I'm being true to my word here, people. I'm guessing a lot of my die-hard fans haven't read the last chapter yet, thus explaining the lack of reviews, but I promised another chappie before I leave. I considered being evil and making you wait, but then I realized it just wasn't worth it. I have this chapter all written up; I might as well post it. Besides, this way, when I come back, I can open up my e-mail and see all your lovely reviews waiting for me. So, here it is, Chapter 27!
A quick A/N: I apologize in advance if it's crap. I've only attended a few of these in my life and I can only remember the events of one. Also, the experience of Jewish ones aren't the best jumping off point for writing about non-Jewish ones, so just bare with me if it sucks. Three chappies and it'll all be over.
Disclaimer: Why the hell would I bother writing fan fictions if I was Stephenie Meyer? There's no logic there, people!
Chapter 27 – Here Comes the Bride (Rosalie's POV)
Four months later…
The big day was here. All the guests were waiting in the chapel, the bouquets were ready, and Alice, Bella, and I were having the final touches put on our hair. Just downstairs, Emmett was waiting for me under the altar. Just a short ceremony, a few quick words, and he would be mine forever.
"Are you nervous, Rose?" Bella asked me. She and Alice both wore dusty rose pink dresses. Matching bouquets of dusty pink roses lay on a table nearby, waiting for them until they were ready. I smiled.
"I'm fine," I said. "A little nervous, but that's to be expected."
"Of course it is, Rose," Alice said. "But really, you shouldn't be worried. You look gorgeous."
I smiled. My dress had been custom designed especially for me. The bodice was tight, with a square neckline, decorated in lace and pearls. The skirt was very full, and flared out widely from the bodice. The sleeves were sheer, loose and slightly puffy up to my elbows, where they were cinched with elastic. They flared outward from the elastic. They were made from the same flower-patterned lace as my veil. My blonde hair was twisted up into an elegant but simple bun under the veil. "Thank you, Alice," I said. "You both look beautiful too."
Bella and Alice smiled. Their dresses were less elaborate variants on mine. They had the same square neckline, tight bodice, wide skirt (though mine was wider), and lace sleeves. The only differences were that their sleeves were made of plain, unpatterned lace and the bodice bore no decorations. Still, I knew that Edward and Jasper would think they both looked beautiful. "Thank you, Rose," they both said.
My father appeared in the room. "Girls, it's time," he said. Alice and Bella grabbed their bouquets of roses and I grabbed my bouquet of white roses and violets. I hadn't originally wanted the violets as part of the flowers, but Emmett had persuaded me, saying they matched the color of my eyes and would set them off perfectly. Of course, he had been right.
Slowly, the four of us made our way to the chapel. I couldn't see inside, but I knew that all of my friends and family were in there, waiting to witness what I hoped would be my finest moment yet. As we got closer, we could see Edward and Jasper waiting for the cue for the groomsmen and bridesmaids. As the four of us approached, both of them took one look at their fiancés and smiled broadly. They each took their fiancé's hand, pulling her towards them. "You look beautiful," they both whispered, earning two smiles and a blush from Bella and Alice. Piano music drifted out towards us, unfamiliar and unknown. I felt a flurry of nerves as the music slowly morphed into a traditional wedding march.
"Isabella, Edward, Alice, Jasper, that's your cue," my father said. My two best friends placed their hands lightly on their fiancés' arms and lined up, Alice and Jasper in front, Bella and Edward behind them. Alice and Jasper started walking, disappearing into the chapel. Bella and Edward waited five seconds, then followed them into the chapel and down the aisle. I heard muffled whispers coming from inside, no doubt about how beautiful my two best friends looked and how handsome their fiancés were. My father took my hand and placed it on his arm. "Are you ready, Rosalie, dear?"
I nodded. "I'm ready." The music trilled as I spoke.
My father smiled. "That's our cue." Slowly, we walked to the door and stopped right in the doorway. Everyone in the room turned to look at me and I heard several gasps.
My eyes searched the room, settling on the altar straight ahead of me. Flowers sprung in profusion from the poles supporting it and lined the top. Thin, gauzy silk created a thin screen between the flowers. The minister stood at the very back. Off to the right stood Mr. McCarty. Edward and Jasper stood one step down, slightly to the side and slightly behind of Mr. McCarty. Alice and Bella stood in the same position on the other side, behind where my father would stand. My eyes then roved over to the center of the altar and I had to stifle a gasp of my own.
Emmett stood there, dashingly handsome in a black suit, a single violet and white rose pinned to his lapel. As his eyes took me in, he smiled the widest I had ever seen, radiating love and adoration. I smiled back and slowly started walking up the aisle with my father.
It felt like an eternity that I was walking; the aisle was so long. Finally, we reached the altar. Emmett stood waiting, his hand outstretched slightly, knowing what would come next. My father took my hand and slowly placed it in Emmett outstretched one. Emmett's hand wrapped tightly around mine and he slowly helped me up the short flight of stairs to stand next to him. I heard my father moving into place and then the minister began.
"Dearly beloved," he said. "We are gathered here today in the sign of God – and in the face of this company – to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony." He continued on through the traditional vows, finally reaching one of the moments I had been waiting for. "Do you, Emmett McCarty, take Rosalie Hale to be your wife – to live together after God's ordinance – in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, to cherish and continually bestow upon her your heart's deepest devotion, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," Emmett said, squeezing my hand slightly as he did.
"Do you, Rosalie Hale, take Emmett McCarty to be your husband – to live together after God's ordinance – in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, to cherish and continually bestow upon him your heart's deepest devotion, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," I said. I was so overwhelmed by all of the passion around me that it was difficult to keep my voice steady.
It was now time to exchange the rings. Our ring-bearer, my friend Vera's son Henry, brought them to the minister. He said a few more words, then handed one to Emmett. Emmett turned to me. He took my left hand in his. "Rosalie Hale," he said. "You are now consecrated to me as my wife from this day forward and I give you this ring as the pledge of my love and as the symbol of our unity and with this ring, I thee wed." He slid the ring onto my finger.
Now it was my turn. The minister handed me the ring and I turned back to Emmett, taking his left hand in mine. "Emmett McCarty," I said. "You are now consecrated to me as my husband from this day forward and I give you this ring as the pledge of my love and as the symbol of our unity and with this ring, I thee wed." I slid the ring onto his finger. Together, we turned back to the minister.
The minister began intoning the pronouncement and I found myself wishing he would hurry up. Finally, he reached the second point I wanted. "And so," he said. "By the power vested in me by the State of Washington and Almighty God, I now pronounce you man and wife – and may your days be good and long upon the earth."
Say it, I thought to myself. Say it.
"You may now kiss the bride."
Emmett and I slowly turned to look at each other. For a second, neither of us moved. He took a step closer to me, and the next thing I knew, his hands were at the small of back, holding me to him as he kissed me with more passion then I could ever imagine. My arms twined around his neck and I pulled myself closer to him, kissing him back with as much passion as I could.
I don't know how long we stood like this, arms around each other, kissing as if this were our last day together. I heard either Alice or Bella give a very pointed cough, as if to say enough. Finally, our lips split apart, but our arms stayed locked around each other. A few people in the audience tittered nervously. We let go of each other, slightly embarrassed. At once, we were surrounded by a flurry of "Congratulations!" As our friends and family continued to applaud and cheer, I turned to Emmett.
"I think we went a little overboard with that kiss," I said.
Emmett laughed. "We did," he said. "Still, I have no regrets."
"Neither do I."
"Good." He reached down and took my hand.
"I love you, Emmett McCarty."
"I love you too, Rosalie McCarty." I smiled at the sound of my new name. "It sounds beautiful, doesn't it?" Emmett asked me.
"So much so," I said. "You can't imagine."
"Oh," Emmett said, pulling me to him. "I think I can." He lowered his head to mine and kissed me again. Immediately, I forgot about everything else around me. Instead, I focused all my energy into the kiss, pouring all my love into it and receiving all of Emmett's love in return. I knew I made the right choice, was the last thought that ran through my head before thinking became impossible.
Well, there you have it. Emmett and Rosalie are happily married. Again, sorry if the ceremony was crap, people. And to answer the question now, no, I'm not writing the reception. You can just imagine what happened in those pretty little heads of yours.
Don't forget to review, darlings. I love you all! Happy holidays!
xoxoxoxoxoxo, TwilightTeen212