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Prelude	By : belladonnacullen Category: Twilight Series > Het > Bella/Edward Views: 5838 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
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I woke up warm, my thoughts lingering on my dreams from the night before. A smile touched my lips as I realized that those dreams were a bit more likely to become reality after my discussion with Edward last night. I was so warm that I kicked the sheets off. Suddenly I struggled to open my eyes. I was warm. Where was Edward?
Focusing on the empty room around me, my eyes fell on a small creamy-white piece of stationary, a small square box, and a legal-sized envelope lying next to me on the bed. He was gone. My distress subsided just slightly when I noticed Edward's elegant calligraphy on the paper.
Bella,
Please excuse my quick departure. Alice's wedding plans left my brothers and I feeling suddenly thirsty. I set out early so that I can make it back to you by tonight. I can't bear to spend a single night without you by my side. If you need me, I am only a phone call away.
Until then, I've left the Dartmouth catalogue. Maybe later we can discuss our fall schedule . . .among other things.
Edward
I tried to fight the disappointment that was rapidly becoming my most prominent emotion. "He'll be back tonight," I tried to console myself, but tonight seemed much too far away. It was unsettling that Alice's plans would have sent him running for the hills, this wedding was so much more a tribute to him than to me. In an attempt to divert my attention from my rapidly plummeting mood, I opened the box Edward left for me. Inside was a small, silver state of the art cell phone. I flipped it open and noticed that Edward's cell number had already been pre-programmed in. Inside the envelope I found the fall schedule of classes for Dartmouth College.
I sighed. Edward still hoped that we might make it to Dartmouth in the fall. He was more hesitant about my becoming a vampire than anyone in his family, Rosalie included. He didn't want me to lose out on all those human experiences that held no interest for me at all. And I know he worried that I might be forfeiting my soul for him, blaming himself for its potential loss. While I would gladly give my soul twice over to spend eternity with him, I wasn't convinced that any of the Cullens were soul-less.
I didn't think that becoming a vampire was a guarantee that you must become a monster. There was always a choice. The Cullens had chosen a vegetarian lifestyle. They chose to save my life over and over. I had never met a more intentionally self-sacrificing family. More than that, they were each good, through and through. Alice was already like a sister to me.
As if on cue, I heard three quick taps on the door below.
"Bella, open the door, or I'm coming in through the window," Alice called up to my room in her cheery singsong voice.
I tried to put aside my growing despair at Edward's absence as I ran down the stairs. I opened the door to find Alice there with a large white garment bag slung over her shoulder, a stack of papers in one hand, and a thick binder in the other. Oh no, wedding plans.
"My goodness Bella! Did you get any sleep last night? I'm going to have to ban Edward from your house if this is what you're going to look like for the wedding! Now let's get a move on, we only have four weeks to get you ready. I have so much to do," Alice chirped as she slipped by me into the hallway.
Panic washed over my face. This wedding was happening for so many reasons, but the spectacle Alice was planning was not one of them. My original deal with Edward was for a Vegas wedding. But I knew that would break Alice's heart. And then there was Charlie and Renee to think about, and Edward. While Edward would get married in a drive-thru if it were what I asked for, I knew that he had a different vision in his heart. But all of this reasoning would not make it easier for me to keep from falling on my face as I tried to walk in three-inch heels and a floor length gown. I grasped the door for support.
"Calm down Bella, and please stop being so dramatic!" As a vampire Alice could sense my fear and hear the edgy beating of my heart. "Our agreement still stands. I'm here only for pre-approved activities. First we have to finalize the guest list, then there's the initial fitting for your dress. I will only open this binder filled with floral choices, menu options and music selections if you have a sudden change of heart."
Just glancing at the binder caused my knees to weaken and I tightened my grip on the door. "That's unlikely," I managed.
"Bella, sit down." Alice, exasperated, rolled her eyes, took my hand and led me to a kitchen chair.
"If this isn't what you want, well, I could scale it back," Alice pouted as she deposited me carefully into a seat. "I don't want to make you miserable." Alice effortlessly perched herself on the seat back of another chair, her feet on the table, and pushed the two front legs of the chair off the ground, balancing effortlessly.
"Um-" Her proposal to scale back my impending nuptials was tempting, but impossible to agree to. "Alice, this wedding is about more than me. It's something I want to give to you, Charlie, Renee, Carlisle, Esme -"
"And don't forget Edward!" Alice laughed. She was clearly glad I turned down her offer.
"Well of course, he's the only person in existence that could get me to agree to this. But it won't be really worth it until it's all over."
"I think I know how to get you through this Bella. Ever since you've agreed to this wedding I've seen a picture. It's more certain with each day. Today it's about ninety- seven percent certain." Alice paused for dramatic effect. I think sometimes she relished her fortune-teller role. "I can see you and Edward. The wedding is in the past, the reception is almost over, and Edward is holding you in his arms. And well, I'm having trouble getting your attention because you two never want to let each other go. It's going to be very difficult getting you to the plane on time."
My breathing and heart rate slowed as she recounted the future for me. Yes, when this was over it would just be Edward and I together forever. I could feel moisture gather in my eyes and the hint of a smile at the corners of my mouth.
"Yep, that did it! You look a million times better, but don't cry!" I couldn't stop a tear from escaping. "Just concentrate on that picture every time you get nervous."
"Like a happy place," I murmured. "Have you told Edward about that vision?" I asked
"No, and maybe I shouldn't have told you either. I don't want to ruin it. Don't tell him, OK?"
"Sure Alice. He's not here to tell anyway."
"Yes, hunting huh?" Alice scrunched her nose like she often did when something unpleasant crossed her mind.
I remembered his golden eyes from the night before. "Yes. But it doesn't make sense. His eyes were, well, he didn't look hungry last night," I faltered. Sometimes it was still difficult to talk openly about the Cullens' diet, even if it was vegetarian. "I'm surprised that he doesn't want to help us with the wedding. Maybe I did something wrong. He never leaves before I wake up."
"Bella, believe me. You didn't do anything wrong. Edward is as madly in love with you as ever. Since he decided to leave this morning there have been many other moments in your future that I've been trying very hard to block out. Let's just say I think I need to add shopping for your lingerie to my to do list."
Impossible dreams and half-formed thoughts swam to the forefront of my brain and blood quickly warmed my cheeks. I ducked my head. But you can't hide blushing from a vampire.
"Oh my, Bella. Oh, I'm sorry. I embarrassed you, but with those cheeks and that sparkle in your eyes, you look stunning. Whatever you were just thinking, that is definitely your happy place. That is a look I can work with," Alice smiled.
I managed to blush a deeper shade of red.
"Well, about the guest list . . ." Alice graciously changed the topic and started listing a litany of names that I only half concentrated on, still pleasantly dwelling in my happy place. Maybe this wedding planning wouldn't be so bad after all. "Then, of course we have to invite Tanya's clan from Denali."
I looked up, a bit surprised. Of course Tanya and her family would be invited; the Cullens considered them cousins. But Tanya's sister was upset enough about Laurent's death to keep their branch of the family in Denali, when we needed their help desperately in Forks. In fact, Irina blamed me for Laurent's death. And of course, there was Tanya, the strawberry blonde vampire that wanted Edward for her mate.
Alice assessed the apprehension that was clearly evident in my eyes. "Bella, they're family," she chided gently. "All families have their issues. You can be sure they will be on their best behavior. I've seen it," Alice said as she winked and tapped her temple. "Now, who should we invite from school?"
I zoned out again, but this time lost in the horror of having to confront a beautiful strawberry blond goddess on my wedding day.
"About inviting the wolves," Alice said like it was a question. That stopped my thoughts in their tracks. I was pulled back into reality. My breath caught in my throat and I felt my palms begin to sweat. I was still raw from saying goodbye to Jacob and breaking his heart in the process. It brought on a wave of sadness and guilt that I tried desperately to hide.
"Well, Edward wants to invite Seth," I stated, trying to catch my breath. "He's right, we should. Without him I wouldn't be alive for this wedding." I know Seth was not the wolf that Alice was asking about. "My dad will want Sue Clearwater there, so do you think we should invite Leah too? It would be rude to leave her out. Don't you think?" I was babbling now. Alice looked a tad impatient. "Do you think she would come?"
"She's not coming Bella," Alice said with a roll of her eyes. It reminded me of Edward. You might think the Cullens were actually related judging by some of their similar facial expressions. Well, maybe living together for a few decades here or there would do that to you. Now even my thoughts were babbling.
"Bella! Yes or no about Jake?" Alice tried taking a more direct approach, bringing my mind back to the question it was trying to escape.
I wanted Jake there more than just about anyone. He was my best friend in so many ways. It was going to hurt deeply to keep him away. "Alice, I might as well just pull out his heart on that alter. After everything I've done to Jake, I cannot make him endure watching me marry someone else. I know it would kill me to watch Edward marry someone else, like Tanya."
"OK, so, no to Jacob Black." Alice was a little too dramatic as she crossed a big line through the page in front of her. "And really Bells, get over Tanya. That's just silly."
Alice popped up out of her seat and danced across the room. Spinning with a flourish at the foot of the stairs she announced, "Next up, wedding dress!"
Up in my room, she carefully pulled the gown over my head. It was beautifully made, impossibly delicate, and I was sure it wouldn't last an hour intact on my frame. But when I would get noticeably anxious Alice would always whisper, "Happy place!" and well, there were worse ways to spend an hour. Before I knew it the dress was off and Alice was getting set to go.
We were walking down the stairs, Alice saying, "If you have a change of heart at all Bella just say the word. I will make sure this is the most fabulous wedding in Forks history, but it's your day. If you . . ." Alice stopped cold.
"Alice? Alice? Alice!" Alice was suddenly as still as a statue, mid-step on the stairwell. "Alice! What is it? Is it something bad about Edward, about the wedding?"
Alice shook her head. "Oh no, Bella. Just something I have to remind Jasper and Emmett to get done before the wedding. One of those details you asked not to be bothered with. Don't worry, we've got it."
Alice was moving again, a blur of color as she quickly collected her belongings and opened the front door. But then she stopped and turned to me. "Hey Bella, what do you think about inviting Aro?"
"To the wedding!"
"I just think that maybe it will show that we don't have anything to hide. Things are going according to plan, on track and all. Don't worry; he won't come. Its just good form."
"Well, if you think it's the right thing to do. You know more about vampire manners than me." But I was taken off guard and more than a little apprehensive about the latest addition to the guest list.
"Good. It's a plan then. See you later Bella." And with that she was out the door, in her car and out of sight in seconds.
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Prelude