Edward showers quickly, and I try to fix my hair and makeup before we have to leave. Luckily it doesn't take much, but pressing my face into the mattress wasn't the best idea. I blame Edward for making me feel so damn good, despite the fact that I started it all.

It's just after two-thirty when I'm ready, clad in the slinky silk number that I've been dying to wear. I was a little hesitant on wearing a black floor-length dress that has a slit to my upper thigh, but after trying it on the other day for Edward, the look on his face was enough to sell me on it. I pair the dress with simple diamond studs, a Christmas present from Edward, and dab more of red lipstick before slipping into my strappy heels.

I'm standing in front of the full-length mirror in our bedroom when I hear Edward.

"Fucking hell, I can't get this—" He stops when he sees me, eyes darkening with lust, face softening with something a bit more. "Bella. Wow."

"You like?"

"I love."

I breathe out a laugh, nodding him over. "Come here, you."

He crosses the room, standing in front of me. "I can't for the life of me get this bow tie to cooperate."

"It's okay," I say quietly, popping his collar and flattening the material around the back of his neck. "I can do it for you."

With him being so close, I feel his gaze burning into me, but I try to ignore him. Only because we actually do need to leave soon. If I focus too much on him, we'll be back in bed in two minutes flat.

"You're staring," I say distractedly, crossing and folding the tie until it resembles a half-assed bow.

"You're beautiful." He dips his head, an attempt to kiss me, but I pull back.

"Not done. I need to spruce it up a bit."

He pouts, only a little, and I tighten the bow until it looks decent enough. I run a hand down the lapel of his jacket before stepping back a little, letting my eyes roam over his body. He's tall, lean, but his shoulders are so broad. I fucking love him in a tux. I've only seen him dressed up like this a handful of times, and it never ceases to amaze me how seamlessly sexy he is.

When my gaze finally lands on his face, the expression he's wearing lets me know he doesn't mind my ogling. Not even a little bit. There's still a little scruff, covering his cheeks and jaw. He looks equal parts disheveled and dignified.

"You look so damn good."

He reaches for my waist, pulling me to him. "Having you by my side makes me look even better."

"You think?" I kiss his chin lightly, making sure I didn't leave any lipstick behind.

"Oh, yeah."

His hands slide down over my ass and I laugh into his mouth.

"Oh, no you don't. We gotta jet. We'll be there, like, right at three if we're lucky." The church isn't too far but still. Not trying to be late and piss off the bride.

He licks his lips. "Do you blame me?"

I smile. "No."

We linger by the mirror as he adjusts his bow tie, and I catch a glimpse of us standing side by side. We do look fucking good together. I'd even say that tonight, I resemble the tiniest bit of that Cullen perfection, and it makes my heart soar.

XXX

Unfortunately, we're late. Lucky for us, everyone's still milling about, waiting on the couple to finish their first-look with the photographer. There's talk that Jasper cried more than Alice when they saw each other, and that makes my heart soften so damn much.

We're all standing idly outside the church engaging in small-talk when Esme makes her way over, pulling me in for a warm hug.

"You look stunning, Bella."

"So do you."

Her warm, auburn hair is pulled back into a sleek bun, and her diamond waterfall earrings sparkle so bright, I can't help but stare at them.

"I love those," I say, admiring them.

"Thank you," she replies, bringing a hand up to brush them lightly. "They were an anniversary gift from Carlisle."

"He has good taste."

"All the Cullen men do when it comes to buying jewelry."

She winks, and I blush.

"It turned out to be a beautiful day," I say, changing the subject.

She glances up, nodding. "We really couldn't have asked for better weather."

"I can't wait to see everything at set up the venue. I heard it's breathtaking."

"The planner really outdid herself." She beams. "You know, this is the church where Carlisle and I got married." I didn't know that, but it feels like something Edward should've mentioned to me, so I merely hum in agreement. "As did Carlisle's parents."

"Wow," I murmur, taken aback. "That's pretty wonderful." And it is. I'm not necessarily into church weddings. What I am into, though, is Edward. So if we had to… I'd make an exception.

We hear commotion and turn our attention toward the group, seeing that the happy couple has joined us for photos. Esme squeezes my arm and heads over to her daughter. I watch as everyone oohs and ahhs over the both of them, smiling to myself when Edward sneaks back over to me and snakes an arm around my waist.

"God, they're gorgeous," I say. Alice is stunning in a creamy long-sleeved satin gown, with an exposed back and plunging neckline. It fits her like a fucking glove. "Do I have lipstick on my teeth?" I ask, turning to Edward.

He searches my mouth, smirking. "Nope. You look perfect."

"You're such a charmer," I murmur, kissing him. When I pull back, there's the tiniest smudge of red under his lip. "Do you have a tissue or something?"

"In my tux pocket."

I go to reach for it, and he grabs my wrist, stopping me.

"What's wrong?" I laugh.

He reaches into the opposite pocket I was going for, pulling out a Kleenex.

"I can't wait for cocktail hour," he says out of nowhere. "I caught a glimpse of the canapés earlier—they look amazing."

"Okay." I breathe out a laugh again, examining his face, the way the tops of his cheeks turn pink, like he's slightly flustered. "What was that?" I ask quietly, then it dawns on me. "Oh." There might be something in his pocket he doesn't want me to find. Like a ring.

"I didn't want Alice and Jasper's rings to fall out."

"Uh huh." I let it go, only because my heart is racing so fucking fast and I don't want to probe too much.

"Okay, everyone!" the photographer calls out. "We're gonna start with family photos, then everyone who's not in the bridal party can head inside."

We linger, waiting for instructions before the photographer points and tells us all where to stand. When I wind up on the end of the group, angled toward Edward, I whisper, "Rose said if I get placed on the end, it's so you can crop me out if we break up."

"This also coming from the woman who thinks Royce King is an acceptable suitor," he whispers just as quiet. I breathe out a small laugh, still facing forward. "I don't like her putting thoughts like that into your head."

"It's okay," I mumble, trying to keep a smile on my face. "She was joking."

The photographer pauses to glance at the screen on his camera, and Edward uses that moment to switch spots with me, effectively putting me right between him and his family.

It's the simplest move, but it speaks volumes. I've never loved him more.

Everyone feeling better now? Thanks for reading and leaving your sweet, fluffy thoughts!