AN: Hello readers! I'm so sorry it took me this long to update, again. I have an important authors note at the bottom. Please read, it has good news!

Here with the chapter, I hope it doesn't disappoint.

Chapter 14

It was New Year's Eve. Emmett and Rosalie came (went) to England to spend the holidays in the Palace with the Bella and the Cullen's. It was amazing to see how they all fit (together) as a family. Bella's heart filled with joy knowing that even though her father was no longer alive, and her mother was nowhere to be found since her second marriage, her family found a new place it belonged to, as well as new family to love and cherish them. The Christmas Eve was one of the best she had in a long time, and of course, Edward's presence was one of the main factors about it. The gifts exchanged weren't particularly special, but she was satisfied with the ones she got.

One week passed since then and Bella was getting ready for the party that would be simultaneously her engagement party and the New Year's Eve Ball. The women were all reunited in Alice's room and the makeup and hair stylists were working their wonders. As the hair stylist worked on Bella's hair, she thought about the whirlwind that was her life in the previous couple of months. Everything started the morning after her conversation with Edward, when they both decided the major details of their wedding and Bella went to talk with Alice and Esme.

*Flashback*

"Good morning, may I come in?" She asked, poking her head through the door of the leisure room, where Alice and Esme sat, checking the social columns and some magazines of interest. They were stunned with Bella's interruption, after the events of the previous day, but Alice quickly nodded in agreement. Bella swiftly entered the room and sat in the chair opposite to the Victorian chaise longuewhere they were both sitting.

"Edward and I have a favor to ask you both," Bella said snickering at the look of astonishment in their faces. "We decided that since we will have a small wedding, would like to ask you to organize us an engagement party."

"Really?" Alice's eyes lightened up in excitement.

"Yes, you'll have free reign over it. You choose the day, the location; you invite the guest, my only request is that you don't forget to invite my brother and his wife."

"I won't!" Alice readily interrupted. "Anything else?" She asked already too hyper.

"No, do as you wish. I honestly don't care as long as it's not something extreme. Thank you for doing this. Goodbye." She heard a faint dismissive sound coming from Esme, as she stood up, so she removed herself from the room quickly, leaving the two women excited with the prospect of organizing the engagement party.

*End Flashback*

Bella's stylist had finished curling her hair in soft tendrils, pining half of it and leaving the other half loose. The makeup stylist took her place as Bella reminded all the details she had already secured for her wedding.

Although she initially said she wouldn't want anyone's help except Edward's, she inevitably had to ask Diane for her help, as she needed he contacts of certain companies and Diane was very efficient in her job. Of course, Edward still intervened in the most important details; he took care of the design of the invitations, sent them to their recipients, and helped Bella choose the best spot within the gardens where the ceremony would be held. He also expressed his opinion in the choice of the wedding cake, which would be the only food Emmett and his crew wouldn't be responsible to prepare. All in all, the biggest details for the wedding were already taken care of: the place was chosen, invitations were sent, menu and cake selected and her dress too. The last one was a very well-kept secret, one that only Rosalie knew about. That reminded Bella with a chuckle of another heated discussion with Alice.

"Please, Your Grace, be still," the makeup stylist told her. In the moment the words registered in her head, the stylist clapped her hand in her mouth, showing a little fear in her eyes as she looked at Bella.

Bella smiled briefly and apologized, while her mind returned to that intense afternoon. Although she loved her new sister dearly, she wouldn't lie and say she didn't enjoyed putting her in her place from time to time.

*Flashback *

Bella was in the process of finishing another phone call with a company regarding the tent that would be built in the gardens for the reception, when there was a knock at the door. The company had sent her the week before a catalog and, after a brief discussion with Edward and a little of imagination from both of them to picture what would look better in the place, their choice was done. After finishing the call, she called to whomever it was to come inside the room. Alice entered her office smiling and slightly bouncing on her feet.

"Bella, here is the portfolio with the sketches the designers did for your wedding dress. I had requested this a while ago, when Edward informed me of his intentions to marry you. Please be quick to decide. When you have it please let me know so I can speak with the designer in order to schedule a meeting for you."

Bella nodded at her and picked the portfolio, placing it in the desk over one of the stacks of papers and turned to Alice again, lifting a brow.

"You are not going to look?" Alice asked a little puzzled by her future sister-in-law.

"No, Alice. Thank you but I have already chosen my dress." She replied calmly, studying the other, expecting the words to sink and one of her famous explosions to happen. She really enjoyed these predictable behaviors of Alice.

God, if she knew… I'd certainly be dead by now.

"What?" She exclaimed and then started talking incoherently. "You can't! It has to be something… memorable, not just any dress. The color? Oh, please the color! Tell me you didn't choose the rainbow option. You were kidding, right? How is the neckline? You certainly didn't get anything too decadent or suffocative. I know you'll be a queen someday and it has to be respectful, but please tell me you won't look like a nun…" She kept rambling on and on about the length of the veil and the neckline as Bella was practicing her selective hearing: listening only to what mattered to her. When Alice finished her ranting, Bella looked at her again.

"Are you done, Alice?" She asked with her eyes narrowed to a slit. Seeing, as Alice was ready to rant again, she quickly spoke. "Yes, Alice, I've chosen the dress already."

"Bella you have to let me see it!" Alice whined and pouted, as she demanded Bella to show her the dress.

"I'm sorry, Alice, but you as well the rest of the family," she paused and muttered, "and the world, will only see it on the wedding day."

"No!" Alice shrieked. Seeing Bella shaking her head, denying showing her the dress, Alice tried a different approach. "Well, at least, tell me what we are talking about. The specifics..." She smiled.

"Alright Alice." I sighed. "It's a vintage dress made of pure ivory silk, all the embroideries and applications were handmade, as well as the lace. It has flowers, and small brilliants craved. It has one sleeve made of flowers and it has a sweetheart neckline."

"Wow. Is it really vintage?" She asked suspiciously, but Bella could hear at same time with a hint of interest in her voice.

"Yes." I was getting exasperated with her annoyingness. "The dress was my great grandmother's. She married in 1868. She was a Contessa, a lovely lady with excellent education. She inherited the title from her father, who was a Conte. So, as you can see the Swans descent from an ancient line of nobles; although that is actually ignored in Italy. The dress was passed from generation to generation, but no one used it again, as it didn't fit my grandma's and my mother didn't have the right to wear it since my father was her heir. However, it has always fitted me, so I'll wear that dress. It's time for it to be used again."

*End Flashback*

The stylist had already finished Bella's makeup, so she went to the next room to put her dress. It was a very exquisite dress designed by Ellie Saab. Edward had yet to see it, but Bella was certain he would love it. Her only hope was that he wouldn't go Caveman on her.

You see, the dress was light aqua blue chiffon, with a huge slit on the left side that showed her whole leg. It had a sweetheart neckline, was strapless, and had an appliqué of flowers over the breast and on the left side too. She was looking at herself in the mirror when she felt eyes upon her. She looked up and saw Rosalie admiring her. Bella raised her eyebrows in a silent question, to which Rosalie promptly answered.

"You know… I never thought that your relationship with Edward would survive so long" Bella quickly turned around at those words, but Rose still continued without missing a breath "in this crazy life he lives, but the truth is that I've never seen you so happy. You seem to have adjusted pretty well for someone that liked her independence and tranquility."

"Yeah… Its crazy how things change, hum? Who would say that quiet Bella Swan would fall in love with a Prince and move to England and maybe be the next Queen?" She giggled. Rose took a couple steps forward and hugged her carefully, not to damage any of the works the stylists did.

"True, but you're happy. In the end I guess that's all that matters. Your father would be so proud…" Rosalie finished. She looked again at Bella and realized she was almost crying. She pressed her thumbs in the corners of Bella's eyes to avoid her tears to spill. "Shhh, Bella, please don't cry. You'll ruin the makeup, besides Edward will be worried if he sees your eyes red and swollen." Bella smiled weakly at her sister's words.

"Thank you, Rosalie. I wish he was here to see me this happy, but I think you're right: he would be proud because I am happy, and I found someone who I love more than life itself to spend the rest of my life with."

They were interrupted by a knock at the door.

"Come in," Bella commanded as she finished cleaning the few tears that escaped and made sure it hadn't ruined her makeup. She turned at the exact moment that Edward entered inside the luxurious room.

"Hello, Love. Are you ready?" he said as he walked to her.

As he finally got near her, he admired her beauty. She was splendid, and he told her so.

"You look magnificent, my love. I don't know if I'll be capable to let you go to the party. Hum… maybe the guests won't be too mad if I keep you to myself tonight?" He pondered mockingly. Rosalie, who had yet to leave the room, laughed.

"I don't think so Edward," she said, "after all everyone is here to meet the future Queen of England." At Edward's head nod, since his attention was focused on Bella's face, she realized her presence was no longer necessary, so she left.

"Sweetheart, what happened? You have been crying…" Edward had already noticed this but decided he wouldn't approach the subject with Rosalie still in the room. He was getting worried. What if she's having cold-feet?

"Nothing." At his raised eyebrow, Bella concluded. "It's just that… I miss my father. I really wish he could be here tonight." She sighed heavily and immediately found herself in one of Edward's magical embraces.

"He is," he murmured. Then he pulled her chin up with a finger and focused his eyes on her melted chocolate ones. When he got her attention, he moved one of his hands and touched the place where her heart was.

"He is here," he told her, "always, as long as you want him to be."

"Thank you." She embraced him forcefully, placing her head in the crook of his neck and breathed in, filling her nostrils with his calming scent. As she calmed herself, she resumed her eye contact with Edward. "I don't know what I would do without you. I love you so, so much Edward Cullen. Forever."

"I love you too Isabella Marie Swan, soon-to-be Cullen." The glint of happiness in his eyes was impossible to miss. Once the intimate moment between them ended, Edward remembered what he came for and picked the box he brought from the near end table.

"This is for you," he said extending his hands towards Bella. As soon as Bella saw the red velvet box with the golden script engraved, her heart raced a little bit. Jewelry. He had already given her so much, but he still insisted in these expensive gifts.

"Edward…" She whined.

"Shhh." Edward stopped her, placing his index finger on her lips. "My mother sent this for you. I was actually thinking about custom making you one, but she insisted you have her first for yourself." Puzzled by his words, and from the fact that the present was from Queen Esme, and not her son, Bella acquiesced and secured the Cartier velvet box in her trembling hands. Edward chuckled and helped her open it. The gasp that left Bella's mouth wasn't enough to describe the preciosity of the piece inside the box. There were no words.

Inside the box was a tiara - an incredibly detailed, sparkling diamond tiara. It was breathtaking, and Bella was wordless, for a few moments, staring at it. Edward picked it up and silently placed it in Bella's head.

The singularity of the moment was not lost on them.

This is it.

The moment after what everything would be official: she would a princess and, in Edward's eyes, she couldn't possibly be more beautiful. He knew he was biased but he could swear on his life that, that tiara was made thinking of her.

"You look so beautiful," he said caressing her face, "so princessly." He murmured in her ear, as he turned her around, so she could see herself in the mirror. Bella's eyes were once more shining with tears, but the smile she gave him through the mirror was one that blinded him with its brightness.

"I feel beautiful, thank you." She turned to Edward, and as she was preparing herself to kiss him when another knock on the door interrupted them. Edward sighed and ordered the person to enter.

"Your Highness, Your Grace," the servant curtsied, "Your Majesties requested your presence at the main Ballroom."

"Thank you, we'll be right there. You may leave." Edward quickly kissed Bella, encased his hand on hers, and guided her across the room. The small walk to the Ballroom, the same one where he announced his intention to make her his wife passed in a blur. Soon they were both quiet in front of the huge white doors.

"Are you ready?" Edward asked while scrutinizing Bella's reaction. She gave him one of her breathtaking smiles and replied, "As I'll ever be. I love you, forever."

It was Edward's turn to offer her one of his crooked smiles. "I love you too, until the end of eternity."

He pecked her lips caringly. With a head nod, Edward signaled the servant to announce them, and sooner then they knew, the doors were opened, and the inside of the room feel silent as the announcement was heard.

"His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince Edward Anthony Masen Cullen II; and Her Grace, Isabella Marie Swan."

AN: So people, one of the reasons I didn't get to update sooner was because I decided when I posted the previous chapter, that I wouldn't do any update before the story was beta-ed. Well, to find a beta was a hard work, but I finally got one. :) Besides that, college got in the way once again, and it was kind of difficult to do all of it.

Well, passing to more happy subjects.

During my short *cough, cough* absence, I started a collaboration with Nofrure. We're both from the same country, but we met through FF. She has an awesome story, that I recommend you to read: The Heiress of Lord Henry More.

We started writing a new story. It's named: Who Wants To Live Forever?; and here is the summary:

A vampire that fears eternity without love, is waiting for a vision to come true. A scientist unveils the secret of Immortality that is coveted by humans and vampires. What if forever didn't have to be such a long time?

It's a sci-fiction story, with a lots of romance and humor.

It will be posted today in a new profile, so we can concentrate all the reviews and other statistics. I have a link in my profile, please give it a try!

Since I'm starting my exams now, I can't promise scheduled updates, but I'll do my best, and try to update at least sooner this time.

XO Catarina