Here it is! The next chapter! Yay me! Okay, again, Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight and all the characters within it so there you go. Enjoy the chapter!
Edward's POV
The limo was going too slow for my taste, but I couldn't complain. All the thoughts that I normally could hear were drowned out completely by Bella. The most perfect woman in the entire world was mine… for eternity. No matter how hard it was to accept, I knew deep down there was no way around it. My Bella (It's great to be able to call her My Bella.) would have to become a vampire eventually, and there was no use prolonging it any longer.
Bella was still looking at me with her large, beautiful brown eyes. "Edward?" she whispered to me as she leaned against me.
"Hmm?"
"You still won't tell me where we're having our honeymoon," she reminded me.
I grinned. "No. I told you it's a surprise. But don't worry. You'll like this surprise. Anyhow, I think we're here," I said, gesturing outside. I don't think I would've noticed if I hadn't heard Emmett come up and start banging on the door while holding his bowl of rice from the wedding. I was still absorbed with Mrs. Cullen.
Bella's eyes widened as she looked at Emmett's face. "No…" she groaned. I shook my head and pushed open the door, sending Emmett flying.
"Hey!" Emmett yelled from his spot on the ground. I assisted Bella out of the limo. She was clutching her dress. God, I didn't envy her for wearing that, but she had no idea how amazing and spectacular she looked. And I thought Bella couldn't have gotten any more heavenly. She was like an angel on Earth. But the best part was, she was my angel.
"If we make it to the crowd in time, we can skip the rice," I reminded her. She grinned, slipped out of her shoes, and grabbed my hand. I slipped out of my shoes and took off my socks and we ran to the crowd, Emmett behind us. When he fell the rice had spilled everywhere.
Dammit Edward! You did that on purpose. Do I have to use sand? Emmett thought angrily.
My eyes narrowed. He wouldn't dare.
Bella was going slow, and she knew it. She stopped and looked at me. Ah. Bridal style. I picked her up into my arms, where she smiled. We ran a faster, still keeping it human speed, and arrived at the crowd.
"Damn," Emmett hissed, crossing his arms. I chuckled and kissed Bella gently before placing her on the ground. She blushed and turned towards the crowd.
"Alice?" she called out softly. Alice was at her side in moments. I think she forgot that there were humans.
Alice looked at my wife cheerfully. "Yes?"
"Let's go take a seat and get the stupid toasts over with. Speeches and all that nonsense," Bella said, shaking her head. Alice smiled and grabbed her hand, leading her over to one of the many tables. This one was different though. In the center was a small scrapbook. Okay, it looked tiny, but it was thick. It had a silky white cover with a single rose stitched on the bottom in silver thread. In fancy calligraphy there were two quotes.
"My own personal angel straight out of heaven."
"You're everything I need."
If I wasn't a vampire, I think I would've cried as I stared down at the cover. Bella came over to see what I was looking at, and she didn't even want to flip open the book. She gasped and put a fragile hand over the cover. "Everything I need," she murmured under her breath, tears traveling down her cheeks. She looked up at me and smiled. I was pretty sure I knew who had done this. Alice. Bella knew too.
"My own personal angel," I whispered to her, putting a finger under her chin and making her look up at me.
I heard a bunch of light footsteps, and then there was a small hand on my shoulder, and another one on Bella's shoulder. "Come on, love birds. You can look at this later. It's time for speeches and toasts!" Alice giggled excitedly. Bella laughed and I reached for her hand. My throat didn't even burn as I grasped her warm hand in mine and felt her pulse. Her rich blood was still going through her healthy and strong. It wouldn't last for long, but all the same. I'd enjoy myself as much as I could. I was sure I wouldn't miss having to restrain myself from killing her, but there were things I would miss.
Still, the way Bella looked at me. If I wasn't completely sure she wanted to be with me for eternity before, that look reassured me and erased all doubt. There was such love and devotion buried in the never ending pools of brown. With my other hand I brushed aside a tear lingering on Bella's cheek, and we both took our seats.
Everyone else sat down, now done with their chit chat momentarily. They're going to love my speech, Alice thought to herself. I can see it.
I can't believe I'm making a speech, Angela thought hurriedly. I smiled. I liked Angela. She was always so sensible when it came to these things. It was good to have that when you had a half-crazed Alice working on a wedding.
Wait till they hear our speech. They better love it! I didn't lock myself in a room with Emmett to write a stupid speech for nothing! Jasper thought to himself, glancing over at Emmett, who had a big goofy grin on his face. Uh oh. I tried to read everyone's thoughts. I was desperate. The way Emmett was grinning, I didn't feel safe within a mile of them.
Most of the thoughts weren't helpful. Some were thinking how handsome I looked. Others were thinking of how happy they were for us, or how beautiful Bella looked. Charlie was just thinking of how many ways to kill me if I knocked Bella up. I gave a sigh. I wish…
Then I found it, clear as a bell. Emmett's thoughts. Immediately my suspicions were confirmed. This wasn't good. If it was a normal speech, I was pretty sure Emmett wouldn't be replaying football games in his head. I narrowed my eyes and squeezed Bella's hand.
"What's up?" she asked, looking worried.
"Emmett," I answered angrily.
Bella raised her eyebrows and glanced at the big oaf. "What about him?" she asked.
I sighed. "Think about it. Emmett and Jasper wrote a speech together. Worse, they wrote it about us. Think, Bella," I told her. Bella's eyes widened.
"No," she gasped. Yeah. That's what I thought too. No. This was going to be bad. Good thing Alice was going first. It'd give me more time to think about how to kill Emmett and Jasper. If I wasn't so in control of myself, I probably would've jumped them already. The rice thing wasn't too funny.
Alice stood with a microphone in one hand. "Hey everybody," she called to the crowd. "Today is a special day. My brother Edward has finally found that special somebody just for him. It's a relief for me. Edward's been such a great brother; I was worried he'd never find somebody who deserved him. I was getting worried. Then Bella sat next to him in Biology. Ever since then his life has changed. I'm glad Bella found you, Edward. Really, really glad. Mostly because Bella is one of the few people I know who would give me total control over her wedding. But that's not the point.
"Then there was Bella. Edward brought her to our house to meet us. The moment she walked in the door I knew it was possible. There really was such a thing as true love, no matter how much the two of them wanted to deny it," Alice said, glancing back at us and winking. "I loved Bella, and I still do. She's like a sister to me, so personally, I'm glad Edward decided to ask her to marry him. Bella's great. She's always fun and is nice and caring. She hates shopping but she loves me and so she'll go anyway and tries to enjoy herself. Personally, these two are great and perfect for each other. I wish both of you an eternity of love and happiness." I didn't miss the emphasis she put on eternity. I could've laughed. But that would've looked odd.
Emmett and Jasper got up. Uh oh.
I didn't miss the huge amount of air Bella sucked in. She held it too. I stroked her face gently with one index finger. She blushed. It would be all right. We'd live through whatever dumb speech my two brothers wrote. (God this was gonna be bad.)
Alice stared at the two of them. Her eyes glazed over for a minute. She had gotten a vision, and I didn't want to see it. Nor did I want to read Emmett and Jasper's thoughts.
"Uh… Here you guys go," Alice said hesitantly, handing them each a microphone.
Emmett grinned and looked at the crowd. "Hey guys. Okay, so you're all here because for some reason you wanted to watch my brother get married. Why, I don't know. I'm still trying to figure out why Bella wanted to marry Edward in the first place. If you think of anything, you better tell me."
Jasper smiled. "I think it's called love," he whispered rather loudly into the mike, glaring at Emmett.
"Oh," Emmett managed to say. "Well anyway, I can't deny these two are perfect for each other…"
"I can! Bella's clumsy and Edward's creepy! Two wrongs don't make a right!" Jasper interrupted.
Emmett nodded. "Point taken. Anyhow, I guess they love each other a lot. Edward always thinks of Bella as an Angel, and she thinks the same about him. Angels and more Angels. Edward says Bella the Angel somehow ended up in his life. What was the word he used…? Oh, come on Emmett! Oh, yeah. She gracefully fell out of Heaven and landed in his life. I say different. More like tripped on her two left feet and crashed into my brother," Emmett said, gesturing towards me. What did he think he was doing?! Everyone laughed as Bella blushed. I squeezed her hand for reassurance, but she looked uneasy all the same. How dare Emmett humiliate my wife!
"I was surprised she didn't trip walking down the aisle. Maybe Charlie was carrying her and we all didn't notice," Jasper put in. I was seething as I glared at him.
"Yeah, I was hoping she'd trip, but oh well. Now, Jasper is about to go on about how much Edward and Bella deserve all the happiness in the world and you probably won't believe they love each other, but trust me, they do. I can't tell you how many times Edward has snuck into Bella's bedroom in the middle of the night just to hear her mutter how much she loves him." A growl was slowly rising in my throat. Bella gasped, hiding her face in my shoulder as everyone laughed… except for Charlie. For once I was scared as the Chief stood up and glared at me. If I wasn't a vampire who knew that I could easily take out Charlie (not that I ever would because Bella would hate that, and I can't hurt anyone who loves Bella (minus Mike) or who Bella loves) But then Charlie remembered this was a wedding and quickly sat down.
Jasper smiled as he continued, "Anyhow, these two really love each other. They deserve the best we can give them."
Emmett's arms went into the air as he hollered, "I'm giving them RICE!" Emmett grabbed a bowl of rice that somehow I hadn't noticed (weddings + beautiful human wife do not equal very observant Edward Anthony Mason Cullen) and got out a handful. I rolled my eyes. Again with the rice. I was about to pick Bella up and dodge, but Emmett was through with us dodging. The rice hit home. Right in our faces.
Jasper shook his head and took the rest of the rice, pouring it on top of the giant vampire's head. Emmett frowned as Jasper finished up. "So, yeah, this is what he gets for trapping me in his room for four hours to write a damn speech to write. So we wish you two the most happiness possible." Emmett mumbled something under his breath and I read his thoughts to make sure everything was safe.
I wonder if sand works the same as rice… he thought happily. He looked up at me and frowned. He knew I had heard him and he quickly scurried off. I smiled, pleased.
Angela was shaking her head as Alice gave her a microphone. "Okay, uh… Wow," she muttered, slightly dazed. I smiled. I don't think Bella liked that too much. Calm down Angela. Just make sure you don't say anything stupid or embarrassing for Bella's sake, Angela thought hurriedly. "Yeah, well… I met Bella about three years ago. She moved here from Pheonix, Arizona. There was a lot of talk about her and there were a lot of boys wanting to meet her, but that isn't why we're friends. Bella's an amazing person and she's always been there for me, and I've tried to do the same for her. I don't think I could ever be as great as her though. She supported me when I started dating Ben. She helped me with all the hard work for graduation, like the stacks of invitations I had to send out. It was great. I considered myself someone who knew Bella pretty well. But then she became friends with Edward, but I guess they were always more than just friends." I smiled as Bella blushed. Enemies came first, but Angela didn't know that. I had hated Bella for about two seconds. Maybe a little longer but truly I loved her.
"I'd never seen Bella so happy. Never had I seen anyone so happy. The attention I think she could've done without, but just the fact that Edward was there seemed to make it all better," Angela continued, glancing over at us and smiling. "Edward left for a while, all part of a misunderstanding, but you'd think when he came back Bella would've rejected him. I mean, that's what normal girls did. But obviously they didn't just like each other. Bella didn't even ask for an explanation as far as I know. She was back to life when Edward came back. It reminds me of what Alice said about Edward. He had no life apparently, before he met Bella. These two fit together perfectly and I wish them everything good. Just remember Bella that if Edward ever does something weird all you have to do is call. We can compare notes. I wish you a Happy Ever After." Everyone laughed at the second-to-last part, even me. I do a lot of weird things, and obviously Ben did too. We both glanced at each other and he smiled sheepishly. I returned it.
Angela gave the microphone back to Alice, who quickly announced all the speeches were done. Good. I wasn't sure I could take anymore, and I was positive Bella couldn't. She gave a sigh in relief.
That's when the buffet came out and Bella glared at Alice. Alice would of course get a high quality buffet on the BEACH of all places, but I was pretty sure Bella wasn't worrying about that. She was probably worrying about the price. No one else was though. It didn't even pass through their thoughts, and I would know if it had. They just loved the food.
Bella stared at the plate with steak and angel hair pasta. "I can't eat it," she said, dazed.
"Why not, love?" I asked, putting a finger under her chin.
Bella shook her head. She picked up a fork and jabbed at the steak. "Prices," was all she muttered as she poked and prodded her food. Honestly, humans could be so funny some times. I frowned. I knew it. Prices.
"Please?" I begged, making her look at me. Bella's face went blank for a moment. Apparently I "dazzled" her. That was a lie. I was sure of it. Bella groaned, picked up the knife, and began to cut up her food, her eyes never leaving me. She stabbed a piece of disgusting human food and put it in her mouth, chewing it deliberately as she watched me. Finally Bella swallowed. "There. I'm done," Bella said.
I shrugged. "If you say so," I said, a smirk playing on my lips. I stood up and walked over to talk to Ben and Angela and thank them for coming and participating. When I came back, half the food was gone. I chuckled. "You were done?"
Bella pouted and crossed her arms. I kissed her though and the pout melted away. "Time to dance," I told her. The pout came back, but I kissed her again. I could do this for hours if I needed to. "Remember what I said at prom? It's all in the leading, Bella." She rolled her eyes, but didn't try and pull away when I pulled her gently towards the smoothed out area on the beach that was the dance floor.
There were several 'awws' as I bowed to her.
"Would you like to dance Bella?" I asked with a crooked smile that apparently Bella loved.
"Only if I get to dance with you," she whispered to me. My smile widened. That's exactly what I wanted to hear.
That's when the strangest song started up. Did Alice seriously make our song Mandy by Barry Manilow? I was confused now, but Bella and I started dancing, and believe me, I was happier than at the prom, or when I first met my Bella. Bella was relaxed. She wasn't even paying attention. What was funny that she was actually good when she didn't concentrate.
Still, I listened to the lyrics of the song. I had only heard it once, but I hadn't been paying attention. I had been talking to someone at the time.
All the same, it was hard to listen. Bella looked gorgeous as she laughed and placed her head on my chest, looking up at me with those large brown eyes I loved.
I spun her away from me before taking her back and we started to sway again as she smiled. I smiled back.
They look so cute together, Renee thought as she leaned against Phil.
He'll make her happy, another woman thought. Must've been Bella's aunt or something. I wasn't sure who it was, but I hoped they were right. I wanted to make Bella as happy as possible. I couldn't bear to see her suffer.
I could sense the song ending, so I pulled Bella closer into my and she laughed as she leaned into me. "I love you," I murmured as I kissed her head.
"I love you more," she muttered. I chuckled. She had no idea.
The song ended, and I pulled her into a short, passionate kiss. I thought over the dance. Wow. The song was pretty close to what had happened to us. I blinked. Who would've thought? … Alice. Then I started laughing. "What?" Bella asked, confused.
"Father Daughter dance," I told her. She gaped.
"More like Father Daughter shuffle-of-feet," she hissed, but she smiled all the same. I pulled away from her as Charlie came up to me. He glared at me for a moment, shook his head, and stole my wife from me. But I didn't have to worry. I'd get her back the moment he was done dancing. I'd make sure of it.
The song Let Go started, and I noticed the double meaning of the words. Charlie would not only have to give Bella up, but (no matter how much it displeases me to say this) he'd have to "give her up" in a way he wouldn't expect. Bella would have to fake her death or run off. He wouldn't get to see her. Bella wasn't concentrating this time, trying not to worry I bet, and so she was doing most of the dancing. Charlie moved his feet beside her. They were muttering to each other, but I made sure to let Bella have her private conversation with her father. It might be her last one. I wasn't sure.
It seemed like forever, but finally the song ended. Charlie reluctantly released Bella, which means I was at her side in moments. She laughed freely and leaned against me as I put my arm around her waist. She was all mine. No one could take her now. That's when another song began. Everyone else was allowed to dance now.
Oh! A new song! It's time to dance.
Poor Charlie. He's giving away his only daughter.
Where is Phil? Is he talking to Mike again? Ugh! It's time to dance!
Bella looks so beautiful. Dammit, why did she pick Edward. Now I'm stuck with Jessica.
No. I told him already. The photos look gorgeous. God! He's acting like it's the end of the world. Not like the maid of honor is going to tear his head off if they don't look just right.
I could've laughed at the last thought. Alice would tear the photographers head off. I could've done without reading a fantasy that started up in Mike's head about breaking up with Jessica and finding Bella but it was hard to drown it out. Eventually I got it, and Bella and I started dancing again.
That's when a thought broke into my head. I flinched.
Why did Edward pick her? She's human. Forget her. She won't last long anyway. Plus she's a clutz. Doesn't Edward want a pretty, perfect girl? I agree with Mike.
Images of Tanya and me kissing (Hah! Like that would ever happen.) And even more images of Bella dying. I winced. No. She wouldn't die. At least... not that way. I closed my eyes momentarily.
"Edward?" Bella asked hesitantly.
My eyes flew open. "Hmm?"
"What's wrong?"
I shook my head. "Nothing," I said, but obviously my eyes looked tortured.
"Liar," she hissed. "And you thought I was bad."
"You just happen to be good at reading people. Much practice?" I asked, trying lamely to get her attention off the subject.
"Edward Cullen," Bella hissed.
I sighed. "Tanya just has a very graphic imagination," I answered simply. Bella's mouth formed a perfect 'o'. I grinned crookedly and kissed it away. Bella blushed. She still looked worried, but I'd fix that. I kissed her again, putting more feeling into it. When I pulled away Bella's heartbeat was racing. I chuckled. "Come on. I think it's time you threw the boquet." Bella nodded and I followed her over to where Alice was standing. Alice grinned, already seeing what we would say, and nodded.
"Boquet toss!" she cried into the microphone. All the bachelorettes' heads snapped upward and they scampered to the cleared out area on the beach where Bella and I were. Alice handed Bella the 'back-up' boquet and Bella tossed it into the crowd of girls. Jessica caught it. Bella smiled. She knew what that meant. And so did all the men. The women went back to their seat, except for Jessica, who had to wait as was tradition. The next part was going to be the best part of the wedding almost.
Bella's POV
Uh oh. I knew what was next. All the men were lining up. That meant the garter. Somehow I had kept it on my thigh. Wouldn't Edward enjoy that, as would Emmett and Jasper when they got the chance to see me turn crimson. (Not like I didn't do that everyday or anything.)
I sat down in a chair that Alice had pulled up. (Alice always had everything prepared. Honestly, who was that organized?) Edward looked at me, a mischievous glint in his eyes. Crap! This was going to be awkward.
I don't really want to recall the rest of it. However, I had noticed something odd while Edward was "retrieving the garter." "Edward," I had whispered to him. His head shout out from under my dress to look at me. "Wrong leg," I whispered even softer to him. Edward nodded as Emmett and Jasper burst out laughing. Well look! I wasn't the one being laughed at, even if my cheeks were quickly going through all the different shades of red in under two seconds. When Edward finally (He did that on purpose!) came out with the garter in his teeth, he flashed me my favorite crooked smile that always took my breath away. He clutched the garter tightly and turned to the group of men.
He threw my garter straight into Mike's face. Poor guy's head turned dark purple. Edward had done that on purpose too, I was sure of it. How else was he going to rub it in Mike's face that I had picked the Greek God over Mike? Several things popped up in my head, and I quickly pushed them away.
It seemed like forever, but finally the wedding ended. A few things surprised me, though. Edward actually ate the piece of cake I had to shove in his face. Rosalie never, not even once, came up to congratulate us or anything, and Tanya was stalking my Edward like he was prey. Oh, and Mike never took his eyes off Edward, even with Jessica clutching his arm for dear life with a new found passion. I shook my head. I was glad it was all over.
My eyelids drooped as I walked towards the limo, my Greek God to my right. Noticing I was tired, Edward picked me up like the traditional gentleman he was and got inside the limo with me in his arms. I fell asleep with my head on his chest as he murmured things to me. Something was unsettling him, though, I could tell. Still, I tried to push back my worry and enjoy the moment. I was going to make it last as long as possible.
Okay, so originally this chapter was going to be called If I Wasn't. (I know, horrible name, right?) Anyhow, in the end I decided not to do that. Also, I decided not to make Jacob appear. I'm not trying to make this the same as Stephenie Meyer's breaking dawn. No way am I doing that. I allowed the whole Mike thing because I couldn't think of anyone else Edward would throw the garter at, though Emmett did cross my mind a few times. Sorry this took a little longer, but most of my chapters are probably going to take longer now. Sadness for you guys. My updates will become more weekly instead of daily. (My prologue and first two chapters came out in two days.) This chapter took longer than I thought it would because Emmett and Jasper's speech, as well as the ending, took me a bit. (Writer's Block this early in the story. Wow.) Anyhow, two things for you guys.
One, I love reviews. (cough cough)
Two, thanks for reading!
Ezzy
