A/N: Well, it's Valentine's Day. No better day to write a wedding scene, right? We're just going to keep this note short this time.
And I couldn't bear to change much from the original wedding in the book. I just a few add-ins I'm a sucker for originality. Plus there's a very short Edward's POV, since it was requested.
Bella POV
Well, I've had better wake up calls. Actually, every wake up call is better than this one. I'm usually greeted in the morning by a loving kiss from my vampire fiancé, but not this morning. Today, I've been woken up by some obnoxious tiny pixie, had a rushed breakfast, and been shoved rather violently into the large bathroom to begin my wedding preparations.
Of course, being me, I grumbled and complained relentlessly. I calmed down a little bit when Alice agreed to pause and go get music, something to get my mind off this ridiculous torture she was putting me through.
About an hour after we started, Alice huffed, saying that even with her vampire speed, she didn't think she was going to have enough time. Inside, I was doing a happy dance. That immediately stopped when she called out for Rosalie.
She glided in, her hair falling in ringlets around her shoulders. I felt something drop into the pit of my stomach. She was so beautiful to look at it almost hurt, and she wasn't even fully dressed for the wedding.
I spent the next four hours of my life figuratively bound to a chair while the two flitted about, buffing, polishing, waxing, primping, and pruning my body. I could the rustling downstairs as Esme flew about the house, making sure everything was perfect, all according to Alice's specifications.
I couldn't find a clock so I no idea what time it was, but I figured it had to be getting closer to game time when I heard the crunch of gravel outside as two cars pulled up outside. Four doors opened and closed simultaneously. I heard Carlisle open the door and greet the guests. I heard the gruff voice of Mr. Weber, Angela's father and the man who would be marrying Edward and I, thank him and moved inside. Esme's voice floated up the stairs, excited as she spoke with the next in line, my heart swelling slightly as I recognized her voice.
"Oh, it's so wonderful to finally meet you in person. Oh, Esme, your house is just beautiful. The decorator did a marvelous job." My mother's voice faded as they moved away from the door. I knew the next person that walked through the door. Seeing that he had been assigned to pick up Mr. Weber, of course he would have to be here. He muttered something to Carlisle before I heard his shoes walk away from the door.
I exhaled in relief when Alice proclaimed me ready. I went to stand up but almost fell over. I had been sitting for so long that blood seemed to stop flowing to my legs. They felt like dead weight and I clung to Alice's arms as she brought me away from the chair as Rosalie came sweeping into the room carrying a white garment bag. I felt like crying this time; there was no way I'd be able to walk into a room if Rosalie was there. The epitome of female perfection stood in front of me holding my dress.
Damn Alice for picking dresses that made them look so gorgeous. I guess I couldn't really complain, though; Alice and Rose could wear burlap sacks and still make them look designer.
They helped me into my dress before Alice turned me to touch up my makeup and Rose disappeared and came back with my shoes. I gulped. I offered up a little prayer, begging God not to let me trip in front of everybody, to let me have one day where I wouldn't be such a total klutz.
A soft knock sounded and Rosalie swept across the room to answer. My mother's beaming face appeared around the corner, followed by Charlie's.
"Oh, Bella, honey, you look beautiful! Oh my goodness. Doesn't she, Charlie?" my mom squealed as she squeezed into the bathroom, my dad trailing behind her, carrying a small box.
She grabbed me a pulled me into a tight hug, taking care not to ruin my makeup that Alice had painstakingly applied.
"Charlie, where's the box?" She spun around, lifting the lid and taking something out of it. She held out two small clips. A small butterfly ornament adorned the end of each one. Alice smiled and, taking them, she pulled my hair back on either side and secured it, the clips gleaming softly in the fluorescent light of the bathroom.
Rosalie peeked her head in, smiling and give me a once over before speaking. "Renee, it's almost time."
She gave me a quick peck before stepping out, Charlie following, waiting outside the door for me.
Alice stared at me, her brow furrowed in thought. "Hmmm, let's see. We've got something old, the hair clips, which are perfect, I must say and something new, the dress. Now all we need is something borrowed…," she reached behind me and quickly ducked under my dress to slide a garter on my leg and popping back up to continue scrutinizing my appearance, " and something blue."
I couldn't help the blush that appeared on my cheeks. I knew that we would go straight from the wedding to the honeymoon, so I wanted to be 'ready'.
"Don't worry, Alice. That's already taken care of," I mumbled, looking at her. She smiled knowingly before wrapping me in a tight hug and pulling me out to meet Charlie. I slipped my hand in the crook of his arm. He patted my hand, trying to calm the nerves that had me shaking.
"You look beautiful, Bella." He smiled down at me, his eyes crinkling in the corners. I smiled back, feeling the nerves dissipate for a moment, but they returned full force when I heard the sounds of the piano playing downstairs.
I watched Alice walk down the stairs but I couldn't get my brain to communicate with my feet to get them moving. Charlie looked at me, seeming to take my nervous pause as cold feet. He leaned over and whispered in my ear, squeezing my hand gently and reassuringly.
"You're going to be just fine, Bells. Come on. Edward's waiting for you."
Hearing his name seemed to trigger some reaction and I felt my feet begin to carry me down the stairs. I managed a sigh of relief when my shoes hit the floor at the bottom instead of my face. I took a deep breath and stepped around the corner, coming into view of my family and friends. I smiled at them all before looking ahead, my marble angel standing before me.
Edward POV
William Shakespeare once said "Now join your hands, and with your hands, you hearts." At that moment, I wanted nothing more than to take her hands in mine and profess my love for her in more ways than imaginable. My heart was already hers and I couldn't have been happier
As Bella appeared around the corner, I could have sworn my heart began to beat again. I stopped breathing; I stopped thinking about everything and all it took was one look at her. I no longer felt like a monster. I felt real. I felt human. I felt alive.
Bella
The hours I spend with you I look upon as soft of a perfumed garden, a dim twilight, and a fountain signing to it…you and you alone make me feel that I am alive…other men, it is said, have seen angels, but I have seen thee and thou art enough.
-George Moore
Bella POV
I almost forgot to breath. I still have never seen a more beautiful sight than my fiancé standing at the altar, waiting for me. At that moment, I had eyes only for him. His met mine, his golden orbs dancing in surreal happiness.
I didn't know why I had been so afraid of marrying him. I knew at that moment that I had been dreaming of this since the day I met him. I wanted to sprint down the aisles and jump into his arms, not caring about the audience surrounding us.
Inside, I was practically exploding with happiness when we reached him. Charlie slid my hand from his arm and placed it securely in Edward's palm, his cool skin blanketing mine.
Everything seemed to go by so fast. I heard Mr. Weber greet everyone before beginning the wedding rites. When the time came to exchange our vows, tears were already flowing down my face. I looked up at Edward's face as he said "I do." His voice was soft, yet firm, declaring that he would love me 'as long as we both shall live'.
Somewhere between the loving glances and the relentless tears, I managed to get out those two wonderful words. We exchanged the rings, his thumb rubbing soothing circles on the back of my hand as he slipped it on the fourth finger of my left hand, claiming me as his own. I reciprocated the act, smiling up at him through watery eyes. I only focused on him until I heard the final words.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride."
I wasn't aware that we began a small make-out session until Edward pulled away, albeit reluctantly. Even with us wrapped indecently around each other, everyone stood and applauded us as we walked down the aisle together as husband and wife.
Nothing could be better than today. As I looked at my husband, I could only think of a few things. Firstly, I was, by far, the luckiest girl in the world. Secondly, I was married to the most amazing man in the world, even if he was a vampire. And thirdly, Robert Sexton knew exactly what was running through my head at this moment as I looked into Edward's loving eyes:
Sometimes your nearness takes my breath away; and all the things I want to say can find no voice. Then, in silence, I can only hope my eyes will speak my heart.
A/N: I'm going to stop asking for you to review, because my request seems to be denied except by those who comply. Do what you wish.
Much love,
-Truth in the Moon
Love is but the discovery of ourselves in another, and the delight at the recognition.
-Alexander Smith