Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Playlist song: http://www[dot]youtube[dot]com/watch?v=eFOKVSN7030

A/N: Again, thank you for all the wonderful reviews. The way you've taken to my story means a lot to me. After this chapter, there will be only three chapters remaining. They will be posted each of the next three Mondays, with the last chapter going up 11/30/09.

Chapter 20: She Dances and I Dream

Underneath a clear and starry sky, Edward and Mick stood in Bella's backyard, listening to the leaf-barren trees sway in the cool, light breeze. Edward had come to love this place just as much as Bella had, and he knew he would miss the peacefulness. He breathed in deeply, just barely catching the scent of the only woman he would ever love.

Mick cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "Are you sure you're ready for this?"

"I've never been more ready for anything." Edward looked at Mick and smiled. "I've never been more sure."

"Will your family be angry that you're doing this on your own?" Mick asked, a worried expression on his face.

Edward thought for a moment. "Angry, no. Disappointed, maybe. But we need to do this our way, Bella and I. Hopefully they'll understand that."

A warm, friendly hand clapped Edward's shoulder, and he turned around.

"Everyone's here, and Bella's ready." Jackson straightened his tie and nervously patted down his hair. "You ready to get this show on the road, Edward?"

Looking through the doors into the house, Edward saw Angela coming down the stairs to meet Ben and Jackson's wife. The county judge, a friend of Charlie's, had just arrived, and Jackson's wife was making introductions. Angela waved at him, and he could hear her happy thoughts. There was only one person missing, but Edward was sure the car door he heard slam signaled the last arrival.

"I think our last guest just arrived," Edward said, casting a sideways glance at Mick. "Give us ten minutes, and we'll be ready."

Mick slowly turned to face Edward. "Who were we waiting for?"

At that moment, a chorus of greetings sounded, and Mick's nose twitched. Edward knew Mick would catch her scent before he ever saw her, and he stood back, watching Mick's eyes and smile widen in tandem. Finally, the group in the house parted, and the beautiful blond with crystal blue eyes walked into the yard.

Mick walked slowly toward her, and she stood her ground, waiting for him. When he reached her, he brushed her cheek with a shaking hand before leaning down to kiss her gently. "Beth," he whispered, taking her into his arms.

Edward turned to give them what privacy he could. Staring again at the twinkling stars, he thought about the years he spent away from Bella, how he yearned for the completeness he'd only ever felt with her. His love for her had never wavered, and, now he knew, neither had her love for him. Brief flashes of doubt still clouded her eyes, but Bella was forgiving him every day by allowing him back into her heart. He only hoped he could earn her trust again and, one day, forgive himself.

"Edward?"

He turned once more to find Mick and Beth, hand-in-hand, standing before him. They practically buzzed with an electric charge, and Edward was happy for them. After everything Mick had done for him, Edward made sure Mick would not need to spend one more day without his Beth.

"Edward, this is Beth," Mick said proudly.

"Beth, it is so good to finally meet you. I'm so sorry we've kept Mick here so long." Edward extended a welcoming hand.

Ignoring the offered hand, Beth hugged Edward warmly. "Hey, no one should apologize on their wedding day." She pulled back, her arms still around his shoulders. "Thank you so much for inviting me." Dropping her arms, she straightened his dark gray suit jacket and tie, nodding in approval when she was done.

"It wouldn't be a party without you," Edward said, laughing. Looking over her shoulder, he could see the crowd walk outside. "I think it's time."

As everyone gathered in the center of the yard, the judge walked up to Edward and Mick, and the three stood together, waiting for Bella to descend the stairs. Ben quickly lit the four large torches at the corners of the gathering, and Mick pulled a small black box out of his pocket. Hearing the footsteps on the stairs, Edward looked up to see Bella, her arm linked with Jackson's, walking toward him.

Looking into her shining chocolate eyes, Edward froze. Time and place ceased to exist. The people around them faded away until the only ones left standing were Bella and him. Her tea-length, strapless dress allowed him to see the beautiful porcelain skin of her neck and shoulders, and he could hear the organza and silk rustle with each of her steps. A sheer veil, pinned to her gathered chestnut hair, fell down her back, and her nervous pulse beat against the single strand of pearls he gave her as a wedding present. In her hand, she held a bouquet of variegated tulips tied together with a white ribbon. A faint blush spread across her face as she stood at his side and Jackson placed her hand in Edward's.

The judge spoke, his voice echoing against the trees. "Tonight, we have gathered together to witness the joining of two lives. Edward and Bella, whose enduring love has brought them together, have asked you to join them as they become husband and wife. Before exchanging traditional vows, they would like to say a few words."

"Edward," Bella began, her voice thick and shaky, "things have not always been easy for us, and they won't always be easy in the future. Still, one thing has remained constant: I love you more than life itself. I give you everything that I am and everything I will be, and I only ask that you remain as you are today: by my side." A soft sob escaped her lips as tears ran down her cheeks.

Cupping her face with his hands, he brushed the tears away with the smooth pads of his thumbs. There was so much heartache combined with her love, and he swore to himself that he would make it go away, even if it took forever. "Bella, my love, I have never deserved you, but I am grateful every day that you love me. I will spend every day of eternity showing you how much I love you and working to become the man I see in your eyes. I only ask that you never give up on me, because I will never give up on us again."

Taking each other's hands, Edward and Bella turned toward the judge as he began reciting the vows. Saying the words so many had said before him, Edward still felt as if they were written especially for Bella. When he promised to love, honor, and cherish her, he believed he meant it more than any other man who ever made the same promises. Hearing her pledges to him, he felt like the most loved and the most unworthy being in existence. They exchanged matching gold bands, and the weight of his ring on his hand just felt right.

"By the power vested in me by the State of Alabama, I now pronounce you husband and wife." The judge winked at Edward. "You know you've been dyin' to do it all night. You may kiss your bride."

As everyone around them erupted into laughter, Edward wrapped his arm tightly around Bella's waist and pulled her into his chest. He placed one finger under her chin and lifted it, looking deep into her eyes.

"Hello, Mrs. Cullen."

Blushing wildly, Bella giggled. "Hello, Mr. Cullen."

He leaned down, tenderly kissing her lips as he repeated the words in his head.

My Bella. My wife.

~*~

Slightly tipsy from the champagne at the party, Bella felt a little wobbly as she undressed. She'd never been a girly girl like Alice, but she had felt beautiful in her wedding dress and veil. Edward must have agreed, she thought, since he couldn't keep his hands off her all night. Emboldened by the alcohol, she'd whispered naughty things to him whenever she had the opportunity. She blushed, thinking about how Edward, having reached his limit, was currently running all their friends out of the house so they could be alone.

Sadness was always on the periphery, however. As Angela helped her into the gown, Bella couldn't help wishing her mother had been alive to see her finally happy. Later, she fought back tears as she found herself wishing Charlie was the one giving her away. In the three weeks since Charlie had been killed, so much had changed. She felt guilty for being so happy with Edward, but she knew Charlie would not want her to be alone. Jackson had said as much when she told him about the wedding.

Looking at the thin gold band on her finger, she remembered the night she told Edward she wanted to get married. She said she wanted just one thing before Mick changed her, and Edward had promised to give her anything. As they made love, she whispered her request. She thought he hadn't heard her, but she was too embarrassed to say it again in case he had. When they were dressing later that night to meet Mick at the lodge, Edward dropped to one knee and asked her to marry him. She smiled, remembering how she fell to the floor to kneel with him and they made love as she moaned yes again and again.

She heard a slight tap at the bathroom door, and she examined herself in the mirror. Her cheeks were still rosy from the champagne, and her hair was falling around her face. She had let it grow out a little, and it curled slightly past her shoulders. The georgette babydoll had been a gift from Angela, and Bella liked how it made her look almost innocent. Nothing was innocent, however, about how her body reacted when she thought about the man standing on the other side of the door.

My husband.

She slowly opened the door, watching as Edward's amused eyes slowly darkened with desire. He was beautiful, standing in only the black silk boxer shorts she bought for him. His broad shoulders were rising and falling as he began to breathe her in deeply. When he licked his lips, it was her undoing.

Pushing him backward, she stood over him as he sat on the edge of the bed. She grabbed the hair at the back of his head and tugged it until he tilted his head up to gaze at her. His mouth opened slightly, and she brought her lips crashing into his. As she attacked his mouth, he wrapped his arms around her hips and ran his hands up her back. Reluctantly pulling away from him, she fell to her knees between his legs.

"Bella," Edward said, his voice rough and breathy, "you don't have to do that."

Hooking her fingers under the waistband of his boxers, she pulled them down just enough to expose his glistening head. "I know," she whispered, lowering her mouth. "I want to."

She slowly swiped her tongue around him, and he hissed loudly. Encouraged, she opened her mouth, taking him in slowly. He was hard and cold, and his skin tasted salty. Peeling his boxers down over his hips, she wrapped her hand around his shaft, gripping and massaging as she moved her mouth up and down his length. She smiled around him when she felt his fingers thread into her hair. Soon he was guiding her movements, and she looked up to see him watching her intently.

"Fuck," he whispered, beginning to thrust gently into her mouth. Seeing and hearing him give into her made her skin tingle, and she sucked hard in response.

Suddenly, she was flying through the air. Edward pulled her up and, embracing her tightly, spun around until they landed on the bed, her on her back and him hovering over her. He ground his hard length into her stomach, grabbing her hip to to increase the friction. His amber eyes had turned completely black, and she shivered.

"I'm sorry," he said, moving his hips in short thrusts. "I shouldn't have said that. You just felt so good." He buried his face into her neck, moaning.

Writhing underneath him, she spread her legs wider, allowing him to feel the wetness there. "I liked that you said it," she admitted, blushing. "But why did you stop me?"

"It was so good. I wasn't going to be able to control myself, and I didn't want to hurt you." He ran the tip of his tongue up the side of her neck, and, reaching her earlobe, sucked it hard. She felt his warm breath on her ear as he began to whisper. "So, you don't mind if I say how much I want to fuck you right now?"

"Oh, God, no," she whimpered, arching her back to press herself more firmly against him.

She could hear his low growl as he lifted off her slightly, pulling one strap of her gown down her shoulder until he freed her breast. He kissed her, his tongue plunging into her mouth and his hand gently pinching her taut nipple. Wanting more, she pushed him away just far enough to be able to remove her gown completely.

Edward's eyes burned into her, and she never felt so beautiful and wanted. He placed his hand flat against her stomach, running it up between the swells of her breasts and over her shoulder. "Bella, I need to be inside you." His voice was soft and pleading.

Wrapping her legs around his waist, she shifted and opened herself up to him. She watched as he guided himself between her wet lips, rubbing his head slowly back and forth against her clit. As her hips began to buck from pleasure, he moved slightly lower and thrust deep inside her.

Throwing her head back, she cried out loudly. Anytime Edward touched her, she became electrified, and the sensation was magnified a hundred fold when he was inside her. Tiny sparks seemed to jump between them, millions of intense shocks traveling over their bodies. Closing her eyes, she concentrated on how he filled her, body and soul. She would never be complete without him. If he were ever to leave her again, he'd leave a gaping hole in her heart vastly larger than the one he closed when he returned to her.

"Love, look at me," Edward whispered, stroking her cheek with the tips of his fingers.

Bella lifted her heavy lids, and, when she looked into his eyes, he began to slowly move, withdrawing completely before thrusting into her, each time harder than the last. Their gaze remained unbroken as they began to crash into each other, moaning and gasping. She could feel his body begin to tighten, and she knew he was on the edge. The pressure building inside her, she felt Edward's fingers move lower until he was stroking her, bringing her onto the edge alongside him. Tightening her legs around him, she suddenly felt herself fall, spasms rocking her entire body as she came. As she fell, she pulled Edward with her, and he exploded inside her, thrusting deeply until he was completely spent.

Still lost in each other's eyes, they didn't move. Bella waited until her breathing and heartbeat calmed before she spoke. Her voice was still faint and shaky.

"I love you."

Edward smiled, rubbing his thumb across her swollen lips. "I love you, too, Mrs. Cullen." Kissing her softly, he lay down beside her, wrapping his arm around her waist.

Bella laughed. "That's going to take some getting used to. Every time someone says it, I want to giggle like a little girl."

"I like it when you giggle," he said, rubbing slow circles on her stomach. "Don't ever stop."

Looking on the nightstand, Bella saw Edward's cell phone and picked it up. "I guess we can turn this back on now."

The instant she decided to tell him she wanted to get married, his phone started ringing, and she knew it was Alice. As much as she loved Alice and the other Cullens, she wanted their decision to be theirs alone, and she asked Edward not to answer the calls. After proposing, Edward continued to ignore Alice's ever persistent efforts, saying she would only fly to Alabama and take over the entire wedding. By temporarily avoiding Alice, they were able to have the ceremony they wanted. After all, Edward explained, Alice had forever to plan as many vow renewals as would make her happy.

Taking the phone from her hand, he held down the power button until the screen lit brightly. After a few seconds, the text message chime began sounding, and it didn't stop for at least four minutes.

"Good Lord, how many text messages can one vampire send?" Bella asked, amused.

"Let's see what the little pixie has to say." Edward began thumbing through the messages. "She can't believe I turned off the phone. How could we get married without her? She wants me to tell you not to buy off the rack. Oh, then she says she can't believe you bought off the rack. She's never speaking to us again. Oh, wait, she didn't mean that, and she can't wait to see us."

Bella laughed, imagining Alice's increasing horror as she saw more and more of the wedding plans in her visions. Thinking about what else Alice had seen, she blanched. "Nothing about what's happening tomorrow?"

"No, nothing about that." He kissed her forehead. "I expect Carlisle has told her not to meddle. He trusts us to make the right decision."

She nuzzled into his chest. "You've talked to Carlisle about it, haven't you?"

"I wanted some advice before I talked to you and Mick," he admitted sheepishly. "He completely supports us. You don't mind that I talked to him, do you?"

Sadness washed over her briefly as she again wished she could talk to Charlie, tell him how much she missed him. She tried not to let Edward see her grief, afraid he would mistake it for doubt. "No, baby, I don't mind. I understand wanting to talk to your father."

Grabbing her and pulling her into a tight spoon, Edward kissed her shoulder. "I know you miss him. It doesn't seem like it now, but it does get easier."

Bella had always thought of Edward as Carlisle and Esme's son, but, with those words, she remembered that he, too, mourned and missed his parents. She leaned back into his embrace, and he kissed her shoulder again.

Lying in her lover's arms, Bella began to drift off to sleep. Struggling to stay awake, she yawned despite herself.

"Go to sleep, love. We'll have time tomorrow, I promise."

Turning her head, Bella kissed the corner of Edward's mouth. "Good night, Edward."

Grabbing her chin, he held her still, kissing her deeply. "Good night, Mrs. Cullen."

"Say it again," Bella demanded, giggling.

"Good night, Mrs. Cullen."

A/N: Visit the Breathe Me blog page to see Bella's wedding dress and Edward's suit:
http://fragilelittlehuman[dot]wordpress[dot]com/fan-fiction/breathe-me/#ch20

Breathe Me thread on the Twilighted Forum:
http://www[dot]twilighted[dot]net/forum/viewtopic[dot]php?f=44&t=6150