A/N Thanks Stephenie Meyer who owns all rights to the characters and I own nothing. I am not a fan of monster stories and would have never read the story had it not been for Ilyssa. I can honestly say that the love story captured me in Eclipse, the 3rd book of the series, and I was so captivated that I had to read it twice, immediately. But my daughter's favorite is Breaking Dawn and she wanted an EPOV so here I go here I go . . . Did I mention that I don't own anything Twilight and am getting no money no benefit and do not desire in any way to infringe on the rights and ownership. If you enjoy what I write then send Stephenie Meyer some money and forget about me . . .

The dialogue is used without permission and for reference purposes and maintain the consistency. All rights belong to Stephenie Meyer, whom I hope agrees with me that Edward is just a kid, hopelessly in love.

Thanks to Danceswithvampires - best beta around!

______

Unconsciousness of self is not so much unselfishness as it is the mental ability to extinguish all thought of one's self—exactly as one turns out the light. Emily Post

When I speak, I call her Bella, but in my innermost thoughts, she is always, Miss Isabella Swan. She is seated next to me wearing – actually, her clothing holds no significance to me. It's her eyes, brown pools of warmth, her smell (gentle freesia), and her good soul that hold my attention.

Certainly she is a woman of this new millennium, because I am not allowed to address her in the manner in which I was raised to. She would be called Bella, and only my silent heart would reflect the love and adoration of addressing her as Miss Swan.

In meeting her, I finally understood the obscurity of women -- that only love would reveal.

But because I am not a mortal, our love has a dark side. I am a vampire. My thirst, my fiendish desire is to taste and drink every ounce of her sweet, warm blood. The thirst is as much a part of me as my eyes, hands and legs. Somehow, the mystery of Miss Isabella Swan calmed the immortal monster allowing me a bit of control over my basic nature.

With my thirst at bay, through fragile control, I was rewarded with something better, something that only Miss Swan could reveal. Love. And by some miracle, Miss Swan honored me with the magic of her returned love.

And it is that love that has us sitting in her living room today, waiting to announce our engagement.

My human father, long ago deceased, would have considered my engagement as an acceptable and welcomed event, a rite of passage.

However, in my future father-in-law's eyes, I am much too young, as is his daughter. It is rather intriguing that I have found this most charming and mysterious woman to be my bride, just when the era has changed to frown upon marriage.

Damn immortality.

I turned my head to look at my reward for the years of waiting, and she began to twirl the engagement ring I'd given her, a ring that had once belonged to my mother. She looked at the floor, up at the wall and again to the floor. The whole time, the engagement ring circled her finger over and over.

We waited. Her nerves were on edge, unsure of her father's reaction to the news. He would without a doubt, be rather hesitate to approve, especially since his own youthful marriage failed.

Her uneasiness began to cause me to doubt our decision to marry so quickly. She would give up so much: her father, her mother, her friends, but more disconcerting, she would give up her soul because her agreement to marry came at the price of my agreement to make her a vampire.

The loss of her soul haunted me. However, she refused to allow me solace. She wanted me forever, I was too selfish to be without her.

I truly wondered how I earned the right to have someone so charming and intelligent to love me in the same way I loved her. Forever is not enough.

I glanced at her brown hair-gently lying across her shoulders, framing her beautiful, flushed face. Her looks rivaled only her presence, full of delight and brilliance. It was her scent-- something like flowers -freesia that continues to call to me--that forces the thirst to burn my throat. A thirst that will not be quenched.

Unlike the women of today, who leave nothing to the imagination, Miss Swan is unreadable. I could hear the thoughts of everyone, but her. She thinks- that something is wrong with her brain. She is mistaken.

However, today Miss Swan was obviously anxious.

I was frustrated by her hesitation, but I understood that my frustration would not help to calm her, so I focused on a diversion. I turned to look into her eyes.

"Would you like to hear how we would have courted and married, had you been a part of my life when I first became an eligible bachelor?"

"Somehow, I do not think I would have fit into your world back then," she sighed.

"Oh, but I am certain, you would have been the best of the seasons . . . offering of eligible young women," I confidently stated. Miss Swan grimaced at the words. "You know the story Rosalie told you about her life before she became a vampire?"

"Yes. She was her parents' prized daughter, and her only goal was to marry well – have a baby and live happily in a beautiful big house." She said as she settled her hands in mine.

"Well, yes - but do you remember that it was her beauty that allowed her parents' hope of a son-in-law that would raise their stature in society?"

"Oh, interesting."

"Bella, like Rosalie, my parents cherished me as well- not because of looks, but because I was their only son, and when the time came, I would take over the family business, and care for my widowed mother and unmarried sister. I was expected to carry on the family name as well, and I, through marriage, was the son-in-law that a family like Rosalie's coveted."

"Oh, that sounds rather like a Jane Austin novel," she replied.

"Perhaps it does seem like that, but that was the way of the times." I refocused my eyes on her soft lips. "I would have met you at a dance or maybe a tea, but certainly at the debutant ball. My invite was certain."

She interrupted. "Yes, I can see how you would have been invited. I guess there would have been many girls biting at the bit for a chance at you." She then started to bite her bottom lip.

"No other girl would have caught my attention. I have always waited for you." The corners of her lips curved as if she would protest. "I think you would have been introduced during the same season as my sisters."

"You had more than one sister?"

"Well, actually, I had three older and one younger. My parents cherished their daughters and pursued every opportunity to properly introduce them into society, a sure method for marriage. You and I would have met at one of the occasions, and I would have been dazzled by you." I smiled at the thought of her in a blue chiffon dress, with lace covering her upper torso, her hair swept up in a delicate pattern of curls.

"The young ladies, including you and my older sisters, would stand at the back of the room, furthest away from the entrance door, all lined in a row and each one holding a bouquet of flowers presented to them by their father. Behind all of the debutants would be a long table draped in white, overflowing with flowers of differing varieties sent by young bachelors, in hopes that their flowers would grace the hand of a lovely debutante. You would have stood near my sisters, holding your own bouquet of flowers -- perhaps from me?"

She puffed at my question, but her nervousness seemed to subside, so I continued my story.

"Guest would arrive and move gracefully to the place of introductions. Congratulations would be made to parents. Greetings would be made to daughters. You would have enjoyed the receiving line as flattery was withheld, for such intimate statements were offered by only the dearest friends of the debutants. Simple statements of gratitude at the invite and well wishes would abound as gentlemen suitors would be properly introduced to each debutant. After the receiving line ended, it would be time for me to make my move." I pulled her hands closer to me.

"Miss Swan, will you honor me with a dance, I would say, and your reply would have been-"

"Yes. But you would have been sorry the first time I stepped on your foot or made you fall," she joked.

"No, Bella, you would have fit very well in my arms, sure and steady, and all the women in the room would have been green with envy because my attention would have stayed on you despite their protests.

"I would quickly make my intentions known to you, so that you would be certain that there was no need to entertain other suitors. Once I received parental approval and affirmations of love, I would seek out your engagement ring. I would find you something simple, yet elegant, possibly an emerald or maybe a diamond. My heart would be aflutter as I presented the ring to you at our engagement party." I kissed her hand where her engagement ring rested snugly on her finger.

"We would have a short engagement, but our wedding would be the affair of the year. It would be a beautiful procession honoring our love and commitment. I would write a symphony of music played while guest arrived. The church would be covered with fresh flowers and soft candlelight. People from all over would come to see us exchange wedding vows."

"My heart would beat loudly throughout the ceremony until the part when we were introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Because at that point, no one would be able to take you away from me, and you would be happy for the rest of your life, I would make certain of that. You would be my wife until death do us part," I finished.

Miss Swan adjusted her weight towards me, "I could never live after your death; I will only marry you 'for as long as we both shall live.'"

"I do!" was my reply as I leaned over to kiss her fragile lips, holding my thirst at bay. I pulled away, raising my eyebrow. "But that was nearly a century ago, and times have changed to the point where you cringe at every aspect of our wedding, including telling your parents. Perhaps, you can succumb to the beauty and majesty of it all - for me?" I said hopefully. She leaned back onto the couch contemplating my request. I waited before I continued.

"Bella, you are also a favorite child, albeit an only child. You mustn't be nervous about their reactions; it is no different than parental reactions from my time. Please relax and allow your parents to come to terms that this is a wonderful decision for you, rather than an insult and mistake - we love each other." I smiled mischievously, adding, "And if that is not enough, I can always tell them that I am financially able to care for you."

"Don't be a show-off Edward. You know they don't care about money in that way, and neither do I," she concluded with a tisk.

I heard Charlie's cruiser turn onto the street. "He is almost home," I informed her.

"Well, don't you forget that I am a cherished daughter of the Chief of Police of Forks when you ask for my hand in marriage, and that my dad carries a gun!" She teased.

"You have already said yes, and you're 18 years old - I don't have to ask for your hand, Miss Swan," I replied, and she once again let out a puff of air and started to move her hand under her leg.

"Bella, stop fidgeting. Please try to remember that you're not confessing to a murder here," I demanded trying to calm not only her but myself, as well, as I pulled her hand back into mine.

The door opened, and Miss Swan's heart started to beat rapidly. "Calm down, Bella," I whispered.

Charlie came into the house. "Hi, Charlie," I called, more nervous than my voice revealed. It was at this point that I decided that I was once again that seventeen-year-old human boy, and my nerve started to stagger. I could hear his non-verbal reply to my greeting. Doesn't he have a home to go to? He was in a good mood today I surmised.

"No," Miss Swan whispered to me.

"What?" I whispered back trying to hear Charlie's thoughts. That boy is always here, and I bet he's sitting in my favorite spot.

"Wait till he hangs up his gun!" Miss Swan answered.

A smile crossed my face, because even if Charlie did shoot me, the bullet would settle just under my marble-hard skin, like a splinter, causing mere irritation but easily removed like a thorn. Then I remembered that I was seventeen again; so I chuckled nervously, trying to settle my shaking free hand by running it through my hair.

Okay, put on an act for Bella, stay calm, be polite, Charlie thought.

"Hey, kids. What's up?"

It was my turn to speak. The moment I had waited for was finally here, I swallowed, my excitement at the wonder of Miss Swan becoming my bride in my forethoughts.

"We'd like to talk to you. We have some good news." I turned to look at my bride-to-be.

"Have a seat Dad."

Charlie pulled his eyebrows into a 'v', reminding me of the way Miss Swan looked when contemplating the unknown. Oh, what is going on here? She is sweating and that boy looks so . . goofy, unlike his usual self-assuredness. Stay calm, Charlie, stay calm.

"Don't get worked up, Dad. Everything's okay," Miss Swan said after a moment, discounting all of my excitement. A silent shiver went down my motionless back. Then I remembered. I would be the winner at the end of this discussion. She already said yes.

"Sure everything's okay, Bella. So if everything's okay, why are you sweating bullets?"

"I'm not sweating," she disagreed, absently taking her free hand to remove the perspiration from her forehead.

She is sweating. Oh no, he got my girl pregnant! I'll kill him! I'll kill him! I leaned back in my seat, waiting for the explosion of words to come.

"You're pregnant!" There it was. He said it, just as Miss Swan predicted. He would not be the only person to assume she was expecting, and we had to get married. "You're pregnant, aren't you?"

He looked directly at me when he asked, slightly moving his hand towards his revolver.

You better not lie and say it isn't yours! This is just crazy, she is too young to have a baby. How are they going to manage? Oh yeah, he's rich, so he thinks he can take advantage of my little girl like this. He'd better man up!

"No! Of course I'm not!" Miss Swan declared.

Charlie's thoughts cleared as his face colored. You better be glad I believe her! "Oh. Sorry." He said to Miss Swan.

"Apology accepted" she said.

I waited to see if Miss Swan would save me from the fear that had held my tongue during the last few seconds, but I saw the wrinkles form across her forehead. I would have to make the announcement. I'd watch others do it, and I remembered my etiquette. I could do it. I then smiled at Miss Swan and turned my attention and body towards her father, shifting my weight forward.

"Charlie, I realize that I've gone about this out of order. Traditionally, I should have asked you first. I mean no disrespect, but since Bella has already said yes and I don't want to diminish her choice in the matter, instead of asking you for her hand, I'm asking you for your blessing. We're getting married in August, Charlie. I love her more than anything in the world, more than my own life, and by some miracle, she loves me that way too. Will you give us your blessing?"

I did it! I did it! I shared the good news, and I don't have to do anything further but wait. Being a young man in love takes guts, and I didn't let mine spill out all over the floor. I did it, and now we can move forward to the most precious union. Miss Swan was right, although understated: everything is okay.

As I finished my silent revelry, Charlie's thoughts became an urgent cry. He glanced at the ring on his daughter's finger.

Breathe, breathe, it's okay. She is eighteen, I can't stop her, but she is so young. My goodness, didn't she run away from him because she didn't want to get stuck here in Forks? Charlie's color started to change. He was holding his breath. This is crazy-- a teenage marriage, just like me and Renee. Is she out of her mind? Breathe, breath. Well, at least she isn't pregnant, but she soon will be. It's okay, breathe. She just finished high school.

Charlie's color changed again, and Ms. Swan started to rise to assist. I gently pulled her back, not sure I would be able to hold onto my own composure until he answered. "Give him a second," I whispered.

Why do they want to do this to themselves? They can wait. Love. Look at that goofy smile still on his face.

He started shaking his head. "I should have known something like this was going to happen. I shouldn't be surprised."

He looked at his daughter. "You sure about this?"

"I'm one hundred percent sure about Edward," she quickly affirmed.

My goofy smile widened. At that very moment I was in a stupor. My Miss Swan is amazing. I was dazzled.

"Marriage, though. What's the hurry?" The 'v' appeared at his eyebrows once again as he continued to look at his only child.

"Charlie, we're going to Dartmouth together in the fall and I want to do things the right way. It's how I was raised." I replied in earnest. There was no way I would dishonor her.

Well at least he doesn't want to live in sin with her. I can't really stop them. I can't stop them from getting married. I can't stop them from living in sin. What choice do I have but to bless the marriage? They're too young. I should have been ready for this. Why didn't I put a plan into action? Because I can't stop her from loving him anymore than I could keep them apart, they're kind of a package deal, just like she told me. Why didn't I prepare?

"Knew something like this was coming." Charlie muttered. Wait! Her mother! When Renee hears this, she's going to hit the roof. Yeah, I can't stop them, but maybe Renee can. Charlie's face returned to its normal color and his eyebrows relaxed, as he formulated a plan to derail my marriage.

"Dad?" Miss Swan called concerned that his face had calmed. She turned to me, but I was unreadable, certain that the deluge of objections that Charlie expected from Renee would never come. She was already resolved about our relationship.

"Ha!" Yeah, Renee will be able to handle the both of them.

Miss Swan jumped at Charlie's outburst. I squeezed her nearer.

"Ha, ha, ha, yeah go ahead get married, but . . ." Charlie doubled over laughing.

"But what?" Miss Swan demanded.

"But you have to tell your mother! I'm not saying a thing to Renee! You got to tell her yourself!" He continued to laugh out loud.

I figured now was as good a time as any for our exit. "Thank you, Charlie." I had everything I needed, and it was time to make our announcement to her mother. I gently pulled Miss Swan up from her seat and ushered her into the kitchen. Once there, I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her. Charlie's laughter did not subside.

"Well, let's call Renee," I said, as I sat down in a chair and guided her onto my lap. I was totally focused.

"Don't you think that was bad enough? Why do we have to do this now?"

"Bella, everything's – what's that seriously unassuming word you used with Charlie – okay. We can do this."

"Yeah, she wants to hear about teenage marriages just about as much as she wants to see puppies drowning in hot water."

I picked up the phone and punched the numbers. I must admit that I was afraid to tell her mother our good news. I wasn't quite sure of the appropriate way to ask someone's mother. Didn't the daughter always inform the mother, or was it the father? I didn't know, but I was sure that it was not my job to let Renee know. I passed the phone to my Miss Swan.

"Chicken," she said as she took the phone from me and placed it to her ear. My exceptional hearing meant I could listen to the conversation without having to put my ear to the phone. I waited through the initial pleasantries and finally, she choked out the words, "Mom, I'm marrying Edward in August."

There was no moment of hesitation in Renee's response.

"Well, Bella, I'm a little miffed that you waited so long to finally tell me. Plane tickets are expensive at the last minute. I wonder if Phil's cast will be off so he won't ruin the pictures because he won't be able to wear a tux –"

"Wait a minute, Mom, what do you mean waited so long to tell you? We just got --" My darling fiancée couldn't say engaged!

"We just decided today," she confessed,

"Really, that's a surprise. Today? I just assumed. . .?"

"You assumed what? When did you assume?"

"When you and Edward were here back in April, I assumed it was just a get-to-know-you visit, so there would be no objections based on my 'barely knowing him.' Neither of you were hard to read. Honestly, I didn't say anything because I knew it wouldn't have mattered one bit. Once you decided that Edward was the one, you would stick to your decision. You are like your father when it comes to decisions."

My future bride leaned back into my arms, surprised at what she had heard. She continued to listen.

"You're not making my mistakes, Bella. You sound like you're scared, probably of my reaction and the reactions of others." I heard Renee giggle. "You're probably scared of what I think or what others will think. Well, everyone has an opinion on marriage, and well, my statements on marriage and stupidity apply only to me. You are a different person than I am. I'm rather scatter brained, not you. You can make a decision and it often makes me feel like the kid and you're the parent because of the way you are able to come to a conclusion. I know you can make mistakes, and maybe it would be better if you waited a little longer, but you won't make my mistakes and won't have my regrets. Commitment has never been a problem for you. Because you don't have that problem, you have a better chance at making your marriage work than people twice your age." Renee laughed again. "You were born old Bella. Luckily, you have seemed to found another old soul."

check"You're not . . . upset? You don't think I'm making a colossal mistake of my life?"

"No, I'm not upset, like I said, I'd prefer that you wait a few more years, but no, I'm not upset. I mean, do I look old enough to be a mother-in-law to you? Forget I asked that. Just remember that this is about you. Are you happy?"

"I don't know. I'm having an out-of-body twilight zone moment right now."

Renee had chuckled. "Does he make you happy, Bella?"

"Yes, but –"

"Are you ever going to want anyone else?"

"No, but –"

"But what?"

"But aren't you going to say that I sound like every other infatuated teenager since the dawn of time?"

"You've never been a teenager, sweetie. You know what's best for you."

*My Miss Swan relaxed when she finally allowed her mother's comforting words to sink in. Hopefully, this meant that there would be no more fidgeting and no more uneasiness. She would happily meet me at the altar to exchange vows.

The next few weeks were a blur. Our mothers spent countless hours making plans and organizing the entire affair. They seemed to get along without any problems, which made the time most enjoyable.

I was able to slip in and send a wedding invitation to Miss Swan's best friend, Jacob. If she had chosen him, then I would have wanted to have the opportunity to attend their wedding, to give my congratulations to the groom and best wishes to the bride. Upon receipt of the invitation, Jacob left the area. He was part of the Quileute people and his tribal bloodlines caused him to fulfill the true legend—he could phase into a wolf.

It was only Charlie that made efforts to find Jacob. He fretted over Jacob's disappearance. Jacob's father, Billy Black, was well aware that his son was grieving and in wolf form. Charlie also sulked about his daughter's impeding wedding. He avoided long conversations with us. Thankfully, he no long thought snide remarks about me. Seemingly, he focused on Renee. He found Renee's acceptance of our marriage to be the ultimate betrayal.

I was allowed to pick out a new car for my Miss Swan, because her beat-up red truck no long was able to provide transportation. I was happy to put her into a much safer vehicle. I chose a Mercedes Guardian; there was no way would she would be injured. It took a small fortune, and it had been promised to a diplomat in South Africa, so I could only borrow the car. It was not a big concern, because soon after the honeymoon, I would fulfill my promise and change my Miss Swan into a vampire. Changing her seemed inappropriate, but I had made a promise.

My wedding present to her would be a more permanent car, for when the Mercedes Guardian was no longer needed.

I also spent my time arranging our honeymoon. I tried to plan every moment, from the time we left forks to the time we returned. I knew from past experience that cold climate would chill more than just my Miss Swan's hands and feet, and only one place would be warm enough. I called and made plane, car, and boat arrangements. I brushed up on the local languages. I arranged for all our meals, including picnics and snacks. Well, actually, all her meals, because food was unnecessary for me. I watched the Food Channel and cooking network to learn to make dishes. I reviewed books on the local attractions, animals and scenery. I paused when I began to plan our nights.

On the day before the wedding, I volunteered to pick up Renee and Phil for the rehearsal dinner, in hopes that I would spend a few moments alone with Renee.

"Phil, Edward and I will be in the lobby talking. Give us a few minutes, and then come and join us." Renee said

"Thank you for agreeing to talk with me."

"Why so formal, you will soon be my son-in-law." I can't imagine what has him so worried and how I can help him solve any problem he may have. He seems quite competent.

"I want to ask your advice, Renee. First, I trust that you will be sensitive to my discomfort in this matter, but -- I can find no one better to discuss my concerns with. This is a rather delicate matter, one that requires some discretion for both Bella and me. I trust that you would hold this conversation in strict confidence."

"Sure. What's wrong?" What can he possible be so worried about that he wouldn't go to his own adoptive parents? They are perfectly reasonable people, who seem to absolutely adore him and Bella. It doesn't seem as though he wants to leave my daughter at the altar. Maybe he wants to postpone. "Edward, relax. I'll help in any way possible."

"Thank you for your support, Renee that means quite a lot to me." I took a deep breath, knowing that Renee was the only person I could truly ask. Esme never spoke of her human life and my sisters never married. Yes, she would help me. "Well, you know how much I love Bella. I am dazzled by her more and more each day. There will never be anyone else for me. Bella is my one, only, and always love. I would never harm her, and would easily give my life to keep her safe."

Renee's thoughts interrupted my rehearsed speech. Where is he going with this? I can't follow what he's saying -- why doesn't he just get to the point?

"Well then, putting aside all modesty. How can I make our wedding night … special … I don't . . I don't want to . . ." I growled my face turning to pain, never finishing my sentence.

Renee was frozen. My, this is surprising. It appears that they have waited to have sex. How can I explain? He'll have to be very patient. He won't be able to avoid -but forget -- if he doesn't rush. First love. Only love. She seemed to carefully choose her words as she spoke, "I imagine that the two of you are virgins then."

"Yes – there has never been anyone else. I will never want anyone else." I didn't add that I was a vampire and that I could likely kill Miss Swan on our honeymoon. I couldn't tell her of my controlled kisses and embraces. A mere rub along her arm would bruise or even worse tear away her skin. I was so thinly controlled. I had no way of telling her how hard it would be for me to refrain from the strongest desire of a vampire, second only to thirst. Desires that would kill my Miss Swan. "I have planned all aspects of our honeymoon. It will be the happiest time of her life. In this one matter, I am at a lost."

She completely surprised me by leaning over the table and kissing my forehead. So often humans were afraid to even stand near vampires.

"Trust yourself, Edward; you are not capable of hurting her. When you think things are out of control, focus on her needs. This is a special and once in a lifetime experience for you both. Just remember, your wedding night is not a race, but a journey through your love for one another. Let Bella decide the pace you will travel, and she will be fine, you both will."

This is so sweet…

"Thank you." I said, pretending that I was seventeen again and that my love would protect my Miss Swan, as Renee's thoughts continued. Wow, Bella has really found her perfect soulmate. I wonder how long it will be before their journey makes me a grandma…ugh.

We both smiled. So many secrets -- there would be no children, vampires were sterile. Phil soon joined us, cast-free, and we all walked to my Volvo and proceeded to the rehearsal dinner. "So where are you all going on your honeymoon?" Phil asked.

"It's a secret." I started the engine and headed to see my Miss Swan, comforted that my century wait for tomorrow was finally here.