Wedding. Change.

Such appealing and horrifying thoughts.

I shook my head to clear my swirling conscience and submitted to Charlie’s breakfast offer, Even though… it really didn’t seem like I had much of a choice in the matter anyhow.

After Charlie waved off my effort to help, there was nothing left for me to do than return up the stairs to Alice. As I approached the stairs, a short knock on the door sent me in the opposite direction. I opened the door to find Alice grinning mischievously from the front porch.

“Alice….wha-?

“I had to make a proper entrance.” She whispered. “Besides, I need a word with Charlie.” She bounced into the house and sang out “Good Morning, Charlie!”

“Alice!” Charlie beamed “Are you hungry? I’m just about to make Bella some breakfast.” He reached for another egg.

“No, no, Charlie. Thanks anyways, but I just had my breakfast.”

She threw a discreet wink my way. Her version of breakfast was a little different than what Charlie had in mind.

“Bella!” Alice exclaimed as if she hadn’t noticed my presence before. “Get your butt up in that shower. I have 4 hours to beautify you and your lollygagging is not making my job any easier!”

I scowled at the prospect of Alice fussing over every detail of my appearance for the next few hours and decided to make this shower last as long as possible. As I climbed the stairs, I also realized that she was probably shooing me away so that she could talk to Charlie without me being there. Typical. So many secrets .

I gathered my toiletries bag from inside of my room and undressed in a daze. I let the hot water wash over me and relieve my tension. I used Edward’s favorite shampoo. The kind he said “complimented my already floral scent”. As I rinsed, I thought about what was in store for me today. I was so nervous. The thought of walking down the aisle with all of those people watching me, no doubt judging my ‘rash decision’ horrified me. And knowing my clumsy tendencies, it would be just like me to trip and fall on my face in front of every one of them. I shook my head and forced the thoughts from my mind and realized with a start that the hot water had run out. The water was freezing cold, and it should have chilled me to the bone and replaced my tension. Instead, though, I felt strangely at home. The cold reminded me of Edward.