Disclaimer: I am not the wonderful Stephenie Meyer, and unfortunately I hold no claim over Edward or any of the Twilight Saga characters, or the storylines themselves, unless there is something you read that wasn't in the series.

A/N: Yay! Chapter 4, which I am proud to say is over 5,000 words long! I worked my butt off on this chapter, and just to make sure I know my readers appreciate it, you should leave me reviews and what not. J If you have any suggestions, or you don't like something I did, feel free to let me know. Constructive criticism is much appreciated. Thanks to all my dedicated readers, I'm looking forward to your reviews.

Love,

Alicia

Exactly as Alice had planned, the wedding flowed perfectly into the reception. It was just now twilight over the river, as all of the guests got up and headed out back. I led Bella out back through the glass doors

Our friends surrounded us, congratulating us once again. Seth was among the first to find his way over to us. "Congrats, guys" he said as he ducked under some of the decorations.

At his flanks were his mother Sue, and Billy Black. Sue was a strange looking woman with a severe haircut, and I was growing angry with her thoughts.

I can's believe Seth wanted to come here. What a disgrace, a human marrying a vampire! For crying out loud. Bella would have been better off with Jacob, over this reeking vampire any day. He will be the death of her, watch and see.

I stopped listening before my temper could get the better of me. Billy was chanting over and over again in his head that he was happy for Bella, and even though I didn't believe it, it was a nice gesture. He knew the gift I had, and was gentlemanly enough to try not to think negatively about the wedding around me.

Then Seth leaned forward with his arms extended to me, and I hugged him with my free arm, keeping the other wrapped around Bella. Sue shuddered at the fact that her werewolf son had just hugged his vampire friend.

"Its good to see things work out for you, man. I'm happy for you." Every thought in Seth's head told me that what he said was far from a lie. It was the absolute truth.

"Thank you, Seth. That means a lot to me" I said, as I pulled free of the embrace. The difference in temperatures made it only slightly uncomfortable. I turned to look at Sue and Billy. "Thank you as well. For letting Seth come. For supporting Bella today."

"You're welcome" Billy answered, and his voice sounded almost optimistic. But I knew it was just to make Bella feel better.

A line began to form, so Seth said goodbye, allowing others to congratulate us yet again.

Angela and Ben were next, followed by Angela's parents, then Mike and Jessica, who were holding hands. Both of them made me sick. The presented themselves as a couple, but Mike was almost screaming his fantasies about Bella at me, and Jessica was thinking of how much she would love to take Bella's place on the honey moon. I had to stop listening before her thoughts made me sick, if only she would just realize that I would never touch her.

After Mike and Jessica walked away, Tanya was standing in front of us, her arms outstretched to me. Eleazar, Carmen and Kate were behind her. I was unsurprised that Irina was absent.

Tanya hugged me, a little too long for my liking, then said "Ah, Edward. I've missed you" Her thoughts began tracing back to when we lived in Denali, and the attraction she felt for me. I chuckled uncomfortably, and slipped out of her grasp and put my arm around Bella, once again.

"It's been too long, Tanya. You look well."

"So do you."

"Let me introduce you to my wife." Saying the word for the first time since we had become man and wife, made me swell once more with joy. Tanya and the others laughed at my tone. "Tanya, this is my Bella."

Tanya appraised Bella for one long moment, careful with her thoughts because she knew I was listening, then she held out her hand and took Bella's. "Welcome to the family, Bella" she said with a warm smile. "We consider ourselves Carlisle's extended family, and I am sorry about the, er, recent incident when we did not behave as such. Can you forgive us?"

She sounded sincere and her thoughts matched her words. "Of course" Bella answered her a little breathlessly. I had to try not to laugh at her. "It's so nice to meet you."

"The Cullens are all evened up in numbers now. Perhaps it will be our turn next, eh, Kate?" Tanya said grinning at Kate. Bite me. Kate thought, flashing me a little smile, knowing I heard her.

"Keep the dream alive" she said rolling her eyes, as she took Bella's hand from Tanya's. "Welcome, Bella."

Carmen stepped forward and put her hand on top of Kate's, smiling. "I'm Carmen, this is Eleazar. We're all so very pleased to finally meet you."

"M-me, too" Bella stuttered. I looked up at the trees trying to keep from outwardly laughing and making Bella mad at me.

Tanya glanced at the humans behind her, Charlie's co-workers, and smiled. Then she turned back to Bella. "We'll get to know each other later. We'll have eons of time for that!" she laughed as they all turned away.

Of course, as planned, all of the familiar traditions were kept. Bella and I had to smile and be blinded by flashing cameras, for what seemed like millions of pictures. We cut the cake and then took turns shoving it in each others faces. To Bella I'm sure it tasted amazing, to me it was horrible, and I knew I would have to throw it up later. Bella stared in disbelief.

Bella threw her bouquet and I could tell by the way she threw it that she wanted Angela to catch it. Much to my surprise, she did. I chuckled a little as Emmett's thoughts echoed my own. Bella actually managed to throw it right to Angela? Maybe all this time around us vamps has made her a little more graceful. Ha-ha.

I ducked down under Bella's dress and removed her garter, which was almost at her ankle, with my teeth. Emmett and Jasper were roaring with laughter, at the deep blush that stained Bella's cheeks. Once again Mike Newton's vile thoughts invaded my mind, and I carefully shot the garter right in his face.

Music began to play, and I pulled Bella onto the dance floor for our first dance as husband and wife. Even though Bella was a horrible dancer, she looked amazing as we danced together. Thankfully, her dress was long enough that the guests wouldn't notice that she was standing on my feet.

"Enjoying the party, Mrs. Cullen?" I asked her, loving the way the name just rolled off my tongue.

Bella laughed, a beautiful happy laugh. "That will take a while to get used to".

"We have a while" I reminded her, getting excited thinking that we would be together for eternity. Then I leaned down to kiss her as we danced, and I could hear the cameras clicking away.

The song changed and Charlie tapped me on the shoulder. Even if I couldn't hear his thoughts, I would have known that he was coming for his dance with Bella. I walked away and danced with Esme and Kate. Bella was dancing with tons of people, and it was only when I heard Mike thinking of how amazing it felt to have Bella in his arms did I decide to cut in. She was just married for crying out loud, someone give the boy a clue.

I tapped him on the shoulder and quickly, yet gently, stole Bella out of his arms. "Still not fond of Mike, eh?" she asked smiling.

"Not when I have to listen to his thoughts. He's lucky I didn't kick him out. Or worse." I would have really preferred the latter. That involved Emmett using Mike as a punching bag. Not that I couldn't do it myself, but Emmett would enjoy it much more.

"Yeah, right" Bella answered sarcastically. Why did she always doubt the fact that she was so beautiful? Was it really so hard for her to believe?

"Have you had a chance to look at yourself?" I tried to keep from being angry with her for not realizing what a beautiful creature she truly was.

"Um. No, I guess not. Why?"

"Then I suppose you don't realize how utterly, heartbreakingly beautiful you are tonight. I'm not surprised that Mike's having difficulty with improper thoughts about a married woman. I am disappointed that Alice didn't make sure you were forced to look into a mirror." How could Alice not make Bella look at herself? It was preposterous for her to not see how beautiful she looked.

"You are very biased, you know."

I sighed and then quickly spun her around so that we were facing the glass wall, which reflected the party like a giant mirror. Then I pointed at our reflections. "Biased, am I?"

She stared first at my reflection, and I was about to say something, when she turned her attention to her own reflection. A look of disbelief crossed her face, as if I had placed some sort of trick mirror in front of her. Finally, she would have to believe me when I said she was beautiful.

Edward, I'm here for Bella.

"Oh!" I let out a small sound of surprise, for I had not been expecting to hear the voice off Jacob Black for a while. Even though it broke my heart to think of the connection they shared, I broke into a smile knowing how happy this would make Bella.

"What is it?" she asked with a nervous edge to her voice.

"A surprise wedding gift."

"Huh?"

I didn't answer, I just took her in my arms again and started dancing back the way we had come from. Towards where Jacob stood in the shadows.

"Thank you. This is very… kind of you." My words rang true. It was kind of Jacob to come support Bella. I knew all to well the pain it must be causing him, because I felt a small pang of pain whenever she looked at him and her face lit up like a light bulb.

"Kind is my middle name. Can I cut in?"

Comprehension dawned on Bella's face, and her hand flew up to her throat in surprise. "Jacob! Jacob!" She managed to choke out the minute she could breathe. I knew that if I hadn't still had a firm grasp on her, she would have fallen over.

"Hey there, Bells."

Bella began to stumble forward, and I made sure to keep my hand under her elbow supporting her as she made her way to Jacob.

Jacob reached out and took Bella into a hug. He made no efforts to dance, he just stood there and hugged her while she buried her face in his chest. Another twinge of pain ripped through me, seeing how much she still loved him.

"Rosalie won't forgive me if she doesn't get her official turn on the dance floor" I said giving Bella a wedding gift of my own. I was giving her time alone with her best friend.

I walked over an took Rosalie's hand and began dancing with her. Edward what's wrong?, her thoughts came drifting to me. I shook my head slightly and she let it go. We were into our third song, when I heard Bella and Jacob arguing. He's going to sleep with her while she's still human? He'll kill her. That stupid filthy bloodsucker. How can he play such games with her life?! I knew she was Better with me!

I released Rosalie and began across the floor at human speed, given all of the guests.

"Ow, Jake! Let go!"

Then I seen her shake her, and I began to loose it. "Bella! Have you lost your mind? You can't be that stupid! Tell me your joking!", he yelled at her. He shook her again.

"Jakestop!"

I felt people coming to the same area that I was, trying to quietly diffuse the situation. "Take you hands off her!" My voice rang out, ice cold, sharp as daggers. Behind Jacob I heard two snarls.

"Jake, bro, back away" Seth told him gently, yet sternly. "You're loosing it"

Jacob seemed to stand there, dumbfounded and not releasing his grip on Bella. I could hear her heart pounding in her chest.

"You'll hurt her. Let her go." Seth whispered gently.

Jacob still didn't move and I lost my patience. "Now!" I snarled at him.

Finally he dropped his hands to his sides, and as soon as he did, I rushed forward and grabbed Bella, taking her a few yards away from where Jacob was still standing. I stood in front of her, tensed and ready, in case Jacob decided to attack. His thoughts were so disoriented, there was no way to predict what he was capable of right now.

There were two wolves between Jacob and I, and Seth had his arms wrapped tightly around Jacob's quivering form, trying to drag him away. "C'mon , Jake. Let's go." Seth told him.

"I'll kill you." Jacob choked with rage. "I'll kill you myself! I'll do it now!" You're going to destroy her you filthy selfish bloodsucker. She can never be happy with you. You are a disgrace and a waste of space. I wish you had died when Bella ran off to save you. Everyone in this world would be better off without monsters like you stealing the soul from people as precious as Bella!

I was at the breaking point. I was ready for a fight. Jacob knew exactly which buttons to push. "Seth, get out of the way." I hissed.

I wish you would, you soulless, heartless monster. I hope you rot in the deepest circle of hell after I dismember you and watch you burn. Jacob thought viciously.

"Don't do it, Jake. Walk away. C'mon" Seth said still tugging on him.

Then the massive black wolf, that I knew was Sam, shoved his head against Jacob's chest was helping Seth drag him away. The three of them disappeared into the darkness, and Quil took off into the dark after them.

"I'm sorry" Bella whispered to Quil as he turned to the darkness, then stopped. .

"It's all right now, Bella" I murmured, trying to mollify her.

Quil stared at me, with a gaze that was unfriendly. You know Jacob was right. Your taking a stupid risk. I gave him a cold nod. Quil huffed at me, then turned and followed his brothers into the darkness.

Edward, you better get back soon, no one has noticed anything yet, but they might start to get suspicious if the bride and groom are absent for too long Jasper thought.

"Alright" I said both to myself and Jasper, before turning to face Bella. "Let's get back"

"But Jake"

"Sam has him in hand. He's gone" I said cutting her off, hoping to stifle her worries. It was ridiculous to think I could stop them all together, but I wanted to just hold them off. She shouldn't be worrying tonight.

Of course, it was Bella we were talking about, making it impossible to stop her from worrying.

"Edward, I'm so sorry. I was stupid" I hated to heard her put herself down like this. It makes me sick to my stomach.

"You did nothing wrong" I began, but she cut me off, determined to be upset with herself. Determined to blame herself, like always.

"I have such a big mouth! Why would I… I shouldn't have let him get to me like that. What was I thinking?"

"Don't worry" I said touching her face, ever so gently. "We need to get back to the reception before someone notices our absence."

She shook her head, as if she were trying to get her vision straight again. I was almost positive, that until now, she had completely forgotten the time and place.

"Give me two seconds" she said pleading. She began smoothing her hands over her dress. "My dress?"

"You look fine. Not a hair out of place" I reassured her.

She took two deep breaths. "Okay. Let's go."

I put my arms around my beautiful bride, and led her towards the dance floor, cursing Jacob in the back of my mind for ruining this night for us. Once again I thought back to what I had said about Romeo. It seemed like the odds were always stacked against Bella and I. There was always someone determined to ruin what we have.

As we began dancing, I studied Bella's face. "Are you"

"I'm fine" she promised. "I can't believe I did that. What's wrong with me?"

I could feel my anger building. Jacob made her think terrible things about herself, he made her put herself down. I hated him for that. "Nothing is wrong with you" I replied as gently as I could. When I was being honest, I was more pissed at Jacob because what he'd said had merit. I was making stupid decisions and endangering Bella's life.

Bella was quiet for a long moment, and I knew that she was blaming herself. I didn't need to be able to read her mind to know that.

"It's over. Let's not think of it again tonight" I heard her say. But her voice sounded like it was far away. I was too caught up in what Jacob had said. How could I play with Bella's life like this? She was so fragile, so breakable. I could kill her in a second without even realizing it. I could feel her staring at me, but I was too lost in my own despair, I didn't pay any attention. Then she spoke again, and I snapped back to the present.

"Edward?" she asked in a tone that I knew meant that she was worried about me.

I closed my eyes and leaned down so my forehead was pressed against hers. "Jacob is right" I whispered to her, trying to hide the pure hatred that I held against myself for agreeing to sleep with her while she was still human. "What am I thinking?"

"He is not" Bella said trying to keep her face relaxed, and not show the emotions bubbling inside her. But I wasn't really listening to her. She would say anything to get me to change my mind. "Jacob is way too prejudiced to see anything clearly."

"Should let him kill me for even thinking…" I mumbled so low I was sure Bella couldn't hear me. Yet again I was wrong.

"Stop it" she said fiercely, as she grabbed my face in her hands, and held them there until I opened my eyes and looked at her. "You and me. That's the only thing that matters. The only thing your allowed to think about now. Do you hear me?" she demanded.

"Yes" I said sighing softly.

"Forget Jacob came" she said and then paused for a moment. "For me. Promise me that you'll let this go." Her eyes were pleading with me, as I stared deep into them. I could get lost in those beautiful chocolate brown eyes, and there was no way I could refuse her when she pleaded with me this way. I had to do whatever I could to make her happy.

"I promise."

"Thank you. Edward, I'm not afraid" she said, meeting my gaze again.

"I am" I admitted, like a frightened child. I was terrified. If I hurt Bella, I couldn't live with myself. All my life I have tried to be the hero, and I just turned out to be a monster after all. Carlisle was right. We can't be heroes.

"Don't be" she replied as she took a deep breath and smiled. That smile was almost enough to melt the ice that had formed around my heart. "By the way, I love you."

I smiled slightly in return. "That's why we're here." I needed time to compose my thoughts, and Emmett answered my pleas.

"You're monopolizing the bride" he said as he came up behind me. Figured you might need a few minutes to compose yourself. Jazz say's you feelings are pretty much all over the place. "Let me dance with my little sister. This could be my last chance to make her blush" he added just to irritate Bella, I'm sure, because he let out a loud laugh. He took Bella from me, giving me the escape I needed.

I walked and sat down at a table that was empty, and was almost hidden in the shadows. It wasn't long before I was joined by Esme. I should have know she would be coming to offer motherly support.

"Edward, I know about what happened and I know what Jacob said. But he's hurting, Edward. You took the girl he loved from him. By beating yourself up, and wallowing in self-pity, your not loving Bella as much as you could. Then your letting him win. He wants you to feel this way. He wants you to push Bella away, and right into his arms."

I sat for a moment and contemplated what she had said. "But he's right, Esme. I'm taking such a risk with her life. I could kill her. How am I supposed to look at myself in the mirror every morning if I hurt her?" I couldn't bear to say the words kill her out loud.

"It's what she wants. She knows the risk involved, Edward, and she still wants you. She knows the risk involved in marrying you, the war it could start. But she did it anyway, because she loves you, she loves you as much as you love her and she's willing to do anything to make it work. Even Renée, with dull human senses, can see that there is an abnormally strong bond between you two. You were made for each other. Simple as that."

"And if I hurt her? What then? What do I tell people? It makes me less of a monster because she asked for it?" I shook my head in disgust.

"Edward, you won't. If you only believed in yourself half as much as we do, a quarter as much as Bella does, you would see that. You have beaten the odds all the way around. The two of you were meant to be together. It's fate. If it wasn't, then you wouldn't be. You would have killed her that first day, she would have died in Phoenix, the Volturi would have killed her, Victoria would have killed her. The two of you have beaten the odds so many times, how could you even have a shadow of a doubt that you were meant to be together? Everything happens for a reason, always remember that."

In that moment, despite the fact that I have never been a physical person, when Esme hugged me, I fell into her arms like a child. I owed so much to this woman. She was, in all ways that truly counted, my mother. She has seen me at my worst, and loves me anyway, and she always knows what to say to guide me through my darkest times. If it were possible, I'm sure both of us would have been crying.

"Thank you so much, Mom" I said knowing it melted her heart whenever we called her that. She considered us her children, but she never asked to be seen as a mother in return. So it made her even happier when we thought of her as out mom.

She kissed my forehead, then said "I think you have a bride to dance with" as she smiled at me.

I kissed her on the cheek, and stood up and moved to walk away. "Oh, and Edward" she called, causing me to whip around to face her. "Remember what I said. Everything happens for a reason."

I smiled and made my way through the crowd back to my bride. When I finally reclaimed her, I wrapped my arms tightly around her. Time and time again I swore I could love her anymore than I did in that moment, and I was always proved wrong. I had never loved her as much as I did right now, in this moment. It was like a pure fairytale. She smiled and laid her head against my chest, and I held her tighter in response. Despite all the people around, we were having a very private intimate moment.

"I could get used to this" she said, breaking the silence.

Knowing what she meant, I decided to tease her anyway. "Don't tell me you've gotten over your dancing issues?"

"Dancing isn't so badwith you. But I was thinking more of this," she said holding me tighter, "of never having to let you go." I smiled.

"Never" I vowed to her. Then I leaned down to kiss her. It started out as slow and innocent, but then it built to a more passionate kiss and had a strong intensity. Bella and I had both forgotten where we were until, of course, Alice interrupted us.

"Bella! It's time!", I heard her call to Bella.

I tried to ignore my pixie of a sister, and continued kissing Bella, with more urgency this time, knowing that Alice wouldn't leave us alone until she got what she wanted. I could feel Bella's heart beat pick up and grow rapidly, as I kissed her more urgently. Edward! Stop it, Bella needs to get changed! she shouted at me in her head.

"Do you want to miss you plane?" Alice demanded, as she stood right beside us now. "I'm sure you'll have a lovely honeymoon camped out in the airport waiting for another flight" she scolded us.

I turned my face slightly to wards Alice, to murmur "Go away, Alice" then went back to the matter at hand: kissing my beautiful bride. Edward Anthony Masen Cullen, you are not helping things at all! Stop this instant!

"Bella, do you want to wear that dress on the airplane?" she demanded, still trying to strike a big enough nerve that would cause us to stop.

Then Alice let out a low growl when Bella didn't respond. "I'll tell her where you're taking her, Edward. So help me, I will." I froze. Bingo! There's the threat I needed she thought as she watched my reaction.

I lifted my head from Bella's and glared at Alice. "You're awfully small to be so hugely annoying." I said knowing she hated to be picked on for her size.

"I didn't pick out the perfect going-away dress to have it wasted" she shot back at me. She then grabbed a hold of Bella's hand and said "Come with me, Bella."

Bella held on for dear life, and I couldn't help but chuckle silently at the look on Alice's face. If I weren't afraid of Alice ripping Bella in two, I would have never let go.

I followed them inside, and waited patiently at the bottom of the stairs, humming softly to myself, trying to block out all the thoughts in my head. That was the only think I hated about having so many guests. Then Bella descended the stairs, looking gorgeous in a blue ensemble. I held out my hand, and she took it, but leaned away in search of something.

"Dad?" she asked, as her eyes scoured the room.

"Over here" I murmured to her as I dragged her through the crowd to Charlie. When we found him, I was almost as surprised as Bella to see that he had been crying. After all, Charlie had never been big on emotions.

"Oh, Dad!" Bella exclaimed, as she threw her arms around his waist and began crying too. He patted her back, though only slightly uncomfortable.

"There, now. You don't want to miss your plane."

"I love you forever, Dad. Don't forget that" Bella told him. Wow.

"You, too, Bells. Always have, always will." Charlie was growing slightly more uncomfortable, as they spoke their emotions out loud. They kissed each others cheeks at the same time, then Charlie said "Call me."

"Soon" Bella promised him.

"Go on, then. Don't want to be late" he said a little choked up.

The guests cleared a path as I held Bella close to me and we made our escape. "Are you ready?" I asked.

"I am." As soon as the words were out of her mouth, the passion burning in her eyes made me know it was true. I kissed Bella on the doorstep, and our audience burst into applause. Then I heard in several peoples thoughts that we were about to be bombarded with rice, and I rushed Bella to the car. Most of it missed us, but of course Emmett angled his just right so that it would ricochet off my back, and the whole handful would hit Bella.

The car was decorated with tons of flowers and streamers, and gossamer linked dozens of shoes to the back of the car. I stared and laughed. Alice will be Alice, I thought to myself. I tried to shield Bella from the rice, as she climbed in the car, and called out "I love you" to the families waving on the porch. I climbed in next to Bella and squeezed her hand as the car pulled away.

"I love you" I told her, and the words had never been as true for anyone, anywhere as they were for us right now.

She leaned her head against my arm, and quoted me. "That's why we're here."

I kissed her hair. I had never thought it was possible for two people to love each other as much as we did right now. As we got onto the highway, I hit the accelerator, and I could hear a piercing howl coming from the forest. I willed the car to go faster, to take me further away from one of the biggest obstacles Bella and I had overcome so far. And as we drove off into the sunset, I couldn't help but feel like Prince Charming, and I could feel my Princess right beside me. I guess happy endings aren't just for fairytales after all.