It was not the sunsise, rather, the gloom of Forks, that woke me up the next morning, but an ever familiar little figure bouncing up and down at the foot of the bed.

I immediately recognized who it was that had come to wake me. "Wake up, sleepy! It's ten o'clock already!"

Oh, god, ten? Now I had even less time to panic before the wedding. It dawned on me then how quickly time had passed since Edward proposed. It seemed like yesterday that he had slipped this ring on my finger and lovingly convinced me with molten eyes and velvet tone to take his hand in marraige. Speaking of Edward...
The bed was empty and I realized that he was gone. Alice saw my surprise and couldn't help but let out a giggle. "He just went hunting before the wedding, Bella. Don't worry! I guess you didn't satisfy him enough, did you? Did you have fun last night?"

She laughed again, but I was not amused. Completely and utterly embarassed was more like it. I had fogotten that she knew what we had done...what he had done. I managed to muster a sleepy chuckle, and that seemed to satisfy her. She grabbed my hand, with that, and commanded me to take a shower so she could get to work on gussying me up. Again, I reminded her not to go overboard, but I quickly realized how useless my words were once I saw her carrying armloads of girl-friendly products into the bathroom and give me a wink.

By the time noon rolled around, I was basically ready to go. I could feel Alice dousing my head with hairspray and put the finishing touches on her "princess bride" as she liked to call me now. Of course, she wouldn't let me see till she was done, so I sat facing her, saying over and over how she shouldn't have done this, but being Alice, she did anyway.

Finally she turned me around toward the mirror and my gasp came out too soon. I was beautiful.

"You like it?" she asked.

"Alice, I don't know what to say. You're incredible!"

She smiled as I gently ran my hands over my new face. I was never a huge fan of make-up, but Alice's handiwork on my face was gorgeous. And my hair! Piled on my head was a stack of intricately bobby-pinned curls all bunched together and gently weaving their way down my back. I was so distracted by my reflection that I barely noticed Alice placing a tiny silver something on my head. I looked up to find a diamond-studded tiara resting on my head. Now I was a princess.

"It was my grandmother's, apparently, in my human life, you know. I thought you deserved to wear it."

"Oh, Alice, thank you so much!" I exclaimed, completely thrilled as I stood up to hug her.

"Don't mention it, Bella. But hey, we've gotta get you downstairs! It's almost time!"

Waiting for us in the living room were all of the bridesmaids and several other female guests. As I glided down the stairs, heads immediately began to turn and watch me descend like I was some kind of show piece. I saw Renee first and quickened my step to meet her.

"Bella! Is it really you? I can't believe this is my daughter! You look gorgeous, honey!"

"Thanks, mom. You can thank Alice for it. She's a miracle worker!"

"I can't believe my baby is leaving me for some boy!"exclaimed Renee.

"Oh, mom, it's not like I'm leaving you forever," I replied. Sadness washed over me as I thought of what a horrible, horrible lie that was.
Esme approached me next, arms stretched out, ready for her last hug from Bella Swan.

"Oh, Bella, you're so beautiful," she said as I ran into her arms. "I'm so happy for you two! Edward has been waiting for this for a long time. You are very precious to him, Bella. I'm sure you know that."

I couldn't do anything except cry then, so I let a tear fall and Esme wiped it from my face with a perfect slender finger. No more words. It was time.

The wedding was going to be held in the Cullen's yard, so I followed the bridesmaids to the back door from which they quickly parted, leaving me alone. Before long, though, I saw a figure walk through the door and started crying again. Charlie.

"It's ok, Bells, don't cry, daddy's here," he said, holding me. He was hardly ever that affectionate, which made me cry a little more. I hoped I wasn't ruining Alice's make-up job completely. I started to get nervous at that point as I remembered the reason Charlie was here in the first place: to walk me down the aisle so I could get married. Married...me? Yes, it was finally time. Edward would finally be mine in a few moments. Forever. I embraced my last few seconds as Bella Swan and remained in Charlie's arms even when the music started. Quickly, I retained my composure so Charlie could grab my arm and lead me. We were moving.

The last thing I saw was a woman in the back row glancing behind her and standing up. Having noticed her gesture, everyone else stood up too, and I was suddenly floating in a sea of people in dress clothes that I didn't even know. I had known in the back of my mind all along that Alice do this, so I tried to forget my anger and just kept going.

Everything became a blur after that. Though I couldn't exactly see, I could feel every eye under the pavillion staring down at me. They watched me the whole way down the aisle, of course, and watched me climb some steps to reach the alter. I finally regained focus and looked back to see Charlie hesitantly let go of my hand. Was that a tear? I didn't have time to find out, for a hand had come of our nowhere and spun me around.

Inches from my face was Edward, his face spead over an enormous smile. I melted at the site of him-he was absolutely beautiful. A black tux lay over his white skin, making him more handsome than I had ever seen him. Above his molten topaz eyes was his bronze hair, still as messy as ever, even on his wedding day.
He stared straight into my eyes for a moment, lost for words. Finally, he spoke.

"My angel, you are so beautiful. I love you so much."

"I love you, too," I whispered. The congregation sat, and so the priest began as Edward grasped my hands.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join this man, Edward Anthony Cullen, and this woman, Isabella Marie Swan in holy matrimony..."

Of course the priest continued to speak, but I heard no more words. My focus was stuck on Edward's face and his on mine. We were locked in eachother's gaze for what seemed like hours, even when we slipped wedding bands onto eachother's hands, we didn't look away. I think I came back down to Earth when the priest said "You may kiss the bride." Suddenly, I awoke to the all-too-familiar sensation of Edward's lips on mine. He held me tightly in a passionate kiss, even after I let a tear streak down my face, and the congregation stood up and clapped for us. They all gasped, as did I, when Edward picked me up and cradled me in his arms before heading down the aisle. I knew how much he wanted to whisk me away with his vampire speed, but he couldn't in front of so many people, so he just walked, carrying us both at a brisk pace down the aisle away from the crowd.

He set me down on the dance floor on the other side of the yard. Alice had not let me see the final touches put on the reception pavillion, and as I looked around, I was completely shocked. How had she managaed to set up 20 dozen roses, real doves in rod-iron cages, and hundreds of candles all in less than a day? She amazed me, and I loved her for it. The space around me was filled with the gentle glow of candlelight and a sweet floral scent. There is no place I would've rather been than right there with Edward. If only we could've be alone. I knew that I would not have to wait much longer for that,though. He noticed me looking around in awe and guided me into his arms. He planted a kiss on top of my forehead and held me tighter.

"Do you like it, love? It is very beautiful. I think Alice did a splendid job."

"Like it? I love it! Edward, this is the best day of my life. I'm so glad we're together now."

"I am too, Bella. You could never understand what I'm feeling right now. No other person has ever made me feel this way. I love you so much."

Another kiss, this one more passionate. We couldn't continue though, because the guests began to find their way in at that point, and the reception had begun.

It was late before we were able to dance. Of course, I was glad for the prolongment, not looking forward to embarassing myself. I was hoping everyone would forget that we had to dance our first dance in front of them, but of course, they had not. The music started, and I felt Edward's hand in mine, pulling me out of my seat.

"Come, my wife. You must dance with me," said his sweet, velvet voice. I couldn't resist the way he had just called me "wife," so I willingly got up and followed him to the dance floor. Gently, he grasped my waist and together we sailed across the floor so gracefully, I couldn't believe it was actually me dancing. Edward's flawless steps guided me in every direction, spinning and gliding with grace and ease. Just as soon as it started,it seemed, the music stopped, and applause filled the air as we kissed again. I felt so whole with my husband. Oh, Edward.

It was late before guests started to leave. Of course, I had to be polite and stay awake to say good-bye and thank you to all of them, but that soon became unbearable as I kept drifting in and out of sleep. Edward began to notice my profound clumsiness as I became more and more tired.

"Bella, I think we should go upstairs now," he whispered to me with a grin.

What did he say? I had totally forgotten about that.

"What? Oh, Edward. We have to stay here and say goodbye."

Before I knew it we were on the other side of the room near the rest of the Cullens. Carlisle and Esme approached, and Edward explained that I could not hold on any longer and needed to rest. With a look of reassurance, the sent us away, assurring us that they would dismiss the remaining guests themselves.
I felt my feet leave the ground suddenly as I realized Edward was holding me again. His cool face bent down to kiss me, and just that quickly I wasn't tired anymore. I saw a familiar passion burning in his topaz eyes and I remembered again what we had saved for tonight. He saw the recognition in my eyes and flew into the house, this time with vampire speed. Before I knew it, the bed was below me yet again.