I'll Mend Your Heart.
A/N: yes! This is another update! And boy is it a huge one! And yes...this is the moment we've all been waiting for...
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! And as my present to you, I give you...the wedding!
this chapter would seriously not have been half as good had it not been for my AMAZING beta Trysh! Seriously, it was rubbish before she got her hands on it, and I really can't thanks her enough!
so...I'm hopeing that this extra update will bring extra reviews, actually...
COMPETITION! Let's see if we can make this the most reviewed chapter so far! The most reviews i've had for a chapter is 42 and that was for chapter 18, so please please please let's beat it!
Pictures on profile!
Chapter 21.
Bella.
I can't breath.
I really can't fucking breath!
Is this normal? Should I be worried right now?
Maybe I should see a doctor? Carlisle's here...
"Bella will you please calm down" Alice sighs, her fingers are running through my hair as she tries to tame the beast. Or the haystack as Edward calls it.
"Where are the boys?" I croak because...well because I'm dying.
"At the church," Esme answers, as she paints my nails.
"Already!" I yell, jumping slightly.
"Careful" Esme reprimands, trying to save my now smudged nail.
"But we've still got two hours before the wedding" I squeak after shooting her an apologetic smile for ruining her masterpiece.
"Yes..." Alice speaks almost absent-mindedly as she begins to brush my knotted hair out "but we have family travelling from all over the place, and chances are that most of them will be turning up well before the ceremony is due to start, and Edward needs to greet them all. So, yeah," her reflection in the mirror shrugged, as though she thought nothing of all the males in her family standing in that church for over two hours before we actually got there.
Currently, we're in the biggest room I've ever seen, in an extremely expensive hotel in the city of Seattle. I couldn't even hazard a guess at how much this all cost, but it probably cost the same amount as our wedding.
I asked Alice if she would do my hair and makeup, and she was over the moon to help me. I didn't want some stranger doing it, and although I don't know Alice that well...I trust her completely.
"Okay...so I was thinking of putting it up?" she questions, her perfect eyebrows raised in question.
"Yeah...that sounds good." I reply. She nods before she starts separating my hair, her lips moving slightly as though she's talking to herself.
Dawn, my wedding planner, busts through the door; checking her clipboard in her hand as she appraises my appearance.
"Makeup, done? Good. Nails? Almost done. Good. And the hair is in progress. Great! Now, have you eaten dear?"
"Y-"
"No, she hasn't" Esme interrupts my lie.
"Bella," Dawn sighs. "The last thing poor Edward needs is a fainting bride!" she dramatically shakes her head, her perfectly styled hair all moving as one entity. She walks over towards the table and hands me an apple.
"At least eat this. I know you're nervous, but food will make you feel better," she nods, as I hesitantly take a small bite.
"Good girl" she smiles and then begins checking her itinerary once again.
"So, we have one bridesmaid present...where are the others?" Dawn asks as she looks around our suite.
"Erm..." I start, mouth full of apple. "Angela ran out for some hairspray, cuz Alice's has almost run out, and my cousin is coming with my mom who should be here soon."
My cousin Abby is my mother's niece and lives in Florida. I haven't seen her in almost 4 years, but when I lived with my mother we were really close.
"Good, good" Dawn muttered. "YOU!" She snapped, her fingers clicking at Rosalie, who was sitting in the corner, ignoring everyone else, and painting her nails bright red.
"Yes?" she answers, surprisingly quiet. I hadn't wanted her here, but her being with Emmett apparently made her 'part of the family', and therefore had to be invited into the brides room.
"Will you go and see if Bella's dress needs pressing? It's hanging up in her bedroom." Rosalie got up, but not without making a loud sigh.
"Now I'm going to call your mother; see where she is" Dawn spoke as she made her way out of the room. Rosalie came back and mumbled a, "Its fine," before sitting back down to continue painting her nails.
"Edward's gonna die when he sees you!" Alice giggled.
Oh Edward...I haven't seen him in almost 24 hours, due to traditions. We had to say 'bye' as soon as we made it to the hotel, and apparently, (according to Alice) Edward had tried to make quite a few attempts at breaking into my room.
Aww...is it wrong to have swooned at that?
"Let's just hope he lives to say his vows," Esme laughs. "There. All done. Now let them dry" she instructed as she stood up. She'd given me very professional looking French tips, the nail itself was shiny and elegant.
"They're lovely Esme, thank you." I would have hugged her, had Alice not been holding my head.
"You're welcome, sweetheart" she smiled.
"Okay..." Dawn sighed, slipping back into the room. "Your mother's on her way, and Angela is just coming into the hotel now, so she'll be up any minute. I need to go to the church and check everything out. I'll be there when you arrive, okay?"
"Yeah, bye Dawn" I waved my newly polished hand as she departed, thankful that the busy body had finally left.
"God, she was even making me nervous. I though you hired her to take the pressure off, Bella. I can't imagine how she's making you feel." Alice sighs, shaking her head.
"I'm glad she's gone. Her rushing around was making everything feel chaotic! It was making me a bag of nerves" I laughed, with no trace of humour.
"Okay, okay, I'm back" Angela gasped as she rushed through the door, two cans of hairspray in her hands.
She handed one to Alice, who immediately started spraying my whole head, causing me to cough and splutter.
"Don't kill the bride," Angela laughs. Alice's and her hair and make-up were all finished; they just needed to put their dresses on. Their hair is nothing extravagant, just simple curls hanging down. Their dresses are beautiful lilac baby-doll style. The bodice has a slight ruche effect and the dress is topped off with an empire waistline.
"I won't! I won't!" Alice laughed "Her hair just won't stay put. It's almost as stubborn as you, Bella!"
"Hey! I think I'm offended," I mock-pouted, causing all the ladies to laugh, except Rosalie of course.
"Baby, I'm here!" my mother burst through the door.
"Jesus, it's like a fucking free-for-all in this room" I mutter to myself. "Hey mom" I smiled falsely.
"Oh Baby, look at you! You're so beautiful!", her eyes go glassy with un-shed tears, and for a moment I'm unsure what she means, but when I look at my reflection I notice Alice has finally finished my hair.
And I look...well I've never seen myself look this beautiful before. My hair is all piled upon the top of my head, small elegant curls on display.
"The veil will be pinned here" Alice whispered, her fingers pointing to the place she'll attach my veil. Alice is waiting on tender hooks, awaiting my answer, but I'm too mesmerised by what I see to speak right now.
"So...?" her small voice asks.
"Alice...I...I love it" I finally manage out. Her answering smile is huge.
"Hey Bella. It's nice to see you again" My cousin Abby brings me out of my retrieve. Her naturally curly blonde hair is styled perfectly, and she has already put on her dress.
"Hey Abby; you look great" I compliment the 21 year old bridesmaid.
"Me? Look at you! I haven't met this Edward guy yet, but I can tell you now, he's gonna have a heart attack!" she laughed, making me blush.
"Why do people keep thinking my husband's going to keel over and die today?" I giggle "It's not very "wedding-y" talk"
"Anyway" my mother began, as she stepped behind me. It was the first opportunity I'd had to fully see what she was wearing, and being my mother, it was very extravagant and over the top. Her low cut blue dress was covered in bright pink flowers, and her make-up could only be described as her taking style tips off of a clown. "This is from me and your father" she said as she handed me a black jewellery box.
I was cringing before I'd even opened it. Not because it was something my mother had picked, but because I'd been given so much jewellery in the past few days I had enough to open my own jewellers. Apparently it was tradition for all attending dons to give the bride a present. The more the expensive or extravagant the gift, the more respect they give Edward; according to Alice, anyway.
I asked her if she would be receiving the same treatment at her wedding, at which she laughed at me. They're all kissing Edward's ass because he's the don and showing respect is the best way to keep the peace. But because Jasper's just...well whatever Jasper is, other organizations don't need to show the utmost respect like they do Edward; in fact all those criminals don't even have to be invited to their wedding.
Some people get all the luck.
Also, I'd woken up with some beautiful diamond earrings from Edward, and a note saying;
I'll be waiting for you, beautiful Bella.
"Mom-"
"Please...just open it," she pleaded. I opened to box carefully, and found myself losing my breath at how beautiful they were. Six small flower barrettes, they would actually look lovely in my hair today.
"Mom, they're beautiful" I breathed out.
"Well, I'm glad you like them" she smiled, her eyes still watery.
"I can put them in for you Bella?" To which I nodded at Alice's suggestion.
"Okay," Esme declared, clapping her hands and gathering everyone's attention. "Alice and Angela, get dressed, and then we'll all help Bella put her dress on." All the girls sprung into action whilst I sat there...not really knowing what to do.
"Okay Bella..." Alice, said as she came back into the room a few moments later, fully dressed. "Are you ready to attempt to put this on, without creasing it?"
I laughed "As ready as I'll ever be. How long till we have to leave?"
"We have an hour till the service, but we're leaving in 30 minutes." I nodded, my stomach twisting in tighter knots.
"Okay...just step into it, and well pull it up, I am not risking that hair being ruined! We don't have time to re-do it," Alice muttered, more to herself then to me.
I stood on wobbly legs and tentatively stepped into the dress. There were a lot of hands all pulling and pushing, zippers zipping and ties being fastened. I wasn't even sure who's hands were whose; they were all just...everywhere.
"There," Abby declared, slightly out of breath.
"Done," Angela smiled. Esme held my hand as I made my way towards the full length mirror, to see myself completed.
"Oh my..." I gasped. I'd been in love with this dress since the moment I'd seen it in the store, but as I stood looking at myself...it was just too much. I could feel my eyes watering with tears, and began blinking rapidly to absorb the moisture before my makeup smudged.
My ivory skin matched the dress completely, making my dark eyes and rose coloured lips pop. The beaded bodice sparkled like a million jewels, and I was more than certain that they were real diamonds.
"Let me just..." Alice spoke as she clipped my veil on. "There," she smiled.
"Oh Bella!...crap, my makeup!" my mother began wailing, making incomprehensible sentences. All I could make out was 'my baby's getting married...I'm so old!'. I just rolled my eyes at her.
"Knock, knock," my dad said, as he entered the room. "Bells are you – wow!" My dad came to an abrupt stop. "You're the most beautiful bride I've ever seen."
"Hey!" my mom complained.
"Oh come on...are you saying she isn't?" They were both stood behind me in the mirror, looking at my reflection, as I was watched them.
"No, she is...how did we make something so beautiful?" my mother whispered, her hand brushing my forearm.
"I said that she day she was born," he responded.
"Guys..." I complained, still trying not to cry. I was also trying to stop the huge blush that had consumed my face.
"There now," my dad said, his hand brushing my cheek "a blushing bride"
"Sorry to interrupt," Esme appeared. I turned to look at her and realized that as I was talking to my parents, everyone had left. Wwe really need to start making our way over to the church"
I nodded, and took a deep breath before stepping away from the mirror.
"Where are my flowers?" I started to panic, frantically looking for them.
"They're at the church. Remember Bella, Dawn was going to collect them and give them to you and the girls when we get there?" My mom answered me, patting my arm, trying to calm me down.
"Oh, why couldn't she bring them here?" I ask; I can't remember her talking about the flowers.
"Because she needed to give the boys their boutonnières before the guests started arriving." Esme explained
Oh...right.
I nodded numbly "You'll keep hold of my purse right?" I asked, slipping on the gorgeous earrings I'd received from my soon to be husband.
"I will sweetheart," my mom nodded.
"Okay...let's go then."
Walking through the lobby; yeah, I would have laughed, had it not been me.
All the guests stopped and stared as we passed, a few even snapping pictures. I was about to ask Esme why, when I realised that I was marrying a celebrity today. These people will make a pretty penny with first pictures of the bride.
I tried to smile but I'm sure it came out as more of a grimace. Outside was a swarm of paparazzi, but they were all being held at bay, by whom I assumed are Edward's men. Them being held back, doesn't stop them talking pictures and yelling at me, but I do feel safer and less like I'm gonna get trampled.
Two sleek and shiny black Aston Martin's were awaiting us, one for the bridesmaids, my Mom, Esme and Rosalie, the other for Charlie and me.
"Okay...erm...how are we gonna do this?" I asked no one in particular.
"Well...you hold this part" Esme handed my Dad the train of my dress. "And Bella, you try to climb in, without creasing it."
I nodded, stepping into the car, being careful not to sit on my veil.
"You okay?" my Dad asked, as my hand gripped his tightly.
"Yeah...I'm just...shitting myself right now" I sighed making his chuckled slightly.
"Me too. You know...it's not too late to change your mind, I'd understand if you-"
"Dad no." I shook my head. "This stopped being an obligation a long time ago." I explained.
"What?" My dad looked sideways at me, trying to gauge my reaction.
"Let's just say...feelings are involved now" I whispered,
"Wha- really?" He was really quite shocked.
"Yeah" I sighed.
"Wow! Erm...so, you're not nervous about this being what you want?" he asked.
"No, I know what I want...I'm more nervous about standing in front of almost four hundred people...most of whom I've never met before," I let out a lifeless chuckle.
"You said...you said feelings were involved?" I nod in response "does Edward return those feeling?"
"I don't know Dad," I sigh. "Sometimes...when he looks at me, I think he does. But there's always this little voice in the back of my head telling me it's all a business arrangement to him"
"I don't think it's ever been'just a business arrangement'to him"My Dad murmured. But before I could question him, my door was pulled open by an extremely eager Abby.
I hadn't even noticed we'd arrived at church.
I grabbed her hand as she pulled me out of the car, my dad carefully handling my train and veil. We had to enter the church through the back, so that none of the guests could get a glimpse, at least that's what they told me. In reality, I knew that the front of the church would be awash with grubby men with cameras. I said nothing, silently thankful that I didn't have to deal with more of them today.
Once I was ushered into the back room, Esme had to leave me.
"Okay, I'm going to go check on my boy" she squealed "I'll see you later...Mrs. Masen" she gave me a wink, making me laugh.
"Thank you Esme, I know you probably wanted to be with Edward today, but you-"
"Hush now! There's no place I'd rather have been than helping you. Oh Renee, find me later and we'll start talking about grandbabies" my mother's eyes lit up as she began nodding frantically.
Well...at least we know they'll be happy when I get pregnant.
Esme left not long after that, and I was surprised when Rosalie didn't follow.
"Why don't we give you a minute?" Alice asked. I was eager for a few minutes alone, so I nodded. Having been surrounded by chaos all day, a bit of calm seemed perfect.
"Bella" Rosalie whispered, she was stood by the window, everyone else having left.
"Rosalie, I really want to be alone...I can't deal with you right now, this is my day and I will not have you ruining it for me." I turned toward her, meeting her eyes so she knew I was serious.
"Okay" she held up both of her hands, donning her now blood red nails, which matched her equally blood red dress. "I just wanted to...I dunno, make friends?" she shrugged.
"You know..." I began, my eyes glazing over a bit, but still looking at her, "I always thought the day I was sitting here, in a dress like this, Emmett would be the man waiting for me at the end of the aisle. Then you came along, and that dream died...but now I guess I should be thankful; thankful that you ran me into the arms of an amazing man and thankful you make me realize what an ass Emmett is. Look how quick his tune changed when an easy slut was willing to drop her panties for him." I smirked at her, feeling stronger with every word I spoke.
"Hey!" She yelled, her face as red as her dress. Her hands were clenched in fists as they rested on her hips.
"What? Does the truth hurt? You're a no good home wrecking whore Rosalie Hale. You always have been, even in college. How many married men were there, huh? 'Cos I certainly remember quite a few pissed off wives turning up on our doorstep!" I was unknowingly raising my voice.
"Oh like little perfect Bella's never done anything wrong!" she scoffed, rolling her eyes, which in my opinion had entirely too much makeup. How could she think she looked good?
"I'm not saying I've never done anything wrong...but there's a big difference between making mistakes and seducing someone who's not willing to be seduced!"
"Who says Emmett wasn't willing? 'Cos I'll tell you, he was more than willing! You'd completely sucked the life out of him, he was bored and practically begging me to show him some excitement in his hum-drum life with you..." she taunted. She looked like she was enjoying my pain.
"You say one more word," I warned, suddenly finding myself having unconsciously moved across the room, my faces inches away from hers.
"And do you know what? It won't take you long to suck the life outta Edward either..." she sneered, leaning over me. She may be taller than I am, but I am not going to let her intimidate me any more.
"I'm warning you! Not one more word Rose!" I hissed, my hands bunched into fists.
"And soon I'll have him begging me too...then I'll have him, as well as his wallet!" She boasted, a huge smile now on her face.
My fist collided into her face, with an audible smack.
"I can't believe you just said that," came a sad, feminine voice from the doorway.
I gasped; spinning around to find Esme looking absolutely disgusted.
"Esme!" Rosalie choked out. "Did you see her hit me?"
"No, I didn't see anything," Esme shook her head, her eyes hard and cold "Well actually; I did see my nephew telling all our relatives that he'll be next to wed. Now I think you should leave before I do worse then give you a slap!"
Rosalie rushed out of the room, one hand on her throbbing cheek.
"Esme I-" my anger was quickly draining, leaving me feeling emotionally exhausted.
"Shh...I heard it all, and I'm actually a little bit proud of you, and I know my Edward would be proud."She draws me into a gentle hug, so not to crush my dress. "You know none of that's true right?"
"Esme...how much did you hear?" I muttered, very afraid of her answer.
"Just what she said about Edward and his wallet. Was there more?" I sagged in relief that she hadn't learned about Emmett and I.
"No. It was just that," I gave her a tight smile.
"Edward looks at you like you hung the moon...and if there's one thing I know; it's how loyal my son is. He'd never look twice at another woman, especially someone like her. Now let's put all this nonsense behind us; I came to give you this."
She handed me my bouquet. The contrast of the ivory roses and purple roses (which matched the bridesmaid's dresses) was amazing.
"They're beautiful," I whispered, admiring the delicate flowers. "How's Edward?"
"Very..."
"Nervous?" I guessed.
Esme smirked "No dear, extremely eager. He's wishing the time would pass faster!"
I laughed. "How does he look?"
"So handsome...just like his father," she whispers; and I know she's not thinking about Carlisle. "Anyway, I need to go take my place...you've only got five more minutes," she kissed my cheek and left.
My dad and the girls re-entered the room, none of the showing any signs that they heard anything.
"Now...something old?" Alice asked.
"My barrettes."
"Something new?"
"The earrings Edward gave me."
"Something borrowed?"
"Oh! Erm..."
"Here," Abby clipped a thin silver bracelet around my wrist. "Something borrowed."
"Thanks Ab," I kissed her cheek.
"And last but not least, something blue?"
I blushed and nodded, at the thought of the garter she'd made me wear.
"Okay...I'll go let them know we're ready?" Alice questioned as she straightened out my veil one last time.
"What! Now? It's time?" I panicked.
"Yeah...are you not ready?" She asked; a bit surprised.
"No...No I'm ready...sorry I just freaked out, no, no I'm ready, go tell them"
I watched as Alice left to pass on the message, while we organized ourselves outside the church doors. Alice was to go first, followed by Abby, then Angela since she's my maid of honour...and then me and Charlie.
"Okay, when we hear the music we're to go...you go when you hear the wedding march, okay?" I nodded, and the music soon started playing.
Before she left, she turned to Abby and said, "Wait twenty seconds then follow" and then she was gone. I tried to peek through the door as she slipped through, but couldn't even catch a glimpse.
Abby put her hand on the handle, but before she left she turned to Angela and said, "Wait twenty seconds then follow," in her best Alice-like voice, making us all laugh, before she left.
Angela turned to me expediently and I started laughing before she'd even said anything. She just giggled, and shook her head before following Abby.
"You ready?" my dad asked me, leading me to the door.
"No." I shook my head.
"Too late," he whispered, folding my veil over my face, just as the wedding march began to play.
"I'm gonna fall Dad," I whispered, not trusting these heels.
"No you won't. I won't let you," with that he opened the door, and we came face to face with four hundred people, all on their feet greeting me.
Smiling faces went by in a blur, as did whispered words of my beauty. I was just glad my veil covered my burning face.
Edward didn't come into view until I was half way down the aisle. His face was...God, he looks so happy.
I could tell he'd made a conscious effort in taming his hair; it had been styled in a parting. His hands were clenched in front of him, but his smile never faulted, his eyes never leaving me.
He obviously couldn't wait for me, as he walked a few steps to meet me, causing a few of our guests to laugh.
"Who gives this woman away?" the priest asked.
"I do," my father answered, placing my hand in Edward's larger one. We walked the rest of the length of the aisle to the priest, and Angela reached for my flowers as Edward and I stood facing each other, hand in hand, whilst the priest welcomed the congregation.
As the priest asked if there were any objections to our marriage, Edward's eyes never left mine. It felt like he was staring into my soul. As I looked into his beautiful green eyes, I saw how genuinely happy he was. His smile reached his eyes and my breath caught in my throat. It felt like we were the only two people in the church. I felt a single tear trickle down my cheek; Edward brought our joined hands up to my face to brush it away. I was getting a bit anxious as we got to our vows.
"I, Edward Anthony Masen, take you, Isabella Marie Swan to be my wedded wife. To have and to hold from this day forward; for better, or worse; for richer or poorer; in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish 'till death us do part. And hereto I pledge you my faithfulness," his voice rang out loud and proud, and I'm sure everyone in the church heard him.
"I, Isabella Marie Swan, take you, Edward Anthony Masen to be my wedded husband. To have and to hold from this day forward; for better, or worse; for richer or poorer; in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish 'till death us do part. And hereto I pledge you my faithfulness," my voice was a lot quieter; I'm surprised he could actually hear me, but his smile was blinding as we were binding our lives together.
I turned to take his ring from Angela and he took my wedding ring from Jasper. The priest blessed them and handed Edward my ring first.
As he slipped the cool metal onto my finger, he repeated what was asked of him.
"With this ring I give to you, I pledge all that I am and all that I will ever be as your husband. I gladly marry you and join our lives together."
Once my ring was on my finger, he lifted my hand and kissed it, a small smile was lurking at his lips, but his eyes were positively shining.
The priest then handed me Edward's ring. My fingers trembled as I slid the ring that I know will never leave his hand willingly. I repeated the same as Edward.
"With this ring I give to you, I pledge all that I am and all that I will ever be as your wife. I gladly marry you and join our lives together."
I placed a light kiss to Edward's ring, as he did to mine, although I decided to rest our joined hands over my heart instead of letting them dangle between us.
We both had huge smiles on our faces when we heard: "I now pronounce you husband and wife...you may kiss your bride!"
The priest's words were barely out before Edward's mouth was on mine. It wasn't a chaste or elegant kiss, it was needy and it was his way of letting me know he'd missed me...and I responded in kind as I'd missed him desperately.
He tried for some tongue, but there was no way I was letting that happen in a house of God. He pulled away slowly, and the smile was permanent on my face. Edward's smile mirrored mine. He couldn't even pretend to pout at the fact I wouldn't let him kiss me the way he wanted...he just couldn't stop smiling.
The congregation was clapping loudly, and I could hear my mother sobbing still.
He leaned forward, and pressed his lips in a soft kiss just below my ear before whispering;
"If this is a dream...NEVER wake me up."
I couldn't agree more.
a/n: PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW! I'm not above begging!
Next up we have the reception...and there may be fireworks ;)