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Dream's Shadow

Summary:
This is my take on the over- and usually poorly- done plot. Edward leaves Bella again. She is changed and they meet again in the future. There will be a big twist! Requested by Iris. Banner by Iris!

Notes:
Try it! I know stories like this usually stink, but I thought I'd give it a try. I own nothing. Stephenie Meyer owns all.

89. Chapter 89

Rating 5/5   Word Count 707   Review this Chapter

A young girl skips down the aisle. Her long black hair is flowing freely down her back, her deep brown skin shining against the white fabric of her dress. She is as beautiful as her mother, and clearly recognizable as Emily’s daughter.

“What’s her name?” I ask the girl beside me.

She’s a young human. She smells like cinnamon. “Leah Uley, I think.”

“Thanks.”

I was right.

The little girl and the aisle are both draped in white satin. She scatters the pale pink petals as she dances down the path, singing a little to herself.

I laugh at her happiness. It’s been a long time since I’ve scene anyone that purely happy, for apparently no reason. It is a pleasure to watch.

Others join in the laughter, and then the door opens.

Claire looks lovely. Rather like my first day observing Kim and Jared at the bonfire, it’s awe-inspiring. The way Quil stares at her is incredible. There’s truly no comparison to that level of devotion.

It’s a bit like the look in Edward’s eyes when I agreed to marry him.

She’s wearing the prettiest wedding dress I’ve ever seen, an off-the-shoulder white silk that Alice actually let Claire pick out herself. The dress was chosen before we arrived, as was most of it, but much of the pre-planning Claire had done Alice proceeded to undo.

Not this dress. Right now, I can see why. It’s a perfect crisp consistency, the thin veil flowing beautifully over it, concealing her face and elaborately braided hair, twisted in a crown around her head. It flows in the slight breeze from the chapel’s heavy open door.

I can hear Quil’s too-heavy breathing. His face is tense and slack at once, totally focused on her, and nothing else.

She walks toward us slowly, stately, like a queen ascending to her throne. I can see Alice’s proud face, beaming. I can hear Edward’s soft fingers on the organ, creating incredible music (how I’ve missed that in our years apart!)

I can experience everything at once in this incredible new life. Every detail of the world is so beautiful as she advances.

Finally, she steps up to the altar. I smile at her and I can see her return it from behind the veil.

The priest begins to speak. It’s a long, droning passage from the bible, a book I’ve never been at all familiar with. I listen quietly to the monotonous tone. It’s almost soothing. I let my eyes wander to Edward, sitting with perfect poise at the piano bench before the organ.

He is so perfectly graceful, even in this complete motionlessness, his eyes focused straight ahead, his skin chalky pale in this indoors area, his features invisible. All I can see is his back and his hair, his beautiful bronze hair.

I pray briefly that I will be with him forever. May this ploy work. May I somehow achieve the impossible.

“I, Quil Ateara, do take Claire Uley to be my lawfully wedded wife, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse, until death do us part.”

The words jolt me from my reverie.

“Do you, Claire Uley, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

Claire pauses for a moment, and I hope silently, urging her on with my mind. I can hear the wordless panic of her thoughts, and I replace the terror.

Claire, you can do this.

She smiles. “I, Claire Uley, do take Quil Ateara to be my lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse, until death do us part.”

“I now pronounce you man and wife,” the priest said, and I felt no emotion so strongly as envy in that moment. “You may kiss the bride.”

Claire throws the veil back, her eyes bright, and embraces her new husband.

If only this were me…

I whisper it into Edward’s mind. I can hear him think it back.

Soon, my Bella. Soon.