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Chapter 1: The Wedding

“Ok,” I thought to myself “I can do this.” Talking a deep breath, I walked over to the full length mirror in Alice’s larger than life bedroom. I just stared at my reflection for a while. Could I really do this?& I pondered. I had to; there was no room for doubt at this point.
I left the ghost at the mirror and went to look out the window that overlooked the Cullen’s backyard. It was overcast today and high chance of rain, a typical forecast in Forks. Everyone was here, Charlie, Renée and even Mike Newton, well, everyone except my best friend. I tried not to think of him too much, especially when Edward was near, I could not hurt him anymore than I already had.
But occasionally I would slip, letting my mind wander to Jacob. How was he? Where was he? On a good day, those were the only questions that haunted my mind, the harder ones came later. Do I love him more? Is it true, would he be better for me? I always answered them with an abrupt no, and tried to force them out of my head, but they always found their way back in.
Before I could give Jacob much more thought, Alice burst through the door, a huge smile spreading cheerfully across her face. Her pale skin was more prominent, probably due to the contrast of her fiery red dress bridesmaid dress and her porcelain skin. I had told her it didn’t matter to me what color the dresses were, whatever color she chose would be fine. Of course she went with red. She twirled around more graceful than a ballerina, showing off the backless gown. I smiled at her.
“Your turn” she said, while twirling her finger.
I obeyed, and swung myself around. I had to admit, it was a lovely dress, it would be something I wanted, not too frilly but perfect for the occasion, my occasion.
“Everyone’s here” She said still smiling.
“How’s Edward?” I asked.
“He’s fine. He’s outside right now talking to Charlie and Renée. “You’ll get to see him soon enough.” And another wave of smiles flooded across her face.
“So are you excited?”
“About what?” I was back at the mirror again, pretending to fix my hair.
“Honestly Bella, you are so slow sometimes” she said with a slight frown.
“Oh,” I said. “The honeymoon, well, I guess I would be a little more excited if I knew where we were going, but I guess I find out soon enough.” I said teasingly.
“Are you scared?” She prodded?
“About what?” my voice sounded worried now
“About, well, you know...” she looked slightly embarrassed.
I let out a soft chuckle at her reproachfulness.
“No, not in the lease. He said we would try, and I trust him completely.” It was surprisingly easy to talk to Alice about this.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.
“May we come in?” It was Charlie and Renée.
“Of course, I was just leaving” Alice gave me a quick wink and pranced silently out the door.
“Hello sweetheart” Renée said. “Today is a big day for you. Your father and I just wanted to come in a talk to you before you start your new life. I couldn’t help but wince a little at the irony of her words. She and Charlie pulled me over to the bed, one perched on either side of me. The bed was sill firm, probably from the never being broken in by its owner, and would probably never be.
“Bella,” Charlie said through silent tears, “I love you very much. I have never regretted your decision of coming to live with me. I have seen how you’ve grown through the years. I want you to know that I’m so proud of you. Your mom and I will always be here for you.” I was crying with him now, but for a different reason he didn’t know. This would be the last real moment with my parents while I was still human. I would be going away for a while, not being able to see anyone because of the new “thirst” I would have. Without saying much more, they both gave me a hug, when they reached to let go, I held on tighter, not wanting to loose this moment. They didn’t seem to mind. But all too soon, they let me go, heading downstairs to take their seats. I watched them silently as they exited the room. I went back to the mirror to examine the damage done to my face because of my crying. I had forgotten Alice did not put on any makeup on me. I had won the argument of “since she planned the wedding and the bridal shower and pretty much everything else wedding related, that I refused to look like a clown.” She grumbled for a moment but decided to let me have my way. My eyes were a little puffy, but they would go down in a matter of minutes. I decided, against my better judgment, to apply some mascara that was lying on the nearby vanity. After all, she did go through all this trouble, and my eyes needed a quick fix.
The music started playing outside; that was me cue. I glided, as gracefully as I could in the deathtraps Alice made me wear, down the stairs through the foyer and stopped at the backdoor leading to the backyard. Charlie waited there to greet me, taking my arm in his, we made our way slowly down the aisle. “Alice really did do a nice job” I admitted to myself. They whole walk down, I had my eyed locked on Edward, and he met my gaze. His white teeth glistened as he smiled at me and Charlie. At this moment, everything seemed perfect, my doubt gone, and nothing else mattered but Edward and me. I reached Edward’s outstretched hand as we turned to face the podium.

“Do you Edward Anthony Mason Cullen take this Isabella Marie Swan to be your wife, in sickness and in health; till death do you part, as long as you both shall live?” The pastor said
“I do, forever.” He said as he slid the ring on my finger he gently brushed a raindrop off my wrist.
“And do you, Isabella Marie Swan Edward take this here Anthony Mason Cullen to be your husband, in sickness and in health; till death do you part, as long as you both shall live?”
“I –”
“NO!” Edward’s voice boomed.
Everyone looked at him, but he didn’t seem to notice, or he didn’t care.
“We have to go, now” He said to me, even though his eyes were locked on Alice’s face. I quickly stole a glance at her, she looked very uneasy.
“But why?” I said, searching his face for answers, but it gave none.
“No time to explain” his voice was tense, his eyes blazing.
But then, it was too late.
CRASH! I could the ice sculpture fall from the table inside, and a man make his way toward us. Everyone was getting out of their seats, rushing to see what was going on.
“Bella, please” his eyes were frantic, pleading. He did not sound upset now, just anxious.
“....Jacob....” I whispered.
He silently nodded.
Then I saw him, and he was not alone. Jacob stood next to Charlie, his gigantic hand wrapped around his throat, while the large wolf gave out a menacing snarl on his opposite side. I could only guess it was Leah. Everyone was screaming, Renée attempted to move forward towards me, but the wolf would not have it. She let out another frightening snarl and lunged to position herself between me and my mother.
“DAD!” I screamed, starting to move forward.
Edward gave out a deep growl and stopped me.
“Come with me Bella, and I’ll let your dad go.” Jacob said, he sounded calm.
“Jake, what are you doing?!” I struggled to speak; I couldn’t understand why this was happening.
“Bella, you’ll do no such thing” Charlie managed to choke out the words, and Jacobs grasp in this throat suddenly tightened.
Screams were erupting on every side of me. I couldn’t think straight. Was this really happening? I didn’t even notice that the Cullen’s were by my side, even Rosalie.
“Jacob, think about what you are doing.” Edward said through clenched teeth, his arms still blocking my way.
“Oh, believe me, I’ve thought about it.” He jeered, letting out a chilling laugh.
“There are two of you and six of us, your odds are not so likely” This time it was Carlisle who spoke his tone calm and collected as usual.
“Yes, but you see, I can kill Charlie before you have the chance to reach me” They were standing not too far from us now at the end of the aisle. At that I turned to Edward, my eyes pleading.
“Edward, please, I have to.”
“Not an option.” He snapped.
“Edward he’s going to KILL CHARLIE!” I screamed, hysteria colored my voice, as I tried to remove the barrier that his armed formed between me and Jacob. He looks at Carlisle now, “I...can’t” he whispered, they were obviously conversing secretly. But then his arm slowly lowered and I walked forward toward the friend I didn’t know anymore. When I reached him, he let Charlie fall to his knees, gasping for air. I didn’t have time to ask if he was ok because I was suddenly being trusted onto a something very furry and matted, Jake’s back, he phased so quickly. I took one last glance back to see what was left of my wedding. I hadn’t noticed that everyone had left everyone but the Cullen’s and my parents. Renée was leaning over Charlie, tears flooding from her eyes. And I permitted myself to take a last look at Edward. He was being held in Emmett’s unbreakable hold. His eyed filled with anguish, as they stared into mine. I held his gaze as long as I could, till he disappeared from my sight.
The rain came now, drowning what was left of my wedding, soaking my hair, but nevertheless, I held onto him, closing my eyes from the sting of the wind and frigid rain. I felt the movement of the beast below me, the monster he had come to be...he was no longer my Jacob.