Go look up "Yellow" played by Brooklyn Duo on YouTube and you'll see why I chose that arrangement. So amazing...
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Ch. 57 A Perfect Day
Ok. This is happening. This is real. This is NOT a drill, people. I repeat. This is NOT a drill!
IRIS ELIZABETH MCGEE IS MARRYING EDWARD CULLEN! Holy frickin matrimony.
I stared at my shocked—and puffy from just waking up—yet somehow equally overjoyed, face in the mirror. It was the same expression I had been wearing for the last two months since Edward had proposed. I didn't know myself. The amount of shear joy visible there was beyond any I had seen displayed on my face in my whole life. This was really happening, April 23, 1970, my wedding day. DAMN STRAIGHT!
I didn't want to delay the ceremony any longer than necessary, eager to spend my life—and hopefully eternal existence—with my mate. Hell yes! It's finally here, Iris! Deep breaths. Deeeeeeeeep breaths. It will not do to pass out on your wedding day...MY WEDDING DAY! Calm down, Iris. Calm dow—shut the fuck up! It's my WEDDING DAY! I was squealing more than a basic bitch who just realized It was pumpkin spice season at Starbucks.
The rushed planning had made Alice have to work overtime, and she whined about it in her usual Alice way. However, I think she secretly enjoyed every adrenaline-inducing moment. Would we find the right shade of fabric? Would the flowers arrive in time? Would Emmett pass his quiz to be ordained properly? We just didn't know...ok, fine Alice knew everything, but it was fun to pretend we were racing against the clock.
Everything was going to be perfect. Beyond perfect. We were keeping the ceremony small at the manor—Alice's version of small, so, you know, more elaborate than any wedding you have ever seen before but not as many people present. I didn't have many friends outside of the Cullens...kind of sad, but they were all I needed, my family. The Denali Coven was coming—so excited to watch Tanya squirm...what? She's just...so. Freaking. Tanya. Ugh.
While I had allowed Alice to go rougue on her own with most things, I had one part of the day which I wanted to choose for myself—my dress. Rosalie and Alice helped me draw up a design while Esme sewed the plan into fruition. It was exactly as I had imagined. You go, Esme...the gown was an A-lined style with an ivory silk lace overlay and a flesh-toned underlayer. The hand-beaded bodice was fitted with an open round neck and lace capped sleeves which met the also sheer lace that covered my back all the way to my neck. The bottom hung loose and billowy, pouring into a short train which gently trailed behind me. This dress was going to knock Edward's socks off—or actually, hopefully his pants...oh, Iris, you minx...
"Ok, Iris, you're all ready. You've got your something old and borrowed—" Alice pointed to the necklace which she had fashioned into a head piece encircling my forehead. It was gorgeous, the diamonds and pearls forming flowers and other beautifully intricate patterns along my crown. "—your something new—" She motioned you my dress. "Now for something blue..." She got a devious smile as she disappeared and reappeared just as quickly in a blur, holding something out of sight behind her back. She suddenly ducked beneath my dress—thankfully I was still seated at her vanity—and slid what I had to assume was a garter all the way up my leg. Shit Alice...Edward May get lost if you go much further...not that I'd mind him getting lost...there...A blush rushed to my cheeks, and Alice winked at me.
"Thanks Alice and Rosalie." Rose was standing behind me where she had just finished with my hair while Alice applied my makeup. Each of the Cullen women were dressed in varying shades of purple chiffon, and looked like runway models.
In this reality, Edward had been able to help Rosalie desensitize to me years ago with some of my things I had left behind. Between that and the fact that she had her own family—children, grandchildren, and Emmett—she was way less pig headed and rude to me than before, not that she didn't have her reservations, though. She still thought I was an idiot for ever getting involved with a bunch of vampires. She stilled valued humanity above all else, but she no longer harbored the amount of jealousy which she had before due to the changes in her story. We weren't best friends or anything, but she was cordial with me, and excited at the prospect of having another baby around.
"Don't thank us yet. Look!" Alice spun my chair around to face the mirror over her vanity, and I gasped.
I was the epitome of a blushing bride. My skin was a glowing and dewy bronze, slightly paler than usual due to the near-constant rain and overcast skies of Scotland but still shades darker than any of the Cullens. My hair was expertly braided messily on purpose to the side in the ultimate boho-chic plait which rested on my right shoulder. Loosely curled tendrils swept away from my face at the front in a side part which framed Alice's masterpiece impeccably. My makeup was soft and understated with touches of rose and gold hues and a naturally tinted lip. No one could have done a better job than the Cullen women. You go, girls!
The smile which just couldn't seem to leave me crept back where it belonged, and Alice hugged me around the shoulders.
"I'm so happy that you found my brother. Finally I can truly call you my sister...this is amazing!" She squealed but then stopped immediately to snap at me. "Hey! Don't mess up your makeup by crying. You stop that right now!"
"Why'd you have to say something so sweet then, Alice?! What'd you expect? You're the freaking psychic!"
"Ugh, come here. Let me fix these blotches..."
"You know, I'm thankful for you too, Iris. Carlisle hinted one time when I was being exceptionally stubborn about this life to what would have become of me without your intervention." Rosalie paused and her eyes took on a faraway look for a second before she met my eyes once more. "So thank you, truly." Daw...
"You're welcome, Rosalie. We women have to stick together. You may not remember this, but you supported me when a near-attack happened by a guy at the mall. I'll never forget that whether you do recall it or not..." I was sniffing back tears as I spoke. That seemed like forever ago, but it was only a few years back for me. How amazing it was the way things change in just a few short years. I wonder what eternity would hold for me...?
"Rose! Stop with the sentiment! I'm trying to fix this mess on her face, and you're making it worse!" Alice snapped again, and Rose and I laughed together for the first time.
"Mess? Thanks, Alice." My sarcasm was marred by the fact that I was still laughing. Damnit! Get it together, McGee. You only get one chance at being the smokin' hot bride! Don't ruin it with all the snot!
I sobered the best I could, and Alice gave me a nod of approval before beginning again on her smeared canvas. After about five minutes she stood back to stare at her work.
"What's the verdict?"
"You're breathtaking." Esme answered from the doorway, and I smiled at her.
"Thank you."
"Iris, I just wanted to tell you how proud I am of how far you have come in the time which I have known you. You have overcome your fears, helped return my son home, and matured into the woman who you were always meant to be. I cannot wait for you to officially be a member of the family, but please know that you have always been a daughter to me." She smiled earnestly. Shit. Here come the waterworks...
Alice comically threw her hands up in the air with a disparaging expression of exasperation. "Seriously?! Come on, Esme! I just finished her, and now I'm going to have to start all over! Cut it out with the tears, Iris!"
"Oh, it will be fine, Alice. Don't be anxious. Let me help with that." Esme, always so calm and gracious, gently removed the makeup brush from Alice's hand and began powdering my nose. God, I must be pretty ugly if it takes three rounds of makeup to tame my beast of a face...
"Ok...NOW you're done." Alice sighed, appeased once more.
"Are you sure? We could go for a fourth round if you think I need it that badly..." I rolled my eyes playfully.
"Iris, this has been a long time coming. You didn't see Edward all those years while he waited for you to show back up. He was always on edge, on alert, eager and anxious both for the time when you would arrive. He was so scared he had already lost you when I couldn't see your arrival. Some days he looked like a shell of a man, others he grinned with hope at the thought of being together with you for eternity. I just want to do this right for him...and you, of course, but it has to be perfect. And now, it will be." Alice smiled softly, and my eyes twitched as I tried to hold back tears again. No, damnit. No more tears. You can do this, for him and for you, Iris. We each deserve this perfect day.
I stood from my chair and walked to kiss each of the Cullen women on the cheeks before I turned toward the door to exit into the corridor. It swung open before I reached it, and Carlisle greeted me in a sleek tan tuxedo. Ooh La La.
"Iris." He said with his heartbreakingly warm and beautiful smile. "You are a vision. Any man would be lucky to have you, but my son will be exceptionally overjoyed." He chuckled.
"Thank you. I'm so happy to have him as well. Is he making it ok? He hasn't paced a hole in the ground has he? Alice will never forgive him for ruining her decorations..." I was rambling nervously as it finally hit me that this was real. It was happening. ITS MY FUCKING WEDDING DAY!! HELL YES!
I could have sworn that I heard the ghost of a velvet laugh from downstairs, and I was overtaken by a welcomed calm.
"Thank you, Jasper...Edward, I love you." I whispered with a grin knowing they each heard me.
"We will have to travel there by car. I'm not going to accidentally ruin your hair or dress, good weather or not." Alice chirped.
Esme, Carlisle, and Rose ran ahead, and I assumed they were following Jasper, Emmett, and...Edward, my almost—oh Lord I'm really doing this! Yes!!
The car ride was kind of long...much longer than it took to run there because we had to follow the winding roads along the Scottish hillside. The ceremony and reception would take place at the exact spot where Edward proposed to me. I hadn't seen any of it yet as Alice wanted to surprise me, but I could imagine how gorgeous it would be.
We pulled into a large tent which served as a make-shift garage for our car, and it doubled in duty of keeping me hidden off the short, but winding path in the woods which led to the open area where the ceremony would take place. My heart began to beat quickly and stutter at the thought of who and what awaited me mere yards away. Ohmygodohmygodohmygod!
"Ok, Iris, are you ready?" I closed my eyes, and took a few deep breaths, and another wave of calm—created without Jasper's help thank you very much—came over me.
"Yes. More than ready." I spoke with a surprising amount of unmistakeable confidence.
I chose to forgo having bridesmaids or anyone "give me away." It could have been interpreted as a message of feminism and equal rights, but in my case, it had more to do with my journey thus far. I was coming to this eternal family alone, and leaving along side them, never to be alone again.
"Alright, well, I will meet you down there then. Don't worry, when you come around the car, you will see where you need to go." She pulled a bouquet of purple Irises from the car, and handed them to me.
"Wait, what's the music I'm walking to? The traditional wedding march? Edward said it was a surprise. How will I know when to go?"
"Oh, you'll know." Alice said cryptically with a sly grin.
I could only sigh in resignation at her antics. "Thanks again for all of this, Alice. I love you."
"Hey! No crying before the vows!" She said in a playfully harsh tone. Then she pecked me on the cheek, stood up on her tippy toes, and whispered in my ear, "Love you too, Sis." And she was gone.
Then I heard it. The music Edward had carefully and lovingly been hiding from me as he made the arrangements all these weeks. It was the song I had sung for him, "Yellow." The piano playing was undeniably beautiful, but it was the sound of a cello winding it's way into the melody that called to me, lulling me into submission. Come this way...It seemed to say. The meaning of every unsung lyric in the song was evident in the passion infused into the playing. This was it. It was time for me to go toward my future.
I stepped onto the leaf-covered pathway which was meticulous lined with ivory candles. Candles also hung above me at different lengths, almost appearing to float in the trees. I trusted Alice's foresight that this would not cause some kind of forest fire...
The contrast between the darkness of the woods at twilight and the warm glow of lights along the path created a distinct aura of otherworldliness, totally ethereal. Deep purple Irises, fragrant orange blossoms, and honeysuckle were strategically placed along the winding trail. The forest played its own role as natural decor. I took it all in, awed by the view and Alice's ability to capture every emotion I could never express. It was beautiful. Alice was a fucking genius.
My breathing picked up, and my heart sped as I looked ahead and saw the path opening up to what I knew would be the grassy knoll.
I took a few last steps until I was standing in an archway of trees, probably formed by Alice herself. I looked around to see the Denali's and Cullen's standing rather than sitting to form an aisle. Tanya smiled tightly, but her eyes sqiunted slightly like she she wanted to do something else to me besides smile politely. Kate waved, Irina smiled softly, Eleazar nodded, and Carmen grinned warmly. Alice blew me a kiss, and Jasper nodded to me in encouragement, tipping an invisible hat. Carlisle and Esme looked to me proudly. Esme had those venomous tears in her eyes again. I loved them all, ok maybe not boyfriend-stealing Tanya...I just kind of liked her sometimes...mostly when she wasn't around.
Alice's theme was obvious, a boho chic fairytale, very hippie, very me. Yet, it was also somehow refined and elegant like Edward. It was an amazing infusion of our two opposing selves made into one perfect event.
Rosalie smiled at me from behind the piano. Then my eyes met Edward's molten lava of golden irises. He was playing the Cello, calling to my soul. Good God was there nothing he couldn't do?
Too many emotions to describe were displayed in his eyes alone. His smile was blindingly white and intense, wider and more elated than ever before. I imagine it was rivaled only by my own. I ignored the pain in my cheeks from smiling so much today. It's happening. It's finally real.
Emmett gave me the thumbs up and I laughed lightly, only he could break such a privately profound moment with his goofy nature.
I looked back to Edward as I began my descent down the candle-lined aisle and didn't look away even as he stood from his seated position behind the large instrument and reached for my hands. I accepted him willingly, excitedly, and he led me the rest of the way to the alter. I love you, my dear. More than you'll ever know even from my mind...
Edward's smile softened and he kissed my cheek in response to my thoughts. He pulled back just as Emmett began his speech.
"We join here tonight to honor the love and journey thus far of that love between my brother, Edward, and his eternal mate, Iris. Our goal here is to join this couple legally and in holy matrimony as they have already been joined in destiny..."
Shit, Emmett. I thought for sure you were going to screw this whole thing up with sexual innuendoes and random animal noises. I'm impressed.
Edward chuckled and shook his head slightly, and I could just imagine him saying, "Can't you control your thoughts long enough for me to enjoy this, our wedding ceremony?" Edward smiled again and lifted a brow. Apparently I guessed correctly. Sorry, my love. He nodded gently with an approving grin, squeezing my hands. I loved him.
"Edward Anthony Masen Cullen, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife to have and to hold, for richer or poorer-but let's be real, it's for richer—" There was hushed laugher from our family and friends. I spoke too soon, and Edward glared at Emmett. "Ok, sorry. No editing, got it...Ahem, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health as long as you both shall live?"
Edward's expression turned back to intense passion and love as he spoke with conviction, "I do."
"And Iris Elizabeth—hey! That's your mom's name, Ed!" Everyone bursted our into a laugh for real that time. Oh Emmett, you were doing so well...
"Honestly Emmett..." Edward said through tight lips.
"Right..uhh...do you, Iris Elizabeth McGee take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband to have and to hold, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health as long as you both shall live?"
"I do." I said with a grin. This was it. He was finally mine. All mine. My everything.
"Then with the power vested to me by the—" Emmett looked at his hand for a second. "Frankfurt Church of All Things Good in His Glory—what? It was the easiest one to get by mail here—I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride, Dude." Emmett gave the thumbs up again. Well, that was interest—
Edward's eager lips met my own and halted any other thought from me which may have proceeded. He was mine, my everything, my husband...oh, Edward...
"I love you, Iris, my love, my life...my wife." He spoke in reverence into my ear, and I sighed in contentment.
"I love you..."
The small crowd erupted in applause as Edward turned me to face our gathered friends and family.
He swept me into his arms and rushed us back down the path for a moment alone...with my husband...oh I would never tire of that title.
"Edward, my husband?" I blinked my lashes flirtatiously and bit my lower lip, an action I knew drove Edward wild.
"Yes, Iris, my wife?" He nearly growled but smiled as his eyes smoldered.
"I can't wait for the reception to end..." my voice was breathy and intentionally seductive.
"We could skip it..." He said suggestively with a wag of his eyebrows.
"We could..." I trailed off in anticipation.
"But they came all this way..." He sounded disappointed with himself for caring, and I laughed.
"Oh alright...let's give them an hour or two."
"Only two. I can't wait any longer to be with you, my wife." And he picked me back up, cradling me in his arms as his mouth resumed its previous task with my own.
We danced the night away, celebrating, and kissing inappropriately every chance we could. It was perfect. Then it was time for the honeymoon. OMG.
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