Sorry to say, this is the last official chapter before the epilogue! I hope you've enjoyed the story, and I really hope you will all read the sequel! Now, it is time for the reception.
Chapter 27: The Reception
I almost went into shock at the sight of the inside of the Cullen home. Alice had gone overboard, and I mean overboard. Off each chair, hung three balloons. Two navy, one white, and whatever color the balloon was, the string was the opposite. The strings were twisted, and the same decoration hung off the walls.
The lights were dimmed, and in the corner sat Edward's stereo system. Next to it, something was covered with a blanket, that had roses on top of it and a few more balloon decorations. The living room was cleared out for a dance floor, and I had to refrain from rolling my eyes at the pile of presents in the corner.
"Alice went overboard," Edward observed.
"Yeah," I agreed. But that's when Alice came bouncing over to me and hugged me.
"Oh Bella!" she said, practically bouncing up and down, "I am so happy!" I laughed and hugged her back, giving her a tight squeeze before letting go. At that instant, a pair of muscular arms picked me up and crushed me.
"Hey sis!" Emmett boomed, squeezing me so tight I got the unneeded breath knocked out of me. "How are you feeling?" he asked, setting me down.
"I just got the breath knocked straight out of me, but otherwise I'm alright," I gasped. He laughed, and stalked off. I rolled my eyes in his direction, but softened as two familiar cold arms wrapped around my waist.
"Esme's very excited," he whispered, his breath tickling my ear. I focused on Esme's thoughts and found out he was right; she was nearly jumping for joy. I laughed, and turned to wrap my arms around him.
"Ok!" Alice's high, bell-like voice called over a speaker, "It's time for the bride and groom's first dance!" she yelled. I sighed, and Edward led me to the dance floor.
My arms wrapped around his neck, his around my waist, as we began to sway to the familiar sound of Clair De Lune. I smirked, and rested my head on his chest. Perfectly content. His cheek pressed into my hair, and I closed my eyes, savoring the sweet moment.
We danced to a few more songs, before it was time for the father/daughter dance. Carlisle walked over to me, and Edward let me go. Carlisle smiled, and I grabbed one hand in his. His other hand rested on my waist, and I rested my hand on his shoulder. The song I Learned From You by Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus started to fill the area.
I didn't wanna listen, to what you were saying.
I thought that I knew all I need to know.
I didn't realize that somewhere inside me
I knew you were right, but I didn't say so.
Carlisle watched me with a small smile on his face, and I just stared back. He was my father, he always had been. He'd healed my wounds, and done so much for me. I owed him much more than just a dance.
I can take care of myself, yeah you taught me well.
I learned from you that I do not crumble.
I learned that strength is something you choose.
All of the reasons, I keep on believing.
There's no question, that's a lesson, I learned from you.
Carlisle spun me around, and I laughed lightly, bringing my hand back into his. We continued to twirl around the dance floor, admiring each other as a daughter should admire her father.
We always don't agree on
what is the best way
to get to the place, that we're going from here.
But I can really trust you, and give you the distant,
to make your decisions, without any fear.
I'm grateful for all the times
you opened my eyes.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Edward twirling Esme and she was laughing. I smiled, and looked back at Carlisle. He spun me again, catching me as I faced him again. My grin grew.
I learned from you that I do not crumble.
I learned that strength is something you choose.
All of the reasons, I keep on believing.
There's no question, that's a lesson, I learned from you.
You taught me to stand on my own
and I'm thankful for that.
It saved me, it made me,
and now that I'm looking back.
We slowed down, and just started to sway. Carlisle's eyes were soft as he watched me. 'Thank you, Bella.' He thought to me. I looked at him questioningly, 'For making Edward happy.' My questioning gaze turned into a smile, and we continued to dance.
I learned from you that I do not crumble.
I learned that strength is something you choose.
All of the reasons, I keep on believing.
There's no question, that's a lesson, I learned from you.
I learned from you that I do not crumble.
I learned that strength is something you choose.
All of the reasons, I keep on believing.
There's no question, that's a lesson, I learned from you.
I learned from you.
Carlisle smiled and kissed my cheek as the song ended, I smiled at him, then retreated towards Edward. He brought me into his arms, and whispered, "I have a surprise for you."
I glanced at him curiously, and he winked before leading me off to the corner. Where the blanket covered structure used to be, now stood his piano in all it's glory.
He sat down at the bench, and I slid next to him. He lifted up to cover, then brought his hands down to the keys. I was vaguely aware that all eyes were on us, because my gaze lied intently on Edward.
Edward's hands started to skim across the keys and a large smile broke out across my face. The melody was smooth and soft, quite and soothing. My lullaby.
His eyes looked up at me, and he smirked to, locking our gazes for a few seconds before looking back at the keys. I rested my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes. He kissed my forehead and continued to play.
The sweet sound filled the room, drowning out everyone's thoughts and leaving Edward and I in our own peaceful world.
When the song finally ended, I slid my eyes open and tilted my head back to look at Edward. He was already gazing at me, and I smiled. He pressed his lips to mine for a brief second, and then pulled back.
"Thank you," I whispered, he grinned lopsidedly.
"My pleasure, milady," he breathed, his scent swarming me.
The rest of the reception Edward and I mostly danced, then it was time for the toasts. Since Jasper had been the best man, Edward decided that Emmett could do the toasts.
We held the drinks in our hands, which was actually blood, and Emmett raised his, taping on it with a spoon. "Well, um," he said uncomfortably, "I guess it time for me to do the toasts." He cleared his throat, and looked at everyone.
"I've known Edward a long time, and the idea of him falling in love with a human seemed absurd at first. It wasn't much later, though, that I started to love Bella as a sister too. She was the best human this family could ask for; sweet, caring, and easy to embarrass." I smiled sheepishly, and looked down at my feet. "She still is," Emmett corrected, looking at me. We laughed. "I recognized the change in Edward immediately, including the rise in temper." I giggled, knowing perfectly well about Edward and his easy temper. "But everything else was a good thing. We all love Bella very much, and I am proud to call her my sister." he sighed, "Even though she did beat me at arm wrestling."
"I'm still a newborn Emmett, you'll beat me one day!" I yelled, he laughed a said, "You just wait." I grinned, and Edward squeezed my hand.
"I guess what I am trying to say is," he paused and raised his glass, "to Bella and Edward."
"To Bella and Edward." Edward and I clinked our glasses together, and drank. I smacked me lips, and Edward chuckled, kissing my cheek.
The rest of the reception went by quickly. I soon threw my bouquet, for a reason I did not know, and could not help but laugh when I found out that Tanya caught it.
Soon, Edward and I were to leave for our honeymoon. We said good-bye to our family, and drove off, extremely happy. For the first time in years, things were just the way they were supposed to be.