Author's Note:

Thank you for continuing to read and review! I appreciate you all so much!

Finally, the wedding is here! And maybe a surprise or two…I'll let you get to it.

Chapter 32

BPOV

Four Months Later

I stood and stared into the full-length mirror, doing my best to ignore the activity around me. I couldn't believe this day had finally arrived. I was marrying Edward today, and I couldn't wait. In some ways it felt like this day had been a long time coming, but in others, it seemed like it was only yesterday that I ran into Edward and ended up having coffee on that fateful Thursday afternoon. That day had been just over a year ago, though, and so much had happened since then. We'd certainly had more than our fair share of drama in the time since, but thankfully, things had mostly settled down on that front.

The last few months had been a whirlwind to say the least. Between family, work, and wedding planning, we'd stayed busy, but we'd finally made it to the finish line. Edward, Maggie, and I had settled into family life with relative ease, almost as though we were always meant to be. I was happier than I'd ever thought possible, and I couldn't wait for whatever the future may bring.

I pressed a hand to my stomach to quell my anxiety. I wasn't nervous about marrying Edward, just impatient to see him at the altar. I glanced around to see if I could tell what time it was, but I saw Rose approaching instead.

"Not too much longer, Bells. Less than an hour," she said as she walked up beside me.

"You read my mind," I laughed.

"Nah, I just know you're ready to get the show on the road. How are you feeling? Still no puking?" she asked. I shot her a sharp look in the mirror, then turned toward the outer room of the hotel suite where the rest of my entourage had been just a few minutes before. I was relieved to see the room empty.

"Relax, I'm not going to out you," Rose said and rolled her eyes. "Even if I am jealous as hell that you seem to have completely avoided morning sickness."

I smirked at Rose, but inwardly I was still a bit in shock. Edward and I had discussed trying to have a baby after we were married at length, and I had brought up our plan to my doctor at my last annual appointment a few months before. My doctor knew my history from when Jacob and I had tried to conceive and had encouraged me to go ahead and stop taking my birth control prior to the wedding so my body would have time to adjust before we were ready to start trying. I had stopped shortly after my appointment, and since I'd only been on the pill to regulate my periods, but hadn't believed I could conceive naturally, Edward and I hadn't been especially careful in using alternate methods of birth control. A few weeks prior, I'd been having lunch with Rose after shopping for her bridesmaid dress, and the smell of the fish she'd ordered for her meal had made me sick. I'd rushed to the bathroom and Rose had followed me and asked if I might be pregnant. Of course, I'd denied the possibility, but had taken a test later that afternoon at her insistence. Despite our lack of birth control, I'd been utterly surprised to see the positive result. I'd been even more shocked the next week when I'd visited my doctor for confirmation and found out I was already nine weeks along.

"You still haven't told Edward?" Rose inquired, breaking me out of my thoughts.

"No, I want to surprise him. I plan to tell him after the wedding. I feel a little bad for keeping it a secret, but it kind of works out. I know he's going to want to tell everyone right away, and since I'm almost twelve weeks now, I'm not as nervous to share the news," I told her.

"Yeah, that makes sense," she said as she studied her own reflection in the mirror.

"You look beautiful, Rose," I said, studying the flowy green dress she'd chosen off the rack. She hadn't wanted to pick out a dress while still pregnant with Amelia in case she didn't lose the baby weight before the wedding. "Thank you for standing up with me as my maid of honor."

"Of course. I wouldn't be anywhere else, Bells. And thanks for letting me wait to pick out a dress until after Amelia was born. I was such a whale I had no idea if I'd be in shape in time," she said with a short laugh.

"Whatever, you're gorgeous no matter what," I said with a roll of my eyes.

"Thanks," Rose said. "I just hope I bounce back as quickly next time."

My eyes shot to hers in the mirror, the look of confusion clear on my face. "What do you mean, next time?" I asked, but Rose didn't answer. She just held my gaze in the mirror until realization dawned on me. "Oh my god, are you serious?"

"Yep," Rose said as she nodded slowly as I turned to face her.

"Um, how exactly? I asked in shock.

"Well, Bella, when a man and a woman love each other very much…" Rose began in a snarky tone.

"Shut up!" I laughed. "You know what I mean. Emmett had a vasectomy!"

"Yeah, well, you remember a couple of months ago when he went to get his sperm count tested?" Rose asked and I nodded. "Well, his count wasn't at zero yet, so we were supposed to continue using condoms until he was tested again. And we did, except for one time. We got carried away and didn't have much time before Amelia woke up from her nap and Esme dropped the big kids off, and that one time is all it took."

I was speechless for a moment as I continued to stare at Rose as she squirmed under my gaze. She looked apprehensive, waiting for my reaction, and I suddenly couldn't hold it in any longer. I burst out laughing. Rose's eyes widened comically, causing me to laugh even harder.

"It's not funny!" she cried. "I'm going to have four kids, Bella!"

I forced myself to calm down and cut my laughter off when I saw that Rose was truly distressed. "I'm sorry for laughing," I said. "I'm just shocked. You were so adamant about Amelia being the last that I thought for sure you'd cut Emmett off until it was completely safe."

"Well, obviously, I should have," she grumbled. "I have no idea why I find the man so damn irresistible."

I laughed again as Rose crossed her arms over her chest and pouted, but quickly sobered as I saw tears glittering in her eyes. I put my arm around her and led her toward the bed where we sat down on the edge. "Oh, honey. Please don't be upset. I know it must be a huge shock, especially so close on the heels of the last surprise, but you are such a great mom, and I have no doubt you'll handle another baby like a pro."

"Thanks, Bells. I didn't intend to dump this on you thirty minutes before your wedding," Rose said as she dabbed at her eyes to keep the tears from ruining her makeup.

"Oh, please, I'm not worried about that. I'm here for you anytime. And just think, we get to be pregnant together!"

"True! We'll drive Edward and Emmett crazy," she laughed.

"I can't wait! Anyway, speaking of Emmett, how does he feel about this?" I asked.

"I haven't told him yet. I only found out a few days ago. Knowing him, though, he'll be thrilled. He was ridiculously proud of himself when we got pregnant with Amelia. He'll be even more insufferable this time around."

I laughed and nodded my agreement, but our conversation was cut short when the door to the suite opened and Sue walked into the room a moment later.

"You almost ready to head downstairs?" Sue asked. Rose stood from her seat on the bed and began to gather a few little things we would need downstairs.

"Yeah, I'm ready," I said. "Where is everyone else?"

"Esme and Alice are downstairs doing a final check on everything. Maggie is with them, and Angela is resting until it's time to go. Ben made her sit down and put her feet up for a few minutes," Sue said, referring to my friend and other bridesmaid, who was almost seven months pregnant. "Esme and Maggie should be up in a few to get us. I just came up first to make sure you were ready."

"Bells, I'm going to go check on the guys and the kids. Hopefully Emmett managed to keep them clean. I'll meet you downstairs," Rose called from the sitting room of the suite as Sue and I stepped out of the bedroom. I nodded, then walked over to the small refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of water to sip on while we waited. Now that the hour was so close, time seemed to have stopped.

"How's Edward?" I asked Sue.

"He's fine. Anxious to see you," she said with a smile. "He can't sit still."

"I know the feeling," I laughed. "Part of me feels like I should be nervous, but I'm not. I mean, the last time I did this didn't exactly go so well."

"You're not nervous this time because it's right, Bella. I'm not saying that I thought you were making a mistake with Jacob at the time, but I can tell you now, you never looked at him the way you look at Edward. I believe you and Jacob loved each other, but it wasn't the same thing you have with Edward. The two of you are drawn together like magnets. You move, he moves, and vice versa. You are also a little older and wiser than you were before. You know that marriage isn't always a walk in the park, but you'll fight for Edward, just like he'll fight for you. I have no doubt that you are meant for each other."

I blinked to clear the tears that were threatening to fall and reached for Sue to pull her into a hug. "Thank you," I murmured. "Thank you for being here for me today, and for always being in my corner, no matter what. I know it's not enough, but I love you and appreciate you more than you know. You're the best mom in the world, and you didn't have to be."

"There is no need to thank me. I may not have given birth to you, but you are my child, just as much as Seth and Leah are. I hope you know I've never seen you any differently than I do them, so it doesn't matter what I 'had' to do. I do what I want, and I love you just as much as I would have if you were mine biologically. I know you understand because I can see that you feel the same way about Maggie."

"Well, regardless, I do appreciate you," I said. "And you're right, I do love Maggie as though she's my own, and I know I won't feel any differently about this baby than I do her." I waited anxiously for Sue's reaction to my comment. I hadn't really planned to tell her that I was pregnant, but it felt like the right time after our talk.

"Oh my goodness! You're pregnant?" Sue asked, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

"Yes," I said.

"Oh, sweetheart! I'm so happy for you!" Sue exclaimed. "I didn't know you and Edward were even trying."

"Well, that's the thing. We weren't really. We were planning to try after the wedding, but I went off the pill a few months ago at my doctor's recommendation. After my past issues, I didn't think it was possible, so we weren't exactly careful, and it just happened," I explained.

"That just tells me that it was meant to be," she said as she hugged me again. "Oh! Your father is going to be so excited!"

"You can't tell him," I cautioned. "I haven't even told Edward yet, but I plan to after the wedding. We'll make the official announcement soon, I imagine."

"Of course, I won't say a word," Sue assured me. Any further conversation was cut off as the suite door opened again, revealing Esme and Maggie.

"Mama! It's time!" Maggie declared as she ran inside and threw herself against me. I reached down and hugged her.

"I know! I'm so excited," I said. "Are you happy, sweet girl?"

"Yes! I'm so happy that you're really gonna be my mom now. But I think Auntie Alice is sad," she said, looking up at me with concerned green eyes. I tensed immediately and shot a look toward Esme, who merely shrugged, indicating she didn't know what Maggie was talking about.

The situation with Alice had improved over the last few months, but it hadn't been all smooth sailing. Therapy was working wonders, and I could slowly see the sweet friend from my past coming back to the surface, but she still had moments where she regressed. It had taken her and Jasper a couple of months of therapy to get to the point where Jasper was willing to move back home, but he'd been back in their house for almost two months now, and things seemed to be going well for them. Overall, Alice's relationships with everyone in the family had improved, and I was optimistic that we'd all be able to put the hurt of the last year behind us completely. There had been a couple of outbursts and comments here and there regarding Tanya, though not as many as I'd anticipated. There had also been one meltdown about the wedding when Alice had been feeling sorry for herself over not being a bridesmaid, after having been my maid of honor the first time around. We'd had a long talk and she'd finally admitted she understood why I hadn't asked her to be involved and had wound up being quite helpful in the planning process, so I had thought we were in a good place. Now though, Maggie's comment had me concerned.

"What did Aunt Alice say, Mags?" I asked.

"Nothing, but I saw her crying," Maggie told me. Before I could figure out what to say, Esme stepped in.

"Sometimes grownups cry even when they aren't sad, Magpie, and I know your Aunt Alice is happy for your mom and dad, so I bet they were happy tears that you saw," Esme assured Maggie, who shrugged then grabbed Sue's hand and led her to the door.

"Come on, Grammy, we have to make sure Mama gets downstairs on time!" Maggie said, then hollered for Esme and me to get moving. We laughed as we headed to the door, but Esme held me back for a moment.

"Bella, I just wanted to say that I'm so happy you are becoming a part of our family. You've always been like a daughter to me, but now it's official! You're the best thing that has ever happened to Edward and Maggie."

"Thanks, Esme. They're the best thing that's ever happened to me, too," I said as I hugged her. "Now, let's go get me married!"

"Yes, let's!" Esme said as we exited the suite and made our way to the elevator where Maggie was bouncing impatiently. Before we got within ear shot, though, Esme slowed down and looked at me with a determined expression. "Oh, and I don't want you to worry about Alice. I'll be keeping my eye on her."

I smiled and nodded, hoping it wouldn't be necessary, but I was determined to not let the chance of drama ruin the day. I looped my arm through Esme's as we approached the elevator and headed downstairs to the event space within the hotel where the ceremony was being held. The four of us emerged from the elevator and made our way through the lobby toward the small space near the banquet room that we were using as the staging area. When we arrived, Alice, Rose, and Angela were there and appeared to only be waiting on me.

"Oh good, there you are!" Alice exclaimed as she flitted around Rose and Angela, handing them their bouquets before retrieving mine and coming toward me.

"Thanks, Alice," I said. I tried to determine if she seemed upset, but she honestly didn't. She handed me my bouquet and then began to fuss around with my dress, making sure everything was in place.

"You look gorgeous, Bella," she said softly as she stopped in front of me.

Before she could say more, or I could respond, the hotel's wedding coordinator stuck her head in the door and gave us the five-minute warning. Esme, Sue, Rose, and Angela stepped out of the room to get ready for our walk down the aisle and took Maggie with them. I nodded at Sue when she told me she'd send my dad in to get me, then turned back to Alice, who had hung back when the others left the room.

"I'll get out of the way so you can have a few minutes with your dad, but I just wanted to say that I am truly happy for you, Bella. I know I haven't been a great friend for a long time, and I still have work to do, but I know that you are a better fit for my brother than Tanya ever was. I'm so glad that the two of you found each other."

"Thanks, Alice. I almost hate to bring this up, but I have to know. Maggie said she saw you crying earlier and thought you were upset. May I ask why?" I asked.

"Honestly, I was mostly feeling sorry for myself. I was just kicking myself for screwing up our friendship, and my relationship with my family. I really am happy for you and Edward, though. It's just an emotional day," she explained. I studied her face for a moment, but there was nothing but honesty reflected in her expression.

"Well, I know that things have changed between us, but I think we are on the right track, Ali. And regardless of everything that has happened, I'm glad you're here."

"Thanks, Bells. Now, I better get out there and find my seat," she said, then gave me quick hug, just as Charlie stepped into the room.

"Am I interrupting," Charlie asked.

"No, I was just leaving," Alice told him, then slipped out of the room.

"Everything okay? She better not give you a hard time today," he said, cocking his eyebrow. I giggled at his tone but couldn't help tearing up a little as well. He was usually a laid-back individual, but Charlie Swan didn't forgive easily when someone hurt his little girl.

"Yeah, we're good," I told him. "Thanks for the support, though, Dad. I'm so grateful that I can always count on you."

"Always, baby girl," he said, his voice gruff. I caught what may have been the sheen of tears in his eyes, but he quickly pulled me in for a hug. I rested my head on his shoulder, and we stood quietly for a moment, no words needed. After a minute, Charlie pulled back and held me at arm's length. "You look beautiful, Bells."

"Thanks, Daddy," I said with a soft smile.

"Now, let's get this show on the road. If you're late walking down the aisle, that boy is likely to tear down walls to find you."

I laughed as we walked out into the hallway where the wedding coordinator was lining everyone up. As Charlie and I took our place at the end of the line, I suddenly found myself unable to stand still. I fidgeted beside him as the music began and Angela and Rose began their march. I was ready to take off at a run when the music changed, signaling it was finally my turn.

"Calm down, Bells. You don't want to drag your old dad down the aisle, do you?" Charlie asked softly.

I snorted a soft laugh, then responded. "Yeah, right. We both know you could still outrun me, old man."

I felt him shrug beside me, but any conversation was cut off when Edward came into view. He was so handsome in his tuxedo, but my eyes were drawn to his, and I couldn't see anything else beyond the clear green. The tears swimming in my eyes were reflected in his, but he quirked my favorite crooked smile at me, and suddenly I was floating. Everything around me seemed to blur out of focus and all I could see was my love. I was only vaguely aware of my dad placing my hand in Edward's, and handing my bouquet off to Rose, but Edward was in sharp focus.

The ceremony was a blur. I could hear and see nothing but Edward. I assumed I'd said and done the appropriate things, though, when the officiant finally pronounced us husband and wife. Edward drew me into his arms and laid his lips on mine to the sound of cheers from our family and friends. Kissing Edward was one of my favorite things in the world, but knowing we were bound for eternity now added an extra level of emotion. Before we broke the kiss, I felt a little body collide with our legs and Edward and I pulled apart and looked down at Maggie, who was beaming up at us. Edward bent and picked her up and I wrapped my arms around both of them.

"You're really my mama, now," Maggie whispered, and tears sprang to my eyes. I already considered her my own, but in mere minutes, the papers would be signed making her legally my daughter.

"Yes, I am, sweet girl," I whispered back as I hugged her and Edward. With my arms around both of them, and our baby growing inside me, I felt complete.

Author's Note:

They're married! What did you think? I had a terribly hard time with the wedding itself, so I ended up just skimming over it. Hope you enjoyed it though. And what did you think of the two little surprises on their way?

One more chapter and a future take after this…and I'm working on the Alice POV outtake!

Let me know what you think!