Where She Belongs
Chapter 23
I guide Bella over to the chair and help her sit down. After pouring her a glass of wine, I hand it to her and she takes it with shaking hands.
I pull my chair directly next to hers. She drinks the wine down faster than I could have believed possible.
"Please Bella, please tell me what you are thinking," I beg.
"Why though? Why do you want to marry me? I just don't understand at all," she admits. "Please tell me the truth. Why are you really doing this?"
I drag my fingers through my hair as I try to think of the best way to explain all this to her.
"First, and foremost, you have to know that I wasn't lying when I said you are my number one priority. I would die if anything were to happen to you. I want to protect you at all costs. Just knowing that there may be somebody out there that wants to take you away from me kills me inside," I confess to her.
"That doesn't explain to me why you want me to marry you?"
"Actually, it does. You see, I don't know how much his involvement is, but I know that somehow my father is involved in all of this. Edward Sr. is a very ruthless man. He does everything within his power to get what he wants. However, there is one rule that he must always abide by. That is family. We are obligated to protect our family above everything else. As your father in law, he is expected to protect you from harm. Once you become family, you become sacred."
I carefully watch her face, trying desperately to read her expressions. How I would love to crawl into that brain of hers sometimes.
"Don't you want to marry for love?" She asks.
"How do you know that I'm not?" I counter.
She blushes a deep red, and I could swear I see the ghost of a smile on her face, but I can't be certain.
I pour her another glass of wine while giving her a chance to regain her composure.
"You can't honestly say that you're in love with me," she protests.
"Bella, I've never been in love with a woman before. However, if it feels like how I feel when I'm with you then I know that without a doubt I am in love with you. Even when I'm not with you I'm constantly thinking of you. I wonder what you're doing, if you're alright, if you'll be safe, what you'll do when you see me again, and how I hope I get to taste your kisses."
"Edward, I … I …" she starts, but I interrupt her.
"Look, I realize you may not be in love with me. I know that there is probably a better man out there somewhere for you. However, I not only need to marry you to keep you safe, but I want to marry you because I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
"I'm at a loss for words," she admits as she sighs and looks down.
"Just say you'll marry me. Let me keep you safe. If you want out of the marriage later on then I promise that I won't give you any trouble. Just please …." I plead like the desperate man that I have become.
"Yes," she says in a barely audible whisper as she continues to look down at her feet.
I lift her off the chair and scoop her up in my arms. Even though the circumstances are less than ideal, I am a happy man. I didn't realize how much I truly wanted this until spending this time with her tonight.
"May I kiss you?" I ask as I pull back to look into her eyes.
She blushes and nods her head.
Both my hands go to the sides of her face and I gently hold her head as I touch my lips to hers. The kiss starts out slowly and then progresses to full mouth on mouth as my tongue dances with hers.
Oh man, would I love to go further, but I don't. I know better now. I just wish a certain part of my anatomy knew that as well.
As we break apart, I once again pull the ring out of my pocket. "May I place this on your finger?"
"Yes," she once again whispers as she holds out her left hand.
I am absolutely beaming as I see the ring slide on to her ring finger. Never in a million years would I ever believe I would be doing what I am doing now, but it feels so right.
I sigh as I remember what else I need to tell her. I nervously run my fingers through my hair as I try to formulate the words.
"There is one more thing," I begin. "We need to get married tomorrow. It's urgent that we do this right away to keep my father at bay. Once we are married, then he must help to keep you out of harm's way."
"Okay, I understand," she says to my astonishment. However, I think I detect a little bit of sadness in her voice. I don't know if it's because she doesn't want to get married or if the ceremony is a little too close for comfort.
.~***~.
I'm sitting in my office basically twiddling my thumbs while I wait on Uncle Carlisle and Aunt Esme to arrive. I need family witnesses at our wedding and I have always been close to them. I know I can count on their discretion. When I called and asked them to spend the afternoon at my house, they didn't even question why. And, when I asked Esme to bring a dress for Bella and to please keep it to herself, she agreed and asked nothing.
Carlisle is my father's younger brother. Luckily, he is nothing like my father. He is a good man and a great doctor. It would be highly impossible to meet a better man. Carlisle and my father do not see eye to eye on things, but still they put up with one another because they are family.
I could have easily had Jasper and Alice, or Emmett and Rosalie come. However, I was afraid that too much fanfare might attract too much attention. Alice has a hard time keeping a secret when she is excited, and though she would never mean to hurt anyone, she could let it accidentally slip and that is not a chance I am willing to take. Rosalie … what can I say? She would be giving me the stink eye the whole time. Though Emmett knows what will take place today I know I can count on him to keep it to himself. The others will find out at the same time that the rest of the family finds out.
"Edward?" I hear my uncle's voice outside my office door.
"Come in." I stand up anxiously and walk around my desk to greet them.
"How are you?" Carlisle asks as he pats my back.
"I'm doing well," I answer as Esme engulfs me in a hug.
"Okay Edward, are you going to tell us what's going on now? And why I had to bring a beautiful white dress for Bella?" Esme asks as she raises a brow at me.
"We are getting married today, and we need you both as witnesses," I say quickly, making sure I am able to get the whole sentence out without faltering.
"Married?" Carlisle questions, and he and Esme exchange looks before looking at me.
"Look, I'm not going into a bunch of details, but just know that I love her. I need to keep her safe, and this is the best way. I could really use your support today, and so could Bella."
"Edward, we are here for you …. for both of you. You know that. If you believe in this then that is all we need to hear. We will always support you," Carlisle says as Esme nods her head in agreement.
"Esme, could you go to our room and help Bella get ready? I also think she could use some friendly words right now."
"Of course, Edward. I would be delighted to help her. After all, she will soon be family." She gives me a quick hug and then heads out the door.
"Has Edward been giving you a hard time?" Carlisle questions referring to my father.
"When is he not?" I ask in return.
Soon, I am explaining the whole messed up situation from start to finish as my uncle listens aptly to every word.
He is also perplexed as to why my father is continuing to urge me to give Bella up even though he knows how adamant I am that she stays with me.
Before I realize it, two hours has flown by and there is a knock on the door. I know immediately who it is as I open the door.
"Father Riley, thanks for coming," I welcome him.
"My pleasure, Edward. Now tell me, what is the occasion?" He is a jovial old man, always happy and also known for his discretion. I have known him since I was a boy and I trust him immensely.
"A wedding."
"Congratulations, my boy! Tell me, when are you planning for this ceremony to take place? I'll need to check with the church secretary and see what we have available. I assume there will be …" I cut him off before he can continue.
"The ceremony will take place today, as soon as my bride is ready. We want this small and kept quiet. Will this be a problem Father Riley?"
"So, it's just you, your bride, and Carlisle?" He asks.
"And Esme. She is with Bella." Carlisle interjects.
"Bella?"
"Isabella Swan, my bride." I say rather proudly. She's soon to be Isabella Cullen, although she already is as far as her schooling is concerned, except now it will be true.
"How about I go and check on the women, and see if they are ready?" Carlisle asks.
"Yes, but first," I pause as I put my hand in my suit pocket. "You will need to keep these for me," I say as I hand him the rings.
"Of course," Carlisle answers as he slips them inside his suit jacket.
As Carlisle turns and leaves, I ask Father Riley to join me in the back garden.
The garden is covered today for privacy. More twinkling lights have been added in my hopes of making this as magical a kind of day is it can be. Soft piano music is playing in the background. A table has been set up to the side of the large water fountain. A bottle of champagne is chilling and the table is set for five. I don't know how long Father Riley will be joining us, but I hope that it won't be long. Not that I don't want him around, but I'd rather just share this moment with the family I have here.
I know it won't be long, so the Father and I get into position as we wait for Carlisle, Esme, and Bella to come down. As we make small talk, I keep my eye on the set of French doors that they will be entering from.
Soon the door opens and Esme enters carrying a bouquet of flowers I didn't even know we had. She must have gathered them from the side garden. I feel bad that I didn't even think about getting that for Esme. I was only concerned with what Bella needed.
Next, Bella enters on the arm of Carlisle. She looks magnificent, absolutely stunning.
She is wearing a white, tea length cocktail dress with a sweetheart neckline. The dress is tight in the middle showing off her flat stomach. She is wearing a white silk shaw over her shoulders with the dress. In her hands are long stems of lilies. Half of her hair is swept up and pinned to the back of her head with some kind of antique comb of Esme's. Trendils of hair hang down and frame the front of her face. Lots of curls cascade down her back.
She looks utterly flawless. Her pretty creamy white legs look perfect in the moderate silver heels she's wearing. I have never seen her look so gorgeous.
Carlisle escorts Bella to where Esme and I are now standing. Bella's face is all kinds of pink now, but she looks up and smiles sweetly at Carlisle.
As soon as they reach us, Carlisle places in her hand in mine and then steps to the other side of me.
Father Riley begins. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the marriage of Edward Anthony Cullen and Isabella Swan."
The wedding goes off without a hitch and when Father Riley tells me that I may kiss my bride, I smile like a kid in a candy store. I must be grinning like an idiot because Bella lets out a little giggle as I put my lips to hers.
I want it to be a full on kiss, mouth to mouth, tongue to tongue, but Bella is shy, so it's just a chaste kiss. Even chaste kisses with her are enough to excite me. Now is not the time. I need to tame the beast. Think about Emmett in his underwear. Yeah, that should do the trick.
Father Riley can't stay. He gives his unnecessary apologies and then heads out.
Piano music is still playing, so I ask Bella for a dance. I want to make this as nice and romantic for her as possible. Before long we notice Esme and Carlisle dancing beside us.
"Are you happy?" I ask Bella as she puts her head down on my shoulder.
"Yes." She whispers loud enough for me to hear.
"Who else knows?" She asks.
"Carlisle, Esme, and Father Riley of course, and Emmett. I haven't told anyone else."
"Are you ashamed of me?"
I can't believe she's asking me that.
"Of course not. Why would you think that?"
"You didn't want the others to be here." She states simply as if it's a fact.
"I did want them to be here, but I wanted to keep this as quiet as possible. You remember Alice, I'm sure you realize that she can be a bit of a blabber mouth."
She lets out a little laugh. "Yeah, I guess you're probably right."
"Besides, I plan on officially announcing you as my wife in front of the whole family."
"When?" She asks as she lifts her head up and looks at me nervously.
"Tomorrow night. We'll be having dinner at my parent's house."
"Tomorrow? That soon?" She seems terrified. "Your father scares me."
"The sooner we tell them, the better off we'll be. There is no need to be scared of my father. I will be with you the entire time. Nothing will happen to you. I promise," I assure her.
I'm not being totally honest here, because truth be told, my father scares me a little too. I will stand up to my father. I will not show any fear. I have too much to protect now.
We all retire to the table and eat the fantastic meal that the cook prepared.
"I have a little surprise for the both of you," Esme says as she motions the cook over.
He is carrying a small white cake with a groom and bride atop of it.
I don't know how Esme pulled this one off, but I have to say that that woman never ceases to amaze me. She always seems to be able to pull things out of thin air.
I don't question it. I just stand up and take Bella's hand and together we cut the cake. We then feed each other a bite. I'm happy that we can have as many traditions as possible. I want this to be a special memory for Bella and not just for her to think of as something that she was forced to do.
We have all been talking and having a good time for so long that we didn't notice the night creeping up on us until Carlisle and Esme bid us goodbye.
"Shall we retire for the night?" I ask Bella as I hold out my arm to her.
"Um … okay," she answers hesitantly.
I believe I know what she's thinking.
As soon as we enter our room, Bella makes a bee line for the bathroom. I use the time to change into my sleep pants.
After about ten minutes she calls out to me.
I walk up to the bathroom door. "Did you need something?"
"Um … yeah. I can't seem to get this dress unzipped. Can you help me?"
"Of course," I answer and motion for her to turn around.
I slowly unzip her dress and more of her creamy flesh is revealed to me. I cannot help the deep breath that escapes me. I have seen her naked now on numerous occasions, but there is something so sensual about seeing her revealed to me now that she is my wife.
What I want to do is to pepper her shoulder with kisses and take my time gently lowering her dress to the ground. I want to wrap my hands around her and feel her whole body.
What I want and what I do are two different things.
I step away from her as soon as the zipper is down.
"Thank you," she says as she goes back into the bathroom.
How am I going to get through this night and every other night without touching her?
I set my alarm and get into bed. A few minutes later Bella comes out of the bathroom. She is wearing a blue silk spaghetti strap chemise that she has worn before. But, tonight …. tonight is different. Tonight she looks like an angel, a sexy angel.
She gets into bed beside me.
"Thank you for making today special," she tells me and gives me a quick kiss on the cheek.
"You're welcome. It was my pleasure."
She turns over and gets into position to sleep.
All I can do is try to calm myself down. Imagining Emmett in his underwear isn't helping this time because the image always goes back to Bella.
How I wish I could make her happy. I want nothing more than to be the man she deserves, but I'm not sure that any man would ever deserve to have her love.
I keep contemplating everything, our relationship, my father, her safety, and her happiness. I never thought I'd be putting another person before myself. I have always been such an arrogant, unfeeling asshole. Now, she is my whole world. Who knew that one person could change me so much?
"Edward?" My thoughts are interrupted by her sweet voice.
"Yes," I answer, giving her my full attention.
"Will you touch me please?"
What?