Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen - Belles Will be Ringing…
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Bella
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This is just fucking… insane.

I know I’m a little tired and cranky, well… at lot tired and crank, but this really is fucking nuts.

How did the guest list jump so much?

Who are all these people?

“I have no idea,”  Rosalie states next to me shaking her head,  “but I wish I had a bumper sticker to put on my ass that says “Thank you for coming, now go the fuck home.”

I giggled a little, wishing I had come up with that.  “Said that out loud did I?” 

 “Yep,”  She said, tugging at the minuscule diamond encrusted, pink leash she holding.  “You’ve been doin’ that a lot lately, B.  Anything up?”

She eyes me carefully and when I don’t immediately respond she tugs her toy poodle “Angelica” leash again, and coos to her softly to ‘come on’.

I have Bernie in one hand and Migg’s and Boppi’s leashes in the other.  Why Alice named her dog Boppi is beyond me, but hey, to each their own.

I sigh, “It’s nothing really.”  I tell her, though I don’t quiet believe it myself.  I mean I am fine.  In good health and all that, but I feel suffocated around all these people and have since Christmas.  I want nothing more than to take Jazz and my two sweet boys and head for the hills where I can just… breathe.

“Yeah, not buying that shit for a minute.”  She tells me, and I know she can see right through me.  We really are too much alike.

“Did you ever just want to get away?”  I ask her, as we start to head back indoors to finish readying the Alice and the dogs for their big moment.  

I’m still waiting to hear how Alice talked Grandma nightmare…I mean Cullen into letting two hairballs, a overgrown rat and a one eyed freak into this shindig.

Rose stops and lights a smoke and because of the stress of the day, I light one too, though, I am resolved to quit.  This is only the 3rd smoke I’ve had since finding out I was pregnant, and Dr. Grandee told me not to fully quit cold turkey as it would be added stress on the baby.

Whatever, I’m quitting.

“What do you mean B, do you wanna to leave?”  And I almost kick myself at the look of hurt that crosses her face.

But it’s the truth.  I wanted away from all of them.
“Yes.  It’s not that I dislike Ireland or anything, it’s just… well since Jazz found me that night it feels like we’ve barely had anytime alone, and now with the baby on the way…”  I trail off.   How do you politely tell someone to fuck off when you’re not even sure that’s what the problem is.

God I hate this hormonal bullshit.

“You just want time for yourselves,”  Rose finishes for me, and I could kiss her for that.  She summed it up without taking offense.  “I can’t say that I blame you, so much has happened it’s a wonder you even had time to make the baby.”

I laughed at her.  “Oh, don’t worry, Jazz always finds time for that.”

“I know.”  She winks and leaves it at that.

She takes one more pull and stubs it out on the ground with her beautiful spiked heeled boot, and I make a mental note to nab Jasper’s credit card later.

Online shopping here I come.

“Well, shall we.”  Rose says with a big gesture of the hand as she opens the door for me.

Immediately were assaulted from the roar of more than 50 women and the funky smell of two many different perfumes in one space, and with my added sense of smell I’m already getting nauseous, my stomach is churning and I can feel the bile rising in my throat.

Rose notices my face turning green and quickly grabs the three pooches so I can race to the bathroom.

What a day to get morning sickness.

I wash my face, thanking God that I haven’t put on my make-up yet, that would have been a wasted venture, and I feel a lot better.

The water cooled my hot skin and seemed to bring back to a refreshed state of mind.  This was one day.  It wasn’t my wedding.  Alice has a wedding planner for the hard stuff.

I made my way back to Alice’s dressing suite and see that she has already been dressed.  It was time for me to do the same.

Alice had went with a deep shade of purple for the wedding party and I had to say she did good.  The deep violet went perfectly with the green and snow laden landscape just outside the huge picture windows.

My dress was lighter than the rest as Alice said my dress should be special and stand out amongst the rest.  I don’t have to tell you how much I loved that.
Just what I wanted Alice, thank you so much, loads of attention have always been my strong suit.

Anyone else catching the sarcasm coming outta my mouth?

Thought so.

I mean fuck.  I already felt like I was a center ring attraction at Barnum and Bailey’s I really didn’t need any help.

The only thing Alice made specific when we all dressed this morning was that she wanted hair up.  All of it, and I just knew I’d have a headache by noon.

Charlotte graciously enough offered to do said mop on my head, and I couldn’t be more thankful for her laid back county slang and her easy going nature.

“So, when are you and Jay, doin’ the deed?”  She asked, curling a section of my hair around a barrel of an iron as big as my arm.

“Excuse me?”  I was confused.  I mean I know she knew I was pregnant, so what exactly did she want to know?

“Y’know, the deed, sugar.”

What now?

She huffed and rolled her eyes.  “When are ya gettin’ married?”

Ohhhhh.

“Um, we really haven’t talked about it much.  Just trying to get home first.”

And the conversation when on, I almost felt bad for not talking to her before now, but like I said, it’s been nuts and I haven’t really been in the most focused state of mind as of late.

Charlotte made beautiful work of my hair, and she kept it loose stating that ‘Her momma, used to get headaches a lot when she was pregnant with her brother.’

Rosalie did my make-up while Charlotte did her hair and we basically kept it like an assembly line.

Holy hell, I comparing my sister and cousin to Mattel.

And they call me “Bella Barbie”.  *Does best Ron White impression*

Yeah that wasn’t funny, I know.

At the end of my toy factory, turkey stuffing day, the three of us headed out to the main salon to find Alice and Carlisle in tight embrace.  

And *Holy Carlisle Batman*

The old man was lookin’ good, like really good.  Got any one dollar bills kinda good.  Crisp grey suit and hair pressed back, his blue eyes seemed to be sparkling with happiness, and oh shit here comes the water works.

Not gonna cry.  Not gonna cry.  Not gonna cry.

So I retreat into my head and try to find the most amusing thing I can think off.

Walking through the front door of this fucking crazy house again wasn’t something I was sure I wanted to do.  My father had known these people for years and I really did like Alice… but I don’t know.

I wasn’t sure what possessed me yesterday to do what I did, it just felt… right.

As soon as I heard that bitch Jessica mention what freaks the ‘Cullen’s’ were I saw red.  Who the fuck did that skank think she was, and picking on a freshman as small as Alice.  Well I freaked the fuck out.

I remember waling into that bathroom and finding her all curled up on the floor under the hand dryer bawling her eyes out as three other, older girls threw the contents of her purse and shoulder bag at her.

I didn’t even wait for an explanation I just charged.

When I had driven Alice home, after being suspended for the day, I was not expecting to see him again.  I never thought I would, but I would know those baby blues anywhere.

It was my Knight.

And I had no clue how to feel about it.  He had grown to be more beautiful that I ever could have imagined.

I steeled myself as I knocked on the door, but It was Edward who answered. 

He eyed me appraisingly, and I returned the favor.  The boy really was good looking, that was for sure.

But it was Jasper’s smart ass comment that had me grinning from ear to ear. 
You see, I had received detention and the loss of my prom tickets as reward for my good deeds, and well poor Alice got detention too, even though I made sure it was clear she had nothing to do with it.

Jasper looked straight at me, patted my hair like a dog, and told me too “Go to detention like a good little girl.”
I don’t know what came over me as I drew back and wailed that fucker right in the eye.

And I must have lost my mind when I took his keys to his Ducati off the table and took off on it with Alice behind me.

But the look on Jasper’s face as he looked up at me from the floor was priceless, and made the sting in my already sore fingers not seem so bad.

If I hadn’t been in love with him before I certainly was now.
I giggled hard at the memory, and Alice looked at me like I had lost it, which I hate to break it to her, but what was lost was lost the minute I stepped foot back into this family. 

No sane person would survive it.

You have to be a little cracked to fit in with these people.  A family that sells illegal guns in the morning and has a family brunch with the minister in the afternoon.  A family who almost shoots their siblings in the middle of the night, because said sibling was hiding three precious pups in the basement for his wife and sisters.  A family who may beat their head against brick walls trying to figure the others out, and may never, but they still love each other and forgive each other in the morning.  We drink and smoke and swear, we pull heinous pranks and piss each other off.

But you fuck with one, you fuck with us all.

And Damnit!  I’m crying.

“Bella?”  My pseudo father calls, and his eyes are troubled at my state.  “Are you alright, sweetheart?”

I sniffle and wipe my eyes.  “Yeah, just happy.”

Alice squeals,  “Oh Belly, I so glad you could be here for this.”  And I realize I’m not the only one sniffling.  Alice was dabbing at her eyes furiously and I turned to see Charlotte and Rose do the same.

At least I’m not the only one.

After all the tears were wiped and the nerves settled, we marched like a damn army in taffeta in search of Alice’s groom.

Alice had decided last minute to not have the grooms men walk with us, instead we got the dogs, and all were ridiculously decked out in pearls, diamonds and tuxedo ties.

So Rosalie with Angelica, Charlotte with Bernie, Myself with Migg’s cause he was still my favorite boy, and the harlot twins with Boppi, cause no way were they walking one of my angels, we strutted our shit down the aisle and waited for the bride.

~~

The ceremony was too beautiful for words, pure white fabrics and lavender roses.

The vows were sweet and chaste, and everything I promised myself Jazz and I wouldn’t be having in our ceremony, I’d never get through it.  I’d be a blubbering mess by the second verse.

I didn’t understand half of what the 109 year old priest was saying it was all in Gaelic, but I did my routine and handed the rings off at the appropriate interval.

And when the time came for the ‘I do’s’ there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.  

I might have hated Garrett when I first met him, but under the extenuating circumstances can you blame me, but having gotten to know a little better, I can see how happy he makes her.  Garrett was doting, loving, and he could handle Alice’s shopping addiction and rants, that right there should have earned the boy a metal.

Jazz was playful during the ceremony, and I think he was trying to keep me from said blubbering mess, and it worked for the most part.  With suggestive eye waggles and smirks I had to bite my cheek to keep from laughing at some very inappropriate times.  I’ve never wanted to kick someone and kiss them at the same time more in my life.

With a kiss to the bride and more violin music the bride, groom and the wedding party we shuffled from the custom made chapel to the reception area.  

Us brides maid were sheddin’ pearls and hairpins before we made out the door.  Jazz and Emmett not far behind us shucking their ties, jackets and I had to laugh at the fuggly pair of sunglass Jazz had decided to sport, sad thing was he actually liked them.  It wasn’t some cute joke to make us all laugh, actually he was quite testy when it came to the offending eyewear.

Rosalie and I made a quick pit stop to the bathroom before I soiled my beautiful La Perla undergarments.  What a shame that would be.

When we exited Jazz was no where in sight, but I figured as much he would be playing a song for Alice tonight at her request.

Entering the reception hall was a surreal experience, and it would be to you too if you had seen the before and after, Esme had hired a army of decorators and builders but most of the design was of her own making.

It really was impressive.  Much like the ceremony itself, the hall was shrouded in silky sheer whites and beautiful flowers in every variation of purple.  Alice would have rung someone’s neck when I first met her, the girl was all about pink.

Yuck.

I may find a few shade of the color to be stimulating in certain things, but Alice she would have painted herself the color if she could.

I hadn’t made it too steps through the door when I was stopped by none other than Slut and Sluttier.

And I really need some new names for these too.

But really there were no words to describe the skankiness that is them.

I sighed.  “What do you want now.”

Tanya silently snarled at me, or at least I think that’s what it was, it might have been constipation.

Ex lax anyone. 

A throat cleared behind me and Tanya’s eyes went from narrow to really wide.  I turned my head over my shoulder and spotted Rose looking triumphant and a pissed of Jasper right behind her.

Tanya just bowed her head in submission and took a fucking hike… finally.  

That bitch had better hope we don’t cross paths after this baby is born, I shit you not!

“Come on, Blackbird, lets take a walk.”

And yeah, I followed him.

Wouldn’t you?

So I followed after that ass like a June-bug after water.

Or something equally redneck.

I had to say I was kind of surprised when he led us into an off room the band had used as kind of green room.

I didn’t even have the door shut all the way when he pounced, and my, my he sure was vigorous today.

He kissed me hard, harder than he had in weeks and I was in heaven.
“I’m gonna fuck you, Black-bird.”  he tells me and his voice is positively dripping with sex.

My head spun a little as I tried to comprehend what he just said.

He said he is gonna fuck you, Bella.  Get your head in the game.

Oh right!

I didn’t have time to question where we should be or what we were supposed to be doing for the time one popped in my head it was gone when he pulled my underwear down around my knees and turned me to face the door.

I moaned at his physical demand.

I loved it when he was like this.

“Oh…”  was all I could get out as he worked sucking on my neck and palming my tits hard through my dress.

“This isn’t going to be soft and sweet, Princess.  I need to fuck you.  I have to fuck you.”  He told me hiking my dress over my hips and unzipping his pants.

“Yes…”  I hissed.  “Now!”

I screamed out when he slammed into me, he was neither slow nor gentle, and fuck me it felt good.

Jazz clasped a hand over my mouth as he repeated pounded into me, and already I could feel the coil in my belly tightening and swelling with ever thrust I met.  

It was glorious.

“Fuck… Jazz, harder..”  I muffled out.

And he did, harder and deeper until we both yelled out in the rapture of the moment.

I was almost sad when it ended but so very turned on that it did.  I would have never pegged Jasper for being as kinky as he was, but I was so very wrong about that.

Jasper was adventurous and that was putting it mildly.

~~

We returned to the party a few minutes later after having cleaned up in the ladies room.   I sat with Rose, Jazz and Emmett as we waited for Alice and Garrett to arrive from the horse and carriage ride around the property and pictures.

Most of the rest of the night went by in a blur.  Dancing, music, food and spirits, and I could only feel bad for the Bed and Breakfast owners in the surrounding areas, there were already many drunken guest swaying around like dandelions in the breeze.

I was listening to the toasting going around the tables and it was my turn next.

I had planned on saying just a little something and giving a cheers but after today well that just couldn’t happen…

I stood and cleared my throat, prepared for what I was about to say.

“Most of you may know how I came to be apart of this family.  It was not of the norm.

I didn’t know at the time what purpose god fate or destiny held for me when I came to interact with these loving and caring people.

My first meeting with Alice was at one of her less than stellar moments, and for the sake of her dignity and mine as well I shall leave a blank in the telling of that story, all I can say is that I loved her immediately, and have continued to do so every day since.

Alice was like a whirlwind that sucked me up and dropped all her enthusiasm and support into my bleak life.  She taught me how to look at the glass at half full and how to enter life with a new mindset, to open my heart to her and this group of people, and for that I will forever be indebted to her.

I had never led a normal life, I wouldn’t know what to do with one if I had the chance.  But to be honest my first impression of the Cullen family was that they were a little mad.  I realize all these years later is that was what made them special.  At eighteen I gained another father, who’s wisdom has gotten me through many hard times, a mother, the only one I’ve every really know, who’s generosity knows no bounds.  A brother more annoying than I could ever hoped for, but also brave and protective of the ones he loves, I got a best friend who over the years has grown to be so much more to me, and a sister, my sister who I love more than all the world.

This family has lost much and gained much, my brother gained a wife who is much like myself in many ways, we had a rocky start her and I but now I can assuredly call her friend and sister.

“Damn right!”  Rose yelled, earning a few chuckles.

My sister, my tiny sister, who can seem to harness the power of light at her fingertips, has gained a husband, who has to be as crazy as the rest of us for he has already shown much loyalty to this family.

And to that I open my heart and raise my glass.  “To Garrett, welcome to the family and may you and my sister share many happiness together.  To Alice, I love you my sister,”  I whispered as tears once again filled my eyes.

“To Garrett and Alice, Sláinte,”  I said raising my glass high, silly smile on my face and tears streaming down my cheeks.

“Sláinte!”  The room parroted.

~~

“You alright, baby?”  Jazz asked as he came to my side, and I just held him, basking in his sent and the warmth of his arms.

I nodded into the crook of his neck and whispered,  “Let’s go.”
He looked at me uncertainly for a minute before he smiled and nodded.

I didn’t want to leave the party just yet, but there was only so much shit I could take in one day.

Jazz was quiet on the way up to our room, and once the dogs had been squared away for the night, Jasper set me on the bed and started to slowly remove my shoes and stockings, rubbing soothing circles into my aching flesh.

He wasn’t being sexual, we had already taken care of that for the day, no this was tender love and care. 

When I had settled myself under the covers I noticed Jazz’s Christmas present sitting in the corner of the room.

“Jazz?”

“Yeah, Honey?”

“Play for me.”

He smiled and nodded and I gathered Migg’s and Bernie closer to me, I don’t know what set off such a sense of insecurity in me today, but this was my balm, my medicine and I would heal.

He sat on the edge of the chase lounge, guitar across his lap, long finger stretched over the beautiful pearl inlays, and gave it a testing strum.

As soon as he played the first cord I knew the song, he had sung it to me on a very drunk night long ago, and until this moment I never understood that it was meant for me all along.

It’s late in the evening; she’s wondering what close to wear.
She puts on her make-up and brushes her long brown hair.
And then she ask me, “Do I look alright?”
And I say yes,  “You look wonderful tonight.”

This song symbolized us in so many ways, from the many nights we had spent together as friends but should have as lovers.  How many times had I stood in his bedroom and asked if I looked alright,  I couldn’t count them.

We go to a party and everyone turns to see
This beautiful lady that’s walking around with me.
And then she asks me, “Do you feel alright?”
And I say, “Yes, I feel wonderful tonight.”
How many times had we gone out together, and how many times had that unregistered emotion played across his face, where I would ask him that very same question.

I feel wonderful because I see
The love light in your eyes.
And the wonder of it all
Is that you just don’t realize how much I love you.

Tears filled my eyes for the hundredth time tonight, but this time they were there for a totally different reason.

This was it for me.  There would be no other.

We should have seen this long ago.

I knew a long time ago I would love Jasper Whitlock for the rest of my life, I just hadn’t understood till now, how much.

It’s time to go home now and I’ve got an aching head,
So I give her the car keys and she helps me to bed.
And then I tell her, as I turn out the light,
I say, “My darling, you were wonderful tonight.”
Oh my darling, you were wonderful tonight.”

Tears spilled over as I remembered just how many times this exact scenario had played out.  He had always been there for me and I for him.  Nights were I knew something was wrong, when we all would go out together and Jazz would drink himself stupid and how many times it would be me to drive him home and put him to bed.

I really did love him like no other.

As the he strummed the last cord, he looked up and his emotions mirrored mine perfectly.

“Let’s get married.”  I told him, and I didn’t mean later.