Chapter 25

I had no idea how much effort went into planning a wedding until I was actually planning my own. The moment I was officially a college graduate, my mother and Esme began their attack.

I didn't mind so much though, because it meant that I'd get to be married to Edward that much sooner.

I was thrilled that Esme said she could pull it off in only two and a half months, and even more so that she was willing to do a lot of the work. But, that didn't mean that there was nothing for me to do.

Esme was wonderful, gathering all of the information and presenting it to us so it made sense. She even took several trips up to Seattle to meet with us, since Edward and I were so busy during the summer.

While I was settling in with my new job, Edward took care of all of our moving arrangements once we found a new apartment. We rented a wonderful three bedroom place, just a little further away from campus than we had been living. I told Edward we didn't need three bedrooms, but he insisted that there be enough space for me to have an office, plus an extra bedroom for "whatever comes our way."

Yes, he let me know in no uncertain terms that he'd be perfectly happy for me to go off the pill whenever I felt comfortable with it. At a minimum, that would wait until after the wedding, and then we'd see where we went from there. We were young and still had plenty of time.

As far as the wedding plans went, there were so many decisions to make. Things like color schemes, food and music were constantly going through my mind and driving me crazy. I was thankful that my mom wanted to be there for dress shopping, because that meant we got that taken care of quickly. She took me shopping, along with Esme, Alice and Rose, the day after graduation. Surprisingly, I found a dress I loved right away.

I hoped Edward would love it just as much.

The girls were easy, too. I picked a shade of purple that I liked and then told them each to find something that suited them in that shade. They didn't need to wear the same dress. I preferred for everyone to be comfortable in what they wore.

When my cell phone rang the weekend before the wedding, I knew before looking at it that it would be Esme. She had been finalizing all of the last minute details, and we'd been in constant contact because of that.

"Hi, Esme," I answered as cheerfully as I could. Although the plans were getting to me, I appreciated the fact that she had taken the majority of the work off of my shoulders.

"Hi, sweetie. I just wanted to go over the menu with you one last time before I finalize everything with the caterer." She got right down to business these days.

We made quick work of confirming the menu and a few other details, mostly because I agreed with everything she said. It was easier that way, and I knew no matter what, it would turn out lovely.

"Okay, so you and Edward will get here on Friday, and then Edward will leave with all of the boys after we have a short rehearsal. Your mom and I have the girls' night planned, so you don't have to worry about anything. I have no idea what the boys are up to, but that's Carlisle's problem." I couldn't help but laugh at that. She had done so much for this wedding, but the one thing she refused to get involved in was the guys' party the night before.

I trusted Edward, and my father was involved so I knew I had nothing to worry about. I didn't think they were planning anything crazy, but who knew what five guys could get up to in my father's little house, especially where Emmett was involved.

"All right, Esme. We'll see you on Friday afternoon, but call if you need anything else before then."

Edward walked into the room just as I hung up the phone. Although he was on summer break from school, he still gave private lessons to some of his students and was just getting home from one of them.

"Was that my mom again?" he asked after kissing my cheek.

"Of course," I said jokingly.

"What did she need this time?"

"I have no idea. I just agreed with whatever she said."

Edward laughed. He knew how I felt about the wedding details and felt the same. "As long as you meet me at the end of the aisle, nothing else matters."

"My thoughts, exactly," I told him, pulling him down onto the couch on top of me.

Things became heated rather quickly, as they tended to between us on most occasions.

"Mmm, one more week," Edward mumbled as he kissed his way down my neck and across my collarbone. "In one week, you'll be Isabella Cullen."

"I can't wait," I admitted breathlessly. His fingers dug into my waist hard and my breath hitched. I loved his possessiveness. "I can't wait to be your wife."

He growled against my chest as his other hand slipped under my shirt, rubbing his fingertips across my abdomen. "Mine," he said before biting gently on the top of my breast through my shirt.

I threaded my fingers through his hair and held him to me. "I've always been yours," I told him honestly. "Even when I didn't know it."

He moved up and attacked my lips again with a forcefulness that he knew I loved. His tongue took possession of my mouth over and over, and I willingly submitted. The hand under my shirt ventured up until it reached my breast, pulling down the cup of my bra and grasping my flesh in his palm. My back arched off the couch, forcing me further into his hand and begging for more.

He tore his lips from mine and whipped my shirt off, tossing it on the floor beside us. I took care of discarding my bra while he got rid of his shirt.

As soon as our top halves were bare, I pressed my chest into his and our arms wound around each other. "I love the feel of your skin against mine," I told him.

He hummed in contentment. "Me too, baby."

He pushed me back down on the couch and hovered over me, kissing his way down my chest. His mouth worshipped each of my breasts in turn before continuing his journey. I felt his tongue dip into my navel, causing goose bumps to erupt over my skin. While his lips moved from hip to hip, his fingers deftly opened my jeans.

"Off," he muttered, sticking his fingers in the waistband and tugging. I lifted my hips to allow him to remove the rest of my clothes. When he finished, he took care of the remainder of his own. "Come here," he directed, holding his hand out for me.

I complied, standing in front of him while he eyed me hungrily. His fingers threaded through the back of my hair, tugging gently, while his mouth consumed mine again. I reached between us and took hold of his erection tightly, gliding my hand up and down the smooth skin and eliciting a growl from deep in his chest.

"I want you over the arm of the couch," Edward instructed in a low voice, causing arousal to seep out of me. "Let me see that pretty ass of yours in the air."

I whimpered and quickly turned, getting into the position he desired, knowing how much I always enjoyed when he took charge. With my forearms resting on the arm of the couch, I pushed my lower half out toward him.

"Fuck, baby," Edward groaned as he ran his hands over my ass. "You look so fucking good I'm afraid I won't last."

Before I knew it, he was kneeling on the floor behind me and burying his face in my pussy. I moaned as his tongue connected with my clit over and over. He hummed as he worked me over with his mouth and fingers. As good as it felt, I wanted more.

"Edward," I whimpered. "I need you."

He kissed his way up and over my back until his entire body was hovering over mine. "This isn't going to be gentle," he warned.

"Please," was all I could say.

He stood up and slammed into me, forcing my body forward and filling me completely. I gasped and braced myself with one hand on the back of the couch as he began to thrust hard and deep.

I cried out as the pleasure started building in the pit of my stomach, the tension coiling tightly as he pounded me relentlessly. His hands gripped my waist, digging deliciously into my flesh and causing another gush of arousal to flood from me. The sounds of our moans and skin slapping together filled the apartment.

One of Edward's hands snaked around my body and rubbed tight circles over me, sending me over the edge. I bit my lip to keep from screaming too loud as my body convulsed in pleasure. Edward followed right after me, thrusting a few more times until he collapsed on top of me, his hot breath panting on my neck.

"I love you," he told me, kissing my neck gently.

"I know," I sighed. "I love you, too."

It always amazed me that he could go from possessive and domineering to sweet and caring in a matter of seconds, but I never doubted his love for me. Some days, it still baffled my mind that no matter how many beautiful women flirted with him when he was on stage, he only ever had eyes for me.

My former insecurities had been obliterated by this wonderful man who was going to be my husband in a matter of days.

Friday morning found us packing the rest of our bags—together. As annoyed as I had been about packing for Spring Break, I didn't mind so much this time since Edward was with me. We had everything ready to go for the honeymoon and were only packing our last minute things for our separate stays tonight.

"I've got just about everything loaded in the car," Edward said when he walked back into the apartment. "I just need my bag for tonight and whatever you're working on there."

"I think I have everything," I replied as I zipped up my overnight bag. Esme had told me that I really didn't need anything except comfy pajamas and my dress for the rehearsal. She said she had everything else I would need for the party and getting ready for the wedding, so I was packing light.

"Alice already has the mailbox key so she can bring in our mail next week," he reminded me. "Are you ready?"

I felt a smile spread across my face, and I was rewarded with Edward's beautiful grin when I looked up at him.

"Yeah, I'm ready," I responded. "Let's go get married."

A/N: Thank you to everyone who has been reading, reviewing, favoriting and alerting my story. The response for this story has been amazing, and I love you all for taking the time to read my words.

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