The Wedding: Disclaimer The following story is purely fan-made. All of the Twilight books and characters are owned by Stephenie Meyer.
The Wedding
'Throw the bouquet, Bella!'
'Geez, Alice. Do I have to? I've already cooperated with the main part of the wedding-'
'The more the reason to finish what we've already started. Besides I've never caught one before. You of all people would give me a chance to, wouldn't you?' Those molten gold eyes of hers- that I've come to know so well- bore upon me pleadingly.
'If you insist...' I sighed, how long was this ceremony going to take? These heels were already digging painfully into my foot.
I raised my arms high above my head, preparing to launch the arranged bouquet of, ironically, orchids and white tiger lilies.
That was when I recognised the tall, lean shadow- darker than the others- standing a few yards away.
That brief contact with his eyes, as I turned towards him, only to watch his back disappearing into the depths of the forest, was enough to send the emotions I've been harbouring at the back of my mind crashing back again, with a heightened vigour.
That moment replaying over and over relentlessly, until the sheer intensity crippled me, leaving me breathless…
That- I knew with an unexplainable certainty- was the last time I'll ever see him again.
The sight of his pained expression, as our eyes met fleetingly for the very last time, etched deeply in my mind's eye. His back gradually turning away from me- out of my life- vanishing into the darkness, forever…
Something cool cradled me as a fresh flow of tears welled up in my eyes; soothingly stroking my feverish forehead; comforting me whilst I sobbed.
What have I done? Will he ever forgive me? If he doesn't, it's all my own fault. What was I thinking?
'Humour me, Bella,' Edward muttered swiftly under his breath, only loud enough for me to comprehend his words, as he took my shaking hand from Charlie's trembling arm as the latter grudgingly released me, 'You look as if you're attending a funeral, and not your own wedding.'
This was true. Last night left me somewhat disoriented and Jacob's absence at the ceremony only added to my anxiety. It was better this way for the all of us- morally anyway- yet I couldn't help but feel an ominous sign looming ahead, as I stared up at the altar where the vicar- otherwise known as Emmett- cheekily winked at me.
I drew in a deep breath to calm the conflicting emotions within, as Emmett began the ceremony, in a strong, animated voice.
'Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the face of this congregation to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony…'
His voice drifted away; his words inaudible as my attention wandered elsewhere.
I'd been dreading this day for months, regretted it as soon as the words of approval escaped my lips. All through the summer, this omniscient date had lurked in ambush, waiting to spring, to terrorise my new-found happiness.
Suppose it came true, what would I do? What should I do?
A confrontation on what was supposed to be the luckiest, happiest day of my life was the last thing on my wish list.
Just a dream, I reminded myself, repeating it like a mantra. Just a dream.
Yet what if… somehow…
Emmett's strong voice tore me from my reverie, projecting loudly to the audience the impending question:
'If any man can show any just cause or impediment why they may not be lawfully joined together, let him speak now or forever hold his peace.'
Suddenly, a loud portentous noise interrupted the silence as the broad, wooden chapel doors were swung open, revealing an impossibly tall, familiar figure strolling down the aisle confidently, face obscured by the sun that streamed in behind him as he proceeded towards- me.
The watching crowd stirred, drawing breath as one, as recognition dawned upon them.
Jacob Black. Beside me, Edward stood crouched with a look of disgust pasted across his marble-smooth face. For one fleeting moment, the corners of his lips curled back, almost inhumanly.
'I object.'
Outtake- What was meant to be:
My attention was jerked back to the now and then by Edward's musical voice.
'I, Edward Cullen, take you, Isabella Swan, as my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.'
I guess it was a pretty typical ceremonial scene, one that I myself have seen in millions of romantic movies.
So why did tears spring to my eyes at the sound of it?
Oh, not at the ludicrous vows I was soon to repeat- though it might as well have been. I mean 'until death do us part'? We won't be married long if that's the case, seeing as one of us is one of the undead and the other soon to be following him-; or my mother and father, weeping in the background; or the uncomfortable situation I was in, in this far too frilly, itchy gown Alice had had especially designed for this day.
No, it was the fact that the reality of what he said had just registered in my mind that made the tears well up.
I was finally leaving my friends and family, Forks- the town I hated so much- my life and…
No, this was neither the time nor place to withdraw those memories.
'I, Isabella Swan, take you, Edward Cullen, to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.'