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The Last Sunset

By Francesca Mundy

Chapter 43. Parties and Secrets

Edward Point Of View

I heard Zahra and Jasper make their way down the stairs as I stood at the altar. I was worried I would be the first vampire in history to faint, I was so nervous. I felt Jasper's calmness wash through the room and let it envelop me. July 23rd, happy birthday me! I heard Zahra's voice fill my head and suddenly the feeling of calm was gone, and I became even more nervous, if that was even possible. I tried to stay where I was but not seeing my angel, was killing me.

Like the dress? Was all I heard my angel think before I nearly flew from my place and kiss her full, soft, beautiful lips. She began walking down the aisle, she looked amazing in her dress and Alice had done brilliantly with her make-up. Who am I kidding; there is no word suitable to describe her beauty!

When they finally stood in front of me, Jasper put her hand into mine and as he did I felt, love. Pure love. It was so utterly wonderful, but as soon as I felt it, I also felt Jasper tense beside me. "Sorry Jazz" I whispered so quietly only he could hear me, but I also noticed Zahra apologise too. It's fine, good luck. I smiled and nodded at Jasper as he walked away, leaving me with a cover of calm and my beautiful angel.

She looked into my eyes, as I looked into hers. Carlisle began the ceremony, but it went all to slow. I wanted to take Zahra and leave for our honeymoon, right then. Don't you dare, Edward! I heard Alice shout at me, in her head. I mentally changed my plans to stay. Good. I could hear the smile through her voice.

"Zahra, do you take Edward Anthony Mason Cullen to be your lawfully wedded husband. Will you love, honour and cherish him. To have and to hold from this day forward, for as long as you both shall live" Zahra's smile turned into Emmett's grin as she answered Carlisle. "I do" she said. "Edward do you take Zahra Simmons to be your lawfully wedded wife. Will you love, honour and cherish her. To have and to hold from this day forward, for as long as you both shall live" I felt my smile, match, if not beat Zahra's as I replied "I do"

"Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you, husband and wife. Edward, you may now kiss your bride."I breathed out saying "finally" so quietly, I doubted anyone but Zahra or Carlisle heard me. I took her hands, and kissed her passionately. All my senses were knocked out of me, forgetting our audience. Carlisle tapped my shoulder after a bit too long and I ruefully pulled away. "And yes, I love the dress." I whispered into her ear. She smiled at me as we walked back down the aisle and up the stairs to get changed for the party, while having flower petals thrown over our heads.

I went into our room and quickly grabbed my less dressy, tux and changed. When I came back into our room, Zahra was in front of the mirror, and I walked over to her and snaked my arms around her waist, kissed her head and gently stroked her hair. "You look amazing, love." I said to her and she smirked up at me and placed a chased kiss on my lips before walking through the door saying "You look gorgeous." She paused for a second. "You know, I thought I wouldn't like the attention, but I'm getting used to it" I chuckled and kissed her cheek. We talked for a while before I finally gave in and told Zahra that Alice had been screaming in my head for us to get downstairs for the past five minutes, so we collected ourselves and I took her hand as we walked down the stairs together, officially, Mr and Mrs Cullen.

As we made our way down the stairs and the cheering got louder, and Zahra's smile got bigger. I like this sort of attention. I heard her think and I chuckled again, as she elbowed me playfully. Everyone met us at the bottom of the stairwell. First was my family who all embraced her, even Rosalie, who was actually genuinely pleased that Zahra was joining out family. Then there was the Denali coven, Benjamin and his coven, the Amazons and pretty much every vampire that came to help us with the Volturi except Stefan and Vladimir, which I didn't mind, and neither did anyone else, apparently.

The werewolves were here, to make sure none of the guests went hunting went on, in or around Forks and La Push, and to accompany Bella and Jacob. I had told the other humans that Zahra and I would be leaving straight away for our honeymoon, so they would leave the non-humans to be more 'themselves' as I had told Zahra. I had been sure to keep our honeymoon a complete secret from Zahra, but practically everyone but her knew.

The first song came on and I pulled Zahra onto the dance floor, and wrapped my arms around her, swaying and staring into one another's eyes, lovingly. After the song finished, other joined us on the dance floor. Jasper and Emmett were taking turns with the DJ equipment, until the slow songs began to play, and Carlisle and Esme joined us. "May I borrow our new daughter for a dance" We both smiled at Carlisle, as he and Zahra started dancing. Esme soon asked me to dance while Zahra was with Carlisle. She danced with our family, Jacob and Seth, and talked to Bella. It was obvious that she wasn't very comfortable with anyone else.

When things started to die down I went to have a word with my wife. I will never tire or saying that. I told herwe were leaving for the honeymoon just before the end of the reception so that we could say goodbye to everyone. "Alice has already packed our bags and they are in the car waiting" she groaned. "What is it, love?" I asked as she pulled me aside. "You let Alice, pack my bag. Alice Cullen, the world's best shopper and future seeing vampire." I chuckled. "I wasn't going to let her, love, but she made me." I kissed her hair and lead her back over to Bella and Jacob who we were previously talking to. I left them alone for a moment but couldn't help but listen in on her conversation.

"So Zahra, where are going for the honeymoon?" Bella asked. "Like I would be allowed to know, it has been classified as top secret." Bella laughed. "Don't worry everyone else will find out once you're out of hearing distance." Alice danced over to them once she realised where the conversation was heading. "Alice that is hardly fair, the bride can't know her own honeymoon destination?" Alice patted her head, in her very, Alice like style. "Sorry, I'm under strict orders from you know who." Zahra nodded and I laughed quietly to myself. I made everyone promise not to tell Zahra and I could tell she was finding it extremely frustrating.

"Edward?" Zahra called. I went to stand beside her. "Yes, love?" I said, whilst kissing her hair. "You're not really going to keep a secret from your wife, are you?" She said, in the most seductive voice I had ever heard. If I were human, my knees would have buckled there and then. And as if to make it worse, she brushed her lips gentle against mine. "Maybe we could leave early?" I said through heavy breaths. Wow, who know I could seduce Edward Cullen... I heard her thoughts and they seemed to snap me out of her trance. I put my hands around her waist and pulled her closer, and whispered in her ear "yes, who knew..."I gentle rested my head on hers."Love, until you're in control of your ability, I very much doubt you can keep anything from me" I said. "But we could still leave early" I breathed into her ear. I could tell I had the same effect on her.

"No!" Alice shouted at us, breaking us apart and alerting everyone in the room to our little conversation. "I have everything planned, no one is leaving early, and I mean, no one, Edward." She pointed her finger at us both, then her eyes glazed over and she had a faraway look in her eyes. I looked into her mind to see us giving in and staying. At the sight, she broke into a huge grin and walked away. "I wonder who won that round" Zahra said to me as she unwrapped herself from me and walked over to Bella.

!x~Frankie~x!