|| You, Me and Penny Green ||

| Chapter Nine |

The brilliant sun rays shined through the sheer curtains of their bedroom. It tickled her cheeks as if the sun was personally trying to greet her a good morning. The tall trees outside her window whispered many congratulations and cheers into her ears, causing her to feel warm all over.

As she fluttered her speckled eyes open, she stretched her arms overhead. It was one of those nights she chose to sleep and enjoy the bliss of her vivid dreams. She was honestly surprised she was able to rest, knowing she was to be married in just a few hours made her anxious with anticipation. 

The door to their bedroom creaked open, the grinning face of Alice Cullen was seen peering through. "Happy wedding day! I brought some gifts to continue the good mood because we have a lot of things to do today." A genuine smile graced her cheeks as Rosalie followed in right after Alice, holding a fully dressed Penelope. She swore her heart melted when she saw Penny in her teal flower dress with a daisy headband in her curly hair. Although it was extremely likely she would take it off in the next ten minutes, it was adorable while it lasted.

"Oh look at my little princess, you look so pretty." Iris reached for her daughter, cuddling her in her arms as she peppered kisses all over. The flash of a camera went off as Alice snuck in one, cheekily smiling behind it. No one would dare say no to Alice on this day, which was odd because it was the ginger's special day after all.

The immortal pixie was not joking when she said they had many things to do. It was three full hours later since they walked in and Rosalie was raking a large brush through her incredibly long tresses. Her makeup was already finished; the colors remaining light and natural with blush tones making her visibly glow. Alice was busy finishing up painting her toe nails the same teal color as Penelope's dress when Iris was getting antsy. Believe it or not, she didn't like being waited on, maybe when she was pregnant but not now. However, since it was her wedding day she swallowed her grumbles as Alice tied her laced embellishments onto her ankles. 

"Y'know Rose, if I were human I'm pretty sure half of my head would be bald by now," The two sisters made faces at each other, Rose tugging on her hair for emphasis.

"Hm, I wonder if your hair will grow back if I yank it out?" Iris narrowed her speckled eyes at her, a silent warning not to try it. The ginger saw her hair as a prized possession, something she took extra care of when she had to worry about split ends. Rose was lucky Iris even let her touch it let alone wrenching a brush through it. 

"Ladies, let's not disturb the Bride's day." Alice tsked, pulling out her gown for the day. Iris practically made heart eyes towards the dress, it was even more beautiful than when she last wore it two days ago. Suddenly she felt jittery, perfectly polished fingernails tapping incessantly on the armrest of her chair. She bit down on her bottom lip to try and contain her compulsive urge to talk ten miles per hour. Her heart didn't hammer in her chest, but the hairs on her neck stood on edge and the familiar tingling was back. She wondered if this was how all brides felt on their special day.

"Knock knock, " Bella mused as she poked her head around Iris's bedroom door. The Swan brightened at the sight of her bestfriend. She was sure Iris appeared like she was glowing now more than ever before. There was this joyous atmosphere all around them today, it was a great day to be alive in Forks, Washington. 

"Oh my god – you're wearing a dress!?" Iris exclaimed from her spot as she saw her bestfriend in the knee length teal bridesmaid's dress. Her brunette hair was curled to the side with daisies intertwined in each ringlet. The clumsy Swan even wore short pumps and not a pair of converse, the ginger felt truly special for that. Bella quirked her lips shyly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear sheepishly.

"Only for you," She allowed. "On the other hand, you look absolutely amazing and you don't even have your dress on yet." Iris would've blushed if she were human, ducking her head down much like the Swan.  "Thanks," She muttered softly.

"Are you ready?" Bella stood behind Iris's chair as Rosalie finished her hair. The vibrant strands hung in loose curls down her back, the fringe was pulled back and pinned in the back of her head with baby's breath intertwined between the intricate braids as baby hairs framed her face gently. Iris nodded immediately, "I just want to get it done by now. Run down the aisle and say I do instantly."

Bella smiled warmly through the mirror at her friend. A part of her was worried a long time ago that Edward would ruin the goodness that is Iris Green because after he left she became a darker, colder part of herself. However, with time Bella saw that it was only Iris discovering herself after burying it for so long with her parents expectations. When Edward came back Bella noticed Iris was more herself than she ever was before, less apologetic for the feelings she was experiencing. She admired the ginger greatly not only because of her strength but also for her perseverance. The thought alone brought tears to her eyes as she tried to quickly and carefully wipe them away.

"I'm h-happy for you Riz, truly." Iris stared at her friend through the mirror with watery eyes herself, a sniffle sounding around the room as she squeezed the hand resting on her shoulder.

"Thanks Bells, but stop you're going to make me mess up my makeup."

Another flash went off and Bella had to blink a couple times to clear her blurry vision, "How precious. Sorry, it's for the scrapbook." Iris rolled her eyes playfully at Alice, standing from her seat towards the dress hanging on the wall. "It's okay Alice, help me with this dress though?"

Carefully and skillfully, the girls assisted Iris in putting her gown on. Alice speedily zipped and buttoned up the back. Iris stood to her full height as everyone crowded around with gob smacked expressions. Of course they knew Iris was an extremely beautiful enchantress, but this was on a whole other level. "C'mon guys, don't look so shocked," She chuckled lightly.

"You're a goddess, our work here is done Rose. High five," For once Rosalie allowed Alice to high five her, surprising the other three immensely.  "Now we have to get dressed, We'll be back, actually Colton should be coming in – "

"Hey guys,"

"Right now, be right back." Iris and Bella shared a look, laughing quietly with each other as Rose and Alice left the room with Penny in hand. Colton made a curious expression but Iris waved it away, pointing towards the objects he was hiding behind his back suspiciously. 

"What are you hiding?" Instead of answering, he handed them both to her. He padded towards his girlfriend afterwards, gathering her up in his arms as he kissed her temple sweetly. Iris made a face at that, sticking her finger in her mouth in disgust. "You look ravishing, by the way," He voice smoothly, causing the Swan to blush deeply in embarrassment. 

"Y-you don't look so bad yourself," She tried, glancing at Iris for assistance to which Iris just showed her a sarcastic thumbs up.

"What is this," Iris eyed the large box and envelope in her hands warily. Sitting down on her bed, she peeled off the first layer of floral wrapping paper only to be met with an old box from a shoe company. Colton scratched the back of his head sheepishly, he didn't feel like spending money on a cardboard box when he had one in his closest all along. He was a resourceful man, not a wise one, but a resourceful one. 

Iris took the top off of the box and a gasp slipped past her lips. Her fingers reached inside and touched a bundle of tough fur. Her lower lip wobbled as Bella watched on curiously. Iris held up a worn down and beat up stuffed elephant. One of the ears appeared to be resewn on as well as one of the eyes. The same bandana hung limply around it's neck as the stain from her permanent marker wrote in bold letters along the side, "Milly-Elliphant." She clutched the stuff animal to her chest as she met eyes were her brother, emotionally.

"You kept her, all this time?" Milly-Elliphant was a stuff animal that Colton won her when she was younger. A little souvenir for being a champ and withstanding one of Richard's crazy fits of rage. It brought comfort to her ever since he gave to her; during thunder storms and school recitals. When Colton went off to college she gave it to him for safe keeping, so he wouldn't forget her when he left.

It was a silly notion, but she felt she'd be there with him if he had it with him. The dirty blonde kept it close by when he was abruptly changed into a vampire. Colton always thought of her when he saw it laying on his untouched bed. Who knew a silly torn up elephant could get Colton through the toughest transformation of his life, immortality.

"She never left... Happy wedding day little sis. I want you to know I support you with whatever you choose." Colton brought his sister into a endearing hug, Iris trying not to mess up her makeup as she laid her head on his shoulder. "I love you," He murmured in her ear and Iris pushed on his chest playfully, half-glaring.

"Stop, you'll make me cry."

"Some say I have that touch on the ladies," Bella slapped him on the back of the head, catching the dirty blonde off guard. Iris muffled her laugh with her hand. Yes, Isabella Swan was the perfect match for her brother, she kept him in line. "Anyway, the other gift is from Donna. Found it at her house, thought you might want to read it."

Iris visibly gulped at his words. She couldn't describe how much she wanted that wise, nurturing woman with her today. Possibly to help with her hair or even walk her down the aisle, that would've been the dream. Unfortunately, it was too great a fantasy as her thumb rubbed over the thin envelope wistfully. Bella lightly cleared her throat, gaining the ginger's attention.

"We'll be in the living room, give you some privacy. When you're done just come on out and we'll get you hitched."

Iris nodded mutely as Colton took his partners hand in his own, drawing her out of the room like she said. When Iris was left by herself, she let out a heavy breath – her shoulders drooping forward. Thumbing the seal, she hesitantly peeled it open, like what was inside could rock her whole word in an instant. It very much could have.

My Daisy, 

Well what do y'know, it's your wedding day. You've gotten married early haven't you, don't ask why or how I know... sometimes a mother just knows. I'm sure you're beyond beautiful in your gown; bright eyed and bushy-tailed. What a lucky man, standing at the end of the alter, he is. If you're reading this, luck had run out for me. I so desperately wish I could be there with you, but let's suppose I am, in spirit – in this letter. 

My Iris oh how you've grown. Your compassion speaks volumes and I could only wish I was as free with my love as you are. You have taught me to embrace new and exciting experiences head first. Laugh at the small things and to be still in the storm. My daisy, you stand tall in a mighty gust of wind, you never let it get you down. 

Let this day be the first, best of your forever, never take another second for granted. I am with you, every step of the way. Whether in the yellow kitchen as you're making Penelope pancakes, or on the comfort of the couch as you watch our favorite black and white classics. Though I may not have birthed you into this world, you are a sacred piece of me.

Congratulations, Ona.

Iris bit harshly on her lip to keep herself from crying. The familiarity of her script was like a tender warm hug from the woman she held to the highest degree of respect. It was like her mother giving her the words of encouragement she truly needed before walking down the aisle. Iris felt winded, yet unbelievably powerful as she stood from her bed. The knots in her chest felt loosened and the unbearable longing turned into an overwhelming gratitude. She never felt so utterly grateful in her life knowing that even in death, Donna was right there by her side through everything. 

The ginger shook herself to get rid of the somber mood and glanced at her form in the mirror. She even appeared lighter, like a heavy cement block was lifted from her chest. Iris believed it had something to do with closure, everything was coming full circle. She had spent so much time reflecting on what she had lost, was lacking, or what deplenished. When she was gaining even more family that she could ever ask for. She may have lost the dearest person to her heart, nothing could change that, but she gained six times that to stand and fight with her thereafter. 

Iris knew whom she was, and that was anyone she wanted to be. With a subtle smirk to her exquisite reflection she turned the knob of her door, taking in an unnecessary inhale of fresh air as her shoulders square and her chin lifted.

She had to make an appearance at a wedding. Hers.

Unedited.

Not going to lie, I was balling during Donna's letter! And Colton's wedding gift? Don't get me started. I swear I'm the most emotional person ever. Anyway, Edris Wedding next chapter! Let me know what you guys are thinking.

Here's the dress because I don't want to spam the photos next chapter. (Yes, she will be walking down the aisle barefoot. She's an Elemental, the girl is practically one with nature so why not?)