Chapter Two: Ready?

How could one simple question mean so much? Are you ready? What kind of question was that? Of course I was ready. I had waited over 100 years for Bella. How could I not be ready? I was ready to make her my wife forever. I was willing to take her life away from her, against my will. I was ready to give up everything for her. The only thing I wasn't ready for was tonight.

Her sole demand. Make her my wife in every way possible. That I wasn't ready for. What if I lost control in the heat of passion. What if I killed her? I couldn't and wouldn't live with myself. No for that I am not ready for. Even if I didn't kill her I would most definitely hurt her. I would live through that, but would she still love me after? So many questions and no answers. We both didn't know what is going to happen. The unknown is never good.

Carlisle must have seen I was thinking. "Edward?" Are you sure you're ready for this? If not just tell her. She will understand. Always seeing the good in people. Wish I could.

"It's not that black and white." I stopped and pondered this. I could tell him anything knowing he wouldn't judge me. I had once before and not one time did he even think of me as weird. "It's just…." I stopped. It was so hard to speak my feelings. "I want this more than anything. I want Bella in every way possible. The way a man wants a woman. I have for a long time. I'm just so scared as to what may happen. I swore I would never let anything or anyone hurt her again. We both don't know what is going to happen. And it's not just tonight I am worried about, but how about during the wedding." I stopped and looked at Carlisle. He smiled at me. "Think about it." I smirked too. Just the thought. "We have vampires sitting next to humans. Humans next to werewolves." What if our friends didn't feed enough? What if the humans notice we all have the same colored skin? What if the werewolves can't keep their tempers under control? I kept my thoughts to myself.

My father's voice interrupted my fretting. I just wanted him to get ready. I guess he does have a lot on his mind. It was my turn to be embarrassed. I wasn't use to it; it was always Bella saying too much. "Oops! I guess I do have a lot on my mind." I barked out a nervous laugh.

Carlisle's eyes turned on me, they were very loving. "Edward everything will be fine. You'll see. Bella will understand if you don't consummate your relationship. She is more understanding then I think even you give her credit for. You only promised to try. And try you will. Don't worry." You are finest of us all. You will do what is right.

Then he did something imperialistically, he cleared his throat. How do I begin "Son," he paused. I could hear he was at a loss of words. He didn't know how to say what he wanted. "And you truly are my son. I brought you into this life. I watched you grow into a man. I watched you make good and bad decisions. I let you leave so you could discover who you really were. But I have never seen you act like this. You have made us all so proud of. You have demonstrated absolute control of your nature. You have given up your very self to be with her. She has done the same for. You love her absolutely, beyond reason. Things will work themselves out. She was made for you. Not as a gift, but as a mate. All these years you showed no interest in a mate because she wasn't near you." I was starting to get emotional. "Edward all I am saying is cherish the time you have with her as human, for that is what you fell in love with. And after, love her unconditionally. She is your reward, and you hers." He sighed, he spoke his mind and he was done.

"This was why you are my father, and my best man. Thank you." I deserved none of their love, but took it anyway.

"Edward?" I just looked up at him.

"It's time. Get ready!" I was literally shaking as Carlisle handed me the different pieces of the tuxedo to put on. It got so bad that when it came time to tie the bow tie I had to have Carlisle do it for me. My hands were not cooperating with me. He did it in no time flat. Just like I would have if I weren't so darn nervous.

"What is she thinking" I mumbled as Carlisle stepped away so I could see what I looked like in the mirror. Stunning was the word I would have used if it had been someone else, and not me.

Me and Bella had picked out the tuxedos together. We agreed on the color, charcoal gray. The style of the tuxedo was something else. After many arguments we decided on a tuxedo that had classic 11920's design. Long coat tails, slight pin stripes, and many buttons. The only thing that was missing was the tall top hat. No thank you. Thank god we agreed on that.

"She is thinking that she is in absolute love with you." Rosalie was standing in the door way. I don't know what she sees but this is who she wants

"Not what I meant, but thanks for the heads up. What are you doing here? Aren't you suppose to be helping upstairs" I said that with a little bit of acid seeping into my voice. Her last thought had me on the defensive. She paid no mind to my words or my inflections as she walked up to me.

Her voice was about as inviting as mine. "I got orders from Alice, and I quote 'Make sure he ready and perfect. Not a seam out of place, every button done and straight.' So here I am, making you perfect" She imitated Alice's voice perfectly. It made me laugh. Her thoughts made me laugh again. Not that it matters. She would marry him if he were the biggest bum on the Earth. He does look good though.

Wow! Rosalie being nice, sort of. "Thank you." This was odd. She was making sure all my seams and buttons were lined up straight. I stopped her with a quick move of my hand. "Really. Thank you for everything. You have helped make this day, her day, perfect."

She smiled at me, not something she did very often. Her smile turned wicked quickly. "And yours Edward. Never forget that. EMMETT NO!"I didn't even have time to acknowledge what was going on. I was pinned to the floor by my very annoying brother.

"Don't be a pessimist Rose. I just needed to tell him something." He widened his eyes as he looked into mine. She says perfect day. I say perfect night. Be careful! Don't destroy anything, Esme will kill you both. Remember she is still breakable. Have fun tonight. He winked at me.

"Ok let him up. The guests will be here in two minutes." Carlisle was standing in the door way with it wide open. Emmett helped me up even thought I didn't need his help. He straightened everything back out on me and left, Rosalie following right behind him. She smacked him on the back of the head. He thinks I'm mad wait until Alice hears about this. Idiot. I went to follow them when Carlisle stopped me. "Not you Edward. I have one more thing for you."

He closed the door behind Rosalie. I walked over to him. He placed his hands on my shoulders looked me dead in the eye and did the one thing I never expected. He hugged me. "I love you son"

A/N: The wedding is next. I hope you enjoyed this. Please leave a review. Good, bad, don't care. I just want to know what you are all thinking. -- dragonlore1981