A/N: Slowly but steadily I am gaining alerts. I'm so excited =] Thank you for the slight reviews I'm getting. It's not a lot, but, as I always say, little things are better than nothing.

Updates are happening quickly, I know. But, to tell you the truth, I have the whole story written out, so updates might be speeding up. 1, because of my excitement, and 2, because of my very little preservation of self-control =P

--

"I know you've probably heard it before, but you look so beautiful," Makenna told me.

I grinned. "Yeah, about a million times, but thanks," I told her, leaning in to hug her. Makenna was Renee's cousin. Edward and I were making our rounds to all the different tables, visiting our family members.

"Congratulations, though. You finally got him, eh?" she said, gazing across the dance floor at Edward.

"Sugar Sugar" was blasting from the speakers and the majority of the dance floor was being taken over by younger cousins.

I laughed.

"After all that time."

I sighed. "Yep," I told her, unable to bring myself to tear my eyes away from his smiling face, "I did."

The music abruptly dissipated and the DJ's voice came over the speakers. "Okay, we're going to play a little game," he announced, "So could we please clear off the dance floor and, Bella? Edward? Would you please join me out here?" he asked, searching the crowd from behind the DJ booth.

I rose from the chair. "That's me," I said, taking a sip of my water. "I'll talk to you guys later," I said, smiling at the table. "Thanks so much for coming!" I abandoned my water bottle on a table as I passed and stepped out onto the dance floor at almost the exact same time Edward did.

"Well!" I exclaimed as he sidled up to me. "Fancy meeting you here, cowboy!"

He laughed. "What a surprise!" he returned, chuckling in amusement.

"Okay, you two," the DJ was saying, "get your butts into those chairs."

In the middle of the dance floor were two chairs, back to back. Edward took one and I took the other. "You're gonna need to take off your shoes for this. I hope neither of you have stinky feet," he joked.

The crowd laughed, and for the first time I realized that we had their captive attention.

I removed my shoes, and handed one over my shoulder to Edward while he did the same. I held the two in my lap, taking a brief sniff of his shoe. It didn't smell so bad, but I put on a funny face just to get a laugh.

"Now, let's really see who knows the other better. I'm going to read off some questions. If, Bella, for example, you think the answer belongs to Skyler, then hold up his shoe. If you think it belongs to you, hold up yours, okay?"

I nodded, to let him know that I understood.

"Alrightie, then!" he called out. "Let's get started."

I shifted in my chair excitedly.

"Who made the first move?" The DJ read off of a sheet in his hand.

Immediately I raised Edward's shoe over my head.

There were a couple expected chuckles from the crowd. I craned my neck back to see whose shoe Edward held up. His, of course.

"Next question," The DJ said, "Who was the cutest baby?"

I bit my lip, stuck in a rut. I didn't want to sound conceited. In the end, I decided to hold up both shoes.

"Who's the better cook?"

I raised Edward's shoe so fast that it almost flung out of my hand.

"Who is a better dancer?"

Definetely not me. Up went Edward's shoe.

"Who is a bigger tipper at restuaraunts?"

"Um," I said to myself, gnawing on my lip. I raised my eyebrows questionably when I held up my own shoe.

"Who is the bigger complainer?"

I lifted my shoe so quickly into the air that I almost caused myself to leap from the chair.

A few people laughed at my enthusiasm.

"Who will most likely load the dishwasher?"

With a pout, I rose my shoe.

Laughter ensued, so I checked over my shoulder. Sure enough, Edward was holding his shoe up.

"You're just saying that to sound polite," I murmered in his ear.

He only grinned.

"Who is the biggest channel surfer?"

I rose Edward's shoe with a disapproving frown.

"Who is in control of the remote control?"

When I raised my shoe above my head, laughter burst from the crowd. Again, I craned my neck to see his shoe raised.

"Uh oh," The DJ jokingly fretted, "We've got a little competition going on here."

"Who wears the pants in the relationship?"

I actually began laughing. I didn't raise a shoe, because I simply didn't know.

"Who always has the last word in an argument?"

I rose my shoe high and proudly above my head. The audience began to laugh again when Edward raised his own shoe.

"Who talks more about their day at work?"

Both Edward and I raised his shoe.

"Who is late for 'everything'?"

Neither of us rose a shoe. As far as I knew, we were hardly ever late for anything.

"Who spends the most time in the bathroom?"

As to be expected, both of us rose my shoe.

"Who is more likely to use the last sheet of toilet paper and not refill it?"

Sheepishly, I rose my own shoe.

"Who makes a bigger mess around the house?"

Again, I rose my own shoe.

"Who is a better driver?"

I rose Edward's shoe, and he rose mine.

"Awe, thanks," I said to him, "you're so generous."

"Who spends more time on the internet?"

"ME!" I squealed, hoisting my shoe into the air.

"Who is more romantic?"

Both of us rose our shoes, causing laughter to erupt far back into the crowds.

"Who said 'I Love You' first?"

"Oh God," I whispered to myself, "I don't know…"

I tipped my head back to see what Edward said, and saw his shoe in the air, so I rose his too, just so there was no argument I couldn't back up.

"Who will tell the other 'I Love You' most each day?"

To that, I rose both of our shoes.

"Who is most likely the one to apologize after a disagreement?"

I immediately rose Edward's shoe. But he rose mine.

I rolled my eyes.

"Who is the better kisser?"

I rose his shoe, but when I glanced back—urged by the chorus of 'awww's'-- I saw he was holding up my shoe. I grinned, unable to contain it.

"Who will be in charge of taking out the trash?"

I lifted Edward's shoe, and people laughed when he sheepishly lifted his—like a good boy. I laughed.

"If you haven't already, who will be the first one to pass gas in front of the other?"

I giggled and then hoisted his shoe into the air.

"You're just saying that because you think men are grosser than girls," Edward murmured over his shoulder.

"Because they are," I returned, grinning.

"Who complains more about their job?"

I raised Edward's shoe, laughing. When I said he talked more about his job, I meant complaining.

"Who's idea was the first date?"

I groaned, remembering it and rose Edward's shoe above my head. Bowling. Not such a good idea with a klutz like me. I think I ended up breaking my wrist.

"Who initiated the first kiss?"

I rose my shoe into the air and then turned around to kiss Edward.

The sky was dark now, and the stars interrupted the brilliant blackness, covering it in diamonds. Any other night I would be jealous of them—so aloof and admired, but tonight, I was perfectly fine with their flaunting flair. The summer breeze was just cool enough and it gently teased the hair which had managed to free itself from my up do. I ran my fingers across the white petal of a moon flower, which was beginning to wilt.

"There you are," I heard a voice fill the silent night and I jumped, twisting rapidly toward where it came from.

Edward stood by the door, facing me. The gel in his hair had seemed to melt. The caramel locks fell in his eyes. The sleeves of his ivory button down were shoved to his elbows, and the top two buttons were undone.

"I had to get out of there," I informed him, gesturing toward the side of the hotel. "It's suffocating."

He smirked, making his way over to me. "That's what comes with a day like this," he reminded me gently.

I smiled wistfully, turning my gaze back to the stars.

Edward lowered himself onto the bench beside me. "I got your note," he said.

I grinned, focusing on him now.
He unfolded the small piece of paper, turning it toward me.

"Just saying hi," I quoted myself.

He grinned.

Then I sighed, reaching for his hand, rubbing my thumb over the silver wedding band situated on his finger.

I lifted my gaze to his face, his green eyes scorching a hole in my head. Goosebumps crawled over my skin—but the good kind—and my heart began to echo its original beats. His fingers touched my cheek lovingly.

"GUYS!" Rosalie cried, bursting out onto the hotel porch.

I twisted away from Edward to look at her.

"You have to see this!"

This was a dance off between Angela and Eric.

"Shake It" by Metro Station was blasting through the speakers. A crowd had formed around the dance floor and Edward and I squirmed our way through the people—it helped that they made room for us—to see what was going on.

Eric was bustin' a move, if that was what you could call it, while Angela stood by, arms crossed, an amused look on her face.

Edward snickered, and I shoved him playfully, knowing what he was thinking.

He began to shake his hand and bounce around in a poor imitation of one of the dance moves my group had made up for our dance in gym in grade nine.

"Stop!" I laughed.

Eric gestured to Angela, and she gladly moved in front of him, just sucking up the attention like it was a strawberry milkshake. She began in an innocent bounce, jutting her fists out in front of her, and Eric smirked, clearly thinking he was gong to win.

But then she surprised us all by whipping her full attack on the floor. I think I actually took a step back.

Eric looked slightly dumbfounded as she gestured to him, but he managed to compose himself and then took over. Not as good as Angela, but pretty darn good, I had to admit.

Back and forth, taking turns, Angela and Eric competed till both had shiny foreheads. As the song ended, everyone started to chant Angela's name to show she was the clear victor of the dance off.

"WATCH OUT!" Emmett called, bursting through Edward and me, onto the dance floor.

"What Them Girls Like" had just started, and he began to break dance.

I giggled, and then grabbed Edward's hand, tugging him toward the dance floor.

"C'mon!" I said.

"What?" he asked, clearly confused, pulling back on my grasp.

"Come on!" I insisted, tugging harder.

It took the rest of the song to convince him to join the competition—which wasn't so much of a competition anymore—and by the time we joined Angela, Eric and Emmett, "STARSTRUKK" by 3OH!3 was playing.

Now that is a fun song to dance to…

Right in the middle of "We Like to Party", much to Alice's and my protest, the music cut off.

"Sorry about that, guys," the DJ called, "but it's time to go ahead with the traditions of the wedding. Y'know, garter and bouquet toss,"

I felt my cheeks flood with blood, and my heart explode into a frantic sprint. My hands slicked with clamminess. Instinctively, I grabbed Alice's arm so tight she had to slap me so I would let go.

The chair was brought out into the middle of the dance floor, and the spotlight turned on it. It was like nearing lava, though. So hot and uncomfortable, I mentally smacked myself on choosing to go through with the tradition.

"Uh…" was the only thing I could think of to say. I shrunk back into the crowd, but someone's hands pressed to the small of my back, blocking my escape.

"Go!" Rosalie ordered, shoving me into the circle of people.

I stared back at her wide-eyed, like a deer in the headlights, silently begging her not to make me.

Edward's hand touched mine and I involuntarily jumped back. He blinked in my face, clearly nervous himself.

"Why did we choose to do this?" I whispered in his ear as we neared the chair together—slowly.

"Hurry up!" a voice whined from the crowd—probably Emmett.

I whipped my head in the direction of where the voice came from. Catching sight of him, I locked his gaze with mine and promptly stuck my tongue out at him. Then I quickly drew it back, thinking of a fool proof plan. Through the foggy panic in my brain, it drew away like a child's fingers pulling cotton candy. Instead of sticking my tongue out at him at that moment, I grinned widely at him.

He frowned in confusion.

I turned back to Edward, fighting to keep the worried look on my face. If I couldn't do this, the whole plan would blow up.

He nodded toward the chair, but I held back. It was so uncomfortable that I knew Edward wouldn't force me. He wasn't that type of guy. I had to do it if I was comfortable with it. That was his motto for me.

"For the love of all that is holy, hurry up!" Emmett ordered. "Or am I gonna have to shove you in that chair myself?"

That wouldn't be such a bad idea, actually, I said in my mind. Him getting closer… To make it clear that he should indeed join us on the dance floor, I took a step back, away from the chair. Edward stood staring at me, face growing redder by the minute. Either he was blushing or it was the lights.

Emmett's hands clapped around my upper arms and he shoved me toward the chair. Spinning me around, he plopped me down while Jasper tied a blind fold around Edward's eyes.

I bit my lip so I wouldn't start laughing as Jasper began to spin Edward.

I leapt out of the chair too quickly for Emmett to do anything.

"Sit down," I ordered.

"What?" he asked, dark eyes sparkling half at my devious behaviour, half in confusion.

"Sit!" I hissed, never so thankful for such loud, promiscuous music. I glanced over my shoulder as Edward, now at a crawl, neared us. I shoved Emmett toward the chair.

"No! That's disgusting!" he protested.

I rolled my eyes. "Coming from you? Come on. That's a joke." I glanced over my shoulder again, realizing that Edward was now a foot away from us. "Hurry up!"

Edward, completely oblivious as to what was going on, kept crawling toward us.

I yanked the chair up by the back, retreated a few steps so we were farther away. "Hurry!" I giggled, slapping his arm.

"I'll do it!" a voice hissed in my ear. I turned to see Jordan standing there, nearly a foot taller than me now.

"Thank you." I muttered.

Edward, thankfully, did not hear any of this exchange over the music.

Working together, Jordan and I rolled his pants up to the knee and then hurried over to the chair. He sat down, and I lifted my dress over his knees.

The crowd was tittering, trying to suppress their laughter.

I bit my lip so hard I swore I tasted blood when Edward approached us, trying not to laugh.

His hand reached up, making purchase with the silk of my dress. Perfect. So far, so good.

I reached a hand over, so that when I grabbed his hand, it would feel like I was actually sitting there, and directed it to Jordan's shin.

Edward actually froze when he felt the hair there.

I squeezed my eyes shut, shaking with suppressed laughter.

The whole crowd was roaring now, and Edward retreated, rocking back on his knees, clearly sensing something was wrong.

Like two ninjas, my brother and I quickly switched places. Jordan dove behind me so Edward wouldn't see that his pants were rolled up.

When the blindfold came off, Edward stared up at me. I grinned back innocently.

"What? Don't you like au natural?"

Edward didn't know what to say. His lips parted, and his cheeks flushed.

I burst out laughing, doubling over on myself. Jordan stepped out from behind the chair, sticking out a hairy, bare leg.

Then I tugged up the hem of my dress to reveal my smooth, hairless shin.

Edward ducked his head in his hands, shoulders shaking with laughter.

What a surprise. Emmett caught the garter when Edward flicked it. Now I knew where to direct my bouquet. Not that I didn't beforehand…

"Kay, ladies, please join the bride on the dance floor to catch the bouquet!"

All of my bridesmaids, most of my cousins, and friends hurried into a clump in front of me.

I kicked off my shoes, and climbed onto the chair I had just been sitting in, back toward the girls.

Cindy Lauper's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" blasted through the speakers, and I began to sway to the music atop the chair.

I glanced over my shoulder at the wild frenzy of women behind me, scoping out my aim. Toward the back I found her, barefoot. That was good. She'd be faster. Now only if I could throw far enough.

Edward had taught me how to shoot a basketball from half court in high school, now only if I could do it backwards.

I turned my attention toward the DJ.

"Ready?" he said,

"Three," I counted with him, "two, one!" I flung the bouquet as hard as I could over my head, and then spun around, watching it fly through the air. It landed, as I had wanted, behind the women, and they all rushed toward it.

But, Rosalie, who had been in the very back got to it first. She jumped up and down in excitement, squealing happily.

The wedding ended too soon, and I found myself feeling sad as the DJ wrapped it up. Some freak-o drunken guests had convinced Emmett to loop my garter belt around his head, and he was stumbling around, without a single doubt clearly absolutely trashed. In the last few minutes of the party, I saw him stumble outside.

Saying goodbye took forever, but finally all who was left in the hotel were my parents, and the wedding party.

I didn't know where Rosalie was at the moment. Probably out back making out with Emmett, disregarding her responsibilities, as usual. I'd caught them feeling each other up earlier in the night. I smiled in spite of my friend.

"HEY, BELLA!" Jasper called from one of the tables. "WATCH THIS!" he called out excitedly, leaning back as Eric slowly tipped a bottle of tequila toward his lips, snickering like Evil Kinevil. And of course, we could always depend on Jasper to keep the party going after it was over or not.

I groaned, dropping my face into my hands, trying to hide my amused grin.

The clean-up crew had ditched, so it was up to us to clean up the mess. Alice and Jess were working together to pick up the strewed garbage. They both wore bright yellow cleaning gloves, holding green garbage bags.

"HEY, BELLA!" a male voice said in my ear and I felt arms wrap around me.

I shrieked in fright, knowing for a fact that it wasn't Edward. My elbow jutted backward, into his stomach. I heard the guy grunt, and I stomped on his foot—unfortunately barefoot. Turning around, I drew my fist back. Just as I let it smack forward, he brought up his hand and our knuckles connected.

"OWW!" Jake screamed, dropping onto the floor, cradling his fist in one hand, while crouching toward his foot. "Your ring! Ow! Look what you did to me, you crazy girl!" he cried, holding up his hand. There was a slight nick in his knuckle.

"Oh my God! Jake!" I cried, dropping to the floor beside him. "Are you okay?" I asked, laughing.

"No!" he cried, leering at me. Then he laughed and I joined in. Wow… what a strange pair. But I guess it had always been like that. Ever since becoming friends in grade eight, Jake and I joked around relentlessly… He'd been the one who was always there when I'd been going through my troubles with Edward—to hold me when I wanted to cry, to make me laugh when I needed it, but didn't nessicarily want to. Jake was, without a doubt, my best friends. Not that I would ever reveal that to any of the girls…

"Why are you on the floor?" I heard Edward ask. He reached down to pull me to my feet and I accepted.

"Thanks." I said.

Edward then grabbed Jake's uninjured hand and pulled him to his feet.

"Sorry for beating you up, Jake," I apologized genuinely.

Jake nodded my way, and then said to Edward, "Don't freak her out. She'll seriously beat the crap out of you."

Edward laughed. "I'll take that into account," he promised him, wrapping his arm about my waist.

"Yooo, Jakey, muh man!!" Jasper greeted him, smacking his hand. Jake grimaced.

I leaned my head on Edward's shoulder. "What time is it?" I asked.

"Almost midnight," Edward answered almost right away.

"How do you know?" I demanded.

Edward pointed to the clock on the wall across from us.

"Oh," I muttered, laughing. "Silly me." I broke into giggles.

"How much have you had to drink?" Edward asked in all seriousness.

"Not much." I told him, sobering up immediately.

He rolled his eyes grinning.

"But I have one thing to tell you."

"What's that?" he asked, bending down to better hear me.

I closed the tiny gap between us and touched my lips to his. "I love you," I whispered against his cheek.

His lips left a burning trail up my jaw toward my ear.

"That's why we're here."