It was fairly unanimous that little Annie's innocent questions were
absolutely adorable and hysterical. I based her on several of my
experiences with my nephews, who are the delight of mine and
my husband's lives.
As of this chapter, everything is new. If you have been unable to
review because you read during the original posting and reviewed
then, you can begin to review again now! *grins*
Thank you, Fran for all of your hard work on this story, and for
volunteering your services in the first place. I was floored back then
and feel honored still today. *huggles*
-LWTC-
Chapter 29
As Bella had entered the church on Carlisle's arm, the first thing she noticed was the lovely décor. Alice had kept her promise to make it simple. There were blue spruce boughs and white candles in each window, more branches with white, twinkling lights strung along the altar, and a simple blue spruce tree adorned with white lights, red bows and a beautifully lit angel sitting atop. The air in the small sanctuary was filled with the scent of pine, and the atmosphere of an old-fashioned, family Christmas.
Bella's second thought was how handsome Edward looked in his charcoal suit. His eyes were fixed on hers, and his expression was nothing but pure devotion. She was overwhelmed with the knowledge that this man was truly the other half of her soul. Her feet couldn't possibly carry her to him soon enough.
-LWTC-
"Bella Marie Swan, today I take you as my wife. I will have you as my dearest friend, and lifelong companion of choice. I will hold you always, close to my heart. I will keep you by my side whether we have plenty or are in need. I will see to your health, as you see to mine. I will laugh with you and cry with you. I will share my life openly with you, never holding any part of myself back. I will strive to be the best father I can be to any children we may be blessed with. I will try to lead our home in the reverence of God and honor you as He commands. I will lay myself down, and put your needs ahead of my own, so that your life will be fulfilled. I will never forget to remind you of how precious you are to me. I will be yours always. Yours and yours alone, until God calls us home."
Bella and Edward had chosen to write their own vows but agreed that they wanted them to be actual vows, not just a statement about what they love about one another. To them, that was a declaration to be made in private, and something that should be done often, not just on the day of the wedding. No, they both believed that they were entering into a covenant, and wanted to make genuine promises to each other.
Pastor Webber turned to Bella and asked her to state her vows. She dragged in a ragged breath, struggling to hold at bay the tears of joy that threatened to pour from the depths of her soul.
"Edward Anthony Masen Cullen, today I take you as my husband. I will have you as my dearest friend, and lifelong companion of choice. I will hold you always, close to my heart. I will keep you by my side whether we have plenty or are in need. I will see to your health as you see to mine. I will laugh with you and cry with you. I will share my life openly with you, never holding any part of myself back. I will strive to be the best mother I can to any children we may be blessed with. I will strive to submit to your leadership in our home. I will honor you and show you respect, putting your needs ahead of my own, so that your life will be fulfilled. I will be yours always. Yours and yours alone, until God calls us home."
Both Carlisle and Esme had tear-streaked faces, beaming with proud smiles. Carlisle stood with Edward as his Best Man. Their wedding was truly unique, as the Best Man walked the Bride down the short aisle, and instead of 'giving the bride away,' Carlisle received her into the family, and claimed her once again as his own daughter.
-LWTC-
"With this ring, I thee wed. All that I have, I give to you, and with all that I am, I honor you."
Edward was trembling as he pushed to delicate band onto Bella's finger. He couldn't help but blink back the tears that threatened. His voice was choked and wobbly, but he couldn't bring himself to care. This woman was a gift from God. Truly, she was created with him in mind; of this, he had no doubt.
-LWTC-
Edward and Bella lifted their candles, and together, lit the unity candle in the center of the table. She had found it in a small shop in Ludington during the days she was trying to keep Edward from realizing she knew that he was going to propose. It was both simple and ornate. It was hand carved with layers of white and red, almost like a candy cane, and in the front, it had been engraved with the simple text, 'Today, I marry my best friend.'
She had shown it to him hours after his proposal, and his eyes had misted. Edward couldn't believe how easily all had come together. He had expected Bella to balk and had a whole speech prepared to convince her to marry him on Christmas Day. He hadn't imagined that she would be anticipating the proposal, let alone making preparations of her own. He should have known that his intelligent, best friend would have guessed his plot.
After lighting the central candle, they blew out their individual candles.
"No longer alone, I am bound to you. Two souls, one life, together," they spoke as one. Their previous evening had been a whirlwind of planning details of the ceremony after they had quietly exchanged gifts together. This was Bella's idea. Edward had figured on keeping their individual candles lit, but Bella insisted that she would at least blow out her own. In her mind, her life would no longer be her own. Yes, she was her own person, with her own thoughts and desires, but they were blending their lives, and in her opinion, the dreams they had should be shared and nurtured together. If she was going to share her life with him, she was going all-in.
Edward was thrilled to know that Bella shared his traditional view of marriage being the blending of two lives into one, not merely living two individual lives under one roof and sharing a name. This would be no fifty-fifty partnership, but a one hundred percent union.
And it was beginning right now.
-LWTC-
"You may now kiss the bride."
And that is exactly what he did.
He kissed his wife with abandon.
-LWTC-
So, they are officially married! No, we're NOT onto the
wedding night. Sorry. That is another story altogether.
Quite literally…
Next up is the reception and the final chapter.
*huggles*
