"It really was a nice wedding, Bells" Charlie says, resigned. He had an initial bad reaction to the news that Edward and I were engaged, but as the weeks flew by and August 13th approached, he slowly grew excited, though I doubt he'd ever admit it.
"I had so much fun planning it, and everything went just the way I knew it would, except when your heel broke on the way down the aisle, Bella!" Alice chimed in. "I mean really, only you would break the heel of your wedding shoes on your way down the aisle."
"She's right, Bella..." a chuckle came from the direction of the stairway of Charlie's house, where Edward was carrying the last of my clothing and personal items from my bedroom. We were back from our honeymoon in Fiji and my new husband was helping me move from my father's house. I didn't even get mad at the three of them laughing at me since I knew this would be the last time I would see Charlie for an undetermined amount of time.
"Ha-ha... you're all hilarious" I said sarcastically as Edward continued out the front door to place the last boxes in my new, sleek, black Audi. "I'm glad you had a good time, dad. I must admit, I was totally against a traditional wedding, but as Alice predicted, I would've regreted eloping. "Thanks again for everything, both of you."
Edward came back inside and said "Sorry girls, but it's time to go."
Fighting back tears, I started to speak rapidly. "Charlie, I've stocked your freezer with individual portions of lasanga, beef stroganoff, chili..." I continued naming a list of Charlie's favorite meals. "You won't have to cook until Christmas time."
"Bella, I can take care of myself. Remember all those years before you came here that I had to fend for myself?
But who am I kidding? I'll miss you kid." He put his head down and looked away.
"Oh, Charlie, I'll miss you too. I promise to call you as often as I can and I'll be back to visit at Christmas." I ran over to him and gave him a bear hug Emmett would've been proud of. I lingered there for a long moment and then finally broke away, brushing a few stray tears from my eyes. Charlies eyes even got a little moist.
"I'll take good care of her for you. I promimse." Edward told him, laying a hand gently on his shoulder, then quickly removing it to take my hand in his. This felt right. This felt exactly right. As sad as I am to leave Charlie, not knowing when I might see him again, I was overjoyed with anticipation at what lay ahead for me and my new husband. We were starting a new life together and I couldn't be happier about that.
"Don't worry, Charlie, I'll come to visit you often" Alice chirpped in the background. "I'm taking a semester of College off to determine what I want to do with my future. I can't really see myself anywhere." This conjured up a laugh from Edward and me.
"You're welcome anytime" Charlie smiled over at Alice. Two years later, he was still unknowingly mesmerised by Alice. She could probably tell him to go fly a kite and he'd think it was great.
After a few more hugs and promises to call often, the three of us wandered out into the night. Edward held the driver's side door of the Audi open for me. This gesture must be in response to my obvious sadness at leaving Charlie. I got in, looked at the house one last long moment, and drove toward the Cullen's.
I was much better at finding that hidden driveway now and found their house with ease. Alice and Edward had exchanged some warning glares with each other as we got out of the car and walked toward the door of the house. I almost didn't notice, but the tension was thick.
"Everything will be absolutely fine" Alice hissed to Edward under her breath, almost too low for me to hear.
Edward put his arm around my waist as we walked up the porch steps. He gave me a quick kiss on my head before opening the door.
"ADAM!" Alice exclaimed happily, jumping up and down, with a note of surprise in her tone.
"Alice! Don't pretend you didn't know I was here" a tall man with dark hair, who looked to be about 40 years old, approached her and gave a warm, or in their case, cold, hug. Then, he turned to Edward and said "My, my, Edward, she is absolutley beautiful. Congratulations and I'm sorry I couldn't make it to the wedding" the stranger, who obviously was a stranger only to me, said while glancing in my direction, shaking Edward's hand.
"Bella, meet Adam Bailey, an old family friend. He's a research scientist who goes way back with Carlisle." Edward pronounced. I didn't even have to ask if he was a vampire. I knew by the tone of Edward's voice that "way back" meant it's been a very very long time. "Adam, meet my lovely wife, Bella Swan Cullen."
"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Bailey" I said tentatively.
"Oh, call me Adam. I've heard so much about you and I'm glad we're finally meeting" he replied. I looked into his kind, brown eyes and knew immediately that me must be a "vegetarian" too.
"What brings you to Forks, Adam?" Edward asked. I heard snickering coming in the direction of the sofa's across the room where Emmett, Rosalie,
Jasper and now Alice perched.
"As if you don't already know" Adam replied, laughing a little.
"Well get in the habit of saying it even if Edward does know," Carlisle, said. "Bella, like the rest of us, doesn't have the luxury of knowing what you're thinking, Adam"
"Why don't you all come and sit down" Esme calmly advised. "Adam has some interesting news."
Edward who seemed to be totally preoccupied with his thoughts, guided me over sit among the others.
"I do indeed," Adam continued. "You see, I was just telling the others about my new discovery. I've discovered the antidote to being a vampire.
A little potion I like to call 'Anti-Venom'" he exclaimed.
See Chapter 2