Chapter 2: The Ceremony
It was dawn and also a most celebrated day. Today was August 13 the day that another member would join our family. I was thrilled to be getting another daughter as well as seeing the
first of my adopted sons find true love and be happy. It had been far too long that Edward had been alone and this daywas a long time coming.
There were a lot of things to be done today prior to the ceremony.
Jasper and Emmett had taken Edward out hunting last night as their form of a bachelor party for Edward to celebrate his last evening as a single man. Alicetold me that Edward had been
reluctant to leave Bella last night but she all but pushed him out when his brothers arrived. I have a feeling that Alice had a part in Jasper and Emmett's decision to take Edward out. Alice
was all about keeping the standard traditions and she was not about to have Bella and Edward spending last night together.
Carlisle and I had spent last night together enjoying each other's company and discussing the past couple of years and the future with our new daughter. Alice had us begin the preparations at dawn.
By 9 in the morning we had all of the flowers in place around the living room. The ceremony location was complete. When the boys returned they would be in charge of finishing up the
reception area out back.
Alice left the house at 9:30 to retrieve Bella from Charlie's. She returned quickly and led Bella upstairs to her bathroom. Covering poor Bella's eyes the entire time. Once upstairsAlice went
to work creating the image of the perfect bride. Poor Bella.
At around 11 I went upstairs to get ready. Alice had left my dress in the bedroom. She had selected it as well as the shoes weeks ago and of course it was the perfect fit and color. I styled
my hair into an elegant up do and headed downstairs to ensure that when the boys arrived back I could put them to work.
An hour before the wedding was set to begin, timed perfectly by Jasper and Emmett to ensure that Edward would not be tempted to spy on Bella, the boys arrived back at the house.
"Welcome back." "Thank you." "Did you boys have fun?" "Yes mom." "Oh good. I need you to please finish setting the chairs up out back please." "Ok." The boys headed outside.
Carlisle had headed upstairs to change and I went up to check on him and perhaps steal a moment. I walked past Alice's bathroom and heard Bella's rapid heartbeat. Calm Bella. I walked
into Carlisle and I's bedroom and he was standing there in front of the mirror admiring himself. "Well don't you look handsome." He turned and looked at me. "But nothing compared to
your beauty." I walked over and placed my hand on his chest. He leaned in and gave me a kiss. "It's an exciting day." "It is." "Alice has Bella in her bathroom and Edward, Jasper and
Emmett are finishing up out back." "Jasper has to go get Renee and Phil." "And Charlie is bringing the Webbers." "Ok."
Rosalie stepped into our room then. "Alice wants me to make sure that everyone is dressed and on time. And Jasper can go get Renee and Phil now." "Ok. I'll go get them and sent Edward
to go get dressed." "Ok, whatever you do keep him away from Alice's room." "I will." I kissed Carlisle again. "Darling please don't forget the box." "Of course, I'll put it into my pocket now."
"Thank you." I headed downstairs and out the back.
"Alice would like you boys to go get ready now." "Ok." "And Jasper can you quickly get dressed and go pick up Renee and Phil from their hotel." "Yep." "Thank you." Jasper rushed in the
house and got dressed and headed back downstairs and out to the garage to pick up Renee and Phil. "Edward your suit is waiting upstairs in your room and don't you dare think about
peeking on Bella." "I won't." "I'll be up to check on you in a min." "ok." Edward and Emmett headed upstairs to their rooms. I gave Edward 10 mins to get dressed before climbing the stairs
to him room.
I could hear Renee and Phil arrive. Charlie and the Webbers were not too far behind them. Other guests began to arrive as well and Emmett, Jasper and Carlisle went down to greet them.
I knocked on Edward's door before entering. "Come in Esme." Edward was standing in his suit adjusting his tie. "Here allow me." I walked over and adjusted it for him. "Thank you Esme."
"No thank you Edward. I am so happy for you." I could feel that feeling welling up inside. Although I couldn't physically cry the action was still possible in our own way. Edward leaned in
and gave me a hug. "Come on lets go downstairs it's almost time and Alice will kill us if we are late." I heard Alice growl from her bathroom. Edward was right. He held out his armfor me
and led me to the stairs.
Emmett, Jasper and Carlisle were waiting for us. Edward and Carlisle headed down the stairs and walked down the aisle and took their places at the altar with Mr. Webber. It was my turn
next Emmett held out his arm for me and led me down the stairs and to my seat. I took my place on the right hand side at the front. Emmett sat on my right. I looked up at Edward and
smiled. He smiled back as he patiently waited for the ceremony to start so he could see Bella. They had been separated for a long time.
Jasper and Renee were next down the stairs. Jasper led her to her seat on the left hand side where she took the second seat in leaving the aisle seat for Charlie. Phil sat on her left hand
side and as soon as she sat down he took her hand. Renee had already been crying I could see it on her face.
Rosalie was next down the stairs. She took her place at the piano and began to play. I heard Alice give Bella her instructions. "Count to five and follow me down." I could hear Bella's rapid
heartbeat. As soon as she saw Edward she would be fine I just knew it. He had that calming effect on her.
Alice began her dance down the stairs. 5 seconds later as Rosalie changed the music and we all stood, Bella and Charlie began their decent. "Don't let me fall dad." "I won't." Arm in arm
Bella and Charlie slowly descended the stairs. Bella was carefully measuring her steps not wanting to fall.
Once she was sure that her feet were securely on the ground she looked up. She searched the crowd of people who had gathered to witness their marriage but was only looking for one
person and as soon as she found him her face lit up. I turned to look at Edward and he was just glowing at the vision of Bella walking down the aisle.
I turned my attention back to my soon to be daughter and watched her and Charlie make their way down the aisle. Bella was holding herself back, probably from racing down the aisle to
Edward. She relaxed as soon as Charlie placed her hand into Edwards and Mr. Webber began the ceremony.
Bella and Edward had met with Mr. Webber and discussed having a traditional ceremony changing only the vows to 'as long as we both shall live.'
The ceremony was simple and Bella began to cry as she recited her vows. I'm sure if Edward could he would have been as well. I know I would have as well. After Mr. Webber announced
them husband and wife and they both kissed the guests rushed to greet the happy couple.
Carlisle joined me as we gave both Bella and Edward hugs and kisses. "Congratulations Bella." "Thank you."
The ceremony had gone off without a hitch and had lasted exactly the right amount of time.
It was now Twilight and the reception could begin.