Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, that honor goes to Stephanie Meyer. My only claim is to the change's I've made to the original story. Enjoy!
PART2
?POV
I stood beside Edward, wishing that I could be happy for him but facts are facts: in a matter of minutes Edward would be married the girl of my dreams, my true love. Several years ago my wife and I divorced after I realized that she had been cheating on me off-and-on since the beginning of our marriage. We only kept up appearances for the rest of the family, and because vampire life without companionship is far too lonely. While I could have gone to one, or more, of the Denali girls for 'comfort' it was simpler to keep the 'family dynamic' that we have had for a century, give or take a decade. Luckily, after the first ten or so years, there were no more 'hard feelings' between my ex and I.
Keeping such a secret in a gifted family like ours was a challenge but I have never been so thankful for the intricacy of the vampire mind, and the limitations of Edward's gift, as I am today. Edward can 'hear' the surface thoughts of the mind, in which I had playing a constant, continuous list of 'how-happy-I-am-for-you's.' For humans, Edwards gift is basically a 'know-all' but the vampire mind is much deeper and Edward never bothered to learn to extend his ability to 'read' below the surface. It is in that part of my mind that I now consider every possible action that has lead to this point, the paths I could take, the consequences and rewards of them all...
Rosalie started to play Bella's wedding march and dread seeped from somewhere inside me, tearing my soul into tiny, broken pieces. I could tell from the expression on Jasper's face that he felt the pain I emitted but had no idea from whom it originated - all for the best I suppose. As I listened to the careful notes of Rosalie's tune, my mind could not but help note the similarities between the classical music piece and a funeral dirge.
Alice appeared at the top of the staircase, gliding down with her normal hyperactive motions, practically skipping down the aisle with a self-satisfied smirk tugging at her lips. While Alice moved to stand in place, opposite Jasper, my eyes were drawn to something far more divine then the pixie-girl.
She was an angel, a goddess from an ancient tale, descended to Earth to bless us with her beauty, her presence. Bella glided - almost gracefully - towards us, aided by her father, looking truly ethereal in her wedding dress. Despite her beautiful, almost glowing, appearance, I could tell that she was feeling nervous and worried - and not in a normal 'wedding-jitters' kind of way; more like that of a run-away bride - from the stress emanating from her eyes and the blank mask donning her usually expressive face.
'I cannot let her go through with this' I thought in old Romani, one of the few languages Edward had not been able to pick-up, though not for a lack of trying. 'She belongs to me and I will NOT let her go so easily.'
Charlie reluctantly handed Bella over to Edward and her floral scent engulfed me as she stood so near, yet so far away. While Pastor Webber spoke the traditional spiel Edward had insisted upon, my hands clenched and unclenched at my sides as I resisted my body's yearning to grab my mate and make a run for it. I watched Bella carefully and realized that my intuition was right - my girl...no, my woman, was nearly as put off as I by this farce of a ceremony, tears pouring down her cheeks as she trembled. I am sure most everyone thought they were tears of happiness but to me it was as plain as day that they were caused by heartache.
"If there is any reason why these two people should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your piece."
Seconds ticked by as I prayed that someone, anyone, other than me would feel that something was off. Would object to this terribly mismatched pairing. Even as I prayed no voiced rose from the gallery of spectators, the so-called 'guest,' most of which I am sure Bella would have never invited.
"Very well then," Pastor Webber sighed. I guess I wasn't the only one hoping for a miracle. "Do you, Edward Anthony Mason Cullen, take this woman to have and to hold, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," Edward smiled triumphantly; I notice the slightly menacing gleam in Alice's eye as she takes on a similar facial expression as the groom. 'What the...?!'
"And do you, Isabella Marie Swan, take this man to have and to hold, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"
"I...I...I d-"
'Oh f**k! She is actually going through with this!'
"STOP!" I yelled over Bella's fluctuating voice, drowning out her acceptance - that is, if it was an acceptance - and moved from Edward's side to the space between the bride and groom, grasping Bella's shoulders, urging her to look me in the eye.
"Bella," I whispered lowly so only she - and the vampires in attendance - could hear. "Please do not do this; do not marry him."
"But..." Bella shifted, her tear-filled eyes landing on her father, then her mother and step-father, through the crowd of friends and allies then back to me. "If I don't...my parents...our family...our friends...they all..."
"Nothing will happen to them," I felt, rather then saw, the trustworthy members of my family move towards Bella's human guests, and Jasper moved behind Alice, wrapping her in his arms, holding her in what - to others - would appear as a tight embrace. In actuality, the empath had anticipated Alice, grabbing the pixie before she could make a scene, flee, or worse, injure Bella.
"I love you little one," I said desperately, not bothering to watch as Edward was swiftly grabbed by Seth and my ex. "I have since the moment I laid eyes on you. But you were intrigued by Edward, and he by you so I stayed to the side, hoping that you would notice that you were with the wrong...man."
"Your wife?"
"Divorced; we remained together out of sheer convince, with understanding that once one - or both - of us met our match we would let the other go with no questions asked."
"Edward?"
"He is a Cullen," 'for now' "but we should wait until we are in a less," I look at the gawking wedding guests "public forum, for answers."
"Ummm..." Bella stopped, suddenly coming to the realization that they were basically airing their 'dirty-laundry' in front of most of Forks. "Agreed." Taking my hand Bella lifted herself onto her tip-toes as she leaned forward, brushing her soft lips against my cheek, blushing red as she pulled back. "I guess now would be a good time to mention that I have had feelings for you since our first meeting, huh?"
"Really!" I asked excitedly, channeling my inner-Alice. A strange episode for a full grown man but hey, the girl of my dreams just said she likes me - who wouldn't want to giggle in happiness?
"Really, really," she teased, ignoring Edward and Alice as our family and the two wolves pulled them away.
"I love you Bella Swan," I exclaimed over-joyed as I picked my woman up gently by her waist and spun in a full circle before putting her down, holding her body tightly to me. Her soft curves fit my tall frame perfectly.
"In that case," she giggled, "I confess: I love you too. I think I always have but was under the impression you were taken and Edward...he pursued me until I gave in."
"Understandable," I concluded, think of how the family presented itself to her originally. "We will need to talk more but for now, what's done is done." I dipped my head closer to Bella's, enticing a small gasp and moan from her by nipping her earlobe, whispering, "Shall we blow this Popsicle stand, love?" I nuzzled her neck a little more, feeling smug as I elicited a tiny whimper as I pulled away to look at her. At this point you could hear crickets chirping in the background but that was about it. Even Pastor Webber was holding his breath.
Biting her bottom lip in an unconsciously sensual expression before smiling mischievously, Bella turned to the gaping audience. "Everyone, the wedding between Edward and I is off. My new beau and I will be going now...after all, I have a full two month honeymoon booked and no groom to spend it with..."
"We need to remedy that very soon," I murmured into her ear, inwardly laughing at the dropping jaws - even the Denali's were somewhat glazed-eyed at the unexpected turn of events. "What do you think of Vegas?"
"Never been," Bella's eyes widened as she caught on, laughing heartily when she did. "Sounds great to me!"
"Well..." I scooped my bride-to-be up in my arms, pausing before leaving the dais. "Shall we get going? I can buy us anything we need, no problem so..."
"You and your trusty black credit card," Bella muttered grumpily under her breath, to my amusement. I will definitely have fun spoiling her once we're married and she will have no say in it. Destroying all receipts will be annoying but likely necessary. I think I will start will jewelry. I look at Bella's finger which still has Edward's ring on it and growl. I will definitely start with a ring...or two.
"I can practically hear your inner maniacal laughter from here," Bella said, rolling her eyes as I carried her down the aisle towards the driveway where my car happened to be sitting open, ready for use. "Mom, Dad, I'll talk to you both soon." Bella called out, waving goodbye as I started the car. Apparently the sound of an engine turning over was all it took to restart the stunned minds of the citizens of Forks because nearly all the guests jumped out of the seats to follow us, running after my car, a few of them - Bella's parents actually - yelling at us at the top of their lungs.
"That was fun," Bella said after a few minutes driving. "But now what?"
"We either a) wait for everyone to leave then return to the house or b) park someplace where my car isn't noticeable and then I carry you back to the house. The difference between the two is that if we go with plan a) I have no doubt that we will end up naked in the back seat - not how I want my first time with you - and if we go with plan b) we can leave for Vegas as soon as we have answers."
"Plan b."
"As you wish, my love," I nodded, adjusting myself in my pants - just thinking of Bella naked was enough to make me hard - knowing that it was for the best, even if plan a) was extremely enticing at this particular moment. "As you wish."
So what do you think? Any idea who mystery man is? Don't worry you won't need to wait too long for the unveiling - it will either be in the next chapter or somewhere in the one after.
Please review!
-Era