"He is more myself than I am.
Whatever our two souls are made of, his and mine are the same."
Emily Bronte

CHAPTER 15: SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE

I went to my old bedroom shortly after he'd left to go get my toiletries and take a nice, hot bath. Edward had commented that he didn't expect his parents for another hour and a half, so I knew I had time to really pamper myself. The guest bathroom was rather large, so I had taken all my things in with me to finish getting ready without having to go back to my room. Well, it's not really your room any longer, is it?

As I soaked in the tub, I thought over the ceremony his father would be performing and was rather surprised to discover that I didn't feel nervous. I was feeling happy, content, blissful… I marveled at the fact that I'd been given another chance at happiness and one that was rather staggering in its perfection.

I sighed and got out of the tub wrapping myself and my hair in big fluffy towels. I dried off, meticulously dried my hair and put on a little more makeup than the day before. I still used the mascara and the same lipstick but now added some smoky eyeliner and even a little eye shadow. I felt like I was as ready as I'd ever be. I decided to leave my hair down in its semi-wavy natural state. I suddenly realized that I still had the earrings in and felt a little silly. Oops. I'd have to remember to take better care of the things he had given me.

I slipped my shoes on and packed up all my things, heading out the guest bathroom to head to my new bedroom. I felt my eyes scrunch minutely and decided that I would need to discuss having my own space somewhere in the house, like a small personal office or something.

As I reached our door, I became hesitant. I knew that as soon as I crossed this threshold, my life would change irrevocably. Was I giving up too much to be with him?

No. I knew that he would do anything for me. He would take care of me, always. My happiness was his utmost concern. I knew if I asked to be a part of managing the estate in some trivial way, he would not only welcome it but would take personal pride in my involvement. As far as he was concerned, we were now partners. I was no trophy wife.

I giggled at my own assessment, realizing that I did sort-of think of him as a trophy husband—he was gorgeous, after all…

He caught me like that, standing in front of the door to our bedroom with one hand over my mouth, giggling quietly. I jumped as I noticed him.

He looked down at me with his head slightly cocked to one side, as if deciding whether or not to have me committed. I noticed that he was already dressed, in a black jacket and slacks with a cream colored, silk shirt and a tie the same color as my dress. His shoes were a shiny black, as if he'd just finished polishing them. He was, as usual, dazzling.

I looked at him up through my eyelashes. "Humm... You surprised me. I was just thinking about the significance of going through this door. My life will never be the same and I don't think I could be happier." I grinned up at him as I gave him my little speech, with my carry-on bag and small suitcase sitting beside me.

He was holding a tray of food and he turned to set it on one of the hall tables. He came towards me hesitatingly. "Bella, I'd like to do something right now, if that's o.k."

I became suspicious. "It depends on what you want to do…"

"I want to carry you across the threshold of our bedroom."

How could I say no to that? "Oh, Edward, that would be wonderful." I felt my eyes shining at him.

He came to me, picking me up as he had by his family's cemetery in Connecticut and opened the door carefully with one hand. I had my arms around his neck and my head laid against his shoulder. He paused, and as he crossed over, he whispered into my forehead, gently brushing his lips across it as he spoke. "You're so beautiful, I can't believe how happy, content, blissful I feel right now. Thank you, so much, for agreeing to marry me."

He crossed the threshold and the electricity between us changed, becoming deeper and more powerful.

I gave a little gasp. He had been busy while I'd been lazily getting ready. The candles had been replaced by winter flowers—Mahonia, Honeysuckle, Jasmine, Primula—hundreds of them.

I tried not to cry but it was almost impossible. "Oh, Edward. What did I do to deserve you?"

The tears began falling and he kissed them off of my cheeks, cradling me in his arms. "Everything. There is nothing more important to me than your love for me, Bella. Nothing."

I gave a slight sob. "Oh! My makeup! Please, put me down Edward." He obliged but clung to me, walking me over to his… To our bathroom. If I'd thought the guest bathroom was large, I apparently didn't know what large was. It was incredible.

The countertops were made from the deepest reddish-brown colored marble, the floors were done in white-gray-gold marble. The walls were a bright white, so bright in fact, that I wondered if there'd been ground seashells added to the paint before it had been applied to the walls. I found out later that they had. There was a huge shower with floating glass doors and several shower heads. "Oh, Edward, this is so pretty…"

He gave a short laugh. "Um, it's a bathroom, Bella. I don't know that 'pretty' would be the right descriptive word to use for it."

I felt some embarrassment creep across my face and of course he picked up on it. "Well, I guess you could call it that…"

"It's o.k., Edward, you're right. It just took me by surprise, that's all." He looked like he was about to protest and I cut him off. "Look, I live in an apartment that's almost the same size as your… As our bathroom, Edward. It's just going to take some getting used to, that's all."

I walked over to where he stood by the door and placed my hand on his chest. "It's o.k. I'm sure I can find a way to suffer through all this torture."

He laughed then. "O.k. But please remember, anything in the house that you don't like can be changed, Bella."

"Edward," I became a little cross at this point and my hand dropped from his chest and I backed up a step or two. "Your family's ancestral home is perfect just the way it is. The only request I have is for some space somewhere to set up a small office. Would that be possible?" I looked up into his lovely green eyes and saw them brighten perceptively.

"Bella, there are five other guest rooms besides the one you were staying in. Why don't we turn the one you just left into your office!" He was so excited I thought he might hug me.

"Let's think about that a little bit, o.k.? Thank you for being so open to finding a space for me, though." I smiled encouragingly up at him.

I could see the annoyance he was suddenly feeling shadow across his face.

"Bella, please... I mean it when I tell you that you can do anything, change anything about the house or the grounds to your heart's content." He ran his fingers though his hair quickly. "My feelings are little hurt that you still sound like you're a guest here. You're going to be my wife, and therefore will be the Lady of the estate. I want us to be a partnership, an alliance, to work together for the betterment of the estate." He was really irritated.

"Edward, I'm… I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make it sound like that. But you must understand that this is all so different for me, it's like…" I got a little weepy and his face changed to an apologetic one. "It's like a fairytale." After I'd whispered out the last part I looked at him pleadingly, and he immediately crossed over the few steps to reach me and pulled me into a tight embrace.

"I'm sorry, my love. I just don't want you to feel that you're giving up anything, or that you're just my trophy wife or something. I want us to work together. To be a joint endeavor, if you will. I'm sorry…"

"It's o.k. I guess we need to give each other some space on the differences between us, though. I'll try to remember that I'm a part of your life so therefore I'm a part of the estate now, o.k.? Does that sound right?"

"Yes. That's exactly how I want you to feel." He kissed the top of my head noisily.

"And, actually, I would love to have that room as my office. It's actually perfect."

I felt him sigh against my hair. "See, I know we're different in some ways but we also work together so well, my dearest Bella."

"Yes, we do. I love you, Edward but your father's probably going to be here any time now… And I really need to re-clean myself up."

He chuckled. "I'll wait for you on the bed." He eyed me meaningfully and I swatted his arm. "Edward!" He grinned roguishly at me as he left the bathroom.

I'd actually lucked out, since my mascara was waterproof and even the eye shadow hadn't really smudged at all. I only needed to dab a little around my eyes and I was ready to go again.

As I came out of the bathroom, I looked up to see him leaning against the side of the bed facing the window with his arms crossed, waiting for me patiently. We both stared at each other and each let out a big breath. We grinned at each other and he seemed ready to go. I knew I was. "Alright, you'll be Mrs. Cullen in a little while. Do you think I can handle it?"

I felt taken aback by his question, since I'd been sure that what he was saying was going to end in something like 'do you think you can handle it?' and instead, he directed the doubt towards himself.

"Of course, I'm pretty easy to deal with, really. Just don't ask me to clean the floors. This Lady is really a princess, and my hands are too delicate for that kind of work." I batted my eyelashes at him.

He let out a bark of a laugh. "Oh, my. You've already gone all haughty on me, huh?"

"Come on." I sighed. "Let's head downstairs."

He suddenly smacked his forehead. "Crap! I totally forgot about our breakfast and left it out in the hallway. Your beauty and princess-ness is apparently just too much for me."

I giggled at him and followed him out so I could bring my cases in. We decided to eat quickly in our room before we went downstairs. He'd fixed granola and strawberries with fresh milk. It was simple and very delicious.

He brought the tray with us as we headed out, carrying all the other things down to the kitchen from the night before that we never ate. I carried the champagne bucket down.

"Um, Edward, other than trying to jump you last night, I had also really, really wanted to hand feed you the strawberries. Could we do that tonight?" I knew I was blushing but I tried to ignore it.

He didn't. "Look at you blush. I don't think I'll ever get used to how enchanting that makes you look…" He shook his head slightly. "Yes, we can do that—there's just enough strawberries left to share."

As we headed towards the kitchen, I glanced down at what I had assumed would be a very expensive bottle of champagne. But, it wasn't champagne at all. It was sparkling cider. "Edward, why is this a sparkling drink and not champagne?"

He became visibly uncomfortable. "I didn't want you to think I was going to try and get you drunk and take advantage of you, so I figured a lack of alcoholic beverages would sort-of prove that." We'd reached the kitchen by this point and he was setting the tray down on the kitchen island.

"Little did I know that I needed to worry about you trying to seduce me. Shameful." I was giggling at the look on his face as he'd spoken.

I heard a small cough from behind us. We both turned around cautiously, to find his mother and father coming in from the back of the house through the mud room. I was embarrassed that they might have heard our exchange but they quickly recovered and acted as though they hadn't heard a thing. I really, really liked his parents.

"Mum and dad! You're here! Fantastic." He was beaming at them and they really looked proud of him, as if being with me really was one of the best decisions he'd ever made. I started to feel my eyes get watery but I was determined to not cry again. They hugged and while his father was talking to him about something to do with the estate, his mother came up to me.

She took my hands in hers and looked so happy, I couldn't help but smile widely at her. "Hello, Mrs. Cullen. It's so nice…"

"Bella, please, you must call me Esme. Especially now, or people will get confused. You'll be a Mrs. Cullen too in a little bit." She laughed in her musical tone. I giggled.

"I hadn't thought of that. Alright… Esme." I told her shyly. She gave me a big hug. "Thank you so much, Bella. He's always been so alone… We've never seen him so happy. Thank you." She whispered to me fervently. A few tears did escape me then but I recovered quickly.

We were talking quietly about Edward's wish that I feel comfortable changing things around at the estate, and I told her how uncomfortable I was with that. "Bella, you can change things without knocking out walls or getting rid of all the furniture to make it yours and Edward's. I can help you, if you'd like."

I was dumbfounded. "Oh. Well… My gosh, that would great. Thank you so much. I would love to walk the house with you, to have you explain the history of some of the pieces." Edward heard me and came over to place his arm around my waist.

"Perhaps not today, though." He raised his eyebrows at me and he looked nervous. I laughed at him. I couldn't help it… "Oh, Edward, don't be silly." I playfully smacked his arm. He smiled and didn't look quite as nervous after that.

His father came up to me then. "Bella," He reached out for me and I left Edward's arms and went into his. He gave me a tight hug and told me almost exactly the same thing that Esme had. I giggled into his shoulder and whispered. "Esme beat you to it. Thank you for having such a wonderful son. It would be impossible for me to be any happier right now."

He released me, smiling widely, and I felt Edward's arm around me again only a little tighter now. Maybe he was still a little nervous…

"Bella, I want to make sure that you understand that this ceremony isn't legally binding in any way. It is an ancient custom, one that has been changed and altered over the centuries. It's beginnings are rather unpleasant but you should be made aware of them anyway." Carlisle's expression became very serious and I felt Edward now holding me with an iron grip. Carlisle continued his narrative for me.

"In twelfth century England, there developed a new form of social cooperation, which rose from the ashes of the Roman Empire. It was called manorialism or serfdom, and marked the beginning of peasantry and a class of laborers to support the feudal lords that controlled each medieval manor."

"The serf knew his place in medieval society and readily accepted it. So too did the medieval nobility and clergy. The medieval manor therefore sustained the three orders of medieval society: Those who prayed, the clergy of the Church, those who fought, the knights, and those who worked, the serfs."

"They owned nothing themselves, but in exchange for their cooperation in running the lord's estate, they held small farms for themselves to grow food for their families, and they received protection from the lord and his knights."

"However, they were still almost slaves, and could not move to another estate if they wished or marry whoever they wanted. Before a serf could marry, he had to gain the consent of the lord. A lord could select a wife for his serf and force him to marry her. A serf who refused… Well, they didn't refuse."

"In the case of a 'permitted' marriage, the lords often called for jus primae noctis, the first night, as droit de seigneur, the lord's right, requesting the virginity of the bride on the first night of marriage."

I gasped and Edward let out a breath loudly. "Dad! I don't think we need to get into the gory details, do we?"

"Yes, I do. Because here, at the Coates Estate, the lord changed the rules in the fifteenth century. You see, he had a son, that he loved more than anything. And this son had fallen in love with a serf. Which, for all intents and purposes, was an unthinkable offense to the family's status and honor."

"So, the lord came up with a solution. He changed the droit de seigneur to represent the lord's right to choose his son's wife as being anyone from their estate. But, he had to perform the ceremony, since the Church disagreed with him wholeheartedly, because they had traditionally received a portion of the bride's dowry. Since this bride was a serf, there was no dowry so, no Church-sanctioned marriage could be carried out."

"Now we come to you and Edward. Since I'm the Lord of the Coates Estate I can marry you, but we are no longer an autonomous medieval estate, and the laws of the land hold sway, even over this Lord and this manor. And, of course, it wouldn't be a Church-sanctioned marriage, since I'm not a priest or vicar." He smiled gently at me and continued. "Therefore, you will not be legally entitled to any of Edward's holdings, finances, or property and since you're not an Anglican or a Protestant, it doesn't really have any bearing on these proceedings that I'm not a vicar."

"Basically, this union ties you together in the most fundamental way—not legally or religiously. So, I ask you again, Isabella, are you completely agreeable with this?"

I felt my back straighten, "Yes." I was so sure, in fact, that I might have said 'yes' a little too loudly. I blushed.

Carlisle tried to suppress his smile at my response. "Alright. Let's head to the back patio, to the rose garden. That's the traditional location for these ceremonies."

Carlisle headed towards the music room. The back patio butted up to the room's large, French doors and the rose garden was only a few steps beyond that patio. I felt Edward tug on my hand. I noticed quickly, however, that Esme had not followed her husband out of the kitchen…

I turned to her, tugging back on Edward's hand. "Esme?" I asked her questioningly. She smiled at me reassuringly and I saw her eyes dart to Edward's. I couldn't understand her sudden reluctance. I had felt so strangely close to her since meeting her, I couldn't imagine her not being with us during this momentous event in her son's life.

I felt Edward tense next to me, and I realized I was missing something. I turned to look up into his deep green eyes but he wasn't looking at me, he was looking away from me rather uncomfortably.

"Edward…?" I now felt confused. He suddenly turned to me and bent down to give me a quick kiss. "Love, could you give my mother and myself just a moment? We'll be right out. Perhaps you could head to the music room rather slowly?" He smiled reassuringly at me.

"O.k. ..." I turned away from him, letting go of his hand, and headed towards the music room alone. I was still confused but felt better, since I'd discerned a sudden change in Edward's demeanor from just a few moments ago that made me feel more at ease. I trusted him so I would do as he asked. I sighed and slowly began walking towards the music room, the rose garden, and my destiny.

~~:::~~

My mother looked… Hurt. There was no other word to describe the look on her face. "Son… I don't…"

"I know. You don't understand because I haven't explained it… And, honestly, I don't think I can discuss it with you." I said this rather curtly, which did not help.

My mother now looked wounded. "Edward! Bella obviously expects me to be there for her. How can you deny her that? You told me about her mother's death. She lost her so young… And we've… We'll we've become close in such an incredibly short time. I want to be there for her…"

"I know." I felt defeat coming. I would have to tell my mother something or she'd wonder if I hadn't lost my mind. I ran my hands through my hair and then dropped them to the kitchen counter.

"Mother, something happened between Bella and I… Well, actually, it's more about something that didn't happen between us… God! I don't think I can talk to you about this…" I was so embarrassed. I was fairly certain I'd start reddening soon. What would Bella think of that? An uncalled for smile crossed my lips. I quickly stifled it to be able to finish speaking with my mother.

"Mum, I'm 29 years old and I should not be talking to you about… About intimate things." I looked up at her, pleading with my eyes, for her to understand without me having to get detailed. I shuddered.

"Oh." She looked a little shocked. Then she tried to cover her smirk with her hand. "Oh! That's what you two were talking about when we came in… That wasn't just playful banter. You two were serious. And she…"

"Yes! Yes. Can we please stop talking about it now? I'm sorry that I didn't want you to be here for the ceremony, it was just… Embarrassing. I knew, after watching us during it and the party tonight, you'd figure out why we were suddenly in such a rush." God. My face was reddening. I looked up at the ceiling so I wouldn't have to watch my mother laugh at me. I closed my eyes. "Mum, please don't laugh. This is embarrassing enough without that."

I opened my eyes and looked over at my mother, since I suddenly noticed that it was very quiet.

She was not laughing.

She walked over to me by the island to place her hands over mine. "Edward, I think it's wonderful that you're waiting… Until your married. I'm very proud of you. But if it's not what Bella wants… I don't understand why…" She looked puzzled but then she became quite still.

"But… It's none of my business. You're right. This isn't a conversation a grown man should have with his mother. You both know what's best for your relationship. And we've kept your father and Bella waiting long enough." She looked up into my eyes, the same deep green as her own, and I saw her love for me there. "I love you Edward, you really are a good, kind and decent man. And Bella is a beautiful, honest and caring woman. I couldn't be happier for you both."

She tugged on my hands and we left the kitchen, to go and marry me to my love, my heart, and my soul.

~~:::~~

We came out onto the back terrace arm in arm. I was sure no one could have better parents than I did. They had always been there for me, never wavering, never being anything but supportive and loving. They had been hard on me when it had been necessary, which, luckily, wasn't very often.

Bella was standing in front of my father, slightly to my left. She was so… Beautiful, radiant, shy, strong… She was so many things to me. And I loved her all the more. I felt my pace quicken and my mother's did too. She went to stand next to Bella, on her left, and I saw them exchange a knowing look as they held hands briefly.

I was now standing in front of my father, slightly to his left and Bella's right. He asked us if we had rings to exchange, and I began to panic slightly. I hadn't gotten a ring for myself… But Bella startled me when she announced that we did. I glanced over at her for a brief moment and she gave me one of her little quirky smiles, the one where she's looking like she's trying not to break into laughter.

I gave a small chuckle under my breath and she reached for my hand. I hadn't even realized that my father had begun speaking and had asked us to hold hands. I looked back at my father, as did Bella. He cleared his throat to continue.

"As the Lord of the Coates Castle Estate, it is my privilege and honor to marry those that reside at the estate, when said couple are in mutual consent, and have requested that I do so on their behalf."

"I have recently discerned that the couple that stand before me this day indeed have agreed to join together, to exchange words promising the union of their two families."

"I must ask at this time, whether there are any known impediments to this marriage." He looked at us expectantly, and we both shook our heads to indicate that we did not. So did my mother.

"Fine. Thank you." He looked between Bella and me twice before continuing with a slight smile on his lips. "A wedding is the celebration of a finalized union between a man and woman, and traditionally, objects, normally rings, are passed from hand to hand to symbolize this transfer from individuality to a mutual bond."

My mother reached for Bella's hand and placed a band of what I assumed was white gold into it. At the same time, Bella attempted to stealthily give me her engagement ring, so I had it to place on her hand as part of the ceremony. I suppressed a chuckle and squeezed her hand for just a second.

We both held our right hands up, palms forward, to show my father we both did indeed have rings for each other.

"The spoken consent and exchange of said rings by the couple will now take place. Do you, Edward Anthony Cullen, take Isabella Marie Swan to be your wife?"

"Yes." I spoke clearly and concisely, as I placed her ring back on the third finger of her left hand.

"Do you Isabella Marie Swan, take Edward Anthony Cullen to be your husband?"

"Yes." She sounded shy but strong and took my left hand in her right, placing my ring on my finger. It was indeed a white gold band, with an intricately carved pattern on a central panel, with the two outside edges being polished smooth. I realized that the pattern matched the one on hers. My ring was a perfect fit. I flexed my hand and carefully, lovingly took her right hand back into my left, trying not to squeeze too tightly.

"I now ask that the groom and then the bride, make their required statements."

I'd almost forgotten about this part but Bella and I had luckily discussed it in detail earlier that morning, so I recovered quickly.

"I, Edward Anthony Cullen, give my body to you, Isabella, in loyal matrimony."

"And I receive it." She suppressed a giggle and I sighed. Silly girl.

Her voice grew strong again, and there was no longer even a hint of a giggle. "I, Isabella Marie Swan, give my body to you, Edward." I felt myself melt a little at the sound of her voice.

"And I receive it." I couldn't help myself. I turned quickly and wrapped my arms around her waist and picked her up off the ground, with my face buried in her hair to find her neck, to speak against it reverently. "Thank you for making me the happiest man in the world." I then kissed her warm, soft lips as passionately as I could.

She kissed me back just as passionately. "I love you more than my own life, Edward."

I should have known, right then, what that could mean to us. What she would be capable of. That she would, quite literally, do anything for me. But at that moment, I had three of the most important people in my life smiling and talking excitedly to me. I didn't think of the future at all, except that Bella would always be in it. One way or the other. I was sure of that.

~~:::~~

Edward's parents hugged us each in turn to say goodbye and told us that they had some business over at the estate manager's cottage. I didn't really think too much about that. They left after only a few more minutes and I was too euphoric, too happy to dwell on what anyone but Edward and I were doing at that point.

He lovingly took my hand in his, gazing down at me just as intently as I was gazing up at him. He held my right hand with his left and kept his other hand lazily in his pants pocket. I reached up with my left hand and placed it against his chest, with my ring catching the morning light on the blue diamond in a way that I found fascinating. But only for a second. My ring held a brand new meaning to me. "Edward, we're really married now…" I could hear the awe in my own voice.

He laughed. So brightly, so cheerfully, I glanced up at him again with one eye slightly closed and my nose a little scrunched up. The sun was hitting the side of my face and I wanted to go back inside with him…

"Ohhh, no. We're waiting. There is no way, after everything that's transpired between us in the last two days, that we're changing our plans now." He looked so handsome but so mischievous at the same time, that I started laughing too.

I hadn't really been thinking of that… Or had I? Perhaps a little. "Fine. I wasn't actually thinking that, but fine." I stated with a little pout. He knew me too well.

As we walked slowly back into the music room, he led me over to the piano and sat us down at the bench with me on his right side. He looked over at me, letting go of my hand to play the piano for me. I couldn't stand the loss of contact so I placed my hand on his forearm, leaning against his shoulder in a way that I wouldn't interfere with his playing.

He'd only played for a few minutes and he'd been playing haltingly, when he stopped completely with his fingers still held against the keys.

"Bella," He sounded very thoughtful as he spoke. "Where did you get this ring? It fits me perfectly and it matches the band of your engagement… Well, wedding ring now, which happens to be over almost one hundred years old."

I sighed against his upper arm and leaned back from him. I did not remove my hand from his arm, however. "When your mother came up to me before the ceremony, she told me that she had a ring for you and would I be o.k. with giving it to you. I only had time to nod my head in thanks, since you were right behind us at that point. So, I can't really answer your question completely, since I have no idea where she got it from. It's interesting… I hadn't really had time to study it but it does match my band, except for the diamonds…"

We both looked down at his left hand to stare at the ring. I had my left hand on his arm and he reached over and placed his left hand next to mine on his right arm. We both sighed. And then laughed quietly.

I squeezed his arm as tightly as I could. "It's amazing. We'll have to talk to her about it, find out what the story is. I'm sure there's a Cullen family secret here to work out."

He laughed. "You're probably right." He moved his hand back to the keys and began playing more earnestly. His playing was, of course, beautiful, even haunting. I leaned back against his shoulder, closing my eyes in complete contentment. I loved him so much, I couldn't believe it… Could I really love him more than I had that morning? Yes, yes I could. I wanted it to always be this way, us, being together, so adoringly.

I sighed against him again and he paused his playing. "Are you alright?" He had reached up and caressed the side of my face with his fingers.

"My love, if I were any better, I'd explode from happiness." I quickly turned my face into the palm of his hand and gave a big, wet kiss against it.

"Ew." He pretended to wipe his hand off and laughed whole-heartedly as he kissed the tip of my nose. He continued to play, with little interruption from me, for almost an hour. I realized that I was getting a little numb and told him that I'd like to take a drive with him to some part of the estate I hadn't seen yet. He thought that was a fantastic idea so we agreed to meet in the kitchen for an early lunch.

I'd get ready first and then he'd come up after. Just in case. We were determined to wait until after the party to be together, wholly, as a married couple.

As I was heading for the stairs, I stopped and called after him. "Oh! I'll fix a different kind of omelet for you. Does that sound alright?"

He snorted. "Much more than alright, my dear wife." It looked like he was heading for the library as he turned back around.

I marveled at how much he reveled in calling me that. It was as if he'd been waiting to call someone his for such a long time, but he could never find the right fit, not even close.

And then I suddenly appeared in his life. And now he was beside himself that he'd found someone to be together forever with. I felt bad for him, for the fact that he'd felt so alone for so much of his life. That was not an issue we shared. I felt so much more blessed than he.

I knew it couldn't always be this easy, this carefree. But I was o.k. with that. We had each other at least—isn't that all that really mattered? Anything could be worked through if you had each other to count on.

I sighed contently looking forward to fixing him a meal today and for all our tomorrows. I also realized that for the first time in my life, it didn't feel like there was anything that could break us, that forever really did mean just that. I wondered if breakfast, lunch or dinner was served 'on the other side' because I had no doubt we would be together there, too.

I smiled at myself, amazed at how Edward had changed me for the better. Forever meant to me now what it was supposed to mean; an eternity of loving someone.

~~:::~~

As I headed for the library to check into some of my family's history to see if I could find some information on my wedding band, I couldn't help but think about Bella. After all, I wouldn't have the band to research if it weren't for her.

I grinned involuntarily remembering how she'd said 'yes' to my father's inquiry regarding if she was agreeable to marrying me in the Coates traditional ceremony. She truly, deeply loved me.

I marveled at this fact; that, with everything she'd been through, she had a big enough heart to give love another chance. To give her love to me, that she was actually willing to make the attempt at forever with me.

I grew thoughtful. I'd never considered myself a particularly religious person but I had dutifully attended church with my parents at our local parish when I was a child. I had attended church at least once a month as an adult even, except when I'd been in college and for most of my time with Lauren. It ended up being just holiday's through those time periods… I would have to discuss with Bella soon, before we planned our 'real' wedding, her feelings on attending church with me.

Because, now I understood a little about what must be meant when one speaks of forever. It must be to love someone so completely, so thoroughly, that you are willing to do anything to carry that love with you into the eternities.

That's definitely how I felt about my Bella. I heaved a sigh and relaxed a little more deeply into my chair, fingering my wedding band.

I stared out the large bay window in the library, looking out over the frontage of our property thinking of all the things I had left to show her, amazed that I couldn't wait to show her everything.

My hand went to my face, to cover my mouth and chin, as I thought about everything I wanted to show her tonight. Only approximately twelve more hours until I could show her exactly how much I adored her, wanted her, revered her… Loved her.

My stomach rumbled right about then and I realized that as hungry as I was for her, I had to take care of myself. Not much point in passing out from lack of food on our wedding night. I laughed out loud and got up to head upstairs to change my clothes, so I could go and see what she'd fixed for us.

~~:::~~

She'd changed back into just her jeans and a t-shirt but she still looked radiant. Marriage seemed to agree with her. I came up behind her, resting my hands on her hips, watching her quietly as she fixed our meal.

I'd have to talk to Bella and then we'd have to discuss with Mrs. Bailes about how we were going to be working this out as a family. I was hoping Mrs. Bailes could impress upon Bella that she had been taking care of the Cullen's for quite awhile and wasn't planning on relinquishing those responsibilities anytime soon. Knowing my Bella as I did, I knew she wouldn't accept not being able to do any cooking, so perhaps we could compromise with weekends or something.

She shouldn't be cooking every day. I had other designs on my wife's time. I smirked at myself while thinking about exactly what those designs might be.

I smiled, bent down, and licked her with the tip of my tongue up her neck by her ear. She jumped slightly as she scolded me. "Edward! Don't! I could've burned myself or something." She sounded really, really annoyed. I was a bit taken aback by her reaction.

"Unlikely, my lovely wife, since you cook like a pro." I hugged her tightly but let her go before she could hit me with something. "Um, you have a little bit of a temper, don't you." I made this statement as I grabbed one of the bar stools to sit next to the island just out of her reach, with my arms folded across my chest.

She turned to me, deftly sliding an omelet on a plate, sliding the plate over to me and handing me a fork, all while glaring at me through her gloriously liquid chocolate eyes.

"Harrumph. No. Well, yes, but only when…" Her eyes grew wide and I felt mine scrunch.

"Sweetheart, was is it?" I had a bite of her delicious omelet only inches from my mouth and the smell alone was fantastic, but she had seemed to freeze in place.

"I…" She looked into my eyes with panic. "I feel… So domestic." She'd said the word as if it was something distasteful. She must have seen my eyes waiver in their intensity, because she suddenly felt the need to explain herself. "Um, I just… Haven't felt like this since…" Her eyes closed tightly to fight off her tears.

I realized then that she'd taken care of Jacob, too.

I dropped my fork and went to her to encircle her with my arms. "Bella, don't. Nothing's going to happen to either of us. And, honestly, if something does happen, I know we're in a slightly different situation than you were then." She looked up into my eyes with confusion showing on her face and tears falling down her slightly flushed cheeks. "Bella, my love, we will always be together. Forever. Whether here or…"

She suddenly gasped and buried her face in my chest, grasping my shirt tightly in both her hands. "Oh! I know! I had the same realization this morning. I can't believe you feel it too…" She began to quietly sob.

"Bella… It's o.k. I love you and I always will, no matter what. Please… Don't be so upset. It's o.k." I rubbed her back, trying to calm her, and she clung to me more tightly. Her breathing began to slow and she looked up at me through her eyelashes.

"I can't believe it. You even think the same things I do…" She said this to me with nothing but awe showing on her face.

"Bella, we belong together. Always. We were made for each other." I told her this with a big smile on my face, actually showing her my teeth I smiled so widely.

"Oh. I know. It's so… Amazing." She let go of my shirt, absentmindedly smoothing it down with one hand as she wiped her face with the other. "I'm sorry, it just… Never mind. I'm o.k. now." She nodded her head to herself, as if to move forward in our day without any further comment on what had just transpired.

I thought I should say something but she seemed determined to move on. I decided I'd better let this one go. What more was there to say, anyway? She had loved him, she had taken care of him, and something insidious had happened to him. It hadn't been her fault. And it didn't mean that history would repeat itself just because she'd found love with someone for a second time in her life.

She did seem very, very comforted that we were always on the same page, even on the same wavelength. As was I.

We were like interlocking elements, neither could work quite right without the other.

As I ate my delicious lunch and watched her eat hers, I did however ask her exactly what she'd been mad about when she'd given me my omelet. "Oh. I just thought you were making fun of me for taking care of you."

It was my turn to get annoyed. I stopped eating, dropping my fork unceremoniously to my plate, and had dropped my hands down to my thighs. "I would never…"

She walked over to me and stood between my knees as I sat on the bar stool. She reached out with her hands to run them down my shirt, down my stomach, to rest her hands on top of mine on my thighs. "Oh, I know that now." She looked into my eyes, a little bashfully but a little seductively too. I sighed down at her and the room seemed to get too warm, it felt too confining. I wanted to escape out of the room immediately with her, I wanted her so badly… And she knew it.

"Um, we should probably get going now." She winked at me.

I thought I would choke. "Bella. You're… You are a very dangerous creature." I said this in the most reproving voice I could manage and I felt my eyes narrow at her. She stepped away from me and laughed.

The tension that had been in the room moments before simply disappeared. We finished up the dishes together.

As we left the house through the mudroom, we were heading across to the garages and she grabbed my hand and swung herself around to face me, walking hazardously backwards towards the Land Rover. "Love you." She actually batted her eyelashes at me.

"Definitely dangerous." But I was laughing along with her now.

We went about our afternoon exploring the estate together, enjoying each others company. And, of course, I loved her that much more.

~~:::~~