Playlist: Wedding Plans, Howard Shore; Bless the Broken Road, Selah; Brighter Than Sunshine, Aqualung; Something Beautiful, Newsboys; Over You, Daughtry; If I Fall, Aqualung; The Best Thing, Relient K

Looking at herself in the mirrors at the dress shop was surreal. She was barely eighteen the last time she had gone wedding dress shopping. Now she was back, her two baby girls and Alice and Rosalie in tow, to find the dress she would wear when she said 'I do' to him. He already had his tux and would have fittings again within the couple weeks before the wedding. He was mouthwatering, and his eyes had sparkled when he tried it on.

She studied herself in the mirror. Her eyes were bright and her boobs looked alright… and her hips looked way to fat in this dress. Maybe she should stop letting the store's girls find her dresses and let Alice get a look. This was getting ridiculous, and Carly was cranky and hungry.

One look, and Alice agreed. "What was that girl thinking? This isn't some plus-size Cinderella-"

"What's wrong with being plus-sized?" Rosalie protested, slightly horrified.

"Nothing, if you're already plus-sized. The idea of clothing is to make you look good, not give you extra, non-needed curves. Take that disaster off, Bella. Let me see what I can do."

Ten minutes later, Bella tearfully confessed that she found the dress, and the wedding plans continued.

B|E

Sundays were his favorite day of the week by far. He'd wake up early and feed his girls, play with them and watch movies, and be inspired to write new things. Not that he'd ever tour his new things again, he learned his lesson. Being away from Bella and his kids was downright excruciating.

Today was a different Sunday, though. Today his girls were down in Port Angeles shopping for dresses. He had some shopping of his own to do. He was picking up the jewelry he bought her for the wedding. And the wedding bands too, of course. Pulling up to the jeweler, he parked the car and grinned. He was humming a show tune under his breath as he walked in the store, he'd never been so happy in all his…

"How can I help you sir... Oh, Mr. Cullen. You're here for your order. I'll get it for you straight away, please sign here."

He flashed a smile at the young woman and she swooned. Dazed, she left to retrieve his jewelry. He frowned.

"Here you are," the girl said, her voice higher and breathier that before. "Is there anything else I can do for you?"

He bit back a groan at the semi-subtle innuendo. "Thanks, but no. My fiancee and I are quite... satisfied."

Burn. He watched her face fall and she huffed and stalked into the back room. Rude... he huffed and drove away, hoping Bella would be home. He was still muttering about the chick at the jeweler when he parked in the driveway, but the girls ran outside to greet him, their shrieks , giggles, kisses, and laughter erasing the irritating girl from his memory. Bella squealed as she reached in the car for the jewelry, and he smiled as he remember what he had inscribed in her ring. "Tu sei la musica nel mi" is what it read, which translated to "You are the music in me." He'd had Cookie help him since his Italian was a little bit rusty, but it turned out alright. Bella had handed him a piece of paper with what she wanted engraved in his ring, but she'd told him not to read it until he saw the ring, so now he was anxious to know what she'd put there for him.

He followed Bella and Nessa inside with Carly in his arms. Her hair was getting lighter, with the warm bronze-ish red tones that Edward had, but he didn't think it would get any lighter than what it was. She looked more like him every day and he savored every moment he had with her, Bella, and Nessa. They were currently on the couch unwrapping jewelry and giggling like it was Christmas morning. "Do you like it baby?" he asked, setting Carly down and watching her test her balance a little before wobbling away. He would never admit it to anyone, but he might have let out a tear or two when she took her first steps not too long before.

"It's... so beautiful, Edward. Really."

He sat down Next to her and watched her study her necklace and earring set. "Um, this is I guess, your something old, new and blue."

"How so?" she looked up at him and he almost grinned at how cute she looked with her eyebrows wrinkled in confusion. He kissed her forehead instead.

"The safe in my parents house was fireproof." She saddened as she always did when he remembered his past. "The pearls belonged to my great grandmother on my biological mother's side. I had them redo the necklace to add the diamond and sapphire accents, and they used those pearls for the earrings too." The necklace actually had two diamond accents and a silver note pendant in he middle that held a sapphire. The earrings were the matching pearls with tiny dangling sapphire accents. He had remembered their first date, and how her skin looked with the dark blue earrings, and he had swallowed hard before making sure the earrings and necklace were dangly and blue. He internally shrugged. She would looked beautiful if she wore jeans to the wedding, which she wasn't. He sincerely hoped that the jewelry went well with the dress... "Hey, I showed you mine, now you showed me yours! Where's the dress?"

Bella giggled and Nessa put her hand on her hip. "You aren't supposed to see it until the wedding day, Daddy."

Bella sent him a mischievous grin. "Nice try, Piano Man."

They both scampered off with the jewelry, giggling and leaving him wondering what had just happened. He hadn't even gotten to see what his wedding band looked like...

Oh dear.

E|B

Standing in front of the mirror as Alice and Rosalie fussed over her dress, she tuned them out and contemplated her life. Her decisions in life hadn't been the best, and she'd suffered plenty as a consequence of those choices. But those choices had led her to this room, getting ready to marry the man who had accepted her and her daughter and changed her pain into joy. They had been tested, tried, distanced, brought together, frightened, shaken, but never broken. They were stronger than ever, and they were more than ready for this.

She was ready for this. She realized that the day she finally got rid of Mike's ring. Her past, like Edward's, was sad and painful, but the future held a family, and the future was bright.

Walking down the aisle again was surreal. She didn't trip, and she managed to walk slowly and gracefully even though all she wanted to do was run up, grab his hand, and drag him home. His brilliant and slightly mischievous smile told her he wished she would.

The vows, the ring exchange (when he'd finally seen the inscription in his ring he'd kissed the life out of her) and the final announcement that she was Mrs. Edward Cullen was surreal. The burning in his eyes and in his voice distracted her from everything that was happening around her, and she went through the ceremony in a bit of a daze. When he kissed her, she could feel his very soul searing into her, melting into hers and becoming one with her own just as the minister had blathered about the man leaving his house and becoming one with his wife. She didn't know it could really be that way until she'd felt the shift in her chest where her heart officially let his move in. The tears that had gathered in his eyes told her that he felt it too.

They danced their first dance to a recording of the lullaby he wrote for her and they may as well have been dancing on air, surrounded by clouds, because they felt as if they were flying. Dinner was delicious, and everything was perfect. Edward's smile had yet to leave his face and all the guests that he spoke to caught on to his happiness. It was infectious and everyone was caught up in his joy. Watching him made her heart swell.

"Can you guys hear me? Helloooooo... okay. Hi, I'm Emmett, the best Best Man known to the human race."

Everyone laughed, and Edward rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "Oh boy, here we go," he grumbled.

"Well, Edward didn't stick around long. He came to live with us at sixteen, and he was off picking up chicks with his mad piano skills by age 19. I taught him well those three years." More laughter. "He went to Oxford for college. And Alice and I, not to be out-done, went to a ridiculously expensive school in Boston. Edward, I still think that the sorority chicks in Dartmouth are much hotter than the Oxford girls."

Edward shook his head. "Not that it is relevant anymore, but I disagree."

"When mom and dad told us that you were coming home, I was so excited at having a brother. Alice is awesome, but dear God, her female ways, obsession with fashion, and screeching really wears on you." Alice flipped him off, and he laughed before he grew serious. "You came home so alone and sad. Sometimes I wondered if you ever felt like you belonged with us, especially after you left. I swear I did my best to be the best brother known to man. I hated seeing you that way. You ran off to England and then you told us you were engaged... I really thought you had found home. But now looking at you with Bella, and the fact that the only thing I have heard out of your mouth in the past, oh... three years? has been 'of course, Bella Baby,' or 'anything you need, Bella Baby' and the fact that you're prolly the most whipped man alive makes me think that you found your position in life: with your boys in your girl's fist."

The crowd chuckled and Edward flipped him off. "You would kick my ass if it were any other way."

"True, true. Bells is my sissy too. And I love her and you better let her keep a good grip on those boys or i'll crack em."

"Nice, Em." Bella shot him a look.

Emmett grinned. "I promise I'm done being crass now. Edward, you've been a blessing in our family and we love you. Even though you're whipped. So cheers. I wish you the best, I know that besides being the most whipped man in the universe, you're also the happiest about it." More laughter. "Thanks for being the best little brother ever, and thanks for making my sissy happy."

Everyone cheered and Bella and Edward took their turns hugging- and smacking- Emmett.

"I'd like to make a toast as well."

Edward whipped around, and for the first time all day, the grin on his face morphed into a dark, angry expression. "Why are you here?"

"Hi everyone... I'm Lauren. I just wanted to say that I... made a mistake."

Bella sat down. Why was that skank crashing her wedding? This day was going perfectly until she came.

"You did make a mistake," Edward snarled, "and you made another by coming here. How dare you?"

"Edward, please-"

"I thought I had gotten rid of you." He glared at her, and Bella hoped she was never on the receiving end of his dark, baleful looks.

Lauren trembled.

She caught sight of Nessa, who was watching with wide eyes. Edward must have caught sight of her too, because he deliberately searched out Carly, who was sitting contentedly in Esme's lap, and he took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Crossing the dance floor to the stage, he took the microphone and turned to the guests. "Everyone... first, thank you for coming tonight, to show your support for Bella and I. It means the world. I have the... the honor, the biggest honor, of marrying the most beautiful, amazing woman in the world. And every man in the world will wish he was me, because I get not only one beautiful, exceptional girl. I get three. My Bella, and my beautiful daughters Nessa and Carly. You all are my whole world. I can't live without you. Bella I... I love you more than anything... and anyone. I always thought I would be alone forever. But you, you brought the light into my world and into my music. You turned my life upside down and my stomach inside out the first time I saw you. You are my wife now. I swear to you that our marriage isn't in vain, that I'll carry you and our girls with my wherever I go. I swear to you today that as long as I live i will by your best friend, your husband, your partner, your Piano Man. I love you, and only you."

A handkerchief mysteriously appeared near her elbow, and it was then that she noticed the tears running down her cheeks and plopping unceremoniously onto her lap.

Edward smiled softly at her as she wiped her face, then he turned to the crestfallen woman next to him. "You had your chance. I deserve better than what you did to me- I know that now. I retreated into myself, licking my wounds and becoming defensive and reclusive because you used me. Now I'm over you. I moved on, and I don't want you in my life. I'm sorry if that hurts you but the truth is I hurt because of you long enough. I've moved on, I made my life, and I haven't looked back since I realized that this woman, My Bella, is the woman of my dreams. So please... let me be happy. Don't embarrass yourself anymore. Just... go, and don't come back."

Tears in her eyes, she nodded. "I'm sorry. I won't bother you anymore." She left then, shoulders hunched in defeat, feet dragging slightly, and Bella almost felt bad for her. Almost. She was quickly distracted by Edward's lips at her ear, asking for a dance.

B|J

He never should have laid a finger on her. Watching her across the room, in the shadows handling several disasters so his brother-in-law's wedding could run smoothly, he fell in love with her again. Mary Alice Whitlock Cullen was a piece of work. The first day he met her, he knew immediately that her tongue was just as sharp as her mind, and that she could see inside his soul with a clarity that made her wise beyond her years. She also never let him dress unfashionably, and he knew with just one of her looks when she was dissatisfied with what he wore.

He knew her as well. She was doing that thing with her eyebrows, the one she does when she's about to get one of her brilliant ideas. The girl had problem solving skills worthy of any arbitrary or mediating firm. He always thought that was her true calling. He chuckled when her face cleared and she dashed off, returning with some item he could not see, but was obviously the solution to whatever the venue worker was asking about.

She had moved back in after that night, but things between them were still so awkward. He missed her so much. He just wanted her to be happy, and it frustrated him that what she wanted to be happy was starting to seem impossible.

She darted off again to help Bella set up for the cake and the bouquet and garter toss, and his body subconsciously gravitated toward her. He waited until after the laughing and whooping of the garter toss finished, and, sensing that she was drained sidled up behind her. "Tired?"

She didn't turn. "A little bit."

"Too tired for a dance?"

"Depends on who's asking," she smirked.

Jasper grinned and took her hand, coming around to face her. "May I have this dance, ma'am?"

Alice flushed as she usually did when he did his southern charm thing. He was the only person he knew that could fluster her with just a few words, he mused as he winked at her and led her to the dance floor.

As the up beat song faded into a soothing, quiet slow dance, Alice pulled back, and he tightened his grip on her. "Please stay."

"I have to do-"

"Nothing. Edward and Bella are dancing, the party is going fine. Please, please have just one more dance with me."

She looked up into his clear grayish-blue eyes and then sighed, leaning into his chest. "I never could resist you anyway."

"Then... why did you leave?"

"I'm back aren't I?"

"No." He stopped dancing and took her face between his hands. "You're in the house. But you haven't come home." She started to pull back again but he didn't let go. Instead he wrapped his arms around her. "Look, I know I shouldn't have been so rough with you. I know that, and it eats at me every time I think about it. I wasn't being forceful to save your life, I was angry at your ridiculous actions. No matter how much your life was at risk and no matter how much I tell myself and others that I did it to keep you safe, I know it isn't the truth. I did it because you were acting out and I was lashing out."

She sniffed. "I don't know if that's true. I mean, every time I think about that day, I think about how stupid I was being. I was blaming everything on you, with the failed in-vitro, and all that other stuff, and then I started drinking and... next thing I knew I was in the car. And some part of me wondered if after the way I have treated you, if you could love me enough to get me out of that car."

"Alice... how can you even... pissed off or not, I never would have let you drive even to the corner. It's not about whether or not I love you... you know that I do. Its about your safety and the safety of everyone around you. I would never let you... drive drunk as what? Some kind of punishment? Do you know how ludicrous that sounds?"

"I know," she sniffed. "I can't believe I let myself get so out of control... and so low on my own self esteem."

"And I can't believe I let my anger get the best of me," he murmured into her hair. "Forgive me, Alice."

In the background, the music swelled gently and the singer's voice became plaintive. "If I fall... if I fall... if I fall, will you catch me?

"Only of you forgive me."

"Always, Pixie."

She smacked his arm. "Only Edward gets to call me that."

He chuckled. "I've missed you."

"And I, you."

"You... look beautiful tonight." he pressed a kiss into her hair. "You look even better now that I can hold you."

"Seems to me, i'm exactly where I dreamt I would be... and the view from here is something to see, but I need a hand to hold on to..."

Jasper took her hand when he registered the words, and she squeezed it gently. They danced, the party planning forgotten, and the silent forgiveness and understanding growing between them. They would be okay.

J|A

She never felt safer than she did in that moment, wrapped in his arms with his lips in her hair. They would be okay.

A|E

"What is it, Bella Baby?"

"Look," she said, nodding to her left.

He followed her gaze and his face softened as he saw Alice and Jasper dancing, sharing intimate kisses and embraces. "I'm glad," he said softly, turning to her again.

"Me too. Hopefully we can escape before Alice goes all Wedding Nazi again."

He laughed. "She would slaughter us both later."

"Yeah true." Her disgruntled expression made him laugh. "Our girls need us still."

"Yeah they do," he agreed. He liked how that sounded.

"Edward, I have a surprise for you. After we get home."

He raised an eyebrow. "What kind of surprise?"

"One I know will mean a lot to you."

"Carlisle's lawyer helped me a lot with this too."

"Lawyer?" he gulped. The family lawyer, J. Jenks, was very good at his job. But he always thought that the reason he was so good at his job was because man was frighteningly self-serving and conniving. He wasn't sure he wanted to know what strings Jenks had to pull, and what those strings were attached to, in order to get done what Bella wanted done.

"No worries, Edward," she giggled, taking in his expression, "Nothing illegal happened, and Jenks didn't really work for a mob-boss. He helped with your adoption you know."

"Yeah." Why did she bring up his adoption? "I still think he's a mobster," he muttered.

Bella giggled. "You're silly."

He smirked. "But you love me."

She stood up on her toes and pressed a kiss to his lips, then she smirked. "I know you love me."

He smiled but then what she said registered in his mind. "What? Wait a second..." but she was off, dragging Alice to the bride's quarters so that she could get out of her wedding dress and they could head home.