A/N: Hi again. I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter. Thanks again to everyone who's reviewed, read and alerted my story.
Thanks to MrsKatyCullen for betaing this for me
o-o-o-o-o-o
Chapter 27
The next few hours passed in shocked blur for Bella.
She didn't really take in anything that was happening around her. All she could do was grab onto Edward as her body shook violently in reaction. Only Edward's arms around her, his warmth, his soothing voice kept her from sinking into the blind terror of those minutes as James' hostage. She didn't register Charlie's arrival or his frantic efforts to see that she was alright. She didn't notice the orderlies arriving to take James' body down to the morgue or Victoria being led out of the room. She didn't even register that both of them were covered in blood and vomit.
Edward felt like he'd aged years in the last ten minutes. He was just finishing up with a patient when one of the nurses raced in and told him that James character had come into the hospital and that Bella had answered Victoria's alarm. With barely an apology, he'd run frantically towards Victoria's room and his heart had nearly stopped at the sight of Bella in that monster's arms, his knife at her throat. His first instinct had been to pull her away but Sid, the security guard, had held him back as James threatened Bella.
Terror was too mild a word to describe how he'd felt at the possibility of losing Bella. Images of Bella dying, killed at this monster's hand flitted through his head, and he was filled with despair. How would he carry on without the one person who gave his life meaning? How would he survive the grief of losing Bella? He would want to die too, just to be with her.
When he looked into Bella's eyes and saw the fear but also the trust and love in her eyes, it was all he could do to stop himself from begging James to let her go and offering himself in her stead. Guilt added to the terror. He'd promised to keep her safe and he hadn't kept his promise. In those few minutes he'd pleaded desperately with God, that he would do anything, anything, if she was kept safe.
While he was bargaining with God, he saw her face suddenly turn ashen. As James took a step forward, Bella suddenly threw up all over him. If Edward hadn't been so terrified, he would have laughed at the expression on James' face as he became covered in vomit. Surprise was followed almost instantaneously by disgust. When he let go of Bella and she dropped to the ground Edward saw his opportunity and lunged. Grabbing the hand holding the knife, Edward shoved James backwards. The slippery floor saw them tumbling down and Edward felt the rage surface as they wrestled for the knife. He felt a sharp pain on his upper arm but paid it no heed.
He didn't notice that Sid had followed him into the room. The next thing he knew a gunshot rang out and James' body jerked and went limp. Edward's only thought was to get to Bella. It wasn't until he had her in his arms that he looked around and saw the pool of blood next to James and it dawned on him that Sid must have shot him.
The overwhelming relief of having Bella safe in his arms was the only emotion that registered. She was gripping onto his shirt as she sobbed into his chest. He held her tightly as he gently rocked her, his hand stroking her hair and murmured words of love and comfort. He heard Carlisle come in and turned his head to see him shake his head, indicating there was nothing to be done for James. Edward knew, as a doctor, his priority was to save lives, but he just couldn't find it in him to regret James' death. He had threatened the most precious thing in his life and he had caused nothing but fear and misery to Victoria. As far as Edward was concerned, it was good riddance to bad rubbish.
He looked at Victoria, still huddled on the floor, clutching her baby to her as if he was the only thing keeping her sane. He could see her body shaking and her tear streaked face as she looked at the body of the father of her baby.
It was chaos in the room for the next while as Charlie arrived with his officers. Charlie's face turned pale as he realised that it was Bella who had been in danger. He ordered the other officers to start getting statements before kneeling down to touch Bella.
"Is she okay?" he whispered hoarsely.
"She's in shock," replied Edward. Bella didn't even look at her father, her face still buried in his chest. "I don't think he hurt her but I'm going to have her checked out as soon as I can." Edward could feel his voice shaking, grateful for the understanding look in Charlie's face.
"Is...is the baby okay?" asked Charlie.
"I...I think so. God, I hope so, for Bella's sake," he replied in a broken whisper. If she lost the baby, it would devastate her.
"Take care of my little girl, Edward," said Charlie as he stood up to get back to work.
"I'm sorry," whispered Edward, kissing Bella's hair. "I should have taken better care of her."
Charlie laid a hand on Edward's shoulder. "It's not your fault. There's only one person at fault, and he's dead. And a certain judge that I'll be having words with," said Charlie grimly.
Edward watched Charlie walk over to speak to Sid, the guard sitting on the floor, a dazed look in his eyes. Edward felt for the older man. He'd probably never even discharged his gun before and now he'd killed a man, however justified.
Sue came in, carrying a bundle in her arms. She knelt down next to them and stroked Bella's back. "How is she?"
"In shock," replied Edward.
"Poor thing. I've brought you both some scrubs to change into. You're both covered in gunk and I know you'll both feel better out of your soiled clothes."
Edward smiled gratefully at Sue. "Thanks. I appreciate it. After we change I'm going to have Bernard check her out."
While they were talking, Chris, the hospital's counsellor, came in and helped Victoria out of the room. Edward knew Carlisle would call Esme to come in. Victoria needed as much support as she could get now.
Bella had stopped crying, shudders still running through her body. Edward kissed her cheek tenderly. "Bella? Baby? It's okay, I'm here. I'm here, baby," he whispered into her ear. "I've got you, baby. I'll never let you go. I love you so much."
He felt her body relax at his words and he knew she was listening but she still didn't lift her head from his chest. "Come baby, we need to get changed. You'll feel better after a shower." She didn't resist when he lifted her off the floor, his arms still around her. She leaned heavily on him, her face in the crook of his shoulder.
He led her to one of the delivery suites, several staff worriedly enquiring if Bella was alright. Edward went straight into the bathroom and gently pried Bella off him. She whimpered and tried to burrow back into him.
"Bella, baby. Hush, my love. Let's take these clothes off and get you into the shower," he murmured soothingly.
"Don't leave me!" she whispered hoarsely, grabbing his shirt.
"Oh baby," he murmured. "I won't leave you. Ever. I couldn't if I tried. You and the baby are my world." He cupped her face tenderly and kissed her with as much love and comfort as he could muster. "Let's get in the shower."
Bella, her eyes red from crying and mirroring the ordeal she'd been through, nodded. Edward stripped their clothes off and led her into the warm water. It seemed to have soothing effect on Bella and she relaxed slightly against him as he soaped her body, wishing he could wash away the terror she'd felt. They lingered as long as possible, Bella holding on to him the whole time. It was as if she couldn't bear to be away from him even for a moment.
Dressing her in the scrubs, he led her towards Bernard's office, his arm tightly wrapped around her waist. Bernard fussed over Bella, who wouldn't let go of Edward's hand, muttering about what the world was coming to when a person couldn't be safe in a maternity ward. Edward watch worriedly as Bernard examined Bella.
"Everything looks fine but you need to go home and rest. Your blood pressure is a little high but that's no surprise. I want you to take off as much time as you need, dear. You've had a traumatic experience and you'll probably feel very tired for a few days as the adrenaline wears off." He looked at Edward. "You too, Edward. I'll cover for you if you need to stay with Bella." He looked at Edward's arm which had been cut by James' knife and put a few steri-strips on it.
Edward was beyond grateful to Bernard and wasted no time in taking Bella home. Once inside her apartment, Bella relaxed enough to finally let Edward go. Regardless, Edward helped her put on a nightgown, before helping her into bed. He sat down beside her, and tenderly stroked her cheek.
"Would you like something to eat or drink, my love?"
Bella shook her head. "No. Just lie with me, Edward. I don't want to be alone."
Edward hurriedly took off his scrubs, grabbed his phone and got into bed with her, holding her as close as possible. Bella wrapped her arms around him and they lay silently together for a long time, both trying to process the traumatic events of the day. As Bernard predicted, Bella felt bone weary and it wasn't long before she fell asleep.
Making sure his phone was on silent, Edward lay watching Bella sleep. He would stay with her as long as she needed him. He reached down and rested his hand on her stomach.
"Hey little one," he whispered. "I'm so glad you and your Mom are safe. I couldn't bear to lose either of you. Your Mom loves you so much, you know. She just wanted to protect you today. She was so brave and I'm so proud of her. You're going to be the luckiest little kid ever, with Bella as your Mom. I just hope this doesn't leave her too traumatised. I wish I could have done more. He should never have gotten to her and I don't know what I would have done if she had been hurt."
Word spread of the drama and Edward's phone began ringing with concerned callers. Alice had been the first to ring, followed by Jacob. He explained that she was shocked and traumatised but safe and the baby was safe as well. He said he'd let them know when she was up to seeing visitors but for now she needed rest and that he would be with her as long as she needed him.
He fell asleep and woke up around midnight, desperate for the bathroom and starving. He slipped out of bed and was getting himself a sandwich when he heard Bella cry out. Running into the bedroom, he saw Bella sitting up, crying and shaking as she looked for him.
"Hey, hey, baby," he crooned as he took her in his arms. "Ssh, love. It's okay, I'm here. You're safe baby," he murmured as he kissed her temple and hair. "I'm here."
Bella clung to him as if he was her lifeline. "I woke up and you were gone," she shuddered.
"Oh my love, it's okay. I was just getting something to eat, that's all," he said soothingly. He tilted her face up and kissed her gently.
Bella sighed and relaxed against him as he lay back down, holding her close. "Did you have a nightmare?"
She nodded and tightened her arms around him. In the dark, cocooned with his arms around her, she felt safe enough to talk about the day's events. "I was so scared," she mumbled.
"I know baby, I know. So was I."
"I was scared that he would hurt you, that you would do something silly trying to protect me. I couldn't...couldn't bear to...lose...you," she whispered brokenly.
"I was terrified for you, baby. I would want to die if something happened to you. When I saw that knife against your neck..." his voice trailed off as the awful images played in his head.
"Is he...?"
"Yes, baby, he's dead. He can't ever hurt you or Victoria again." He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed each finger.
"How is Victoria?"
"She's physically fine. Esme took her home because she couldn't stand being in the hospital any longer. Hopefully she'll recover from all this."
Bella nodded. "I was also afraid he would do something that could make me lose the baby."
Edward looked into her eyes wanting her to see the truth in his. "Bella, you were my main concern. You know I love him or her, but I love you most of all. As much as it would hurt to lose it, it would kill me to lose you, baby," he whispered against her lips. He could see the tears in her eyes, his own moist. "Don't ever leave me Bella."
"Never. I could never leave you," she replied, kissing him deeply. As the kiss continued, it seemed that they poured every emotion they had felt that day into it. Bella tightened her arms around his neck and plastered her body against his. Needing to breath, she pulled back. "Make love to me, Edward."
"Are you sure?" he asked, his body instantly responding to her request.
"Please Edward. I need you. I just want to forget." She needed the closeness to know that they were truly safe and alive. She wanted to hear his heartbeat, feel his breath on her skin, his warmth, his love.
Edward could never deny her anything, especially this. He needed it too. He wanted to erase the vision of Bella being held hostage and replace it with her face as she came apart under him, her eyes loving him, her body worshipping him as he worshipped hers.
As if a switch was flicked, they came together, their movements laced with desperation. Edward needed to touch her everywhere, to prove to himself that no part of her was unharmed. Bella kissed Edward's chest, listening to his racing heartbeat and breathing and felt a calmness deep inside.
As Edward entered her, they breathed a sigh of relief into each other's mouths as they looked deeply into each other's eyes. As their movements increased in pace, their love making became an affirmation of life, comfort and their unending love for each other.
Bella cried out as her orgasm washed over her. "Edward! Oh god, Edward, I love you."
Following her, Edward groaned out. "Love you, love you, love…" as he came apart.
o-o-o-o-o-o
Bella stayed home for the next two days as a precaution, Edward staying with her. She woke a couple of times during the night from nightmares and he had to hold her tightly as her fear subsided.
The next morning Charlie came over, to check on his daughter but also to take their statements. Edward asked if Sid, the guard was likely to face any consequences as a result of shooting James.
"No, I'm not pressing charges. It's quite clear that he felt he had no option and there are enough witnesses to back up his story that he was trying to save you from being stabbed."
Edward was relieved to hear that. He'd feel awful if Sid had faced prosecution for trying to help him.
Both Alice and Jacob came over the assure themselves that they were alright. Both were of the opinion that it was good riddance to the evil monster and that no-one would mourn James' passing.
After the events at the hospital, it became clear that Bella wouldn't be able to hide her pregnancy any longer when she returned to work. As she was approaching twelve weeks, Bella confirmed everyone's suspicions and she and Edward had to spend the next few days receiving everyone's congratulations. For Bella, it was a relief to have it out in the open both because it meant that she was past the danger period and also because she could now revel in the knowledge that she was expecting a baby. The fact that her morning sickness seemed to have gone was a plus as well, although her bout of well-timed morning sickness had helped save her from James.
Unfortunately, she still suffered from nightmares although they were lessening in frequency. The worst times were on the odd occasion when Edward was called in to work during the night and she woke up sweating and shaking, all alone in bed. The first time it had taken a couple of hours before she was able to go back to sleep and as soon as Edward returned home, she had burrowed into him, her body instantly relaxing. Now, nearly four weeks later, she was only having the odd nightmare.
Victoria seemed to have weathered the storm surprisingly well. Other than a normal bout of the blues, she hadn't seemed to have suffered much trauma from watching the man who had fathered her child die in front of her.
"He did nothing but hurt me and he would have hurt Robbie if I had stayed with him. Maybe if I hadn't spent these last weeks with Esme and Carlisle I might have grieved for him, or at least regretted his death because I knew no better. But I see the way Esme and Carlisle are together, the way Alice and Jasper are and the way you two are together and I know that what I had with James was ghastly, a joke, a nightmare. I didn't know how a relationship should be until I lived here and that's I want in future. I don't think I'll accept anything else, for my sake but more importantly, for Robbie's sake. I'd rather spend the rest of my life alone than settle for someone who won't treat me the way Carlisle treats Esme."
Bella could see the way Victoria had flowered before her eyes since she had left James. And since she had Robbie, she was calm, happy, the fear of James erased from her eyes. She doted on her baby; he was the centre of her world.
Amidst all this, Bella had a wedding to prepare for. When she felt up to it, Alice had driven them down to Seattle to look at wedding dresses. Bella definitely didn't enjoy it as much as Alice did although she insisted they have lots of breaks. Alice was only a couple of months away from giving birth and she had to be feeling the strain.
Bella lost count of the number of wedding dress stores they had looked in by lunchtime and both of them were more than ready to rest their feet for an hour or so.
"There's just too much choice," complained Bella as she tucked into a bowl of ravioli with gusto. "How is a person supposed to pick one dress out of the thousands to choose from. I see one I love then the next instant, I'll see another."
"God, I know," agreed Alice. "But I believe that when you see 'the dress' you'll know it instantly and nothing else will compare."
"I hope so. We don't have that much time to get a dress made."
"Well, at least we're narrowing down to the type of style. You definitely don't want figure hugging."
"No," laughed Bella. "Even if I wasn't pregnant I wouldn't have the confidence to carry that off."
"And no flounces."
"Or frills."
"Or anything vaguely meringue-like."
"Ughh! Definitely no meringues!" laughed Bella.
"What's left?" joked Alice.
"You know me. I'm a simple person at heart. I want something simple but elegant, something classic. I don't want to hide any baby bump but I also don't want something that will accentuate it. I don't want people to spend the whole day looking at my stomach."
"We'll find it, Bella. At least the rest of the organising is going well. The invitations are ready to be sent out and we just need to decide on the flowers for the bouquet. The guys' suits are being made so we just need our dresses and shoes. I've booked the hair and make-up for the day. They're going to do Mom's and Renee's hair and makeup as well. It'll be lovely. I can't wait."
"You've been the best friend anyone could have, Alice," said Bella, taking Alice's hand in hers.
"I love you and I love my brother. I'm so happy you're going to be my sister," replied Alice, a little teary.
"Me too."
"Look at us," giggled Alice. "Two pregnant biddies getting all emotional. Come on, let's find that dress."
An hour later, Bella found 'the dress'. It was just what she was looking for. It had clean, elegant lines, the design a classic, scoop-necked sheath shape, the beading and lace around the bodice lifting it from the ordinary. The tiny, lace cap sleeves echoed the lace in the bodice. The silk/satin underskirt hung straight down from the bodice in a subtle a-line shape. Over the underskirt was a layer of chiffon that was split down the middle, allowing the underskirt to show as the bride walked. The chiffon continued into a small train that could be hooked up to allow dancing.
"It's perfect," breathed Bella as she tried it on. The design allowed for her stomach to grow without having to have it altered. "I love it. This is it, Alice. This is the one."
Alice walked around her nodding. "Yeah, I agree. It suits you beautifully. I love the tiny crystals on the bodice. Gives it a touch of glamour."
The store's modiste suggested alterations while taking Bella's measurements. Bella explained about her pregnancy as she pinned it up. Bella asked if there were any bridesmaid's dresses that were in a similar style.
"This design can be altered to suit a bridesmaid's dress with little problem," explained the modiste. After some deliberation, Bella decided Alice's dress would be the same design as hers, only knee length and without the cap sleeves. It would be altered to allow for Alice's stomach and she wanted it in a lustrous navy blue. Alice promised the modiste a bonus if both dresses could be ready two weeks before the wedding. Promising it would done, they left the shop beaming.
"It's such a relief to have chosen the dresses," sighed Bella. She had decided that she didn't want to wear a veil, instead choosing to wear a headband made of the same lace and chiffon as the dress. They'd toyed with putting her hair up or leaving it down but Bella knew Edward loved her hair down. The headband would give it a 'bridal' touch.
Bella and Alice decided to leave the hunt for shoes for another day. They were both exhausted. Happy but exhausted. They got in Alice's car and started the long journey home to Forks.
Edward was home when Bella let herself in and threw herself down onto his lap.
"Hey baby," he smiled as they pulled apart from their welcome back kiss. "Good day?"
"Yeah, but I'm absolutely shattered. You guys are so lucky that suits basically all look the same," she replied, leaning her head on his shoulder.
He chuckled and kissed the top of her head. "So, did you choose a dress?"
"Yes, and Alice's dress too."
"What's it like?"
"As if I'm going to tell you," she scoffed. "You don't get to see it until the wedding day."
"Aw! Give me a hint."
"It's a dress and it's white," she told him, tongue-in-cheek.
"Cheeky! Fine I'll wait until then unless I can worm it out of Alice."
"Yeah, good luck with that!" laughed Bella. She let out a big yawn.
"Here, rest on the couch while I get dinner ready then I'll run you a bath before bed," he suggested, kissing her cheek.
"Okay," she replied sleepily.
When Edward walked back in the room to check on her, she was fast asleep.
o-o-o-o-o-o
The next few weeks leading up the wedding seemed to fly by.
Alice's blood pressure was slightly raised at her check up and Edward ordered her to slow down.
"You've seen what can happen, Alice, so don't be stupid about it," warned Edward.
"Yes Alice. You need to rest more. We've got the wedding preparations under control and I can easily deal with anything that comes up," agreed Bella.
"Alright, don't nag you two," grumbled Alice. "I'm not going be silly. I can do a lot of stuff on the phone, anyway."
"I want you to come in next week and we'll take your blood pressure again," said Edward. "I just want to make sure you and your baby are alright."
"I know, Edward."
Bella was in her second trimester now and was feeling fantastic. To Edward's delight, she now had a slight baby bump, which was only visible when she was naked. He loved to run his hands over it, making comments to the baby which made Bella giggle.
"Edward! Don't say that! You'll scar him or her for life!" laughed Bella at a particularly suggestive comment he made while stroking her skin.
"He or she might as well get used to the sight of Mom and Dad doing lots of kissing and cuddling from an early age," he smiled. "He or she needs to know that Daddy can't get enough of Mommy."
"Well, there are some things that Mommy and Daddy need to keep behind closed doors," she admonished him with a smile.
"Like this, for instance," he murmured against her, smiling at her swift intake of breath as he licked a particularly sensitive spot.
"Yes...just like that," she replied on a breathless moan.
o-o-o-o-o-o
There was just a week to go to the wedding and Bella was beginning to feel the nerves start making their presence felt. She wasn't nervous about marrying Edward, not at all; rather it was about being the centre of everyone's attention. She was basically a reserved person and drawing attention to herself was not something she enjoyed. She had nightmares about tripping over as she walked down the aisle, making a complete spectacle of herself.
When she'd confided these fears to Edward, he'd simply grinned and held her tight. "It's only one day, baby. And if you fall, I'll just pick you up again." He'd kissed her and helped calm her fears.
As promised, the dresses were completed in record time and the modiste had even travelled to Forks for the final fitting. Alice had gasped as she saw Bella in the dress. "You look so beautiful, Bella," she said in awe. "Edward is just going to die when he sees you."
"God, I hope not!" retorted Bella with a laugh. "I need my groom healthy on my wedding day. And wedding night!" she said cheekily.
Alice burst into giggles. "Ahh, second trimester..." she said with a smile, giving Bella a knowing look. "Enjoy. Jasper and I are severely hampered in our choice of positions at the moment, when I'm not too exhausted, that is."
"Not too long now, Alice."
"I know," she replied, rubbing her swollen belly. "I'm looking forward to it more and more each day. Junior is making me very uncomfortable, not to mention making me run to the bathroom every five minutes."
Alice was keeping the dresses at her house figuring it would be too much temptation for Edward to not take a peek if they were at Bella's place. They had found shoes to go with the dresses. As they were both pregnant, they had chosen conservative heels, Alice bemoaning the fact that her back couldn't take the extra strain of wearing her favourite stilettos.
In the intervening weeks, Bella and Edward had chosen wedding rings together. Bella had chosen gorgeous rose gold rings, to complement her engagement ring. She'd had the rings engraved with the words 'Forever' as well as the date and couldn't resist looking at them, her heart skipping a beat every time. She would never have dreamed a year ago that she would be preparing for her wedding to the man of her dreams and expecting a baby made from their love.
Renee and Phil arrived in Forks six days before the wedding, Edward and Jasper picking them up from Seattle as Bella and Alice had appointments with the caterers and wedding planner. Charlie had offered to put them up, but even Renee felt that would be a bit too weird and had opted to stay at a pretty bed and breakfast nearby.
"Phil and I are going to treat it as a second honeymoon," explained Renee when Bella asked if she was really alright with it. "I'm going to show him around and we'll have a grand time."
Bella was relieved at that because Charlie had told her that Kara was coming down from Canada and was attending the wedding as his date. Bella was certain that she would be staying with Charlie. She could just imagine the vibes if the divorced parents of the bride stayed in the same house with their new partners. Awkward wouldn't even begin to describe it.
"Bella! Baby!" cried Renee, engulfing her in a hug as she arrived at Bella's apartment, trailed by Phil, Edward and a slightly stunned-looking Jasper. Obviously Renee had made her usual impression, thought Bella with a smile.
"Mom! It's so good to see you!" cried Bella, tears springing to her eyes. She really missed having her mother around, especially now during her pregnancy.
Stepping back, Renee took in Bella's subtly changed appearance, noting the larger breasts, glowing skin and slightly rounded stomach. "You look radiant, baby," breathed Renee, crushing her in another hug. "Simply beautiful."
"Let me introduce you to Alice, Edward's sister and bridesmaid extraordinaire." Taking hold of Alice's hand, she pulled her forward. "Alice has been my rock. She's been the most amazing friend and the best future sister-in-law ever. I couldn't have done any of this without her," praised Bella.
Renee engulfed Alice in another bear hug before they began talking a dime a dozen. Kindred spirits, thought Bella with a smile.
The following night they had dinner at Carlisle and Esme's house so that Renee and Esme could meet. Charlie came alone since Kara wasn't arriving until a couple of days before the wedding. Esme had asked if Jacob would like to come along, but when Bella asked him, he told her he'd be in Seattle that night. He had an appointment with his bank to secure financing to expand his business, which was doing so well he needed to take on another mechanic. As the meeting was late in the afternoon, he'd opted to stay overnight.
The dinner was a huge success, with Esme and Renee getting on famously. Bella had found them cooing over baby photos of Edward as Renee told her about Bella as a baby, promising to email her some photos when she returned to Florida. When they'd started gushing over who her baby would look like, she'd left them to it.
Renee told everyone who would listen that she was the one who had first told Bella she was pregnant, as if she was the one responsible for the whole thing. Since it was true, Bella had to agree and give Renee credit for noticing what she hadn't.
Instead of a hen's night, seeing as neither Bella nor Alice could drink anyway, the women had chosen to go to a day spa and be pampered instead. Carlisle had offered to babysit Robbie so that Victoria could go too. There were plenty of giggles and blushes all around as the conversations turned risqué, as per usual when women get together. Bella lost count of the number of pieces of 'advice' she received, many so naughty she blushed as she told a laughing Edward later that night.
The guys were going into Port Angeles to a popular sports bar for dinner and drinks. Charlie had organised transport back to Fork. Bella couldn't help laughing as she learned he'd meant the back of police wagon.
Two days before the wedding, the maternity staff gave Bella a huge bouquet of flowers along with a card signed by everyone, wishing her and Edward the best for their nuptials and life together. Bella couldn't stop the tears as they presented her and Edward with a beautiful Swarovski crystal fruit bowl the staff had all chipped in for. It was her last day before the wedding and she went around and thanked everyone for their good wishes. There were a few, like Sue and Bernard, who were invited to the wedding; the others made her promise she would bring in photos when she returned.
"Baby, do you have any appointments today?" asked Edward as they ate breakfast the day before their wedding.
"No, thank goodness. Mom's coming over later but that's all. Everything else is done," replied Bella. "Why?"
"I want to show you something."
"What is it?"
"It's a surprise," said Edward cryptically. "We'll go as soon as you're ready."
Intrigued, Bella quickly finished her breakfast and got dressed. She wondered if it had anything to do with her wedding present. She had bought Edward a beautiful dress watch with her name engraved on it. When the baby was born, she would add its name to hers. She planned to give it to him tomorrow morning.
Bucking tradition, she was not spending the night away from Edward. She needed him close in order to sleep properly. Instead, he would be heading to his parent's house in the morning while Bella went to Alice's to prepare.
In the car, Edward took Bella's hand in his. "One more day, baby, and you're mine forever," he murmured, lifting her hand to his lips.
Bella looked at him adoringly. "I know. I can't wait to marry you. I love you so much."
He smiled and traced his finger down her cheek. "I adore you."
When she could speak, she asked him where they were going. Just outside of town, he turned off the road onto a small, unsealed road that took them through a thick stand of forest.
"Nearly there, baby. I'll explain when we get there."
A minute later, Edward drove into a clearing that had Bella gasping in pleasure. A large, flower-filled clearing was surrounded by trees on three sides, including the one they'd driven in from. On the far side, Bella could see a large stream running through the gently sloping land, hills and mountains in the distance. It was gorgeous.
"What is this place, Edward? It's gorgeous."
Edward helped her out of the car and led her out into the clearing. He stopped and pulled her in front of him, his arms wrapping around her, resting on her slightly rounded belly, his thumb unconsciously stroking her. He rested his chin on her shoulder as they took in the scenery before them.
"Like it?" he asked softly.
"Of course, it's beautiful. Why did you bring me here?"
"Could you see yourself living here?"
"Living here?" Bella turned her head, their breaths mingling. "What do you mean?"
"What I said. Could you see yourself living in our house, with our child, surrounded by all this?"
Bella looked around, her heart racing with excitement. "Yes."
"Then it's yours, baby."
Bella turned in his arms and looked at him, a puzzled look on her face. "Edward, tell me what's going on."
Edward smiled down at her before kissing her softly. "I bought this property for us. To build our home on. To raise our child or children if we're so blessed. It's my wedding present to you."
Bella wrapped her arms around him as she burst into tears, kissing him at the same time. "Oh Edward, it's perfect! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
Edward laughed and spun her around. "I love you more than life itself, Bella. Nothing is ever too much for you. You've made me so happy. You and our baby."
"I couldn't imagine being without you, Edward. You're my life."
"As you are mine," replied Edward.
Their kiss soon turned passionate and they lost themselves in each other as they made love out in the open, the sun shining on their backs and surrounded by stunning scenery in the place where they would raise their family and grow old together.
o-o-o-o-o-o
A/N: I've put a link in my profile page of Bella's wedding dress if you're interested. Next chapter - the wedding.
Review and let me know what you think.