possibly not even gay and I'm not allowed to date him?!"
--
I didn't need to wait now for the vision that would confirm my worst fears. By the time Alice fell to her knees, screaming Bella's name, I was already running, and as I ran, for the first time in almost a century I began to pray...
--
Without warning, his ice-cold tongue snaked out and lapped the tiny amount of blood off of my wrist as I cringed back and tried to pull away. His eyes gleamed. "Delicious." He murmured. "I envy her this treat." With that, he released me and looked at his watch. "Fifteen minutes, starting now, Elisa. I suggest you run."
NEW: A line from the very next chapter, (#11, The Storm).
Please forgive me, Bella. Please. I whispered brokenly.