The wedding reception was strictly traditional. Edward and I cut the cake, and we sat at a table with my family and his. He and his family ate the food to fool the human guests. My dad, of course, took advantage of tradition. He made quite a toast.
"I propose a toast," he announced. All eyes fell on him, and silence swept over the room. "I toast that this marriage be far more fruitful than that of Bella's mother and me. Edward, if you don't take good care of my baby girl, I swear I'll shoot you," he finished up with a sly grin. Everyone, taking it as a joke, laughed. But Edward and I both saw the serious threat behind his eyes. Carlisle felt like making the next toast. He and Esme stood together.
"Bella, we are so happy to have you in our family. From the first time Edward brought you home, we knew you would become part of our family eventually. Edward was never as happy as when he was with you. Alice knew you would be her sister, and so she treated you as such.. We all love you, and we thank you for making our Edward so happy. Welcome to the family, Bella Cullen."
I could feel the honesty in Carlisle 's speech. It was enough to make me cry. I was really part of their family—our family. I was a Cullen. And soon I would be just like them.
But all too soon, it came to an end. Edward and I offered to stay behind to help clean up, but Alice insisted we go on to our honeymoon destination.