Revelations and Rivalries

     After cutting the massive cake, it was time to throw the bouquet. Alice was worse than a drill sergeant, lining all the single women up, not allowing anyone even resembling a single girl to escape. Afraid I would stumble and injure myself, Alice agreed not to make me spin around three times with my eyes closed. I simply faced away from the girls, counted to three, and let the flowers fly. They say some things are meant to be. It must have been kismet for Angela and Ben, as she ended up with the flowers smack in her hands. I smiled a knowing smile at her, and she blushed. Then again it seems kismet is fickle, and not without a sense of humor. When Edward threw the garter lightly and decidedly, it made its way into Tyler Crowley’s waiting grasp. Ben was not amused when Tyler announced that now Angela had to marry him instead! However, we all laughed, and after Angela kissed him, Ben forgot about Tyler completely. 

Then Edward told me “Time to meet Tanya and Irina.”

I was not happy about the whole business, but I obediently went with Edward, determined not to let my insecurities get the better of me. As we approached where they were seated with Esme and Rosalie, I began to shake ever so slightly. No one but Edward would have noticed.

“Really Bella” Edward teased. “You’re not afraid, are you?”

I didn’t answer. Edward stopped and faced me.

“You aren’t afraid are you?” He asked in earnest this time.

“I don’t know” I said.

“Bella” Edward said, “I told Charlie I would take care of you. And I will never let anything hurt you.”

“I’m not afraid of being hurt Edward.” I said.

He looked at me puzzled.

“Then what are you afraid of?” he asked.

I looked away from him, not wanting to answer.

He was having none of it. He placed his hand under my chin and lifted my face until I was staring into his piercing eyes. He asked again “What…are…you…afraid…of?”

“Of not measuring up,” I blurted out.

Edward looked at me, then Tanya, then me again.

“Do you really think, there is anything Tanya has that would entice me away from you?” He asked, sounding a little perturbed.