Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, don't sue me.


When I arrived in the morning—7am, just as Alice requested, everyone in the Cullen household was already awake and moving around the house. Alice was dressed and pressed in one of her normal outfits, bright eyed and ready.

Bella wasn't there and wouldn't be there until later, much later but Alice wanted everyone else prepped and ready for the day ahead. Everything had timing, perfect timing for everything. The music would begin at a certain time, cake cutting would take place at a certain time. Alice was very adamant the timing was of the utmost importance when it came to weddings. She said there was a certain rush that came with everything going off without a hitch and the pressure of achieving such a goal. I was just glad someone knew what was going on.

I was still rubbing the sleep out of my eyes as Alice ran through the agenda for the day with everyone in the living room. Emmet and Rosalie looked like they were listening somewhat, but were drifting off into their own minds when Alice wasn't looking at them. Jasper was sitting closely to Alice, his hand outstretched and resting lightly on her waist. I hadn't ever spoken to him, save for the first time we met and even then, it was all Alice. Edward wasn't in the prep circle, Alice said something about a groom needing to be just as surprised at the beauty as the bride.

I still didn't understand how the others looked so put together. My hair was sticking out of several sides of my bun. Everyone else looked like they rolled right out of a salon. Good genes, that's all.

I was all to grateful when Alice finished her briefing and we all went to do our various tasks we were assigned. I just had to go through the wedding favors and make sure each of the little bags was packed and secured. Also, the little packets of rice Alice and I had packed the day before for when Edward and Bella headed off on their honeymoon.

Looking at all the rice packets, I was suddenly grateful Alice had the foresight to hire a clean-up crew. All we had to do was the initial and base set up and then the serving staff would come in along with other's we'd hired, like the photographers and such. The clean-up and breakdown staff would be doing much of the other things after the wedding. Thank goodness, I was sure I would be exhausted by the end of the wedding.

Carlisle's voice behind me surprised me, "Here," I turned. Carlisle stood with a kind smile on his face, always a kind smile or playful or just entirely him. It was always beautiful so maybe it didn't matter what kind of smile it was. He was holding a cup of tea out to me.

I only hesitated another second before taking it from him.

"You're entirely too good."

He laughed at that, "I wouldn't say that."

"Well, I would, I feel like an absolute zombie."

"You'd make a very pretty zombie."

I laughed into the tea, taking special care not to spill anything. "Like that'd be much of a comparison."

"Didn't you get any sleep last night?"

I nodded, "I did." It wasn't technically a lie.

"But?"

"But I stayed up later."

"Coraline." There was disapproval in his voice.

"I know, I know, but it was an interesting book and I was having a hard time sleeping," I defended. I wasn't going to add that I was up worrying about meeting the guests I'd been warned about yesterday.

He just shook his head, "You should take a nap."

"I'm not that tired," I insisted, taking a sip of the warm tea.

"You should still rest."

"And where am I supposed to that?"

"In my room," he said simply, as if it weren't an absurd suggestion. Absolutely absurd.

A blush rose to my cheeks, one I tried to hide behind the mug of tea in front of me, taking another sip more before shaking my head. "I have bags to check, I'm fine, really."

He shook his head, "If you say so."

"I do, so go and do whatever Alice assigned to you before we both get in trouble," I put a smile on my face.

"You're probably right, I'll leave you to it then."

When he walked away, I finally let my smile fade and put a hand on my chest, feeling the pounding of my heart under my hands. God, my heart felt like it was ready to beat out of my chest. If the tea didn't wake me up, what he said certainly did.

Shaking my head, I looked back at the task at hand. I had things to do, bags to check. Carlisle was so distracting sometimes.

It was a few hours later—around lunch time, Carlisle came in, shoved a sandwich in my hands and a new cup of tea and walked off, leaving me to eat, a smile on my face. He was such a good man, a good person in general. He was always astoundingly thoughtful of others, me included. Did that mean something? I think it does but I just can't quite know what it meant exactly. I was confused and I wondered if he was also confused. I mean I couldn't be alone in wondering what it all meant, right? But he always seemed so certain of things, I could never tell what way was up and what way was down. Carlisle always seemed to have a firm grasp of that.

By the time everyone finished up their duties, Bella had arrived and everyone was running around the house, changing into their clothes. Jasper and Emmet had gone out to greet the guests that were already arriving. Alice was up helping Bella to get ready and a few people, the good sheriff being one of them along with his ex-wife being two of them, were wandering around the house.

"Cora!" exclaimed Renee, pulling me into a hug. "You got so big, I feel so old." She was already dressed in her dress for the wedding, her hair done and all. Charlie was around here somewhere, I had talked to him earlier when I'd ran into him.

I laughed as she let me go, "My parents say that every time they see me."

"I heard they moved up to Colorado, was it?"

I nodded, "Mom always loved it there, loved the mountains."

"Well, that's great," she said, her eyes warm. "What've you been up to here in Forks?"

"I'm a teacher down at the elementary school, just got on full-time this upcoming year actually."

"Oh god, I remember when I was just starting out, I was so strung out with planning," she said, a pleasant reminiscent smile on her face.

"Does the planning ever get better?" I asked, Renee did teach elementary for several years according to Bella.

She shrugged non-committedly, "Eventually you just learn that they're too young to notice if you're winging it." I laughed at that. "Do you know where Bella is?"

I nodded. "Up the stairs and to the right, you'll see her when you get there." I said smiling, "I think Charlie was trying to find her, too."

"Well, I'll go up and look, it was great seeing you again, even if I am getting old."

I waved her off, telling her she most definitely was not old.

I was laughing as I rounded the corner into the kitchen to drop off the empty tea mug I had carried around since lunch. I still had to change into my dress, and do my hair. Alice would have a conniption if I left it in a bun.

"Didn't Alice send everyone to get ready?"

I smiled at the voice before I turned. My response died on my tongue.

He was dressed in his suit already, his white tie securely placed at his neck. His hair in perfect order.

"You look very…dashing," I said, deciding the word fit very well. "So put together."

"Thank you, I think I look a bit stiff." He said, adjusting the sleeve.

"Trust me, you look very nice."

"I liked it more when you said dashing," his grin was cheeky.

A soft blush rose to my cheeks and I shook my head, looking down, "I have to go get ready."

He nodded, stepping to the side of the doorway, "Of course, see you after."

I smiled, walking out of the kitchen and up to the second floor. I left my dress in Alice's room when I had come that morning. It was a quick change in the connecting bathroom while everyone else was helping Bella with her makeup after she had changed into the dress. Alice and Rosalie had already changed.

When I came out of the bathroom, my face washed and light makeup applied, Alice was waiting outside with a wide smile.

"What?"

She held up a brush, "Time for me to do your hair!"

"Shouldn't you be helping Bella?"

"Oh, her hair's already done, plus Rose is working on her makeup in the other room—better lighting she said, so come on."

I sighed internally, giving her a slight smile and she knew she'd won. I was directed over to the chair and Alice brushed through my hair in long sweeps.

"You have to look nice at the wedding, think of all the photos you'll be ruining with messy hair," she said, a smile on her lips.

"I was planning on brushing my hair."

"And putting it in one of those ridiculous buns you do," She shook her head with disapproval.

"They aren't ridiculous," I laughed.

"Oh, yes they are." She said, pulling through my hair at the back.

"They're to keep little hands from pulling."

"But that's at school, you're not at school now." She twisted two strands on opposite sides of my head, pulling them together to meet in the back of my head in an elegant twist. "There we are, not too bad," she said with a wide smile at her handiwork.

"Thank you, it does look nice," I said, looking at myself in the mirror. I looked put together, my hair was done, my dress was clean and pressed. I looked…nice. Hopefully, nice enough to meet everyone at the wedding. I hoped for most of the wedding I could just fade into the background of the merriment.

"It does, now, go get a seat at the wedding, most of the guests are already out there, I just have a few more things to get done."

I made my way down the staircase, already hating the shoes I'd picked. Well, Alice picked them or Alice had rather sent them to me with a note saying I had to wear these with my dress. I found that whatever Alice wanted she usually got. It was hopeless to fight against it.

Outside everyone had rather already found their seats, Emmet directing certain people to certain areas. There were people I recognized, some that I didn't. I tried not to look around too much as I walked closer to where everyone was. I didn't want to accidentally make eye contact with someone and have to introduce myself. I'm sure I'd already have to do that later, I would avoid the awkwardness as long as I could. I didn't want my nerves getting the better of me so soon.

I looked towards the back rows, there were still seats left, I figured I could just sit there. That was until I heard Emmet's voice call my name.

I turned towards him, "What's up?"

"You're supposed to sit in the front."

I looked at him, slightly confused. I guess it showed on my face because he just shook his head with a loud laugh before shoving me in that direction and telling me to just go sit over there.

I was a little ill at ease as I got to the front row until I saw Carlisle there, sitting perfectly in the aisle seat.

"There you are," he said, like he always expected me to end up there, next to him.

I smiled a little, "Here I am." I wanted to ask if it was really alright for me to sit up here, I mean the first row was supposed to be for family, I wouldn't say that I was exactly qualified. It wasn't my day. It was Bella and Edward's.

I was just about to question it when Carlisle leaned over, "You look dashing, too, by the way."

That really worked in clearing out the thoughts in my head and making a blush spread across my cheeks. I didn't like how my mind always seemed to short circuit when he was around. It just wasn't fair.

I turned to him. He was looking at me again, with those eyes that I swear were sparkling. "Thank you."

His smile widened and he looked like he was going to say something else when Alice plopped down next to me and Jasper next to her with Emmet on the other side of them. Rosalie was at the piano toward the side. The wedding was about to start.

The entire ceremony was beautiful. Edward stood waiting as the music began, he looked a mix of happy and just a bit nervous. I supposed that's how all grooms are on their wedding day. I hadn't been to many weddings.

I hadn't seen much of Bella all day, just brief glimpses and quick hellos as we passed each other. I'd seen her very quickly in her dress before I came down but that had only been a flash of white, nothing like how she was framed as she walked down the aisle, everyone standing as she came.

The music, beautifully played by Rosalie just highlighted everything enchanting about the wedding. Everything hung down perfectly, the white flowers, the aisle with the rustic wood accents. It was breathtakingly beautiful. Alice was right, about all of it. When I glanced behind me, just slightly, I could see Alice looking quite pleased with herself.

After Bella had come down the aisle and we all sat, they said their vows, looking at each other like they really and truly loved each other.

I only broke out of watching them when I felt Carlisle's hand touch mine. I looked at him, giving him a questioning tilt of my head and he smiled, holding my hand in his own and I let him. He turned back to the ceremony, a small smile on his lips.

I ran my thumb along the back of his hand, just because I could and I saw his smile widen out of the corner of my eye. I turned back to the couple in front of us, still having my hand in Carlisle's. Since when did we do this? Maybe it was new. Certainly, not unwelcome.

When they kissed, everyone stood and erupted in loud applause, Carlisle turning to me with a wide proud smile. His son just got married, it was no wonder that he was happy. I liked seeing him happy.

We all clapped and then were led on by Alice to transition us all into the reception area. I didn't even question it when Carlisle took my hand again as we walked down, but I suppose the blush down my neck was more than enough of a reaction.

He led us to our seats. I had already seen the reception area, the day before and this morning but still, now that everyone was here and seeing the lights and candles lit and the decorations in place was something else.

Much of the initial reception passed without comment. The speeches were very entertaining, especially the ones from Bella's side, those were more than funny. Carlisle's was sweet and endearing. He truly loves his children and they are his children even if they aren't technically related.

The food was served and dancing began at the same time. I'd barely even looked at the food when Carlisle was pulling me up by our hands that had remained for the most part joined for much of the evening, only briefly letting go when he went up to give his speech. I had gotten used to the chill from his skin, it seemed like no matter how long I held on to it, his cold cooled my hand more than mine warmed his.

He pulled me up and led me toward a different table, one I quickly spotted and was filled with people I didn't recognize but suspected I was about to be introduced to. The first thing I noticed was how beautiful all the people at the table were, easily any one of them could be models. So, these must be the relatives I'd been slightly warned about.

Before we fully reached the table, I looked down at our joined hands—Carlisle and I. I gently took my hand out of his but still followed behind him, not looking up to see his reaction as I consciously focused on not being nervous.

They all looked up from their conversation when we came to stand at the side of their table. I automatically moved to run my hands along the front of my dress, smoothing it. I smiled softly, and Carlisle started talking.

"Coraline," he turned to me, "These are some of my relatives—extended family," he gestured around the table. "And this is Coraline."

"It's nice to meet you all," I said politely. I shook each of their hands, listening to their names as they introduced themselves. God, I hoped I wasn't getting any of them mixed up. I wasn't known for my incredible memory.

There was Tanya, Kate, and Irina, the three blonde sisters who I hoped I wouldn't get mixed up. Then, there was Carmen and Eleazar who were married. We chatted with them lightly, Carlisle doing much of the talking and leading in the conversation, thank goodness. If I was intimidated by the kids at one point, by god was I intimidated now.

They all had golden eyes, just like Carlisle and the kids. They were related I supposed. But they weren't related, not to the kids and I'm pretty sure only Tanya, Kate, and Irina were related to one another—Carmen and Eleazar being additional members of the family. Plus, all of Carlisle's children weren't actually blood related to Carlisle. Maybe the eyes were just a big coincidence. That had to be it. A big coincidence.

When Carlisle led me away from the table, "Wanting to dance before the floor got too crowded," as the excuse, he put his hand on the small of my back.

When did we ever do this much touching in one day? I wasn't about to ruin it by saying anything.

Other people were already up and dancing to the music. It was a sort of upbeat and yet not a poppy sort of song, more like something people could sway around to.

His hand stayed on my lower back, our left hands coming up as we moved around the dance floor. I wasn't the most graceful but it really wasn't hard dancing, more swaying from side to side and back and forth more than anything.

"They're really nice," I said, my head tilting slightly towards his table of relatives.

He smiled down toward me, "You think so?"

I nodded, "Yes, I do think so. I like them."

"I'm glad."

"I was so nervous," I admitted.

"I could tell," he said, grinning.

"Was it obvious?"

"Completely," his grin widened and his thumb was making small circles through the fabric of my dress. It sent blood rushing to my face. He didn't say anything, just continued dancing as one song transitioned into another. "You know I thought of something."

I looked up, "Of what?"

"I figured out what I want as my prize."

"Prize?"

"When I beat you to the book store."

Oh, that took me back. I had almost forgotten about it.

I gave him a skeptical look, "What do you have in mind?"

He shrugged, at least as well as he could without moving his hands. "There's a banquet in Seattle, more of a fundraising event for their hospital and I wasn't going to go but I think it could be fun."

I tilted my head, "When is it?"

"Saturday."

"What Saturday?"

His grinned looked positively evil. Why did it also just look so cute when he did it. "The 19th."

My eyes widened, "The 19th," I repeated, mostly to myself, "That's less than a week away."

"Six-days"

"But I—" I looked up at him, trying to get my brain to really think about the negatives of it. But there really wasn't any. I mean school started in September, I had the time and I did want to go with him. "I'll go through my closet; a win is a win."

"You'll really go?"

I nodded, "Of course."

"I know the timing is not the best and—"

"I would have gone without the favor, if you'd just asked."

"Is that so?" Could someone's eyes sparkle more? Because that man, I swear could control it.

"Mhmm"

"Does that mean I can just keep my favor and save it?"

I rolled my eyes and shook my head, no. "Absolutely not, can't have you having one over me, it wouldn't be fair."

"All's fair in love and war," he quipped.

"And what is this? War?" I laughed, my eyes crinkling at the edges.

He didn't answer and we danced another three songs before my feet really started to hurt and I went back to sit down. Carlisle had gone to chat with some of the other people at the wedding, he was the father of the groom, he had certain responsibilities and expectations to meet.

I made myself acquainted with quite a few people at the wedding, turning to talk to some of the people there. I was in a great conversation with Bella's aunt when Emmet came over, asking for a dance.

Rosalie was next to him, giving me a small smile. I took his hand and went with him, Rosalie taking my place in the conversation.

It was a faster song than the one I danced to Carlisle with and had much more movement and rhythm required. I think I messed up about all the movements but it was still fun. Emmet was large and tall but he moved surprisingly well. I was laughing almost the entire time from the little comments he made under his breath as the dance continued, saying something about how my height was the only reason he messed up on that one step. Honestly, I messed up way more than he did. My cheeks were sore from laughing by the time we went back to the table Rosalie was at, I was tired. Emmet didn't seem any worse for wear at all, his eyes still energetic.

"I had no idea you were such a good dancer."

He scoffed at that, "I'm not actually good."

Rosalie grinned at that, "He's too modest, he's better than he thinks he is."

He shook his head, wrapping one arm around Rosalie's shoulders, "You should see Jasper and Alice," And I had earlier in the night, they just blew me away with their moves. I couldn't even begin to compare to that. "They're off the wall good."

"You're still miles ahead of me."

Rosalie smiled when Emmet asked her to dance and they made their way onto the dance floor, sliding easily in with the other couples. I sat back in my chair, watching the other people on the dance floor. I didn't see Bella or Edward anywhere around. Periodically, I'd seen them throughout the night, laughing with some of the guests across the room.

It really was a beautiful wedding.

Carlisle came back around when I was knee deep in a slice of cake.

"I really did a very good job choosing this cake," I said, after swallowing another forkful. "I still can't believe you aren't a dessert person."

"Why?"

"Because sugar is just so good."

He let out a short laugh, "I would disagree."

"You're breaking my heart, Carlisle," I joked, holding my hand over my chest dramatically.

"Is that what it takes to break your heart? Desserts?" He raised one eyebrow.

"Yes, of course," I said, nodding, "How could you ever doubt that."

"Silly me."

Carlisle and I relaxed into our seats, content to sit and watch the night pass by. He had one hand resting on the back of my chair as we spoke and watched the couples dancing. Much of the faster music has slowed down as the night itself drew to a close. Some of the guests were slowly trickling out, saying goodbye to Bella and Edward across the room.

"This turned out to be a really beautiful wedding," I commented leaning further back. His hand came up to just barely touch my shoulder. I didn't stop him. The whole day felt like a wishful-thinking dream. All the little touches, all the talking and dancing. It was all the little things that felt like a big thing when I put them all together. "I really enjoyed it."

"It isn't over yet."

I moved my head side to side, "Well, it's almost over, everything's settling down for the night."

"We still have to send the kids off."

"Oh, right, the rice," I said, sitting back up, "I think I left the bag with those packages in the house, I should go get them before everyone leaves."

He stood when I stood, "I'll walk with you, it's dark."

"There's lights on the pathway up to the house," I pointed out.

"I'm still walking with you."

I smiled, "No complaints from me. Come on, before everyone ends up leaving."

He followed behind me as we reached the pathway up to the house. Carlisle stopped to look at me, a little tilt in his head, as if questioning why I had stopped walking. I held out my hand, giving him a small smile. He took it gently, softly.

We walked the rest of the way up, hand in hand, neither of us saying anything—just enjoying the cool night and the dainty lights weaved above and below. I let go of his hand when we reached the door and I pulled it open.

"I think I left them in the kitchen."

The house still had its lights on but it was much quieter than down at the wedding reception. It was almost strange seeing the house so empty. Usually, Alice was bouncing around here somewhere, Carlisle and I hadn't really been by ourselves in his house since graduation I figured.

I shook my head, walking over to the kitchen, Carlisle following behind me. The bags were on the counter, the little rice filled pouches inside.

"Here we go," I said, turning, the light bag in hand. Carlisle was leaning against the counter, looking at me with a soft smile. "What is it?"

"Do you remember last time we were here together?"

"This afternoon?" I raised an eyebrow.

He shook his head, "The graduation."

So, he'd been thinking about that too.

"I remember dancing in between the kitchen island and the sink," I smiled up at him. He pushed back from the counter, taking the few steps towards me, extending a hand.

I set down the bag on the floor, playing along and taking his hand. We didn't have any music, although the wedding could still be distantly heard. One hand went to the curve of my waist, the other holding my own.

We swayed, my eyes dancing with amusement at this turn of events. I knew my cheeks were pink but who could really care. No one was here except he and I, and now he was holding me close, dancing to barely any music.

He twirled me around, spinning me like it was easy. It probably was to him, he knew how to dance, and dance well. I think he stuck to this simple dance because he knew I knew it, too. It was something we both could do without really paying attention. It wasn't the most graceful, but it was warm, even when his hands were cold.

We could both hear when the music started to fade, quieting down until it was only a whisper. The sound of distant talking could still be heard, a word or two made out in the night if I paid attention. I most definitely wasn't paying attention. Not when Carlisle was looking at me like that, and when his hands lingered on my waist.

"Carlisle?" I said, my voice in a whisper, almost afraid to break whatever this was.

His voice was equally soft, "Yes?" One of his hands came upward, reaching out to hold my cheek gently, carefully. He was so close now, closer than he'd been that night—at the graduation party.

"Are you going to kiss me?"

He looked briefly amused at that or maybe it was because the question made my cheeks a darker shade of pink. I couldn't dwell on it long.

His head bent down, his eyes flickering to mine, looking for any doubt. He'd find none. Then, he was kissing me, his lips soft. The gentle humming of electricity was in flames now, going down and up my body until I reached up, putting on hand on his face and drawing him closer. I welcomed that fire, welcomed whatever this was. He didn't press for anything more than what I was willing to give, allowing me to control the kiss.

I drew backwards after a few more moments, my pupil's wide, my mouth opening in surprise. My hands went up to my cheeks, feeling the warmth of them. When I looked up, Carlisle was looking down, a smile on his face, a hand still on my waist holding me close. It made me want to kiss him all over again.

That's exactly what I did, both of my hands coming to pull his face down. I received little resistance from him and his other hand came to hold the other side of my waist, firmly and safely securing me to my position near him. The planes of his face were smooth in my hands and distantly I thought that's how I always knew they would be. I could feel him smile into the kiss, my own smile peeking out as I let out a short laugh, drawing back.

We stayed like that, a few moments more, looking at each other, smiles on our faces, neither of us saying anything else. I finally stepped backward when I heard people moving up the pathway, their voices carrying in the cold night.

My eyes widened and I stepped out of his grip, purposefully not looking at him so I could regain some sense of composure. All of that dignity stuff went right out the window when I looked at Carlisle and now that I knew how his lips felt against mine, if I looked at him, I would just end up completely off course.

"The rice!" I said, grabbing the bag quickly from the floor, hoping the redness in my cheeks would fade by the time anyone really reached the house.

I really was wrong, because when I stepped around the counter, Carlisle was right behind me, his hand making its home on my lower back, igniting another blush. God, could my face get any warmer, I wondered.

The family came bursting into the house, brining their chatter and noise along with them. I smiled at that. Bella had to go up and change, so did Edward but he wasn't the one wearing a wedding dress.

Carlisle's hand stayed where it was, when we were with the rest of the family. It made me terrified but none of them reacted or even said anything. It wasn't that out of the ordinary, not really, I supposed. Although it was, it really really was because things were the same and yet so different. At least to me they were different. Alice did look at me a bit longer, a sly smile on her face but she shrugged it off as nothing, bouncing off to Jasper.

I just smiled, passing them the packets of rice. Renee certainly gave me a questioning look, as did Charlie but they were quickly distracted when Bella came back down the stairs, her dress changed. Edward came second, holding their bags, ever the gentlemen. So, much like Carlisle, I could see pieces of him in all his children. I suppose that happens when people are around each other so long.

We all made our way outside, throwing rice over Edward and Bella as they walked to their car. It was all clapping and well wishing. I wished them all the happiness in the world.

Everyone lingered as we watched them drive off, staying to wave at the newlyweds. Charlie and Renee both headed off for the night, waving and saying goodbyes to everyone. I was just glad they seemed to forget about any questions they may have had about Carlisle and I, simply wanting to return to their hotel and home, respectively.

We all filed back inside, Alice and Jasper going out to see to it the clean-up crew did their jobs, mostly just supervising and making sure they moved things to the right places. Carlisle had disappeared somewhere, I think talking to Rosalie and I moved on inside.

I made my way upstairs, grabbing the clothes I'd came in with and shoving them into my bag. It was already quite late. I made sure I had all of my things before I left Alice's room back downstairs.

"Leaving?" Carlisle was at the bottom of the stairs.

I smiled as I stepped down, "It's late and cold and dark."

"Do you want me to drive you?"

I shook my head, no, "I have my car here."

"I could always bring it by tomorrow," he suggested.

"No, it's fine really, I'm not too tired to drive."

"Yes, but it's late and cold and dark." He repeated my words back to me, a grin on his face the entire time.

"And I'll live through that."

He looked like he wanted to argue his point further but then just shook his head, a smile on his face, still. "I'm walking you out."

On that I didn't fight him.

I said goodnight to everyone as I went out. Carlisle behind me, casually. Nothing was up. They couldn't possibly know anything at all had happened. Hell, I was still processing it. My brain kept it on replay.

We walked out quietly, my shoes tapping against the ground.

I unlocked my car with the keys remotely, keys in my hand, and turned around toward Carlisle. I really didn't know where either of us stood now.

"I can see it in your face," he said, his voice soft.

I looked up at him fully, my eyes meeting his, "See what?"

"Your brain working overtime."

I rolled my eyes, "I can't help it, I don't know where this leaves us."

"It leaves us wherever you want us to be."

"And if I don't know where that is?"

His mouth flickered up in a smile, "Then here we are."

I repeated his words under my breath, "Here we are." I reached out, putting a hesitant hand on his cheek. Everything seemed so certain in the kitchen but now, standing out in the cold dark night I was scared—trembling.

He leaned down, closing much of the distance between us by lying his forehead against mine, letting me know he wouldn't press me for anything. God, he was wonderful. I knew what I wanted. I wanted him.

I let that thought propel me forward standing just a bit on the tip of my shoes to reach his mouth with my own. I felt his arms move to my waist, holding me steady. Daringly, I swiped my tongue across his bottom lip and a small sound came from his lips, his grip tightening on me, pulling me just a little closer and yet holding me a short distance away, like he was holding back. I smiled when I pulled away, out of breath.

"I want to be allowed to do this," I said, my right-hand tracing his jaw, my left went to the center of his chest. "I want to be here with you."

Again, he put his forehead to mine, the cool skin a welcome feeling against my own flushed skin. "I want to be here with you, too."

I smiled, drawing back slightly to see his eyes, "Well, here we are."

"Here we are," he agreed.

"I should go," I said, glancing back at my car. It was already late.

He nodded, still holding me somewhat close, his hands lightly at my waist. "Don't forget about the 19th."

"I won't," I didn't want to move out of his grasp and he didn't appear to want to let me go either. We stayed there a few moments longer, until goosebumps from the cold pricked my skin. Carlisle noticed immediately.

"I'll see you at the hospital tomorrow?"

I nodded, "At noon."

"Good, now go before you freeze to death."

"You wouldn't let that happen."

He shook his head, "I'd make you stay here, now, go you'll catch a cold."

"Of course, Dr. Cullen," I smiled when he gave me a playful glare, shaking his head.

"You'll be the death of me."

"Most likely." I couldn't stop smiling.

It was only when another gust of wind came that I finally relented, stepping out of his grasp and into the warmth of my car. He waited at the tip of the driveway, watching as I pulled away.

I had one terrifying thought as I drove away.

Good god, I'm going to fall in love with him.


Happy New Year! I was actually planning to post a chapter on New Year's Day but then I realized this chapter was the wedding and I didn't want to rush that. For the wedding order of events I sort of threw all that out the window and did what I wanted because I didn't want to reread the book. Anyway, hey they finally kissed and three times, too. It's not over yet, don't you worry. I have a plan for where things are headed. I haven't quite decided on the ending I want yet though. I keep going back and forth.

Also, the 14th of January marks the one year anniversary since I first published this fic so thanks guys for all the support.

Anyway, sorry for the long wait on this chapter, I've been very distracted. Lots of movies came out. Knives Out was wonderful. Rise of Skywalker was…an experience; I've been re-watching the originals to console myself. I've also been re-watching the Hobbit trilogy, that served as background noise while I wrote this chapter.

Don't forget to Read and Review! Tell me what you think. Sorry about any Grammar or spelling mishaps.