Jacob, Tanya, Lauren, Alice, Jasper, and Tyler were all present for the concert at the Hollywood Bowl, the next day.
"I'm so proud of you, Bells." Jacob told me as he pulled me into a hug.
"Thank you." I whispered as I hugged him before stepping back.
"I thought you should know that Edward still got three months in confinement, but they will be moving for dismissal of all charges after he completes his time in confinement. It's all thanks to you, Bella." He told me.
I nodded, "I should have taken the Bar like my my mother told me to." I replied with a small smile and eye roll.
He shook his head, and smiled back, "She here?" He asked me.
I shook my head, "She's with Oliver… I'm not sure if she'll make it, but I'm supposed to be heading home after the performance either way." I told him.
"Well, we'll be here cheering you on. I'm going to record it so she can watch the performance later." He told me.
"Thanks, Jake. You're an amazing friend." I whispered.
"You don't need to tell me. I already know." He told me with a smirk.
I laughed before saying goodbye and heading to get ready for the performance.
I changed into a long, floor-length, black dress with lace. And put my platform heels on.
Kate helped me do my makeup before Jane did my hair.
As the time grew near, I pulled out my phone and watched the video I had been watching on replay for the last two days.
We stood before the judge holding hands, eyes staring at anywhere but each other.
"To be true and loyal to him, and to comfort and keep him in sickness and in health." The judge said.
As the camera moved to face me.
"I do." I whispered.
"By the power vested in me by the great State Of California, it is my honor to pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride." She tells us.
The camera shows us leaning in and kissing each other before Jake's face appears and he smiles and he waves at it.
The camera then goes dark before we reappear this time we are standing outside the courthouse, and Edward and I are smiling.
He smiles at something Jake says, rolling his eyes at him before he turns and kisses my cheek as I hold a single red rose in front of me as we smile at Jake again.
I turn as Kate comes towards me, "Oh my god, it is so full out there." She tells me excitedly, as she covers her face with her hands.
I smile at her before we hear the announcer on the P.A.
"Please take your seats."
"Whew." She sighs before we turn and see Garrett motioning for us to go.
We smile and do our secret hand shake before turning and walking onto the stage, grabbing the microphone one of the stage helping hands holds out towards me.
"Ladies and gentlemen, introducing Bella Swan and The Loyal."
I take a deep breath as I look at the massive crowd and hear them cheering, a smile pulling at my lips as I walk onto the stage.
I raise my hand, waving at them as I make my way across the stage towards the piano.
From where I stand I can see as my mother walks in, and is guided to her reserved spot, Waylon is standing there when she arrives and she smiles widely at him as he hugs her in response. Along with Jake and everyone else.
I notice she put the soundproof headphones on Oliver, and has him in a kangaroo carrier.
"How we doing, Hollywood Bowl?" I asked with a large smile.
Edward's POV:
I didn't want to be here. I hated that I told my aunt Esme that I would be here when I wanted nothing more than to fucking stay at the base.
It was a fucking dumb idea to come back here just to drive right hours tomorrow. Yet here I was.
Despite them having dropped yet another bombshell to wreck what was left of the pieces of my life.
As it turns out I wasn't Carlisle's son, my father was named Edward like me. He had been a Marine too, in fact, he got a purple heart, along with a Medal of Honor because he died saving his platoon.
My mother married Carlisle after Esme, my mother's younger sister, abandoned him after deciding motherhood wasn't for her, leaving him alone to raise Emmett.
My life was a complete fuck up and I didn't know what I was going to do. Time in confinement would probably serve me well at this point.
"I get that you're angry." She told me as I sat on the bed.
I shook my head and got up to leave, only for her to grab my hand pleadingly.
"Talk to us. We only wanted you to realize that we care about you." She told me.
I sighed before turning to look at her, "You really think that I'll want you or Carlisle in my life after everything you two told me last night? No. I want you and that man to get away from me. As far as possible." I told her, trying to reign in my anger.
"But we're your only family." She says, her voice breaking.
I shook my head in disbelief, "You know, we may have familial ties, and blood relations but we are no longer family." I told her.
"We were only—" she began.
"Enough! Crying isn't going to change anything. You two lied to me! You were supposed to be like my parents, but you burned those bridges. Now, leave me alone." I told her.
"Please…" She whimpered.
I stared at her blankly, feeling nothing but disgust towards both of them and their actions.
The door opened and Emmett walked in, "Bro, you finished packing yet?" He asked me.
I nodded, turning to look at her again. "After today I don't want to see you or that man ever again. If by any chance Bella decides to forgive me, and she decides that she wants to see you. Rose or Emmett will let you know. But I don't want anything to do with either of you." I said to her before grabbing my things.
As I made my way out of the room, down the hall, and passed the fireplace I stopped in my tracks, realizing that there were now two Purple Hearts on top of the fireplace.
"Edward, are you ready?" Carlisle called. "I'm sorry to say, but it's time." He told me.
"I didn't know I'd still get this." I mumbled, exhaling in disbelief.
Carlisle nodded, solemnly, "Mm. Time to go." He said.
Emmett walked with us. "I got your things ready back at the house. Peaches will be waiting for you upon your return." He told me.
"Thank you." I murmured to Emmett, as I slipped my hat on and made my way towards the door.
Bella's POV:
I sat down on the piano, taking a deep breath as my fingers began to dance across the ivory keys.
The soft sweet melody began to play through the speakers.
"I was fine before you walked right through that door
And now I'm something more than I ever imagined
I was so sure I knew exactly who you were
But you were something more than I ever imagined
In your arms, I'm safe and sound
You turn my world right upside down
But all the hell we've been through had a purpose
Together we are chaos and it's perfect"
My eyes closed as the memories of the past few months began to play in my head.
The first night we met. Our wedding night. The way he held me that night after we made love. How tender he was. The look on his eyes.
"Always thought those feelings, they were stories not made for me
It's terrifying, but I'm pretty certain it's worth it
I didn't, I didn't know what love could, what love could be
Until you, until you loved my everything
The good, the bad, the in between
I didn't know you were something I could need
Until you, until you loved my everything
The good, the bad, the in between, all of me"
Tears sprang in my eyes as I thought about it all. The good, the bad. Everything.
I knew what Rose said was true, but could really fall for him.
"I was fine before you kissed me on the forehead
Held me 'til the mornin', never imagined
In your arms, I'm safe and sound
You turn my world right upside down
But all the hell we've been through had a purpose
Together we are chaos and it's perfect
Always thought those feelings, they were stories not made for me
It's terrifying, but I'm pretty certain it's worth it"
As I played my heart began to thrum as I thought of Edward. I realized I wasn't falling for him, I already had.
"I didn't, I didn't know what love could, what love could be
Until you, until you loved my everything
The good, the bad, the in between
I didn't know you were something I could need
Until you, until you loved my everything
The good, the bad, the in between, all of me
I could die in your eyes for the rest of my life
I could die in your eyes until the end of time
I didn't, I didn't know
I didn't, I didn't know
I didn't, I didn't know
I didn't, I didn't know
I didn't know, I didn't know"
I stood up as the song was coming to an end, moving towards the crowd.
Tears sprang in my eyes as it hit me.
I was in love with Edward Masen, and he was leaving for three months.
A smile grazed my lips as I stared at the cheering crowd.
The choice was lying before me. And I had to choose now.
Author's Note:
Song: I Didn't Know by Sofia Carson.
I'm glad a lot of you liked the last chapter.
Next chapter is the last... I may write an epilogue a few years later, but I am not sure yet.
Anyways, enjoy!