Edward hesitated outside the double doors. His father and all of the important men in the Cullen Family were just behind those doors.
The guards stood pretending not to see him. They didn't want to bring to his attention that they knew he was nervous.
"Edward? You ready for this man?" Santiago asked
Turning to look at his cousin and his right-hand man.
"Are you ready for this?…. Were basically in training now. I mean if our fathers go on vacation or just don't want to deal with it…we are in charge….."
"What I want to know is when you decided you were ready to get married…." Santiago asked
Edward smirked.
"come on … let's get this over with…"
The room was dimly lit as every head of their allied families was present.
His father and uncle stood at the center.
Edward noticed his brothers in the corner. Namely, jasper looking very smug. Almost like he had some secret no one knew about. But Edward didn't have time to figure it out. He needed to focus.
"Edward Mason Cullen, step forward." His grandfather called.
Following tradition, Edwards grandfather Anthony Cullen whom they called Nonno would preside over the ceremony.
Edward stepped forward.
"Hold out your right hand….."
He did as told.
His grandfather pulled out a long silver knife and swiftly but quickly cut Edwards palm.
His father then handed his grandfather, a white card with St john on it. The saint of loyalty.
From the day his father pronounced him the next don, Edward knew he hadn't seen the full version of the family business. He had only been given scraps and pieces. Only called when needed. He was allowed to work on his own businesses and his own endeavors but after tonight, his very life was in the hands of this organization.
His grandfather then lit the card on fire and motioned Edward to come closer. He then angled Edward's bloody hand over the card.
His blood dripped unto the card, staining it crimson. His grandfather then passed the bloody and yet still lit card to his uncle and then his uncle passed it on to Aro and so on.
With efficient speed, the card was handed back to Edward, who in turn had to let the flame burn out in his hand. Even if it meant burning his fingertips.
Edward didn't react as the burning card disintegrated on his palm.
Edward then repeated his Grandfathers words and committed his life to the family.
At least for now, he thought.
Santiago was put through the same ceremony.
And once the serious moment was up, the duo was swarmed with pats on the back and congratulations.
However, it was Edward who was swarmed the most.
"Grandson! That was some announcement! Why haven't met this mystery fiancée before?"
Edward gave his grandfather a hard look but kept his voice respectful.
"I value her privacy and protection Nonno. I assure you will meet her when she's ready."
Anthony was taken aback.
"I'm sorry, what do you mean when she's ready? I mean…what family is she from? Is she a Volturi? A Cameron? Oh! She's a Fedorov! A Rossi? For crying out loud Edward we-"
"oh Nonno! lay off of poor Eddy. This is just something Edward made up for everyone to get off his back. Within a few months, he and his fake fiancée will break up…isn't that right little brother… whoever she is. Some whore, right? You must have paid her a lot to put her mouth on-"
The words didn't make it out of jaspers mouth because before anyone could stop him, Edward had his hand wrapped around his older brother's throat. And with one swift move, he threw jasper across the room.
Edward felt hands trying to restrain him but all he saw was red. And in the background, he heard the sound of doors being thrown open, but nothing could stop him.
He had had enough of his brothers' mouth. Jasper always tore him down and always had to have the last word and Edward knew his brother was just jealous, but he would not stand for this disrespect.
Somehow Edward had gotten away from the hands and arms that tried to hold him back and landed a swift kick into his brothers' abdomen. He probably broke a rib, but this would be the last time his brother ever spoke out of turn to him, Especially about his wife.
Ignoring the sound of guns being drawn, Edward crouched down to his older brother and lifted his bloody chin.
"Enough Jasper. No more. Do you hear me? No more. Don't test my patience. Because next time…I won't hold back."
With that said, Edward stood up and allowed himself to come back to the moment. He didn't survey the room, He didn't look at his elders, he simply fixed his suit jacket and tie and walked out the door.
….
Bella looked at Aaron as if he were crazy.
"Aaron? It's not a masquerade ball. Why wear a mask?" she asked
"well, Mrs. Cullen" he teased "I'm sure you nor Edward are quite ready for the paparazzi to get a hold of your identity…now I believe Mr. Cullen will be back soon and I'm sure he will ask you to dance. How do you feel?"
"...nervous…am I doing this too fast? Aren't we rushing…?"
Aaron shook his head.
"not in this family ma'am. With Edward's position he needed to be married soon. In all truth, his family was going to just arrange his marriage to a woman from their closest friends…but...then you came along and that man came …alive... so please...-"
"Bella?"
Bella looked away from Aaron to see Edward entering the room.
"oh! Your back…that was only an hour? It seemed shorter…?" she asked blushing.
"I don't like to keep my wife waiting. Now, how about a game of pool?" he asked
"actually Mr. Cullen, why don't you take Mrs. Cullen to the dance floor. I'm sure she would love a dance?" Aaron suggested.
Both Edward and Bella began to hesitate, but Aaron shook his head.
"ill choose the song, you both just be in the center of the dance floor."
Once Aaron left, the couple was left alone again, the room they were in being heavily guarded.
"Are you alright…you look…angry?" Bella questioned
Edward sighed.
"my brother…he said some very vile things…and .. I lost my cool. I never lose my cool, but the disrespect from his has been suffocating. Are you alright?"
"it's taking a while to adjust too…I mean… no one knows who I am but I'm assuming that's a good thing?"
"for now yes…besides...I don't like sharing…"
Bella let out a small laugh.
"I noticed that… especially cereal…your very stingy…"
…
Esme sat between Rosalie and Gabriella, as mia fanned her.
"Mama! You cannot pass out on people like that!" Mia complained.
"oh, shut it, Mia. She just found out her once asexual son is Engaged and didn't follow any kind of protocol or tradition! And what makes it worse is we have no idea who she is!" Rosalie sneered.
"rose! Edward is not…asexual...he just needs a little help in ..um...that department… What I don't understand is how he could just embarrass me like this I-"
"Esme! Esme!"
The women turned to see Jill Roberts running over to them.
"is it true? Edwards finally getting married?"
"oh well, I don't think so Jill I think he's just playing some kind of practical joke…."
"relay a joke…I don't think it's very funny… It's actually kind of cruel..." Jill said angrily.
Esme didn't get to respond because Warm hands wrapped around her.
"jill could you excuse us for a moment..."
Esme turned to her husband, who was looking oddly calm.
"Carlisle what is going on! Can you believe this? Please tell me this is just some cruel joke Edward is doing?"
Carlisle frowned.
"Now all of you listen up. All questions and answers will be done at home. Now is not the place. Do you understand…" he ordered.
Every family member within earshot nodded. They knew not to test the patriarch.
The tense moment was interrupted when the crowd began to whisper and soon people were spreading out.
"What's going on?" Charlie asked as he appeared beside Carsile and Esme.
Kate was by his side but silent.
"I don't know it seems like they're clearing the dance floor," Carlisle responded.
"Wait a second…is – is Edward going to dance?" Alistair asked
No one responded because for the third time this night, Edward was shocking Everyone. There he was walking to the center fo the dance floor and next to him was a brown-haired girl wearing a blue diamond-encrusted gown.
"oh, my lord! Look at her dress!" Gabriella commented. "and why is she wearing that mask!? This has to be a set up!"
Her comments were quickly drowned out when a song came on.
…
Bella swallowed hard as the music came on. She had no clue how to dance. And she was definitely going to fall!
"relax la mia anima… I have you. Just forget about everyone else … it's just us…." Edward whispered in her ear.
Bella chuckled.
"How can you tell me to relax when your palms are sweaty." She whispered to him.
Edward laughed.
Heartbeats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave
How can I love when I'm afraid to fall
But watching you stand alone
All of my doubt, suddenly goes away somehow
One step closer
"When you proposed. You said Bella swan….not Dwyer….Why?"
Edward brushed his lips on her jaw and said,
"I needed you to see that every connection you once had to the people who have hurt you and abandoned you, they no longer matter. You're a Cullen now honey, and nothing will ever change that and no one will take you from me not me from you "
I have died everyday, waiting for you
Darling, don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
Time stands still
Beauty in all she is
I will be brave
I will not let anything, take away
What's standing in front of me
Every breath, every hour has come to this
One step closer
"When we separated…did you think we would get back together?" Bella asked
"..I…no, no I didn't …I lost hope…listen Bella. This life is dangerous… and right now, someone is after me… and we have some…traitors in the family. Two snakes that need to be killed with one rock. So with all that going on and no hope for us….I didn't think you'd come back…..i had truly lost hope and yet…tonight...here you were and I just knew. My belief that you were the one for me was solidified. I couldn't have asked for more…"
"Edward all of this attention gives me anxiety. The paparazzi, the security guards…the suspicious eyes…Nothing going to make me leave you ever again…but that doesn't make it any less uncomfortable."
"and that's what I love about you… you don't want the spotlight or attention. You don't want the money or the glamour. Your just…real. So real…for me…Thank you Bella."
Darling, don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
And all along I believed, I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me, I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
One step closer
One step closer
I have died everyday, waiting for you
Darling, don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
And all along I believed, I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me, I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
"Edward...I think it's time for me to get to bed…." Bella said sleepily.
"I think so too. I'm going to be here for a while. Aaron will take you home and secure the premises."
"you owe that man a pay raise…" Bella yawned
Edward chuckled.
"I think I do…Good night Mrs. Cullen."
"Goodnight…Mr. Cullen."