Three months later on August 13th
Chapter 2
My heart fluttered in my chest as I looked at myself in the mirror. The Anne of Green Gables dress was indeed perfect for me. The dress couldn't be more me. Alice did my hair and under my supervision, light make up. I really looked like I was getting married today. I was a bride that was certain. I couldn't believe I had twenty minutes until I was officially Edward's forever. I could hear the chatter from the guests, and in just a few more minutes everything was going to change.
The ceremony was taking place just outside of the Cullen's house, Alice had gone a little overboard but I couldn't think about that, not now, it was time to get married.
"Honey you look beautiful. I just can't believe you're getting married today." Renee gleamed at her daughter as the tears began to stream down her cheeks. "I love you so much."
"I know Mom. Just by being here, supporting me, you're showing your love. I know you don't think I should be doing this but I promise Mom, Edward and I are meant to be together, you said once that it looked like he would jump in front of a bullet for me, well you're right he would. There is nothing he won't do for me nor I for him. Our love is pure. I hope that you can see that." I had to keep it together I couldn't start crying or I would never stop.
"I know sweetheart. I can see that now. So long as you are happy then I am happy." She sounded sincere and no one in our family could lie. "I'm going to go take my seat now. Good luck Bella!" She gave me a hug and kissed my cheek then turned toward the door.
I stood alone gazing off into the mirror again. As the clock ticked closer my heart pounded faster. I heard the murmer of the guests silence. It was almost time. "Oh Bella you can do this relax, you're ready to die but to say the words 'I do' you're freaking out you need to sort out your priorities." My only priority was Edward and being with him for all of time. KNOCK KNOCK.
"Bells it's time." Charlie's voice cracked as he called me back to the reality of what I was about to do. "Alice and Angela are already half way down the aisle. We need to go, unless you're having doubts." His voice perked up a bit. I knew he wasn't happy about my choice but he wasn't going to miss his chance to say good-bye.
"I'm coming Dad. I'm going to pretend you didn't say that last thing." I glared at him in an 'I'm sorry but I'm going to marry him' way. "Let's go! I'm about to get married!" The words were heavier then they should have been but that didn't matter as I took Charlie's arm and glided as graceful as possible toward the entrance. The white carpet glowed against the green grass. I stepped down lightly testing it. Alice had done well, it was like I walking on a sidewalk, a beautiful pure white sidewalk.
The music played softly in the background while everyone's eyes were on me. Then I saw him, his perfect face, his perfect body, overall just perfection staring at me. His topaz eyes glowing, that amazing crooked smile that I loved. There was the reason for my existence, there was Edward. I stumbled a little but no one noticed to my relief, and if they did I would never know. I inched closer to him and I noticed that Charlie's grip tightened with each step. Apparently he wasn't quite ready to let me go. As he hugged me good-bye he seemed to hold on just a little longer then I thought necessary but not long enough for me to call him out on it. "I love you Bella. May you have all the happiness in the world." He whispered into my ear.
My eyes filled with water but I held back, I know it wouldn't last long but I could try couldn't I? I glided as best as I could toward Edward as he grasped his hands in mine, staring into his warm eyes.
"Dearly beloved we are gathered here today." Were the last things I could remember before I said "I do." How we got from the beginning to the end I'm not sure about. I'm sure I'll watch the video someday and find out. "I know pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride!" At those words Edward took me in his arms and kissed me. My heart must have given me away because he pulled back before I would have. I caught my breath and turned and walked down the aisle with him be my side, as my husband.
"I can't believe I just married you," I felt so dizzy with the reality of the life long commitment I had just made. "I feel like I just woke up from a dream, a really good dream." We had made it to the front of the house and no one else was around.
"Hello there Mrs. Cullen how are you feeling?" His face was positively beaming. I had just made him the happiest vampire in the world. Before I could answer he was kissing me more passionately then he should have been since the reception was right around the corner.
This time I pulled back first. "No fair Mr. Cullen you're going to get me all riled up for nothing." I spoke softly in his ear; I was meaning to tease him a bit. "I love you"
"I love you too," his reply was simple and eloquent. "So on to the celebration now my dear wife. I love the way that sounds." He smiled the crooked smile and I couldn't even groan at him. He knew I wasn't looking forward to all the congratulations and presents and most of all the dancing.
We walked into the Cullen's living room; no one else was there yet. "Hey Bella we should go upstairs and wait for everyone to come in. You know let Carlisle introduce us properly as husband and wife." The only thing I could do was nod my head as he swept me up in his arms and carried me into his bedroom, or should I say our bedroom. He set me down on the bed and sat next to me. "I've never been happier in my existence love." His eyes sparkled much like his skin would have in the sun. Then his motion was swift and I was on top of him, not his normal position but I'm betting he didn't want to ruin my hair. The kiss left me breathless and dizzy but I didn't care. KNOCK KNOCK! I jumped a little. "Sorry I should have warned you but I was a little busy," His voice totally innocent.
"Yeah right I bet you just wanted to see me jump." I teased him and kissed his cheek before I rolled off him and sat on the bed. The door opened and Carlisle appeared.
"Are you two ready to go down and join the party?" his question had just a hint of sarcasm behind it. We both nodded and stood up. It wasn't a long walk to the stairs and Carlisle led the way. "May I introduce for the first time Mr. And Mrs. Edward Cullen!" His voice was extremely loud and carried throughout the room as applause broke out as my husband and I walked down the stairs and into everyone's view.
Alice had done a beautiful job decorating for the reception. Everything was lit up with white Christmas lights, the center pieces were deep red candles floating in water on the few tables there were, their weren't too many flowers but the irises were just perfect on the table with all the gifts. The music played lightly in the background all of my personal favorites, the songs that reminded me of Edward. There was a fairly small space for dancing compared to what I thought Alice would do.
"May I have this dance?" this voice was almost foreign to me. Charlie was standing behind me and reaching his arm out waiting for me to take it. I didn't know what he had planned because he knew as much as I did that neither of us could dance.
"Dad we don't know how to dance." I looked at him in an odd manner as a grin broke across his face. It dawned on me that he'd taken a lesson or two.
"I wanted to surprise you sweetie. I had Billy teach me a little something." My thoughts trailed off to Jacob. I knew that I shouldn't get sad but I missed him. I quickly tried to focus on Edward and the surprise itself that Charlie had before Jasper got wind of my emotions.
"Of course dad I'd love to dance with you." I smiled and took his arm and headed toward the dance floor. I noticed now that the size was to protect me from myself. As I tripped over my own feet no one could notice because everyone was in such a small area; bonus points for Alice who probably already saw the outcome if it was a bigger floor. I had to give Charlie some credit he wasn't that bad of a dancer. I had only stumbled three times through the song. "Thanks for the dance dad." I gave him a hug and made my way over to the small table that Edward was sitting at.
"That was so cute Bella." His voice melted me into yet another puddle. I just couldn't help it. "Are you ready for our first dance as husband and wife?" his hands found mine, and he stood up, ready to go.
"I suppose I am my dear husband." I was a bit shaky about it since I knew he was so much better at dancing and this time I couldn't stand on his feet because of my silly perfect dress that seemed less perfect now. I grasped his shoulder and his hand as his other hand found a place on my waist.
Over the speakers I heard Emmett's voice saying something about "How cute. It's their first dance as husband and wife." When Edward was leading it seemed easier to follow, probably because he was more confident than Charlie. We seemed to be gliding everywhere at once.
As we were dancing around and around I decided it was time to bring up the honeymoon. "Edward, where are we going for our honeymoon? We haven't decided anything and well we're sort of running out of time. The reception is only another two hours." Those words were painful to say. I didn't want to be here the only place I wanted to be was upstairs alone with Edward where we could "try" for the first time.
"Anywhere in the world love, you name the place and we'll get on the next flight to where ever that may be." I knew he was going to win this one but that didn't help me at all. I've always wanted to go to Australia and Egypt but the sun was our problem. There would be another time for that. "How about Russia it's cloudy there?"
He giggled at me. "If you want to go to Russia that's fine by me; if you just wanted to stay here and get a hotel room and just spend all our time there that wouldn't bother me either. He winked at me but there was part of me that wished we could. "Sorry I'm dazzling you again aren't I? I should stop. Russia it is. Would you like Moscow or St. Petersburg or somewhere in Asia? Where my Bella?"
"Umm well now that you made the other suggestion I wouldn't mind that we can vacation any time to anywhere and we'll see it all probably 1000 times the only thing that matters is that I'm with you." I laid my head on his shoulder and he set his head on top of mine. The music changed into a waltz and we were now twirling around.
His chest rumble softly with a laugh, "You are right! We will see it all and probably about 1000 times. We will be together in everyway possible." I knew exactly what he meant and I loved that idea. "I'll book us a five star hotel room for at least a week maybe two but in Canada so we can still have outside time if we wanted as well."
"That sounds perfect to me" my voice trailed off into a dreamlike state. "My feet are beginning to hurt. May we sit down now?" I knew he'd let me but I didn't want to end his fun too soon.
"Yes my sweet we can sit and you can eat. We'll get tons of congratulations too. Everyone in the room is waiting for us to stop dancing and sit so they can tell us good luck and such." His cold hands broke free and wrapped around my waist as we stepped off the dance floor and took a seat at a small table off to the side. "I'll grab you some food. Just sit and relax." He bent over and kissed my forehead.
He wasn't gone but 10 seconds before Mike was in his chair. "Oh hey Mike how are you? Thanks for coming." It was a little awkward but not like it used to be.
"I'm okay not too bad at least. I just wanted to say congratulations! Do you mind me asking where your friend Jacob is? No one has seen him since the day he came to the school and almost got into it with Edward." I know he didn't mean to cause me pain but it stung. Then without notice I burst into tears.
"I'm so sorry Bella I didn't mean to make you upset. I'm so so so sorry!" His voice was genuine and I knew that he didn't mean for it to hurt. All the same it was a matter of seconds before Edward would be there to ask me what happened even though he already knew.
I just cried I couldn't say anything in return. All I could do was nod when I felt his cold hand on my back. "Maybe we should go upstairs for a while." I nodded and stood up. I leaned on Edward as he guided me toward the stairs. I couldn't have been more relieved to get away from the party. How could Alice not have seen this coming?
I tried to speak to Edward but the only sound that came out was a squeak. I tried again and managed "phone" and "please" before I wailed again. Without a question he handed me his phone and asked, "Do you want to be alone for a while?" I nodded and wiped my eyes. He kissed my forehead and turned toward the door. Before he shut it he said one last thing. "I love you and I'll do anything for you even if it kills me," And with that he shut the door.
I couldn't bare it anymore I was still hurting Edward. I knew I couldn't live without him and that marrying him was the best choice of my life but I missed Jake so much. I stared at the bracelet on my wrist and smiled at the little wolf. I just wish I could have my best friend be just my friend. I hated the fact that I was in love with him as well. It just wasn't fair to either of them. I wished it were easier. I picked up the phone and dialed Jake's number.
"Hello" Billy had answered the phone with his gruff voice.
"Hey Billy. Is Jake around it's Bella." I snuffled between the words.
"Sorry Bella, Jake took off a few weeks ago and hasn't been around. The pack says he's okay but he's been running ever since he got your wedding invite." His voice stiffened and I knew why. He hated Edward just as much as Jake did and even more hated that I married him even though he is a vampire.
"Okay thanks Billy sorry to bother you." I hung up the phone and flung myself back on the pillow and just wailed. I couldn't believe I was bawling my eyes out on the happiest day of my life not mention probably ripping out the heart of my new husband. I couldn't stay sad not today even that meant using Jasper. I stood up and walked to the door and opened it. "Jasper!" I didn't call out extra load but I knew he heard me, as he appeared at the bottom of the stairs. The thing that I loved about Jasper was that he never made me explain myself he just knew. Almost immediately his influence touched me.
"Yes Bella what is it?" he voice trailed off as he felt my sorrow. He nodded his head and well, my joy that I was feeling earlier rushed back into my blood stream. "I see I'll keep an eye on you and everything will be okay until everyone is gone okay?" I nodded and walked down the stairs.
"Thanks so much it really means a lot to me." I smiled up at him. "Now if I could just find my husband everything would be good." Like magic my Edward appeared my side and wrapped himself around me. "You don't have to kill yourself that wouldn't make me happy." I whispered into his ear. "I chose you! I love you! I married you!" I kissed his cheek and then his neck and then back to his cheek and then his mouth.
"I know I just want to make sure that you made the right choice. I want to you to be happy and if you ever change your mind then that's okay I'd understand but I'm getting the feeling that you aren't going to change your mind. Bella I'm sorry that happened and today of all days. I wish I could have stopped it but it all happened too suddenly." His eyes gleamed with sorrow. He couldn't have been more sincere and I knew it. "I love you more than anything and I intend to keep you happy." His lips pressed against mine as the air rushed out of my lungs. My thoughts clouded over and the only thing that mattered was kissing Edward. He pulled me closer and we just kept kissing. He finally broke our lips apart, letting me gasp for air.
"You are the only thing in this world that I need. I just want you forever and I have you. I'll get past my outbursts. I just wasn't expecting that today I didn't think anyone in his or her right mind would bring him up at my wedding. Though that does lead me to an interesting point. Since I'm under Jasper's spell I can't yell at you but why did you invite Jake to the wedding? You know that if he would have come I would have been much worse than I was? I couldn't do that to you I know that it would have hurt you to see me like that especially on our wedding day. It was my one request that he didn't come. I don't like hurting either of you but I do and it kills me." I know that I shouldn't be picking a fight today but it bothered me a little bit. I didn't want to look him in the eye but I couldn't help it.
"Bella you have to realize that if I was in his shoes I'd like to have had the option to at least come if I wanted to. That's all I was doing. I wouldn't want to be forgotten just because you chose him. I'm sorry I know I broke the rules but I just couldn't let him go uninvited. It would have killed me." He took my hands and pulled the left one up to his lips and gently kissed it. "I love you Isabella Marie Cullen, I know you hate your full name but I just wanted to say it once out loud to see how it flowed now. I love it!" His smile was so big I couldn't help but smile back. I knew that I'd drop the invite thing because he always got his way and it wasn't that big of a deal anyways.
"I love you too Edward Anthony Cullen!" I snickered. I had never used his full name before and it sounded funny to me. "You know I forgive you just because it's you." I smiled at him before we were interrupted.
Angela walked up behind me and made me jump. "Hey Bella I just wanted to say congratulations before Ben and I left. It was really awesome that you let me be a bridesmaid it meant so much to me. I hope you two are happy and I wish you good luck." Her eyes began to water and so did mine. Why did I have to get so close when I'd just have to rip myself from them so soon? I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her.
"Thanks Ang it means a lot to me that you did it. I know that a lot of people don't really support our decision but you were there for me the whole time. I'm really going to miss seeing you once we go off to college." It was true I really was going to miss her but I know that it's worth it. "Have a safe trip home and if I don't see you before you head out then have fun at school with Ben."
"You too Bella. Good luck and enjoy the honeymoon." She gave me once last hug and then turned around to get Ben and head home. Most of the people had taken off by now and that was okay with me. I just wanted to get to the airport and so we could get to the hotel room, maybe I was being a little selfish but I couldn't help it.
It didn't take too much longer before the last person left. I looked at the pile of gifts that we had received, "Those can wait till we get back right?" Edward smiled.
"Yes love lets get in the car and head out. We have a bit of a trip a head of us. Don't worry about packing anything we'll just get stuff there. I'm in a hurry there is a flight leaving 30 minutes after we get there if we leave now." My heart skipped a beat and nodded. "Alright we'll see you guys later thanks for everything."
"Thank you Alice for planning such a nice day for us and Jasper thank you I couldn't have asked for a better gift, besides your brother." We both hugged everyone and then walked out the front door. "Edward I'm going to the airport in my wedding dress for you. You know I love you right?" I laughed at my own joke. While he just rolled his eyes and giggled back.
