Ties that Bind
Aurora buried her head in Carlisle's shoulder as her mother, only slightly having let the champagne go to her head, delighted all 66 guests of the time Aurora stole her father's motorcycle and crashed it into a neighbor's garden shed, and ended up ten feet away in the bushes covered in thorns and later, as it turned out poison ivy.
"Even her little bottom had poison ivy on it! I spent a week picking out thorns and pine needles from her hair!" hiccupped Aurora's mother. "And her tush was sooo red, redder than a cherry!"
Aurora groaned as the crowd, especially Rosalie and Emmett were all clapping loudly and chanting for more. Finally, it was Aurora's father who came to the rescue, pulling his wife into his arms and leading her away from the stage, as she waved her hanky at the crowd. Aurora saw her mother grabbed another champagne flute off the table.
"I didn't realize mum was such a lush," Aurora grinned, still not being able to look Carlisle in the eye, as he was trying to hold in his laughter. "Oh, ha, ha laugh it up, Dr. Cullen."
Aurora swatted him on the arm, as he stole a kiss. Carlisle stood up slowly, picking up his own champagne glass. He cleared his throat and commanded everyone's attention with a single look of his eyes.
"First off, I wanted to express my gratitude to all of you," Carlisle began. "These days it seems that family gatherings don't happen all too often, and when they do it's not always a joyous occasion. But as I stand here today, with my new bride, I am reminded of what is most important."
Carlisle turned to Aurora.
"I am reminded that love is eternal and universal and that even though we may sometimes wander this earth for what seems like eons of time – love does wait for us. It is the glue that binds us all together. And from that love comes family," he said, raising his glass to the crowd. "And as I look at all of you here today, celebrating this moment with us, I am also reminded that family is the rock that we build our dreams on. So, let me propose a toast – to love and to family."
The crowd all raised their glasses in unison, everyone's eyes misty.
"Hear, hear!" they all chanted.
Guests sat down at their tables, the hum of murmuring voices and the clinking of glasses was the perfect symphony to the scenery. The tables were covered with massive white clay vases filled with yellow, ivory, and pink roses, as well as carefully selected Versace china paired with Wallace Grande Baroque sterling silver utensils. As a soft melody came from the band, Carlisle, took Aurora's hand, pulling her from her seat.
"Shall we Mrs. Cullen?" he grinned.
Aurora blushed, realizing that all though Alice had instructed her for weeks on how to balance on high heels, she forgot to mention how to dance in them.
"You'll have to lead Mr. Cullen," Aurora giggled.
Carlisle easily snaked his hand around her hips as the newlyweds made their way to the dance floor. A singer softly crooned out Frank Sinatra.
There are many many crazy things
That will keep me loving you
And with your permission
May I list a few
The way you wear your hat
The way you sip your tea
The memory of all that
No, no they can't take that away from me
Carlisle gently twirled Aurora on the dance floor, before allowing her to float back into his arms.
"Interesting choice of music Mr. Cullen," Aurora smirked.
Carlisle swooned back and forth with her in his arms.
"I think it's perfect," he said. "Besides I couldn't help but notice that you like to hum to Mr. Sinatra when you're working."
Aurora blushed, lowering her head into his shoulder.
"Oh, so you observe me when I am working?" she teased.
"Constantly," he whispered. "Of course, most of the time I am thinking of how I can throw you on top of that desk and have my way with you."
Aurora burst into giggles.
"And what about tonight Mr. Cullen?" she giggled.
Carlisle arched an eyebrow, as he dipped Aurora low, his hand tightly wound around her lower back.
"Ahh well tonight Mrs. Cullen I have a very special surprise," he murmured into her ear.
We may never never meet again, on that bumpy road to love
Still, I'll always, always keep the memory of
The way you hold your knife
The way we danced until three
The way you changed my life
No, no they can't take that away from me
No, they can't take that away from me
Soon other couples joined them on the floor, all swaying to the smooth tunes.
"Check my suit pocket," Carlisle whispered.
Aurora gave him a strange look.
"This better not be a trick," she said.
Carlisle shook his head. Aurora gingerly placed her hands into his suit pocket. Her fingers touched something cold and rounded. She frowned, continuing to trace her fingers on the strange object. It was an enclosed circle. She gasped, looking into Carlisle's expecting eyes.
"Handcuffs?" she questioned.
Carlisle nodded leading her back to the table as others took their place on the dancefloor. Aurora felt her cheeks flush redder than the roses on the table. She started to bite her lower lip.
"And what do you hope to achieve with those Mr. Cullen?" she whispered.
Carlisle shook his head, smiling serenely.
"That's for me to know and you find out Mrs. Cullen," he whispered in her ear, taking a soft nibble on her earlobe.
The dancing, free-flowing champagne, and merriness lasted well until the wee hours of the morning. By the time Aurora and Carlisle bade farewell to most of their guests, dawn was announcing itself on the horizon. Though Aurora had spent the entire night in the Jimmy Choo stilettos and danced them of the evening, she didn't feel a bit drowsy. Her cheeks ached from smiling and laughing, but she wouldn't have it any other way. She walked over to Bella who was waiting for Edward to say goodbye to a few cousins from Europe. Sitting down beside her, she patted her shoulder.
"Bella you look splendid," Aurora said, her eyes twinkling.
Bella looked down at the dress, smiling nervously.
"You were definitely right – this is my color," she said. "And you look… Well just like a vision from heaven."
Aurora smiled widely, as she looked at the now much quieter reception. Carlisle and Bianca were in deep discussion about a recent exhibition opening in Venice that featured the famous Venetian masks on display, while Robert was talking to Jasper about a mesmerizing book he had read recently about the confederate army.
"I love this the most," Aurora sighed. "Just family and friends."
Bella nodded.
"I guess you didn't bump into that old family friend of yours?" she asked.
Aurora gave her a puzzled look.
"Old family friend?" Aurora repeated. "What old family friend?"
Bella nodded.
"Yeah, I met him after the wedding. He said he was an old friend of yours, but to be honest, he seemed kind of stand-offish," Bella replied. "I didn't catch his name though."
Aurora tried to run through the guests in her mind. No one stood out. She shrugged.
"There's always one weird cousin or uncle who isn't very social," Aurora said.
Edward sauntered back to the table, sitting down beside Aurora and Bella. He smiled at both while kissing Bella's shoulder.
"Well, it looks like I have a few ideas," he said, a secretive smile playing on his face.
Bella stared at him.
"Ideas for what?" Bella asked
"For our wedding," Edward said nonchalantly.
Bella looked down, her cheeks flushing. She fiddled with the ends of her hair, though Aurora thought it was adorable. She nudged Bella and gave her a wink. Before long, Carlisle and Bianca as well as Robert and Jasper and the rest of the Cullens came to sit where Aurora and Bella sat. Carlisle took Aurora's hand gently, brushing it against his cheek.
"Well, I hate to be the buzzkill here, but if you all don't mind, I would like to take my bride and whisk her away to the marriage bed," he said, winking at Aurora.
Aurora wanted to melt into the ground as she saw her parents giggling and embracing each other, almost as if they were remembering their own wedding night. Her mother flashed her a cheeky smile. Aurora scowled at Carlisle as he pulled her up by her hand, making Aurora stumble slightly into his open arms. Carlisle scooped her up and lifted her into her chest. Emmett and Jasper all gave them knowing grins. But Rosalie and Alice gave Aurora a look that said – If you ruin the dress – we'll hunt you down and kill you. Aurora buried her face into Carlisle's chest as the family bade them all goodnight. Carlisle carried Aurora from the tent in front of her house where the reception had been, to the door. With a nimble motion, he opened the door, carrying her across the threshold. Aurora kept her arm around his neck, while Carlisle carried her in the bedroom before placing her down on the bed as if she were a porcelain doll.
"Well Mrs. Cullen," Carlisle said, as he shrugged off his Armani suit. "It seems I am finally going to get to ravage you – but this time as my wife."
Aurora, laughed, as she stood up and carefully began to take off her pearl earrings.
"Does that make a difference Mr. Cullen?" she said.
Carlisle glided over to her, helping her take out the bobby pins from her hair, placing them on the dresser.
"Of course, it does," he smiled. "Now I can make you scream even louder."
Aurora smirked at him.
"Oh, so you were holding, back, were you?" she questioned.
Carlisle chuckled, as he moved behind Aurora, gently tugging at the corset, loosening it bit by bit.
"I have been thinking about this all day," he whispered.
Aurora grinned, feeling the delicate material loosening. As Carlisle undid the very last portion of the corset, the dress slipped off Aurora and pooled at her feet. She stood in nothing but white La Perla lingerie, and a matching garter belt that accentuated her legs. Carlisle slowly bent down at Aurora's feet, looking into her eyes. He put his mouth on her knee, allowing his tongue to glide up and onto her outer thigh. Aurora immediately felt the goosebumps erupt all over her body. She clutched his hair, pushing his head lightly into her. Carlisle moaned softly, feeling her hands rake through his hair as she pressed his face into her crotch. He inhaled her sweet scent.
"You are making my mouth water," he groaned.
Aurora smiled; her face bathed in the pale morning light. Carlisle stood up, while Aurora slowly undid his white shirt. She let her hands roam his stomach, his chest, his biceps and his shoulders as she slipped the shirt off. She stared into his eyes.
"You my husband, are flawless," she cooed.
Aurora bent down, placing gentle pecks on his chest, moving lower to his stomach until her teeth grazed his pants. She looked up at him, a lustful and seductive fire dancing in her eyes. She let her hand brush against his crotch, making him inhale sharply. Smirking, she slowly undid the button of his suit pants and unzipped him. In one motion, Carlisle pulled Aurora up onto her tiptoes before pushing her towards the bed. She laughed, as she happily fell backward into the bed while Carlisle crawled on top of her.
"Close your eyes, my angel," he growled softly.
Aurora bit her lower lip, raising her hips into him, feeling his massive erection throbbing.
"And what if I misbehave?" she asked.
Carlisle snaked his hand underneath the small of her back, grabbing her ass tightly, his nails digging into her supple flesh.
"Then I will have to punish you, my love," he hissed softly into her ear.
Aurora gasped, feeling the soft biting pain of his nails. She pouted, slowly closing her eyes. Carlisle pushed himself up from her.
"Good girl, now scooch up a bit and put your hands above your head, stretch them out," Carlisle said softly.
Aurora groaned, scooching upwards on the bed and stretching her hands up like a starfish. She gasped as she felt cold metal on her wrists, while Carlisle yanked her arms further upwards. Carlisle cuffed each of Aurora's wrists while using the other cuff to secure her to the bedposts.
"Now open your eyes," he said softly.
Aurora opened her eyes, feeling her arm muscle stretching, her wrists struggling against the metal. She wriggled underneath Carlisle.
"Is this necessary?" she frowned.
Carlisle laughed seeing Aurora writhing underneath him.
"I wouldn't want my new bride to run away, now would I?" he teased her.
Carlisle growled softly, pouncing on Aurora as he showered her breasts and stomach with kisses, gently nibbling and biting at her flesh. Each time his tongue glided across her skin, Aurora felt herself buck, the cuffs keeping her in place. Carlisle peered up at her, his chin resting on her stomach.
"Ahh, one more little sweet surprise," he said, his eyes burning. "Don't move a muscle."
Carlisle got up, leaving Aurora handcuffed to the bed, needing and frustrated. She blew air through her mouth, throwing her head back into the pillow.
"Vampires," she groaned.
Carlisle made his way to the kitchen, turning on the stereo system. A soft jazz melody played in the background. He walked towards the kitchen island. Taking the fresh bowl of strawberries and whipped cream with chocolate sauce, he slowly made his way back to the bedroom. He frowned, as his eyes caught the 1841 Veuve Clicquot chilled on the table – along with two champagne flutes.
"Thirsty?" he called to Aurora.
Aurora groaned louder.
"Not thirsty for wine or champagne," she called back. "But I am definitely thirsty for you!"
Carlisle laughed, setting down what he had in his hands before reaching for the champagne bottle. The champagne bottle was the last thing Carlisle saw before an odd, dull pain, like that of a needle bit him, and a bottomless, silent, darkness swallowed him.
Aurora kept trying to pull at the cuffs, but no matter how she wriggled they wouldn't give way.
"Carlisle if you don't hurry up…" she muttered.
She heard a strange thud from the kitchen.
"Carlisle?" she called. "Did you spill that champagne? Emmett will kill you – he was saving that bottle for centuries you know!"
Aurora furrowed her eyebrows. Had the music stopped playing? The music had indeed stopped and the only thing that Aurora could hear now was her own breathing.
"Carlisle, what's the point of handcuffing your wife, if you're not going to ravage me and just leave me here all hot and bothered," she called.
Silence. Aurora began to think Carlisle was playing tricks on her, but the way her stomach knotted painfully, her instinct told her something was amiss. She began to frantically wriggle against her restraints, yanking at the bedposts.
"Carlisle!" Aurora yelled out, dread rising in her voice.
"I'm afraid Dr. Cullen is incapacitated at the moment," came a steely voice from the hallway.
Aurora felt her heart stop. Her blood turned to ice. She knew that voice. A shadow crossed her bedroom door and following it, was Aldrick Fabien. Aurora was staring at the face of Aldrick Fabien - the vampire.
"My, my Aurora, I must say your husband has made easy work for me," he hissed softly, his ice-blue eyes roaming over her body.