N/A: OK PEOPLE! YOU'RE REALLY GOING TO HAVE TO START READING THESE IF YOU WANT ME TO UPDATE! I have said in these BEFORE that, yes Bella IS a vampire, so, no, she CANNOT sleep. As I have also sated before, Edward's 'Sleep now Bella' is more a figure of speech. Carlisle has given her MORPHINE because she is in so much pain. Therefore, she "SLEEPS" (note the quotation marks around sleeps). And for all of you who wonder whether Jacob is dead…BE PATIENT!! Anyway, on with the show…
Chapter 12: Memories VI
I look to my left. Charlie is there, looking grim, but determined to do his duty. I sigh. This can't be easy for him. I look down at myself, vaguely aware that my appearance is rather lovely. Alice really did outdo herself this time.
Despite my anxious pleas, she had managed to put the dress on, do my hair and do my make-up without spilling, breaking or smudging anything. I was rather impressed.
I check myself quickly. I have my something old (Esme's blue scarf tied around my thigh, which also counted as my something blue, Alice later informed me), something new (my dress), something borrowed (my veil was from Alice's extensive wardrobe), and my something blue (again, the scarf).
I look ahead, to where my fiancé waits. At the end of a long walk. With hundreds (yes, hundreds) of people watching. And me in high heels. Did that aisle just get longer? gulp
He really is beautiful, I think, as we begin the long walk to the altar. We are in the meadow. It's where Alice envisioned it. To begin with, Edward and I weren't altogether thrilled that there would be hundreds of people crowding into our private place. But slowly, Alice had brought us around to the idea- it was our place, it was where Edward and I had first become close enough for him to show me his real self, and, we were probably never coming back (I was to be transformed out of Forks soon after the wedding). There was nothing really stopping us. And so, we had the big wedding Alice had always pictured, with a dash of 'Anne of Green Gables' about it. It was perfect.
I smile nervously I reply to Edward's encouraging one. I walk slowly, as practiced, making sure to put one foot in front of the other, avoiding the long trail.
I look at the audience of friends, family, and a few people I don't think I've ever met. I mentally shrug. All well-wishers, I'm sure. There are no werewolves, despite Edward's invitation (which I am still rather mad at him about). I guess it's all for the best, even if they are (sorry, I guess that's a 'were' now) my friends too.
I feel overcome by joy- joy that I was to spend the rest of my life (and then some) with the love of it. Angela walks three steps ahead of me, as a bridesmaid. Of course, Alice is the maid-of-honour, and Rosalie another bridesmaid. Emmet and Jasper share the role of best man. I smile at Emmet's huge grin. He occasionally punches Edward, as if to remind him he's getting married. I feel shy. Edward has only eyes for me today.
We are at the altar now, and no trips along the way! It must be a record, I think absently. I am already lost in Edward's topaz eyes. They make me light-headed.
"Who gives this woman?" Asks the priest (Edward's pre-requisite). I poke Charlie gently in the ribs.
"Oh, I do." Charlie startles, looking a little dazed.
Edward smiles gently at him. Charlie has a hard time letting go of my arm.
"Dad…" I whisper in his ear.
"Oh, sorry Bells." There are tears in his eyes, and he wipes them away gruffly. He places my hand on Edward's. "Now, you take care of her, you hear?" He's being gruff to hide his emotions, and I understand. Edward just gazes at me.
"I always will." The words are meant for Charlie, but he is only looking at me.
Charlie takes his seat next to my mother, who is already crying. I smile a little at that. Then the nerves kick in. What if my vows aren't as good as his? What if I forget to say something? What if…
But my nerves are not necessary. The service passes without a hitch. At every possible moment, I have to pinch myself to remember everything is real. Finally, we are married.
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The reception takes place at the Cullen's. Alice has decorated every part of the garden in white and red. It is stunningly beautiful, just like my husband. My husband. It hasn't sunken in yet. I can't believe I was so scared of this. Marriage is bliss. So, I've only been married for an hour? It's still incredible!
We greet everyone, and thank them for coming. It is tiresome, but a small price to pay for eternal happiness, I remind myself. My cheeks are beginning to hurt from all the smiling.
When everyone has eaten, and Edward and I have danced our first (and only, I remind him vehemently), it was time to say our goodbye's.
After some gruff hugs from Charlie, some gentle goodbye's from the Cullen's, and a hell of a lot of tears on Renee's part, we left for our honeymoon on the coast of California.
Edward had insisted we stay in the most expensive villa there (much to my dismay), and fly first class. I didn't have it in me to destroy his dreams.