Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter Thirty Eight: Manipulation

CPOV

My most important task was to steer clear of Aro for the next few hours. Not an easy thing to accomplish with an uncle as paranoid as him. When we stepped off the gondola and back into the party, Alice and Bella took off skipping, hoping to disguise a frantic pace with an enthusiastic one, to find Jasper. I took a casual stride, to find Carmen and I hoped, Eleazar.

I found Tanya first. "Carlisle? We've heard Bella is ill?"

I hugged my cousin tightly to reassure her, "Bella is fine. She's back at the party in fact. Alice dragged her off, most likely to get primped or something."

The beautiful blonde sighed in relief, "Oh thank goodness, we were so worried."

"Yes, I was too but I keep forgetting what an amazing creature my newborn wife is," I smiled down at her.

She reached up to touch my cheek, "I'm so happy for you, babushka. It's been too long coming."

I took her hand in mine, "Thank you cousin. It has indeed, I'm actually looking for El.. have you seen him?" I felt a tap on my shoulder, I turned to find Emmett grinning at me, "Hey there Pops! Time for my toast yet?"

"Sure, we just need the bride."

"Cool, I'll go get her." With that ,he galloped happily off to find Bella.

I turned back to Tanya, "I have to find El, in the meantime, tell your sisters to stay off the Zeppelin." I winked at her, but I needed her to understand the importance of my request so I continued to emphasize on a more serious note, "I don't need you or your sisters casting a critical eye on the meager bedroom arrangements for my bride."

Her eyebrow lifted skeptically at my tone call her what you will, Tanya was always quick to pick up on intrigue, "Alright, dahling.. we won't disturb the honeymoon suite," she kissed my cheek and turned to disappear into the crowd, no doubt in search of her succubi sisters to implant my less than subtle warning.

Eleazar caught sight of me from across the length of level two and waved at me furiously, "Carlisle!" He zipped to my side, "I heard you mention to Tanya that you were looking for me?"

I laughed, "Thanks."

"For what?" He looked puzzled.

For the reminder that nothing we say or do here is private, "Nothing. Listen, Jasper needs your help on level five."

"What's up?"

"Nobody tells me anything, I'm just the messenger old buddy!" I slapped him on the back as jovially as I could and took off to find Rosalie. I found her easily holding court with half a dozen young looking bucks who were all in the Volturi Guard. "Hey Dad!" She welcomed me and I was treated to a round of congratulations from all of the men who were engaged in a serious debate over, [what else?] Automobiles.

I finally managed to interject a word to Rose, "Alice said she needs your help with Bella's hair in the level three make up room. She got a bit tussled from her fainting spell." I kissed her temple and turned to the men, "Sorry guys, she's essential personnel this evening!"

Rose frowned at me, "She's alright then? We'd heard she was.."

I cleared my throat, "She's just fine. Nothing to worry about dear, run along now." I winked at her and making her apologies she took off through the crowd. I watched her path for a moment before I realized the circle of men were no longer looking at me. I turned to find Aro at my shoulder. "Uncle."

"How is she my boy?" He unconsciously reached for my hand and frowned when he brought up my glove.

"She's fine Uncle. I often forget that she's a newborn, her emotions tend to overwhelm her still at times. The information you gave her was just a bit too much for this evening.."

"I am so sorry, I didn't realize," he shook his head sadly.

"No, no of course not. Don't worry, she'll be good as new. Alice is working on her makeup as we speak and the toast will be delayed only a little. In the meantime, I've heard the boys are organizing a treat for our guests!" I smiled as I pointed to the electronic marquis on the Zeppelin that was now slowly circling the wedding Amphitheater. It currently read:

"Congratulations Carlisle and Bella!"

"How clever!" Aro cooed with delight.

Sulpicia's voice cut through the air, "What an outstanding idea to bring back an airship for your honeymoon nuptials, Carlisle. I used to love the plush accommodations they provided, but they were always so noisy as I recall."

"Auntie." I turned and nodded to her as respectfully as I could, "Emmett helped design this one to prevent that, actually. Are you interested in seeing what we managed to accomplish?"

"Why thank you, nephew.. Am I actually being invited into the inner sanctum of the honeymoon suite?" she purred.

"Well, maybe not into the actual bedroom, but perhaps a trial run in the living room would give you an excellent view in the moonlight.. what do you say?"

"It sounds wonderful, Carlisle! Shall we?" Aro took Sulpicia's arm and no sooner had we begun the climb to the final platform, than Alice appeared.

"Carlisle, have you forgotten something?" she raised an eyebrow as if to chastise me. "You do realize that you have important responsibilities to perform and yet, I've seen you showing your Aunt and Uncle aboard the Zepplin, boasting about Emmett and Rosalie while everyone waits on you for hours!" her voice ending up on a squeak.

I think Aro was struggling to keep his laughter to a minimum beside me. "Oh, ah.. well I ah.. You know it's just..."

"Turn around," she commanded and twisting my shoulders, pointed me back towards Level 4.

I pushed back against her gently resisting for a moment, "Sorry Auntie, this might take some time... Uncle Aro would you like to attend the garter toss?" I asked innocently while Sulpicia fumed at the slight.

"MARCH MISTER!" Alice's voice firmly rang out and Aro's laughter could no longer be contained. We both headed toward the lower level, leaving my Aunt standing on the steps alone and fairly furious.

BPOV

Alice was nothing if not thorough. My makeup was perfected just as Rosalie found her way into the makeup room. Alice excused herself and Rosalie took up the brush. "You still look a little pale, Bella." She chastised.

"Listen up, Rose. I had an episode, I went back in time again. I found out something pretty horrible and we're going to make it right.. tonight."

Once I caught Rosalie up to speed, we found Alice already organizing a line up for the airbus 'rides'. The ship was built to handle up to one hundred humans, which meant it could carry about thirty immortals comfortably. Rose took to 'recruiting' passengers for the first 'ride' while I made my way down to find Emmett.

"Hey Bells! Ready to find your new hubby so I can do the toast?" Emmett's big smile warmed my soul.

"Have you asked the cousins to pass out the goblets yet?"

"Yep, already on it."

"Well, let's go then." I took his arm and we headed down to the second level easily finding Carlisle and his 'family' discussing the marquis on the blimp that was taking it's first tour around the venue.

The cousins were dutifully passing out the warmed goblets, impressing upon our guests which were animal and which were 'the real thing'. We didn't discuss the methods by which it was obtained, they didn't have to know humans hadn't died to supply their pleasure this evening.

Emmett stood on a chair and started to speak, "To the newest Mrs. Cullen and her happy soulmate, my Dad! Here's to it and from it and to it again, if you ever get to it to do it and don't, may you never get to it to do it again!" He raised his glass and everyone mimicked him, drinking to our 'health' and Carlisle took me in his arms and gave me a passionate kiss while the crowd cheered us on.

"No chance of that happening, son!" Carlisle boasted after coming up for air. Everyone laughed and cheered and we all headed up the steps to level three.

"I lost it... I think I left it at the Lodge.." I whimpered to Alice under my breath.

Alice huffed, "I can't leave you alone for an instant, can I?" She pulled the bouquet out from seemingly thin air as she grinned, "See? No problem."

I sighed, "Fine, I'll toss it.. but you have to corral the female singles.."

She winked, "Will do."

"When does the second tour take off?"

Her eyes glazed over, "In about twenty minutes."

"Hurry then!" I hissed, and grabbed the bouquet as I headed for the ledge on level four. I took my place waving the sadly worn bouquet of roses and stephanotis over the crowd below me. I watched Alice who was poetry in motion, gathering the girls anxious for a chance at the age old tradition. As the milling crowd saw me and realized what we were trying to accomplish, things came together rather quickly.

Finally, Alice spoke on the wireless mic, "Okay Mrs. Cullen, turn around and no peeking!"

I pivoted in place and listened to the crowd join in on her count down, "Ready? One... Two... Three!" I tossed the flowers toward what I perceived as the middle of the gathered girls and when I turned, Tanya stood there proudly displaying the bouquet to all the other saddened faces.

"Congratulations, Cousin!" Alice beamed over the microphone, "Extra warmed goblets for everyone else!" As she led them towards the level four bar.

"Your arm has gotten better, perhaps it's all that swimming you've been doing," Carlisle's voice was like soothing balm for my nerves.

"Carlisle." Without apology or warning I fell into his ready embrace.

He pressed his lips to my hair and breathed softly over my face gently washing me in his delicious scent, "My Bella." He ran his lips lightly across my temple and whispered into my ear, "I have a pedestal to put you on my dear."

I grinned, "Is that so? Any ulterior motives my beloved?"

"Mayhaps..." he kissed my eyes and cheeks before attacking my mouth with fervor. As always, I forgot where we were, or that time was even passing as I fell into his passionate embrace. Our tongues dancing in tandem, massaging each other shamelessly and delighting in their effects..

"Ahem." Alice cleared her throat. "It's time, Carlisle."

He hugged me tighter briefly and withdrew his tongue, but not his lips, "Go away, Alice."

"Can't, it's time."

I sighed sadly, "She's right lover, we have to do this." He nodded and lifted me up onto the aforementioned pedestal.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," Alice's voice rang out over the crowd, "It's time to inspect the legs of our Grooms' Bride! Come on Gents, get in line to watch the extraction and release of the Garter!"

Carlisle turned to the crowd and found Caius and Aro at the forefront, he waved them forward enthusiastically,

"Come one come all, this may be the only chance you'll ever get to see a couple of my new wife's best assets!" I couldn't allow that comment to pass without knocking him upside the back of his head and everyone laughed while he rubbed his 'sore' spot.

"Not the best way to get on her good side, Carlisle!" someone called out from the edges of the crowd.

Laughter ensued.

He turned to grab the hem of the very narrow skirt and basically rolled it up my legs, reminding me of opening a can of tuna with a key. As his hands perused my thighs, a whistle or two rang out from the crowd and Carlisle took the opportunity to pause a couple of times before arriving at the garter's location. Then, leaning over, he grabbed the lacy thing with his teeth and pulled it down the length of my leg with his face. I gently lifted my foot for him and once he'd freed the thing from me, I pushed his face away gently with it. My duty completed, I rushed off to the next level with Rose.

AN: Please take just a moment to use the "Review This Chapter" button below!
Thank you for reading!