“Alice we’ve been here for hours. Can’t I have a break?”

Just a few days until the wedding and Alice was already going crazy. She had insisted on at least a dozen fittings over the past two days, and now she was practicing hair and make-up. I wasn’t going to have a face for the wedding the way I had to scrub after every one of her little sessions. At least the messes she was creating with my hair were easy to take out. Still, this was getting out of hand.

“No, Bella,” she said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “I have to practice – so I’ll know exactly how to do it for the wedding.”

“You’re a vampire. You don’t need practice. Plus, you’ve already done this four times.”

A musical laugh made itself known just outside the door. Before beginning, a very scary looking Alice had kicked out Edward so he wouldn’t see. I wasn’t quite sure how well that would work since he could hear their thoughts. She couldn’t possibly block her thoughts and focus on my make-up at the same time.

Alice’s reflection, previously working furiously on my hair, stared at me silently. Her honey colored eyes practically screamed I was in trouble for my comment. I wasn’t sure exactly what scared me, but my heart was drumming in my ears from the fear her pixie-face instilled.

“It doesn’t matter what you do. I’m still going to look plain,” I said in one last attempt to end this.

This time, she scowled. “No one will dare to call you plain when I’m through with you.”

“Only because they’re afraid you’ll suck their blood.”

The laughter came a little louder this time. Edward was obviously enjoying our conversation.

I snuck a peak back at the mirror, certain Alice would be upset. She was, and it was not a pretty sight. Her lips were pulled into a taught line. Her eyes squinted and her eyebrows were raised, daring me to say it again.

Edward took this very opportune moment to stroll in the room and place himself between Alice and me. I didn’t know what she was thinking, but it couldn’t have been good if Edward dared to disobey her orders.

As they busied themselves, I decided to sneak a peak at the work Alice had done. Light tan powder, mixed with just a bit of khaki for color, covered my face and neck. Pale rose blush was spread in a small amount over my cheeks, and ruby red lipstick was smeared on my lips. A modest amount of mascara had been applied along with light pink eye shadow. I had to admit, I did look much prettier than before.

The soft curls of my hair were pulled back and clipped in several different, strategically placed, chunks. Several pieces also fell around my ears, framing my face. Small bouquets of red and violet colored freesia were scattered in my hair. I silently admired her work as well as the beauty of the flowers. The colors were stunning yet unostentatious

After a minute or so of the silent showdown taking place behind me, Edward bowed his head and came to sit down in front of me. He looked up at made a pleading face. The argument had not ended in my favor.

I made a small show of shutting my mouth and looking away so she could continue her work. That clearly pleased Alice for she began again without a second’s hesitation.

Just a few moments into the resumed pulling and tugging on the back of skull, I turned to Edward for answers. “Should I be afraid?”

“Terrified.”

I groaned. This would not turn out well. Even worse – there was still two more days left to go.