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.

A/N: For those of you who follow me on Twitter, you know I've been trying to post this chapter for 3 days now. FF is having issues, but I found a workaround. I do post chapter updates and progress from time to time on twitter if you're interested in following me: sunray16

Chapter 6

Union

Bella's hand gripped mine tightly as we made our way through the airport terminal. I could feel the expectation building, like a slow burn creeping its way across my skin. I knew that each step we took would bring us closer to our final destination, closer to the night I had been both anticipating and dreading these past few months.

"Houston?" Bella turned to me, her eyebrows raised as we reached our gate.

"Just a stop along the way," I replied with a grin, pleased that she still had no idea where we were going. Alice had been a great help, although offering to pack for Bella seemed to be more of an excuse to shop for a new wardrobe than it was to help me to keep the location of the honeymoon a secret.

They announced that our plane was boarding a few moments later and I took Bella's hand as we made our way to the gate. "Here we are," I said, pointing to the seat numbers overhead. I stepped aside to allow Bella to seat herself first and I placed her bag in the overhead compartment. As I lowered myself into the seat beside her, she reached up and gripped the collar of my shirt, pulling me toward her until our lips met.

She kissed me ardently, her hands fisting in my hair. I smiled against her lips and began to chuckle. "We haven't even reached our destination yet," I teased.

"I know." She smirked, pressing her lips to mine once more. "But who says I have to wait until we get there if I want to kiss my husband?"

Husband. The way the word flowed from her lips so easily sent a surge of joy through me. Bella was my wife. My wife. And I was her husband. I had waited for this for so long, my brain still hadn't completely registered that all of this was real. A small part of me fully expected that I would awake from a daydream and find that the last twenty-four hours had been but a figment of my overactive imagination.

They must be newlyweds. How sweet!

I turned my head just as a flight attendant was making her way down the aisle, checking that the passengers were belted properly. She smiled warmly at us as she passed by, her thoughts briefly imagining what our wedding had been like.

As soon as we were in the air, I lifted the arm rest that separated us and wrapped my arm around Bella's shoulders, pulling her toward me. She leaned into my embrace, laying her head on my shoulder and I leaned in, kissing the crown of her head.

"Sleep, love. It's been a long day and we have a long journey ahead of us."

"How long?" she asked.

"Long enough," I skirted. "Nice try though."

"Can't blame a girl for trying."

"No, I certainly can't."

Her eyes slowly drifted closed as we travelled through the night sky. I closed my own eyes, ignoring the dreamy thoughts of the passengers that surrounded us, and instead focusing my thoughts on the task ahead. It was fortunate that the journey to Isle Esme would take the better part of a day, affording me time to mentally prepare myself for the wedding night. I tried to focus on the encouraging words of my family, on Bella's trust, on the sense of calm that Jasper had tried to instill.

I had promised Bella that we would try. I could certainly do that. If I found that my control was slipping, Bella surely wouldn't push me to continue. I would hope not. I had every intention of giving my bride a proper honeymoon, but turning her into a vampire was undoubtedly not on the agenda.

She nuzzled closer to me, her breathing slow and steady. With the exception of the flight staff, it appeared that the majority of the plane was asleep. I nestled my nose in her hair, breathing in her scent, making absolutely certain that her essence invaded my every molecule, acclimating myself to the close proximity in preparation for the new closeness we would soon share.

Adorable. They must be exhausted. The flight attendant's thoughts became louder as her light footsteps approached. The scent of fleece filled my nostrils followed by the sensation of weight as the attendant placed a blanket over Bella and myself. My eyes opened and the attendant winced as she apologized for waking me. I shook my head and smiled, mouthing thank you, before reaching across Bella to pull the blanket up over her shoulders.

-x-

The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon as we descended in Houston. I gently shook Bella's shoulder to wake her. She stretched her arms above her head and smiled sleepily.

"Are we there yet?" she asked.

"Just a stop, remember?"

I stood to retrieve the bag from the overhead compartment, opening it and quickly slipping on a dark hoodie that was stowed inside. Bella raised an eyebrow, but nodded in understanding when the morning rays of light began to stream through the tiny airplane windows.

Bella was clearly fatigued as I led her through the airport to meet our connecting flight. I wrapped my arm around her, holding her up, as we stopped to check in. She managed to keep her eyes open long enough to read the signs.

"Rio de Janerio?" she asked.

I smiled conspiratorially. "Another stop."

The long flight from Houston was spent in quiet contemplation. Once again, Bella was sleeping in my arms, saturating every fiber of my being with her presence. I took slow and steady breaths, practicing one of the many calming exercises Carlisle had taught me over the years when I felt my emotions running away with me.

I tried to picture the scene in my mind. I had imagined our wedding night in great detail on many occasions, but now it was no longer a daydream. I envisioned every caress, every touch, in an effort to prepare myself for any possibility. I only hoped that I could maintain the calm composure I was fostering when the time came.

The sun was setting when we arrived in Rio – timed perfectly, thanks to Alice. I gripped Bella's hand tightly as we wove our way through the crowded airport and into a taxi. I could see the confused look in her eyes as she slid across the seat, but she didn't ask for explanation. I smiled widely, feeling my excitement beginning to build. The island was something I had wanted to share with Bella for some time now. I rubbed small circles on the back of her hand as I gave instructions to the driver in Portuguese.

The streets were teeming with people that parted as the taxi slowly made its way through them. As we travelled through the city, I tried to forget the last time I was here. My breath caught in my throat as we passed the very building that had been my hideaway from the rest of the world so many months ago. I leaned over, wrapping Bella in my arms and squeezed my eyes shut as I fought to block out the painful memories that came flooding back to me. She must have realized what this place meant to me because she cradled my head in her arms and began whispering soothing words in my ear. The irony was not lost on me – I had been comforted in a similar fashion the last time I was here, although the Bella in my imagination wasn't nearly as real as the one who sat beside me in this moment.

I closed my eyes as her fingers wove their way through my hair, scraping lightly against my scalp. I blew out a puff of air, frustrated with myself for allowing myself to become so affected by this place. The feeling of tension slowly ebbed as we neared the coastline.

The taxi gradually pulled to a stop and the driver glanced back over his shoulder. "Aqui é o seu destino," he said.

"Obrigado," I replied as I began to sit up.

He climbed out and opened Bella's door, offering his hand to help her out. I followed behind her and placed several folded bills into the driver's hand after he finished unloading our luggage onto the dock. He looked at me and smiled his thanks before climbing back into the car.

I wrapped my arms around Bella's waist and pressed my lips to hers for a long, lingering kiss. She responded in kind, pressing herself against me. We had been married for nearly a day and still had not begun our honeymoon. I reluctantly released her, placing one last kiss on her lips before stepping back and pointing toward our next mode of transportation.

"This way," I said as I picked up our bags and began walking down the pier. Bella followed closely behind, her heartbeat increasing steadily in tempo. When we reached the boat, I jumped onto the deck and dropped the bags before reaching out for Bella's hands to help her aboard. She glanced around curiously as I began preparing for departure, removing the tether that secured the boat to the dock and checking gauges to ensure everything was functioning properly.

I took Bella's hands in mine and encouraged her to sit. Reaching behind her, I pulled out a bright orange life vest. She grimaced at the sight of it, but didn't protest as I buckled it securely around her. I leaned in to kiss her forehead and turned to the controls.

The boat's motor roared to life as I turned the ignition and began pulling up the anchor.

"Ready?" I asked.

She nodded in response, her voice drowned out by the noise of the engine. I turned in my chair and pushed the throttle forward as I carefully guided the boat away from the dock and out into the open water. After successfully maneuvering out of the marina, I pushed the throttle to its limit and we began flying across the waves, travelling so fast that we barely skimmed the surface of the water.

I glanced over at Bella. Her hair was whipping around her in the breeze and her eyes were closed against the light ocean spray that blew across her face. The tiny droplets of water glistened against her alabaster skin and I stared in a moment of absolute awe. Almost there, I thought to myself, causing the nerves in the pit of my stomach to twist uncomfortably.

I pulled my attention away from my wife and back to the open ocean that stretched out before us. My brain struggled to focus on the controls of the boat, to recall the coordinates of Esme's private island. All of the preparations swam around in the back of my mind. I had made endless phone calls and Carlisle assured me that everything had been taken care of, that the island would be in perfect order. Alice even promised that she could not foresee anything going awry. Taking in deep breaths of sea air, I did what I could to ease my anxiety.

"Are we going much farther?" Bella asked.

My head turned in the direction of her voice. Her knuckles were white as she clenched the seat cushion. Either she was eager to reach the destination or worried about staying aboard – both thoughts made me smile. "About another half hour," I replied.

She nodded, tugging her bottom lip between her teeth and I chuckled to myself as I turned back to the controls. I could hear the steadying breath she took as her heart rate began to increase. Could it be that she was just as nervous as I was? After her varied attempts and advances, I didn't expect anything but the utmost confidence from her. Perhaps the conviction she displayed previously was merely a front, a means to an end, while inside she trembled at the thought of being together just as I did.

I mulled over this new revelation as we rocketed across the choppy seas. And there it was. Off in the distance – illuminated in the moonlight, pale white against the black waters – was Isle Esme. I lifted my hand and pointed, turning to Bella. "Bella, look there."

She squinted against the blackness, her human eyes unable to see nearly as clearly as mine. Her perplexed expression began to shift the closer we neared to the island and, after a few moments, I saw the recognition in her eyes. "Where are we?" she asked.

I smiled, pleased that the efforts to keep the location of our honeymoon a surprise had succeeded. The look of wonder on her face was more than I could have hoped for. "This is Isle Esme."

My hands spun the wheel and pulled back on the throttle as I carefully guided us beside a small dock. I lowered the anchor and cut the engine, hopping onto the dock to secure the boat.

"Isle Esme?"

"A gift from Carlisle," I explained. "Esme offered to let us borrow it."

I pulled the suitcases from the boat and set them on the dock. I turned back to Bella, smiling widely with excitement, and scooped her up in my arms before jumping back onto the dock.

"Aren't you supposed to wait for the threshold?" she breathed.

"I'm nothing if not thorough."

With Bella tucked safely against me with one arm, I hoisted up the luggage with the other and began jogging toward the house. The trees swayed gently in the tropical breeze and the only sound for miles was the thudding of the heart cradled against me. I could feel her body stiffen as her heart rate continued to steadily increase in tempo, her breath coming in soft pants. My eyes scanned her face for signs of distress, but it seemed that my earlier observation was correct. She was just as nervous about our union as I was.

I climbed the steps of the house, setting down the luggage and twisting the doorknob until the door swung open. I stood there for a moment, emotions welling up inside me as I prepared to carry my bride over the threshold. It was a simple tradition, but one that was older than even Carlisle and rich in its history. To take that next step was to symbolize our passage into the next stage of our relationship. Ancient Romans believed that a man should carry his bride because if she tripped over the threshold, it would bring bad luck into the marriage.

I smiled to myself. If any bride was likely to trip, it would be Bella. But good luck or bad, carrying Bella into this home was not only a means of preventing a mishap, but as a symbol to her that I would be her protector, that I would be the one to carry her, to support her in this life and in the next.

My gaze turned to Bella, but she still seemed to be lost in her thoughts. My eyes scanned her face as I willed her to look at me. Slowly, her head turned and our eyes locked. I wanted her to see the conviction in my eyes. I wanted her to understand that I was committed to her – in every way – and perhaps I was waiting for a sign from her that she was ready to take that next step with me. She nodded infinitesimally and, with that, I stepped into the house.

The dark became light as I carried her through the island cottage, illuminating the space in what could have been considered a tour – kitchen, living area, dining area, guest bedroom, bathroom. My breath hitched as I reached the master suite. The light flicked on and my eyes immediately fell on the large bed in the center of the room. The lump in my throat grew as the promise I made months ago was becoming a reality before my eyes.

I could feel my entire body tensing up. I needed to get away, to get some air. I set Bella down and rubbed the back of my neck with my hand. "I'll…go get the luggage," I said as I nearly stumbled backward from the room.

Quickly passing through the house, I exited the front door and stepped to the side, slumping against the weathered wood. I ran my fingers through my windblown hair, pulling at the ends in frustration. It didn't matter how much preparation had been done, it still didn't lessen the nervousness I felt in this moment. Up until now, my primary concern was for keeping Bella safe and keeping my emotions in check. But it wasn't just about that anymore. The idea of being so intimate with another person, of allowing myself to be so vulnerable and exposed, was very frightening. It was ironic that after all these years, after everything I had witness in the minds of others, I was suddenly reduced to a nervous teenage boy preparing to lose his virtue.

I took in a deep breath and shook my head, attempting to shake off the doubts that were latching onto me. Picking up the luggage, I turned back into the house, determined not to let my fears get the better of me. Bella was standing near the bed when I returned, running her fingers absently through the mosquito netting. I quietly set down the bags and crossed the room to her.

A small bead of perspiration trickled down the back of her neck, evidence of the balmy island climate. I gently wiped it away with my finger. "It's a little hot here," I apologized. "I thought…that would be best."

"Thorough," she whispered.

A nervous chuckle escaped my lips. Thorough, indeed. With the disparity in our body temperatures, the warm atmosphere was necessary to keep her from catching a chill. "I tried to think of everything that would make this…easier," I admitted.

She continued to finger the billowy curtain that surrounded the bed, her gaze fixated on some unknown point across the room. Her heart was hammering in her chest and I began to wonder if the perspiration was not from the heat, but from her own anxiety about our union. I needed some time to calm and prepare myself and it appeared that she may need the same.

"I was wondering," I began, "if…first…maybe you'd like to take a midnight swim with me?" Her breath caught and I wished with all my might that I could know what she was thinking in this moment. I took a deep breath, fighting to recover some sliver of confidence. "The water will be very warm," I explained. "This is the kind of beach you approve of."

"Sounds nice," she breathed.

"I'm sure you'd like a human minute or two…It was a long journey."

Her head bobbed up and down slowly, but the rest of her body remained rigidly fixed. This was going to be more difficult than I imagined – for both of us. I wondered to myself if her fears were the same natural fears every girl felt on her wedding night or if they had more to do with me. I leaned forward, pressing my lips to the soft skin behind her ear. I need to do something to lighten the mood, I thought. "Don't take too long, Mrs. Cullen," I chuckled.

I loved the way that sounded. I pressed another kiss to her shoulder before straightening up and beginning to walk toward the doors that led to the patio. "I'll wait for you in the water," I called over my shoulder. I hoped that the warm water would not only serve to raise the temperature of my skin, but also do something to ease my nervous tension. I pulled my shirt over my head and let it fall to the floor before I walked out the door.

The water shimmered under the moonlight. I walked in a straight line toward the ocean, listening intently for the sounds of Bella moving in the house. I heard an exasperated sigh – she must have discovered what Alice packed for her. I chuckled to myself, wondering if there was even one article of clothing in the suitcase that Bella would have chosen for herself.

I continued to walk toward the sea until I came to a slender palm, its trunk dipped low to the ground. I leaned against the rough wood for a moment, hesitating, before I gripped the waistband of my pants and stripped them off, carefully laying them across the palm. I stepped into the surf and closed my eyes as the warm water rushed over my feet.

The usual stream of thoughts that invaded my mind, the din of voices that overlapped and clashed in a dull roar, were silent. For the first time in a very long time, the only thoughts in my head were my own. Even when I was separated from Bella, her figment followed me, filling my head with reminders of past conversations. I stepped into deeper water, diving under the surface, and reveling in the tranquility of the silence. It was yet another reason why Isle Esme was the perfect location for us to consummate our marriage – it was the only place in the world where I could focus all my attention on Bella without the worry of outside thoughts and distractions invading my consciousness.

A small school of colorful fish darted away as I glided through the currents. Even through the barrier of water, I could still hear Bella's movements in the house. When I heard the telltale sound of water hitting tile, I knew that I had plenty of time to spare. I swam quickly, circling the island twice in an effort to burn off some of my nervous energy. I floated along the edge of the beach, allowing the tide to carry me as I watched the sea life dance around the reef below.

A lemon shark sliced stealthily through the water and, for a brief moment, I considered the notion of feeding. It would be just another precaution to prevent myself from losing control with Bella. The aching burn at the back of my throat was barely present after I had gorged myself two nights ago and compounded by the repulsive notion of feeding from a cold-blooded creature, I decided against it.

It did, however, remind me that I had neglected to feed Bella. I mentally scolded myself for being so careless. At the very least, I should have offered to prepare something for her to eat. Perhaps she would take it upon herself to find something. I had made sure to tell the caretakers to stock the kitchen for several weeks. But if Bella felt as nervous as I did, I had a strong feeling that she would decline any offers of food.

The sounds of the shower ceased and I glanced back at the house, but Bella was nowhere in sight. I stood, still in water waist deep, and closed my eyes as I listened to Bella's nervous breathing and pounding heart. If my heart still beat, it would be hammering just as furiously. I blew out a slow breath as I waited, knowing that the time had come, the moment of truth had arrived. And there would be no backing out.

I recalled the conversations I'd had over the past months, the encouraging words I received from the members of my family. I have no reason to believe that you can't fulfill her wish safely, Carlisle had said. My father had such faith in me – blind faith? I sincerely hope not.

Although Carlisle had been my mentor and confidant for all these years, it was Jasper's opinion that mattered most. I firmly believe that the love you have for her is stronger than your natural instincts. Jasper has been a cautious observer of my relationship with Bella and saw firsthand the emotional climate within me when I was in her presence. If anyone could know me better than I knew myself, it was Jasper.

Of course, Alice insisted that everything would be fine, but her visions were only as certain as I was. She wouldn't see any injury inflicted on Bella because it is never my intention to do her harm, but in matters of instinct and overwhelming emotion, Alice wouldn't see a slip until it was too late.

"Don't be a coward," I heard Bella whisper. It appeared that she, too, was trying to bolster her courage. I ached to tell her that I was just as fearful, but I remained fixed in the water, my eyes cast upward to the moon.

Soft footsteps approached, the shifting granules of sand under her feet like the trickling grains in a sand dial, ticking down the seconds left before I would be tested. I could hear the quiet sound of cloth against skin as she paused just moments before a timid splash announced her presence in the water.

Her heart was beating so furiously that I could feel the vibrations in the air. Her breath was hot on my back as she stood just behind me and her skin was like fire when she placed her hand on mine. I could see the outline of her silhouette out of the corner of my eye.

"Beautiful," she said, her gaze following mine.

"It's all right," I replied. I slowly turned to face her, my breath catching when my eyes met hers. Her ivory skin seemed to glow in the moonlight, nearly as luminescent as mine in the sun. Her eyes spoke volumes as she looked at me and, in the span of a single moment, all my fears and doubts seemed to melt away. All that mattered was the immeasurable love I felt for this woman and the desire to give her everything, to be everything for her. I captured her hand in mine, interweaving our fingers in the temperate water, feeling her pulse send vibrations that travelled up the length of my arm.

"But I wouldn't use the word beautiful. Not with you standing here in comparison."

Her cheeks flushed and a small smile graced her lips as she raised her other hand and placed it on the center of my chest. I trembled beneath her touch, the emotion of it all overwhelming me as the warmth from her skin seeped through my stone exterior and wrapped itself around my heart. The smoldering heat continued to spread throughout my body and a small flash of worry returned. I loved her so much; I couldn't bear to live with myself if I brought any harm to her.

My breath came in shallow gasps. "I promised we would try," I rasped. "If…if I do something wrong, if I hurt you, you must tell me at once."

She nodded, her eyes never leaving mine. She took a determined step toward me and leaned her head against my bare chest. "Don't be afraid," she whispered. "We belong together." I closed my eyes and breathed in her aroma, still intoxicating, yet comfortingly familiar.

She was right. We belonged together. From the moment Carlisle changed me, perhaps even before, I was destined to be with her. Bella was my match in every way, the perfect other half that made me whole again. Her love healed the void in my heart left when my soul was bartered for my immortality. She made my life worth living again.

"Forever," I agreed as I wrapped my arms tightly around her and pulled her with me until the sand disappeared beneath us. Surrounded by warm water that kept us afloat in a weightless ballet, I held her to me, for the first time feeling the warmth of her skin against the coolness of my own. Tiny bolts of electricity crackled between us as our bodied pressed against one another, skin against stone.

I brought my hand up to her face, pushing a damp strand of hair behind her ear and stroking her cheek as I coaxed her lips to mine. The kiss was gentle as we nervously explored this new aspect of our relationship. This was the very essence of adoration, of the tenderness shared between two people who were absolutely and undeniably in love. I carefully traced the outline of her bottom lip with the tip of my tongue and she quivered delicately in response.

The slow burn consumed me completely, gradually giving way to passion. She knotted her hands in my hair as she pulled my face to hers, her kisses becoming more fervent. The tight coil in my chest, all the nervousness I kept bundled within me all these months, slowly began to unravel under her touch. I gripped her to me, needing to feel every surface of my body against hers. I gripped her leg and hitched it over my hip, eliciting a soft gasp at the new contact. Her eyes fluttered closed and her head tilted back. I pressed my lips to her slender neck, feeling the pulse beneath them, tasting the saltwater that clung in droplets to her skin.

"Edward," she whispered. She leaned forward until our eyes met. Not another word was spoken – her eyes told me everything I needed to know. I twisted around and placed an arm behind her legs, cradling her in to me, and began to walk back toward the house.

She leaned her head against my chest and my steps were more assured than I ever imagined they could be. I walked back through the doors and gently set her on the edge of the bed. She raised an eyebrow as I briefly left the room and returned with a towel. I reverently ran the soft cloth against her skin, soaking up the droplets left behind by the ocean.

I repeated the action, taking care to dry myself completely. Then I proceeded to walk around the circumference of the room, lighting candles and casting the bedroom in a soft glow. Bella smiled timidly as I returned to her, leaning carefully beside her on the bed.

"I love you," she whispered, placing her hand on my chest once more.

"I love you," I replied, the words seeming more powerful in this moment than they ever had been before, knowing that the declaration of love would now become an action. Surrounded by the glow of a hundred flickering flames, fire and ice came together. Bound by love and brought together by fate, two hearts became one.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I agonized a bit over it. Many of you have asked if I would "fade to black" as the book did. I tried to give you a little taste of the wedding night, but still wanted to remain true to the tone of the original text.

Apologies for the delay, life has thrown me a few curveballs the past couple of weeks and I'm trying my best to keep up. If you take into account that the last chapter was a week early, I'm technically still on schedule. ;)

Thanks to everyone for your continued support – for your reviews, favorites, messages, tweets, etc. It's the fuel that keeps me going. And thanks to everyone who voted for Eternal Equinox in the Vampies – it didn't win, but it was still an honor to be nominated. Thanks to my beta, NellyBear85, who is a great source of support and idea and is one of my biggest cheerleaders. And special thanks to misticbutterfly for talking me through the parts where I freeze up and for being an amazing writing partner that pushes me like no one else can.