Breaking Dawn

Chapter 9: Sunday, August 13th

Today I would have been sworn to Edward Anthony Masen Cullen as his wife. Tonight, I would have been leaving to our wonderful honeymoon as Mrs. Edward Cullen, but things have changed, and I can't tell whether I am thankful or not.
We have a quiet drive to the airport, but I rest most of the way. I didn't get one moment of shut-eye last night. The darkness keeps me awake, surprisingly. I am used to the Phoenix sun, the warmth. Hopefully, Florida will be nicer than Phoenix. I've been here before, but one visit can't guarantee the weather and temperature.
It was roughly a three and a half hour drive to Seattle and a nine-hour flight to Jacksonville. Given that there is daylight, I got some sleep. It must be anxiety, making me fear the dark for dumb, irrational reasons. I know what lurks in the dark, like vampires and werewolves, but that's not what I fear. I fear the unknown, like what (or who) I can lose in the dark. It's so unlikely, but with the minimalistic sleep, my mind is going crazy.
We arrive at my mother's house around five p.m., making a grand entrance of tripping over the door frame.
Compose yourself, Bella. You don't want your mother to ask questions.
But, as usual, I don't do what my subconscious mind tells me to do. I drop both my phone and bag after picking myself up from tripping.
"Goodness, honey, you're a wreck!" My mother jokes. Edward follows behind me, dressed drastically inappropriately for the warmth. He wears a baseball cap and sunglasses, which is the idealistic part. The bad part is that he is wearing a tight, long-sleeve dark blue shirt, and some light colored jeans.
My mother looks him up and down, then smiles graciously at me. I know what she's thinking, he's insane, what is wrong with him?
I quickly ask her how she has been to stop her thinking about Edward's wardrobe, and we get into a long conversation about how Forks has been going. She starts asking me about the wedding, and why I had to postpone it.
"Well, Edward and I decided that we would like to go to college first," I lie.
"Oh, that's wonderful honey! Where are you planning on going to college? Oh and you guys can sit at the table, I made dinner. Homemade macaroni and cheese!"
I roll my eyes. My mother's cooking is horrendous, but I'll eat it anyway just to make her happy. "Edward and I are thinking about college in Alaska."
"Alaska? Bella, you don't like the cold. What would make you want to go to Alaska?" My mother spoons out plates for Edward and I.
"They have a great science program, and some of Edward's family lives up there."
"Oh," she smiles the slightest. "I think you would find Florida colleges a lot nicer."
I take petite bites of the macaroni, testing to see how bad it is. Surprisingly, it is not that bad.
"I'll be right back," my mother kisses me on the forehead, the first sign of emotion since I have been here. "I have to use the ladies room."
I take Edward's plate and shove it in the garbage, to pretend that he ate some. I'll have to make sure to take out the garbage later so my mom doesn't see.
"Bella," Edward leans close to me. "You've changed, whether it is because of stress, or your environment, but you need to talk to me."
I haven't changed, my relationship with Edward has. We have started being more distant from each other, and I have found solace in Jacob. Jake shows how much he wants me, but Edward has almost left me to choose whatever I want. I like the freedom, but I also like the comfort of knowing someone truly cares for me.
My mother walks out with a box in her hands, handing it to me. "I had to do something for you since you're down here."
I smile. Although she knows I don't like gifts, she gets them for me anyway, and I've learned to accept it.
Opening the packaging carefully, because Edward needs to go hunting soon, I find a framed photo of Edward and I. "Mom, this is so nice." I smile at the exuberant happiness portrayed in the picture.
"It was going to be a part of your wedding present, but I couldn't wait to give it to you." She hugs me, making sure to rub my back as she hugs me.
Looking at the picture, I feel my mood change from happy to sad, as I realize that the dream of marrying Edward may not come true.
I look up at my mother, say thank you again, and fake a smile.