Jacob
I had got the invitation to Bella and Edward's Wedding.
I marched out the front door.
I threw it on the ground.
Breaking into a run, I peeled my shirt off.
Dad wheeled out after me.
"Jake! Jacob!"
I transformed into my big russet brown Wolf.
I trotted across the clearing and into the woods.
Billy
I watched Jake run off.
I noticed the card at my feet.
I picked it up.
I studied it.
It was an invitation to Bella and Edward's Wedding.
Charlie
Bella and Edward's Wedding invitation rested in my hand.
I was sitting at the Kitchen table.
Renee
I got the invitation to Bella and Edward's Wedding out of the mail.
I grinned.
"Phil!" I called.
I stepped down the walkway to our back porch, holding it up for Phil to see.
"It's happening."
Aro
Valentina walked in.
"Ah, Valentina brought us something."
"She should not have interrupted." Caius pointed out.
"She's new." I explained to him.
"Aren't they all?" Marcus questioned, void of any empathy.
Caius smirked.
Valentina approached me where I stood on the edge of the throne platform.
I motioned her to come closer.
Valentina held a silver tray out.
I picked the piece of mail up off it.
I opened it.
It was an invitation to Edward and Bella's Wedding.
I spoke Italian.
"Edward and Bella are to be married."
"Wonderful." Marcus commented, void of any empathy.
"This is The Cullens' way of announcing her transformation. They mock us with their delaying tactics." Caius pointed out.
"Patience, brother."
I put the envelope back on the silver tray.
"Though you did have a point."
I stroked Valentina's cheek.
"A human did interrupt."
Felix and Demetri killed her.
"Ah. I do love Weddings."
Bella
I walked clumsily in white high heels on the porch.
I joined Alice.
I struggled to balance myself.
"Um... You just have to break them in."
"I've been breaking them in. For three days. Can I just go barefoot?"
"No. Absolutely not."
"Just thinking it's a little much, you know? The dress and the shoes... And all of this."
Jasper and Carlisle carried benches pass us.
"No. It's exactly enough. Tomorrow will be perfect."
Emmett carried a log.
"Where do you want them, boss?"
"On either side of the aisle."
"What aisle?" Rosalie questioned, carrying a tree stump.
"Does no one have vision?"
Alice headed off, joining the others preparing the backyard for the Ceremony.
I slid the white heels off.
I put my brown sneakers on.
I spotted Edward overlooking the yard from a Balcony.
I was transfixed by him.
Alice blocked my view.
"You, go home and get lots of beauty sleep. That's an order."
"Okay."
Alice hugged me.
I broke the hug.
Alice
I watched Bella walk off.
I then turned and picked up the three inch white heels.
Under my dark long hair, my lips curled into a smile.
I looked out over the yard.
Bella
Night
I closed a cardboard box.
I turned my back to it.
I rested my hands on its' corners.
I looked over my room.
I approached my bed, eyeing the dreamcatcher on my headboard.
I leaned over and started to unhook it.
I stopped as a sudden breeze blows through my long brown hair.
I turned to find Edward in the room.
I faced him.
"I was just checking for cold feet."
I sat on my bed.
"Well, mine are toasty warm."
"It's not too late to change your mind."
"What? Now you're having second thoughts?"
Edward adverted his gaze.
"You are."
He shook his head softly.
"No. I've been waiting a century to marry you, Miss. Swan."
"But? But?"
"I haven't told you everything about myself."
"What? You're not a virgin?"
I gazed at him fondly.
Edward ambled across the room.
"Bella..."
"Look, you can't scare me away now."
I crawled to the center of my bed.
I watched him.
"Look, a few years after Carlisle created me... I rebelled against him. I resented him for curbing my appetite. And so for awhile, I went off on my own. I wanted to know how it felt to hunt."
Edward
I was having a flashback.
A movie theater audience watches the Bride of Frankenstein.
I sat among them.
Bella
"To taste human blood."
Edward
As a woman wearing a plush hat walks up the aisle, I spotted a thin-faced man in a seat several rows ahead.
I pursed my lips.
On her way up the steps, the woman passed me and I glanced over my shoulder as she turned and headed out.
The woman walked along a hallway.
She passed a few empty chairs along the way on the wall.
I watched as she strided through the long space.
The woman turned down a stairwell.
As the thin-faced man stepped into the stairwell, I grabbed him.
I bit his neck.
I stepped back.
I watched the man tremble and die.
Bella
"All the men I killed..."
Edward
A knife fell.
I slammed another man against a wall.
Bella
"Were monsters."
Edward
The man slid down the wall.
The gun hit the ground.
I slayed another criminal.
Bella
"And so was I."
Edward
I gazed morbidly with blood on my lips.
Bella
"Edward, they were all murderers. You probably saved more lives than you took."
"Bella, that's what I told myself. But they were all human beings. I looked into their eyes as they died and I saw who I was... And what I was capable of."
"And what I'll be capable of."
I looked up at him.
"Why are you telling me this tonight? Did you really think this was going to change my mind about you?"
"I just wondered if it would change your mind about yourself... And who you want to see when you look in the mirror a year from now."
I raised from my bed.
I faced him.
"I know I can do this. Let me tell you why. Because you did. You should give yourself some credit for that. Now, hopefully, a year from now... I am going to look in the mirror and see someone like you. I mean, someone capable of courage and sacrifice and love."
Edward kissed me.
He wrapped his arm around my waist.
"What is that?"
"Come on! Let's go!" It was Emmett.
"I am late for my bachelor party."
Emmett leapt to the window.
"Send him out, Bella, or we're coming in after him."
He dropped out of view.
"So, this party. Will there be strippers?"
"Boring!"
"No. Just a couple of Mountain Lions. Maybe a few Bears."
Jasper leapt to the window.
"Don't worry, Bella. We'll give him back in plenty of time."
Jasper jumped down.
"Okay. Go, before they break my house."
"Let's go! Let's go!" Emmett called.
I followed Edward to the window.
He peered outside.
Edward looked back at me.
"I'll meet you at the altar."
"I'll be the one in white."
"That was very convincing."
He hopped down to the ground.
I leaned out the window.
I watched the three playful guys dart off.
My gaze lingered in their direction.
I turned back inside.
I switched off a lamp.
I ambled across the room.
I folded back the corner of my purple comforter.
I got in bed.
Sitting under the covers, I turned and pulled the drawstring of a small lamp on my nightstand.
I laid on my side.
I rested my head on my pillow.
I closed my eyes.
Dream
I walked down the aisle among falling Rose petals.
Edward waited for me at the altar.
He and the surrounding guests all wear white.
I glanced at a group of friends.
I lowered my bashful gaze.
I spotted Dad and then Mom and Phil.
I looked at Edward, who awaited my arrival with a captivated look.
I joined Edward on the altar.
We shared a gaze.
We faced forward.
The Volturi stood before us.
I looked back to find seats empty.
I saw a growing pool of blood at the foot of the altar.
Edward turned as well with blood dripping down his mouth.
A startled me shared a gaze with Edward.
I then looked down at my hand.
Blood was on it.
We were sitting on a mound of our loved ones' bodies.
It was like statues on top of a Wedding cake.
A bouquet fell from my hand.
End of dream
Alice was doing my makeup.
"What did I say about beauty sleep?"
"Sorry. Bad dream."
She put foundation on my face.
"It was Wedding jitters."
Rosalie entered.
"Do you need some help? I could do her hair."
"Really?"
Rosalie stepped around behind the seat of me.
"Please. I am not offended by your choice of Groom."
"Just my blatant lack of respect for mortality."
"Essentially."
"Weddings. They bring everyone together."
Charlie
"Hey. So, did you find our daughter?" Renee asked me.
"Are those Graduation caps?"
Dozens of Graduation caps fill a huge picture frame.
"How creative!"
She headed upstairs.
"Or weird."
Bella
"Alice? Bella?" It was Mom.
"In here, Mom."
As Mom entered the room, Alice and Rosalie stepped aside.
"Oh, my God! You're so beautiful."
My hair was in a Bun.
"Oh, honey."
I smiled.
"Crap! My mascara."
"Mom!"
Alice handed her a tissue.
"Thanks."
She wiped her eyes.
"Charlie, get in here."
"You sure? I don't want to..."
Dad entered the room.
I raised from my seat, noticing his Tuxedo.
"I know. I look hot."
I covered my grin with both hands.
"We thought you needed something blue."
Dad opened a jewelry box.
"And something old. Besides your mother."
"Nice."
It was an antique hair comb.
"It was Grandma Swan's." Dad told me.
"But we added the sapphires."
"It's beautiful, you guys. Wow. Thank you so much."
I handed it to Alice.
"It's your first family heirloom."
Alice put it in my hair.
"Pass onto your daughter, and her daughter."
I glanced at myself in the mirror.
Mom weeped.
I raised to give her a hug.
"Mom, I love it."
"Nope. No smudging my masterpiece."
"She's right."
Alice went off.
"Thank you."
I met Dad's loving gaze.
I beamed.
"Okay. Time for the dress!"
Alice brought the garment bag out.
"Do you want to see it?"
"I want to see it!"
I nervously glanced at Mom.
Esme
Outside, guests gather in their seats under a canopy of hanging white flowers.
Jessica
Mike and Eric checked out a trio of attractive blondes with the Cullens whilst standing with Angela and me.
"They have got to be related. What a gene pool. Seriously." Mike pointed out.
"You've got some... The drool." I pointed out, joking.
"So, you think Bella's going to be showing?" I asked Angela.
"Jess, she is not pregnant."
"Okay. Who else gets married at 18?"
Bella
Waiting inside, my restless self drew a few tense breaths.
I wear my long brown hair pulled back under my white veil with a few delicate strands dangling past my cheeks.
Looking outside, I see the guests in their seats.
Dad joined my side.
We shared an anxious look.
"You ready?"
"Yeah." I replied softly.
The guests rise.
I expelled a nervous breath.
"Just don't let me fall, Dad."
"Never."
Dad shifted his gaze.
He led me out on the lawn.
The short train of my white dress trailed across the grass.
With Dad at my side, I lowered my gaze and drew another tense breath.
I concentrated on my footing.
Holding a bouquet, I gripped Dad's arm with my free hand.
The oval diamond studded Engagement ring on my right ring finger.
I glanced at Dad as we marched away from the house and through the trees.
Reaching the foot of the aisle, we find the guests quietly awaiting our arrival.
I spotted Seth and his family among them.
Edward waits at the end of the aisle near Mr. Weber standing on an altar.
Upon seeing him, my nervous trembling subsided.
Edward smiled, gazing fondly at me.
I remained transfixed by him as Dad and me start our walk down the aisle.
My long sleeved ivory gown hugged my slender frame as I take sure steps between the garland strewn seats.
As we make our way past each row, smiling guests, I focused on Edward who stands beside Carlisle and the other Cullens.
I maintained eye contact with Edward.
He closed his lips, holding me in his loving gaze.
The guests looked on as I reached the altar.
We traded an affection look.
Dad gave me a kiss on the cheek.
He took my hand and gave it to Edward.
I gazed tenderly at him.
Dad stood aside.
We stepped onto the altar.
Mr. Weber gestured to the guests, who take their seats.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here on this glorious day... To witness the union of Edward Cullen and Bella Swan."
"Please repeat after me." He told Edward, turning to face him.
"I, Edward Cullen."
"I, Edward Cullen."
"Take you, Bella Swan."
"Take you, Bella Swan."
"To have and to hold."
We stared into each other's eyes.
"To have and to hold."
"For better or for worse." I said.
"For richer, for poorer."
"In sickness and in health."
"To love."
"To cherish. As long as we both shall live."
"I do." Edward answered.
I slid his Wedding band on his left ring finger.
"I do." I answered.
Edward slid my Wedding band on my left ring finger.
"I love you." He told me.
"I love you."
I closed my eyes and we kissed.
As we continued our passionate and loving kiss, I pressed my hand to Edward's chest.
It was as if it was just us.
Alone at the altar, I tugged on Edward's lapel, and pulled him in for another kiss.
The guests started clapped.
Dad lowered his gaze.
Carlisle kissed Esme on the cheek.
Emmett and Rosalie clapped along as do Alice and Jasper.
I finished kissing Edward.
The guests raised from their seats.
We faced our loved ones, wrapping our arms around each other.
Grinning, we traded a look.
Later
A band plays on a small stage.
Jessica
We stood around the towering Wedding cake.
"Just thought it'd be bigger." I gave my opinion.
"Yeah." Mike agreed.
"Hi!" I greeted Alice.
Jasper was by her side.
"Hi, guys."
"We were just saying how pretty everything is. You know, just saying." I told Alice.
"Well, thanks so much. You don't think it's too much?"
"No." Mike answered.
"Not at all." I answered.
"No." Mike said again.
"No." I said.
Bella
"Hey, man. Hey. Nice to see you." Seth greeted Edward.
They shook hands.
"I am happy for you."
"Thank you."
"I hope you'll be happy, Bella." Billy told me.
"Thank you, Billy. Have you heard from him?"
"I am sure Jake wishes you the best."
I nodded my head.
"Well, I plan on getting drunk." Dad confessed.
"They're serving up some pretty fancy Champagne. Sue, can I get you a glass?"
"Sparkling fire water."
Billy hit into Dad with his wheelchair.
"Sounds great." He commented.
He wheeled himself off, separating Dad and Sue.
"Bella."
An attractive couple approached us.
The female kissed me on each cheek.
"Congratulations, Edward." The male congratulated him.
"Thank you."
They hugged.
"Bella." He greeted.
"Eleazar and Carmen, right?"
"Mm-hmm." Carmen replied.
"Hola." Eleazar answered.
"Yes, and these are our Cousins from Alaska. Tanya, Kate."
"We've heard so much about you." Kate told me.
"Welcome to the family." Eleazar told me.
"Bienvenida."
"Thank you."
Standing apart from her two blonde Sisters, a third stared at Seth and Billy.
"Irina." Carmen called her name, getting her attention.
"Come meet Bella." She told her.
She stalked over.
Her stricken gaze fixed on the ground.
"I can't do this."
"You promised." Tanya reminded her.
"They invited one."
As they stare at Seth, glimpses of snarling wolves then Laurent's fearful face.
Seth looked away.
"Irina, he's our friend." Edward informed her.
"They killed Laurent."
"He tried to kill Bella."
"I don't believe that. He wanted to be like us. To live in peace with humans. With me."
"I am sorry." Edward apologized.
Irina tearfully left the group.
"Irina!" Carmen called her name.
"Well. Let's not monopolize the Bride. Congratulations." Eleazar said.
"Thank you."
"Sorry." Tanya apologized.
Our Cousins humbly step away.
"Well, what's a Wedding without some family drama?"
"Yeah."
"Excuse me. Is this on? Hello?"
Emmett whistled.
"Um... I'd like to propose a toast. To my new Sister. Bella, I hope you've gotten enough sleep these last 18 years. Because you won't be getting anymore for awhile."
He chuckled.
There was silence from the guests, not getting it.
Dad uncomfortably sipped his Champagne.
"Well, Bella was just like everybody else, totally mesmerized by Edward. Or "The Hair," as I call him. Um... And then, suddenly... Edward is all about Bella. Even though she's not the Captain of the Volleyball team. I am just kidding. I am just kidding. Or the President of the Student Council." Jessica gave her speech.
"Edward will be a good husband. I know this because I am a Cop. I know things. Like how to hunt somebody to the ends of the Earth. And I know how to use a gun." Dad gave his speech.
"Now that you're my Sister... You'll have to get over your aversion to fashion. Skirts, heels, handbags." Alice gave her speech.
"Go to sleep, my love."
"Go to sleep."
When you wake..."
"You'll see me."
"I'd like to thank Renee and Charlie... For bringing such a wonderful person into the world and into our lives. We will cherish and protect her forever." Esme gave her speech.
"It's an extraordinary thing... To meet someone who you can bare your soul to. And who will accept you for what you are."
Seated with Rosalie and Emmett, Alice laid a hand on Jasper's knee.
"I've been waiting, what seems like a very long time... To get beyond what I am. And with Bella... I feel like I can finally begin."
A breeze wasps through a few loose tendrils of my hair.
I beamed at him.
"So, I'd like to propose a toast to my beautiful Bride."
I bowed my head with an embarrassed smile.
"No measure of time with you will be long enough. But let's start with forever."
I beamed softly at Edward.
He returned a warm grin.
At a table, Carlisle and Esme proudly raise their glasses.
Alice and Jasper clink glasses.
On the dance floor, Jessica, Angela, Mike, and Eric dance around enthusiastically.
Jasper swing-dances with Alice.
"Whoa!"
He gracefully twirled her.
Jasper flipped Alice over his arm.
"Whoa!"
Carlisle and Esme applauded them.
At the edge of the dance floor, Edward and me hold each other close as we swayed enchantingly.
He glanced over.
Edward smiled at me.
"Another one of your gifts just arrived."
"What?"
"Yeah, come on."
He took me out to the woods.
"What's a Wedding present doing out here?"
"Just a little more private."
"The best man didn't have time to get a Tux."
It was Jake.
"Jacob!"
He was casually dressed.
Jake smiled warmly.
"Jacob."
Edward grinned as I ran over and hugged him.
"Hey." I told him.
"Hey, Bella."
"Hey."
"This is kind of you." Edward told him.
"Kind is my middle name."
His expression hardened as he shot Edward a look.
"I'll see if Rosalie wants to dance."
He tactfully headed off.
"I am sorry I am late."
"Doesn't matter. Everything's perfect now."
"Will you dance with me?"
I gave a soft smile.
Jake scooped me up into his arms.
He gave me a spin.
Jake sat me down on the ground.
He twirled her around.
Jake pulled me in close.
We rest our heads on each other's shoulders.
"Where have you been? We were going to put your face on a milk carton."
"Mostly Northern Canada. I think. It's weird to be back on two legs again, in clothes. Gotten out of practice with the whole human thing."
Jacob's expression grows wistful.
"Are you okay? Being here?"
He drew his head back and looked down at me.
"Why? Afraid I'll trash your party?"
I pouted apologetically.
Jake grinned.
His smile faded.
Jake peered pass me and into the shadowy woods.
We continued slow dancing.
"You're not the only one."
As I looked up at him, he shifted his heart sick gaze.
"You'd think I'd be used to telling you goodbye by now.'
My large eyes glistened tearfully.
I gave a little sob.
"Come on. You're not supposed to be the one crying, Bella."
I adverted my gaze past his shoulder.
I pulled Jake into a hug.
"Everyone cries at Weddings."
Holding each other close, we swayed in a circle.
"This is how I am going to remember you. Pink cheeks. Two left feet."
Lifting me by the waist, he spun me in a graceful circle.
Jake gently set me back down.
"Heartbeat."
"Because, what? Soon I am going to be dead to you?"
"No."
He pulled me in close again.
I rested my chin on Jake's shoulder as we resumed our dancing.
Jacob abruptly pulled back.
"I am sorry. I am just trying to appreciate your last night as a human."
"Well, it's not my last night."
"I thought you..."
"I didn't really want to spend my honeymoon writhing in pain."
"What's the point? It's not like you're going to have a real honeymoon with him, anyway."
"It's going to be as real as anyone else's."
"That's a sick joke."
I stared at him.
"You are joking?"
I frowned and cocked my head.
"What? While you're still human? You can't be serious, Bella. Tell me you're not that stupid."
"I mean, it's really none of your business."
"No! You can't do this!"
"Jake."
He had a tight grip on my arms.
"Listen to me, Bella."
"Jake, let me go!"
I yanked my arms out of his hands.
"Jacob, calm down, alright?"
Edward returned.
"Are you out of your mind? Huh? You'll kill her!"
Seth held him back.
"Walk away, Jake."
Jake wretched free.
Qui and Embry arrived and tried unsuccessfully to restrain him.
"Enough, Jacob!" Sam ordered.
"Stay out of this, Sam."
"You're not going to start something that we'll have to finish."
"She'll die."
"She's not our concern anymore."
Breathing hard, Jake clenched his jaw.
He looked back at me.
I watched him with an anguished expression.
Turning away, Jake heads for the woods.
Quil and Embry followed him.
Seth lingered behind.
Jake roughly bumped Sam's shoulder as he passes by.
Sam started off.
He paused.
"Let's go, Seth!"
Seth looked back at us.
He jogged off after Embry, Quil, Sam, and Jake.
Edward had his arm around me.
"I am really, really, really stupid."
"No, it's alright." He assured me.
"Come on. People are probably missing us. Let's go back."
I gave Edward a wide grateful smile.
He kissed my forehead.
Later
Standing outside the Cullen house, the Wedding guests applauded as we came out hand-in-hand.
Edward wore a casual suit.
I wore a creme dress.
The guests throw rice at us.
Reaching Mom, I paused.
I hugged her tightly.
"So, he really won't tell you where he's taking you?"
"No. It's a surprise."
Mom lovingly picked rice from my hair.
"Well, wear a hat. Sunscreen. Take care of yourself."
"I will."
"Okay."
She pulled me into a hug.
"I love you, Bella."
"I love you."
"So much."
Mom released me.
She regarded me sadly.
I offered an appreciative smile.
"Thank you."
Mom tilted her head and smiled at me fondly.
Behind us, Alice stepped into view.
Mom and me faced her.
"Everything's packed and ready to go."
"Cool."
Alice stepped away, revealing Dad in the distance.
He watched me with a heart sick scowl.
"Oh."
"I am going to see him."
"Yeah."
As I walked off, Mom's eyes welled with tears.
She raised a fist over her mouth.
I sauntered up to Dad with a smile.
"Dad."
I affectionately punch his shoulder.
"Well... It's going to be strange... You not living under my roof."
"Yeah. It's going to be strange for me too."
He nodded his head.
"You know it will always be your home, right?"
I gaped at him, emotionally.
As Dad looked deeply into my eyes, I replied with a tearful nod.
"I love you, Dad. Forever."
I embraced him.
Laying my cheek against his chest.
Dad's stoic resolve faded.
He leaned his head against mine.
"I love you too, Bells. I always have and I always will."
I shut my eyes.
My long eyelashes curling against my cheek as I cherished the embrace.
"Alright."
He released me.
He readopted his stoic demeanor.
"Go on. You don't want to miss your plane. Wherever it's going."
Dad shifted his disapproving gaze.
"Okay."
I nodded with a girlish tight lipped smile.
"Bye."
As I stepped away, Dad stared after me.
I got in Edward's car.
I fastened my seatbelt.
"You ready?"
At the wheel, he smiled sweetly at me.
I beamed back at Edward.
I took a deep breath.
Lined up outside the Cullen house, the Wedding guests applaud and wave as the car crawled pass them.
I shyly waved back as I ride pass Mike, Jessica, Eric, and Angela.
Alice and Jasper smiled fondly at us while Esme waved aside Carlisle.
"Yeah. I am ready."
With a crooked grin, Edward turned his attention to the road.
The car followed a narrow winding street, wet with rain through the misty evergreen blanketed Mountain.
A full moon glowed in the sky.
I stared deeply out my window which reflects the passing woods outside.
My expression grew wistful.
I leaned my head back against my seat.