2brown-eyes reads

Mistakes are mine

"Bella," Edward says, his eyes already glassy as he holds my left hand in his. "I know this has been a whirlwind, but after our first date, I went back to my apartment and told Alec I was going to marry you."

"Yeah!" Alec's just beyond Edward's shoulder, yelling to the laughing audience with a fist pump. "Truth bomb!"

"I didn't know it would be this soon at the time," Edward continues, grinning. "But three weeks, three years"—he shrugs one shoulder—"it wouldn't matter. It doesn't matter. Because I love you now and I'll still love you then. This is my promise to you."

Silent tears stream down my cheeks, and I can hear Rose sniffling behind me. I take a deep breath and blow it out, readying myself to speak from the heart. I didn't write vows because I thought I'd look into his happy eyes, and they'd spill from my lips.

I tighten my hold on his hand, the ones where our tattoos are already done. We decided that during the ceremony might be a bit much, so we had his guy do them earlier today instead.

"Bella," Mayor Swan says from his position in front of us, motioning to Edward. "We're waiting."

"Right." I laugh, my hand shaking in his larger one. "I love you, Edward, and I trust you to take care of my heart." I pause, giving him a tearful smile. "I foolishly didn't write vows, thinking that I'd know just what to say when I looked into your eyes." Rose huffs a laugh. "I should've known that wouldn't be the case. They've bewitched me from the start. All you have to do is turn on the twinkle, and I'm a puddle of goo." Said goo is gumming up the works, but I push it down. "Like you said, this has been a whirlwind, but I trust this thing between us enough to know that it's real and will be long-lasting. I don't make promises I can't keep, and this is my promise to you."

Charlie Swan sighs, and we stare at each other a beat longer before we face him. "By the power vested in me by the state of Washington, I now pronounce you husband and wife." He eyes Edward. "Take it away, son."

The small crowd cheers as my guy cups my face and kisses me far longer than is appropriate, but at least he keeps his tongue out of it—mostly. The nerves that have been plaguing me today melt away like fresh snow in the sun and pride radiates from inside me as we face the gathering of friends and family.

Edward's sister, Jessica, runs up to us as soon as we step down from the pedestal. "That was beautiful." She hugs her brother and then shifts to me, pausing to see if it's okay.

I open my arms. "Thanks, sweetie."

Emily appears beside her. "Are you Edward's sister who has the LOL dolls?"

Jessica looks at Edward with wide eyes and he gives her an encouraging nod. "I told Emily about your collection."

Jessica beams at her brother before turning to Emily and eagerly starting a chat about dolls.

"Congratulations, son," a tall, handsome Carlisle Cullen says, shaking Edward's hand. "You know I have my hesitations, but I'm going to trust you to know what you're doing." He shifts his gaze to me, and it's clear where the eyes come from. "Welcome to the family, Bella." He gives me a warm hug.

"B." Alice flies into my arms as soon as Carlisle steps away, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I can't believe you did it. You're married." She's a snot-sobbing mess, and I catch Esme's eye over her shoulder.

She shakes her head, chuckling. "My Alice always has been a romantic at heart."

"You can say that again." I laugh, trying to pull my hundred-pound Bff off me. "Alice, you're getting tears all over my dress."

She jumps back, gasping. If there's one thing Alice cares about more than romance, it's fashion. "I'm sorry." She's still on the verge of tears. "I just can't believe it."

Beyond her, another introduction is taking place of its own accord. Edward's father and Alice's mother have locked eyes and are drawn together like magnets. Her trills of laughter reach our ears, and Alice, Edward, and I all exchange a look.

"What is that about?" I eye my best friend.

"Oh, that's totally her flirty laugh," Alice says, tears gone completely as she studies her mother. "I'll be damned."

"Yeah." Edward snorts a laugh. "Dad is definitely interested."

"Damn right he is," I say, narrowing my eyes. "Look at him. He's twinkling at her."

Edward tosses his beautiful head back and laughs loudly. "Then, I'd imagine she's his for the taking."

I turn to him, my arms around his waist. "Exactly."

We eat a catered dinner and then dance until midnight. Fireworks boom overhead and we kiss under the stars. My wedding is everything I'd ever hoped for, and best of all, I got to share it with Rose.

I watched her smile and dance.

"I'm so happy for you, sis." She hugs me tightly just before she and Emmett head off to bed. "I can rest easy knowing my baby sister is in good hands."

"The best hands." I want to cry, but I don't.

Today isn't the day to be sad.

My sister is tired after a long, happy day.

It's a moment to celebrate.

So I find my swimmer and do just that.

Later that night, in the honeymoon suite of a ritzy hotel, I show him my quiet surprise. The one I snuck out of bed at two a.m. last night to get.

An E-heart.

My matching Christmas Ink.

An epi left.

Skip it if you like where we are right now.

Merry Christmas!

See some of you tmr :)