A/N So it’s finally Edward & Bella’s wedding day. I hope you like it as much as I liked writing it. Special thanks to my betas Rameau and Tripp 3525 for helping me with each and every chapter, their input has been invaluable.
Because I don’t say it enough, it should be obvious that I don’t own Twilight or any of its characters. On to the wedding!
EPOV
You would think after 108 years of living, time would cease to be an issue. A year felt like a day, a decade a month. Time was just a concept that really didn’t affect me anymore. Time was something for humans to worry about; not immortals. But today, today was crawling at a snail’s pace. I had waited for today longer than I could even fathom. I waited for it long before I knew it was what I wanted above all else. I was getting married in minutes, but it felt like I still had a lifetime to go before I laid eyes on my Bella. Most grooms got a case of the nerves before their weddings but I was just excited. It took everything I had just to remain somewhat still and keep up my human facade. I felt like bouncing around the room like Alice on one of her emotional highs. Next thing you know I’ll be screeching and clapping my hands together. My brothers would never let me live that down.
Rather than stand like a statue at the makeshift altar in front of the fireplace, I went to the front door with Jasper and Emmett to greet the arriving guests. Jasper smirked at me. A little excited, are we, brother dear? Your emotions are out of control. You’re like Alice during fashion week. I laughed and butted him with my shoulder.
“Dude, are you pregnant? You’re practically glowing right now!” Emmett boomed. This time he got the shoulder check, not that it moved him a fraction of an inch. I could hear titters coming from the white folding chairs where the Denali’s and some of Charlie’s work friends were already seated.
“Yes, Em, I am pregnant and I didn’t want to tell you this here and now, but it’s yours!” God, how long had it been since I had felt like joking with my brothers? It had to have been back when I was high on love but before all the trouble really started. Maybe that summer before Bella’s 18th birthday. All had felt right with the world then. It felt right again.
Jasper snorted. “Uh oh, Emmett, you’re going to be a baby daddy, get out your checkbook, child support isn’t cheap!”
“Hey, how do we know it’s mine? It could be anyone’s! I demand a paternity test!”
“You wound me, you really do. What kind of person do you think I am? I don’t sleep around!”
Emmett grinned. “Oh we know that, Eddie!” Virgin vampire, who ever heard of such a thing? She’s gonna make a man out of you tonight, brother!
Before I could begin to retort, Rose walked by wearing a mint green silk dress that molded to her stunning body. The expression on her face did not remotely match her dress however. “Stop being such morons,” she hissed.
I wasn’t going to let her put a damper on my day. “Rosalie, you look quite lovely. Perhaps you could try smiling so the guests don’t run away screaming.” She glowered at me and huffed away.
Emmett sighed. “Tonight’s going to be a lot of fun.” He shook his head mournfully.
“Hey, maybe you can get her to put her aggression to good use later. Angry sex can be hot.” Jasper kept his voice low but it wasn’t low enough that Rose didn’t hear it. Another low hiss emitted from the living room. “Or maybe not.”
“She’ll get over it, someday.” At least I hope so. That was Emmett, ever the optimist. I put thoughts of Rosalie away as a car turned into the drive and out came the boys that had once been such torment for me. Mike Newton, Tyler Crowley and Eric Yorkie had arrived. Emmett’s gleeful mood returned immediately.
“Newton! So glad you could make it, man!” He clapped his large hand down on Mike’s much smaller shoulder. “Came to see the one that got away, huh?”
Mike just glowered at him for a minute before turning to me. “Congratulations, Edward. Thanks for inviting me.” I don’t get it. I still can’t figure out why she chose him over me. It has to be the money, but it’s not like my families destitute. Why did a freak like Cullen get the girl I wanted?
My shoulders tensed up at the word freak but I suppose he was right. Newton was surprisingly attuned to my otherness in a way that most of the students at Forks High were not. “It’s nice to see you again, Mike. I’m sure Bella will be thrilled that you made it.” Maybe thrilled was the wrong word but I had to toy with the boy one last time. “Eric, Tyler, it’s good to see you as well. Thanks for coming.” I shook hands and acted every bit the accommodating groom even though I still loathed these boys. Of course, if they hadn’t wanted Bella so badly they might not have driven me to approach her that day in biology; the day all three of them asked her to the dance. I couldn’t keep the grin from appearing as I remembered the frustration and anger that had come over her face as they all went after her one by one. It was me she said yes to, then and now. I would never stop appreciating that fact.
“Yorkie, Crowley, Newton, follow me! I’ll get you an awesome seat so you can see Bella in all her bridal glory!” Bella’s fan club deserves a special spot from which they can look but not touch. Emmett was in his element. I hope one of them cries when she says I do. A hundred bucks on Newton. I just shook my head, I wasn’t betting on tears but I’d enjoy their reactions all the same. Tyler and Eric didn’t bother me that much; their crushes had mostly faded over time; but not Newton’s. He still thought he had a chance. Delusional little human.
“I’ll take that. I’ve got Yorkie; he’s feeling a little emotional.” Jasper kept his voice low enough that the humans wouldn’t hear.
“That’s cheating!” Emmett shouted, causing all three boys to jump and look around confused.
Mike’s blue eyes got wide and he asked, “What? Who’s cheating?” Please say Bella, please say Bella.
I glowered at him and he shrank back about a foot. It wouldn’t do to knock one of the guests through the wall on my wedding day, but damn if I wasn’t tempted to do it anyway.
“Oh just a little bet we made over which one of us could dance with the most lovely ladies at the reception tonight,” Jasper lied smoothly. “Edward was going to play but as groom that would be cheating, since most of the women here will expect a turn with him.” Ugh, I hadn’t thought about that. I was not going to dance with Jessica Stanley, tradition or not.
Mike’s face lit up. I’ll get to dance with Bella! Like hell he would. A growl welled up in my throat but Jasper grabbed my arm before I could let it out. “Emmett, take the guys to their special seats now.” His tone indicated there should be no arguing. Em glanced at my face and nodded.
“Let’s go, gentleman, I’ll introduce you to our lovely cousins. I think you’ll find them quite interesting.” Tanya and Kate would eat them alive. Maybe I could get them to keep Newton occupied and away from my wife.
“You need to calm down, man. I know you hate the guy but let it go. You got the girl.”
I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. “I know, Jas, it’s just his thoughts of Bella. They’ve always driven me crazy.”
“You got Bella, Edward; she’s not upstairs getting ready to marry one of them.” Yes, that was true. Bella was mine just as I was hers. She was about to become my wife. Just those words alone were enough to bring back my joy. I smiled up and Jasper and nodded.
We greeted the few remaining guests that were straggling in. Mr. & Mrs Newton; Bella’s former employers, Dr. Gerandy and a couple of Charlie’s deputies, then it was time to take my place at the altar next to Reverend Weber. I offered Esme my arm and escorted her to the seat in front for the mother of the groom. She reached up and smoothed my shirt collar. “I’m so happy for you, Edward. We’re all going to be complete now.” I smiled at her words because they couldn’t be truer.
“Thank you, Esme; for all the love and support you’ve given me over the years. I know I didn’t always make it easy for you to stand by me but you did anyway. You’re the best mother in the world.” Her eyes sparkled with emotion. She hugged me and I kissed her softly on the cheek.
My brothers and Carlisle went upstairs to escort the girls down while Rosalie took her place behind the piano. Esme and Alice had convinced her to contribute at least that to the wedding, since I could hardly play and get married as well. I took my place, facing the hallway, waiting to see the love of my life descend the stairs. I was immediately assaulted by all the thoughts in the room; now that I wasn’t focusing on my brothers and guest greeting.
Isn’t he handsome? They’re awfully young to be getting married but I suppose she didn’t want to let the girls in college get a look at him. Maybe she’s knocked up and this is a shotgun wedding! Catty, irritating thoughts that made me want to shout at all the guests to get the hell out and leave me and Bella to marry in peace. It’s a good thing she wasn’t a mind reader or she’d call the whole thing off. It was just as she’d feared.
Of course not all the thoughts were snotty and I tried to focus more on those. The flowers are truly lovely, draped across the mantle and along the chairs. It’s an interesting combination, lavender and freesia. I wonder who thought of that. My smile became genuine again when I heard that one. Freesia and lavender, my Bella’s scent. I’ve seen them together at the hospital; they may be young but I’ve never seen two people more in love. My mood got even brighter at those thoughts.
Damn, Edward, you look hot. Sure you don’t want to sneak in a quickie before the ceremony? I’m sure Bella would appreciate you having some experience. I shot a look at Tanya and shook my head. Can’t blame a girl for trying! She gave me a bright grin. Even though there was a hint of seriousness there I didn’t take it personally, it was just pure Tanya. Maybe I’ll play with the little humans that Emmett introduced me to. That Tyler is pretty cute. I grinned over at her. One down and if Kate would take Newton off my hands all would be well. I’d talk to her about it the first chance I got.
Edward, we’re ready! Alice’s voice took my mind away from the guests and back where it belonged, to Bella. I nodded at Rosalie and she began to play Canon in D by Pachelbel. I watched as Emmett and Jessica made their way down the stairs. She was wearing a pretty peach gown and her frizzy hair had been somewhat tamed in a French braid. Em was grinning ear to ear as they made their way down the aisle toward me.
Oh, Edward is so gorgeous! Why couldn’t he be marrying me? Why Bella? She’s not special! Suddenly Jessica’s mind was filled with images of her in a billowy white dress walking towards me. Ugh. I fought the urge to roll my eyes as her thoughts went straight to the I do’s and first kisses. Jessica Cullen, I do not think so.
Ha, she is totally hot for you bro, she’s practically panting on my arm. Emmett was at least enjoying Jessica’s reaction to me. They made it to the altar and Em released her, giving me a friendly punch on the shoulder as he took his spot.
Jasper and Angela appeared at the foot of the stairs next. She matched Angela in a peach gown and I noticed that Jasper also had a peach handkerchief in his pocket. Alice must have orchestrated that, it wasn’t there before.
It’s so pretty; I love the flowers dangling from the ceiling. Edward looks handsome. Bella’s so lucky. I’m so happy for her. Oh to be lost in the thoughts of Angela Weber. She was the loveliest of people and I was glad that Bella actually had a good friend like her. There’s my girl, she’s beautiful. Someday we’ll have a wedding just like this. Ben Cheney’s thoughts entered my head and I felt grateful that Angela had a guy that loved her like he did. She deserved it and I was glad I could play a small part in helping to get them together.
I had wanted to pay her back for her kindness to Bella but she was such a content person that I couldn’t find anything in her thoughts that she wanted. Until one day I saw her with Ben and I saw how much she wanted him and how much he wanted her. But they were both so afraid of acting on it that they had to be nudged along. I smiled as I remembered our little show in Spanish class. Emmett and I pretended like I was going to ask Angela to prom but I said I’d heard she liked some kid named Cheney, acting like I didn’t know who Cheney was and that he was sitting right behind me. Ben had decided to go after what he wanted; to protect her from me. If he only knew!
Jasper and Angela reached the altar and split up. Jasper nodded at me and stood next to Emmett. Wait til you see her, Edward, she’s never been more beautiful. Soon. I would see her in a minute or so and I couldn’t wait. I had managed to keep from seeing her through the minds of my brothers and Alice thus far and I was going to hold out until I saw the real thing.
Carlisle and Alice appeared at the top of the stairs next. She was vibrating from her excitement, I could see it from down below. Carlisle tightened his grip on her arm in order to keep her from bouncing down the stairs. Oh Edward! I can’t wait! Wait until you see her! She’s stunning. You are going to faint! She did bounce up and down a little bit, although human eyes probably didn’t notice. I could see in Alice’s mind that she wanted to twirl down the aisle but she reined it in and walked serenely. Well, as serenely as Alice could walk. They reached me and Alice leaned forward and kissed my cheek. I love you, Edward. Thank you for bringing Bella into our lives and giving me a new sister and best friend. Carlisle just smiled at her indulgently and reached over and hugged me. Congratulations, son. The fact that you’ve found your happiness thrills me to no end.
At last everyone was in place and the moment I’d been waiting for was here. Rosalie transitioned to Wagner’s Bridal March and everyone rose to their feet. My entire focus was on the top of the stairs as Charlie and Bella began to descend. He was partially blocking my view and I had to fight the urge to run down the aisle so I could completely take her in. They walked slowly down the stairs, no doubt my Bella feared that she would fall so they were going to go extra slowly and I was going to go mad waiting to see her fully. I could see her dress was simple, a column of white flowing down her body. Her hair was pulled back but some curls escaped to frame her face. Her face, I wanted to see her face. Finally they reached the foot of the stairs and turned toward me.
In that moment, I was struck deaf and dumb. My mind, always so busy with everyone else’s thoughts as well as my own, was completely silent. My heightened senses, always aware of everything around me, narrowed in until there was only her. My Bella. I could see nothing else, I could feel nothing else. Her chocolate eyes locked with mine and the nerves I saw washed away. Her sweet smile lit up her face and I felt mine respond in kind.
All my life I had had words. I knew multiple languages. I had written countless papers. I had degrees in literature. You would think that I’d be able to find the words to describe just how beautiful Bella looked as she walked down the aisle toward me but words failed me. Stunning. Exquisite. Gorgeous. All of them fit but none of them were enough. It was a good thing I didn’t need to breathe because she had taken my breath away. Her dress was like something the Greek goddesses would have worn as they lounged around Olympus drinking wine and laughing at human frailty. Her face was luminous with her happiness; her cheeks colored with her natural blush. My fingers itched to reach out and follow that blush down to her neck.
After an interminable amount of time, she was there, next to me and I couldn’t stop myself from reaching for her. Charlie managed to momentarily break into my consciousness by clearing his throat and answering some comment that Reverend Weber had made. Oh, yes, it was the “who gives this woman” question. “Her mother & I do.” He leaned over and kissed Bella on the cheek before placing her hand in mine. At last, I was touching her. At last, we were one. My life never felt more right than when she was next to me, when I could feel the warmth of her touch.
Some part of my mind registered that Reverend Weber was talking about love but his words were just buzzing in the background as I remained lost in Bella. Her eyes burned into mine and she was all that mattered in the world. I was grateful that Alice had insisted on hiring on a videographer to film everything because someday I would probably want to know what the Reverend said and see everyone’s reaction to Bella’s astonishing beauty. Some thoughts were beginning to seep back into my consciousness but when I heard Newton bemoaning how gorgeous she was and how she should be with him, I squelched them back. No thoughts should interrupt me from enjoying the beauty by my side. I could happily drown in the joy I saw in Bella’s depthless eyes.
Carlisle nudged me and it took everything I had to turn my eyes away from her for a moment. “Vows,” he whispered, handing me the gold band that I would be sliding on Bella’s finger, making her mine forever. I’d had the word Eternal engraved in both of our rings, along with our names. I lifted her tiny left hand in my right one and looked back at her lovely face.
“Bella, I love you more than words can say. Before you came into my life, I was a shell of a person, just going through the motions. I lived every day the same as the one before it; everything was a boring routine. One look at you, one moment with you and everything changed. Chaos entered, but it was a beautiful chaos. You brought light into my life. You became my life and you will always be my life. I will love you forever.” I slid the ring on her finger and watched as tears finally spilled down her face. I reached up and wiped them away with my left hand as my right still held her left hand, tracing that golden circle on her little finger.
Bella reached up and took my hand from her face and held it her own. “Edward, from the second I saw you I was drawn to you. Your beauty captured my imagination from the start, but your mind and your heart made me fall in love with you. You have always been the only man for me and you always will be. I am yours as you are mine; eternally.” Her voice rang clearly throughout the living room as she slid the ring on my finger.
I didn’t look away from her face when Reverend Weber when he pronounced us man and wife, the words echoing in my head over and over as I leaned forward to kiss her. Bella stood on her toes and threw her arms around me and pressed her warm lips to my cold ones with all the unrestrained passion that she had for me. I didn’t think of trying to rein her in, I met her passion with my own and the entire room disappeared. We melted into one another as I showed her with my lips that she was my everything.
I have no idea how long we kissed but I know we didn’t surface until Emmett squeezed my arm to the point of nearly breaking it. I had to bite back the urge to round on him when I realized that we were in a room full of people who were all clapping as we were officially announced as Mr. and Mrs. Edward Cullen. Bella’s face flushed and it was clear she’d forgotten we had an audience as well.
“My turn to kiss the bride,” Emmett shouted as he scooped Bella up and planted a loud kiss on her cheek. “Welcome to the family, little sis!”
Jasper reached over and squeezed Bella’s hand and gave her a gentle smile before edging away; being around her still made him a bit uncomfortable. “You are definitely worth it.” Bella beamed at him as she remembered him telling her that when they were on the run from James.
Alice shoved her way through my brothers and launched herself into Bella’s arms. “You’re truly my sister now! I knew you would be, from the first moment!” Bella laughed and hugged Alice back.
“I probably wouldn’t be, without your help, which I am so grateful for.”
I laughed and wrapped both my arms around Bella’s waist and drew her against me. “Don’t encourage her, love, she’ll get delusions of grandeur and decide to start a matchmaking business.”
Alice smacked my arm. “Hey, I could totally do that; matchmaking and wedding planning and designing dresses. A one-stop shop!”
“You’re right, Alice, you could.” I wasn’t going to argue the point; the proof was all around us today. I noticed that Emmett was staring down the aisle and gesturing someone forward. I watched as Rosalie made her way down the aisle and took his hand. Please, Rosie, please; she’s family now.
Rose turned to Bella & I and softly said, “Congratulations. I’m glad you found your happiness.” She didn’t offer either of us her hand or a hug but it was more than we’d gotten from her up to this point.
“Thanks, Rosalie.” Bella’s voice was just as soft but rife with emotions.
I glanced around and took in all eight of us clustered together, a completed circle. Before I could think to vocalize what this moment meant, Emmett interrupted. “Party time!” He bounded out the back door and headed toward the reception. Guests had already started to make their way out there, sipping from champagne glasses and nibbling on some cheese.
Before Bella and I could begin to make our way outside we were stopped by Charlie and Renee. Renee had tears streaming down her face and she threw her arms around Bella. “Oh baby, you’re such a beautiful bride. I’m so happy for you!”
Charlie gave me a look that plainly said women and reached a hand out toward me. He hadn’t shaken my hand since the day we first met. “Congratulations, Edward. You better take care of my girl. I have a shotgun, you know?” His words were tempered by the gruff emotion in his voice.
“Taking care of Bella is going to be my life’s work.” Sincerity rang in my tone and I didn’t even have to fake it. Bella’s well being and happiness was my number one priority until the end of time.
Bella pulled back from her mom and rolled her eyes. “Dad, don’t encourage him, he’s overprotective enough as it is.” She wrapped her arms around him in one of their rare outward moments of affection.
“He can’t be too overprotective when it comes to taking care of you, Bells. You’re the most precious thing in my world.” He cast a glance at me. “And clearly you’re the most precious in his world.” Well how about that, Charlie approved of something about me anyway!
I looked at Bella and started to get lost in her again. “She is.” The blush spread over her cheeks again and I reached out with my left hand and ran it lightly across her cheekbone. I was nearly as fascinated by the ring glinting on my finger as I was her beautiful face.
Alice broke up the moment. “Alone time soon enough, lover boy. You guys have guests to mingle with, especially you, Bella!” I bit back a moan of frustration. Would I ever get a moment alone with my wife? Alice shot me a withering glance. “You’ll have plenty of alone time soon enough, Edward.” From the tone of her voice I could tell what alone time she was referring to. I wasn’t ready to think about that, though. I wanted to enjoy my wedding before I faced the wedding night.
For the next hour Bella and I went from guest to guest thanking them for coming to our wedding and being social. Twilight fell while we were talking and the yard was illuminated by hundreds of white Christmas lights. I longed to pull Bella into my arms and dance with her under the light but our social obligations were not yet done.
I tensed as Mike Newton raced up to us, finally unable to stay away from Bella any longer. Jasper had asked Kate to help distract him which she’d managed to do for awhile but he was determined to get near Bella. She shrugged at me from across the lawn. I sent her a resigned smile.
“Bella!” He threw his arms around her and I bit back a ferocious growl. Bella’s body went rigid beneath his arms and she didn’t attempt to return his hug. “It’s so good to see you; I’ve missed you since school got out.” Oh God, she’s so hot. Feel those luscious breasts pressed against me! What I wouldn’t give to take her behind that tent and… I was so done with this. Before I could raise my hand further than a few inches Alice ran up and tugged Mike away from Bella.
“Sorry Mike, I need to borrow the newlyweds for some pictures!” Damn, where did she come from? I was just starting to get hard and…Alice grabbed me and Bella and dragged us to the other side of the lawn.
“Let me go, Alice.” I had to go and kill him. I could drag him into the woods and be done in less than ten seconds. Nobody would ever know and his body would never turn up. I’d see to it.
“Oh no, Edward, you’re not ruining all I’ve done by committing murder on your wedding day.” Bella looked at me aghast.
“What?”
“I wasn’t really going to kill him.” I shot Alice a look. “I just thought about how nice it would be to do so. You don’t know the vile things he was thinking!”
Bella sighed. “It doesn’t matter what he was thinking of doing, he’d never do any of it. Mike’s afraid of you, Edward. You can’t kill someone for their thoughts.” I could, I had and I wanted to again. But I wouldn’t; I wouldn’t do that to her.
“You’re right, love. I’m sorry, I just don’t want anyone to think of you that way.” Anyone but me, that is.
She reached up and ran her fingers through my hair. “Edward, people think that way about you all the time. I don’t go around trying to kill them all, even though I sometimes wish I could. I may not be able to read minds but I see how women look at you.” She had a point.
“Okay, no more murderous thoughts of Newton. I’d much rather…”
“Edward, there you are!” This time it was Bella’s turn to tense up. She turned at the sound of the melodious voice and took in Tanya for the first time. “And Bella! I’ve been dying to meet the girl that finally made an honest man out of our Edward.” Bella’s eyes narrowed at the word “our.” It was really the cutest thing, watching her get angry. I couldn’t get enough of it.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Tanya. I know you’ve known my husband for a long time. I guess we’re all family now.”
Hmmm a little bit of fight in this one, huh Edward? Don’t worry; I won’t start anything with her on your wedding day. “Yes, welcome to our family. I look forward to seeing how you assimilate.”
Bella’s grip tightened on my hand. “I’m sure I’ll fit in just fine, I already do, as you can clearly see.” As if to emphasize her point, Emmett ran up and scooped Bella into his arms.
“Come on, little sis, they’re serving the chow and you need to eat. Give yourself some fuel for later.” He winked at me and carried her off toward the food tent, her blush still visible in the dark.
I turned to Tanya. “You can’t toy with my wife like that.”
“Oh come on, Edward, I was just having a little fun. You should thank me, I got her worked up, and she’ll probably take that out on you later.”
“Tanya, she’s my wife. What she and I do later is no concern of yours.” I walked away from her and joined my Bella at the table. She sat in front of plate piled high with food. “You’re taking that fuel comment pretty seriously, aren’t you?”
She giggled. “Emmett filled my plate. I think he thinks you have to put as much as you can on the plate. I don’t even know how to remove anything without sending an avalanche of food all over the table.”
I laughed. “Well he got enough for us to share, at least. Saves me from having to get a plate of my own and pretend.” She stabbed her fork into some roast beef and sent some cherry tomatoes rolling down her plate from the other side. I caught them before they could fall in her lap.
“Watch the dress!” Alice ran up with a much more reasonably filled plate and put it in front of Bella. “What was Emmett thinking giving you that much food? Like you could eat all that! Like it’s not a recipe for disaster, a huge pile of messy food!” She whisked the plate away and sat next to Bella, watching her like a hawk to make sure no food landed on the pristine white dress.
“Edward,” Bella said after she’d chewed thoughtfully on a bite of roast beef. “Um, do you swear nothing ever happened with you and Tanya? She’s rather possessive of you.” I heard a hint of pain laced in her tone.
I reached over and took her hand, turning her wedding band in my fingers. “Bella, I swear, nothing ever happened between us. She always wanted it to but I was always waiting for the right person for me. That person is you.” She smiled, feeling more reassured by my words. “Who’s jealous now?” I couldn’t resist asking, after her giving me crap for getting mad at Newton.
She smiled serenely as she cut up some more meat. “But I wasn’t thinking about killing her.”
I laughed. “Well, you couldn’t, could you?”
“Good point,” she conceded. “I might have wanted to if I could hear her thoughts though. What was she thinking?” I hesitated. “Never mind, I don’t want to know.” Not that those particular thoughts had been that bad, but some of her earlier ones would have set Bella off.
She pushed her plate away. “Are you done eating, love?”
“Yes, I’m stuffed! I couldn’t eat another bite.”
“Good, because I’m ready to dance with my wife.” I swept her back out of the tent and into the yard. The cloud cover had cleared out and the moon and stars illuminated the yard along with the Christmas lights. Bella wrapped her arms around my neck and I put mine around her waist and pulled her against me. Finally we were alone. Well as alone as you can get with forty or so guests in a tent a hundred feet away. She rested her head on my shoulder and we swayed to “At Last.” I couldn’t think of a more perfect song to reflect my life now that Bella was with me.
“I really haven’t had the chance to tell you how absolutely beautiful you are tonight. You took my breath away.” She laughed at that and tilted her eyes up to my face. “Alright, well you know what I mean.”
“I do. You’re pretty darn beautiful tonight yourself, Mr. Cullen.”
“Why thank you, Mrs. Cullen. I had to get dressed up so I would look good next to my wife.”
She lifted her head from my shoulder and pressed her lips to mine. My arms tightened around her as I pressed her even closer to my body. She pulled back and her voice was somehow huskier. “You always look good. It can be intimidating, how gorgeous you are.”
I shook my head. “Your beauty outshines everyone here tonight. Someday you’ll see yourself clearly.” I swear it, some day she’ll know just how wonderful she is. She pulled my lips back down to hers and any follow up arguments I was going to make faded away. I was about to suggest we find a way to ditch our own wedding reception when a throat cleared behind me.
“Don’t even think about it, Edward. She has to dance with her father, Carlisle, Emmett, Jasper and probably every other guy here. Then she has to eat the cake, throw her bouquet and change her clothes and then you can all say your goodbyes.” I could tell that the changing of her clothes was foremost of importance in Alice’s mind.
“You really are turning into quite the buzz kill tonight, you know that?” I couldn’t hide my irritation. I just wanted to be alone with my wife.
Alice’s eyes narrowed at me. “The faster we get to the other activities, the faster you can get out of here. But by all means, you two keep dancing and we’ll just wait a couple more hours.”
Bella sighed. “Alright, Alice, bring on the dance partners.” She turned to me with a glint in her eye. “Don’t worry, it won’t take long, I’ll no doubt cripple just about every guy here. You’ll have me back in your arms before you know it.” I laughed.
“Well, Jasper, Emmett and Carlisle will be immune, at least!”
She smiled as she spotted her father standing hesitantly near the dancing area. I smiled as she walked over and gestured nervously toward the floor. Charlie pulled her into his arms and they swayed awkwardly but adorably. I strolled over to where Esme was standing with Carlisle. “I believe it’s customary for the groom to dance with his mother. May I have the honor of this dance?” I swept down in a formal bow and Esme smiled prettily and dipped into a curtsy.
“You may.” I led her out to the dance floor and twirled her in time to the music. She reached up and put both hands on my face. “Edward, I’m so glad you found Bella and that you had the strength to bring her into this family. I know it wasn’t easy for you but I know it was the best thing you ever could have done for yourself and for us.”
“I almost didn’t have the strength and it would have cost us all. When I think of my time apart from her…”
“No, son, you can’t regret that any longer. What you did then has brought you to where you are now. We’re all where we should be, finally everything fits.” She smiled in satisfaction. Alice came up and claimed the next dance and I was forced to watch as Bella took turns dancing with Carlisle, Emmett and Jasper. I hit the floor with Kate, Renee, Carmen and Angela. I saw Tyler and Tanya wrapped around each other song after song. She caught me looking. It’s been awhile since I had any fun, why not see if I can teach this boy how to be a man? I just rolled my eyes and sent Alice on another spin.
Movement to the right showed Mike Newton attempting to secure a dance with Bella. She frowned and glanced at me but shrugged and let him dance with her, angling her body so far away from him that it was almost laughable how awkward they looked. Well it would have been laughable were it not for all his sexual fantasies that immediately slammed into my mind. Rather than make a huge scene I went up to Jessica and asked her to dance. My mind was quickly assaulted with her sexual thoughts of me. Why did she and Newton ever break up, they clearly belonged together? I maneuvered her over to where Mike was attempting to get closer to Bella and skillfully switched partners. “I need to hold my wife; it’s been at least thirty minutes since we last danced. You understand, don’t you?” I didn’t give them a chance to answer before whirling her away.
“Thank you,” she sighed and melted back into me.
“Nothing to thank me for, love, I’m doing the world a service pushing those two back together. They don’t need to be unleashed upon an unsuspecting public.” She giggled as I spun her out and back to me.
“Have we danced enough yet? Can we get out of here?”
She smiled. “I think you better run that one by the Wedding Nazi. She only has a little time left in her reign of terror so we better humor her.”
“I heard that!” There she was, back at my side again ready to interrupt. “Fortunately for you, it’s cake cutting time, then you can throw your bouquet and then you can get out of my hair for the night.” I grinned with relief.
We tromped inside and cut into the beautiful triple-tiered wedding cake. I gently fed Bella her piece while she made sure to rub the cake all over mine, thus making sure I didn’t actually have to swallow any. I winked at her thankfully and wiped the mess off my face. “Good plan, love.”
She smiled. “I know!”
“Time for the garter removal!” Alice shrieked. Bella went crimson immediately as she was pushed into a chair by Alice. Some raunchy stripperesque song blared from the DJ as I got on my knees before her. Emmett and Jasper were shaking with laughter as I leaned forward and started to slowly reach up her leg.
“No hands, bro, you have to use your teeth!” Emmett shouted. I’m surprised he could get the words out he was laughing so hard. Bella got impossibly redder and the crowd started laughing. I quickly stuck my head underneath the front of her dress and saw to my relief that the garter was just above her knee. I carefully took it between my lips and pulled it down as quickly as I could. I wasn’t going to linger too close to my wife’s beautiful legs; my mind would wander to a place it shouldn’t go until about an hour from now.
I emerged from under her dress and pulled the garter over her shoe. “Now you have to fling it! All single guys line up!” When did Emmett become the king of weddings? I glanced at the males lined up and shot the garter right into Mike Newton’s face. I won’t deny that I might have put some force into the shot and it left a red mark on his cheek where it hit him. I grinned cheekily at him.
Alice then lined up the women and Bella tossed her bouquet over her head. Being Bella it wasn’t the most graceful of throws and the bouquet ended up falling about 5 feet short of any waiting female. It landed closest to Angela though so the consensus was that she caught it.
Alice swept Bella into the house to change out of her wedding dress. I waited anxiously for my bride to reappear. Nerves were starting to replace my earlier excitement but happiness still was the most overwhelming emotion. Jasper came and stood next to me. “You ready for this?”
“I’m as ready as I’m ever going to be.”
He shook his head. “You know it’s going to be fine. If Alice says it is, then it is. She wouldn’t let any harm come to Bella. She loves her nearly as much as you do.”
“I know. I’m not as scared of hurting her as I used to be, I’m more scared of not pleasing her.”
Jasper laughed. “You would please Bella if you read her the phone book, man. She loves you. I’ve never felt such strong emotions from a human before, it’s like she’s already one of us, at least when it comes to feeling love.” That was reassuring. “Just let your love for her guide you. It sounds cheesy but it’s true. You’ll learn the rest over time.”
I nodded. Anything else I was going to say died on my lips as Bella reappeared on the back porch. She was dressed in a navy blue sweater dress that clung to her curves. Her hair fell loosely now, relieved of all the pins that had held it back from her face. She looked just as beautiful as she had before, maybe more so. Nerves and excitement were showing in her eyes as she walked up and wrapped her arms around me.
“Ready to go, love?” She nodded and we turned to say goodbye to our family and friends.
“Thank you all for coming! Your love and support means everything to us. We’ll see you soon!” And with that I led her to the Volvo, tucking her into her seat and getting behind the wheel to take us to the place where it all began. I could think of no better place to consummate our love than the place where all our barriers came down and all truths were laid bare. We sped off into the night, lost in our thoughts and mutual anticipation.
[…] Sacrificial Lamb Chapter 14 […]
Loved this version of the wedding!
Aww thanks! I had fun, can’t wait to see your reaction to chapter 15!