Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight. I do own this storyline, my OCs, and a bulk size box of Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop Tarts. I do not own the Rosebud Cottage, either, nor have I had the opportunity to meet the owners, Adrian and Caroline, but from what I've heard they are wonderful people. If they ever read my story, I hope they appreciate the free advertising. :)
A/N: Song theme is At Last by Etta James. I have been told this chapter is 'sufficiently sappy.' Enjoy it while it lasts! Special thanks to readingtime and the Fab Five, especially Jill, who knows Adrian even better than I do. Love you ladies H & R!
I know I'm putting this out before everyone had a chance to read the last chapter, I was just so excited about this one I couldn't wait any longer to share it! Poll is up for the outtakes - so far it looks like 'Edward/Bella hot, dirty, and in public lemon' would be the first outtake. This chapter is lovingly dedicated to GUMIBEAR26, who took a lot of time going back and making sure she'd reviewed every chapter so that we'd be that much closer to getting an outtake!
Someone asked me why I do alternate endings. I do them because I believe in every journey there is a fork in the road. Although I tend to take the road less traveled by, I always wonder what's down the other one. Luckily for me, when I write the journey, I can explore both.
Adrian's POV
Fucking A. Can't this plane go any faster? What happened to the Concorde? Of course, that only flew to France, but I could swim across the English Channel faster than this. Shit.
"Even if we got there sooner, the time for the wedding would still be the same," Edward said softly. I'm sure he was trying to be calming. It wasn't fucking working. How could he be so calm?!
"Are you certain everything is prepared?" I asked, my knee bouncing subconsciously. Edward put a firm hand on my knee long enough to make me realize what I was doing and stop.
"You're going to put a hole through the floor if you keep doing that," he teased. No I'm not, dickhead. I'm not a vamp yet, remember?
Edward just chuckled. "Dickhead, huh? Is that any way to talk to your best man?"
"Zip it. Seriously, are you sure everything is all set?"
"I'm positive. I received a text from Adrian and Caroline just before we boarded. Everything is already decorated, the flowers have already arrived, the cake is en route, and he confirmed with the local pastor this morning. The staff all knows the cover story – the wedding is for the 'couple' staying in one of the other rooms. Bella and Alice should arrive three hours ahead of us. Bella is going to complain of being hungry after they get unpacked, and will take Alice to a café down the street for supper. I spoke with Charlie this morning. His flight should land about 20 minutes after ours. He had the final fitting for his tuxedo two days ago, and picked it up last night. Relax." I thought it was ironic that one of the owners of Rosebud Cottage, the Bed and Breakfast we were staying at, was also named Adrian. It's odd the things you think of to distract yourself at a time like this.
Edward really did seem like he had a handle on everything, though. Thank God one of us had it under control. I was a wreck. Part of it was the conversation I had with my parents that morning. They were angry at me for not coming home for the holidays. Not because they missed me, but because it would look bad to their 'friends' during all the usual holiday parties they attended and dragged me along to. It reminded me why I didn't bother to tell them I was getting married. I tried to change the subject and asked them if they saw the game. They forgot, they said. I couldn't take any more. I hung up. I knew one of Bella's concerns about being changed was that she would be forced to leave her family behind. I had no such qualms. Bells and the Cullens were my family now, and that was more than I'd ever hoped for.
Edward agreed with me about not inviting anyone except Charlie. I wasn't trying to exclude the other Cullens, or anyone else for that matter. It was just that I wanted it to be intimate, just us. Bells was really the only person I needed there, besides Ally, of course. I knew that Alice would want a huge wedding reception with all the trimmings, and I had no problem doing that for her – after we were married. But when I said 'I do' in front of Alice and God, I didn't want there to be any distractions from the moment I said those sacred vows.
Finally, we landed. Charlie's flight had arrived early, so he was waiting for us by the terminal. He shook both our hands and gave us a manly half-hug before we headed for the baggage claim. I never understood the half-hug thing. If you're going to hug somebody, fucking hug them. Who cares if it's another guy? I mean, I understand my view may be somewhat skewed being in sports, but if I'm man enough to get smacked on the ass by a dozen men every time I throw a touchdown pass, I'm man enough to hug someone the right way without getting weirded out. Boy, I'm really grasping at straws to distract myself now. Edward chuckled, listening in to my thoughts. If I was a vamp, I'd be growling right now. His chuckle turned into a full-out chortle. Stupid, mind reading vampire.
When we left Heathrow Airport, it was misty and damp. Our driver regretfully informed us that it was supposed to be like that for the next two weeks. We chuckled and told him we were used to the rain.
As we approached the ivy covered inn, I was struck by its quaint beauty. It was even more beautiful than the pictures. I saw Edward intently focused. He was listening for the voices from inside to make sure the girls weren't there. He smiled when the car stopped, a silent reassurance that everything was still going according to plan. He introduced Charlie and me to the innkeepers and we got the keys to both our rooms; The Tapestry Rose Room, which was to be mine and Ally's room after the ceremony, and the girl's room. The girls were currently in the Brontë Rose Room, which would be Bells and Edward's room. Both rooms were decorated beautifully with four poster canopy beds and tapestry décor. Charlie had his choice of any of the remaining rooms, and not surprisingly chose the Railway Room. It was the smallest room, but by far the most masculine.
We made arrangements to meet downstairs in an hour and a half. We put two of the garment bags in their room, and then retreated to ours to get ready. After the eighth time of me unsuccessfully attempting to tie the bow on my tux, Edward finally insisted I let him do it. We met Charlie in the common area and the innkeepers escorted us to the kitchen, where we could have a light meal without being seen. They prepared us a delicious plate of chicken salad with grapes and walnuts over salad greens. The pastor, Father Christopher, arrived as we were sitting down and joined us. He had brought his pianist and a soloist from his choir.
The glass atrium was decorated beautifully with red and white poinsettias covering virtually every surface and open floor space, tiny twinkling lights draped from the ceiling, just waiting to be turned on, softened with layers of white tulle. A beautiful frosted Christmas tree stood in the corner with white lights and red velvet bows. Groupings of candles filled the room. In the other corner was a white baby grand piano, the lid propped open. I reached into my tux and felt the small black silk satchel from Harry Winston in my pocket. Edward tapped me on the shoulder and looked towards the door. It was time. Nervously, I walked into the common room and waited, while everyone else disappeared into the shadows.
Ally knew before she opened the door that something was up. I was sure she'd picked up on our scents from outside, even with the rain. Even so, I don't think she was expecting to find me just inside the door, down on one knee in a tuxedo, with the custom designed diamond ring between my fingers held up to her in offering. She stopped dead in her tracks and her jaw fell open with a silent gasp. Bella had to squeeze around her to get inside, a smirk on her face. She was clearly enjoying being able to surprise Ally for the first time.
"Ally-Angel, from the moment I met you, I knew my life had been changed forever. I love everything about you. I love how hyper you are, because I know that you're happy. I love how you meddle, because I know that you just want the lives of everyone you love to be as perfect as you can make it. I even love your shopping addiction, because it gives me an excuse to join you and still seem manly. I want nothing more than to spend eternity making you happy. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
Ally shook her head up and down frantically. "Now THAT is a proposal!" she squealed as she shook her left hand at me, her fingers outstretched.
"Ally, I can't put the ring on you until you stop shaking, Angel," I laughed. She stilled her hand and I slipped the ring on her finger and stood up, kissing her softly. She heard the sound of shuffling feet behind me and broke our kiss to see who it was. She screamed when she saw Edward, Charlie, and Father Christopher standing there. Just then, the lights turned on, illuminating the atrium and our makeshift altar in a warm glow. Charlie stepped forward and took Alice by the hand, leading her up the stairs.
"Come on, Alice. I have an appointment to give away a bride in half an hour, and I don't want to be late."
"Half an hour?!" she turned back to look at me and I smirked, nodding my head. Bella took the stairs behind her and laughed. We both knew how hard she was struggling to maintain human speed as she let go of Charlie's hand, giving him a quick peck on the cheek before she rushed up the stairs and into their room, slamming the door as soon as Bella got inside.
Exactly twenty eight minutes later, Bella descended the stairs in a beautiful red cocktail dress. Her hair was pulled up in an elegant French twist that accented her neck and facial features. Her heart pendant matched the outfit perfectly. With shaky hands, Bella put the boutonnieres on each of us, somehow managing to not prick her finger. Two minutes later we heard Charlie clear his throat from the top of the stairs. That was our signal.
The pianist began playing Canon in D Major as we took our places. Bella walked down the aisle first, serving as both maid of honor and flower girl, tossing red and white rose petals from a tiny white wicker basket on the ground as she walked down the short aisle.
The next moment, Ally appeared in the doorway on Charlie's arm. She had never before looked more an angel then she did at that moment. Her hair was tamed, tiny baby's breath sprigs in red and silver pinned in her hair. Her dress was perfect, white with a red velvet ribbon going around the empire waist meeting in a tiny bow under her perfect breasts. The scoop neckline accented her features beautifully. Tiny embroidered red roses adorned the hem of the outermost layer of chiffon, falling just above her knee. Her tiny feet were ensconced in white satin strapped heels accented with crystals that played off the tiny lights with every step she took. In her hands was a round bouquet of tightly packed red rosebuds. But the most beautiful thing about her was most definitely her smile. Her eyes twinkled in the candlelight and her smile could light a room. When they reached the front of the room, Alice jumped up to hug Charlie and kiss his cheek.
"Does this mean I get to call you Dad from now on?" she whispered in his ear.
"Considering that my own daughter doesn't, it would be nice if someone did," he whispered back. He kissed her cheek awkwardly before placing her hand in mine and taking his seat. We turned to face Father Christopher and noticed the drizzle outside had changed to light snow, covering everything in the courtyard in a crystal coating of white, glistening in the fading sun.
The ceremony itself passed by in a blur to me. I was thankful Edward had arranged for the innkeepers to videotape it, because I was almost too nervous to function, let alone remember what happened. I vaguely recall the pastor giving a lovely speech about the sanctity of marriage, and I definitely remember going through the traditional vows, saying "I do" and slipping the platinum wedding band on Ally's finger. But it wasn't until he said "I now pronounce you man and wife" that the fog seemed to clear and it felt real. I bent down to kiss my bride and the feelings overwhelmed me as I fought back the tears of joy. "I have the great honor of presenting to you…Mr. and Mrs. Adrian Peters."
Edward and Charlie shook my hand, as did the pastor, while Ally took turns hugging everyone and scolding them playfully for keeping it from her. Then I scooped Bella into my arms and hugged her tight.
"Congratulations, Adrian! I am so happy for you!"
"Thank you for all your help, Bells and Whistles." I kissed her on the cheek once more before returning to my bride. Caroline had us all pose for pictures in front of the tree, followed by some of just Ally and me. Then the soloist began singing "At Last" and I took Alice into my arms for our first dance as man and wife.
"So, how'd I do, Mrs. Peters?" I whispered in her ear as we twirled around the small room, our few guests standing along the wall watching us with smiles on their faces.
"You did wonderfully, Mr. Peters. It was perfect." She graced my lips with another kiss. "I love everything -- the dress, the ring, the location, Charlie, everything. It's the most wonderful surprise ever."
"I'm so glad, Angel. I love you. Always and Forever."
"Always and Forever." She tucked her head under my chin as we danced. "You know I'm going to want another reception with everyone back home, right?"
I chuckled under my breath and kissed the top of her head. "I wouldn't have it any other way." As the song ended, I kissed Ally's hand. "Be right back." I walked over to Bella and held my hand out to her, leading her a few steps toward the center of the room. She followed me gracefully, expecting another song to start. Instead, I pulled her into my arms and whispered in her ear.
"It's your turn now, Wedding Bells."
I stepped aside to reveal Edward, who was behind me, down on one knee, looking hopefully up at a very shocked Bella.
A/N: The Naked Cullen Boys are taking the Cullendale Spectactular Male Revue Show to Cardiff, Wales. Twilighterr Jasper has been waiting a very long time for her lap dance with Jazz. Bed my ladies well, gentlemen!