Disclaimer: I do not own Twiligh nor the Corpse Bride

Till Death Unites You

Chapter 1: Vows

"Oh hello, Mr. Charles Swan, I assume." I could hear Mr. Masen, my uncle, mutter in a very tense voice. I knew I shouldn't be listening, but I couldn't help it, I was soon going to see my future bride. My knees were shaking like there was no tomorrow. I had only met her once when I was ten years old, but surely she had changed, and so had I.

"Oh please call me Charlie, very nice to meet you Mr. Masen." The voice said in a husky tone. I looked around the corner to see my future father in-law. Charlie wasn't very tall, but he was a head taller then my uncle. He had black curls and a quite kind face. Next to him stood a female, at first I thought it was Isabella, but she was much to old. She was however quite pretty, compared to my aunt. I hoped Isabella had some resemblance in them.

I couldn't follow anymore of what they were talking about, I was, well, scared. How could I live if I didn't like her, what if she was so ugly I couldn't even look at her? Inside or outside, it didn't really make any difference. A shiver was shot down my spine. My aunt and uncle had hardly ever let me see any girls, so I didn't really know what they looked like, well girls my age. I had seen old women and babies, but none like the girl I was going to wed.

"Oh, Mr. Masen, you have to get dressed, before your dear Isabella arrives." Hilda muttered and brushed my shirt. I stopped her, by grabbing her crumpled and old hands. She frowned, which made her wrinkly face even wrinklier, though it seemed like that couldn't be possible. "Your uncle wants you to look your best, my dear Edward, you are after all going to be wed to this young woman tomorrow." She snorted and pulled me along to my room. On my bed laid a black jacket, black pants, a blue grey tie and a white shirt. My aunt and uncle surely liked black.

"Can't I just wear this?" I asked and referred to my grey pants and a white button-up shirt. Hilda shook her head and pointed at the clothes and left me to change. I sighed heavily and put on the clothes. I looked at myself in the mirror, even as much as I hated it, my hair would never "lie down" I suppose you could say. It was like a wild bronze haystack, much to my aunt's frustration. I sighed once again.

Outside I could hear a horse neigh, my curiosity took over. I ran over to the window and saw the most beautiful being step out from the wagon. Long brown hair surrounded her heart shaped face. Her skin was as pale as the moon, her eyes were deep chocolate brown and her full lips were pink. If this was Isabella… my heart skipped a beat; I couldn't even imagine what I had done to deserve such a beauty. On her way to the door she tripped, my heart stopped for a second. Was she hurt? I pressed my face against the window, but then she quickly stood up again, casually, and brushed her dress and smiled, embarrassed, as if someone was looking at her, someone like me. And she continued to walk gracefully to the house, my house. I began panicking, I couldn't possibly marry this girl and look the way I did. I ran over to the mirror and begun pulling my hair down, to no use. As quickly as I let go of a strand of hair, it rose up again. My hands were sweating and trembling. The door opened with a squeak, I jumped and fell on my bed. Hilda stepped hesitatingly in.

"The girl is here Edward." She muttered and frowned when she saw my hair. I scowled at her, but the frown didn't leave her face. She mumbled something to herself and walked out the door, with me following her as a lost puppy.

I shiver every time I noticed the emptiness of this house. All the pictures of my ancestors, which glared at you for every step you took, didn't exactly help the depressing surroundings. Then we passed the picture of my 'real' family, mom, dad, Alice, Emmet and I. My mother and aunt didn't look anything a like, thought they were sisters. It seemed like my aunt had always been jealous of my mother, since she was so much prettier and more successful. I truly believe that that is why she disliked me so much. She held that against me. The only reason I stayed with them was because they, my real family, were dead; all of them, and I was the only one to survive. Hilda pulled my arm to follow her, waking me from my daydream.

"Come on, sir. They are waiting for you." We we're absolutely silent while we walked towards the stairs, I would've gotten a mental breakdown if it hadn't been for Hilda pulling me along. The muted voices from downstairs got louder and clearer.

"Oh Isabella, how nice to meet you." My aunt said emotionless as always, not making any effort to sound the slightest welcoming. Then I heard the most beautiful voice in the world, like a lullaby.

"Nice to meet you as well, Mrs. Masen, and please call me Bella." The words echoed through my head. Bella. Her name was Bella; it suited her perfectly.

The hallway was too long, I felt like running away from here and towards them at the same time, but none of them would be appropriate. I was going to meet my future wife; I really didn't want to make a bad first impression. Then we reached the stairs, only a few strides, and Hilda gave me a reassuring smile, not that it helped. I took a deep breath and began walking down. Why in the world didn't I stay downstairs to begin with so I wouldn't have to go through this, but no, I had to not think it through, as usual. This was almost to embarrassing to bear, what if I tripped and fell down flat on my face, making a fool of myself. I gulped. Her beautiful face lit up the grim room, her smile dazzled me and I almost tripped, again.

My aunt cleared her throat and looked sourly at her husband. "Oh yes, this is young Edward, Isabella." He mumbled. I could see her scowl at him for not using Bella, I think that's why she scowled at least, and then she looked at me and smiled. I almost tripped again; I really needed to get control over my own body.

"He is quite handsome, I must say. Right Charlie, good for our Bella." Mrs. Swan mumbled, like I wasn't there to hear.

Charlie snorted. "Yes he is, hope he has something inside that pretty head of his." My uncle laughed without emotion.

"Of course he does, he plays the piano as well, quite well, right Edward?" He turned to me with something I guess you could call a smile, if you looked closely. I didn't know what to say, I really hated talking about myself.

"I play the piano." I muttered like some brainless moron. Bella chuckled and I was seconds away from drooling. I smiled crookedly at her like the dazed idiot I was. Mr. Masen slapped me in the back of my head.

"Now, would you like some tea? Let us move to the dining room." My aunt muttered and Charlie and Mrs. Swan fallowed her into the next room, my uncle gave me a look and followed after them. Which left me alone with Bella. We stared at each other for a few seconds. I was sure I was blushing like mad. God, I never blushed!

"Ehm, let me introduce myself properly." I said in a shaky voice and reached my hand towards her. "I am Edward Anthony Masen, what a pleasure to meet you." She let me have her hand and I kissed it, her skin was so soft and warm. I looked up at her and if I wasn't mistaking, she was blushing. The pinkish colour raised from her throat and flowed on her cheeks. She was beautiful.

"I am Isabella Marie Swan, it's a pleasure to meet you as well, and please call me Bella." She smiled and dazzled me once again. Then there was an awkward silence and we stared at each other again. I couldn't help it, but unconsciously my gaze moved down at her well-shaped body and for a brief second I was glad to know that she was mine. God, that was disgusting and insane, I could not own a person. That was just wrong, but still I couldn't help but imagine her with out the corset and clothes…Edwards stop it, you are disgusting! I was sure my parents would turn in their grave if they knew what I was thinking. She just stared at me probably thinking I was insane.

"Eh, so you play piano?" She asked with her angelic voice, moving a strand of hair out of her face.

"Yes, would you like to hear?" Oh no, what did I just say!? To my surprise her face lit up.

"Of course, yes, I mean, I would love to!" She almost shouted, her enthusiasm was another thing that surprised me. I smiled crookedly again, damn why couldn't I have a normal smile. I shook my head and walked over to the piano. I sat down and patted the seat next to me. We exchanged a glance and she sat down, I didn't know why it exited me to have her sit down next to me, and hear me play. I shrugged and began playing, just improvisation.

She didn't say a word, which frightened me a bit; she hated it, but she wouldn't say anything. I immediately stopped playing and looked over at her. Bella had closed her eyes, and it didn't look like she was suffering, to be honest it looked like she was enjoying it. My heart began beating faster, what had this girl done to me?

"Please don't stop." She muttered without opening her eyes. I put my hands on the keys.

"You like my music?" I asked astonished, as if I had no confidence at all. She opened her eyes and gave me a sweet look.

"Of course I do silly, play more." She looked at me through her lashes. "Please." I was lost in her deep chocolate eyes, but I found myself eventually and continued to play.

Some one cleared their throat behind us. "Sir. Madam." Hilda muttered. "You have rehearsals now. Will you please follow me?" She gave us both a strange look and walked out the front door. I stood up and reached my hand towards Bella.

"Shall we?" She giggled and took my hand.

"We shall." She answered politely and took my arm.

..xxXxx..

At the chapel

"Boy! Do you not wish to be married!?" The minister shouted at me after I had failed to say my vows for the seventh time. I stared at him horror struck.

"Of course I do! I just can't… just can't…" I looked over at Bella, who I was hurting with my poor memory. How could I possibly deserve such a girl? She smiled at me encouraging and lit my candle that had been extinguished from my desperate attempts to remember my vows.

"You can't what!?" He shouted, spitting in my face. I opened my mouth, but words didn't come out.

"Maybe we should take a break." Bella suggested, and the minister was so angry smoke was steaming from his ears.

"That would be a good idea! Go memorize your vows boy, or this marriage will not take place!" He shouted and pointed a bony finger at me. I heard several gasps behind me and I couldn't say anything.

"Edward!" Uncle shouted, "Come here this instant!" I did as he said without looking up; I was terrified to meet anyone's gazes. I did a mistake and looked up, his horrific glare burned trough me, and he grabbed my ear. "You learn those vows in the next hour or I will really make you suffer." He threatened acidly. "Do you hear me?" He hissed under his breath. I nodded. "Good, now go and memorize!" He ordered and I did as he commanded. I glanced one last time over at Bella, who was playing with a lock of her hair. She looked up and met my gaze, smiled; dazzling me once again, so I ended up crashing in the door. I fell on my butt and rubbed my forehead.

"Ouch." I mumbled. Both my aunt and uncle hissed at me.

"Thought you said the boy had something in his head, Mr. Masen." Charlie chuckled along with his wife. I stood up quickly and brushed my clothes and walked out the door. I walked fast away, not really wanting to se their faces. A pair of light steps followed me.

"Edward wait!" She called. I stopped and turned around; she was almost running towards me.

"Are you all right?" Bella asked with a worried expression.

"Of course, I just hit my head a little." I reassured her and smiled slightly. "Excuse me miss, but I have to go rehears." I bowed and kissed her hand. "I will see you later." She looked worried and looked behind her and then kissed my cheek. My jaw dropped, she put a finger over my mouth. "Hush." Then she skipped back to the chapel. I stood there gazing after her, long after she had gone. I took a deep breath and decided to take a walk, to get some fresh air, hoping it would help my poor memory.

The wind was blowing furiously through the trees, and probably making my hair even messier then it already was, fantastic. The forest was quite grim; the whole city was grim, except her of course. Her perfect smile warmed my heart; I couldn't believe how a girl I had only known for a few hours could have such a big impact on me. Not that I really minded it. But how was I going to be able to wed her if I couldn't even say the vows right.

I walked quickly over the bridge that separated our little town from the big creepy forest. It had been raining constantly all week, but now it had stopped, there was still a large amount of fog covering out small town, but no rain. So I was hoping that was a sign. I took the ring out of my pocket and began.

"With this ring I will fill your sorrows, for I will be your light." No that didn't sound right. Why didn't I bring a piece of paper with the vows on? I was such a fool. I cleared my throat to speak clearer. "With this candle I will burn your sorrows…" I wanted to glare at myself, that didn't make any sense at all.

"Oh, why can't I get them right?" I cried out into the night, burying my face in my hands. I began playing with the wedding ring. What if I never got to put it on her hand, what if I never got to put it on anyone's hand? I threw it higher up, but it slipped out of my hands and landed perfectly on a stick, that looked like a hand.

"Maybe you will be my only bride, huh stick?" I mumbled to myself, not sure if I should laugh or cry. When to my great disappointment, the stick didn't reply, I continued on memorizing my vows:

"With this hand I will lift your sorrows. Your cup will never be empty, for I will be your wine. With this candle, I will light your way into darkness. With this ring, I ask you to be mine."

Finally! I almost squealed with delight, but I resisted the urge.

In the distant I could hear the town crier, well cry about a death. As always I was mostly curious to know who had had been so unlucky.

"YOUNG GIRL FOUND DROWNED IN THE RIVER! WAS TO BE MARRIED" I began running towards the crier. I tripped several times on my own feet trying to get to him before he left. I could see him in the distant, on the bridge. "UNLUCKY MISS ISABELLA SWAN DROWNED DAY BEFORE WEDDING!" My heart stopped beating for a second, this could not be. No.

So, this was the first chapter...What do you think?

I've had this idea for a while now, so now i finally decided to post it:) I hope you enjoyed it.

If you were expecting corpses and stuff...I'm sorry your gonna have to wait until the next chapter ;P

But before you leave(and hopefully leave a review with your thoughts on this story) I want to thank my wonderful beta Zombie's Run This Town! She has some awesome stories I highly recomend!

Anyway, thank you reading and please, please review!

Lots of love to you all, Kjersti :)