I DON'T OWN THE RIGHTS TO TWILIGHT OR ANY RESEMBLANCE THERE OF.
AND NOW, THE WEDDING AND THE RENOVATIONS. I DECIDED TO GO CRAZY HAPPY HAPPY AND WENT WAY OVERBOARD. WHY THE HELL NOT RIGHT? THERE'S A SURPRISE WEDDING GIFT THAT I HOPE EVERYONE LOVES TOO! THIS ALSO TOOK ME A WHILE TO CHURN OUT, SORRY FOR THE DELAY.
ALSO, IF YOU GOT TO MY PROFILE, I HAVE LINKS FOR THE CHATEAUX IN FRANCE, ALICE'S DRESS, & BELLA'S HAIR AND MAKEUP.
Chapter 34
Mrs. Bella Cullen
(Bella POV)
It was the third week of March when Edward got a call from the contractor. Apparently Edward had thrown more than enough money at them because they were finished. They were finished more than a month early, it was a wonderful surprise. The first thing we did was tell Esme who had a lot of furniture and fabric to install. She had been slowly gathering things for the house all year and had it all stored someplace. She took the keys from us and said we could go home in four days.
Four days later we were standing outside the building waiting for the elevator. I was so excited I thought I might burst out of my skin. When the gate opened Esme was there and we went to the newly appointed second floor: the entertainment space. The elevator gates opened and we were looking at the most stunning sitting and dining areas. The windows were draped with the burnt orange raw silk curtains and there was a stunning and huge Persian rug on the floor. The couches were a much deeper orange silk and covered in hundreds of champagne colored pillows. There were leather chairs in various shades of browns, and a large coffee table with an etched glass top. The illuminated hanging lanterns and standing lamps gave the place a warm glow and were all controlled by a remote control, even the curtains were controlled by remote.
The wonderful dining table and chairs that were in the apartment before were back, but hanging over it was a series of mismatched yet somehow coordinated crystal chandeliers, three of them. The chairs were covered in the same champagne silk as the pillows on the sofa and just beyond the short hallway I could see the shimmer of a new kitchen.
I made my way toward the kitchen - on the way I popped my head into the very lovely navy blue and silver bathroom and while making my way down the hall, I realized that the hall walls were made entirely of glass front cabinets. An entire hallway of china cabinets for dishes, glasses, silverware, and serving pieces – I had to remind myself to add more china and crystal to our registry to fill them up!
When we got to the kitchen I nearly yelped out in excitement. All of the ovens, ranges and sinks that I had chosen were there, and everything was sparkling new. The hood was gleaming, the white and black tiled floor was shiny, even the French door refrigerator and new deep freezer were twinkling at me. There was a huge pantry just to the right of the fridge beckoning to be filled with food and all of my pots, pans, and various equipment had already been put away.
Past the kitchen was the screening room. The walls were red velvet and lush. The carpet was deep red, the deep comfy recliners were soft black leather… there was even an old fashioned popcorn maker in the corner. Esme had found antique French and German movie posters and put them on the wall. The bathroom, which was past a hidden velvet door, was an almost black shade of red with small lights that shed just enough light to see, but not enough to disrupt the screening. When we reached the stairs we both squeezed Esme with all our might, it was just perfect.
The third floor was just perfect as well. They gym was small but well appointed and the laundry room was huge! Esme had even put a sewing machine in the corner. I wasn't sure who that was for, but it was amazing looking – all buttons and LED screens. Esme said she had put it there so that she had an excuse to come over and spend time with us. We assured her she didn't need an excuse to come over.
Each of the guest rooms was simple and lovely with different color themes. One room was cream colored, one was all green, and the other was various shades of gray. The office was very sleek and modern, and the bathrooms were all covered in tiles from floor to ceiling - very chic.
We made our way to the fourth floor which hadn't changed very much. The kitchen I loved so much was still there, in the same shape we left it. The living room was still there as we left it, although because Esme had put the silk curtains downstairs she had replaced them with simple linen curtains in various shades of whites and tans. The glass coffee table was replaced with solid dark wood table, and where the huge dining table used to be, there was a smaller table and chairs that matched the coffee table.
The two bedrooms and bathrooms that used to be the office and gym were fairly blank. One bedroom was a soft shade of yellow, the other a soft shade of green and they were joined by a lovely bathroom with a great big tub in it. The bedrooms both had a nice soft carpet that took up most of the floor space and some simple curtains and blinds in matching colors, but past that they were empty.
Esme must have noticed my expression because she chimed in with "you don't have the kids yet and we don't know their sexes do we?" I blushed slightly, Grandma had thought of everything.
Our bedroom and bathroom were exactly the same. The big bed with the head against the wall, the photos of the Koi Pond above it were there just as we left it. Alice had put my entire new wardrobe (complete with instructions), in the closets and drawers. The bathroom was still stunning; the only addition was a second bathrobe hanging on the door with my initials on it: I.C., Isabella Cullen.
The roof was the last stop and maybe the most amazing. When we walked through the roof door, it was like we were in another world! Immediately in front of us was a greenhouse. There was nothing inside yet, but I could just imagine the fresh herbs, tomatoes and flowers that would be gracing our table. Behind that were rows of solar panels and the water recycling area. But the real spectacle was the front of the roof, the part that looked over the water. Esme had covered that entire part of the roof with a bamboo floor. There was a huge grilling space, a working bar, and an area covered with a stunning pergola that was already blooming something sweet smelling and purple.
Under the Pergola was a large bench and a huge bamboo table with matching chairs covered in pretty green cushions. There were large standing lamps around the whole area that looked not unlike the lamp posts in Central Park. We had a clear view of the water - boats were floating by and it was so stunning, so remarkable that I let a few tears trickle down my cheek. How did I get so lucky?
(Edward POV)
There was no other word for it than perfect. From the roof to the paint colors to the floors, everything was perfect and Bella's reactions were priceless. At every turn there was a gasp, a sigh, a tear. She deserved this, she deserved all of it, and I couldn't have been happier to be the one to provide it for her.
As we were leaving the roof and walking down the stairs to see Esme out, Bella turned to me and gave me a wicked grin. I had no idea what it was for, but when her hand found its way to my ass, I had a pretty good idea. As soon as we had closed the door on Esme, I scooped Bella up into my arms.
"Where to angel?"
"So many choices… every room is going to need a proper christening," the sexy, sweet, devilish, dear, sweet, angel said.
"Well, we have about three weeks before we have to leave - I think we can accomplish that. Where to first?"
She smiled, kissed my cheek, and whispered "roof."
I put her down and chased her back up the stairs until we reached the roof door. I pulled her into me and kissed her deeply. We had managed to have sex since the incident, but it was always carefully, delicately. I wasn't in any mood to hold back now. She wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me into her, my cock twitched in anticipation. I opened the door behind her back and slowly walked her outside. The sun had just set and twilight was creeping in.
She started to unbutton my shirt. When she had finished her task, she traced the lines of my stomach muscles with her pinky finger until she reached my jeans. Then she laughed and ran over to the pergola where the chairs and benches were. I followed her, dropping my shirt someplace and found her stretched out on the bench, topless, waiting for me. I was hard, painfully hard. I needed to be with her, to ravage her like I used to. I needed that feeling of slamming into her, wet and hot. I wanted to hold her hips tightly and push into her so deeply, that she enveloped my every inch.
She started to unbutton her pants and wiggled out of them. I followed suit. I grabbed at her panties and pulled them off - they were already damp. I needed to feel how wet and hot she was for me already. I took two fingers and slipped them inside her folds. She was so ready for me.
"Bella, you're so wet."
She writhed at the feeling of my fingers inside of her, and as much as I would have loved to make her come right then, I was greedy - I needed to be inside of her. I stepped out of my boxers, got on the bench, and spread her legs.
Suddenly I was anxious. Was she ready for this? I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if her body couldn't take it.
"Tell me you're strong enough for me Bella. I want to hear you scream for me angel, but I won't if…" she cut me off.
"Fuck me Edward."
That's all I needed to hear. I pulled her closer to me and in one swift move, thrust myself into her. I growled loudly at the sensation. Her tight wet walls sucked me into her as if her body had been waiting for it. I thrust in and out of her greedily. Every move made me want more. I could feel her tighten around me, her breaths became short and I knew she was close. I kept at it, in and out, in and out, feeding my hunger. She came called out my name, and I moaned when I felt the extra burst of warmth from her, but I kept going, I needed more.
My knees were sore, my body was protesting the continual thrusting, but I wasn't ready. I just NEEDED MORE. She was so hot and wet and her constant little moans and chirps egged me on. When she came again, strongly this time, shaking, beads of sweat running down her face, down her body, it drove me wild. I sped up, thrusting furiously - the friction against my shaft was almost too much.
When I heard the sweetest voice in the world say "come for me love," I went over the edge.
After many deep breaths and careful slow movements (and a barrage of giggles from Bella, who found my exhaustion and lack of fluids humorous), we were sitting side by side, naked under our new pergola on our roof.
"Oh!" Bella said as she ran away from me.
I would have protested, but I couldn't quite speak yet. A few moments later, the lights on the roof were on, giving off a warm yellow glow. She came back and sat next to me, her head finding its way to my shoulder. We sat there for hours, nodding off, waking up, talking about the wedding, and just generally talking about nonsense. When finally we were too hungry to sit there any longer, we gathered our clothes, turned off the lights, and made our way to the kitchen where we ordered a Pizza.
*****
(Bella POV)
"Alice, I don't care how expensive the damn thing are; THEY ARE NOT GOING ON MY FEET!"
"Forget expensive, think beauty…"
"Nice try and the answer is still NO! I'm not wearing shoes!"
"BELLA!"
"ALICE!"
"But you HAVE to wear shoes, it's a wedding!"
"Alice, I've let you poke and prod and make into your personal Barbie Doll for a good long while now and haven't complained. But this is MY wedding and if I don't want to wear shoes then dammit I'm not going to!"
Then the Pixie actually pouted, huffed, turned on her heels and stormed out of my room.
"FINE! BUT DON'T EXPECT ME LIKE IT!"
Just then Edward walked in, calm cool and collected.
"What was all that about?"
"You heard?"
"Bella, the whole Chateaux heard."
"Alice was trying to get me to wear those satin torture devices you see in the box there."
"You mean these impossibly high, impossibly thin heeled, beaded satin things here."
"The very ones. I told her I'd rather go barefoot and that's just what I'm going to do! She didn't take it too well."
"She'll just have to deal. Anyway, we don't need shoes - we're getting married in a garden in the back of a Chateaux."
"We? Are you joining me in my shoe-protest?"
"I think I just might," he said as he pulled me toward him and wrapped me in his arms.
"You know," I said playfully, "you still have two days to change your mind…"
"I know. But something tells me that I wouldn't leave France alive if I left you now. If nothing else Alice would have me hunted down and killed."
"Glad to hear she's useful for something."
"HEY! I HEARD THAT!" said a familiar voice from behind us.
"Alice!" we said in unison.
"Spare me. I just made appointments for everyone."
"Appointments for what Alice?" I was almost too scared to ask.
"Pedicures of course! You didn't think I'd let the entire wedding party go barefoot without pedicures! And before you even ask yes, that means you too Edward, and the other guys too. The salon in Avignon is opening early for us. The boys first at 9am, and then all the girls at 11."
"You're something else Alice, you know that?" Edward chimed in
"Yes." And as quickly as she had come, she had gone, leaving us shaking our heads at her brilliant insanity.
Everyone had arrived by that evening and the Chateaux was stuffed to the gills with family and friends. We had the whole place to ourselves thanks to Carlisle and Esme and it was wonderful. The following morning, Edward, Jasper, Emmet and my father left for Avignon to get their pedicures – my Father was particularly vocal about that, but even he was too scared to go against Alice's wishes. Then Alice, Jackie and I went. We had a quick lunch at the Chateaux and then didn't have long before the rehearsal dinner at a restaurant in Avignon that we had rented out for the night.
When dinner over, it was time for Edward and I to say our goodbyes – the next time we would see each other, we'd being getting married. We held each other's hands in the car and he walked me back to our room. I didn't want to him to go.
"To hell with tradition Edward, stay with me tonight? I'm not going to be able to sleep without you."
"NO! NO! NO! Edward you're leaving," said Alice as she pushed him down the hall.
"LOVE YOU!" he yelled as he was stuffed into Alice and Jasper's room.
"Love you too," I said to myself. I actually felt a little sad. Then I remembered that I was being stupid because in a few hours we'd never be apart again.
As expected, I didn't get much sleep. Luckily I got just enough to not look like road kill the next morning. After Breakfast in bed with Alice and Jackie, it was time for the preparations. It started with a body scrub, then a shower. After that was lunch and then two hours of hair, then an hour of makeup all by Alice and Jackie. They got dressed (Jackie and I went back an forth about what he would wear as a bridesmaid, in the end we decided that while amusing, a dress on a 6' 7" guy would just be too distracting and opted for a seersucker vest, matching pants, and a white linen shirt in a matching green to the sweet little green Zac Posen dress that Alice had found). After everyone else was done, it was my turn to change.
Just before the robe came off and the dress went on, there was a knock on the door. It was The Mom's, Sue, Esme, and Rene.
Rene spoke first, "We come baring something old, something new, something borrowed…"
"And I have the something blue," said Jackie. He reached into his pocket and handed me a small object wrapped in blue paper, "it's actually from Edward though." He handed it to me, and inside was a large antique key, painted blue. The handwritten note said:
You don't get to know what it opens until after you're Mrs. Cullen,
Love, your future husband
Thoroughly confused I looked at everyone in the room, they gave me their best innocent looks, I wasn't buying it. Before I could say anything though, Sue came toward me.
"I never had a daughter Bella, I was always worried I wouldn't have anyone to pass this on to, but I do now." She handed me a small suede pouch with beading on it. "My mother gave it to me when I was sixteen; her Grandmother made it and passed it down to my Grandmother. I'm honored to give it to you now."
I reached into the pouch and pulled out a beautiful and delicate three strand silver bracelet. Between the small silver links were intricately carved pieces of white abalone shell. I was so moved by the gesture. We both cried when she put it on my wrist and I hugged her for a long while.
I could hear Jackie in the background mumbling something about makeup and smudges, but this was more important. Next was Esme who had a white jewelry box in her hands. She held it in her hands while I lifted the top to reveal a pair of hair combs that perfectly matched the silver bracelet that Sue had given me. They had small carved white abalone pieces set in shimmering sterling silver. Again, I didn't have the words, so as she placed the two combs in my hair, I let the tears fall and then hugged her.
Rene came up to me last.
"For the sake of 'the borrowed' tradition I'll take this back after the wedding, but they're really yours to have, Honey."
She pulled out a familiar black velvet box from her little purse and put it in my hands. I knew what they were immediately. My Mother only ever wore them on special occasions, and even let me wear them once for my College graduation. They were my Grandmother's pearl earrings.
I opened the box and there they were; the circular pearls at the post and a tear-shaped baroque pearl hanging from it. I was so overwhelmed by now that my hands were shaking. My Mother took the earrings from the box and carefully put them in my ears. I was a crying mess by then and all I could do was sit on the side of the bed, rest my head on my Mother's shoulder and ride out the emotions.
No sooner had I calmed down and stopped crying then Jackie was there with the makeup kit. He re-powdered, re-mascara'd, and who knows what else until he was satisfied with the result. Then I went to the bathroom, took off my robe, and with Jackie and Alice's help, got my wedding dress on. I walked back into the bedroom to three very beautiful Mothers who all gasped at the same time. Hoping it was a good gasp, I looked in the mirror and was once again blown away by the skills of the Pixie and the Fairy.
In lieu of a veil, we decided on more elaborate hairdo that was now topped off with the two abalone combs that Esme had given me. Since we were in Provence and therefore in Lavender country, Alice had put small sprigs of lavender here and there, the effect was so sweet and lovely. I had a crown of braids that spiraled up to a pinnacle where Esme's combs now rested in a field of purple. My makeup was beautiful as usual. Jackie had made me all shimmery and glowing, with every shade of pink imaginable. I looked every much the part of a blushing bride, and more than that, I felt it too.
The door knocked and in walked the florist with two bouquets and a rather elaborate boutonnière for Jackie. Every kind of fragrant wildflower Provence had to offer was in those bouquets. The smell of them immediately filled the room. It was just before sunset when the florist left and Mother Nature was letting us know it was time to get married. My Mother's went ahead to their seats while Alice, Jackie, and I made our way to the garden door where my Father was waiting. He looked very dapper in his navy blue suit and white shirt. When he saw me, he smiled wider than I had ever seen before.
"Don't make me cry again ok? I think Jackie would kill you."
"I'll try my best, but Bella, you look like a painting, just so beautiful." As I struggled to hold back the tears, he continued "Bella, I know this is a weird time and the wrong moment, but I need to ask you something."
"Umm, ok…"
"This is your day, so you say no if you want alright?"
"Dad, please get on with it?"
"Right ok." Just then the flautist and the violist started playing and Alice began her walk through the garden door and then down the aisle. "I love Sue," said my Father.
"Yes dad, so do I." Jackie was next and started walking, "Dad, please spit it out?"
"I want to ask Sue to marry me during dinner."
I turned to him stunned and thrilled at the same time. I gave him a huge hug and smiled, "I would love that Dad!"
The music changed and arm in arm we made our way through the garden door and down the aisle. I could see Edward in his crisp cream colored linen suit and shirt, and no shoes as promised (actually none of us wore shoes, it was wonderful!). His hair was shining in the evening light and even from where I was, I could see the smile on his face as he wiped a tear away.
(Edward POV)
She walked through the gate and every macho promise I had made to myself flew out the window. I couldn't help it; I felt a tears come down my cheek. She was so… she looked like… there were no words. No words could possibly do justice to the vision walking toward me. She was perfection. She was perfection and in a few minutes she'd be mine - legally. She smiled broadly at me as she glided closer and closer.
The next thing I knew, Charlie hugged me. Bella's hand was in mine and I was inches from her beautiful glowing face. I think I spoke some words, I must have, but I'd be damned if I remember what they were.
I heard that magical phrase "I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride."
I put my hand on either side of her face, pulled her toward me, and kissed her – the world disappeared just then, it was just the two of us. I took her hand again and we walked down the aisle, no longer two people, but one.
There were hundreds of photos and hundreds of kisses. When it got dark, we sat under the stars, surrounded by hundreds of twinkling lights and candles, and ate an amazing meal. Just before dessert, we heard a happy squeal and a very loud "yes!" from Sue. Everyone turned to see Sue and Charlie locked in a kiss. It looked as if another wedding was in our future.
We danced. We drank. We enjoyed every second.
Toward the end of the evening, after every drop of champagne and wine had been drunk, Bella turned to me yawning, and asked: "Edward, what was the key for anyway?"
Her eyes were half open; she could barely keep herself upright. Between the wine, champagne, and excitement of the day, she was very obviously exhausted.
"Why don't I tell you in the morning angel? It's time for bed."
"But it's our wedding night, we should be…"
"We have forever to do that, right now you need sleep."
I took her hand and we slowly walked to our room. Luckily Alice had followed us to help me get Bella out of her dress. Once we had finished and she was in her nightgown, Bella put her head on the pillow and quickly fell asleep.
"When are you leaving?" asked Alice.
"I think I'll get changed and do it tonight. I want her to wake up there in the morning. Is everything finished?"
"Ya, Esme went earlier to check it out. She even filled the fridge."
"Perfect. Alice thanks for everything, today was amazing."
"You're welcome. I'll send Jazz over to help with Sleeping Beauty there."
"Thanks." Alice left and I got out of my suit and had changed into some jeans just as Jazz walked through the door. "Hey, I'll get Bella; can you get the bags and the doors?" I asked.
"Sure thing." Together, we managed to get to the bags and Bella to the car without waking her. "Have fun," Jazz whispered as I slowly and quietly drove away knowing we would.
*****
How I managed to get her in the house and into the bed without waking her, I'd never know, but I suspected it had something to do with the many glasses of Champagne Bella had earlier. When morning came, the sun seeped through the curtains illuminating her bubblegum pink toes. Her hair was still in braids and resting against the crisp white sheets, she looked like an apparition, something otherworldly – but she was real, and she was mine.
I had been awake for fifteen or so minutes just looking at her. When her eyes slowly opened, I smiled – that was my wife waking up.
"Good morning Mrs. Cullen."
She smiled at me, "morning Mr. Cullen." She stretched a little, yawned and rubbed her eyes until she looked much more awake. Then she had a look around the room. "Edward?"
"Yes angel," I said with a knowing smirk on my face.
"Where are we? This isn't the Chateaux is it?"
"No, it isn't."
"Then what is it?"
"Home."
"What? What do you mean home?"
"Remember the blue key?" She looked around some more. A slow developing shocked expression materialized on her face.
"Edward you didn't!"
"Yes love, I did."
She threw off the sheets and walked through the white linen curtains, through the open French doors. From the balcony she would see our garden, the pool and patio, and the reason I bought the house in the first place… the lavender field next door. I joined her on the balcony, where she was looking around, taking it all in.
"Do you like it?" I asked as I wrapped my arms around her waist.
"Edward, I don't know what to say."
"Say you like it."
"I love it, I love it so much." She turned around and through the tears that were coming down her face she said, "I don't know what I ever did to deserve all this."
"I could say the same thing angel."
We kissed each other over and over again. I led her to the bed, took off her nightgown, and made love to my wife for the first time. We stayed in that bed all day - laughing, and enjoying each other's bodies. As the sun was going down, I showed Bella the rest of the house. She loved every inch - I knew she would of course. When we got to the kitchen Bella opened the fridge and went about finding a pan and a bowl, and threw together our first meal. I t was our first meal in our new house as Mr. and Mrs. Cullen. There she was, Bella Cullen, my wife, my angel.
Later on, we were sitting on the patio, our feet dangling in the pool. Bella turned to me and said, "Rene has traveled around the world many times over following her happiness. I never really understood it. Why all the fuss, why all that work chasing? I'd follow you anywhere Edward and you're my happiness – I think I finally understand."
"What?" I asked amused, "What do you understand?"
She paused, smiled at me and uttered a single word: "bliss."
*****
Thank you so much for sticking with me and reading, I loved every minute of it. I'm going to post an epilogue in a day or two to let you know how Bella and Edward are doing a few years down the road. I promised happy happy and you'll be getting just a little more of it soon.
Also, I'm going to post a teaser for the new story, I hope every one of you follow me there! It's a Southern Vampire Mystery based story (or Tru-Blood, or Sookie Stackhouse, whatever you'd like to call it), but it's all human and I guarantee you, even if you haven't read the books or seen the TV show, you'll enjoy it!
Thank you again much for all your comments and thoughts; it's been such a wonderful experience for me!
-Zhiv