Epilogue

All my stress and anxiety led me to this point when my fingers twined with Edward's as he led me to the center of the dance floor for our official first dance as husband and wife.

All the bruises I'd suffered during my practices with him, not to mention the rare practice time I'd had with Jasper and Rosalie, had all been worth it, I decided as I watched Edward's face. He was simply radiant and my breath caught in my throat as it occurred to me once more that this picture of perfection had chosen me above all others.

He turned to me just then and, out of habit, I instinctively looked down, embarrassed to have been caught staring. He simply tilted my chin up and allowed me to gaze into his bright golden eyes.

No words were needed. I saw the depth of his love for me and I needed no further assurance. "I love you," I told him, just in case he couldn't see it in my eyes.

"May I have this dance, Mrs. Cullen?" he politely requested.

"Of course, Mr. Cullen," I replied with a tiny curtsy.

Edward's slight nod to Emmett led to the start of the music and, to my surprise, all my nerves instantly faded as my new husband placed his arm around my waist.

With only a momentary hesitance, I accompanied Elvis's singing as softly as I could. It was a compromise with Rosalie that I would serenade Edward but only low enough for him to hear so as not to embarrass myself before the guests. Edward's eyes widened in surprise and I nearly skipped the next line.

"Like a river flows surely to the sea, Darling, so it goes," I gazed up at him, "some things are meant to be…Take my hand, take my whole life too," I felt his hand clench my waist ever so tightly but I continued to smile as I softly sang, "for I can't help falling in love with you."

His eyes shone brightly and I knew I'd chosen the right song despite Emmett's teasing about the lyrics. He kissed my forehead and I continued to sing for him until I nearly choked up at the close of the song. Butterflies were rushing my stomach again and I was suddenly afraid of his reaction once the song ended.

"Don't ever stop surprising me, love," he whispered in my ear.

I knew I was blushing and buried my face in his chest. "I'm really not that good," I mumbled, actually grateful for the applause so that no one could hear our conversation.

"You were, no, you are perfect," he contradicted as he pulled away slightly, forcing me to look at him, "and, it seems," he smiled with amusement, "that we will be doing quite a bit of negotiating if you want to hear your lullaby at night."

"You don't mean," I shook my head, arguing, "this was a one-time thing, Edward."

"If you say so, sweetheart," he chuckled indulgingly.

But I couldn't retort because I realized the applause had died down and the audience seemed to be waiting expectantly as the lights dimmed over the floor except for the corner where a grand piano stood. Strange that I hadn't noticed it earlier. I looked in confusion to Edward who simply smiled as he led me to the piano.

"It seems you're not the only one offering surprises this evening," he smiled as he kissed my hand and sat at the bench.

He bent over the keys a moment before focusing solely on me as he sang, "She's got a way about her…"

"I don't know what it is," I half-sang, half-muttered, blushing once again.

He didn't miss a beat, though, and continued, "But I know that I can't live without her."

I couldn't take my eyes off him as he played and sang to me. This song was just as perfect for us because I felt the same way about Edward. Once again he made it so we were the only two people in the room.

And I couldn't help myself, changing Billy Joel's lyrics slightly as the words came bubbling out. "He touches me and I get turned around," I smiled at Edward as I finally sat next to him. "He's got a way of showin' how I make him feel and I find the strength to keep on goin'…"

Even I could hear that Edward missed a key and he looked back at me, smiling that crooked smile that sends my heart sputtering. Suddenly, he stepped away from the bench and pulled me into his arms in one fluid movement. Swaying with me right by the piano, he continued singing as our eyes locked, "She's got a smile that heals me…"

"I don't know why it is," I reminded him with a smile.

"But I have to laugh when she reveals me," he kissed the tip of my nose. "She's got a way about her," he repeated as if to remind me that the song was about me.

"I don't know what it is…" I stopped dancing as we reached the last line and I brought my hand up to his cheek while he did the same for me.

And we sang together, to each other, changing the lyrics slightly once more, "But I only know that I can't live without you anyway…"

And then his lips were on mine and our kiss was a promise of things to come, an eternity together.

In the recesses of my mind, I heard the audience's applause; I heard my mom crying about her baby being grown up; I heard both Phil and Charlie teasing her as well as Esme; I heard the band begin playing; and I knew we were no longer alone on the dance floor.

But I didn't care about any of that. All I cared about was the man holding me close, kissing my lips, and promising a new life for me.

"We won't miss heaven," I declared with a sigh as I pulled back and pressed my cheek to his chest, wrapping my arms tightly around his waist, "because we're already there."

"Dancing on air," he murmured in agreement. "And I promise, Bella, I won't let your feet ever touch the ground."

I gazed up at him, his smoldering eyes, and felt my own brim with tears. "I love you, Edward. Forever."

He tenderly brushed those tears away, "And I, you, my love. Now and forever."

the end