A/N: I do not own Twilight. Stephanie Myers does. I am just obsessed with the characters.
Please leave a review, good or bad. This is a learning experience for me. I would appreciate any constructive criticism that would make me a better writer.
I have done two things differently this chapter. It is all in Esme's point of view, and I have added a playlist. I hope this works.
Playlist for the Wedding
Lucky by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillet as Bella walks down the aisle to meet Edward.
Better Together by Jack Johnson right after ceremony when they are walking back down the aisle together.
Forever by Ben Harper for the first dance as a married couple.
Seaside by the Kooks played during the reception.
Dance Like Nobody's Watching by Donavon Frankenreiter played during reception.
She's Royal by Tarrus Riley. All the guys dedicate this to the ladies.
I Loved Her First by Heartland is Bella and Charlie's dance.
That's What Momma's Do by Jason Matthews is Edward and Esme's dance.
Don't Blink by Kenny Chesney is Bella and Edward's last dance.
Chapter 19: Esme's Point of View
We woke up to a beautiful morning; the sun was shining on the glistening sand as seagulls walked by dashing to and fro. It seemed as if they were chasing the tide back out into the sea. The beach always represented serenity and happiness to me; how fitting that my son Edward was safely home and marrying the love of his life, who was already like a daughter to me. Hopefully I was going to be a grandmother sooner than expected. Today is going to be a perfect day.
The ceremony is taking place right on the beach behind Edward and Bella's home at five o'clock. There is a bamboo arch set up and the aisle is lined with large sunflowers. There will be no sitting during the ceremony, but a long table and chairs are set up for the reception. The table is covered in canvas with cream colored palm leaf umbrella scattered around.
It's time. Edward is waiting under the bamboo archway looking happy and handsome as Bella and Charlie come walking down the aisle. Bella is breathtaking in her simple dress. Her hair is half pinned up with the rest is loosely cascading down her back in big curls. Smaller versions of the sunflowers that are decorating both the aisle and her bouquet are pinned throughout her hair. As Edward and Bella walk down the aisle, Lucky by Jason Mraz and Colbie Cailat is playing in the background. They exchanged traditional vows with such love and commitment that it was anything but ordinary.
When Edward and Bella began to walk down the aisle to Better Together by Jack Johnson they looked so happy they could burst. They didn't know that we had a surprise waiting for them at the reception. Ben helped me arrange a video chat with the orphanage so Zafrina could be at the wedding. After everyone was through with the congratulations and Edward and Bella were seated, I stood up to say a few words.
Edward, from a baby in my arms to the man standing in front of me, I could be no prouder. You are everything a Mom could wish for; happy and healthy, caring and ready for sharing a new life with Bella. You are such a lovely couple and truly deserve each other. Work through the tough times together and rejoice in all the happy times together.
Bella, I wanted so much to tell you on this day just how much you mean to me and to welcome you officially into our loving and crazy family. You have brought so much happiness into Edward's and our lives and I know how proud he is to have you as his wife. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness as neither of you deserve anything less. Now I have a surprise for you both.
How I was able to keep this surprise is beyond me, but even Carlisle didn't know what was to happen next. On a big screen TV which I had set up on a buffet table the Video Chat window opened up and I accepted the call from Ben. As big as life, Zafrina sat smiling and waving into the camera. When she saw people waving back to her she started to bounce in her caretakers arms and continued to wave her arms. I turned to look at Edward and Bella and they were up out of their seats making their way to the TV with tears in their eyes. There were many tears of joy being shed when the call ended.
Leave it to Emmett to lighten the mood. He rose to make the best man toast and started with a few jokes. "Hello ladies and gentleman, I am honored to be best man today. Get that Bella. "Best man"? I think everyone will agree that Bella looked stunning today, and Edward, you just looked stunned. Bella, you have been with our family as long as I could remember. I was jealous at first, because I think my brother fell in love with you at first site and I was afraid of losing my best friend. Things never were better. You just fit. Well you are officially a Cullen now and may your love be modern enough to survive the times, but old fashioned enough to last forever. Now I would like to invite Mr. and Mrs. Edward Cullen to the dance floor to dance their first dance as a married couple."
Bella and Edward dance to Forever by Ben Harper as we all look on. They look so happy and I feel Carlisle behind me as he smiles into my hair and whispers how happy he is for our children. Edward walks up to me asking me to dance as Bella stands with Carlisle on the sidelines. Jason Matthew song That's What Mommas Do was playing and Edward sang the words to me as we swayed to the music. He thanked me for being such a great mother and told me that he hopes he can be as good a husband and father as Carlisle has been. The music stopped and we watched as Bella approached Charlie. Poor Charlie, he was blushing and looking so awkward, like Bella he hated being the center of attention. They began dancing to I Loved her First by Heartland and Edward had helped Charlie put together a slideshow of pictures of Bella and Charlie through the years. It was a beautiful display.
The rest of the night was good food, fun and dancing. There was not going to be a honeymoon at this time as Bella and Edward would be flying back to Ethiopia at any time. One really fun part of the evening was when all the guys got up on the stage with the DJ and dedicated She's Royal by Tarrus Riley to all their respective partners. Carlisle looked so handsome singing with our sons. I must say, it was a perfect evening.
The wedding came to a close with Edward and Bella dancing to Don't Blink by Kenny Chesney.
