CHAPTER FIFTEEN

He stood nervously in front of the large crowd of people. He felt nauseous. He hated crowds. He hated attention. He was used to nothing more than him and Bella, silently cracking jokes in the corner where no one noticed. Now it was all about him.

It was all about her, he corrected. It was all about her and he wanted to give her the wedding she used to talk of as a child. He would handle anything if it meant her happiness. He would handle all the stares, the suit, the music, the decorations. So long as it made her happy.

He searched the crowd. Most of the town had come. He saw her mother crying tears of joy and sadness. He saw his own parents, talking with some of his distant family members. He saw his friends. His cousins, her friends, her family. All littered within the benches waiting for her arrival.

Which was taking far too long.

He fidgeted and tugged on his tie. It felt too tight, though he knew it must have been the nerves.

The pianist finally began to play and the room quieted. His eyes shot toward the church doors, dying to see her, because she would make this all worthwhile. The doors didn't open.

He could hear the whispers spread through the crowd like wild fire.

Emmett placed a hand on his shoulder.

"What's going on?" his brother asked. Edward only shook his head. He didn't know. He wanted to run toward the doors, open them and find her. He tried to calm his mind. Perhaps they were fixing her dress or hair or make-up. Something.

The doors opened and he took a breath of relief. Only they didn't open like they should have. The double door weren't opened by the doormen. Only one opened and it was by Alice's hand.

Alice ran up the aisle, her silver gown being held with one hand as she rushed toward him.

"She won't come out," she whispered into his ear. The words were barely half way out her mouth before he was running down the aisle in search of her. The crowds worried whispers escalated to blown out questions. Alice calmed them with a few words and then quickly followed after him.

He stopped when he reached the lobby, realizing he had no idea where she was. Alice quickly caught up with him and led him down several hallways until she reached the room Bella was in.

Her father and bridesmaids waited outside. He walked up and knocked softly on the door.

"Bella?" he asked and went to turn the door. Her yelp made him freeze.

"You can't see me, it's bad luck," she muttered. Her voice was strained as though she had been crying. The thought twisted in his gut. He hated to see her cry.

"What's wrong?" he asked and heard her sob.

"I can't do this," she said and he felt the strain in his chest. Those words hurt more than he thought they should. He turned toward the group waiting for the bride.

"Can we get a few moments?" he asked and they nodded their understanding. One by one the dispersed. Alice patted him on the back and walked away.

"What's wrong?" he asked again and rested his head against the door. She was so far away from him. He knew she was lying or else she would have let him inside. She wouldn't have cared about bad luck and she would be in his arm like he wanted. He wanted to hold her and make sure his world was okay, because right now it wasn't.

"I can't do it, Edward," she repeated, leaning against the door. She splayed her hands on the door. The thought that he was right on the other side comforted her.

"Can you tell me why?" he questioned.

"You don't deserve me."

"That's one of the most idiotic things I've ever heard. You know that right?"

"No. It's not. You need forever. I can't give you forever, Edward. I can give you years," she said and the door was suddenly thrown from under her as he yanked it open. She looked into his dazzling summer eyes.

"That's stupid. I need you. I need you, whether it's years or minutes or days. I don't want forever unless it's with you," he told her and she felt the tears gather down her cheeks.

"I want forever," she whispered so softly, she wasn't sure he heard. But he had.

"Me too. But I want you, more than anything else in the world and every moment I spend with you is better than living all of eternity without you," he said and she saw the fear in his eyes. He cradled her face and softly rested his forehead on hers.

"Promise?"

"I promise. You're my queen, remember?" he reminded her and she laughed softly.

"Yeah."

"Are you ready?" he asked and she nodded again.

This time when the doors opened, she was there. She lightly touched her father's arm and began to walk down toward him. She was always walking toward him. That had been her life and she wasn't going to fail now.

He waited patiently for her, as he always had. She looked lovely.

Her warm brown hair was held up with sparkling clips and small purple flowers. Her face glowed and any doubt she had was long gone. Nothing existed but them.

When she finally made it to him, he held her hands and tried to promise everything with his eyes. She understood, of course. She always had.

He only spoke, when needing too and listened as she repeated everything back.

Then he was finally able to kiss her and the room erupted into applause. She pulled away with a blush and greeted her audience.

Later that night, he held her close as they danced under the stars. Her head rested against his chest and he felt light headed from happiness. Through all this joy, he couldn't push away that fear… the fear of the impending doom that awaited them. He buried his nose into her hair and tried to enjoy the now. The time where was wrapped in her arms.

That night he begged for a miracle. For magic. For anything that would keep her with him forever. He didn't want to lose her.

Before he could stop them, tears silently flowed down his cheeks. She pulled away and stared at his face. She offered a sad smile. Her hands came up to cradle his cheek and she wiped them away with her thumb.

"I love you," she whispered. He smiled.

"I love you more," he returned.

"That's all that is important right now. Okay?" she asked and he nodded as she brought his head down for a kiss.

His love. Her love.

Their kiss.

That's all that mattered.

For now.