Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns everything in the Twiverse. No copyright infringement intended.

A/N: Don't ask me how I wrote this crucial chapter in two days. I've been obsessing about it in my head for weeks now, and I figured there's no time like the present to share it. So...here goes.

Chapter 26: The Ultimate Gift

Bella's POV

The Cullens met us on the porch as Jasper pulled the Volvo in front of the house. News that we were departing drifted into the reception hall, and all of our guests assembled to send us off properly. Alice was practically vibrating where she stood, and I couldn't help but laugh at her inexhaustible cheerfulness.

"The car is gassed up; bags are in the trunk," she chirped as she danced her way toward us. "Just get in, activate the GPS, and go."

"Thank you, Alice." I pulled her into my arms. "I couldn't have done this without you."

"It was truly my pleasure, sister," she squeaked. Her eyes were shining as she looked at me. "Oh, Bella, I am just so happy. Everything was picture-perfect, and you are the most beautiful bride ever!"

She kissed my cheeks repeatedly until Edward pulled her away. "That's my job now, little girl."

Alice stuck out her tongue before throwing her tiny arms around Edward. I didn't understand the brief look they exchanged, but I could tell it was rooted in something profound.

Rosalie came to adjust the collar on my coat. "Be careful when you take off my necklace," she said. "I don't want Edward's smelly scent all over it."

"I love you, too, Rose," I whispered. She blinked in surprise then winked so quickly that I barely saw it.

"Goodbye." Esme was squeezing Edward hard enough to make him wince. "This is truly one of the most spectacular, amazing, wonderful days of my existence!"

Carlisle pried his quivering wife off of their youngest son, and they both hugged me with less force. "I love you, daughter," Carlisle said with a kiss on my cheek. "You have made us all very happy."

"Not as happy as she'll make Edward tonight," Emmett smirked.

"Emmett!" Carmen cried as Kate chuckled.

"Rosalie, take your husband upstairs and teach him some manners," Jasper groused. Emmett grinned, and Jasper sighed crossly. "Not what I meant, Dude."

Emmett tapped his temple. "One-track mind, remember?"

"I'm proud of you, son," Carlisle said as he hugged Edward. "You truly became a man today."

Eleazar covered Emmett's mouth before he could comment, and Edward smiled at him. "Thank you."

Carmen and Kate helped me get into the car and promised to see me after the New Year. With nothing keeping them in Denali, they would be visiting the Cullens for a while. And as I was officially a member of the family now, I looked forward to getting better acquainted with them.

Edward honked the horn once before pulling out of the driveway. And as the shouts and cheers of the well-wishers faded, we realized what was awaiting us at our next destination. And the car began to accelerate.

"Do you know where we're going?" he asked.

"No idea."

"According to the GPS, we'll be there in twenty minutes."

I pouted. "So no Magic Kingdom?"

He glanced at me and let his eyes linger. "That depends on how you look at it."

I blushed and turned my head, not wanting to jump on him as he drove. And as I looked out of the window, I was grateful that it was Edward behind the wheel. Between the dark sky and the constant cover of conifers, I wouldn't have been able to see anything. The path we traveled twisted and turned every few minutes, and I began to wonder if it had been wise to allow my outdoorsy in-laws to plan my honeymoon.

But when the navigation system announced that we had arrived at our destination, I looked ahead and my mouth fell open in wonder.

In front of us stood a quaint cottage that seemed to belong in a fairytale. The stone split-level house had a curving walkway which was illuminated by grounded lanterns that led up to the bright red door. There were shrubs and flowering plants in the front yard and a babbling pond off to one side.

"So this was Esme's so-called renovation project," Edward remarked as he turned off the car. "I should have known."

I couldn't believe my eyes. "It's amazing."

"Compared to you, it's a pile of rocks," he said. The warmth of his eyes heated up the entire cabin, and I was soon sweating inside my coat. Eventually, Edward opened his door. "Stay here while I take the bags inside."

He was barely gone a minute, during which I tried to get my breathing under control. But when he opened my door and reached for my hand, my heart returned to its frenzied pace. He closed the door and pulled me into his arms, my back resting against his chest. The only sounds were the rushing water in the pond and the wind blowing around us.

Edward turned me around and caressed my face with the back of his hand. "Shall we go inside, Mrs. Cullen?"

"In a minute." There was something about the night's stillness and the beauty of the house that prevented me from moving. I closed my eyes and thanked God for bringing Edward and me from that horrible confrontation on the forest path to the perfection of this moment outside our honeymoon cottage. I could hardly believe everything that had happened in the past four months, and I was struck by how close we had come to losing it all. And before we started our special evening, I paused to savor this moment and tuck it in my heart where nothing could ever take it away.

"Okay," I smiled. "I'm ready."

With a mischievous grin, Edward swooped me up in his arms and kissed me. "The only way my bride should travel."

He carried me toward the house, pretending that I was too heavy and that he was about to drop me. As I laughed and squealed, he pushed open the door with his foot. And I saw that the outside of the home had nothing on its interior.

The inviting open floor plan boasted a spacious sunken living area lined with a cushy sectional sofa bursting with throw pillows. Three round ottomans were parked across from the widescreen TV which rested on top of a large entertainment center with hundreds of DVDs in its shelves. On the far left was the full kitchen complete with a tall center island and stools; on the far right, the wide, winding staircase that led to the second level. But for all of the games and other accessories, the highlight of the space was the stunning white piano beneath the modest chandelier in the back of the room. I could practically see Edward sitting on its bench with his lovely eyes closed, and the image tightened the ball of nerves that had formed in my belly.

"What do you think?" he asked.

I turned in his arms and kissed him. "I think I want to get out of all these clothes."

Edward's eyes flashed, and he set me on the ground. "Let me show you to our room."

I fluttered at his pronoun use and focused on his hand as he led me upstairs.

Like the rest of the house, the second floor was decorated in shades of cornflower, mocha, sage, and cream. The bedroom itself was large and airy with pretty details I would surely appreciate later. But all I could see was the California king bed looming against the back wall. Its large four posters did nothing to obscure its softness and purpose, and as I stared at it with Edward at my side, my cheeks turned six shades of red.

"It's big," I said.

"And sturdy," he added, and my throat dried up so fast, I started to cough.

"Hey." He rubbed my back. "We've got four days before we have to return to the rest of the world. I don't want to waste any of that time being anxious." He curled a finger around a loose lock of my hair. "I want to explore you, to experience you as I have never done before. And I want you to do the same with me. No walls, no boundaries. Okay?"

"Okay," I smiled. "Thank you."

"None needed." He kissed my cheek. "It is my privilege as your husband to guarantee your comfort and pleasure."

The double meaning squeezed that anxious ball in my belly, and I bit my bottom lip as my eyes glazed over.

"I'm going to change in the closet." He said and chuckled at my confusion. "There's plenty of space in there, believe me." I nodded, and his eyes warmed. "I'll meet you downstairs, Mrs. Cullen."

"Okay," I said again, and he kissed me before closing the door behind him.

Once alone, I shrugged out of my coat and expelled a heavy breath. I sat on the bed and found it plush yet firm under my weight. Unable to resist the urge, I bounced a few times to see what it would feel like. The sensual sensation further aroused me, and I popped off the bed before Edward heard me and wondered what I was doing.

I moved to the upholstered bench by the window where Edward had placed my suitcase and slipped out of my shoes, sinking my bare toes into the thick carpet. As I removed my dress and stood in the middle of the room, I realized that with the wintry wind blowing against the house, I should have been cold. Looking around the room, I noticed the thermostat on the wall.

Seventy-six degrees.

Esme had really thought of everything.

As I heard Edward's footsteps descending the stairs, I put on the monogrammed bathrobe from the back of the door and tiptoed out of the room. The bathroom was also accessible from the bedroom, but I wanted to see the rest of the second floor.

Edward had not exaggerated. Our closet was easily the size of his bedroom and had his and hers bureaus, coordinating benches, several mirrors, and two separate rods stuffed with clothing. I couldn't imagine when we would wear all of these things, but I was glad to see an assortment of jeans and sweaters with only the occasional dress and skirt on my side. It seemed that I could trust Alice with my wardrobe after all.

I scurried into the bathroom and shut the door behind me. The luxurious accommodations were top-notch, and I shouldn't have been surprised to see my favorite shampoo and other toiletries assembled on a decorative tray near the left sink. I carefully pulled out my Nana's pins before putting up my hair and turning to the shower. There were too many knobs and showerheads to figure out alone, so I walked across the room to the tub. I filled it to my ankles and bathed quickly, my longing for Edward hastening my activity.

I returned to the bedroom, lotioned my body, and opened my suitcase. Given her help with my Harvest Ball dress, I entrusted Rosalie to select my bridal lingerie and was quite pleased with her choices. There were lace cami and boy shorts sets, sheer mini-slips, tulle and satin flyaway babydolls in an assortment of flattering colors. She included two ankle-length gowns with matching robes and one black bustier with garters, stockings, and heels. Depending on how adventurous I felt, I might actually wear that outfit before Monday.

As I surveyed my options, I realized that there was only one thing I wanted to wear, and I knew exactly where to find it. As I slipped it on and checked my reflection in the mirror, I heard the intro to my lullaby beckoning me to the first floor. I smiled at my reflection before turning out the light and headed downstairs.

When I reached the bottom step, I saw Edward sitting at the piano just as I had imagined him earlier. His eyes were closed, his brow creased, and he had never looked more beautiful. As I stepped onto the hardwood floor, he opened his eyes and hit a wrong note. He soon abandoned the song altogether, and I basked in his adoration as I strode toward him.

"Woman," he breathed, "I believe you are wearing my shirt."

I pushed up the rolled sleeves. "I figured I should wear white at least once today."

His eyes greedily roamed my legs and then skipped to the open top buttons. "I didn't think you could get any more beautiful than you were today. And yet," he said as he returned to my eyes, "you have proved me wrong again."

I was torn between staring at him and ogling the chiseled skin exposed by his black tank top. In the end, I split the difference and glanced at the piano. "You haven't finished playing my song."

His eyes indicated the space next to him on the bench and didn't leave me until I was settled there. With another smoldering look, he reclaimed the keys, and my melody filled the air once again. I closed my eyes as the song wrapped us up in memories of our humble beginnings.

But when the music should have reached its conclusion, Edward bridged into another movement. This one was very different than the first: bright where my lullaby was soft, optimistic where my lullaby was shy. As the daring notes soared above me, the pace of my heart soared with them. My chest was heaving as the song became audacious, filling my soul with irrepressible passion. Edward swayed and strained as the music poured out of him, his body now one with the instrument.

And suddenly, as though swollen with emotion, the song exploded: amorous, fervent notes spilling all over me in a flood of heat and longing. I felt tears on my cheeks but paid them no attention as the tender denouement led us into the afterglow. The notes gradually returned to their original lightness, but they now possessed a sweetness that recalled the spirit of my lullaby. As the final tones hovered in the air, I looked at Edward, wholly unable to speak.

"I do as I am told," he whispered as he idly stroked the keys. "The day you went shopping for your Harvest Ball gown, you told me to write you a song."

"Did I?"

"You did," he affirmed. "So I did."

I ached to know more. "What did you…I mean, what was your…"

"Inspiration?" He smiled crookedly. "I considered several things at first. Your smile, for one. The color of your cheeks when you blush. The sound of your laughter. But in the end, only one worthy thing remained." His eyes consumed me. "The thought of making love to you."

A cross between a sigh and a groan escaped me as Edward continued his explanation. "I realize that there is no possible way to articulate such a glorious moment, even in the unchained realm of music. But for the sheer miracle of you, I had to try."

His confession destroyed what restraint I had left, and I turned my body fully toward him, straddling the bench. "What is it called?"

"Breaking Dawn."

I sighed in breathless wonder, and Edward quickly pressed a series of buttons on the side of the piano. As the new song filled the room anew, he pulled me in for a kiss.

I closed my eyes and was caught in a symphony of sensation and sound. Edward's lips were cold and patient against mine, but I could feel the kiss deepening as the music swelled around us. His hands cupped my face as his mouth moved hungrily over mine, telling me things that were too sacred to say. I tilted my head to one side and parted my lips, instantly intoxicated by the rush of his sweet breath into my mouth. His tongue slid across my bottom lip, and his hands lightly stroked my breasts as they found their way to the bottom of my shirt. He rubbed my legs before slipping his hands beneath my shirt, and when their cool smoothness met the heat of my lower back, I shivered. He brought me onto his lap, and I wrapped my legs around his waist, aching to be closer.

His lips left my mouth, and I let my head fall back as he covered my jaw with kisses. His hands slid higher and higher beneath my shirt, resting on my shoulders to hold me in place. His lips found their way to the pulse in my throat, and he sucked the warming skin, causing me to whimper with need. My nipples hardened in jealousy as he licked my neck, and I slid my hands up to his head. Before I could guide him lower, Edward lifted me off the bench, and I cinched my legs around his torso. I reclaimed his lips as my arms wrapped around his neck, leaving the music behind us as he carried me upstairs.

Edward laid me in the center of the bed, and I opened my legs in invitation. His eyes darkened another shade of amber, and I trembled. I didn't see him remove his black pants, but I could feel the hard strength of his thighs against my legs as he aligned his body with mine. His eyes fixated on the twin points under my shirt, and he brought his lips back to mine as he gingerly unbuttoned my top. There was a cool rush of air as the final button gave way, and I sat up to remove my arms from the sleeves. As I lay back against the pillows, Edward opened his eyes to the flesh he had uncovered.

"Claro que Bella," he murmured, "La mia por siempre."

Our lips and tongues entwined as Edward's hands rubbed and squeezed my breasts, and when he gently pinched their pebbled tips, I bit his bottom lip. He growled and bent his head to my left breast, taking it greedily into his mouth. The moist pressure between my legs intensified as his tongue swirled around me, and I began grinding my lower body against his. As his mouth moved to the other breast, his hands gripped my hips and he rocked slowly against me, the exquisite friction still not enough. I brought my leg around his waist to pull him closer, and he gasped as the thumping between my thighs quickened. His lips continued to suckle my breasts, cupping and licking until I could no longer stand it.

I pushed his head lower, and he obeyed my tacit command. Kissing a trail from my breasts to my navel, his hands slid toward the satin sheerness of my underwear, and I held my breath. When his hand grazed my right hip just below my bottoms, he raised his head.

I smiled despite my almost painful arousal. "Merry Christmas."

I rolled onto my side to give him a better view.

"It's a sixty-nine," I explained. "The number of years between the year you were changed and the year of my birth."

"A tattoo?" He stroked the skin softly. "In the symbol for infinity."

I rolled again to look at him. "Tonight I committed to you as a human. This tattoo is my promise to commit to you as an immortal."

His eyes widened as I cleared my throat. "Edward, I want you to make me a vampire."

He closed his eyes and hissed, biting his lip as he froze in front of me. When he opened his eyes again, they were nearly black and bottomless.

I leaned forward and cupped his startled face. "I want your venom coursing through my veins, making me over and making me yours in every sense of the word. I want you to bite me, to kiss my warm flesh one last time before we become true equals frozen in eternity."

He shuddered as he traced the tattoo with his finger. "Bella, I don't know…."

"I know you can do it," I said. "I trust you to do it, and I need you to do it. We'll decide when and where, and I'm not in any real hurry. But until this scratched symbol fades into my hardened white skin, let it stand as your reminder of my vow." I pressed my hand against his silent chest. "To be yours in love and yours forever."

Edward's eyes would not leave my hip, and I was afraid that he had gone into shock. Abruptly his eyes rose to mine, and he crushed me to him with a low growl, kissing me until I couldn't breathe.

"Bella…" He ground out against my mouth, "my god…."

His lips left mine and covered every inch of my body between my chin and waistline, worshipping me with each pass of his mouth. And when he reached the place where I'd carved out my promise, he stroked it reverently before blessing it with a chaste kiss.

His cool hands reached the top of my bikini bottoms, and I lifted off the bed as he rolled them down. I felt them slide off my ankles and heard the sound of them hitting the floor. Edward's breathing hitched as his eyes made love to my naked body, drinking me in from head to toe.

"You…" His voice trembled as he tried to speak. "You are…."

He leaned forward, and his lips met mine again. He somehow discarded his black boxer briefs, and when my eyes drifted downward, I gasped as I saw him for the first time. He was as perfect as I knew he would be, and as I beheld his readiness, I knew that I couldn't wait any longer.

I took the scenic route as my eyes worked their way up his beautiful bare body, knowing he was watching me intently.

"You're beautiful," I whispered as my hand reached for him. "Beautiful and perfect in every possible way."

He gasped as my fingers closed around his length, and the strained sound made me bolder. I slid my hand up and down once, and he grabbed my wrist, inhaling through clenched teeth.

"Bella," he choked out, "please…"

"Please, stop?" I squeezed him again, and he moaned. "Or please, don't stop?"

He opened his mouth soundlessly, and I leaned forward in the silence and kissed him, my lips lingering on his cold tip. "Fuck yes," he groaned, and primal instinct guided me where experience could not. His cool deliciousness was like candy on my tongue, a smooth hard candy that I wanted to suck until all the flavor was gone.

As I continued to savor him with my mouth, I heard several loud "pops" between his groanings. A cascade of feathers tickled their way down my bare back, falling into a soft heap around me. I smiled, pleased that I could make him lose control, and then I was unexpectedly on my back again, his fierce black eyes boring into me.

"Mrs. Cullen." He dragged out my last name, and my entire body shook with the force of my desire. "I must... I must..."

"Take me, Mr. Cullen," I panted. "Please… now."

His eyes softened at my impassioned plea, and he caressed my face with the back of his hand. My eyes stayed locked on his as he moved between my damp thighs. His hands disappeared for a moment as he lowered his body to meet me. With his gaze fixed and a whispered "I love you," Edward gently slid himself into my waiting warmth.

The world as I knew it stopped on its axis as Edward entered me. The pressure was as intense as the pleasure, and I didn't think I could handle either. He inhaled sharply as my slick walls closed around him, moaning my name like a plea for mercy. His velvety voice spurred me on, and I yielded further, arching my back to give him greater access.

But as he pushed himself deeper, a sharp stab of pain shocked me, and I gripped his wrist.

Instantly he stopped, his eyes somehow loving in their intensity. He kissed my cheeks, my forehead, and my hair as he waited, whispering gentle assurances between my rapid gasps for air. I expected my discomfort to subside in the absence of his movement, but the burden inside me only increased, and I tapped his arm impatiently, begging him to continue.

Again he eased into me, his hips inching ever closer to mine, and again I squeezed his wrist, confused by my body's bipolar reactions: I wanted him to stop, but I needed him not to. It hurt when he moved, but it throbbed when he stopped moving. I didn't know what to do because no matter what I did, I felt pain. And I just wanted the pleasure to come back.

He shook his head as I start to apologize and then kissed my lips so softly that I thought I imagined it. His tenderness unleashed a feral response within me, and my legs locked themselves around his waist like a vice. My decision made, I clasped my hands behind his neck, and he nodded his understanding.

He kissed me once more and closed his eyes, and we both inhaled. After an agonizing moment, Edward pushed all the way inside me, and we cried out together. My body received him as if it had been waiting forever, and I didn't know if I would ever let him leave again.

He peppered my face with kisses as he slid in and out with gradually increasing speed. There were no words for what I was feeling, nothing that would do it justice, and only one thing occurred to me as he took me as his bride.

"Edward..."

I was reborn with every precious stroke, becoming more of a woman with his every moan.

"Bella..."

My body condensed into a taut nerve of desire as he loved me and claimed me again and again.

"Edward..."

"Yes?"

"It feels..."

"So good."

The thumping against the wall grew louder and louder as Edward bucked against me with increasing speed. I couldn't open wide enough, couldn't get him deep enough, and with every inch he took, I wanted to give him two. I licked his ear, moaned his name, and made him mine as we shared this most sacred of firsts.

We rocked and groaned and stretched and flexed as passion carried us into another realm. As the moment of truth crept up my back and snaked its way through my every pore, I thought that I would shatter into a million glittering pieces. Edward bared his teeth as he grabbed the headboard, and I held on for dear life as he snapped it in half. With the bed giving way beneath us, he grabbed my hips and thrusted one last time. As he buried himself inside me as deeply as I could allow, the sweet ball of pressure finally burst. I clutched his body as tides of ecstasy lapped against me like waves on a faraway shore. He kissed me as we trembled, his own body reeling from the power of his climax, murmuring my name between declarations of love.

And as we eventually came down from the holiest of heights, I emerged a new creature in the space where we landed. For I was healed. I was whole. And I was his.

PLEASE review this all-important chapter. Now that it's finally finished, I feel really exposed and rather unsure of myself.

ps - Edward's POV is next.