A/N: As always, thank you for your reviews. You all are awesome and keep me going.
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. I wish I did.
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Chapter 7:
Bella walked along the long, narrow halls of the Cullen house, studying. It was like seeing them for the first time. Her new eyes allowed her to see things so differently. So clearly. She only wished that that ability reached her mind as well. She had so much to think about. Her family. The wedding. Being a- vampire- She still couldn't wrap her head around that. Except for the cold and the constant thirst, she felt exactly the same.
Well almost exactly the same. As she ran her fingers down the wall, she reached a mirror and stopped. She wondered if she would ever get used to her reflection. She knew she would never get used to it like this. She wasn't in her pajamas, or her favorite pair of sweats, or even her most dressy outfit. She was in her wedding dress and that made her take a step back.
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Down the hall, Edward leaned against the corner, arms folded, watching her. She was so beautiful to him. She always had been. But now, in her wedding gown, she was just as he had imagined she would be. Her hair was placed in a bundle on top of her head with big sections curled under and secured with bobby-pins. He thought it was fitting for royality and suited her just as well. Her dress was in 2 parts. The outer layer was a white, lace turtleneck. The delicate fabric buttoned at her neck, her breasts, and her stomach, then flowed easily out to the floor. The sleeves were long and billowed out at her elbows. Crystals and beads adorned the bodice. He noticed where the dress split he could see the second dress. It looked to be satin. Images he had thought many times raced through his head. Images that after tonight, he wouldn't have to put aside. He longed to touch her. Just the satin dress for now. The rest later. He imagined what it would be like- their first time. His first time. It couldn't have been more perfect.
Now, that's a lie, he thought. It could be more perfect.
The images he preferred to gaze upon dissolved and different ones, worse ones, took their place. He remembered what it was like for him his first few hours as a vampire. The shock. The thrill. The unspeakable thirst. It had been different for him, he remembered. He was an orphan. No one cared what happened to him. But Bella had family. A mom and a dad. And he knew that she was missing them right now. It would be harder for her and for them.
And then there were the wolves. He had broken the treaty with them that they would live in peace as long as the vampires didn't kill or bite any humans and stayed away from La Push. He was sure they wouldn't just forget that. Nor would they take him changing Bella lightly. Not when they had been so close to Bella. Not just Jacob Black, who was still missing. There were others on the reservation who had befriended Bella. Taken her into their home. They had told her their stories. Trusted her. No, Edward thought. They aren't going to forget this.
At least one thing was taken care of though, The Volturi. Now that Bella was a vampire, there was no need for them to police them. They would be satisfied. That was at least one thing not to have to worry about. One down, fifty million to go. He mused.
"See anything you like?" Bella smiled, breaking him from his thoughts. She was watching him from the end of the hall, waving the sides of her dress around freely. "You know, you aren't supposed to see the bride before the wedding, don't you?"
"I apologise." He smiled as he took a step toward her. "Forgive my manners. I just.-- You look beautiful."
"As do you." She thought about doing a curtsy, but then decided that would look stupid. "But if you are going to be wearing that for the wedding, then I'm severely overdressed." He looked at what he was wearing. The same white shirt and black pants as he had been in before. "We still have a while still. I guess you were in a hurry."
She laughed. "Alice was. I think she thought I'd run or something."
Edward's forehead furrowed. "Couldn't Alice see what was going to happen at the wedding?"
Bella shrugged. "Alice said that for some reason, since I became a vampire, that sometimes the signals get wonky."
"Wonky?"
"Yeah. Screwed up. Wires crossed. She said that sometimes she can see me clearly and sometimes it's like static on a tv. Wonky."
He nodded, very curious as to what that meant. "I see." He looked back into Bella's eyes and those curiousities hid themselves under his desire. "You look beautiful."
"So you said." she laughed softly. He couldn't help himself. He felt like he was grinning stupidly. She looked modern, yet classic. Like she could have fit in either the twentieth or twenty-first centuries. Perfect.
"Does your drooling mean that you like it?" She grinned playfully.
He began walking toward her again. "Vampires don't drool." He smiled a crooked smile. "But I would if I could."
She held her hand up to stop him when he was almost to her. He ignored her and took her hand in his. "The wedding is at sunset. At the foot of the staircase. It is beautiful at sunset. Have you seen it?"
"No. I haven't been down yet. I was going to, but got caught up in here." She said embarrassed. "Alice told me about it, though. I can't wait to see it."
"Wait." he told her, pressing his lips to her hands. "Don't go down yet. I want it to be a surprise for the wedding."
"Speaking of--" she looked up and down at his clothes. "Think you might should be getting ready now?"
"Just let me be all romantic for a moment and tell you this one thing, please." his red eyes shined. "Bella Swan. I can not wait for you to be my wife."
"Me too-- I mean the um-- husband part." she stuttered, and he laughed at her. "Isabella Swan, you aren't having second thoughts are you? I mean, you are a vampire now, and I have nothing to hold over your head. You don't have to marry me."
She teasingly leaned her head over to kiss him, but instead smiled before he lips reached his. "Go get dressed, silly man. You have a wedding to get too."
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About thirty minutes later, Edward stood in front of the mirror in his room, trying to tie his tie. Jasper stood beside of him, using his own reflection to do the same.
"Nervous."
"No. I'm not nervous."
"It wasn't a question." Jasper chuckled. "You feel nervous to me."
"Well, stop feeling. I'm fine. Why shouldn't I be? I'm marrying the love of my life." Edward replied as he finished with is white bowtie.
Jasper laughed again and slapped Edward on the back playfully. Emmett joined the crew beside Edward to check his own 'tie-manship'. He looked at Jasper and winked. Edward knew he was in for it. "You know, Edward. It has occurred to me that you are the only one of us who had never married."
"That's right." Jasper agreed in mock shock. "Tell me, Emmett, how many times is it for you and Rosalie now?"
"Seven. Give or take a few." Emmett answered, admiring himself in the mirror. "You and Alice?"
"Just the once. I figure if it doesn't take the first time, why bother the second?"
"Touché" Emmett agreed. "You know how Rose is though." Jasper nodded as he tried to get one unruly hair to lay down.
"So." Emmett grabbed Edward around the shoulders, messed his hair, and led him away from the mirror. "It seems to me that, it being a night of 'firsts' on many accounts, that you might like some brotherly advice."
"Help me." Edward called to Jasper, but knew he would get no help. Emmett sat him down on the black leather couch across from the mirror. Jasper followed.
"No, Edward. We are here for you in your time of need. Any questions you may have or concerns about the ways of women, we are more than happy to answer."
"And draw diagrams if need be." Emmett added helpfully.
Jasper hit Edward on the leg. "Ok, first things first. You need to know the story of the birds and the bees."
"I know the birds and the bees." Edward grimaced.
"Maybe. Maybe not. Lets explore that." Jasper said.
"Oh no." Edward tried to get up, but was pushed back down. "Oh yes. You need to know these things Edward. Listen to us. When it comes to the ways of women, Emmett and I are experts."
"Experts?" Edward scoffed.
"Ok, well we know more than you, so pipe down." Jasper ordered.
Emmett continued. "Seeing as this is your first time. I'm sure you have some questions. How will it feel? What do I do first? What do I do with the next 23 hours and 58 minutes of my honeymoon?"
Edward hit him.
"Ok. Ok, sorry. Got carried away." Emmett laughed. "Rule number one, never jump to the finish."
"Right." Jasper took over. "Draw the moment out. Linger. Take your time. Because no one wants their lady to remember their first time lasting all of 2 seconds."
"Rule number two." Emmett went on.
"Please don't" Edward tried to get up again and was quickly shoved down again.
"Exactly. If you do something she doesn't like, and it's bound to happen the first time..."
"Or two." Jasper added.
"Or two." Emmett agreed. "If she doesn't like something, don't do it. Stop. Change. There are many different ways to--"
"Oh thank goodness." Edward called out relieved as Carlisle came in the door. "Save me." Edward laughed to his father.
"Boys." Carlisle smiled. "It's a big day for Edward. Leave him alone. You only get married once... well the first time anyway." All of the men laughed together. Edward loved being part of a family. Even a crazy one like his.
Jasper put his arm around Edward. "Ok, serious note. We are happy for you, Edward. We love Bella like one of us already. We know how hard this has been for you, and we are here to support you."
"Do we hug now?" Emmett teased, but patted Edward on the leg in a move of solidarity anyway.
Carlisle cleared his throat to get their attention. "Jasper. Emmett. Please give me a few moments alone with Edward. I have some things I'd like to discuss with him."
"If it's the birds and bees, we've already covered it." Emmett grinned.
"Get out." Edward laughed and threw a pillow at him as he left the room.
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Carlisle sat down beside of Edward. "It's a big day for you."
"Yes. Have you seen her?"
"I have. She is lovely. She is finishing getting ready with Alice."
"How did she seem to you?" Edward asked.
Carlisle rubbed his hands together. "How do you think she seems?"
Edward sighed. "I think she is happy. I want her to be. That's what she told me."
"Do you believe her?"
"I want to." The fun times with Jasper and Emmett were fading. Now he had to think about reality again. "I know she has been through a lot, and I want to make her happy."
"And you?" Carlisle asked.
"Me?" Edward stood and walked back to the mirror. "Carlisle, the only thing I have ever wanted in my whole entire-- I was going to say life, but that's such a short time, isn't it? The only thing I have ever wanted in my entire existence was Bella. I couldn't have her leave me."
Carlisle joined him. "Do you feel bad about changing her?"
Edward thought for a moment. "No. I don't feel bad. But I feel bad for not feeling bad. Does that make sense? I took her life, Carlisle. I should feel some sort of remorse, I think. But I don't. I feel grateful that she is still with me."
Carlisle placed his hand on Edward's shoulder. "And I am grateful that you are still with me. Life isn't fair, Edward. Every one of us in this house knows that. We should have all died during different parts of history. But we didn't. Not really. We were changed, and here we all are now." He turned Edward to face him. "There will be difficulties, but today isn't the day to dwell on them." Carlisle patted his shoulder's and then began to straighten Edward's tie. "Today is your wedding day. I think it's customary, especially at his son's first wedding, " he grinned, "to give some fatherly advice."
"I hope it's better than the advice I just received." Edward rolled his eyes, smiling.
"Oh no. I'm not sure I could top that." he laughed. "Just remember this. Love her. Be with her. Make her feel special. Make her feel loved. And by all means, don't tick her off. She's got a temper, that one."
"That she does." Edward laughed. He embraced his father. "Thank you. For everything."
"Come on." Carlisle urged. "We've got a wedding to get to."
