Falling To The Sun | B. Swan + E. Cullen

quarante-sept

Roman had an extra bounce in her step as she walked up the path to the house, buzzing with barely contained energy that had Sue laughing as she watched her skip ahead. 

"You sure you're alright with me leaving, Roman?" the woman asks. "I can help you get ready." 

She smiles, spinning around to face her as she walks backward. "I'm totally sure. If you're here with me, then who is going to help Emily make sure that the pack that is coming look presentable. You know that it's going to be an uphill battle, and you have to make sure that Seth is here on time." 

"I'll have more than enough time to help and go pick him up." 

"Sue, you know that you're like my mother, the one that I wish that I wanted and have always had, but I've got this," she says, moving back to her side. "I can do this. Renee isn't going to be helping and between Alice, Rosalie and Leah when she arrives, I'll be set for you to just enjoy the ceremony." 

"I'm so proud of you, Roman, and everything that you've done and everything that you've accomplished," she spoke shakily, brushing Roman's hair over her shoulder. "Look at you all grown up now. You still look so much like that sweet little girl that I used to watch over." 

Roman sniffled,  blinking quickly to chase away the tears that threatened to spill over. "You have to go before I start bawling and get in trouble with Alice." 

"Okay, okay, I'm leaving," Sue says, cupping her cheek with a heavy sigh before she turns back to her car. "I'll see you later, Roman. My little Roman Elders." 

She watches her leave before she turns back to the house and runs the rest of the way inside. Emmett and Jasper were in motion as Alice gave orders and directed them to around for last-minute adjustments. 

Esme greeted her at the door, glowing the same glow that she had seen on Sue, the glow of a proud mother that was too happy to express her words, and was led inside and up the stairs. She got a whiff of coffee brewing and she had to try not to pull away to go and hunt some down. 

She didn't need the extra energy. 

"Bella got here just before you. She's taken refuge in Alice and Jasper's room," Esme tells her, not pausing once as they pass the room. "You'll be in Rose and Emmett's next door. Edward has asked us to ensure that you do not see one another." 

"They're okay with us using their rooms?" 

"Oh, yes. The girls are going to take turns with each of you, and requested it be in their rooms," she tells her, opening the door and turning on the lights. They passed through quickly into the bathroom. The room had been transformed so that there was a comfortable chair placed at the centre directly within sight of the large vanity. "Rosalie insisted that she be allowed to do makeup." 

"Oh, that's very nice of her," she mumbles, taking the seat and staring out the large window. "Is Edward here?" 

Esme's smile was knowing. "He'll be here in time for the wedding. No one wanted to spoil anything so Alice gave him specific instructions." 

She shakes her head with a silent laugh. "That sounds right." 

Rose swept into the oversized bathroom in a shimmery silver gown with her golden hair piled up in a soft crown on top of her head. She was so beautiful it made her want to cry. Like Venus herself. 

"Are you ready?" she asks softly, positioning herself at her shoulder. 

Roman grins. "Not until you help me get all prettied up," she jokes weakly, forgetting in her seat. 

The responding smile is soft, gentle, as Rosalie moves the chair around and brushed Roman's hair back from her face. 

"Just relax," the blonde tells her kindly. "You'll be ready before you know it."