Rating: M
Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer of Twilight fame, owns it all, I'm just stomping in her puddle.
A/N…Okay, kids. I know I said this was my last chapter, but there was so much to do yet, so I finished it here and have decided to write an epi. I wasn't going to but how we have a wedding with the *shhhhhh* honeymoon? We gots to go out with a lemony bang don't ja know. So that will be Sunday, which means In Plain Sight won't be coming out then. After speaking with my betas, it will make its debut on Oct. 20th, but I will be in Lake Arrowhead at the Marcus Foster/Bobby Long meet and greet. My life would be complete if "He" showed up. Oh, yeah, Thank you Amanda and T…. 53 chapters of trying to find new and improved ways to say thank you. But there is only one way….
Thanks Helios H00Rs!
Anyhoo… Enjoy the wedding.
CHAPTER 53
Bella
"Okay, Edward. Turn it on." I say as we all gather in my study. We are on the couch, in chairs and sitting on the floor with the California State Bar site on my big T.V. waiting for the results to be posted. They said they would post at 2:00 p.m. and it's 1:55 right now. I'm pacing the floor and there is no one that can tell me to have a seat and relax. It isn't possible.
"Baby, come on. Sit here, you are making us all nervous." Edward says motioning for me to sit on his lap. He's at my desk waiting to click "enter" to the results site.
"Okay, Bella, it's 2:00. Do you want to do it or do you want me to?" Edward asks, watching me chew my cuticles to shreds.
"You do it." I say nervously, getting up from his lap to pace again.
Edward clicks 'enter' and then it gives the letters of the alphabet depicting the first letter of the student's last name. He moves the cursor to 'S' and I look at everyone in the room. My family, my best friends; they are all here for me. He clicks and all the names of those that took the Bar with the last name starting with 'S' are listed. He scrolls down SW, then SWA….nothing. Then SWAN, ISABELLA is listed.
"Oh, baby." Edward sweetly says to me.
I can't help it and I break down and cry. Everyone jumps up to gather around me. Ultimately, it winds up being one great big group hug with me smack in the middle of it.
"Bella? Here, I have your dad on the phone." Edward looks at me, handing me his cell phone.
"Daddy?" I say through my tears.
"Daddy, I passed." I say taking the phone to my bathroom for privacy. I'm gone about fifteen minutes before I come back, my tears replaced with a big smile when the applause and hugs begin all over again.
"I think it's time to break out that Cristal, Edward." Rebecca says heading toward the kitchen. Billy follows behind her to help and they both return quickly with two bottles of champagne and flutes.
I take my glass and stand on the coffee table and clink my glass with an ink pen.
"UhUmm…" I begin, clearing my throat to get everyone's attention. "I, for one, am relieved, so that being said…" And I take my glass of champagne and down it and then hold it out for a refill. Everyone starts laughing and follows right behind me.
"I hope you all know how utterly grateful I am to each of you. Alice and Rosalie? You have been with me through thick and thin. You've watched my highs and you've seen my lows and you stuck with me all the way and I love you both so very much. Jasper and Emmett, it was a blessing the day these girls met you because you both have made them happy and in true love for the first time in their lives. Esme and Carlisle, you've accepted me, Alice, and Rose into your family with no questions asked. You are like a mother and father to me and I know you will support me all the way."
Edward watches me as I turn to him and he just holds my eyes with his. "Edward. There simply aren't any words to describe what I feel in my heart for you. I do know it is full with a love that I have never known. Your undying support of me during this past year has been unwavering. We didn't fight once. You gave me the tools I needed to succeed and with it, your love." I step down from the table and walk across the room to him and pull his ear down to my mouth.
"I'm ready." I whisper.
He looks at me and I see the tears threaten to show in his eyes.
"Alright, my love." He whispers back and lowers his mouth to mine and gives me a warm, sweet, gentle kiss.
"So what's next, Belly?" Emmett asks, holding his flute in the air as if he is toasting.
"As soon as I get my licensing information from the Bar, I go down to the federal courthouse to register and then I'm ready to go." I say, smiling ear to ear.
"I think I'm ready for a vacation though. This has been one roller coaster year and now that I have completed all my goals, I'm ready for some new ones, but I would like a vacation first." I say, looking at Edward.
"I think that's an excellent idea, Bella." He says holding me close to him. "What do you have in mind?"
"I don't know. I haven't given it any thought really." I reply, frowning as I think about where I would like to go.
"Well," Esme speaks and everyone listens, "I guess now is a good time to tell you that your father and I won't be around at Christmas this year." Esme says then gets an outburst from all of her boys.
"Mommm, we always have Christmas." Emmett whines. "What are we going to do without you guys here?"
"Son, you have beautiful women to spend Christmas with, certainly you can think of something." Dad chimes in filling everyone's glass with champagne again.
"Where are you going, Esme?" I ask, the disappointment showing on my face I am certain.
"We are going to the estate in Italy to prepare the house and grounds for the wedding. There's a lot to do and we haven't been there in so long, I miss it. We will be closing up our house here in the next week or so and leaving right after Thanksgiving." She says.
"How long will you be gone, dad?" Edward asks, taking a sip of his champagne.
"Well, the wedding is in June, so we will be home after that." He says, looking around a silent room.
"Seven months, mom?" Jasper asks quietly. "That's an awful long time to be away."
"I know, son, but we will see you about a month before the wedding right? There is just so much to do and I have worked it out with the girls to do their leg work while they are here, I will do what they need done there. It won't be that long." Esme says reassuringly.
"I have an idea." Edward says and everyone's head snaps toward him.
"Why don't we go to Stateline? There's nothing like Christmas at Lake Tahoe." He says smiling at me.
"Edward, what a perfect idea." I say, so excited that I am bouncing up and down on Edward's lap.
"Easy there, cowgirl." He whispers in my ear, shifting me off his growing erection. I giggle and scoot off his lap and sit next to Alice and Rosalie.
"Can you guys join us?" I ask, putting my arms around my two best friends.
"I can make it but not until about a week before Christmas. My schedule is packed right now because of the holidays. People need my touch for holiday parties and I am just swamped." Alice says. "But I will definitely be there for Christmas. I won't schedule any more work for myself."
"Yeah, I can't make it until closer to Christmas as well. Shipping season is on us and I need to stick close to home. How about the rest of us join you guys about a week before Christmas and you can rest and relax before you become a full-fledged working girl." Rosalie suggests. I look over at Alice and she is nodding her head in agreement. I then look at Edward.
"I think that is a splendid idea. We can get the tree ready for you guys and then spend New Year's at Tahoe as well." He says, sitting down at my desk jotting down notes.
"Okay, it's a date. Christmas at Tahoe. Excellent." I jump up for another glass of champagne and everyone starts planning and throwing ideas out for their trips.
I sit back and observe everyone in the room and my heart fills with love for each and every one of them. This is my family now and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else but here with them. My heart is full.
And… I passed the Bar! Wow. I finish my glass of champagne, sit back and pat myself on the back for a job well done. I look up and stare at my name on the big screen and smile. I look over at Edward and he is watching me have my own little private celebration and he holds his glass up and cheers me from across the room.
EDWARD
"Jenks, how is Sandra?" I say into my phone, calling to get a status update on Mrs. Denali.
"She's doing better. She gets a little better with each passing day. The doctors have faith she will recover fully. She was pretty damaged, and it will take a while, but she improves every day." Jenks replies. "She's glad you took her up on her offer, Edward. Once she is better, she and I are going to retire and move to a warmer climate and never look back."
"I think that's an excellent idea, Jenks. Any word about Jackson?" I ask, curious if he is back in the States or not and whether I need to worry about him coming after Bella.
"Yes, he's been spotted in Mexico. He has a warrant out for his arrest, so if he puts his toe on U.S. soil, he will be arrested immediately. He has nothing now. No money, no property, no family, nothing." He says.
"Well, we finally got all the paperwork finished regarding the winery and Bella is setting everything up to be put under the new corporation. He probably knows by now and I've stepped up security to keep his ass out if he tries to come back. We will be over there to salvage what grapes we can, but we have our work cut out for us. I want to thank you and Sandra, Jenks, for all of this. I know it sounds odd coming from my lips, but it's funny how things work out. If I don't talk to you again, you and Sandra have a good retirement and travel safe." I say with all honesty and sincerity.
"Thanks, Edward. I am terribly sorry for everything I put you and your family through. With Jacob in jail, Tanya gone forever, and Jackson out of the country, hopefully you will have a quiet life from here on out."
"Yeah, sounds good about now. You take care, Jenks." And I hang up, hoping he and Sandra are able to just be happy for once after all these years. I look at my watch and realize I need to get to the house. The family is getting together and the girls are wanting to talk about Thanksgiving. I hop in my cart and head for home. Smiling that I feel for the first time in a long while that the ordeal with Jacob and the Denali's has finally come to an end.
BELLA
"Okay girls, let's get started." I say, sitting down at the dining room table with Esme, Alice and Rosalie as we plan our Thanksgiving Day menu. We have decided to plan the menu for later in the day since we have volunteered to serve in the soup kitchen at the local community center.
"Edward, do you have any Christmas decorations here or do I need to go out and buy some?" I ask, looking at Edward over my shoulder.
"There's a ton here. I will have Billy bring them in for you to go through. Leah was big on decorating. She had several holiday parties a year so made it a point to turn this place into a showcase. You might find stuff you like."
"Okay, thanks baby." I say, noticing a change in his demeanor.
"Bella, it was really kind of you to offer Christmas decorations for the center." Esme says, feeling my blush work its way down my neck.
"Well, the community has done so much for me, it's the least I can do. I'm going to go through what Edward has in storage and if I can, I'm going to take some of that over and donate it and then help with the decorations. Do any of you want to come with?"
"I'll come with you, baby." Edward volunteered. "I'll go anywhere with you, you know that." He says, bending down to kiss me. I look up at him to return his kiss.
"I will too, Bella." Alice says. And by the time it's all over, everyone has volunteered to come with me and we have a date with the community center.
"Do we want a traditional Thanksgiving or something new and different?" I ask, looking around the table and everyone is looking at each other to get an idea what we want.
"I like traditional." Edward is the first to speak out.
"So do I." I nod my head at him.
"Me too." Esme says. So traditional is voted in and we then start planning the menu.
Once it is agreed who will make what, I go to my study to look through the decorations Billy has been carting in during the meeting with the girls.
"Shit, Billy." I say in awe of how much there is.
"She was a big fan on decorations, Bella." Billy said as he is leaving the room.
"I see that." I say to myself as I start going through it all.
"Wow." Edward says as he walks into the room. "This is all Leah's stuff." He says looking at the pile.
"Edward. I'm going to donate all this to the community center." I say, shaking my head at some of the gaudy decorations. It will go over big with the center because it is a larger building. These decorations are not designed for a home.
"I'm going to start all over. Besides, we aren't going to be here for Christmas anyway. I will decorate at Tahoe." I sit down at my desk and call the community center to see if they will bring a truck to pick up all the decorations and then I call the girls to see if they want to go shopping with me for all new, less flamboyant, decorations.
"Edward, can I take the Denali to go shopping since it has more room in the back?"
"Bella, baby, you don't need to ask me if you can take the cars. Just call Billy and tell him which one and drive safely." Edward says breathing heavily in my ear which drives me nuts and he knows it. He looks down at my arms and they are covered in goose bumps.
"I'll miss you while you are gone so hurry home to me." He says, kissing me long and deep. I can do nothing but moan into his mouth. Damn this man is too sexy.
~BD~
"God you guys, I am stuffed. I can't eat any more so don't try to push any more of that on me." Edward says rolling onto the couch to watch the game with his dad, brothers and Billy. The girls, as usual, clean up but it is fun work.
"Can you believe how many people turned out at the community center? It is sad to know there are that many people that are homeless with no family to share this day with." Alice says, sadly. Jasper sits up from his tryptophan coma and rubs Alice's back at her sweet comment.
"I know. There were a lot of volunteers too. I had a great time for sure." I say before heading toward the kitchen.
I come back out with mugs of Hot Apple Pie for everyone.
"Mmmm, that's really good. What is this?" Edward asks.
"It's called a Hot Apple Pie." I reply, inhaling the aroma.
"Okay, but what's in it?" Edward rolls his eyes.
"Just hot apple cider and Tuaca. Simple. I used to drink these a lot when I skied." I say then looking at Edward. "Like we did when we had the Snuggler." Giggling at the memory of that day.
"We need to get ski passes, Edward. I can't go to Tahoe in the winter and not ski." I say smiling.
"Absolutely, baby. Heavenly? Alpine? Where do you want to ski?" I look into his eyes and I can see the excitement there. I'm excited too; we fell in love on the slopes. I can't wait.
"Anywhere you want to go, Edward, I'll go anywhere with you baby." I say, repeating his words from the other day. "You know Stateline better than I do. I had a great time at Heavenly. We didn't get to ski much there so why don't we do both places. We will have plenty of time. Maybe we can spend some time at Squaw?" I ask.
"Mmmmm, not this time, baby. The weather will be too bad to make that drive. We will go back when it's not the height of their snow season, okay?"
"You're right. I didn't think about that." I say, taking a sip of my hot drink.
~BD~
"Esme, Carlisle, you both take care of yourselves. We will call and email, alright?" I say hugging them and then stepping back so the rest of the family can say their goodbyes. I watch as Billy gets in the driver's seat to drive them to the city for their long flight.
We all stand in the driveway waving goodbye then we turn to say our goodbyes as well.
"Okay you guys. We will see you in a few weeks. Keep in touch." I say, hugging each of my girls and the brothers. I watch as Edward does the same, kissing the girls on their cheeks telling them to take care of their boys.
"Brothers, call me if there are any problems. With the down season, there's not much going on but, Em, let me know what your plans are as far as personnel for the Denali property. Let us know when you hit the road. See you soon." Edward says, shaking each of his brother's hands. He turns around and reaches for me to help me into the car and we are on the road.
After a fun drive of talking, laughing, bad singing and stopping for breaks, we finally arrive at the house and the first thing I do is look up at Sue's window and there she stands with her hands on her hips.
"Man, does she ever calm down or is she in a perpetual state of pissiness?" I ask pulling my bags from the back seat.
"It must be you, baby, because she's never like that with me." He says, laughing at me and knowing full well that she has got it bad for him.
"Jealousy is a dangerous thing and I'm sick and fucking tired of people being angry at me, Edward. I can't say that if she says one thing to me that I won't attack her like a rabid dog." I say glancing her way.
"Can't say as I blame you, babe." He responds, taking the skis out of the rack.
The next day we ski Heavenly and we ski hard. We hit nearly every black diamond run they have and by time we get home I am beat.
"God I'm exhausted, Edward." I say throwing myself down on the couch without taking my jacket off. "I've had a blast with all this skiing, but I think I'm ready to just hang out for a few days."
"Whatever you want, baby. The others will be here tomorrow anyway so let's just relax tonight."
"We need to go out tomorrow morning and grocery shop to restock. The girls and I will shop later for Christmas dinner but I want to make sure we have enough for Emmett, the bottomless pit." I say, giggling as I get up for a pad and pen to start a shopping list.
"I don't know if Jasper and Emmett will want to go skiing tomorrow, but do you want to go with us or will you hang out here with the girls?" Edward asks taking my coat off me because I'm too tired to move. I sit forward so he can remove it off my arms.
"I'll stay here with the girls for a few days but I want to ski with them for sure." I answer. "God, I am so glad I've already got their rooms ready. I'm too tired to pee right now."
The next thing I know, Edward scoops me up in his arms carrying me upstairs to a waiting hot bath. He lowers my feet to the floor and proceeds to remove my ski gear before helping me into the bubbly goodness.
And so our night of relaxation and gentle sweet lovemaking begins and I eventually curl myself into his warm arms as he covers my legs with his, pulling me even closer to him and we both sigh in contentment and fall into a much needed deep sleep.
~BD~
"Bella, this place is really nice." Alice says looking around as she enters the house.
"I really like it here, but the condo at Squaw will always be my favorite I think." I say with my arm wrapped around her shoulder. "Come on you guys, let me show you your rooms."
We head up the stairs as the boys bring in their bags and Christmas gifts, placing them under the tree.
"Each room has it's own bath so I don't need any naked Emmett-ass running around here. And Oh! Emmett, remember, no door banging when Edward and I are asleep or otherwise. Got it?" I shout out to Emmett from over the balcony. "I have a bottle of Super Glue with your name on it." I say giggling as I turn back inside the house.
"Got it, Belly. No door banging." He repeats after me.
"No banging of any kind…and you know what I mean." I say before he has a chance to say anything lewd.
"Edward, do you want to start the grill and I'll get dinner started?" I look outside and it is beginning to snow and I smile. I love the snow. "You guys got here just in time."
~BD~
"Wake up baby, I want to say goodbye to you." I hear Edward whisper in my ear. He lightly blows inside my ear causing me to swat at him like a gnat. "Bellllaaaaaa." He whispers again.
"Edward, you know that shit turns me on." I say giggling as I come out of my sleep.
"I know it does." He says dipping his fingers inside my panties feeling the status of my dampness. "I can feel how it turns you on baby."
"Oh God, Edward." I moan out loud, spreading my legs open for him. "Mmmm, what a wakeup call."
He slips his fingers inside me, gathering some of my wetness to use against me, gently teasing my clit, circling it perfectly and bringing me to the edge quickly.
"Baby, I'm almost there." I say, grabbing the sheet that is still covering me.
"Cum for me, baby. Let me feel your beautiful pussy cum all over my hand." He continues to whisper in my ear while he breathes into it, knowing that shit does it for me.
"I'm…Fuck…" I close my eyes knowing what's coming.
"Open your eyes, Bella. I want to see you cum." He says, applying more pressure now and slipping deep inside, finding my sweet spot and sending me over the edge when his thumb finds my clit at the same time. I can't stay still and my back arches, hoping to apply more pressure against his magical fingers.
"Oh, hell, I'm cumming baby." I say and as my back arches higher off the bed Edward's mouth finds mine and I am blessed with this sweet passionate kiss, his expert fingers and the pouring of love he has for me all at the same time and I explode in an intense orgasm that lasts like the Energizer bunny.
"Oh, baaaby, you look so fucking sexy like this." He says into my mouth while he slowly eases me back down to earth.
"Mmmm. Wow, Edward. That was most excellent. Thank you so much." I say throwing my arms around his neck, holding him close to me. "Climb in bed with me, baby. Let me take care of you now."
"As tempting as that sounds, I wish I could Bella, but my brothers are already waiting for me and I thought I'd sneak you a treat this morning. I need to get going. See you later tonight, okay? We will ski all day and probably hit the lodge for a beer or two. I'll call or text to let you know when we are coming home for dinner."
"Okay. We might head into Reno or Carson for a little shopping, depending on the weather." Edward stops in his tracks and turns around to face me and I notice a change in his brow.
"Only for shopping, baby. I'm yours, Edward. You know that." I say bringing him in for one last kiss before he leaves.
"Damn straight you are."
"Have fun, be careful." I say climbing out of bed and heading toward the shower.
"Edward?"
"Yeah?" He says, turning back from the door.
"Wash your hands." I look at him with my brow raised. "The last thing I want is to have your brothers teasing you at my expense when they smell me on you."
"You're right." He says walking to the bathroom covering his nose with his hands. I giggle and attempt to throw a pillow at him. Yeah, no, I miss big time.
And so the six of us enjoy Christmas in the Sierras with snow and a crackling fireplace and Edward serenading us with his beautiful Christmas music on the piano. Nothing is seen of Sue after Rosalie scared the life out of her for showing her face one too many times when she thought the girls weren't looking.
While the guys were outside putting their skis in the rack, Sue beelines outside to 'visit'. Rosalie is standing at the front window, sipping her coffee, when she sees Sue in her spray painted ski bunny outfit she wears to Wal-Mart.
"Oh hell the fuck no!" Rosalie shouts.
Alice and I run to the window to see what she is pissed off about and I should have known. Rosalie decides to make an appearance and Alice and I stand at the front door to 'observe'.
"Who are you?"Sue replies in her standard bitch tone. Rosalie looks back at Alice and I with an eyebrow raised.
"I know, why don't you tell me first. Are you the on everyone talks about down at the corner Sak-n-Save." She actually waits for an answer. I watch as Emmett observes his girl in action. This shit turns him on.
"Edward, who are all these… these people you brought here with you? I've never seen them before." Sue scowls at Edward and he smirks finishing putting the gear in the car.
"Rosalie, tell Sue here who you are."
"Well, Susie, it's like this. Me, I'm this guy here's bitch." She says taking hold of Emmett's arm. "See that cute little short thing over there? She is this guy here's bitch." Her other arm wrapping through Jasper's arm. "And you know Bella already and she is Edward's bitch. But you know that already don't you? You just pretend not to. Officially, we are their fiancée's. Yep, the three of us girls are engaged to marry all three of these boys. So, now that I'm done pissing on your tree, I need to tell you how age inappropriate that get up is. And can you say camel toe? And you've overdone the botox. But hey, who am I to say?"
"Rosie? I'll answer that." Emmett says bending her backward into their signature kissing pose. "You, my sweet girl, are the sexiest woman I know and I fucking love you beyond reason." He says then gently, but passionately kisses her and melts her on the spot.
"Now, that, Sue is who we are." Rosalie says, never turning her attention from Emmett.
We never saw Sue again and after celebrating the New Year at Stateline, we return to Napa and the girls get down to some serious wedding planning, Skyping with Esme is a daily event so she can get things squared away in Italy. Although I know she is enjoying it, I'm sure she is exhausted.
This double wedding is going to be a huge event in Volterra. Practically all of Napa will be there, or at least they are invited. The Cullen family is well loved in the community and it shows. I know I'm looking forward to it.
EDWARD
"Hi mom." I say when she answers her phone. I tried hard not to let anyone in on my plans but some things just can't be helped.
"Hello, Edward. Is everything alright?" She replies with concern in her voice.
"Yeah, everything's good. I just need your help now is all. I know you are really busy with the wedding but I need you and dad to come home by April 6th."
"Why, Edward?" I can hear the excitement in her voice. "Is it because of what I think it is?"
"Yeah, mom. I'm marrying her on the 6th and I want you and dad here. Will you come?"
"Oh, Edward, of course we will come home. We wouldn't miss it for the world. How are you going to explain this to the others when we show up so close to the date?" She asks.
"Well, I was thinking you could stay at the house on the Denali property. The girls have had it totally cleaned and since it's furnished I thought you could hide there for a few days. If you want to come home closer to the sixth, that's okay too. Do whatever you want, just be here by the fifth." I explain, nervous because I haven't spoken to anyone about any of this.
"Okay, son. I will let dad know and I will email you with our itinerary the closer we get to the date. Congratulations, Edward. Are you going to share your plans with me?"
"No, mom. I want everyone to be surprised, not just Bella, so let's please keep this quiet, alright?"
"Alright, we will talk more later. Good luck and let me know if you need anything from me."
"Okay, mom. Love you, bye."
"I love you too, son. Goodbye."
Okay. Parents are taken care of. Now Charlie.
"Hey, Charlie, it's Edward."
"Hey, Edward. Everything okay?" Why does everyone ask me that? "Yeah everything is good. I have a favor to ask you."
"Sure. It's time isn't it?"
"Yes. April 6th. She doesn't know, but I need you to play a big part in this. We have two months before the date and I would like you to officiate the ceremony."
"What!" Charlie bellows into the phone.
"You can get licensed online in a matter of days. I will pay for it and have the information sent to you and all you have to do is fill out the information. I will help you with anything you need. It's just that Bella wants a quiet ceremony just friends and family. I thought if you would get licensed to officiate, then there would be no outsiders at all. Just us." I explain to him.
"Um… is it hard? Do I have to go to school?"
"No." I chuckle into the phone. "Just fill out the paper work, do what they instruct you to do to complete the process and voila, you are an ordained minister. I only want you to marry your daughter to me, not start a church or anything." I laugh as I explain the process to him.
"Sure, son. I can do that. Bella will be pleased that you thought of this for her. I would be honored to marry the two of you, Edward. Just send me the information and I will get started." Once the idea hits him, I can tell he is excited and is truly honored that he will be the one who is officiating the small ceremony.
"Okay, perfect. I'll get started right away. Thanks, Charlie, I'll talk to you soon." And I hear the click as he hangs up and I fire up the internet to get the information I need to send to him.
Now, for her dress.
~BD~
TO: Cullen Family
FROM: Edward Cullen
Date: April 2, 2012
Re: Volturi Winery
Hello family. Please attend a meeting/lunch at Celadon on Saturday, April 6, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. I have a major announcement to make that involves the winery and the family.
And please, no questions, no badgering, and no inquisitions. I will answer all questions at the meeting.
Attendance is mandatory.
Edward
I know this is going to cause a stir in the family, but they will just have to wait. Everything is set. It's going to be perfect.
I only had a few days to wait until the announcement but everyone thought it was business-related so no one bugged me but Emmett. I knew he would. It's his nature. So by the time Saturday rolls around I have officially become a nervous wreck.
Bella and I pull up at the same time mom and dad do. Bella hasn't seen them since Thanksgiving and she is beyond excited to see them to say the least.
"It's so good to see you guys." Bella sqeals hugging them hard. "This must be serious for you to fly home. Lord, I hope everything is alright. Edward must have made quite the business decision for you to be here." She says to Esme as they walk into the restaurant arm in arm.
As we walk in everyone else is at our table and they jump up in excitement at seeing our parents. I stand back and watch their love show and know this is going to be a good day. The weather is perfect and my family is together. Once everyone settles down after seeing my parents, we look up and Charlie and Susan enter the restaurant and now Bella jumps up to hug both of them.
"Daddy? What are you doing here?" She asks as she gives Sue a hug. She is beaming now but looks at me.
"Edward, you have some explaining to do." She grins.
"Okay, baby. I'll explain it right now." I say, kissing her cheek.
I raise my glass and clink my knife against its side to get everyone's attention.
"Family. I'm sure you are curious as to what this meeting and my announcement is about. First, thank you, mom and dad, for coming. It means a lot to me that you came at my call. Charlie, Sue, I'm happy you could attend as well. It means more to me than you'll never know. Second, Bella," I say to her directly, "I want you to know that all the hard work you have been doing relative to the old Denali property has been gifted over to you. As of yesterday, the name has been officially changed from Denali Winery to Swan Wines. It is my plan that it will become our legacy to our future children." I look at her and I can see the tears already beginning to form and I reach in my pocket to hand her a packet of tissues. I expected this and came prepared.
"And thirdly," I pause and swallow hard because I can't believe I am finally saying this out loud, "Today is my wedding day." I look at her and am humored by the fact it hasn't registered. She has to process what I said and when it does, her face is priceless.
"Edward." She whispers from her chair. I kneel in front of her and take the tissue from her hand and wipe her tears away for her. "Edward." She says again.
"Today, baby." I say to her, kiss her soundly and then take her hand. I stand up and my family is excited for the details.
"So, brother," Jasper says with a beaming smile on his face. "Fill us in."
"Right now, we enjoy a nice family lunch together then we go back to the house so Bella can slip into the dress that is waiting for her in her dressing room. The ceremony is at 4:00 sharp so let's eat." I say, happy things went well. I look over at Bella and I think she is stunned silent. I watch as she pushes her food around on her plate and I take her hand in mine.
"Something wrong, baby?" I ask, seeing the nervousness on her face. "Is this too much? Too soon?" I swallow hard at the thought that she might not want this right now. But she did say she was ready. Did she change her mind?
"Oh, God, no, Edward. I've been waiting for this day. I thought this day would never come." She says, placing her hand on my cheek. I take it and kiss the inside of her palm.
"Then what is it?" I ask, searching her eyes, waiting for her response.
"I'm getting married today. To you. I might not look like it, but I'm very excited to call you my husband." She says, laying her head on my shoulder burying her face into my neck.
"That's right, Mrs. Cullen." I say grinning down at her. "Now let's eat so we can get married, okay?" I kiss her cheek and she seems to have more interest in her lunch.
Once we finish eating, we gather at the front of the restaurant and I ask everyone to meet me at my house at 3:45 sharp. God this is stressful. I don't know why the location of the wedding is so secretive to me, but I suspect it is so no one will tip Bella off to what my plans are and I also suspect that I just want everyone to be surprised. The only person that knows the true plan is Charlie. Bella is going to flip over that one.
As I pace the floor downstairs in our newly remodeled living room, I wait for Bella to see if she likes the dress I had special ordered for her. It is a Vera Wang, sleeveless chiffon cocktail dress. I had it made for her in a champagne color with a matching satin sash that ties around the waist in the back. The gift that I hope she really enjoys is the matching diamond and sapphire earrings and bracelet set.
I stop my pacing when I hear a scream come from our room. I smile, suspecting she found them.
I had a black Gucci suit made for me and paired it with a champagne colored shirt and matching tie so that I match Bella a little bit. I hope she likes it. Lord, I wish she'd hurry. We are going to be late.
I start to pace again when I hear the back door open and everyone has arrived all dressed up. I smile because I really didn't expect anyone to dress up but Bella and I. I smile at them as they file into the living room. I rush over to Rosalie and Alice.
"Girls, would you go up there and get her? I don't want to keep the minister waiting." I say watching as they rush upstairs to our room.
Just as they reach the top of the stairs, Bella opens the door and I can only stare at the vision that is looking down at me. My mouth slowly grows into a full blown smile at how perfectly beautiful she is. As she descends the stairs with her girls in tow, I wait for her at the bottom and take her away into the dining room to speak to her privately.
"My God, Bella." I say kissing the side of her neck. "I don't think you can get any more beautiful than you are right now. You look stunning."
"Edward, thank you so much for everything you have done to make this wonderful for me. I love this dress. It's perfect. And the jewels. Diamond and sapphires are my favorite." She says kissing me sweetly on my lips. "And you… you look so beautiful yourself, Edward. It's all so perfect." She says about to break out into tears.
"Don't you start that now, Bella." I say, gently wiping her eyes. "But just in case you do, I am prepared." And I show her the tissues I have stashed in my breast pocket.
"Are you ready to become my wife, Ms. Swan?"
"Yes, I am." She says, taking my arm as I escort her back out to our family who are all waiting impatiently in the living room.
"Let's go." I say to everyone and I take Bella and slide her into the seat of my cart and she looks at me with a puzzled look on her face. Everyone is staring with puzzled looks on their faces. I shrug my shoulders and look back at them.
"Well? What's everyone waiting for? Let's go. Follow me." I say and I start the convoy toward our destination wedding.
Once we crest the hill, I look over at Bella and she has her mouth covered with her hands as she sees our oak tree covered in wisteria vines from top to bottom. That old tree has never seen a flower on it in its 100 years and now it's in full bloom. I had my crew cut a path and had the soil compacted so the girls can walk in heels. I also had green sod planted under and surrounding the tree. I don't know if it will last, but I wanted it green and beautiful for Bella and I will do my best to try to keep it alive and green for her... for us. It's where we come to picnic… to make love. Once we reach the end of the path, Bella sees her father standing under the tree with his hands holding a bible. There are benches scattered in no particular order for our family to sit.
Sue starts the iPod. Bella's favorite tune is George Winston's Thanksgiving, so I went to the studio to record it for her and she immediately recognized that it's me playing.
"I wanted it to be your wedding song, baby." She looks into my eyes and we both just stand there, speaking to each other without saying a word. I am so in love.
Once everyone is seated I slowly escort Bella to stand in front of her father. When we stop in front of him, he bends down to kiss her cheek and I hear him say "I love you, baby" in a whisper to her. She is crying now and I'm not so sure she's going to make it. I take my tissues out and wipe her eyes again, placing it in her hand for her to use.
"Bella," Charlie begins, "when Edward called me to ask for a favor, I was knocked over when he suggested that I become an ordained minister so that only friends and family would be present here today. It's what you wanted. As long as I have known Edward, he has only wanted to make you happy so it was with the utmost pleasure that I granted his request because nothing makes me happier then to stand here before you both knowing I am the one that is sealing your bond of marriage. Edward, you have made me a happy man in asking me to do this for my daughter. Thank you, son. Now, let's get started."
"Bella, I know you haven't had the opportunity to plan any words for Edward and none are expected of you, but Edward has a few words he'd like to say to you. Edward?" Charlie says, looking at me and then at his daughter.
"Bella, baby." I begin, taking her hands in mine. "Today is one of the happiest days of my life. The happiest was when you opened your eyes when I thought I would never hear you speak to me again. That was the most difficult time of my life. But here you are now, standing in front of me, about to become my wife. I am giving myself to you fully. You own my heart and my soul. I bless the day that I met you, baby. You have given me light and hope and a love that I thought I would never have. Trust me when I say I will love you for the rest of your life, Bella, and I will make it my life's goal to make you happy every single day." I place my forehead on hers, holding her hands tight to my chest. "I love you so much, Bella."
Whew! I did it. When I take a deep breath, Bella pulls me down and whispers in my ear, just for me to hear.
"Edward, I love you with everything that I am. You are everything to me, baby, everything. I love you so much, and I thank God every day that I met you and that you are mine." She couldn't go on, she was crying too much and I bring her to my chest and hold her there until she's ready. Once she gets her tears under control, I nod to Charlie to start.
I look out to my family and there is not one dry eye in the group.
"Edward, do you take this woman, whose hands you now hold, to be your wedded wife, and do you promise before God and these witnesses that you will be to her a true and devoted husband, true to her in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, in prosperity and in adversity, and that forsaking all others you will keep yourself to her, and her only until God shall separate you by death?"
"I do." I say smiling down into her tear-filled eyes.
"Bella, do you take this man, whose hands you now hold, to be your wedded husband, and do you promise before God and these witnesses that you will be to him a true and devoted wife, true to him in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, in prosperity and in adversity, and that forsaking all others you will keep yourself to him, and him only until God shall separate you by death?"
"I do." She cries into my chest.
"Bella, do you have a ring to place on Edward's finger?" Charlie asks and Bella looks at me, questionably. Esme gets up from her seat and places my wedding band in Bella's hand and Bella then slips the ring on my left ring finger.
"Edward, I have the ring in which you will place on my daughter's finger. In so doing, you are bonding yourself to her and with her comes her family. I welcome you into our small family, son." And with that, Charlie places Bella's diamond wedding band into my hand and I slip it onto her finger along with my grandmother's diamond engagement ring.
"By the legal power in the state of California and Bella's father, I pronounce you husband and wife. Edward, you may now kiss my daughter, your wife."
I can barely stand still. Finally. I have to say it.
"Hello… wife." I say grinning at her.
"Hello, husband." She giggles. "That sounds strange, now kiss me, Mr. Cullen."
"Gladly, Mrs. Cullen."
A/N: I want me an Edward Cullen dammit. I hope you liked this very busy chapter but they finally did it. Married. Sunday is the epilogue so don't miss it….the chapter was sweet, the epi? I guarantee you will pucker when you read these last lemons. G'on now…you know what to do.