Author Note: Thank you for the great response to this story! I didn't tally up the Poll results, but the majority did feel Bella did the right thing in keeping Alice's secret, though you all felt Edward could've been trusted to keep quiet if she'd asked him to.

Thanks again to moosals for pre-reading. Stephenie Meyer owns all characters.

Chapter 39 – Love Voodoo

I am so not a cake decorator. I mean, I can pipe frosting borders, though nothing like Eric can do. Still, I wanted to make Dad and Sue's wedding cake myself. I put the final touches on the double-heart shaped cake — I borrowed the pans from the bakery — then place it in the sturdy cardboard box.

After a quick shower, I put on Edward's favorite dress, then blow dry my hair and put on a little make-up and jewelry. I slip into my high heels, then try not to break my neck going down the stairs.

Unsure of when I'll get home, I put out a bowl of wet food for Sandy, shaking my head as she scarfs it down. I swear, mealtime is the highlight of her day.

Edward shows up a few minutes early, and damn, does he look good in his dark blue suit. "Wow," I breathe, looking him up and down. His tie, which I've never seen him wear before, has diagonal stripes of white, silver, blue and green, which totally brings out the green in his eyes.

"You know what that dress does to me," he groans, making me smile.

"Is Masen in the car already?" I thought Edward said he'd be coming to the reception with us.

"Yeah," he nods, "I didn't want to chase him down when he starts looking for Sandy."

I motion for Edward to come inside, where he picks up the cake box while I grab my purse. He sets the box in the back of his SUV and then we're off to the reception. Once we've arrived, I get Masen out of his car seat while Edward carries the heavy cake.

"Don't you look all spiffy," I tease Masen, who looks like he's in a mini version of his father's suit.

"Piffy?" he parrots.

"That means you look nice," I smile.

"I ordered that online," Edward laughs.

Seeing our outfits, the hostess at the door immediately leads us back to the private dining room. Leah and Seth are already there, but no one else. Edward sets the heavy box down on a table, leaving it closed for now.

The large room is decorated in dark blue and white streamers, with six round tables of eight places each taking up most of the room. The far corner of the room has been left open, presumably as a dance floor. Dad already told me that the music will just be coming from an iHome hooked up to the sound system. Since he's far too frugal to spend money on a DJ or band, Seth is in charge of the music.

I'm still surprised that he spent the money for a week-long honeymoon in Lake Tahoe — Leah was right — after the ceremony in Reno. A courthouse and one night at a nearby bed and breakfast would've been more up his alley, but Sue probably vetoed that idea.

"Where are Dad and Sue?" I ask.

"Waiting to make their grand entrance," Seth answers. "Did you bake the cake?"

"I sure did," I smile. "And decorated it… which I am never doing again." It took hours to make all of the roses out of my decorator frosting, but I really wanted them to be perfect.

"What flavors did you make?" Edward asks.

"The left side is chocolate with a raspberry filling. The right side is white with lemon filling. Sorry, no red velvet, but I had to go with what the bride and groom enjoy. I have an extra piece of chocolate at home from where I had to cut some out to fit the two cakes together."

Over the next several minutes, the room begins to fill up with all of their guests, including Alice with her date, Jasper. As longtime neighbors of Dad's, both of her parents are here as well. I wonder if Alice has told her parents about her pregnancy yet; as of Thursday, she hadn't.

At 10 minutes past the hour, Dad and a radiant Sue step through the French doors to a chorus of applause. My father is wearing a dark suit, which I think I've seen him wear only once before, for a funeral. Sue's lacy dress is a gorgeous shade of purple that complements her tan skin and hits just below the knee.

They stop by just long enough for me to hug my father, though I don't get a chance to introduce Sue to Edward and Masen.

Once they've made their rounds greeting several people, we all take our seats for a sit-down dinner. I squeeze Alice's hand when she sits beside me.

"You're getting that pregnancy glow," I smile at her.

"Or else it's just the bronzer I used so I don't look like a zombie," she laughs.

"Any word on… you know," I whisper.

"Jasper said he'll look around for jobs in the area — here or Port Angeles," she whispers back.

"Oh my God, really? That's great!" I wrap one arm around her as our server begins setting down salad plates.

A card at each of our place settings lists three choices for our entrée. Dad was adamant that he didn't want to just serve the same dish to everyone. Our server is nice enough to let us order the kids' chicken fingers for Masen, who's picking at his salad.

"It's mostly just lettuce, buddy," Edward says to Masen. "Eat it or you can't have cake later."

"Now you know that's an idle threat," I laugh. "You never deny that little boy anything."

He turns toward me, smiling. "As long as he doesn't know that," he winks.

As we finish our meals, everyone is invited to go check out the cake before they cut it. I'm a little embarrassed by the attention I receive, but Edward looks at me with such pride in his eyes that I can't be too upset. Once it's been cut, plates are set out along the table for everyone to choose a piece whenever they're ready.

"White or chocolate?" Edward asks, standing.

"Chocolate for me."

Jasper also gets up to get a piece of chocolate cake for Alice, and the two of us can't help smiling at our amazing men.

"We're gonna be sisters-in-law one day," she vows.

"Jasper hasn't proposed, has he?!" I nearly squeal.

"No," she laughs. "But I see no reason for us not to stand together at the altar one day."

"Well, I would really love that," I smile, hugging her again. I think Edward is a long way off ever getting married again, though.

We're still eating our cake when the bride and groom step onto the dance floor for their first dance. I have never seen my father dance before, and he's actually not too bad. Masen is starting to get antsy, so once their dance is over, Edward lifts him out of his high chair so he can run around. There are a couple of other small children here between my dad's deputies and Sue's friends from LaPush, so I'm sure he'll find someone to play with.

"May I have this dance," Edward smiles. He doesn't have to ask twice.

As I sway in his arms, I can't help smiling. It's been almost exactly one year since Edward and Masen came to Forks. So much has happened in the past year, from forming a new friendship, then losing it for a few months, before our friendship became stronger than ever. That friendship eventually grew into a love that runs deeper than I ever knew was possible.

"What are you smiling about?" he says, grinning down at me.

"I'm happy," I reply simply.

"For your dad?"

"Yes, for my dad and Sue, and for Alice and Jasper, and Angela and Ben. All of my friends and family are happy. But most of all I'm just… happy with you."

Edward brushes his lips against mine. "A year ago when I came to Forks, I didn't think I'd ever be happy again. But I am, Bella. Because of you."

He kisses me a few more times, until my dad comes up, slapping his shoulder. "It's time for the father-daughter dance," he announces.

"That couldn't have waited?" I ask teasingly.

He grins sheepishly, leading me toward the center of the dance floor.

"Are you sure about him, kiddo?" he asks as we dance. "I mean, if you guys get married, you'll be a stepmom to a young boy who's lost his mother."

"Dad, I love Masen as much as I love his father. He's a wonderful boy. I'm looking forward to being his mother one day."

Dad eyes me for a minute, then nods.

At some point, Edward and Jasper disappear together, presumably to have a man-to-man talk. Alice has had enough of being on her feet — honestly, she acts like she's eight months along rather than two — so I sit with her back at our table, holding Masen on my lap.

"Bella," Sue smiles, walking over toward us, "I just wanted to thank you again for making that lovely wedding cake! And it was as delicious as it was beautiful. Did you learn to make those roses at the bakery?"

"Honestly, no," I chuckle. "My boss and one of the other employees handle most of the cake decorating. I took a class to learn the basics when I was in Seattle for college, but I learned to make the roses from watching a YouTube video."

"Cake?" Masen says, looking up at me.

"You had a piece," I smile, tapping him on his cute little nose. "I might have a little more back at my house though. You can have some tomorrow."

"Is that Edward's little boy?" Sue asks.

"Yes," I smile widely. "This is Masen. He's 20 months old now. Masen, can you say hi to Sue?"

"Hi," he looks up at her shyly, giving a small wave.

"Well, hello to you too, Masen! Aren't you adorable?"

"I think he's gonna get a big head from everyone telling him that," I joke.

"He is the cutest," Alice says. "For now."

I can't help laughing. Sue gives us a questioning look, clearly not getting the joke. "Alice recently found out she's expecting," I explain. "She's been dating Edward's brother Jasper since December."

"Oh, how wonderful! Congratulations!"

"Thank you," Alice smiles.

"The Cullen men do make beautiful babies," I agree. "Edward's brother Emmett and his wife had a daughter just over a month ago, and she's beautiful as well."

"I finally got a good look at your Edward when you were dancing with him earlier. The stories I've heard of his looks were definitely not an exaggeration."

I laugh. I couldn't agree more.

"Oh, they're over by the door now," Alice says, nodding in that direction. "My man is the blond."

"My goodness, looks do run in that family. I suppose they're all a bit young for me though," she adds with a wink.

"And already taken," I point out. "As are you!"

"Oh yes, that must've slipped my mind," she giggles.

When Masen starts to get tired, we call it a night, hugging Dad and Sue goodbye before heading out to Edward's SUV.

"You're coming over, right?" Edward asks as he drives us home.

"There's no place I'd rather be," I smile.

I follow them inside, relaxing on the couch while Edward gets Masen ready for bed. I almost went home to change before I remembered how much Edward likes this dress. I do take my jewelry off and set it on the table though.

When Edward comes back downstairs, his tie is gone and his white dress shirt is unbuttoned, untucked… and littered with a few water spots from Masen's bath. He's still sexy as hell.

"Did you just lick your lips?" he smirks, pulling me to my feet. I grin back, knowing I've been caught.

"Let's go upstairs," he suggests.

My body burning with anticipation, I follow Edward up the stairs to his bedroom. He closes the door, leaving just one small lamp on as our light source.

"Turn around," he whispers, and I happily obey.

Edward places all of my hair over my left shoulder, then begins kissing the right side of my neck, his five o'clock shadow brushing against my sensitive skin. I moan when he takes my breasts in his hands, teasing my nipples through the fabric of my dress.

"I thought… maybe I wouldn't ache for you so much once we began having sex, but… I just want you more and more," he growls.

"Believe me, that feeling is mutual."

Edward lets go of my breasts and I spin around, smiling as I push his shirt off of his shoulders. I lift up his undershirt, and he raises his arms so I can take it off. I rub the palms of my hands over his bare chest, just admiring what a perfect male specimen he is. I almost can't believe he's all mine.

Edward has already removed his belt, but as I pull down his zipper, I make it a point to "accidentally" brush my hand against his rapidly hardening cock.

"You're a tease," he grins.

"I'm not, because I absolutely aim to follow through." With that, I tug his slacks down, allowing him to fold them and toss them on top of the dresser. His boxers are next, and I tug on his cock a few times once he's stepped out of them.

I yelp when Edward picks me up in his arms, depositing me on the bed. He removes my high heels one at a time and then lifts up my dress to pull down my panties. I shudder when he rubs two fingers of his right hand through the wetness between my legs, dipping them inside my entrance.

Meanwhile, his left hand moves to my breast, pulling and tugging at my nipple. I look down at his hand and… something's missing. Grabbing hold of his hand, I bring it closer so I can be sure — Edward has removed his wedding ring.

"You… when did you…" I stutter.

"After I gave Masen his bath," he answers quietly. "It was time."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," he smiles. "You're so patient and understanding, but… it must've hurt you to see the ring on my finger. Like I told Bree's parents, she is my past and you are my future. It's not right for me to hold on to such a reminder of my past when… when I'm in love with you."

"You love me?" I whisper.

"Yes. I love you, Bella Swan." He leans down to kiss me, and then I feel his hand moving between my legs again. "And now I'm going to show you exactly how much."

A/N: So there you go, Edward ticked off the last two items on his list: admitting he loves Bella and removing his wedding ring. They're on a good path.

As of now, Jasper plans to move to the area for Alice. Only a couple of you wanted her to move any further than Seattle.

My friend learned how to make frosting roses from a YouTube video. I saw her make a few of them once. I don't think I'd have the patience!

The Epilogue will post on Friday! I hope lol. It's almost done. It'll be Monday if I don't have it back from moosals by Thursday night.