The characters in this story as well as the basis idea of this story belong to Stephanie Meyer.
The sun was setting behind me as I drove furtively away from Forks heading toward La Push. I knew I only had a couple of minutes before Edward would catch up to me. For the first time I was thankful for the ostentatious tank of a luxury car he had given me shortly after our engagement. As the speedometer raced above the 100 mph mark I was thankful for the two tons of armored plating on this vehicle, as I may very well be wrapping it around the next tree if I was not careful. I had to reach the boundary line. A silver glint in the rear view mirror caught my eye. Why was he stopped, why was he not coming after me? Oh I must have crossed the invisible line, I was here, he could not stop me now. A twinge of guilt raced through my body as I realized what he must be thinking.
I stopped at the little shack of a house behind the only store in town. There were no lights on and it was impossible to tell if anyone was home. Taking a deep breath I looked out the window hoping against hope she would not be there. I had to speak with Seth but I knew if Leah was home I would be in danger. Opening the door I approached the house slowly, watching my footing carefully. Today would not be a good day to break my ankle on the slippery pebbles under my feet. A dark face appeared behind the curtains, my breath caught. It could not be, there was no way it was possible. How could HE be here. Why did no one tell me. Is this why Seth would not answer the phone when I called the last five times.
The door opened a crack, but not enough for me to see inside. "Go away Bella. You can not be here now." Seth whispered through the cracks.
"You have to let me in! When did Jacob come back? I have to see him! I have to make him understand. How can I get married tomorrow without knowing if he is okay!"
"I'm sorry Bella but Sam told me you can not be here anymore. We are not allowed to inform you of anything concerning the pack. Sam knows your plans." Seth whispered but I could tell from his voice he was both angered and saddened to tell me this. If sam had issued an order there was no hope of me convincing him. It was beyond his ability to go against Sam's authority.
Returning to the car was one of the hardest things I had ever done . I knew Jacob was in that little house. I knew only he could offer the absolution I so desperately needed before I could marry Edward. My heart was torn in two, knowing I can not live with out Edward but also knowing I could no longer live with the knowledge that I was guilty for the irreparable suffering Jacob was going through.
Had Jacob come through that door could he really forgive me? Would I be willing to accept that forgiveness that I did not deserve? I truly was a monster. Taking what I could not have, not thankful for the wonderful gift I had been given. But his charm burned at my wrist, a permanent reminder of my beastly behavior.
Before I realized where I was my car pulled up next to the silver Volvo I had been running from just minutes ago. How could I explain this? I had promised myself I would never again make Edward see my pain over Jacob, and here I was again mourning for the past and grabbing my future at the same time. One look at his liquid gold eyes the pain clearly visible, and I was balling.
"Oh Edward, I am so stupid. Why do I do this. I hurt everyone I love. I'm sorry I came." I cried wrapping my arms around him and burying my head in his chest as his arms came protectively around my body. Once again I had hurt him and he was comforting me. I was evil.
"Bella my love, why did you come? You know you are no longer welcome here. You are not safe here anymore. Why did you come?" He asked as relief flooded his eyes.
"Seth quit taking my calls, I had to know Edward. I had to know if Jacob was safe." I moaned
"He's here Edward, he is here and he would not even let me speak to Seth. Sam has forbidden it" I said louder than I meant to, a note of hysteria ringing in my voice.
"Come on Bella lets get you back home. Charlie is waiting for you." Edward whispered tucking me back into the drivers seat of my car. "I will follow you."
Pulling onto my street a sigh escaped my lips. "Home." Tonight would be the last night I could call this quaint little house I shared with Charlie home. It was a bittersweet moment. I smiled as a cryptic thought trailed through my mind. My past standing before me, my future waiting behind me. A little backward but so was everything these days.
Charlie grabbed me in a tight bear hug when I walked through the door. Tears streaked down his face. "My baby girl, my sweet daughter."
Flabbergasted I wrapped my arms around him and cried like a two year old lost in a supermarket. I had never seen emotion this strong in him. Neither of us were very outwardly emotional. Expressing love was not something that came easily to us. His heart was clearly visible tonight. Wrapped tightly in my fathers arms we walked into the living room. Not another word was spoken the rest of the night as we sat holding each other on the couch. I awoke hours later to a cold caress on my cheek.
"Bella, my love it is after three in the morning. You must come to bed." Edward whispered.
"But Charlie..."
"I'll carry him. The way he is snoring, he will not wake up" Edward leaned over and placed a gentle but electric kiss just below my jaw. Sweeping up Charlie in his arms as if he weighed no more than small child. Following Edward up the stairs an aura of peace filled my soul, this was the angel I was marrying tomorrow. My life was perfect, my dream coming true so why was I clinging to a past I could not change.
Sleep overtook me quickly once I was in my own bed with Edward's cool arms wrapped around me. I could hear Edward humming my lullaby quietly, and feel his breath on my neck, his wonderful cool lips on my skin. "Sweet dreams my beautiful Isabella".
I awoke to an unusual amount of light coming through my bedroom window, the light yellow curtains blowing in a slight breeze. I could smell a faint hint of rose in the air. Funny, there were no rose bushes in Charlie's yard. I lay in bed dreaming of the day ahead of me. As nervous as I was about my wedding. Much as I dreaded the walk down the aisle, sure that I would trip on my veil and take out a row of guests in the process, I could not wait to see Edward. Today was his dream. He had wanted to marry me before changing me. "I have always been that boy..." he had told me. His old fashioned ideas of marriage still linking him to his life in 1918. His mother would be happy to see her son today if she were alive.
"Ahem, um Bella. Are you going to wake up, or am I going to have to carry you to the house myself?" A cheerful tinkling voice asked. Oh Alice, thats right I was supposed to meet her earlier this morning for the dreaded wedding day make over.
"I'm up, I'm up" I groaned. "Please take it easy on me today."
Alice's tinkling laugh filled the room. "Sorry Bella, I am afraid I have no idea what you mean. Let's go!" Before I could even cringe she grabbed me up in her arms and jumped out my second story bedroom window. Landing as gently as if she had simply stepped down a stair. We were off, the wind blowing through my hair felt wonderful. I was fully awake and catching her excitement in seconds. As I smiled up at her, my soon to be sister, a bright sparkling light blinded me. OH NO, the sun was shining brighter than I had seen in the two years I had lived here in cloud capital, Forks WA. What would we do? None of the Cullens could come out in public on sunny days, and our wedding was supposed to be held in the field surrounding the Cullen house.
As we approached the field I could see the house. Roses were everywhere. Thousands of them. Hanging from the trees surrounding the meadow, planters of them everywhere. Garlands of roses wrapped around the columns of the porch and surrounded the door and windows. The light looked strange, somehow dimmer, walking through the front door. Looking around I could see the difference. Solar filters were on every window in the house, including the large window that covered the entire back side of the house. Chairs were lined across the wide open main room of the first floor. More roses were draped over the back of every row of chairs. Spiral vases of deep violet held two dozen white roses at the beginning and end of every row. White rose petals were sprinkled freely down the aisle. I was overtaken when my eyes followed the aisle to where our vows would be recited. A stage fit for a fairy tale princess was waiting. Gazing at the splendid beauty I realized this was the dream from childhood I had longed for secretly. Never letting my mother know how I always dreamed a prince would come sweep me away to never never land where we would live happily ever after. Today I would marry my prince with my mother in the front row.
Mom had cried when I told her I was marrying Edward. To my surprise they were tears of joy not anger or disappointment. She was only worried about Phil's cast being off in time for tux fittings.
Alice's face lit with excitement as she saw my jaw drop and the dreamy look come into my eyes. "Come on kid, lets make you the princess for this party." I let her lead me up the stairs to her room running like excited little girls. The vanity in her room was covered with beauty products. "Now, no complaints this is my day too! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for letting me play!" Alice beamed as she bounced up and down.
Lipstick, eyeliner, mascara, shimmering powder, and eye shadow were all expertly applied. Next was my hair. I had never seen Alice so happy. In less time than I could have imagined she spun me around to face the mirror. "So what do you think?"
The image in the mirror was one I had never seen before. Surely this was not me. "Oh, Alice!" I jumped up hugging her as tightly as I could tears stinging behind my eyes. "I look beautiful! Thank you!"
"You are welcome Bella! I have always wanted to do this for you. This is one vision I hoped would come true from the day I met you." Alice had almost omniscient visions, only flawed when the subjects of those visions changed their minds. "Now, Renee is biting her nails waiting to see you."
The door opened and my mother, looking more beautiful than I had ever seen, walked in. "Bella you are dazzling! Alice you are a godsend she looks beautiful" Alice and I both received tearful embraces. "The guests are all here. We have about ten minutes. Where are your dresses?"
"Right here" Alice swung open her closet door, which was larger than my room at Charlie's house. Both dresses were hung from hooks in the ceiling so they would not get crushed. My dress was vintage 1918 with 'touches of Alice'. It was beautiful cream satin with hand made vintage lace at the neck, sleeves and train. Seed peals were hand sewn around the edges of the lace, if I knew anything about Alice they were not fresh water pearls, they were natural. Alice's dress was a dark lavender almost plum color, very sleek and sexy yet classy with timeless lines. I could imagine how she looked in it.
Within minutes we were in our gowns and joined by Esme in the hallway waiting to walk us down stairs. The spiral stair case led to the back of the seating area. It seemed everyone in town had shown up. Jessica and Angela were waving from the middle of the center section, Eric, Ben, and Tyler were beside them. Mike's absence was not really a surprise. He had been rather upset when he heard the news of my and Edward's engagement.
The music began. I started down the stairs and every person there turned to face me as I descended. From behind me I heard Alice whisper, "Don't worry you won't fall, I checked." That made me feel much better. I had been so worried I would break my neck before I could say I do, and die before Edward could make me immortal. Looking up I saw Edward waiting for me. My breath froze in my chest, my heart failing to beat. He was so beautiful, everything I could ever want. My eternity waiting there for me love radiating from his eyes, his hands held out palms up close to his body reaching out for me. I could not get down the aisle quickly enough.
Charlie took my arm, leaned down and kissed me lightly on each eyelid. "You are the most amazing bride I have ever seen." We proceeded down the aisle toward the love of my life. My father's arm in mine felt so right. How could I have been worried about this moment for so long. All my fears seemed so silly now. One more kiss on the cheek from Charlie and he placed my hands in Edward's.
"Dearly Beloved we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of..." Those were the only words I heard before I was lost. Lost in the wonderful, intoxicating, warmth of Edward's eyes. This was our moment intruded upon by no one. "Edward do you take Bella to be your wife, to love and cherish for all of eternity?" I smiled at the wording change in the vows. Our marriage would truly be for all eternity no death to do us part. "I do."
"Do you Isabella take Edward to be your husband, to love and cherish for all of eternity?" Ecstasy overwhelmed me, "I do".
Edward was just as taken as I. "I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." Time froze as our lips met. His hard cold lips moving against mine. His arm wrapped around my waist pulling me tight against his rock hard body, his other hand knotting in my hair pressing my face closer. Chills ran up and down my spine, as volts of electricity exploding everywhere Edward's skin touched mine. My breathing quit, my heart raced to the point of failure, my world was spinning. "Breathe Bella" Edward smiled down at me. My lungs forgot how for a moment. As I drew in a deep breath I could hear the applause of our guests. The music played. Charlie and Renee walked back down the aisle away from the alter followed by Carslile and Esme. Alice, gorgeous in her brides maid gown, danced down the aisle lightly behind them. Edward and I followed holding hands not even seeing the crowds on either side of us, lost in each others eyes.
A glimpse out the windows showed a cloud darkened, but beautiful sky. Our guests filed out the double entry doors to the reception tent waiting outside. A single white rose was handed to every guest. Esme glided over to stand beside Edward and I by the doors receiving best wishes from those who knew me or Charlie. Many hugged me, few shook Edward's hand. Even with the pride, love, and joy shining unabashed, many shied away from him. Mr Newton, owner of the local sporting goods store and Mike's dad, shook Edward's hand. "Hey kid I've heard of cold feet on your wedding day but your hands are ice. I wish you guys the best. Take care of our Bella and come back to visit soon. Don't forget our little town when you are done with your ivy league college."
"It's time to throw the bouquet Bella." Esme whispered her lips brushing my ear. Suddenly I was being held in a tight embrace. "I have been waiting for this day for eighty years Bella, you will never know how much joy it gives me to be able to call you my daughter. To see Edward like this is the best gift I have ever been given." Tears tried to escape once again as we parted and I met her beautiful ocher eyes.
A crowd of young and older women formed a semi-circle waiting to catch my bouquet. Alice and Rosalie off to the left side. Angela and Jessica directly in the center. I turned my back, closed my eyes, and threw my hands above my head releasing the flowers into thin air. The sound of giggles and excited screams met my ears. Turning around I saw Angela red faced looking down at the bouquet of white roses, a faint smile pulling at her lips. Happiness filled me when I thought about her and Ben going off to University of Seattle next month.
Toasts were made, the thirteen piece orchestra began a slow waltz. Edward pulled me to my feet and led me to the dance floor. For once I did not even argue. We floated around the dance floor, my feet on his. Our bodies as close as possible. Slight dizziness overtook me. I was not sure whether it came from all the twirling or my increased heart rate, but I loved the feeling. We slowed as the music came to an end. "We've made our appearance here. I would like you all to myself now." Edward whispered as his lips trailed from my ear down my jaw and stopped at my lips. The world melted away, all I could feel was the coolness of his body against mine. Electricity ran wild starting where our lips met, ending at the tips of my fingers as they knotted in his gorgeous untidy hair. My feet swept out from under me as he carried me out of the reception tent into our house. Our house, what wonderful words. "So my beloved wife where shall we go from here? We have a few hours before our flight."
I could not even answer. Mischievous flames danced in his eyes and we flew up the spiral staircase. Laughter ripped from his chest barely disguising a deep longing growl. The door to our room opened and closed seemingly of its own accord. Edward lie me down on the large poster bed surrounded by rose petals and lit candles. "I told you I would keep my promise." It was a low growl in my ear. Cold lips wrapped around my earlobe and trailed down my neck to my collar bone. Closing my eyes I lost myself to the ecstasy flowing through my body. My hands raced to his chest, undoing the buttons of his tux jacket and shirt deftly, moans of pleasure pushed through my lips as I kissed his neck, his collar bone, his hard sculpted chest, my nails glided over his marble skin. A shudder ran through his body and he pushed away before I could grab him to hold him near. His hands reached down to me, pulling me to him, hunger and rage in his eyes. The pearls buttoning up the back of my wedding gown flew across the room and rained against the far wall like bullets as he ripped the dress away. His stare intense as he drank in the vision of my body. I had no doubt at that moment he found me as beautiful as I found him.
"Bella" he moaned his eyes turning pained. Grabbing me gently by my upper arms he led me to the couch, sitting me on his lap and holding me tightly. Cold hands caressed my back sending goose bumps over my entire body. Lust burning so badly I wanted to attack him but he held me too firmly for me to move. Laying me down beside him he trailed his fingers over the contours of my body so tenderly it was painful. "You have no idea how hard this is for me Bella. You are so beautiful and so fragile. You are my life. I fear I will harm you." His lips trailed his finger bringing me to the edge of insanity with pleasure. I felt darkness close around me.
"Bella, Bella breathe Bella breathe!" A hazy light came slowly into view. Edward was standing over me with his shirt off wiping my face with an ice cold wash cloth. A look of concern and fear etched deeply in his face. I smiled up at him.
"What's wrong. Don't stop please." I begged longing to have him touch me again. I never wanted this feeling of euphoria to end.
"Bella!" A deep breath of relief escaped from his lungs, "Dammit you have to remember to breath! You fainted. How can I make love to you if you quit breathing and your heart freezes when all I do is kiss you."
Anger flashed through my body. So furious I had never encountered anything like it before. He was backing out of his promise. Next he would be telling me it is too dangerous to go further, I am to delicate. No I would not let him do that! He could not deny me this!
I was in his arms again as he carried me to the bed and tucked me under the blankets. Edward climbed up beside me and held me through the blanket curled around my frame, and started humming my lullaby. As my eyes closed against my will I promised myself this was not over. He would keep his promise. I will have this one human experience fulfilled.
A gentle knock on the door awoke me. Edward, looking down at me like an angel from above, smiled. "Good morning sleeping beauty, did you enjoy your dream?" After a kiss just below my jaw and a deep breath of my fragrance he sprung off the bed to answer the door.
"Hey lovebirds, you're going to miss your flight. Here's an outfit for Bella." Alice danced away from the door clapping in excitement as she went.
Edward turned toward me holding the outfit for me to see. Alice had chosen me a very stylish night sky blue skirt with a woven shirt of numerous colors in an intoxicating design. "She thought these colors were perfect for you. You have made us all very happy today Bells." I went to his open embrace and buried my face against his chest breathing deeply memorizing his scent, again. His hands ran down my back and rested on my waist holding me to him for just a moment then pushing me away to look into my eyes. "I will keep my promise Bella I will try." He bent to kiss me gently then helped get me into my new outfit for our flight. I sat on the bed and watched him change into his travel clothes and dreamed of our future, my past forgotten.
