Chapter 58 - With this Ring, I Break You
Bella
The sound of the beautiful piano music Edward had recorded was playing softly from the living room, as my dad helped me slowly descend the stairs, letting me hold on to him, so I wouldn't trip and fall face first. Bruised and banged up was not how I wanted to spend my honeymoon. Dorianne went in before us, tossing handfuls of rose petals around like a toddling fairy, followed by Marisol, who was carrying our rings. Rose and Alice both hugged me before they went in after the girls. I took a deep breath, as did my dad.
"Danged allergies," he whispered, quickly rubbing his eyes. "You ready, kiddo?"
"More than ever," I smiled and nodded.
Dad and I entered, and everyone stood up. Edward, Jasper, and Emmett were standing at the front of the room. The vintage-styled tuxedos they were wearing were right out of a turn-of-the-century novel, and they had all tamed their hair down with pomade into a coif befitting the era. When Edward saw me, the anticipatory look on his face bloomed into a warm, tender smile.
I was so happy when I saw Aaron, the young man who had survived the brutal attack from his stepfather, stand up and smile at me from next to his mother, Hannah, who I had befriended at the hospital. The fact that he was standing was a relief, considering the doctors had feared he might never walk again. Madelyn was standing shyly next to him, grinning from ear to ear, and the look on their faces when their eyes met was adorable. Hannah noticed it, too, and I winked at her as dad and I passed.
Dad led me up to Edward and placed my hand in his before taking his seat next to my mom. Father Lebuteur greeted everyone, and then he began the ceremony. We had decided to keep it simple and traditional, so he led us through the standard vows and ring exchange, blessing them and our union before God and man.
"You may kiss your bride," he smiled at Edward. "Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Masen," he presented us to our guests.
Edward lifted my veil, placing it behind me, before taking me in his arms and placing the sweetest, gentlest kiss on my lips. I was glad tissues had been tied into the bows on the backs of the chairs, since apparently, everyone in the room was suffering from the same allergens as my dad.
While we moved into the parlor for pictures, helpers from the rental company quickly and efficiently brought in tables, linens, and candle centerpieces, rearranging the chairs and dressing the tables, creating a lovely dining room and buffet area. Once everyone had been seated, Jasper and Emmett stood up to offer a toast.
"To Edward and Bella," Emmett began. "May you always have everything you need, be blessed with as much good fortune as fate allows, and always know you are loved by more than just each other."
Jasper stood next and recited a thought he had composed just for us. "Life is but a fleeting chance, a road to cross, a hurried glance. But add love in and life becomes a place called home, a world above. Two hearts joined in one accord can brave the tempests, survive the storms. Within your arms is heaven together, and may you have found truest love, forever." He raised his glass, "To Edward and Bella." Everyone raised their glasses and joined him. Of course, I teared up at his beautiful words.
As my maids of honor, Alice and Rose decided that Alice would speak for them both.
"Edward, you're a fortunate man. The woman you married today has a heart big enough to hold you, your friends, your family, and plenty of children, which we want to start seeing soon," Alice grinned, dabbing at her eyes, as everyone chuckled. "But what makes you most fortunate is that she loves unconditionally, wholly, and with her entire being, regardless of your quirks or faults. You'll never have to wonder whether you're loved. She'll spend her lifetime showing you that you are in everything she does. Cherish her, Edward, because she's extraordinary and deserves no less."
Jasper and Emmett disappeared for a short while, coming back with grins that indicated pure mischief. Edward and I were only able to go away for the rest of the weekend due to work, but we planned to have a proper honeymoon in a few months when we both had time off.
We quickly changed and headed outside to leave for our hotel, stopping halfway down the sidewalk at the sight of Edward's car. Emmett and Jasper had tied the usual junk to the bumper and wrote Just Married all over the back window with white shoe polish. On the passenger side, they had written the words, Virgin on Board…but not for long! I just about died of embarrassment and vowed to teach their children how to do something obnoxious as payback. Edward opened the door for me, cursing as a pile of inflated condom balloons fell out around my feet.
"Very mature, gentlemen," Edward groaned, as he raked the rest out of his car and threatened them if they didn't clean the mess up out of the street.
While he was busy griping at Emmett and Jasper, I looked over in the fading twilight and saw a man on the sidewalk next door. He was standing there deathly still. He wore a black hooded sweatshirt, and when he pushed it back, I recognized him from a memory long ago. Laurant Dubois. The last rays of sunlight glistened on tears that were streaming down his face, as he stared at me with a broken look that both stabbed at my heart and scared me to death.
I moved to go speak to him, but someone, I assumed a woman given their size, jumped out of the car waiting by the curb. They dragged him back to the car and forced him to sit in the passenger seat before slamming the door after him. The person was also wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt with the hood up, shielding their face, and as they paused briefly, I could practically feel the anger and hatred radiating off them before they climbed into the driver's side and sped away.
It was going to take more than the heater on in the car at full blast to calm the chills that were running up my spine at that moment.
