CHAPTER 28: CEREMONY
Edward was stood at the aisle wearing a white suite, he looked like a god, and just as what had happened last time, I lost all sense of everything else around me. Once again, I felt like sprinting up the aisle and throwing myself into his arms and never letting go. Before I really had time to take in everything around me, me and Carlisle had reached the alter. Carlisle reached across and kissed me once on the cheek. I turned to smile briefly at Jasper, who was stood in front of us. Since we were already legally married, we didn't need an official to conduct the service, and Edward had thought it was the perfect way to ensure everyone was involved in the wedding. He had even agreed that Jacob could be his grooms man, so he, along with Emmett who was the best man, was in charge of showing everyone to their seats.
"Welcome Everybody" Jasper greeted "Thank you all for coming today. We are here to celebrate the marriage of Edward and Bella..." he continued, I wasn't really paying too much attention. I was still staring in awe at my husband before me. He looked better than I had ever seen and, for what felt like the 100th time, I felt as if I was seeing him for the first time all over again. There were no words to describe how utterly perfect and flawless he looked. I allowed to completely forget about the Volturi being here, and that there was about 50 people staring at us right now. I was focused completely on Edward.
Before I knew what was happening it was time to exchange vows, Edward threw me a wide smile before reciting his vows to me;
"Bella, since I have found you, I have found a new life." he began "The decision to commit to share that life with you is one I make happily and with full confidence in our love. Secure in the knowledge that you will be my constant friend, my faithful partner in life, and my one true love. On this special day, I give to you in the presence of all these witnesses my pledge to stay by your side, in joy and in sorrow, through the good times and the bad. I promise to love you without reservation, comfort you in times of distress, encourage you to achieve all of your goals, to grow with you in mind and spirit, always be open and honest with you, and cherish you for as long as we both shall live" he finished, his smiling growing wider across his face, Jasper announced that it was now my turn to recite my vows. Unlike Edward, I was unable to recall them word perfect, so I reached over and took the piece of paper Esme was holding out for me.
"Edward," I choked, my voice full of emotion "once again I stand before you, to make my vows to you. Since I met you my life has never been the same, but I wouldn't have had it any other way. You have given me everything I could have ever hoped for and more. You have brought light into my life, and a sparkle to my face" I heard a few light sniggers ripple through the group behind me, ignoring them, I continued "You have given me hope, when I could see none, you given me strength when I felt none and above all you have given me love, when I believed there was none. I promise to love you, honour you, cherish and respect you, I promise to be faithful to you, to share my life with you, and above all, I promise to be your friend, lover and partner, for as long as we both shall live" Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a stray tear roll down Renesmee's face as I finished reading my vows.
"Edward, do you take Isabella once again, as your life partner?" Jasper asked. Edward looked me straight into the eyes and smiled
"I do"
"And Bella, do you take Edward once again, as your life partner?" I returned Edwards smile,
"I do"
"May we have the rings?" Jasper asked, gesturing to Emmett. We hadn't gotten new rings. Instead we had opted to have our original one's engraved with today's date. Edward took my ring from the pillow that jasper was now holding,
"Bella, I give you this ring once again, as a symbol of our undying love for each other" he smiled, slipping my ring back onto my finger where it belonged. I took Edward's ring from the pillow and recited his words back to him,
"Edward, I give you this ring once again, as a symbol of our undying love for each other" I slipped the ring back onto his bare finger.
"You may now kiss the bride" Jasper smiled
Edward swept me up into his body and pressed his lips firmly to mine, making me, once again forget that there were other people present. In this moment, there was only me and Edward. Renesmee reached us first, wrapping her arms around us, happy tears now flowing freely down her face.
Everyone filed into the family room next, that had been transformed into a small hall, with the back doors opening out to a heated gazebo. Me and Edward took out seats with Renesmee at my side. Esme and Carlisle were sat next to her while Emmett and Jasper sat next to Edward. Alice, Rosalie and Jacob were further down the line from them. We all talked excitedly while Renesmee, the wolves and their imprints enjoyed the meal Esme had spent hours slaving over. Once they had finished and Emily and Kim had collected the pile of empty plates and returned to their seats, I heard Jacob yell across the crowd,
"Speeches!" I smiled wide at Edward and watched as Emmett rose from his seat to address everyone,
"What can I say about Edward and Bella?" he began, I silently cringed at what Emmett could possibly have thought up for this occasion "Well, Bella you're a lovely woman, and amazing mother, and an even better sister, you deserve a good man. Which is why I am so surprised that you have managed to get her down the aisle twice Edward!" here we go I thought as laughter rippled through our guests "But, no" Emmett continued "in all seriousness, I am really pleased for you both, now that you're married we wont have to put with any more of your sexual tension"
"Emmett!" Rosalie hissed, causing Emmett to break out in a huge smile,
"I love you both, Congratulations! I'm going to hand you over now to our dear brother who has a message he would like to read out" Emmett laughed, gesturing for Jasper to rise from his seat. Message? What message? I thought to myself. Trying to maintain the smile on my face.
"Bella" Jasper smiled, "As you know, for reasons beyond our control, there was someone who couldn't make it today. I have a letter from them for you" he paused, unfolding the piece of paper he now had in his hand "Dear Bells" he read "I'm sorry circumstances meant that I couldn't make it today. I really wish I could have seen you on your special day. I know that I haven't always been entirely supportive of your relationship, but even I can see how much of a positive impact Edward has made in your life. I just wanted to wish you both a lifetime of happiness together. I love you Bells. Congratulations. All my love Dad" Jasper finished. Edward reached over the table and took my hand in his. Gripping it securely as a means to provide me with some comfort. Hearing that had only reminded me of the reason Charlie wasn't here today, I couldn't stop myself from looking across the room to see the Volturi sitting together. Before I could see any more I felt Renesmee rise from her seat next to me.
"I have something I wish to read to my parents" she smiled, a lone tear once again rolling down her face,
"We never know
Or fully realize
How sweet and kind our parents are,
How gentle and how wise
We simply take for granted,
From day to passing day,
Each sacrifice they make for us
In their own loving way.
But then we grow and finally learn,
The way that children do,
How much their love has really meant,
How thoughtful they've been, too -
And so this comes with all the thanks
You both deserve and more.
For there aren't two dearer parents
Than the one this poem's for" she finished, looking at me and Edward and allowing a broad smile to grace her face,
"That was beautiful darling" Edward told her "Thank you" before rising from his seat to address our friends and relatives, "Bella and I would like to thank you all for coming today. It means so much to have such dear friends and family present, As jasper has already pointed out, certain people were unable to come today. Namely Bella's parents, I would like to take a moment to thank them now, for giving me their beautiful daughter, and for being so understanding" he paused, looking down at me and smiling "Bella, you are the light of my life, and there are not enough words to tell you how much I love and adore you" he continued, now looking up to address our guests again "I would like to take this opportunity to thank our fabulous family for arranging such a special day for us, and finally, I would like to recognize Renesmee, you sweetheart, have made our lives and this family complete, thank you for simply being the person you are today" he finished sitting down in his seat. Renesmee was once again wiping tears from her face and when I looked across the room I could see Emily, Julia and Kim were also drying their eyes.
"Its time for the first dance!" Alice squealed from her seat, gesturing for everyone to make their way into the gazebo. Once outside, Edward took me in his arms and span me slowly around the dance floor while everyone watched.
"I love you Mrs Cullen"
"I love you too Mr Cullen" I laughed. The song had almost ended when Edward stiffened and stopped dancing instantly. "What's wrong?" I asked, suddenly remembering that the Volturi were here. Edward nodded in the direction of the far corner of the gazebo, before leading me towards it. I could now see Aro talking openly with Tanya,
"Tanya, I must thank you once again for your invitation. Today has been the most interesting of days" Aro said, stroking her face slightly
"You are welcome Aro" Tanya nodded, stiffening slightly at his touch.
"You?" I spat at her, making the distance across the room in a split of a second. "You invited them?" I shouted, causing everyone in the room to turn and stare.
