By Labor Day, Jake has officially accepted the position at TSC, and he can move into the barracks on base in two weeks. We're both feeling relieved, but there's a part of me that will miss him just a little bit.
Rose has also decided that we're now all hands on deck as she fully swings into wedding planning mode. I had asked her all summer to start looking at venues, dresses, caterers, and anything else, but she kept putting it off. Now, with the big date set for the end of January, she and Emmett need to get cracking, and so do Alice and I.
The cookout is at Emmett and Rose's house, and that's helpful, considering there's enough of us to go around. As Jasper and Emmett man the grill and Alice shows Edward how to make macaroni salad, Rose and I look at wedding venues online.
After looking at the fifth semi-local winery that doesn't have any availability for the next year, I take a deep breath and turn to look at my bride. "I think you may need to have some realistic expectations, Rose."
She leans her head on my shoulder and whimpers comically. "Why did I wait so long to do anything?"
"Because you hate planning things, and I totally enabled you because I was in a little happy relationship cocoon." I laugh and nudge her off me.
"So, can I blame you?"
"Absolutely not. We can figure this out." When the doorbell rings, she goes to answer the door to let her parents in as I search for unique wedding venues.
Rose is anything but traditional, and the fact that she and Emmett haven't just eloped at this point is mind boggling to me. So, anything out of the norm will work. I'm engrossed in reading a listicle of "San Diego's Best Small Wedding Venues" when Edward flops down beside me.
"Alice is mean." He's pouting, but when I glance over my shoulder, I see Alice laughing into a bowl on the counter. "She says I can't make anything."
Leaning over to press a kiss to his cheek, I laugh. "You know how to make my coffee, and you know how to order a mean takeout. I think I'll keep you."
"Gee, thanks. What are you doing?" He peers over my shoulder, and then side eyes me. "Rosalie hasn't picked a venue yet?"
"Nope. And she just wants to walk into a bridal shop next weekend. I don't know what to do with her." We laugh as Edward pulls me back into the cushions.
"But, you found several places and made appointments, didn't you?" I nod. "And you're trying to make something work for her, aren't you?"
"Well, I am the MOH. It's kind of my job to help her out." I shrug as Edward guides my head to his chest.
"But it isn't your responsibility to take care of everyone. You know that, right?" He's running his hand along my back in a soothing motion.
Sighing, I agree. "Yeah, but—"
"Help her, but don't kill yourself doing it." He drops a kiss to the top of my head. "It's almost time to eat."
Sometimes, I hate that Edward somehow got smarter after starting therapy because he's right. I can help my friends, but I can't bend over backward anymore for people. I know Rose would do the same for me, but how far would any one person go for another?
As I think about my future with Edward, I have to consider putting myself and our relationship first when prioritizing things. I've never not taken care of myself, but it's not just me anymore. I need to start remembering that.