Good Morning, Loves!
All mistakes are my own.
Ten: Edward
June 24, 2022
Los Angeles California
"How are you holding up?"
I look over at Jasper and let out a breath.
"Man, I can't wait." I'm so fucking excited. Part of me feels like I've been waiting to marry Bella my whole life. I never thought much about what marriage might look like for me, but no matter what I might have envisioned, I know it couldn't compare to Bella.
She's my best friend, the person who unconditionally loves and accepts all parts of me. She doesn't let me get away with shit, and pushes me when she knows I'm dragging my feet, and her support… my god. I can't think of anyone's significant other willing to just up and relocate to a different country just so their partner can go to school.
But Bella's there for me, through all of it. She's everything I didn't know I needed in a partner or friend, and now… spouse.
Jasper claps my shoulder once, smiling at me. He and Alice got married last year, and aside from the house they just bought, not much has changed for them. They are as steady as ever, and I'm grateful for the time I got living with Jasper, getting to know him as the brother he is.
Emmett comes up to us, adjusting his tie and giving me a bright smile. "Just saw Bells," he says, giving a small chuckle. "She's ready to tear the place down to get the show on the road."
I laugh, my heart swelling. God, I love her.
"Well, let's not keep her waiting. Want her in a good mood to start this marriage off," I joke. Jasper laughs.
"Smart man."
The guys both clap my shoulders once more before heading back where Bella and her bridesmaids are. Mom comes to find me, flashing me a bright smile. "Oh, Edward. You look so handsome. I'm so proud of you!" she gushes. I laugh.
"I know, Mom."
She smooths down my lapel. "I can't believe both my babies are going to be married," she sniffs. Alice has been joking with me that mom barely teared up at her wedding last year. I'd argue with her, but I know my wedding is hitting mom harder. I'm her first born, and she's always been fiercely protective of me.
"Shall we?" I ask, holding my arm out to her. Her hands flutter a little but then she takes my arm and I lead her down the aisle.
Our wedding is being held at the botanical gardens that Emmett works for. With his help, we were able to pull an amazing date. We'd talked about waiting to get married after I proposed, but both decided it would be easier while we were still stateside.
I'm grateful for it now.
I lead mom down the aisle and she presses a kiss to my cheek before she takes a seat up front next to dad. I turn to the officiant, Angela. She's a friend of mine from work, and being the daughter of a pastor, had been ordained years ago. She and her husband Ben have become close friends of ours, and it means a lot to me to be able to include them today. She flashes me a bright smile as I take my place near her.
Beside my mom, Renée, Bella's mom is peering around the venue. We'd debated on inviting Renée, and ultimately, I left it completely up to Bella. She and her mom aren't close—the last time they saw each other was easily over ten years ago. She'd been half convinced Renée wouldn't even show up when we sent her an invitation, but to our surprise, she'd RSVP'd with a note about how she was dying to smother us both in kisses. Bella had tossed the note and told me if her mom made a pass at me to hit her. I thought she'd been joking, but so far, Renée has in fact, tried to hit on me three times.
Soft music filters through the garden, pulling my attention down the aisle, and I smile when I see Rose and Emmett coming down the aisle. They both flash me warm smiles before separating, Emmett coming to stand near me while Rose stands opposite us.
Next down the aisle is Alice and Jasper, and I'm reminded of Alice's wedding. She's got the same bright smile, her eyes clear and full of love and joy as she was her own wedding. She stops in front of me, yanking me down into a firm hug and planting a kiss on my cheek. I laugh, squeezing her back before she steps aside and joins Rose while Jasper stands next to me.
The music shifts, and I feel my heart swell in my chest, growing and growing until it's hard to breathe.
I see Charlie before I see Bella. He's stiff in his suit, but looks generally happy.
They turn the corner, and all the air rushes out of me at the sight of her.
She looks a little nervous, but then her eyes meet mine, and I'm utterly wrecked. The smile that comes over her face is so bright, it's blinding, and outshines everything and everyone around us. She is perfect, and my heart cannot take loving her anymore than I do in this very moment.
Bella and Charlie make their way down the aisle, and Charlie clears his throat, kissing Bella's cheek and hugging her gently before turning to me. "You'll do good, son," he says, catching me off guard. There is a lump in my throat, and I nod to him, grateful for his trust. I look at Bella, and when she smiles at me, it's like the sun shining directly on us. I'm utterly full of the love I have for her.
Then she opens her mouth and somehow, I fall even more in love with this beautiful, insane, perfect woman.
"Okay, Duck Dealer. Let's do this."
