Chapter Number: 4
Chapter Name: Gesture
Page Numbers: 51-74
Date of Chapter: August 13th, 2006 (evening)
Summary: Edward and Bella are finally married and in this chapter enjoy their wedding reception in tents that are outside of the Cullen residence. They meet and greet the guests who included members of the Quileutes, Cullens and humans. Bella at long last meets the Denali Clan who welcomed her to the “family.”
While Bella and Edward cut the cake, throw the bouquet (which Angela caught) and flung the garter (which Edward aimed at Mike), they indulged in the first dance. These activities are followed by the Father/Daughter and Mother/Son dance. As Edward reclaims Bella in another dance, he realizes something off in the forest and takes Bella into the woods for a surprise.
In the woods she is greeted by a long lost best friend, Jacob. They dance and Bella observes how hard Jacob is trying to keep things easy so he can give her this gift of his friendship on her wedding day. However, Bella and Jacob in the midst of teasing each other start to dance around the delicate subject of her death. They argue about her impending death and though she tries hard to keep things light and happy, Jacob asks when she will transition. He seems okay with her transition being in a week or two and teases her about her honeymoon only being a pretense. When Bella’s temper flairs at the insinuation that her honeymoon will not be a “real” and that she can’t be that stupid, she informs Jacob that it is a private matter and that it will be real. Upon this discovery, Jacob’s control begins to fall apart. He grabs her roughly and begins to argue with her about it. Edward immediately returns and takes Bella some distance away and places himself between Bella and Jacob. It takes Sam (in wolf form) and Seth to take Jacob away all the while Jacob is threatening Edward.
Edward and Bella return to the party after taking a moment to compose themselves. Bella makes Edward, who now is worrying and second-guessing his agreement with the “real” honeymoon with Bella, promise to forget the episode with Jacob. They continue on with the festivities. Bella is then scurried away with Alice, Esme and Renee to prepare for the going away. She changes into a blue suit and takes her hair down. This is the moment that Bella uses to say goodbye to her mother. On the way out the door, Edward leads Bella to her father so she can say goodbye to him as well before getting in the decorated car with Edward.
As Edward and Bella drive to the airport to embark on their honeymoon and new life together, Bella hears the heartbreaking howl of a wolf growing fainter and fainter in the distance.
Character Mentioned: Sue Clearwater, Angela Weber, Ben Cheney, Mike Newton, Jessica Stanley, Angela Weber’s parents, Eleazar, Deputy Mark and his wife, Jasper, Rosalie, Sam Uley, Quil Ateara, Esme Cullen, Phil Dwyer
Places Visited: Cullen Residence and yard, forest adjacent to the Cullen Residence
Memorable Quotes:
“Ah, Edward, I’ve missed you.” Tanya to Edward – page 54.
“Keep the dream alive.” Kate to Tanya – page 54.
“We’ll get to know each other later. We’ll have eons of time for that!” Tanya to Bella – page 55.
“I feel just horrible, leaving you to cook for yourself – it’s practically criminal negligence. You could arrest me.” Bella to Charlie – page 56.
“I’m out of practice with the whole human thing.” Jacob to Bella – page 60.
“Alice is an unstoppable force of nature.” Bella to Jacob – page 63
“You’ll hurt her. Let her go.” Seth to Jacob – page 66.
“Let me dance with my little sister. This could be my last chance to make her blush.” Emmett to Edward – page 69.
“You’re awfully small to be so hugely irritating.” Edward to Alice – page 71.
“Goodbye, Mom. I love you.” Bella to Renee – page 72.
Important Information learned:
Jacob surprises Bella by showing up to have two dances with her.
Jacob learns that that Bella and Edward plan on a “real” honeymoon and will undergo her transition in a week or two, which makes him very angry.
Bella has the chance to say goodbye to her mother and father.
Chapter Prepared By: Una