Sixty

E

"I'll miss you," I mutter into Bella's hair.

She squeezes me tight and steps back with a serious look. "We aren't doing this when it's our turn."

I shake my head. "It's just a silly old wive's tale. I'm surprised Alice is insisting, considering how far from tradition they've strayed."

They've been living together for years and had a baby out of wedlock, yet Alice has decided that she and Jasper should spend the night before their wedding apart. Because it would be bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the ceremony.

Happy that the day has come and we'll all be put out of our misery, we're willing to humor the bridezilla for one of her final demands.

"Don't let her drink too much tonight," I warn Bella as she steps into her Uber. "I'd hate for all her plans to be for nothing if she's too drunk or hungover to remember any of it."

Bella gives a hearty chuckle. "It would serve her right. Sabotaging the day herself after all the hell she put us through."

Hell has been the past two weeks of late night calls and early morning visits. Alice's need to make sure everything goes off without a hitch has taught us one thing. When it comes to planning our wedding, less is more.

Unlike my obsessively compulsive best friend, Bella and I have been able to plan our big day in a manner of weeks, not endless months.

I thought Alice was going to have a coronary when she received our invitation. Invitations Renee handmade for us. She doesn't understand how or why we were able to get everything settled so quickly.

In a few short weeks, Bella will be a Cullen, and that's all that matters to us. It's not that we're in any hurry. When we finally managed to sit down and start planning, everything just fell into place like dominos.

I myself can hardly wait until February fourteenth. Our Valentine's Day is going to be extra special.

"Love you, handsome." Bella smiles.

"Love you too, baby. I'll see you tomorrow."

She rolls her pretty brown eyes. "I'll be the one in hot pink taffeta."

I watch her car disappear around the corner and go back inside.

While Bella spends the night with Alice and the girls at the hotel where the ceremony is being held, I'll spend a couple hours down at Rebar before I meet Jasper for dinner.

He's planning on spending the night at his parents' house with Jackson, and I'll be meeting him there in the morning to get ready. Under Alice's direct orders, it's my job to get him to the venue on time.

Before I head out, I take care of a few things around the house that we've been neglecting. Between Rebar, wedding planning, and Alice, Bella and I have been busier than usual.

I change out a load of laundry, fix the leaking faucet in the kitchen, and gather the trash that's accumulated pretty much everywhere.

Bella sends me a text message as I'm getting in the car. She forgot Alice's something borrowed and asks if there's any way I can drop it off before the pixie has a meltdown.

I run back inside for the opal necklace that Bella received at her high school graduation and make the trek across town.

The girls are already at the hotel's spa, so I offer to leave it at the front desk, but Bella tells me to meet her at the entrance instead.

I find her standing at the reception desk, wearing a plush robe, foil in her hair, and an annoyed smile.

"Thank you, so much. Alice didn't want to trust the front desk to keep it safe."

"It's fine, baby." I tug on the tie on her robe. "Are you getting all dolled up for me?"

She nods. "We're going all out. Manicures, pedicures, facials, and massages." Her voice lowers. "Rose and Alice convinced me to get waxed."

I groan. "You really shouldn't have told me that."

Bella gives me a toothy grin. "I wanted to give you something to look forward to."

Instead of stealing her away for a preview, I leave her with a small kiss and another promise that I'll see her tomorrow.

My hours at Rebar pass without incident, and I meet Jasper at his favorite steak house. I expect him to be a nervous wreck when he shows up, but my best friend is calm and all smiles as he follows the hostess to our table.

"Edward, my man. How the hell are you?" he asks, plopping down into the booth across from me.

Our server drops by and takes our drink orders.

"I'm good, but I should be asking you that question."

Jasper chuckles and checks his watch. "In less than twelve hours, I'm finally making an honest woman of my Alice. Couldn't be better."

We drink a couple beers and enjoy too much red meat while we discuss tomorrow. Luckily, Alice printed out the itinerary for everyone, and everything is planned almost down to the minute.

"I'm surprised she didn't schedule bathroom breaks," I joke.

Jasper laughs. "The woman does love to control things. I've had years to get used to it, but trust me when I say you're lucky Bella is more relaxed."

He's right. I am lucky. The differences between the small get-together we're planning and Alice's extravagant wedding are like night and day.

I offered my bride the world. Told her she could do and have whatever kind of ceremony she wants. Big church, white doves, even a destination wedding, but Bella, always keeping me on my toes, requested very little.

Ben has already gotten himself ordained. Bella wants the big princess dress with all the frills and sparkles, and she wants to see me in a tux.

Neither of us are interested in a big fanfare, so we're forgoing having a wedding party. Our closest friends and family will join us on Valentine's Day, and I'm going to marry my girl in the place where it all started.

It was Bella's big idea to get married at Rebar. Our ceremony will flow straight into a small reception party, and the money we're saving on the venue will be better spent on our honeymoon.

We want to go somewhere sunny. She's thinking the Florida Keys, but I have a different idea: Hawaii or Mexico. I want a private place by the water where I can worship my wife whenever and wherever I want.

"You're a lucky man, Edward," Jasper repeats himself.

I raise my beer. "We're both lucky."

"Cheers."

I insist on covering the check and head home. The house is cold and empty. Far too quiet without Bella here. She hates the silence and always has something playing in the background, whether it be music or a movie.

I send her a text message telling her that I miss her and there will be no more nights spent apart as long as I can help it. I make sure that I have everything ready for tomorrow before climbing into bed. I grab her pillow and bury my face in it, inhaling her sweet scent.

Just as I'm falling asleep my phone goes off,

Agreed, baby. I took a couple shots to help me sleep. I can't wait to see you tomorrow. Don't be late and save ALL of your dances for me.

The ceremony, pictures afterward, and the reception fly by. I couldn't tell you much about the vows or how choked up my best friend got when he saw Alice enter the room. No. My focus is solely on bridesmaid number three. She thinks she looks ridiculous in the bright pink frock Alice chose, but my god, she's so fucking beautiful. I haven't been able to keep my eyes off of her since she stepped foot on the aisle.

Once the happy couple was pronounced man and wife, I haven't been able to keep my hands off of her. Not that she's complaining.

After a thousand pictures have been taken and the massive cake has been cut, I whisk Bella onto the dance floor and hold her hostage for hours. Again, not that she's complaining. Well, there is a small amount of whining as we see the newlyweds off.

"My feet are killing me." Bella cries softly.

"Let's get you home and out of those death traps." I chuckle and lead her out to the parking garage. "I'll make you feel better."

"Oh, I know you will," she says with a gleam in her eye. "Especially when you see what I've got on under this monstrosity."

I all but throw her in the passenger seat and run a red light or three in my haste to get her home and alone.