A/N: I wanted to write a one shot story with a steamy love scene but I started writing and found myself distracted. I don't know how long the story will be but it won't be too long because I don't do long winding plots. Steamy love scene should make an appearance at some point. This is my first fan fiction nervous
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Twilight or the characters.
CHAPTER ONE
Alone
Alone.
I was in the bedroom alone.
I was still in my wedding dress even though it was late in the evening. I had wanted to take it off as soon as I had entered the house because as beautiful as it was, I was doomed to ruin it forever with a random act of clumsiness. However, the disappointed look that flickered across Edward's face immediately banished all such thoughts.
I would have worn my wedding dress for the rest of my life for the look on his face when he saw me at the church altar. His eyes had glowed with such a fierce pride that I had never seen before. I had also never seen him look so nervous and excited, like the 17 year old boy that he had once been a century ago.
I smiled quietly to myself.
I had felt so giddy and light headed walking up the altar and seeing his face in all its glorious, heartstopping beauty. Butterflies had fluttered in my stomach as I heard all the rustling and whispering as I entered the church.
Angela had given me an encouraging smile and I was glad to have her as my bridesmaid. I barely noticed the sour look Jessica was throwing me from her aisle seat as I slowly and carefully walked down the aisle.
I barely noticed anything when Edward was in the room.
The counterbalance to all the joy I felt was the look on Charlie's face. He was happy; smiling, laughing and being genial with everyone but there was a tinge of silent sadness that never strayed from his face all throughout the day. His daughter was grown up now, the memories of me as a little girl seemed to be fading out of view at an alarming speed for Charlie, I imagined.
Plus, there was my own sadness that reached the pit of my stomach when I thought of the future. A future where Charlie and Renee would no longer exist. Nothing would erase that pain but I comforted myself knowing that my wedding was my last goodbye. He would know that I was leaving him as a person who was loved and who would be loved till the end of my days.
i looked down to see my hands were gripped tightly around a piece of lace on my dress. I untwisted my hands and let the lace drop in its now crinkled form. Damn.
We had an evening reception at the Cullen's house. No hotel could ever match the unparalleled beauty and magnificence that was their house. Pink and cream lanterns were strewn all over the front of the house and porch. Large lanterns hung from the trees which swung delicately in the breeze.
I remembered cutting the cake. I had teased Edward about it before the big day.
"Do vampires eat wedding cake?"
"If necessity requires it."
"Hmm…but I don't want you to be uncomfortable, Edward,"
"Well, it will be till death do us part,"
"Maybe we can make a special piece just for you…with grizzly bear filling."
He glowered at me. I laughed.
We had fed each other our cut pieces of cake. Actually, no food entered our mouths. We smushed the cake into each other's faces, laughing loudly and completely carefree. Edward didn't bother to restrain his emotions or sense of self in the company of our vampire and non-vampire reception guests. I was only too happy to delight in the joyful, boyish look on his face along with everyone else.
The sound of my laughter echoed around the bedroom and pulled me out of my memories. I found that I was sitting on the large bed in the middle of the room. The iron wrought bed was an exact replica of Edward's bed in the Cullen's home. This house had been bought by Edward.
We were living just outside of Forks. It was our temporary home before our move to Alaska. I was going to change into a vampire but the timing was still not set. To be truthful, my enthusiasm had waned slightly in the weeks running up to the wedding. Edward was jubilant at first.
"Bella, I can wait. Forever if I have to," he whispered into my ear, his jaw nuzzling into my neck. I didn't have to turn around to know he was smiling broadly.
"I'm not going to let you wait while I age and continue to separate myself further from you. That's not happening" I replied determinedly.
"Okay, message received, over and out," he said dejectedly, letting go of me.
"Edward" I whined.
I was instantly ashamed of myself for whining like that but I needed his arms around me. I felt safe wrapped in his cold, strong arms. I could weather a thousand storms wrapped his arms.
He dutifully put his arms around me. I forgot what I was saying. Were we having a conversation?
I finally gathered my thoughts.
"It's just that I need a little time, to make sure everything is in place for our move and that there are no unexpected problems that require a Bella in human form," I said.
"These unexpected problems wouldn't happen to come in the form of a certain wolf, would they?" he said softly.
There was no bitterness in his voice. He seemed unsure, nervous even, in anticipating my answer.
I gulped and my heart reacted wildly. Edward turned my face towards his penetrating gaze. He took in a breath, ready to speak but no words came out. He was trying desperately to read my emotions. I felt cruel in delaying my reply but I needed to make sure my words came out right.
"Edward, my heart belongs to you. There's no one else who could ever take it away from you. But I need a little time. Marrying you is the surest decision I could ever make in my life and yet I'm still feeling the jitters and nerves that such a decision could bring."
The smooth marble expression of his face flittered with panic and concern. I took another deep breath.
"I want all the changes but I need a little time to adjust. I'm going to be leaving so much behind; I just want to feel right when that time comes when I make that change that can't be undone. You know that Alice said that my wedding and me turning into a vampire will be the turning point for all the decisions that will be made in the near future. Let's make sure nothing can ruin our life together" I said clasping his hand in my own.
I didn't mention anything about Jacob. The piece of my heart that was ragged and torn belonged to him. The piece that had been ripped out when Edward had left. Jacob had helped me hold onto the edges of my sanity and I was thankful for his presence in my life. I had enough perspective to see that now and not be blighted by the pain of my love for him. But our last parting when he lay recovering in his bed was my final goodbye.
I looked into Edward's amber eyes. His pale skin glittered in the shaft of sunlight that was pouring in from the window. He ruffled his bronze hair with a considered look on his face.
"Bella, my love, if time is what you need then that is what I want too. The future isn't set in stone but I'll be right there with you. Together we can face anything,"
"Even the Volturi?"
"Yup, I have Emmet on speed dial,"
"That's not funny, Edward,"
"Oh, but I beg to differ"
"My Edward, the comedian."
"Correction: your Edward, the hilarious comedian and your future husband,"
The word 'husband' sent a swarm of butterflies to my stomach. The butterflies remained as Edward kissed me gently from my forehead to my collarbone.
My hand traced the outlines of my collarbone, trying to remember the feel of his touch. He had been gone for over an hour. All the dizzy excitement of our day had been put on hold. Ten minutes after we crossed the threshold, the phone rang. Carlisle said that Alice was having a vision. He wouldn't specify the details over the phone except for one word - Volturi. This was really bad. Danger could never leave Forks' very own danger magnet alone. Edward had driven immediately to the Cullens' house. I had begged him to take me with him but Carlisle insisted it was safer for me to remain at the house.
I was no longer an excited newlywed. I was playing the waiting game. I peered out of the window, hoping to see a shiny Volvo pull up the drive. Nothing. It was pitch black with the clouds forming a thick blanket to cover the stars. The moon remained hidden.
I sat on the bed and leaned back, letting my head hit the pillow. Ouch. I'd forgotten to take the hairpins out of my hair that had held together my stylish updo. I rolled onto my side as I couldn't be bothered to dismantle it.
I looked at my wedding ring. I was living an enchanted fairytale. I was soon to be transformed and then my fairytale would be complete. The diamond cast a million colours into the light as I slowly rotated the ring around my finger. Where was Edward? What was the news from the Volturi? Were they at the Cullens' house right now?
My anxieties were burning up all my energy. My eyelids were starting to droop.
There was a knock at the front door and I thought I could hear a key turning in the lock. I stirred from my drowsy state.
"Bella?"
"Bella…?"
