Visibility Isn't Always What It Seems! ('Visibility' series Pt 3)

Parties, Weddings & The Future!

The next day was now Peter's turn to talk to my father and I knew he would be fine. Charlie was all bluster most of the time and now he'd accepted I was an adult making my own choices, he should be reasonably cool about it all. But he surprised us all, by telling Peter he knew, he was more than an ordinary man, but he didn't care about that, he just wanted to know if he would always protect and love me.

"Forever Chief Swan!" he had told Charlie,

"No! I don't want platitudes, Peter, I want your assurances!" Charlie said and Peter replied,

"The truth then Chief, I will love and honour your daughter for Eternity and not one day less!". Charlie raised an eyebrow and Peter nodded,

"So be it then! Welcome to the family son!" he said shaking Peter's hand.

Sometimes my father amazed me, but we were very alike so I really should give him more credit than I do. He wanted to know if he would still be able to see me in the future and we agreed that it would be better if he was to visit us than the other way round and he agreed happily. We explained I might have an adjustment period of a year, but we would keep in contact by phone and computer until it was over, he only asked me once was I sure and I told him I had never been more certain of anything.

So we started to make plans for a quiet wedding after my graduation, Alice tried to interfere in this and I warned her to back off, this was happening my way. My mother as I predicted accepted my plans when she realised how sure and confident I was about it all. Happily, the school year rushed to a close and I was pleased about this, the sooner it was over the better, I felt so out of synch with everyone now and I found it hard to pretend.

Carlisle and his friend Tanya Denali were asked to be on the panel of elders, by the Volturi. Jasper was also asked to be one of the ambassadors for the United States, as was Eleazar Denali for Canada. Things were moving at a pace in Italy, they had also relaxed the stance on people who knew about them, especially family and workers, as long as the secret was maintained they would be happy. Delegations from other covens came to the Cullens and Denali's over my final few human months, interested in their way of life.

Some tried it successfully and some decided to stay the way they were, but it was interesting to meet new vampires from diverse cultures, a few would definitely become friends in the future. Alice had convinced everyone to have a party after graduation, as the Cullens too would be leaving the area, but not till after Christmas, the story is they are going out east to be near everyone at their respective colleges, that Esme didn't want to be too far from the girls especially.

So the whole of Forks High got an invited to the party of the century, Bree was coping a lot better with her blood lust and I was able to shield her from the worst of the aromas. So it was time to glam up and give Forks a night to remember, I was less than excited about it until Peter reminded me he had never had a graduation or gone to an after-party. I felt guilty now for being so blasé about it all and promised to enjoy myself for him.

Esme and Carlisle had also invited most of the parents to a separate relaxing evening in the house in the basement, that I didn't know they had, there was a games room and cinema down there. So Charlie was here and having fun too. It was obvious some of the party-goers had had a drink before arriving and this had the potential to cause problems, especially between them and the mated vampires, as they were getting a little handsy, Mike being the most persistent, making a complete fool of himself.

But luckily Jasper was able to calm down the rowdy ones and even knocked a couple out. But all in all, it was good fun, there was a marquee outside for dancing, as it was a for once a pleasant evening. I spent most of the evening dancing with Peter, but occasionally with the others and really letting go with Emmett, taking up his challenge to do the stupidest dances invented, he would know he was around for most of them. It turned out to be a good evening and a fitting goodbye to Forks for everyone who was off to college.

I had just two more days till the wedding and my mother and Phil were arriving this morning, Peter and I were picking them up from the airport in Port Angeles. This would be their first meeting, but I wasn't worried Peter would be able to win her over easily. His southern charm will wow her, my mother's nothing if not predictable and easily flattered. This evening would be the obligatory stag and hen nights, for Peter is was Seattle doing a cross between hunting and strippers arranged by Emmett, even Charlie was going and I demanded video evidence of their evening.

For the ladies, we were going to Olympia to an overnight spa experience. I was happy about this because who needs strippers when I've got Peter. Renee was totally enjoying this whole experience, I was getting the wedding package, so I would be smooth and hair-free for my upcoming nuptials. Actually Rose and Alice said it would be the best thing I ever did, they both never got the chance like me to prepare for their change. So on our return to Forks, I was most definitely the smoothest I ever been, Peter kept looking at me strangely and I was very confused, so I pulled him to one side to find out what was wrong.

"You sound different, angel!" he murmured tilting his head,

"I sound different? What do you mean?" I quizzed him,

"When you move suga' the sound has changed!" he told me.

"Ah, I understand, it's a surprise, baby, you'll find out on our honeymoon, okay?" I smiled at him and winked.

He was still confused but prepared to wait. This was my last few hours of being single, my mother was whisking me to Charlie's for an early night and all that old wives tales stuff that involved weddings. I was nervous the next morning, not scared but nervous, I didn't want to fall or make a fool of myself. Charlie said not to worry he wouldn't let me fall, this was his job today to keep me on my feet.

So at eleven o'clock on an overcast day in Forks, I walked down the aisle towards my destiny and he was magnificent. It was simple and elegant, just perfect for us, we weren't flashy or over the top people. Peter surprised me when he placed my wedding ring on my finger he also put a simply stunning engagement ring there too,

"Sorry it took so long my Isabella, but I had to track down someone to make it first", It was a delicate piece, the shoulders were little white diamond swans holding a pale blue egg-shaped diamond.

"Oh Peter it's beautiful and unique, thank you, baby!" I replied with tears in my eyes.

The rest of the day flashed past in a blur of family, fun and friends, we were going to Canada for our honeymoon, Peter had a cabin in the mountains he wanted me to see. I was a little worried as I really didn't want to go anywhere he had taken her, but he seemed to know and said not to worry she had never even known it existed. It was almost time to leave and I changed into a more comfortable outfit for travelling and was ready to leave, my mother was in tears and my father looked sad, well more resigned. I hugged him whispering

"You'll always be my daddy!" and he clutched me a little tighter before stepping back and shaking Peter's hand.