Fun fact... When you are so deeply into this story, the period of time, etc... You tend to take on a certain way of talking. You don't realize this until your family members look at you like you're nuts!

11th December 1843

Master Edward Cullen

My dearest Edward,

I did not think it would take long for you to propose, but you are taking drastic actions not to wait until Candlemas, are you not? When I received a letter from your household that you were deathly ill, it truly broke my heart. Albert and I spent many hours in our chapel praying for you.

I was comforted most dearly by the news of Isabella's wonderful care for you in those dark hours. I knew then that God had sent us an angel in the form of that amazing young girl. To learn that I could not come and help your mother care for you grieved me further, but to know that Isabella was standing in my place and doing such a remarkable job has eased my heart greatly. Our doctor was most put out by her behavior and how she spoke to him, but I soon put him in his place.

When I received your letter today, I was most grieved to learn that you were so terribly ill, from your own words, but again, comforted to know that you had recovered enough to dictate your words to Carlisle.

Esme also wrote to me, informing me that you are recovering well, but slowly. When you have the strength to travel, I suggest an extended stay in Brighton. The sea air would do you wonders and will help you recover very well indeed.

And now for the part I am sure you are most anxious to hear.

How could I deny the happiness of my favorite couple, especially after what you have both been through? Well, I can not, and it would be my pleasure to grant you permission, but please remember the rules of mourning. While you will be married, do not forget the circumstance that Isabella is in. I would not like for gossip to spread. Try to keep the news to our family, if at all possible. I do not think that Isabella should stay in lavenders any longer, which I am sure will please you both most dearly.

When you are well, I am sure that a wonderful second wedding or blessing can be arranged, perhaps at St. James' palace? The lighting is beautiful, and I have so many fond memories there — yours would be another to add to my collection.

Get well soon,

Alexandrina x

I had memorized her letter from the moment Isabella put it into my fingers, and I think that even when I slept, I smiled.

Isabella did not know what I was planning. I did not want to hurt or alarm her by withholding the information any longer than I needed to so before she went to bed, I sat up in my own and carefully took her hand.

I was still so weak and tired, but having her by my side gave me the strength that I needed.

"Isabella, I wish to tell you that I love you. I am not a master of love, and up until recently have only loved my family and my children, but you came into my life so unexpectedly and my heart was not my own after that. Through this short, but painful illness, I have learned one thing, that is clear," I said breathlessly when her fingers gripped mine.

Nervous, I paused to take a sip of water.

"I could be respectful and wait until Candlemas, but I have seen with my own eyes the pain such an illness can have with not just the sufferer, but the people surrounding them also. In my sleep I think I cried too many times at leaving my children, and you, if the illness grew worse. That scared me, more than I could ever explain. I have seen not just my children lose their mother, but you and Charles lose yours also, and that is a fear that will continue to haunt me."

I was rambling and needed to get my bearings.

"What I am trying to say, although it is not coming so easy, is that I wish to marry you, Isabella."

She gasped, and her tiny hand flew to her mouth.

"As soon as possible. I want to marry you and know that you are well cared for, that my children will have a mother that will love them unconditionally, and I know that it would be you to do that, to love them as your own. But more than that, I wish to marry for love. Alexandrina has given her permission for us to marry, right now, if you wish, or I will wait until you are ready, but please know that I love you so deeply, so unconditionally, that I swear my heart aches when we are not together," I said with my eyes closed.

Fear again had taken hold of me, and I was loathed to look into Isabella's eyes and see rejection.

"Ask me, Edward. Ask me what you wish to know," she said sweetly, and when I opened my eyes tears were strolling down her cheeks, but the beautiful smile that I had grown to love so long ago was firmly on her face.

"Isabella Marie Swan, will you do me the honor of being my wife?"

…

Lady Cullen

"Headstrong boy," I laughed while I walked into the kitchen to obtain some soup for him.

Last night not only had he properly woken and was recovering, slowly, but surely, he also proposed to Isabella!

I could not believe it until I had seen the letter, he had asked his father to write for him.

He had sent it to Alexandrina. His words desperate and all but pleading with her as head of the church — and a person to whom everyone looked up to — to waiver enough of Isabella's mourning so that he could marry her as soon as possible. He knew it would be impossible to stop her mourning period altogether, but to blur the lines a little, our dear cousin could do that.

Poor Isabella was like a fish out of water the whole time after Edward had sprung the proposal on her even though she'd accepted readily.

She could not understand, that as head of the church, Alexandrina had more power than the Vicar in deciding certain delicate issues, and who was to argue with the Queen if she gave them permission to marry.

As soon as Edward had his reply from Alexandrina it was all systems go.

It would be a very small affair; just the happy couple, myself, and my beloved, and maybe a few others. We would be standing in as witnesses for them, but it did not mean that Alexandrina did not have her own stipulations to the union.

She had delightfully demanded that they re-marry at St James' palace in town so that all could attend once Edward was well and had recovered in the New Year.

Isabella had blanched at the idea, but Carlisle had gently reminded her that if she were to marry Edward — whether that be tomorrow or in six months — she would have a certain level of responsibilities on her shoulders that had nothing to do with the farm.

That brought on a whole other conversation about what would be expected of her once they were married, but we calmed her fears, letting her know that nothing would be too hard until she and Edward were Lord and Lady themselves, far into the future, we hoped.

On top of this, Isabella had worried that Charles and Edward's children would not be here to see them, but she was assured that everyone would be there at the next wedding, to which she groaned.

Tomorrow, as it was now decided, would be a very personal and private union between the two of them, and then come Candlemas, hopefully, there would bigger a bigger celebration.

"Michael, would it be possible for some thick soup for Master Edward?" I asked once I had entered the kitchen, and Michael gave me a swift nod before getting to work on warming some stock in the pan.

"Would it also be possible for me to ask you to bake a cake? Now, this is supposed to stay within the household, so make sure your tongue does not run away with you, but Edward and Isabella are to be married tomorrow in his room," I grinned, and Michael joined in with me.

"That is wonderful news, Lady Cullen. I am so pleased for the happy couple, and I will make sure that it stays within these walls." He smiled widely and pulled down a book from above the range cooker.

We decided on a simple sponge cake with white icing and refused the heavy fruit cake that was normally used for such occasions. Edward was barely able to stomach a little soup, so a heavy cake would not do well with him.

After we had decided what would be best and Michael had finished with the soup, I took the large tray up to Edward's room to speak with the very happy couple.

I found Isabella perched on the side of Edward's bed, holding hands with him and stroking a cool cloth over his head.

"He is in and out of sleep, but that is the fever working its way through his body. I am glad that this is just a mild case and not worse," she whispered not taking her eyes from him.

Yes, she did love him.

You could not miss it in her eyes and touches.

…

"Esme, I have nothing to wear. What can I do to make myself better for him?" Isabella asked nervously while we waited in her room for the Vicar.

He had been summoned by Alexandrina herself to perform the ceremony, and he needed to speak with Isabella beforehand.

Poor Isabella had been a nervous wreck while Carlisle and myself had spoken with her at length on what to expect with the small ceremony and afterwards, but as Carlisle left the room, I saw another panicked look in her eyes.

That was when I had to don my mothering cap once again and explain to her what to expect when Edward was well, and marital duties would start.

I had to hold in my giggles when I explained what to expect from start to finish, and Isabella blushed enough for the whole country.

She seemed mortified.

"Just let it be a natural thing, Isabella. Do not rush and do not fear. Men may be tyrants in court or in business, but they must be gentle in the bedroom, and he should know this. If he is not, then you tell him so and to spend the night in a guest room. It will make him think twice, let me tell you." I grinned.

I found a simple dress that I knew would fit her from my own closet soon after she aired her worries, and we were lucky to have enough time for her to try it on before the Vicar called.
It fit her like a glove, and she looked radiant when she looked in the mirror.

"I am getting married tomorrow, Esme. You are to be my mamma and Carlisle… He is to be… I fear it has been so long since I have been held by a father… How did this all happen? Why did God decide to grace me with such love?" she asked as her eyes caught mine in the mirror.

"Because you are an angel sent to us and my son." I answered honestly.

See you later! xxxx