Chapter 9
I Do
AN: Thank you sooooo much for all the fantastical reviews! I am sooooo sorry about the delay on this chapter!!
According to the pattern, this should be Carlisle's POV. But I started intending on doing both their POV's, starting with Esme. When I finished with Esme, I decided just to go out of order and post it. Carlisle's POV will be next chapter!!!
I don't own Twilight.
Esme POV
"One of the true benefits of being a vampire; getting to spend forever with the one you love." Carlisle said.
"Or being a werewolf." Nessie added. Carlisle and I both laughed and nodded.
"Or a half-vampire." I said. Nessie laughed.
"Was that the happiest day of your lives?" She asked.
"At that point it was. But our happiest day changed about a year later." Carlisle said.
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1922
A Beachside Resort
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I walked onto the balcony and held onto the railing. Today was the day. The day that would complete my life and make me whole.
My wedding day.
I looked out towards the ocean. My eyes wandered over to the edge of the beach, almost completely obscured by palm trees. There were a group of about ten men setting up for our ceremony. It was very small, intimate space. We didn't need it big.
There would only be four people in attendance- Carlisle, Edward, the minister, and myself. We didn't want anyone else there. Carlisle had some very close friends that were vampires, but insisted they didn't need to be invited. He wanted it with just us.
I was still staring out over the clear blue ocean when there was a knock on the door. I turned around and walked at a human pace to the door. There was a skinny bellhop standing next to a gold cart with a long ivory bag hanging on it.
"Are you Esme?" He asked, looking at a piece of paper.
"I am." I said.
"This is for you then." He said. He wheeled the cart into the room and put it in the center. He held out the paper for me to sign. "Have a nice day." He paused. "And congratulations." He said, looking at the garment bag.
"Thank you." I said. He walked out the door and closed it behind him. I unzipped the ivory garment bag and admired my dress.
It was so beautiful. It was a trumpet gown, with a deep v-neck. The train was cathedral style. There was a thin band right underneath the bust. The sleeves were cap sleeves that were sheer on the top. The entire gown was covered with beaded lace, and the beads would shimmer when they were caught in the light. The inside fabric was silk and was shiny through the lace. The light ivory color was a few shades lighter than the sand, yet dark enough against my skin.
I pulled the zipper back up, to keep it from attracting dust. I went into the bathroom and started on my hair. I removed my curlers from my bag and laid them out on the counter. I turned on the water in the shower and got in.
After I was done with my shower, I wrapped my robe around me and put the curlers in my hair. I went out to the balcony again and thought of the differences between today and my arranged marriage wedding day.
This wedding was everything I wanted. My dress was my dream dress, everything I had pictured it to be. At my first wedding, my mother had made my dress. I had told her what I wanted, but she ignored my opinions. My hair was going to be styled the way I wanted, in curls. My family had made my hair pin straight. My bouquet and the flowers are my favorite white freesias, instead of the red roses my father had insisted on.
And of course, there was the man. I was finally getting to marry my dream man, my whole world. Ever since I met Carlisle, he was my whole life. Everything thing that came through my life, I would relate to him.
And after the wedding, we would get to go on a honeymoon. Charles didn't take me on a honeymoon. Carlisle promised me he was taking me on a honeymoon, but he refused to tell me where. I asked him every day, but he would only smile and say nothing. It didn't matter to me where it was- as long as I was with Carlisle, I would be happy.
I reached up and felt my hair. It was dry, so I walked back into the room. I left the curlers in to keep the shape for longer. I took out my make-up and began to apply it.
I was done after about twenty minutes. I carefully removed the curls, and the ringlets softly fell down onto my neck. As gentle as I could, I gathered the curls and pinned them back. I adjusted the front so it was lose, but out of my face. I left a few curly strands down around my face. When my hair was adjusted just the way I wanted, I took the sparkly comb from the box.
It was a gift from Carlisle on one of our dates. He had been saving it for when my hair and outfit best suited it. It was thin and long, and completely filled with diamonds. I was trying to tell him that the gift was too much, but he wouldn't let me argue. He just slipped the comb into place and kissed me.
I slipped it into the exact same place Carlisle had. I took my veil from the bag and attached it underneath the gathered curls. I turned in the mirror to make sure the pins were concealed. I took my sandals out of the box and slipped them onto my feet. They were ivory sling-backs with a kitten heel. The toe was open, accenting my light pink toenails. Then I went to my dress.
I slowly unzipped the bag and slipped my dress out. I carefully unzipped it and stepped into it, making sure not to catch my heels in the fabric. I pulled it up over my arms and slipped my arms through the sheer fabric. I carefully reached around and fastened the line of pearl buttons. I adjusted the dress so it fell perfectly off my shoulders. I looked inside me jewelry bag.
I didn't have my necklace. I searched in the bag for another one that would match the dress. After a few minutes, I decided not to wear a necklace. The beading on my dress would probably be enough.
There was a knock on the door. I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was time. I took a deep breath, and I could smell Edward's scent outside the door. I carefully walked over to the door and opened it. Edward smiled when he saw me.
"You look so beautiful." He said as he stepped inside. Edward closed the door behind him. He was wearing a black suit with a white freesia corsage attached to his lapel.
"Thank you." I said, looking down. If I still could, I would probably be blushing. I noticed he was holding a small white box in his left hand. I looked back up.
"Esme, I just want to say thank you." Edward said. "You don't know how much you have changed Carlisle. He is so much happier and joyous when you are around." Edward held out the white box to me. "This is to say thank you." He said. I carefully removed the lid and set it on the table. I pulled the necklace from the box.
It was a simple gold chain with a charm attached to the end. The charm was a delicate bauble. It was a simple sphere in a shade of purple. There were specks of gold shattered throughout the sphere.
"Oh, Edward, it's beautiful." I said.
"I picked purple because it is Carlisle's favorite on you." He said. "I was going to give it to you as a post-wedding gift, but I heard your thoughts." I smiled at him. "Carlisle hasn't seen it, and I thought it would fit with the dress."
"Thank you. I absolutely love it." He took the necklace and I turned around. He carefully fastened it around my neck.
"Are you ready?" Edward asked, holding out his elbow. He was going to escort me to the ceremony.
"Yes." I said. And I was. I looped my elbow through Edward's. He handed me my bouquet of flowers; a mix of white and purple freesias. I took a deep breath and Edward led me outside. Edward opened the door to outside and led me down the paved sidewalk. We turned the corner and Carlisle came into view.
He looked so perfect. He was wearing a black tux, with a simple tie contrasting to his white shirt. He was looking at me like I was the only person in the world. The love in his eyes was so overpowering that I thought it would knock me down.
When I stared into his golden eyes, I saw my life. I saw my reason for existing, the only thing that mattered to me anymore. He was the one thing that I would need to continue living. If I was to lose everything, but I still had him, I would be fine.
We had gotten to where Carlisle was waiting and he held out his hand. Edward looped his arm out of mine and I reached out to Carlisle. When our hands touched, I felt that spark I was now accustomed to. Carlisle squeezed my hand and walked me a few steps farther to where the minister was.
He was standing just beyond two pillars filled with flowers. The minister smiled at me and then began the ceremony. We recited the traditional vows.
"I do." I said. My voice cracked.
"I do." Carlisle said. His voice was strong, but filled with emotion.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." The minister said.
Carlisle put his hands on the side of my face and bent down to kiss me. When his lips met mine, I was complete. I had everything in the world. Nothing else mattered. Carlisle was mine for the rest of eternity. I didn't if outsiders thought I was weird, or thought I was unusual. Not one bit of it mattered. I didn't care what happened to me years ago, or what would happen in the future. Carlisle was my future.
Carlisle pulled back and smiled at me. His eyes never left mine as we heard the minister say congratulations. The minister shook hands with Carlisle and me, and then he left the way I came in.
Carlisle kissed me again, and when he pulled back, I noticed Edward was gone. Carlisle wrapped his arm around my waist and led me over another path. We passed through an opening in the trees and entered a beautiful circle.
There were twinkling lights strung from tree to tree surrounding the circle. The edge was filled with soft purple rose petals. The entire middle was just almost-white sand. Edward was standing next to a piano that was sprinkled with the matching petals. The sun was setting, and it could just be one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen.
I carefully reached under my dress and pulled off my sandals. I left them near the entrance, and Carlisle left his shoes near mine.
Carlisle pulled me into the middle and pulled me into his arms. Edward began playing an amazingly sweet melody I didn't know. Carlisle leaned his lips to my ear and whispered to me.
"He wrote it about us. About the love we share." Carlisle breathed. I was so honored and I could feel the dry tears in my throat. Carlisle bent down and kissed me passionately.
Thank you. I thought to Edward as Carlisle and I danced. I saw his smile and slight nod of his head.
I stood on my tiptoes to kiss Carlisle. He wrapped his arms around my waist and I wrapped mine around his neck.
We kissed under the stars. I was in heaven. I was finally Mrs. Carlisle Cullen.
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Present
Forks, Washington
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"Finally." I said. "I had been waiting for that moment for so long." I said looking at Nessie. She had a huge smile on her face for the two of us.
"When we finally said 'I do' everything clicked into place." Carlisle agreed.
"Just like a puzzle, when you find the right piece, you know."
"We knew." Carlisle said to Nessie.
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