A Fresh Start

The Thirty-Two Year Old Born Again Virgin

Author's Note: I own nothing. I just like to play with the characters that were created by Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.

Also, thank you for those of who have commented and offered well-wishes in my difficult time. It means a lot to me. Writing these stories has been my strength (as silly as that sounds) and has grounded me.

Thank you so much for reading and reviewing. It means so much to me. More than you can imagine. These stories (this one in particular) are my babies and I adore the reviews and comments I receive. Much, much love to ALL of you!

Chapter 20: The 32 Year Old Born Again Virgin

Edward and I reentered the reception hall. Rose grabbed my hands and dragged me to the dance floor for the bouquet toss. I really didn't want to be out there. Yes, technically I was single. But the thought of being bum-rushed by twenty some odd women in stiletto heels was not appealing to me. Rose, apparently, noticed my grimace and smacked my arm.

"Rose! That hurt! I bruise easily," I said rubbing my arm.

"Bells, enjoy this. Catch the damn bouquet," she giggled. She plopped us in front of crowd and Alice stepped in front of the DJ booth. She gave us all a wink and turned around as the music blasted through the speakers. The DJ roused the crowd and Alice turned around. She looked at all of us girls with a coy grin, waving her toss bouquet. She was getting to throw it when she turned around abruptly and placed into my hands. I squeaked and gave her a glare. She kissed my cheeks and scampered away. The rest of the 'single ladies' grumbled and exited the dance floor.

Edward was off to the side, laughing hysterically. I threw the bouquet at him and he caught it. "Alice is only trying to help, Bella," Edward laughed as he waved the bouquet in my face.

"She could have just THROW it. Not placed it in my hands," I moaned. "Give the other chickies a fair chance."

"This is Alice's way of being subtle," Edward replied, putting the bouquet back in my hands. "She's always wanted a sister. She whined and moaned whenever I visited that I was, and I quote, 'an icky, stinky, stupidhead boy.'"

"Edward, you are none of those things. Okay, except the 'boy' part. Though, man is a more apt description. There ain't nothing that is 'boyish' about you," I said, tracing my finger along his tuxedo-clad thigh.

"I have boyish charm," he winked. The DJ called out the single men. Edward gave me a quick kiss and walked out to the dance floor, standing next to Jacob. They were talking and I sat down at one of the guest tables. I wondered if Jasper was going to do the same thing as Alice. He better not. Edward was already hinting at his level of commitment with me. Now, I was ready to be with him intimately and capable of being his girlfriend, I was nowhere near ready to be his wife.

Alice danced onto the floor. Jasper came behind her with a chair. Alice sat down and crossed her legs, hiking up her wedding dress. Jasper gave her a lascivious grin and kneeled in front of her. His hands danced around her ankles. His fingers walked up her legs and he put his whole head under her dress. The crowd laughed and Jasper stayed hidden for a few minutes. He pulled down the garter with a triumphant grin. He stood up, assisting Alice to her feet. He kissed her sweetly and she left the dance floor. Jasper shook his hips to the rhythm of the music and turned around, stretching the garter. He looked of his shoulder and at the crescendo of the song, he shot it. It fell right into Jacob's hands. He floundered and thrust it into Edward's pocket, laughing hysterically. Edward bent over in a fit of giggles as Jasper approached Jacob. Jake pointed to Edward and darted off the dance floor, plopping down next to me.