Disclaimer: I am NOT Stephenie Meyer and I don't own any of the Twilight series' characters or stories. I borrowed the dialogue and storyline from Breaking Dawn, but the rest is my own take on the story, as seen through Edward's eyes.
Chapter 4
Reception
Bella's smile was radiant, matching my own, as we were pulled into the arms of our family and friends. Esme choked back a sob as she buried her face in my neck and Carlisle smiled warmly as he wrapped his arms around his wife, gently pulling her away while Phil tried to do the same with Renée as she clung to Bella.
Emmett was next, barreling through the crowd to embrace us both in his impressive arm-span. "Welcome to the family, little sis," he bellowed. Bella blushed and reached up on her toes to kiss him lightly on the cheek. Her blush deepened when Rosalie appeared at Emmett's side.
Rosalie looked between us both, a small smile on her face. As usual, her thoughts were warring with one another – glad to have Bella as a member of our family because she brought me such happiness, but still adamantly opposed to what that would mean for Bella's mortality.
Bella reached for her father as he stood awkwardly awaiting his turn. My baby girl, he thought as he wrapped his arms around her waist and fought back his tears. He released her, standing straight, and offered his hand to me. I smiled and shook his hand as he cleared his throat. "You take care of my baby," he warned in a gruff voice.
"I promise," I replied.
He nodded and briefly lifted his palm to cradle Bella's cheek before managing a tight smile and backing away to allow others their turn to congratulate us.
Alice and Jasper were next as Alice nearly tackled us to the floor in her excitement while Jasper stood calmly at her side. "I can't believe we're really sisters now!" Alice squealed. That means more time to shop, more time to travel, more time to…
"It's good to see you so happy," Jasper smiled at me as he reached for Bella's hand. He brought it to his lips and kissed her gently on the knuckles. "It's about time he settled down," he winked, eliciting a small laugh from Bella.
The parade of well-wishers continued as we gradually made our way to the reception. The last rays of sunlight were slipping below the horizon as we stepped over the threshold into the back yard. Bella's eyes grew wide as she took in the fantasy that Alice had created. Her eyes glimmered with the reflection of the thousands of tiny lights that created an intricate canopy above us. The scent of the flowers was as intoxicating outside as it had been inside the house. The wind blew softly and the gauzy tent rustled lightly in the breeze.
Bella squeezed my hand tightly as I led her toward the waiting crowd, but I had never seen her more confidant, more at ease. Marriage, it seemed, agreed with her quite well. And apparently, I wasn't the only one who couldn't take my eyes off of her. My mind filled with the thoughts of the guests, some admiring her beauty, some admiring mine. And they all wondered, myself included, how I had been so lucky to secure her hand.
"Congrats, guys," Seth exclaimed as he made his way toward us, followed closely by his mother, Sue Clearwater, and Jacob's father, Billy Black. Sue blanched, her carefully composed features shifting infinitesimally as Seth reached out with both arms to embrace me. "It's good to see things work out for you, man. I'm happy for you."
"Thank you, Seth," I nodded. "That means a lot to me." And it did. Of all the unlikely pairings, my closest friend at this event who was not a vampire or my bride, happened to be a werewolf. I could only hope that Seth's ability to see past what I am would rub off on the other members of the pack. There would come a time very soon when that friendship would be the most important thing – possibly the only thing to protect us when the time came for me to make good on my promise to Bella and grant her immortality.
I turned to Billy and Sue as I released Seth from our embrace. "Thank you, as well. For letting Seth come. For supporting Bella today."
"You're welcome," Billy nodded. It's the least we could do after what you did for my son, what you did for me. It seemed that Seth wasn't the only Quileute who was beginning to have a change of heart in regard to my family. It was with the help of Carlisle and myself that Jacob was mended after the battle with the newborns. And it appeared that Billy was also crediting me for his son's impending return home. It may have been my decision to send the wedding invitation that prompted his departure, but Billy believed it was my handwritten plea that he attend for Bella's sake that brought him back.
Seth smiled and waved as they stepped aside to make way for the next well-wishers. Angela ran up to Bella and hugged her tightly as Ben reached out to shake my hand. "I'm so happy for you both," Angela smiled. I always knew you would be together. Anyone could see it was meant to be. "You look radiant, Bella."
Bella blushed furiously and gave Angela a small smile in thanks. "I'm really glad you could be here," she said. "It means a lot to me."
"Let's plan to have dinner out when you get back from the honeymoon," Ben suggested and Angela nodded emphatically in agreement.
"Of course," Bella replied, managing a tight smile as her grip on my fingers tightened before she released them to embrace Angela once more. I placed my arm around Bella's shoulder when she returned to my side. She shuddered lightly as she struggled to maintain her composure. I leaned in, placing a light kiss on her temple. The joy of the occasion was momentarily marred by the reminder that this may be the last time Bella would see her friends and family. Bella, on more than one occasion, had mentioned the fact that she had anticipated that the wedding would be a means to say farewell to her human life.
We shook hands briefly with Mr. Weber and his wife before Mike and Jessica came to greet us. "Oh, Bella," Jessica gushed. "The ceremony was beautiful and this dress…wow!" What a lucky girl. Who would have thought the new girl would be the one to snag the Edward Cullen. Wonder what the rush was. I bet she's pregnant…
"Thank you," Bella replied as she reached out to hug Jessica. Mike stood beside Jessica, rubbing the back of his neck nervously and I narrowed my eyes at him as I listened to his thoughts – still as covetous as ever, even though she was a married woman now. He reached to shake my hand, but refused to look me straight in the eye.
What a pair these two were. They were together, but apparently they both wanted someone that they couldn't have. I, for one, wouldn't feel any sadness when Mike Newton was no longer in our lives.
Incoming, Alice thought, causing me to look over Mike's shoulder to see who would be next to approach. I caught a glimpse of strawberry curls and winced slightly as I realized that Bella would now be meeting Tanya for the first time. I could only hope that Tanya would behave.
As Mike and Jessica stepped aside, I heard a sharp intake of breath from my right. There he is. Tanya walked up to me with open arms and squeezed me tightly as I listened for Bella to begin breathing again.
"Ah, Edward," Tanya spoke in my ear. "I've missed you." Why didn't you ever visit? I could have kept you entertained.
I carefully shrugged out of her arms and returned to my place beside Bella. "It's been too long, Tanya," I smiled. "You look well."
"So do you," she smirked. You always do.
I suppressed the desire to roll my eyes at Tanya's persistent advances. Perhaps I should introduce her to Newton – they seemed to have something in common. I placed my hand on the small of Bella's back, rubbing small circles with my thumb. "Let me introduce you to my wife."
Light laughter followed my introduction, but I didn't miss the way Tanya's eyes tightened at my words. "Tanya, this is my Bella."
Your Bella, huh? I suppose she's pretty…for a human. I still don't understand the fascination. Bella reached tentatively to shake Tanya's offered hand. "Welcome to the family, Bella," Tanya forced a tight smile. "We consider ourselves Carlisle's extended family, and I am sorry about the, er, recent incident when we did not behave as such. We should have met you sooner. Can you forgive us?" She was speaking to Bella, but her eyes briefly flitted to mine. Can you forgive me?
The fact that Irina had not accompanied our extended family members was not lost on me. Forgiveness was ours to give, but forgiveness is a two way street. I wondered how long it would take Irina to forgive us for the part we played in preventing her plot for revenge.
"Of course," Bella stammered. "It's so nice to meet you."
Indeed. Such a shame – we could have been great together, you know. "The Cullens are all evened up in numbers now. Perhaps it will be our turn next, eh, Kate?" Tanya turned to grin at her sister.
"Keep the dream alive," Kate rolled her eyes in response as she reached out to take Bella's hand. "Welcome, Bella," she smiled.
It warms my heart to finally see him mated.
She's the one he wants.
There's something different about this one.
The thoughts of my extended family rushed together as they converged on Bella, all surrounding her at once. If I weren't standing at her side, she might think this display from a group of unfamiliar vampires was quite intimidating.
"I'm Carmen, this is Eleazar," Carmen introduced herself as she took Bella's other hand from mine. She smiled warmly, her eyes flitting from Bella's to mine. It's about time, she thought. "We are all so very pleased to finally meet you."
"M-me, too," Bella sputtered as her wary gaze flitted briefly back at me. I pressed my palm flat against the small of her back in an attempt to bolster and reassure her. She had nothing to fear from our friends from the North, even taking into account the avaricious thoughts coming from Tanya.
"We'll get to know each other later," Tanya smiled sweetly. Count on it. "We'll have eons of time for that!" Bella smiled tentatively as our friends from Denali left us and made their way to Carlisle and Esme.
The parade of well wishers continued until Alice was practically dragging us to the table where a tiered masterpiece of flour and sugar stood. Don't forget you have a plane to catch…wouldn't want to get behind schedule! Bella stared in awe at the intricate floral patterns and scrollwork that adorned the cake. It truly was a thing of beauty, but nothing could compare to the splendor of the bride standing at my side.
Bella reached for the knife, as Alice instructed, and I placed one hand over hers while wrapping the other around her waist. I leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Say cheese." She laughed lightly as Alice and Renée flitted around us, taking picture after picture.
Bella placed a sliver of cake on the plate provided and eyed me skeptically as she held it up. I reached, breaking off a small morsel of cake and held it up to show her. I hesitated for a moment, intrigued by the number of guests who either expected me to shove the cake in her face or encouraged it. Emmett was practically vibrating with excitement as he waited to see what I would do. She narrowed her eyes in warning and I smiled brightly as I drew my fingers closer to her face.
My eyebrows lifted in expectation and her lips parted, allowing me, like a gentleman, to place the bit of cake on her tongue. She smiled as she chewed and reached for her own bite to offer me. I opened my mouth wide and she eyed me skeptically as she fed me the small bite of cake. I closed my mouth and smiled as best I could. The morsel sat on my tongue, an unwelcome object that my body could not identify as sustenance. I could feel the smoothness of the icing and the spongy texture of cake. I knew what it should taste like from the minds of those around me, but I may as well have been chewing on a clump of moss. The bite began to break apart as I chewed, tiny crumbs falling to the back of my parched throat as the sensation to cough to remove it increased. I swallowed quickly, forcing myself not to grimace as my family members tried to hide their own disgust. Even Alice quivered delicately as she watched me swallow the small bite of cake.
Bella's eyes widened and, for a moment, she looked genuinely concerned for my discomfort. I smiled widely and leaned in to whisper again. "O ye of little faith."
She quirked an eyebrow at me as Alice began to gather the single women for the traditional tossing of the bouquet. Oh, this will be so much fun, she thought as she herded the women to the middle of the dance floor. Rosalie appeared at Bella's side, handing her a bouquet that was equally as exquisite as the one she carried down the aisle, but I could tell by the slightest variations that this was not the original. Esme was likely already taking steps to preserve that one.
Bella took the bouquet, her hands trembling under the weight of it. Alice danced over and hooked arms with Bella, leading her to the waiting crowd of giggling girls. The boys were already placing bets on who would catch the bouquet, but Alice had narrowed down the possibilities significantly depending on the angle at which Bella decided to throw.
"Ready?" Alice asked.
"I…guess so," Bella stammered, glancing over her shoulder at those eagerly waiting.
"Just throw your hand behind you and let go!" Alice encouraged.
Bella closed her eyes briefly and took a deep, steadying breath. Her arm swung back behind her and then forward, tossing the bouquet over her shoulder and sending it flying over the group of outstretched arms. A smattering of petals floated down as the bouquet travelled through the air before landing into the astonished hands of Angela Weber.
I caught it? I can't believe it.
How did she catch it, she wasn't even trying.
Guess she's the next to get married…wonder how Ben feels about that.
As the girls converged on Angela, voicing their congratulations, I caught a glimpse of Emmett out of the corner of my eye begrudgingly handing a folded bill over to a grinning Jasper.
"Time to toss the garter," Alice sang as she grabbed my arm and pulled me back over to Bella's side.
"But I thought you wanted it back," Bella protested.
"Oh, don't worry about that," Alice smirked. "I'll track down the guy that catches it."
"But…" Bella continued, her heart rate beginning to escalate as a slow burn crept up her cheeks.
"Nope, no buts," Alice raised a finger. "It's tradition." Emmett and Jasper had already begun gathering the single men into a group.
Bella stood in place, shifting uneasily. I took her hand in mine and rubbed it reassuringly. And then it happened. The unforgettable melody of David Rose's 'The Stripper' began to blare and Bella's cheeks exploded with color as all eyes fell on us. She bit her lip and her eyes grew wide as she looked to me.
I smiled crookedly at her as I lowered myself to the ground and gripped the hem of her dress. Her knees were shaking and I reached a hand around her ankle in an effort to stabilize her.
It's on her right leg, Edward, Alice instructed.
The laughter and catcalls began as I ducked under her skirt and carefully gripped the lacy garter with my teeth. Bella's nervous shifting had caused the garter to fall about mid-calf. Naughty girl. I slowly ran my cool fingers up the outside of Bella's thigh just before I lifted her foot to remove the garter and she yelped in response, eliciting another burst of laughter from the onlookers.
She narrowed her eyes at me as I stood up beside her. I scanned the crowd of eagerly awaiting bachelors until my eyes fell on Mike Newton. Mike, who was still wishing Bella had given him the time of day before she married me, stood nervously in the center of the group.
Edward, be nice, Alice warned, already seeing my intentions.
I raised an eyebrow at her and turned around so my back was to the crowd. Bella eyed me curiously and I winked just before I held the garter above my head and flung it like a sling shot straight into Mike Newton's stunned face.
What the…
The girls began to giggle, nudging Jessica suggestively with their elbows as Mike tried to laugh it off. The band began to play and Bella shook her head and laughed as I took her hand in mine, leading her to the dance floor.
Bella's heart rate and respiration clearly displayed her anxiety, but she moved with me, allowing me to lead. We spun across the dance floor, eliciting some surprised reactions from the crowd who didn't believe Bella had a graceful bone in her body. Even her own father was surprised by the ease at which her feet moved with mine. Even if she teetered, I was able to compensate so that no one, with the exception of my family, would even notice the error.
I smiled down at her, basking in the glow of the lights and love that surrounded us. I had said to myself long ago that I would find another excuse for us to dance under the stars together, little did I know that the next opportunity would be at our own wedding reception. I gripped Bella's hand to my chest and brought her closer, pressing my lips to her ear. "Enjoying the party, Mrs. Cullen?" I whispered.
She laughed nervously. "That will take a while to get used to."
"We have a while," I smiled as I leaned in to kiss her lips. She blushed furiously as cameras flashed, capturing our open display of affection. I couldn't reign in the smile that spread across my face. Bella was finally mine. My wife. And I could display her proudly to the world.
As the song came to a close, I heard Charlie's hesitant steps cross the dance floor. Guess it's my turn, he thought. He tapped me lightly on the shoulder. I lightly brushed my lips across Bella's cheek before turning and placing her hand in her father's. He pursed his lips and nodded as I crossed the room to where Esme stood waiting for me.
She smiled as she placed her hand in mine and we glided across the dance floor as we had so many times before. "I'm so happy for you," she whispered. "I don't believe I've ever seen you quite so carefree."
"And for good reason," I smiled.
"Everything's as it should be," she nodded. "I truly believe that you were always meant to be together. It just took you a while to find her."
"Understatement of the century," I smirked, eliciting a light laugh from her.
Esme kissed my cheek as the song ended and we parted as Renée took her place. My new mother-in-law threw herself enthusiastically into the steps, not seeming to care if they weren't in exact sync with mine. It was not surprising. Renée always seemed to march to the beat of her own drum.
"The ceremony was beautiful," she offered. "Bella was simply breathtaking."
"I couldn't agree more," I nodded.
The corners of her eyes crinkled as she caught my gaze. She stared at me for a moment as she tried to see into the depths of my heart. "You're a good match for her," she finally said. "She is so much like her father. The two of you seem to balance each other perfectly."
"She is indeed my other half," I agreed. "I don't know what I would be without her." Truth be told, I knew exactly what I would be without her – listless, empty, broken. I had endured far too much heartache and lost too much precious time. I would never make that mistake again.
"Make each other happy," she whispered.
I nodded and smiled as we parted, allowing the next guest to have their opportunity to dance with the groom. I danced with Alice. I danced with our friends. And to my chagrin, I even danced with Tanya. But all I wanted to do was find my way back to Bella.
Just as I had, Bella spend the last hour graciously offering dances to our guests, but it was when Mike Newton wrapped his arms around her waist that I finally reached my limit. Alice appeared at my side, gripping my arm tightly. Edward, don't, she warned. She placed my hand on her tiny waist and began to drag me across the dance floor, keeping me at a safe distance from Mike.
"Calm down, Edward," she reproved. "He's harmless."
"Harmless?" I hissed. "You should hear his thoughts." I scowled at the deplorable fantasies that filled his head.
"Oh, please," Alice groaned, rolling her eyes.
I continued to dance with my sister until the song came to a close. She finally relented and we spun across the dance floor where I happily cut in, passing Mike along to dance with Alice as I eagerly took Bella back in my arms and quickly moved us to the other side of the dance floor.
"Still not that fond of Mike, eh?" she teased.
"Not when I have to listen to his thoughts," I grimaced. "He's lucky I didn't kick him out. Or worse."
"Yeah, right," Bella scoffed.
I looked at her in disbelief. "Have you had a chance to look at yourself?" I asked.
The space between her eyebrows puckered. "Um. No, I guess not. Why?"
As usual, she had no idea how absolutely exquisite she was. "Then I suppose you don't realize how utterly, heartbreakingly beautiful you are tonight. I'm not surprised Mike's having difficulty with improper thoughts about a married woman."
She looked at me in disbelief. "I am disappointed that Alice didn't make sure you were forced to look in a mirror." I turned my head briefly to glare at my sister who responded with a roll of her eyes.
"You are very biased, you know," Bella murmured.
Never seeing herself clearly, I sighed. We were close enough to the side of the house that I could see our reflection in the glass. I gripped Bella's shoulders and spun her around so that we were standing side by side and facing the wall of glass. I pointed to the mirror image.
"Biased, am I?"
Bella's eyes narrowed as she stared at the reflection, as though she couldn't rectify in her mind that the image of the woman before her was in fact herself. We stood in silence for a moment as realization dawned.
He's coming….almost here…
Be ready…keep a close eye…
I raised my head as I listened to the new thoughts that filtered through my consciousness. They were unlike the thoughts of the guests, they weren't separate, they were linked with one another. The wolf pack. But why…?
Over here, bloods…um, Edward, I heard Jacob's thoughts.
"Oh!" I exclaimed. Bella looked at me curiously as a wide smile spread across my face. Jacob had finally made it to the wedding. Bella would be thrilled.
"What is it?" she asked.
"A surprise wedding gift," I smiled.
"Huh?"
I followed the sound of Jacob's thoughts, pulling Bella across the dance floor with me until we reached the edge where the lights gave way to the darkness. I led Bella away from the reception until we were near the tree line where I could see Jacob standing awkwardly against a tree with his hands shoved in his pockets.
"Thank you," I said. "This is very…kind of you." Bella turned and looked at me with a puzzled expression.
"Kind is my middle name," Jacob replied. What kind of friend would I be if I didn't show up for her wedding, right? "Can I cut in?"
Bella gasped and her hand flew to her throat. Her knees began to shake and I held her up as she sagged against me. She was silent for several beats as she struggled to find her voice.
"Jacob!" she exclaimed. "Jacob!"
"Hey there, Bells."
Bella lurched forward into the darkness, following the sound of Jacob's voice. I held her upright as she stumbled into Jacob's waiting arms. I watched, bottling up the familiar feelings of jealousy, as he wrapped his arms around her and leaned his cheek on the crown of her head. He closed his eyes and sighed, a lone tear trailing down his cheek. I've missed this, he thought. I've missed her.
I felt like an outsider intruding on an intimate moment between two friends. All too soon, Bella would become like me, become mortal enemies with her best friend. This could perhaps be the last time she would see him. As much as it pained me to do so, I needed to give them their moment together…alone.
"Rosalie won't forgive me if she doesn't get her official turn on the dance floor," I said as I turned back to the lights and laughter of the partygoers. I bit my lip as I heard Bella begin to cry, but forced myself to keep walking. I focused on anything but the thoughts behind me. It didn't matter that Bella was mine, that being with me made her happy, it still hurt me to know that the decision she made had caused her even a modicum of pain.
Rosalie and Emmett were dancing together when I tapped Emmett on the shoulder. Rosalie quirked an eyebrow at me and placed her hand on her hip. "It's about time," she smirked.
Emmett slapped me on the shoulder as he stood aside so I could dance with my sister. I hesitated for a moment, still struggling between the need to separate myself from Jacob's thoughts and the desire to eavesdrop. Rosalie snapped her fingers in front of my face, disrupting me train of thought. I met her gaze and she raised an eyebrow expectantly.
A new song began as I took Rosalie's hand and began leading her across the dance floor, careful to keep a safe distance from Bella and Jacob's private reunion. We twirled in tempo with the music, our steps light and effortless. Alice and Jasper glided past us and even Emmett appeared graceful as he danced with Esme.
"Are you okay?" Rosalie asked, tilting her head to the side. You're so distracted.
"I'm fine," I shrugged. "Even now, it's difficult to leave her in his care."
"Well, snap out of it," she snickered. "Don't make me call Jasper over here."
I shook my head and chuckled at Rosalie's attempt at distraction. For all our past disagreements and enmity, we were still as close as siblings could be. Rosalie's personality may be lacking in tact, but she always did what she felt was in the best interest of the family. She was always looking out for me, whether I wanted her to or not. I wondered if she would now look after Bella as well. Would she accept her as a sister as willingly as she did Alice?
The song ended and I found myself sitting at a table, surrounded by my family as they chatted happily. Carlisle stood behind me, his hand patting my shoulder. What a wonderful evening.
"Alice, you've truly outdone yourself," Carlisle offered.
"Everything is perfect," Esme agreed.
Jake, watch yourself…
Bella, what the hell?
I turned my ear toward the place where I had left Bella, suddenly concerned by the new thoughts that broke through my consciousness.
"Like you expected anything less," Alice waved a hand dismissively, garnering laughter from around the table. I happened to glance over just as Alice's expression changed. Her eyes glazed over and I watched the vision play out in her mind.
My body turned rigid as I watched myself jumping from my chair and running across the dance floor to where Bella and Jacob should be. My head jerked to the side as I honed in on their conversation.
"What do you mean?" Jacob hissed. "Have a real honeymoon? While you're still human? Are you kidding? That's a sick joke, Bella!"
"I said butt out, Jake," Bella shot back. "This is so not your business. I shouldn't have…we shouldn't even be talking about this. It's private –"
Alice's hand flew up to her mouth and Carlisle gripped my shoulder in response, attempting to hold me in place. The thoughts of my family were concerned as they all looked between Alice and myself for explanation. I peered into the darkness and saw Jacob and Bella arguing. I saw him reach out, gripping Bella's shoulders, bruising her, hurting her.
In a fraction of a second, I was out of my seat. I cursed under my breath as I stormed across the dance floor, the anxious thoughts of my family following behind me. I deplored the presence of the human guests that prohibited me from acting according to my true nature, for forcing me to walk at a torturously slow pace, for preventing me from doing to Jacob exactly what I wanted to do to him.
"Ow, Jake! Let go!" Bella protested as she struggled against him.
I watched in horror as he began to shake her. "Bella! Have you lost your mind? You can't be that stupid! Tell me you're joking!"
She whimpered as he tightened his grip and shook her again. I increased my pace, fury boiling in the pit of my stomach, my fists clenched at my sides, ready to rip Jacob to shreds.
"Jake – stop!"
Jacob, you need to calm down.
Come on, Jake, leave her alone.
The thoughts of the wolf pack and my own eyes confirmed that Jacob was indeed losing grip on his control. His entire body had begun to vibrate. If he phased anywhere near her… I closed the distance and crouched, ready to attack, ready to defend and protect my wife. A fierce growl emanated from my chest.
"Take your hands off her!"
A/N: You guys have got to be the best readers anyone could ever hope for! Thank you so much for reading, following, reviewing, and checking up on me. I apologize for taking longer to get this chapter posted, but I have some exciting news. I took a little time over the past week or so to finish my revisions of Eternal Equinox, the fic previous to this one. It has been nominated in two categories of The Vampies twific awards – Bloody Brilliant (Best Overall) and Just Like Stephenie Used to Make (Best Canon). Thanks so much to those of you who nominated my story. I can't tell you what that means to me. I encourage you to go and support the many nominated authors by voting for your favorites: www (dot) twificpics (dot) com/vampawards
Special thanks to my awesome beta, NellyBear85 – I don't know how you do it girl, but you're always there when I need you. I have yet to catch you away from your post and your support of my work is invaluable. And thanks to misticbutterfly, my favorite writing partner – love ya girl!