(A/N): Sorry for the delay! Hopefully after reading this you'll think it was worth it! ;)Beta: RandomatGedz (aka Superwoman or Superbeta) :D
Dislaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight but I own everything else! Mwaahahaha!
Living Royal
Chapter Thirty Two
"Wakey, wakey! It's your wedding day!"
Bella burrowed deeper into the warm covers trying to avoid all the noise that seemed to be coming from every direction.
But the noise continued.
"Come on, Bella. We don't have much time!"
Bella chanced a glance at the watch located at her bedside table.
"Alice! It's five o'clock in the morning!"
"So? We have a lot to do today and there isn't enough time!" The pixie yelled.
Bella rolled her eyes and got up drowsily.
"You act as if this isn't your wedding day, Bella, and to a Prince no less." Alice admonished her.
"It's hard to be excited when you've been kept up all night because your chatty best friend wouldn't let you sleep!" Bella glared at Alice.
Alice giggled, "You know I get extra hyper about weddings!"
Bella chuckled. Alice would never change.
She got out of bed and freshened up. While she was in the bathroom Alice had called for breakfast. She'd also managed to wake Esme and Renee. They had their breakfast, then they gathered round the table where Alice had set up all the make up and beauty products she could get her hands on.
"Um, Alice? Do we really need all of this?" Bella asked, hesitantly.
Alice had been adamant about not using Esme's stylist or make-up artist. She wanted to do it all herself. Bella hadn't minded that, but now looking at all the products laid out in font of them, she was having second thoughts.
"Of course, we need those! We have to experiment first and see which color matches your skin tone best. We can't just let you out there wearing regular make-up, can we?" Alice laid her hands on her hips.
"Aha." Bella grunted noncommittally, knowing from previous experience that it was better to let Alice do whatever she wanted instead of argue.
Alice spent an hour doing Bella's make-up before doing her own, while the two older women helped each other out. All the while they were laughing and having fun. Bella conceded that doing this together, just the four of them, was much better than having a stranger do it.
Next, came the hair, which took a bit longer. And then it was finally time for the dress.
As Bella put it on, with Alice's help, she felt surreal. Like she was having one of those out of body experiences that everyone talked about. She couldn't believe that she was actually getting married. She never believed that she'd do it so young and be so in love in such a short time.
But then again, Edward had that effect on people. You couldn't help but love him. That was why he was so popular with the people of England, even more than his own father, the King.
"There, all done." Alice announced as she finished zipping up Bella's dress. She then moved her over to a nearby mirror.
Bella's mouth opened in shock at what she saw. She honestly didn't recognize herself.
Was that really her?
The beautiful, blushing bride?
Wow.
"Oh, sweetheart you look so gorgeous!" Renee gushed as she admired her daughter in her wedding gown.
"Thanks, mum." Bella blushed.
"You look wonderful, Bella dear." Esme smiled widely. "Edward won't believe how lucky he is when he sees you."
"I think I'm the lucky one." Bella smiled warmly.
"Wait until he tries to cook for you, you won't be so grateful then." Esme joked.
Everyone laughed until they were interrupted by a knock at the door.
Renee went to open it and found Charlie standing on the other side. He stepped into the room and Bella gasped.
Charlie looked…amazing! It was the first time that Bella ever saw her father so dressed up and it looked great on him.
"Dad, you look…" She couldn't find the words to say.
"I know. I dress up pretty good, don't I?" Charlie shrugged nonchalantly, but Bella caught sight of a faint blush.
"Yeah, you do." Bella stepped forward and gave him a hug. She wouldn't see him again for another month, until after the honeymoon.
Bella had always had a close relationship with her father, probably because they were so much alike; both quiet and introspective, preferring to spend quiet time at home rather than go out. And that was just the tip of the iceberg.
"Oh and Edward received your gift today. He wanted to come see you this morning," Charlie said as he reluctantly pulled away from his daughter, "but I told him to hold his horses. I understand why he couldn't wait, though. You look beautiful, Bells." He said, smiling lovingly at his only daughter.
"Thanks, Dad." Bella looked down embarrassed, that's when she noticed what Charlie was carrying.
"What's that?" She asked, pointing at the velvet jewelry box in Charlie's hands.
Charlie opened the box to show Bella its contents. Bella saw a beautiful pearl necklace encased in the box.
"This belonged to your grandmother, Marie. Your mother and I saved it for your wedding day. We never thought it would be so soon, though." Charlie muttered. Renee elbowed him lightly.
Bella smiled knowing her father was only joking.
"It's beautiful, thank you."
Alice helped her put it on around her neck.
And then she was done.
This is it, she thought.
This is the moment I've been waiting for.
Charlie walked her down to the lobby of the hotel while the ladies followed them. He stopped when they reached the doors.
"You'd better brace yourself, Bella." Charlie whispered, tightening his hold on his daughter's hand.
"Brace myself for what?" Bella frowned in confusion.
"For this." And he stepped with her outside.
Bella was blindsided by the sunlight at first, then she noticed the sounds.
Was that…shouting?
It took her a few seconds to realize that it was cheering.
A lot of cheering.
Her vision finally cleared enough for her to see the huge number of people standing in front of the hotel, screaming her name, saying how much they loved her.
All these people were here for her?
Bella's heart was beating a million miles a minute. She smiled as she'd been taught to do in her etiquette classes and waved to the people. They cheered louder.
She was quickly ushered into the car. She went in first, then her father and Alice. Esme and Renee went in a separate car that would follow behind them. Esme had been gone for a couple of hours this morning to spend some time with Edward before she came back and decided to head to the church in the same car as Renee in a show of complete support to her son's choice of bride.
If Bella thought that the number of people waiting in front of the hotel was huge then she was even more surprised at the number of people lined up all the way from the hotel until the church. Bella continued to wave for them all the way, her heart flowing with happiness that everyone seemed to be for the marriage, not against it. She wasn't exactly expecting riots and protests to break out, but she wasn't expecting this huge turnout either.
They must really love Edward.
"They love you too, Bella." Alice spoke up and Bella realized that she must've spoken aloud.
"I hope so." She replied.
They arrived at Westminster Abbey a few minutes later, the entire road being cleared up for them and all. The car slowed down to a stop in front of the huge double doors. Charlie got out first and so did Alice from her front seat. Esme and Renee, whose car arrived also, went into the church first in order to take their seats, but not before waving to the crowds and wishing Bella luck.
Bella took a deep breathe and then slowly climbed out.
Please God, don't let me trip!
That was all she could think about.
She held on to her father's arm and waved with her other hand to the crowds gathered all around the Church.
They cheered so loud and Bella smiled widely at them while Alice was fixing the train of her wedding gown behind her. Once Alice was done, it was time to walk into the church.
"Are you ready?" Charlie asked.
Bella took a shaky breath, "Yeah, I am. Just…don't let me fall."
"Never." Charlie replied, tightening his hold on her arm just in case.
The wedding march began and Charlie and Bella began their walk up the aisle. As soon as they stepped inside Bella gasped softly. It was huge! Seeing the Abbey on TV and actually being inside it were two completely different things. That and the fact that there were so many people staring at her almost caused Bella to trip if it weren't for her father being there.
How many guests had they invited anyway?
Breathe, Bella! Breathe…
She continued to take small steps, her father matching her pace and Alice following behind.
They took a final turn and finally they were able to see the alter.
Bella saw Renee sitting next to Esme at the very front, they both smiled warmly with tears in their eyes. Carlisle was next to Esme, he gave her a nod and a small smile. Well, that was more than she expected. Then she saw Emmett. Yes, the huge bear of a soon-to-be-brother-in-law was indeed here and standing right next to her soon-to-be-husband.
As soon as Bella caught sight of Edward, everything else seemed to disappear.
He was standing there waiting patiently for her to come to him, with the biggest smile ever on his face. Bella calmed down immediately. Edward was there; her Edward was waiting for her. She had to hold back the sudden urge to start racing up the aisle towards him.
He looked so handsome in his official military suit complete with medals of Honor.
It's definitely true what they say about a man in a uniform, she decided.
Edward, the scoundrel, winked at her when he noticed that she was checking him out.
After what seemed like a lifetime, Bella and Charlie reached the alter, next to Edward. He immediately reached out and grabbed Bella's hand in his and then surprising Bella and everyone else, he raised her hand to his lips and kissed it tenderly. Several of the guests gasped, it was a blatant breach of protocol after all, but most of them couldn't help but smile at the obvious love between the Royal bride and groom.
Charlie shook hands with Edward, kissed Bella's forehead then stepped back to his reserved seat next to Renee.
Edward wrapped her arm around his and they took a step forward, standing directly in front of the priest. Of course he was no regular priest; he was the Archbishop of Canterbury!
Breathe, Bella. Breathe!
The Archbishop indicated that the guests could sit down and he began the ceremony. Everything after that was a blur to Bella; all she could focus on was the feel of Edward's hand as it touched hers.
She almost missed the most pivotal question of the entire ceremony.
"Isabella Marie Swan, do you take Edward Anthony Cullen to be your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health for richer and for poorer, to love and to cherish until death do you part?"
Bella turned to look Edward in the eye. "I do." She said in a clear loud voice without a second of hesitation.
"Edward Anthony Cullen, do you take Isabella Marie Swan to be your lawfully wedded wife, in sickness and in health for richer and for poorer, to love and to cherish until death do you part?"
Edward smiled lovingly at Bella and squeezed her hand. "I do." He replied.
Next came the rings, the Archbishop blessed them and then Edward picked up Bella's wedding band and slipped it on her ring finger. Then Bella picked hers and slipped in on Edward's finger, her hand shook a bit but she was able to manage without causing a terrible catastrophe like dropping the ring on the floor, for instance.
They shared their vows and then finally the Archbishop blessed them, pronouncing them man and wife. They were allowed a very brief chaste kiss, while they both clearly wanted more, they held themselves back.
Bella could hear the loud cheers coming from outside the church. She had to stop herself from grinning like an idiot.
Bella and Edward turned around as the music began again for their march down the aisle. They got out the doors amidst loud cheers and yells; they waved happily to them and then got in the carriage that would take them back to Buckingham Palace.
Since everyone could see them, they still had to behave. Although Bella found it really hard to behave and it seemed like Edward was suffering from the same problem as she saw his hand twitch towards hers more than once.
The ride back seemed to take forever, but in fact it took only ten minutes. When they finally arrived at the Palace, Bella and Edward were quickly ushered inside with the intention of leading them to the room where they were supposed to take their official wedding photos, but Edward instead pulled Bella in the opposite direction yelling back to the wedding co-coordinators, "Tell them we'll be there in fifteen minutes!"
"Edward, where are we going?" Bella panted trying to keep up with Edward's running.
He grinned back at her, "Somewhere private."
He pulled her into a nearby empty room that looked like a parlor, but a less elegant one than the one upstairs. It was probably used by the servants.
"The servants are all busy preparing the feast for tonight." Edward said. "No one will disturb us here."
He wasted no time in taking Bella into his arms and kissing her. Bella moaned as Edward's tongue met hers and she wrapped her hands around his neck and ran her fingers through his hair.
"I love you, Mrs. Cullen." He whispered between kisses.
"I love you too, Mr. Cullen." Bella replied.
"We should go before they send out a search party for us." Bella went on.
"They wouldn't be able to get in, I have Felix stationed at the door, but you're right. We have an obligation. First the photos, then the public appearances."
The photos were pretty simple. They took several ones of Bella and Edward alone then a few with the rest of the family. After that was done they were lead to the balcony where they were supposed to make a short appearance to the people as a Royal married couple.
"Everyone's waiting for their Princess." Edward smiled as they stood behind the closed balcony doors. "Are you ready?"
Bella took in a nervous breath. "I am."
The guards opened the doors and Edward and Bella stepped hand in hand into the sunlight.
(A/N): *Sigh* Don't you just love a royal wedding? :D
So next chapter is the rest of the wedding and…*Drumroll*… The Honeymoon! :D
Those of you who've joined me on FB in the LR group already know, I really had a tough couple of weeks, that's why this update was so late…hopefully it won't happen again, so rest easy everyone :)
Link to the FB group: http: / / www . facebook . com/ groups/ 240227882707835 / (remove spaces)
Tell me what you think! Reviews are like waking up next to Edward every single day! :D