A/N: Hello all! It's so amazing to be back into fan fiction after almost 10 years! I am also reading Midnight Sun for reference, having started it back in the day when it was available online, but now it's a great resource for all these lovely characters as well as Twilight Wiki.

This fic is All Human, the pairings are CANON, but beware of twists. The characters, who are in their mid 20's and 30's will be loosely based on Stephenie's backstories. The premise is a take on the reality show Married at First Sight, though Meet Ya at the Altar is, of course, tailored to fit this story. What I do know- HEA. Things I don't know - who the producer is - may come up as a surprise later. I also don't know yet where Carlisle and Esme fit in - or if they do - as everyone has their natural parents. I'm doing the best I can, so I hope you will follow, review, and fave, if inspired. I would really appreciate it & I look forward to hearing from you!

Chapter 1

Bella snuck a peek at her phone, knowing it did not escape her best friend's gaze. Nothing much got past Alice. Nonetheless, she told herself she wasn't surprised he hadn't texted her. It was never a surprise and why did she keep checking anyway? He wasn't going to text her. Bella had to accept that. Jesus. It had been 2 months. Out of the corner of her eye, Bella saw Alice check her own phone, saving her the explanation. Of course, Alice needed no explanation. She had the grace not to say anything about it.

The thunk of two shot glasses being set down on the bar in front of them got her attention and Alice clapped her hands. Bella dropped her phone into the bottomless pit of her bag instead of into the handy side pocket she normally stowed it.

"Here's a toast," Alice said, grabbing her shot glass.

With a breath, Bella picked up hers and clinked it to her best friend's. "A toast. To no more being single."

"That with the help of modern science we will find our soulmate."

"Uh huh," Bella said, though she knew her enthusiasm didn't match her friend's.

"And just think, in just 1 week we'll be saying 'I do' to the man of our dreams."

"Yeah, come on, Alice. How can you say that? We won't even lay eyes on our groom until we meet him at the altar."

"Because I saw him - in my vision…kinda. My spirit guides led me here, and they never steer me wrong. Things are always working out for me."

"Yeah, except for that time the GPS wasn't working, and we relied on your 'internal guiding system' through the worst streets in Los Angeles. Thought we were gonna get shot."

"Uh…did you die?"

"Or the time your spirit guides told you to ditch school and meet Jimmy Baker at the Dairy Queen and you got grounded for a week."

"Yes, but behind every misfortune is a lesson to be learned. I got detention, in which I befriended Lily Skeeter, who I thought hated me, but was really just antisocial and had nothing to do with me at all."

Bella wondered if this was the end all be all of solutions for them. Lord knew the traditional method of dating and relationships hadn't worked for her. What lesson did they stand to learn from all of this? What if they were doomed to failure?

"It's going to be great, you'll see. Just think out of over 200 women all over the U.S. and countless interviews with producers and experts and psychological questionnaires and profiles, it finally came down to us. I mean, how synchronistic is it that out of all these women that you and I would be one of the 3 to be chosen?"

Yes, Alice had predicted it, but Bella had her doubts for sure.

Alice held up her shot glass. "Enough doubts already. We've invested the past 2 months of our lives, and we're here. We've taken leaves from our jobs and our lives. We are getting married to a man they've screened meticulously to match our likes and interests- there just aren't any better odds out there. Trust the universe, Bella. Time to let go of what no longer serves you, my friend."

No longer served her. She meant checking her phone. She meant checking to see if Jacob had texted her. Of course. She let that settle in for a moment. Alice was right.

Alice nodded and at the count of three, the two took the shot, and the warmth of the tequila both burned and soothed at the same time.

Bella motioned to the bartender and held up two fingers. The bartender acknowledged her with a smile.

"That's her," Alice said, motioning to the back table. "I think she's number 3."

Stealing a look in that direction, Bella recognized the long blonde hair, the perfectly done makeup. This woman looked like she had just walked off the cover of a magazine. What in the heck was she doing here?

"Remember I told you she was familiar? Well, I remember her from some other reality shows, like Bachelor in Paradise."

"Oh…so you think she's just doing this for exposure."

"Well, I don't think she's here to find a man to live happily ever after with."

As though on cue, the blonde rose, picked up her purse and left one empty glass on the table beside the check. She scooted her hair to the side and didn't bother to spare a glance in their direction.

Alice was spot on. Anyone could see she wasn't here for the right reasons. But, hey, when you're an aspiring actress, being on television never hurt.

The right reason. What was that anyway? Was it because your childhood sweetheart- the boy you'd given your heart and soul to rejected you once you graduated high school? Or that once you were finally beginning to pick up the pieces in your junior year of college that he engaged you into his life again, filling you with that same hope you harbored for years that you two would end up together, only to crush you that following Christmas. Literally on Christmas Day. What an asshole. Who breaks up with someone on Christmas Day? And now, after a year and three months you still ran to him every time he texted for a booty call. Talk about a lack of self worth.

Alice's eyes darted to Bella as the two took the next shot the bartender placed down in front of us. "Hey. Don't look now, but handsome guy checking you out."

Bella resisted the urge to look. "Handsome guy? Are you joking?"

"You're not married…yet. Think of it as a last fling."

"Are you crazy?"

"Uh yeah."

"No, Alice. Absolutely not."

"It would take your mind off your phone. Besides, I have a feeling about this guy," she said, a stern edge to her voice.

"Please…"

Alice covered her mouth, faking a yawn. "I'm so tired. We have a long day tomorrow - I think I'm gonna hit it."

Bella reached out to grab Alice's forearm. "No. Okay, I'll come too."

"Don't you dare. Finish your drink." In a wink, she'd gotten up, placed 2 bills on the counter and hung her bag over her shoulder. "Good night." Alice smiled in the direction of whoever was behind Bella and left.

Bella felt his eyes on her. No, she told herself. She was not about to make conversation with a perfect stranger when she was about to marry another perfect stranger…that science had chosen for her. What the heck? She was not the girl who got picked up in bars…She didn't know what Alice was thinking. What if he was a murderer or rapist or serial killer? Bella lifted the shot glass to her mouth, intending to take the shot and get out of there as fast as she could.

Just as the last of the liquid made its way into her throat, the sound of masculine velvet invaded her space.

"Hi, there."

It disarmed her, and the last of the spicy warmth got swirled around in her throat, causing her to choke and sputter. Bella could do nothing but cough, covering her mouth with her fist as a man with reddish hair and the most disarming hazel eyes stood before her. Handsome, Alice said. No. He was drop dead delicious. As he stood there, a look of concern creased his brows.

"You okay?"

Nodding, she worked to release the last of the air blocking her throat, still coughing like a doofus. She hated that about herself. Could she be any more awkward? She'd had twenty-six years on this earth to get over it. How would her new groom feel about having a wife that tripped over her own feet and choked on air?

"Lift up your arms," he said and Bella just looked at him. "It will open up your lungs."

Halfheartedly, she lifted both arms, and the contents of her purse spilled, dropping onto the wood floor- her phone, a compact, a hairbrush, a maxi pad… Great…

Her cheeks filled with blood as she hopped off the stool to fetch her belongings after spilling her life in front of this man. She snatched up a few tampons, some Midol, hoping he hadn't seen them, among other things that had landed on the ground. How was it that her whole bag had emptied? Just her luck…

"Let me help," he said.

"It's okay," she said, between coughing fits. "I got it. This kind of stuff happens to me all the time."

He lifted his hands and took a step back. "Okay. Well, listen, I just came to tell you that there was a badge on the floor. Thought it might be yours. It's right…there." He pointed to the wood floor about a foot away from her. She recognized it right away and noticed it was no longer latched onto the pocket of her bag - must've fallen when she was shuffling around for her phone.

"Oh! Thanks." Bella grabbed the badge, which showed her name Bella Swan, with the embossed blue and gold label, which was clearly marked "Meet Ya at the Altar."

Fortunately, it had landed with the blank side up.

"You here for one of the conferences?" he asked.

So to speak. She nodded.

"Yeah, it's a busy weekend for this hotel," he continued. "I hear they have a wedding, a medical conference, and a hypnosis seminar, and this other they're keeping real hush hush."

"Is that so?" she said, already knowing which she fell under. "You?"

"I'm…" His smile was sheepish, "Not at liberty to say."

"Okay."

He wasn't at liberty to say. Okay. Oh, well that made sense. He wasn't there to pick up on her. He was only there to tell her that her badge was on the floor. Thank you, Alice…and your good feeling about him. Why should this bother her anyway? It's not like she wanted to be picked up by this guy.

"Well, thank you," she said, holding up her purse. She met his eyes at that moment and became ensnared as he held her gaze. In a moment as long as eternity, their eyes stayed glued to one another.

"You're welcome."

He made no move to leave, though his lips held a sort of anticipation. Like he wanted to say something. Instead, they both stood, lost in each other's gaze, and Bella hadn't even made the connection of how cliche that would've sounded.

"I…bed," Bella said. Bed? His expression changed to surprise, and Bella corrected herself. "I'm going to go to bed. It's been a long day."

"Are you not from around here?" he asked.

"I'm from Phoenix. And you?" Damn it, Bella. Stop sounding interested. You will be getting married soon. There is absolutely nothing you need to know about this perfectly nice, broad-shouldered man and his yummy earthy scent. Or if his hair was naturally tousled that way without the help of fingers…

"I live in Pasadena, which is about 20 minutes away."

"Ahh…I see." No doubt he was there to attend one of the other conferences. She had other questions. How long had he lived there? What did he do? What did his lips taste like? How was it that she felt utterly vulnerable, as though she weren't wearing any clothes or he could see right through her? There was definitely something unsettling about this connection, and despite all reason she felt desperate to stay in his company. She'd said she wanted to go to bed, but sleeping was the last thing she had in mind.

Bella bit her lip, not knowing what else to say, and he made no move to leave.

"Have you…seen the display here at the hotel?"

"No," she said, hopeful now.

"I mean, if you aren't too tired they have these gardens you can tour. They're very beautiful. And it's almost a full moon." He shut his eyes, clenching them tight. "I'm sorry. I'm not trying to pick you up."

"That's good," Bella said, though her words did not match the sinking feeling in her stomach. There was almost this invisible adhesive or rope that seemed to yank on her and pull her toward him even though logic and reason screamed at her from a distance. But since when was she listening to reason and logic? "And no, I'll go with you…um to see the gardens. If you were inviting me."

"Yeah," he said. "Please come…with me…uh…join me for a walk…if you're not in a hurry."

"What's your name?" she asked.

"I'm…" The hesitance in his voice was painful. "Not at liberty to say."

"Right, of course. Me neither." She stood and joined him at his side, brushing her forearm against his and tried to ignore the tiny jolt at the connection.

Turns out that he knew most of the names of the flowers and bushes, and as they looked up at the starry sky, he was even naming some constellations. Already the hour had passed, and a true yawn worked its way through her mouth. Now, she was ready for bed…though she didn't like the idea of not seeing him again.

"It's late," he said. "And you've been wonderful company. Thank you for joining me."

A scary thought entered her mind, and she darted a look to his ring finger. Was he married? He'd not been at liberty to give any reason for being there nor his name.

He took her hand in his and lifted her knuckles to his lips, and she delighted in the absence of any gold around his finger and then at the shiver that the contact with his mouth to her skin had made.

"Thank you. I've had a really good time with you. You've been really nice."

"You've been a delight."

And just what kind of man in his twenties actually spoke that way? She found herself staring at him once again, her eyes settling on his lips, daring him to kiss her. Somehow, she couldn't budge herself from that spot.

He set a hand on her cheek and traced her jawline with his thumb. "Beautiful," he said.

Her eyes fluttered as she invited more contact by leaning her cheek into his palm. She stared hard at his lips, darting her eyes to his, giving him all the permission until he finally leaned his face down closer to hers, meeting her halfway, though their faces were still inches apart.

"I was not trying to pick you up," he said softly, staring into her eyes.

"I know," she said, but she rose on her tiptoes, closing the distance until their lips finally met, and both exhaled at once, as though they'd been holding their breath for the last hours, and only now with the taste of mint and the warmth of his mouth and now the crushing enfoldment of his arms around her did she feel right. Complete. She'd never felt this with Jacob…or with anybody.

After melting completely in his arms, he pulled away, squeezing her hand and not fully releasing her. How would this night end? Hopefully in his room, she thought, berating herself for these feelings. She just didn't hop into bed with a man she'd barely met…nor was she one to marry someone she would meet at the altar.

"Good night," he said and when he released her grip, she realized that he wasn't that type either. She willed her legs to move and forced the words good night from her lips. And refused to look back as she made her way to the elevator.

A/N: I hope you'll stay with me as I hope to update at least once a week. Have you watched the show Married at First Sight? Please let me know if you're enjoying the story and your theories. Should be a fun ride with twists. Reviewers will receive my very sincere thanks as well as a snippet teaser for the following chapter before I post the next one. Thanks for reading!

Also, if you like original contemporary romance, please check out "More Than Lust" on fictiondotpressdotcom, ff's sister site, also under Kelsismom, which has 28 fun chapters already posted. Check it out and say hello!