BelleBiter talked me off the ledge and helped me to stop hyperventilating. This is the last chapter.
I do not own Twilight. I do, however supervise a twelve year old boy who upon watching Goblet of Fire for the eighth time said "Hey, that's the guy, the face guy, you know, Edward Cullen," during the maze scene. To which my partner said "Wooward."
Chapter 49
Unbeknownst to her, Esme slipped a little tot of whiskey in Bella's morning coffee the day of the wedding. While she was loathed to dose the girl without her knowledge, she knew Bella's nerves would need a little soothing.
Bella was bathed, powdered, plucked, and as she saw it, punished by Alice and Rosalie. Mrs. Cope, Mrs. Esme, and Mother Superior held court and gave instructions.
Rosalie braided Bella's hair in a very intricate pattern. Alice stood on a stool and lowered the dress over Bella's head so as not to ruin her hair. Many a good hearted argument was fought regarding the simplicity of Bella's gown. Bella emerged the winner and as she stood in front of the mirror, Alice could see why her exorbitant dress designs were unnecessary. Bella was resplendent in her gown. No lace or beads needed adorn the bosom, no ribbons or bows were wanted to complete the hem. Simple elegance was all that was needed.
Her favourite handkerchief of her mother's was held in her hands, rolled and held together with her parents rings. It took the place of a floral bouquet. Emmett escorted her down the aisle to where Edward waited. The choice to stand alone together was made on one of their evening walks as Bella was unable to decide which friend should be her matron.
Emmett's best man job morphed into father of the bride stand in. However, when the question of who was to give this woman to this man was asked, it was Mother Superior who answered.
Edward had travelled, seen the wonders of other places, artwork and statues from great artists, but never had he seen anything to compare to Bella walking down the aisle towards him. To think that this creature was meant for him, the thought left him feeling a bit dizzy.
Mrs. Cope sobbed openly, Esme sniffed quietly, Katie and Beth each played with the flowers they had been given to hold. They were fairly oblivious to what was going on around them.
Vows were spoken and promises made as Edward and Bella joined their lives together to make one. Sealed with a kiss that left the bride, and the mother of the groom, blushing.
In the years to come, if you asked, Bella was certain that a meal was provided after her wedding although she could not tell you what was consumed. Even though she had helped to prepare much of the meal. she remembered nothing.
There was dancing, music provided by a string quartet and although they were very accomplished musicians, Edward did not hear a note. He held tight to his bride, with his arms when she was in them and with his eyes when she danced with another.
There were toasts and speeches. Tears and laughter. Crying children soothed by loving parents. Overexcited children sent home to bed. It was an event that would last in the memory of those who attended.
When the carriage pulled away from the Cullen house amidst the cheers of onlookers, Bella and Edward smiled and waved, having kissed Katie and Beth goodnight and goodbye. They would spend a few days alone together at their new home without the girls.
The front door to their new home was lit on either side with soft light from newly installed lanterns. Edward descended the carriage first and held out his hand to help his bride. The moment her feet touched the ground he swept her back up into his arms. She let out a soft noise at the shock of finding herself aloft. He carried his bride up the stairs and in their new house, their new life and more importantly, in his opinion, their new bed.
Maggie had prepared the wedding chamber that morning while everyone else got ready for the wedding itself. She had followed Edward's instructions, a little put out that she wasn't allowed to fill the room with blossoms and rose petals.
Simple lamps were lit, curtains drawn, and pillows fluffed. A small bowl of fruit was placed on the vanity with a pitcher of water. A fire played happily behind the grate. The room was warm, cosy and inviting.
Edward was just as nervous as Bella, however, for completely different reasons. He had little memory of relations with his first wife, the hag. Although he was a learned man, a doctor, one could read all the theory and learn the physiology, but that was the tip of the iceberg. There was no education, save experience that could teach how to love one's bride.
He wanted her happy.
He wanted her satisfied.
He wanted her unclothed.
He wanted everything at once.
He did not want to scare her.
He did not want to hurt her.
He did not want to rush her.
When Bella's feet were finally back on something solid, she looked about the room. It held one of the largest beds she had ever seen. She turned back to her husband, blushing.
The consummation of their marriage was an act of love, told in many parts, a story as old as time itself.
The slow build of introduction by the opening of buttons, one by one. The first hint of skin, before forbidden, now looked upon with wonder. The first taste of salt and something more. The full realization of what was to come as they drew nearer the bed. Hand and mouths worshipping as never before, sounds that spurred more action, more movement. Breathy whispers of encouragement leading to sighs of pleasure.
Like any good story there was some humour, some mystery, some pain and some joy. The denouement held promises of ecstasy and euphoria for many days to come. Elated and replete, soft kisses and gentle caresses led to sleep complete in each others arms.
Morning found Edward with a smile on his face. Bella soft and warm in his arms. He wondered how difficult it would be to wake her and tell their story again
AN: Anything more graphic would not be keeping with the tone of the story, so I present the most non-smutty smut in all of fandom.