a/n: Wow! This chapter was a doozy to write! Then I lost the ending when my computer died :(!! Oh well, I rewrote it and I am more than pleased with the results. I hope you will be too. There are two chapters after this and then the epilogue. Enjoy! And please review. For those wondering, there will be a sequel to this story... I am far too in love with my characters to let them go just yet :):)
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BPOV
That day and the next passed with a flourish of activity. True to his word though Edward never left my side. Alice and I only had one major disagreement and that was about my wedding dress.
She wanted me to wear my original wedding dress that she had got for me in Paris, and I wanted something new.
"But it would have to be something off the rack," Alice gasped in horror.
"Not necessarily," I said. "I could just get married in my jeans..."
"I like that idea," Edward said, smiling at me.
"NO!" Alice shrieked. "Off the rack it is! I can make any alterations necessary. We'll go to Seattle together tomorrow."
"Nope," I said.
"What?" Alice said.
"We either find something in Port Angeles or nothing at all," I said.
"Port Angeles?" Alice groaned.
"Port Angeles," I said, smiling.
"Fine," she said with a resigned sigh. "You win."
I couldn't believe it! Could it be true?? I fought the mighty pixie ... and WON!!!
So, first thing the next morning, Edward, Alice, the twins and I drove to Port Angeles, much to Alice's dismay.
She put up a good battle, trying to coerce him into staying behind while we went to choose me a dress, but Edward was hearing none of it.
"Alice, under no circumstances will Bella and I be separated before the wedding except when we dress... and even then I will be less than ten feet away," he told her.
"Victoria is dead, so are Caius and Aro!" Alice said. "There are no threats left!"
"Are you sure?" he asked her. "Have you seen that this will all be fine?"
"No... but..." Alice said.
"Exactly. I may not be able to fight off everything that comes our way but I will be damned if I will not be next to her to face it," he said.
"You need help Edward!" Alice said. "Serious mental help. Are you going to hatch her for the rest of eternity? If that's your plan then i have to say it would be really bloody annoying!"
"Alice! I am going with you," he said with an air of finality in his voice.
"Bella!" she whined, thinking I might go against the man I loved more than life itself.
I would only say one word, to end this little tiff between the siblings.
"Jeans," I warned, causing Edward to smirk and Alice to stomp her foot.
I could see Alice's point, really I could, but the fact of the matter was that I didn't want to be away from Edward anymore than he wanted to be away from me. In time, I'm sure, the need to be with each other would wane some, but for now, we were happy the way it was.
So we found ourselves loading into the car the next morning. I sat in the back between the twins as Edward drove and Alice rode shotgun. She was not really speaking to either of us at the moment, intensely displeased that Edward was coming along, choosing instead to have her nose buried in her wedding planning book.
Her mood seemed to improve by the time we arrived in Port Angeles and she was almost smiling by the time we arrived at the row of shops that contained the wedding store. The buildings were old and quaint and it just felt like this was the place where I would find the dress that I would wear to begin my forever.
As much as I loved the dress that Alice had chosen for me, I was happy to have some say in this one, to own it.
As Edward parked the car, Alice tried to put her foot down again.
"You aren't coming in, Edward," she said.
"Yes," he smiled at her. "I am!"
"Edward, tradition...." she started to argue.
"If I hadn't listened to tradition in the first place, Bella and I would already be married. Nothing you say will sway my decision, Pix," he said with a cheeky smile.
"Bella," she huffed. "Do something!"
Hadn't she learned yet???
"He doesn't need to come in," I said, stunning both of them. Just as Alice's triumphant smile started to creep up onto her face, I continued. "I am just as happy to get married in my jeans."
Edward's face, which had started to show signs of shock and hurt, returned to it's triumphant state.
"Fine," she huffed. "But he can sit with the twins in the chair. He is not coming into the fitting rooms."
"That's fine," I said.
"And you have to block everyone minds so he can't see the gown before it's time," she commanded.
"He won't see the dress, I promise," I said, grinning.
She looked at me critically for a moment before nodding her head in agreement.
I got out of the car and pulled both babies into my arms, smiling at Edward. He knew that I liked to hold them as often as possible and never complained that he didn't get his fair share of time with them, like everyone else seemed to.
I had to admit, selfishly, that I loved the feel of having them so close to me, and we were all complete when Edward held me as I nursed them. As we walked to the door of the small boutique, Edward placed his hand on the small of my back, needing the contact with me as much as I needed him. Alice lead the way in silence, hoping, I think, to get some idea of what awaited her inside. I was not going to relent and shield us all so she could foresee this event. I was enjoying the relative freedom of actually choosing something.
The boutique was tiny and Alice lamented about the lack of choice she would find inside, begging again to go to Seattle or Olympia.
"Either we find it here or I'll just wear my jeans," I said for the millionth time since I had decided not to wear my original dress.
She sighed once more and opened the door.
She must not have foreseen this place at all, as it was far more elegant than any shop in Port Angeles had the right to be. I could see the designer labels on the display gowns, so could Alice. She squealed in delight and turned to me with a bright smile.
"I think you were right, Bella. We can definitely find you something here!" she said, bouncing in place.
An older lady came from out of the back to greet us. She carried herself very regally and I was not surprised by the accent when she opened her mouth to greet us.
"Bonjour," she said, her voice extremely haughty, with a highly over exaggerated french accent. "And what can I do for you today?"
"Bonjour, Madame," Alice greeted her, her french and her accent both flawless. "My sister is getting married and is in need of a dress."
"Tres bien!" she cried. "Call me Marie!"
"Bonjour Marie," I said, trying out french for the first time. "I'm Bella."
"And you have the little babies. So cute!" she cooed, looking at the babies. "You got your figure back already. So lucky!"
"Thank you," I said.
"And this is the lucky young man?" she asked.
"Yes, I am Edward," he said sticking out his hand as though to shake hers. When she placed her hand in his, he kissed her hand causing her to blush and giggle.
"He is so charmant!" she said.
"Indeed," I said, smiling at him.
"He does not see the dress, no?" she asked.
"No," I said. "He is here for the babies."
"And the credit card," Alice chimed in.
"Bien!!!" Marie cried again. "And when is this wedding? This summer? In the fall?" she asked.
"A week," Alice said, obviously unwilling to shock the poor woman with tomorrow's date.
"Une semaine??? C'est impossible!" she cried, reverting to her native french.
"I know. But I have two wonderful seamstresses coming tonight so all alterations will be done by us. We just need to have a gown to start with. Her original gown was made by Perrine Bruyere but was damaged upon our return from France," Alice said.
Did she make this stuff up as she went along? She was good!
"Perrine!" Marie cried clapping her hands. "I have the dresses you will love then. This way, this way... Vite, vite!!"
I rolled my eyes as Edward chuckled. We had found the human french version of Alice. I placed each of the twins in his arms, kissing their little foreheads before planting a chaste kiss on his lips. I smiled and waved as I followed Alice and Marie into the back of the boutique.
By the time I got there Marie had pulled three gowns out for me to try.
Where was my decisions in this???
"Bella," Alice said, looking pointedly at me.
"Consider it done," I said. Instead of blocking Alice and Marie as Alice and Edward had all expected, I blocked Edward and the twins instead. I liked the feeling of them all in my protective bubble and it was the most natural feeling in the world to keep them there.
Marie pulled out the first dress. It was an off white color and in a mermaid style. I didn't want to even try it on and let Alice know at vampire speed and volume. Alice insisted and she told Marie that she could help me as I would be more comfortable with her in my postpartum state.
She really had a death wish!! My postpartum state??? Thanks my figure was better than ever and... it would be awkward for Marie to see me semi naked with rock hard abs and month old twins. Plus if she had to touch me... Okay I guess she was forgiven.
Marie agreed and went to the back in search of more gowns. I was certain she was choosing the most expensive gown that the salon had to offer, seeing dollar signs flashing before her eyes.
"No way," I said to Alice as the first dress was in place. "It is so not me!"
"It isn't bad..." Alice said.
"Next," I replied. "Mermaid style is definitely not for me. I feel like a fish!"
Edward snorted from the other room .
"I think you need an A-line dress," Alice said, agreeing with me. "Strapless would be best and fitted through the bodice."
"I have the perfect one," Marie cried, thrusting a dress bag through the curtain.
Alice pulled it in and quickly opened it up. As soon as I laid eyes on it, I knew it was the one.
"Oh, Alice," I said.
"It's perfect," she said, looking at the elegant dress.
The strapless white dress had floral lace overlay, covered in beautiful embroidery. The tone on tone embroidery was closer together at the top but spaced out more in the skirt until it reached the bottom, where it intensified again. The design looked like it would emphasize all my new found curves. The back dipped low, leaving most of the back bare and was fastened by a series of tiny cubic zirconia buttons that went down from mid point on my back, to the end of the small train. It almost looked like keeping it on would almost defy gravity!
"Try it!" Alice said quickly unbuttoning the expensive fish dress.
I slipped out of it and into the dress that Marie had just brought in. As Alice did the buttons up quickly I relished the way the gown hugged my body.
"It's perfect!" Alice cried. "It doesn't need to be altered at all!"
Marie came bustling in without warning and gasped when she saw me.
"Oh," she said. "It is like the gown was made for you!"
"I know," Alice said. I was still speechless. As beautiful as my first dress was this one was better and as I looked at myself in the mirror my anticipation for the wedding only intensified.
"Now we need a headpiece," Alice said.
"No," I replied. "I have the sapphire clips from Rose."
"Okay, but we'll need a veil," Alice said.
"Nope," I said. "I like it just the way it is."
"Really?" she asked eyeing me critically.
"A veil would just hide the back," I said, careful not to give too much away to Edward, who I was certain would be listening intently.
"Of course," Alice said, then lowered her voice so that only Edward and I could hear. "I hate not seeing things in advance."
"So," Alice said to Marie. "I think we have a winner."
"I agree," she said. "Does she need shoes?"
"Oh yes," Alice said. "It's an outdoor affair so some flats would be wonderful."
Alice was saying I could wear flats. WOW!!!
Marie had four shoe boxes back within minutes and Alice had chosen some white satin shoes with zircons, to match the buttons. They were perfect.
I looked momentarily at my reflection, extremely pleased with the look before Alice shooed Marie away to settle the bill with Edward while she helped me out of the dress.
"I can't believe how perfect it is," she said. "I only wish I could have seen it..."
"I'm glad you didn't. Sometimes, it's nice to have a surprise," I said as I slipped into my original clothes.
When we exited the little dressing room, Alice had my dress safely ensconced in the dress bag. The shoes were in a shoe box tucked under Alice's arm.
Walking back into the main room of the salon, my eyes automatically sought out Edward and our children. He was standing by the cash desk, with each of our children cradled in his arms, looking at me and smiling. Edward was the most beautiful man I had ever seen, he was sexy without really understanding how sexy he was. His smile, his hair, the way he thought, the way he kissed me... everything about him drew me in. But as sexy as all that was, it was like dust in the wind when I looked at him holding our children. The way he cradled them protectively in his arms showed me everything I needed. The contrast between his strength and his gentleness, was highlighted as he cradled our children so gently to him. The love I felt for him seemed to grow exponentially when I saw him with them.
As I looked at him, I knew I wanted to try to share something with him that Eleazar felt I would be able to do. Carefully, I focused on my attention on my shield. There were two distinct parts to my shield. One that I could easily pull away from my body and wrap around others, and one that stayed static around me. That was the shield I was going to concentrate on. I made sure that Edward and the twins were still secure under my shield and concentrated on the private shield. I stared at him, smiling softly as I focused all my thoughts onto one thing as I finally pried it away from myself.
"I love you," I thought to him, opening up for just a brief moment.
His eyes grew about four sizes and his grin was almost electric.
Alice was talking to Marie in rapid fire french and Edward crossed the small room to me, much faster than any human could.
"How?" he asked. "I heard you..."
"Eleazar said I might possibly be able to... So I just tried," I said.
"Can you do it again?" he asked.
"Not now," I said. "That was just a test. How about tomorrow night?"
"I have other things in mind for tomorrow night," he said with a wicked smile.
"Soon then," I said. "I like your plans better."
"I love you," he said.
"As I love you," I replied, kissing him softly.
"Okay, Love Birds! It's time to hit the road," Alice said.
We all thanked Marie profusely as she thanked us right back. I guess the many thousand dollar sale was probably the highlight of her day, if not her week.
Alice safely tucked our purchases in the trunk as Edward and I each tucked one of the twins into their car seats before resuming our earlier places in the car.
Alice's sour mood tat had highlighted our trip here was gone, replaced with our regular bouncing pixie.
I kept my shield happily wrapped around Edward and the twins, happy that it took no effort to do it.
"So you didn't see anything?" Alice asked him.
"Nothing," he replied.
"And you heard nobody's thoughts?" she asked.
"I only heard one thought and it had nothing to do with the dress," he said, looking back at me.
"And..." she started to ask.
"And come to think of it, I still haven't. What did you do Bella?" he asked me.
"Well," I said. "I figured why should I shield other's from you, when I can shield you from them."
"I like it," he said.
"Me too," I replied.
"It's very peaceful when the only voice I can here is little Miss Arriel... And of course you My Love," he said.
"You heard her?" Alice squealed.
"For a moment," he replied.
"Did he see the dress?" she shrieked.
"No," I laughed. "I just told him I loved him without words."
"Silent conversations that I'm not a part of," Alice grumbled.
"Sorry, Ali," I giggled, not really sorry at all and smiled and winked at Edward.
"I saw that," she grumbled causing Edward and I to laugh.
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Emmett's POV
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"Going to the forest.... And they're gonna get ma-a-a-ried.
Going to the forest and they're gonna get ma-a-a-ried.
Gee he really loves her and they're gonna get ma-a-a-ried.
Going into the the forest of LOOOOOOVE," I sang as we cleaned out the chapel that Bella and Edward were going to use to get married.
"Emmett, is that necessary?" Garrett asked.
"Yes. Yes it is. In fact I think I'll sing another one," I said, smirking. If there is one thing I love it's... well, Rosie is first of course, and then an irritable grizzly is next... but after that I love to annoy people. It gives me some kind of evil thrill to piss people off, momentarily at least.
"Love and Marriage... Love and Marriage...
Goes together like a horse and carriage...
This I tell you Brother,
You can't have one without the other..." I sang, horrendously off key.
"How do you live with this guy?" Garrett growled at Jasper.
"You learn to tune him out after thirty or forty years," Jasper said.
Tune me out my ass! You just have to know what buttons to push with the Jazz man! The best way to get under Jasper's skin is to attack anything he loves! What does Jazz man love? Alice... nope nothing good with that... The Civil War.... nope.... Elvis Presley!!! BINGO!!!! My next song is guaranteed to cause something flying in my direction!
"Wise Dudes say," I crooned in my worst Elvis impression. "Only fools rush in.... But Bellie can't help fallin' in love with Ed!"
3-2-1...
"Ow!!! Damn it Jazz! Did you have to use a rock?" I asked as I picked up the shattered boulder that had hit me in the back of the head.
"Elvis, man!!" Jasper said. "Don't mess with the King!"
"Are you guys done yet?" Rose asked, coming into the chapel.
"We would be if your husband wasn't such an ass!" Garrett said.
"Em!" she growled.
Growl away, Princess! Everybody may think you wear the pants in this family but we all know who is begging for me when it all comes down to it!
"Yes, Dear," I said, playing nice.
Everything was loaded into trucks and we were on the road heading for LaPush again. Rose and Tanya had gone to the house to get a few things that were necessary and some documents that Carlisle had requested. They were doing something nice on the reservation in Paul's memory and I really hoped that they would put my suggestion into action.
While Esme, Rose and Jasper rode in the car, I followed with Garrett in the moving truck. The plan was for them to hurry back while Garrett and I would go as fast as we could. There was no way that this truck could keep up with the car if Rose pushed it. I didn't mind I really wanted to get to know Garrett.
"So how's sedentary life treating you?" I asked.
"Gotta say I'm liking it. Getting used to the diet too. Not too bad after a while," he said.
"The carnivores are good," I replied. "But those herbivores get tiring after a while."
"Amen to that," he said.
"So you and Kate? How'd that come to pass?" I asked.
"I met up with Connor in Quebec and he was headed to Denali. He'd heard that Laurent was trying the veggie lifestyle and wanted to see it for himself," he said. "I hadn't seen Laurent in nearly a century and decided what the hell."
"You'd never met the Denali clan before?" I asked.
"I'd met Eleazar and Carmen once or twice and even Tanya once," he said. "Thank God she took a liking to my companion and not me because that would be really awkward now."
"I guess," I snorted.
"Anyway we got to Denali and as soon as I laid eyes on Katie.... I was done!" he said.
"I know the feeling, Man! Once I saw Rosie, it was like no other woman could ever compare," I said.
"And how does she manage to put up with your shit? Seriously Katie would have my balls removed if I tried that shit," he said.
"She likes my balls too much to remove them," I said with a grin. "Hell the woman threatens me with no sex for anytime and I have to hold in the laugh because she can't go a day without hopping on Emmett's love train!"
"So is she the conductor or the passenger?" he asked.
"Passenger... But I let her conduct often enough to keep her feeling like she may have some control," I said.
"You seem like a really smart guy, Emmett. How is it that everyone sees you as a dumb oaf?" he asked.
"People see what they want when they want," I said. "Honestly I enjoy the roll. So much better to be under estimated than under rated."
"And what about the songs and the general, I want to piss you off attitude?" he asked.
"Entertainment. It's fun to get under people's skin," I said with a snicker.
"Seriously?" he asked. "You need a new hobby!"
"I'll get tired of this after a century or two and move onto the next thing," I said.
"You are a strange one, Emmett," he said.
"Thank you," I said, smiling at him.
"So what's your story?" he asked.
Code for how did I become a vampire.
"Not much to tell," I said. "I was attacked by a bear while human. Rosie found me and carried me to Carlisle, who changed me."
"And before that? How old were you? Did you leave anyone behind?" he asked.
"I was the seventeenth of nineteen kids," I said. "Apparently they were pretty crushed but there were enough other kids I guess. I was nineteen when I was changed and I was engaged to some random girl that my parents thought would be a good match. I had only seen her once and I wasn't thrilled. She was no Rosie that's for sure."
"Where?" he asked.
"Northern Tennessee," I answered pulling out my sweet Tennessee drawl. "And you?"
"Boston. I was one of the original American Revolutionaries!" he said. "Let's just say that the Brits and I didn't get along so well."
"So after sacking one of the Brit ships in the harbor, I was in the forest hiding out with a couple of buddies. Benjamin was on first watch while Andrew and I caught a few winks. His gurgling screams woke us and we grabbed our guns and ran to his aid. Andrew was shocked at what he saw. A smallish man was holding our burly friend and had his mouth attached to Benjamin's neck. I cocked my rifle and fired at the man," I said.
"You shot a vamp?" I asked, snickering.
"Imagine my horror when the damn shot bounced off him! Imagine what I felt when the damn bayonet bent instead of piercing him. Andrew still didn't move or say a peep. The man snapped Benjamin's neck and moved quickly over to finish Andrew. I shouted at him and called him every awful name in the book, all to no avail! I guess I entertained him enough and he decided I would be fun to keep around for a while. He didn't last long. I snapped his neck off about three minutes after I woke up and tossed him into a raging fire," he said calmly, causing me to stare at him. "What?"
"You were on your own then?" I asked.
"Yup. Until I met Katie I avoided most contact. I knew a few of the nomads... But nobody worth spending more than a few days or weeks with," he said.
"So how is it living with three other mated couples when you are used to being alone?" I asked.
"Takes some getting used to, but there isn't anything I wouldn't do for Katie. Just don't tell her that" he said.
"Never Man," I said. "That's against the Bro code."
"The Bro code?" he asked.
"The Bro code means that whatever two guys discuss is completely off limits to the chicks... unless the knowledge will cause your own chick to castrate you if she ever found out you knew. In that case you must inform the other Bro that your dick is on the line with that information. So, basically, never tell a Bro info that will risk his dick," Emmett said.
"What kind of info?" he asked.
"Well, for example if you told me you cheated on Kate..." I started.
"I'd never cheat!" he said.
"That's good. But if you did and you told me... and then Rosie ever found out I knew and didn't say anything... I'd lose my dick," I said.
"Anything else?" he asked.
"If you were going to propose... I'd definitely lose my dick if I didn't share that," I said.
"But other stuff is okay?" he asked.
"Yup! Just ask yourself if Kate would cut off your balls if she knew before you talk. If she would then keep it to yourself. Those girls are tight... And even if two girls hate each other... They will gang up against guys who keep secrets," I said.
"Got it," he said
"Good man," I said.
I smiled. This was one of my main roles in our family. I was the friendly one. The one to put people at ease with us and open up to us. Such a large and talented coven as ours was usually construed as dangerous, but once people got to know us they could see us for what we really were. I thought it was bad when there were the seven of us, know with Bell, the twins, Charlie and Dora.... Twelve was going to be overwhelming for most.
Garrett had been in that category, and thanks to Edward I had been able to talk to him, setting him at ease before his concerns turned into fears. There had to be some benefits to being the lovable oaf of the family.
Getting back to wedding central was more painful than I thought. The pixie was overbearing at the best of times, but whenever there was a wedding she was downright overbearing.
Tanya, Kate and Carmen had been sent to California for flowers. The wolves were cleaning up the small meadow, removing any debris and dead foliage. Connor, Jasper, Garrett and I would have the honor of setting up the arbor for them to be married in. She didn't want a little lattice archway, that most people would want. This was a permanent structure that she was having us build. The materials had all been secured by Carlisle and Charlie in Seattle, on Charlie's first visit to the city.
Carlisle, of course, had been hesitant to have Charlie accompany him alone as if Charlie went wild, there wouldn't be a thing he could do on his own to stop him. Thankfully the trip went off without a hitch and Carlisle had been very relieved to say the least.
Dora and Irina had been making outfits for the twins for the wedding and had moved on to some silk to decorate the pavilion we were building.
Everyone was running crazy getting everything up to Alice's specifications. Everyone but Edward and Bella, who had nothing to do but arrange their own clothes and decide upon their vows.
Alice continued to try to convince Edward and Bella that they should be separated at midnight the night before the wedding. Eddie, of course, refused adamantly, but they did agree to no sex after midnight. Not that they would have had a chance with all the family surrounding them.
At 8:00am the morning of the wedding, he reluctantly left her side to allow her to get ready, but still refused to leave the house. I can't say that I blamed him. With all the shit that he and Bellie had been through these past weeks, I would begrudge him nothing. If that were Rosie, I would probably lock her in my bed with me for at least a month.
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Alice's POV
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The morning of the wedding dawned crisp and clear, just as I knew it would. I finally managed to pull Bella away from Edward at 8:00 am after she had fed the twins, although he refused to leave the house.
"Bella, will you keep him shielded so he can't see anything, pretty please?" I asked my soon to be sister.
"Already done," she replied.
Esme and I shoved her into a shower and then stuck her in a tiny silk robe, that covered next to nothing. I was relieved to find that she didn't complain one bit about the lack of fabric. Hopefully she was getting used to her new hot body. As soon as she was dry and decent, Rose and Tanya set to doing her hair. While I worked on her makeup, Irina and Kate were working on her mani/pedi, making sure her nails were perfect.
An hour before the wedding we pronounced her ready to be dressed. Carmen, who had been on baby duty, much to her extreme pleasure, brought the twins to Bella to feed them one last time before the wedding.
"Isn't this just a little familiar," Bella said quietly as she sat back and opened her robe to feed the twins.
"Only this time, nobody is leaving," Esme said.
We all tried to give Bella her privacy as she nursed the twins but the image was so beautiful it was almost painful not to watch. Finally I decided to pull out my camera and snap a few pictures.
"Alice, I really didn't want pictures of my exposed chest," she complained loudly.
"I do," Edward said with a laugh from the next room.
"Pervert!" Bella said in a teasing tone.
"Yeah, maybe," he answered. "But I'm your pervert."
"Very true," she giggled.
"I love you," he said.
"As I love you," she replied.
I have to say, hearing my brother so light and carefree and so obviously in love was heartwarming. He had been alone far too long and was finally getting everything he deserved. Nobody deserved it more.
Once the twins were done, Dora and Esme changed their diapers and dressed them in their wedding attire. Jace was wearing a little mini tux in a nice stretch material and Arriel had a white gown that looked a lot like a baptismal gown. Both babies would then be bundled in some warm overcoats made for the occasion.
Everyone left the room except for Esme and I and after I checked with Bella that Edward's mind was blocked, we pulled it out. Esme gasped at the sight of the dress, seeing it for the first time.
"Wait until you see it on," I said.
I helped Bella to step into her dress and Esme quickly worked on the buttons.
"You look stunning Sweetheart," Esme said to her.
"Thank you," Bella replied as she bit her lip.
I fastened the sapphire clips into her hair and helped her slip on the shoes, completing the picture. Esme pulled out the earrings that she had worn for her wedding to Carlisle and helped clip the teardrop diamonds into my ears.
"So we have something old, the earrings and your ring. Something new, your dress, lingerie and shoes. Something borrowed, the earrings from Esme. And something blue is the clip from Esme," I said.
"And in Carlisle's day it was customary for the bride to have a silver sixpence in her shoe," Esme said, holding the small coin on her open palm. "He managed to find one for you today."
The tears slipped down Bella's cheeks as she slipped the coin into her shoe.
"Now the garter," I said, grabbing the silky white band with more lace on it than should be legal.
I lifted Bella's skirt gently and slid the small garter up her leg.
"So," I said rather loudly. "If Edward and the boys will begin their trek to the meadow, Bella and the rest of us can be on our way."
"Alice," Edward growled.
"Edward, please?" I begged.
"Edward you go ahead with your brothers and the wolves. The rest can come with me. I'm certain a dozen vampires can keep me safe for ten minutes," Bella said.
He was silent for a few seconds before he agreed.
"I love you, beautiful Girl," he said to Bella. "I'll see you in a few minutes."
"Definitely," she said. "I love you too."
Edward and the boys were running the whole way to the meadow. The rest of us were going most of the way in the cars as the ladies dresses were really not conducive to long treks in the woods.
As we exited the house, everyone who was remaining oohed and ahhed over Bella's dress. The first person she truly saw was Leah. Leah's belly was really showing now and the gown that I had chosen for her to wear accentuated it perfectly.
"You look so pretty, Leah," Bella said.
"Thank you. I feel like a whale!" she said. "That dress is stunning on you."
"Thank you," Bella said.
Leah smiled at Bella, the vampire that she considered to be her closest friend. There was still sadness in her eyes but she seemed to be coping better. I imagined that attending the wedding today would be a double edged sword. Happy to be a part of Bella's special day and sad that she would never get that chance with Paul.
"Ride with me," Bella said to her wolf friend.
"Is that okay?" Leah asked, uncertain of her role today.
"Oh course. No better place for my maid of honor," Bella said.
"Me?" Leah asked.
"Yes, you," Bella said.
"Why?" she asked. "Rose and Alice are your sisters, surely one of them..."
"I could have asked either of them, but I didn't want to," Bella said. "I want you to be my maid of honor, if you will."
"I will," Leah said, tears springing to her eyes.
"Thank you," Bella said, holding out her hand to her friend.
We made our way to a dark SUV that we had acquired for this occasion. The twins and Esme were secured in the back three seats, Leah and Bella would be in the middle and Charlie and I would be in the front, with Charlie driving.
Bella held Leah's hand as she helped the very pregnant wolf into the car.
"Bella," Charlie said as she was about to try to make her way into the car.
"Hi, Dad," she said, turning around.
"You look... You look incredible," he said.
"Thank you," she smiled.
"You are wearing the one thing that every father wants to see his daughter wear on her wedding day," he said with a smile.
"White?" she asked confused. "Because you KNOW that's not..."
"No," he said interrupting her little confession. "A blanket of happiness."
"A blanket of happiness?" she asked, looking at him as though he had lost some of his marbles.
"Yes. Everything together. The air of confidence, knowing that you will start your forever with him today. The twinkle in your eyes, letting me know how very much you love him. The slight smiles and hidden smirks, that tell me that you are truly happy," he said to her. "They all cover you with a blanket of happiness that let me know that wherever you go and whatever you do, everything is right."
"Daddy," she said, almost falling into his arms to hug him.
He hugged her back for a moment before he said, "I better let you go before I wrinkle you. Alice would have my head!"
"You know that's right," I said, grinning.
"Thank you for letting me share this special day with you," he said. "I'm glad that you loved me enough for forever."
"I do," she said.
"Hey, none of that for twenty one more minutes," he said, kissing her forehead. "Let's get you in the car and on the road before Edward has a conniption fit."
He held out his hand and helped her into the car. I was thankful for her newfound grace as maneuvering in that dress could be dangerous. Once she was in the car, the others were quickly able to fall into one of the other cars. The procession of cars made their way to a dead-end dirt road, pulling to a stop at the end. The meadow was still five miles or so in, but it was far better than the distance from LaPush.
One by one the ladies started following the scents to the clearing, leaving Esme, Carlisle, Charlie, Bella, Leah, the little twins, lovingly bundled in their grandparents' arms and I.
"I'm afraid I'm going to slow everyone down," Leah said. "My speed, though faster than a human's still is compromised by this." She pointed at her protruding stomach.
"I will wait with you," Bella said.
"No need," Jacob said stepping out of the tree line in his well tailored suit that I had insisted upon for all the wolves.
"What do you mean 'no need'," Leah all but snarled.
"I am here to assist you," Jacob said.
"There's no need for that," Leah said, bitch coloring her every word.
"I promised Paul..." Jacob said quietly.
"Promised Paul what?" she asked, her voice clenching upon her lover's name.
"Can we talk for a few moments? Really talk?" he asked her.
"We'll go ahead," I said and wait for you just before the clearing.
"Call me if you need to, Leah," Bella said, pressing Esme's cell phone into the wolf's hand and holding up her own.
"Thank you," Leah said softly.
We made our way into the trees and moved quickly across the distance to arrive at the meadow. We stood in the dark eclipse of the trees, listening to the sound of friends and family, waiting for the joyous moment to begin. This was my masterpiece and I would ensure that Bella and Edward were as happy as they deserved today.
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Leah's POV
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"What did you promise him?" Leah asked again once the vampires were gone.
"He was troubled when we trained, always worried about you. His most fervent wish was to one day have a family and he knew that he would never ask you to give up anything to do so. He told me that once you were pregnant with his child, he would treat you like the princess you are, and for once you would have to accept it," Jake said.
I thought back to a time when Paul talked about just that. He wanted the whole picture; house, white picket fence and me pregnant while our other children played at our feet. I had laughed and told him he was dreaming. He agreed that he was, but told me that it was his most fervent wish. I smiled at the thought momentarily before my heart clenched. His wish was coming true but he wasn't here to share it. I wasn't sure if I could do it alone.
"He always treated me like a princess. He may have been an ass to everyone else... But never to me," Leah said.
"One night while we were on patrol, he spoke to me in wolf form..." Jake said.
"Then how come I couldn't see?" I asked, knowing that our every though was laid bare in wolf form.
"Speaking in confidence with your Alpha is privy... and as such our brothers will never see this conversation either," Jake said.
I just nodded, thankful that my brother's wouldn't see my weakness. Apparently Jake sensed that.
"Showing weakness does not make you weak," Jake said.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Weakness happens... to all of us," Jake said. "Mine is in the form of a certain little vampire baby."
"You really imprinted on her?" I asked.
"My whole world is held in her tiny palm and I don't think that she is even aware," he said.
"How is imprinting? I mean without the physical side of things?" I asked. "I mean, I assume that you have no romantic feelings for Arriel, otherwise you wouldn't still be breathing with her mind reading vampire father and all."
"No. No romantic feelings at all. Simply a knowledge that my life and hers are completely intertwined," he said. "Her happiness and safety are the most important things in the world to me."
"And one day, it will change into romantic love?" I asked.
"Maybe and maybe not," he said. "My feelings for her may never change. I may be destined to simply be her protector... and in a way I hope that is all."
"I can see that," I said, smiling gently. "Interracial relationships are tough."
"Inter-species marriages are even tougher," he said.
I smiled and nodded.
"Anyways, enough about my messed up life. We are talking about my promise," he said.
"What did you promise the overprotective fool?" I asked, tears ready to spill any moment at the thoughts of my love.
"He was concerned that his temper would one day get the best of him. That something he would do or say would prevent him from getting home to you," Jake said, bringing the tears that were welling up in my eyes spilling over.
"Oh," I squeaked as I accepted the tissue that Jacob handed to me.
"He made me promise to help you in whatever fashion that you would accept and to help you move past him and into the rest of your life," Jake said.
"I can't," I said, blubbering like a fool.
"You can," Jake said. "He asked that if you had children at that point that his brothers step in and make sure that his kids knew about him... and we will Leah."
He placed his hand on my swollen abdomen, his large warm hand pressed there reminded me of what Paul was missing, of what I was missing.
"We will tell this little one all about her or his father and show him or her everything that Paul would have," Jake said.
"Thank you," I cried, throwing myself into his arms.
I don't know if it was the fact that his large warm body was so much like Paul's, or if it was just the fact that Jacob had somehow managed to assuage all my fears in one fell swoop that made his arms feel so right around me. All I knew is that I wouldn't let go, unless he made me.
"You think you are ready to go be the maid of honor?" he asked, looking down at me and smiling.
Why had I never seen his smile before?
"I guess," I said, pulling away and dabbing my eyes.
"Can I carry you or would you rather travel by wolf?" he said with a wicked grin.
Playful, smiling Jacob was becoming my new favorite person.
"I think I'll take human Jacob," I said with a smile. "It would be a bitch trying to get the dog hair off this dress."
"Your wish is my command, milady," he said, scooping me up bridal style and running through the woods towards the wedding.
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Bella's POV
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I was worried bout leaving Leah and Jake together. She was so fragile emotionally right now and I really wanted her to be a part of my day. I can't really explain my attachment to the wolf girl... compassion maybe, but I think it was more the fact that I had also been an outsider in the supernatural world, and in a way I still was.
She, the lone female wolf, and me, the human who gave birth to vampire babies and lived to tell about it. Then there was the fact that I was a crying, blushing and lactating vampire... I guess we ere more alike than anything. And then there was the fact that she was living through my greatest fear. Could I live without Edward? Could I eat and move and exist without him?
That was something I never wanted to find out.
Alice was upset, muttering about the fact that Jacob Black was throwing off her timing.
"Calm down, Alice," Charlie said to her. "This is something that needs to happen."
My jumpy, bouncy, uptight sister instantly calmed and stopped her fretting.
"I guess you're right, Charlie," she said, shocking us all.
I think I loved Charlie's gift just a little bit more.
"We should go and get you and the twins seated," Carlisle said to Esme.
"Certainly," Esme said smiling at me.
I kissed both the babies and gave Esme a kiss on the cheek.
"Give that to Edward and tell him, I'll see him soon," I whispered to my mother-in-law to be.
"Certainly," she said smiling widely. "You make him so happy. Thank you."
"He makes me happy too," I replied.
Just as Carlisle, Esme and the twins moved out to join the rest of the guests, Jake arrived with Leah cradled possessively against his chest. I was happy that they seemed to have reached some understanding as the tension between Leah and the rest of the pack was very high.
"Hi," she said, blushing slightly. "You can let me down now, Jake."
Jake set her down and nodded in my direction before moving through the trees to gather with the rest of the guests.
"Ready?" Alice asked.
"More ready than I've ever been," I replied.
"Okay," Alice said. "I'll go first, then Leah you go five seconds after me, then Bella and Charlie you go five seconds after Leah."
The sounds of the piano began to fill the meadow and I briefly wondered how they managed to get a piano to the meadow. I didn't wonder long as Alice smiled at me and stepped through the trees into the meadow.
Leah grinned at me and said, "I'm so happy for you." Before I could respond she moved away and made her way out of the trees.
"You ready?" my dad asked as he help out his arm for me to grasp.
I smiled up at him and nodded.
"Completely," I said.
With my hand firmly tucked into the crook of his arm, my dad led me through the trees into the meadow.
My eyes caught the sights around me momentarily. There were wildflowers all over the ground, obviously imported as they would certainly not grow here in the winter. There were garlands of white orange blossoms strung from every available surface and a large gazebo in the very center of the meadow. Once I saw the gazebo, my eyes caught sight of Edward, and everything else around ceased to matter. Not Charlie, who was holding me tightly to keep me from running to get to Edward, not the guests, or the flowers, or the gazebo.
The only thing that mattered were the beautiful golden eyes that were focused solely on me.
My Edward.
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Edward's POV
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Leaving Bella at the house while I ran with my brothers to the meadow was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I didn't want to be so far away from her. But, as everyone so kindly pointed out, there were many people present to keep her and our children safe if need be.
Arriving at the meadow I was pleasantly surprised to see it transformed into a wedding wonderland.
Don't get me wrong, I would have happily married her on a street corner wearing jeans but as I looked around the meadow, I knew that this was perfect.
"So you think Bellie will like it, Eddie?" my big oaf of a brother asked.
"It's Edward. And her name is Bella. And yes she will love it," I answered.
There was a large gazebo in the center of our meadow and to my surprise I liked it there. I had always thought that the greatest thing about the meadow had been the fact that it was so peaceful and serene, and untouched. Now, although it was no longer untouched, it was still the most perfect place on earth... and the perfect place to make Bella mine forever.
"I like nicknames," Emmett pouted.
"Too bad," I said.
"Hmmm, I'll have to think of nicknames for the twins... Arriel Carlie Cullen.... Ari.... El.. hmmmm..." he stumbled over that, and I smiled. My baby girl would not be getting any dumb nicknames. "Okay, Jace Edward... Dude. Your kids need better names! I can't even make a single nickname!"
I smiled.
It wasn't long before the wolves joined us. As the women began to arrive, Jasper pulled me up to the gazebo to await my bride. I watched as all our friends and family moved into the meadow, looking at the all of Alice's handiwork. There were beautiful white flowers hung all around the meadow and small wild flowers were strewn along the ground, looking almost natural against the grass. White chairs were set up, allowing a long piece of white silk to act as the aisle.
Carlisle and Emmett would be at my side as my best men, while Leah and Alice would be Bella's bridesmaids. Jasper was preforming the ceremony and Rosalie decided that she would play piano for the ceremony rather than be a bridesmaid. Alice insisted that she have a matching bridesmaid's gown while Jasper's tux matched our as well. Apparently that was better for pictures.
Tanya, Kate and Irina were all acting as photographers for the day and knowing those girl's penchant for going overboard I was certain that we would have plenty of choices to look through when we returned from our honeymoon.
Bella was completely unaware that there was even a honeymoon in the works, but his desire to have his new wife and children alone for a while was overwhelming. He simply hoped she would not have any reservations about their trip.
"How did you guys manage to get the piano in here?" I asked Jasper, looking at the baby grand piano that was next to the gazebo.
"Alice had a path mapped for us," he replied.
I nodded my understanding.
Finally all the guests except for were present. I couldn't see Bella, but I knew exactly where she was. As Carlisle and Esme made their way out of the trees with the twins, I couldn't help but make my way from my position to greet my children with kisses to their sweet little cheeks. Esme happily handed them to me for a few minutes.
"Hey guys," I said to my very wide awake children. "You look so pretty Arriel."
Like every girl I have ever known, Arriel loved to be told she was pretty. She flashed a wide grin in my direction and shared an image of our time in the cabin, just the four of us.
"I love you, Baby Girl," I told her, kissing her soft baby cheeks.
"And my little man," I said addressing Jace, who was far more content and laid back. "You look so handsome. Your aunties made you some special clothes for today, didn't they?"
He looked at me and focused on the image f his clothes being made then on another of us taking them off and putting some soft jammies on him. He wanted comfort over style... I could see him and Alice going head to head in a few years.
"I love you, Little Man," I told him, kissing his fuzzy little head. "We'll take care of that as soon as they are finished taking pictures."
I handed the twins back to Esme who sat in the front row of the pretty white chairs that Alice had insisted needed to be here. Rosalie took her place at the piano and the rest of the guests found their seats. I made my way back to the gazebo with Carlisle and Emmett.
Finally everyone but Alice, Leah, Bella and Charlie were in place and Rosalie started playing. To my surprise she didn't play Pachabel's Cannon in D as we had chosen for our attempted wedding, but the lullaby that I had written for the twins.
As the soft piano music floated into the air, Alice appeared from behind the trees, floating down the fabric aisle in her own etherial way. Leah followed next and I was surprised by the grace with which the very pregnant young lady carried herself. I couldn't help but notice the tears in her eyes, but there was also a soft smile on her lips.
Then the music transitioned into the lullaby I had written for my bride. The trees parted again and my Bella was there, on her father's arm. She was stunning! I couldn't tell you what Charlie was wearing or if he smiled at all. Hell, I doubt I would have noticed if he was naked! My eyes simply watched the beautiful creature who was about to become my wife. Her eyes quickly scanned the area, until they met mine and a huge smile crossed her face. She focused solely on me as Charlie guided her down the short aisle. His hand firmly grasping hers as she looked like she was ready to run the rest of the way to me.
I smiled at her, knowing that in this exact moment I had everything that I ever wanted. Before I knew it she was at my side and Charlie was placing her hand in mine. I briefly pulled my eyes from hers, to smile at Charlie.
"You take care of my baby girl," he said, his voice thick with emotion and a lone tear streaming down his cheek.
Apparently my Bella was not the only crying vampire.
"Always," I promised him before returning my eyes to my beautiful bride.
"Hi," she said, her eyes shining.
"You look so beautiful," I mouthed to her.
"I love you," she mouthed back.
Jasper cleared his throat.
I moved with Bella to the spot Alice had designated for us to stand.
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres," Jasper said quoting 1 Corinthian 13:4-7.
"Today we are gathered to join Isabella Marie Swan and Edward Anthony Masen Cullen in the bonds of holy matrimony," Jasper said as I gazed at my bride's smiling face.
"Marriage is many things to many people. But to us, for our kind, it truly is forever. I watched as Bella and Edward overcame so many challenges to arrive here today. And no I am not speaking of the kidnapping, battle and visit by the maniacal fanatic former leader of the vampire world. I am going back to before then," he said smiling at us.
"Edward has been my brother for seventy years, and in that time we all watched and worried that he would be alone forever and then Bella blew into our lives. The little unassuming brown eyed girl from Phoenix...." he said, winking at Bella. "She wanted nothing more than to fade into the background, but from the very first day that wasn't to be."
She smiled at me and blushed. I smiled back and gave her a wink.
"She didn't know she had literally walked into the lions den... as a tasty little lamb, no less," Jasper said, causing everyone to laugh.
"Nobody saw it coming, not even Alice," he said smiling at Alice.
It suddenly dawned on me that I couldn't hear a single thought, not even the twins and I looked at Bella, with questioning eyes.
"I love you," she responded without opening her mouth.
I grinned at her. This truly was just for the two of us.
"After many MANY challenges, Bella manged to completely confound Mr. Dark and Brooding Vampire here," he said and I rolled my eyes. "And before the family knew it he was in love."
"Little did we all know, but so was she," he said.
"Astounding us even further, the astute little lady managed to convince an unwitting ally to help her figure out our little family secret," he said and the laughter in the crowd grew while Jake shook his head in apparent shame.
"I never did thank him for that," I said, causing even more laughter.
"And before any of us could even blink, the tasty little human was making her first visit to our home. Now I am an empath and I know how people feel. I was prepared for a scared clingy nervous little thing. Instead I got Bella, who, as soon as Esme welcomed her with a hug, never felt a drop of fear. Even when Rose tried to intimidate her," he said, smiling at Rose, who was now sitting next to Esme and cradling Jace on her lap.
"We have always maintained that Bella never did anything that was expected and that continues even now," he said. "She has completed this family in ways that we never even knew we were missing, first by loving my brother, then by bringing their two little babies into this world on her own."
Both Bella and I turned to look at our children.
"And now today they are finally getting what they most deserve, each other for all eternity," Jasper said.
"Now, everyone, Bella and Edward have chosen their own vows and will exchange them at this point. Edward..." Jasper said.
I took both of Bella's hands in my own and looked straight into her eyes.
"We really did it this time," I said first, smiling at her.
She grinned and bit her lip.
"My beautiful Bella, how much you have given me. I stand in awe of you on so many levels and I don't think I can ever thank you enough for first loving me, and then for forgiving me. Before I met you I thought I was happy. I had a great family, interesting adventures, and of course, my music..." I said, smiling at her. "Then I met you, and apart from the oh so delectable scent that drew me to you, and your mysteriously silent thoughts, everything about you pulled me in. You are so beautiful, and even now you don't understand how extraordinary you are. You have a gentle spirit and a kind heart first and foremost, and then there is everything else. You are smart, resourceful, brave, caring and self sacrificing to name just a few of the reasons I fell in love with you. I would be lying if I promised you sunshine and roses for all the rest of our days, but I will make you only one promise. Whatever comes our way; the good, the bad, the indifferent... I will stand beside you; not in front of so that I control the situation; not behind so that you control me; but beside because that is where I always want to be. You are my inspiration, the reason that I don't just exist but truly live. I love you with all that I am."
I gently reached my hands up and wiped the tears away from her cheeks.
"Bella," Jasper said.
"Edward, when I came to Forks, I came with the motto, 'Just get in, graduate and get out'. I didn't want any complications. I didn't want to feel anything for anyone here. Keep them all at arms length. And then for some reason, the very first day, that was gone. You are the first person ever that I wanted to know. You told me once that you wanted to lure me from that class any way possible and the truth is that I would have followed you willingly," she said smiling at me. Only Bella would smile as she just admitted to willingly walking off to her execution.
"You told me more than once that you were a monster, but I have never seen that. You are truly my other half, my reason to live. The day I met you my heart awoke and my soul sang. To quote Judy Garland, 'For it is not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It is not my lips you kissed, but my soul.'. Today I happily offer you my heart and soul for all eternity, for they exist only for you. I love you."
I gently lifted her hands to my lips and kissed the back of each one. She raised her shield once more and showed me her mind once again. She showed me the day she met me, the day she figured out what we were, the day she realized that she loved me, the day I first kissed her, and the first time we made love. I am sure I looked like an absolute fool as I stood there with a grin on my face as my love showed me everything I would have longed to see.
Everyone must have known her plan as they didn't seem surprised or concerned at the long pause.
"Thank you," I whispered to her as her shield lowered back over her thoughts with a final I love you.
She grinned at me and I got lost in her beautiful golden eyes once more. We were interrupted this time by Jasper clearing his throat.
"Edward," he said smiling at me. "Do you take Bella to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you vow to hold her, love her and cherish her all the days of your life?"
"I do," I said, looking at my beautiful bride.
"And Bella," he said looking at her. "Do you take Edward to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you vow to hold him, love him and cherish him all the days of your life?"
"I do," she said, looking at me and grinning.
"Thank God!" Emmett stated.
"Then it is my great pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife. Edward... Just kiss her already!" Jasper said, ending with a laugh.
And I did!
.
Phew!
Over 11,000 words before any author's info! I hope it was worth the wait!
PLEASE REVIEW and let me know what you thought.
Sara
twilightmommyof4girls