Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters of this story. They belong to Stephenie Meyer and her series Twilight.
A/N: Again, I'm sorry i haven't updated since May! Lemme know what you think, and maybe I will update more frequently!! Before you read it, know that i have never been to a real wedding, so the facts are probably way off, so if you could not criticize that, thanks!!
-ed.cullenator
Chapter 11: Here Comes the Bride
Since neither Edward nor I were pious, religious people, the wedding wasn't held at a church. The ceremony was held at a beautiful garden not too far from Forks. With its peace and serenity, the location was perfect.
"Are you ready, dear?" asked Esme one last time, before we left the confines of Carlisle's Mercedes. I looked up at her, and her eyes held nothing but adoration and love.
"As ready as I'll ever be," I murmured. She nodded to the chauffeur, who abruptly got out of the car, and opened the door for us. When Alice told me that we would have a driver to drive Carlisle's car, I was upset, but it was a compromise. She longed for us to ride in a sleek limo.
Rosalie stepped out of the car first, as she was sitting in the front seat, and she was followed by Alice, Esme, and then me. I carefully watched the train of my dress, careful not to step on it or rip it.
Clouds hovered protectively over the sun; overcast. No sparkling today, as Alice had reassured me every time I had worried. Rosalie led the way towards the large white tent. The balloons and ribbons fluttered in the light breeze. My heels clicked on the stone path on which we walked. Tripping would have been much easier had there been no path. My heels would constantly be getting stuck in the grass.
The path split into three directions; toward one large tent, one small tent, and right down the middle where the seats were. We entered the small tent, and it was just spacious enough for the four of us. Alice ordered me to stay in here until it was time for the ceremony to start, since the guests would be arriving right now. I wasn't sure how normal weddings were scheduled, but I always thought the guests were supposed to wait for the bride, not the other way around.
"Is Edward—"
"Here yet?" Alice finished. She grinned. "No. He's on his way."
I sighed, and smiled. "I can't believe he actually got me to agree to this."
"Edward has his ways," she said, shooting me a sly smile.
Esme and Rosalie were out of the tent, anyway, but I caught the innuendo. "Mhmm." My voice squeaked and my cheeks reddened. She knew about the deal between Edward and me.
My heart raced as I thought back to that night. Edward kept his word. He didn't hurt me, and I loved him even more than I had before. Today was the next step in fulfilling my future with Edward.
Today I would be walking down the aisle, in front of all those people.
Crap.
"Crap."
"What's wrong?" Alice asked, on full alert.
"I have to walk down an aisle in these death traps," I muttered.
Alice laughed, "That's all?"
I scowled. "That is a huge obstacle for me. It'll be a miracle if I make it down the aisle without falling on my face, even with Charlie's help."
"I'm sure you'll be fine."
"You'd better be."
pagebreak
The pianist started playing. Yes, a pianist, not an organ player. I liked the sound of the piano better than the organ, and so did Edward, naturally.
The little flower girl exited the tent first, and started walking down the small aisle. Since neither Edward nor I knew any young children, Carlisle pulled some strings at the hospital and a young cancer patient became our flower girl. A few weeks prior, Edward and I visited her in the hospital and spent time with her. Her name was Erin. She was four years old, and she was going through chemotherapy for her leukemia. I felt absolutely horrible knowing that I was willingly giving up my life while she was desperately fighting for hers. No, I didn't really view it that way. Had Edward ever heard those thoughts… No, I was trading in for a much better deal: an eternity with Edward.
Erin's brown hair was slowly growing back in small patches on her head, but she looked adorable none the less. Esme bought her a cute headband with a flower atop it for today. Alice also went crazy and bought her a lifetime supply of children's wardrobe.
Along with Erin was the ring bearer, another child from the hospital, named Thomas. His shaggy black hair was tousled. Not too recently, he was diagnosed with lung cancer. The poor kid's mother had been smoking while she was pregnant with him, and consequently he was paying for her mindless decision.
Without as much as a word to the three of us, Rosalie exited the tent next, confidence written across her face. She was followed by Esme, and then Alice.
The music suddenly shifted into the familiar tune I had practiced with. It was my cue. Charlie was waiting for me outside the tent, and his eyes crinkled when he smiled hugely. He whispered, "I know you may think I don't approve, but Bells, I'm proud of you. Congratulations."
"Aw, thanks Dad," I blubbered. This was one of the first moments Charlie expressed any emotion other than anger. He held out his arm, and I hooked mine around it. We started walking.
Left. Right. Don't trip. Left. Right. Don't trip. Left. Oh my!
Edward.
His midnight black tuxedo made him look like the better than perfection. The dark suit contrasted with his pale skin, and his topaz eyes were focused directly on me. We locked gazes, and his eyes lit up, his lips twisting into a crooked smile.
Instinctively, my lips turned up in a grin.
Crap. I stumbled, but hopefully nobody noticed.
Edward did. His eyes held a certain twinkle. And Emmett definitely did. His cheeks were tight in a grin, and he was staring at the ground, probably trying not to laugh at me.
I looked around me at the guests. On one side sat my family. Renee and Phil occupied the first row. My step-grandmother, who I had only met a few times, sat beside Phil. Her cropped hair was a very light brown, with random streaks of gray running through it. Renee looked as if she had a gained a little bit of weight since I had last seen her, but I had put her through a lot of stress during the last few months. Nonetheless she still looked pretty in her light pink sundress.
Behind my family sat a few friends from school. Actually, it was more than I expected. I spotted Angela and Ben, Jessica and Mike, whose scowl never left his face, and Mrs. Newton came along with him.
Then I looked to the other side. There sat the five members of the Denali coven. A few rows behind them were a couple of nurses from the hospital, just to keep an eye on the children.
Before I knew it, we were at the altar, or whatever it was called when it wasn't in a church. Charlie turned to me, and lifted the veil from my face. He leaned in and gently placed a kiss upon my forehead, and joined my hands with Edward's.
As soon as our hands touched I felt relieved, as if I was in pain when I wasn't with Edward, which was true.
I tried my hardest not to tune out the minister, but it was extremely difficult, what with Edward standing a mere couple of feet away from my face. At this moment I was dazzled beyond my mind. His flawless face was all I saw.
Suddenly, Edward was chuckling. I shook my head, and looked to the minister. He was looking at me. I looked at Edward, panic rising in me. What had I missed?
Your vows, Edward mouthed to me. My lips formed a surprised 'O'.
I looked back at the minister and smiled apologetically. We both said our vows, and before I knew it, we said our 'I do's and it was time to kiss the bride.
Edward leaned in and we met in a passionate kiss. He placed a hand on the small of my back, and I wrapped my arms around his neck. The kiss ended just as quickly as it started, but that was okay. I was officially Bella Cullen, a name that I could never get sick of.
A/N: Yes, this is another short one! But if you review alot! Like, if you read this you MUST review! then i will add sometime soon the rest of this chapter. it will probably be the wedding party! SO PLEASEEEEEEE! REVIEW!!