Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight

AU OOC All human.

RETROGRADE

Retrograde Amnesia - 1. Loss of memory for events occurring prior to, but not after, the onset of a

current disease or trauma.

2. Form of amnesia where subject will be unable to recall events that occurred

Before the onset of amnesia

BPOV

Boring. Saturday. Afternoon. I lay on the couch, my feet propped up on Edwards lap. Normally, I enjoyed nothing more than bad reality television on a lazy Saturday afternoon, but today I was feeling restless. I lifted my foot and gently tapped the newspaper in front of Edwards face.

“Stop.”

I did it again.

“Stop.”

I did it again, harder.

The paper slowly lowered to reveal his beautiful, annoyed face.

“You really don’t want to start something you can’t finish.” He raised the paper back to his face.

I kicked it.

“That’s it,” he said and tossed the paper behind the couch. Before I could blink he was on top of me, wearing a deliciously evil grin. He had both of my hands pinned above my head, using only one of his.

“Well, now what are you gonna do?” I asked, not even bothering to fake a struggle. He stared down at me and pretended to contemplate his next move. His thick bronze hair was still wet from the shower and it began to drip on my face.

“Marry me.”

“I’ve already agreed to that,” I said, wiggling my ring finger on my still restrained hand.

“No. Today. Tonight.”

“What? We can’t do that, we can’t just-“

“Why?” he asked, his hand still holding both of mine, his green eyes were shining, challenging me to come up with a good reason.

“Uh, because I have wedding plans in motion, because Alice would kill both of us, because we both would kill Esme, because we don’t have a marriage license yet-“

“No. No good. I veto all of those reasons,” he said, flippantly.

“You can’t veto my reasons!”

“Yes I can.”

“What do you wanna do? Go to Vegas and get married by Elvis?” I asked, sarcastically.

“Well…yeah.”

He was serious.

“You’re serious.”

“I am. Look, I’ve been waiting since high school to marry you. I’m tired of waiting,” he shrugged.

“Oh,” I said, trying to wrap my mind around his idea.

“If we’re doing it anyway, what’s the difference?”

“I just gave you a rather lengthy list.”

“I’m not marrying you for Alice or Esme or flowers or anything else you said, so none of those counts as a reason not to. Do you want to marry me?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You know there is nothing I’ve ever wanted more.”

“Good. Lets go get married.”

My heart began to flutter as I realized that every dream, every fantasy I’ve ever dared to have was about to come true. I didn’t want to wait another seven months, or even seven hours. I suddenly wanted this, badly.

He let my hands free and I instantly wrapped them around his neck and squealed.

“That was the girliest thing you’ve ever done,” he said.

“Cut me some slack, it’s my wedding day,” I said, planting quick kissed down his throat. “We should get up.”

“We should,” he murmured into my shoulder. I slid my hands to the button of his jeans.

“I mean, traditionally, we shouldn’t be doing this right now,” I said, yanking the button open.

“Traditionally,” he agreed, pulling my shirt over my head. “But, we’ve been doing this for years now…not that I’m complaining.”

“True,” I said, convinced.

He pulled away and looked down at me. He nodded his head slowly.

“I can’t believe you’re mine,” he stated simply.

Right. Somehow, Edward had deluded himself into thinking he was not the most beautiful man to walk the planet. I don’t know how, we have plenty of mirrors.

“Likewise. Can we save the mush for the honeymoon?” I asked pulling his pants down. He smiled crookedly at me.

“Lose the sweatpants, Swan.”

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“Okay,” Edward sauntered into the bedroom. “I Mapquested from Phoenix to Vegas, we should-there is no way you need all of that,” he said, gesturing to my stuffed with a map in his hand.

“Of course I do,” I said, trying to shut my luggage.

“When did you turn onto Alice?”

“Haha. Look, I just want to be perfect for you, okay?”

“Bella, nothing in or out of that suitcase could make you any more perfect for me.”

“Fine. I want to look pretty in our wedding pictures,” I said, holding up a disposable camera. He walked over to me and took a hold of my hips. He moved me three steps over and swiftly and neatly shut the same suitcase I struggled for fifteen minutes with.

I glared at him.

He winked at me.

“Hi honey, we’re home!” a big voice boomed from the living room.

“Shit,” I whispered. “Go out there-“

Too late.

Edwards big brother Emmett stood in the doorway, his muscular arms reaching up so his hands gripped the archway. Beautiful Rosalie, one of my best friends and Emmett’s girlfriend, was at his side.

“We’re bored,” he said, looking at us expectantly.

“Shall we tap dance for you?” Edward asked dryly.

“Not you, but Bella could,” Emmett grinned.

“Do you guys want to go to a movie or something?” Rosalie asked, ignoring Emmett.

Edward and I looked at each other.

“Uh, no, we’re tired and-“

“We have Alice with us, so you’re wasting your breath,” Rosalie said.

Just then, Alice appeared, slipping her tiny body in between Emmett and Rosalie. She opened her mouth to say something, then snapped it shut.

Shit.

She slowly looked around the room, her eyes lingering on the suitcase on the bed. Her hands went to her hips, her eyes back and forth between Edward and I.

“You guys didn’t mention you were going anywhere,” she said suspiciously.

“We’re not.”

“It’s spur of the moment.”

“Well, which is it?” Alice asked.

“Busted,” Emmett sang from the doorway.

“No big deal, Alice. We’ll be back by tomorrow night. You won’t even miss us,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant.

“Where are you guys going?” Rosalie asked.

“Oh, you know, road trip,” I said, glancing to Edward for help.

“For less than 24 hours? And you packed a suitcase full of clothes? Bella, you don’t go through that many clothes in a week!” Alice said, pointing at me accusingly.

She had me there.

“We’re going to Vegas,” Edward said.

“YES!” Emmett said from the doorway.

“No,” Alice moaned.

Edward looked at Emmett.

“Bella and I are going to Vegas,” he said pointedly.

“Nobody’s going to Vegas without me,” he said.

“Nobody’s going to Vegas, period,” Alice said.

Edward rolled his eyes and took my hand.

“Ready, baby?” he asked.

“Yep.”

“Stop. I know what this is,” Alice said slowly, her eyes narrowing. “You’re getting married.” The way her voice burned with accusation, you’d have thought we killed her dog.

“Really?!” Rosalie squealed. “We’re definitely coming, now!”

Outside in the driveway a horn honked.

“Jaspers waiting in the car,” Emmett said, unaffected by Alice’s revelation.

“Please go get him,” Alice said. “We’re not going anywhere any time soon.” She flopped on the bed.

“Fine. You stay. We’re leaving,” I said.

“What about med school?” Alice blurted out. “You graduate in six months Edward! Why not wait?”

“Well, mom, I will graduate in six months. We’ll be back before Monday morning. I won’t even miss one day of school.”

“But…the calla lilies…they’re ordered…and and the menu is all set…I wrote a speech and Bella’s dress- MY DRESS and…” she suddenly let out a short squeak and pointed to the disposable camera next to her like it was a snake. “Photographer,” she whimpered.

“Come with us,” I said reluctantly. She was my best friend and heartbroken. Besides, she put more work into this wedding than me and Edward combined, we owed it to her.

Alice jumped from the bed and hurled herself at me.

“Really?” she screeched. “Can I give my speech? Can I wear my dress? It needs a few alterations but – oh, fuck it, I wanna wear it-“

“Me, too,” Rosalie yelled from the doorway. “And I want a bouquet!”

“I still get to be the best man!” Emmett said, returning with Jasper.

“I’m still stuck being head usher,” he chimed in, faking enthusiasm.

I looked at Edward, defeated. He smiled and shrugged his shoulders. Around us, our friends talked excitedly and made plans. I remembered what he said. None of it mattered, only us. I was surprised to find I was glad our friends would be there, to share this. God knows we’ve shared everything else. It was only right they would be there, they were a part of our history and definitely a part of our future. They were our family.

An hour later we were cramped in Emmetts jeep.

“I ain’t reading that,” Emmett said from the drivers seat. He crumpled up the paper and threw it behind his shoulder to the backseat.

“The best man is reading it,” Alice said. “I’m sure Jasper would be happy to read it if you want to step down. Bella picked it out for her wedding and so help me God I will salvage whatever is left of it,” Alice ranted, her voice becoming high pitched. She was still mourning the lillies.

“Fine. Give it back,” Emmett said.

“No. I don’t like your attitude.”

“Give it back, Alice.”

“No, Emmett.”

He reached behind himself and blindly grabbed for Alice.

“Knock it off, Em,” Rosalie said, smoothly and evenly.

He did.

“Ha,” Alice said, but she leaned up and tossed the paper on Emmett’s lap.

“I can’t believe you’re actually going to be married,” Jasper mused.

“There’s still time, Edward. I can pull over and leave the old ball and chain on the side of the road.”

“Oh, please, Emmett. You’d miss me,” I said.

“I really don’t think it’ll be that big of a change,” Rosalie said. “You guys have been practically married since 10th grade.”

It was true, I was already his wife as he was my husband, this ceremony only made the rest of the world recognize it.

“Yeah, but once she has him legally, it’ll cost him a lot more to get out,” Emmett antagonized.

Edward leaned up and cracked Emmett on the back of his head.

“Have you seen this abusive side, Bella? Maybe you oughtta rethink this.”

“What does Charlie say?” Rose asked, ignoring Emmett, the way only she could.

“Well…nothing. We didn’t tell him. I’m sure he won’t be too upset, it saves him from having to stand up in front of half the town.”

“Wait, wait, wait. Edward, you’re going to take Charlie’s only daughter to Vegas to marry her? Did you forget he’s a cop? Who carries a gun? Who once threatened to use it if he caught you climbing in his daughters window again?” Emmett asked incredulously.

“I was fifteen. We’ve come along way since then.”

“What does Esme think?” Jasper asked.

Edward and I were silent.

“You did tell Esme, right?” Alice asked.

“No…and we didn’t eat all of our vegetables, either,” Edward answered.

“Oh, you joke, tough guy, but if you thought my reaction was bad…”

“Esme’s gonna hit the roof,” Rosalie finished.

“She’ll get over it,” Edward said, confidently.

“I am SO the new favorite son,” Emmett grinned and turned up the radio.

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Our vows had been simple and timeless, the same sweet words that millions before us uttered. The chapel was…well, a Vegas chapel. It could have been a pig sty for all I cared. What mattered was we were bound to each other for eternity, no matter what. During the ceremony, Edward spoke softly to me, there was a peaceful confidence about him that soothed any nerves I had. The way he looked at me made my chest ache for him, he was so beautiful and good…and all mine.

Jasper was solemn and quiet, his arm linked with Alice’s, who was softly crying and occasionally blubbering something about polyester flowers. Rosalie beamed with pride as Emmett stepped forward to read the excerpt I had chosen. He cleared his throat and straightened his tie. I prayed he wouldn’t fuck it up.

Surprisingly, he looked humbled and happy. He looked at Edward and mouthed something I couldn’t quite make out, but Edward smiled and nodded his head. Then Emmett began.

“An excerpt from the poem Because She Would Ask Me Why I Love Her by Christopher Brennan.

Then seek not, sweet,

The if and why.

I love you now

Til the day I die

For I must live because I live

And life in me

Is what you give.

It was so perfect and true, especially for Edward and I.

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The next morning I stared in disbelief at the bags and packages piled on top of Alice and Jaspers hotel bed.

“How- I mean when did you have time to do this?” I stammered.

“Well…everyone fell asleep! I was bored and well…the shops in Vegas don’t close and…come on! Who didn’t see this coming?!” Alice defended herself.

“Well, there’s no way it’ll all fit,” Jasper sighed.

“Well, there’s no way I’m taking any of it back,” Alice said.

“It’s you or the clothes, Alice,” Emmett said, irritated and hung over.

“Wait,” Edward said. “Bella and I can take the train.”

“A train?” I asked flatly.

“Yeah, it’ll be fun.”

Alice looked at me hopeful.

“Why don’t you take the train? Its your fault,” I said.

“Why don’t you all get on the damn train?” Emmett spat, rubbing his head. It wouldn’t be a fun ride home with Emmett. How bad could the train be? I looked at Edward and shrugged.

“Why not?”

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“You were right. This is kinda fun,” I said.

“Am I ever wrong?” Edward asked.

“Don’t push it.”

“Ah, but I can now, I’ve got you,” he winked and flashed his ring in my face.

“You always had me.”

“Well, what are we going to tell everybody?”

“According to the train schedule, Alice is going to beat us home by an hour. That’s more than enough time for her to call…everybody. We won’t have to say a word.”

“She wouldn’t.”

“She will,” I said.

“Saves us the trouble, I guess.”

“I am Mrs. Cullen,” I declared abruptly.

“Yes,” Edward said, smirking.

“Say it,” I said.

“Mrs. Cullen,” he said, humoring me.

“Now say Mrs. Edward Cullen.”

“Mrs. Edward Cullen.”

“Now say Bella Cullen.”

“Bella Cullen.”

“I love it. Hand me my purse, I want to get a pen.”

He looked at me puzzled, but tossed the purse in my lap anyway. I dug out and old receipt and a pen and carefully signed my new name.

“It looks perfect,” I said.

“It does,” he agreed, amused by my handiwork. I wrote Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Cullen. He laughed at me.

“What?” I asked.

“You used to write the same thing all over your notebooks at school.”

“You saw that?”

“Yep.”

“Well…it’s real now,” I said and he kissed me.

“When did you know you were going to marry me?” I asked, enjoying my school girl antics.

“High School. Freshman year. Winter dance. Last song.” He answered without hesitating. I stared at him.

“No, be serious.”

“I am. You were wearing that hideous purple dress-“

“You didn’t like that dress?”

“No. Anyway, you stepped all over my toes and it hurt like hell and there was something stuck in your braces-“

“There was not!”

“There was…and the only thing I could think was ‘I love this girl’. Then I knew.”

“I love you, Edward.”

“I love you, Mrs. E. A. Cullen,” He flashed me his gorgeous, crooked grin, then everything went black.