The Twilight Saga 4: Breaking Dawn 3. BIG DAY

My own eyeb totally flew open.I lay shivering and gasping in my warm bed for several transactions, trying to break ex matchlessrate of the dream. The sky breakside my window turned gray and then(prenominal) pale pick apart while I waited for my heart to slow.When I was fully back to the reality of my messy, familiar room, I was a belittled riled with myself. What a dream to afford the night before my wedding Thats what I got for obsessing over disturbing stories in the middle of the night.Eager to shake off the nightmare, I got garmentsed and headed shore to the kitchen coarse before I needed to. First I cleaned the already tidy rooms, and then when Charlie was up I made him pancakes. I was much too keyed up to agree any interest in eating eat myself I sat bouncing in my seat while he ate.Youre picking up Mr. weber at three oclock, I reminded him.I dont have that much to do today besides sour the minister, Bells. Im non worryly to forget my solo job. Charlie had taken the entire day off for the wedding, and he was unquestionably at loose ends. Now and then, his eyeball flickered furtively to the fillt under the stairs, w here(predicate) he kept his search gear.Thats not your only job. You also have to be dressed and presentable.He scowled into his cereal bowl and muttered the wrangle monkey suit under his breath.There was a brisk tapping on the front limen.You think you have it bad, I said, grimacing as I rose. Alice will be working on me all day long.Charlie nodded thoughtfully, acknowl acuteness that he did have the lesser ordeal. I ducked in to kiss the screening of his head as I passed he blushed and harrumphed and then continued on to get the door for my best girlfriend and soon-to-be sister.Alices short pitch-dark hair was not in its usual spiky do it was smoothed into sleek pin curls much or less her pixie face, which wore a contrastingly businesslike expression. She dragged me from the house with barely a Hey, Charliec alled over her shoulder.Alice appraised me as I got into her Porsche.Oh, hell, project at your eyes She tsked in reproach. What did you do? Stay up all night?Almost.She glowered. Ive only allotted so much time to gravel you stunning, Bella you tycoon have taken better bursting charge of my raw material.No one expects me to be stunning. I think the bigger problem is that I might fall asleep during the ceremony and not be able to say 1 do at the ad only if part, and then Edward will list his escape.She laughed. Ill throw my bouquet at you when it gets close.Thanks.At least youll have softwood of time to sleep on the plane tomorrow.I raised one eyebrow. Tomorrow, I mused. If we were heading out tonight after the reception, and we would still be on a plane tomorrow well, we werent deprivation to Boise, Idaho. Edward hadnt dropped a single hint. I wasnt too stressed or so the mystery, but it was strange not knowing where I would be sleeping tomorrow night. Or hopefully not slee ping Alice realized that shed addicted some thing away, and she frowned.Youre all packed and ready, she said to distract me.It worked. Alice, I wish you would let me pack my own thingsIt would have given too much away.And denied you an opportunity to shop.Youll be my sister officially in ten short hours its about time to get over this aversion to new clothes.I glowered groggily out the windshield until we were almost to the house.Is he back yet? I asked.Dont worry, hell be there before the medicine starts. But you dont get to estimate him, no matter when he gets back. Were doing this the traditionalistic way.I snorted. TraditionalOkay, aside from the bride and groom.You know hes already peeked.Oh no thats why Im the only one whos look onn you in the dress. Ive been very careful to not think about it when hes more or less.Well, I said as we turned into the drive, I see you got to reuse your graduation decorations. Three miles of drive were formerly again wrapped in hundreds of thousands of twinkle lights. This time, shed added uncontaminating satin bows.Waste not, indirect request not. Enjoy this, because you dont get to see the inside decorations until its time. She quartered into the cavernous garage north of the main house Emmetts big Jeep was still gone.Since when is the bride not allowed to see the decorations? I protested.Since she put me in charge. I postulate you to get the full impact advent down the stairs.She clapped her hand over my eyes before she let me inside the kitchen. I was good off assailed by the wind up.What is that? I wondered as she guided me into the house.Is it too much? Alices voice was abruptly worried. Youre the first human in here I hope I got it cover.it smells wonderful I assured her almost intoxicating, but not at all overwhelming, the balance of the different fragrances was subtle and flawless. Orange blossoms lilac and something else am I right?Very good, Bella. You only missed the freesia and the roses.She d idnt uncover my eyes until we were in her oversized bathroom. I inspectd at the long counter, covered in all the paraphernalia of a beauty salon, and began to feel my sleepless night.Is this really requirement? Im going to look plain next to him no matter what.She pushed me down into a low pink chair. No one will dare to call you plain when Im with with you.Only because theyre afraid youll take their blood, I muttered. I leaned back in the chair and closed my eyes, hoping Id be able to nap finished it. I did drift in and out a little bit while she masked, buffed, and polished each surface of my body.It was after lunchtime when Rosalie glided past the bathroom door in a shimmery silver gown with her golden hair piled up in a soft crown on top of her head. She was so beautiful it made me want to cry. What was even the point of dressing up with Rosalie around?Theyre back, Rosalie said, and immediately my childish fit of despair passed. Edward was home.Keep him out of hereHe wont cross you today, Rosalie reassured her. He values his life too much. Esmes got them finishing things up out back. Do you want some tending? I could do her hair.My jaw fell open. I floundered around in my head, trying to remember how to close it.I had never been Rosalies favorite person in the world. Then, making things even more strained amongst us, she was personally offended by the choice I was making now. Though she had her impossible beauty, her loving family, and her soulfulness mate in Emmett, she would have traded it all to be human. And here I was, callously throwing away everything she treasured in life like it was garbage. It didnt exactly warm her to me.Sure, Alice said easily. You can start braiding. I want it intricate. The veil goes here, underneath. Her hands started combing through my hair, hefting it, twisting it, illustrating in detail what she wanted. When she was done, Rosalies hands replaced hers, shaping my hair with a feather-light touch. Alice moved back to my face.Once Rosalie received Alices commendation on my hair, she was sent off to hark back my dress and then to locate Jasper, who had been dispatched to pick up my mother and her husband, Phil, from their hotel. Downstairs, I could faintly hear the door opening and closing over and over. Voices began to float up to us.Alice made me stand so that she could ease the dress over my hair and makeup. My knees shook so badly as she fastened the long line of astragal buttons up my back that the satin quivered in little wavelets down to the floor.Deep breaths, Bella/7Alice said. And try to lower your heart rate. Youre going to sweat off your new face.I gave her the best sarcastic expression I could manage. Ill get right on that.I have to get dressed now. Can you hold yourself together for two sensitives?Urn maybe?She rolled her eyes and darted out the door.I concentrated on my breathing, counting each transaction of my lungs, and stared at the patterns that the bathroom light made on the shiny fabric of my skirt. I was afraid to look in the mirror afraid the image of myself in the wedding dress would send me over the edge into a full-scale panic attack.Alice was back before I had taken two hundred breaths, in a dress that flowed down her slender body like a silvery waterfall.Alice wow.Its nothing. No one will be looking at me today. Not while youre in the room.Har har.Now, are you in carry of yourself, or do I have to bring Jasper up here?Theyre back? Is my mom here?She just walked in the door. Shes on her way up.Renee had flown in two days ago, and Id spent every minute I could with her every minute that I could pry her away from Esme and the decorations, in other words. As distant as I could tell, she was having more fun with this than a kid locked inside Disneyland overnight. In a way, I felt almost as cheated as Charlie. All that wasted terror over her reactionOh, Bella she squealed now, spout before she was all the way through the door. Oh, honey, youre so beautiful Oh, Im going to cry Alice, youre amazing You and Esme should go into business as wedding planners. Where did you find this dress? Its gorgeous So lithe, so elegant. Bella, you look like you just stepped out of an Austen movie. My mothers voice sounded a little distance away, and everything in the room was slightly blurry. much(prenominal) a creative idea, designing the theme around Bellas ring. So romantic To think its been in Edwards family since the eighteen hundredsAlice and I exchanged a brief conspiratorial look. My mom was off on the dress appearance by more than a hundred years. The wedding wasnt actually centered around the ring, but around Edward himself.There was a loud, gruff throat- overhauling in the doorway.Renee, Esme said its time you got settled down there, Charlie said.Well, Charlie, dont you look belt along Renee said in a tone that was almost shocked. That might have explained the crustiness of Charlies answer.Alice got to me.Is it really t ime already? Renee said to herself, sounding almost as nervous as I felt. This has all gone so fast. I feel dizzy.That made two of us.Give me a hug before I go down/7Renee insisted. Carefully now, dont tear anything.My mother squeezed me gently around the waist, then wheeled for the door, only to fatten the spin and face me again.Oh goodness, I almost forgot Charlie, Wheres the box?My dad rummaged in his pockets for a minute and then produced a small white box, which he pass on to Renee. Renee lifted the lid and held it out to me.Something blue, she said.Something old, too. They were your Grandma Swans, Charlie added. We had a jeweler replace the paste stones with sapphires.Inside the box were two heavy silver hair combs. one-sided blue sapphires were clustered into intricate floral shapes atop the teeth.My throat got all thick. Mom, Dad you shouldnt have.Alice wouldnt let us do anything else, Renee said. Every time we tried, she all but ripped our throats out.A hysterical giggle burst through my lips.Alice stepped up and quickly slid both combs into my hair under the edge of the thick braids. Thats something old and something blue, Alice mused, taking a few steps back to admire me. And your dress is new so here She flicked something at me. I held my hands out automatically, and the involvey white garter landed in my palms.Thats mine and I want it back, Alice told me.I blushed.There, Alice said with satisfaction. A little color thats all you needed. You are officially faultless. With a little self-congratulatory smile, she turned to my parents. Renee, you need to get downstairs.Yes, maam. Renee blew me a kiss and hurried out the door.Charlie, would you grab the flowers, please? time Charlie was out of the room, Alice hooked the garter out of my hands and then ducked under my skirt. I gasped and tottered as her frore hand caught my ankle she yanked the garter into place.She was back on her feet before Charlie returned with the two frothy white bouquets. The scent of roses and orange blossom and freesia enveloped me in a soft mist.Rosalie the best musician in the family next to Edward began play the piano downstairs. Pachelbels Canon. I began hyperventilating.Easy, Bells, Charlie said. He turned to Alice nervously. She looks a little sick. Do you think shes going to make it?His voice sounded far away. I couldnt feel my legs.Shed better.Alice stood right in front of me, on her tiptoes to better stare me in the eye, and gripped my wrists in her hard hands.Focus, Bella. Edward is waiting for you down there.1 took a deep breath, willing myself into composure.The music slowly morphed into a new song. Charlie nudged me. Bells, were up to bat.Bella? Alice asked, still holding my gaze.Yes, I squeaked. Edward. Okay. I let her pull me from the room, with Charlie tagging along at my elbow.The music was louder in the hall. It floated up the stairs along with the fragrance of a one thousand thousand flowers. I concentrated on the idea of Edw ard waiting below to get my feet to shuffle forward.The music was familiar, Wagners traditional march surrounded by a flood of embellishments.Its my turn, Alice chimed. Count to five and follow me. She began a slow, graceful dance down the staircase. I should have realized that having Alice as my only bridesmaid was a mistake. I would look that much more uncoordinated coming behind her.A sudden fanfare say through the soaring music. I recognized my cue.Dont let me fall, Dad, I whispered. Charlie pulled my hand through his arm and then grasped it tightly. unrivaled step ata time, I told myself as we began to descend to the slow tempo of the march. I didnt lift my eyes until my feet were safely on the flat ground, though I could hear the murmurs and rustling of the audience as I came into view. Blood flooded my cheeks at the sound of course I could be counted on to be the color bride.As soon as my feet were past the treacherous stairs, I was looking for him. For a brief second, I wa s distracted by the profusion of white blossoms that hung in garlands from everything in the room that wasnt alive, dripping with long lines of white gossamer ribbons. But I tore my eyes from the bowery canopy and searched across the rows of satin-draped chairs blushing more deeply as I took in the crowd of faces all focused on me until I rig him at last, standing before an arch overflowing with more flowers, more gossamer.I was barely sure that Carlisle stood by his side, and Angelas father behind them both. I didnt see my mother where she must have been sitting in the front row, or my new family, or any of the guests they would have to wait till later.All I really saw was Edwards face it filled my vision and overwhelmed my mind. His eyes were a buttery, burning gold his perfect face was almost severe with the depth of his emotion. And then, as he met my awed gaze, he broke into a breathtaking smile of exultation.Suddenly, it was only the pressure of Charlies hand on mine tha t kept me from sprinting headlong down the aisle.The march was too slow as I struggled to pace my steps to its rhythm. Mercifully, the aisle was very short. And then, at last, at last, I was there. Edward held out his hand. Charlie took my hand and, in a symbol as old as the world, placed it in Edwards. I touched the cool miracle of his skin, and I was home.Our vows were the simple, traditional words that had been spoken a million times, though never by a couple quite like us. Wed asked Mr. Weber to make only one small change. He obligingly traded the line till death do uspart for the more appropriate as long as we both shall live.In that moment, as the minister said his part, my world, which had been upside down for so long now, seemed to settle into its proper position. I saw just how silly Id been for fearing this as if it were an unwanted birthday gift or an embarrassing exhibition, like the prom. I looked into Edwards shining, gleeful eyes and knew that I was winning, too. Be cause nothing else mattered but that I could stay withhim.I didnt realize I was call until it was time to say the binding words.I do, I managed to choke out in a well-nigh unintelligible whisper, blinking my eyes clear so I could see his face.When it was his turn to speak, the words rang clear and victorious.I do, he vowed.Mr. Weber declared us husband and wife, and then Edwards hands reached up to provenance my face, carefully, as if it were as delicate as the white petals swaying above our heads. I tried to comprehend, through the film of tears blinding me, the surreal fact that this amazing person was mine. His golden eyes looked as if they would have tears, too, if such a thing were not impossible. He bent his head toward mine, and I stretched up on the tips of my toes, throwing my arms bouquet and all around his neck.He kissed me tenderly, adoringly I forgot the crowd, the place, the time, the reason only computer storage that he loved me, that he wanted me, that I was his .He began the kiss, and he had to end it I clung to him, ignoring the titters and the throat-clearing in the audience. Finally, his hands restrained my face and he pulled back too soon to look at me. On the surface his sudden smile was amused, almost a smirk. But underneath his momentary entertainment at my public exhibition was a deep joy that echoed my own.The crowd erupted into applause, and he turned our bodies to face our friends and family. I couldnt look away from his face to see them.My mothers arms were the first to find me, her tear-streaked face the first thing I saw when I finally tore my eyes unwillingly from Edward. And then I was handed through the crowd, passed from embrace to embrace, only vaguely aware of who held me, my attention centered on Edwards hand clutched tightly in my own. I did recognize the difference between the soft, warm hugs of my human friends and the gentle, cool embraces of my new family.One scorching hug stood out from all the others Seth Cle arwater had braved the throng of vampires to stand in for my lost loup-garou friend.