Return to Forks

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.

Chapter 22: The End

Bpov

It's August 13th. My wedding day. In a few short hours, I will be Mrs. Bella Cullen. It is such a beautiful day. The sun is actually shining – a rare event in Forks.

"There you go Bella. Finished! Now go put on your dress before looking in the mirror," Alice exclaimed.

She pushed me towards her closet, where my dress is hanging. It was the first dress I saw when we had gone shopping, and I fell in love with it instantly. It was a full-length, strapless, ivory gown. The skirt was gathered at the waist on the left hand side and a corsage was pinned where it gathered. The skirt was made from lots of layers of thin material and it had a small train at the back. We had left it and tried on many other dresses, but I had made my choice. I had even managed to find a lovely pair of shoes to match with only a small heel. Alice had allowed this because I had used the excuse of "It's my special day."

My hair was very simple. Alice had curled it and my granny insisted on having wild flowers in my hair. It was a very old tradition in Ireland. Rose had bought glitter hairspray so my hair sparkled in the sun.

The bridesmaids' dresses are a wine color. They were very simple, strapless, knee-length with black netting under the skirt. A black ribbon was tied around the waist. Alice had chosen black heels to match. Rose's dress had to be altered since I was going to be an auntie in 5 months time. Emma is also my bridesmaid. She is practically my sister after all.

Alice had been left to the planning of the wedding but of course, my aunts and Renee insisted on being involved. It took a lot of pressure of Alice because she was planning her own wedding to Jasper. Renee wanted me to get married in a church even though neither Edward nor I are regular attendees.

I looked in the mirror when I put on my dress.

WOW!

I look friggin' awesome. I look … I look …

"Bella. You look radiant," Rose said breathlessly.

Yeah. What she said.

"Come on girls. It's time to go," Alice said and started rushing us down the stairs.

Her and Rose went in front of me, and when they got to the bottom of the steps, they turned to face me.

"Introducing the soon-to-be Mrs. Cullen. . ."

ReneePOV

"Introducing the soon-to-be Mrs. Cullen. . ."

-Gasp- My darling baby Bella looks absolutely gorgeous. She looks so happy; her skin is glowing.

Edward has done wonders for my baby girl. When I think to how she used to be back in Ireland, it's a far cry to how she is now. She's no longer the quiet, shy little girl who spent her entire time thinking boys don't exist. She's a smart and kind young woman who's found the love of her life.

I have no doubts about them getting married young. Looking at them, you just know that this is going to last forever. They really are soul mates. When he moves, she moves automatically and vice versa. It's instinct.

I can feel the tears building up behind my eyes.

I rush over to Bella and hug her tightly.

"My little girl is all grown up and getting married," I manage to choke out.

"Get a grip mom, or you'll make me cry," she replied, the tears already breaking their walls of her eyes.

"I have something for you. Here." I handed her the little white porcelain horseshoe.

"Oh, look, Bella. You're mom got you a horseshoe," Alice said quizzically.

We both laughed at her confused state.

"It's an Irish thing, Alice dear," I explained. "It's to give good luck. It's given to the bride and groom as a wedding gift for luck. It's kept in the home and it's hung like the letter 'U' so the luck won't 'drip out,' or so they say."

"Aw well that's kind of neat," she replied. "Bella you have to get me one of them okay?"

"Sure thing, Alice," Bella replied and put the horseshoe in her handbag.

"Let's get going, ladies," Rose ordered and started shooing us out the door.

Bpov

Alice had ordered a limo to chauffeur us to be church. It managed to fit all of us. Us being myself, Alice, Rose, mum, Éibhlin, Kathleen, Emma, Esme, and Granny.

We arrived with minutes to spare. The church was small with white walls. It had lovely gardens to the side with an arch. That would be a perfect place for photographs.

I entered the church and met Charlie.

"Bella you look stunning." He held out his arms to me.

"Thanks dad." I blushed at him. I'm slowly but surely getting used to compliments.

"My baby girl is all grown up and leaving me," he said, his eyes watering.

"I'm not going anywhere, Dad. I'm getting married but that doesn't mean I'll never see you. I'll only live about ten minutes away," I said to him and hugged him. "Dad are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah. Just something in my eye. That's all." He turned away, rubbing his eyes.

Typical male scared of showing emotion.

The music started playing and Emma walked down the aisle, then Rose, and finally Alice.

"We're up to bat Bella," Charlie said, holding out his arm. I take a deep breath, take his arm, and walk down the aisle.

There are so many people taking photos, and I see Billy, Jake, and Embry waving at me as I walk past.

I look towards the altar and see my angel standing there, waiting for me. He's smiling widely at me, and I smile back at him. I can't believe I'm actually getting married to Edward. It's my dream come true.

"Hi," I breathe at him as Charlie hands me over.

"Hi, love."

The whole ceremony flies by without me noticing. I couldn't stop looking at Edward and before I know it, it's time for us to say our vows.

"Edward there's an old Irish proverb that goes as follows – 'Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside me and just be my friend.' If you walk beside me for the rest of my life as my friend, my lover, my soul mate then I'll be more than happy. You'll have made my dreams come true."

"Bella, I borrowed this vow because it expresses what I couldn't find words to say. By the power that Christ brought from heaven, mayst thou love me. As the sun follows its course, mayst thou follow me. As light to the eye, as bread to the hungry, as joy to the heart, may thy presence be with me, oh one that I love, 'til death comes to part us asunder."

We had chosen Claddagh rings for our wedding rings. Renee had them brought over from Galway in Ireland. The Claddagh ring is a heart with a crown on it being held by a pair of hands. The heart symbolizes love longed to be shared with one's true love. The crown symbolizes undying loyalty and the hands symbolize friendship, which is, after all, the very foundation of love, with loyalty holding the two hands together.

We then walked down the aisle as husband and wife.

"Have I told you that you look amazing Mrs. Cullen?" He stared deeply into my eyes, his emerald eyes smoldering.

Mrs. Cullen. It just sounds so right.

We went to the Cullens for the reception. Alice had the large living room cleared of its furniture, and in its place were several round tables and chairs.

The dinner was delicious. Esme had insisted on making our wedding cake. It was a three-tiered monstrosity of a thing. It was decorated with white and wine icing. Two plastic figures were placed on top of it, and surprisingly, they looked a lot like Edward and me.

Alice tried to stick to my Irish roots while planning this wedding so she organized an Irish folk band to provide the music. They played many different songs from Irish drinking songs like "I'll tell my Ma" to dancing songs like "When Irish eyes are smiling."

We shared our first dance as a married couple to the Irish Wedding Song. I had been taking classes so I managed to dance quite well with Edward. I only stumbled once. We swirled and twirled and moved around the room.

"So Bella, how do you like being Mrs. Cullen?" He laughed at me.

"Well, my dear husband, I'm enjoying it quite fine." I grinned goofily at him.

"I love it when you call me that." And he kissed me deeply on the lips.

"Call you what?"

"Your husband."

"Well I shall have to call you that more often if I get a response like that, dearest husband." He kissed me again.

"It gets better every time," my darling husband replied.

Finally the song ended, and I stayed by Edward's side. I wasn't leaving it any time soon.

"Dearest wife, would you care to mingle with our guests." He took my hand and led me over to a group of people. As we made our way over, we were intercepted by Jake, Embry, and Billy.

"Hey, Bella. You look amazing. I'm so happy for you," Jake said, hugging me.

"Heya Jake, Billy, Embry." I nodded to each of them. Billy greeted me but Embry seemed distracted by something over my shoulder. I turned to see what he was staring at. It was Emma.

"Bella," he breathed. "Who is that?"

"That, my friend, is my cousin, Emma," I replied, laughing at him.

"I think I'm in love," he said. "Excuse me." And he walked over to Emma.

I raised my eyebrows at Jake and Billy.

"That seems … um … Interesting." We all laughed.

"Bella, love, Alice is dying to see you. If you don't get over there soon she's going to come over here and drag you away," Edward said, sounding amused.

I look over and sure enough, Alice is there, trying to get my attention. Her entire body is quivering with excitement.

"Okay guys. I'll talk to you later," I said to the Blacks.

"Billy, Jake." Edward nodded curtly at them.

"Hi! Bella you're my new sister. YAY!" Alice squealed and threw her arms around me.

"Yeah I know," I laughed. "Isn't that awesome?"

The night finally came to an end. Edward and I thanked everyone for coming and it was then time for us to turn in.

I made my way upstairs but Edward stopped me.

"Bella, love? Where are you going?"

"Um … your room."

He laughed.

"You mean my old room."

What?

"I have a surprise for you. It's kind of a wedding gift from Esme and Carlisle. Come on."

He took my hand and led me outdoors. We walked along a path for a short while. It was lit up with lots of outdoor lights. We came to a small clearing were there was a small stone cottage. It was beautiful.

"So Bella how do you like our new house?" my husband asked, smiling down at me.

"Our new house?"

I couldn't believe it. We had a house. Edward and I.

"Esme renovated it. I hope you like it . . ."

Esme and Carlisle had done this for us. I didn't know how to thank them. I wouldn't be able to thank them enough. They are the most generous people I know.

"I love it." The tears started again. I've been crying so much today it's hard to believe I have any water left in my body.

"Well, I love you," Edward replied.

"I love you, Mr. Cullen."

"Shall we enter, Mrs. Cullen?"

He picked me up bridal style and carried me over the threshold and into our bedroom.

And then began our forever.

A/N So what do you guys think? I hope you like it. The epilogue will be posted straight after this.

I was wondering do you think I could get 300 reviews. I have 268 so all help would be appreciated.

I've also posted the first chapter to If You Could See Me Now. Go check it out.

Happy New Year to you all. =]

Helen x