Warning: Anything Twilight is SM's. No copyright infringement intended. TSS works are mine and Rated Mature. Story may contain some graphic content.
Chapter 28: Your Love
Edward Cullen
"Mom, seriously, I can tie my own tie. I'm thirty-four years old for Christ's sake."
"Oh hush. My son only gets married once…or at least he better." She smirked at me.
I already knew she would trade me for Bella if I ever fucked anything up, that was more than apparent and she had told me in no uncertain terms.
I grumbled and stood there as she continued to fuss over my tie.
"There. Perfect." She stepped back and her eyes welled with tears.
Oh Christ, here we go again.
"Mom, quit crying. This is a happy occasion remember!" I chided her.
"I know, I know. I am just so happy for you Edward. You two really are perfect for each other." She sighed as she placed her hand on my lapel.
"I know Mom." I couldn't agree with her more. Well, at least Bella was perfect.
"Okay, well, I will go see where we are at. It's about 4:45 now."
I blew out a breath and nodded and she turned to step out of the room. My mother looked sophisticated as always in a shimmering silver dress.
I went back to fixing the cuff links Bella gave me as a wedding present, they had the Cullen crest on them, and I thought about what my mother said. I couldn't believe how much my life had changed in the last ten months. On my first flight to Seattle, and the first night I met Bella, I remembered speaking with my mother about "settling down" and finding a "nice girl."
What she didn't know, and that I would never admit, was she was right. I never knew how much I was missing from my life until I met Bella.
The type of connection I had with her was indefinable. I thought about my mother's words again.
Settle.
Yeah right.
I was the luckiest man in the world. She was amazing and I had with Bella, something I didn't think I would ever find. We were passionate, very passionate, had the same interests, same ideals, I could tell her anything and at the same time she wasn't afraid to put me in my place. She never treated me as though I was some sort of prize to be attained, as I felt like with a lot of other women. I knew she loved me for who I was, not because I was Senator Cullen's son, and that made me love her all the more.
I had finally found the type of love my parents shared, and I would do absolutely anything for her. I couldn't wait to make her my wife, and give Harper a brother or sister. I was ready. Ready to start my life with Bella and Harper, ready to expand our family. Buying the house. All of it.
Well especially the trying for more kids part. Bella had quit using birth control around Thanksgiving, which meant December sucked because we had to go back to using protection. But once things "returned to normal" around Christmas, all systems were a go.
And I was fucking excited about that. Not to mention the timing put us in perfect position to literally start trying tonight.
Kids.
I also never knew how much I was missing until I met Harper.
Harper Ray Cullen. My daughter.
I couldn't help but get a cheesy smile on my face when I thought about her. I loved spending time with her, watching her learn and grow. She was so inquisitive and funny. She never ceased to amaze me. And every time she called me "Daddy" my heart still clenched and I smiled at the thought. Because I was her father and she was my daughter in every sense of the word.
I was amazed and speechless by Bella's Christmas present to me. It was the best Christmas present I could ever ask for. I knew she filed the papers almost immediately after I told her to and we had our home review in October. But I didn't know that the court proceedings had progressed so quickly. I wasn't mad that she hadn't told me about the hearing on the petition. Instead, I was shocked and utterly dumbfounded to know that Harper was not only officially my daughter, but that Bella decided to change her name.
She was officially a Cullen, even though everyone always thought of her as one anyhow. My entire family thought of her that way, and I knew she loved us as much as we did her. Most importantly, I realized just how much Harper needed me and I needed her. Seth never knew about her. She would never meet him. She had no ties to him or his family, other than blood.
I truly realized this after I went to Seth's grave with Bella. I could tell how hard it was for her, because she had never been there. But I could also tell how much it helped her, what a relief it gave her because she was so much more relaxed since we returned from Thanksgiving.
Even though Leah apologized, I couldn't help but wonder how often she would ever visit. Especially if she found out Bella changed Harper's name. Who's to say she wouldn't go crazy again and show up on our front step? I didn't trust her.
But of course, Bella forgave her and invited her to come and see Harper whenever she wanted. Her ability to forgive and her compassion were traits that astounded me about her, and showed all the more how I was not worthy of her.
I couldn't imagine telling my former self this even a year ago. I would have said I was crazy and not ready and anything else I could think of.
And what a fucking moron I was then.
But that was okay, because everything in my life was leading me to Bella. I didn't care that it took longer or that we only finally got together. We were together, and as far as I was concerned, we would be forever.
We had a new home, which I was also fucking ecstatic about, great jobs and a wonderful family. Life really didn't get much better.
There was a light knock at the door and my father poked his head in.
"Well, are you ready?" My father smiled at me.
"Very." I smiled back.
"You're a lucky man." He said as he put his hand on my shoulder.
"I know." I exhaled and nodded my head. Then I thought of something, something I had been meaning to ask him for a while.
"How did you do it Dad?"
"Do what?"
"Being married, a father, a great father I should add, while you were CEO at the company and then as a Senator?" I looked at him intently waiting on his answer.
He rubbed his chin and thought for a moment. "I appreciate the compliment Edward but I wasn't always perfect. I missed things and I wasn't always the easiest person to live with when things were stressful, and your mother reminded me of it…But I guess it's about prioritizing." He motioned over to the chair in the Cache room where the men were allowed to get ready.
"Here's the thing. Our family is very fortunate, and we are able to do things a lot of other's can't. But money isn't everything, the Senate seat isn't everything. You can have all the money in the world but if you don't have time to enjoy it, with the people you love most, what's the point." He shrugged.
It made sense. It was the same speech he had given Emmett and I most of our lives. It was why we both worked when we didn't have to, why we both felt the need to give back in other ways. But it still didn't answer my question. I didn't have to ask before my father continued.
"Honestly, I would have given it all up for your mother and you and Emmett. I wouldn't care where we lived or what we had as long as we had each other. I think you feel the same way about Bella and Harper."
I nodded. "I do."
"Then you just need to make time for them. Sometimes it means turning down opportunities. But you decide what is most important to you—them—and then you descend in that order. After a while, the little things don't seem to matter so much anymore…for example, did I have to attend a meeting which my VP could sit in on when I could have been at one of your basketball games. No. You learn to prioritize and put faith in the people around you to do their jobs as well."
I nodded my head in agreement. It made sense. If anyone knew how to make a marriage work under less than ideal circumstances, it was my parents. They were still together, and very in love, after all this time and even with my father spending a significant amount of time in D.C. This thought made me think of another question that had been nagging at me since the Peter incident.
"Is it worth it? Being a Senator?" I asked tentatively.
He sighed and looked away. "I know it may not seem like it recently but…yes. It's worth it. I feel like I can have such a huge impact on a daily basis. People put their hopes and dreams, issues they have worked on for lifetimes, in my hands. To be able to make one of those things happen is indescribable. I'm afraid that might have been part of my reason for not stepping down and Peter's backlash about everything…" He shook his head.
"That was not your fault Dad, we all know it. He was delusional."
"But I let him think it and I never stepped down. I should have been more upfront with him. For that I apologize. It only shows I am not perfect. If you can learn anything from it, just know that being up front and honest about everything is important in not only your relationship with Bella but in all your relationships."
"But it was worth it; at least it was for me." He continued. "But that's me." He shrugged. "You just have to decide how much you want to do it and if it is worth it for you."
"Thanks Dad." He stood back up and I did as well. I offered him my hand but he pulled me into a hug, not something that we did often, but it was welcome all the same.
"Your mother and I love you very much Edward. And we love Bella and Harper as well. You'll be fine." He stepped back and patted my shoulder and my mother entered the room again with Emmett just behind her.
"Ok, I think everyone's ready!" My mother said excitedly. She grabbed my father and practically bounced back out.
Emmett rolled his eyes and I just laughed. We had collectively decided we needed to separate my mother and Alice after the wedding. Like friend rehab for thirty days. They spent lunches and dinners and Saturdays together for the last two months planning everything and were both starting to act like one another.
"You ready man?" Emmett asked.
Yes. I am fucking ready, I wanted to say, can we get on with it.
"Yes. But probably more ready for tonight. I wish we could just skip all this hoop-la."
Emmett laughed. "I've been there, I couldn't wait to get Rosie out of that dress and into bikinis or nothing at all if you know what I mean." He wiggled his eyebrows at me and I just shook my head laughing. Emmett being Emmett as usual.
"All joking aside, I'm happy for you. She's an amazing woman. Just don't fuck it up." I laughed at his frankness.
"I tell myself that every day." He nodded in agreement.
"Everything set for the trip?" He asked then.
"Yes. We fly out early tomorrow morning for Fiji."
"Well maybe next time we can go with you. Rose can't exactly be flying you know." He laughed.
"I just hope JJ holds off until we get back. Even though I am sure Rose is ready to be done."
"You have no idea." Emmett rolled his eyes. "C'mon, let's go."
I stepped out of the room and we made our way to the Penthouse room. I thought about our honeymoon, it was the one thing Bella let me plan entirely by myself, but I kept it a surprise.
On the first day we spent together she told me the one place she wanted to visit was Fiji and I wanted to go to Australia. Since Australia was only another few hours flight from Fiji I thought we could kill two birds with one stone and split our trip.
I knew it would kill her to be away from Harper for more than a few days, let alone two weeks as I originally hoped. So instead I booked us a private villa for seven days in Fiji. Then we would fly to Sydney for ten days.
Alice and Jasper always wanted to visit Australia as well and decided they would plan a vacation and bring the kids, including Harper, to meet us in Sydney. They planned to spend a few days there before we got there to make the most of their trip.
I thought they were crazy, bringing three kids all that way. But Alice insisted, and it was, well, Alice. She said she didn't know the next time Jasper would be able to get two weeks off before session and next year at this time he would be running for Governor. She even said they would take Harper for a few of the nights and of course I took her up on the offer.
Once we arrived in Sydney they would meet us at the hotel with Harps in tow to surprise Bella. I thought it was the best of both worlds. I just hoped Alice and Jasper could handle the kids for the seventeen hour flight with only the stop in Hawaii to refuel.
Luckily, I called in a favor via my father and instead of flying commercial, we were all flying on the company's private jet. That way everyone would get there faster and the kids could run around on the plane and Alice and Jasper wouldn't lose their minds.
I was pulled from my reverie as Emmett patted me on the back. It felt more like a slap with his strength and I looked up to see we were at the doors to the room with my parents, Renee and Rosalie.
Once the music started I would walk in Renee, and then my mother and my father would follow. Then Emmett would walk in with Rosalie and finally Bella would follow with her father.
I hadn't seen Bella yet today, which was making me more anxious than I wanted to let on. I could only imagine how beautiful she would look.
I heard the music begin and instantly grew more nervous. I knew that was my cue. We didn't do a rehearsal dinner or anything because we planned to have such a small ceremony and simple traditional vows.
The door opened and I looked at the faces of our closest friends and family. Everyone had a bright smile on their face and the room was beautifully lit with only the waning light from the day and candlelight. The view of Lake Union was exceptional behind the altar and the white covered chairs.
I offered Renee my arm and made my way down the aisle to her seat and she gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. I walked back for my mother. Once I had her at her seat she squeezed me so tightly I thought she was going to make me pass out from lack of oxygen. She grabbed my face and just grinned at me tearily and I gave her a kiss on the cheek. I gave my Dad another quick hug and turned to take my place next to the minister.
I turned to look at the people who were here with us. All of our friends and family were here to witness our day. After everything we had been through in the fall, it seemed all the more surreal that this day was finally here. I know some people probably thought it was fast, but I knew from the first week I spent with Bella that I could never live without her.
I looked at Jasper and Alice, next to Renee with their kids. Alice was bouncing in her seat after having just come in on the side from helping Bella with her final preparations.
I thought about the discussion I had with Jasper, so similar to the ones we had before, about him running for Governor and me for Senate. He officially started his campaign committees and fund raising shortly after Thanksgiving and Whitlock for Governor was launched. He was putting his hat in the ring for the nomination and election in two years. I knew he had his reservations as well, but I think we both knew what opportunities we were presented with and, ultimately, we couldn't turn them down.
What surprised me was the direction our conversation took the night we spoke.
We were sitting in the study of our new home only a week ago. Jasper and I went to the study to chat while Alice and Bella were making final wedding preparations. I poured us a drink, using the decanter and glasses Bella gave me for my birthday, and handed it to Jasper.
He thanked me and walked over to look at the books lining the wall of the study.
"You have quite a collection of books." He said as he sipped his drink.
"I love to read. This room is something we both really liked about this house, it had room for all of our books."
Jasper nodded and I could see he was pondering something. Bella had informed me of his tell and I noticed it now, probably also a sense from being in the political arena myself.
"She loves you very much." He sighed. "Sometimes, I think more than she loved Seth. Not that I can compare the two." He sighed again and turned to look back at the books. "But she's different with you.
I furrowed my brows. I wasn't sure how to take that. I felt like I was friends with Jasper, but he was still Bella's brother and protective of her, regardless of our ages. I didn't have time to ask him though.
"I don't know if Bella has told you…" He blew out a breath. "But I was close with Seth. He was the closest thing I have ever had to a brother. Much closer than Sam." He shot me a look and we both smiled dryly. No one cared for Sam, least of all Jasper.
"They were great together. So much fun, so full of life. Alice and I loved spending time with them. And we were devastated for Bella when everything happened, and then finding out about Harper…" He shook his head. I knew what he was thinking. Bella told me about their discussion at our party.
"Jasper, we don't blame you at all for what happened with Peter. It's not your fault."
"I know…I won't ever get over it completely, but I am glad you two feel that way." He thought for a moment. "I guess what I have been trying to say Edward is; you two are different. I can't say whether it's more than what she had with Seth, but I suspect it is. I look at the things in this library for example, and they had a lot in common, but not like you two. Even from the first time I met you, it's like you two are always on the same wave length. It's almost scary really." He chuckled and I did as well.
But then he grew dark again for a moment. "It's just that I know how it was when Seth died. I was there. She was devastated. But she's Bella and she strong and she persevered."
I nodded in agreement as he continued.
"I don't like to think about it, but…I don't think that would have been the case if anything would have happened to you. I'm not sure she would have made it this time." He said quietly.
I swallowed, thinking about what his words meant. All of them. I didn't think I would be able to go on if something happened to her. To add to it, I would be responsible for Harper now too. I couldn't imagine how hard it would be by myself, and it made me appreciate all the more how much Bella went through.
"Well, enough of the heavy stuff. Did you finalize everything for the trip?"
And with that our conversation was over. I knew what he was trying to say. He was acknowledging what we had and at the same time accepting me as taking Seth's place. It meant a lot and I had a feeling Jasper and I would only become closer with time.
I was pulled from my reverie by a change in the music yet again. I straightened my stance and turned to the door that had once again been drawn closed.
I drew a deep breath just as the doors reopened and waited for my beautiful girl to appear.
*&^%$#
BELLA SWAN
I clicked my earring in place and sighed. It was 4:45, and in fifteen minutes I would be walking down the aisle to Edward.
Fifteen long and excruciating minutes.
I looked up as Rosalie entered the room. She looked exceptional in her midnight blue gown with a twist at the top similar to mine. But it was obviously still very different because the dress flowed down around her, allowing her room for her very prominent belly. Even though she was quite pregnant, since she was so tall she hardly looked like she was seven months pregnant let alone due in three weeks. Alice had ordered a regular women's dress just larger and then tailored it down for her.
I was sure no one else could be so exceptionally lucky to do that. Damn Rosalie.
I grinned at her though, because she really was like a sister to me. I asked her to be my matron of honor, even though I knew she was going to be very pregnant, I thought it was fitting.
Rosalie and I had grown very close, even more so since the ordeal with Peter. Our girls were the same exact age and were now officially cousins. She helped me through some of the toughest issues I have ever faced in my life. She was truly like a sister to me and she was one of those people that you wanted in your corner.
I had a very tough time deciding what to do. I didn't want to offend anyone and I knew none of my friends or family would say anything, but asking Rosalie just seemed fitting. Emily was my matron of honor when Seth and I were married and Alice, Kate and Angela were bridesmaids. Obviously I would have liked all five of them to be involved and it didn't mean I was more or less close with any of them, but I didn't want a big wedding or wedding party.
So I just asked Rose. And when I brought it up with the rest of them, they were all completely supportive and understanding and agreed with my train of thinking.
I also thought asking Rose marked a shift in my life, another example of old to new. She was as important as they were. She was a Cullen and a member of the family I was joining. Emmett was of course Edward's best man and her standing up with me was a new and fresh start. The other ladies stood up with me as part of my old life, and today marked the official beginning of my new life.
"Oh, you look gorgeous Bella, Edward really is going to be beside himself when he sees you. Trust me, I know those Cullen boys. You'll be lucky if he doesn't throw you over his shoulder and take off with you right after the ceremony." She said jokingly.
"I just hope we can get from here to the Fairmont without mussing up my dress or hair too much. He's all about getting to the after party. And I don't mean the reception."
She snorted. "Oh he is definitely related to his brother. And probably more than willing to do his part in trying." She laughed.
I laughed with her. I told Rosalie about our plans to start trying to get pregnant as soon as we could, which ironically, put me at the perfect time today. When I said good-bye to him last night before going over to Alice and Jasper's, because Alice insisted we could not see each other before the wedding, he tried to persuade me to stay by saying we were missing out on very valuable time.
Talk about a politician.
He was somewhat right, but I knew we would get our chance tonight. And part of me, even though it seemed a bit antiquated, liked the idea of having it happen on the night we got married. Not before. It was also part of my reason for waiting until after I had a period. Not only did the doctor suggest it when I went off my birth control, but secretly I thought it would be nice to be married first. I also thought that it might seem a bit suspicious if seven months from now I had a baby. The press would have a field day with that. Especially if Edward ran for Senate in six years. I didn't want to have to deal with claims that we were having a shot gun wedding or anything else like it. I wanted everything with our new family to be right from the start.
Rose smiled at me and adjusted my necklace for me. I looked at the pendant around my neck. Then she stepped back and reached into her clutch.
"Here." She handed me a tiny handkerchief.
"What's this?"
"Well, it was supposed to be your something borrowed and blue, but I guess it's just your something borrowed, since your colors are dark blue." She winked at me.
"Thank you Rose, who's is it?" I looked at the intricately embroidered fabric, it looked very old and was darkened with time but had little blue flowers all over it.
"It was my grandmother's." She smiled.
I knew Rosalie wasn't very close to any of her family, but the one person she was close to was her grandmother, who died when she was nineteen.
"Oh Rose, thank you." I gave her a hug. "Make sure I return it to you after the ceremony."
She smiled and waved her hand in front of her face frantically, willing the tears from her eyes and I tried to do the same.
Then we both burst out laughing.
"What are you two laughing about." Alice stuck her head in and asked with a smile.
"Oh nothing. Just cheesiness." I sighed.
"Well you better not be messing anything up." She put her hands on her hips.
"I'm not excited about getting you down the steps already." She grumbled and started fussing over my dress.
We decided to have the wedding in the Penthouse room at Canlis. It was perfect, on one end of the large room was the main door which would open up for the short aisle and chairs for the ceremony. We cleared out the sofas and chairs it the "living room" area of the space for the makeshift altar. It was surrounded on three sides by windows and had a breathtaking view of Lake Union. The Piano was moved close to the tables on the long section of the room and so that we could have light music during dinner. We would also share our first dance here in front of our friends and family before going to the Fairmont for the large reception.
Only roughly forty people would be at the private ceremony, our entire families, the Masens of course, Edward's Uncle Alistair and his wife Genevieve, Kate, Garrett and Makenna, Ben, Angela and the girls, EB and Jared, Maggie and her husband, Liam and his wife, Tanya and her new boyfriend Vlad, Edward's friend Collin from D.C. and his girlfriend, the Brandons and Eleazar and Carmen. We debated on inviting Charlotte and her kids, and decided to extend the invitation. However, she declined to attend, saying it was just too soon to see everyone but she appreciated the invitation.
I decided to only invite my friends from Portland to the larger reception. It felt a little odd to have them at the intimate setting, even though Edward had met Heidi and Felix. The rest of the large reception would be a combination of other friends and family, Party officials, co-workers, important acquaintances through the Party, Cullen Enterprises and CARE and of course friends of our parents. I specifically invited Phil and his wife after all of the help he provided to us. I didn't know how we were going to talk to all of the people, but the plan was to have the wedding at 5:00, followed by pictures and dinner and our first few dances. Then we would make our way over to the Fairmont at 7:30 and set up a receiving line for the 8:00 reception so that we could greet everyone as they came in. Of course Carlisle and Esme and my parents were going to be near to help us since there was no possible way we could know everyone.
We even had sitters lined up for all of the kids. The children of the close friends and family would be at the ceremony and dinner, Edward and I wanted them there. But we thought it would be easier to have only adults at the very large, public reception. The Brandons were planning to take Harper, Lily and Tanner. Carmen and Eleazar weren't ones for big events so they were watching Riley and Bree. My friends all lined up their own sitters for the night.
Paying for the wedding was a whole other quagmire. My parents insisted they contribute, even though I adamantly denied it since they paid for my first wedding. Edward insisted he pay, which I also denied. Then of course Carlisle and Esme wanted to take care of it since the bulk of the guests would be theirs.
We finally came to an agreement. My parents paid for the private party at Canlis, at a much discounted price because Thomas and Virginia also tried to give us that as their gift. They somehow still managed to sneak it by us that they allowed my parents to pay for the rental of the Penthouse room and dinner and drinks, but gave us the Executive Room and the Cache room to get ready in. Edward and I picked up everything else related to the ceremony, the music, the rentals, the flowers, and the rooms at the Fairmont for all of the close friends and family that decided to stay as well as transportation by limo to and from the Fairmont and Canlis.
The Cullens were paying for the large reception. Even though it was unbalanced, I could see Esme's point. We never would have had a reception like that if it weren't for the Senate seat, the foundation and the company. Then, Esme and her new counterpart Alice could have full range on making it an amazing event and I didn't even have to be involved.
I liked the sound of that.
Of course Alice insisted we could not see each other before the wedding, so we had to be separate while we prepared in our rooms at Canlis as well. She hauled me off to the spa that morning for all the plucking, waxing, and primping one could possibly imagine. I didn't argue, I learned long ago not to and so I just enjoyed my massage and decided to let the hair and make-up stylists have free reign, at Alice's direction of course. They did an exceptional job as always.
Alice practically shut down her boutique to plan the wedding. She freaked when she found out we only had two months, but of course she helped me whip it together. The day after Edward proposed we ordered invitations, booked the venues, she ordered several dresses to try and we booked a caterer, music and flowers. The photographer was easy to take care of since Angela would do it.
She even insisted we take engagement pictures, which seemed odd since we didn't have time to send save the date cards, but I obliged. Besides it would be nice to have some pictures of the three of us as a family.
So the first weekend after the election Angela came by and took some pictures of Edward, Harper and I. But once we bought the new house, I had her come take a few more. My favorite was one of us in the study. It was the three of us, sitting in the nook by the window. Edward is looking down at me and I am looking at him. Harper has a book in her hand but she is looking up at the two of us staring at each other. It's the most precious picture because she has a huge smile on her face. It was one of the other things I gave to Edward for Christmas, a framed photo for his office and I had one in mine.
But by far the most difficult part of pulling such a huge wedding together last minute was the guest list. Luckily Alice still had the excel spreadsheet from their wedding to get everyone from our side. Of course I needed a few more people that were friends and workers of mine but it saved us a lot of time. Esme was able to use the one from Rose and Emmett's wedding, saying "she had been holding on to it just for this purpose." We sat down one evening and hammered out the people that needed to be added and taken off.
Then only two weeks after the proposal Esme, Alice, Rosalie, Kate, Angela and I sat down and whipped out the over 600 invitations that went out to 989 guests.
For the love of God you have to be kidding me. 989 guests!
But we did it, somehow, and the invites went out in lightning speed, still acceptably on time for the wedding. I was most excited about meeting Edward's Uncle Alistair and Aunt Genevieve. They called Edward the night they received the invite and insisted on speaking to me on the phone. They had to talk to the girl that finally won his heart. I chuckled at their English brogue, but his Uncle informed me that though they lived in England they were Irish through and through. He would only marry an Irish girl and when he introduced Carlisle to Esme, the only reason he allowed her to date him was because he knew he was of Irish blood as well.
We chatted for probably twenty minutes, all the while Edward was sitting there shaking his head and laughing as he sipped his Jameson.
I felt Alice fluttering around me, fluffing my skirt and train and pulling me from my thoughts. She tsked over how the satin was laying until finally I shot her a look.
"What?" She said smugly.
"Nothing." I laughed.
"You can say it, you can say those four little words Bella…" She chimed.
"Fine. All right, 'you are crazy Ali'." But I couldn't contain my smile. "I'm just kidding, I really appreciate everything you have done, 'you were right Ali'."
"Better." She huffed.
Then Alice and Rosalie began talking frantically about something to do with getting to the reception on time and I had to tune out again to keep my cool.
I ran my hands down my wedding gown. The dress was spectacular. Very out of my norm, but I loved it all the same. It was ivory fitted satin and silk in a mermaid style with a sweetheart neckline, elongated draped bodice and ruffled skirt. It had a small train, but was absolutely show stopping.
I thought about the day I picked out my dress. I had wanted something simple and elegant, but as usual Ali had other ideas.
"Bella, ok, I ordered five more gowns. I repeat five. And you will be trying on all of them." She ordered.
"Ali…" I grumbled. But just like the night of the fundraiser I couldn't argue with her. I had already tried on all of the gowns in one of her friend's shops. But nothing seemed to click.
They were all either too simple, or too extravagant.
We once again got everyone together at her shop a week after Thanksgiving. Esme, Rosalie, Kate, Angela and this time my mother and Emily joined us.
I stepped in and tried on a beautiful Monique Lhuillier gown that was strapless and had lace insets and beading down the bodice. It was very pretty and I set it aside thinking it would work if I didn't find anything else.
I tried on another that was a mermaid style and fit like a glove. It looked sensational but as soon as I tried to move I couldn't do anything. That wouldn't work considering I would have to climb up stairs at the Fairmont, dance, walk around talking to the almost 700 people which had RSVP'd and get in and out of a car.
Beautiful but not functional at all.
There were a couple of others that didn't really do anything for me and finally there was an ivory one last.
It was definitely not simple-looking.
"Alice, what the hell is this." I asked incredulously.
"Bella, please just try it on. I know you wanted simple, but think about it, you did simple last time and when else do you have an excuse to wear something extravagant."
"Ali, I told you I don't want a huge train or anything." I looked at all of the frills on the bottom of the dress.
"It doesn't have a huge train and trust me it is unbelievable. Please just try it on; just think about it for me. She gave me her patented pout and I grumbled again and grabbed the dress, I knew how much Alice had done in planning the wedding and I couldn't deny her. I slipped it on and Alice zipped me up and helped me get situated.
I looked in the mirror and was shocked. It was unbelievable, it was spectacular. Alice had a gleaming smile and pushed me out of the dressing room to the larger room.
"Oh my God Bella…that's just…wow." Rosalie said with wide eyes.
Kate chuckled dryly. "Edward's going to lose his shit when he sees you in that." She laughed and Angela and Emily joined her.
I looked at my mother and Esme and they both had tears in their eyes. The dress was extravagant, but not too huge. The tulle around the bottom was not a huge train but a small train with cascades of tulle.
I thought about Alice's comments. She was right. I was only going to get married to Edward once and he was the Senator's son, why not go with something spectacular and utterly unbelievable.
"So I guess this is the one?" I asked, looking at all their faces. Esme got up and came over to me and grabbed my hands.
"Oh dear. I just think about how far you have come. I am speechless. You look exquisite and I am so happy you are marrying my son."
I gave her a hug, careful not to mess my dress and I knew exactly what she was talking about. The last time I stood here with all of my family was before the fundraiser, before Edward and I were together, when I was still having difficulty even talking about Seth.
"Thank you Esme." I whispered and then composed myself.
"All right Alice, I will admit, this time you are right. This is it. This is the one."
Alice squealed and launched into discussions of shoes and jewelry and everything else that would go with the dress. I just looked at it and thought of one thing. This is what I will be wearing when I marry Edward.
I touched my hair to make sure it was all still in place and fingered the pendant around my neck. My hair was half way up with a few jewel clips holding it in place. Large, thick curls cascaded down my back and I held a short bunch of ivory roses wrapped in a shiny, midnight blue ribbon.
Even with all of Alice's extravagance she agreed that my pendant and bracelet looked perfect next to the neckline of the dress and were understated and elegant and allowed the dress to speak for itself. I wore simple diamond earrings; well, if you call one carat earrings simple. They were Edward's wedding gift to me. He always spent too much, but I just sighed, I knew it was because he loved me.
I looked up then and Harper bounded in with my mother. She looked adorable in her little flower girl dress with a matching blue ribbon around the waist. Her hair was similar to mine but in bouncy ringlet curls. She smiled and gave me a toothy grin.
"Momma, you look so pretty!"
I tried to bend down, unfortunately it was difficult. This dress didn't move so well either, but I overlooked it for the magnificence that it was.
"Thanks Harps, but I think you're prettier." I kissed her on the cheek and she giggled and I saw a tinge of red run up her cheeks. Poor girl got my telling blush.
"Ok Harper. You stay here with Momma and Grandma and Aunt Rose and I are going to go see Daddy." Alice said.
"Daddy! I wanna see Daddy." I shot Alice a look.
"That was the wrong word to say Alice."
She smiled. "I know. But that's a good thing." She said with a sigh.
I couldn't agree more. I looked at our beautiful little girl, all excited for the big day. She wasn't sure what was happening, but she knew it was a party and she got to dress up in a pretty dress like everyone else. I was more worried about saying good-bye to her tomorrow morning.
Since I planned the wedding, well really Alice and Esme planned the wedding and I signed off on everything. But either way, Edward took over planning the honeymoon and he wouldn't tell me anything except it was tropical and to pack a lot of things for a tropical paradise.
"Or nothing at all…" He had wiggled his eyebrows at me cheekily.
He wouldn't even tell me how long we were going to be gone, just that his mother said it was fine and to prepare to be gone "for a while."
I never should have agreed to that.
I looked up as Alice walked back in the room.
"Ok, we're all ready."
I drew a deep breath and smiled. I was so ready to do this. I couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe how far I had come, how far we had come since Edward was in our lives.
I grabbed Harper's hand and stepped out of the room and saw my father on the other side and smiled.
"Hi Dad."
"Bell. You look beautiful." He gave me a kiss on the cheek.
"And so do you H-Ray." He picked her up and tickled her and she giggled and flung her hands in her dress.
"Ready?" He asked after he set her down.
"Yeah."
"Bell," he cleared his throat. "I uh…well…I'm happy for you. I want you to know, I think Edward's a good man…" He paused for a second. "And I should have handled things differently in the beginning, but I can see how good he is for you and Harper."
"Thanks Dad." I smiled with tears in my eyes. My dad never said much, he was a man of few words, so I knew how much it took for him to say that.
I blew out another breath and we made our way to the entrance to the Penthouse room.
Alice fluffed my dress again and bent down in front of Harper.
"Now remember what Momma and I told you." She nodded. "You go right down the aisle to Daddy and give him the flower and then go to Grandma Renee okay." She nodded again and smiled.
We decided not to have her drop anything, just carry a single flower for Edward. A single rose with the thorns removed that he could put in his pocket. She would hand it to him and then sit with my parents or Alice and Jasper.
Alice stepped back and fluffed my dress one more time and Harper gave me a grin.
Suddenly, I heard the music change and the doors opened. Harper's eyes lit up.
"Daddy!" She shouted and took off down the aisle. I could hear everyone in the room burst out laughing and I peeked around the door to see before I stepped fully into the doorway and the doors closed slightly in front of me. But I could still see and hear through the crack in the door. Edward scooped her up in his arms with a big smile on his face.
"Dis is for you!" She held up the flower and his smile widened and everyone laughed again.
"Thank you Harps." He gave her a kiss on the forehead. He placed the flower in his pocket and she beamed at him.
Then he gave her a hug and squatted down to send her to my parents. He whispered something and she shook her head. "I wanna stay with you." She pouted. I had to keep from laughing because I had seen that face all too many times.
He whispered something in her ear then and she grinned and ran over to my Mom, then he stood up and the doors opened fully. He turned to look at me and our eyes locked. My breath caught and my whole world stopped.
*&^%$#
EDWARD CULLEN
I was pulled from my reverie by a change in the music. I drew a deep breath just as the doors reopened and waited for my beautiful girl to appear.
"Daddy!" Harper shouted and took off down the aisle. Everyone began laughing as I bent down to scoop her up. She looked beautiful in a little white dress with a blue bow that, I assumed matched Rosalie's dress.
"Dis is for you!" She held up a flower and I smiled at her as everyone laughed again.
"Thank you Harps." I gave her a kiss on the forehead and put the flower in my pocket. She just grinned at me and threw her arms around my neck, her little curls bouncing.
I bent down to send her to Renee as we discussed, but she clung to me.
"Harps you have to go to Grandma Renee so Momma and I can do something quick." I whispered.
She shook her head. "I wanna stay with you." She pouted and I had to think fast.
I bent over to whisper in her ear. "If you go sit with Grandma I promise to get you ice cream later…with berries."
"Ok." She whispered and gave me a big silly grin.
The one thing I learned quickly as a father. Bribery works.
I stood up and smiled at my quick thinking and turned to take my place by the altar. I took a breath and looked down the aisle and my heart stopped.
Standing at the end of the aisle with her father on her arm was a vision, an angel, the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. My mouth instantly became thick like it was covered in sawdust. I was in a daze, just like the first time we met when I couldn't even form words or comprehend what was going on around me because of the woman in front of me.
She gave me a breathtaking smile and I could see the unshed tears in her eyes even down the short aisle. She was standing there in the most incredible dress. It fit her perfectly, flowing down the curves of her body like water before flaring out in a dramatic fashion. It was…there were no words for how she looked. Exquisite, exceptional, sensational, remarkable.
She and Charlie began walking down the aisle to me and finally she was in front of me. I couldn't contain the smile on my face as I continued to take her in. Her hair was curled and pulled part way up, showing her elegant neck and the pendant I gave her. She was glimmering before me from the final rays of twilight as they danced off of her mahogany waves. Her eyes were shimmering and her ruby lips were covered in a deep berry-colored gloss that made me want to kiss them all the more.
I took her hand as Charlie presented her to me and then shook Charlie's hand with my other. He nodded and took a seat next to Renee and I turned back to the enchantress in front of me.
I grabbed both of her hands in mine then and brought one of them up to my lips and kissed it. I bent down and whispered in her ear.
"You look amazing Love." She shot me another breathtaking smile.
The minister began the ceremony, but I hardly listened. I couldn't take my eyes off of her. I repeated everything I was told to, smiling at her when I was finished and when she repeated them as well. At last, the minister came to the only part I cared about.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
I leaned forward and took her face in my hands and she wrapped her hands around my neck. I lightly pressed my lips to hers and she pulled me in closer, deepening the kiss and I lost myself in the taste of her, sweet and fresh and just my Bella. I heard Emmett clear his throat behind me and finally I pulled away, but I left my hands on her face. She smiled at me shyly and I put my forehead to hers.
"I love you Isabella Cullen." I whispered and lightly kissed her again.
"I love you too Edward Cullen." She smiled.
Finally we pulled apart and I took her hands in mine again, my eyes never leaving her.
"May I present Mr. and Mrs. Edward and Isabella Cullen." Everyone stood and clapped and we made our way down the aisle and back out the entrance. We had to take a few pictures while everyone else milled about for a short cocktail hour and the kids scurried around.
We sat down to a fantastic dinner as always and I held my breath as Emmett gave his toast. It wasn't too bad, but he did make a comment about Murphy's and I wanted to kick him under the table.
I never should have told him the full story.
Finally, we stood up for our first dance and I pulled Bella into my arms as the pianist played. I considered playing her a song, but I was so rusty I didn't want to play until I had a chance to sit down at my own piano for a while. We left a spot in our new home for a baby grand piano. I just hadn't had a chance to pick one out I liked.
I gazed down at her and let myself get lost in her chocolate brown eyes and held her close as the music lilted through the air. It was the same Frank Sinatra tune we danced to twice before. It was the only song we felt was fitting.
I wrapped my arms around her and she tipped her head up to kiss me.
"This is perfect, I wish we could just spend the rest of the night here, not go to the big event at the Fairmont." I whispered.
"I know, but you, Mr. future Senator, have to make your appearance." She teased.
"You don't think we'll be able to sneak away early again do you?"
She slapped my lapel and laughed. "Edward, we can't ditch our own wedding reception."
"I know, I just want to get on with the honeymoon…particularly tonight." I kissed her lightly below her ear and she shivered and then smiled up at me. I knew that she knew what I meant.
We finished our first dance and then shared a dance with our parents before we got ready to leave. Luckily I insisted we have a limo for just the two of us. Everyone else that was staying at the Fairmont would be traveling in separate limos.
As requested, the driver already had our champagne corked and ready for us. I helped Bella as we climbed in the limo and then handed her a glass. I pulled her close to me and then turned to look at her.
"To us." I toasted.
"To us." She clinked my glass and took a sip and reveled in the taste of the expensive champagne. I set my glass down and put one arm around her and put my other hand on her face. She closed her eyes and leaned into it contentedly.
I swallowed and prepared to say the things I didn't want to say in front of even our friends and family. Words just for her. "Bella, your love is all I will ever need. I know tonight has been crazy and will only get crazier, but before I don't have the chance to say it tonight, I want to say everything I couldn't earlier. I love you, more than anything in the world, more than I ever thought was possible to love someone. And all I will ever need is you. Your love is all that matters to me. You and Harper, and anyone else we might add. Hopefully tonight." I said with a smirk, but then I grew serious again. "But even through the worst of times, even if we have to be separated by distance, even if we are angry at each other, I will always love you."
"Oh Edward." Her hand made its way to my face and I leaned into it similarly. Our bodies and minds were just so in tuned with each other.
"I know, it's not always going to be easy. Tonight's a good example of that, even when we want things simple, we have other obligations. But I will always love you too; your love is all that matters to me as well."
She set down her glass and gently brushed her lips to mine and I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her back with more urgency. Our tongues met and danced back and forth and before I knew it my hands were grazing down her back and I wrapped them around her tiny waist and was pulling her closer to me.
But we both realized at the same time that we had to pull back. I stopped the kiss, panting breathlessly and then continuing with just a few more light kisses.
"We will have to continue this later." I said.
"Definitely." She smiled.
I stared into her eyes until I felt the car come to a stop at the Fairmont. All of our friends and family that were at the ceremony and dinner were already inside to greet us.
"Hey, I meant to tell you something earlier. Do you realize this is the first time we will be arriving together at the same time at the Fairmont?" Bella said laughingly.
I thought about it for a moment and she was right. "That is kind of funny." I laughed in agreement. "Hopefully, the first of many times though." I added and she smiled.
The driver came around to open the door and before I helped Bella climb out I pulled her back for one more searing kiss.
"I also need to tell you love, how absolutely heart-stopping and utterly gorgeous you look in that dress. I can't believe you are my wife." I kissed her again and she wiped away the lip gloss she had just reapplied.
"Damn sex-haired, green-eyed Adonis." She muttered.
"What?"
"What?" She looked at me quizzically.
"What did you just say?" I smirked at her.
She gasped, "I said that out loud?"
I nodded at her laughing.
Then she shrugged and tried to play it off. "It's not like you don't know the effect you have on me Mr. Cullen." She said as she slapped my arm playfully.
I leaned in one more time. "Well Mrs. Cullen, you just keep that in mind for later." I said before giving her one final kiss.
"I will." She winked at me.
I smiled knowingly and grabbed her hand and helped her out of the car.
We walked through the doors of the Fairmont hand in hand, and this time we were together and had our whole lives ahead of us.
