Chapter seventeen: Celebration

Our bodies faced our family and friends, but no force could pull our eyes from one another. No force other than Alice that is. She of course was the first to pounce onto Edward and me, with extra enthusiasm. Never did I think that would be possible with Alice.

"Bella, you did your vows beautifully. I could not have envisioned them better," she winked and that sent my smile out wider and at this point I thought my cheeks would throb with pain, but they never did. My happiness was too much for any other emotion or feeling.

After Jasper was able to squeeze himself in, congratulate us and pry Alice away; the rest of the Cullens came to give us hugs. My dad followed, then, mom and phil. Angela, Ben, but once Jessica and Mike came toward us Edward stiffened the slightest bit. "Wow, Bella! You look beautiful, kind of makes a guy regret not trying harder. You know?" Mike must have had a death wish. I tugged on Edward's hand, before he advanced, letting him know I'd take care of this.

"No, Mike, I really don't," I said with the sweetest smile, "I believe in taking a hint and knowing your place. Edward is an amazing man, every other 'guy' is a little boy compared to him. So whatever chance you thought you had, still, on my WEDDING day, let go of it. I am in love with Edward," I wiggled my wedding band in front of his face. "For now and FOREVER!" With that Mike left, pulling Jessica away before she could get a single word out. Finally, I had swatted that pest away for the last time.

Edward pulled me in close, "Mrs. Cullen that was marvelously vicious. The most wonderful act of hate I have ever seen from you."

"Well Mr. Cullen," I said wrapping my arms around his neck, "I had a problem, so I fixed it."

"I would have been more than happy to take care of it for you love," he smiled such a teasingly wicked grin it made me giggle.

"I know you would have, but you have forever and a lifetime to take care of me. Besides, it felt really good."

"You have been spending too much time with my sisters," he joked, but I don't think Alice and Rose liked it because he winced slightly, still smiling. I looked behind him to see my two sisters-in-law standing with their hips jutted out to the right, arms folded across their chest with raised eyebrows. I couldn't help but chuckle, "They are standing right behind me aren't they?" I nodded, laughing, as he didn't already know. He turned and followed his sisters, trying to make amends for his teasing.

"Can I hug the bride now?" I turned and saw Seth smiling sheepishly. I threw my arms around him genuinely lad to have a true friends besides Angela and my family. "Ha-ha! I'll take that as a 'yes'," he laughed.

"Oh, Seth, thank you so much for coming."

"Didn't think I'd miss the wedding of the century did you?" he teased.

"Sssh, please Seth. Our sister hates me enough, I don't need her hearing you say that," I said looking past him.

He shook his head, "It's just me Bells." Seth caught on to Dad's nickname for me.

"I guess it was to be expected right?" my face suddenly was not so happy.

"Hey!" Seth lifted up my face, "I don't want to get beat up for making the bride cry. So cheer up." I couldn't help but perk up a little, he was so sweet.

"Sorry I just don't like the feeling that they are angry with me," I confessed.

"No one is mad Bella. They just thought it would be better to keep their distance because they weren't sure of who was on the guest list. They all send their blessings and congratulations"

"Really?"

"Yeah! Of course! Guess I should have mentioned that huh?" he slouched a bit.

"No, it's not your fault. Thank you, for telling me. Just wish…well doesn't matter. He wouldn't come near me anyways. Guess I won't be seeing him any time soon," I said knowing full and well that I would probably never see Jacob again.

"Or the rest of us for that matter," Seth mumbled.

"What?" asking, confused.

"N-n-n-nothing," he stuttered, "Yeah it would be nice if Jake were here. Well it was a beautiful ceremony Bella. Have a good night." He gave me a final hug and kiss on the cheek before hurrying through the yard and out the front door.

Edward pulled me into a hug, "Is everything alright love?" I smiled up at him, "it is now." He smiled lifting me and twirling us onto the dance floor. We spent the rest of the night lost in each others eyes and locked in our arms of love.