Disclaimer: All characters belong to Stephanie Myer.
Hope you enjoy.
~0~0~0~0~0~
Carlisle had learnt to deal with a lot of different emotions in his life.
He'd overcome his father's constant disappointment in him since a little age, when he realised that no matter how hard he worked or how hard he tried, his father could never move on from his mother's death. Carlisle had dealt with the misery that surrounded the burnings every night in the village, he had managed to not look people in the eye and block out noises, so he could pretend he was anywhere else.
He had learnt to get over his hatred towards himself, when he had first been changed, and the anger he had directed towards the vampire who had bit him. He had decided that if this was the path that had been chosen for him, he was going to use it to make a difference, to become someone he could one day be proud of. He had conquered the thirst, even though it had been brutally hard, and he had learnt to stitch up the most bloodiest of wounds without feeling the urge to succumb to his natural desires.
Carlisle had experienced many exciting moments in his life, like coming over from England and creating a whole new chapter for himself. He had had a taste for adventure, and new beginnings, and nerves when it came to trying to fit into society again. Nothing had been easy, but he had done it.
But, falling in love was a completely different feeling for him, and one that he had never felt before in all his long life, and one that he was confident that he would never share with anyone else other than Esme.
Her childish curiousity gave him joy, her compassion and love for the people closest to her made him want to be just as kind, the way she had opened up to him about her ex husband and her baby had given him the strength to open up to her and realise that it was not a weakness to do so. Her smile made her beautiful face even brighter, and her laugh brought his heart such happiness that he knew no one else would ever manage.
As he stood at the alter of the church, waiting for Esme and Edward to arrive, he thought back to a couple of nights ago and smiled softly.
"Can I tell you a secret?" Esme had asked softly, as she leant further in the warm and comforting presence of Carlisle's body beside her. They stood together on the balcony of the house, watching as the light around them disappeared into the incoming night. It had become something they both enjoyed doing together; ending the day beside one another and welcoming in the night.
Carlisle's lips hadn't been able to resist twitching into a smile, finding her sudden shyness endearing. He stood with one arm lightly around her waist, finding it nearly impossible to resist the urge to keep contact with her. The smallest of grazes meant everything to him. "You can tell me anything." He promised her.
"I…" She trailed off in embarrassment.
Turning to look at her face, Carlisle noticed how her teeth were sinking into her bottom lip and quickly realised that she was unsure of what to say. Wanting to reassure her, he kissed her temple softly. "Tell me." He encouraged.
Esme met his gaze. "I don't know how to dance."
His eyes widened slightly, but not through surprise or horror at her revelation. "Why were you embarrassed to tell me that? There is no shame in not knowing how to dance, everyone has to learn from the beginning. Besides, you grew up on a farm, so I doubt there were any balls thrown there. Remember, I know the town you grew up in."
"Well, I'm sure you know." In fact, Esme would be willing to put money on betting that Carlisle was an expert on it. He had a natural ability to excel in anything that was put in front of him.
Carlisle had all the grace and poise that Esme had always lacked growing up. She was still not used to having the balance that being a vampire had given her. In her first wedding, there had never been the traditional first dance.
"Well, I have had over two hundred years to practise." Carlisle reminded her. He knew many styles of dance, as the Volturi - well, Aro in particular - had enjoyed throwing magnificent parties. "I can teach you, we have plenty of time."
Esme raised an eyebrow. "I can't guarantee that I won't step on your foot." She cautioned.
Carlisle chuckled, wrapping his other arm around her waist and pulling her against him. Having her so close and feeling her body against his like this made him impatient to marry her. It wasn't just because of the physical desire he felt for her either. Whenever he held her, he was able to focus on her and reflect just how lucky he was to have her in his life, and he couldn't wait till the day came where he would finally be able to call her his wife.
"That's okay." Carlisle said, resting a loving kiss on her waiting lips and whispering against them, "I won't mind."
With Carlisle's gentle instruction, the two of them spent the night dancing on the balcony in the cool breeze, with the stars above them.
He would mumble to her encouragingly as they danced, leading her through the different steps and giving her instructions soothingly to avoid ruffling her temper when she got something wrong. Her concentration was pretty impressive, and he hoped it wasn't the only reason she was so comfortable being close to him. He, for one, was having a pretty difficult time concentrating on what he was doing, as he would often look down at her and end up staring at her beautiful, currently focused face.
"You're doing fine, Esme." He reassured her as they finished a more complicated set of steps.
She looked at him and huffed. "You're just saying that." She had elbowed him three times; twice in the ribs and one in the face. "A little less complicated dance would have probably been a good idea to begin with."
Carlisle knew her well enough now to know the difference between her cross temper and her teasing temper. Today, she was clearly trying very hard to get it right, so he wasn't worried about her snapping at him.
"Esme, this is a standard box step." He reminded her. "It's the most simple of moves I've shown you so far."
Esme rolled her eyes, but pouting her lips got her just what she wanted; a quick kiss from her fiancee.
Despite feeling annoyed at herself for muddling her feet up, Esme smiled. "You are quite a distractive teacher."
Carlisle grinned. "Is that a complaint?"
"Definitely not," Esme said, nuzzling his nose with hers affectionately, making them both chuckle.
Just as Esme captured his lips in hers for a long kiss, the door downstairs opened suddenly. Edward was home.
Esme and Carlisle parted quickly, trying to rein in their thoughts. Esme hid her mouth with her shirt collar in order to mask her embarrassed laugh.
"Don't let me interrupt your dance lesson." Edward said with amusement, knowing exactly what his parents had been up to. "I'd hate to distract you both when you've clearly been working so hard."
Carlisle gave Esme a wink before replying to his son, "Part of dancing is enjoying your partner's company." He shot back in good humor. "Which is what we were doing." That comment earned him a playful swat from Esme.
Downstairs, Edward heard the exchange and chuckled. Carlisle did not have to see him himself to know that the bronze haired had probably rolled his eyes.
"Well, then I guess you two won't want to accompany me out hunting, seeing as you are clearly having enough fun here." Edward commented.
Carlisle glanced to Esme, but she replied before he could. "Don't be silly, Edward. We'll join you."
As she passed her fiancee on the way to the door, Esme whispered in his ear, "Behave yourself."
Carlisle was jostled back from his fond memory at the sound of an approaching car, which he instantly recognised as his own car, containing his son and his soon-to-be wife. He naturally straightened, eyes locking with the current empty doorway of the church.
~0~0~0~0~0~
Esme felt sick. Not a bad sick, but a nervous sick that made her feel as if she had swallowed butterflies, and they were now swarming around in her stomach.
Could vampires even get sick?
Her insides felt knotted, as if someone had pulled them out, scrambled them together and shoved them back in. She was restless, finding it hard to stay still for longer than three seconds before she was back on her feet and pacing.
"Esme," Carmen said softly as she entered the room, with the white dress supported carefully over her arms. "Stop worrying yourself. Today is going to be perfect."
Today. Today was her wedding day, and try as she may, Esme could not settle her nerves.
She couldn't quite decide whether her nerves were through excitement, worry or a mixture of both. Of course, she had been dreaming about this day for a long time. It had completely taken the main focus of her thoughts ever since Carlisle had proposed to her. It still hadn't quite sunken in that he wanted her to be his wife, or that in a few short hours, she would be Mrs Esme Cullen.
Although she knew she had nothing to worry about, she couldn't help but allow herself to think of her first marriage, as that was her only experience of being a wife. She remembered how scared she had felt that day, waiting at her house to be taken to the church with her father. She remembered asking him if she really had to do this, and asking what Charles was like. She barely knew the man, and unfortunately, he had turned out to be everything she had never wanted.
But, she knew Carlisle, better than she had ever known anyone else, and she took comfort from that. There were still things she wished to find out about him - but, he had been around for nearly three hundred years. She knew his soul though, and she knew that he would always protect and love her, even though sometimes she still found it hard to believe.
The church appeared in front of them, at the far end of the winding round. It was just as beautiful as she remembered it being; grand, with its stone-grey wall contrasting with it's green surroundings. Luckily, just as they had planned, the clouds were covered in a thick band of clouds. Esme allowed herself a moment to enjoy the humour in the situation; most brides would hate to have this weather on their wedding day, whereas she was relieved.
Slowly, the car came to a stop, and Edward darted round and appeared by her opened door. He offered her hand and helped her out, even though they both knew she didn't need the assistance. Her nerves settled slightly at the contact.
Edward linked their arms together, giving her hand a comforting rub. "Breathe, Esme." He mumbled in her ear. "You look beautiful. Today will be perfect."
A week before the wedding, Esme had asked Edward to walk her down the aisle. It partly to settle her nerves, but she had also wanted desperately for him to do it, and he had happily accepted, seeming more than content to take on this role as well as being Carlisle's best friend. She knew how much it meant to him, and she felt so blessed that he could share their special day with them. Hopefully soon, she would be watching him at his own wedding...
"Slow down there, tiger." Edward whispered to her quietly. "Let's focus this wedding first, before you get carried away."
Esme squeezed his arm gently. "Thank you, Edward. For everything,"
Together, they made their way up the stairs to the opened doors, and Esme's eyes instantly landed on Carlisle, stood at the alter waiting for her. Gosh, he was so breath-taking. She practically swooned at the sight of him, dressed in his suit with his hair neatly styled and his eyes glowing with his dashing smile.
He looked ready to burst with pride as he watched her, his eyes taking in every detail, from her hair to her dress to her vale. He had never seen anything so beautiful in all his life.
Edward gave her one last smile before handing her to her fiance, who gladly took her hands and squeezed them, and Esme beamed up at him.
As Esme and Carlisle stood hand in hand, the priest started the ceremony. His words echoed around them, but Esme's main focus was on the man stood in front of her. How had she been so lucky to find him again, the literal man of her dreams who had been at the back of her mind for all those years?
With all her focus on Carlisle, Esme had barely picked up on the fact that they were currently standing with a human. She could barely hear his beating heart, and her thirst was a mere tickle at the back of her throat, which she could easily ignore. Nothing else mattered to her right now.
"Carlisle," The priest said, finally gaining Carlisle's attention. "Do you take Esme to be your lawfully wedded wife, to live in a state of holy matrimony? Will you love, honour, comfort and cherish her from this day forward, keeping only unto her for as long as you both shall live?"
He had never been more sure of anything in his whole life. "I do."
"And, Esme." The priest turned to her, and she straightened. Clearly, Carlisle had not been the only one who had been distracted. "Do you take Carlisle to be your lawfully wedded husband, to live in a state of holy matrimony? Will you love, honour, comfort and cherish him from this day forward, keeping only unto him for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do." Esme said, her voice full of confidence and excitement.
"Carlisle, repeat after me." The priest instructed, and said the vows.
"I, Carlisle Cullen, take you, Esme Platt, to be my lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, 'til death to us part."
Esme smiled slightly at the last part, knowing the blissful fact that they had all of eternity together.
"Esme, do you reciprocate?" The priest checked.
Esme nodded, and said her own vows, the smile never leaving her face, lighting up her golden eyes.
Soon, Edward was passing Carlisle the ring he had selected for Esme just a few days after she had accepted his proposal. He had had no doubt that Esme would accept, but he had not wanted to buy it at the same time he had purchased the engagement ring, because he did not want to give himself any bad luck or seem to confident.
"With this ring, I thee wed." Carlisle said, sliding the ring onto her finger.
Esme admired it momentarily, before taking the ring Edward presented to her. She repeated Carlisle's words, sliding the ring onto his finger. It was a golden band, and Carlisle liked it.
"Then I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride." The vicar dipped his head as he took a step back.
They did not need any further encouragement. Effortlessly, Carlisle swept Esme close to him, removing her vale delicately, kissing her lips gently at first, but when she kissed back, they soon lost themselves in each other. Their bodies fit together like they never had before, perfectly matching like a puzzle that was finally complete. At last, they were husband and wife, and neither of them could recall a time they had felt so happy.
~0~0~0~0~0~
"Where are we going?" Esme asked excitedly from her seat on the passenger side of the automobile as made its way along the darkening road. Edward had packed all their suitcases into the boot that morning, and they had dropped him back at home after the wedding, with Esme fussing and Edward insisting that he would manage perfectly fine by himself for a couple of days.
Carlisle grinned at his wife's eagerness, taking a moment to appreciate the fact he could finally refer to her as that. Esme's excitement seemed to have finally overruled her unnecessary concern for Edward. "I'm not telling you, otherwise it wouldn't be much of a surprise." He teased, knowing he was testing her patience but enjoying doing so all the same. He liked playing with her temper.
She pouted. "But, Carlisle-"
"Was that a whine, Esme?" He asked in amusement, but as always, he couldn't resist leaning over and kissing her pouting lips quickly. "I'm sorry, my love, but I'm not going to tell you."
"Okay, fine, I'll stop hassling." She agreed, her lips going back to their usual content smile. "At least, give me the peace of mind of knowing that Edward will be perfectly okay while we are gone?"
Carlisle chuckled. "Once again, our son will be fine."
Our son, Esme echoed happily.
"You looked absolutely stunning today, Esme." He told her, for the seventh time since the ceremony had ended. He couldn't get over just how lucky he was.
"So, I look perfectly average every other day?" Esme teased, battering her eyelashes at him. "I must say, for a man who comes out with such wonderful compliments, that hurts a little bit."
"A bit vain, wouldn't you say love?" He asked, lifting their entwined hand to his mouth and pressing a sweet kiss to it. "You are beautiful, every single day your beauty stuns me, but I must say today...I was completely breathless when I saw you. If it wasn't for my already pale complexion, I believe the priest would have been concerned about me."
Esme raised an eyebrow at him.
"I know exactly what witty comment your about to say." Carlisle interrupted her. "I am very much aware that we do not need to breathe, but try not to ruin my statement."
Esme smiled at him. "I'm sorry, please continue."
He was more than happy to comply. "I could have stood staring at you for hours. It was incredibly hard to concentrate, at first I barely heard the priest at all. But now, I have a whole week to admire my wife."
Esme leaned against him, her head resting on his shoulder. "Say it again, please."
His lips curled up in another smile. "My wife," He repeated.
She sighed with contentment. "I'll never get tired of hearing that."
He kissed the back of her hand again, smiling against her skin. "Good, because you'll be hearing it for the rest of eternity."
~0~0~0~0~0~
Wedding chapter complete :)
I wanted them to have a simple wedding, as they are both pretty reserved about their relationship. Besides, when you have all of eternity, I'm not having this as their only wedding, even they are allowed more than one ceremony over the years ;)
Thank for you the lovely reviews, I'm really loving reading them!
The next chapter will make this fanfiction rated M, as it will be their wedding night.
- E x