Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Bella's 'poem' is a real song, that I do not own.

BPOV

A month flew by quickly, and soon it was the day before the wedding. Renee had come in the week before the wedding. She, like most people, was mesmerized by Edward. It was amusing to see her doubts about Edward almost completely vanish within the first few conversations between the two of them.

It was a bittersweet experience packing up my room. I was leaving all of the big furniture behind. I wanted Charlie to be able to come in here after I was gone and be able to find some comfort, instead of a bare room.

Esme and Carlisle had gifted us a cottage a few miles away from their main house as an early wedding present. Charlie and I were both shocked by their generosity. Esme and Alice had renovated and fully furnished the cottage so we could move in after the wedding.

Charlie had his concerns about me moving out, but I assured him that I would still see him all the time. It seemed like everything was being taken care of without any effort from me. Alice was ecstatic to plan our wedding, while begrudgingly keeping it small, and making us promise our next wedding would be a grander affair.

We couldn't go on a real honeymoon until after I was changed, for the fear that something would happen while I was away from my doctors. Edward was keeping our honeymoon plans in complete secrecy. It was strange and slightly endearing to be taken care of. It was also slightly annoying, I wanted to do things for myself, but I could feel myself moving slower and slower. I tried to keep the frustration of my ailing body to myself. It seemed like I couldn't do anything by myself these days.

The day of the wedding, I woke alone. Edward had gone hunting with Emmett and Jasper so that was to be expected, but it was still unusual to wake up alone. Alice barged into my room, and almost dragged me out of bed.

"It's your wedding day!" She squealed. Her excitement was infectious, I found myself smiling and giggling with her. It was a dramatic pivot from my normal temperament.

My mother was downstairs in the kitchen. She pulled out a bowl and some cereal for me, I was thankful she didn't try to cook for me. I still remembered how her food was almost inedible. Phil had flown down with her, but I assumed he was still at the only hotel Forks had to offer.

After a quick breakfast, we were on our way to the Cullen's house. Alice had kept everything a surprise, but she swore I would love it, and I didn't bet against Alice.

She parked in the garage before I had any opportunity to see anything for myself. My nervousness wasn't as bad as I anticipated, mostly because I knew it was going to be an intimate event. I was pretty sure most people had no clue we were even getting married, so that made it easier to keep my cool.

"I can help with her hair, if you'd like?" Rosalie asked, she sounded slightly unsure of herself, which wasn't normal for her. I couldn't keep the shock of my face, Alice smiled and nodded.

Rose scoffed at the look on my face, this sounded more like her, "Please, I'm not offended by your choice of groom."

"I don't," I stumbled through the words, "I actually don't know what I did to make you hate me so much."

"I don't hate you, I don't particularly like you," she admitted. "But, I suppose I envied you, Bella."

I nodded in not entirely understanding, "Edward told me that Carlisle envisioned you two would-," I wasn't sure how to end that sentence.

"That's a small part of it, yes, but Bella you have a choice in this, none of us did."

I was shocked when Rose started telling her own story. I truly felt for Rosalie when she told me just how her human life ended.

"You, see I didn't get a choice, but you do, and it's not a choice to be taken lightly. I suppose that's only partially true, Edward wouldn't just let you die, not if he could stop it."

I saw Alice elbow Rosalie with great force.

"It's the truth, Alice," Rosalie defended.

I nodded, trying to take in everything that Rosalie had told me.

"But, I have seen how happy you make him, so I suppose that, if he's happy, I'll-," she trailed off trying to think of the right word.

"You'll tolerate me?" I chuckled.

"Exactly," her head nodded sharply.

"Aww, weddings. They bring everyone together," Alice squeezed my shoulders. Rose scoffed, and I just laughed.

My hair and makeup were done fairly quickly. Then Renee and Charlie showed me a beautiful antique clip for my hair. It was a family heirloom, I felt a pang of sadness that it would never actually be passed on. I pushed it away to focus on the joy of the occasion, Edward was tying himself to me in every way humanly possible. I pulled both my parents into an embrace, I was trying to show them how much I loved them.

The dress was beautiful. Alice had picked it out, but it was the perfect dress. A simple tea-length dress, with a sweetheart neckline and lace sleeves. It suited the simplicity of today's occasion.

"I picked tea-length, so you don't roll over it with that horrid bag," Alice joked, but I was pretty sure that she was serious about her reasoning behind the length of the dress, it was the same reasoning she used at prom.

"I love it, Alice. Thank you, for everything." I pulled her into an embrace. She pulled away after a minute.

"No smudging my masterpiece," she laughed, but I could hear the emotion in her voice.

I greeted Charlie at the back entrance of the house. The doorway had flowers hanging down, it obstructed any view of the garden. This was the door that led to Esme's garden. I heard the music start, giving us our cue. It felt right that Charlie was here to walk down the aisle. We walked through the flowers and the view was breathtaking. It was a little funny to think about the bag that I was still pulling behind me, but I didn't focus on that for long.

There were flowers above us forming a tent, and the arch where Edward was standing was made of ivy. Between that and the flowers of Esme's garden surrounding us, it was breathtaking. The best sight of all was Edward standing there, waiting for me. I almost couldn't believe it. This was far beyond any fantasy of mine.

Everyone was standing around us in a semicircle. We kept the traditional vows, even though there was nothing traditional about us or our family. The only vow we changed was instead of 'until death do us part', we changed the vow to 'for the rest of eternity'. It was a small change, but it felt significant.

We ended the day with a 'reception', which was mostly everyone giving short speeches about the two of us around the Cullen's dining room table.

Emmett jumped at the chance to go first, "Bella, I hope you've gotten enough sleep the last 17 years, you won't be getting anymore anytime soon." Edward and I cringed at his unintended, but maybe possible intended, innuendo.

Alice assumed her role as the official tension breaker for the Cullens, "Bella, I am so happy for the two of you. My best friend and my brother, you two are truly perfect for each other, and now I'll get to help your aversion to fashion, we'll start with getting you a better bag. Congratulations you two." Everyone laughed and clapped for Alice's toast.

Renee sobbed through her speech so much so the it was incoherent. Charlie spent his vaguely threatening Edward, if only he knew Edward was bulletproof. Phil spoke briefly about how although we weren't blood-related, he truly felt that I was his daughter too. Esme and Carlisle both thanked Renee and Charlie for bring me into the world,

Jasper's was surprisingly sweet, "Bella, I have spent what feels like a long time watching Edward unhappy. I'm not one for words, but you have completed our family in a way no one could have predicted, not even Alice. You're the sister and daughter that none of us knew we needed, the piece that Edward had been missing and for that I thank you." Jasper's words almost brought tears to my eyes.

"It is a beautiful thing, meeting you other half so young, any amount of time I get with Bella is a gift, and I will spend the rest of eternity treasuring it. Bella, you brought forth a happiness I hadn't known until I found you. I will cherish each second I get with you. I am honored to be the love of your life, as you are mine." Edward's word brought me the tears back to my eyes.

It was truly the perfect day. After everyone had said their goodbyes, it was time to go to our cottage. Both Charlie, Renee, and Phil were astonished at the generosity of Carlisle and Esme.

All of my belongings had been moved to the cottage, but this would be my first time seeing it.

"Fair warning," Edward whispered in my ear. I felt myself being placed on his back, and him taking my backpack out of my hand. I screwed my eyes shut. When I felt the movement stop, I opened my eyes to find us in complete darkness. He placed me down on the ground and we walked a little further before I saw the dim glow of the lights.

I was abruptly scooped into Edward's arm.

"Is this really necessary?" I laughed.

"I'm nothing if not traditional." His voice was light and carefree, it was still my favorite sound in the world.

The cottage was beautiful. I walked in to see a piano and walls lined with books. It felt like home.

"Are you tired?" Edward whispered in my hair. I just shook my head. I felt my heart race a little. It was worsened by the fact that Edward could absolutely hear it. I tilted my head up and kissed him. The kiss was intense and full of the love we shared.

"Bella," Edward warned.

"Please, can we just try?"

"What if-," he started to argue.

"You won't hurt me," I assured him.

"If I do, you must tell me right away." I could hear his concern, but I wholeheartedly trusted Edward.

"I will, I promise."

"If this doesn't work-"

"I trust you, Edward."

I woke up the next morning in complete bliss. It took me a second to realize I was covered in feathers. It took me a another second to realize Edward was sitting in the corner of the room, sitting in a chair, and watching me intently. I reached for the cannula and oxygen tank. Normally Edward helped me with it each morning, but he was still watching me. I felt a little nervous under his intense, scrutinizing gaze. There was a robe next to me, so I put in on. As I reached for the cannula I noticed my muscles felt a little sore.

"Why are you over there?" I asked, confused. " And why am I covered in feathers?"

He exhaled impatiently. "I bit a pillow. Or two..." I looked to the side and it did indeed look like several pillows had exploded.

"How badly are you hurt?" His voice was intense and apologetic.

I shook my head, I wasn't sure I had heard him correctly.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, getting out of the bed, I started walking towards him. "I'm f-"

"Please, if you value my sanity, do not say you're fine," he pleaded.

"But I am," I insisted.

"Bella, look." He lifted the sleeve of my robe to reveal some fingerprint shaped bruises.

"That's nothing." I pushed the sleeve down.

"No, Bella, look," Edward insisted, pulling down the shoulder to reveal mouth shaped bruises. "Bella, I cannot tell you how sorry I am."

"I'm not." Edward shot me an incredulous look. "Really, I not. Look I know it's not the same for you, but I can't imagine it getting any better than that, Edward."

"That's what you're worried about? That I didn't enjoy myself? Bella, last night was the best night of my existence," Edward's words were gentle and loving, but I could still see his guarded expression.

"This is probably the only time I've hated that you can't read my mind, Edward. Then you'd know how perfectly happy I am, or at least was five seconds ago. Now I'm kind of getting upset," I ranted just trying to get past Edward's stubbornness.

"You should be mad at me."

I took a deep breath, trying to keep myself as calm as possible.

"Edward," I said gently, he was avoiding my gaze, "Edward, just look at me please."

He finally looked up at me. I could see the torment in his eyes.

"Honestly, I am fine. I would tell you if I wasn't. Trust me. I bruise incredibly easily, you know that. You've seen it firsthand. I don't want to spend any of our time like this, okay? Just trust me," I hoped I finally got through to him. I leaned in to kiss him, and felt his hesitation. He pulled away very quickly. If I didn't nip this in the bud, we'd be like this for the rest of my human life.

"Edward, please. I don't want to spend the last few weeks like this. Trust in me enough to believe I would tell you if I wasn't okay," my voice was slightly raised, and I think my words finally sunk in. He searched my eyes, I think he was looking for a semblance of a lie. When he didn't, he leaned down and kissed me with desperation, it was only then that my stomach started rumbling.

"We'll resume this later, let's get you some food first," he chuckled as he walked out of the bedroom.

He watched as I wrote something new. Something for us.

Lover

We could leave the Christmas lights up 'til January
And this is our place, we make the rules
And there's a dazzling haze, a mysterious way about you dear
Have I known you 20 seconds or 20 years?

Can I go where you go?
Can we always be this close forever and ever?
And ah, take me out, and take me home
You're my, my, my, my
Lover

We could let our friends crash in the living room
This is our place, we make the call
And I'm highly suspicious that everyone who sees you wants you
I've loved you one summer now, honey, but I want them all

Can I go where you go?
Can we always be this close forever and ever?
And ah, take me out, and take me home, forever and ever
You're my, my, my, my
Lover

Ladies and gentlemen, will you please stand?
With every IV scar on my hand
I take this magnetic force of a man to be my lover
My heart's been borrowed and yours has been blue
All's well that ends well to end up with you
Swear to be overdramatic and true to my lover
And you'll save all your dirtiest jokes for me
And at every table, I'll save you a seat, lover

Can I go where you go?
Can we always be this close forever and ever?
And ah, take me out, and take me home, forever and ever
You're my, my, my, my
Oh, you're my, my, my, my
Darling, you're my, my, my, my
Lover

Edward enjoyed composing to that piece. It felt like a fantasy, just the two of us, together, completely at peace.

"This is nice, just us, alone together, not worrying about anything," I sighed wistfully. I knew it wouldn't last like this forever. Neither of us wanted to acknowledge the darkness and morbidity looming beneath the surface of our little oasis.

"Isn't it supposed to be like this?" He smiled. "The glory of first love, and all that. It's incredible, isn't it, the difference between reading about something, seeing it in the pictures, and experiencing it?"

"Very different," I agreed. "More forceful than I'd imagined."

The second week, Charlie insisted on visiting us, so we met him in the main house. Emmett kept making innuendos around him. Each one became more and more obvious, Charlie was either ignoring it or he really didn't notice.

"Promise me, that once you're changed you'll challenge Emmett to an arm wrestle or something, I think he needs to be taken down a notch," Edward had never talked about my change so lightheartedly before, so I just laughed and agreed.

We started meeting Charlie at his house and the local diner for dinner each night. It was my way of spending more time with him, I tried not to think about how much time I would be able to give him. I wondered if I would be able to give Renee anymore time, or had I already seen her for the last time?

We spent those 2 weeks in complete bliss.

Then this happened.

It was morning. Edward cooked me breakfast like normal. I woke up and something felt wrong. I couldn't quite place the feeling. I made my way into the kitchen, I wasn't sure what Edward saw on my face, but the concern was evident on his face.

"Bella? What's wrong, love?" Edward's musical voice was filled with concern. I felt like I was encased in water, Edward's seemed so far away, and his words weren't any making sense.

"Edward?" I couldn't process what he was saying.

"I'm right here, love." His cold hand felt good on my arm.

"I love you, Edward."

I tried to concentrate on the angel's voice instead, but the water was pulling me further and further in. I felt myself falling, but someone caught me. Then I saw an angel standing over me, Edward.

"Bella, please! Bella, listen to me, please, please, please, Bella, please!" he begged.

Yes, I wanted to say. Anything. But I couldn't find my lips.

"Carlisle!" the angel called, agony in his perfect voice. "Bella, Bella, no, oh please, no, no!" And the angel was sobbing tearless, broken sobs.

The angel shouldn't weep, it was wrong. I tried to find him, to tell him everything was fine, but the water was so deep, it was pressing on me, and I couldn't breathe.

Then everything went dark.