Obviously I'm not Stephenie Meyer. All things in the Twilight Universe still belong to her and I'm stuck here, smacking my head, wondering, "Why didn't I think of that?" Ha, ha, but in all seriousness no infringement is intended on my part.

Here it is. This chapter didn't get posted as fast I wanted. My hubs was using my computer for some cyber-weekend Christmas shopping. I hope it was worth the wait. Happy Reading.

Before: September 13, 2010

My Sweet Girl,

I know you don't see yourself that way. I know you think that I somehow deserve better than you. As if there could ever be any comparison between the two of us. As if I could ever be worthy of someone as wonderful as you. You don't see the lovely girl that has already brought so much joy to my existence. You don't see the beautiful heart that lies behind the tears. Through your tears I see an inner strength that I know will help see us through the worst of times. With this strength I know there in lies a heart to hold it firm. Then there's your smile, words cannot convey the glory that is your smile. There simply isn't enough of them. How can I ever express to you the gratitude that I feel so deeply? How do I share with you this thanksgiving I hold in my heart, that I, Edward Cullen, get to marry my best friend today?

I promised you that I would do everything in my power to make you happy. I want you to know, that today of all days, that I remember that promise. You are my Bella. You are my Sweet Girl. You are my life.

Always and Forever

Your Edward.

I held the note in my hand, delivered via Alice, as tears streamed down my face at his beautiful words. It was moments like this that I felt so insignificant. I was a raving bitch and he was simply perfect. I was considered the noble werewolf, protector of my tribe; he was the evil vampire enemy. He made me smile when all I wanted to do was cry. He gave me hope when all when all I could see in front of me was lost dreams. He gave me friendship when all I ever seemed to give him was an attitude. When I looked at him a sense of awe permeated through me, right down to the bone. When he looked at me there was something otherworldly behind his eyes. Edward, being the only vampire I've ever gotten to know, made it hard to tell what that might mean. It was no wonder my mother believed Edward to be my imprint. For some unfathomable reason we just fit. He was my best friend, if not my imprint. I didn't really think it was possible for him to be my imprint. I mean, how would that even be possible? I'm a werewolf, he's a vampire.

I felt so tormented by my mother's theory. It tortured me until I could barely look at Edward. He was trying to hide it, but I knew this upset him. How could he be so nice to me, still?

Moody Bella, one minute I'm being affectionate and the next I'm treating him like a leper. Of course, his sister, Rosalie was being a total bitch and his brother, her husband, Emmett wasn't much better. Rosalie actually threatened me with bodily harm if I broke her brothers heart. What the fuck was wrong with these monsters? I was eighteen fucking years old for crying out loud. What did they expect from me?

I knew I was messing up. If all this planning and scheming behind my fathers back didn't pan out… If he caught on for a second that I wasn't happy with this whole arrangement. I knew my dad would drag my unhappy ass back home so fast… At that point everything would be for not and we all would die. How was I suppose to walk down that isle to a destiny that no sane person would even contemplate? How was I suppose to smile and pretend that my dreams were coming true when most likely my nightmare was just beginning? How was there going to be any kind of a honeymoon with an upset groom and a moody bride?

These were the thoughts that were haunting me, the same thoughts that I saw reflecting back to me behind dark smoky eyes, courtesy my wedding planner/make-up artist/hair-dresser/bridesmaid/soon to be sister-in-law, whom was standing behind me in the mirror.

She cocked her head, frowning at me. "It's going to be okay. You know that don't you?"

"I don't know anything, anymore, Alice."

"Your parents look so happy for you," my eyes flashed to hers. She smirked. "Jasper confirmed it."

"Oh…"

Her now warm smiling eyes met my worried ones in the mirror.

"It just seems a little strange, you know? I would never have expected your mother to be so happy for you, seeing how you'll be marrying a vampire."

"I'm just her stupid half-breed daughter. She's probably happy to be rid of me."

"Eeh, try again."

I only shrugged my shoulders. Of course, I wasn't going to fill her in on my mother's theory.

Alice stuck out her lip in a pout. "You know, Bella. I may not have access to my abilities when you're around, but I sense something wonderful is about to happen and you not telling me is not cool. Not cool at all. And I was really hoping we could be friends. You can trust me, you know. I'd never betray your trust." Yeah, sure she wouldn't.

"You might be right, Alice, but I have nothing to tell you yet. I'm still figuring things out."

A new spark of light lit up Alice's eyes. She began to bounce and clap her hands in place. You'd have thought I just professed my undying love to her brother.

"Welcome to the family, Bella!"

I felt my lips twitch and before I knew it a small smile formed there. It felt good to be accepted by someone other than Edward.

"Thanks, Alice."

"Your welcome, sissy." She bent and placed a icy kiss on my cheek before darting out of the room.

"Welcome to the family, Bella," I mumbled to myself as I blotted the tears from my cheeks. Thank God for waterproof mascara!

I glanced down at the note in my hand, another tear slid down my cheek. Edward thought of me as his best friend too.

With forever at my feet and no where to run, I followed Alice out the door. Note tucked into the front of my gown, close to my heart, a beautiful bouquet of roses and freesia held out in front of me, as if I were carrying a shield or weapon, and my father's arm tucked firmly around mine, I was ready as I would ever be.

"Are you sure about this, Bella?" My father asked me with a crack in his voice.

"I'm sure about Edward." The truth of those words startled me. Why I felt this way, I could not be sure. Was I sure that I would be happy as Edward's wife or was it just the fact that I was sure that Edward would be good to me? I glanced up to my dads worried eyes, and even though anxiety was rising up to my throat from the pit of my stomach, a soft smile spreading on my lips.

I was surprised that I didn't have to fake it. My smile was real. The happiness that I would soon get to go away with Edward again made my heart flutter. Was I truly happy to be going away with Edward or was I just anxious to get away from the crazy?

Alice paused at the foot of the stairs, I was to count to five then follow. Ugh. This should be easier, I thought to myself. I could feel the panic rising inside of me again. Edward was truly an amazing person. What am I fighting against? It's wasn't as if we were the first couple to ever go through an arranged marriage. It's not as if there was any guarantee that I would find someone better than Edward otherwise. If I was being honest with myself, I didn't want to look elsewhere. What would be the point? Even if I never fell in love with Edward I'd forever compare him to any other guy I ever dated. Who could compare? So what was my problem? I was lucky. I got to marry my best friend. All I had to do was take that first step.

An instrumental version of 'A Thousand Years' by 'The Piano Guys, began to play. As beautiful as the song was, it felt like some twisted reminder of what I was about to commit myself to. I'm sure Rosalie or Emmett had something to do with it's selection, but none of that mattered. A thousand years with Edward didn't seem like such a hardship, so the joke was on them.

You can do this, Bella. I squeezed my eyes shut as I descended the stairs, I knew my father wouldn't let me fall. Edward's a great guy. I let Charlie guide me around the corner. You're going to be fine. My stomach churned. Edward will be good to you. My mouth suddenly went dry.

When I opened my eyes everyone was there, everyone, my family, the tribe, Edward's family, including extended family he called his cousins, right down to our tormenters, the Volturi. I closed my eyes against the world. With my chin up, shoulders squared, I pictured Edward's face in my mind. That was my focus.

Another step. I opened my eyes. I took another. I looked up to find my very best friend smiling at my approach. Step. He was standing on a platform under an arbor dripping with freesia, bowery and hundreds of twinkling lights. I stepped on the red carpet. I knew this fancy wedding was mainly for the benefit of my father. My next step landed softly on a dusting of white rose pedals. I fully expected Edward to be smiling. Step. What I didn't expect was for it to feel so real. Step. Why did he have to smile like that? Step. He looked as if all his dreams were about to come true. Step. I realized then he was probably just looking forward to the sex. I blushed with this step. The Edward I knew didn't look at sex so crassly, so I wasn't entirely sold on that theory. Step. I couldn't help but answer his smile with my own. Step. I was truly glad that at least one of us could be happy. Step. It gave me hope that if he could look that happy marrying me, that I would one day be happy too. One step closer, in time with the song. The sweetest man I'd ever known was about to become my husband. One final step.

After: October 16, 2010

Harry S. Truman said it best. "Carry the battle to them. Don't let them bring it to you. Put them on the defensive and don't ever apologize for anything."

This was the basis of our strategy. The Volturi were so arrogant, bringing the fight to them was the last thing they would expect. Even after I knocked them on their asses while on my honeymoon and later when we killed their guardsman and Felix, they still thought themselves superior. They must, because if they had the least bit of sense they wouldn't still be here feeling secure with their stupidity intact.

"Don't underestimate them, Sweet Girl. Even with you're advantage, you can't be with all of my family all at once. You're still only one person and you can't protect everyone."

"Don't loose my head. Got it."

Of course, my husband is incredibly smart. Not heeding his warning would make me the arrogant one. I may very well be the most powerful monster here, but that didn't make me invincible. We still had to use our heads.

"Jasper came up with a solid plan. We'll be fine, so long as we stick to it," he's reassuring me, we just need to stay sharp.

I squeezed his hand and smiled at him while we waited. It was our job to go in last and pick up the slack. Edward's talent was instrumental in this. In the end, whomever needed our help the most would get it. Otherwise we would default back to getting Leah out.

According to Art, Leah was being held in a cell nearly dead center underneath the Volturi's feeding chamber. Everyone was to split up in pairs, to do their assigned tasks, couples staying together. Alice and Jasper went in first.

They're task is to spread mine and Edward's scent around, hopefully gaining the attention of a fair amount of the Volturi's guardsmen. Based on Edward's smile I'd say their efforts are not in vain.

"Emmett, Rose, go," Edward's directing them.

Emmett and Rose are to clear a path for Carlisle and Esme. While it was Carlisle's and Esme's job to extract Leah. Emmett and Rose are also to provide backup getting Leah out.

Edward isn't projecting his thoughts to me, instead concentrating on the task at hand. I'm more than a little frustrated not knowing everyone's status.

Another smile and he's turning to his adoptive parents. "They're nearly there."

Carlisle is nodding, pulling Esme behind him, into the fray.

Edward's chuckling, shaking his head. He's smiling down at me.

"What's so funny?" Obviously I'm happy things are going well, but I'm still annoyed not to in on the joke.

"Emmett's being Emmett," he's saying simply, shaking his head again.

I'm rolling my eyes. I'm not entirely sure I want to know.

Something has changed. Edward's baring his teeth, growling.

"What's is it?"

"Jacob's here," he steps forward, but for once I'm able to grab his arm before he takes off. I have him frozen to the cobblestone.

"Let go. I'm going to kill him," Edward's seething.

"You'll stick to the plan. I need you right here."

"He's going to die by my hand."

"Get in line, Edward."

"How can you be so calm about it, after what he did to you?"

"I'm the one that was attacked, Edward and his life or death has no bearing on me anymore."

"You didn't have to see inside his sick twisted mind that day he and the Volturi guard showed up at the house. They had every intention of taking you with them that day the babies too, if they could manage it.

"I know," I'm placing my palm on his cheek. "You already showed me," I'm reminding him.

He's exhaling his frustration.

I'm pulling a hypodermic needle from my pocket. "Don't worry about Jacob."

"I might have known, Carlisle would talk you into sparing his life."

"Carlisle didn't talk me into any such thing. Billy, Jacob's father, just so happens to be a very good friend to my family. I care about him a great deal. If I can manage it, I'd like for him to have the option of telling his only son goodbye. Jacob will pay for his crimes."

"Damn it!" Edward's shouting.

"Edward! You don't have to like it!" I'm shouting back.

"No," he's shaking his head. "Not that… The others are in trouble."

Okay don't kill me. This fight is far from over and Jacob will die a painful death. That I can promise.

So far Hotel California is on top to be the next story I finish writing along side the companion story to this one. Don't worry though, you still have time to review. If for some reason your favorite story doesn't get picked I'm still going to write it eventually. Thank you, so much, for your support. Mwah!