Dusk Before Dawn

By Lady Callista

Disclaimer: I do not own the Twilight series, much to my disappointment. Although if I did it's target audience might have been slightly different, as almost every story I've written over the past five years ends up with lemons in it. Any quotations used from the book are purely for reference, after all it's difficult to retell the story from another perspective without putting in the parts that are already in the book, and no copywrite infringement is intended. I also do not own any of the songs I've quoted.

Last time…

I'd known she wouldn't look up until she cleared the treacherous stairs, and wanted to see her in the same instant that she saw me. I wanted her to see herself in my eyes as I finally beheld her in her wedding gown. The dress that thanks to my control and Alice's scheming I had not seen before this instant.

I slowly breathed in the scent of her as it flowed up the aisle, and positioned my eyes on her face.

Chapter 3: Forever

Bella looked up slowly, a deep blush already staining her cheeks. She glanced around the room briefly before snapping her eyes to meet mine.

I met her gaze with the full power of mine for an instant, all my love for her naked on my face for all to see. Then, faster than human eyes could follow, I flicked my gaze over her dress and back to her eyes. As I did so, I opened my mind to the people in the room, and it was suddenly like being in a house of mirrors. I was seeing Bella from every different angle, as it she were my own reflection on all those fun house mirrors.

Dress makes her look so mature.

It's like she's glowing.

Didn't know she could look so pretty.

So beautiful.

She was the most beautiful think I had ever seen. Yet although the dress was exquisite, and was a style my mother could have worn when she got married, the dress was not what made her beautiful.

Love her hair.

Radiant, she look so happy.

Edward looks so awed.

Alice had certainly worked wonders with her make-up and hair; I had never seen Bella look more polished and sophisticated. But that was not what made her beautiful.

We have another sister.

Wonder if she's noticed anything but him.

They don't even look nervous.

What made her beautiful was that she was looking at me as if nothing else in the world existed. I felt a smile of pure exuberance explode onto my face as her eyes, wide with wonder and looking dazzled, held mine. She didn't look resigned, or afraid, or even nervous. She looked happy. And eager. And it wasn't an eagerness to get this over with, it was simply an eagerness to do this. To take my hand. To be my wife. I could barely stand still as she moved closer to me - she was moving so slowly.

Finally, half a second before I would have exposed us all my simply appearing at her side, Charlie drew her to a stop in front of me.

My smile so wide I worried it would crack my face, I held out my hand to my Bella. She continued to stare into my eyes, love pouring off of her, as Charlie took her hand from his arm and placed it gently into my hand.

The most loving, peaceful expression I had ever seen crossed her face as she stepped up beside me, locking our fingers together and letting our hands fall to our sides as we turned to face the minister.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…"

I ran my thumb lightly over the back of her hand as we listened to the minister's familiar words. Looking down at our entwined hands, I remembered several days ago when she'd hesitantly asked me if it would be okay if we changed one particular part of the wedding tradition. Even not knowing what she'd wanted to change I had agreed, still afraid she'd find a reason to back out.

"Speak now or forever hold your peace."

She'd hesitated a moment, then asked if I would mind her hand not being in the crook of my arm during the ceremony. My mind had flashed to the insane idea that she didn't want to be touching me, even as I'd calmly asked where she wanted her hand instead.

"Who gives this woman to this man?"

She'd laced her fingers through mine where they rested on her side. "I want to hold your hand," she'd whispered. "I want to be touching you."

My ridiculously impossible worry had melted away at her heartfelt words, and I'd whispered 'yes' even as I'd kissed her passionately.

"Face each other and join hands."

Bella handed her bouquet to Alice, and our eyes met again as we turned each other to take both hands. It still felt like we were the only people in the world. Nothing else mattered. Only this tiny girl, this beautiful woman, who could look at someone like me with only love and trust.

"Do you, Bella, take Edward to be your lawfully wedded husband. Do you promise to love him…"

Tears ran down Bella's face as she stared into my eyes, awe still visible in hers, but she didn't seem to be aware of them. Her heart rate was elevated, and a sudden shift in someone behind her blew her scent directly into my face. I inhaled sharply, squeezed her hand too tightly for a brief moment, swallowed the rush of venom, and continued to keep my eyes on hers.

"Forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?"

My control was so good she hadn't even noticed.

"I do." Her voice came out soft, slightly choked with her tears, and sounding like the most beautiful thing in the world. A tremor of triumph ran through me.

"And do you, Edward, take Bella…"

I couldn't break eye contact, couldn't look anywhere but her eyes, where I could see the joy reflected on my face.

"I do." My voice came out awed, joyful, and certain. I'd never meant any words more.

"Do you have the rings?"

Carlisle and Alice handed them over.

"Take this ring as a sign of my love and devotion."

Bella's hand burned in mine as I slid her ring into place beside my mother's, and her hands trembled slightly as she slid my ring into place.

"Then by the power…"

Bella's hands continued to shake as we turned back to face the minister, although whether it was from her own excitement or from the look on my face I didn't know. Inside I roared triumphantly. Mine. She was finally mine! Alice slid Bella's bouquet back into her hands with an impish grin.

"You may kiss the bride."

I turned back to her, releasing her hand to cradle her face in both of mine. It was the happiest day of my life, and I'm sure my face reflected that as I slowly bent down to kiss my wife.

The slight giggle from behind Bella was all the warning I had before Bella reached up, coming to her toes and wrapping her arms around my neck. The movement, fast by human standards, might have undone me without the warning Alice had flashed to me. Bella's scent hit me like a steamroller, and my eyes slid closed as suddenly I was kissing her. Gently, tenderly, with all my love. For once it was easy to ignore the desire that rose up, to swallow the venom without even feeling the burn in my throat.

There was nothing in the world but her, her soft, warm lips under mine, her one hand wrapped around the back of my neck as if she would never let me go. I lost track of how long I was lost in her.

Only Alice's musical giggle broke through my thoughts, and once I heard her I was suddenly aware of the giggling and throat-clearing around us. But I still didn't want to stop kissing her.

Wonder if they're just gonna start the honeymoon here.

Only Emmett's teasing, and the lewd image that accompanied it, made me pull back.

I smiled into her eyes for a moment, fixing the image of her flushed cheeks and joyful face into my perfect memory. Adding them to my scrapbook of Bella. Then as the applause broke out, I reluctantly turned from her to face our family and friends, keeping her one hand firmly in mine.

I felt Carlisle's hand on my shoulder for a second, and then Esme was in my free arm as quickly as Renee was hugging Bella. Renee was crying softly, and I know Esme would have been if she could.

I'm so happy for you, my son.

She released me sooner than Renee was ready to let go of Bella, and suddenly Alice was wrapped around me. I hugged her to me tightly. "Thank you for today."

I loved it too, but you're welcome.

She beamed at me then, sharing a memory of a pale, resigned Bella from upstairs that had me grinning, mostly because it matched not at all with the flushed, beaming woman whose hand I still held.

Then Alice and Esme slipped over to hug my wife -I knew I would never get tired of using that word- and I found myself faced with Bella's mother.

Renee hesitated briefly, then slid her arms around my waist. I hugged her back carefully, knowing she was too emotionally overwhelmed to notice my cool hand or my marble skin.

My family had worried slightly about this; as the groom, what would people think when they hugged me or shook my hand?

Alice had said it wouldn't be a problem. Renee would be the only human to hug me; most of the other humans here were Bella's friends from school, and although in theory they were mine and Alice's friends as well, none of them would have the nerve to hug us. There was Charlie - not a problem. And the Quileute, who with the exception of Seth probably wouldn't be willing to touch a vampire, but would know what they were touching if they did. So, no worries on the hugs. And the handshakes wouldn't seem strange either, for Alice had stuck a chemical hand-warming pack into my pants pocket. Not the first time one of us had used something like this to fit in where handshakes were needed.

I eased gently away from Renee, shook Charlie's hand, and followed along in Bella's wake as she was passed from one person to another. I even managed to not kill Jessica as she told Bella how beautiful she looked while wondering if Bella was pregnant. She couldn't understand any other reason to marry at 18. She couldn't understand our love.

And on this day, that could only make me sad. I knew what it was like to live longer than a mortal lifespan without love, and I pitied anyone who didn't find it.

Bella was passed along from her friends to my family, and although her eyes were almost glazed over by this point, she recognized the difference, for she made sure they were passed down to me as well. Her friends had carefully drifted away after a mumbled 'congrats' in my direction, but my family, Tanya and her coven included, embraced me as they did Bella.

And then Seth Clearwater hugged Bella gently, and I saw her eyes widen as they quickly flicked up to his face. She'd known he was coming, and known no one had heard from Jacob, yet for an instant the hope on her face was painful. Yet she recovered instantly, smiling at Seth before leaning down to hug Billy.

Seth locked his eyes with mine as he shook my hand.

Sam says Jacob's been running here since this morning. He might make it in time…

I nodded, grateful he hadn't told Bella this. If she thought he was coming, and he didn't make it before we had to leave, it would be even worse for her.

Yet, I couldn't find it in me to be jealous or upset about the joy I would see on her face if Jacob did make it. She'd chosen me, and I could only feel sympathy for the dog, for I knew how painful it would be for him to see her today. For him to see her as someone else's bride.

I'd told Jacob the truth all those weeks ago in the tent, when I was seething with jealousy over seeing Bella in his arms, and at the same time aware of how much my debt to him was increasing.

I was certain I could have done the same if our places were reversed, but then I'd had a hundred years to practice at controlling my emotions. And it would be the most painful thing I'd ever done in those hundred years.

I couldn't decide if it was good or not that I could read his thoughts - for I knew he loved her just as much as I did. I knew he loved her in the same complete and selfless way that I did. He'd proven that by backing off, by accepting that she chose me, instead of breaking her heart further by making her choose between him being her lover or nothing at all. He loved her enough to bow out, to be her best friend, and that made me respect him more than he would never know.

The group moved from the living room to the backyard without any hitches; Alice had planned in perfectly so that the sun would be blocked by the trees before we had to step outside.

We set up a slightly more formal receiving line at this point, and talked to all of our family and friends as they passed by. I saw Bella's eyes flare when Tanya embraced me, but that was quickly smoothed over.

We laughed as dozens of pictures were taken of us, and we fed each other cake. Bella tossing her bouquet to Angela made me smile; she'd unknowingly thrown it to her best female friend. Well, other than Alice, but Alice hadn't even tried to catch it.

I was still smiling as Bella sat on Jasper's leg so that I could take off her garter. Although Carlisle had been by best man, it would seem strange to the humans to see my father holding her as I removed her garter. And as Rosalie was still slightly jealous of Bella, we'd decided that Jasper rather than Emmett should have this honor. Jasper went down to one knee gallantly, and I heard giggles from the girls we'd gone to school with as Bella perched uncomfortably on this thigh. She reached under her dress, trying to make it look like she was rearranging her skirts, but as I went to my knees before her I knew she'd moved the garter Alice had loaned her down to her ankle.

I wasn't sure if this was for my benefit, after all she'd noticed my response to her arousal, even when my face wasn't inches from her core, or if it was for her benefit; I chuckled at how pink her face would turn to have everyone see her with my head buried under her skirts.

Whatever the reason, I carefully removed the garter from her ankle, making sure my teeth didn't touch her. Then I focused on the thoughts behind me before flipping it over my shoulder to Mike. It was slightly mean, after all, I liked Angela enough that I'd helped her get together with Ben, but I still disliked Mike enough to allow myself this slight pettiness.

We danced then, Bella and I seeing nothing but each other. I chuckled as Esme and I flew over the floor while Charlie and Bella danced awkwardly. I danced with Alice, then cautiously with Renee, as I watched Bella pass from Jasper to Mike. The thoughts in Mike's mind were annoying enough that I reclaimed by bride from him as quickly as was polite.

We joked briefly about Mike before her comments made me realize that Alice had not made Bella look into a mirror after she'd gotten her ready. I was amazed my sister had overlooked that.

"Then I suppose you don't realize how utterly, heartbreakingly beautiful you are tonight. I'm not surprised Mike was having difficulty with improper thoughts about a married woman." I made a mental note to be sure that the next time something was this amazing, I would make sure Bella had a mirror. "I am disappointed Alice didn't make sure you were forced to look into a mirror."

"You are very biased, you know," Bella replied quietly.

I knew that tone of voice; she wasn't fishing for another compliment, as most girls her age would have been. She just didn't understand her own beauty.

I sighed and moved us to the edge of the dance floor, shifting my grip on her until we both faced the back windows of the house. It was amazing what good mirrors they made.

"Biased, am I?" I asked as she took in our reflection in the windows. I chuckled as she stared, seeming awestruck. For once, she wasn't staring at me. She was looking at herself as if she wasn't sure the reflection was really her.

Edward, would you mind if I saw my best friend?

I turned towards the woods automatically at the sound of my name, unable to stop my body from tensing at the familiar voice. "Oh," I murmured quietly. Seth had been right, and I'm sure I couldn't hide the momentary frown the dog's voice automatically caused. But it was easy to turn that into a smile as I thought of what this would mean to Bella. Her day was perfect now. Everyone she loved was here.

"What is it?" Bella asked, having noticed my distraction, and wondering who had called my attention to their thoughts.

"A surprise wedding gift." I beamed at her as I spun her closer to the edge of the dance floor. I imagined how I'd have felt if Alice hadn't been here today, and I imagined my joy if I suddenly learned she'd made it.

"Huh?" Bella still followed my lead, but I could hear the confusion in her voice.

Without answering her, I slowly led her towards the woods at the back of the yard.

Would have just come to the party, after all you did invite me, but I heard about those 'lost child' posters and didn't want to cause a scene.

I understood. His showing up at the reception would have caused quite a scene, and although Bella might have been pleased to have the attention drawn away from her, Jacob hadn't wanted to ruin the reception. He'd found the perfect balance.

"Thank you." I spoke into the darkness where I knew he stood. I knew what it would have cost me, were our positions reversed, to do this. "This is very…kind of you."

"Kind is my middle name." Jacob said as he approached from the darkness. "Can I cut in?"

Bella's legs almost gave out, and only the arms I had wrapped around her waist kept her from crashing to the ground. I watched her hand fly to her throat as she whispered, "Jacob."

She was trembling so badly she could barely get the word out. "Jacob!"

"Hey there, Bells."

I assisted her over to him, and managed to keep my expression blank as she fell into his arms. Every instinct screaming, I backed away.

"Rosalie will kill me if she doesn't get her official turn on the dance floor." I said softly as I backed away.

Although Bella didn't move, I saw the expression on her face change for an instant, and I knew she understood what it cost me to give her this.

I walked slowly back to the dance floor, keeping my mind firmly on Jacob's thoughts.

TBC…

AN: Thanks to all who reviewed the past few chapters, it's so much easier to get inspired to write when I know people are enjoying this.