Chapter 1

Billy's weathered face looked sympathetic. I'm sure my face betrayed my shock. Edward's little note lay on the table between us, and I read it a second time.

"Don't make too much of a fuss, Jacob will come back. To be honest with you, I don't blame the bloodsucker….I mean, Edward." He cringed as if the name burned. I didn't answer. If I did, I would probably just cry. He mumbled something inaudible.

"P-Pardon?" My voice shook with the force of my anger, and the tears caused by it.

"I'm… I'm coming…" He looked almost ashamed in admitting this. "And... well, don't freak out, but so is Sam."

"Sam is coming to a vampires wedding?!" My voice shot through a couple octaves. Was he insane? Why would he put himself in such jeopardy??

"It's not just his wedding. Sam's coming to see you. In Jacob's place." I'm sure he meant that to be comforting.

"Yes, but what happens if he explodes into a gigantic wolf in front of the billion people Alice is going to invite?" I could feel the moisture in my eyes brimming over, so I spun. Wiping at them frantically, I ran to my truck. "I'll call you!" I shouted over the roar of the engine coming to life. I sped off as fast as my truck would go.

Now was one of the very, very, very few times I wished I'd caved into Edward's demands and let him buy me one of those speedy cars he loved so much. Ah, the issue of Edward. I flipped open my cell phone, one of those really expensive, ultra-thin, slick little silver ones I despised, but Edward adored. He had sat pouting on my bed until I let him buy me the stupid thing. No doubt I'd fall on the idiotic trinket and it would be in little pieces. I pulled over, and dialed Alice.

"Bella? I thought you hated your phone."

"I do. Do you see death anywhere in Edward's future?"

"No…why?"

"Dang. Well, then my plan won't work. How long will he be away? I need to talk to him, before I explode!"

"About a half hour. Why don't you come over here? You'll be able to see him sooner."

"Sounds great. Bye."

The turn off to the big house was simple for me to find now. I burst into the house, and plopped angrily onto the couch.

"Hello, Bella, what seems to be the problem?" Carlisle walked into the room, carrying a thick novel.

"Edward. He sent Jacob a wedding invitation last week, and no one has seen him, wolf or otherwise, since." I stared at the door, willing Edward to walk through it.

"Hey, Bella. Edward will be here in 15 minutes, so forget the door." Alice danced down the stairs, talking a mile a minute. "If you're going to attack him, I recommend the pity thing. It'll be way more effective then a physical attack. Unless you want to go to Charlie's so he has to act hurt when you throw a chair at him." I let her voice fade into the background. I was surprised when the rest of the family came down the stairs, no doubt wanting to watch the show when Edward came in the door.

"Isn't Edward hunting with someone?" I asked.

"Hunting… he told me he was going to Seattle to pick up the…. Oh... never mind… forget that…" Emmett realized something, and judging by his family's glares, it was something I wasn't supposed to know.

"He lied to me." It was a statement, not a question.

"I have to go to the hospital. Goodbye Bella. Hope you live through Edward, Emmett." Carlisle swiftly exited the house, smiling.

"Emmett, we have to talk about that thing, you know, away from Edward…" Rosalie was already upstairs, Emmett and Jasper on her tail.

"I want to watch this." Esme giggled, and turned her face expectantly to the door, at the same time Alice muttered

"3...2...1..." The handle turned, and Edward walked in, my favorite crooked smile playing on his lips. His extreme beauty almost disarmed me. Almost.

" Hey Bella, I thought you were… wait, why are you making that face?" The smile faded as he realized he was found out. I decided to play it cool.

" Your eyes are black." I stated, watching him try to formulate an excuse.

" I… had other business, and got distracted."

"Other business like what?" This was too good to pass up, the unshakable Edward squirming like a worm.

"Other business that is none of your business." His tone was now cold, his expression a stone mask. Esme snickered quietly.

"I would say it was her business." Alice interjected. She was enjoying this. He muttered something that made her smile wider, but it sounded like 'Not helping'

"Fine. I was in Seattle, doing something you will no doubt object to." He was still dodging.

"Tell her. She'll actually take it pretty well." Alice advised. He shot her a warning look, before stalking across the room to scoop me up and wordlessly carry me out to the garage. His smile was coming back and he was obviously exited. It was probably worse than my imaginings.

"Take this and if you freak out I swear I'll get Alice to overkill the wedding." He threatened. He handed me a… oh no. It was shiny and silver. It was a car key.

"You didn't!" I whispered, my face paling.

"But I did. Now look at the car before you faint." His voice was slightly anxious, but mostly mocking.

"Come on! Last week you buy me a cell phone! This week you buy me a car! What will it be next week? A house?" I was trying to hide my shock- and my pleasure. The car was beautiful. It was a crystal blue Nissan, but farther than that I was clueless. It sparkled delicately in the sun, and beside my truck it looked breakable. I felt a surge of hate at myself as I considered accepting it, and replacing my truck. I wasn't fooling Edward.

"You like it, don't you!" His smiled brightly, so beautiful it hurt. I sighed in defeat.

"Well, it is pretty nice." I was afraid to touch it, afraid something would break.

"Amazing. You are actually accepting a gift the way a normal human being would!" He set me on my feet, and I walked tentatively over to admire it, ignoring the ribbing.

"It looks expensive…" How could I be mad at him after this? a car? Really.

"Well, since you refuse to consider going to collage, I needed to spend the money somehow." He wrapped his arm around my waist, and I spun to hug him tightly, inhaling his wonderful scent.

"Thank you. It's wonderful." And it was. At least I could still enforce my own speed limit when he was in the car… and since it was mine he couldn't do a thing. "Can we go for a drive?" I asked him.

"Of course!" He answered, and his expression was one of pure joy. In the car he couldn't escape either, so I could argue with him over Jacob. It surprised me how much it hurt, even just to think the name of who I was betraying. The wedding was too much, and it had driven him off the edge…not to mention I was going to turn into one of his natural enemies. I got in, and the interior smelled like a new car, obviously. I had always hated that smell. Its seats were black leather, and it was pretty roomy. I tried the key, and instead of a deafening roar, the engine purred. The array of delicate machinery was doomed around me.

" Right… I'm scared. You drive." I climbed out and got back in the passenger's side.

"You're scared of a car, and so you hand the keys over to a thirsty vampire. You are insane." He shook is head but climbed in, and drove out into the street. As always, I got a little shock when he said the word I always avoided.

" You're the insane one. How in the world will I explain this to Charlie? 'Hey dad, Edward bought me one of the most expensive cars on the market, but don't worry about it' ? Not gonna cut it." My anger trickled slowly back through me.

"I should have known you accepting a gift properly was to good to be true." The mask was back, and he kept his eyes fixed on the road. I focused on not crying, and spoke softer than normally. He would hear.

" Edward, Jacob went missing, right after you sent him that invitation. He's nowhere to be found, and I'm really worried. The pack has been searching, but they can't even hear his thoughts. What if he killed himself? What if he's in trouble? How will I live with myself, knowing I caused that?" My attempts failed, and tears spilled down my cheeks. He pulled over to the side of the… highway? Where did he think he was taking me?

" Bella, love, don't blame yourself. He deserved the choice, and I think he's well enough equipped to survive out there. Anyway, I don't think he would do that to you, to Sam, to any of them." He took my hand and kissed my forehead. I looked up at him, and the black fire of his eyes was impossible to doubt. Maybe it would turn out all right. But for know, the weight on my shoulders didn't lift away, and the chains ensnaring me refused to snap. He started to drive again. It was silent, but a comfortable silence. I marveled at the car that now belonged to me. I slowly noticed us passing the signs that announced our arrival in Seattle. And was that yellow porsche shadowing us?

"Why are we in Seattle?" I queried nervously, shooting another glance at the car behind us. I squinted, and my fears were confirmed. "And why is Alice following us?" She smiled and waved at me, and I narrowed my eyes.

"Seattle has the biggest mall." His smile was huge and wicked. I shook my head furiously.

"I refuse to get out of the car!" I declared.

"You would really allow Alice and me to shop for you alone?" He had me there, and he knew it.

"Why are you torturing me??" I groaned, and slumped into my seat. He just laughed, and pulled into the underground lot. He parked my car and got out, and I did the same. Alice danced over to us.

" Don't whine, ok? You need a new wardrobe, since in about three days you will be a Cullen. You need to dress the part. I'll let you get a few books, if you want. You need a new C.D player, because Renee is getting you a C.D" She rambled on as she pulled me toward the huge and menacing building.

"My C.D player works just fine, thank you." I interjected.

"Not after Charlie steps on it tonight." She declared. My bad mood got worse and worse as she dragged me in and out of shops, knowing what would fit and what wouldn't as soon as she decided to pick it up. I saw a couple things I liked, and Edward snuck those in for me. I did get a few books, and insisted on sitting at one of the crowded benches to read them, pulling Edward with me. He read over my shoulder for a while, but started staring at me, probably trying to figure out my thoughts.

"What?" I finally asked, not interested in the book anymore. I couldn't even remember the title…

"You look anxious…" He stared at me, trying to figure it out.

"Did you hear me at all? Jacob, equipped or not, is in pain! He could try to kill himself!" He studied my face for a moment, before saying,

"Let's go. Alice can finish herself." He pulled me up before I could object. By the time we returned to Forks, my fears over Jacob had been somewhat beaten down. I mean, how much trouble could he really get in? I cringed. Right, bad question. The worst I could imagine, even worse than him committing suicide, was a fear I could never voice to Edward. What if he'd imprinted? What if he never came back? I knew it was selfish of me, but could I live for eternity with the knowledge he didn't care at all about me anymore? We pulled up to the Cullen residence, and Edward got out. I was so torn inside I didn't realize what he was doing.

"I'll be in your room. Charlie's home, so good luck." Before I even realized I was alone in the excuse department, he was gone.

"Stupid unreliable vampire…" I muttered to myself as I got in the driver's seat and went to face my doom.

Charlie was taken care of with a dangling of my key, and a drive around town. As soon as he was out of sight, I rushed up to my room. He was sitting on my bed.

"You are such a cheater." I complained, climbing onto his lap. He just laughed. Leaning against him, I felt his phone vibrate. He checked the number and looked confused. He flipped it open.

"Hello?" He listened, and laughed. " A car. She claims she hates it, but she really loves it." I stared at him, puzzled. Everyone who had his number knew that already…

"Yes, she's right here. Sure, be my guest." He handed me the phone. For you, he mouthed. I took it.

"Hello?" I was uncertain.

" Hey Bells! Heard you got a car! What's it like?"

"Mom?" My voice was shocked. How on earth did Renee get this number??

" I got the number from the memory list on my phone, you called it so many times last time you were here without him." She sounded happy enough, but I knew her voice well enough to recognize something else there. I had gone to Florida to break the news of my wedding. She had been disappointed in me, but not at all shocked.

"Wow…" I couldn't come up with a coherent response to that.

" Well, I'll be at your doorstep in… wait, I'm already here! I'm just gonna use the key under the eave, mmkay?" The line went dead, and then I heard "Hey Bella!" I ran down to met her, Edward on my tail. Charlie was just pulling into the driveway. "Sweet ride…" Renee muttered, as Charlie got out of the evil little car. Edward went waaaay to far this time… a phone they'll believe, but a car?? I hugged my mom close.

" You guys want some dinner? I'm just gonna get some leftovers…" I headed to the kitchen as I spoke.

" Sure, kiddo." Charlie and Renee spoke at the same time, then burst into a fit of laughter.

"Same here, love." Edward called casually. I spun, the plate of lasagna frozen in my hand.

"You will?" My voice was shocked. I was shocked. What in the world did he think he was doing? His eyes flickered briefly at Renee, and tapped his forehead minutely. Oh, Renee must be suspicious… looks like Billy wasn't the only one Charlie gossiped old-woman style to. I looked at my two parents, who were laughing uncontrollably. This would never get easier, would it? This would always be the hardest part. Charlie, Renee… The ones I would hurt, who I would abandon… My hands shook as I gave them their portions, and focused on cropping Edward's as small as I could without it being too obvious. I gave it to him, and sat to eat my own. I stared at Edward as he choked it down, while still maintaining his polite mask and talking pleasantly with my parents. He was amazing. I doubted I'd ever get used to him.

As soon as I was done I took his hand, and announced we needed to do homework, leaving his half-eaten portion on the table.

"You are amazing…" I told him upstairs. He raised an eyebrow.

"For what in particular?" He asked. I smiled.

"For eating human food and not looking even slightly disgusted." I decided, climbing onto his lap for the second time that evening.

"Well, you saved me before I had too much…" He smiled and kissed my forehead. I smiled back. I jumped up, blushing furiously when Renee appeared at my door.

"Hey Bells, can I talk to you privately please?" Edward got up, and headed downstairs to bond with Charlie. Renee sat down, looking at her hands.

"Hi mum…" I started for her. She smiled and started to speak.

"Ok, maybe I'm just paranoid, but something isn't right with Edward. He's inhumanly beautiful, and I might accept that, if his adoptive family wasn't. And his eyes... I remember very clearly the gold when you were in Florida with me, and now they're black. Tell me the truth, Isabella Marie Swan." I panicked. Her simple view of life struck again, cutting through all the deceit, and piercing the truth straight in the heart.

"I don't know what to tell you…" That was true, I didn't. If I lied, I would be no doubt found out, but the truth was so dangerous I shuddered just thinking about telling her. This was the moment I'd feared, the moment where her innocent human world collided painfully with my dangerous mythical one.

"You can tell me." She prompted. I sighed, and tried to figure out what to do. Just then, Alice dashed in my room – human speed thank god- and pulled me up.

"Edward's in your car! Wedding crisis!" She pulled me away from my mom. Once we were in the car she sighed in relief.

"The second I saw that conversation I rushed up here… looks like perfect timing on my part, again. Anywise, there is a wedding crisis… we need to plan the reception!" She laughed as we pulled away. I groaned, and they both laughed at my reaction.

"Look at it this way- you can argue your points." Edward pointed out. I glared at him, making his smile widen. When we arrived at the Cullen house, Rosalie was waiting outside the house, a wicked smile on her face. Great, she was in on it too. When we walked in the door, Alice led me to the backyard, where everything was being set up for the reception.

"Roses or lilies?" She asked, pointing to the centerpieces on the tables, already cloaked in an over decretive white, frilly table cloth. Before I could say anything, Edward declared,

"Freesia." Alice grimaced at him and wrote it down on a sheet of paper.

"What music should we play?" This time she looked straight at me. I shrugged. "Ok, then, wedding singer it is. Food?"

"Those cute little mini weenies." I declared, at the same time Edward announced,

"The fancier the better. What about deviled eggs?" We glared at each other, and Alice laughed.

"Mini weenies it is!" She was enjoying this. " Last but not least, who will perform the ceremony… I've got Rev. David, or"

"Emmett!" I cut her off. She glared.

"He'll try to crack a joke…" She warned, and I shrugged. She pouted as she wrote it down. "Ok, all done. Edward, tomorrow you'll really go hunting, so you don't look too bad, and Bella, I'm gonna hold you hostage!" She smiled. Tomorrow came too quickly, and when I woke up I was in the stupid bed in Edward's room.

" Um… why am I here?" I asked Alice wearily, who was sitting across the room on the couch, watching me.

" I brought you here when Charlie left to go fishing with Renee, I left a note saying you're with me. We're going to curl your hair, and adjust your dress for a perfect fit. That should take most of the day. Then you will sleep, and during the night we'll do your makeup, as the wedding is happening first light." She said all this in one breath, and so fast I barely understood her.

She and Rosalie worked all day, and her plan worked out perfectly. They had just enough time to relax and practice walking up the isle with me. Soon I heard low chatter as people took their seats, out front the house. I started to hyperventilate, before Alice led me down to the scene, and it was time.

Edward was beautiful beyond compare. I concentrated on my feet, trying not to trip. Charlie took my arm, and we awaited the signal to start to walk. It all felt like I was dreaming, everything swirling in and out of focus. Maybe that was because I had stopped breathing. I was trying to regulate my breathing with Charlie's when we set out down the isle. The walk seemed impossibly long, but when we got there, Edward took my hand, rubbing comforting circles with his thumb. It was a magical moment. Emmett cracked one, two, three, I lost count of how many jokes, and finally, it was almost over.

" Edward Cullen, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do." Edward didn't hesitate, staring deep into my eyes.

"And do you, Isabella Swan take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?" I looked around, at all the faces of the people I would be leaving behind. I saw Sam and Billy sitting at the back, Sam quivering slightly. Renee, Charlie, Angela, Mike, Jessica, Eric, all the people who loved me so dearly and got nothing in return. In that second, I realized what had been staring me in the face all along. Edward Cullen was worth it all. He was worth the sacrifices I was about to make. I was going to turn into a vampire for him. I loved him, and he loved me back. He was worth it. I marveled at the simple fact I had known all along, but never realized, as I said,

"I…. I do." It felt right. It felt like... like the truth. The truth always helps, especially when it brought the promise of a joyful eternity. I did take him as my husband. There weren't truer words in the world, exempt maybe the phrase 'I love Edward Cullen more than life itself'.

" Then I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss the bride." Emmett smiled at Edward, and we kissed. He was mine. I was his. In three days I would be a vampire. And there was nothing else that mattered in universe.