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Chapter 9: Marker Event

After I had finished my cereal I set the spoon in the bowl and gazed out the back window. The tall oak trees waved gently to me in the soft wind, but still shaded the grass below. Tomorrow would be perfect, I was sure of that.
“Tell me what you’re thinking about?” Edward asked suddenly, peeking over the top of the newspaper.
“The honeymoon.” I answered truthfully, turning my head to face him. “And other irrelevant things.” I added. He folded the newspaper back up and set it beside him on the wooden table.
His crooked smile spread across his face as he looked at me.
“What about the honeymoon?” He breathed, leaning toward me so his face was inches from mine.
“Well, where are we going?” I knew he wasn’t going to tell me, but I still asked.
“Bella, what type of surprise would it be if I were to tell you?” He asked playfully ruffling my hair.
I let out a low grumble. He ignored that.
“And the ‘other irrelevant things’?” He prodded releasing the full power of his scorching gaze.
I tried to turn my head so I would not fall victim to his spell, but he caught my chin in his cold hand.
“Bella.” He whispered.
“It’s just Charlie and Renée. I don’t know what I should tell them.”  I admitted to him. I left out the part about Jacob and my dream; I definitely couldn’t tell him about that. I looked in to his liquid butterscotch eyes and they seemed thoughtful.
After a moment he said, “Tell them the truth.”
My eyes widened in shock. “The truth?” I repeated.
“Well, more or less.” He clarified leaning back in his chair casually.
My face was puzzled as I looked away from his angelic face and to the backyard once again.
The wind was picking up and throwing the branches into an uproar.
“So, what you mean is tell them about Jake and nothing else? Leave out the part about werewolves.” I was still gazing at the fight between the branches and strong wind.
“Yes.” He said calmly.
“Will that work?” I turned my head to look at him.
“We could always ask Alice.” He said with a slight smirk on his face and I nodded in compliance. It seemed such a simple way to break the news to them, too simple.
“Are you finished?” He was looking at my empty bowl.
“Yeah.” I said with a smile.
Edward took my bowl and placed it into the dishwasher. It surprised me a little to find that they had all the necessary accommodations that one would have in a regular home: refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher. I knew that they didn’t need them. Did they just buy it for the few days that I would be here? If they did it was very foolish; I was only going to be human for two more days, three at the most. And after that, they would not need them.

“Come one, let’s go find Alice.” Edward said, taking my hand. After a few moments we found all four of them huddled together suspiciously around a table. My eyes narrowed slightly at this sight but Edward remained unconcerned at my side.
“Hey!” Alice said waving at us to come in.
“Hello Alice. We just came to-“
“Yes I know” She cut him off. “Everything will be fine. Renée and Charlie will not ask questions. They don’t really want to know anything more than that you are alright, Bella.” She said calmly turning to look at me. I nodded my head and said thanks. At least that is one last thing to worry about.

“What are you doing?” I asked eying them skeptically. They seemed to be waiting for something. Did they want us to leave?
“Nothing.” Alice said anxiously not meeting my eyes. All four of them had their heads turned in different directions, staring off absently. It looked like they were intensely concentrating on something. I looked up at Edward hoping to get the answer from his face. His eyes danced, amused, as he shook his head. Then it hit me, they must have been planning our parties when Edward and I had interrupted. Now they were all trying to keep their minds busy so he could not have to chance to see what scheming.

“Jasper?” I said breaking through the tension and marching over to his side.
Only his eyes shifted my way.
“What do vampires do for bachelor parties? You’re not taking him to a strip club are you?” I prodded, poking him hard on the arm. He let out a soft chuckle but did not relax his body.
“Don’t worry Bella, it’s nothing like that.” He replied and I could see the others crack a smile.
“Will you two please leave?” Said Alice, suddenly, but still did not look towards me. Edward tugged me gently on my arm and pulled me towards the door. “I’ll be over to your room in a little bit. Renée is coming; she just caught an earlier flight. So she’ll be here soon. I will be over to help you get ready.” She turned her head to give me a quick wink and then returned to staring absentmindedly into space with the other three. I rolled my eyes and gave out a low grumble but let Edward drag me away.

When we arrived to our room Alice was already there. I guess by the time Edward and I had walked at my human pace she would had finished her “plans” and moseyed in though the front door and up to our bedroom.
“I will give you two some privacy,” Edward said and he gave me soft kiss. I watched him as he slipped gracefully out of the room; leaving me alone with Alice.
When I turned back around, she was standing in front of me holding something blue up to my face. It took my eyes a minute to adjust to the sudden closeness.
“Do you like it?” She asked excitedly, peeking her head around the side so she could read my reaction. I took a slight step back so I could see it in full view. It was the same royal blue that Edward had liked on me; no doubt Alice bought for that reason.
“Actually” I paused to look into her eyes, “I do. Thanks.” With that, she thrusted the dress into my arms and began shoving me toward the bathroom.
“Try it on.”

When I had all the proper straps in place I turned to face to full length mirror that was behind the door. It flowed past my knees; it had a summery feeling to it.
“So, how does it look?” Alice’s voice rang excitedly from outside the door. I turned the knob and opened up the door to show her.
“Beautiful. I have done it once again.” She laughed and to my amazement handed me a pair of sensible shoes. I looked at her in mock bewilderment.
“What, no unreasonably high shoes that I will surely break my neck in?”
“Just take them, Bella.” She sighed holding out the silver flats. “Now hurry up, Renée will be here in about a half hour.”-Her voice turned suddenly anxious- “And I still have to set up! I’ll come get you when everything is prepared. Can I trust you to be able to get your self ready?”
“Yes, Alice.” I mumbled.
A huge smile spread across her face and then she skipped fluidly from the room.

I wandered back into the large marble bathroom to find an assortment of different creams and makeup. I decided that foundation would be pushing it, so I would just go with the basics to make Alice happy: eyeliner, lip gloss, mascara and eye shadow. I didn’t bother with the blush; my cheeks provided their own redness.
“You know, as I have said before, I am partial to that color blue with you skin.” Edward said, appearing behind me. His arms wrapped around my waist and his eye met mine in the mirror. How did I miss him coming in?
“Are you almost ready? I can hear Alice she is on her way. She has some games planned as well.” He chuckled. I rolled my eyes playfully.
“So Renée is here then?” I asked.
“Yes. She’s with Esme and Rosalie.” His head was resting on my shoulder as he softly whispered in my ear.
“Bella, everything is ready and Renée has arrived as well.” Alice said while knocking eagerly at the door. Her voice was elated.
“I’m coming.” I said while reluctantly prying Edward’s fingers from around my waist.
“Have fun Bella.” He touched his lips to mine gently. I just nodded and wandered out to meet the impatient Alice who was bouncing up and down outside the door. If she acted like this for a bridal shower, I wonder how she will be tomorrow.  Only a few more days to go; this was like a marker event. Now only two more: the wedding and the honeymoon. I smiled as she took my hand in hers and led me to my first step towards immortality.