Mail Order Bride
A/N 19 reviews so far! Holy Cow! I am flabbergasted. The response from the last chapter was so overwhelming, that I knew I couldn't leave you all hanging. Please enjoy this chapter. I know a lot of you are going to be very happy after reading this. Show the love and Review!
Thank you everyone for all the lovely reviews. I am so glad everyone is enjoying this story as much as they are. It is a wonderful feeling knowing I am touching so many people with this. The author alerts, story alerts and reviews make my day!
Chapter 16
For the second time that morning, there was a knock on Bella's door. She looked up from her task, a nightgown in hand. "Just a moment," she called. Shoving everything under the bed, she hurriedly slipped into a robe. "Come in."
When the door opened, Bella was shocked to see Edward standing there. He was the last person she had expected to see. Edward was shocked to see that Bella hadn't even started getting ready yet. If anything, she looked like she was doing something other than getting ready.
"Can I talk to you?" Edward asked.
Bella knew that now was the time to say what she needed to say. "Edward, I…"
"What are you doing?" Edward said, a note of panic in his voice. He had glanced down at the floor, and seen the suitcase sticking out slightly from under the bed. She was running away…
"I made a mistake. I'm sorry. I can't marry you. If your offer still stands, I would gladly accept the money for a train ticket back home. As soon as I got there, I would have my father wire you the money back. So, I wouldn't be indebted to you for anything else. All the clothes you purchased for me are still in the closet. I couldn't, in good faith, take them with me. That wouldn't be fair to you."
"Wait, wait….slow down. Now, you don't want to marry me?" Edward asked, trying to keep up. After his talk with Esme, he had decided to come up and talk to Bella, Alice be damned. It was obvious that by him avoiding her, Bella now thought that she was unwanted. This wasn't how he thought the talk would go.
"I realized I can't marry you. I can't deceive everyone. They all think we will be this happy couple. We both know that will be a lie. We will never be happy. You will always love your wife, and I don't honestly know if I can live with that. I thought I could be happy without love. I know now, that I can't. I can't!" Bella cried, tears starting to stream down her face. Edward did what seemed the most natural thing to do. He pulled her into his arms, and let her cry into his chest.
Edward thought about what she had just said to him. Could he ever love her? He knew that right now, in this instant, her tears were cutting into him, like a knife. He knew he would do anything to make her tears stop. Did that mean that he was already falling in love with her?
Realizing he had to do something, Edward lifted her tear streaked face. He ran his fingers over her wet cheeks. Her brown eyes were huge and searching. His own green eyes were wide. As if pulled by magnets, their lips met, softly and swiftly. After a moment, Edward pulled back, searching her face.
"I'm not going to apologize this time," Edward said simply. And, he wouldn't. The last weeks had been torture for him. He was tired of fighting it. He was attracted to Bella. He wanted to make her his wife, in every way. He knew he didn't love her, but he also knew it wouldn't be hard to, someday.
Bella searched his face, seeing the sincerity there. "I don't want you too," she answered quietly.
"Bella, I don't love you now. You know this. But, I could someday. Can you be patient with me? Can you give me the time I need to grieve for my… for Tanya? Then, we could have the marriage that you deserve," Edward implored.
"So, you don't want to get married, either?" Bella asked, curious.
"No, I do! Honestly, I do want to marry you. But, right now though, this is for Ness. I want her to have a mother. I can't give you what you need, right now, but someday, I will be able to. Can you believe that?"
Bella wanted to believe. Oh, how badly she wanted to believe him. "Would we, at least, have some affection between us? I mean, we don't need to consummate the marriage right now, but, someday?"
Edward smiled at her innocence. "Yes, my Bella. We can have affection. I find the harder I try to stay away, the more I want to be near you," he told her, kissing her nose lightly. Bella was shocked by his admission.
Bella sighed. Please let this be real. Don't let it be a dream….
"Now, young lady. I believe we have a wedding to attend," Edward teased. The next thing he knew, he was being pushed out the door, and having it slammed in his face. "I'll see you at the altar."
Through the door, he heard her giggle. "I'll be the one wearing white."
Edward smiled and headed back downstairs. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all….
As the minister and Edward stood quietly waiting, Bella stood in the hallway, Emmett by her side. In lieu of their father, Bella had asked Emmett to give her away. He had graciously accepted.
"Bella, you look beautiful," Emmett told her, his voice calm and quiet, for once. He looked his little sister up and down. Alice had done a fantastic job with her dress. They had both finally agreed on a style that suited Bella's need for simplicity, and Alice's need for flair.
Bella blushed. After this morning, Bella was still surprised to see herself standing here. She had been sure that she would be heading back home by now. Edward didn't love her now, but, he had told her someday he could. Bella held on to that hope tightly. Please, let it happen.
Nessie stood in front of her, having demanded the right to be a flower girl. Bella had chuckled and allowed it, thankful that Nessie was a readily accepting child. She knew she and Nessie would get along fine. Alice stood to her left, her sole bridesmaid. When Bella had asked her, Alice had squealed and jumped up and down. In short order, Alice had produced dresses for herself and Nessie, causing Bella to believe she had walked into a trap, so to speak. However, it was a happy trap. One that she would gladly repeat.
A hush suddenly fell. Alice smiled and made her way forward. A few beats later, Nessie grinned and followed her. Bella stood, taking deep breathes. Emmett squeezed her hand, reassuring her.
"Are you absolutely ready for this? You can still change your mind," Emmett asked her, wanting to be sure.
"Yes, I'm ready. I know he doesn't love me, but, someday he will. I can be patient until then," Bella answered honestly.
It was now their turn. Emmett threaded Bella's hand through the crook of his elbow. Slowly, they made their way forward. Edward turned to look as they appeared in the doorway…..and stared at the vision before him.
Bella had on a floor length gown, with long, sheer sleeves. It was pleated in the front and gathered slightly at the waist. Her hair was piled on the back of her head, loose tendrils falling upon her neck. Upon her head, was a beautiful veil. It trailed down, past her shoulders, looking like a cascading waterfall. Edward was struck speechless by her beauty.
Edward had on a simple suit, with a dark tie. His hair was still bronze, but he had made the effort to tame it down. The smile on his face gladdened Bella, and she moved forward quicker. Emmett chuckled softly, remembering his own wedding day. He knew then, that his sister would do alright. She would be taken care of. She would be loved.
If she wasn't, he would hunt down Edward Cullen and personally kill him.
Stopping in front of the minister, Bella smiled up at Edward, and he melted. He never realized how beautiful her smile was before. The minister told everyone to be seated, and began to speak. He spoke of love and commitment, duty and honor. He spoke of two souls who, although they were practically strangers, were joining into a lifelong commitment, and should not enter into it lightly. Then, came the vows.
"I, Isabella Marie Swan, take Edward Anthony Masen Cullen as my husband. I will love and honor him, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, all the days of our lives. I enter into this union willingly, and without reserve. By these vows, I so swear my love and fealty."
"I, Edward Anthony Masen Cullen, take Isabella Marie Swan as my wife. I will love and honor her, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, all the days of our lives. I enter into this union willingly, and without reserve. By these vows, I so swear my love and fealty."
The minister smiled and asked for the ring. From his pocket, Edward withdrew a simple gold band. He placed it on her finger and held her hands, smiling broadly.
"The giving and receiving of the ring is a sacred act. It shows the world that Isabella, the receiver, and Edward, the giver, have joined together in the Holy sanction of Marriage. What God has put together, may no man tear asunder. It is now my pleasure to introduce for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Cullen. You may now kiss your bride."
Edward leaned forward, capturing her lips with his own. He kissed her briefly, but meaningfully. Applause sounded, and Bella and Edward faced their families for the first time together as husband and wife. Esme was weeping into a handkerchief, Carlisle rubbing her shoulders. Alice and Jasper held hands and smiled warmly. Nessie and Jackson were standing by Esme, Nessie waving and smiling. Emmett and Rosalie had huge smiles as well.
Bella and Edward smiled and just because he could, Edward kissed Bella again. She returned the kiss and smiled against his lips.
I think this will all work out in the end. I really, really do.
A/N AWWW. Who else wanted to cry during this chapter? I hope everyone enjoyed this. Review and show me how much you love me!