Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight that's by Stephenie Meyer
A.N. Sorry this chapter not beta yet, I'll replace it once it is.
Sound The Wedding Bells
I listened intently as she retold her past. I could tell it was hard for her, to relive the repressed memories she longed to forget. But we needed to get by this to move on; I pulled her close to my body to let her know that I'll be there supporting her every step of the way and that she doesn't have to face this alone. She relaxed into my embrace, silently accepting my comfort. Whenever she paused at the nasty parts, I would run my hands through her hair and down her back, soothing her in a reassuring manner until she was able to continue. At first she was reluctant, for the beginning was the hardest part but as the night progressed so did her tale.
Some of the things she told me tugged at my memory but I didn't linger on it for too and didn't want to interrupt her to elaborate on her previous statements. She was on a roll, and it flowed like a librarian retelling her favorite storybook. I was the excited pupil that clung to every word she said, intrigued by the unsuspecting twists and turns. I was pulled right into her experience; I felt the curiosity when she did, the exhilaration of the chase, my body ached with her pain, my ears burned with the horrors she heard, my eyes saw red alongside hers with anger, my heart soared with her joy, every word she said caused strong emotions to rise in me.
Finally, she ended her recollection of her past with the encounter she had with me.
"You remember the rest." She said shyly looking up at me.
"Hmm… refresh my memory." I joked.
Esme slapped my chest playfully, "And I thought I was the older one here, but you proved me wrong with your senile issues."
"Playing doctor now are we? Well let me remind you, I surpass you by a century in my vampire years." I teased but decided to stop our playful banter, and bring back the serious note.
"Of course I remember meeting and marrying you, those were the most significant aspects in my life."
I looked down into Esme's eyes trying to convey how much I loved her. Her eyes sparkled and reflected the same amount of love.
"The old saying: What you give, is always what you get. Never gets old, even for us old folks." I mumbled breaking the moment.
"We're not that old, we never even reached our thirties, let alone over the hill." Esme chastened shaking her head in mock disapproval.
"Actually we're in the hundreds, me the three hundreds, already over the hill, a hundred hills if anyone's counting, possibly over a mountain."
"Well that explains your memory lost."
"I remember everything perfectly; vampires have excellent memory retain ability." I huffed.
"Tell me a story." Esme challenged.
"Gladly" I said accepting her test, "How about our wedding night?"
Esme hummed her approval as I recalled that memory:
I was pacing below the altar of the oldest church, St. Gabriel, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, built in 1895. My footsteps disturbed the peace, echoing loudly in the spacious and near empty church. A few scattered guests sat silently in the pews, while the priest stood diligently on the stand but offer an encouraging smile. I tried to return it but only succeeded in a small upturn of my lips.
Tonight, I was marrying my soul mate, stating our vows to always and forever. We had only known each other for a short while but the feeling when I'm with her is so natural it's like I've known all my life. I'm positively sure that she's the one. There is a current of passion; a spark of fire between us that I can hardly explain, all I know is it's a powerful connection. I've never felt this way before her; she'd awaken new emotions in me.
She has the brightest personality and is compassionate beyond belief. Despite being thirsty, she carried a patient over 500 miles to find me. Her temperament is so easy-going; she immediately accepted the vegetarian life-style without a second thought. But most importantly the love we share is mutual.
The closest I've got to this was when I was treating a patient ten years ago, in Columbus with a broken leg. But I banished that thought immediately, though Esme bore an uncanny resemblance to that patient through her name and appearance, I knew she couldn't be. That young woman died weeks ago, I tried my best to save her but I lost that battle and buried her in a cave. I wrote her a little memorial:
May the ocean waves cleanse your burdened soul
As seagulls cry their sorrow in the echoes
At sunrise, gray skies break away
But sadly you would have to stay
Buried forever beneath the sands of time
Fading. Lost. Gone. From these hands of mine
It's the kiss of death leaving a frosty mist
Just know that you will be greatly missed
Hope you find peace above
Let the heavens show you love
Prayers I send
To my dear Friend
I sadden at the thought that a young woman would take her own life and at my lack of ability to save her. She must have had a traumatic experience to think the death was the only solution to escape.
I don't know Esme's story either, when I asked how she was changed she goes blank stating she doesn't remember. When I casually mentioned about her past human life she goes cold and distant. I realized that it was a tender subject and changed the conversation, not wanting to push her away. Her past didn't matter in our future; we all have our skeletons in the closet. After her near breakdown, I made a mental note to myself; never bring it up.
Now we are about to get married and I'm worrying that her past might cause her to have cold feet, figuratively. Since literally, we both had cold feet with us being vampires. What I lame joke I think to myself, but the wait is driving me insane. I wasn't this wild when I was blood-crazed but being in love makes me a fool.
I sighed and ran a hand through my hair, needing a distraction. I stopped and observe my surroundings. The room was very open, tall marble columns lined the interior holding the arches. The golden paintings of angels circling high in the ceiling spoke of extravagance. The vast, clear and colorful stain glass windows were the prime feature in Catholic churches. The long benches were lined neatly in 2 rows hosting the visitors. Finally my eyes settled on the large weatherworn oak door as I heard it click.
Slowly the old wooden doors creaked open, and all my worries went out the door too as the bride walked in. I couldn't take my eyes off her; she was beautiful, dressed in a white wedding gown, with a train that lightly swept the ground as she breezed down the aisle. The back of her hair was left wavy, cascading down her back like a waterfall, while other parts were elegantly pinned up in gold, forming a halo that held the veil. She put angels to shame with her beauty; she was simply glowing even without the sun.
The air filled with a soft symphony of music, as my personal angel approached, each step she took was like a conductor's stick. It started off soft and quiet at the beginning, gradually building up getting louder and louder, until the grand finale. I could hear David's harp, Gabriel's trumpet, and final note of a wedding bell. The single ring suspended in the air, it's sound shimmering sweetly, despite the silent room, Esme presence could make my soul sing. A gift sent down from the holy entities above, to brighten even the darkest creature's life.
She stood beside me behind the thin veil, and waited for the priest to start the ceremony. His mild voice echoed as he spoke his speech about love and commitment, then continuing on with God's blessings for bringing us together. Finally he made us repeat our vows after him.
I, Carlisle Cullen, take you Esme London to be my wife, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I will be yours in times of plenty and in times of want, in times of sickness and in times of health, in times of joy and in times of sorrow, in times of failure and in times of triumph. I promise to care and protect you, to comfort and encourage you, and stay with you, for all eternity. I give you my hand, my heart, my soul and my love, from this day forward for as long as we both shall live.
And I, Esme London, take you Carlisle Cullen to be my husband, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I will be yours in times of plenty and in times of want, in times of sickness and in times of health, in times of joy and in times of sorrow, in times of failure and in times of triumph. I promise to care and protect you, to comfort and encourage you, and stay with you, for all eternity. I give you my hand, my heart, my soul and my love, from this day forward for as long as we both shall live.
The priest held out the velvet red pillow where our rings sat.
I picked up the blue diamond ring and slide it onto Esme's ring finger, reciting the wedding ring vow.
Because this ring is perfectly symmetrical, it signifies the perfection of true love. As I place it on your finger, I give you all that I am and ever hope to be.
Esme picked up the platinum band and slide it on my fourth finger saying her own exchange.
Because this ring has no end or beginning, it signifies the continuation of true love. As I place it on your finger, I give you all that I am and ever hope to be.
"You may kiss the bride." I priest ended solemnly.
A couple of claps sounded as the audience applauded and the priest stepped down from the platform.
I slowly pulled back the veil and stared into Esme's golden eyes melting in her gaze.
Now I pull back into reality and find myself doing the same thing. Three centuries have passed yet I still find myself lost in her gaze, still looking at her with the same eyes of first love.
I tilted her held back and drew myself closer to her face, my lips slowly finding hers, and soon we were sharing a heart-warming kiss. Taking our time, lips move in sync with each other in soft and gentle motions, with tender and delicate pressure, exactly like how I remembered our first kiss at our wedding. Our love never faded if anything it grew stronger, now that Esme bared her soul. We have no secrets just love between us.