Chapter 49

The remainder of my junior year in college went smoothly. My physics professor was very helpful and assisted me in securing an internship for the last eight weeks of my summer vacation. I'd be working as a research assistant at a lab near the UCLA campus. I was looking forward to it, knowing it would likely be the only job I'd ever have while I'm still human.

My school year had ended last week, and I was currently in Forks to attend Charlie's wedding. I was thrilled for him and Heather and could not wait for the big day to arrive. I had arrived two days ago and jumped right into helping with all the preparations, which turned out to be surprisingly extensive. Compared to the myriad of tasks required for Charlie's big day, organizing my mom's wedding to Phil now felt like it had been a walk in the park. It appeared that Charlie was well-loved in his little town, making the guest list close to unmanageable.

As I helped Heather determine where everyone would sit at the reception hall after the ceremony, I wished I could see a little nametag that read Demetri next to the one that held my own name. But that wasn't really in the cards with Billy being the best man and practically the entire tribe being invited. Bringing a vampire as my plus one probably wasn't the best course of action.

During my first night back in Forks, as I spoke with Demetri over the phone, he asked me to put Charlie on, and they had a nice talk where he wished Charlie all the best on his wedding day, but explained to him that his job unfortunately prevented him from attending. Charlie thankfully understood, and when he handed the phone back to me, it was clear that he approved of Demetri's manners.

Seated in the first row, I wore a beautiful red dress, which I bought especially for this occasion. I watched happily as Charlie and Heather exchanged their I do's. Angela's father presided over the ceremony, and my mind drifted to Angela, for a moment whom I'd recently heard from. She was doing great in college and had happily shared how liberating the experience has been for her. She hinted at all the fun she had during her first two years until finally she had met a girl last year whom she truly liked, and they were still going strong.

Glancing behind me, I noticed about 12 shifters dispersed among the attendees, discernible by their height and massive stature. I smiled at Seth, who was sitting two rows back from me. He was beside a woman whom I assumed to be his mother, and next to her sat another attractive woman, almost as imposing as some of the shifters. Yikes, I wondered if there were female shifters too.

The ceremony went off without a hitch, and now everyone was at the lodge for the reception. After Charlie's and Heather's initial dance as the bride and groom, it was my turn to dance with Charlie while Heather danced with her own father. As we started our formal dance, I realized this was the first time I could remember ever dancing with Charlie. He had a big smile on his face, which I hadn't seen leave him since he and Heather exchanged their 'I do's.'

Looking around the massive hall in the lodge, which was really the only place to hold large functions in Forks, I noticed all the eyes in the room fixed on the bride and groom and their initial dances before everyone else could join in on the dance floor. I didn't see any of my friends since they really wouldn't be invited to an adult's wedding, but I did see several of their parents that I recognized. Mr. and Mrs. Newton were sitting next to Jessica's parents. I had heard earlier in the day that Mike and Jessica had broken up again, and this time probably for good. It seems Mike had been caught being a bad boy on a weekend trip to Vegas, and Jessica had given him the boot for good this time. Good for her if he was a cheater. I had never had any issues with Mike, but that was not right. Maybe it hadn't been the smartest move sitting their parents together, but oh well. I turned my attention back to Charlie, as that's where it should be. I couldn't help but express my feelings. "I'm so happy you found someone, Dad. Heather is a wonderful person."

"Thanks, Bells. I'm so happy you like her." He twirled me around on the dance floor, his next words stumbling a bit in their delivery. "So, one more year and you'll be graduating. Do you and Demetri have any plans?"

I sensed his subtle attempt to ask without really asking if marriage was on the horizon for us. "Well, I'm aiming to find a job in Europe, hopefully in Italy to be closer to him. If you're asking if I ever plan to get married, I just don't know. I love Demetri, and I really think that means more than a piece of paper or a ceremony. Just know that I'm happy and in love, which I truly am. If we ever decide to tie the knot, I might just opt for a quiet courthouse ceremony. I don't really want the whole shebang that you just went through." I smiled at him. "Admit it, you'd probably have preferred a simpler wedding yourself if not for Heather's wishes." I gave him a playful smirk.

"Well, maybe," Charlie said, blushing a little. "I am glad you found someone, Bells. I know I gave Demetri a hard time when I first met him, but I was able to quickly see how much he cares for you." We continued dancing until the song ended, and it was time for Heather to cut back in.

I smiled as I saw her approach in her beautiful white wedding dress. I couldn't help myself, and quite loudly I called out, "Hi, Mom! Here you go," depositing a grinning Charlie back into a now blushing Heather's arms.

I returned to my table as I saw several couples get up to join Charlie and Heather on the dance floor. Finding my seat, I noticed Seth sitting there all alone. "Hey, Seth. No girls catching your eye for a dance?"

Seth looked up, grinning. "Nah. You're the only hot girl my age here, and Charlie told me you're already taken. He's a lucky guy."

I smirked. "You're damn right he is." I thought for a moment, realizing this might be the last time I'll ever be in Forks while I'm human. There was still time to set things in place for the future. "Hey, want to take a walk with me? I want to talk with you about something."

"Sure," Seth nodded amiably, standing up. He truly was a good-hearted person. It spoke volumes about his character, especially considering recent events hadn't been kind to him. I had met his sister, Leah, earlier, and the dour presence that radiated off of her was a complete 180 from the positivity one felt when talking with Seth.

I grabbed my purse off the back of my chair, and Seth and I walked out of the reception hall, starting a leisurely walk down the street away from the lodge. It was a rare sunny day in Forks. Charlie and Heather had been quite lucky weather-wise, as they were able to take all their wedding pictures outside.

"What's on your mind?" Seth asked, smiling at me.

"Well, next year, I'll be graduating from college, and afterward, I'm probably going to be moving overseas. I don't know how often or if I'll be visiting Forks in the future." I stopped and looked up at Seth, smiling. "I know you guys all consider yourselves 'Big Bad Wolves,' but I wanted to make it clear that if you ever have a vampire problem that you guys can't handle, please know that you can always reach out to me. You guys don't know much about vampires, but they actually have a pretty strict justice system, and I am in pretty good standing with the rulers of the vampire world. If you need help, I could always relay your issues or, if needed, come myself and help resolve any problems you might have. I know you guys think all vampires are evil, and of course, some are, just like there are evil humans, but almost all of the vampires I've met are really great people."

Seth appeared a bit puzzled. "Why would you have such standing with vampires, Bella? I mean, I know the Cullens claim to only drink from animals, and that seems to be the case, but wouldn't all other vampires just want to, you know, drain you?"

I grinned. "No, Seth, I'm very good friends with many human-drinking vampires. Almost all vampires I've met try to drink from criminals. It's really only the rare sadistic ones that your pack has, unfortunately, had run-ins with recently, and they would actually have been taken out by the vampires in charge for breaking vampire law if they had known about them."

I opened up my purse and pulled out my phone, scrolling through the pictures until I found the ones from when Charlie, Heather, Demetri, and I went out to dinner. In one particular photo, Demetri stood behind me with his arms wrapped around my waist, and everyone wore bright smiles. "I think this will make things clearer, Seth. Please don't let old prejudices get in the way of what you see with your eyes and hear with your ears." I handed the phone to Seth, whose eyes widened when he took in the picture.

"That's Demetri, my boyfriend. He's the best man I've ever met, Seth. I genuinely believe you'd like him too. I would have loved to invite him so he could be here with me to celebrate my father's big day, but I thought it would only stir up trouble with you guys, so I asked him to stay in Italy. Being different doesn't make someone a bad person. To everyone else, you're different, just like I'm different. You wouldn't want the human population to think negatively of all shape-shifters if there had been one bad seed among you?"

Seth looked deep in thought before finally handing my phone back to me. "I understand what you're saying, Bella. I trust you, and if you vouch for your boyfriend, I would one day be open to meeting him." I smiled, glad that I had been right and Seth was the right wolf to talk to.

"I'm glad you're open-minded. Remember, if you ever have a problem, give me a call. You never know how I might be able to help."

We began heading back to the reception hall, but Seth stopped and gently placed his hand on my shoulder, signaling for me to slow down. I turned to him and saw he looked a little wary, as if uncertain about what he wanted to ask. Finally, he inquired, "Does this mean you plan on becoming a vampire, Bella?"

I smiled up at Seth. "I'm in love, Seth. Wouldn't you do anything, become anything, to be with the woman you loved?"

Seth slowly nodded in agreement. "And you would be right to do so, Seth." I noticed that Seth still looked troubled, and I felt the need to further elaborate on my wishes just in case. "I would ask that you not talk about this with your pack right now. I trusted you, Seth, to be understanding and open-minded, but I can't say the same for all your friends. I don't want any arguments to mar my dad's or Heather's big day. I didn't tell you this to reignite animosity towards me. I care about the people of Forks and your tribe, and I just wanted to offer whatever assistance I could if help was needed in the future."

Seth smiled. "Okay, Bella. I think I understand exactly where you're coming from. Could I have the next dance?" He extended his arm for me to take.

"Of course. I was hoping you would ask." I interlocked my arm with his, and we headed back inside to the dance floor.

I had a great time dancing with Seth. Afterward, he also introduced me to some of the other members of the pack I had not yet met, including Sam, the pack leader, and his wife Emily. I hoped I had done the right thing talking with Seth. I think I had.

After the reception, Charlie and Heather headed off on their honeymoon. I had told Charlie about Mom's honeymoon in Hawaii, and they had booked their honeymoon for Hawaii as well. I think it was a silent message from Charlie that he had finally gotten over her and was moving on with his life.

The next day, Alice picked me up. I planned on spending a few days with the 'Cullen kids' at their house near where they all go to school at the University of Washington. Alice and Jasper had visited me last year at UCLA, and we had a great time. I wanted to return the gesture. As we drove, Alice spoke excitedly. This was nothing new for Alice, as almost everything she said, she made it out to be the best thing in the world.

"So, as you know, I want to start my own fashion line after college. To that end, I've been taking not only fashion courses but also a lot of business classes so I would know how to run the business side of my future fashion empire. Now, I also thought ahead and have been taking some cosmetology classes too. Not aging is a big issue for vampires when working within the human world, so I'm trying to learn some makeup techniques that might prolong a vampire's time at staying in one place. I think I'm getting really good at it, enough so that I think we might be able to work some magic on you in the years and decades to come so you can stay in physical contact with your parents. Not every day, of course, but trips every couple of years or so I think are a real possibility."

Her words stirred hope in me, yet I refrained from letting it solidify just yet. "Please don't give me false hope, Alice. I've come to terms that I might only be able to maintain a long-distance relationship with them. Let's just play it by ear, and if your makeup techniques work, then I'll be eternally grateful. In any event, next year I'll be a newborn, so I won't be visiting humans, other than for some yummy yummy time." I observed the shocked look on Alice's face, prompting me to laugh. "In a few years, though, I will be greatly interested in all that you have learned."

It was nice seeing all the Cullens again, and even Rosalie had softened in her acceptance of me in their lives. Their house was a few miles away from their campus, next to the woods, so they had privacy from nosy neighbors and could easily head out to eat if they wanted.

I went out for several enjoyable runs with most of the Cullens. Emmett and I had fun racing and testing my top speed, which we clocked at around 35 mph, easily beating my records in the past. Running at that speed made me a little nervous about accidentally running into something, so I threw out my shield in front of me as I ran. That way, if I did hit a tree by accident, I knew I would just plow through it.

Luckily, I didn't have to test that theory, as I still managed to avoid all obstacles in my path. I had no idea how everyone else could process running at 100 mph or faster and not hit everything in front of them, and I could not wait to find out for myself.

Alice took me on a tour of their campus, and I thought it was really nice. I was glad that I went to UCLA, though, as it had been nice to have one college experience in the bright sun. I knew eventually I would go back to college again at some point in the future, but then I would be relegated to a school like this or maybe taking night classes.

On my last day at the Cullen house, we had just finished watching a movie when the doorbell rang. Surprised, I turned my gaze toward the door. The Cullens hadn't had any visitors so far, so I wondered who it could be. Maybe the mailman? Alice asked if I could get the door, and though a bit confused, I hopped up to see who it was.

When I opened it, I was shocked to find Demetri on the other side. I couldn't help but jump into his arms, as I had not expected to see him for another month. "What are you doing here? It's so nice to see you," I said between kisses. Eventually, I led him into the living room where the other Cullens were gathered. Demetri hadn't met any of the Cullens here besides Jasper and Alice, so I wanted to introduce him to my other friends. As we walked into the living room, holding hands, many of the Cullens smiled at the sight of us together.

We were all engaged in a pleasant conversation, where Demetri and most of the Cullens shared funny stories from their long lives. Demetri, having lived a much longer life, told some real doozies that I hadn't heard yet. I listened enraptured, as he was truly a great storyteller. I think his humor might have been a tad off-putting to Rosalie and Edward, but I was thoroughly entertained, along with Emmett. I also noticed Jasper trying to control his smile. I could easily see Demetri and Emmett becoming friends; after all, who couldn't get along with Emmett? Demetri and Jasper, on the other hand, might have too much testosterone to truly become friends, or whatever the vampire equivalent of it was. I didn't hold out much hope for Edward fitting in among the Volturi.

After we all chatted, and Demetri got acquainted with everyone, he turned to me, a wide grin on his face as he spoke, "I have a surprise for you. Since you are now on summer break, and I know your internship doesn't start for another month, I thought you might like to go on a trip together. How would you like to spend the next two weeks in Japan?"

I was taken aback; I hugged him tight as I had not been expecting this. "That sounds amazing. I've always wanted to see Japan. What have you planned?" I listened attentively as Demetri shared the details of our upcoming adventure. Everything he said sounded wonderful, and I could not wait to get started on our journey to the Land of the Rising Sun.


Let me know your thoughts. I've decided to split this chapter into two parts, making their trip to Japan a standalone chapter. I added a lot more to it, and this way, I can get the story out to you faster.