For the next two weeks, I managed to work with Chloe and planned the wedding to a T.
From the moment I walk down the aisle, to the seating arrangements. Anything varying from color and themes, food options, and the reception. Everything was planned. Hell, even the food had to be planned. They were all varying from steak, to chicken, to lobster, and even fish. We also had a vegetarian option, because apparently eating meat was disgusting to a few women in the families.
Edward wanted to have three hors d'oeuvres options. So, we had antipasto skewers, potato skins, and stuffed mushrooms.
We got six options of red and white wine, along with one Rosè. Adding soft drinks and other drinking options.
For the cake. We ended up deciding to get two different cakes. One would be three tiers, made of lemon, strawberry, and vanilla. The second, smaller one would be for me. It was a mix of chocolate ganache, and the top was German Chocolate, which I requested. It bigger one would not have the usual groom and bride on top, instead having flowers and fondant on top. The decorations would match the wedding colors and would have a few flowers made of fondant. Then we decided on the colors and decided to keep the event formal.
Elizabeth and Chloe managed to get to the place where the reception was going to take place the day after we started planning the wedding, and the invitations went out via overnight shipping to each of the important families.
It seems that everything, including the church, has already been decided.
Then came the dresses for the women in the family. We decided that the woman in the family would dress in a different shade of blue. As for the men, they would all be wearing the classic black and white tuxes.
As for me? I made good on my promise to everyone. I used up the dresses I got in Italy and made a unique dress from all of them.
The dress itself was ivory instead of white.
It was a simple lace dress. It had a train, an A-line skirt, and was off-the-shoulder, with long sleeves, and backless, but not quite. See, I added a lace overlay to it so it could be seen but not so much that it would leave everyone scandalized.
Note that the lace sleeves and conservative neckline could be rearranged and removed. All the extra lace I used to make a long veil that rivaled the dress itself. I did have to buy more lace for the trim but I made it work in the end.
The only thing I needed to do was figure out how to do my hair, but it was all ready—shoes, makeup, and everything.
"Wait, so let me get this straight. You're shopping here instead of asking one of us to get your lingerie?" Esme asked as we slowly made our way through the designer undergarments.
"Mhm. The skimpier the better. But I am also looking for a shapewear to us under my dress." I replied as I looked at the variations. I frowned as I saw all the variety. Not liking what I saw. Lace, silk, embroidered fabric, sequins, sparkly,
Thongs. Spanks. Full bodysuit. Two-piece ones.
I sighed and finally pulled out one that matched my skin tone, making sure it was backless, with a deep neckline so I would show anything.
I went to try it on and sighed when it fit me like a glove.
"Great. Let's go." I sighed as I finished getting redressed.
Esme followed me as I made my way up the aisle and towards to the front to grab the other things I had picked out before moving to pay.
"Is this everything you'll be getting today?" The woman at the register asked.
I held up a finger as I looked in the display case. "Are those…?" I began to ask.
"Nipple clamps. You can have them altered to have a gemstone, diamond, or something." She informed me.
Esme flushed and looked away embarrassed as I stared. "Thank you." I said, "But I think this is everything I'll get for today." I replied as I moved to pay.
A few days later, I was looking through the salvageable things from the fire on the floor of the living room, when I heard the elevator alert me that someone had arrived.
As I looked up, Edward walked out of the elevator, pulling at his tie, and shaking his head as he made his way over to me.
"Hey, how was your day? Did you finish the dress?" He asked me, as he leaned down to kiss me.
I smiled at him, knowingly, before leaning back against the bottom of the couch, as I let out a long sigh, "That is none of your business." I replied, as he huffed out a laugh, and shook his head at me.
"Did you want to go out for dinner?" He asked.
"I shook my head, "No, not really. I made some lasagna earlier, and I can make a salad, and garlic bread if you want to eat that. There's also the pesto pasta from two nights ago." I whispered.
He nodded, "Don't worry about it. I'll do that. You finish whatever you're doing here." He told me before standing up and heading to the kitchen. I stared after him, before looking back down at the box that sat between my legs.
Two boxes.
I would say I am disappointed, but the truth is that nothing of value was lost. Any old momentos that I had kept from our time in Fork, no longer mattered.
My old life and childhood ceased to exist.
I could no longer allow myself to trust those I did before. Even my brothers. And that said about where I stood within this family.
The following days leading up to the wedding were filled with tension.
Elizabeth and the girls tried to get me to go out, but I wasn't in the mood for socializing.
So, they opted to come over, order food, and give me a few gifts before proceeding to get us all pampered and groomed for the following day.
Before I knew it I found myself in a church, walking down the aisle with Emmett at my side, as Edward stood at the altar, watching us with gleaming eyes. He was practically swelling with pride as he stared at me with darkened eyes.
My body stiffened for a second before I forced myself to continue. I managed to clear my head and emotions pushing them back as a lot of people from the famiglia stared on.
I felt like I was encased in a vice rather than a dress as I walked on.
My stomach swirled almost painfully, as I slowly made my way up the long, wide aisle.
"Relax, sorè," Emmet whispered, squeezing my hand lightly as we walked.
I ignored him, as we slowly reached the altar.
The moment my hand touched his, everything shifted.
The ceremony flew by, and before I knew it I was standing at the entrance, greeting our guests.
Edward and I were tense as he spoke to each of the heads of the families. Most acknowledged me and knew who I was. All except Roger and Royce King.
This led to Edward promptly excusing us and heading to the banquet hall that was located a few minutes away.
"He was trying to get a rise out of you." I quietly told him, with a sigh.
"Him insulting you, would definitely do that." Edward tightly replied.
I sighed, "It's fine. I am not offended. His beliefs, words, and actions don't matter to me. Who they will matter to is Rose. She wants revenge. And I am going to be sure to give it to her when I bring those bastards down." I told him.
"He frowned, "By that you mean?" He asked, frowning in concern.
"That she was hurt. Those two mutts you saw? They are worse than Black. But that story is for another day… Did you notice anything sketchy?" I asked him.
He nodded once, "Seth told me that Roger brought one of his goomahs. Word says that Georgina hasn't been seen in public in a few months." He informed me.
I nodded in response as I pulled out my phone from my bra, and checked my messages.
"Aside from that Raymond King has been missing too." He added, giving me a look.
I frowned. "That doesn't sound good," I whispered as I stared in distractedly at the screen.
He nodded, "I've sent a close acquaintance to scope things out. But what I am told isn't good." He replied as he extended his hand in my direction.
I sighed, and shook my head "I hope I'm wrong but I don't think you're going to have to search much…" I told him as I handed him the phone.
He let out a sharp breath and turned to look at me, "You suspected the same thing I had?" He asked.
I nodded, "Reed found both of their remains in a field not too far from here." I told him.
He shook his head, "Has it been confirmed?" He asked.
I nodded, "One of my contacts who works in the city where the remains were discovered confirmed it." I told him.
He frowned, "Who is your contact?" He asked, curiously.
I smiled, "Do you remember Samuel?" I asked amused.
He nodded, gulping as he looked away, "Yeah." He sighed.
"Well, he has a younger half-brother… His name is Paul … but he goes by the name Evan Muñoz." I informed him.
Edward blinked. "No fucking way. They're related?" He asked in disbelief.
I nodded, smiling as I realized that there was a lot Edward didn't know about this situation. Shortly after the entire Black debacle took place, I made sure to make it my business to know about anyone and everyone who gave me an inkling of suspicion. Edward's Nonno and father probably had all the documents in hand and on standby.
"Let's finish this conversation later," I told him before he could say anything else.
We arrived and went inside immediately.
I almost smirked as I made my way to the bathroom, and pulled off the lace overlay, smiling as my sleeves became shorter, and the neckline dipped a bit. I unzipped an obscured slit I had on my skirt and smiled as the dress changed into some else altogether.
Esme gapped as she stared at me in disbelief.
"Don't look so surprised. I did say I was going to do something different." I replied as I undid the undo, allowing my hair to cascade down my back, before adding a rhinestone and pearl headband.
She snickered and shook her head, "Your Nonna and Edward's Nonna are going to have a heart attack." She pointed out. "Possibly Edward too." She added, shaking her head again.
I sighed, "Fine, I'll put the sleeves back on." I mumbled, causing her to laugh.
She shook her head at me before helping me put the lace sleeves back on, snickering when I left them on my upper arms. "You realize that this is going to cause a scandal, don't you?" She asked.
I smiled angelically, "I'm counting on it." I replied, smiling as we made our way into the banquet hall.