Chapter 16 – First Reception
EPOV
The great hall was remarkably decorated in soft hues of blue, grey, and white. The glasses were rimmed with gold and the silver silverware sat upon black napkins that were embroidered with the Cullen crest. Music drifted around the hall with perfect clarity. I was amazed, truly amazed at the decorations, and had a feeling that magic was used.
A chorus of "To Malcolm" echoed throughout the hall. I couldn't help but lean towards Bella and ask if she was all right. I was a little more than shock when she said she couldn't be happier. My gaze turned to Jasper and he confirmed what she with a slight nod of his head.
I looked at Bella again. She had changed a little since I had last seen her. She was still my Bella. I was ecstatic she was back and finally my wife.
Soon we were sitting and being served. Bella leaned over to me and whispered for me and the others to hear, "Just lift the fork to your mouth empty, I will take care of everything." Looking past me to where Jasper sat, she added, "Jazz, don't look so worried. I guarantee you won't hurt anyone."
"Jazz says thank you," I whispered.
"I know," she said, smiling at me. At my expression of disbelief, she quickly added, "I have much to tell you and the others."
Before the main course was served, Alice stood up and all eyes turned to her. "I wanted to take this moment," she began, picking up her empty goblet, "to toast my brother and my new sister." On cue, Bella's beautiful blush appeared. "Not everyone here knows this, Bella came into Edward's life in a musical way and, from that moment, she was his life. Their story started with friendship, developed into love, and transcended hardships to lead to marriage. Bella, I have always considered you a sister." She paused in thought for a moment. Edward, you ever hurt her, you'll have to deal with me. "Welcome to the family, Bella. To the bride and groom," she finished and a chorus followed.
Alice didn't sit but addressed our guests. "Each table has a crystal bell, ring it and Edward and Bella must share a kiss. Also, at each table is a camera. Please take pictures throughout the night."
She sat back down and as the main course was served, a chime rang out. I smiled Bella's favorite smile as I leaned in and kissed her. "I love you," I whispered as I pulled back. A colorful blush adorned Bella's face.
Silverware scraped plates and laughter rang out from around the hall. Bells chimed as Bella was raising a bite to her lips. She cursed lowly before accepting my kiss. I couldn't help but chuckle.
"You think that's funny, Edward," she whispered. "You recall what I'm like when I don't eat."
I gulped as I nodded. She was a force to be reckoned with when she was hungry. Not to mention the fierce headache she got when her blood sugar was low. Looking out into the hall, I caught the eye of Maidie. With a slight motion of my hand, I indicated first Bella and then her dinner plate.
"I understand," Maidie answered with her thoughts. "I'll cast a spell to keep the clan from ringing the bells until after the meal is over."
Bella was staring at me when I turned back to admire her. "What?" I asked in a low voice.
"Thank you," she replied, leaning over and kissing me.
As the staff cleared the plates, Carlisle stood with his goblet in hand. "Bella, Edward, let me say this. Marriage is a journey that is brought about by love and tempered by compassion. As you hold true to those keys, your commitment to each other will only deepen. Congratulations and best wishes as you start your journey together."
As Carlisle sat, the DJ called for Bella and I to the dance floor. I had no idea what song we would be dancing to, but Bella being in my arms would be heaven. A familiar song began. A song I had first heard in this very hall began to play and sung by my lovely bride. When had she found the time to record the song? I had asked her in January to let me and my siblings accompany her so we could get it digitized. She refused, saying one day she would want to capture it. I guess the someday had come while she traveled in time. It didn't matter but I was ecstatic it was the song we danced to first as a married couple. Cameras flashed around the room as we danced.
As soon as the final notes rang, I was reluctant to let go of her as Charlie laid a hand on my shoulder when the DJ announced the father-daughter dance. Again, Bella's voice met my ears as the song began "Daddy take me with you…" And once more I wondered when had she found the time? I also wondered who was playing the piano in the background. The song changed slightly as Charlie's voice replaced Bella's. "There's two things I know for sure she was sent her far heaven and she's daddy's little girl…" Where had this song come from? It was the perfect song. Did Bella write it? The list of questions I had for Bella was growing little by little. "Walk me down the aisle daddy, it's just about time. Does my wedding gown look pretty daddy? Daddy don't cry…" Bella sang before it once again switched back to Charlie.
No other father-daughter couples joined Bella and Charlie. By the time the song was over, not one eye was dry. Even I had moisture in my eyes. That must have been Bella's doing.
"Edward, Esme, please take the floor," the DJ said. I took hold of Esme's hand and escorted her to the middle of the dance floor.
"I hope that the days come easy and the moments pass slow, And each road leads you where you want to go, And if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose, I hope you choose the one that means the most to you…" I was floored. The song choice couldn't have been more spot-on. Esme always wants what's best for each of us, especially me. In the time Bella was gone, I was hard to live with but Esme was patient.
"But more than anything, more than anything, My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to, Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small, You never need to carry more than you can hold, And while you're out there getting where you're getting to, I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too, Yeah, this, is my wish."
Looking down at Esme, I said, "I love you, Mom."
"I love you, too, Edward."
"Thanks for putting up with me these past three months."
Esme smiled at me and as the song ended, the DJ announced it was time to cut the cake. I joined Bella behind a large three-tiered white cake decorated with blue flowers. We took up the knife and carefully cut a piece out. I fed Bella a bite not letting any of the icing get on her face. She winked at me as she held up the whole piece and before I could move away, shoved it in my face.
"You'll thank me later," she whispered, laughing.
I couldn't help it and started laughing with her. Leave it to Bella to have a plan. She helped me wipe the cake from my face as the kitchen staff took over serving the cake.
"Dance with me, Edward," she said, taking my hand.
Who was I to refuse my beautiful bride?
BPOV
Edward didn't let me take one step. He swept me up into his arms and carried me out to the dance floor to the hoots and laughter of everyone. I was, of course, blushing once again. He slowly placed me on my feet as another slow song started up. "I don't want another heartbreak, I don't need another turn to cry, no, I don't want to learn the hard way, Baby, hello, oh no, goodbye, But you got me like a rocket, Shooting straight across the sky…"
"I feel exactly like that," I said close to Edward's ear.
He looked at me waiting for me to continuing.
"Before you entered my life, I had heartbreak after heartbreak in the form of death. Then I met you and everything fell into place."
I cursed silently the chiming of a bell. There was more I wanted to say. Edward must have known and leaned in to whisper. "We can just ignore it," he said and I could hear the smile in his voice before kissing me.
"Or we can just go with it," he added, kissing me once again. "You were saying."
"Uh, hmmm," came my brilliant response.
Edward chuckled at my reaction. "I have missed you and your flustered expressions."
"I missed you, too, and wouldn't be so flustered if you wouldn't dazzle me so often."
His left eyebrow rose. "I dazzle you?"
"Frequently," I admitted as the song ended.
"May I, Edward," Carlisle asked.
"Certainly," he said, placing my hand in Carlisle's before leaning in to kiss my cheek. "We'll table our conversation until later."
For the next hour, I danced with various family and clan members as did Edward. When the hour ended, the DJ announced that Iain had something to say.
"Friends, family, and clan members, it is an honor for us to celebrate the marriage of Isabella and Edward. But that's not the only thing we celebrate tonight. Tonight we celebrate the melding of two families. McCullough," Iain said, pulling a silver cord and the McCullough crest and colors unfurled. "And Cullen," again he pulled a cord, a black one, and the Cullen crest and colors unfurled. "Let us raise our glasses in a toast to the future Laird and Lady." A chorus echoed around the hall. "Now, one last dance for the bride and her father."
I waved Charlie off for a moment and walked over to Iain. I leaned in close and whispered in an older Gaelic. I moved back and he nodded. "Isabella has one request for this song. Chose who you will, my lady."
Alice or Rosalie? Alice probably knows what I want, plus Rosalie will understand. I walked to where Alice and Carlisle stood, explaining what I needed them to do. They nodded their agreement. I turned to face the clan, scanning the room. A father was struggling to keep his daughter still. I walked over to them. "Would you like to dance with me," I asked the little girl. She nodded and I told her father what I wanted done, all the while casting a spell as I had done with Alice and Carlisle.
I motioned for Charlie to join me on the edge of the dance floor. I motioned to the young girl and her father, explaining to Charlie quickly what was going to happen.
The young girl and her father took the floor as the song started. The spell working perfectly as the little girl was doing as the song was saying with her father looking on.
She spins and she sways
To whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
And I'm sitting here wearing
The weight of the world on my shoulders
It's been a long day
And there's still work to do
She's pulling at me saying, "Dad I need you
There's a ball at the castle and I've been invited
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh please, Daddy, please"
Her father picked her up and started dance with her. "Awe" echoed when the little girl hugged him.
So I'll dance with Cinderella
While she is her in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I'll dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone …
They exited the dance area as Alice and Carlisle walked out onto the floor as the song continued. Again, the spell was working perfectly.
She says he's a nice guy
And I'd be impressed
And she wants to know if I approve of the dress
She says, "Dad, the prom is just one week away
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh please, Daddy, please"
They came together and started dancing as the chorus repeated.
So I'll dance with Cinderella
While she is her in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I'll dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone …
She will be gone …
Finally, Charlie and I took the floor as Alice and Carlisle stood to the side.
Well, she came home today
With a ring on her hand
Just glowing and telling us
All they had planned
She says,
"Dad, the wedding's still six months away
But I need to practice my dancing
Oh please, Daddy, please"
I took Charlie's offered handed and he spun me before pulling me in to dance.
So I'll dance with Cinderella
While she is her in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I'll dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone …
The other two couples joined us as the song ended.
"One second, Bella," Charlie said as someone started playing another song on a guitar and others joining in. "Edward had one request and I'm more than glad to grant him. Sing with me," he asked, handing me one of the wireless microphones he had in his pocket.
Charlie:
She's gotta do what she's gotta do
And I've gotta like it or not
She's got dreams too big for this town
And she needs to give 'em a shot
Whatever they are.
Bella:
Looks like I'm all ready to leave
And nothing left to pack
Charlie:
Ain't no room for me in that car
Even if she asked me to tag along
Both:
God I gotta be strong.
Bella:
I'm at the startin' line of the rest of my life
As ready as I've ever been
Got the hunger and the stars in my eyes
The prize is mine to win
Charlie:
She's waitin' on my blessings 'fore she hits that open road
Baby get ready, (Bella: Oh, I'm ready) get set, don't go.
Bella:
Looks like things are fallen into place
Charlie:
Feels like they're fallen apart
I painted this big ol' smile on my face
To hide my broken heart
If only she knew
Bella:
This is where you don't say what you want so bad to say
Charlie:
This is where I want to but I won't get in the way
Of her and her dreams
And spreadin' her wings
Bella:
I'm ready to fly
Bella:
I'm at the startin' line of the rest of my life
As ready as I've ever been
Got the hunger and the stars in my eyes
The prize is mine to win
Charlie:
She's waitin' on my blessings 'fore she hits that open road
Baby get ready, get set, (both:)don't go.
Charlie stopped dancing and motioned for Edward to join us. Placing my hand in Edward's he motioned for us to take the floor. I looked at Charlie with tears in my eyes before Edward pulled me into his arms. This was perfect.
Bella:
I'm at the startin' line of the rest of my life
As ready as I've ever been
Got the hunger and the stars in my eyes
The prize is mine to win (I'll be ok)
Charlie:
She's waitin' on my blessings 'fore she hits that open road
Baby (Bella: Ohhhhh...) get ready, get set, please don't go.
Charlie:
Don't go
Bella:
Let me go now, I'm ready
Charlie:
Mmm Don't go
Bella:
I'll be alright.
I'll be okay
Know that I'll be
Thinkin' of you
Each and every day
Charlie and Bella:
She's (I) gotta do what she's (I) gotta do
Bella:
Let me go now
Charlie and Bella:
She's (I) gotta do what she's (I) gotta do
Bella:
I gotta do what I gotta do
Charlie:
She's gotta do what she's gotta do
Bella:
Fly
Charlie:
She's gotta do what she's gotta do...
No other song followed. I knew it was time to bid everyone goodnight. There were two more small tasks to take care of. I grabbed Edward's hand as I DJ announced the first of the task, the tossing bouquet. We ascended the stairs to the balcony, Alice handed me the toss-away bouquet as we passed. Below us, all the single lady's gathered. I turned my back and tossed it over my shoulder. It fell right into the young girl's hand I had chosen for the dance.
Next, the garter; Edward knelt in front of me and placed my hands on his shoulder before rising my gown slightly. I shivered as he slowly ran his hands up my leg and pulled down the garter. Standing, he sling-shot it over his shoulder; an older gentleman caught it. After a few pictures, Edward and I raced through lit sparklers making our way out of the great hall.
A lady's maid and butler met us in the hall and led us to the room where we would spend our wedding night.
Songs:
Butterfly Kisses – Faith Hill and Tim McGraw
My Wish – Rascal Flatts
This Kiss – Faith Hill
Cinderella – Steven Curtis Chapman
Ready, Set, Don't Go – Billy Ray Cyrus featuring Miley Cyrus
