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Chapter 34

Jealousy

Edward

We stood on the beach for a while and then I carried her into Sue's house in a flash. She was yawning and dog-tired.

"I'll undress you quickly," I decided as she came out of the bathroom and within three seconds she was naked next to me in bed, laughing.

"Thanks, that's what I call fast," she gurgled, snuggled up to me and was gone in no time into the land of dreams.

I stroked her back with one hand and our babies with the other.

The past afternoon and evening passed through my mind.

Her dad and this Sue were really very happy that Bella had arrived for their wedding. The others - Seth, Leah, Quil, Embry and especially that Billy - were happy too. Jake was clearly suffering, jealous, but very controlled. Bella's dad had given him a good talking to before and now I was sure he would back off. What could Bella have liked so much about him? I asked myself. I didn't find him likable in any way. But in his mind, he sat around campfires with Bella, romped through the woods with her, and also on the beach. He was full of memories of her. I was supposed to feel sorry for him. If I hadn't shown up - and hadn't acted just as selfishly as he later did - Bella wouldn't be mine now and might have become his girlfriend eventually. Although Bella had claimed right away that she loved him only as a brother.

I sighed softly.

"Are you all right, my Prince?" asked James immediately.

The good soul.

"What did she used to like about this Jake guy?", I asked him.

"He's big and strong. I think she felt safe and secure with him, just like a big brother. He's damn good looking, actually seems like a funny guy, and I'm sure she liked that. He's good at playing guitar and singing - she must have liked that too. So I do think that he has endearing qualities if he didn't react so unrestrainedly like a wolf in between," said James.

Amazing, I thought. James always thought so clearly and was a good judge of people. I agreed with him, it all sounded plausible.

"My Prince, she loves YOU and no one else, and I'm sure no wolf in the world can change that," he said.

"You're right, but still I'm ... hmm ... jealous," I said honestly.

"Such is the lot of a lover, my Prince," James said with a smile.

I looked at the delicate little person in my arm and knew he was right.

The next morning Isabella had breakfast with her parents and then we changed for the wedding.

Sue and also Charlie were terribly excited. I calmed him down, helped him tie the tie. Bella helped Sue. Seth arrived and drove ahead to the church with Charlie. We accompanied Sue, who was picked up in a carriage. James and Demetri followed behind in our car. In front of the church, I gently lifted Bella off the carriage and then Sue. An older gentleman was waiting for them. He would lead her to Charlie and so we entered the church already. I escorted my wife to the front to her father, as she was to be his maid of honor. I then sat down in the front row with Seth. Sue had chosen Leah to be her maid of honor, and she was already waiting at the altar.

Charlie was relieved when Isabella finally stood next to him and she put a hand on his arm reassuringly.

Somehow it was funny that at his age and second wedding he was still as excited as a young man. Billy had asked if I would play the piano to set the mood, so I went to the instrument on one side next to the altar and began to play. As I did so, I just looked at my wife and she smiled back in love. (Canon Rock for Wedding – Piano)

Sue was ushered in by the gentleman and Charlie quieted down as soon as he held her hand in his. The wedding ceremony was nice and everything worked out great.

When we left the church again behind the bride and groom, they were pelted with rice and flower petals and taken back in their carriage to the banquet hall, where the celebration was also to take place today.

We drove behind in the car.

During the champagne reception and congratulations, we sat in our seats and watched.

After that, we first ate again and I found it quite pleasant that everyone here knew what I was and I didn't have to pretend. So I watched my wife eat and annoyed her with little touches and whispers that distracted her. But she took it with humor.

After meal, Isabella wanted to get some air and we strolled hand in hand to the beach again. She took off her shoes and let the sand and light waves play around her feet. But she didn't let go of me and always kept her hand in mine. She laughed merrily when a wave caught my shoes.

I loved her laugh, then she seemed so young and carefree.

The sun made her long hair, which was loose today, shine and her eyes sparkled with happiness when she looked at me.

The wolf, Demetri suddenly thought, and I looked up.

This Jake guy was standing by a tree quite a ways away, watching us.

I pretended not to have seen him.

With a jerk, I pulled Isabella into my arms and she laughed in surprise.

"Oops ... so stormy, my Prince?" she asked.

"Please kiss me," I whispered and she immediately obeyed my wish and kissed me tenderly.

I returned the kiss, stroking her back and bottom, and she slipped her hands under my jacket to caress me.

We sank into each other and I enjoyed the kiss as much as the satisfaction of showing this Jake who definitely owned this woman here.

"Stop it right now," Isabella suddenly whispered, "or I won't be able to control myself!" she threatened, and I laughed.

I spun her in a circle, carried her out of the sand, gently cleaned her feet and put her shoes back on. Then we strolled back.

Back in the banquet hall, we had no respite, because now we were asked to play the piano - both of us. And so we played a piece four-handed. (Winter Sonata - From the beginning ... – Piano)

Bella's father and his wife stood next to us and were enthusiastic and we were applauded.

Afterwards I danced several times with Bella and once with Sue because her father wanted her.

Of course, I overheard the conversation between father and daughter. He thanked us for being there, it had meant a lot to him.

"What are you going to do for your birthday, little one?" he then asked.

"Nothing, Dad, certainly nothing," she said, and he laughed.

"Well, I'm glad some things haven't changed," he said with a grin. "But when my grandchildren come - I would love to visit you," he said.

"Of course, Dad, gladly. We'll let you know when they're born, of course," she said with a smile.

"I'm going to be a grandpa," he said, a grin all over his face.

She laughed again enchantingly: "Carlisle has already found that out too!"

"It's too bad he doesn't drink alcohol, or I would have toasted to being a grandpa with him afterwards," her dad said.

"Oh, I'm sure he'll still love doing that with you, even if he's only going to have a sip!" said Bella.

"Take care of yourself, little one, and let me know if anything comes up, yes ... or if you need me, okay?"

"Yes, Dad, of course," she said, leaning her head against his shoulder.

He stroked her back and she visibly felt good.

I was very happy that I had given her back her father. They loved each other, that was so clear. So I had at least been able to make up a little for what I had done.

We were asked to play something one more time and sat down at the piano once more. (Endless Love – Lionel Richie - Piano)

This was also enthusiastically received.

Then all the guests had to go out into the street and suddenly the wolves stood in front of the bride and groom and the members of the Council of Elders approached.

I pulled Bella to my chest, James and Demetri stood to our left and right.

There were about twelve wolves and this older gentleman, who had led Sue to the altar, now stood between the huge animals and began to sing something. The other guests joined in. Then some ribbons and chains were put around the bride and groom and they had to repeat many words that I did not understand.

"What does that mean?", I asked my wife quietly.

"Sue explained it to me last night. I didn't know it before either, since I never attended a wedding here before. It's basically the repetition of the marriage, this time not before the law and God, but before the laws of the Quileute and the pack. The pair are now officially accepted by the pack and placed under its protection, a bit like with us the Volturi guards," she explained.

Like with us, she said quite naturally - and that made me happy. She had more of a sense of belonging to me than to her people here.

The old man now held a burning torch in his hand and Jake howled loudly. It looked spooky in the glowing flickering light of the open fire, and the howl went through your spine.

Isabella winced in shock.

Sue looked over at us.

"All members of the top circle, these are the wearers of one of our bangles, must come here now," she said very quietly for me.

I quickly explained it to Demetri and James and led Isabella next to her father.

The wolves ran away and came back two minutes later in human form.

They formed a circle, together with the people from the Council of Elders like Billy.

Sue and Charlie took Bella between them and I remained standing behind them.

The man with the torch stood in the middle of the circle and sang something again.

Jake was standing right across from Bella, looking at her.

The people standing in the circle now joined hands. Again they sang a song together. (Native American - Cherokee Morning Song)

Jake was brought some objects by the older gentleman. I couldn't see it clearly because the man was now standing right in front of him. Then the man stepped back into the circle and Jake detached himself from it. He took something that resembled a paintbrush and dipped it into a small container, painted something on the man's forehead, and then moved on. Each person in the small circle was painted as they continued to chant.

Discomfort boiled up inside me.

So in a short time he would be standing in front of my wife and painting her. That didn't suit me.

James put a hand on my arm.

'He's just going to paint her, my Prince. We are right behind her. He will not dare to hurt her or do anything else. If the Princess was very scared, I'm sure she would leave the circle right now. But she has her father by the hand and this Sue. That gives her security, doesn't it, and she knows we're behind her. So take a deep breath, my Prince, everything will be fine,' James thought to me.

And I knew he was right, but still it didn't suit me.

I took a deep breath and began to pray a mantra in my mind ...

She loves me. She doesn't mind. She won't love him because of it. She loves me. She doesn't mind...

That didn't really help me, but it distracted me.

Isabella remained standing still.

Her father squeezed her hand affectionately.

Jake had now gotten to Sue and was painting her.

Then he stepped in front of my wife, looked at her, painted her and whispered, "Please forgive me!" and went on to her father.

My wife remained standing still.

After that, this ceremony ended with loud cheers.

Charlie put an arm around Isabella's waist and kissed her on the cheek.

"Thank you, my child. I'm glad you were with us," he said.

"I know, Dad," she said, giving him a smile.

Then she turned to look for me and immediately came to me.

A crescent moon and a star were visible on her forehead.

She snuggled into my arms.

"Thank you, Edward for staying so calm," she whispered.

"It wasn't easy for me," I admitted.

"I know, darling. Please don't be jealous. There is no reason. He has nothing that you wouldn't have in double measure for me. I love you, Edward, only you," she whispered, kissing my shirt at the level of my chest.

I pulled her tighter against me.

That felt good.

"Thank you, my sweet. I love you too, only you," I whispered and kissed her hair.

We went back to the banquet hall, where an animation program now followed.

We kept out of it. Isabella wanted to sit a bit and I stroked her back while we watched the silly goings-on of the people.

Afterwards there was more eating and dancing.

Isabella danced with me and we enjoyed our togetherness amidst the many people. Like in a little soap bubble, we spun alone across the dance floor, looking at each other uninterruptedly. The sounds around us barely got through to us. I heard everything as if in winter, muffled by freshly fallen snow. And the most beautiful light little pure snowflake was mine.

She lay in my arms and beamed at me in love.

"Slowly, my belly is interfering with my dancing," she noted.

"I don't find him disturbing, I'm happy to see you rocking our kids so gently," I said.

"Yes, we are already spoiling them," she said with a smile.

"That's the way it has to be," I whispered.

"Edward, I need a break. Please let's go back to the table," she suddenly breathed and I immediately led her back.

James had followed our dances attentively and now immediately brought her a glass of water, which she also drank.

"You look tired. Shall we go to bed instead?", I asked her gently.

"Yeah, I guess that would be good," she said softly.

At that moment Jacob came and stood in front of me and looked at me.

"Edward, can I talk to her for a minute, please? Please!" he asked urgently.

Isabella pressed close to me again and waited for my answer.

"If she wants to talk to you," I said, looking at her.

"Okay," she said hesitantly, looking at him but continuing to hold onto me.

"If you can, in private?" he asked.

But before I could protest, my beloved wife said, "No way. I have no secrets from my husband and I don't trust you either. Speak here or not at all," she said firmly, but not unkindly.

He nodded.

"I wanted to apologize to you again. It was wrong what I did. I am terribly sorry. Please forgive me, Bella. And of course, I will still stay away from your palace!" he said softly, and he was sincere.

He really just wanted to ask her forgiveness because the guilt was weighing him down.

Bella nodded.

"It's okay, Jake, I forgive you. But please don't get your hopes up any other way. I will never be as close to you as I used to be. Our distance will not shrink now because of this!"

"Thank you, Bella, that is quite enough for me. I'm glad you forgive me, because I'm really sorry and I can well understand your fears. But I will never hurt you again and will wait for an opportunity to make it up to you someday. I am in your debt," he said, bowing slightly to her and leaving.

"Phew ..." she said.

"He meant it honestly," I said.

"I know that, I felt it. I almost feel sorry for him - but only almost ...", she said. "And now we'll say goodbye and you'll carry me to bed, yes?", she asked.

"Of course darling, as you wish," I said.

We said our goodbyes and Sue looked at Bella with concern.

"Lie down and let James make you my tea again," she said to her and kissed her.

What kind of tea, I thought.

But I first carried her quickly over to the house. She disappeared briefly in the bathroom and then already lay down, while I went into the bathroom.

"Thank you, James," I heard her say.

He had probably brought her the tea.

"With pleasure, my Princess. Does he help?" he asked.

"Yes, I already feel a little better than the day before yesterday," she said softly.

I entered the bedroom and lay down with her.

She was still drinking the tea and looked at the bedspread.

"So in thoughts?", I asked.

"Yes, I'm reviewing the day. I'm so happy for Dad and Sue. They make a great couple," she said.

"That's right. I think so too," I confirmed.

She finished her tea, handed James the cup, and looked at me.

"Now I'm in the mood for a little Bella-pampering-program," she whispered lustfully and pulled my head towards her so she could kiss me.

I returned the kiss and then said, "Well, then you will get your pampering program, Your Majesty. How would you like it?"

"I get to pick?" she asked quietly and hopefully.

I laughed.

"Of course. I like everything, so Your Majesty just has to express your wishes to me!"

"No, that's embarrassing," she whispered, actually blushing.

I had to smirk.

"Your Majesty, I can guess!" I bent down to her ear. "Your Majesty would like to be pleasured by my tongue between your legs, wouldn't you?", I asked.

She nodded and hid her face against my neck.

She was so cute sometimes. But I was already turned on by this conversation.

"Very well, my Majesty. I will undress you now and then kiss you, all over. And my cold tongue will disappear inside you, very deep. And I will lick and suck you very tight and lovingly, hmm ...?"

"Yes, please," she breathed excitedly and I finally put my money where my mouth was and crawled under the covers to undress her and pleasure her.

Satisfied and aroused, I sank into her beautiful body and she sank into her feelings of happiness, which she expressed whimpering softly. It was the most beautiful thing I could do and I enjoyed every moment of her ecstasy. Delicate and pliable, she surrendered to my caresses and found her fulfillment several times that night before sinking into a deep sleep, exhausted but satisfied.

While she slept in my arms, I could still hear the wedding celebration and the beautiful music wafting over to us. (Apurimac, Flying Condor - Wolves Song)

As always, I now had time to reflect on my now so fulfilled existence.

This humility that I felt for this woman was something that I realized again and again and delighted me just as much as the fear of losing her and the feeling of always being under the urge to protect her crushed me.

I looked out the window at the moon, which was full in the sky and bathed this bedchamber in a silvery light.

What would the future bring us? Would I manage to protect her and our children from all dangers? How I would like to take this moon from the sky for her, because its presence filled me with peace, which I so wished for her and for myself. To live in peace.

I dwelled on my thoughts until my wife cried out because she was tormented again by a dream.

Alec - as always.

James came to us worried.

He wondered if he could help, but unfortunately there was no help available.

But I took the opportunity to ask him about the tea.

So Sue had mixed herbs together there. But it didn't worry me. Her love for Isabella was real.

The next morning I woke her up with gentle kisses.

Although the bride and groom had only arrived home around four o'clock in the morning and then still made tender love, I heard Sue already preparing breakfast. For they were eager to sit down with us one more time to say goodbye, and then continue celebrating at noon in Forks with his colleagues and friends. So, for better or worse, my sweet Princess had to get out of bed and get dressed.

She grumbled unwillingly against my chest.

That was really cute.

I kissed and licked her ear.

That made her squeal and wake up for good.

"Good morning, my sweet. Breakfast is almost ready," I whispered and she forced herself to wake up.

"Yes," she sighed and once again quickly snuggled up to me. "Oops..." she said suddenly and winced.

"What happened?", I asked.

She laughed.

"The babies are kicking!"

She took my hand and put it on her belly.

And indeed I felt a gentle movement. Incredibly beautiful!

We beamed at each other.

"That's a good sign," Isabella whispered happily.

I nodded and kissed her.

She had breakfast with her parents and her father became sadder with each passing minute.

He was reluctant to let her go. The separation was difficult for him.

Therefore, the farewell was quite tearful. The two women cried and Charlie pulled himself together very much, because it would be embarrassing for him to let his feelings run their course in this way. He made me promise to keep an eye on her and to inform him immediately when the babies were born, winking at me conspiratorially.

Then we left and Charlie watched the car go by and Bella watched him until he disappeared as a little dot in the distance.

She didn't know that she would see him again soon - he would come for her birthday, I had agreed with him.

The days passed quickly after that weekend. Our babies were growing, but Isabella was still coping well. She was getting rounder every day and I spent a lot of time kissing her belly and reassuring her that she didn't look like a round barrel at all.

Women - sigh.

The birthday came and I looked forward to it with mixed feelings, because I could not estimate how she would receive the surprises that especially my family had planned for her.

When she woke up, I sang softly, "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday ..."

She listened, then said "Thank you!" and kissed me on the cheek.

"That was a boring birthday kiss," I grumbled, and she just laughed.

"Then I'd have to bitch and not you, right?" she asked.

"Can be. It doesn't matter I'll get sick if you don't kiss me properly. Can you answer for that?", I asked, giving her a crooked smile and my best puppy dog eyes.

She laughed out loud.

"You are totally impossible!", but then she kissed me properly, because she couldn't resist me after all.

After that she disappeared into the bathroom and got dressed, so I did the same.

Afterwards I sat down at the grand piano and played. (Yiruma - The Things I Really)

Shortly after, she came to me, in a white dress and barefoot, sat down next to me, closed her eyes and listened. When I ended, she looked at me.

"What was that piece?" she asked.

"My birthday present to you!", I said and handed her a white rose to go with it.

"Thank you," she breathed, touched. "It's beautiful!"

She looked at me and then slowly came closer to kiss me.

Tenderly her lips touched mine and I returned the kiss only too gladly. We sank into each other and forgot everything around us.

Until her stomach growled and we laughed.

I picked her up and carried her to the breakfast table.

"Good morning, my Princess," James said, "and happy birthday!"

He adjusted the chair for her and then also put a package for her.

"From you?" asked Isabella.

He nodded.

I sat down next to her and watched her unwrap the gift.

They were harp notes.

"Oh thank you, James, that's great. I don't have those yet," she said enthusiastically, flipping through the booklet at length. Afterwards, she looked at him and smiled. "It's a great gift. Thanks, James!"

"I hope I get the pleasure of listening to my Princess play. So the gift is a bit selfish," he said with a smile.

My wife smiled back and then began to eat breakfast.

I waited until she was finished.

"The gift, the one thing you wished for, I didn't forget," I said, placing a large envelope in front of her.

She eyed me and a tear formed in her eye.

"You did that?" she asked quietly, incredulously.