"I'm going to be honest, Bella" Charlie said trying to sound stern. "I kind of always hoped that you and Jacob would work things out." He said sitting on one of the small wooden benches in Alice's room. "I never thought you and Edward would last this long. I hope you can understand why I'm a little nervous about today." He was starting to be more of a worrywart then I was.
"Dad," I started, walking over to sit on the bench next to him "I love Edward. It's always going to be Edward. I know that you thought he was a phase or something, but he's not so bad. You need to give him a chance." I said as I stood up to look at myself in the full length mirror.
"Maybe I do..." he said trailing off in thought for a minute.
"There are just some things that I don't think Jacob and I can ever work out. Besides, Dad, it's my wedding day...Can we just pretend that you're excited?" I joked.
"Well, I'll let you finish getting ready. I think I should talk to Emmett and make sure he knows this is a serious thing and not to goof around too much."
"Dad, it's a wedding, not a funeral." I said crossing my arms. "Emmett knows how to behave."
As soon as Charlie left I turned back to the mirror and had my Anne of Green Gables vision again. The custom 1918 inspired dress that Alice had had made was more beautiful that I thought at first. The early evening light of the setting sun glinted happily off the beading. The cream colored vintage lace was in all the right places, and the veil laid softly on my shoulders. Then I heard a knock at the door. "Who is it?" I asked without taking my eyes off the mirror.
"It's Esme,
sweetheart. Can I come in?" I walked over to the door and opened
it.
"Hi." I said softly as she came into the room.
"You look beautiful, Bella!" She said taking both of my hands in hers. I could feel the blood rushing to my cheeks. I did a small spin for her. Despite the fact that I hated big productions, I was happy with the way the wedding plans had turned out. "I just wanted to come and see how you were. I understand from Edward that Vegas would have been more your speed." She smiled warmly.
"It's ok. I'm kind of glad we decided to do it this way. This way the people I love can be here." I said laughing.
"Until Edward met you, I was worried that he would never find love. I was worried that Carlisle had changed him to young. Then he met you. The day he came back from his week in Alaska we could all tell something was different. He seemed happy, and now here we are, the wedding day I never thought would come." She said. If she'd been human she'd have been crying like a proud mother.
"Oh Esme!" I said throwing my arms around her neck and giving her the biggest hug I could. I heard her laugh softly. I think the stress of the day was starting to make me crazy.
About half and hour later the sun had set and the Cullen's front lawn was full of people. There were twinkle lights dripping from every tree and small white paper lanterns hanging over every part of the lawn. Flowers and organza were hanging off the end of each row of seating, and an ivory satin walkway had been placed between the two groupings of chairs with red rose petals scattered across it. It was a perfectly clear night, the kind where every star in the sky was visible. Watching from the window in Alice's room, I saw them all start to take their seats. Carlisle and Jasper walked over to their places. Alice silently snuck up on me to tell me it was time. Her vintage burgundy bridesmaid gown twinkled in the light from the room. When I walked out of the front of the house and to my place at the end of the walkway the chatter of the 50 guests seem to quiet to a silence. The music started but not the usual here comes the bride. Instead we had decided that Edward compose something himself. When I could see him in his suit at the end of the aisle all the fear I'd had about big productions, and what people would think floated happily out of my head. It was only him. He was all I could see. Charlie gave me away, and Edward took my hand as we met each others gaze. His golden eyes were dancing with delight, he was loving this.
Emmett cleared his throat and stood up completely straight with his hands crossed in front of him at the waist. "I'm not very good with speeches, so let's get down to why we're here." I could hear Charlie making a protesting sound behind me, and Renee was sniffing loudly. I tried to ignore them the best I could. Emmett himself had been married to Rosalie in several different weddings over the decades; he would know what to say.
"Edward?" He asked turning his head to look at him. "It's all you." He smirked. Edward didn't take his eyes off of me as he spoke.
"Bella," he paused looking at our hands "You came into my life like a whirlwind. I thought I knew the path that my life would take, until you showed me a new way to live. I love you more than anything in this world, and I am so happy that we can be lucky enough to be together forever." Carlisle handed Edward a thin silver band that he slipped on my finger above his mother's engagement ring before pulling my hand up and kissing the top of it. Gah, I'm going to give new meaning to "blushing bride", I thought.
"Alright, Bella, now you" Emmett said quickly turning his attention to me, Charlie grumbled again behind me at Emmett's informality. I knew when I spoke that it came out more of a whisper.
"I don't have much to say," I paused as my mind went completely blank. Everything I'd been trying to remember, everything that I'd wanted to tell him had just flown out of my head. "I'm yours, Edward, and now you're mine...that's all I could ask for."
I gave Alice a sideways glance hoping she would pick up on the fact that I was out of things to say and hand me Edward's ring. The silver band looked good against his pale white skin, like it belonged there.
"Edward, kiss your bride!" Emmett boomed loudly. Edward's cool stone lips touched mine. When he pulled away I tried not to faint, that was embarrassing enough the first time it happened.
"Ladies and gentlemen of Forks, I give you Mr. and Mrs. Edward Cullen!" I could hear Alice giggle behind me, probably jumping up and down with excitement. Renee let out a loud wailing noise, pulling more tissues out of her purse. Edward gave me his crooked smile as we turned to face the guests who were standing on their feet clapping. Mike, Jessica, Angela, Ben, and Tyler were a small cheering section in the back corner.
The whole thing couldn't have lasted more then ten minutes.