Once again I am so blessed to have such awesome readers. You guys rock my socks. So here are some of my famous virtual double chocolate chip brownies smothered in fudge sauce and vanilla ice cream. Thanks to all of you who have reviewed and added me to their alerts and favorites.
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On to the boring stuff...I'm not SM so i don't own twilight i just get to play with the characters :-D
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Chapter Seven
The following day was crazy. Alice and Esme woke Bella up bright and early for a quick meal. Bella had barely finished her last bite when she was whisked away to help with the final arrangements for the following day. To say she was overwhelmed was an understatement. She had no idea about place settings or music arrangements. All she wanted was to get the wedding over with. She had no desire for a large affair, but from the looks of it, large would be a good thing. There were hundreds of chairs and settings.
"Bella, what would like better, the gold or the scarlet rimmed place settings?" Alice asked.
"Alice, I'm going to trust you to make all the decisions for this. I have no idea what I am doing and I would hate to ruin it by my input. I want this day to be perfect and I know I just won't do it right," Bella sighed.
Alice smiled the broadest smile before jumping upon Bella and squealing. "Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you. I won't let you down. I swear by it. This will be the best wedding the city has ever seen."
Bella internally cringed. She did not want this affair to be so large, but it was just too late and by this time tomorrow the entire city of Chicago it seemed would be staring at her as she walked down the aisle.
"Where is Edward," Bella asked. He should be here to at least make some of the decisions. It was his wedding too after all.
"Oh heavens," Esme gasped. "You are not going to see him anywhere near here. Nor will you see him at all today. It's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding. You must surely know that."
"I guess I didn't," Bella sighed. "I just thought maybe he would want a say in some of this."
Alice laughed. "Bella, men do not care about colors or place settings. All they care about is who comes walking down the aisle and what happens after the reception."
Bella blushed. No one had ever been that forward about such talk in front of her. She did know about the happenings after one is wed, but she wasn't exactly sure how it worked.
"Bella, you do know don't you?"
"Alice, this is not exactly an appropriate discussion," Bella chided.
Esme smiled at the two girls. "Bella, it's quite alright. You are in good hands with Edward. He won't hurt you and I'm sure you will enjoy yourself."
Bella was such a shade of scarlet that she wondered if she would ever see her true color again.
That evening Bella had never been so happy to just be able to soak in a tub of hot water before. The day had worn her out and she was sure tomorrow would be even worse. After soaking and finally relaxing Bella washed her hair twice and scrubbed every inch of her body as Alice's orders.
The following morning Esme was in Bella's room before the sun was up rushing around gathering different items and rushing back out of the room. Alice followed shortly after pulling the blankets off of Bella's bed and pulling her up.
"Get up sister of mine. Today is the day," she squealed. "You are going to be an official Cullen."
Bella froze in her place. "I'm getting married today," she mumbled. A slow grin spread across her face as she looked up at Alice who was eyeing her with a raised brow.
"Yes, you are getting married today." Alice looked at Bella closer and gasped. "You've fallen in love with him." It wasn't a question. Bella simply blushed and looked at the floor. Bella soon found herself on the floor lying on her back with a sobbing Alice on top of her.
"I'm just so happy," she cried. "I knew it would happen. I just knew it, but I didn't know it would happen so soon."
Esme walked into the room at that moment and stopped in her tracks. "Mary Alice Cullen," she screeched. "Get up this moment. Bella cannot have any more bruises for her wedding day."
"She loves him," Alice shouted. "She already loves him mama."
Esme looked between Bella and Alice before what Alice had said truly sunk in.
"Is it true? You have found true love for my Edward?"
Bella nodded and looked back down at the floor embarrassed by the situation she found herself in.
Esme's sobbing had Bella rushing to her side in a panic. "Esme, what on earth is the matter," Bella cried. "I didn't mean to offend you. I just didn't, I mean…oh heavens. I'm so sorry Esme."
"Hush dear," she chided. "These are happy tears. I have never been happier than I am right now. You have completed this family in a way we weren't sure would happen. You were quite unsure when you arrived and we were so worried that you would be miserable in your marriage that we nearly called it off."
Bella gasped. "Oh Esme, I am so happy. I can't even tell you how happy I am to be here. Even after everything that happened I was happy. Edward was so kind and gentle and made sure that I was taken care of. He was patient and I just well, it just happened and I am so happy."
Bella now joined in with the other two women in the room. Tears flowed freely down her face as she sniffled into her handkerchief.
"Bella, stop crying this instant," Alice cried. "Your face will be all blotchy for the ceremony and I will not have that."
Bella nodded and laughed. "Sure Alice, now help me get ready. I'm about to become a Cullen."
Bella's hands shook as she waited in her room for Alice and Esme to come get her. In just a few moments they would be heading to the church and Bella would officially become Mrs. Edward Cullen. She had never been as nervous as she was then and she thought she just might pass out.
Alice and Esme spent several hours getting her ready for her big day. She had very little make-up on; just enough to cover the faint bruising that she still had on her left cheek. A little rouge and some gloss on her lips and she was perfect.
Esme had curled her hair into small ringlets and pulled it back into and overflowing bun at the back of her head. Her veil was pinned into the bottom of the bun with the most beautiful pearl pins Bella had ever seen.
And then there was her dress. It fit her like a glove and she hoped that Edward would like it as much as she did. Esme gifted Bella a new strand of pearls. Alice let her borrow her pearl earrings. Bella had her grandmothers blue handkerchief and Esme handed her a silver sixpence that was placed in her shoe.
Bella smiled thinking back to just a few minutes ago when Esme kissed her cheek and told her she loved her. The only thing missing today was her own parents, but she understood that they just couldn't make the trip. It was a horrible time of the year for travel and wouldn't have been safe.
Bella was pulled out of her musing by Alice bouncing into the room and clapping her hands.
"It's time! The boys are already at the church so there is no chance you will be seen. Papa will escort you down the aisle and then you will be my sister."
Alice hugged Bella gently for the first time since they had met. "I don't want you to wrinkle."
Bella smiled and nodded her head trying to fight back the tears. These were happy tears not tears of sorrow that she thought she would shed today. It was the happiest day of her young life.
Bella stood in the narthex of the church waiting for Carlisle to escort her down the aisle to her betrothed. Her hands were shaking and she felt as though she just might be sick. Part of her wanted to run away as fast as she could and not look back, but she knew that would be the wrong choice. She loved Edward and wanted to be his wife, but the thought of loving someone she barely knew still scared her.
Carlisle stood at a side door smirking at his soon to be daughter. He was in awe over her strength and how she handled herself. She was an educated woman that would easily keep up with his son's mind, yet she would still be able to put him in his place.
Carlisle knew that Bella was beyond nervous, but he also knew that she was in love with his son and wasn't quite sure how to handle it. Smiling he walked over to Bella and took her hand in his.
"It's alright to be nervous. It's not every day you become some ones wife."
"Some ones wife," Bella muttered. Her heart slammed against her chest and her breathing came in short gasps. It was the first time she had really thought that she could be losing herself today. She would no longer be Bella; she would be Edward Cullen's wife. She would be an extension of him.
"Bella, what is the matter? Are you not happy?"
"Carlisle, am I going to lose who I am? Will I not be my own person anymore once I become Edward's wife? I can't lose who I am. I have worked hard to establish my ideas and opinions."
Carlisle looked at Bella and pulled her into a hug kissing her head like he would Alice.
"You will never lose who you are Bella. We pride ourselves on our individuality and would never ask that you give up who you are because you are marrying Edward. And if I am to be honest with you, I don't believe he would be happy if you did. Your strong opinions and ideas on life are one of the many things he loves about you. One of the many things we all love about you. And I tell you what, if he ever wants you to change who you are I will personally thrash him."
Bella smiled and hugged Carlisle close.
"Thank you," she sighed.
"Anything for my daughter."
Bella pulled away from Carlisle as the music changed signaling their time had come to walk down the aisle. Bella wiped the tears that were about to spill over and kissed Carlisle's cheek.
"Thank you, papa," she whispered causing Carlisle's smile to broaden.
Bella walked slowly down not able to take her eyes of her beloved Edward. He was beautiful. His bronze hair in its usual untamed disarray looked as though it had at least tried to be tamed. His green eyes shone with more love than Bella had ever thought she would know. Edwards smile lit the room brighter than one hundred candles. He wore a traditional tuxedo and his shoes where shined to perfection. Edward, in the eyes of Bella was perfect and soon she would be his wife.
Taking her final step she let out a deep breath and smiled at Carlisle who placed her hand in Edwards.
"Take care of my daughter," he grinned.
"With my life," Edward replied.
Edward and Bella stood facing each other. Both wore smiles that could outshine the sun. Neither of them paid much attention to the ceremony itself. They were both lost in each other; lost in the perfection of the day.
"I Edward Anthony Cullen, take you Isabella Marie Swan as my wife. I promise to love you and cherish you. I promise to hold you and help you, guide you and be guided. I promise to lift you up when you have fallen and dry your tears when you are sad. I promise to laugh and smile in the good times. I promise hold you dear to my heart for all eternity. I promise to forsake all others. I love you."
Bella felt the tears flow from her eyes in steady streams. She was so moved she could hardly speak her vows.
"I Isabella Marie Swan, take you Edward Anthony Cullen, as my husband. I promise to stand by you in the good times and in the bad. I promise to hold you when you are down and celebrate with you in the times that are good. I promise to let you guide me and teach me. I promise to forsake all others and love you for all the days of my life."
Edward gently wiped the tears that had fallen down Bella's beautiful cheeks and grinned.
"Isabella, take this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion. With this ring I thee wed," Edward nearly whispered as he slid the ring on Bella's third finger on her left hand. Bella looked down to see not the traditional gold band, but a band of diamonds. She gasped and looked up at Edward.
"Edward, take this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion. With this ring I thee wed." Bella gently slipped the gold band onto Edward's third finger on his left hand. She looked up and smiled a beautiful smile.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. Edward, you may seal your vows with a kiss."
Edward smiled and leaned down and softly brushed a kiss to Bella's soft lips. They both smiled into the kiss and all too soon pulled away. Edward gazed into Bella's eyes. He knew that they would be happy together and today was the first day of the rest of their lives.
Edward and Bella quickly made their way down the aisle surrounded by joyful cheering and applause. Esme and Alice both had tears of joy streaming down their faces as they embraced each other. Carlisle looked lovingly at his family that was now complete. It was only a matter of time before Jasper would be asking for Alice's hand in marriage and no doubt in his mind he would give it.
The ceremony soon turned into a reception at the Cullen estate. The ballroom had been done up immaculately. Gold and scarlet adorned every surface. Candles flickered in crystal holders and a small orchestra played to the side. Bella and Edward greeted their guests and accepted their congratulations before taking the dance floor for their first dance.
Edward held his Bella close and hummed lightly in her ear as they danced.
"You have made me the happiest man in the world today, my wife."
"Edward, you have made me the happiest women in the world. I couldn't have chosen a better man to be my husband. Just don't tell my mother, she will just rub it in."
Edward couldn't help the laugh that bubbled from his chest and he kissed his bride for the second time.
"I don't think I will ever tire of kissing your beautiful lips," he sighed softly.
"They are yours to kiss any time it pleases you," Bella whispered a slight blush appearing on her cheeks.
"Have I told you how beautiful you are tonight?"
"No; but thank you. You look dashing yourself."
Edward smiled and spun Bella around one final time as the music faded. Bella was quickly pulled into the arms of a grinning Emmett and Edward pulled off with Rose.
"So, you finally fell in love huh?"
"Yes, I suppose I have."
"But you haven't told him yet?"
"Not yet. I'm not sure I know how to."
Emmett grinned and looked over his shoulder at his wife. He sighed as he brought his attention back to Bella and grinned.
"You'll know when the right time is. Did you know Rose and I were betrothed?"
Bella gaped at Emmett. "No"
"Yup, and we hated each other when we first met. I thought she was stuck up and selfish and she thought I was an immature nimrod," Emmett laughed at the memory and Bella soon followed.
"We had been married nearly a year when Rose fell from her horse. She was knocked unconscious. I had never been so worried. I scooped her up in my arms and as quickly as I could rode to the hospital. Carlisle had told me she would be fine, but I wouldn't leave her side. Even when she awoke, I was at her beck n call. It was then that I realized I had actually fallen in love with her. She must have fallen in love with me too because after that we were inseparable. I'm just glad you found love and didn't have to experience the hate and cold distance."
Bella looked over at Rose who was staring at her husband with nothing but loved and adoration. They were the perfect couple that had stemmed from hate. It was amazing.
As the evening wore on there were speeches given and many more dances. Bella danced with Carlisle and Jasper as well as many of Edward's male relatives, only finding peace when she was once again in the arms of her husband.
"You look exhausted, love," Edward whispered when he was finally able to pull her away from the party for a few moments.
"It's been a long day, but I'm alright."
"How about we take our leave now? I would like to show you your new home before you are too tired to enjoy or remember any of it."
Bella nodded and allowed Edward to lead her back into the party to say their goodbyes. Esme kissed her cheek and hugged her close.
"Don't worry about tonight dear, Edward will be gentle."
Bella blushed and her heart slammed into her chest. How could she have forgotten about what she would be expected to do tonight?
Bella looked up at Edward with wide eyes and took a deep breath. She had absolutely no idea what she was doing.
