Ch. 10

ONE YEAR LATER

I lay awake on the couch in Edward's room remembering all the things that had happened in the past year. Ali and I had packed up all our things and moved in with the Cullens. I still hadn't explained to her what they were; she was still too young to understand. I was just glad Edward had grown to love her. He had been a bit tentative at first but now anyone might assume she was his own.

My relationship with Edward had grown strong. I looked at the ring on my left finger, different from the one I had worn before. I sighed. The wedding was tomorrow. I was stressing over finally seeing Renee again and explaining Ali to Charlie, but I was looking forward to after everyone left. After the wedding Edward had agreed to change me, after a lot of persuasion.

Ali was with Mike. She still liked to play with his kids even though she didn't have to.

Edward was out with his brothers right now, hunting, or that's what they told me. Who knows with Emmett? He might decide hunting was a boring bachelor party.

He rarely ever left me alone and I had no clue what to do with all this free time. I continued reminiscing until I eventually drifted off to sleep. I was vaguely aware of cold arms putting me into bed and tucking me in before kissing my forehead.

~oOo~

I awoke the next morning to Edward kissing my forehead again and whispering, "Wake up almost Mrs. Cullen, it's your wedding day!" I sat up and pecked him on the lips. "Alice is waiting for you in her bathroom. You better hurry before she comes and pulls you out of bed." I smiled before rushing off to Alice and Jasper's oversized bathroom. I wasn't really looking forward to being Alice's Barbie doll but I knew I would be forced to if I didn't come voluntarily.

She spent almost the whole day on my makeup and hair, only giving me a break when Ali got home and she did her hair. She finally got me up to put on my dress half and hour before the ceremony. It was simple white with a kind of lace up on the side that flared into beading towards the bottom. It had a fairly short train because of my eye-feet coordination issues. My hair was in amazing intricate curled braiding with the veil tucked into it.

Charlie came in and we hugged awkwardly but didn't really say anything. We hadn't exactly sorted things out, but he was my father, and I wanted to do things right. He waited until I was ready to be led down the stairs to the alter. I linked arms with him and we started down the stairs when we heard the wedding march begin. He kissed me before placing my hand in Edward's. I started crying during the vows and I noticed Renee was crying as well. I almost missed my queue for my final vow but caught myself and said, "I do." Edward leaned in and kissed me passionately but quickly. He carried me down the aisle and out to the reception. Alice had gone crazy with the decorating but she was happy I had let her have her fun.

Renee came rushing over after Alice had given Ali to me. "Bella! I'm so sorry! I wish I had gotten to know my granddaughter! I feel like a horrible mother!" I hugged her and told her it was okay. I was just happy she was here.

I danced and chatted with the other guests until the party started to die down.

We were leaving for our "honeymoon" tomorrow. Edward wanted to take me somewhere but I had no clue where. I was just going to have to wait.

I was exhausted. I was worried about Ali too. I probably wouldn't be able to see her for at least half a year. I had explained to her that I was going on a "vacation" for a little while but I don't think she understood. I would miss her first day of kindergarten. I wouldn't be able to meet her new friends or teachers. I was going to miss her so much.

Edward carried me with Ali in my arms up to our room. He helped me take out my hair before I got in the shower. I changed into my sweats and climbed into bed. Ali climbed in with me, already in her pajamas. Edward whispered "Good night Mrs. Cullen," before I fell asleep. Usually I would have sent Ali off to her own bed, but tonight I slept with her in my arms, me, in Edward's.

The next morning rushed by. I was dressed and had eaten all too soon. My goodbyes to Ali seemed rushed and next thing I knew I was on a plane.

Edward and I talked, about nothing in particular, for most of the ride.

"So where are we going?" I finally asked.

"You'll see." I made a pleading puppy-dog face and asked, "Why can't you tell me now?" He sighed.

"Bella, you know I can't say no to that face." I smirked.

"Please?"

"Fine, we're going to Chicago." I had never been there, but I hadn't really gone anywhere besides Forks and Phoenix.

"Why Chicago?"

"It's my home town." I didn't really care where we went as long as I was with Edward. I leaned against him breathing in his sweet scent.

We got off the plane and Edward carried our bags, mine packed by Alice. Edward was practically carrying me as well because I was exhausted from traveling. I fell asleep in Edward's arms once we got a taxi and woke up in a fancy little town house.

"How was your rest Mrs. Cullen?"

"Pleasant," I responded as I smiled at being called Mrs. Cullen, "You don't have to do this, you know." I just shook my head. I wasn't going to back out now.

"Okay," He said hesitantly, "Carlisle said we should try morphine to help reduce the pain. He doesn't know if it will work though." He looked at my face. I wasn't sure what expression he saw but it was enough to make him ask once more, "Are you sure you want to do this now?" This time instead of nodding I leaned in and kissed him passionately. Surprisingly he kissed me back. When we reached the point her usually stopped, instead of pushing away he pulled me closer, his fingers knotting in my hair. He even let his tongue slide across my bottom lip. I was only slightly aware of him taking out the morphine and felt only the slightest pinch as he pushed the needle into my arm without pulling his lips away from mine. He leaned me back and kissed my neck before sinking his teeth in. "I love you," he whispered. I screamed and he dropped me. I knew how much pain he would be in not only from tasting my blood, but also from seeing my pain so I tried to keep my mouth shut. I was vaguely aware of him lifting me up and placing me on something soft. I was internally burning. The center of it- the most pain- was in my heart. I struggled not to make a sound. I could feel Edward's hand in mine, cooling me. I wished he would just engulf me and put out the fire with his ice-cold skin. Minutes turned into hours and hours turned into days. I was beginning to feel the fire weaken in my legs and arms. I was able to move my fingers, squeeze Edward's hand.

"Bella, I love you." He whispered when I did, but I only did it once. I still had to concentrate on not screaming or thrashing. I heard a phone ring and Edward answered it. I could faintly hear a voice. I could feel the fire strengthen in my chest now. "3…2…1...!" I heard the voice on the phone say and the fire stopped. I opened my eyes to see Edward, my angel, watching me. "I love you too." I said before leaning in for a kiss.

*FIN*

I hope you liked it! Sorry to anyone who thought it was a little abrupt the funny thing is I hate stories like that and then I ended up writing one, but dont worry I wrote an Epilogue and already started the sequal! It's called Secret Valentine.