The ceremony lasts no longer than an hour, and I somehow manage to pin Edward without stabbing him. All of our friends are there to support him, and afterward, we all head out to celebrate. Edward has told me that now everything is official, he could be called to Virginia at any point. I understand, but it's put a damper on my mood.
When Rose and Alice ask me what's going on, I tell them how plans could change at the last minute. "I guess it's a good thing Emmett and I are going to elope this weekend. That way Edward won't miss out."
"Wait, what? We've been making centerpieces for three weeks!" I playfully shove Rose as she laughs.
"We're still having the big party for our families, but we decided to do something super small and official as soon as we could so Edward wouldn't miss it. That's why I asked if you guys were free this weekend." Throwing my arms around, I feel like I could cry.
Edward has been so worried about the fact that he was probably going to miss the wedding, and he was downright heartbroken. The whole idea that he knows he's going to miss out on so much of our friends' lives from this point on is taking a toll on him. I feel so guilty, and I worry about how this will affect him once he's over on the East Coast on his own for a while.
The girls and I make plans for the weekend, and I agree to come stay with Rose and Alice at Rose's house and make sure the boys will stay at my place. Doing something sort of traditional in light of the non-traditional wedding seems right, and since it's only Wednesday, Edward and I will get some alone time before things get wedding crazy.
I get some time to hang out with Chelsea, and once I really get a chance to talk to her boyfriend, Sam, I realize that Edward might have every right to be worried. He talks about Chelsea like they've already broken up, and she refers to him as a "mistake". When I get her alone, I pry like Esme probably wants to, and ask her what's going on.
"We're not really dating. He's my fuck buddy." Chelsea's face turns a sort of puce, and she ducks her head away from me.
I take a steadying breath. "Is he a dick? I mean, does he treat you all right or is this awkward? How did he end up coming with you? And why does everyone think he's your boyfriend?"
"We're kind of close, as friends, I mean." Chelsea gives me a familiar story. Close friends that turned into something more, but Sam doesn't want to commit but he doesn't want to let her go either. He really thought if she came to California by herself she would meet someone and dip out on him.
Which she should, and it's a shame she didn't.
The irony and déjà vu have me feeling a little queasy. "I know your parents are leaving tomorrow, but could you extend your trip? Even a few days?"
"You want me to stay?" Her wide blue eyes focus on me, making me smile.
"Yeah, I think you and I should talk, like, a lot more." We check on her ticket and text her boss, who graciously grants her a few extra days. It's not much, but Sam will be leaving without her, and that's enough of a start. "You two don't live together, do you?"
"God, no. That would be so stupid." Chelsea laughs as she goes to tell Esme and Carl and break the bad news to Sam.
"So stupid," I mutter to myself. Edward appears at my side, smiling, holding a beer.
"You look happy. Are you and Chels bonding?"
"More than you could know. She's going to stay a few more days. Sam's going home." I lean up, pressing a kiss to his chin. "And we have a busy weekend ahead of us. Why don't we shut this party down and go home?"
His eyebrows shoot up into his hairline. "Are you going to give me my present?"
Sending him a small salute. "Yes, sir."
"Wrap it up, folks! It's time to go home!" He pulls me into a bear hug, and I bury my face in his chest.
"Congratulations, Chief."