THE PEANUT BUTTER KILLING

Wylie walks into the center city restaurant to meet a Philly police homicide detective, an arrangement her boss, a retired cop, set up. Detective Sammie Pryor recognizes Wylie from a photograph and wave to get her attention.
Wylie slides into the booth, wondering what a police detective wants from her, because her expertise is a personal protection specialist who moonlights as a skip chaser.
They introduce themselves to each other and wait until the waitress takes their order.
“Your boss and I worked a few cases together before he retired,” Sammie says.
“He told me,” Wylie says.
“He said you would be able to help me.”
“To do what?”
“Let me explain the case.”
“Okay.”
“The victim, Abigail Johns, was a young woman who died from anaphylactic shock, because her boyfriend munched on a peanut butter sandwich minutes before kissing her at the door.”
“He didn’t know he was allergic to the stuff?”
“So he says.”
“I get it, you don’t believe him.”
“All my talent as a street cop and then a detective tells me the boyfriend is a sociopath liar. So good that he got the D. A. to close the killing as a tragic accident, and, because of that, my captain ordered me to keep the case close.”
“What do you want from me?”
“I want you to get me something so I can reopen the case.”
“I’m a bodyguard and sometime skip tracer; this would be out of my league.”
“Your boss recommended you, because he told me that you’re the best even out of your league,” Sammie says and then gets a folder she has been sitting on and put it on the table. “There are copies of the case in there. I can’t pay you up front but you’ll get paid.”
Wylie ponders Sammie’s request for seconds and then announces, “Okay, I’ll give it a try.”

Wylie parks the Ford in a space to let her see the entrance of the apartment building until she sees Steven Hudson leaves with a female. She gets out of the car follows them until the female enters a college building and then she follows Steven until he enters a college building. She returns to her car.
For three days she follows Steven with a cam-cord secreted in a shoulder bag. Steven approaches a group of students; they greet each other, except one female. She leaves the group in an agitated manner, with her face twisted with disgust, making Wylie believe she found a clue. She follows the female to a student’s dorm and stops her. She introduces herself as she hands the female a business card.
“So?” The female asks.
“I’m trying to get evidence on Steven Hudson for causing the death of Abigail Johns.”
“The police said it was an accident.”
“The D.A. said it was an accident but a homicide detective believes otherwise.”
“We can talk in my room.”
They sit at a table.
“I saw you earlier walk away from Steven like you saw measles coming.”
“I don’t like him.”
“He told the police that he didn’t know Abigail had that kind of an allergy.”
“That is a lie,” the student says. “A few weeks before she got together with him, her and me were in Chinatown for dinner. And, she asked the manager if they cooked their food in peanut oil. They said that they did not, that they used vegetable oil.”
“Okay.”
“Steven was sitting at the table across from us.”
“You’re sure?”
“I remember we both gave him a look over. I even snuck a photo of him on my cell.”
“You still have the photo.”
“No. I got rid of it.”
“Why didn’t you tell the police that?”
“They didn’t come to me, and at the time, I thought maybe he forgot that night or maybe he didn’t hear the conversation.”
“Did you know she had the allergy before that night?”
“Yes. We were buddies since tenth grade.”
“What made you do what you did to him today?”
“They were together for eight months or more and he didn’t even bother to go to her funeral. Her family said he told them he was too distraught to attend, but I saw him not long after with some woman.”
“Anything else that might help?”
“In no time after they started dated, he began to keep her to himself. I wanted to tell Abigail that it she should break off with him, but she was so much into him and her family thought so much of him that I didn’t want to burn our friendship bridge down between us.” She chokes-up. “I should’ve not worry about that bridge. I wish he never transferred here.”
“From where did he transfer?”
“Miami. The one in Ohio.”

Sammie and her partner, Vanessa, stop a moment to prepare themselves mentally and then stroll into the interview room and sits at the table looking across it into the faces of Steven Hudson and his lawyer Mary Richards.
“The young lady’s death was ruled an accident,” Mary says.
“New evidence demanded that it be reopened as a homicide investigation,” Vanessa says.
“What evidence?” Mary asks.
“Steven lied to us,” Sammie says.
“How the hell do you figure that?” Steven asks.
“Lets keep quiet on this until we hear more,” Mary cautions Steven.
“How so?” She asks Sammie.
“We have information that prior to he and the victim’s relationship he overheard a conversation between the victim and the manager of a restaurant in regards to her allergy to peanuts,” Sammie says.
“I don’t remember anything like that,” Steven snaps.
“Please let me handle this,” Mary says.
“We have a witness you were present in the restaurant during the conversation,” Vanessa says.
“That doesn’t mean he heard anything,” Mary says.
“In his original statement he said he had no knowledge that the victim had an allergy to peanuts,” Sammie says.
“That’s true,” Steven says.
“If she was so concerned about whether or not a restaurant use peanut oil while cooking, she didn’t tell you, her loving boyfriend, who takes her out to dinner and lunch, of her allergy,” Vanessa says.
Steven stares at her with a blank face.
“In Miami Ohio you were in a relationship with a young woman who was killed in a solo automobile accident,” Sammie says.
“What does that have to do with this case?” Mary asks.
“You will find out,” Vanessa says.
“It was car against telephone pole,” Sammie continues. “The young woman was killed because she was not wearing the seatbelt. The M.E. said she was unconscious because of drug use at the time of the crash but you survived, although, you were high on the same drug and strap in the seatbelt, but the kicker was much later her doctor swear she never found drugs in her blood and her close friends declare she stayed away from the stuff like the plague. The cops there are reopening the case too.”
“They’ll probably conclude that it was a first time experiment for her,” Mary says.
“No,” Sammie says, “they already got evidence that the victim was unconscious before the drug was injected into her system.”
Steven’s wide-eyed stare tells Sammie that her lie got the truth. Suddenly, he stammers in a crazed manner. “Okay. I did it. It’s my mother’s fault I did it. It’s all her damn fault.”
“Yes. It was her fault for not letting you drop down a toilet,” Vanessa says.

In the restaurant, Sammie tells Wylie, “We got him.”
“Good. That’s my payday.”
They shake hands. END

George Arthur Davis born in Philadelphia PA (presently resides in Tampa FL); studied creative writing at The Community College of Philadelphia; retired Federal government employee, and presently is an award winning short story writer. http://gadavis-writergeorge.blogspot.com

Edward squeezed a sponge, sending water over my shoulder as I leaned against him in the tub. He was being overly gentle, but that was probably because of the bruises. Looking down my body I could see the places his fingers had lingered during our first time together. My arms, shoulders, breasts, hips and thighs all showed evidence of his ardor. If I looked in the mirror I’d see another, very faint, bruise on my chin and my swollen lips. It was impossible not to smile at the memory.

Unfortunately, Edward wasn’t smiling. “You look like you’ve been beaten,” he said, his voice pained.

“I feel like I’ve been loved,” I grumped back. I was tired of this. When I woke up he was across the room, sitting in a chair, wallowing. It wasn’t until he pulled back the sheet and pointed to my body that I had any idea what he was talking about. Actually, at first I thought he was unhappy with my less-than-perfectly-flat stomach.

“Love shouldn’t involve pain, Bella,” he said, shifting behind me. Despite his words I could feel the effect having me naked in front of him, in the tub, was having on his anatomy. Naturally, I pushed back against him there. “Don’t.”

I shoved away his restraining hands, turning quickly in the tub, ignoring the water that splashed over the sides. “If it doesn’t involve pain, then don’t hurt my feelings by rejecting me,” I said, pressing my lips to his as I tried to wrap my legs around his waist.

“Bella.” He sounded like he was in pain. “I don’t want to hurt you again.”

“Then don’t tell me no,” I said. He let me lift his hands from my waist and put them on the sides of the tub. “Hold on here. I want to learn about you. Can I at least touch you?”

“What if I can’t control myself?” he asked, his knuckles turning white where he gripped the sides of the tub as I began to trace the muscles in his shoulders.

“All the better for me,” I replied, full of snark as I lightly kissed his lips. I took my time, allowing my fingers to travel over his body, kissing his at my leisure, and trying not to giggle when I made him groan.

After a few minutes he stood up, carrying me out of the tub in his arms. “You need to stop, Bella. I know you think you’re fine, but I don’t.”

“Why not? Aren’t I the one who gets to decide if I’m fine or not?” I asked, placing the hand not trapped between our bodies on my hip. I didn’t wince when I hit a bruise, I swear, although his arched eyebrow seemed to be arguing with me. “Give me one good reason why you think I can’t decide this for myself.”

He carried me over to the full length mirror and set me on my feet. “Why don’t we count the reasons?” he asked, his fingers pointing to each bruise as he said a number. “One, two, three…” On and on he went. Only, instead of proving his point, he was having quite the opposite effect on both of us.

“Are you sure this isn’t just some excuse for you to browse through my assets?” I teased, getting a smirk in reply.

“They are some mighty fine assets,” he said, sliding up my body so he could wrap his arms around me. “Too bad someone damaged the merchandise.”

“Well, maybe he should kiss it and make it better?” I offered. He snorted and shook his head.

“You aren’t playing fair, Bella,” he whispered as he complied with my request. His lips moved from one spot to the next, making me squirm with excitement and anticipation over where he’d go next. “You know this isn’t making me feel any better, right?”

My only answer was a soft moan when he reached a particularly sensitive place. “Did I hurt you again?” he asked, pulling abruptly away. I shook my head and wove my fingers into his hair, returning him to where he was. “Bella, I…” I looked down to see he was warring with himself, but as soon as his eyes met mine he picked me up and rushed me to the bed. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” I breathed, desperately trying to pull him against me.

“We need to meet our boat in a few hours,” he said. “Do you want to do your hair?”

“Edward?”

“Hmm?”

“Shut up and kiss me.”

The wedding reception was more jubilant than was normal for area, mostly because we were all celebrating more than just a wedding. Within five minutes of Aro’s leaving there wasn’t a single vampire watcher in sight. Jacob teased that if they could just turn the Cullens back into humans than everything would be perfect, or at least things wouldn’t smell as bad. I noticed the smell didn’t affect his appetite any.

Charlie spent the evening dancing with Sue, once his obligatory dance with me was done. Renee and Phil also twirled around the dance floor, surrounded by the Cullen couples and wolves with their imprints. It was a very happy time, but eventually the humans tired out and needed a break. Alice, naturally, planned for this.

We were all ushered into a tent with tables set up. White linens were topped with white china edged in silver. Crystal glasses rested above silver dinnerware. White rose petals were strewn around low white candles that rested on mirrors in the center of the table. Delicious smells emanated from the back of the tent where waiters in formal livery waited to serve us.

Charlie let out a low whistle as he took it all in with wide, nervous eyes. “You know it’s the bride’s family that’s supposed to pay for all this, right?” he said to Carlisle.

“You’ve been to our house, Charlie, so you know money isn’t an issue for us. Besides,” he said, clapping my father on the back, “reining in Alice is next to impossible. It’s better to just hand her the credit card and let her do what she wants.”

“Her wedding must have been spectacular and cost you a fortune,” Charlie grumbled.

Carlisle laughed. “Actually, they ran off to the justice of the peace. She did wear a nice, white dress, but there wasn’t any party. I think she’s making up for what she missed out on.” Both men laughed when Alice stuck her tongue out at them.

The food was exquisite. An apple and gorgonzola salad was followed by prime rib and lobster. Champagne flowed freely as toasts were given. Alice then led us to a massive cake decorated with sugar flowers in the shapes of roses, freesia, orange blossoms and lilacs. She took great care to arrange where we stood for maximum effect for picture taking. Edward gave me a wink as he took a huge bite of confection from my hand.

More dancing followed the dinner, but I could feel the fatigue of the day settling into my body. The stress and celebration had definitely taken its toll. The fourth time I yawned as Edward tried to twirl me around ended with him lifting me into his arms. Alice was by our side in the next instant.

“Come on, time for you two to get changed,” she said, directing Edward to another tent set up nearby. This one had a huge rug over the sand and a beautiful dress hanging from the braces.

“Change quickly,” Edward whispered as he set me on my feet. The lightest brush of his lips across mine and he was out of my arms, going in the direction Alice pointed him.

It was a good thing there was a chair in there, because I immediately plopped into it. Alice got me out of my shoes and undid my hair, brushing it gently until I almost fell asleep. “Bella, you need to get up so I can get you changed.”

I mumbled something that was incoherent to even me and allowed her to pull me up from the chair. With vampire speed she undid the buttons down my back, dropping one dress to the floor as the other came over my head. Grabbing me about my waist she lifted me up so I wouldn’t have to step on the gown and set me next to my shoes. When I saw they were flats I hugged her.

“Bella?” Edward called next to the door of the tent.

“I’m decent,” I answered. When he walked in my exhaustion was consumed in the fire of desire that flared across my skin, taking all nervousness away with it.

Picking up on the fact that my heart began to race and my breathing accelerated he flashed to my side. Gathering me up in his arms he carried me from the tent. We were met with a shower of bird seed, and I giggled when I saw Charlie eyeing the seagulls crying above. Edward carried me over to my parents and held me as I hugged each of them goodbye.

Settling me gently in the car Edward handed me some papers. “These are our tickets,” he told me. “Hold on tight.”

“Where are we going?” I asked, turning the papers around, only to find them taped closed.

“It’s a surprise,” he said with a wink. He hurried over to his side and climbed in. “Ready?” I nodded, and he floored it.

We flew from Seattle to New York, then to Amsterdam. “Amsterdam?” I asked.

“Just a stopover,” he said, “but we are staying here overnight. We have a house.”

“Of course you do,” I said with a roll of my eyes. “Where don’t you have a house?”

“LA,” he replied, taking my hand to lead me off the plane.

We were met by a driver who took us to the Amrâth hotel, a monumental structure in the heart of the city. The lobby was covered in marble, lit by the sun filtering through some of the most beautiful art deco stained glass I’d ever seen. An obsequious clerk spoke with Edward in Dutch. When he saw my confusion, though, he greeted me in English. “Welcome to Amsterdam, Mrs. Cullen. I told your husband the Tower Suite is ready, if you would please follow Pierre?” He pointed over to a young man who had what I assumed was our luggage loaded on a trolley. I’d never seen the bags before, but they matched the one Alice gave me to carry on, so it was a safe assumption.

“Come,” Edward said, reaching out his hand to me, only his tone was more of a suggestion than that of a command.

I laced my fingers with his. “Anywhere,” I replied and followed him into the elevator.

Charlie looked pale. We were standing at the head of the trail that led through some trees. On the other side, friends, family, apparently the Volturi guard, and most importantly my future husband were waiting for us to walk through. I could smell the tang of the ocean and hear the waves crashing, but my focus was on my father.

“Dad? Are you all right?” I asked, squeezing his arm. He winced and I realized it was his left arm. Thoughts of Alice’s vision of me losing him swam through my mind. “Dad?”

“I’m fine, quit fretting,” he said. That’s when I noticed the red rimming his eyes. “I just don’t think I’m ready for this. For some reason I thought I had more time before I gave you away. At least another year or thirty.” We both chuckled as my heart clenched in a different way. I noticed him peering through the trees and could barely make out some vampires on the other side. “Gotta say the Cullens have some beautiful friends. Creepy, but beautiful.”

I hiccupped a half-laugh, half-cry. As I was getting dressed Alice told me that Carlisle was introducing the Volturi to everyone. I had yet to meet them. She also told me that Aro had promised Jacob to abide by the treaty but judging from the amount of trembling going on the entire tribe was ready to bust out into fur at the slightest provocation.

Music began to play, Mendelssohn’s traditional wedding march, and I noticed Charlie shake his head. “I can’t believe they brought a piano to the beach,” he said as we began to move forward.

“I’m just glad Rosalie is willing to play for me,” I said as we broke through the trees. My eyes swept around, taking in family and friends, but resting for a moment on three ancient vampires. Their skin seemed as thin as an onion’s, and every eye was black. I was greeted with smiles, but instead of instilling confidence I froze like a mouse in front of a cobra.

“Come on, Bells,” Charlie said, tugging my arm. “Someone is waiting for you.”

I looked out, and there, across a small river of water that Emmett had built a bridge over despite the fact that I could easily step over it, standing on a sand bar, was Edward. Reverend Webber was standing next to him, smiling, nodding at something Edward said. I couldn’t get there fast enough.

Charlie’s voice caught when he put my hand into Edward’s, answering Reverend Webber’s question of who gave this woman to be wed. With one hand holding my future I grabbed onto the man who loved me first, hugging him tight. “Thank you, daddy.”

The tears that had threatened broke through Charlie’s tough exterior. “I love you so much, little girl.”

My eyes were only on Edward as our vows were said. When he said ‘I do’ the words rang with so much sincerity and love that I sobbed. As his lips touched mine, everything else faded away. There were no seagulls circling overhead, no tears being shed, no vampires threatening, only us for a blissful moment in time.

Unfortunately, Edward could still hear, so after a few minutes raised his head. I could hear tittering in the audience, but when he whispered, “I love you,” I didn’t care. Turning me around we went to greet our loved ones.

I was hugged until I couldn’t breathe by everyone, passed along with Edward from person to person, until we stood before the three old vampires. My breath caught in my throat and I could feel Edward’s tension. “Bella, please meet my…uncles. Aro, Marcus and Caius, please meet my wife.”

Aro reached out his hand to me and we were suddenly surrounded by Jacob and his pack. Hostility rolled off of them in waves as the vampires of the guard took defensive positions. Charlie looked momentarily confused before he went into police officer mode and pushed his way through a couple hulking boys to stand by my side. “Is everything all right?” he asked me. “You look pale, Bells.”

Aro held his hands up in supplication. “Peace, friends, I only mean to greet the lovely bride.” He reached his hand out to my father. “Chief Swan, you have raised a lovely daughter,” he said, taking my dad’s hand, wrapping his free hand around the top of their joined ones. His face became somewhat confused as he spoke, though, tilting his head as if trying to listen to something. “What an interesting man you are.”

“As are you, sir,” Charlie replied, overly formal.

With a nod Aro turned to me. “Ah, the lovely Isabella. How appropriately you are named, my dear,” he said, taking my hand, wrapping it with his other the same as he had my father’s.

“Th…thank you,” I stammered, desperately trying not to pull my hand from his.

He tilted his head again as if listening. “So much like your father, only more. I thought Jane was exaggerating, but it appears she understated things.” He dropped the covering hand from our joined ones and reached for Marcus’. I watched his eyes travel around the group. “You draw love to you, Isabella. The way these people are bound to you, it’s fascinating. Yet, you are silent.” His eyes returned to me. “I’m so curious as to why that is.”

“I don’t know,” I whispered.

“I wonder, would you give thought to joining us when all is done with your…education? I’m sure we could find a place for someone with your amazing talent.” He looked at Edward, then behind me. Glancing back I could see Alice. “Please, bring your other loved ones. Such a talented family.” His eyes bored into me. “Come to us in Italy. I really must insist.”

Edward grabbed me, pushing me behind him. Alice took hold of his hands, telling him to stop, just as every member of the tribe took a threatening step forward. Looking at them I could see their hands in fists, their arms trembling with effort. The guard took another step forward as well, until the front of the line of vampires was almost toe to toe with Sam, Paul, Jacob and Jared.

Aro hissed and waved his hand. As one his guard took a step back. Meanwhile, Alice was speaking into Edward’s ear, the words so fast they sounded like a hiss. Charlie’s eyes were darting everywhere. He could feel a fight in the making. Then his eyes narrowed at Aro, knowing he had called his people off.

“Bella?” Aro asked quietly. “Please may I have your answer?”

My eyes went back to my father, staying there until Charlie looked at me. I pulled my hand from Aro’s grasp and reached out to Charlie, and in confusion he took it. My decision was made. Turning back to Aro I answered him. “I need more time.”

Aro’s head inclined in agreement. “I can see how difficult it would be. Pity.” His eyes travelled from one member of the Cullen coven to the next. “I will wait for you to call on me.” He looked at Charlie again then turned to Carlisle. “I should have trusted your judgment in this. Forgive me. I do hope our love for each other remains as strong.”

Carlisle gave him a nod. “You know the reasons I left you. Do you believe me now?”

A harsh laugh came from Aro’s throat. “I always believed your sincerity, dear Carlisle, just not your ability. I will leave you alone.” He turned to his guard. “Come, loved ones, it is a long journey home.”

The only movement on our side was breathing as we watched the Volturi depart. When the last of them disappeared into the trees Alice let out a squeal. Grabbing me around the waist she spun me around and screamed, “You did it! You did it!”

I could see everyone relax and smiles replace the tension in people’s faces. Edward pulled me from Alice’s arms so he could wrap his own around me. He was joined by Marta, Jacob and the other wolves, until I was in the center of a huge group hug.

“Good thing we were here,” Jacob said. “We made them stop.”

Edward nodded and was about to say something, but Alice cut him off. “It’s because of you that I couldn’t see how things would turn out, or when, or anything more than Bella standing in front of them!”

“Please,” Sam interjected, “like you needed to see that. The only important people were Bella and us.”

Alice scoffed in a most unladylike fashion. “Like their afraid of a bunch of puppies.”

They continued to bicker but I turned away from them when Charlie took hold of my arm. “Bella, you want to tell me what the hell just happened here?”

I gaped like a fish until Carlisle saved me. “Let’s just say they are good family men, Charlie.”

My dad turned to confront him. “Your family?” Carlisle nodded sheepishly. “And you invited them?”

“They keep tabs on me and would come anyway.” Carlisle ran a hand through his hair, and I let out a laugh because it was so much like Edward. “Let me just say that I was with them for a time, but that life wasn’t for me. I left. They let me go, but they still watch.”

Charlie’s eyes narrowed. “Have you done anything illegal?”

Carlisle’s laugh was exuberant and carefree. He clapped my father on the back. “Loads of things, Charlie. More than you can ever imagine. But,” he said, becoming solemn, “I have never killed a man. I never will. That is why I left. When I did I left the entire life behind.”

My father nodded. “I believe anyone can change,” he said. Letting out a huff he looked at the group. “I don’t know about you, but I want some cake.”

The next semester flew by in a whirlwind of homework, tests, essays, reports and wedding planning. Actually, Alice did most of the planning, I just went along with whatever she said. Edward had more input, but he also didn’t have to study as hard as me.

Jacob gave us permission to be married on First Beach, and since he was standing in as best man the other wolves didn’t growl too much about it. When I asked him how he could make decisions for the entire tribe he blew me off with some kind of explanation that they were all brothers, and his imprint was my best friend, so they finally agreed. It worked until Edward called him out.

“It’s because he’s the alpha wolf, Bella,” he said, ignoring Jacob’s glare. “They have to follow him.”

“I didn’t lay down the law,” Jacob argued. “I just told them it would mean a lot to me because it would mean a lot to you.”

“No, you didn’t, but would you have?” Edward asked, throwing a peanut across the aisle to Jacob, who caught it easily.

“No, not for something like this,” Jacob said, shifting a sleeping Marta slightly so she could be more comfortable. “I’ve never done that. When Sam was in charge, he would, and it was a bitter pill to swallow. I swore to myself that I would never do that.”

We were currently taking up the entire first class section of the airplane, flying the red-eye leg from Detroit to Seattle. My last final was yesterday, the last of all of us, and we were spending the summer in Washington. Well, the rest of the family was. Edward and my wedding was scheduled in two weeks, after which he would be whisking me off to who knows where for the summer.

I just hoped the Volturi guard couldn’t follow us there. It was like always being on camera, never having a moment’s peace with some vampire or another tailing us. I felt sorry for celebrities, having to deal with the paparazzi. There was currently one extra vampire on the plane, but he was forced to sit in coach. Alice had seen one joining us, which is why the entire first class cabin was booked. According to Edward he wasn’t very comfortable, surrounded by tasty humans, and not a drop to drink. The Volturi frowned on vampires crashing planes.

We were met by my father, who finally seemed resolved to the idea of my wedding. Or as he liked to put it, “Proof that I’m growing old.” When I pointed out that he was only as old as he felt he assured me that giving away his only child was making him feel very old. Oddly, Renee said it made her feel young again.

I blinked and my wedding day arrived.

“Bella,” a voice called softly in my ear. “It’s time to get up.” What was strange was that it wasn’t my usual alarm clock, Edward.

“Go away, Alice,” I said, flapping my arm around the bed in search of a different cold, hard body.

“Nope. You need to stop your impression of a seal and get out of bed,” she said, grabbing at my flapping arm. “I need you in the shower and in your comfy clothes in twenty minutes. We have a long day ahead of us.”

When I didn’t respond she pulled out her secret weapon. “You can’t see Edward until you meet him in front of the altar. If you want to be late…”

“I’m up.”

For the next three hours I was buffed, waxed, plucked, styled, made up and fed light food to keep up my stamina without making me bloat. Right after she told me to hollow out my cheeks so she could apply a little blush, she froze.

“Alice? What do you see?” I asked, suddenly alert from the look of terror on her face.

“They’re here,” she said, dropping the blush brush. Her empty gaze traveled from the wall to my face. “Everyone but the wives are coming.”

“What are you…”

“Alice!” I heard Edward shout from outside the door half a second before it flew open, banging against the wall and hanging off its hinges. He rushed to her, grabbing her shoulders to turn her to him. “Why?” His voice was tormented, making the blood freeze in my veins.

Alice came out of her trance and focused on Edward. Her eyes darted to me and then back to him. “You can’t be in here! It’s bad luck!” she fussed, pulling on him.

I jumped to my feet and reached for them both. “Alice, what did you see?”

Edward’s jaw ground. “Guests. They’re coming for the wedding.” He shook his head and looked over to me. I watched his eyes soften and begin to travel down my body. “I do hope you plan to change?”

I looked down and let out a laugh as I took in the incongruity of my made-up face, styled hair and sweats. “I’m fairly positive Alice has a dress for me,” I said, picking up on his need to diffuse the tension. Still, my curiosity was burning a hole in my stomach. “Guests?”

“They want to see us married.” He let out a long sigh. “If they see how close you are to Charlie it could be a good thing. From what Alice sees when they see that they’ll back off.”

“That’s a good thing, isn’t it?” I asked, looking from Alice to Edward.

“The wolves won’t like it. Alice can’t see this, but she’s afraid it might start a war between them.” He glanced over to Alice again and shook his head. “No, I don’t think it would be fair to ask them to not be on the beach. It’s their land.”

“Should we talk to Jacob?” I asked. “Maybe he can discuss it with the pack?”

“I’ll call,” he said.

“Well, do it somewhere else. Bella has to finish getting ready,” Alice said, pushing against him again. “No!”

I had no idea what she was saying no to, but I figured it out pretty quickly. In an instant I was in Edward’s arms, his lips on mine, my body pressed against his in a way I was looking forward to repeating tonight with far fewer clothes.

“Edward,” Alice fussed, and I tried to not giggle when he batted his hand at her to push her away. “I’ll tell her where you’re taking her later.”

He lifted his lips from mine but still held me close, his eyes boring into mine. “Marry me?” he asked again.

“It’s why we’re here,” I said breathily.

“I’ll see you in an hour, then.” He let out another sigh. “Don’t let them frighten you, Bella. I doubt they’ll cause trouble, it goes against their own rules.”

“Promise?”

His fingers traced over my cheek. “I promise.”

The houses were decorated with pine boughs, tied with red bows and festooned with white LED lights that twinkled like stars. The most entertaining part of all of it was watching the dance Alice did between getting everything up as fast as she could while still not attracting too much attention to just how fast she moved. Edward told me she would be in the middle of hanging up lights, only to take them down again when she had a vision of Charlie asking her how it all had happened so fast.

“I don’t know you humans stand it,” she complained to me. “It takes you so long to put it up, and then so long to take it all down, how do you enjoy it in between?”

“Satisfaction in a job well done?” I offered, but she shook her head and went back to work.

The meal fell to me, since I was the only human who could cook. Edward helped, but I shooed Alice from the kitchen when I caught her adding butter to the rib roast. It didn’t matter if Paula Dean said butter made everything better, it wasn’t going on the roast.

Carlisle took the rest of the group shopping, leaving us in peace to get everything prepared. Edward found it amusing that I cooked all day on Christmas Eve, but I liked to relax on the big day. When the pies were cooling, the roast was prepped, and the casseroles were ready for the oven, Edward walked me back to my cottage. He was quiet as he took my hand and led me up the stairs to my room.

“Are we going to make out?” I asked, getting a laugh.

“Maybe, but we have to take care of something first,” he said, pulling me onto the bed beside him and dialing his phone.

I watched the display light up and heard the voice on the other end answer. “Why are you calling Jacob?” I asked.

“Hey Bells!” Jake shouted. “We’re messing up Alice!” He was entirely too happy about this.

“How?” was all I got out before Edward put the phone in my hand and reached under the bed to pull out a box. “What?”

“Alice’s present, from Jasper,” Jacob explained as Edward quickly wrapped it with paper he got from my desk. “We tested it out before the wedding. Jasper decided to get Alice’s shoes, but did so while I was at home and talking to him on the phone. Remember she was surprised he remembered? Well, we decided it worked, so he went shopping again, with me on the phone, and got her a necklace. Now Edward is supposed to be wrapping it?”

“He is,” I said with a laugh. Oh, this could be fun.

“Good. Marta wants to talk to you, but we don’t know if having me close to the phone works or if we both have to be on it. So, we’re not taking chances. You can talk to her later.” He then went on to describe all the things they’d done on their honeymoon that are appropriate to share. It seems he talked her into skydiving, horseback riding, helicopter rides, scuba diving and kayaking. Marta wasn’t an outdoorsy person, so I was in hysterics listening to him describe her reactions to each activity.

“Has she asked for a divorce yet?” I asked as Edward deftly tied a perfect bow.

“About a hundred times,” he said with a laugh. “Usually followed by death threats.”

“Done,” Edward said, reaching for the phone. “Now we need to go on a little walk.” They chatted about the classes Jacob would be taking in the spring, apparently he had finally been accepted, followed by what I was cooking, what they were doing for Christmas, and any other topic under the sun. They weren’t sure if they needed to have constant communication going or not, but again weren’t willing to risk it until Edward stuck the package by the trunk at a height Jasper could easily reach.

Then Edward hung up the phone. “Hey, I was going to talk to Marta,” I fussed, giving him a small pout.

He grinned. “I thought you were going to make out with me?” he asked, holding out his hand, asking me to take it. Marta smarta.

Christmas dawned beautifully. A light snow was falling, making the grounds look magical. The smell of cinnamon buns baking greeted my nose, informing me that Edward had been busy during the night. But the best of all was that same man in my bed, lightly kissing me awake.

“Morning,” I breathed out between kisses.

“Mmm,” he replied. “It most definitely is. People are moving at the house, should we go and open presents?”

I snuggled down more into the covers, wrapping my arms around him. “I have my present right here.”

“Corny, but…” he stopped kissing me, and then laughed when I pouted but didn’t return. Instead he left the bed and was back in one of his blindingly quick moves. “Now you do have your present here.” There was a small box on my right knee.

My breath froze in my lungs. “What is it?” I asked in a whisper.

“Open it,” he said just as quietly, moving so he was slightly behind me and wrapping his arm about my waist.

I just stared at the little box. “Is it what I think it is?”

“Yes.” After another minute he shot his hand out and removed the paper. A tear coursed down my cheek as he opened it to a beautiful ring. “It was my mother’s, but if you want something different…” I stopped him by placing my finger on his lips.

“It’s perfect.” He took the ring from the box and held it up, his eyes asking the question. I nodded, hiccupping a sob of happiness as it slid onto my finger. “This is going to kill Charlie for sure.”

Edward pulled me in closer to his body. “No, but he will have a few more grey hairs tomorrow.” We sat there for a moment looking at the ring on my finger. It split the light into a rainbow on the far wall, so I twisted my hand as I watched in wonder. “They’re waiting for us.”

“I should get dressed.”

“I’ll wrap up the rolls,” he said with a kiss to my temple. Then his face split into a grin. “Do you have any idea how happy this makes me?”

I let out a laugh and placed my hand over my heart. “Yeah, I think I do.”

When we got to the house Alice danced over to me and grabbed my hand, shrieking with joy. She was soon joined by all the other women, oohing and awing over my ring. Charlie looked like he was eating something sour, but gave me a hug and a kiss. “He’s a good guy from a good family. You chose well,” he said, and for him that was complete acceptance.

Gifts were handed around and enjoyed, but the room froze when Jasper reached into the tree. Actually, Alice froze, causing everyone else to react the same, as she watched Jasper walk over to her. “How?” she asked, then her eyes narrowed. “Jacob.” The rest of the room laughed.

She tore into the wrapping with zeal, and opened a flat, square box that held a necklace with a diamond heart. “I wanted to give you my heart,” Jasper said, making my mother almost swoon.

“My heart belongs to you,” she said.

“I know,” he replied, taking the necklace and walking behind her to fasten it. “Now you have mine, so you won’t be without.”

All the couples turned to each other for a kiss. That is when I noticed Charlie pull out a cell phone and send a text. I wished Sue could have been here.

“I refuse to answer that question and subject myself to further public ridicule on this despicable excuse for a ‘holiday’,” Edward grumbled into his beer before taking a long pull off the bottle.

“Wow, Mr. Grinch. It’s way past Christmas,” Alice replied in a teasing tone, shaking her head. “But come on, we all told our most embarrassing Valentine’s day story.”

“First of all, yours hold nothing on mine. And second, you are all no longer pathetically spending it without someone to make it all a little less pointless in observing at all. I wouldn’t be here at all if she hadn’t dragged me out here,” Edward retorted, pointing over to his sister-in-law, Rosalie.

“It’s been two years, Edward. It’s time to move on and stat living again,” Rosalie snapped with an arched eyebrow.

Edward sighed. Though he wouldn’t admit it out loud, he knew she was right, but he wasn’t over feeling like a complete failure quite yet. At twenty-five, he’d already been married and divorced, with two small children he only got to see every other weekend, while another man was getting to play full-time daddy the rest of the time. He hated his data entry job, but saw no way out without depriving his kids of decent child support. And honestly, what woman would want a man with all that baggage?

“Ah, I think I know the answer to this,” Jasper said suddenly, slapping his hand on the table and then pointing over to Edward as he continued to speak. “Jeannette Phisher, fourth grade. When you asked her to the dance and she busted into hysterics.”

“No, but thank you very much for so eloquently drudging that memory up from the past. Because I didn’t quite feel shitty enough before, douchewad,” Edward snarled, shifting in his seat to look away from Jasper.

“Oh, how about the year you tripped and all your valentines fell into that huge puddle right outside school?”

Edward groaned, leaning forward on the table with his elbows and driving his hands into his hair before pulling back up and a figure in the doorway caught his attention. “Why didn’t you all tell me that she was coming?”

Each occupant of the table turned to look toward the door and found Bella standing there, looking over the heads of the other patrons of the bar until she spotted them and waved.

Emmett turned to look back at Edward quickly as the rest of the table motioned her over. “What is your problem? Bella is one of your best friends. And no one deserves to be alone on Valentine’s Day.”

“No, it’s fine. I just didn’t know she was coming, that’s all. What happened to what’s his face?” Edward mumbled softly, his eyes falling to his bottle as he picked distractedly at the label.

“Hi, guys. Happy Val—”

“Oh my God! Duh!” Alice cut her off, smacking her own forehead with her palm. “It’s so obvious! Senior year.”

“Okay, what’d I miss?” Bella asked cautiously, her eyes shifting briskly to each person at the table.

“Nothing. It’s nothing. Alice was just shutting up,” Edward hinted to his sister with narrowed eyes, shaking his head fiercely.

But Alice barely noticed as her eyes glazed over and her hand rose to her chest as she gazed at Edward.

February, 2004

Edward could practically hear the tears flowing down Bella’s face as she cried through the phone to him. He wished he could hug her, comfort her in some other way; man, it really sucked being grounded at times like that.

What kind of fucknut breaks up with his girlfriend the night before Valentine’s Day? He never liked any of Bella’s boyfriends, but he didn’t even think that Newton was capable of sinking quite that low.

“Bella, he doesn’t deserve your tears. He’s the loser, not you. If he can’t see how amazing you are and how lucky he was, then he’s an even bigger idiot than I originally thought,” Edward said, and a soft, sad laugh escaped Bella.

“You have to say these things. You’re my best friend. I know I was just the substitute person for him until Jessica became available,” she murmured quietly with a sniffle. “This was just the first time I was actually going to have someone on Valentine’s Day, you know? Now, I’m just gonna be sitting home, pathetically dumped and alone again.”

“Sweetie, don’t say that.”

“Why not? It’s true,” Bella sobbed and his heart clenched painfully in his chest.

For two hours following that phone call, he begged his parents to let him off punishment for just one night to cheer up his best friend. He wanted to go to her house and pick her up with a rose in hand, take her out to dinner, and show her exactly how a lady deserved to be treated any day of the year, not just Valentine’s Day. And possibly, he would finally have the chance to show her just how perfect for her he could be.

Begrudgingly, his parents agree to allow him one night to take Bella out, having never seen their son so passionate about anything before. And all the following day, he diligently made all the preparations; making the dinner reservations at lunch when no one was looking, taking off the moment the last bell rang at school to hit the florist, before rushing home to get dressed and ready to surprise Bella that evening.

Dressed in a blue button down and black jeans, his hair tamed as much as he could manage—which proved fruitless before he even made it to the front door—and a racing heart pounding in his chest, he drove to Bella’s house, but stopped at the sight of the familiar rusty blue Mustang parked out front.

His stomach dropped out and he felt sick, spotting Mike Newton on the Swan’s front porch. Bella stood in front of him with red rims under her eyes so pronounced that he could see them from the road. Edward waited for her to pull back from his touch when he reached out to stroke her cheek, but she didn’t. She leaned into it, and before he could blink, he watched Mike Newton’s lips descend on Bella’s, and that was all he could take. He tossed the rose out the window and sped off home, slamming his car door before heading inside.

“Hey, I thought you had a big date tonight?” Alice chimed as she came to meet him just inside.

“Someone else is having it for me,” Edward snapped, pushing past her and his parents to hurry upstairs before the angry tears began to fall down his face.

Why did the nice guys always have to finish last?

Edward stood abruptly as Alice finished completely humiliating him, tossing the money on the table for his share of the tab. “Thanks a lot, Alice.”

“You did that?” Bella’s soft voice was barely audible over the volume of the bar, but it rang loudly in Edward’s ears, as if she were standing right next to him.

Edward froze and shrugged, looking over his shoulder at her. “No one deserves to be alone on Valentine’s Day,” he said, repeating his brother’s words from earlier.

He noticed the tears in Bella’s eyes from listening to Alice relate the story of that night, and watched her slide off the barstool and begin to close the distance between them. He lowered his gaze from her in embarrassment, until he felt her stop in front of him and slide her arms around his neck, whispering, “I wish you would have stayed.”

His eyes barely rose enough to meet hers before her lips sealed over his and she wove her fingers through his hair. He pulled back after a moment, stunned by what she’d just done. “What was that for?”

“To make up for the kiss we should have shared that night. And every night since then,” she replied and his eyes widened more in surprise.

“Bella…”

“My heart belongs to you,” she said softly, but with conviction in her voice. “If you still want it.”

With Marta and Jacob on their honeymoon life settled down a little. My classes were over for a few more weeks, leaving me free time to visit with my parents and Phil. Carlisle and Esme had asked them all to stay for the holidays, to which they readily agreed, filling the huge house with laughter.

“I honestly didn’t think anyone could cook worse than your mother,” Charlie whispered to me over a dinner Alice prepared. “I don’t think her parents are even eating any of it.” There were only humans at the table at the moment. I didn’t want to tell them what the Cullens were actually doing with their meal and that there was no way they would like it, even if it was perfect.

“She tried, dad,” I whispered back, trying not to laugh when Alice stuck her tongue out at me from the kitchen where my father couldn’t see. Charlie would be upset if he knew she could hear him. “Edward made dessert. We can hope it’s edible.”

“If not, I’m game for going out shopping for a tree. We can make a stop by McDonald’s on the way,” he offered.

“Can we come along?” Phil asked, pushing the remnants of his meal around his plate. The food was an interesting combination of raw and burned. I thought Alice would be able to see something like this, but it seemed cooking wasn’t something she was used to watching.

“Sure. We’ll call purchasing the tree our thanks for them asking us to stay,” Charlie said, giving him and my mom a wink.

Edward picked that moment to bring out the dessert. It was a huge coconut cake. When he cut into it I could make out six layers of cake, separated by layers of coconut crème, iced with a white frosting and topped with toasted coconut. “If this doesn’t taste as good as it looks I might cry,” Charlie whispered to me. The corner of Edward’s mouth twitched as he tried not to smile.

Thankfully it was delicious. Charlie even ate two pieces as Edward and I split one. “Do you still want to run by McDonald’s?” Edward asked me quietly.

I nodded. “I need something to cut the sweet.”

His eyes shifted down to my lips and his face drew closer. “Hmm, I might have an idea.”

“Enough of that,” Renee said with a laugh from across the table, using her fork to point at us. “We all know you two love each other, but we’re trying to eat cake here, and that’s sweet enough.”

Carlisle and Esme laughed as they walked into the room, followed by the rest of the Cullens. Emmett cut himself a thick slice of cake, looking pointedly at Jasper. It seemed another bet was in the works when Jasper smiled and took the slice. “Ready? Go!” Emmett said, diving in with gusto.

“Charlie, Esme and I were thinking about going hiking in the woods to find a tree,” Carlisle said, pulling my parents attention away from the fracas happening at the other end of the table. “Would you be interested in going with us to pick one out? We could find a small one for Bella’s cottage as well.”

“Why do I need a tree?” I asked. All activities were done at the big house, and so far only I was sleeping there. My parents didn’t need to know that Edward joined me every night.

“To make it festive, Bella,” Alice chimed in, looking with disgust at her partner. Then again it might not be because he was eating cake, considering I could feel waves of revulsion coming from Jasper, obviously using his gift to make Emmett too sick to keep eating. Even my parents were setting down their forks. A quick hiss from Edward made him stop.

“Edward, why don’t you, Alice and Jasper go search out a tree for the main house?” Carlisle said, ignoring the feeding frenzy. “I’ll take Bella’s parents, Emmett and Rosalie to find one for Bella’s cottage.”

“Done!” Emmett said, slamming his fork down and calling our attention to them. I think I heard the table creak, and definitely saw Esme wince when he did that. Jasper held up his empty plate with a smug smile. “You cheated,” Emmett fussed standing up from his chair. “Show me your napkin.”

Jasper shook it out. “I’m faster, admit it.” My mother’s laugh and guilty look made me look at her, but she shook her head with a wink.

“I think you cheated, and that Renee is in on it,” Emmett said with a hearty laugh as he moved around to where my mother sat. “So, Renee, did you help Jasper cheat?” His voice was almost a purr as he bent close to my mother. “I won’t be upset if you did, but will share my winnings if you fess up.”

My mother gave him her most innocent expression. “I’m sure I have no idea what you mean.”

Emmett’s eyes narrowed. “Fine. If that’s how you want to play it. Make sure Jasper pays you well.” He stood up straight again and clapped his hands. “Let’s go find a tree!”

After bundling up so much I could barely move my arms Edward put me up on his back, something Charlie rolled his eyes at. Jasper and Emmett picked up long bags with the Cullen crest emblazoned on them and slung them over their shoulders. “New wager, Emmett,” Edward called as our group set off into the woods. “Whoever gets back with their tree first, in an acceptable condition for Alice, doesn’t have to help with the rest of the decorations.”

“You’re on! Wait…” Emmett’s voiced trailed off as Edward took off like a shot into the woods. The cold air burned my cheeks and made my eyes water, but I loved it. It felt as if we were out for a gentle walk except for the wind and the trees flashing by like they were shot from a gun. I could see Alice and Jasper running along beside us and hear their laughter as they jumped over rivers and huge logs.

Edward’s head turned quickly in their direction, followed by a surge of speed as he rushed forward. After another minute he came to abrupt halt next to his siblings. I was the only one panting, trying to catch my breath from the exhilarating ride.

Alice was looking up at a spruce that was at least twenty feet tall. “It’s perfect,” she said, and from the faraway look in her eyes I knew she was picturing it exactly in the house.

“How do we get it back without surprising the humans?” Jasper asked. For some reason this made me smile. He already thought of me as one of them.

Alice trilled a laugh. “They’ll be so surprised by Emmett they probably won’t think about it for a few weeks.”

Jasper pulled a massive axe from his bag. In four strokes the tree came crashing down, only to be caught by Jasper, Edward and at the very tip, Alice, as I stood watching. “Bella, climb up on the tree,” Alice said, pointing to where I should sit.

“Won’t I fall off?” I asked, but she shook her head and pointed emphatically. It was all I could do to hang on as they took off running again. When we returned to the house Edward had to peel my hands off the branches. Alice and Jasper cut off the bottom branches and shaped the trunk to pull up water before setting it up in the largest tree stand I’d ever seen. They barely lifted it into place when the other group came trouping in with the tree for my cottage.

“You guys must have found one really close,” Phil said as he and the other men carried it out the back towards my cottage. “I swear, we were trooping around the woods for over an hour before we found this one.”

Emmett just glared at Edward.

“What are they doing here?” I asked Alice as we pulled to a stop in front of Jane and Demetri.

“They aren’t the only ones,” Alice said, pointing to the side of the church. As Demetri opened the door for us I opened my eyes to a reality I hadn’t considered. I’d seen some of these vampires on campus, and not recognized them for what they are. “They are watchers. Some have been around since the first time Jane was here, but they didn’t follow us to Washington.”

“Why not?” I asked.

“You’re not very observant,” Jane said, her tone bored. “It took Demetri some time to track you there, but once we found you we’ve been watching.” She turned to glare at the other limousine pulling up. “The wolves were difficult, but Aro said we must abide by the treaty. Sad, they’d make great sport.” A shiver ran through me at the thought of the tribe, people I loved, being attacked by Jane.

“It’s unlucky for the groom to see the bride before the wedding,” Alice said, gesturing to Marta shivering beside her. “We need to get the humans inside.”

Jane looked us up and down and turned to walk into the church. “You’re looking well,” Demetri said as he fell into step beside me.

“As are you,” I added conventionally, wondering at his motivation for speaking to me. He never had before.

He gave a laugh. “Until I’m a pile of ashes, I always will, Bella.”

“Can you answer a question?” I asked, keeping an eye on Jane as she took a seat on the right side of the chapel as if a friend of the groom. The irony made me bite my tongue. Demetri tilted his head as if listening. “Why the interest in the Cullens and me?”

“I can’t believe you haven’t figured it out yet,” he said. Pointing out each in turn he explained. “Alice is a psychic, able to see the future. Aro would dearly love to know the consequences of his actions before he makes them. Jasper is an empath, able to make anyone feel wanted or hated just from his own urging. It would give Aro power over people he tries to manipulate. Edward can hear thoughts from afar, so no need for touching someone.” He could see my confusion so added, “Aro can read every thought you’ve ever had by touching your hand.”

He gestured to the rest of the coven. “These others aren’t talented, per se, but there is great beauty, great strength, great compassion and great love.” He stopped and looked down at me. “And then there is you.”

“Me? What about me?” I asked, astonished.

“I can’t feel you, your presence, find your mind to track you. It makes us curious.” With a wink he left me standing, frozen, in the aisle as he took his seat next to Jane. It was only Alice grabbing my arm to pull me forward that broke me from my shock.

“Ignore them,” Alice said, but I knew she was hiding something from me.

Despite the specters of doom watching from the back of the chapel causing everyone to be tense the wedding was truly lovely. Marta melted when Jacob recited the vows he had written, promising to love and cherish her until their death. Her parents were confused when he mentioned that she was his true wife, after the ceremony asking if he had been married before. Edward explained that it was a tribal promise that he would never see another woman the way he sees Marta, and they were mollified.

Jane and Demetri were gone when the couple walked back down the aisle, but left a gift from Aro. Alice told them to wait until they were alone to open it, and Marta immediately asked if it were dangerous. Alice laughed and told them that no, it wasn’t, but it shouldn’t be shared with family.

The reception was fun. Apparently the Spanish really know how to throw a party and have it last all night. I was dead on my feet while Marta’s parents were doing a tango, much to the delight of our college friends. I made the mistake of laughingly saying I’d like to try that one day, because Edward figure there was no better time than the present. Charlie wasn’t amused when Edward caught my leg up around his hip to pull me across the floor.

Later in the bride’s dressing room Marta and I stood staring at the gift from Aro. It was a square box, ornately decorated with white paper and navy ribbons. “Should I open it?” Marta asked.

“How else will you send a thank you note?” I answered, making her laugh. We called Jacob into the room, and together they pulled the ribbon tying the box closed. It fell open, revealing that it was an intricate puzzle. Putting it back together would be very difficult, but that wasn’t what was most surprising.

In the box was a necklace. White gold with huge emeralds all along the chain led to a point that was joined to hold a diamond. Below that was a hexagon, diamonds and small emeralds creating a design with the largest emerald I’d ever seen resting in the middle.

“It belonged to the Maharani of Kapurthala,” Carlisle said. “She was Spanish and married an Indian prince. I wonder how Aro got hold of it.”

“Why couldn’t I show my family?” Marta asked.

“Because it’s thought to be part of the Crown Jewels,” Carlisle answered her. “You can always tell them it’s a reproduction.”

“You have a plane to catch!” Alice announced, handing them both a suitcase. Because of Marta’s immigration status it was decided that they shouldn’t leave the country. Alice was quite fond of pointing out that Hawaii was part of the United States and they would like visiting the houses the Cullens owned. Why they had houses in sunny Hawaii was something I didn’t understand, despite Edward’s innocent claims that it was a good investment.

When it was my turn to hug them both goodbye tears sprang to my eyes. “I’m going to miss you,” I cried onto Marta’s shoulder.

“Class starts in a month, we have to be back for that,” she replied, wiping away her own tears.

We waved them off, tossing bird seed as they ran to their car.

I thought my first year at Dartmouth was tough. I thought I studied hard. I thought I wrote a ton of papers, turned in piles of assignments, read thousands of pages, and that it couldn’t get any worse.

I thought wrong.

“How am I supposed to memorize all of this?” I screamed, barely restraining my desire to chuck my textbook across the room. Edward smiled at my outburst, annoying me further. “Oh, you can smile, you have perfect recall. Do I? No. I have to cram all this stuff into my brain…”

My rant was cut off when he moved blindingly fast, picking me up, depositing me on my bed, and kissing me before the last word left my mouth. I pushed against his chest for a minute, wanting to finish my homework, but he grabbed my hands and pinned them in one of his above my head. He wrapped his other hand around my waist, pulling me close. It wasn’t long before the fight, angst, or even memory of my frustration left me.

“Feeling better?” he asked when my body relaxed against him.

“Well, I’m still frustrated, just in a different way,” I said. I let out a sigh and lay back on the bed. “Why is it so hard?”

“A couple reasons. First, they want you to learn a great deal of material. Second, they want you to learn to pick out what’s really important. Third, they’re testing your dedication to getting a degree; will you stick it out or give up. Fourth…”

“That’s more than a couple,” I said huffily.

“Fourth, they will make it easier in the next two years. Well, the material is harder, but they’re more willing to work with you.” He smiled down at me, pulled his hand from my waist and brushed his knuckles down my cheek. “It also teaches you how to think, jump through hoops, and persevere. You’re doing fine. Finals are next week, then the wedding, and then you have a couple weeks to relax. It’ll be here sooner than you realize.”

He was right. The girls spent dead week getting fitted for dresses, cleaning the barn, house and cottage in preparation for the influx of guests, and finalizing details with the caterer. Granted, it was mostly Alice doing the work, since she insisted we had to study and she didn’t need to sleep so didn’t need our help.

The boys spent the time hunting, fetching things for Alice, picking up people from the airport and keeping Jacob away from Alice so she could see. Carlisle paid for everyone’s plane tickets as a wedding present, much to the delight of those coming from across the Atlantic. Jasper took over making sure Jenks had all the legal issues with Marta’s immigration handled. He and Edward even went with Jenks, Jacob and Marta to meet with the immigration officer who had to certify that it was a real wedding and not so she could get a green card. They also made sure there weren’t any issues with her family getting visas to attend the wedding.

“The guy was actually shaking,” Jacob said around his laughter as he told me about the meeting. “Jasper told me he was feeling smug so he zapped him with fear just as Jenks was telling the guy what kind of lawsuit he’d be facing if we were turned down. It was the craziest thing ever, because as soon as he agreed, Jasper hit him with this warm, peaceful feeling. Actually, he sent that one to all of us. I swear if anyone else walked in at that moment they would have thought we were all stoned.” Everyone busted out laughing, but that could have been because Jasper was still in the room.

Finally the big day arrived. Since Marta was from a staid Catholic family her dress was very conservative, but because Alice was involved it was very beautiful. The style was 1950s retro, and looked as if it was based on the dress in The Sound of Music. Only, Alice added a lace overlay that made the satin underneath almost sparkle like stars when the light hit it just right. The bridesmaids’ dresses were exact duplicates of the wedding dress, except tea length with silver bodices and navy skirts.

We all carried white roses, the bride’s bouquet trimmed in white and the bridesmaids’ in navy and silver. The flowers and ribbons were also woven into the braids we all wore. Alice and Rosalie moved at vampire speed getting us and each other ready until the mothers arrived.

“Oh, you girls came over quite early?” Renee asked as Alice danced over with her dress.

“Yes, they’ve been here a while so I could focus on the moms,” Alice said, then repeated in flawless Spanish to Marta’s mother before whisking them away to get ready.

Sitting carefully so as not to wrinkle our dresses, Marta and I took a few minutes to relax. “Are you nervous?” I asked.

She smiled beatifically. “Not in the least. Do you think you will be when it’s your and Edward’s turn?”

I thought about it for a second before smiling and shaking my head. “Only about tripping on my dress.”

We chatted about finals and papers until our mothers appeared. Renee was standing in for Jacob’s mother and looked beautiful in her navy dress. Marta’s mother was wearing silver. We were all gushing over each other when a timid knock came and Edward poked his head in the door. “Ready ladies?” he asked. The rest of the women answered but I could only gape.

He was wearing a black tux, perfectly cut to his body, with a white shirt and silver tie, and looked like he stepped off the pages of a magazine. Spotting me his eyes widened, and he quickly came over to help me to my feet. “You look lovely,” he said as he wrapped his arms around me and barely touched my lips with his.

“Don’t muss her,” Alice chided, grabbing his arm to yank him away. “I didn’t work all that time so you could ruin my masterpiece.”

“Oh leave them be,” Renee said, in turn tugging on Alice. “I think it’s sweet.”

“It’ll be sweet after the pictures,” Alice told her. “Now we need to get you all loaded into the limo.” My mother snapped a salute, laughing when Alice stuck her tongue out at her.

Edward let us know that the other guys were going with Jacob to the church, and managed to only scare Marta’s mother once with his driving. The mothers decided to embarrass Marta by giving rather personal advice, but I was redder than she was and Edward looked decidedly uncomfortable. His eyes flickered between me and the road repeatedly, but when we pulled up to the church his entire body went stiff as Alice let out a hiss.

Surprised by their reaction I looked to see where they were staring. Marta and I both let out a gasp when we saw Jane and Demetri on the church steps.