I've decided to end this story here. It just feels right.

Thank you all for your reviews and for your support.

"I can't believe we're actually talking about ruffles again," I whined.

Alice pouted, thrusting yet another bride's magazine at me. "They're all the rage this season!"

"Somehow I doubt that," Emmett chortled from the living room.

"You know nothing about fashion, Emmett Cullen!" Alice growled.

She was glaring at him from the dining room and I could sense her getting sidetracked by the unnecessary argument over fashion. It was even more disturbing that she was considering taking it up with Emmett, of all people.

"Alice… I just want things to be simple. After everything we've all gone through, I just want to say the vows and have Edward as mine. I don't need the ruffles or the doves or the sparkles you suggested, though I think they're all very lovely. Maybe if and when Edward and I decide to renew our vows one day, we can consider them… But for now I'd like to stick to what's me and that just so happens to be simple."

I could smell and sense Edward coming downstairs and smiled euphorically as he walked into the kitchen. His eyes were filled with a mixture of emotions- love, admiration, respect, want, adoration… The list could go on. I could feel the love emanating off of him and I hoped he could feel the same from me.

"Alice," he said, never taking his eyes from mine, "I thought we've gone over this already. You agreed to let Bella have the final say in all manners as long as you got to carry out the final decisions."

"I just wanted to help!" she exclaimed, throwing up her hands in frustration. "I just wanted it all to be perfect."

My dead heart broke at her sentiment. She truly was the best friend and sister in the world.

"I know, Alice. Thank you so much for doing all you've done and for all you still want to give. But it's just not possible… not necessary now. I think you know that."

She stared at me for a moment before finally nodding slowly. "I know. I'll set up everything as you've asked me."

"Are you going to tell me any of your plans?" Edward cooed seductively. I fought my hardest not to meet his impassioned gaze.

Alice and I had decided to keep him in the dark about most of the preparations for the wedding. Not only was it major payback from me for all the teasing and surprises I'd had to endure in the past, but it was also a way for us to show him how much we loved him. We wanted to the day to be special. I wanted the day to be special.

But of course the punk was making things difficult. He wasn't used to being ignorant of the goings on and he didn't like it one bit. I knew of his ability to dazzle me into submission, even now, and had taken care the past few days to keep my contact with him at a minimum. It all was slowly killing me. I wondered temporarily if all the secretiveness was worth it. I considered telling him right then and there. He'd still be thrilled, and so what if he had the information a week before the event? It didn't really matter…

"Bella. Marie. Swan. You stop that line of thinking right now. We have put too much effort into all of this!"

I looked up and nodded sheepishly. I caught Edward's triumphant and smug smirk and nearly groaned. He was aware now at how difficult all of this was on me and I just knew he was going to try to use it to his advantage. I was permanently tense now, waiting for him to take his opportunity. I didn't have to wait long at all.

"Alice, darling sister of mine-" she snorted at that line, "-I was wondering if it were possible if I could sneak my beautiful fiancée out for a while. I think it's only fair, especially considering the distance she's been so intent on keeping lately." His eyes narrowed at me for the last part.

Her eyes glazed over and she was temporarily lost in a vision. She came to and shook her head before winking at Edward and grinning at me.

"Sure, that'll be fine."

Oh, no. This can't be good.

Alice Cullen never ever gave me up to Edward, especially when there was a wedding to be planned. This could not be good.

"Have fun, you two," she chuckled, standing and ignoring my pleading look. I'd never wanted to stay and talk about fashion and decorating more than in that instant. "And don't worry, Bella," she said before slipping out of the room, "you won't let anything slip."

"Shall we?" Edward smirked, gesturing out the back door. I swallowed and stood slowly, following him out in the overcast day.

We were silent during the drive. After what seemed like an eternity, Edward pulled up to a patch of trees and grinned at me.

"I found a place I think you'll enjoy."

He got out of the car and opened my door for me before leading me into the trees.

We didn't have to walk far before we encountered the breathtaking sight.

It was a slight clearing, almost like our meadow back in Forks. And yet it was somehow more beautiful. The flowers were more alive looking and tall. The sunlight appeared to be soaked up into their leaves and radiated off, making the colors of their petals almost glow.

I walked around silently before stopping in the middle to look around for Edward, much like that first day we'd spent together. I found him almost instantly, lingering in the shadows watching me intently.

"I love you," he said softly.

"Come to me," I begged. "Please."

"I'm afraid to wake up," he whispered. His voice sounded raw… vulnerable. "I'm afraid to disrupt the indescribable picture of perfection before me. I'm afraid to reach out and touch you to only have you disappear before my eyes."

My unnecessary breath caught at his words. It was still amazing to me that this being of perfection could love me like this.

"Vampires don't sleep, my love," I reminded him with a soft smile. "You're wide awake and you're mine, as I'm yours. Don't be afraid to touch me… please don't be afraid. I need you to touch me."

He inhaled unevenly and took a few wide steps until I was in his arms. He buried his face into my hair and started to shake, almost as though he were crying. I realized with a start that he was crying; he just couldn't make the tears.

"Shhh," I whispered into his ear. I was completely confused. "What's wrong, Edward? You're worrying me."

He pulled his head back to meet my eyes and I gasped at the words caught in his eyes. He didn't need to speak. He wasn't sad and he wasn't happy; he was joyful. He was beyond even that.

"Nothing is wrong," he finally said. "I'm where I belong, for once. I've never felt more complete than when I'm in your arms. It finally hit me today that this is really happening… that in a week we'll truly belong to one another in more ways than one. We're getting married and it's for forever. I don't know if I can handle this happiness, Bella, but I'm more than willing to be overwhelmed; I'm elated to be overwhelmed."

Now I was shaking with silent sobs.

"Don't you start!" Edward laughed gently. "It's bad enough that I'm such a sap."

"I wouldn't have you any other way," I sniffled.

He stared at me silently for a moment. "This is really happening, isn't it, Bella?"

"Yes."

"You're mine."

"Yes."

"And I'm yours."

"Yes."

He inhaled again, breathing in my scent deeply.

"There's nothing left for us to fight against anymore, is there?"

I shook my head. "We're free."

"I love you," he stated fiercely.

"I love you," I said back, just as firm.

And then he held me tighter, kissing me all over my face, whispering incoherent things against my flesh, and promising me with his lips eternal happiness.

This was real. This was beauty. This was truth.

This was finally me and Edward, the way we were always meant to be.

And this was forever.