Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer is the great and powerful Twilight originator and owner. I own none of these characters but I sure am having fun making them jump through my hoops. I did choose Bella's wedding dress though, and her flowers…

Sorry! I know I said that this would be up on Tuesday, but I missed that by a couple of hours, unless you want to consider Alaska time...it's still Tuesday in Alaska...for another hour or two!

Chapter 33

~~~We Do~~~

I always knew that I'd be married at some point in my life. I wanted the same kind of relationship that I saw my parents had: Loving each other, trusting each other, laughing with each other. Then seeing that spark burst into flame and they'd be like teenagers, not able to keep their hands off of each other. Their play had caused me some embarrassment in my teen years, but the laughter they shared also caused me some envy. I wanted all of that for myself.

I wasn't willing to settle, it was all or nothing for me. Although at 24, I had felt that I had time to find that one that would be everything to me. If someone had told me three months ago that I'd be totally and irrevocably in love with an amazing woman, who also happened to be a vampire, and would be getting married today, November 21, I would have laughed at them. Shaking my head as I looked at myself in Carlisle and Esme's dressing room mirror, I laughed at myself. There truly were no limits on love, either for how fast it could come, or for how long it would last.

Forever…that's how long this love I felt for Bella would last. Today was the first day of forever…and I couldn't be happier.

Stepping out of the dressing room and into the beautiful sitting room, I moved to the window and twitched the drapes aside. I looked down and over the green and gold bedecked patio and gazebo. Alice had placed the colors everywhere. The Denali family were already standing and talking with Carlisle. The other guests were arriving now too.

Mike had left a few minutes earlier to help Jessica with the baby for just a minute. He said he be back when it was time for us to make our way to the gazebo. I had told him to go ahead and I'd meet him downstairs when it was time. Finding it hard to stand still, I paced around the space, looking at the various paintings that Esme had on her walls. None of them could hold my attention for long. Finally sitting on one of the comfortable chairs I thought back over the last 24 hours.

Running with Emmett…what a rush!

Being the flag in the game…

Alice's vision…

Bella accepting my proposal…

How lovely she looked with my ring on her finger…

The whirlwind of activity of the afternoon and evening preparing for this day…

Shaking my head I thought about my bachelor's party. I was very grateful that Emmett was persuaded to not take us to a strip club. My face felt hot just thinking about it. It was one thing for me to think about a nearly naked Bella, and believe me that thought had crossed my mind a time or two. But seeing other women that way? That was just crude.

We had had a great time anyway. Now that I knew what to look for, it really impressed me how the Cullens appeared to eat, without ingesting a single bite. I thought about challenging Emmett to a pizza eating contest in front of Mike, but then I thought about how strong he was, and just how he would get me back.

Bella had told me that I'd be stronger than Emmett for the first several months of my life as a vampire. The thought was almost incomprehensible. Emmett was a force unto himself. But she had made me promise to challenge him to a wrestling match…soon. I just hoped that I'd be fast enough to get away from him if it looked like he was really going to be able to take me down!

It was late when we sent Mike home in a cab. He wasn't drunk, just slightly buzzed, but I didn't want to take a chance with his safety. I'd told him earlier in the evening about the plane and hotel reservation that had been made for him, Jessica and the baby…in Hawaii. He couldn't believe it. But I impressed on him the joy that accepting this gift would give me. Mike kept saying that it was too much; I told him that he'd have to buy the sunscreen and we'd call it even. He finally accepted, stating that he did still have six weeks of paternity leave left.

The knowledge that they would be away when the nomads arrived took a huge weight off of my chest.

After he was gone, Emmett tried, once again, to fill me in on all the perks of being a vampire. I think he just liked to make me blush. The lack of blushing in my new life was going to be a total perk!

Carlisle went over the preparations that they had made for my change on Sunday night. At one point during the discussion of syringes filled with venom and burning pain, Jasper looked at me and finally spoke. "Edward, you amaze me. I only feel the slightest hint of fear from you. Why is that? I remember my change clearly, and it's been 146 years."

I thought over his question before answering him. "Yes, I do feel a little afraid of the pain. All of you have told me your memories of being changed. It has sounded hideous from each viewpoint. But, you all did come out of the change and have found someone to love, to love forever. I've already found my soul mate, my love. She'll be with me through it all and she'll be waiting for me on the other side of that hell. It doesn't seem like that big of a deal to me, three days of hell for a lifetime with my Bella. Yes, it sounds like a fair trade to me."

My cell phone had rung right then. It was Bella wishing me a good night. She told that she loved me and I'd know her tomorrow because she'd be the one wearing white. We spoke a few more minutes and then said goodbye and goodnight, apart for the last time.

Emmett was going to stay at the house with me. He'd play video games while I slept then take me over to the house first thing in the morning. Then Carlisle and I would go pick up the license.

Alice's organizational skills had taken all of our ideas and put them into action. This was going to happen…and I couldn't wait.

~o~O~o~

The door opened and a wave of calm washed over me as Jasper entered the sitting room. I heard the sound of music coming up the stairs. Rosalie had begun playing Canon in D. I knew that Esme was being seated right about now, and that it was time for me to make my way into the garden.

"Edward, are you ready? There's a pretty lady upstairs in my room who I hear is prepared to meet you at the altar."

"Have you seen her, Jasper? Was she nervous?" I stood up and came to stand next to him.

"Alice wouldn't let me in either." Jasper just shook his head. "She said to tell you to get ready to have your socks knocked off though." He winked at me and shot me another dose of calm feelings. I hadn't even realized that I was feeling a little nervous until the lack of nerves confronted me.

"Were you nervous when you married Alice?" I asked him as he straightened my tie for me.

"We had been together for over a year when we found the Cullens and I knew that I loved her beyond life itself, but when I was waiting at the altar for her, I was nervous, but only until I got that first glimpse of her face. The joy radiating off of her was almost more than I could bear, and it totally alleviated my nerves." He gave my tie a last twitch and stepped back. "You are going to feel the same. And I'll be there to make sure of it!"

I laughed and stepped passed him and walked down the stairs to where Mike waited for me. I was surprised at the number of people assembled in the chairs. Our guest list was actually quite small. I guess my nerves made it feel like it was a concert hall full of people. Everyone was smiling at me and Mike as we made our way to the gazebo where Pastor Weber was waiting. I shook his hand and then turned to wait for my bride.

Jasper and Alice came into view at the patio doors. She was so small next to him, and he was right, the joy that she exuded was astonishing, even to me. They made their way up the white runner and separated. Jasper came to stand beside Mike and Alice took her place as Bella's matron of honor.

The doors closed and Rosalie segued smoothly into the wedding march. She played it with flourishes and emotion. I felt my heart rate begin to rise. My bride was just on the other side of those doors. They began to open and I gasped at the beauty standing there, her hand resting on Carlisle's arm. Her golden eyes met mine at that moment and any nerves that I felt slid firmly away. Only joy remained.

Everyone stood as they made their way across the patio to where I stood waiting. Bella's dress swirled around her feet. The ribbons on her flowers fluttered in the breeze of their passing. Her shoulders were bare, her skin luminous beneath the veil that was as fine as mist across her face. They paused as they reached me. Carlisle turned and lifted the veil from her face and adjusted the delicate fabric behind her. He kissed her cheek and turned back to me, smiling warmly. He lifted her hand and placed it in mine, giving both our hands an affectionate squeeze before stepping back to sit with Esme. When her cool fingers were in my warm ones any lingering fears fled. This was right. More right than anything I had ever hoped or prayed for.

~o~O~o~

Carlisle lifted my veil and kissed me on the cheek before placing my hand in Edward's warm one. Then he went to sit next to Esme.

I turned slightly to hand my bouquet to Alice and then turned back to look into Edward's face. He looked as dazzled as I felt. A part of my mind heard the words that were spoken by Pastor Weber, but all I could concentrate on were Edward's eyes. They were so alive and so full of words that didn't need to be spoken. My shield was open to him and it was almost as if he could read my mind, clearly and completely. We faced each other and repeated the vows as required, but all we heard were the lines of love that were running back and forth between us. Both of our "I do's" were loud and clear.

Mike handed the rings off with grace, and they were soon on our fingers.

After a final prayer Pastor Weber paused then said with a wide smile, "You may kiss your lovely bride." I stepped into Edward's waiting arms and we kissed each other soundly, only drawing apart when our guests burst into loud applause and cheering. Alice handed me back my bouquet, a smile bright on her face.

Pastor Weber cleared his throat and exclaimed, "May I present, for the first time ever, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Masen."

Edward leaned forward and kissed me once again, lightly, and then we turned and made our way into a crowd of well wishers. I was passed from one person to another, being kissed and hugged by everyone there. Edward and I held our hands firmly entwined the entire time. He received handshakes, hugs and kisses too. And much slapping on the back by my brothers and Mike.

There was a pause in the revelry as Tanya stepped up before him. My family gave her very pointed looks. She glared back before she laughed and hugged him tightly, saying, "Hey, I promised to be good!" She kept her lips, and her gift, to herself which is the only thing that saved her from Alice's wrath, I'm sure.

The photographer that Alice had chosen had taken pictures during the ceremony and now she called for the posed shots. Esme invited the guests into the house to partake of the buffet there. We had decided that having a designated photographer would feed the media's need to know everything about the celebrity portion of Edward's life. She was very good at what she did and was pleased that she would get this scoop. We had paid her very well and she wouldn't have a need to sell any of these photos. She would make sure that every news outlet had a set, with her magazine getting the first ones. It was a good compromise between privacy and the public's perceived need to know.

It didn't take very long to get the shots that Alice wanted. All I wanted was to be in close proximity with Edward the entire time. We kept stealing kisses and getting lost in each other's eyes. It wouldn't have taken nearly as long if we could have kept our hands to ourselves. We finally got finished and then it was time for us to mingle with our guests. We separated to make our rounds, but I noticed that we were always aligned with each other. I know he noticed too, because every time I looked up our glances would lock for long moments.

The cake was lovely and Edward was sweet to only give me the smallest taste on my lips. I stunned him when I sucked the pad of his fingertip holding the smidge of frosting into my mouth. I could feel my eyes begin to darken when we broke the pose and he swept me into his arms again for a deep kiss. It was hard to stop, but when I heard Emmett clear his throat prior to speaking, I decided that perhaps we should put a bit of space between us.

The Denali's and Angela gathered when it was time for me to toss my bouquet. It was amazing how clumsy my cousins became at that moment, allowing Angela to catch the flowers. The blush on her face was lovely as she buried her nose in the white petals.

Emmett yelled that now it was time for Edward to remove my garter. Rosalie was immediately at the piano, playing a raunchy version of She Drives Me Crazy. Mike got me a chair to sit in. Edward approached me slowly; it was almost like he was stalking me. I could definitely see that he was going to be a natural as a predator. I would have thought that he would have been blushing, but instead he had that crooked smile on his face and it so sexy I almost pounced on him right then.

~o~O~o~

I knelt at Bella's feet. She pointed the toe of her right foot and set it into my waiting hands. I slowly slid my fingertips underneath her silky dress and up her long, smooth leg. Our eyes were locked the entire time. I could see the gold in her eyes slowly being replaced by black. I took a moment to slip my fingers beneath the garter and to massage the silken skin there. Slowly I pulled the garter down and slipped it off and over her golden shoe. I sat her foot gently back down on the floor and leaned forward to press a searing kiss on her parted lips. Only then did I hear the hoots and howls from the assembled company. That's when my face did begin to flush. I stood and helped Bella to her feet.

We turned and faced our guests, the garter held firmly in my hand. There were only a few single men among them; Mick, Ben, Victor and my manager, Robert. I was surprised to see a determined look on Ben's face as he stood front and center. With a laugh I pulled the garter back like a rubber band and shot it over their heads. Ben, who played basketball, leaped high in the air and caught it. He turned to look at Angela with a wide grin on his face.

There might just be more wedding bells in the near future.

Alice joined us and said that it was time to change for the trip to Forks. She told me that there were clothes waiting for me in Esme and Carlisle's room and then she whisked Bella away and up the stairs. My bride smiled back over her shoulder at me and blew me a kiss.

Just as I stepped out of the dressing room in my black slacks and dark green button down silk shirt, Emmett and Jasper stepped into the sitting room. Emmett appeared to be trying to put a somber look on his face, but he was failing miserably.

"Edward," he intoned. "We wanted to give you some brotherly advice before your wedding night." I rolled my eyes as I hung my tux on its hanger.

"Now the main thing to remember, since you've never done this before, is that all you need is enthusiasm and opportunity." Emmett's brows wagged up and down, "Jasper can attest to the fact that you both have, ahem, enthusiasm." Jasper rolled his eyes at that, almost as much as I did. "You do know that you are making the boy crazy with all the lust you've got swirling around you, right?" Another eye roll was shot his way from both Jasper and me.

"And now you have a legitimate opportunity…married and alone in Forks. At least until we get there tomorrow night. Make the most of it, Brother!" Emmett's big hand slapped me on the back and nearly knocked me off of my feet. Jasper smacked him on the back of his head before turning to me.

"That's the last time I'll have to smack him for you. In a couple of days you'll be able to do that for yourself…just try not to knock his head all the way off. Rosalie would get tired of listening to him whine while it knit itself back on to his body." Jasper and I both laughed. And then he got serious. "Edward…Brother, thank you for making Bella so incredibly happy. I can feel her joy and yours, it rivals the way Alice and I feel about each other…and that's saying something!"

Jasper reached out and hugged me just as the door opened. I stepped back and looked at the vision that was my bride. She was wearing a blue green sweater dress that fit her like a glove. My breath was stolen in that moment. Jasper whispered in my ear, "Breathe, Edward," as he pushed me from where I was standing to meet Bella at the door.

Our lips touched for way too short of a time before Alice bustled into the room. She was ordering Jasper and Emmett to gather luggage and telling them to run it down to the waiting limo.

Turning to us she said, "Two minutes…and then I'm sending Emmett back up here to carry you both down! The sooner you get to Forks, the sooner you can be all alone!"

I looked down at the woman in my arms. She smiled up at me and lifted her hand to cup my face. "Husband…"

I touched my forehead to hers and whispered, "Wife…"

Her voice was sweet as she whispered into my ear, "Alice is right, the sooner we get out of here, the sooner we can be alone." I pressed another kiss to her mouth and then we swept out of the room.

I kept my hand at her waist as we made our way down the stairs to tumultuous applause. More hugs were given and received as we stepped towards the door to get out and into the waiting limo. I spent several minutes saying goodbye to Jessica and Mike, as I held the baby in my arms. I looked into their faces, memorizing them as they shared this joyful day with us. As happy as I was right now, I didn't know when, or if, I'd be able to see them again anytime soon.

Bella stepped close to me, slipping her arm around my waist and holding me close. I knew that she knew what was going through my mind. There were no doubts in my mind that what I was doing, marrying this woman and joining her as a vampire was the right decision. I smiled into her eyes, telling her without words that it was going to be fine. After placing a soft kiss on Michael Edward's head I handed him back to his mother and gave her a hug. It was time to go.

A shower of rice and bird seed rained down on us as we dashed to the limo. We turned back before getting in and waved at our family and friends. I kissed Bella one more time, getting a thumbs up from Emmett and heard him shout, "Enthusiasm!" And then we were driving away…and alone.

The drive to the airport wasn't nearly long enough. We kept busy with kisses and words of love. I was actually surprised when the limo stopped. Our bags were loaded onto the helicopter and once we were seated we were cleared for take-off.

The pilot said that we'd be arriving in Forks in about an hour. Bella opened a basket and handed me a bottle of water from it. She placed several small containers on the small table beside us.

"I knew that you wouldn't eat much at the reception, Edward, so I asked Esme to pack this picnic for you." Bella snapped the lid open on one of the containers and plucked a plump strawberry from it. She held the ripe fruit to my lips and urged me to bite it. Her eyes were on my mouth as I bit and chewed the fruit. Some of the juice started to run down my chin. Before I could wipe it away with a napkin, she asked me to stop. Her eyes flicked from my own and down to the dripping juice, then back up again. Once again the gold was being pushed back from her eyes to be replaced with black. She leaned close and slowly licked the juice from my chin up to the corner of my mouth. A groan escaped my lips but when I would have moved close to her to steal a kiss she leaned back.

"Edward, you really need to eat…you are going to need your strength tonight." Well, I really didn't want to pass out from hunger, maybe from being dazzled, but not hunger, so I proceeded to eat some of the wonderful things that Esme had packed for me. We were putting the snack away when the pilot said that we were circling in preparation to landing.

Once we were on the ground, the co-pilot and an airport worker quickly transferred our bags to the waiting car. I laughed when I saw that the car was another Volvo, a black one this time. Bella shrugged and said that one really couldn't have enough Volvos!

As I didn't know where we were going, Bella got into the driver's seat and we headed out of Forks. Our conversation was light, consisting of comments about the wedding. I kept my fingers twined with hers on the gear shift. Twilight was falling and it was difficult to see far into the thick woods on either side of the road. Bella eventually slowed down and turned into an overgrown driveway. If one didn't know where it was, it would have been nearly impossible to see it. The driveway was long, with the trees crowding in from both sides.

We turned a corner and she stopped before a white mansion. The windows on the main floor were glowing with light.

"Esme had a service come out and get the house opened up for us. They turned the heat and lights on and also stocked the kitchen." She started to reach for the door latch on her side when I asked her to wait.

I got out on my side and rushed around to hers and opened the door. Holding my hand out to her, I helped her to stand and pulled her into my arms. After a moment we turned and opened the trunk of the car. "I don't think we need to bring all of this inside with us tonight, do we, Love?" I asked.

Bella's face was in shadow as she reached passed me and lifted out the two carry on size bags. "These will probably be fine for tonight."

I quickly took them from her as we slowly walked to the front door. It was unlocked when she turned the knob.

"Please wait," I asked. I pushed the door open and quickly set the bags down just inside the foyer. Turning back to where Bella waited outside the door, I stepped close and swept her into my arms and held her small form tight against my chest. The gold was nearly gone from her eyes as I pressed my lips to hers and stepped across the threshold. Knowing that we were going to be staying here for the next several months, I lifted my lips from hers and said, "Welcome home, Mrs. Masen."

~o~O~o~

Edward kicked the door shut with his foot, his lips still pressed to mine. Endless moments passed as we tasted each other. I could still detect a hint of the last bite of strawberry that he had eaten. Human food was hideous, but the essence of strawberries on Edward's lips? Priceless…

Slowly Edward let me slide down his body. I could feel exactly what his reaction was to that movement. When my feet touched the floor, I pushed away from him just a little.

"Shall we find our room and get settled?" I whispered. Edward nodded and picked up our two small bags.

"Lead the way, My Wife, My Love…" His voice was intense and husky; his words sent a shiver down my spine. There were many titles that I could call him: Husband, Soul mate, Friend and soon…Lover.

Moving to the stairs we ascended to the third floor. I pushed the door at the end of the hall open and turned on the light switch. Recessed lighting softly lit the open space. A huge bed, with a black wrought iron frame stood on one wall. It was surrounded by bookcases containing a few books, an assortment of CD's and a state of the art sound system. The entire wall that the bed faced was glass. A sliver of moon could barely be seen amidst the sparse cloud cover. When I had been here earlier in the summer, this was the room I had chosen. Esme had finished it out for me in dark greens with light wood, it almost seemed like the forest had come inside. I hadn't needed a bed, but thought it would be a nice place to lie on to read and watch the sky and woods. Now I was grateful for that choice.

Edward had placed our bags on a little table that was beside the door to my private bath. His eyes roamed the room, taking it all in, before they rested on the bed. The bed with the turned down covers…

He was abruptly very still and a light flush covered his cheeks. I swallowed the slightest bit of venom and then quickly stuffed the monster inside me back into his cage. I firmly locked the door and metaphorically threw the key away…at least until tomorrow.

Suddenly I think that we were both just a bit bashful. I opened my shield to him again as I walked to his side and took his hand in both of mine. "Edward, I love you…if you are worried about anything, like, I don't know, me crushing you with my superior strength or something," I winked at him, trying to lighten the mood. "We can wait for this," I waved my free hand over towards the waiting bed. "We can wait until you are more…durable."

With a laugh Edward quickly lifted me into his arms and spun me around before crushing my lips to his own. After several intense minutes he lifted his face to look into mine. "Bella, Love, I was just wondering if you were worried…wondering if you wanted to wait." His eyes were blazing into mine as he waited for my answer. I slid my body down his once again…and swiftly ripped his shirt apart and off his chest, dropping it on the floor beside us. He gasped as my cool hands caressed his warm sides, slipping behind him and cupping his shoulder blades as I pressed myself firmly to his chest.

"Well, I guess that answers my question…" he said as reached down and grasped the hem of my dress. He slipped it up my hips and off over my shoulders. He dropped it onto the fabric on the floor, the fabric that once had been his shirt. With my shield open to him, no more words were necessary for the duration of the night, although several gasps, sighs and hisses would have been heard if anyone were actually close to our room…but it was just us right then…which was definitely just right.

~o~O~o~

A/N…I really thought that there would be a BITE in this chapter…but guess not…next one for sure!

What did you think of the wedding? I wanted some cake!

Thanks for sticking with this…I can't believe that I got over 1K hits on Monday after I posted the last chapter… \O/…that's me waving at all of you and saying Thank you! And please leave a review…they are really better than pixel wedding cake…

Family still gone…more writing time for me…!!!

Kathie

A/N....I had hoped to post CHANGES on Sunday, 6/7....but I keep adding things...I want it to be GOOD...so will be posting it MONDAY, 6/8...later in MY day...Central USA time zone....hopefully it will be worth the wait!!!!

Kathie