Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight and its characters. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter Twelve

I should have known that the tiny terror of the Cullen family, the vampire tornado named Alice, would never let my wedding day be just "practical." When Edward and I came downstairs Sunday morning, the heavy scent of roses was the first thing to greet us. They were everywhere in the living room; in dozens of heavy crystal vases, along with numerous unlit candles. The furniture had been rearranged to allow for a single open area. I turned to gape at Edward. "Did you know she was doing this?"

He shrugged, a slight grin on his face. "I was afraid to get in her way."

Just then Alice herself came zooming out of the kitchen. "Bella! Okay. Go eat, because we've got so much to do today. The judge is getting here at noon, so we've got to have everything perfect before then…"

"Whoa. Alice. Stop. What have you done?"

"Nothing you won't thank me for later." She smiled sweetly at me.

"You didn't… invite anyone, did you?"

She huffed. "Like who, the wolves? No, it'll just be family since we're trying to keep this a secret for now. Oh, and the judge, but Carlisle is paying him enough to keep his mouth shut."

"Oh my God," I moaned, and Alice rolled her eyes.

"Come on, eat your breakfast now. Edward, you go hunt. I don't want you anywhere near here until it's time for you to come back and get ready."

"Yes ma'am," he replied chuckling, before pulling me close for a kiss. "I'm sorry about all this."

"You have nothing to be sorry for," I muttered. "But can't we just sneak out and fly to Vegas?"

"No!" was Alice's immediate shriek, and Edward backed out of the room, his hands held up in self-defense.

Esme was waiting in the kitchen with a light breakfast, a happy smile on her face. "Bella, I'm so pleased about this… I wish it was for different reasons, of course, but this means so much to our family."

"Thank you," I murmured, starting on the English muffins and orange juice. "It seems a little surreal, today is my wedding day. I mean, when did that happen?"

"I know," she replied sympathetically. "Logically it's the smartest thing to do right now, but you must feel like you're on a runaway train."

"Don't make her nervous," Alice fretted.

"I'm not nervous," I lied. "Alice, what all did you do overnight? And where in the world did you get all those roses?"

"Nothing is impossible with the right connections and enough money," she said airily. "I have a dress for you too."

"Ummm,"

"You'll love it, I promise. It's not a typical wedding dress. Oh, and I got you some new white La Perla lingerie. And booked you a honeymoon."

I stared at her, stunned into silence.

"Don't worry, it's just tonight, and you won't be going too far away. But you can't have a wedding without some kind of celebration, right?"

"I… um…"

"Oh, and I, well…" For the first time she looked slightly nervous. "I picked up the rings too."

"Rings?" I was beyond stunned at this point.

"Yes, well, rings for Edward anyway. He bought your wedding band when he got the engagement ring. But I got a few so you could pick out the one you like best for him."

I pushed back from the table. "I think I'm going to pass out."

Esme's face immediately creased in concern, and she put her arm around me. "Put your head down between your knees. And breathe. Alice, stop the planning for just a moment."

"I need air," I said faintly.

A few seconds later I felt my coat wrap around my shoulders and Esme gently rubbed my back. "Do you want me to help you outside?"

"No, I'll be okay… I just need a minute. I'll be back in, I promise. To pick out a ring." With that I stumbled towards the back door, welcoming the icy blast of air that hit my face as I stepped outside. My head cleared almost immediately as I stood there, but I soon started shivering. I didn't want to go back inside just yet, but there was no way I could stand outside like this.

On impulse, I walked slowly over to the garage. Just as I'd hoped, Rosalie was there, half-hidden under the hood of my truck. I walked over to the wooden crate I'd already claimed as my own and plopped down, not even trying to be graceful about it. Rosalie finished whatever she was tinkering with before she threw me a glance.

"So are you the runaway bride now, or what?"

I buried my face in my hands. "No, just overwhelmed."

"Not ready?"

"No, it's not that… this is just too much, too fast. You know Edward and I have only been together for just over a week, right?"

She snorted, making even that sound lovely. "Of course."

"I've known Edward for almost two years, but we've only been together for just over a week, and then after all the shit that happened yesterday… all of a sudden I wake up today and it's my wedding day. I'm feeling a little lost, to say the least."

To her credit, Rosalie seemed to stop and think about my words before responding. "So you're not having second thoughts?"

"No," I said vehemently. "It's not that. I know I don't even have the faintest clue about what you all feel for each other. I know I love him, I'm meant to be with him. I don't doubt that at all. But it's just been a week, and apparently we're getting married today. I don't want to complain because I don't want him to think it's not what I want…"

"Is it what you want?" she asked bluntly.

"Yes. I mean, marriage has never been a big deal to me, but I know it's very important to him, which makes it very important to me. And Carlisle's reasons for the whole thing make sense, based on, um… recent events. Speaking of which, I meant to thank you…"

She turned away sharply. "No thanks needed. I know you were friends with the mutt beforehand, but he was completely out of line."

"Okay," I responded slowly. "Never mind that, then. Alice said something this morning, about how she'd picked out a bunch of different wedding rings, for me to pick one as Edward's. And it just… blew my mind."

Rosalie laid the wrench she was using on a workbench and slowly approached me. "Okay, listen… has Edward told you anything about me?"

I considered my words carefully before speaking. "Not really. The only thing he's said is that you were changed after a traumatic experience in your life, but he didn't tell me details."

She sat carefully on the front bumper of the truck. "Okay, I guess I appreciate that. Our stories are our own to tell. But he was right… I was changed immediately after one of the most horrifying experiences any woman could ever go through."

Something clicked in my brain. "You were…?"

"Raped," she said bluntly. "Attacked and raped, and left in the street for dead. And not just by any random psychopaths, but by my fiancé and his friends. Does that qualify as a 'traumatic experience' to you?"

I froze for an instant, the words I'm sorry were of course the first ones to my lips, but something about Rosalie's expression made me reconsider. "Yes, it would," I replied instead.

She sighed just a little. "I know you've heard over and over that you're essentially frozen as you were at the time of your change. And maybe I should have told you what happened to me when we talked before. That's why I make no apologies for how I feel about certain things, even as I recognize that I have free will to try and change how I feel about them. It's very different for us, and apparently you'll be finding that out very soon." She stopped for a moment, her eyes looking beyond me. "I guess I'll just try and give you some advice, based on what I've experienced."

"I'd appreciate that."

Her lovely face was contemplative. "When I first woke up, part of me was horrified at what I'd become, part of me was thankful for the chance to make them pay. I'll tell you that story some other day. But overall, at first, I hated myself, and Carlisle. I would rather have been left to die on the street than to have been given this life, if you can call it that. And I felt that way more intensely for a very long time, much more so than I do now. I was very bitter and hateful up until the day I found Emmett.

"What you'll have with Edward is the same bond I have with Emmett. I can't imagine life, no, existence without him. From the moment I first laid eyes on him, as horrible as the circumstances were, I knew there was a purpose to my being there at that moment. We'd never have crossed paths otherwise, and in that moment everything made sense."

She was quiet for a long moment. "What Alice told you yesterday, about vampires and their mates, it's all so true. She put it better than I ever think I could have. All I know is that I would cease to exist without him. I would do anything for him. Because he is part of me now, and there is no me without him. So I can't claim to understand why you're freaking out now, especially since you were planning on doing it all eventually anyway."

"You don't think this is too much, too fast?"

She shrugged and leaned back against the front of the truck. "Bella, with us, there is no such thing as 'too much, too fast,' it either is or it isn't. It's yes or no, black or white. Do you want to be with him for the rest of your life, however long or eternal that may be?"

"Yes." My reply was immediate and automatic.

"Well then go marry him."

I blinked at her.

"Do I need to spell it out for you?"

I laughed shakily and stood up from my crate. "Rose, would you kick my ass if I tell you that I really love you right now?"

"Yes, I would," she replied, standing too. "And I've got work to do on this piece of junk, if you want to drive it any time soon. So get back in there and let Alice have her fun so she shuts up, and at the end of the day, you and Edward will both be happy, right?"

"I think that's the plan."

She sighed. "Another Cullen. Now get back inside before Alice comes in here looking for you, and I have to throw you both out."

"Okay. And thanks."

"No problem," was the last thing I heard from her, before she ducked back under the hood of my old rusted truck.

***

Alice was more subdued when I returned to the house, a remorseful look on her pretty face.

"Bella… I'm really sorry if I went overboard with this."

"No, Alice," I pulled in a deep breath, "Overboard would have been renting a church and hall overnight. I think this will be perfect."

"You're not mad at me?"

"No, not at all. I just had a minor freak-out. It's okay."

She looked at me for a moment, contemplating. "I don't mean to say this as a guilt-trip, or to make you feel like this is all something you have to do… but it means a lot to Edward."

"Old-fashioned boy, right?"

"Exactly!" She grinned, her exuberance slowly returning. "And you can tell me if you're not happy with anything. I just really wanted to make this special and memorable for the both of you."

Impetuously, I moved towards her and pulled her into a hug. Her returning embrace was much tighter than mine, of course, but I let her squeeze me until the air left my lungs in a soft grunt. She immediately released me. "So, about the ring…?"

"That was incredibly thoughtful," I finished immediately. "How many did you pick out?"

"Fifteen," she replied, taking my hand in hers. We were halfway up the stairs before I was able to reply.

"Fifteen? Alice…"

"Oh, don't worry about it," she laughed. "I just guessed that would be the most the two of you would look at together if you were doing this on your own, and I can return all the others."

Breathe in, breathe out. "Okay, let's do that first, then. If I do pass out, you can just prop me up in the chair for makeup and hair."

"Oh Bella!" She pulled me into the oversized bathroom that was already beginning to feel like my second home. "I'm going to love having you as a sister! Now sit down!"

I obediently plunked into the stylist's chair, no longer willing to resist Hurricane Alice. She pulled out a large black hinged leather case, opening it to display rows of rings nestled in dark velvet. I licked my lips and looked over them quickly. She'd picked everything from bands with rows of tiny diamonds to entwined trinity rings. My glance immediately fell to one in the corner and I reached to pick it up. "This one."

"Hmm, somehow I knew you'd choose that one." She smirked, and snapped the lid shut before I could pick it up.

"You being psychic had nothing to do with it."

"Of course not. That one is just perfect for him. I'll hold onto it, and don't forget to put your engagement ring on a different finger until after the ceremony."

I did it immediately. "Alice… how did you know to tell him to bring the engagement ring this weekend?"

She giggled and twisted the swiveling chair until I faced away from the mirrors. "I swear I honestly didn't see all of this coming. My visions can be very random at times, and it just so happened that this time I happened to catch a flash of Edward proposing to you. I figured it wouldn't hurt to be prepared, right?"

"Well, thank you for that too. So where are we going on our honeymoon?"

"That's a surprise you'll find out later. Now sit back and relax."

I tried to do just that as she went to work on my hair and makeup. The butterflies in my stomach hadn't all disappeared, but at least I didn't feel like fainting again. Alice finally stepped back with a pleased smile on her face.

"Okay, don't look yet. I don't want you to see yourself until you've got the dress on."

"I won't peek," I promised, and Alice zipped away, coming back almost immediately carrying a garment bag and a smaller shopping bag, a shoebox tucked under her arm.

"Okay, I'll let you get into the underwear yourself, but then yell when you're done because you're going to need help putting the dress on without spoiling your hair."

"Gee, thanks for that," I said dryly.

"No problem!"

After she left the room and shut the door, I dug through the small shopping bag and found a beautiful white matching bra and panty set along with a garter belt and thigh-high stockings. "Alice! Hell no!"

"Do it for Edward!" was her returning shout.

"I don't even know how to put this on!"

"Trust me, you'll figure it out! And Bella… put the panties on last, over the garter belt!"

"Why?"

"Trust me!"

"Trust her," I grumbled to myself, stripping down to nothing. The bra was easy to put on; I figured the stockings were next. After those were in place, but threatening to slide down my legs, I quickly tugged the garter belt on, and then the panties. I felt somewhat more covered, but as I looked down at the clasps on the ends of the garter belt, I was completely confused. They were supposed to hook on to the stockings somehow? And how was I supposed to reach the ones in the back? I was going to be in here all day and miss my own wedding at this rate.

There was a soft giggle outside the door. "Need help?"

I could feel my face turning bright red, but I knew I was out of options. "Come on in."

Alice flitted in immediately and had the first two clips hooked into the stockings before I could even begin feeling awkward about it.

"In my defense, I've never had a reason to wear one of these, you know."

"I know," she replied simply, fastening the last two clips. "Now, for your dress… are you ready?"

I nodded and she snatched up the garment bag. "Okay, close your eyes again and just let me dress you. I want you to get the full effect all at once."

I shut my eyes and felt soft warm material being carefully arranged over my head and settling onto my shoulders. I lifted my arms and moved when Alice told me to, feeling like a department store mannequin. The dress slid smoothly down my body, and then Alice's tiny hands were tugging and arranging.

"Okay, now look at me!"

I slowly opened my eyes. Alice studied me carefully from head to toe before an enormous smile broke across her face. "You look gorgeous, Bella!"

"Can I look yet?"

"Yes!"

I sucked in a deep breath and slowly turned to face the mirrors. For a moment, I was literally stunned… there was no way the woman in that mirror could be me. My hair was pulled softly back from my face, cascading in waves down my back; the makeup was light but perfect. And the dress… it was incredible. It was an off-white sweater dress with a low-cut neckline, a thin knit material that hugged curves I wasn't aware I had.

"The dress is cashmere and silk, and I have a matching coat for later," Alice said proudly. "Are you happy?"

"I have no words."

"Good, that's exactly the reaction I hope Edward has too! Now sit down and I'll put your shoes on you."

I sat and Alice opened the Manolo Blahnik shoebox. "Me in stilettos? Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"Have faith," she scolded, slipping the simple white shoes onto my feet. "Now, stand up and take a few steps."

I did, and to my surprise, I felt fairly stable in them. "They're not as uncomfortable as I thought they'd be."

"Good shoes are worth every penny," she said sagely. "You get what you pay for. Okay, now just a couple of last minute details…"

The butterflies were back. "What time is it?"

"11:50, so I'll make this quick. First off, you are not going to school tomorrow, so don't worry about that. Second, I've already packed for you. Third, you're welcome in advance."

I started laughing and Alice smiled back at me. "I've got to go get dressed, but the only other thing I wanted to say is thank you for letting me do this for you. I know you didn't have to do any of it, but you'll both be very happy that we made your wedding day a little special."

"It's a lot special, Alice. Thank you so much."

"You're welcome. I'll be right back."

I sank back down on the chair, exhaling slowly. My wedding day. Marrying Edward. Being one step closer to being with him forever. It was a lot to think about but Rosalie's words had given me some perspective… in comparison to eternity, what was the big deal about moving the wedding up a few weeks? I couldn't help but feel a little thrill at the idea of being Edward Cullen's wife… married to my old-fashioned vampire. I was smiling when Alice popped back in.

"Okay, it's time to go! Edward is meeting you at the bottom of the stairs. It's so dramatic, I love it! See you in a minute!" She was gone before I could ask her if I was supposed to wait before heading down the stairs, but realized that she would have told me down to the half-second if that was the case. I slowly left the bathroom and headed down the hall.

When I was halfway down the staircase, carefully mindful of the stilettos, I looked up and I saw Edward waiting for me. Oh my…

He was beautiful. There was simply no other word for it, he was utterly beautiful in his dark suit, bronze hair only somewhat tamed, and pale features heartbreaking in their perfection. A crooked smile lit up his face when his eyes met mine, and he held out his hand to me. I took it as I came down the last few steps and he brought the back of my hand to his lips, whispering "You are beautiful, my love," just before kissing it.

He guided me into the living room where now all the white candles had been lit, adding a warm glow to the room. The Cullens stood at the end of the room, each with their respective mate, gathered just ahead of a stranger who I presumed to be the judge. Edward and I stopped in front of him, and then turned to face each other, hands clasped. The judge began speaking immediately. The vows were simple and straightforward, and I as declared aloud that I was taking Edward to be my husband, I made sure to say them in my mind too, just for him. We exchanged rings, and Edward smiled as I slid the traditional gold band I'd selected onto his finger. He took both my hands again as the judge declared us legally husband and wife, then asked us to seal our vows with a kiss.

As Edward's lips touched mine I shut my eyes, repeating I love you, I love you, I love you. His lips smiled against mine. "I love you too, Mrs. Cullen."

I opened my eyes. I like the sound of that already.

"Me too," he mumbled, before pulling me back to him, our kiss more passionate this time. The judge cleared his throat, and there was muffled laughter behind us. We broke apart smiling.

Carlisle and Esme signed the certificate as our witnesses, and the judge departed almost immediately after shaking our hands and wishing us the best of luck. Edward wrapped his arm around me and grinned at Carlisle.

"Was that…?"

Carlisle chuckled. "He owed me a favor."

"Who was he?" I asked curiously, and Edward laughed.

"He's a Justice on the Washington State Supreme Court. Apparently not just any judge would do for this ceremony."

"Oh, wow!" I exclaimed, surprised. "He drove all the way here for this?"

"I told you we'd make this day special," Alice said smugly, before pulling me away from Edward and wrapping me in a tight hug. "We're finally sisters now!"

"Yes, welcome to the family officially, Isabella Cullen," Carlisle agreed, pressing a kiss to my cheek. All the other Cullens followed suit, even Rosalie, until Edward pulled me back into his arms again.

"We should get going."

Emmett laughed. "Anxious, huh? Have fun on your honeymoon, you two."

Edward helped me into the long white coat that Alice suddenly appeared with. "Your luggage is already in the car."

"Luggage?"

"One bag," he amended. "Our first honeymoon is a single night only, unfortunately. I'll take you on another one someday."

We said goodbye to the family and walked out the front door to where a sleek gleaming silver car sat in the front drive. "Wow… did Alice rent this for us?"

He laughed and held the door open for me. "No, this is mine. It's my special occasion car."

"Special occasion car," I murmured as he opened his door and settled behind the wheel. "What is it?"

"An Aston Martin V12 Vanquish. It's usually in the back of the garage since I don't drive it all the time, but our wedding day is most definitely a special occasion."

"It's gorgeous," I said appreciatively, running my fingers lightly over the black console. "It suits you."

He flashed that crooked grin at me and started the engine. "I may not have Rosalie's aptitude in the garage, but I very much appreciate a fine car."

"It's a sexy car."

"I like to think so. Now, wife of mine," he paused, and I smiled at his choice of words, "Aren't you even remotely curious about where we're going?"

"Of course I am. Alice told me I'm not going to school tomorrow, but she didn't say anything about Tuesday, so I assume we'll be back home by then."

"Yes, unfortunately, in case anyone is keeping tabs on you now. School tomorrow would be impossible, though. By tomorrow evening I'm hoping you'll barely be able to walk straight. Does that sound like a plan to you?"

"Yes," I murmured, feeling a wave of arousal sweeping over me. "Just what do you have in store for me?"

"You'll find out."

"So where are we going… and how long will it take us to get there?"

He chuckled as he pulled out onto the main road. "Believe it or not, we're headed back to Port Angeles. Alice found a bed and breakfast that is normally closed for the season and persuaded them to open up just for the two of us. We'll have the whole place to ourselves."

I watched as he shifted gears, hearing the car's engine purr in response, and realized I was ridiculously turned on by watching him drive this gorgeous car. "Persuaded?"

"You just have to know what to offer people. Alice wanted us to have a private evening together before getting back to normal life for the next six weeks."

"Hmm, no neighbors, no thin walls, no vampire family with their enhanced hearing…"

"Exactly," he agreed, his voice darkening a little. "I'd love to hear you scream my name tonight."

I shivered again, pressing my thighs together and wondering what his reaction would be when he saw the garter belt. "So, husband of mine, are you adverse to the idea of sex in your special occasion car?"

He threw a quick glance at me. "Not at all… but when I take you for the first time on our wedding day, it's not going to be in the front seat of a car, Mrs. Cullen. We'll be there in less than thirty minutes."

"I might have surprises for you too, you know."

"I sincerely hope so," he agreed immediately, and his hand crept over to rest on my thigh. "Hmm, such as what you're wearing under there?"

I playfully slapped his hand away. "Thirty minutes, you said?"

He pressed the gas pedal in response and I laughed breathlessly, trying not to see the trees whipping by outside. "So, can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Everything that you've told me so far, about how hard it was for you to resist my blood, to keep from hurting me…"

"Yes?"

"Isn't it harder… when we have sex? And some of the things you do to me…" I actually felt a blush creeping up over my cheeks.

"No," he replied immediately. "Believe it or not, it's easier. It's as though every time we make love, it only strengthens my bond to you. When I'm able to touch you, to lick you, to be inside you… those are the moments when I feel most removed from the bloodthirsty creature that I am. I only need to worry about not hurting you physically in other ways."

"Do you really find the idea of my blood repulsive now?"

"I find the idea of you hurt and bleeding repulsive," he said quickly. "Your blood will call to me for as long as you're alive, Bella. I am thankful that I can resist it so easily now, but it will always be appealing to me on some level. Just as I told you Friday, I am still a vampire. Your scent is familiar to me now, though, and that helps me to resist it."

I thought for a moment. "You said that Carlisle will be there when you change me?"

"Yes, absolutely. I don't want to overestimate my control, specifically where it pertains to you."

"What is it going to be like for you?"

He shot me a surprised look. "Do you really want to talk about that now?"

I reconsidered. "Maybe not. I guess we have plenty of time to talk about those details."

"Yes, thank you. Why don't you talk to me more about sex instead?"

I laughed. "Fine, let's play Twenty Questions. You grew up in the Victorian Era?"

"No, actually during what's referred to now as the Progressive Era. I was born in 1901."

"Okay, obviously history wasn't my best subject in school. But things were much more… straitlaced back then?"

"In general, society was much more moralistic than it is now, yes." A tiny smile was playing around his lips, and I wondered if he knew what I was getting at.

"So, if your personality is generally frozen at the time of your change…"

He burst out laughing. "Bella, are you trying to ask me why I'm not a prude?"

I scowled at him. "I'm sure society frowned on premarital sex back then. I was just wondering why you so willing gave that part of yourself up, if you're supposedly so old-fashioned."

He was still laughing softly to himself. "Do you wish I'd restrained myself?"

"No!" I almost shouted, and then caught myself. "I was just curious about it."

"Ah yes, well, your question has more than one answer. First and foremost, you do realize that people had sex quite regularly back then as well, correct? Premarital and extramarital affairs were not unheard of; people enjoyed sex then just as much as they do now. Although it was easier for a young man of my age to indulge than it would have been for a young lady like you."

I turned to stare at him, jaw hanging open.

"And yes, I know what you want to ask me… I was for all intents and purposes a virgin until I met you, Bella. You were my first, my only."

Now I knew my face was on fire. "But you said…"

"What I said was true. Not all proper young men from that era were virgins when they married. There were always willing girls who didn't mind being shown a good time by a handsome young gentleman with no strings attached. Or there was the option to visit a prostitute, which a few of my friends did."

"But you never…"

"No. I was an only child, and my mother was much more protective and attentive than one who had several children to keep up with. I was never given the opportunity to sow any wild oats, but my friends who did certainly shared their experiences in lurid detail."

"So if you'd met me back then…"

"I would have wooed you and romanced you, and possibly stolen a few chaste kisses before asking your father for your hand in marriage."

I frowned, confused now. "But then why did you…"

He laughed softly again. "I told you that your question has several answers. Sex was around when I was growing up, Bella. We were aware of it, even if society didn't discuss it openly. This isn't 1918, though. I'm not 'frozen' enough to wish everything was still the way it was back in the last year of my life. I've lived through an entire century of changes in society, watching as the pendulum on morals swung back and forth. I'm aware that in this day and age, premarital sex isn't necessarily taboo. And honestly, since meeting you, I'm glad for it. I don't regret a single moment we've had together in that way."

"Neither do I," I reassured him hastily.

He reached for my hand. "I also told you that vampires are lusty creatures. I would have restrained myself if you'd given me any indication that you wanted me to. That first night we were together, in your truck… feeling you respond to me, knowing you wanted me as badly as I wanted you… I knew we both needed the same thing."

"Yes," I said thoughtfully, remembering my confusion from that night, but knowing I was absolutely sure about needing Edward's hands and lips on my body, to feel him inside of me. My heart beat a little faster just thinking about it; he heard it, and grinned wickedly.

"Any other questions you'd like to ask me before we get there? I assure you that your opportunities for discussion will be limited after that."

"I can only think of one other question right now."

"Yes?"

"If I was your first... how did you get to be so good at it?"

This time, Edward laughed so hard that, if he were human, I would have been worried about him driving off the side of the road. The Vanquish didn't swerve an inch, of course. "Why, thank you, love. I'm glad you think so."

"I'm not talking about sex with you anymore," I grumbled.

"No no, I'm sorry, please don't stop," he begged, trying to smother his smirk.

"I just assumed, since you're, well, incredible…"

"Tell me more about how incredible I am," he teased.

This time I deliberately turned away from him, looked out the window, and tugged my hand away from his. Very slowly, I used that hand to inch my dress slightly up my left thigh where the front of the coat broke apart, to just below where the garter belt clipped to the stop of the stocking. I could feel just the tiniest sliver of the lace band peeking out from under the dress's hem, and I knew Edward saw it when I heard him hiss.

"Are you tormenting me on purpose?"

"Yes," I said, not turning from the window.

"And why, pray tell?"

"You never answered my question."

"Bella," he groaned.

"I want to know."

"Probably because I can read your emotions, and your mind," he ground out. "You have no idea what it feels like to me, feeling your pleasure through your mind. I know what feels good to you as soon as you do. I live to please you."

"That's better."

"I love watching your face and listening to your mind while I'm inside you. Your beautiful face, the way it looks, the way your lips part when you call my name. I love seeing the way your body moves under me. I love hearing you moan. I was meant to be with you, and you are mine. You understand that now, right?"

I nodded, unable to form a coherent sentence.

"You have my ring on your finger, and soon you'll have my mark on your body. Mine. My wife. Do you have any idea what the idea of that does to me, love? That you are now legally mine, and soon you will be eternally mine as well?"

I shivered convulsively and his hand crept back over to me, his index finger running along that tiny sliver of lace.

"Do you understand that I am yours now? I am all yours, Isabella. You own my heart, soul, and body. No one else will touch me again for the rest of eternity except for you. I am your mate; I am yours to do with as you please, as long as it brings you satisfaction, as long as it's only my hands on you ever again."

"Edward…"

"You wanted an explanation," he said roughly. "My body responds to yours instinctively, without conscious thought. Your pleasure is my pleasure. That's why we fall together so perfectly. We're two parts of one being already, and after your change, you'll fully understand how I feel about you, what we are together."

"Edward, I need you." I was beyond rational thought now. His words struck a chord inside of me that went beyond eroticism; that went beyond desire. There was only need. I needed him to live.

"We're almost there, love," he crooned. "Alice arranged for the owners to set up the honeymoon suite, and then leave. It will be just you and I. What would you like for me to do to you after we get there?"

"I want you inside of me," I panted.

"That goes without saying, of course. But what else do you want me to do to you?"

"I want you to undress me. And then I want you to kiss every inch of skin that isn't covered up by what I'm hiding underneath this dress."

"Yes?" he groaned, his finger inching just slightly higher along my leg.

"And I want your tongue inside of me. I want you to make me come before you even take off your clothes."

"That can be arranged…"

"Then I want to take your clothes off myself. Even if it takes me a long time, I want to do it all by myself. I want to be able to touch every part of you while I do it, and I want you to just watch me. I want you to let me."

"I will let you do anything you want," he vowed. "Anything that makes my wife happy."

"I don't want to sleep tonight."

"Then I won't let you." The car slowed a little, and then suddenly turned into a private drive. Hidden behind a short row of pine trees, a stately colonial-style home came into view. Edward pulled up to the front door, turned off the car, and was out of his seat and opening my door before I could blink. He reached in, unfastened the seatbelt, and pulled me out of the car in one fluid motion. Then I was pressed up against the side of the Vanquish, and I could feel how hard he was even through the layers of clothing and his wool trench coat.

"Do you remember what I said to you earlier?" he whispered against my ear. "About you not being able to walk straight tomorrow? That was a promise, not a threat." In the next second he'd scooped me up in his arms and we were moving quickly. I had the briefest glances of the interior of the house as he carried me through it. "I meant what I said. I want to hear you scream my name tonight."

I dug my fingers into his hair and pulled his face close to mine. His steps didn't falter as his cool lips crashed against mine, and I was only vaguely aware of the room surrounding me as he laid me down on a wide soft bed. He pulled off his overcoat in the blink of an eye, and then he was on his hands and knees, crouched over me.

"Now, Mrs. Cullen, let me recount exactly what you wanted me to do." He ran his nose slowly over my temple, down my jaw, and across my neck. "I believe that you requested that I first undress you." One hand nimbly unbuttoned my white coat, and then he ran a hand up my side. "So if you wouldn't mind standing up for me…"

The decision was made for me as his arm wrapped around my waist, and I found myself standing upright beside the bed. He pulled the coat away and tossed it on the floor as I reached out one hand to grasp the bedpost for support. I stared at him as he pulled away slightly, allowing his eyes to rake up and down my body.

"Hmm, I suppose it would be in poor form for me to rip your wedding dress off of you, Mrs. Cullen, even if that's what I'd most like to do at this moment. So I suppose I can just start at the bottom and work my way up." In a flash he was kneeling before me, his hands on my left foot. "One shoe at a time…" He removed my left shoe and waited for me to settle before tugging the right one off. Wrapping a hand around each ankle, he nuzzled my thigh, inhaling deeply. "And now, to work my way up…"

His hands slowly released my ankles and began gliding up my legs; fingers trailing firmly against my skin. He moved steadily upwards until he reached the bottom of my dress, where he hooked his fingertips under the hem and continued pulling. Slowly, as he peeled the dress upwards, more of my body was exposed to him. He let out a muffled groan as the lingerie was gradually revealed, and then pulled the dress further still, up and over my head. At that point, only my arms were still in the dress, and he suddenly ripped it away, tossing it behind him.

His eyes were black as he took in the white lingerie. "It appears to me," he murmured, "That it's time for me to fulfill your second request." His hands latched onto my waist as his lips began nibbling along my jaw, exploring my neck with absolutely no hint of urgency. He kissed, nibbled, and licked along my throat as my hands came up to grasp his shoulders, my knees feeling progressively weaker.

By the time he'd worked his way down over my stomach, my legs were completely useless and only his cool hands on my hips were holding me up. He smiled as he laid chaste pecks across the garter belt and white panties. "Love… do you mind if I cheat a little on your requests?"

"Um?" was my brilliant reply.

"I would love to start on your second request while finishing up your first, if you don't mind."

I groaned, which he correctly assumed was my assent. Still on his knees in front of me, he carefully took the delicate waistband of my panties in his teeth and, giving me a wicked look, tugged them downward, dragging them down my thighs and over my knees before letting them go. He sat back on his heels, hands still on my hips, and let his eyes scorch my body.

"As much as I'd love to pull that delectable garment off of you as well," he murmured, referring to the garter belt, "I think I'll leave it on for now. It's a lovely frame for the particularly beautiful picture I see before me." He pulled me towards him and wrapped one arm around my thighs, his other hand reached up and held firm against my lower back. He began by kissing my hipbones, slowly making his way from one to the other, before slowly moving downward to kiss and lick my thighs. My entire body was quivering now.

Both of my hands were now fisted tightly in his hair. "Edward…"

"Yes love?" His breath was cool against me.

"Please let me lay down."

"I can hold you up."

"Please?"

In a moment he'd laid me down on the bed, crouching above me again, still in his suit. He roughly yanked off the jacket and tossed it aside, then settled back down between my knees. "Now, where was I? Ah yes, request number two."

The moment his cold tongue touched me there, my entire upper body came off the bed. He hummed appreciatively against me, and I couldn't help but let out an involuntary cry from the sensation, I was so desperate for him. I chanced a look down at him as he continued to lick and suck at me, his beautiful face between my thighs, still decorated by the pretty white garter belt and stockings. Finally, his black eyes flicked up to meet mine just as his cold tongue thrust deep inside me.

This time I didn't even have the ability to moan, or cry out; my breathing and my body froze as my climax began burning through me in an instant, hitting me so hard and fast that I was paralyzed by the intensity. His mouth and tongue moved on me the entire time, until the last shudders had faded. I licked my lips, and with strength I didn't realize I possessed, I reached down and grabbed Edward's tie, hauling him up over my body.

"I want… three… now," I panted.

"Three what, my love?" he purred, and I swore at that moment I'd make him pay for teasing me this way, but not now. I needed him now. My hands reached down between us and began fumbling with his belt.

"Ah yes, request number three." He propped himself up on his hands above me, making no move to help me unfasten his pants. "But you seem to be a little overeager. I thought you wanted to completely undress me?"

"I want you inside me now, Edward," I demanded as I wrenched down his zipper.

"I will have to get dressed again for dinner," he agreed, lifting his hips so I could shove his pants and boxers down over his thighs. "We'll do a more formal number three then, hmm?"

"Yeeeesssssssssss," I moaned as he pushed slowly inside of me. I was so desperate for him I could feel my second climax approaching already. I grabbed hold of the shirt he still wore, and pulled his lips to mine. He kissed me thoroughly, even as his hips never ceased their rhythm. Then his lips broke away.

"My wife," he whispered in my ear, and then licked the shell of it. "My Bella, my mate, mine."

"Yes," I gasped.

"Tell me, Bella. Say it."

"Yours, I'm yours. Your wife, your mate. Forever."

He growled softly, pulling back just far enough to look into my eyes. "Your pleasure is my pleasure, remember? Can you feel me in your mind now?"

Yes…

"And you can feel me in your body?"

Oh yes…

"I can feel you inside and out Bella. I can feel it all, and it's destroying me in the most exquisite way possible."

I only had time for one breathless cry before I was coming again, and he with me. I was falling, but he was still in my mind; I could feel him there. His body jerked over me, his pitch-black eyes locked firmly onto mine, piercing me into place until I almost swore I was in his mind, sensing his pleasure, feeling every ounce of love he had for me, and I for him.

I was no longer sure where I ended, and where he began.

A/N: Ah yes, the old "panties OVER the garter belt" trick, I learned that one a long time ago. :-) I wanted to have a nice happy chapter after some of the drama we've had, but tell me this: do you think Rosalie downplayed Bella's concerns? Does she have a right to freak out over how fast things are moving, even if she's not against them happening eventually? We'd better hurry up and get this girl changed, eh?

First off, as always, super-thanks to the super-beta, Stratan, for giving me some much-needed insight on things I wanted to get across in this chapter. Thanks and smooches to all the gals I've been WC-ing with regularly, it's been invaluable!

I will never get tired of thanking everyone who reviews...it truly humbles me when you take time from your day to leave such thoughtful, insightful (and sometimes funny!) questions and comments about my story. I read every single one of them and have actually taken some of your questions into account for future chapters!

OH AND BY THE WAY...did you know that the first IDBiV Outakes/Oneshots story is up? Clicky on my profile link above, or visit www(DOT)fanfiction(DOT)net/s/5640925/1/IDBiV_Outtakes_Oneshots Don't forget to put in your suggestion for what missing story/POV you'd like to see!!!