A/N: This chapter contains honeymoon material. Nothing graphic, but the Teen rating comes in mightly handy in this one :)

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns these characters, I don't.

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Chapter 9:

The wedding reception was beautiful. Alice had really outdone herself, as had Mother Nature. It was one of the rare days in Forks where it didn't rain. The grass had dried throughout the day and nothing was muddy, at least, not as muddy as it could have been. Thousands of tea-light candles in crystal holders sparkled in the trees. It looked like tiny stars surrounding them.

There were two tables set up outside. One was square and covered with an ivory table cloth with an additional dark violet one catercorner on top. The centerpiece reminded Bella of a mythical tree from some sort of fairy land. Several branches intertwined at the base, forming what looked like one solid trunk. At the top, each branch twigged out, curling in every direction. Between the trunk and the curls, a bouquet of ivory, light and dark violets sat in a beautiful sphere. A hint of green and some baby's breath completed the piece. Ivory tea-light candles, the same as were in the trees, were placed around the base, providing a soft yet dramatic up-light.

Of course, no food was served, but there was a wedding cake. The second table was round and covered with dark purple fabric. On top stood a 4 layer, ivory cake. Each layer was square with the sides catticorning the other. It replicated the tablecloth on the other table. Down one side of the cake were fresh violets, dark and light purple roses, and lilies. On top of the cake stood a traditional bride and groom, only they seemed more pale than on a normal cake.

Chalices of red liquid were passed around like wine. With the thousands of candles and several Chinese lanterns in differing shades of ivory and purple providing the ambiance, the family enjoyed themselves. They laughed, drank, and Edward even talked Bella into dancing a time or two.

Sometime in the evening Bella shed the jacket of her dress, and Alice helped her take the pins from her hair. When Edward saw her again, he gasped. Her dress was a clingy satin spaghetti-strap number. Her hair hung around her shoulders in soft curls. If she had ever looked more radiant, Edward couldn't remember when.

At around ten o'clock, everyone hugged the couple and gave their well-wishes. Since Bella couldn't leave the house, the rest of the family decided to take off for the night to give them some privacy. Carlisle and Esme left for a night on the town in Port Angeles. Jasper and Alice drove to Seattle, as did Emmett and Rosalie. Each couple took separate cars so they could each enjoy some 'private' time.

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Edward and Bella were left alone outside of the quiet, empty Cullen house. With a gleam in his eyes, he quickly scooped her up and, using his vampire speed, carried her over the thresh-hold, up the stairs, and to his bedroom door. She giggled the entire way.

When he got to the door, he gently sat her feet on the floor and took her hand. He reached for the door handle and turned the knob. When he opened the door, both of them had to giggle. Inside the room, 'someone' had placed a trail of rose petals to the bed. Edward took her hand, and they followed it. When they got to the black, iron bed, they saw what was at the end of the trail. On the black and white comforter, laid a heart made of red rose petals. "Alice?" Bella asked. Edward laughed. "I knew she was hiding something from me. She's good at blocking when she wants."

Edward motioned for her to sit on the edge of the bed. She oblidged. He sat beside of her, not exactly sure how to begin. Bella looked at him and smiled. He looked so handsome, she thought. While they were outside, he had taken his bowtie off. The top two buttons of his shirt were opened, exposing his long, white neck.

Bella felt her stomach tighten, not from hunger, but anticipation. She didn't know what to say or what to do, she just opened her mouth to let whatever fly out. To break the silence. "So, how did your eyes turn back topaz?"

He laughed, not expecting that. "Contacts." he said simply.

She laughed and then sighed nervously.

"Bella," Edward began, pushing her long curls off her shoulders, exposing her neckline. "I have wanted you from the moment I laid eyes on you. Sure, it was different then, " he leaned over and kissed her neck seductively. "But I have imagined this night. This..." he trailed up her neck and nibbled at her ear. "... numerous times. You have no idea how difficult it was for me to lay beside of you all of those nights in your room and not touch you."

His lips moved down from her ear, down her neck, and to her shoulder. He lightly used his fingers to make the straps of her dress fall down her arm. She moaned without thinking, "I have an idea." she said as her eyes closed.

She felt him smile while his lips explored her milky white skin, then over across her collarbone to her other shoulder. He slowly slid his hand over the strap and moved it down like the other.

There were so many things Bella wanted to say to him. Some romantic. Some stupid. She wanted to tell him that it was so special, him being her first. She wanted to tell him how in love with him she was. She also wanted to say that since it was her first time had no idea what she was doing and wanted to apologize in advance. But as his hands slid up and down her back and his lips scorched her skin, she couldn't make any of the words come out.

Edward looked up at her and placed his fingers under her chin, tilted her head so her eyes met his. He brushed back her hair from her forehead. "Bella--"

She placed her fingers up to his lips to stop him. "Don't. Just kiss me."

He smiled. Desire filled his eyes, and he did as he was told. He pushed her head to his and carefully took her lips. He would be careful, he thought. He would be gentle, but he wouldn't worry about breaking her. She wasn't 'fragile' anymore. So he let himself relax, enjoy the taste of her lips. The smell of her hair. The way her fingers felt as they wrapped around his neck.

Then she placed her hands on his chest and pushed gently. He stopped kissing, as she knew he would. She slowly began unbuttoning the rest of his shirt. When she was finished, she slid it off his shoulders and pressed her lips to his chest. He closed his eyes and groaned with pleasure. She smiled, and in her mind patted herself on the back for pleasing him.

Quickly, Edward pulled her up to standing. He grinned as he looked her up and down. She felt she would have blushed if she could have. Her dress was barely hanging on. He slid both hands slowly up her arms to the straps and lowered them until the dress hit the floor, exposing her smooth, creamy breasts.

Need ached inside him, but he resisted the urge to take her right there. Emmett's words flashed through his mind, and he hated it.

Calming himself slightly, he then took his hands and gently moved her forward until she was standing inches from him. He hugged her tightly and began kissing her stomach. She arched her back, giving him plenty of room to roam. To take. She felt his hands slide up her legs, starting at her knees and up to the only piece of fabric she had left. "Look at me." he whispered. She opened her eyes. With her eyes fixated on his, he removed the white lace.

Bella never felt more exposed in her life. Or more free. Her mind told her to be embarrassed, but she couldn't make herself.

Edward picked her up and laid her on a pillow, her hair flowing out around her. He laid on top of her, kissing her mouth, softly at first, then as the hunger consumed him, faster. More needy.

He ran his lips down her neck, her shoulders, finally finding her breasts.

She caught her breath, unable to move. His lips felt so cool, but so warm, scorching, at the same time. When she was finally able to find her limbs again, she used her hands to reach under him and undo his pants. He helped her remove them. Then he quickly rearranged their positions to make them fall under the covers. It was a movement so quick, it made her head spin. And she liked it.

They kissed and explored each other for well into the night. And when he finally took her, it was earth shattering--for both of them.

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Bella snuggled the crook of Edward's arm, her own arm draped over his chest which seemed to glow in the moonlight. She breathed heavily, even though she knew in her head that, as a vampire, it was pointless.

For his part, Edward was content to watch her while lazily playing with her hair.

He was happy.

She sat up on her elbow, drawing shapes absentmindedly on his chest.

"What are you thinking?" he asked curiously.

She didn't want to tell him, but she knew that refusing to answer would hurt him. "Um.. I was just thinking about at the wedding. You acted strange for a minute. Like you heard something. What was it?"

He studied her curiously. "Is that what you want to talk about now? You hurt my pride deeply." he kidded.

"No. No. Sorry. I'm sorry. I was just-- I was curious as to what you heard, and it just popped in my head and so I asked because you asked me and-- now I'm babbling." Embarrassed, she placed her hand over her eyes to shield herself from him.

He gently removed her hand and held it in his. He moved his eyes until they rested on hers. "I was just kidding about my pride, Bella. Don't worry. You can ask me anything you want, any time you want. As for at the wedding, it was nothing."

"Nothing?"

"Nothing." he repeated. He hated lying to her, but she had enough to worry about. He would fess up in the morning, but for now, he wanted to make her happy.

"You're right, Edward. Enough silly questions. Tonight is for us." She kissed him hard on the lips. "Mr. Cullen," she said brightly. "That was absolutely the best love making I have ever had."

"I couldn't agree more, Mrs.Cullen." he smiled evily and leaned over her, pushing her back down on the bed again.

"Oh, no. Not again. Take a break already." Edward stopped when he heard the familar voice in his head. Not wanting to alarm Bella, he began kissing her again quickly.

Without realizing what was going on, Bella laughed. She tangled her fingers in his hair and drew him close to her. It took everything he had in him, but he pulled away. "You know," he said cursing him for making him do this. "I have really built up an appetite."

"Hmmm..." she replied, sitting up. "Now that you mention it, me too."

"You don't need to go too long without drinking. I'll tell you what. You draw yourself a bath and soak. I'll bring you some blood and let you have some time to yourself."

She leaned over and began nibbling his ear. "What if I don't want time to myself?"

His body took control over him, and the next thing he knew he was laying on top of her again. Kissing her. Wanting her. Cursing him again for taking him away from her. "Believe me. It won't be long."

Edward could see that Bella was becoming suspicious. "Are you trying to get rid of me?" she asked.

He kissed her one last time. "Never." He hopped up quickly and put on his clothes, sans a his shirt and left the room.

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Once he had Bella soaking in a luxurious tub filled with lavender smelling bubbles and her glass filled to the top, he quietly slipped downstairs and out the door.

The full moon illuminated the front yard, still dressed for the reception.

"Come out. Come out. Wherever you are." he called.

From the treeline, a large, dark shadow emerged. It came toward Edward as Edward walked to it.

"Eavesdropping, pup?" Edward snarled.

The rage filled face of Jacob Black eased into the moonlight. "I'm. Going. To. Kill. You." Jacob hissed slowly. Without a warning, his fist connected savagely to Edward's jaw.