Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Still Waters

By SkyDancingHobbit

Chapter 13: The Ball

No measure of time with you will be long enough, but we’ll start with forever.

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“Yes!”

Looking back on things Bella would always laugh remembering this moment, never honestly being able to answer when asked why

Perhaps it was the way Marcus had leapt to his feet and gathered her into his arms uttering a shout of pure joy that brought half the castle running thinking something was amiss or perhaps in the joyful spinning on the spot dance Aro had done during the coarse of which she had lost a shoe, that to this day they never found some 60 years later. Any particular moment she chose it was one to cherish. Laughter and planning began from almost the moment they returned inside. Marcus having literally swept her off her feet to carry her back to their rooms, drawing a good natured smirk from even the dour Caius who had opened the door before them.

A normal wedding contained planning a budget a dress and a venue.

This wedding threw every known rule of moderation straight out the closest gothic inspired window. Akin to marrying into the royal family Bella was awed by the speed and willingness of her planners. She merely had to mention something she liked in a magazine and it was soon ordered. Costumes came out of deep storage for the event and invitations were finished and in the mail by the end of the week.

“Marcus… are you aware your brother own 15,000 pairs of shoes? because… he does ..”

The comment had come from a dazed Bella who had gratefully slumped onto her favorite couch in his private study one Saturday after meeting Aro to discuss their costumes for the pre wedding ball or more accurately the shoes that went with them, Marcus had glanced up from his desk and in one motion reached her side gently placed her feet on his lap and begun to bring relief to some very sore toes.

“No I stopped asking about that some time in the early 1800 Cara… one simply does not mention shoes to Aro unless you want a guided tour of his… museum on the subject, what did you finally decide”

Uttering a heart felt groan Bella closed her eyes attempting to think straight for a moment

“I am wearing flats despite his temper tantrum and pouting that all brides must have acceptable footwear for their wedding ball and he… is… wearing court heels… I think”

Clicking his tongue in sympathy Marcus gently placed her feet back down on the couch and vanished off to wash his hands before gracefully changing locations so his clever fingers could stop the headache she hadn’t mentioned having.

“Gold, heeled buckle that is probably worth a kings ransom and probably nothing like you have ever seen?

Her tired nod was all the confirmation he needed as she began to relax the weeks of planning finally taking their toll it seemed.

“Ah yes those shoes were a present from France back in… oh the 1800’s near as I can guess He never said who gave them but you are loved indeed my Bella if you got to see them they are precious to him beyond measure.”

She had fallen asleep in his lap shortly after that with a later muttered “15,000” that prompted Marcus to have a quiet but very firm chat with his brother and the matter was settled entirely with three days to go before the grand event. The guest list had been finalized and after two evening of blessed peace and quiet the evening of the ball arrived and Bella stood twirling before a grand mirror the layers of her ball gown glowing under the lights. A girlish grin tugging at her lips.

“I feel like a queen!”

“You are a queen in our world my dear”

Marcus had snuck up behind her and as she turned to greet him something cool and weighted was placed around her neck.

“Stunning”

Bella had turned back to the mirror and her jaw dropped. An amethyst necklace rested against the pale skin on her throat a matching crown rested on her head.

“Marcus this is… you sir are spoiling me!”

A low chuckle was his only response as he gently rested his chin against her shoulder as he pulled her very gently backwards against his chest until she relaxed into his embrace that prompted a low contented purr to rumble in his chest.

“I will continue to do so my lovely one. A King must honor his queen before his people or it will be seen as a weakness in the Volturi and could easily lead to another family attempting to steal our throne. besides this, I adore you my Bella so just for tonight allow me the honor of showing my new love to world formally, as is right among vampires. After tonight baring any formal event you are free to wear whatever you wish.

“Well thank heavens for that. Let me get through tonight without either falling or making a fool of myself and I will certainly keep that in mind Marcus”

“I would never let you fall dear one, and even if you did I will always been here to catch you”

She believed him, the sincerity rang through his words as she took a deep steading breath before he slowly released her. Squaring her shoulders Bella summoned her courage as she took his arm and the door swung open,

to reveal a red eyed Alice Cullen,

Covered in blood.