Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer [9]
Esme and Rosalie get by just fine. If its a problem later, we can do what Esme did-well adopt.
He sighed, and then his voice was fierce. Its not right! I dont want you to have to make sacrifices for me. I want to give you things, not take things away from you. I dont want to steal your future. If I were human-
I put my hand over his lips. You are my future. Now stop. No moping, or Im calling your brothers to come and get you. Maybe you need a bachelor party.
Im sorry. I am moping, arent I? Must be the nerves.
Are your feet cold?
Not in that sense. Ive been waiting a century to marry you, Miss Swan. The wedding ceremony is the one thing I cant wait- He broke off mid-thought. Oh, for the love of all thats holy!
Whats wrong?
He gritted his teeth. You dont have to call my brothers. Apparently Emmett and Jasper are not going to let me bow out tonight.
I clutched him closer for one second and then released him. I didnt have a prayer of winning a tug-of-war with Emmett. Have fun.
There was a squeal against the window-someone deliberately scraping their steel nails across the glass to make a horrible, cover-your-ears, goose-bumps-down-your-spine noise. I shuddered.
If you dont send Edward out, Emmett-still invisible in the night-hissed menacingly, were coming in after him!
Go, I laughed. Before they break my house.
Edward rolled his eyes, but he got to his feet in one fluid movement and had his shirt back on in another. He leaned down and kissed my forehead.
Get to sleep. Youve got a big day tomorrow.
Thanks! Thats sure to help me wind down.
Ill meet you at the altar.
Ill be the one in white. I smiled at how perfectly blasé I sounded.
He chuckled, said, Very convincing, and then suddenly sank into a crouch, his muscles coiled like a spring. He vanished-launching himself out my window too swiftly for my eyes to follow.
Outside, there was a muted thud, and I heard Emmett curse.
Youd better not make him late, I murmured, knowing they could hear.
And then Jaspers face was peering in my window, his honey hair silver in the weak moonlight that worked through the clouds.
Dont worry, Bella. Well get him home in plenty of time.
I was suddenly very calm, and my qualms all seemed unimportant. Jasper was, in his own way, just as talented as Alice with her uncannily accurate predictions. Jaspers medium was moods rather than the future, and it was impossible to resist feeling the way he wanted you to feel.
I sat up awkwardly, still tangled in my blanket. Jasper? What do vampires do for bachelor parties? Youre not taking him to a strip club, are you?
Dont tell her anything! Emmett growled from below. There was another thud, and Edward laughed quietly.
Relax, Jasper told me-and I did. We Cullens have our own version. Just a few mountain lions, a couple of grizzly bears. Pretty much an ordinary night out.
I wondered if I would ever be able to sound so cavalier about the vegetarian vampire diet.
Thanks, Jasper.
He winked and dropped from sight.
It was completely silent outside. Charlies muffled snores droned through the walls.
I lay back against my pillow, sleepy now. I stared at the walls of my little room, bleached pale in the moonlight, from under heavy lids.
My last night in my room. My last night as Isabella Swan. Tomorrow night, I would be Bella Cullen. Though the whole marriage ordeal was a thorn in my side, I had to admit that I liked the sound of that.
I let my mind wander idly for a moment, expecting sleep to take me. But, after a few minutes, I found myself more alert, anxiety creeping back into my stomach, twisting it into uncomfortable positions. The bed seemed too soft, too warm without Edward in it. Jasper was far away, and all the peaceful, relaxed feelings were gone with him.
It was going to be a very long day tomorrow.
I was aware that most of my fears were stupid- I just had to get over myself. Attention was an inevitable part of life. I couldnt always blend in with the scenery. However, I did have a few specific worries that were completely