Literally cannot believe that this is the last regular chapter! This story has taken me a while to get done but suddenly it seems like no time at all has passed.
I've got a bit of the epilogue done, but I think it won't be up til later this week. We'll see!
Let me know what you think!
… ….
Bella Swan
I stared at myself in the mirror, having a hard time wrapping my mind around what I saw in the reflection.
My white dress was simple, and there was no veil in my hair or a completely over the top bouquet, but I undeniably looked like a bride.
Despite missing all of those elements, I felt like I'd already seen myself looking remarkably similar to how I looked now. It had been almost fifteen years ago now, when I had been so much more naïve and had been someone else's bride. Of course, Edward and James didn't compare. Maybe I wouldn't have been able to see that all those years ago, but now, the difference could not have been more clear. I felt so much better not just as Edward's bride but also as myself.
Taking a deep breath, I managed to smile at my reflection. Things were different now. I was different, and in the past few years, I had never been happier. I couldn't even imagine how happy the rest of our life together would be.
"Perfect," Rosalie announced, coming up behind me and smiling at me in the reflection of the mirror. "How do you feel, Bella?"
"Scared," I admitted, letting my guard down. "I've been here before, Rosalie, and even though this is Edward…it's hard not to focus on the past."
"Of course it is," Rosalie said gently. "An hour before my wedding, I was a complete nervous wreck. It's normal to feel overwhelmed. But think about it…it like two hours, you'll be married to Edward."
I smiled at her, feeling relieved. "Thank you, Rose."
She squeezed my shoulders and pressed a kiss to my cheek before leaving to give me some more time with my thoughts.
She was right- the nerves were from the enormity of what was about to happen, not because it would be with Edward. Just thinking about him helped me relax.
I'd been married before, yes. I'd been in this situation and I'd married James Hunter. But I did it for all the wrong reasons, even if I had realized it far too late. I hadn't known the man I married back then. But I knew Edward. I knew everything about him, even his flaws. And I loved him wildly despite those flaws. The best part was that he knew me and loved me, too. Despite everything- the damage, the failed marriage, the fact that I had a child…for any other man, those things might be considered baggage, and unwanted baggage at that.
Edward loved me and my past. He loved my son, and now Lucas was really ours, not just mine. And after today, Edward and I shared a past, a present, and a future. We would carry each other's burdens and share in each other's successes. There was no more "yours" and "mine" when it came to the biggest parts of life. It was "ours".
Of course, we would still get to be our own people. We wouldn't just be a married couple and parents, we'd still be ourselves. But it was different when you can trust another person to support you when it's hard to be just you.
"You have a beautiful smile, Bella."
Esme had appeared at my side, looking beautiful as ever in her "mother of the groom" attire.
"Thank you, Esme," I said, squeezing her hand. "You look gorgeous."
"Thank you. Come, sit with me," she urged, tugging on my hand. "I'd like to talk to you."
I dutifully followed her to the sofa of the bridal suite, making sure to tuck my gown underneath me in a way that wouldn't allow the material to crease.
Esme reached for my hand again, and I let her. It felt so good to have a maternal figure again, or really, at all. It had been fifteen years since I had seen my own mother, and even before that, she had never been like this. I'd had no idea what I was really missing out on until Edward had brought Esme into my life.
"This is for you," Esme began, holding out a little blue pouch. I started to protest, but she shook her head firmly. "It's yours, Bella. Carlisle and I wanted to get you a wedding gift. You've been a daughter to us for years now, and we're thrilled that it will be official today. You, and Lucas, are the most perfect addition to our family. I know your path to us was a difficult one, and I wish you hadn't gone through so much to get here, but I am so thankful you're with us now."
There were tears in my eyes as I opened the pouch, and welled as I pulled out the dainty bracelet. It complimented my engagement ring perfectly, with the same clusters of diamonds circling it.
"We had to made to go with your ring," Esme said, helping me put it on after I held my wrist out. "It's a perfect match, just like you and Edward."
"Thank you so much," I said, trying to keep my tears from falling. Alice would kill me if I got raccoon eyes. "This means the world to me. Not just the jewelry- even though it's gorgeous. Thank you for making me a part of your family. You're not just my in laws- you and Carlisle are parents to me, and I am so glad my son has you as his grandparents. And thank you for Edward. The man he is today is a huge testament to how he was raised."
We embraced, and I wasn't so nervous anymore.
… …
Edward Cullen
I stared at myself in the mirror, having a hard time wrapping my mind around what I saw in the reflection.
It wasn't like being a bride, where the white dress and fancy accessories make it clear you're getting married. I had worn a tuxedo before, even though it had never been for something so monumental. Prom, my brother's wedding, my friends' weddings…it was nothing like this.
Being the groom was a little odd. It was one of the biggest days of my life, but it seemed like a dream. I'd started the day picking up the flowers, with Lucas as my copilot. Then we'd played a round of golf with my dad, Emmett, and Jasper…but had really spent most of the time at the bar. Emmett had suggested burritos for lunch, but luckily my dad had intervened and we had settled on sandwiches. And now we'd been at the hotel for over an hour, getting ready.
Lucas toddled into my line of sight, lifting his arms up to me.
It was hard to believe he was two years old. Before he came along, I hadn't been around kids that much. My nephew, Henry, was barely two years older than him, and the two of them were pretty much my only experience.
His milestones astounded me, no matter how mundane they might have seemed to others. His unique little personality never failed to amaze me, either, and I couldn't believe such a small little person could be so full of energy and character. He was starting to say longer sentences now, and was starting to reveal himself as left-handed. And he was a total daddy's boy.
"You look cool, kid," I said, tugging gently on the clip on bow tie my dad had managed to wrangle him into. "What do you think?"
"Cool," Lucas replied, then reached for my own bowtie. "Cool."
"Yeah, we do look pretty good," I agreed. "What have you and Uncle Emmett been doing?"
"Playing, and coloring," he supplied, wriggling a little bit.
I took the hint, setting him down on his own two feet. "Are you ready to be in the wedding?" I asked, crouching down so that I was closer to his level.
"Yah."
"It's a pretty big day, dude. Mommy is probably nervous, just like I am. But we're so glad you're hear with us."
I knew he didn't have a clue what I was talking about, but I felt like I had to say it. This was my son, and even though most people might think it's backwards to have your kid in your wedding, I thought that it was perfect for us.
"What'd you do with your juice?" I asked, glancing around for the juice cup I'd given him earlier.
"All gone," he answered. "Daddy, more juice."
"Here, Lou, I gotcha," Jasper said, coming up behind us. "Your dad wants to talk to you, Edward."
Lucas shrieked happily as Jasper hefted him up, bouncing him around. "I'll get you some of that good juice. One day, when you're older, I'll buy you some of the really good-"
"Jasper," I said with a groan. "You've gotta wait nineteen more years for that."
"Sure, sure," my cousin replied with an eye roll. He whisked Lucas off, and I sat down on the couch where my dad was waiting.
"Nervous?" he asked, smiling knowingly.
I nodded, slouching back against the couch cushions. "Incredibly so."
"Totally normal," he assured me. "Here, I have something for you."
I knew protesting wouldn't do me any good, so I accepted the small box he held out to me. Inside was a vintage looking pocket watch, complete with an engraving on the back that incredibly mimicked the clustered design of the diamonds that made up Bella's engagement ring. "Wow, dad…"
"Bella's engagement ring was your grandmother's, as you know. This was your grandfather's pocket watch."
"Thank you," I said, shaking my head. "It's amazing."
"You're very welcome," my dad said genuinely. "We're proud of you, son. You've grown up to be a wonderful man and you've found the most amazing woman to complete your life's journey with. You're happy, and your relationship is so strong despite the obstacles you've endured. As soon as you opened up to your mother and I about Bella, we've seen you grow into the perfect people for each other. You are both exactly what the other needs, and that's incredible to watch, especially as a parent. It's all your mother and I have ever wanted for you to have in a partner. Thank you for making us so proud, and for bringing Bella into our lives. She and Rosalie are the most wonderful daughters, just like Lucas and Henry are the perfect grandsons."
"You made it possible, dad," I said thickly. "You taught me what it meant to respect a woman, and the way you love and respect mom showed me how to be that man. Bella means the world to me."
"Congratulations." He clapped me on the shoulder, grinning. "Now, I know you're still nervous, so let's have another drink."
As tempting as that was, I begged off, instead wanting to spend some time alone.
No one complained as I shut the door to the bedroom behind me. I sat down on the bed, holding my head in my hands.
I had never been so sure about anything in my life- so why was I so nervous? It didn't help that I hadn't seen Bella in over twenty four hours now, and I couldn't wait until I saw her in her wedding dress. We'd come into the hotel separately, but tomorrow, we'd be leaving as husband and wife.
It was still hard to believe that just a few years ago, I hadn't thought I was anywhere ready for a wife and children. Now, I was hours away from having a wife and I already had a son I wouldn't trade for the world. Bella had turned my world completely upside down, and changed what I thought I had wanted. I had known from the start, even if I hadn't realized it. But she had been under my skin from day one, and even though I had questioned what to do back then, there had never really been that much of a choice.
All along, it had always been Bella.
… …
Seeing her in that dress wasn't anything like I had imagined- it was a million times better.
We had wanted a simple wedding with just family and friends, and we had gotten our wish. But she looked exquisite, like a nothing I could have ever imagined. But I should have expected it- she was far from simple.
Instead of tradition, Bella walked down the aisle hand in hand with Lucas. He dutifully went to stand with his grandfather as Bella reached me, but I kissed the top of his head before he did. Then I took Bella's hands in mine, and nothing had ever felt so right.
I couldn't stop staring into her eyes as we said our vows, even though I saw that she was getting misty eyed. Her voice trembled slightly, but so did mine. It was perfect.
Our first kiss as man and wife was just like every other kiss we'd shared over the years, but I knew it meant so much more. It was a new beginning.
We couldn't keep our hands off of each other during the photos or during the reception, and even though it was a great party, I'd never been more excited to leave early.
"As beautiful as you look," I said once we were finally alone in our suite, "I've never wanted to get you undressed faster."
She giggled, and if she was feeling anything like I was, she was a little drunk on champagne and a lot drunk on happiness. "Sit on the bed," she said, and even though she'd been working on it for months, her confidence was still so sexy.
I watched eagerly as she slipped out of her dress, carefully hanging it up when she was left in just her underwear. It was simple but still incredibly sexy- white lace that hugged her body perfectly. It surprised me when she stripped for me the way that she did, but I loved every minute of it. It reminded me that not only was my wife incredibly sexy, she was also incredibly brave.
Her hands moved slowly as she exposed her skin to me, but the small smile remained on her face.
"You're perfect," I said, running my hands over everything as she finally stepped into my reach. "I love you so much, Bella. Thank you for being my wife."
"I love you," she replied. "Husband."
Other than the role of "father", "husband" was probably my favorite ever. Especially coming from her mouth.
We kissed gently, but when Bella pressed herself against me, it intensified. She helped me discard my clothes, and the kissing continued for a while after we were both naked.
By now, we had practically memorized each other's bodies, but it felt different tonight. I was with my wife now, and I wanted to enjoy her.
"God, Edward," she gasped, finally just pulling me on top of her. "I want you so badly it almost hurts."
It feels incredible to be skin to skin, and even more so when we push and pull and finally join together. It just seems like one of those times that should be slow and beautiful, and I could tell by her movements and noises that she was feeling the same way.
Moving in and out of her always felt euphoric, but the special connection between us tonight made it so pleasurable that it was almost unbearable.
"Edward," she moaned, arching her back. "Oh my…God, Edward…"
"I know, baby," I replied, smiling lazily. "I almost don't want it to end."
It didn't happen every time, and I knew we couldn't ever expect it to, but I had to admit I was thrilled when I felt my wife nearing an orgasm on our wedding night. It was perfect, and felt monumental.
She came apart beneath me, crying out and squeezing the hell out of me. I finished shortly after, even though I really had felt like it could have lasted forever. "I'm so happy you're my wife," I whispered, laying my head on her chest. She ran her hands through my sweaty hair, then kissed my forehead.
"I'm so happy and lucky that you're my husband," Bella replied. "I love you, baby."
"I love you, too."
We laid together in silence for a while, basking in our happiness.
"Edward?" Bella asked after a while, catching me off guard.
"Hmm?" I answered, my eyes still closed.
"You are the best thing that ever happened to me."
That woke me up, and I turned my head up so I could look into her eyes. "You know I feel the same way."
"No," she said gently, smiling as she shook her head. "You're my savior, Edward. Mine and Lucas'. You set us free."
… …
See you for the epilogue soon : )