Chapter 31: Chapter 31

"Finally!" Alice was at the door and pushing Edward out of the way in a second. "You were supposed to be here an hour ago." She glared up at Juliet.

"I slept in, I'm sorry!" Juliet stepped inside, garment bag in hand. "And it takes a while to drive here from the reservation, you know."

"Well come on." Alice took her arm and began pulling her upstairs. "Rose will have to do your hair if I'm gonna get you done in time. I still have Bella to work on, too!"

"Is she even here?" Juliet raised her eyebrows, and the light hiss that came from Alice answered her question.

"You Swans have the worst time management." Alice shoved open her bedroom door, where all of Bella's things were already ready. They didn't stop though, and were soon entering the private bathroom attached to her room. Rosalie was already waiting, sitting on the counter and examining her fresh manicure. "Now hurry up and put the dress on."

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"Are you sure you don't want something more?" Rosalie asked again as she and Juliet ducked out of Alice's room. Bella had finally arrived, so Alice was back on the warpath to get her ready. "I don't mind-"

"Rose, I'm fine." Juliet chuckled, stopping to look in a mirror. She wanted to feel confident, but standing next to Rosalie, it was nearly impossible. "I think you did a great job, I want something that's easy to undo after I get home." Rosalie chuckled. "What?"

"Don't you mean easy for Leah to undo?" Rosalie teased, and Juliet blushed deeply-which only made Rosalie laugh more.

"Rosalie!" Juliet couldn't help but snicker as well as she turned to Rosalie. While looking at Rosalie still managed to take her breath away, she'd gotten used to it. "Since when do you say her name, anyway?"

"I'm making an effort, okay?" Juliet raised her eyebrows. "We're family now, Juliet. And I only make an effort for my family-plus I know how much it bothers you." Juliet was a little taken back. Rosalie had definitely warmed up to her, but she never expected her to be this warm. That was Alice's job.

"Thanks, Rose." Rosalie smiled lightly.

"Oh, the boys are back." Rosalie looked towards the door, and not a second later, Emmett, Jasper and Edward came through. Esme left the kitchen to greet them, and Rosalie wandered back over to the window. Juliet followed her, looking down at where the wedding would be taking place. The backyard had been completely transformed, perfectly to Alice's exact instruction. It was beautiful. "Alice really outdid herself, not even Emmett and I's last wedding looked this nice."

"How many times have you guys gotten married anyway?" Juliet raised her eyebrows.

"Five." Rosalie looked wistfully out at the ceremony area. "Not nearly enough." She mumbled, which made Juliet chuckle lightly.

"Juliet." Jasper's voice made her turn around. "Alice said that you wanted to come with to pick up your mother and step-father."

"Oh! Right, yeah is it time?" He nodded. "Let's go." She shot a smile back at Rosalie before following Jasper downstairs. She hadn't had the chance to see Renee and Phil since they'd flown in two days prior, being too busy with work.

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"Dad, I don't think you've ever looked better." Juliet chuckled, straightening Charlie's tie.

"Stop." Charlie looked away, an obvious blush dotting his cheeks. His eyes landed on the door, and a sigh of relief escaped his mouth. "Billy, Sue!" Juliet turned around, seeing Billy, Sue and Leah idling near the door. Seth had already come inside, and was now talking to Emmett and Jasper near the fireplace. Leah looked relieved to see Juliet, and she didn't wait for Billy and Sue before crossing the room. Charlie moved over to his friends, and one of Leah's arms securely locked around Juliet's waist.

"Look at you." Juliet smiled. "Yellow suits you, Lee, you should wear it more."

"I smell like vampire." She scowled. "But thank you." Juliet chucked. "You look perfect." Leah's head leaned slightly closer, perhaps closer than it should've considering where they were, but Juliet couldn't be bothered to care. "You always look perfect, but today especially."

"Stop." Juliet blushed, a small smile coming to her lips as she looked away. Juliet looked back, and she could feel herself beginning to lean closer to Leah.

"Oh, Leah!" The pair shot apart, Leah's arm remaining around Juliet's waist as she turned and saw Renee coming for them. "I didn't know if I'd see you here, how have you been?"

"Oh, uh, good." Leah nodded. "Thanks."

"Of course, it's always good to see you." Renee smiled. "Now come on, you two can whisper about whatever it was later, Esme wants us to go get our seats." Leah put her hand over her mouth to hold back her laughter as soon as Renee turned away.

"Oh my god." Juliet giggled as they moved behind the small crowd outside. "Did that just happen?"

"What could she possibly think we would've been talking about?" Leah whispered.

"I shudder to imagine." Juliet joked. They took their seats in the first row, Juliet sitting next to Renee with Leah at her side. Seth took up the seat next to his sister. A few minutes later, and the music began. Jasper and Alice were the only ones in the wedding procession, and Juliet was extremely glad that Alice hadn't forced her into being a bridesmaid. After them, Charlie and Bella stepped out. Bella looked gorgeous, if not perfect. Alice had really outdone herself. Bella's eyes were fixed on Edward, though not to anyone's surprise. After they'd made it down the isle, and Charlie had placed Bella's hand into Edward's, he stepped back to stand in front of his chair next to Renee. Renee reached over, squeezing his arm excitedly.

The ceremony itself was short, and before long, Edward and Bella were walking down the isle. Renee and Esme both quickly followed after them, both talking excitedly. Alice directed everyone inside, where the happy hour would take place. Conviently, of course, the backyard wasn't in any view of the windows, meaning the vampires could easily and quickly shift it all around for the reception. Leah and Juliet sat outside on the porch, glasses of champagne sitting beside them as Juliet smoked a cigarette. She couldn't help but laugh as Emmett threw a large rock towards Jasper, who caught it.

"Stop that!" Alice yelled from where she and Rosalie were arranging the present table. "If either of you break a single thing, so help me-!"

"Yes ma'am." Jasper nodded, and Juliet didn't miss Alice sticking her tongue out at him like a child before turning back to her work.

"Do you think we'll ever do this?" Leah asked. Juliet looked back at her, eyebrows raised. "Get married, I mean."

"Well, I dunno." Juliet shrugged, flicking her cigarette lightly. "You really wanna go through all this again? I feel like I'm all set on weddings for life already and this one isn't even over." She chuckled.

"Do you want to?" Leah questioned. Juliet noticed that she looked slightly nervous, and a light smile settled onto her face. She rested her hand on Leah's knee, moving her thumb to stroke Leah's hot skin lightly.

"I do if you do." She said lightly. "Anything you want, Leah. If it makes you happy."

"You'd hate it." Leah pointed out.

"I wouldn't hate it." Juliet rolled her eyes. "Maybe I wouldn't like all that attention, but I wouldn't hate it." Leah huffed. "Lee, as long as I'm with you, I don't care. I don't care if we have some big, dumb, crazy white wedding like this or if we just have us, and the pack, okay? I don't care. Whatever makes you happy, no matter how big, I'll do it." Leah nodded, resting her hand over Juliet's.

"I'll consider letting the bloodsucker plan." This made Juliet chuckle. A light brush of wind made Juliet look up, and Alice was standing in front of them with bright eyes.

"I won't let you down!" Alice promised, her eyes flicking between them. "Trust me, it'll be even better than this." Leah groaned lightly and Juliet laughed.

"Jules, there you are." The three girls looked up to see Renee stepping outside, a glass of champagne in her hand. "Come spend some time with me, I missed you." Leah patted her hand lightly before Juliet pulled away, taking her glass and standing up. "How've you been?" They walked around the side of the house, sitting down at one of the small tables on the side patio that overlooked the river. A few others were also outside, but most people chose to stay indoors.

"Good, you know, just busy." Juliet shrugged, sipping at her drink.

"And living on the reservation, how's that?" Renee questioned.

"Fine." Juliet shrugged. Renee groaned lightly, and Juliet raised her eyebrows at her.

"When are you gonna tell me what's going on with you and Leah?" Renee whined. Juliet stiffened, her cigarette nearly falling from between her fingers.

"What do you mean?" Juliet looked towards the river, sticking her cigarette in her mouth.

"I see the way she looks at you, the way you look at each other." Renee reached over, her hand brushing against Juliet's. Juliet looked back at her mom. "Come on honey, I know you better than that. So tell me all about it." Juliet looked down as she exhaled the smoke, dropping the cigarette and putting it out with her heel. "How long have you been together?" Juliet sighed.

"Five months." Juliet looked back up at her mom, trying to gauge her reaction. "Since March."

"How come you didn't tell me sooner?" Much to Juliet's own surprise, Renee didn't sound angry, or upset, or even disgusted, she sounded hurt.

"I..." Juliet was almost embarrassed about her answer. "I didn't know how you'd react. I didn't want you to be...disappointed in me."

"Disappointed?" Renee now took Juliet's hands between hers. "Baby, you could never disappoint me. You can come to me with anything, anything, and it will never change the way I love you." Tears welled in Juliet's eyes. "So, tell me all about it, about her." A large smile broke onto Juliet's face as she laughed, and Renee laughed too. "I wanna hear it all."

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"Congrats Bells." Juliet's arms were tight around Bella, and Bella's were tight around Juliet. It was unspoken, but they both knew this would probably be the last time they'd see each other for at least a few years. "I love you so much."

"I love you, too." When they pulled away, both of them had tears in their eyes. "Take care of him." Her eyes flickered over to Charlie, who was talking to Carlisle. "He'll need you."

"I know." Juliet nodded. "Call me sometimes, okay? I'd at least like to know how you are." Bella nodded, a sad laugh escaping her lips. It was time to move on so others could talk to Bella and Edward, but Juliet found it hard. "I'll see you around, Bells." With a final sad smile, Juliet moved away. Leah was already waiting for her and they moved away from the bustling party.

"It'll be okay, Jules." Leah's arms were around her as soon as they were out of sight, and she pulled Juliet against her chest.

"I know." Juliet had managed not to cry, but it was hard. She took a few deep breaths before pulling back, looking up at Leah. "I know, I'm fine." Leah didn't look convinced. "I'll be fine. Tonight's supposed to be happy. I can last the night before breaking down." Leah chuckled.

"Are you sure?" Leah raised a hand, her fingers gently moving across Juliet's cheek.

"I'm sure." Juliet swallowed, glancing back towards the party. "I need this, they need this." She could see Renee and Charlie dancing together, and a sad smile came to her face. "It's so weird." Her voice was suddenly calm, and Leah followed her eyeline. Renee laughed, her head falling against Charlie's shoulder. "They have no idea. I hate that. But...but I don't think it'd be much easier for them if they knew the truth."

"It wouldn't." Leah drew Juliet's attention again. "Trust me, it's better if they think she's gone. They'll be able to move past it eventually, recover. Renee has Phil, Charlie has Billy and my mom. They'll be okay. It's you I'm worried about."

"I'll be fine." Juliet breathed, sounding more sure of herself now. "I can live with it, I'll be fine." Leah nodded lightly. Her arm returned to Juliet's waist, and a slow song began playing.

"This is far more like the prom I'd envisioned than when we were on the beach." She commented lightly as they began swaying to the music, Juliet's arms snaking up and over Leah's shoulders. "You in a pretty dress, mainly, but the setting is also pretty good."

"My song choice is far superior, though." Juliet joked, and Leah groaned lightly. "Are you gonna stand there and tell me that Almost Paradise isn't the best love song ever made?"

"It's cheesy and that movie sucks." Leah laughed, and Juliet pretended to be offended.

"Sucks? Footloose is a classic!" They were both laughing now. "And I thought I loved you, bah!" Leah snorted, shaking her head lightly. They looked at each other for a moment, before Leah dipped her head down and caught Juliet's lips with her own. Their kisses still didn't fail to make Juliet dizzy, but she liked that. She never wanted it to go away.

"Oh, sorry for interrupting!" They pulled apart and saw Renee, a big smile on her face, standing a few feet away. "You two are so cute."

"Mom." Juliet groaned. "What?" Renee chuckled.

"Cake time, Alice sent me to find you." Renee held her hands up in surrender. Juliet rolled her eyes, pulling away from Leah and starting after her mom. Leah was close behind. "Seriously Juliet, you two are just adorable."

"Mom, stop." Juliet groaned, not missing Leah's quiet laughter behind them.

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Juliet watched Edward and Bella drive away, Leah's hand pressed lightly against her back. Everyone began milling around, slowly saying goodbye to each other as the party finally wound down. Leah slipped away, going to talk to Sue and Billy before they left. Sue was anxious to get home, as Seth had left more than an hour ago. Jake had decided to come to the wedding after all, and come home finally, but he'd just about lost it so Seth joined Sam, Quil and Embry in taking him away. To Juliet's own surprise, it didn't seem to phase Bella at all.

"Breakfast, tomorrow morning." Renee told Juliet, holding her hands tightly. "Just the three of us, hmm? At that old dinner Charlie loves so much."

"I'll call you when I wake up, I promise." Juliet nodded. She leaned slightly closer, lowering her voice. "Thanks for not telling dad."

"That's your choice, honey, I wouldn't take it from you." Renee assured. "But you'd better get a move on. Charlie may seem oblivious but the man knows you. And he'll love you just the same, baby."

"I know, thanks mom." Juliet smiled, letting Renee pull her into a tight hug. When they pulled away, she huffed Phil as well. "I'll see you tomorrow." She watched as Renee and Phil got into Jasper's car, as he was taking them back to their hotel. Slowly but surely, guests trickled out until it was just the Cullen's, Juliet and Leah.

"I can't wait to do your wedding." Alice whispered as she hugged Juliet. Juliet rolled her eyes as they pulled away. "Ah, I can already see it. You're gonna love me so much afterwards."

"I already love you, Alice." Juliet shook her head lightly. "But I'm eagerly awaiting what you come up with." Alice smiled bright, skipping off back into the house.

"I'll let you know when they're home." Rosalie said as she hugged Juliet. "And don't...don't be afraid to call me, okay?"

"Thanks Rose." Juliet remembered her earlier words, about making an effort. "Maybe we can go out or something. I'm sure you'd like to improve my wardrobe just as much as Alice." Rosalie chuckled.

"Well, your overuse of flannels is a bit disappointing..." Juliet rolled her eyes. "I'll try to restrain myself, more than Alice would anyway."

"I appreciate it." Juliet chuckled. "See ya, Em." She and Emmett fist bumped.

"See ya round, little sister." She chuckled at the new nickname Emmett had taken to calling her a month prior. Leah was waiting next to Juliet's truck when she finally approached it, her heels in her hand as she picked at her nails.

"Alright, let's go home." Juliet sighed. "I'm desperate for some sleep."