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. Stephenie Meyer created it all; I just like to play around in her world.
As always, a shout out to the Fab Five (sherriola, Katmom, TwiloverSue, Sammi & NKubie) for their support and help - and beachcomberlc and Ocassye for all their beta and pre-reading power! In addition, Purradox for her expertise and keeping me in line. And to NanStew who has helped me immensely. These women have supported me in ways I can't even explain – specifically - encouraging me to continue when I've doubted my writing skills and ability to tell a story!
Hope everyone's having a great weekend!
~Honor~
"I'm getting married in Vegas, and I'm looking for something simple. Elegant, but simple," Bella told Diane. They'd already discussed Bella's size and preference for ivory.
Esme had suggested they contact her friend when Bella mentioned the need to look for a dress. Little had Bella known that the Diane Esme had referred to was considered Seattle's premiere wedding consultant. And as such, she had access to all the upscale boutiques, including the exclusive Marcella's, which is where they sat early on a Monday morning well before normal business hours.
"Essie guessed you'd say that." Diane grinned as she clapped her hands together.
Bella grinned at the nickname Diane used for Esme. She didn't know what she'd thought Diane would be like, but the gregarious, unassuming, natural beauty was far from the four- inch heel, power-suit personality she'd imagined.
Esme scrunched her nose delicately as Diane hurried out of the room. "Told you that you'd like her."
Grinning at her future mother-in-law, Bella simply shook her head. "She reminds me of Alice."
Putting her hand to her chest, Esme chuckled. "Diane helped Alice plan her wedding. It was quite the manic affair." She smiled softly. "The result was magical though."
"Thanks for coming with me," Bella said quickly.
Esme's face transformed with what Bella could only describe as motherly love. She'd seen it from afar . . . this softening of the cheeks and widening of the eyes when mothers looked upon their children. In grade school and high school, she'd seen it as the students around her earned accolades, and most recently, it had been at the commissioning ceremonies where parents dutifully pinned bars on their adult children's shoulders. But never from Renee. She and her mother had come to a mature understanding, a resolution of their issues, before Renee's death, but there had never been a moment that Bella remembered her mother looking upon her with love. Charlie had told her that Renee once saw Bella as the center of her world, but Bella didn't have any of those memories . . . other than a few pictures where Renee did seem to be holding her with care.
"I wouldn't be anywhere else," Esme responded. "You're mine now. And we Cullens take care of our own. You may wish you hadn't gotten involved in this chaos known as our family, but once you're here, we don't let go." She snickered. "We keep Aro after all, and that man is just plain crazy."
Bella had heard more than a few stories about Edward's granduncle. She just remembered him from the funeral as being more odd than scary. But it reminded her of something.
"Esme, is it customary for Cullen men to wear kilts to their weddings?"
"Typically, but no one would be upset if you don't go with tradition."
"Actually, I was hoping that Edward would wear his, and that I could incorporate a sash or something into my dress." Bella felt the blush warm her cheeks. "I mean . . . who hasn't had fantasies about a handsome man in a kilt?"
The smile Esme gave Bella was close to blinding. "The tradition is for the groom to wrap the plaid around the bride's shoulders after the exchange of the vows. Diane can work with that."
"Work with what?" the woman said as she walked through the swinging door. She was pulling a rack behind her. It was loaded with dresses.
"Bella wants to incorporate the Cullen tartan."
"Well, aren't we lucky that I remember it from Alice and Jasper's wedding? We'll need to go with lighter ivory colors to match." Dianne's eyes twinkled. "For our first round, I chose gowns either without a train, or ones that have a demi train."
"First round?" Bella croaked.
Diane and Esme exchanged a look.
"Let's just get started, we'll set the ones to the side that you might be interested in trying on."
Diane had barely gotten the first dress off the rack before Bella was shaking her head. While beautiful, the neckline would cut to her navel. So it went, and it soon became clear that Bella favored dresses with clean lines and little ornamentation. Only a few selections had gone into the maybe pile, but she knew when they'd found 'the one.' It was so simple it was almost plain, but the gown seemed to call to her.
Ivory satin, the strapless sweetheart neckline would hug her breasts, while the smooth fabric narrowed at the waist then gently flared, providing a soft drape of material to the floor. "That's the one."
"Bella?" Esme said in a shocked voice.
"It's the one." She felt it deep within her heart.
"Are you sure? It took Alice and Rose months to find their dresses."
Chuckling, Bella pushed up from the comfortable seat Dianne had supplied, and she slowly moved toward the beautiful dress.
"Well, I don't have months, but even if I did, I'd want this one. May I try it on, please?"
"Okay." Diane smiled at her pleading tone. "It is one of the most beautiful gowns here, but it would take a discerning eye to see the perfection in the simplicity. That you've recognized it gives me hope that we can make this perfect in the time we have."
Minutes later, Bella emerged from the dressing room, the gown hugging her slender frame and soft curves. Esme and Diane had frozen when she appeared, Esme's hand covering her mouth. Bella squirmed under their perusal.
Self-conscious as they continued to stare, she started to turn away only to stop when Esme sobbed.
"You look like a princess, and that color is going to drive Edward crazy. It's hard to distinguish where your skin ends and the dress begins." She grinned mischievously. "May I touch your hair for a moment?" she asked, coming to stand slightly beside Bella.
Nodding, Bella swallowed hard.
"Turn around and look." Esme nodded toward the three floor length mirrors.
When she did, Esme reached slowly to gather Bella's hair just to the side of her face, pulling it gently to twist the long strands toward the back of her head. "Curl your hair just enough to wave it, and we'll pull it back like this and secure it with some heather." It was a very medieval look, but it went perfectly with the gown.
"Make sure to bring one curl forward to rest over one of her breasts to taunt Edward," Dianne suggested with a naughty leer.
It was exactly what Bella needed to break her tension, and she laughed with the other two. She did feel like a princess. Not an overdone, glorified one, but in an outdoor wedding sort of way. If given enough imagination, she could see herself on the cover of one of those romance novels Leah used to read . . . bent slightly backwards over Edward's arm, their family plaid floating around her as Edward leaned down to kiss the top of her breast. Behind them would be the wild moors of Scotland, perhaps a howling wolf in the background.
Her attention snapped back to reality, and she snickered at her vision. Again, her thoughts were jogged.
"Esme, pardon me for being dumb, but isn't the surname Cullen Irish?"
It was Esme's turn to laugh. "Yeah. It's a long dramatic story, and I suggest you don't get Aro started unless you want to spend hours listening to the history. I'll make it simple by saying the family is Scottish and Irish. It happened back during Edward I's advances into Scotland. Their Cullen ancestor was a favorite of the king and was sent to rule one of the lands Edward's army defeated. He married the eldest daughter, launching a torrid love affair that was documented in history. Brion gained the loyalty of his people and several neighboring clans over time and the family survived the many changes of rule over the centuries."
"A torrid love affair," Bella murmured, raising her eyebrow in a teasing manner at Esme in the reflection. Visions of the bosom-flashing paperback cover flashed back through her mind.
"Yes. Cullen men are known for them."
Flashes of black leather, light skin, and Edward's arms stretched upward as his muscles strained distracted her for a moment. Then she grinned. "I can see that," Bella admitted.
"Bella, I think the dress fits you almost perfectly, but how does it feel?"
Resting her arms to her side, she breathed deeply, twisting a little to see if the top would fall. She'd never worn anything so revealing, but for her wedding, it felt classy instead of risqué. With the flowing fit, everything felt right, except, perhaps, being a little loose around her ribs. She still needed to regain some weight. "I think it's good, except around here." She fluttered her hands just below her breasts.
"May I?" Diane asked, making Bella wonder what Esme had told her.
When she nodded, Diane moved behind her, pulling the material gently at the zipper. "Honestly, there is only a little extra here. A thin corset would help push the girls up more and fill in. It would be sexy, as well, when the dress comes off." She waggled her eyebrows at Bella in the reflection causing her to blush.
"Let me bring out a couple that I think will work, and you can try them on with the dress."
Like her selection of the wedding gown, Bella's choice of a corset and matching thong took only a few seconds . . . but a huge chunk of her delicate sensibilities. She thought she would die when Esme compared two of the pairs of underwear.
Diane was right, though. The corset added what she needed around her ribs, even if it made her boobs almost pop over the neckline. "Are you sure this is okay?" she asked as she tried to tug the material higher.
"It's beautiful, and you look amazing," Esme encouraged. "But you need to feel comfortable."
Dropping her arms again, Bella forced herself to look beyond her conservative core to the woman looking back in the mirror. A dark haired beauty, she looked like someone Edward would have on his arm. A flush of pleasure warmed Bella's skin. This is who she wanted to be as she walked into Edward's arms. If her boobs were a little more on display than usual, it might just keep him on the edge. And she would take what she could get, because she didn't want their honeymoon night to be anything less than spectacular.
"Trust me, Edward's thoughts are going to be nothing less than explosive when he wraps the plaid around your shoulders," Diane promised.
Bella couldn't stop the giggle that brewed in her chest and bubbled over. "Then if that is the case, let's go for it."
Even with the luck of finding a dress on her first try, Bella had to leave it for the length to be altered. She'd be wearing flats to walk down the 'short aisle' on Charlie's arm.
"Let's go get some lunch," Esme suggested, and Bella's stomach grumbled in agreement.
It was only after they'd gotten their salads and waters that Esme spoke more about the wedding ceremony.
"Bella, I know your father is determined to pay for the wedding, including the transportation, but Carlisle and I have an option we'd like to talk to him about. The Bellagio is going to be expensive enough without the plane trip, and we have an option we'd like to offer. The CEO of the hospital has a Gulfstream that can carry up to 17 passengers, which would cover Japer's and Emmett's families, you and Edward, Carlisle and I, your dad, and Jacob's family. Carlisle did him a big favor years ago by attending a medical conference with him. Their attendance led to a fruitful contract for the hospital, and Evan has felt indebted since. He's offered us the use of the plane for family vacations repeatedly, but we've never taken him up on the offer."
"Wow." Bella's hand had stalled halfway to her mouth, a cucumber speared on the tines of the fork. "A Gulfstream, really? What I wouldn't do to get my hands on that baby." Her palms literally itched.
Grinning, Esme nodded. "It would help us in letting Evan repay a favor, and the thought of riding all together is definitely a fun one. But we didn't know how to approach your father, because we didn't want him to be insulted."
"Actually, dad would probably be thrilled about the idea of a private jet. Let me tell him about it. I'll explain. How soon do we need to let him know?"
"Carlisle already asked if he could reserve the weekend in hopes of convincing your father. Evan told us it's ours. It'll be gassed and ready with the pilot."
"Gah . . . I wish I had my license. Imagine taking that baby in the air."
Laughing, Esme took a drink of water. The rest of the lunch was spent talking about the finer details, including Esme's idea to call the Bellagio and see if they could use the Botanical Gardens for photos after the ceremony. In addition, they discussed Bella's idea of working with the hotel to cater the reception afterward. It would be expensive, but with Charlie paying for the hotel, and the offer of free transportation, Bella wanted to do something toward the ceremony. Lastly, Esme asked about the bridal bouquet, something Bella hadn't even thought about.
"The use of heather is traditional, right?" she asked.
"For a Scottish-themed wedding."
"But it would match the idea for my hair, and couldn't we do something simple for Edward?"
"I think so. If you trust me to do so, I'll locate some florists in Vegas and come up with some ideas you can look at."
Esme appeared shy in some way, and Bella pondered her observation. However, her answer was almost immediate. "I'd love that."
It would seem it was the correct answer, because Esme's face bloomed with joy. Edward's mother was still talking flowers when she dropped Bella off at the loft with a quick kiss to Bella's cheek.
Thrilled she hadn't reacted in a negative manner, Bella walked into the building on cloud nine. A note on her door stopped her from entering her loft.
Hey, Babe. I didn't want to bother you while you and my mom were shopping, but come wake me if you get home before I get up. Love, E
She was home much earlier than anyone would have expected. Her luck at finding a dress so quickly was obviously unprecedented for Cullen women.
Cullen women . . .
How easy it was to think of herself as one. Smiling, she quickly opened his door, slipping into the quiet loft. She dropped her purse and keys on his sofa table, and then removed her jacket and shoes. It was too soon for him to get up, but not too soon for her to join him for a nap.
She smiled in delight when a groggy Edward murmured her name and pulled her securely into his arms, tucking her firmly against his chest.
~Honor~
Heat blazed along her neck as a butterfly flicked along her skin. Brushing at it, she felt the silk of its wings, but it was the chuckle that woke her as the persistent butterfly continued to attack.
"Good morning," Edward breathed along the top of her shoulder, the softness of his hair the silk that'd been tickling her.
"Morning? It's time to eat dinner."
He chuckled and the brush of him against her as he did, threatened to rob her of speech. He lay on top of her, his erection pressed at her sex, his chest against her breasts. Everything in her tightened, and she arched against him.
"Hmm . . ." she hummed. Sinking into the softness of his mattress, she wrapped her legs around Edward's hips. "What are our plans for tonight?"
"Not staying here, as much as it pains me." He pushed his hips against her to make a point.
"Why not?" She pursed her lips as she shifted against him enticingly.
In reaction, Edward laughed softly, using a fingertip to trace the perfect pout. "Because if we stay here, you'll tempt me beyond my control."
"And that would be bad, because?" Bella narrowed her eyes at him.
"I have one more thing I want to try before our wedding night; however, you tempt me beyond hope at times." He quickly kissed her lips.
His eyes darkened at her raised brow, and the air crackled between them.
"It involves my lips, and should end with your legs wrapped around my head and you screaming my name."
Bella's breath seized in her chest, the ache in her core almost immediate.
But where Bella's will was weak, Edward's was strong. Within moments, he had them sitting at his table, large cups of coffee before them both.
"Did you have fun today?"
"Yeah. I found my dress. Your mom couldn't believe it."
"Wow." His eyes were big. "It took Alice months."
Bella shrugged. "I got lucky, I guess." She scooted the chair she was sitting in closer to him, reaching over to link their hands. "I need a favor though."
"Anything." His answer was immediate.
It filled her with joy that he hadn't hesitated to answer. "What if I asked for something kinky?" she challenged. The man had answered without knowing what she wanted.
It was his turn to arch his eyebrow, and Bella blushed at what she'd said. "Kinkier," she hastily added.
He snickered into his coffee cup. "What do you need me to do?"
She traced the rim of her coffee cup. "Would you be willing to wear your kilt for the wedding?"
Gently placing his cup back down on the table, Edward smoothed his thumb against hers. "Of course."
"Your mom said something about a plaid for my dress."
Edward's eyes widened, and Bella couldn't remember a time when he'd looked more possessive. "You want to incorporate a plaid, too?"
"Yeah."
"It signifies to everyone that you're mine, that you're taking my family as your own."
She smiled gently. "Well, I guess as to families, yours is a good one to belong to."
"I think so." His voice was gruff as he said it.
"What time do you have to be at work?"
"Seven. So I still have several hours to corrupt you," he waggled his eyebrows at her.
"I seem to remember someone mentioning a pair of lips and me screaming, but my memory is a little foggy." A mischievous look crossed her face. "You know, in school, we did these tests to determine what type of learners we were, and I was told I'm a kinesthetic learner. Do you know what that means?" she teased.
Edward smirked.
"Hands on, baby." She held her free hand up and wiggled her fingers. "Perhaps, I need to do some tactile work."
Unfortunately, Edward had just taken a large swallow of coffee and it went down the wrong way. Coughing, he tried not to laugh at the same time. "Babe, I want more than just a stolen hour with you when I'm finally able to taste between your legs. Because once won't be enough." He shrugged. "I also took a similar exam years ago. Seems I'm an auditory learner. Do you know what they excel at?"
Bella shook her head.
"Oral instruction and exams."
Bella's coffee went down wrong this time, and she had a harder time recovering. Edward attempted to cover his grin with his mug, but she saw it anyway.
"Smarty-pants."
"Trust me, Bella. When I get you out of your pants, you'll see I'm definitely a fast learner." He leaned forward, the look on his face one of promise. "I'm going to want you to tell me just how hard you want me to suck on your clit. How much of my tongue you like in you while I rub you. How my tongue feels against your lips, and whether or not you want to fuck my face when my fingers touch your G-spot"
Lips parted, Bella had frozen. Prolific images of his copper hair between her legs filled her brain, and she squirmed against the seat in need.
"Question is, do you want the chains to drag across your skin at the same time? Or are you ready to have me touch you without them?"
Her gasp was loud in the space between them. "That's so unfair, you know . . . teasing me like that."
He grinned when she smacked the back of his hand in punishment. His grin grew larger when she shook her finger at him.
"You and your oral skills."
He chuckled at her witty repartee.
She pulled her shirt collar up primly. "I'm ready. Was the last time, but I definitely didn't mind the visual of you all tied up in leather and chains."
He leaned over, capturing her lips with his. The kiss was one of communion, just a little tongue and nip.
"Then if you don't have any plans for Wednesday night, I'm off for two days . . . and they're my last ones off before the wedding. I'd love nothing more than to take you to a nice dinner and then see if I can pass any exam you put before me afterward."
Bella swallowed hard.
"For now, let's heat up some of that vegetable lasagna we made, and I'll toss a salad. I wouldn't mind a little cuddle time in front of the television before I have to go to work."
Bright green eyes, copper hair shining even in the light of the apartment, he looked like a little boy begging for a cookie.
"Perfect," she responded.
~Honor~
Please give me a little literary freedom with the Scottish Irish thing. I did some research to determine a time that an Irish man might make his place in Scottish history, so I went with one of the wilder periods of Scot history. Smile.