I don't own any of these folks, or story line.

A/N - I hope you like this chapter, but the next one is even better. Please comment or add me to your alerts, it makes me want to put up the chapter's quicker -- :).

I am humbled that this chapter has been beta'd by the insightful danceswithv a m p i r e s .

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Cha pte r 3 VOWS

They w e re right to make me hunt. It would be too dangerous to have two competing desires on my honeymoon, both of which could kill my Miss Swan.

She wouldn't be 'Miss Swan' on our honeymoon. I would have to retrain my heart. What will it be? Mrs. Cullen? No, I don't think so- it reminded me of Esme. Bella? My Darling Bella? Maybe I should focus on the hunt; my heart would have decades to decide.

We'd been hunting most of the night, my brothers allowing me to take the majority of the big game kills. We went as far as the Canadian border, and were on the way back to Emmett's jeep when Jasper remembered Miss Swan's propensity to fall. He began to laugh.

"I bet Bella will stumble at the top of the stairs before she walks down. Any takers?"

"Yeah, I'll take that bet. And double or nothing, she'll fall in the aisle, right before she reaches Edward," Emmett challenged.

My brothers were pushing the envelope, making disparaging comments about my fiancée. It didn't matter that it was true. She had difficulty walking without tripping over her own two feet. It was an adorable, benign flaw. My mood was too good to growl, but I would defend.

"Oh ye of little faith. Tomorrow, she will epitomize her name -- beautiful swan. She will not fall," I countered.

"Okay, she may not fall while her last name is Swan, but I bet she will fall within an hour of becoming a Cullen!" Emmett demonstrated a clumsy step. "She is going down, it is just a matter of when!"

"She will not fall," I repeated.

"I wager that she will trip going up the stairs." Jasper joined in by mocking a stumble.

Suddenly, we were quiet, as we caught the smell of a mountain lion. It was a musky, meaty smell – distinctly feline. I was soon within a few feet of the yawning cat. It shut its mouth and took off running. Its nose had picked up my scent, or perhaps it had sensed that it was being hunted. Whatever the reason, it was fast, but I was faster. In less than thirty seconds, I took my prey down and drained it.

I walked back to Jasper and Emmett. Three hundred and thirty-six hours of uninterrupted honeymoon before I would have to feed again. I was happy, excited, and if I had any common sense, I would call the entire wedding off. But all reason was gone, replaced by selfishness. I would do anything to keep her with me. Right and wrong had no voice on the subject.

I would never admit it, but a very narrow, microscopic part of my brain, felt infinitesimally hopeful over her decision to change. That irrational part, too selfish to be away from her, always rejected the belief that the decision wasn't a good one. I detested that she would never have a normal, important human life, but a cold, boring eternity.

Jasper sensed that my mood wasn't as cheerful. Edward, Bella would not like that you were having these feelings. She made me promise to keep you happy. Immediately my thoughts went back to her face, her eyes, her warm soft skin. The little black dress. I was happy again.

We jogged back to Emmett's off-road vehicle and climbed in to return home. Laughter shook the jeep, when we remembered the first days at the different high schools we'd attended, and the reactions from the girls and then the boys. Ultimately, we'd all become outcasts at each of those high schools. Except the last, Forks High. We were a part of the school, because of Bella.

Next, we talked about the baseball games we'd played together, and whether Bella would play when she changed.

"Yep, it will be fun to have Bella and Esme in the game. We wouldn't have to cheat unless we got Bella on the team!" Emmett's laughter was loud and infectious. Jasper joined in.

"Alright guys, lay off the clumsy jokes!" I snarled trying not to get too angry.

"Sorry, just having a little fun. Actually, I like Bella --the way she's changed you, and I can't imagine what she will be like --" Emmett looked across at me and stopped. He knew it wasn't what I'd wanted and thought better of finishing his sentence. But it didn't stop him from teasing me.

"If she ever becomes a vampire, her talent will probably be invisibility. Since her mind can't be seen now, her body won't be when she is a vampire." He started laughing again.

"No, her talent will be telekinesis. She'll move things out of her way so she won't fall over them." Jasper teased.

"Yeah, she'll have telekinesis all right, but she won't move things." Emmett could barely talk from his booming laughter. "Things will get out of her way to avoid being tripped on."

Their seats were shaking, like we were off-roading instead of on the highway, just outside of Forks.

"Funny guys. Very funny!" I growled, as I hit them both in the arms. "You both better get all your jokes out now. Remember, she'll be a newborn vampire, with newborn strength and a temper. She'll be able to wield that power against you." I humphed triumphantly, sure I got the last word.

"Yeah? But she'll be too damn uncoordinated to be effective- probably knock herself out trying to hit me." Emmett roared, and Jasper bent forward laughing.

I gave up and started counting the hours until I was alone with my Miss Swan. Fourteen uninterrupted days together, all to ourselves, alone. I'd sneak away and hunt, and then have another fourteen days of no brotherly taunting. By the time we pulled into the garage, I had figured out a ten-year cycle of fourteen days alone with my bride and one day of hunting - nirvana.

We unloaded the jeep, throwing what little gear we had in the overhead storage. Rosalie met us at the door, greeting Emmett. "Welcome home." She gave Emmett a long, slow kiss. She turned to us. "Jasper, Esme wants you to pick up Renee and Phil from the hotel."

She's looking rather lovely, Edward, if I must say so myself. She will make a beautiful bride. Rosalie thought of Bella upstairs in Alice's bathroom, having her make-up applied. "I just love weddings," she added. Don't ever tell anyone I said this, but I hope yours is as happy as mine and Emmett's first. Now, don't be a moron and mess it up by sneaking up to see Bella – or else. She smiled at the thought, and began to walk back to the house. "Think I'll go see if I can help get Bella ready."

"Thanks, Rose." I replied. Jasper and I looked at Emmett, wondering what had gotten into Rosalie, and the pleasantries toward Bella. He threw his arms up, shrugged his shoulders, and shook his head.

"Women," we said in unison.

I stepped into the glass front door. The entire open area smelled like my Miss Swan. I started to search for the source of the aroma, and realized it was coming from all around. I felt a longing in my arms to hold her. It was then that I saw the thousands of white flowers in the rooms. Roses, freesia and a few lilacs sprinkled with orange blossoms covered every table, every corner, and the satin ribbons along the ceiling.

It was a virtual garden of Miss Swan.

I would have to properly thank Alice and Esme. It was truly spectacular.

The front room had been emptied, making it nearly as large as the high school cafeteria. There was a trellis arch, covered in white roses and cream- colored satin ribbons, in the place where we would exchange vows. Cream silk covered the chairs -arranged like a fan in front of the trellis. Assortments of pallid candles were throughout the room, and I could imagine when lit, how they would shimmer against the window wall and give the illusion of twilight.

Emmett came into the room and whistled. "Esme and Alice really outdid themselves for you two." From the second floor, we heard Alice demand that I be kept out. And don't you go reading our thoughts, either! Go occupy yourself! Her door slammed shut. I obediently blocked out Alice's and Rosalie's thoughts.

Esme put me to work setting up chairs and a dance floor on the back lawn. Esme had Emmett concentrate on the yard, making sure every blade of grass and leaf was in its proper place. The caterer arrived from Port Angeles and began setting up the buffet tables. Carlisle eagerly followed a series of last-minute tasks from Esme.

When everything was Esme-perfect, I found that I had an hour left to get ready, and be at the altar.

I went up to my room on the third floor, slowly passing by the second floor in hopes of hearing my Miss Swan's voice. It was her heartbeat that graced my ears. Once in my room, I confirmed our travel arrangements, and listened to a greatest love songs CD, a gag gift from Emmett. The songs weren't as bad as I'd thought.

Jasper returned from picking up Renee and Phil. He joined me in my room, having been banned from the room he shared with Alice. Your emotions suit you Edward, it's a shame you buried them for so long. I'll be forever grateful to Bella and her influence.

"I hope you won't mind if I change in here." I can soak up some happiness while I'm here, everyone else seems -- a bit . . . anxious. He added.

I focused on the thoughts in the house, except for Alice's and Rosalie's. Jasper was correct, there was a united conscience to make everything perfect for my wedding, resulting in high anxiety. I was somewhat humbled. "Sure." I nodded to Jasper. He was welcomed to share my happiness.

The front door opened and closed several times while I slowly got ready. I knew everyone that arrived, and could hear their excitement and delight upon seeing the decorated front room. Rosalie started to softly play the piano. Soon all the guest were present.

"Esme said it's time, son." Carlisle appeared at my door, holding a set of rings. Any last minute concerns?

"No, Dad. I'm certain. I want her more than anything."

"She is a crown jewel."

Jasper sped downstairs, and sat in the front row beside Esme. Carlisle and I followed, and took our positions in front of the flowered arch, side by side. Minister Weber was already in place, with his back to the glass wall.

At Esme's cue, Rosalie began playing the Bridal Chorus, full of bravado. Alice appeared, and in measured, elegant half-skips descended the steps and aisle to Carlisle's opposite side.

My eyes returned to the staircase, and there was my love. Her wedding dress was a replica from nineteen seventeen. It was full of lace and simple silk, white. It was graceful and beautiful, but it was the bouquet that caught my eye --the bouquet I was allowed to design. I chose one similar to a debutante's. It was the size of a saucer with red rosebuds massed tightly together, sweet orange blossoms in the middle, and freesia along the last row. It was set in stiff antique white lace paper, with white satin ribbon wrapped around the stems. Her fingers gingerly enveloped the stems, and she held it close to her body. My smile suddenly appeared, releasing my deep joy.

Her other arm was linked to Charlie's, as the fanfare of the Bridal Chorus began.

I was disappointed to see that she was looking down. She watched each step as she glided toward the bottom of the stairs. When she reached the floor, her head popped up, eyes wide. My mouth started to drop in awe. I quickly composed myself and observed her magnificence. Her hair was swept up in an array of braids, held in place by silver combs with hints of blue.

She was exquisite.

Everyone was standing, their eyes arrested by her shear elegance. She took in the surroundings, as if she hadn't seen them earlier. She continued to look around surveying. Then our eyes met, and the color rose to her cheeks.

Charlie began to move her forward. Her march was like that of a swan skimming the lake, never making a ripple or splash. My silent heart smiled.

My hands began to tremble, but I knew I couldn't run them through my hair to rid myself of the nervousness. I thought maybe Jasper was using his talent on both me and my Miss Swan -- I calmed and willed her to meet me at the altar; she seemed to swim forward, as if she couldn't wait to meet me at the altar.

I remembered that Jasper promised that he would only observe, his gift to us.

I held out my hand. Charlie placed hers in mine. I was whole.

We turned to the minister, and the ceremony began. Our eyes never left the others.

"I do," she vowed, and I placed her ring on her finger, quickly touching her tears as I returned my hand to hers.

"I do," I said with triumph, and felt the warmth as she placed my ring on my finger.

In the end, the minister followed our wishes, as my Miss Swan had declared the day of our announcement; we vowed, "for as long as we both shall live." He pronounced us husband and wife, offering me the long awaited opportunity to kiss my enchanting bride.

I placed my hands on either side of her warm face, hoping that at this moment, I would hear her thoughts. Silence. I saw joy and happiness in her eyes. I bent forward and pressed my lips against hers.

It was the most public kiss for either of us, and my bride seemed to forget that we were not alone. She kissed me more passionately and with more vigor than I would have usually allowed. I was beyond temptation.

There were sounds from the wedding guests, including a loud, gruff throat-clearing from Emmett. Bella realized we were not alone, and I was able to disrupt our public exhibition. Our gaze remained locked together.

I won.

She won.

I took her hand, and we turned to the applauding audience. Soon we were surrounded by friends and family, wishing us good luck and congratulations. We were passed from person to person, our hands never separating.