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." 

Nodding softly, she closes her eyes and settles back letting Rosalie work her way through her hair. 

The motion of her carding her fingers through her hair, untangling it before she took the brush to it. 

Eyes closed, it was easy to let herself get lost in all the possibilities for the future after today. It was the one day that marked the end of her old life and began the new chapter, turning the page to the open ending that would never have an actual ending. 

It was after lunchtime when Rosalie put the finishing touches on her makeup, having taken Roman through an entire skincare routine and fixed her hair so half of it was up in one thick, stylishly messy braid that laid down the middle of her head and the rest was scrunched into loose waves. 

She made a little noise of satisfaction at the back of her throat before putting down one of her brushes. "Edward's back," she comments, picking at a few strands of Roman's hair and readjusting them with hairspray. "Try to keep your thoughts to yourself, alright? I'll be back in a minute." 

Accepting, Roman called out to him in her thoughts, teasing him about being late knowing full well he was able to hear her loud and clear, that this way it was just him that was getting everything that she wanted to say. 

She didn't receive a reply, she wouldn't be able to hear it unless he came into the room, but it made her feel better all the same knowing that he got the chance to hear her. 

The door opens and closes softly, the clicking drawing her attention, and she turns, looking up to meet Alice's smile with a dazzling one of her own. She was dressed in a gown similar to Rose, a silver waterfall that hugged her beautifully.

"You look beautiful, Roman," she says, clasping a hand to her chest. The other, she notices, is holding her favourite garment bag at her side. "Sue just got here with Seth and Billy. Leah's on her way up now." 

"She's fine being around all of you?" she asks worriedly, standing as Alice steps back into the main part of the room with her dress. "She's not being rude, is she?" 

"She's being perfectly polite. Now come, let me dress you." 

Alice was careful as she eased the dress over her hair and makeup, flattering around her as she adjusted one thing or another before she began to pull the corset tight, forcing her to stand straight. 

She releases a breath, adjusting to the small shift that squeezed her middle just a little. 

"There," Alice announces, standing back to admire her work. "No one will be able to take their eyes off of you and Bella." 

Roman turns to the wall that is shared with Alice's and Jasper's room. "How is she?" 

"You're doing much better than she is." 

"That's to be expected. She gets nervous when there's attention on her you know." 

"This is a little different. It's almost as though she's anxious to get married." 

"Really?" she asks hopefully. "She's not dreading it anymore?"

"I think she's anticipating it. I know she can't wait to see you and Edward."

"I want to see her, too. She said it was very Anne of Green Gables, very Austen adapted to fit the 1900's," she says, eyeing her own dress critically. "I... I hope I match. I match, right?" 

The door opens, Leah peeking her head into the small crack. Roman gets to watch her frown melt away to something soft and open. 

"You match," Leah says as she sneaks in, shutting the door with a firm click. "I snuck a peek and you match, Roro." 

"I do?" she asks happily, butterflies fluttering through her. "I can't wait to see them." 

"You'll see them soon enough," Leah tells her, coming closer, and Roman notices the silver, shimmering dress that she was in. It was shorter than the other girls, cutting just above her knees showing off how toned she was. A bridesmaid dress. Roman nearly forgot. "I brought your shoes. Seth wasn't happy that you would be wearing them. He was scared you'd be taller than him." 

"You look wonderful, Leah." 

The girl huffs, tugging at her short hair that brushed her chin. "Yeah, well, the tiny demon got to me." 

"Is it a crime that I want everything to be perfect?" Alice huffs, coming around to take the shoes and moving her to sit on the bed in one smooth motion. They were on her feet before she could blink. "All done." 

Leah opens the door showing Sue standing patiently on the other side and Seth leaning against the wall across from them. 

He was in before his move, dodging around the woman to reach Roman, but he stopped short, freezing just before her with his hands held out as though he would ruin her if he touched her in the slightest. 

"Roman..." he says, awe rippling in his voice. 

"You're so dashing, Seth," she says, gently taking his hands in her own. "So, so handsome." 

"It's nothing compared to you, Ro. You'll be the prettiest person here." 

"Oh, Roman, you're so beautiful. I'm sure Harry would have loved to see you like this," Sue says, sniffling softly as she dabs at her eyes with a tissue. 

"Now, now, let's get things going. Sue, I'm sure Billy and the other's are waiting for you downstairs. We're about to start." 

"Already?" Sue frowns before kissing Roman's cheeks carefully. "Don't trip." 

"Seth would never never let me," she answers, voice thick as she holds back tears. 

Leah clears her throat and held out a small gift bag. "Here. I just about fought Alice so I would be allowed to give it to you." 

Alice huffs. 

Inside was two royal blue, floral lace garter belts with little jewels that decorated them all over. "I'm not sure if you're actually going to want to go through with it or if two will be necessary, but I wanted to be the one that gave them to you." 

She blushed, ducking her head as she ran her fingers over the swirling vines and petals on the set. "Thank you."

"Something blue and new!" Alice chirps. She dances up to Roman, clipping half of her bangs to the side. "One of the pins you got me for graduation. Something old and borrowed. I want that back." 

"As soon as the ceremony is over," she promises, giggling at Alice's pleased expression. 

"Seth, would you mind grabbing the flowers for me?" 

While Seth was out of the room, Alice hooked the garter out of her hands and then ducked under her skirt. She gasped and tottered as her cold hand caught her ankle; she yanked the garter into place. 

She was back on her feet before Seth returned with the three frothy white bouquets.The scent of roses and orange blossom and freesia enveloped her in a soft mist. 

"Alright, I'm going to go see Bella. Seth, remember you're coming in at the opposite side," Alice said, her own bouquet in hands as she darts from the room. 

Rosalie—the best musician in the family next to Edward—began playing the piano outside. Pachelbel's Canon. 

"Oh, god. Oh, god, it's happening!" she whisper-yells, flowers shaking in her hands. 

Leah scoffs. "Don't tell me you're getting nervous now." 

"I'm not getting nervous. I- I just can't believe it's really happening," she whispers, hand shakily brushing down her dress. "This is real, right? I'm not dreaming?" 

"Not dreaming!" Seth says, linking his elbow with hers. "Let's head on down. Bella just got outside and they're waiting for you to get into position to start." 

Nodding shakily, she lets the siblings, her siblings, lead her downstairs and to her side of the house. Her knees were weak, head dizzy. 

"It's my turn," Leah announces, squaring her shoulders. "Alice said to count to five then follow." 

"Okay," she mumbles, swallowing thickly. 

Leah steps out confidently, she doesn't face her as she says. "I'm very happy for you, Roman."

She's out of sight just as quickly and Roman would have crumbled if not for Seth still holding her. 

A sudden fanfare trilled through the soaring music. She recognized my cue.

"Don't let me go running to meet them," she mumbles as they step to the tune of the song, squeezing Seth's arm tightly.

"Don't worry, Ro, we got this." 

Okay. Okay. One step at a time. Focus on where you're walking because if you look at Edward or Bella now you're going to meltcryrunfaint.  

She can't help it though as she immediately starts to look for them. It's hard at first because the fairy lights that covered the backyard the last time she had seen it was filled with white blossoms that hung from everything in garlands and white gossamer ribbons. 

It was perfect with the woods around them, the green and brown a comfort as it was what she had surrounded herself with all her life, and it was like she was home as she walked to meet them in the middle. 

And then... and then Roman saw Edward. Hiseyes were a buttery, burning gold; his perfect face was almost severe with the depth ofhis emotion. And then, as he met her awed gaze, he broke into a breathtaking smile ofexultation.

She couldn't breathe.

His smile is frozen perfectly on his face as he tilts his head. She follows his gaze, turning slowly to the side. 

She trips. 

Of course, she would be the one to trip, Roman, the girl that doesn't trip over anything but her feelings and has walked so many miles in her life that she knew the forest like the back of her hand, trips. 

The image of Bella in her wedding dress will always, and forever be, imprinted in her mind and long after that. She was regal as a queen, and if Rosalie was Venus then Bella was Helen of Troy, the woman that drew the jealous of the gods and left wars behind her. 

Suddenly she was close enough to touch her close enough to hold her, as the aisles met and it was only Seth's hold on her that kept her from stepping over to reach her. 

And then they were at the alter and Edward was holding out each of his hands to them and Seth was squeezing her fingers before placing her hand into his. 

Bella was quicker, snatching her hand and linking their fingers together before she could move. 

Air rushed back into her lungs, her lips shook as tears stung her eyes. 

Our vows were traditional, as traditional that a couple like them could get. The minster, one that they had found in Goldendale that was supportive of all couples, had obligingly change the line "till death do us part" for the more appropriate "aslong as we both shall live."

As the minister spoke his part, she found herself turning to the other two at her side, her heart pounding loudly in her ears as it grew closer and closer to the end. 

Bella was silently crying, eyes flicking between the two. Edward was more steady, triumphant, victorious, as he held both of their hands in his cold ones. 

And Roman breathed, first to speak her binding words. "I do!" she forces out, words far too loud and too high-pitched. 

"I do," Bella chokes out, words a strangled whisper as she cries. 

When it was Edward's turn to speak, the words rang clear and victorious. 

"I do," he vowed.

Just like their union was declared and Roman was laughing sobs, hands shaking as they were released and she was being swept into their arms, kisses pressing anywhere that they could reach, and Roman was grabbing at them as well until she was tugged away. 

Seth was the first to find her, he was always the first to find her, as he crushed her into a hug, chest shaking as he cried and congratulated her. 

There were too many arms, too many touches, that she couldn't tell who was who in the sea of bodies warm and cold, but Roman knew, without a doubt, when she was back in the arms of her loving husband and wife once more -- and everything was as it should be. 

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congrats to roman! congrats to me for getting through this chapter without crying! 

unedited 

2020-03-26