Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer [6]
Youre not mad? You dont think Im making a humongous mistake?
Well, sure, I wish youd wait a few more years. I mean, do I look old enough to be a mother-in-law to you? Dont answer that. But this isnt about me. This is about you. Are you happy?
I dont know. Im having an out-of-body experience right now.
Renée had chuckled. Does he make you happy, Bella?
Yes, but-
Are you ever going to want anyone else?
No, but-
But what?
But arent you going to say that I sound exactly like every other infatuated teenager since the dawn of time?
Youve never been a teenager, sweetie. You know whats best for you.
For the last few weeks, Renée had unexpectedly immersed herself in wedding plans. Shed spent hours every day on the phone with Edwards mother, Esme-no worries about the in-laws getting along. Renée adored Esme, but then, I doubted anyone could help responding that way to my lovable almost- mother-in-law.
It let me right off the hook. Edwards family and my family were taking care of the nuptials together without my having to do or know or think too hard about any of it.
Charlie was furious, of course, but the sweet part was that he wasnt furious at me. Renée was the traitor. Hed counted on her to play the heavy. What could he do now, when his ultimate threat-telling Mom-had turned out to be utterly empty? He had nothing, and he knew it. So he moped around the house, muttering things about not being able to trust anyone in this world
Dad? I called as I pushed open the front door. Im home.
Hold on, Bells, stay right there.
Huh? I asked, pausing automatically.
Gimme a second. Ouch, you got me, Alice.
Alice?
Sorry, Charlie, Alices trilling voice responded. Hows that?
Im bleeding on it.
Youre fine. Didnt break the skin-trust me.
Whats going on? I demanded, hesitating in the doorway.
Thirty seconds, please, Bella, Alice told me. Your patience will be rewarded.
Humph, Charlie added.
I tapped my foot, counting each beat. Before I got to thirty, Alice said, Okay, Bella, come in!
Moving with caution, I rounded the little corner into our living room.
Oh, I huffed. Aw. Dad. Dont you look-
Silly? Charlie interrupted.
I was thinking more like debonair.
Charlie blushed. Alice took his elbow and tugged him around into a slow spin to showcase the pale gray tux.
Now cut that out, Alice. I look like an idiot.
No one dressed by me ever looks like an idiot.
Shes right, Dad. You look fabulous! Whats the occasion?
Alice rolled her eyes. Its the final check on the fit. For both of you.
I peeled my gaze off the unusually elegant Charlie for the first time and saw the dreaded white garment bag laid carefully across the sofa.
Aaah.
Go to your happy place, Bella. It wont take long.
I sucked in a deep breath and closed my eyes. Keeping them shut, I stumbled my way up the stairs to my room. I stripped down to my underwear and held my arms straight out.
Youd think I was shoving bamboo splinters under your nails, Alice muttered to herself as she followed me in.
I paid no attention to her. I was in my happy place.
In my happy place, the whole wedding mess was over and done. Behind me. Already repressed and forgotten.
We were alone, just Edward and me. The setting was fuzzy and constantly in flux-it morphed from misty forest to cloud-covered city to arctic night-because Edward was keeping the location of our honeymoon a secret to surprise me. But I wasnt especially concerned about the where part.
Edward and I were together, and Id fulfilled my side of our compromise perfectly. Id married him. That was the big one. But Id also accepted all his outrageous gifts and was registered, however futilely, to attend Dartmouth College in the fall.