Author's Note: I do not own Twilight or New Moon.

Thank you to all of you wonderful people who reviewed. You really have made my day. Maybe my life. ;) This chapter is dedicated to my friend Jess, who invented one of Bella's responses to Alice.

My song of choice is "Good Enough" by Evanescence's new CD Open Door.

Freesia Juliet

Part One: My Ancient, My Only

Chapter Seven: Bliss

(Bella's Point of View)

Mr. and Mrs. Carlisle Cullen

Request the honour of your presence

At the marriage of their son,

Edward Anthony Masen

To

Isabella Marie Swan,

On the Seventh of July

Forks, Washington

"Easy," I commanded without even the smallest hint of authority. Ever since I had turned the wedding planning completely over to my vampire sisters, Alice and Rosalie, I hadn't had the slightest bit of control over my wedding. For weeks they had fanaticized about having the wedding in Paris, in either the Sacre Cœur or Notre Dame de Paris. I had nixed that plot, pointing out it would be incredibly impractical to fly all of my family and friends to France. (Besides, my French is très nul.)

Eventually, Edward and I convinced them that having the wedding in our meadow would be practical and romantic, especially since Edward had proposed there last month. It had taken quite a bit of maneuvering by Emmett and Jasper to create a path wide enough for guests, and the solution had involved some rather unorthodox tearing up of trees with bare hands, but Alice had assured me that everything was going to plan.

"Easy," I repeated with more impatience as Rosalie pulled my hair out of another curler.

"Hush, Bella," ordered Alice as she practically ripped my hair out on the other side of my head. I was beginning to think they were doing it on purpose. I had already been preparing for an hour, fiddling nervously with note cards as they did my make up. The note cards were inscribed with the vows I had prepared. Alice had taken one look at them and prescribed, "Waterproof mascara." Probably a good idea.

Rose produced a box of hairpins and a canister of hairspray, and I prepared for the worst, squeezing my eyes shut tight. "Baby," muttered Rose, loud enough for me to hear.

I ignored that comment, and focused on not breathing in when the cloud of lavender-scented fumes exploded over my head. A few more sprays, and a lot more bobby pins, and Alice pronounced with scrutiny, "Done." I exhaled with relief.

Next came an equally awful ordeal- putting on the wedding dress. I was certain that, despite their best efforts, my flat bust and shapeless hips would only be accentuated in Esme's delicate and flowing wedding dress. "What's that?" I said with a hiss of despair when Rosalie grinned and tossed an unexpected piece of undergarments at me.

"Bustier," said Rose in a mocking voice.

"Corset," I grumbled, remembering more flashes of my coma-dream.

"It will make the dress fit smoother on you," consoled Alice as she helped me tighten it.

"Not too tight," I warned, "unlike some people, I still have to breathe." I fiddled with a little white bow on the stomacher part of the garment. I sneaked a quick peek in the mirror. Alright, I definitely had hips and chest now! Before I could study my hair, which was all up in spiraling curls, Alice dragged me away from the mirror.

After a fight with a stubborn pair of pantyhose, I was finally ready to see my dress. Except, they wouldn't let me. "Close your eyes," bossed Rosalie. I complied, mostly out of instinctive fear of swift and sudden death.

"Lift your right leg," said Alice. I complied. "Your other right," she said with humor.

"Oh."

"Now the left leg."

I felt the crisp, smooth feeling of the silk liner of my dress, the only brand-new part, slide up my legs and stomach.

"Arms." This was Rose. I shot them straight out, feeling very much like a Barbie doll.

"Good," sighed Alice with satisfaction, surveying their work. "Now hold still, Bella, because there are at least two dozen buttons on the back of this thing."

"Thirty four," seconded Rosalie as she quickly added them up.

It took an eternity, as even their graceful vampire fingers slipped up every once and a while on the tiny mother-of-pearl beads.

"One more thing," said Alice. I heard her turn and pull something out of a drawer. I attempted to sneak a second peek, but Rosalie's icy fingers were there in a flash, covering my eyes. "Rose!" said Alice, mortified, "you'll smudge the eye shadow!"

"She was going to look," explained Rose as she removed her hands. "Stop peeking. It will be worth it if you wait." Her voice almost seemed… nice!

I felt cold metal across my bare throat as Alice attached what must have been a necklace. She repeated the process with earrings. "Done yet?" I begged.

"Done."

I opened my eyes, blinked to refocus, and stared into the full length mirror that they had snuck up into Alice's bedroom. I looked…beautiful! The dress was gorgeous- even though it had been modernized, it still retained the antique charm I had fallen in love with. My ears glittered with diamond studs, and around my neck was an expensive diamond choker. "Edward?" I asked, touching my neck carefully, afraid that the woman in the mirror was an illusion.

"Esme and Carlisle, actually," said Alice proudly. "It's their pre-wedding gift. You know, something new."

"Oh," I whispered, not knowing what else to say. I had completely forgotten about that- something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.

Alice seemed to sense I had forgotten, too. "Don't worry, Bells, I handled everything. That's what a matron of honor/ wedding planner has to do."

Rosalie smiled as my flustered face. "You already have something old, the dress, and something new, the necklace. Alice, show her something borrowed."

With a huge grin Alice swung open a large velvet case. Inside was a glittering diamond tiara. My knees went weak. "Where did you ever get that?" I moaned softly. I was going to sparkle like a jewelry store. Good thing it wasn't sunny today.

"Carlisle has a friend in New York who is a president or something in Tiffany's. He—"

"Tiffany's!" I squeaked, interrupting Rose.

"Yeah," she said, as if it was the commonest thing in the world. Maybe if you were insanely rich… Oh, yeah, they are insanely rich. "As I was saying, he's a president at Tiffany's, and he said we could borrow this tiara for your wedding."

"Something borrowed. Check," announced Alice as she placed it carefully on my head.

"I'm officially a princess," I announced, feeling rather giddy.

"Or a queen," offered Rosalie. She stroked a strand of her own gorgeous blonde hair back into place. No, Rose was definitely the queen. I was more like archduchess-twice-removed compared to her. "Something blue," reminded Rose gently to Alice.

"Oh," said Alice in a small, shy voice.

"Alice?" I said, raising an eyebrow.

"Here," she said, shoving a shiny piece of metal in my hand.

"A shiny bug?" I giggled. Alice relaxed and giggled with me. It was a beautiful dragonfly hairpin made out of white gold and blue stained glass.

"Tuck it behind your ear," Rosalie suggested, helping me. It peeked out inconspicuously.

"Oh, Alice, I love it!" I squealed, hugging her as tight as I could. "Where did you get it?"

She gave a sad smile. "It belonged to my little sister Cynthia. My niece, her daughter, the one that lived in Biloxi… died last week. Cancer, I think."

"Oh Alice!" I said, heartbroken for her.

Alice shrugged. "I guess you get used to family and friends dying when you've lived as long as we have."

Charlie's face appeared in my mind. I shook it off. "But Alice, she was the only family you had left!"

"Not true," said Alice, shaking her head. "I have Jasper, and I have you guys. The Cullens have been my family for as long as I can remember. That's why I want you to wear Cynthia's pin. I bought it at Mary's estate sale."

"Mary?"

"Mary Alice. Cynthia named her only daughter after me." Her voice was proud.

Rosalie broke into our reverie. "Come on, Bella, you don't want to be late to your own wedding!"

All of the guests, and myself, had been transported through the woods in Jeeps that Jasper and Emmett had rented. Sure, it was a bit unusual, but after all, I was marrying a vampire. That would be the sanest thing I would see all day.

There was a big canopy tent behind the "nave," where I hid out as I waited for my cue. "All of life's a stage, and we are but poor players…" I murmured to myself as I paced.

Carlisle snuck under the flap and joined me. For a good thirty seconds he stared at me. "Wow, Bella, you look lovely!"

"Thanks Carlisle." Emmett had had the same stare when he picked me up from the mansion. Hopefully I would have the same effect on Edward. Speaking of Edward… "Is Edward here?" I asked nervously.

"Of course dear," nodded Carlisle.

Under your spell again

I can't say no to you

Crave my heart and it's bleeding in your hand

I can't say no to you

I smiled, unsure of myself. I ran through the vows in my head one more time. "Is he as nervous as me?"

"About fifty times more. After all, he's been waiting for this day for ninety years." I gave a guilty smile. "And Jasper and Emmett are teasing him to no end. Emmett has some betting pool going about how long you can take being on the altar with him before you bolt." I swallowed hard. "Of course, my dear, I condone his actions, but I have a pretty penny on you sticking it out to the end."

"How much?"

"Five thousand dollars," Carlisle said with a shrug. I blanched, not sure if it was a vote of confidence or not. If and when I became a vampire, Emmett would be the first one I would knock against a wall. Fanaticizing about pummeling Emmett, I almost missed Carlisle's next words.

"They're starting, Isabella."

Shouldn't have let you torture me so sweetly

Now I can't let go of this dream

I can't breathe but I feel

Good enough

I feel good enough for you

Alice, Rosalie, Jessica, and Angela were the bridesmaids. They were wearing pale blue silk dresses with sashes made out of the lace leftover from my gown transformation. In their loosely curled hair, they wore yellow rosebuds. It had been a good idea, probably from Alice.

Jasper, Emmett, Mike, and Brad were the groomsmen, Jasper being the best man because Emmett was too busy betting against the wedding. They all wore gray tuxes with pale blue silk vests to match the bridesmaids.

Music started from the orchestra of violins in the corner next to the wedding arch. I gave a gasp of delight when I realized it was a medley of Edward's songs to me. The composition ended with my lullaby. Carlisle extended his arm to me, and I took it, walking in a daze towards my destiny and picturing Charlie at my side.

Drink up sweet decadence

I can't say no to you

And I've completely lost myself

And I don't mind

I can't say no to you

Renee and Phil were sitting in the front row. I trained my eyes on my mother's tear-filled face. Somehow I couldn't bring myself to meet Edward's overwhelmingly loving gaze. If I did I knew I would bust, and I couldn't afford another heart attack. Especially one right there beneath the wedding arches.

Shouldn't have let you

Conquer me completely

Now I can't let go of this dream

Can't believe that I feel

Good enough

I feel good enough

It's been such a long time coming,

But I feel good

The minister was a Catholic priest. I was surprised. I had never expected this- Charlie had been a lax Lutheran, Carlisle was some sort of Protestant, and I was basically agnostic. Maybe Alice…? I couldn't seem to focus on his words, though they were beautiful. I finally met Edward's gaze, and he gave me a knowing smile.

And I'm still waiting for the rain to fall

Pour real life down on me

Cause I can't hold on to anything this good

Enough

Am I good enough

For you to love me too?

"Do you have any personal vows to add before we begin?" asked the priest. My mind went blank, but Edward nodded, and launched into the poem we had both memorized.

"These things I promise I will do,


That life may grant you ample grace,


Because I love and cherish you:

I vow to love each day anew,


For love must dance through time and space:


These things I promise I will do."

He hesitated. It suddenly came to me with alarming clarity, and I smiled bravely and finished it for my beloved.

"I vow to make your terrors few


And then with you those demons face


Because I love and cherish you.

And now, as we make one of two,


A passage we cannot retrace,


These things I promise I will do


Because I love and cherish you."

There were sniffs in the audience. I was surprisingly dry eyed, probably because the whole situation hadn't sunk in yet. The priest murmured the traditional vows, and Edward repeated them: "I, Edward, take you, Isabella, to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love and honor you all the days of my life."

"I, Isabella, take you, Edward, to be my husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love and honor you all the days of my life."

We grinned and said in unison, "I do."

The priest gestured for the rings. Jasper brought them forward. They were matching bands, each with alternating topaz and diamond stones.

Edward held up my ring for me to see. He whispered, for only me to hear, "Take this ring as a seal upon the marriage vows I have spoken, and as you wear it, may it be a reminder of how much I love you, not only on this precious day, but every single day of your life." He slipped it on my finger, above my engagement ring. "With this ring, I thee wed."

I began to cry quietly, and had to pause for a moment until Jasper's calming influence surged over me. I held up Edward's ring. "Edward, with free and unconstrained soul, I give you all I am and all I am to become. Take this ring, and with it my promise of faith, patience, and love, for the rest of my life." I slipped it on his hand; I noticed his fingers were shaking. So he was nervous. "With this ring, I thee wed."

"What God has bound together, let no man tear asunder," pronounced the priest, satisfied. "I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Nervous, carefully, Edward crept closer to me and kissed me briefly but completely. My mind burst with stars as his presence finally overwhelmed me. He placed a firm arm on my shoulder as we turned to face our friends and family. Blinded by my tears, all was a blur, except for Edward. My husband. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I be the first to introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Masen Cullen!" There were claps and cheers. I think I heard a wolf whistle from Emmett, but I couldn't be too sure. I couldn't see anything.

"Are you okay?" asked Edward in my ear.

So take care what you ask of me

Cause I can't say no

"Too much happiness," I whispered back, crying fresh tears of overpowering joy.

"Edward!" I wailed as he smashed the customary piece of cake in my face. "Ooo, I'll get you back!" I promised with a snarl, wiping my face in a futile attempt to remove icing without removing makeup.

"We already took pictures," he laughed, helping me clean cake from Esme's dress. "Sorry I ruined your dress," he said sheepishly.

"You'll have to apologize to your mother, not me," I sighed, bringing my husband in for another kiss. He thoughtfully licked the cake from his lips, taking a tiny taste.

"What does it taste like?" I asked, curious, knowing that human food usually tasted rotten to vampires.

He worded his response carefully. "Actually, not bad, coming from you, Bella. Rather sweet."

"Good," I chuckled, flinging a piece of cake back in his face.

"Should have seen that coming," he grumbled as I snatched a napkin from the table.

Post Script: It took me a very, very long time to write this one, so I'm expecting reviews, s'il vous plait!

I got all vows from various 'vow' websites.

Check out Bella's dress, engagement ring, tiara, choker, and earrings on my bio page.

Next chapter will be the last in part one. Stay tuned for part two, The Queen.