Disclaimer: All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.


Chapter 29: Forever

Bella

The sun was barely up, and I was wide awake. I hadn't slept all night, too filled with anxiety to relax. I stumbled out of bed, rubbing my eyes in resignation. I pulled back the curtains of my hotel room and looked out over the San Diego bay, the boats bobbing up and down with the current. The sun made the water sparkle. It was going to be a beautiful day.

Knowing no one would be awake for hours yet, I headed downstairs to the hot tub in the hotel. It would be a perfect way to relax, and my nerves were in knots. There wasn't a spot on my body that didn't hold tension. I rested my head back against the edge of the spa and relished the heat of the water and the pounding of the jets on my tense muscles. After I was sufficiently hot and my skin pruned, I headed back up to my room, where Alice was awake.

"Where were you?" she asked, apparently impressed I had already been productive.

"Down at the hot tub. My nerves are a mess," I confessed.

She laughed, pouring herself a cup of coffee. "Well, it is your wedding day. I suppose that's to be expected."

Alice had planned not only her wedding but had done most of the work for mine. I was too busy at work to do an effective job, so she happily stepped in to help, which was so gracious given the distance.

Edward and I had grown to really like San Diego and wanted to have our ceremony by the water. Alice was a machine when it came to planning and had put everything together with precision. Her own wedding had been the previous month and was like something out of Martha Stewart magazine. Every little detail had been perfect.

She was my maid of honor, and Rosalie and Angela were my bridesmaids. Ben and Edward spent a lot of time together at the hospital, and I had become very close with Angela.

The hairstylist and makeup artist were the first to arrive, and from then, on there was a flurry of activity around me - the florist, the family, the caterer. Everything was happening at once, and I was eternally grateful for Alice's presence. I didn't know what I would have done without her.

"Here, have a mimosa, Bella. It'll help with the nerves," Alice said, handing me an oversized, brimming glass, apparently able to read my mind.

I gladly took the drink from her hand. "You're a lifesaver! I knew there was a reason why I love you so much."

When it came time to put on my dress, the reality of the situation hit me. I was going to marry Edward. I still couldn't believe it was actually happening. I couldn't wait to see him standing there at the end of the aisle waiting for me.

For me.

My dress was off the shoulder and had a fitted bodice, with just a few pleats as detail. The skirt was full and made of a flowing organza. I wore my hair pulled back in the front and down in the back with slight curls. A long veil flowed from the back of my head all the way to the ground. For the first time, I felt like a bride - like a princess. I was filled with excitement yet still a bundle of nerves.

What if he doesn't show up?

Thank God Alice comforted me. "I just got a text from Jasper. The guys are here and in the bar downstairs."

In the bar. Typical guys.

We made our way downstairs to the courtyard that would serve as the backdrop for the ceremony, careful to avoid the hotel bar where the guys were. The photographer took a million pictures, and then I was shuffled away to the lobby where I would be out of sight of the guests.

Then I waited. And waited.

I occasionally peeked out and saw the guests being seated by Edward's groomsmen- Emmett, Jasper and Ben. The string quartet played classical music as the guests were seated.

Finally it was time to line up.

Time stood still as the fanfare began. First down the aisle was Angela, then Rosalie, then Alice. The adorable flower girls crept up the aisle, drawing 'ahs' and 'ohs' from the crowd. Then it was my turn.

The music changed, and the sound of Trumpet Tune by Pursell filled the air. It was my cue. Everyone stood up and turned to look at me.

I thought I was going to faint.

I clutched my dad Charlie's arm for dear life and stepped out into the light. I still couldn't see Edward. I turned a small corner, and there he was. My prince, waiting for me.

To say he looked incredible was an understatement. He was wearing a black tuxedo with a white vest and tie underneath. I'd never seen him in formal clothes, and he wore them well. He gave me a huge smile when our eyes met, and I knew I would be okay.

The walk up the aisle seemed to take forever, my eyes never leaving Edward's. I completely forgot about all the guests and just focused on my groom. It was just us then, no one else mattered.

My dad and I stopped as Edward stepped forward and took my arm. Together, we took the final few steps up to the flower archway, which would serve as the altar.

"You take my breath away," he whispered in my ear. His free hand grasped my arm, and I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes and blinked to stop myself from crying.

The minister gave his introduction and started on the ceremony, but all I could think about was the amazing man on my arm. It still seemed like a dream. The trip to New York had only happened a little more than a year before, and here we were getting married.

It came time for our vows, and we turned to face each other, gazing intensely into the other's eyes. Edward went first, reciting the traditional vows we had chosen. I followed, barely able to get the words out without crying. Edward rubbed my hands gently as I promised him I'd love him forever and despite all obstacles. It wasn't a difficult promise to make.

He placed the ring on my finger and squeezed my hands.

"With this ring, I thee wed," he said softly.

I followed and placed the simple platinum band on his ring finger as I stated my vow.

"With this ring, I thee wed." My voice cracked as I took in the enormity of my words.

The minister continued on with the ceremony, as I gazed lovingly at Edward.

"By the power vested in me by the state of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride," the minister stated loudly as the audience clapped.

Edward leaned in and gave me a long, but relatively chaste kiss. He hugged me tightly, and I felt enveloped in his love. We broke our kiss and turned to face the guests.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my distinct pleasure to introduce to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Edward and Isabella Cullen."

Isabella Cullen.

The music started, and Edward and I made our way back up the aisle, arm in arm, smiling at our guests as we retreated.

As soon as we were out of sight of the guests, I threw my arms around Edward and hugged him tightly.

"We really did it!" I exclaimed.

"Can you believe it?" he said, equally excited.

Within seconds, our friends descended upon us, congratulating us and drowning us in hugs. We waited for the guests to make their way to the reception site and then went to take pictures. The day was becoming a blur.

Our first dance was to "Is This Love" by Bob Marley. It seemed appropriate to dance our first dance as husband and wife to reggae, just as we'd done at the start of our relationship. We swayed in each other's arms as Edward kissed me lightly on my cheek. His arms caressed my back gently as we took in the lyrics of the song we both loved.

I wanna love you and treat you right;
I wanna love you every day and every night:
We'll be together with a roof right over our heads;
We'll share the shelter of my single bed;
We'll share the same room, yeah! - for Jah provide the bread.
Is this love - is this love - is this love -
Is this love that I'm feelin'?
Is this love - is this love - is this love -
Is this love that I'm feelin'?
I wanna know - wanna know - wanna know now!
I got to know - got to know - got to know now!

I never wanted to let go of him. My husband. We completely tuned out everyone around us and focused solely on each other.

The rest of the reception went by in a blur, and before I knew it, it was time to go back to the room. I had arranged to have someone go back to the room before we got there to light candles and dim the lights so the ambience would be right when we arrived. Edward had no idea.

We walked hand in hand to the room, overwhelmed by the events of the day.

Edward opened the door and smiled when he saw the room.

"Wow, how did you do this?" Edward asked, as he turned and looked at me.

"Well, I'm full of surprises," I said flashing my best seductive grin. "I wanted it to be perfect for my husband, so I arranged it ahead of time."

"It is perfect. Just like my wife," he said, scooping me up and carrying me into the room.

He set me down gently and grasped my face in his hands.

"Well, Mrs. Cullen, what should we do now?" he smirked, leaning down kissing my shoulder.

Mrs. Cullen. I could definitely get used to that.

"I've got a few ideas," I replied, seductively.

He turned me around and began the painstaking process of unbuttoning my dress, kissing my neck and shoulders while he moved. As he unbuttoned the final button, he slid the dress slowly off my body, revealing the white lace corset and garter I wore underneath.

"Bella, you are exquisite," he said breathily, as his hands steadied on my waist.

I turned to face him and helped him out of his jacket and vest. I took my time unbuttoning his shirt as his hands roamed my waist, his eyes never leaving my body. I liked having his eyes on me, and I knew my lingerie was having the desired effect.

I slid his pants off, leaving him in just his boxers standing before me.

"I want to make love to my wife," he whispered in my ear. "Over and over."

His control had reached an end, and I could see the immense desire in his eyes. He led me to the bed and laid me down gently. His hands drifted to my shoes, and he carefully removed each one. Layer by layer he undressed me until I was naked on the bed before him. He slid his own boxers off and lowered himself on top of me.

I spread my legs to allow him access, and he quickly positioned himself above me.

With one quick thrust, he entered me, and my hands moved around his back to pull him closer.

"Mine," he said softly. "All mine."

He pulled out and then thrust forcefully into me again, causing me to gasp and close my eyes.

"Oh God, yes, all yours."

With that, his movements picked up pace, and he was panting and gasping as his hands gripped the bed. He was claiming me as his with each thrust, and together we were frantic for each other. He was powerful and masculine as the muscles of his body tensed.

He brought me quickly to my climax, and before I regained my composure, I felt another orgasm rip through me. His thrusts continued, and just as he exploded inside of me, another orgasm hit me, and we fell over the edge together. We lay there, still connected to one another until our breathing returned to normal.

He kissed my neck softly. "I love you so much."

"You are my life now, Edward. I'll love you forever." I ran my hands through his hair.

He placed a light kiss on my lips, but I wanted more. I deepened the kiss, and he responded with vigor. We kissed passionately as our hands roamed, needing all the contact we could get. Eventually, we grew tired, and as much as I didn't want the night to end, I knew it had to.

I lay down next to him, with my head on his shoulder.

"We should probably get to bed. We've got a big day tomorrow," I said, taking note of the time.

"Yeah, we do." He kissed the top of my head and squeezed me tightly. "Now we get to go on a honeymoon."

He smiled a devious smile, and I couldn't help but smile back. We were headed to New York the next day for the first stop on our honeymoon, where we would have three days to enjoy the sites. I looked forward to visiting the places which had marked the beginning of our relationship. From there, we were headed to Italy to spend ten days traveling. I couldn't wait. I really needed some down time after all the stress of wedding planning, despite all of Alice's help. I just needed to be alone with Edward.

"Goodnight, baby," I said, rubbing his chest.

"Goodnight, Mrs. Cullen," he replied and then paused. "I like the sound of that."

"I like it, too."

More than you could ever know.

And with that, we fell into a deep, blissful sleep.


A/N: Well, what did you think? Was it worth the wait? Thanks for all your thoughts on an outtake. I do have one written, and I'll post it probably on Thursday.

Please leave me a review and let me know what you thought of the wedding. I really value the feedback.

Thanks to my peeps this week. You know I love you guys!

One more to go…