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To my Readers.... 4000+ reviews! My goodness, THANK YOU! I am sorry that I lack in PM responses lately, but I hope any questions you have asked in reviews have been answered, via response or future chapters. Thank you for all of your love, support, for recc'ing me to your friends, family, on Lion_Lamb & Twilighted, etc. I adore all of you. This chapter is dedicated to you. All 69 pages and 40,803 words of it.

Chapter Twenty-Seven: No summary, just enjoy. Mostly ALL E/B Pov's this chapter. :D

NOTE: ALL THE PICTURES OF OUTFITS, RINGS, LOCATIONS, ETC ARE IN MY PROFILE. I busted my butt, researching for almost 2 weeks to get every specific detail I wanted down and saved, so it would mean the world to me if you took the time to check all of the photos out! I uploaded them all to my LiveJournal, so it'll be easier for you all to see. Link still in profile under 'Chapter 27'.

Thank you for all who have given me more than 135 votes for a boy name and more than 259 votes for a girl name, in just this last set of rounds within reviews and pms and Twilighted Forums. I narrowed them down by who mentioned the same name, in the same order 'same first, then same middle', and whichever got the higest votes for each sex, those were the winners. The girl select was decide by a landslide, while the boy select won by a total of 5 votes. And again, no I did not vote. Your winning choices are mentioned in this chapter!

Special shout-outs: To my Twilighted girls, for all of your song select options, and for living off of the many spoilers and no chapter for a few days! I adore you guys. Suzy, my welcome wagon girl -- haha, I had to mention you separate bc I love the welcome wagon noises so much! (Our welcome wagon has a frickin' bell, how cool is that?!?!) To ctc13love4mommy for the Justin Nozuka recc. To Purple83 for all of the flower reference help -- MAN do I owe you a billion Edwards this chapter! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO AmberEnergi AND Purple83 as well!!!
To revrag -- Your last review with the counter top comment had me rolling on the ground with laughter. I'm still laughing!!

I've had quite a few new readers who finished the story thus far and are reading this chapter along with the rest of us. Since I can't respond to all of the reviews, I wanted to say an official WELCOME and I'm glad you're enjoying the story!!

** NEW EDIT:**

1. Thanks you guys for letting me know Asia is a continent and not a country. *points to blonde hair* I'm sure Bella/Edward wouldn't make that mistake. HAHA!!
2. I have offended a few people with the mormon/polygamy comment, & I give you my sincere apologies. As I write, I make mistakes and I learn, but I try to research the best I can. I used Google to see if I could find a state where someone could have more than 1 spouse, and Yahoo Answers told me that it was illegal everywhere, but in Utah was more lenient, as there were a lot of 'Mormons' (their words/not mine) who had more than one wife. When I put it in the story, I didn't realize what it looked like, and I am sorry if this chapter has offended you. I should have looked into the religion before I mentioned it. I won't make the mistake again! Please forgive!
3. Cupid Shuffle, Continent, and religion comment fixed. Thanks guys.

---- NO BETA THIS CHAPTER; PLEASE EXCUSE ANY/ALL ERRORS. ---
(My Beta should be back starting next chapter!)
AGAIN, PLEASE CHECK THE PROFILE AND LOOK AT THE PICTURES!
-- Important Announcements At The Bottom. --

Disclaimer: I own nothing that is Twilight or Stephenie Meyer related. But I think she's a genius for creating these two characters that I can play with!

"And time stands still beneath the air of waiting hours.
To touch, just to feel, a love that seems to overpower me.
She's all I'll ever need.
And you know her love just hypnotizes me.
'Til all I see... is beautiful.
At night I dream that you were sent to me from heaven.
My life, it seemed so lonely here without your presence.
You could change my everyday...
And I could never think of love without your name,
As you remain... beautiful."
Trading Yesterday, "Beautiful"

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Entering Eternity

EdwardPOV

I was empty.

Somewhere, in the back of my mind, I told myself that I was dreaming... but in this particular moment, it felt real.

The alter, me in my tuxedo, mouth agape... listening as high-heels clunked along hard-wood floors, running away from me... I couldn't breathe.

Everyone and everything had vanished but me and the isle in front of me. "Bella," I whispered, as a tear fell from my chin. "Don't."

"I'm sorry, Edward," her voice sounded, in a whimpered whisper, surrounding off the walls, echoing around my fragile skin, "I can't marry you."

"Please don't..."

"I can't marry you... I can't... I can't..."

Fight for her Edward. I took off running, listening to the voice in my mind, telling me not to let her go twice in a lifetime. "BELLA!" I shouted, panting... with each step I took to find her, another step grew to the isle... stretching, and stretching, and stretching... All the walls lifted and vanished into white nothingness... the ground was white as well, only the red carpet of the isle stretched in a long, endless line in front of me... There was nothing but me there. Nothing and no one. I was deserted. "Bella!" I screamed, as sweat streamed down from my forehead, "don't go! Please don't go!"

"I'm sorry Edward," her voice echoed again, so distant and haunting.

"Please," I panted, as my lungs threatened to explode from the pressure I was putting on them, to keep me moving, to keep the struggle alive. "Wait, please."

Each step brought me to another moment of emptiness. Another lost second without her. Another second... another minute... another hour... another day... another week... another month... another year... then another year... and another... and another...

Running, and running, and running, she was gone and I was here, chasing after her and never meeting her. There was no absolution to this. There was no happy ending.

"Bella," I tripped on my feet and crashed down onto the bloody red carpet in front of me. It threatened to pull me in, to make me sink into it's darkened depths, but I fought against it. Scrambling back up and wincing at the pain against my knees and ribs, I pushed forward, trying to figure out how the ground beneath me was now solid again. "Bella, please..." I whimpered and limped, my breath so heavy around me that I knew I wasn't going to make it ten more steps.

Suddenly clear walls crashed in front of me at every angle, blocking me inside of them. I started screaming, banging against them, "let me out! Hey! Let me out!!" Sweat poured from my face like gallons of river water and I felt like my lungs were on fire. My heart pounded against my skin, threatening to rip out. It felt as if all the air surrounding me was being sucked out of the box I was trapped inside of. You're going to suffocate, Edward.

Suddenly, she appeared. White dress, long hair draped down her shoulders and across her chest... Hands lifeless at her sides, eyes blank, lips parted. Looking at me with the same intensity of as I was looking at her... Only her eyes were empty, and mine were desperate.

"Please Bella," I begged, "save me, please."

She blinked slowly, eyes blank as the night.

"Baby please," I whimpered, begging, as the pain intensified in my legs and ribs, my skin started to tighten around me, and the last few seconds of oxygen hung in the distance.

She rubbed her stomach, looking at me, but not seeing me. Not wanting to see me.

"Please baby, save me!" I screamed, "SAVE ME, don't let them keep me in here!"

I pounded at the glass, but it was unbreakable... more and more of my skin tightened, and I felt myself start to strangle, gasping for air. The clench of my fist weakened, and I could feel the blood vessels in the corners of my eyes popping. "Save me," I gasped, trying to grab my throat, and somehow trap the air inside.

"I can't save you," she said, voice ice cold and bitter. "You never let anyone save you..."

"No," I chocked, as sweat, and tears slipped down, "it's n-not true... y-you did sav.... save me." I coughed and wiped my mouth, ignoring the blood on my hand as I looked back up to her.

And she wasn't evil looking, or demonic... just beautiful, in her white dress, hair cascading, flawless skin covering her stomach that held our child inside of it.

"You did save me," I whispered, crying.

She shook her head mouthing something, but no words could come out.

'What?' I tried to say, but couldn't because I was too weak... I knew I only had seconds left.

"Edward, wake up." Her lips moved, but it wasn't her voice.

"Bella, please don't leave me... Let me let you save me..." I begged.

"Edward, wake up," she said again, in another distant voice.

"Bella," I whimpered, one last time, as the white surroundings grew darker and darker... into night and black nothing. "please don't leave me again..."

"EDWARD! Wake the fuck up, we're late!"

Something struck my face, and I shot up, snapping myself out of the dream.

My entire body was drenched in sweat, and I had tears coming down my face, but I knew where I was.

It's just a dream, I thought, panting and swallowing hard. It was just a dream.

"Yo, earth to Edward mother-fucking Cullen?!"

I blinked a few times and directed my attention to Emmett, who was standing in a black sweater and khaki pants, "it was just a dream."

"I don't need to know about your fucking wet dreams," he replied, "and you need a shower desperately. Between the sex dreams and the alcohol from last night... dude... seriously... Too much..." He took a step forward, jerking the covers off of me, "But I do need to know if you're going to show up for your rehearsal at all, or do I need to fill in? Because I don't mind practice-kissing your soon-to-be-wife for you, if I need to. After all, what are Best Man's for, you know?"

"What time is it?"

"It's after three. We're over twenty minutes late."

"SHIT!" I shouted, scrambling and clawing my way out of the bed, "Shit! Shit! I can't be fucking late! Shit, shit, shit! Where are my clothes?!"

"What clothes?!"

"The CLOTHES! The ones Bella that laid out for me last night, for the rehearsal party! You know, the ones she put on the chair, before she went back to her room?!"

"Uh... how the fuck am I supposed to know, drama queen? I didn't sleep in your room with ya bitch, I just dropped you off from Bachelor Party De Le Cullen, and now I came in to get your ass up."

"Fuck," I spat, running in circles around the hotel room, "I knew I shouldn't have fucking gone out with you last night! I knew it, I knew it, I fucki-"

"Dude, relax, stop freaking out because you're getting me all frantic, and I don't deal well under pressure!"

"Well help me find my shit!"

"Uh... you might just want to throw something on and get your ass downstairs. I sent Paul and Dean to stall, but you know how far that goes... once they see women, we're pretty much done for."

"God dammit, Emmett," I cursed, throwing on my jeans from last night. "I'm so fucked."

He tossed me my gray v-neck shirt from the top of my suitcase, and a jacket, "dude, you're the Groom, you know? It's not like they are going to start without you. They have to wait for you."

"The fuck if they do! I'm going to hear it from my parents."

"Uh... you're an adult."

"Like that's fucking stopped them before. They'll give me that whole, 'Edward you're not responsible enough to handle adult situations' lecture they've been giving me since I was thirteen and they found me with a box of unopened condoms."

He tossed me my black shoe, and I crawled on the ground, looking for its match beneath the bed. At last, I found it, and jerked it to me.

Few seconds later, I gulped down a cup full of mouthwash and splashed some water on my face, and was out the door.

Emmett handed me the key to the room and a few mints, and chuckled as I hopped down the hall, trying to walk and slip on the shoes at the same time.

"It's not fucking funny," I said, as we entered the stairwell. "I have the hangover from hell."

"It's probably because you're still drunk," he mused, following me down the steps.

"Yeah remind me to knock you out for that later, since you couldn't seem to remember the 'only four drinks tonight Emmett' rule I had established before we left for the bar."

"Well, the way I see it, we're here in California, my best buddy is getting married, his family and friends have all flown down to see the whole shin-dig, so we're gonna fucking party whether you like it or not. That's the rules of the Best Man, after all. And from what I'm told, the Best Man rules trumps the Groom rules on the night of the bachelor party. So suck it up and be a fucking man, and just go gravel with your girl. I'm sure she'll forgive you, she worships the fucking ground beneath your feet."

Flashes of my dream entered my mind, of the isle turning into blood, then back to isle again, but I quickly shook the aside and kept pushing. "If she still marries me," I murmured, despite myself. I couldn't help it. That fucking dream fucked me up.

"Yeah, like she won't be rushing down the isle quicker than you get there," he smirked. "Dude, calm down, you're getting cold feet or shit."

"No, I'm not, I just... I really want to just get this shit done and be married all ready."

"You're almost there," he said. "Hey dude? Why didn't we take the fucking elevator?"

"I need to run off the alcohol," I panted, "just go with it."

"Fuck your life," he cursed, and I punched him in his chest.

"Don't put a hexx on me, dick."

"Since when are you superstitious?"

"Since... whatever, shut up."

We ran through the lobby, and skidded to a stop at the French doors in front of lunch rehearsal dinner. We chose the 'Barn Room' for the event, because it was easier to cater everyone with it's three-story heights. Through the windows, I could see over fifteen circular tables meant to meet our guests, each table meant to sit around eleven or so. Red napkins on top of the linen table cloths, silverware at each side, wine glasses, cherry blossoms set inside crystal vases, white chairs... Fireplace lit up... Hanging chandeliers with actual candles lit inside of them...

Bella and I chose to get married outside of the Ritz-Carlton hotel, in Half Moon Bay, California. My grandparents lived here, and after some tough negotiating with everyone, my Grandfather Victor begged and pleaded until he could pay for the entire reception, including our friends and families flight tickets.

That's why we selected this place. It was where my grandparents got married, and my family was all about tradition... despite the fact that Victor doesn't get along with my parents... at all... He loves me and wants to show it in the only way he knows how... by throwing money at us and helping us how he does best.

Ignoring the empty but beautiful, glowing room and all of it's decorations, we ran along the hardwood floors, all the way to the other side of the building. A few moments later, we were skidding to a stop at the circle in front of where the isle is going to be. Bella and I chose an outside location for the event, with the hotel in the distance on our left, and the ocean to our right, crashing against the sides of the cliff.

Everyone turned and gawked at us, all looking way more dressed up than I was in jeans. Immediately, I felt ashamed.

A few people cleared a path, and there she was... taking every ounce of breath from me. Bella stood at the end of the isle, where I will stand tomorrow. Dressed in a sensational, cashmere chiffon tea-length dress, that was draped on her left shoulder with crystal applique detail, ending a few inches above her knees. Her hair was swept up in a half-up, half-down style, strands falling all over her face into tender waves.

I clutched my hand over my chest, willing myself to steady my breathing. But I couldn't.

She looked like Heaven... Just the thought of that, I couldn't even imagine how she was going to look tomorrow. Her eyes lit up as soon as our sides parted and I came into view. She folded her hands in front of her and dipped beneath moving arms, heading toward me.

Suddenly, everything that I was stressed about and worried about, all of the things in that stupid-ass dream of mine that made no sense moments ago... none of that stuff mattered. Seeing her face come into focus... it was as if she took all of the negative away.

Her smile grew with each step she took, until she was finally in front of me, "hey."

"Hey," I grinned, flustering to get my brain to work enough to stick my hands in my pockets, "I'm so sorry I'm late."

"It's okay," she shrugged nonchalantly, her voice so calm that it soothed me, "you're here now."

"I am."

She licked her lips, and her eyes sparkled as they met mine again, "I've missed you. It was weird, sleeping in a different room than you last night... I don't know how I am going to get through it tonight."

I took a step closer, placing my hands on her arms, "I know what you mean."

She moved too, closing the gap, and we both shut our eyes. It didn't matter that our mom's were shouting for us to get up there, or the wedding planner was in our ears, or all of the people talking about flower arrangements, path orders, music, vows, and anything else... It didn't matter because she was here, and I was here, and this was happening, and it was going to be real tomorrow. She was going to be my wife... At last.

"You smell like beer," she giggled, hugging me to her.

I winced, biting my lip and placing my chin on top of her head, "I know, I'm sorry."

"And you're not wearing the cl-"

"I'm really sorry Bella," I exhaled. You're such a fucking idiot.

"I don't care," she replied, rubbing my back, "I don't care, as long as you show tomorrow."

"I'll be there," I promised. I lifted her face, and melted into her caramel eyes, "I can't wait."

She smiled, rubbing up along my forearms, "I can't either..."

I leaned forward to kiss her, and as soon as our lips touched, someone cleared their throat, and our reunion moment was taken away from us. I shut my eyes as Bella pulled away, and tensed as her mom pulled her away from me.

I hated when people pulled her away from me, and there had been a lot of it this week, with wedding planning.

I wanted to knock everyone out and pick her up, throw her over my shoulder caveman style, demand to be married in two seconds, and get on with our paradise.

Was that really too much to ask?

On top of that... Bella asked me a week ago, after she woke me up when Colleen and Alyssa took off, that we refrain from sex until our honeymoon night. That meant nothing sexual... at all. She said if we could handle it for a week, then the pay-off would be amazing... but at the exact second she asked me, I knew this week would be hell.

And she tormented my ass... Short skirts, little night gowns, fucking playing with her hair and batting her lashes and lingering her tongue on her fork and that damn list went on and on and on some more... Every single word from her lips, I turned it into a sexual nature in my mind... when she'd say, "I'm coming, I'll be there in a minute", or "Baby, can you pull that off the top shelf for me? I'm too short", or "Hey, Edward, would you mind grabbing those muffins for me? I don't want them to burn"... yeah... sex words.

I was on my very last string of restraint with her, but of course I'd never tell her that. I wanted to appear strong. Wanted to show respect.

But inside... I was screaming.

So between the no-sex/no-masturbation rule, the wedding planner, our parents in our ears, our friends, getting all of the flight details and the few things I have up my sleeves planned, as well as her doctor's appointments and finances and all that other shit...

Yeah.

I really needed a release.

BellaPOV

Edward seemed really exhausted. And had been most of the week.

But, since he doesn't like to show it, he stood tall, did as we were instructed with a smile on his face, and put up with a lot of people telling us what to do, where to stand, what to say, when to say it, where to walk, and how to breathe, among many other things.

I was more used to it than he was. He just spoke when spoken to, and gave me a lot of warm smiles. Reassuring smiles.

All I wanted to do was marry him, but I knew that he wasn't going to cave in on the courthouse idea I sparked a while back, no matter how hard I tried, so I figured I'd put forth the effort.

But wedding planning... was tretourous.

Not to mention the fact that we haven't been able to be alone these past couple days. Alice, Esme, and my mom insisted on us getting separate bedrooms once we got here, and there's been so many people in and out of those rooms, on top of everything else... I honestly think that when I see him naked again, I will faint.

Seven days is a long time when Edward Cullen is dangling in front of you like a piece of cotton candy, and all you want to do is lick him down and eat him up, but you can't.

Seven days is a bitch.

Why did I think of this? Oh yeah... just focus on the pay-off, Bella.

It was after seven pm, by the time we got done with ALL of the rehearsals.

The last one was the only one that ran smoothly, as people wouldn't shut up and stop giving their opinions all the times before. The thing about Edward and I is, we're both stubborn when it comes to just the two of us, but when it comes to everything else, we just roll with it and let everyone else stress. I just loved the times when we got to stand together. Because while everyone else was talking, he'd hold me in his arms and kiss my forehead, rub my back, squeeze my hands... just these little, silent gestures that let me know that he wasn't losing his focus of what was important.

Even when we got back to our rehearsal dinner, we weren't able to really talk, even after we got done eating the catered dinner of steaks and seafood. There were people tugging us left and right, asking us questions, plus we were trying to catch up with all of the family members that flew in to see us... it was difficult.

I never really understood why people were so stressed about weddings, until now. Now, I get it.

I sighed and tried to melt into the romantic melodies of one of the wedding mix's Alice burned for us, that was playing surround sound around us, while our wedding planner Enessa explained to me different candle scents and how different candle colors meant different things. Like I cared. If it smelled decent, that's all that mattered. But I put up a good smile, nodding and agreeing when she paused to let me.

Through the enormous sea of our friends and family talking and drinking wine, I noticed Edward, surrounded by all of the guys. Jasper, Jake, Emmett, Paul, Dean, his co-workers Scotty, Jonsen, and Andrew, and a few other of his college friends... He seemed to feel better, having his friends around. His hands in his pockets, his tongue bouncing when he laughed, his sunglasses on top of his messy, beautiful hair... I missed him.

I bit my lip and watched him, as Enessa continued to lecture and Esme and my mom joined in. All I wanted to do was run over there and kiss him. I hadn't kissed him since yesterday morning.

"Bella?"

I turned to face my mom, and cleared my throat, "yeah?"

"Did you hear me?"

"Mmhmm."

"Is that okay then?"

"Yeah, sure, mom, that's fine," I nodded, having no idea what I was agreeing to. Edward threw his head back and put his hand on his stomach, laughing at whatever Emmett was saying. All the guys cracked up, Emmett patting Edward on the shoulder, and Edward nodding like crazy. I smiled, watching him smile. I didn't like him being stressed.

"Bella?"

"Sure, Esme, that's good," I agreed to something else.

"Okay, thanks sweetie."

Suddenly, Jasper and Jake turned, and all of the guys looked at me. Edward's laugh turned into a grin, and then into a warm, gentle smile, as his eyes melted into mine. I knew I should look away, since all of them were staring at me, but I couldn't. His hold on me was too strong.

I smiled, lifting my hand and waving to him. Such a dork. He took a deep breath, keeping his hands in his pocket, and tilted his head, his smile growing even more dazzling. My heart began it's erratic flutter, and I struggled for breath, watching Emmett whisper something in Edward's ear. Edward grinned and pursed his lips, those emerald eyes trapping me in their never-ending depths.

I literally had to start bouncing on my toes, to keep myself from charging after him. My limbs were twitching, my heart wouldn't stop thudding, my throat tightened, and my tongue started to crave the taste of him. I struggled to breathe through my nose, the anxious feelings intensifying.

The guys kept talking, but Edward didn't move his eyes from me. All of the women around me were also discussing things, but I couldn't even respond to them anymore. All I heard was Otis Redding's raspy voice in the speakers, the sparkles and cracks of the fireplace to my right, and the heavy breathing of my body in my ears. All I saw was him.

Edward turned to Emmett, breaking our gaze momentarily, and my heart stilled. I didn't want him to stop looking at me. He said something to Emmett, and Em started laughing, causing everyone else to crack up. Then Jasper and Jake parted a little, and Edward stepped through, heading in my direction. My eyes widened and my body started to tremble with anticipation that he might be coming over to me. I willed myself to hold still, to just wait and see where he went. He kept his hands in his pockets as he weaved through the sea of people, nodding in acknowledgment when people said hi, but never removing his eyes off of me.

I licked my lips and then bit down hard. Just stay still, just stay still, he might not be coming to see you. Just stay still, stay still... stay still... My foot started to lift off the floor, trying to step closer to him, but I maintained my pose, begging internally for him to come here. Just come see me. Just hold me in your arms. That's all I want.

"Ooh, Bella, did you see those beautiful flowers they chose to put as the centerpieces? The vases are exquisite!"

"Yes, mom, I saw them," I whispered, watching him come closer.

"And did you see the incredible pastry's and..." her voice trailed off somewhere in the distance, as Edward stopped in front of me.

He didn't smell like beer as much anymore, but of warmth and mints. He looked handsome in his normal clothes, and I was thankful he didn't put on the bronzed button down and black slacks his mother purchased for him to wear today... These clothes were more him.

I'm sure I was smiling like an idiot on crack, looking up at him. Drooling from the mouth and everything. But I didn't care.

He ignored every person in my circle who spoke to him, and held out his hand for me, while Ray Lamontange, 'In My Arms' sang above us. Edward didn't say a word.

I took his hand, and allowed him to pull me away from everyone who had a hold of me. He weaved us around the white tables and guests, stopping in front of the fireplace.

My breath staggard as he pulled me against him, wrapping his arms around my waist and locking his fingers against the small of my back. I blew out a gust of wind I didn't know I was holding, winding my arms around his and gripping on the bends of his elbows. I pressed my forehead to his chest, allowing him to lead me in a soft sway.

He squeezed me tighter, placing his chin on top of my head. I could hear the coo's and awe's of our family, who all seemed to stop talking at the same moment. I could feel their eyes burning on us, studying our every move. But I didn't care. I just kept my eyes closed, and focused on his smell and warmth.

Our bodies were in sync while we turned slowly. The candles above us flickered, the fireplace warmth cascaded down the back of my dress... I wasn't happier than at that moment.

Tucking my arms under his, I rubbed his back and along his spine, before turning my hands around and gripping the backs of his shoulders. I was greedy, inhaling as much of his scent as possible. I wanted to save it, remember it tonight when I slept without him. Hopefully it'd get me through.

His thumbs did a tender dance on the small of my back, and his hands never loosened against me. My emotions were rocketing. I didn't realize until that exact moment, just how much I missed being away from him. I was glad that we were only getting married once. I didn't know if I could ever be separated from him again. Even when we were across the room from one another, I missed him and longed for his touch... and as soon as I was in his arms, swaying to gentle music, I was content.

I wanted to say something, tell him how much he meant to me, remind him how much I loved him... but I didn't want to ruin this moment with words. Our bodies said enough for us. I hugged him to me, pushing my face into his shirt. Don't leave me with these people again, don't let this song end...

He bent a little lower and I stood on my tiptoes. Throwing my arms around his neck, I pulled him down to me. I just wanted to hug him. Allow him to dance with me, lead the way, and hold onto him for dear life. I buried my face in the crook of his neck, ignoring the cameras and flashes of our friends and family, the whispers and awe's.

I wished momentarily that this was our first dance as a married couple, and shuddered at the thought of what it was going to feel like tomorrow... But then I zoned back into this moment, and was just as happy.

The song changed, but Edward didn't release me back into the narrow tunnels of all the wedding details. Instead, he lifted my face in his hands, while The Fray's, 'Never Say Never' played. I smiled against his lingering lips, enjoying the feel of him brushing them on my bottom lip. I could taste him all ready, the irreplaceable textures he holds. And when he actually applied pressure and completed our kiss, I was finally able to relax. I needed it more than my last breath.

Our kiss was slow, savoring. We were enjoying each other, blocking out our surroundings. Focused only on the person in our arms. The time trailed on, as did the lyrics, all the way into the second verse. I stroked my fingers through his hair, humming against his mouth. His palms, when they rubbed against the back of my dress, created a nice heated friction on my skin. Goose bumps trailed and I shivered into him, pushing my weight all the way against his. It barely registered that people were still watching us, I was too caught up in him. "Edward," I whispered when we broke for air. He smiled, lifting me off the ground a few inches, his arms giving me a strong embrace. We kissed again, listening to the music of the bridge. This time, we didn't hold back. I allowed his tongue entrance the minute he sought for it, and tugged on the tips of his hair. My body reacted into a clammy mixture of wires, sparking with each brush of his lips against mine.

I knew if I didn't regain control of myself, I'd be wrapping my legs around his waist and begging him to take me on the middle of these hardwood floors... and that'd be really embarrassing with your elderly grandmother sitting in her wheelchair grinning at you.

Luckily, Emmett cleared his throat and tapped on our shoulders, forcing him to put me back on ground.

"Go away, fucker," Edward mumbled against my lips, directing his venom to his friend.

"Uhhh, people are fucking gawking," Emmett whispered, before turning and smiling at our crowd.

We broke free and slowly turned our faces toward our audience. My face was tomato-red at the realization of just how many people were actually watching us instead of minding their own business, while Edward's just looked annoyed.

"And that's how they made the baby," Emmett joked, causing a few people to laugh.

Edward leaned down, pressing his lips to my ear and forcing another tremble to come through, "it is a good thing you can't get pregnant when you're pregnant."

I giggled, and kissed his cheek.

Eventually, we were torn apart again, and I had to go back to all of the details and women. It really wasn't that bad, this time around. We mostly just laughed and joked about life. Edward spent his time talking with my grandma, or his grandfather, Victor, which he explained to me was 69 years old, and looked more like he was in his fifties. I instantly noticed where he got his height, disheveled hair, strong jaw line, and dazzling green eyes from. His grandfather had a personality that was identical to Edward's, only wiser. He was suave, extremely charming, and intricate. He laughed, and had flocks of our friends and family members surrounding him at any given moment... In all, he was exactly what Edward was most likely going to turn into in about forty-five years.

Victor wasn't close to Carlisle and Esme, and I noticed the tension between them. They smiled when necessary and talked briefly, but never really got close to one another. However, Victor adored Edward, as did he with his grandfather. Victor's wife Evelyn Jane passed away when Edward was three, and he never got to know her well. She was a well-know surgeon, and with her husband, had open up quite a few hospitals in the States. In fact, in her last will and testament, she wanted The Cullen Medical Center For Children to go to Edward when he turned twenty-five.

I watched as Victor threw his arm around Edward's shoulders and handed him a cigar, which he accepted. Victor's laugh was louder than Edward's, more like something of Emmett. Billowy. But man, could he get the whole room's attention. I listened from a distance while he bragged about his grandson, about how proud he was that he found the person he loved more than anything else, and about being a father. I listened as he made Edward promise that if we needed anything, we called him first.

While we were waiting on Emmett and Edward to arrive earlier for the rehearsal, I did get some time to talk with him one on one and thank him for paying for the ceremony, hotel, and flights. All he did was cradle my face in his hands and say, "Why, Isabella, why wouldn't I? I wanted my grandson to have the world, and he saw that world in your eyes. Why should he have any less, and who am I to stand in the way of it?"

He made me feel special, and I began to look up to him. I saw why Edward would talk about him for hours. He was brilliant. After his wife passed, he dedicated his life to the business industry. I know he owns factories which create medical supplies in different countries, on top of the hospitals. I'm not sure exactly how much money he makes, but I had a feeling that if he could own his own Jet and multiple homes, not to mention his cars... He was set.

"Anty Bellsa?"

I felt a tugging on the hem of my dress. I turned to find Alyssa, in a little yellow skirt outfit, looking up at me with wide eyes, "yes, honey?"

"Tan I asted Uncle Eddie .. him... to dance with me?" she pointed to him from across the floor.

"Of course," I said, rubbing her back, "go get him!"

She took off running, long dark curls bouncing against her back.

I loved how Alyssa warmed up to Edward. I never saw her close to a guy before like him, not even Makin or Jasper. All week, since they met, she'd been over at our house, while Colleen and the girls helped me wedding plan. They had their own little routines... Baskin Robbins ice cream, movie night on Thursday, pancakes for dinner, pillow fights... The list went on and on.

EdwardPOV

"No I did not do that!" I laughed, holding my stomach because it hurt so much from laughing, "you're lying."

"You fucking did," Emmett replied, pointing at me, "you should have seen yourself. Standing on the damn stage, drunk out of your mind, just because the damn cocktail waitress started hitting on you! You got everyone's attention, fucking had the mike in your hand and said, 'Ahem. My name is Edward Cullen. I am the GROOM, hence the GROOM HAT I'm wearing' -- drunkenly, I might add," he winked, "and then you said, 'In case you bitches don't know what the fuck GROOM stands for, it means don't put your nasty, mostly-uncovered ass on my leg and ask me to fuck you because I'M TAKEN you DUMB ASS SKANK WHORES!'. I about pissed my pants watching you! We couldn't get your drunk ass off the stage, so we just all climbed up there and started dancing and acting like idiots."

I shook my head, trying not to get too embarrassed, "I don't talk to women like that."

"Yeah when you're sober you don't," Paul corrected me, causing us to laugh again.

"Ahem," Victor, my grandfather, cleared his throat, shoving his hands into his black slacks. We all calmed down and looked at him, who nodded his head behind me. We twisted, and I prayed it wasn't Bella behind me, that way she didn't hear about how drunk I got last night.

It was worse. It was Alyssa, my adorable copy-cat.

I smiled and bent down to her, fixing her shirt so it wasn't crooked on her stomach, "hey sweetheart, what are you doing?"

"Tan yous dance wif me?"

"Can I dance with you?"

She nodded, holding her hands behind her back, rising and falling on the tips of her toes.

"Sure, I can dance with you."

"Oh no, he's got a new fan," Dean teased, and I flipped him off behind my back, where Alyssa couldn't see, before taking her hand. Jason Mraz's, "I'm Yours" was playing in the background, it's catchy beat spreading like wild flowers.

She pulled me to the spot she wanted and I lifted her arm, spinning her in a circle. She giggled, as her skirt spread out, creating a ring around her body. I spun her around the opposite way, enforcing more giggles. After that, she grabbed my other hand, and we bounced from foot to foot, me following her steps. Cameras flashed on us and I twirled her again, catching a glimpse briefly of Colleen and Bella in awe of us in the corner of the room.

We trotted around in a circle, and then I picked her up and spun her around, her legs flying in the air. She laughed until I slowed down, and then she threw her arms and legs around me. I cleared my throat and held my left hand out, and she placed her tiny right hand in it. Keeping one hand on her back, I began a jazz box-step that I was taught as a little boy.

She bobbed and swayed her head from left to right, smiling up at me with big, gigantic eyes. She was so happy.

I tickled her, and she laughed, latching onto me.

"Are you ready to our the flower girl tomorrow?" I asked her while we moved.

She nodded, clutching the shoulder of my shirt, "yes, I love flowers."

"What's your favorite flower?"

"The red wones," she giggled.

"What kind of red ones?"

"I dunno," she shrugged. "ALL of dem!"

"I like the red ones too."

"Yay! Dat means dat we are twins."

I held onto her waist and dipped her back, allowing her head and hair to fall toward the ground. Kids loved that shit. She giggled, waving to her mama and Bella wildly. I winked at Bella, before lifting Alyssa back in my arms.

"Tan I asted you a qwuesten?"

"Of course," I brushed the hair off her shoulder, spinning us in another circle.

"Um... does being wedded mean you won't be my fwiend no more?"

"Being wedded? Oh, do you mean being married?"

She nodded, blushing a tent of red along her cheeks.

"Noooo, I'll always be your friend, Alyssa."

"Yous pwomise?"

"Absolutely. Who else would watch Ice Age with me?"

"Good."

She rested her head on my shoulder, and the song slowed to 'You're My Sunday' by Jessica Simpson. I massaged her back, and bent my cheek toward her head. Her tiny fingers found my shoulder and she clutched more of my shirt.

We continued to sway slowly from side to side. It was really easy to get lost in her innocence and drift away from all of the chaos here on Earth. That was one of the things I loved about children. They're presence was like an ocean, flowing over you and swallowing you up. They kept you young.

"Hey," she mumbled, tapping her finger on my five o'clock shadow, "tu you wanna knows a secwet?"

"Yes," I smiled, moving more of her hair off of her shoulder.

"You's my favwite fwiend."

I couldn't help it. I beamed. A three year old little girl got me to turn into mush. I chuckled, squeezing her in a tight hug, "you are my favorite friend too, Miss Alyssa Ivory."

She nestled into my chest, batting her lashes. I couldn't figure it out, why she seemed so safe and calm with me. Jasper had told me stories last night of her being wild at times, and throwing tantrums. I had seen her almost every single day this week, and not once had she thrown a fit. He told me that sometimes Makin had a hard time getting her to sleep. It took me about two seconds to get her to sleep. Now, I'm not thinking I am a prodigy for children or anything, but something never added up, from what people said and how she acted.

I absolutely adored her.

"Hey, you guys."

I turned Alyssa and I a little, and my mom stood, camera in hands. I readjusted Alyssa and she looked around, blinking a few times. Then she gave my mom a toothy grin and held onto me, and we snapped the picture.

My mom beamed, rubbing both of our backs simultaneously, "I can't wait until your little buddle of joy arrives, Edward."

I smirked, still swaying from side to side with Alyssa, "I know. I still hope it's a boy."

"Mommy's turn," Colleen chimed, reaching her hands out to Alyssa. Alyssa kissed my cheek before jumping into her mom's arms.

I turned to my mom, and we headed toward Bella.

"Have you two thought of any names?"

"Actually," I said, smiling down at my beautiful Fiancee', "we have."

Bella hummed, wrapping her arms around my waist and lingering to my side.

"Well?"

I grinned, rubbing Bella's back, "if it's a girl, we want to name her Elizabeth Grace Cullen."

"Awe," my mom gushed, "that's so beautiful! Oh my goodness, that's perfect!"

I cleared my throat.

"Oh, sorry, Edward, okay, tell me... If it's a boy..."

I beamed, rounding my shoulders, "if it's a boy, we're going to name him Masen."

"Masen Anthony Cullen," Bella finished, giggling up at me, "he really wants a boy."

I nodded proudly, twirling ends of Bella's hair around my finger, "I do... I can't help it."

"I think it'd be amazing to keep Anthony in the family," Esme agreed. "It's perfect. I love Masen."

"Plus he's grown quite attached to Alyssa, as you can tell, and he calls her 'my girl', which she loves... I think that's another reason why he wants a boy, so he can have both the attachments."

"Hey do you want to know what Alyssa just told me?"

"What?" she asked, while my mom grinned at us.

"She told me that I was her favorite friend."

They both gushed, just as I did.

"She's got you eating out of the palm of her hand!" Bella said, shaking her head and pushing it into my arm.

"Oh be jealous," I teased.

*&*#!#$^%$^

Around ten-thirty, our dinner party wound down, and we were standing in the hallway, where our rooms were, on opposite sides of the building, that is. I tugged on the sides of her dresses, wishing she was wearing something I could dip my fingers inside without getting slapped. I just wanted to feel her hips on my fingertips. The soft skin... the goose bumps.

She licked her lips when we pulled away for breath, then crashed against my mouth again. Each time she did, my body reacted feverishly. If her mother wasn't standing in the hallway waiting on her, I would have lifted her up and ripped those fucking panties off of her. In fact... the thought was very intriguing, still.

"Hey Edward," she said against my lips, running her fingers through my hair.

"Mmm?"

"I know you and Alyssa are favorite friends... I'm still your favorite woman, right?"

"Are you kidding?" I chuckled, enjoying her bit of jealousy, "Bella."

I clutched her face in my fingers, and looked down into her beautiful eyes, "you're my favorite everything. How many times do I need to say this?"

"Just checkin' baby," she whispered. Then, seductively, giving me a bat of her lashes, she said, "I really can't wait to have sex with you again," under her breath.

I couldn't fight the growl in my throat and was thankful when my mom called Renee away. As soon as we were alone in the hall, I lifted Bella up with the strength of my arms. She gasped, swinging her head around to make sure that she wasn't being watched. When she realized she was safe, she threw her legs around me, and I slipped us into the stair well.

"Mmm," she moaned, when I pushed her against the wall, "wait! We can't do this."

I noticed her nipples hardening against her strapless bra, and brushed my thumb against the fabric of her dress, "ohhhh yes we can."

"No, we're waiting," she hissed, arching her back and trying to push me away with her hips.

I shoved back at her, crashing our bodies into the wall, unable to get a grip on my hostile tone, "woman, you're fucking killing me."

Then I bit down hard on her bare right shoulder.

She tugged at my hair, fighting against me, but with me at the same time, "quit it."

"No," I panted, pushing myself against her, trying to ease the throbbing in my pants, "can you feel what the fuck you're doing to me?"

"Y-yes, but you need to stop. We can't-"

I growled, fighting not to curse at her. I was beyond frustrated, there was no denying it. I licked along her neck, enjoying the taste on my tongue more than I should. "Fuck," I gasped, lapping at her with more vigor, "I can't wait to taste more of you. Don't you want me too, baby? Just say it, and I'll do it."

"Uhh, Edward, stoppppp," she bent her head to the side, trying to block my advance. When that didn't work, she started to grab handfuls of my hair, yanking it back hard, "dammit, I can't... W-we can't."

All that did was egg me on more. I grabbed her wrists and held them against the wall on either side of her head, then pushed my erection back into her, in tiny thrusts against her panties, which I could catch tiny glimpses of if I stared down there long enough. White. Satin. Bikini-style.

Fuck. I couldn't help myself. I had become a wild animal. Panting in her ear while she continued her half-assed fight against me, I slid my hand between our heated bodies.

Bella gasped as soon as I touched her through the fabric. And it was damp, reacting more with every flick of my finger.

"Mmmm," I smiled against her lips, while she attempted to shove me away again, "so wet for me, aren't you?"

"Stop!" she blushed, pushing me back again. She managed to unlock her trembling legs from me, but my waist had her pinned against the wall so hard, she wasn't going to reach the floor.

I still had my hand between us, and palmed her heat greedily, "damn Bella."

"Edward," she panted, once again, shoving me away, but pushing herself into my hand at the same time, "this has to stop."

"Just... let me..." I licked my lips and took a chance, sliding my hand inside her panties. And I couldn't help but groan, feeling her bare, slick, swollen flesh on my index and middle fingers. "Fuckkkk," I slid my hand down, circling around the pool forming there.

She was clawing at my shirt, pushing with her hands, but pulling me back at the same time. Moaning, trembling. She was having the exact same inner-battle that I was. "S-stopppp," she practically sang, cooing in my ear.

I turned her face with my free hand, and shoved my tongue in her mouth as soon as she gasped for air. My right hand continued, so light to drive her wild, but enough for me to scratch the itch of my horniness. I didn't dare enter her or tease her too much, knowing that if I did, we'd never leave this fucking stair well.

Her legs found their way back around my waist, and she struggled to regain any ounce of control.

I figured a little bit of dirty talk might be a way to let me get what I wanted.

"Do you know what I want I want more than anything at this moment?" I asked against her sexy lips.

She shook her head, the tug and pull fight continuing against me.

"I want you to sit above my face," I said, smirking as she whimpered, "and let me lick... every... single... inch... of your swollen... pink... wet... flesh... slowly."

"Edwar-"

"Like this," I said, cutting her off. Then I stuck my tongue out seductively, and starting at the corner of her mouth, licked along her top lip, across the arch, all the way to the opposite corner, then down along her bottom lip. The next time I did it, I slipped my tongue in her mouth a little bit more, trailing the exact same path.

With the third sweep, she started to suck on my tongue.

That was the very last inch of my restraint. The last brick came tumbling down.

My hands found her dress and I started to push it up, grinding myself against her.

"Mmmph," she breathed through her nose as I pushed into her again.

"Tell me that you want me," I said against her lips. "Tell me, and I'll take you. Right here, right now."

She shook her head but pulled me tighter against her.

"Don't fight it anymore. Just say the words. Tomorrow will still be perfect, I promise," I panted, practically begged, while she held my bottom lip between her teeth.

I continued to speak though, "I'll make it good for you. But tonight... can be-"

"Let's take the stairs!"

I closed my eyes and stiffened against Bella, as Alice came tumbling through the stair well. She froze, hand on door, gawking at us. I turned my face to look at her, then got really hot, when I noticed my mom and Bella's mom standing behind Alice. And it wasn't because I had her pinned up against the wall, or she was biting my lip, or her legs were around my waist, or her dress was hiked up past her hips. It was because my right hand was invisible to them, trapped between our bodies, in a very specific part I'm sure her mother didn't want to see me caressing.

Snapping myself out of misery, I took a step back and removed my pelvis from Bella, and she stumbled, trying to quickly fix her dress.

Holding my breath, I stuck my hands in my pockets, and Bella and I took another side-step away from each other.

Esme knew me and Renee knew Bella since we were fifteen years old. But they never caught us before, in all these years. And I don't know why it was embarrassing, I mean, hell, we're getting married and having a baby. We're adults, for Christ's sake. But still... it was.

"Well," Esme said, clapping her hands together, "guess we don't have to take the stairs now. We found them."

"Yeah," Renee chuckled under her breath, "we sure did."

Alice mouthed to me, 'I'm sorry," while Bella just blushed and took a step back toward me. Her hand found my back and she smiled reassuringly up at me.

"Bella, it's close to midnight," Renee said, "we were coming to see if you were ready to hit the sack. Big day tomorrow and all."

"Yeah," Bella replied, clearing her throat, "I'm... ready."

She stood on her tiptoes, kissing my cheek, "meet you at the alter?"

"I'll be there," I smirked, turning my face and kissing her lips, "on time, too."

She winked at me, before entering the arms of her mom. I watched as they walked side by side down the hall, and ignored my mother when she told me I needed to get rest too. After she left, Alice entered the stair well beside me, and shut the door, "sorry buddy."

I shook my head, exhaling and trying to will away my erection, "no problem."

"If you want, I can go and sleep in Bella's room, and give you some privacy... I'll let you have my laptop, I'm sure there's internet in the hotel... Pornotube dot com has some good stuff."

I covered my face with my hands, shaking my head, "I can't jerk off. Bella rules."

She giggled, rubbing my back, "I'm sorry. I feel really bad now."

I licked Bella's taste off my fingers and shrugged my shoulders, "what can you do, ya know?"

"Did you just..." Alice's mouth dropped, staring at me.

I smirked and walked past her, heading toward my room, "yup. Tasted good."

"Edward," she exhaled, walking behind me, "what are we going to do with you?"

"Come on Allycat," I opened the door, motioning for her to get inside, "rules are you're her bridesmaid tomorrow, but tonight, you're my best friend."

She sauntered in, flopping down on the other bed beside mine, "fine, but if I hear you caving in and slapping it tonight, I'm going to kill you."

"I can't make any guarantees if this cold shower I'm about to take doesn't calm my ass down."

"Fight the power," she giggled. "Oh, and hey, I know something that will take your mind off of the 'P' word for a while."

"What's that?"

"I got you a gift!"

I laughed as she crawled to the other side of the bed, and a long box out, "what the hell?"

She giggled, walking over to me and sitting it on my lap, "open it."

"Alice..."

"Just open it! I wanna see your face!"

I licked my lips, tearing the corner of the heavy, long package, "so sweet, you shouldn't have."

"Well, what are best friends for, you know?"

I snickered, tearing it open. Inside, was a guitar box. Immediately, I lost my breath.

"COME ON, OPEN IT THE REST OF THE WAY!"

I pulled the case out of the box, and flicked it open. Then I gasped. Inside was a dark blue and black, Yamaha APX 500 acoustic guitar, all ready strung up for me. Toward the center, the blue turned lighter, fading toward the opening, and had white trim around the far edges.

It was ten times better than the acoustic one I had. And cost way more too.

"Alice..."

"I know you broke yours that one night, and know how much you loved playing so... do you like it?"

"I love it," I shook my head, strumming my fingers down the chords, "this is the best present I could ever have."

She clapped her hands, smiling and bouncing around, "Yay!!"

I sat the guitar to the side and stood up, pulling her into a big hug, "I couldn't have asked for a better best friend than you, do you know that?"

"I do know that," she teased, "but it's nice to hear you remind me."

I kissed her cheek, rubbing her back, "I love you very much. Thank you."

"You're welcome," she said, scratching my head before stepping away, "I love you too."

Through the past five weeks, I've noticed an increased change in my best friend. Since the slip-up, she seems to be slowly getting back into the old swing of things... much happier. I knew she wouldn't be 'normal' again for quite some time, but was thankful to Jasper. I know he had a lot to do with her postive transformation.

I wanted to talk to her about it, and to let her know that I was always going to be there for her, but didn't want to get myself all emotional and shit, so I decided against it. Instead, I just messed up her hair like I used to and dodged when she swung at me.

She laughed as I jogged into the bathroom, dreading my cold shower.

THE NEXT DAY

BellaPOV

I rolled over, yawning, and looked at the clock.

Crap. I could have slept ten more minutes.

I hated when I woke up before the alarm went off.

I stretched my arms out and sat up in the bed, blinking around.

Then I realized what day it was, and why Edward wasn't beside me.

"I'm getting married!" I shouted, in half-shock, half-excitement.

My mother levitated off of the bed, startled by my scream. She slid off the side of the bed before she managed to gather herself together.

I covered my mouth, giggling, watching her face change from paranoia to hurting, as she landed on my heels.

"Bella," she exhaled, hand over heart, "don't ever do that to me again. Do you want to give your mother heart failure?"

"I'm sorry," I crawled to her and helped her up, "I just realized what day it was."

"Well," she stood up, brushing off her bunny pajama pants, "you definitely made sure everyone on the floor realized what day it is as well."

"I'm really sorry."

"It's fine dear," she said, sitting beside the bed and yawning, "I was young once too. I know what this day felt like."

I nodded, scratching the haystack on top of my head, "I all ready feel like I'm losing time."

"Don't start panicking this early," she said. "Go get in the shower, make sure not to wash your hair, that way it'll hold curl easier. I'll order us some coffee and breakfast, and we'll call in the team to get you going."

My stomach started to fill up with butterflies and nerves and I started chewing on my fingernails, "do you think Edward is up yet?"

"Considering it's nine something in the morning, probably not. But no worries. He won't have to take as much time as us girls do."

I fell over on my side in the covers, moaning, "I know... He could show up in a ballerina costume and look just as pretty."

"That's how men are. That's how we know God is a man. The older women get, the longer it takes us to look pretty. The older men get, the easier it is for them to look pretty."

"It sucks."

Renee giggled, slapping my leg playfully, "get up, babycakes. Mommy will run the shower water for you."

"Thanks mom."

I curled up with the large pillow for a moment, imagining it was Edward's body. I didn't sleep well last night. Strange dreams, again. Not exactly nightmares, just things that didn't make no sense after you awoke. Sighing, I shut my eyes, imagining his warmth. In a few hours Bella, he'll be yours. To the point to where no one can take him away from you, ever again.

I bit my lip and smiled. I had made a pact with myself to not be a bitch to those fiddling with my hair and make up and dress today. Just smile and be in a good mood, so the hours will move quicker.

"Hey Bells," my mom chimed as she strolled back into the bedroom, "missy, get the heck up out of that bed, you need to get moving."

I groaned as she pulled me away from the pillow, then laughed as she pushed me toward the bathroom, "okay, okay, I'm going!"

"Have you got your vows memorized?"

"Yes, sort of," I shrugged, feeling more nervous, "I don't like to speak in front of people, you know? I don't want to think about it."

"You'll be fine, just recite them a few times in the shower."

"Okay."

I took a long shower, allowing the steam and hot water to relax my tense, anxious muscles.

I wrapped a towel around my waist and pulled the hair net off. "Hey mom," I said, as I re-entered the room, "did you-"

My voice was cut off at the notice of my sister Rosalie, Alice, Colleen, and Alyssa all in my room. "Oh, hey guys."

"Good morning, Bride to be!" Alice said, bouncing over to me, "How do you feel?"

I shrugged, blushing.

"Delivery, Bella. Better than all these other flowers people have sent... Over by the nook."

"Thanks mom," I walked into the kitchen, to find a beautiful crystal vase filled with fresh cut, ruby-red roses. Beside it, a wooden box rested, which had a bow in the corner, and on top of that was a folded piece of paper.

Holding my breath, I opened it and read it out loud, because everyone was waiting to hear it anyway, "'I need you more than my own life, and belong to yours more than my own soul'... I hope you enjoy these, I know how long you have been looking for them. Love Eternally, E.C."

I became giddy, lifting the wooden lid from the box. Gasping, I took the top book out. "It's the very first edition of Wuthering Heights! Published in 1885... Wow... it has the stamp and everything..."

"Awe, Bella!" my friends gasped, all reaching out to touch it.

I quickly hugged the book to my chest, batting hands away, "No I don't want it to get torn up! You can't imagine how expensive this is... I cannot believe he found this."

"How did Edward know you were looking for the first edition?" Alice asked, sliding in behind me to grab a cup of coffee.

I covered my mouth, in a giddy overload, "It's... okay, so we were Biology partners when we were fifteen, and we were just friends at the time... He came over so we could study, and I had shown him my little bookshelf that was in the living room, and he pulled out my ragged, handed down copy of it and started making fun of the story. I quickly got offended and jerked the book from his hands, telling him how passionate I was about the love story and the characters, and he made fun of me for the rest of the night about it... in fact, I'm pretty sure he made fun of me for a month afterward... Anytime I'd take a book to class he'd be like, 'oh, why aren't you reading your little Wuthering Heights nonsense?', you know, just to pick on me and irritate me... But I cannot believe he remembered that I hadn't found it... after all these years."

"See?" Alice said, rubbing my back, "Even when he's in Assward mode, he can still be Romeoward on the inside."

The other book made me gasp as well. It was the original 1649, 1st English Edition, of poems and poetry by Virgil... something I had never owned even a duplicate, but had always looked for. Edward and I used to spend hours in bookstores searching but never finding any published works of him, as they were rare.

"He's so amazing."

"Isn't he?"

"Yeah," I smiled. "I wish I could go thank him." ...for a few hours.

"Absolutely not," she said, "now go get you some clothes on. It's time to get down to business."

I quickly threw on my white sweatpants jump-suit Colleen purchased for me. It's white juicy pants, blue satin tank-top, and a white zip-up jacket, and on the back were blue letters that read, "Soon To Be Mrs. Cullen"." I became bubbly and bouncy just seeing those words backward in the mirror.

I was starting to get excited!

EdwardPOV

I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling.

I didn't sleep worth shit. Anytime I tried, that same dream I had from the night before kept popping back in to piss me off.

Alice was all ready gone, I heard her leave way earlier, through the ins and outs of my consciousness.

Before I could sit up, Emmett, Paul, and Dean came tumbling through the door, cheery and happy go-lucky.

"Hey fucker, happy fucking wedding day, bitch!" Emmett said, jumping on my bed.

"Get the fuck off," I sneered, pulling the covers under my chin.

"Why?"

"Because I have morning wood and don't want to share my bed with you while I have it."

They burst into fits of laughter, Dean and Paul relaxing on Alice's bed.

"Dude, just go take care of it," Emmett tried, climbing off and walking toward my kitchen nook.

"I can't. Bella's rules."

"Fuck her rules, how's she gonna know?"

"Trust me, she has her ways."

"We won't say shit, will we guys?"

Paul and Dean nodded their heads in agreement.

I groaned, rubbing my face, "she'll know. She's doing this shit on purpose."

"And the pussy-whipping really begins," Emmett teased, earning two middle fingers from me.

"Shut the fuck up," I sat up and climbed off the bed, taking my covers with me, hiding my shit from them.

"Yo, on the real, Eddykins, she best let you put it in her ass after all of this no-sex bullshit."

"Em, shut up," I chuckled, "your words aren't helping my situation."

"Edward, come on, talk to us, what's the Honeymoon plans?" Paul asked, rubbing his beard, "Are you going to just have sex the entire time you're away?"

"Yes."

"Like, kinky sex?"

I chuckled, putting toothpaste on my toothbrush, "Hopefully non-stop."

"Humor us," Dean said, walking in the bathroom without fucking knocking, "if you could get Bella to do three things on this vacation of yours, sexually, that is, what would they be? Shit she hasn't done yet."

I shook my head, brushing my teeth, mumbling through the paste, "go away."

"COME ON! We're you're best buds!" Paul shouted at me.

I kept brushing, shaking my head. I hated peer-pressure when it came to these three. They knew they could get any information they wanted out of me if they tried hard enough.

I had no reserve when it came to my best friends.

"We all know putting it in her booty is one," Emmett said, walking in the now crowded bathroom, holding up a hand-held video camera, "so we can cross that one off the list."

"Guys, seriously, quit," I began splashing water in my mouth and swirling it around.

"I bet you he wants to be fucking tied down," Dean joked, nudging my side with his elbow, "'oooh, Bella, give it to me, mistress!'"

"Shut the fuck up," I laughed, pouring myself a cup of mouthwash, "I'm the dominating one in our relationship."

"Ooohhhhh, now he's talkin'!" Paul shouted, motioning for Emmett to come on the other side with the camera while I gurgled my mouth wash.

"No I'm not," I said after spitting. I turned the water cold, trying to kick them away. "You guys all ready said one, leave it at that."

All they did was laugh and dodge my feet.

I tried to think of a way to answer their question so they'd leave me alone, without giving away too much detail.

"Come on!" Paul begged.

"Fucker!" Dean shouted.

"Please?"

"Yeah please!"

"Just give us something!"

Emmett threw a towel at me, "Come on, Edward, three things and we swear we'll give you your privacy. Just three little thin-"

"I want her to touch herself in front of me, I want her to let me lick her everywhere, and I want her to trust me enough to let me do whatever the fuck I want. There, now get the fuck out," I pushed them into the walls and one by one, through the door, then I knocked the camera out of Emmett's hand.

I heard him cursing on the other side of the door, but didn't care.

At least I got them out of the room.

"Don't be a dick to us just because you have a boner!" Emmett shouted through the door.

Asshole.

EmmettPOV

I waited until we heard the shower water running, and then motioned for Paul and Dean.

Plan was in motion.

They laughed quietly, following me out of Edward's bedroom and down the hall.

"Okay, remember the plan?" I asked.

"Yep, tend to the mothers," Dean said.

"Get Bella to meet you in the stairwell," Paul replied.

"And no one else, remember," I stated. "Very important rule."

"We got it, we got it!"

I snickered, finding myself in the stair well. Edward better fucking thank me for this shit later.

I felt proud to be the best man.

About three minutes later, Bella came into the stair well, wearing a tight, sexy white jump-suit outfit, fresh face, hair pulled up in a pony tail.

"Damn," I said, shaking my head, "you look fine."

She blushed, shaking her head, "what do you want, Emmett?"

"I mean, you're not married yet, so... you know, if you need Emmett to alleviate some tension for you, I can be your best man too," I teased.

She slapped me hard on the chest with the back of her hand, "does Edward know you're in here?"

"No," I put up my index finger, "and it's very important that he doesn't find out. I come bearing gifts."

"Gifts?" she raised her eyebrow.

"Well, not necessarily gifts... more like, vital information that can assist you into Honeymoon glory."

She crossed her arms over her chest, "What are you talking about?"

I quickly opened the monitor screen on the side of my hand held video camera, and rewound the tape to where I started.

Then I walked in front of her, and after making sure no one was coming, I hit play.

She looked confused, until she saw Edward being chased into the bathroom by the three of this.

As soon as she saw him, she became giddy... that was, until she heard what we were demanding from him.

"I can't believe you guys m-"

"Shhhhh," I hushed her, "just watch."

She exhaled, watching the tape, giggling as Edward almost kicked Paul in the nads.

Then she heard his answer, and her mouth dropped a little.

I closed the case, and looked down to her, "Edward has no idea we showed this to you. He'd probably kill me. But I thought you needed the information."

She thought to herself for a few moments, face bewildered.

"What are you thinking?"

"Just... thinking," she pondered, biting her lip, "lick her everywhere," she quoted, "that can be... ewwwwwww, wait, ugh, Emmett, why did you have to show me that!"

"Because you need to know what he wants! It'd be the best honeymoon present ever!"

Bella groaned, covering her face, "I do not feel comfortable knowing you know what he wants to happen between the two of us."

"This is what friends are for, Bells. Getting the information out on behalf of the guy, so they get what they want. It's sacrifice!"

"It's disturbing."

"Still." I ran after her when she tried to escape, and gently grabbed her arm, "Bella, wait, come on, be honest here. Don't tell me you haven't secretly fantasized about his mouth all over your body, or sitting on his face, or fucking letting him dominate you, because I'll call your bluff in a heartbeat."

"That's none of your bus-"

"Okay, so since we're not denying it, let's just say... Thank you, Emmett."

She narrowed her eyes at me, but couldn't fight the smile inching the corners of her lips, "Thanks, Emmett."

"You're welcome," I smirked, slapping her ass as she walked out of the stair well.

Mission accomplished.

We made it back to the bedroom with a minute to spare.

RosaliePOV

Man it takes women forever to get ready.

We've been awake for a few hours, and have hardly gotten anywhere.

Bella blew out a gust of wind, and I watched as her eyes bounced around in her reflection.

"What are you thinking sissy? Talk to me." I said, wrapping a strand around the curling iron.

She shrugged, biting down her lip. I could tell she was fighting back tears.

"Talk to me Bella," I said again. "Don't hold it in."

"I just keep thinking I'm losing time," she said, voice shaken.

"What do you mean?"

"Well," she shrugged, her eyes falling to her lap.

I watched a tear drop straight down to her hands, and it clenched at my heart strings.

"I just keep thinking... this is the end, you know? I mean... if this isn't real anymore, if he isn't real this time... if we're not really together, then I'm running out of time. Any moment now, it's going to snap back into focus, and I'm going to realize that I'm all alone again... I keep thinking about... the night I was in that bathtub... I just... I don't know, really... I just feel like I'm going to wake up and realize I'm back in that nightmare. That he doesn't love me anymore, that he didn't pick me... That our life, and our future, and this baby and all of this is nothing but a fantasy I've built in my head..."

"No," I whispered, kissing the top of her head, "it's not your imagination, Bella. Edward and you are meant to be together, it's the way it's supposed to be."

More tears fell and she began to choke up, "I'm sorry, I know it sounds crazy but... I mean, I'm pregnant, and all over-emotional as it is, so don't make fun of me because I'm not making sense. But.. You know, a few times I've asked Edward if this is real or why he loves me, and he gets so upset with me. He doesn't yell at me, necessarily, but he tells me and tries to prove over and over and over again that it's real, that we're together and that everything is fine... and I was truthfully convinced of it, and finally content in my life, you know? So ecstatic, just waiting to get to the part of the I Do's, you know? But... now it's all hitting me, that maybe it is in my head. ...God, I sound idiotic."

"No," Colleen said, as she started on her next fingernail, "you sound like a girl who'd had her heart crushed before... it's natural, for us women, to build walls when we're broken. It's how we survive until we become strong again... if we're ever strong again, that is. But Bella, you are strong... You're passionate and caring and sensitive... and I think those are your best qualities. But Edward, he is real, and he's in the room down the hall, and he's probably just as overwhelmed with feelings as you are... but I know that he wants to be yours just as much as you want to be his."

"Yes," I agreed, "and you know that's not an easy thing for me to say. I mean, it took me forever and a day to get used to the idea of Edward Cullen being back in my sister's life... But Bella, honestly, I never gave him a chance... But now I have, and I see how much that man adores you. There isn't a doubt in my mind that he just wants to be a part of your happiness."

"He's everything though," Bella said, almost argumentative, "every thought in my mind... every sound I hear in my head, every face I see. I mean... this is scary, in a way. I've never been more sure of this, but it terrifies me, how sure I am. Does that make sense? I mean... is it natural to be this willing to give your entire heart away without hesitation? Your entire life? This can't be normal."

"It's not," I said, curling another piece. "To be honest with you, it's not normal for most people to give themselves away one hundred percent. We may give ourselves away a good ninety percent, but never that full hundred... but that's because we want to keep something for ourself, just in case we get hurt... So we can rebuild if we have to. But sissy, you and Edward are not normal. No offense, and I mean it in a good way, but you two are not. You are that one in a billion couple that had every single thing fall around them, in it's perfect place, at it's perfect time. Not many people find their soulmate, they just create something close in their mind and count it as a 'good enough'. But you two, you found each other, and you held on to each other, even during the darkest of nights. Just remember why you two are back in each other's lives. It's meant to be."

"I just wish I could talk to him," Bella mumbled, "just tell him I miss him. Just hear his voice. I don't give a damn if he called me just to tell me about the weather... I just think if I heard his voice, I'd calm down."

Colleen curled out her bottom lip, "I'm sorry, sweetie. It won't be long now. Only... what... three more hours or something?"

Bella exhaled, clutching a photo of her and Edward back from High School, "it's taking forever."

"Sometimes it takes forever to get to forever," I shrugged nonchalantly.

Suddenly, Bella's head popped up and she looked at me through the mirror.

"What?" I asked, biting my lip.

"Nothing," she whispered, "...but I think that's the first time I've ever heard you make sense."

I giggled, swatting the back of her head, "don't make me burn you, child. I'm armed with a weapon here."

EdwardPOV

It had to be close to two o'clock by now.

I heard the door open, and quickly began rubbing my face.

"Edward?"

Clearing my throat, I attempted to make myself appear busy, "uh, yeah?"

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah," I replied, wishing my voice was stronger, "just getting ready."

"Son?"

I felt my mom's hand on my elbow, and exhaled, shutting my eyes.

"Oh baby, what is it?"

"Nothing," I said, trying to walk away.

Of course, I couldn't, because she grabbed me tighter.

"What is it?"

"It's nothing."

"Edward Anthony Cullen."

"Mom. Stop," I said, walking away from her, toward the bathroom.

She quickly ran in front of me, blocking the door way, "are you getting cold feet?"

"What? Nooooo. No, no, no," I shook my head, pushing past her toward the sink, "I'm only thinking."

"About what? Talk to your mother."

"It's nothing," I waved my hand in the air, brushing it off.

I caught a glimpse of my face in the mirror, and cursed my red reflection. Fucking giveaway.

My mom stepped behind me and started massaging my shoulders, and I instantly relaxed, shutting my eyes and dropping my head. "Thank you."

"You're welcome baby. I don't want you tensing up today."

"I'm not tense, I'm just," I whispered, shrugging, "trying to wrap up my vows, and it's hard getting through a certain part."

"I thought you finished your vows," she stated softly.

"I did, but I keep re-writing them. Nothing I say seems good enough to explain how I feel."

"Sometimes it's hard to use words..."

"...Yeah."

"Well... what's got you upset? Maybe I can help you."

"I don't know..." I said, trying to shake it off.

"Yes you do. Tell me."

I twisted around and leaned against the sink, while she sat on the edge of the tub, "I wanted to... tell her how I felt when we split up, how empty I was without her, that way she can have a better understanding of how important she is to me... but... it really fucking hurts to put myself back there. I've been avoiding and avoiding that break-up shit since it fucking happened basically, with the exceptions of the binges, and... it sucks, putting myself back into that place. I start thinking about it and I get upset and... I hate it. I hate feeling that empty."

Esme frowned, looking up at me with solemn eyes, "I'm sorry baby. I know how tough it is."

"Yeah," I scoffed, looking down at the tile, "I really just want to tell her how much she means to me, but it's all coming out shitty."

"I don't think it really matters, the exact words that you say... I think the thing that counts the most is the person saying them. Bella's not going to thrive on every single word you say... but more importantly, the sound of your voice and the look in your eyes when you speak. She's going to see the person she chose to spend her half of forever with. She's going to be overwhelmed in emotion, and she's going to be reassured more-so every second that you are the one for her. So... if you struggle with the dark side of your history, then you don't have to go there. Just tell her how you feel now that you have her back in your life."

"Oh it's that simple, is it?"

"I know it is. I see how you look at her, Edward. You..." She stopped speaking, so she could look down to her heel, avoiding tears. Her voice was so low, I barely heard her talking when she spoke again, "The way that you look at her, Edward... your father and I don't even see each other that way. We're close, don't get me wrong. And we're happy as can be, in love every single day... But you two are rare. What you have, is rare. You have an against the odds relationship, and I don't want the two of you to back away from it cowardly just because it terrifies you. Not many people can compare themselves to the two of you, and for good reason. None of us have been as close to happiness as you and Bella are reaching today. So you have to welcome the moment with open arms, baby. Welcome it and seize it, for that moment is the start of your life together."

I sat up on the sink, running my fingers through my hair, "I just wish I could see her. Things come to clarity whenever Bella is around me."

Esme smiled up at me genuinely, "just another reason why this is meant to be."

I rubbed my face, and yawned.

"Did you sleep well last night baby?"

"No," I shook my head. "Can't sleep good without Bella."

"Well you had Cora didn't you? I know Spendor slept with Bella last night..."

"Yeah but still... I'm used to having my girl in my arms, you know?"

"I know," she whispered. "You'll have her again soon. Just..." she took a glance at her watch, "two and a half more hours... you are still aiming for a sunset wedding, right?"

"Mmhmm," I rolled my eyes, pushing the back of my head against hte mirror, "God, that sounds like eternity getting here. Almost three hours."

She snickered, standing to her feet, "are you going to shave?"

"No, Bella made me promise to keep the scruff. She uh... likes it."

"Mmmm," she placed her hands on her hips, "I'm not even going to ask about that one. Um... okay, how about... I keep everyone out of the room, and you just lay down and rest for a while? You don't have to nap, if you don't think you can, but just close your eyes and try to relax... After a while, you'll feel refreshed, and maybe you can think clearer that way... maybe those vows will make more sense."

I hopped off the sink and pulled her into my arms, "I love you mama. Thank you for everything."

"I just want you happy, baby" she rubbed my back, then led me into the room.

I snickered as she pulled down the covers for me and fluffed the pillow, just as she used to when I was a child. After I climbed in bed and got Cora Corona to lay down beside me, Esme kissed the top of my head and tucked me in, before flicking off the lights and closing the door.

And the strange thing was? ...I fell right asleep.

It just goes to show you that no matter how old we get, and what is going on in our lives, we will always need our mother's.

*&*#!#$^%$^

"Edward..."

"Mmmm?"

"Edward?"

"Yeah?"

"Wake up. You're getting married in an hour and a half."

I snapped up, to find Alice sitting beside me, wearing her bridesmaid dress. "Hey. You look nice."

"Thank you," she giggled, shrugging her shoulders. "...Big day, huh?"

"Yeah. Thanks for getting me up," I yawned, rubbing my eyes.

"Get some sleep?"

"A little. Where's the guys?"

"I sent them downstairs to get all the tux's in order. They're equipped with Jameson Irish Whiskey and cigars, pre-warning. So I brought you some breakfast-slash-lunch... bacon and eggs, rye toast. Orange Juice, and I even went down the road to get you and Bella Starbuck's. You're welcome, by the way."

"Ohhh, you're a doll," I hugged her, and climbed out of the bed, "I love you, Ally."

"I love you too. Now... can I trust that you are going to eat and get your booty downstairs?"

"Yes," I stretched out my arms, and then dropped them to my sides, adjusting myself in my boxers.

She giggled, covering her face and walking away, "you're such a man, playing with his junk. Okay. Grandpa Victor and Carlisle are down there with the guys. So... Get moving!"

"Eye, eye, captain."

She started to walk out, but I quickly grabbed her.

"Hey Al?"

"Yeah?" she asked, looking up at me.

I smirked, rubbing my face, "what's Bella look like? How's she doing over there?"

She crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes at me, "You're not getting any information from me, Cullen."

"Just tell me if she's doing all right, that's all I really need to know."

"She's full of anticipation and butterflies, but yes, she's doing okay. Every other second is, 'I can't wait, I can't wait, I can't wait..."

I grinned, nodding my head, "that's all I needed to hear."

"Okay," she smacked my ass, "get moving. Don't make me start a fire under your feet."

"Get out of here pixie," I pushed her out the door, laughing while I did it.

BellaPOV

I stood naked in front of the mirror, examining every square inch of my body.

I hadn't put on much weight so far, maybe an inch or so around my hips, but nothing that was going to make notice.

I didn't feel insecure today. I felt... sexy. Confident.

After all, this body wasn't going to be mine anymore, and I felt good about what I was giving away. On top of that, Rosalie's suggestion for a brazillion wax made me feel that much better about tonight... though the pain of it was something I never, ever want to go through again for a while.

My hair was teased at the crown, my bangs pulled back in a small part at the top, and fluffed with volume and texture. The rest of my hair remained down, in large, wistful curls that bounced around in both directions. Full of body, plus a few shimmer highlights here and there thanks to my mom's doing last night...

Fingernails and toes French manicured. Foundation, bronzed blush and shadow, liner, mascara, plump lips... I was off to a good start.

"Hey mom!"

"Yes, darling Bella."

"Can you bring me my slip?"

"Are you ready to put your dress on?"

"Almost."

"Okay, I'll send Alyssa in with it."

I wrapped a towel around me, and giggled at the tiny knock on the bathroom door, "come in, sweetheart."

Alyssa bounced in, carrying my silk slip in her arms delicately, like it would break if she dropped it. She looked up at me with wide eyes, and held it out.

"Thank you angel," I kissed her head, before taking it. "I appreciate you bringing it to me." I slipped it on before removing the towel, so she didn't get any peep shows. Then I turned to face her, "pretty?"

"Yes," she nodded. "Tan I wears some of dat too?"

"Some of what?"

She pointed to my lipstick.

"Mmm... Colleen, can Alyssa wear some lip gloss?"

"Sure hun!" Colleen shouted from the ironing board in my room, and I waved to her, before lifting her daughter onto the sink.

"Okay, what color do you want to wear?"

"Da same as dat one," she touched my lips.

"Okay, open your mouth a little."

She did and I smiled, holding her face tenderly while I applied the light pink color.

"Okay, now put your lips together like this, rub it around..."

She mocked me, then released her lips with a smack.

I lifted the hand held mirror to her, "what do you think?"

She smiled wide and nodded, "pwetty like tu."

"Yes you are, even prettier than me, if you ask me."

"Fanks. Tan I help get du dwessed?"

"Sure hunny, if you want. Can you grab that box on the bed that has my shoes inside?"

She reached out for me and I put her on the ground, and she was off and running.

While she was doing that, Rosalie stepped inside and cracked the door, before she started stripping her clothes off.

"Jesus Rose," I giggled, touching her side. "Looks like Jake got ahold of you."

She looked down and blushed at the hickey above her pelvic bone, "yeah... He's good at that."

"I'm not even going to ask," I laughed, turning around.

Rosalie beamed and climbed in the shower, gasping at the water temperature, "I don't know Bella. He's just so wonderful. I feel like I'm going crazy or something."

"Why? Because it's Jake?"

"No, not because it's Jake, my best friend... but it's because it's Jake, my best friend."

"Uh... aren't you contradicting yourself?"

"I don't look at it like, ew, how did I fall in love with my best friend. I look at it like, oh my gosh, I freakin' fell for Jacob Black, my best friend, and it's ending up amazing... how the fuck did that happen?"

"Uh oh, do I hear wedding bells in the future for you two?"

"Ha, doubt it. I mean, I ...wouldn't mind, of course, but we're both in a place in our lives where we're just happy being together."

I smiled and gave Alyssa a hug when she brought me my shoes, "I definitely have noticed you two smiling a lot more, that's for sure."

"Yeah," Rosalie giggled, "it's really nice. I don't want to be a fucking cheesy girl or anything... but I will give you one tid-bit. The sex is... ECSTACY, ECSTACY, ECSTACY. I mean... mind-numbing, toe-curling, do me fourteen more times tonight please... ecstacy!"

I squat down in front of Alyssa, sure that Rose wasn't aware she was in here with us, "don't repeat anything Rose says, okay?"

"Tay," she answered, before running off to her mom.

I shut the door and sat on the toilet so I could slip on my heels, "so it's that good huh?"

"Oh dear God Bella... I mean, he doesn't necessarily need the tongue ring, but the things he can do now that he has it... You should definitely tell Edward to get his tongue pierced."

I blushed and looked to the ground, "yeah well, apparently Edward's got other ideas when it comes to... that particular subject."

She stuck her head out of the shower curtain, ignoring the black mascara that was running from her face from the night before, "do tell."

I couldn't stop my cheeks from heating as I focused on a tile in the bathroom floor, "Emmett showed me this video tape of Edward talking... he doesn't know I saw it... Anyways, it has a few things he told the guys he wanted me to do with him, sexually, and... I don't know, it's-"

"What were they?"

"Uh..." I shut my eyes, hating why I was so embarrassed. I am an adult, a woman, and I shouldn't be, but I am. "He said... something about licking everywhere, touching myself in front of him, and letting him dominate, or something like that... plus of course, the whole anal sex thing."

"Mmm... hmm," Rosalie thought as she rinsed out her hair.

"What?"

"Okay well I say you should go for it."

"Are you ser-"

"Heck yes, I'm serious. Bella, okay. Listen to me, for I am wise when it comes to sex. If you do the few things that a man asks you, not only might you like it once you let your guard down... but you'll own the keys to his kingdom. He will be putty in your hands. He all ready looks at you like you have a light around you, but if you do what he secretly fantasizes about... if you go there... he'll look at you like you have a freakin' shining halo over your head."

"I take it you know this from experience?"

She stuck her head out of the shower, this time with no make-up streaming down her face, "yes. I would. Thanks to Jake."

"Oh God, do I even want to know what he got you to do?"

She licked her lips, "let's just say... all of the things your man has listed on his wish notes."

I popped off the toilet, walking over toward the shower, "you actually let him... with his tongue..."

She raised her hands, shaking her head, "I know it sounds gross, but as long as you're clean... I'm telling you it feels amazing. And you can reciprocate there for them bec-"

"Ew, oh, okay, stop."

"I'm serious Bella! It's nothing to be ashamed about! It took Jake about ten minutes to convince me to let him try it -- and ten minutes is two weeks in your time -- and the moment he did it... Holy shit. Best. Feeling. Ever. Almost better than the front... almost."

I covered my face and walked away, "I have freakin' images of that stuff in my mind now, thank you very much."

"Oh and the dominating thing... it's not like he's going to pull out chains and whipping benches. He's not that controlling! But just let him tie you up a little and explore your body. He'll die a happy man. Oh, and you must let him do the back door thing at least once. Just my suggestion. And touching yourself in front of him... girl, let me tell you. That man will come without even having to touch you. They're visual creatures, Bella. It's the way it is, and you can't change it."

"Rose, I knew you were comfortable with sex but I had no idea you were into all of that."

She shrugged, sticking her head back in the shower, "when you trust someone, you'll pretty much do whatever they want, and let them do whatever they want to you."

"And Jake..."

"I love him, Bella," she whispered. "Like really fucking, cheesy songs, heart beating like crazy, having breakfast in bed and sex every day... love him. Just him. It's like this switch turned on and everything came in focus."

"Really?" I gushed, feeling giddy she was being honest.

"Yeah... it's crazy."

"So no more Emmett feelings?"

"None. He... won't talk to me, actually. He told Jake he was going to be civil until after the wedding, for Edward, but he had nothing to say to him after that. I guess he's formed it in his mind that I was cheating on him the entire vacation or something stupid like that."

"Men are such tools sometimes."

"Yeah well he flew Miss Blonde, horse-faced Heather down last night so I don't know why he has to be a dick to us. He's moved on as well, you know?"

"Emmett is a softy on the inside Rose. He puts up a front for the world to see, but I've seen him with the shell cracked, and he can be pretty sensitive underneath. I'm sure that, even if he's moved on from you, it's still a weird thing to see you flaunting yourself with Jacob Black."

"What, so I shouldn't be happy I finally opened my eyes to something beautiful?"

"No, I'm not saying that. I'm just saying... try to be respectful when you do it."

"Bella, no offense because I love you more than anything, but you and Edward weren't too keen on being respectful when you two got back together, in front of Jasper and Tanya."

"I know," I frowned, "but I didn't love Jasper like you and Emmett proclaimed to love each other."

"I was wrong though... I didn't love him, Bella. Because I love Jake, and I can see the huge difference."

"It'll be okay," I smiled reassuringly. "It'll all work out."

"I know..." she climbed out of the shower and wrapped a towel around her, "look at you and Edward. You two are proof that things work out."

I beamed like a fool and shrugged my shoulders, "...it's crazy, isn't it?"

"What?"

"Today."

"Yeah... it's sweet," she dropped her arms and swung open the door, "okay, enough bonding shit. Let's get on the ball here!"

I laughed and followed her toward the rest of the girls, who were now in their dresses, applying their makeup.

Edward and I got lucky because his mother's best friend, Jim Hjelm, was available to design my entire dress collection for me.

I chose Colleen to be my Maid Of Honor for a few reasons. One, she was my best friend, and had been for four years now. Second, she supported me being with Edward with no questions asked. Third, I had asked my sister Rosalie to be our baby's Godmother, because that role fit her better. She was completely fine and understanding of why I didn't ask her to be the MOH. She was better with children, and though she was okay with Edward and I now, I felt that Colleen was more deserving of the title.

We were going to use Alice as Edward's 'Best Woman' but I couldn't decide whether or not I wanted Jasper or Jake on my side, since they were my two best guy friends these days... Jasper would have been awkward, since he and I dated, and Jake was like Rose when it came to just now coming around with Edward and I, so... yeah.

Therefor, Alice and Rose were selected as my two Bridesmaids. Their dresses were a copperish truffle color, with tissue taffeta fabric. Strapless, tea-length, asymmetrical waist which flowed to a tucked-in bottom, resting a couple of inches before the knee.

Colleen's was a two-tone satin strapless dress. Tea-length, with a high waistline and side pockets. The top was a chocolate mink color, while the long skirt was more of a light purpleish, silver toned, candlelight shade.

Alyssa's Flower Girl dress was a toffee-cream, full length gown, with a pink ribbon around the high-waist, and pink accent above the top of the square-neck line.

I asked my mother Renee to be the person to walk me down the isle. I felt no one else could do the job now that Charlie and Phil have past on. She chose a cream, silky, tea-length gown, complete with a square neckline, heigh-length waist which had a thin praline ribbon around the front, wrapping around the diaphragm section.

Esme did most of the wedding planning, so we didn't ask her to be in the wedding, because we want to stress her out. She too chose to wear a Jim Hjelm strapless dress, silky, with a mini pearl toned bust, and a high-waisted skirt in a purple-blueberry shade, with a dark waist belt.

Everyone's hair had curls in it.

Alyssa's in tiny, tight, bouncy curls. Alice with side-swept bangs and loose, larger curls. Esme's hair was full of loose, fluffy, long curls. Renee also chose to do side-swept bangs, and ran her fingers through her hair, to make the curls seem more flow-like. Rosalie teased her hair to make a 'back-from-the-beach-look' with her waves, and Colleen's hair was naturally curly, so she just wrapped a few sections around a thin-barelled curling iron for extra volume.

Everyone's make-up were similar as well. Pink and peach shades, bronzer, plump lips, mascara. For a finished look, they each added diamond bangle bracelets to their own liking, as well as similar necklaces, and tiny cloth flowers to put one of each on the side of their hair.

After I helped get everyone else ready, it was now time to focus on me... and that's when it really became real.

Biting my lip, I shut my eyes and lifted my arms, allowing them to pull the white dress over my head.

I could feel myself getting emotional, but I didn't let it overflow. It was a very overwhelming feeling, knowing that this time I put the dress on, it meant something.

This was the time where all of the years that Edward and I were both together and apart added up.

This was where all of our hard work building an 'US' paid off.

This was the first part of forever with him.

I blew out a gust of wind while they fluffed out the train and zipped up the back.

I wanted to surprise Edward with the dress I selected. I knew that everyone expected me, 'blushing and somewhat-shy and reserved Bella', to choose something that would be comfortable and flowing... and I wanted their jaws to drop when they see me step foot on the aisle. I wanted to wear a fitting dress, while I still had the chance, before I started to show too much.

I wanted to show him that I could look as beautiful as he made me feel.

It took me a few days to find the one I wanted but as soon as I saw it, I knew it was the one. A trumpet gown was what it was referred to as. I chose ivory instead of white for the shade. With it's strapless, lace accent, body-skimming silhouette, and chapel train. It was snug and formed to my body's shape perfectly, and started to flow out and down from the knee. It had an ivory satin ribbon to wrap around beneath the bust, tied in a delicate side bow.

My dress... was perfect.

I didn't stress once about it being strapless either. I knew it'd be okay.

My mom started to cry when she saw me in my dress, and had to excuse herself from the room for a moment. Rosalie started to re-fix my hair a little bit, cursing under her breath about how I should have stepped in it instead. Colleen started accessorizing me, with two different sizes of silver, diamond bangle bracelets.

Alice had her hands on her hips, studying me, "Bella, I need your ring."

"My ring?"

"Yes, the one on your hand."

"Why?" I asked, holding my hand to my chest. "He adds the band, not this ring."

She shrugged, "he just told me to come and get it from you. Don't ask questions, I have no idea why."

"But I don't want-"

"Please Bella, let's not waste time. Just hand it over. Time's a ticking here."

I exhaled, pulling it off and handing it to her, "this doesn't make sense."

"Most things don't," she said. "Be right back."

"I want that back, Alice! A-sap." I felt naked without a ring there on my finger now.

After she left, Esme entered with my mom to her side, fresh faced and happy again. "Okay sweetie," Esme began, walking over to me, "let us get a look at you."

"Okay."

"Yes. Let's see here... Your shoes are blue, so that's covered. Won't be visible with this dress, and perfect for your second selection. You have something new, which is your dress. So you need something old, and something borrowed."

I bit my lip, looking around.

My mom, sniffling still, walked over to me and opened a box, revealing a white garter, satin, complete with thin bow and pearls accent, "This... was mine. Charlie's mother purchased it for me, on the eve of our wedding. She said that it represented my honesty and purity to her son... and I'm saying it to you. The love that you hold for Edward has been nothing but pure and honest, even through troubled times. I see that now. So... I want you to wear it today."

"Oh mom," I gushed, as she took it out of the box, "it's incredible."

"Thank you sweetheart. Take good care of it.."

Esme beamed, while Colleen climbed to her knees and slid the garter up my leg, "okay, well that's your something borrowed. Carlisle and I have something for you as well!"

"You do?"

"Of course silly," she smiled, pulling a satin box from her purse. "Now... this has been passed down from generation to generation in the Cullen family. It was meant to be given to our daughter, but since that didn't work out and Edward is our only son... we want to give it to you."

She opened the box, and inside was the most amazing tear drop jewels. Amethyst. Real. Crystal. One dangling from a thin, silver diamond link chain, the other two on silver, hook earrings.

I gasped, pawing them through the box, "good gracious... they are... mind-blowing."

"These were Edward's grandmother's," she whispered, as she pulled the necklace out of the box and walked behind me, placing it around my neck. "And they've been kept in our safe since the day I wore them many moons ago... and I knew that they'd be perfect around your neck..."

I put the earrings on while she pulled my hair from the chain, and then held my breath when Colleen held up the full-length mirror to me.

I felt like a fairy princess. I was complete.

The entire room fell silent as we looked at my reflection.

"Wow," was pretty much the repetitive word of whisper surrounding me.

It summed up how I felt in that moment.

EdwardPOV

"Okay, okay!" Emmett shouted, trying to get everyone's attention.

I looked around to all of my buddies, thankful that they could all be with me today... Emmett, my best man, the one who's been with me through thick and thin. My groomsmen, Paul and Dean, my left and right arms in this life. My three ushers, my father Carlisle, Jasper, and Jake -- who turned out to be a pretty cool dude when I gave him a chance.

Also in the room was my grandfather Victor, my work buddies who managed to convince Aubrey to let them leave to be here, Scotty, Andrew, and Jonen, as well as my college buddy, Ben.

"Now that I've got all you fucker's attention, there's a few things I need to say. First of all, as you all know, I am the best man of best men."

They all laughed and I shook my head. Arrogant bitch.

"In fact," he said, walking around and pulling a dark blue scarf off the back of the chair, "this is what is going to distinguish me between all you other bitches today. This scarf."

"Your scarf is gay," Dean teased, pushing him back.

"Fuck you, my scarf is awesome. I rock this scarf. It's chic."

"Whatever."

"Be jealous, dick. Okay, anyway. Before we all head out to go see Edward's last ounce of dignity fly down the drain-"

His voice cut off from my sucker punch to the chest, and he took a few steps back, coughing.

"I will murder you," I threatened, half-joking.

He waved his hands around, while all of my friends laughed, "okay, okay, sorry. Before we all head out there to see Edward enter a life of full bliss -- watch the hands, I was going to say bliss, I promise -- ...I have to give Edward his present from Bella."

I grinned as he handed me a tiny manilla envelope, and my buddies gathered around me. Inside was a letter in Bella's beautiful, but always sloppy handwriting, which read, 'This is waiting for you back at home. I wish I could fit in the envelope, but that'd be a pretty massive package... I hope it makes you smile as you have made me smile these past seven years. No matter what, I love you for always. XOXO, Bella.'

When I tore open the package, I found set of Polaroid tied together. As soon as I got the ribbon off, I about lost my breath. Inside were pictures of 1937 Steinway & Sons Grand Piano. Black satin tones, german strings, finished plating, fresh decal... gold finish and interior. I couldn't think of how much it cost off the top of my head, but knew it was in the six figure bracket. How did she...

"Holy fuck," I said, clutching my chest, "you've got to be kidding me... How on earth did she..."

My friends started cheering as I spread the pictures around, still figuring out how to breathe correctly. I couldn't believe her.

That woman... DAMN, I got lucky.

After I finally calmed myself down, we took a couple of shots and said a few cheers, and then I finished dressing up my tux. Scotty and Andrew went to hunt down the dogs, since they were acting as ring bearers in the ceremony -- requested by Bella.

Speaking of...

"Alice," I smiled, walking over and giving her a hug, "just the girl I was looking for."

"Yeah, yeah, here's her ring. What do you want with it, by the way?"

I stuck my hand in my pocket and pulled out surprise number one for Bella. A new ring.

It wasn't that I didn't like the ring I purchased for Bella before I asked her to marry me, because I did. That ring had blue in it, which was a color shared between us for years. And it did catch my eye before I purchased.

But the new ring that I am replacing it with... this ring sang to me. It really was Bella, wrapped up in a flawless piece of jewelry. It was intricate but polished. It was simple-elegance, yet internally complicated. It was admirably stunning and whimsical, just as she is to me. This ring -- her ring -- was meant to be on her finger. I knew it the very second I saw it. Nothing else would sit right on her hand.

Designed with a 18ct platinum band. Claw setting beneath a flat, single, solitaire princess cut stone... a 1 & 1/2 carat diamond, with a height of only .5cm and a width of only .2 cm. It was magnificent.

And of course, I had to do an engraving.

Since 'a moment of clarity' was taken from the previous ring, which I'm sure she'll still wear on a different finger, I chose to engrave this one with, 'His Heart', because she has my heart in the palm of her hands, or in this case, wrapped around her finger. On the ring she purchased for me -- which I have yet to see; I made my mother get without her knowing -- I asked to have a similar engraving on the inside of it as well, 'Her Heart', because I recognize that I have her heart and will do everything I must to keep it safe. Then on the bottom's of the rings, where you can see if you look down into your palm, hers says, 'ONE' with a picture of a heart next to it and mine says 'SOUL'. So if we hold hands or put our rings a certain way, it'd say, 'ONE(HEART)SOUL'.

Therefore, 'Her Heart + His Heart = ONE(HEART)SOUL'.

As soon as I explained it to Alice, she practically turned into a gushing puddle of mud at my feet.

I laughed, rubbing her shoulders, "let's just hope Bella has the same reaction, okay?"

"Oh I'm sure she will, Edward. It's perfect. What about the second band?"

"Just a simple, thin, platinum band. That way she can slide it beneath the stone, and it won't be gawky. I've noticed Bella likes things simple."

"That she does," she exhaled. "I say, the more diamonds, the merrier, but that's just me... Then again, that many carats packed into that... When it comes to jewelry, I taught you well my friend."

I smirked, and threw on my tux jacket and readjusted my bow-tie, "how do I look?"

"Excellent," she grinned, "one more thing."

I steadied myself as she pinned on a splash of baby breath and dendrobium flowers to the left side of my jacket.

"Now you're ready."

I gave her a hug and turned to my friends and family, "Well gentleman, are we ready to marry me off yet?"

"We've been fucking ready," Emmett said, adjusting his scarf to where both sides were even, "let's get the preacher man and rock this shit!"

I laughed and popped in a mint for luck, before giving the other ring to Andrew, so he could tie it on Spendor's collar, "Let's do this. I'm ready."

"Here's to Edward, may he be the best looking groom this world has ever seen!" my grandfather Victor shouted, and all of my friends cheered along with me.

"Here's to Bella not standing me up," I teased, with a grin. "Or we will hunt her down with pitchforks."

"Here, here!"

"Gentleman?"

We turned around, to find one of our wedding coordinators, Andy, leaning in the doorway.

"Are we ready?"

"Yes," I smiled, exhaling.

"Follow me."

I crossed my fingers for luck as I did.

BellaPOV

Suddenly, things started happening really fast.

After we finished primping and prepping me, people started vanishing and entering.

A sea of "oh you look so pretty!" and "we're about ready to start" and "Bella are you ready?" clouded over my head in repeat by different voices, as things were being grabbed, and a drape covered me, so no one aside from my wedding party were able to see me in my dress.

"Mom did you grab my bag with my second dress i-"

"Yes honey, I have it. We have everything."

"The flowers, the bouq-"

"Everything, Bella. We have it all under control. Let's just get you married before you turn me into a nervous wreck."

As we walked down the hallway from my room, I caught brief glimses of people taking their seats in the distance, out the far window.

Edward & I chose an outside ceremony, full of earth colors -- yellows, greens, cream colors. We wanted it to be peaceful. Serene.

Dark green bushes trailing on the right side, leading up the step-up gazebo. Greenish dendrobium flowers graced around the top of the gazebo, along with a select few white hydrangeia and mini-calla lille bouquets.

90 white chairs in even rows of five across, and nine rows back sat in place, lined up on either side of my marble brick pathway, which would be my isle. The last row of chairs had yellow drapery on the backs of them. Every other isle, there were bouquets of mini calla lilies and hydrangeia's tied to chairs.

Four high white dendrobium orchid trees, placed two in the front, near the gazebo, and two in the back, behind the chairs. Each chair had a starfish shell on it, and beneath that was our wedding planner notes, with a history of mine and Edward's relationship.

There were three horizontal marble-brick pathways leading up the gazebo. One on the right, one down the middle, and one on the left. All of them led around the back of the chairs, meeting in a large circle. The chairs sat spread between them, with my isle pathway in the middle. Esme and Alice decorated the main isle with petals of white, cream, and yellow roses, as well as more hydrangeia and calla lilies. My bouquet was also made of cream mini calla-lilies, fastened by a white cloth, with a silver ring jewel in the front.

Because it was warm outside, Esme had waiters serve our guests cherry-dipped lemon Italian ice on the rocks, inside of long vase-glasses. When rays from the sunlight hit the glasses a certain way, the colors inside seemed to sparkle and sizzle in multi-tones.

I held my breath as we traveled down the stair-case. Our photographer team was running with us, one following me, one with him all day.

I kept trying to convince myself I wasn't going to fall on top of her, because that'd be really bad. I listened to the echoes of multiple sets of heels clicking and clanking around the walls, and tried to focus on my breathing, instead of the many voices surrounding me, asking people questions about routines and songs and stuff. All this anticipation didn't do well for me.

All I wanted to do was get there. To see him. To stand by him.

Entering the lobby, I couldn't see anything but the draped covers in front of me and the exquisite golden ceilings above my head. A few people rushed to my side, event coordinators, wedding planner staff, more photographers. Continuing our movements, we followed through the tall French doors, and behind the trees of the pathway, hidden from everyone else....

My heart, which was still until that moment, started beating more powerful than a bass drum, and faster than wings of a bumblebee.

It felt like there was a fire under my toes, and I wanted to run. I squeezed Colleen and Rosalie's hands, while Alice trailed behind us, holding my train. I could hear in the distance, my mom and Esme talking about a few minor second details.

Things started to blur around me, and I quickly shut my eyes, gathering the courage to keep moving.

"Okay, okay, stop, stop, stop," Colleen whispered, as we skidded to a halt at the end of the trees. I was surrounded, and hands started touching me, adjusting my hair, making sure no make up was running, that the dress was in place, that I had my bouquet.

My hands started trembling as they gave it to me, and I felt myself hyperventilating.

"I'm g-getting married," I whispered to Colleen.

"I know!"

"But... I'm getting married."

"Yes you are."

"No, no, you don't understand, I, Bella, am getting married... r-right now..."

"She's falling apart," I heard Alice say to my right, and suddenly, my mom and Esme were in front of me.

"Bella?" Esme said, holding her hands out to me, "breathe honey."

"I can do that," I exhaled, looking to the ground.

"This is what you want," Renee said, in a half-question, making sure, since this was the very last moment to bail out.

"Yes, more than anything," I studied the sidewalk, tapping my toe against it.

Quick flashes of Charlie and Phil popped in my head but I had to dismiss them in order to get through this. I imagined them up in Heaven, arms crossed, narrowed eyes, staring down at Edward, taking dibs on who got to strike him down with lightning first if he hurt me.

I giggled to myself, waving off my friends who looked up at me like I was crazy, "inside joke."

"Mmhmm," Rosalie said, raising her eyebrow.

"Oh hush. I'm ready."

I bent down, and gave Alyssa a big hug, "are you ready, sweetie?"

She nodded, clutching her ivory basket to her chest, "Mm'most."

"What's wrong?" I brushed through her hair.

"Tan I wedded him too?"

Okay, now I knew what Edward meant by a three year old girl turning him into mush.

"Awe, sweetie," I said, giving her a hug, "I think it's illegal for him to marry two girls at once, unless he lives in parts of Utah or is into a certain religion or something I am not aware of."

She frowned, looking toward her basket, "He will foget about me den."

"Nooo, he loves you very much, and I promise you he won't."

"Pinky," she said, holding her finger up.

I curled mine around it and kissed her head, "okay are we ready now?"

"Yes."

"And you know not to throw the flowers at anyone's face unless they try to trip you."

"Dot it."

"Okay," I exhaled, curling my arm around my mom's.

My mom kissed the side of my cheek, then looked to our wedding planner, "We're ready."

EdwardPOV

I blew out a gust of wind, listening to the ocean on my right, and the melodies from the soft music playing in the distance. Looking out at all of our combined friends and loved ones, a sense of calm washed over me. Normally, during moments this important, I tend to over-analyze and worry, because I want everything to be perfect.

But today, however, I was extremely relaxed. Everything felt as if it fell into it's belonging place naturally, and for that, I was thankful to the keeper of the stars. I didn't panic while I took my spot at the end of the isle, in front of the gazebo. I didn't break momentum when I noticed tears in my fathers eyes, as he, Jake, and and Jasper finished seating our guests. I didn't falter when I saw the tops of the French doors opening, knowing that Bella was somewhere tucked behind the drapery and trees.

Only one thing kept me still. And that was the reassurance that this day was seven years in the making, if not almost twenty-three years.

Not only does Bella belong to me, heart and soul, but I belong to her in equal assesions. She and I were meant for each other, and I couldn't be more happy than I was at this moment.

It felt good, to shake our pastor, Joe's hand, and then turn toward our guests, fold my hands in front of me, notice my three best friends to my right, and proudly wait to receive what I had battled to earn. It felt incredible knowing that even the wrong roads that Bella and I chose to take led us to the same destination in the end.

This moment, waiting to see her... Bella has given me truth. She was like fresh air. Standing here, waiting for her, I felt serenity.

We didn't have to fight for each other anymore. We didn't have to fight to make each other see, or to listen, or to come back.

All we had to do was wait for the final pieces and dust particles to set in place.

And they would.

And for that, I would happily stand here for as long as I needed to.

Bella and I chose to do a semi-traditional, mostly unique wedding ceremony. Sure, we wanted to use the same openings and same final vows. But we had also written our own. On top of that, we selected a contemporary song for Bella to walk down the isle to, and mixed a few things around in the middle. We selected segments from classic poetry. Segments from Shakespeare.

We wanted this ceremony to distinguish that she looked at me differently, as did I to her, from the rest of the world. I don't see anyone else but her now.

A picture of Charlie in his police uniform sat to the right of the chairs, by the white dendrobium orchid tree, and a picture of Phil in his baseball uniform was placed on the left side of the chairs, next to a mirroring tree. I knew Bella would want them there as well, and hoped she'd like my second surprise.

I could tell from the way the sun was lowering behind me, on my right, that it was any minute before I saw Bella in that dress. It felt like the insides of my legs were Jello-like, but my hands remained untrembling. My mom took her seat in the front row, thanks to my dad escorting her, and she gave me a sweet smile and a short nod.

Now it was time.

The song that we had selected for the arrivals was the acoustic, semi-upbeat melodies of Trading Yesterday, with 'Beautiful'. I selected it because nothing else could describe Bella, and no one else deserved the title of 'beautiful' more than she did in my eyes.

I licked my lips and exhaled, rounding my shoulders. I heard Emmett, my best man, and me two groomsmen, Dean and Paul, round their shoulders and re-situate their bodies.

Wind blew tenderly on our backs, and over the guests in delicate waves. The gentle guitar strums surrounded us, the first verse crashed over us. I exhaled in I smiled as Rosalie was the first to walk down the long marble isle, in her copperish, strapless dress. Her blonde hair placed gently behind her shoulders, I noticed her wink at Jake as she passed him, and then focus her narrowed eyes at me. It was her last time she could threaten me bodily harm if I hurt her sister.

I grinned at her and gave her a slight nod, I won't hurt her, Rose.

After she walked down the flowered marble sidewalk, she turned to my right, and took her spot on the bottom stair case, and the second verse started to on.

Next, was my best friend Alice, in the same dress as Rose, with her short hair in wide curls and side-swept bangs. Her pace was a bit faster than Rose's. She smiled up at me, a little misty-eyed, as she came closer. I gave her a reassuring grin, letting her know that I was okay, and that everything was cool. (We had an inside joke that if anything felt off, this would be the part where she faked a broken leg or passed out). She giggled a little but straightened up just as quickly, and I pursed my lips, so I wouldn't start laughing. Leave it to her to get me going.

She gave me one last smile as she passed me, and then took her spot in front of Rosalie, on the second to last step.

The chorus came on next, as did Colleen, Bella's maid of honor and best friend. In her strapless, two-toned dress, she steadied her tiny bouquet of carnations in front of her, smiling warmly as she came closer to me. I took the moment to steady my breathing, knowing Bella was getting closer to me. Colleen smiled graciously at Makin as she passed, and from the look of her face, I could tell that she was one of those girls wishing it were her and him next to take on a day like today, and by the look of his face, I could tell he was no where close to being ready for that, though he seemed to care for her.

I chuckled under my breath. It amazed me how different some men and women looked at things.

She took her place on the third step, closest to my right.

After her, was the little girl that would have the ability to steal my heart if Bella hadn't done it. In her long gown, that seemed to gather a few of the flowers on the sidewalk since it was about an inch too long, Alyssa threw the petals of calla-lilies, carnations, and roses high in the sky. A few times, her walk went a little to the right or the left, because she was paying more attention to where they fell than the path in front of her. She giggled as she passed Makin in the isle and shyly waved to him. He waved back, smiling. I'm sure he was just happy she acknowledged him being there, instead of charing off for her mother.

The song broke into an acoustic bridge. She arrived to the end of the isle, and her mom held out her hands for her. Alyssa slipped her shoulders beneath her mom's hands, and turned my way, looking up at me with a wide smile. I gave her a wink, and she giggled, clutching on her mom's hand, careful not to drop her basket with her other hand.

All of family and friends rose to their feet.

On perfect timing with the lyrics, where the last verse came on, I looked up, to find Bella standing in the middle of the circle filled with petals, where all of the marbled brick sidewalks met. Her mother to her right, clutching her free hand. Her hair down, with long, round, bouncy curls in multi-directions, a few bangs swept b out of her face and teased at her crown.

Her dress was nothing I had expected her to wear. It fit her perfect body -- every inch of her body -- in the most delicious way. Snug. Strapless. Ivory and lace. Tender pink bow below her breasts. Bouquet of cream colored, mini-calla lilies in front of her stomach. She was everything I'd imagined and much more. She was Heavenly.

She was the most purest, honest, beautiful creature I'd ever set eyes on. I knew right then and there that I did not deserve her, nor would I ever. Who on this Earth would be able to deserve something as delicately precious as this angel in front of me?

I almost couldn't take in the dress, as my eyes barely left her face. My heart, however, seemed to somehow beat both faster and slower simultaneously.

I didn't bother trying to figure out how to breathe as I watched her come slowly toward me. I knew it was hopeless.

My lips parted, my eyes glistened in amazement... I was stunned in the most perfect way. Locked in a time where nothing else mattered and it all faded away... All but her and myself, and this isle of petals between us, getting shorter every second.

I struggled to keep my balance, and as soon as she really came to focus, when the sun's rays met the ocean behind me, a breathtaking smile stretched along her face, mirroring my own. I could read her eyes like the back of my hand. She was relieved, as was I. Relieved that we could see each other. Relieved to be standing here. Relieved that nothing was fighting to come between us this time.

The music came to a tender end, and she beamed up at me with pride, holding onto a tearful Renee's hand. Her eyes, like mine and the majority of the people here today, were misty and beautiful. Tender. Sure. I could see her starting to bounce in place, and chuckled slightly. I knew she was trying to stand still, and that all she wanted to do was to leap in my arms.

That's all I wanted too.

BellaPOV

This is it.

This is it, this is it, this is it...

My hands were shaking.

Oh hell, all of my limbs were shaking. I was a trembling, jittery, excited, anxious mess.

After the song ended, the rest of the ceremony was surrounded with wymsical piano melodies of one of Edward's favorite composers, Yiruma.

I clutched my mom's hands, looking up at Edward's beautiful face. Never in my entire life had I seem someone look more heavenly than he did right this second. Black satin tuxedo, white collared button undershirt, black bow-tie beneath his chin. His copper hair fixed my most favorite way, spiky and kept, but messy at the same time. His dazzling, emerald-green eyes focused entirely on me. And those full lips of his, parted as he breathed...

It seemed to take forever to get to the end of the isle, but now that I was here, I was a hundred percent ready to jump in his arms and give myself away to him.

Pastor Joe cleared his throat, and smiled from Edward, down to me, "Welcome, family, friends and loved ones. We gather here today to celebrate the wedding of Isabella and Edward. You have come here to share in this formal commitment they make to one another, to offer your love and support to this union, and to allow Isabella and Edward to start their married life together surrounded by the people dearest and most important to them. So welcome to one and all, who have traveled from near and far. Isabella and Edward thank you for your presence here today, and now ask for your blessing, encouragement, and lifelong support, for their decision to be married."

He looked past Edward's beautiful form, down toward Renee and I, "Who supports this woman in her marriage to this man?"

My mother, half choked up, in a voice that was barely a whisper, sniffled and replied, "Her fathers and I do."

I shut my eyes, not knowing she was going to say that. I clutched her hand for a moment, willing in my mind to somehow tell her without words that I was okay and that I was happy, just in case she had any last doubts. To tell her that all though she was giving me away, she didn't have to fully let me go. I'd always be her daughter, thick and thin.

I listened as people shuffled, and opened my eyes, to find Edward, one foot down on the step beneath him, gentle left hand extended out to me.

Suddenly, all my anxiety went away, as my mom placed my hand into his.

And then, as soon as we touched, and the people behind us sat, and I joined the steps he balanced himself on... I was home.

A wave of emotions hit over me, and I couldn't help the tears forming in my eyes as I gazed across from me to this admirable man. Joy. Love. Happiness. Hope. Fullfilment. Completion.

The both of us blew out a gust of wind as his warm, large hands carefully held my clammy, tiny ones, and we smiled across to each other.

"Isabella and Edward have asked for me to say a few untraditional readings, which I have joyfully accepted in doing so. The first one I'd like to mention is a tiny segment from Shakespeare's Sonnet 116. It reads, 'Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments. Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds, or bends with the remover to remove: Oh, no! It is an ever-fixed mark. That looks on tempests and is never shaken; it is the star to every wandering bark, whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken. Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks within his bending sickle's compass come; love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, but bears it out even to the edge of doom. If this be error and upon me proved, ...I never writ, nor no man ever loved.'"

Edward's thumb brushed along the top of my hand, and I squeezed him tight. Neither of us broke the gaze to look at our guests, or toward our pastor.

Joe continued, "Marriage is perhaps the greatest and most challenging adventure of human relationships. No ceremony can create your marriage; only you can do that – through love and patience; through dedication and perseverance; through talking and listening, helping and supporting and believing in each other; through tenderness and laughter; through learning to forgive, learning to appreciate your differences, and by learning to make the important things matter, and to let go of the rest. What this ceremony can do is to witness and affirm the choice you make to stand together as partners. Do you agree?"

"Yes," we answered at the same time.

"Before they take their vows, both Isabella and Edward have personal letters, meant only for the other, and would like to read these words in front of their family and friends now. Isabella, you may go first."

I bit my lip, trying not to hyperventilate, as I turned behind me. Not letting go of one of Edward's hands, I used my free one to pass my bouquet to Colleen, and exchange it for my tiny note, which she had tucked away inside of her bouquet. She gave me a wink before I turned back to face Edward.

He smiled down to me.

I fumbled with the paper, praying I wouldn't drop it, or if I did, that I could remember what I wrote. Again, his thumb brushed along mine... and I quickly realized that I didn't need the paper. Looking into his eyes, I knew I had the words memorized.

I smiled back up to him, shaking, "Edward... Sometimes I wish that I could take us away from all of the pain and weight of this world. There have been moments where I've felt lost and out of touch, but as soon as I see your smile, the world slows down to it's steady, natural pace. I know that I'm not the easiest person to live with. I know my insecurities can be a hassle. But... it is because my heart is so strong and overpowered in love with you, that it terrifies me. Earlier today, I told my sister that I was more than willing to give my heart away, the full hundred percent of it, to you, and I am ready to do that now."

I blew out a gust of wind, steadying myself, ignoring the teardrop that fell from my eyes, and the sensational way my heart clutched inside of me, "See... There has only been one time in my entire life where I can recall actually feeling free... and...the funny and somewhat ironic thing is, that freedom came to me whenever I was willingly attached to you. You have shown me that I don't have to change who I am and what I believe in, for someone to love me unconditionally. You h-have..."

Feeling myself start to choke up, I readjusted my stance and blinked the tears away, so I could look up at him. His smile was reassuring as he brushed the inside of my palm with his fingertips.

Swallowing and smiling back, I continued, "You have shown me... that you and I can live in a separate world from everyone else, ...in a dream world... where either time can stand perfectly still for as long as we want, or when time has been none of the essence, ...like when we were apart. In all honesty, I admire you, and have since I was fifteen years old. Not just your youth, or your smarts, or your goals you have set... I admire you for your passion, for your courage, for your honesty, as well as for your struggles in which you have overcame. Mostly, ...I admire you for never giving up hope, in both me, ...as well as yourself..."

Edward sniffled lightly, but kept himself from breaking down as much as I did.

It took me a few seconds to finish, being so overwhelmed in him.

"The p-past four years of my life have been both a stepping stone in my personal growth, and a retracted path that has thankfully led me back to you. I can proudly stand here today and say that I am accomplished... but my biggest accomplishment has been gaining back your trust. I can... happily stand here in front of my family and friends and tell them that I am strong... but my most content moment of strength has been when I allowed myself to fall into the safety of your arms... And... most important, I can willingly stand here today and tell you that I know who I am. I am Isabella... and I am now, and have always been... only yours."

EdwardPOV

...Wow.

I'm not sure if I had any expectations of what she might say to me, but actually hearing the words she selected... it overwhelmed me.

I smiled, struggling on the inside not to pass out, as the emotions inside of me fought to pour out.

Taking a heavy breath for luck, I clutched Bella's soft hands inside of mine, and arrowed down into her caramel eyes.

She felt relieved, getting her words out. But I felt anxious, suddenly. So I needed to study her eyes, and get lost in them, so that she could pull me through.

Her words, like a tidal wave, covered me and overtook my spirit. All of my reserve had crashed, and I had become vulnerable in an instant.

It's crazy, what true, honest declarations of love can do to a person.

Re-composing myself, I cleared my throat, and gave her a crooked grin. It helped me calm, seeing her breathtaking smile in return.

"If I could have come up with the right words to describe the depth of this sensational feeling that I hold for you, I would have whispered them to you the first time that we met. It was in that very moment, that I believe our hearts knew something that we could not comprehend. Right then and there, I knew that you were a gift graced from God Himself."

She smiled, giddy, of course, because that was my Bella.

I grinned back to her, "If only I had known that you were out there somewhere, I would have begun a search for you long before I met you. I would have crossed the ends of the earth and back. I would have done anything and everything in my power to find you sooner. But, now that I have found you, I'll never let you go. Not this time."

She bit her lip, squeezing my hands.

"You have constantly showered me with unconditional love and you understand my shortcomings without criticism. You, in all your overwhelming beauty, have changed my life. Because of you, I feel this world is now full of promise. That we don't have to compromise. That every day is worth looking forward to, and that not only does God exist... but so does hope, and faith, and the belief in the power of undeniable love... All of these discoveries have been made possible because of who you are and how irreplaceable you are to me. There will never be another you."

I looked down to her with all of the sincerity that I could show in my eyes, "Bella, you have turned me into a better person, one that I never imagined becoming. You have saved me, and I thank you for that. I never thought that I could love someone the way that I love you now. I know you hear this all the time, but I want to tell you again and again, how true I am to you, and how my life will never be the same without you. While you and I were apart, I missed you every single second gone by. Memories of your caring eyes, your sweet voice, and the tenderness in your touch flooded through me... but it never was enough. It wasn't the real thing. It wasn't you. And now that I have gained it all back, I know with every ounce of my being that I will protect these things that make you up. Because you are all that is precious to me."

"...With each passing second, I fall more helplessly and willingly into the endless depths of your spirit. You are always in my prayers and thoughts, even while I am asleep. Everyday that I look at you, it feels as if I am seeing you for the first time... Mesmerized by the light cast behind your hair. Stunned by the way your lashes fall on your face. Entranced by your different smiles, delicate touches, and multiple laughs... Each day God has allowed me to keep you, I realize more and more how rare you are. And I want to spend the rest of my life memorizing every part of you, because I feel that is what you deserve."

She blushed, breaking our stare for a moment, only to quickly grab it back.

"You are the mother of my unborn child. You are the single person that I want to leave this world with, hand in hand. You are the beautiful soul that I want to reach out to when times get hard, and the tender touch I want to consume when the world us you becomes too much for you. I promise to protect you and keep you safe. I promise to take care of you, to shield you from any storms that come our way, in whatever form they may arrive in."

"My love... Your light has been constant presence in my life. Merely looking at you is enough to make me feel complete. ...And if I can give you at least half of the love that you have shown me, I will feel like an accomplished man. Because no matter how much I speak or how hard I try to explain this to you, a love like yours holds too much value to put into words. I cherish you and admire you, and am thankful to be yours as well. My love has been built only for you, as I exist... only for you."

Her shaken hand lifted and she swiped a few tears from her eyes, and cleared her throat, before rounding her shoulders and holding herself steady.

Joe smiled at us, resting a hand on each of our shoulders, "An excerpt from "The Prophet" by Kahil Gibran reads, 'Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself. But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires: To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night. To know the pain of too much tenderness. To be wounded by your own understanding of love; and to bleed willingly and joyfully. To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving; to rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy; to return home at eventide with gratitude; and then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise on your lips.' When I listen to the two of you speak, and witness how the two of you look at each other, I have the uttermost fate that God has seen fit to put the two of you in each other's paths. I can see how your souls mirror each other, proving the definition of a soulmate."

"Edward, will you take Isabella, to be your lawfully wedded wife? Will you love her, and care for her, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, for all of the days that you shall live?"

I beamed to her, "I will." God, will I.

He smiled toward me, "Then Edward, please repeat after me."

After he spoke, I directed my attention back to Bella, "I Edward, take you, Isabella, to be my wife, my constant friend and partner, and my love. I will work to create a bond of honesty, respect, and trust; one that withstands the tides of time and change, and grows along with us. I vow to honor and respect you for all that you are and will become, taking pride in who we are, both separately and together. I promise to challenge you, and to accept challenges from you. I will join with you in an ongoing struggle to create a world we want to live in, where love and friendship will be recognized and celebrated in all of our many forms. Our home will be a sanctuary and a respite for us and for those whom we cherish. Above all, I will give you my love freely and unconditionally. I promise to cherish you, to care and protect you, to comfort and encourage you, and stay with you, for all eternity."

BellaPOV

Pastor Joe turned to me, with warm eyes and a tender smile, "Isabella, will you take Edward, to be your lawfully wedded husband? Will you love him, and care for him, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, for all the days that you shall live?"

"I will." Absolutely!

Edward grinned, while I repeated the same vows.

"I Isabella, take you, Edward, to be my husband, my constant friend and partner, and my love. I will work to create a bond of honesty, respect, and trust; one that withstands the tides of time and change, and grows along with us. I vow to honor and respect you for all that you are and will become, taking pride in who we are, both separately and together. I promise to challenge you, and to accept challenges from you. I will join with you in an ongoing struggle to create a world we want to live in, where love and friendship will be recognized and celebrated in all of our many forms. Our home will be a sanctuary and a respite for us and for those whom we cherish. Above all, I will give you my love freely and unconditionally. I promise to cherish you, to care and protect you, to comfort and encourage you, and stay with you, for all eternity."

All eternity... that was my favorite part.

Joe grinned, "May I have the rings please?"

I giggled, watching Esme walk Cora and Spendor down the isle; Spendor in a doggy tuxedo t-shirt, Cora wearing a doggy dress. Around their silver collars were our rings, in which Emmett pulled from Cora, and Colleen pulled from Spendor.

Edward grinned at me as he palmed my ring, and instantly, I knew something was up, by the smile he gave.

I tilted my head at him, trying to solve the mystery before it was his time to speak.

"Edward, please place the ring on the tip of Isabella's finger, and repeat after me..."

I gasped as soon as my eyes fell on it, and my hand flew to my mouth.

It wasn't my ring. Not the one that he proposed to me with. Instead, was something equally amazing, but more magnificent, in it’s own right. A solitaire square diamond, beautiful flawless finish... it was overwhelmingly perfect. I didn't even have time to comprehend it, as I became swept up in his words.

"Bella, let this ring be a symbol of my faithfulness to you Because it is symmetrical, it signifies the honesty of true love, which has no ending, and no beginning. As it encircles your finger, may it remind you always that I give you all that I am and ever hope to be. I choose you to be my wife on this day, and forevermore."

I watched in amazement as he slid it on my finger, along with a thin, platinum band, tucked gently beneath the same stone.

"Isabella, please place the ring on the tip of Edward's finger, and repeat after me..."

With trembling hands, Colleen passed to me Edward's ring. Esme helped me pick out the dealer, but the ring was all my selection. Thick, flawless platinum, 18ct, with the middle indented in a thin circle, signifying my everlasting love for him.

Edward smiled as I put it on his finger.

"Edward, let this ring be a symbol of my faithfulness to you Because it is symmetrical, it signifies the honesty of true love, which has no ending, and no beginning. As it encircles your finger, may it remind you always that I give you all that I am and ever hope to be. I choose you to be my husband on this day, and forevermore."

After the rings, Edward and I quickly filled a crystal vase of colored sand from the beach beside us, two hands pouring into one vase, signifying our unity.

"Let us pray. Dear Heavenly Father, as we have witnessed today, Isabella and Edward have chosen their paths to connect in eternity, from this day forth. I pray that you will give them strength when they need it, and understanding where they lack. May you look down upon them and guide them through the light, all the way until the end of all time. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. For if one shall lie down, the other shall rest beside, for together they will keep warm."

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres... Love never fails. And though these three remain: faith, hope and love, know the greatest of these... is love.”

I smiled as we opened our eyes, and fell into the timeless feel of that moment.

Then Joe quoted our final reading, "From 'Two Fragments' by Sappho. 'Love holds me captive again, and I tremble with bittersweet longing... As a gale on the mountainside bends the oak tree... I am rocked by my love."

Edward beamed down to me, and I shuddered slightly. I didn’t know he was going to have Pastor Joe quote that. It was one of my favorite sayings.

Pastor Joe turned to Edward, “Hey Edward, are you ready to be married?”

Edward laughed, his smile contagious that it filled the faces of everyone around him, “Yes, Sir, I’ve been ready.”

Joe laughed, patting him on the shoulder. I was thankful he could be our Pastor, since he’s been Edward and his family’s since before Edward was born.

"By the power vested in me, with God as our Holy witness, I now pronounce you husband and wife. ...Edward, you may kiss your beautiful bride."

I couldn’t help but blush and giggle and bounce as his hands found my waist. It felt as if the marble steps beneath us had vanished, and I started to cradle his face, but realized that wouldn’t be enough, so I threw my arms around his neck, and slid into him. I felt the warmth from his palms as he pressed into the small of my back, and trembled as soon as I heard him laugh softly, right before our lips touched. His top lip slid between, and his full bottom lip met beneath mine, and then everything went really hazy. With the way his soft mouth formed against mine, brushing along my lips, savoring every inch, a brief touch of the tip of his tongue against mine... this was the best feeling I had ever had. Our first kiss that signified our forever.

I could hear everyone clapping around us, but all I felt was air. That was when I realized he had twisted us around and dipped me. I giggled, brushing my fingers through as he stood us both up right, and it took everything I had not to jump into his arms and hug him.

Pastor Joe laughed as we continued to rub each other’s face, not removing from each other’s grasp, “I present to you, with great honor, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Anthony Cullen.”

Everyone rose to their feet and started cheering and clapping amidst wiping tears from their faces. I hadn’t even realized that I, too, had tears streaming from my eyes. I felt so elated, like nothing in this entire world come harm us. I held onto Edward with everything I had, as we walked down the marble brick isle full of petals, hand in hand, heart to heart... I was his wife.

As soon as we got back to the end of the isle, where the circle met, I jumped into his arms and hugged him. Alyssa walked the dogs down the isle, giggling and bouncing with her flower basket. Emmett and Colleen connected arms next, followed by Dean and Alice, and Paul and Rosalie.

*&*#!#$^%$^

We had to wait for everyone to get inside of our reception tent before we could enter, for Esme and Carlisle wanted to announce us formally again.

Edward and I selected the ‘Dream Room’ to hold our reception. With it’s elegant charm, deco and crown-molded ceilings, and golden chandeliers, it suited Edward’s sophistication. With it’s secluded area from the rest of the Ritz-Carlton, and it’s romantic lighting, it suited my vulnerability. And, with the charming walls, which turned in color from blue to purple as the night progressed, and crystal fixtures, it was a combination of both our tastes.

The rectangle table for our wedding party was placed at the end of the dance floor, and circled tables with white table cloths were to the left and right of the dance floor, facing us. There were huge vases of yellow, white, and cream roses on each table, crystal glasses, candlelight, and silver place settings.

More crystals hanging with notes our guests have left for us, gift cards and whatnot. We registered at quite a few places so families with different financial backgrounds wouldn’t have to struggle if they felt the need to purchase us a gift; most registries were more toward the baby and the house we were aiming to purchase together.

Each table had a name so we could have all of friends and family sitting next to each other where they’d like. Each guest received a pink box, with jewelry donated to us, thanks to Esme’s friend Jaque Loed, who was a dealer overseas. Our five-layer cake sat in front of our table, with blinking glimmer lights around it. I thought it’d be neat to have each layer with a different flavor, so there was red velvet on the bottom, followed by German chocolate, then vanilla, then chocolate, then cherry-sprinkle, then cheesecake on the very top. It was covered in a light, aqua-blue icing. On top that, were hand-crafted white icings, in shapes of stylish daisies, lotus, white lilies, roses, and sea shells.

As you entered the reception hall, to the right was a huge picture of Edward and I taken in the cabin. Rosalie had taken it, and we weren’t even aware she had a camera at the time, or was even around us. I’m still to this day not sure how she even took it. It was the day we escaped, and went out in town, to go bowling and to the mall and out to eat and what not. Him in his jacket, looking down to me, and me smiling in thought, in my jacket. But you could tell by the way he was looking down to me and the way I was drifting off... it was kind of sweet, seeing a candid moment like that. All of the signs were right in front of us.

The picture was framed in glass, and had two pens connecting, where all of our guests could write messages to us, and we could hang it in our house.

Everyone was all ready inside and in their spots, with cocktails and beverages served. Edward held my hand and beamed as we entered the reception hall by announcement, to the rising stance of our friends and family’s clapping. Instantly we were pulled apart, being directed into the arms of our mothers, then my sister and his dad, then passed from aunt, uncle, grandparent, friend, friend, friend, on and on and on. The both of us had college friends show, as well as a few coworkers. He had Scotty, Andrew, and Jonen, not to mention Aimee, who showed up with what I was assuming to be her fiance or boyfriend or whatever... I couldn’t fathom the thoughts of how awkward it’d be if he knew about her and Edward’s past... And I had Colleen, of course, and Ryan, my partner show. He didn’t come with a date.

Edward found me before we headed toward them. His three co-workers gave him hand shakes and passed me around for a hug, before Edward pulled me to his side, holding me tight. He kissed the side of my head as his friends continued their congratulations and their teasing, which I couldn’t help but laugh at. Some of them were pretty funny, if I did say so myself. After that, we headed toward Aimee, in her green, strapless dress, with her blond hair flowing, and big eyes... For a very split second, I was irritated with her beauty, but then I quickly realized what today meant, and all of that bitterness left just as quickly as it came.

She gave Edward a hug while her date tucked his hands in his pockets and gave me a nod of congrats. “Edward, I’m so happy for you,” she said, rubbing his back.

I beamed as Edward pulled me in front of him and wrapped his arms around my waist, resting his chin on the top of my head, “Aimee, you remember my beautiful wife, Bella, right?”

“Of course,” she smiled, holding out her hand, “you make a beautiful bride, Bella. Congratulations.”

I shook her hand and leaned into Edward, “thank you very much.”

“Edward, this is Dale, my boyfriend,” she said, turning and gently pulling the cute guy toward Edward. “Dale, this is Edward, or Doctor Cullen, my, uh, mentor.”

Edward laughed under his breath, and they shook hands. I steadied myself, preparing for a fight. Luckily, her boyfriend seemed utterly clueless of his and her past, as I kind-of wish I still was... that was, until Ryan came up and pulled me out of Edward’s arms, and into a hug.

“Hey Ryan,” I giggled, “thank you for coming.”

“You make a stunning bride,” he said, then teasingly mumbled to where only I could hear, “shame I didn’t ask to you first.”

Edward reached out and grabbed my hand and I jumped a bit, before leaning completely into him, “Thanks Ryan, I’m very happy.”

Ryan shook Edward’s hand, and for a moment, I was taken back about how they were sort of alike, though Edward’s engaging beauty had everything over Ryan’s ‘sexy, bad boy’ image. They were both tall, disheveled hair, facial hair, mysterious eyes, full lips... It was easy to realize why I chose Jasper over Ryan before. Ryan had too much similarities and I couldn’t be reminded of them at that time.

After everyone greeted us, we sat down, and it was time for the speeches once the servers had everyone’s meals in place.

Emmett was up first, and I was laughing before he even started speaking. We all knew how he was. Edward leaned toward my chair, his hand on the back of my neck beneath my hair. I leaned toward him as well, absorbing his warmth in the air-conditioned room.

Emmett rose to his feet, plinking his fork on the very expensive crystal glasses Edward’s grandfather Victor purchased specifically for our wedding party. I think the entire room cringed when he did it, afraid it’d break. He adjusted his scarf and grinned, taking in the entire, full compacity of the room, “Hey everyone, how are we all doing tonight?”

Everyone, of course, cheered and replied.

“In case by chance you’ve been living under a rock and don’t know who I am, my name is Emmett McCarty. I have to tell you, I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time... Not only because I get to steal Cullen’s thunder for a while and have all of your attention, but because Edward specifically said that I am the best man...” He turned to Edward and beamed at him, “It’s about time you recognized, asshole.”

Edward laughed, shaking his head.

“I want to thank everyone for coming out tonight and supporting the two of them. I must admit, some of you even clean up nice... Carlisle, I noticed you’re not wearing the penny loafer’s you’ve donned all week, so props to you. Now, Esme, Edward’s mother, pulled me not-so-graciously to the side before this and threatened my life if I didn’t thank all of you for the gifts purchased to Bella and Edward, on behalf of them... my one condition was that I get to keep the most expensive gift of the night. I’m serious, that’s the only way I’d do it. I don’t care if it’s a blender, I get the most expensive. I see you, Aunt Suzy. We all know how you like to give people blenders!”

He laughed, shaking his head, “Hey, Renee and Esme, Victor, this is a great party we’ve got going here. I bet the three of you are just as surprised as I am to find just how many of our friends and family are willing to travel out of state just to get free food and endless open-bar. I know, it stunned me too. I mean, of course, I was going to come. I saw the signs for free beer three hours away. I was on a roll! But... uh...” He chuckled while people whistled to him, “You know, Edward once revealed to me that his second-grade nickname was carebear, because he had such a, quote, ‘caring heart’....”

Edward hid his face in my shoulder, embarrassed, shaking his head.

“I think they all called it brown-nosing, but that’s just me. Anyhoo, I always secretly wondered if the nickname meant he had gay notions -- especially if you look at the way he dresses and how he’s into expensive things... So Bella, I have to say thank you for setting me straight in that, because I was honestly a little worried! I must admit, Edward did have a few loves before you Bella. There was Valerie, his first dog, and Monica, his forth grade teacher, who he said he had a crush on... Not to mention whiskey, cognac, cigarettes, and his hidden porn stash.. Pssstttt... Bella, check in his closet for a box marked ‘High School stuff’.. You’ll find it...”

I had never seen Edward’s face so red in my entire life, as everyone, including myself couldn’t help but laugh.

“Hey, everyone, doesn’t Bella look sensational tonight? Absolutely stunning. Edward, you just look stunned -- or is it stoned -- because sometimes, it’s really hard to tell. No, I’m just kidding, I’m kidding! But, in all things serious, Dale Carnegie once said, ‘Don’t ask a man what’s important to him. Watch how he spends his time.’ And, I have watched Edward spend his time, and I can see what’s important to him... and that is you, Bella. You have made him so happy... given him a new focus... a new appreciation for love and life. You know, everything will work out as long as Edward remembers to remind her of those three little, special words filled with meaning. Come on guys, what are they?”

“I love you,” the crowd shouted.

“No, idiots. It’s, ‘you’re right, Bella’,” he chuckled. “I’m serious, from what I’ve heard, it saves marriages. Now, I want everyone, or at least of those who still can, to stand up. Here’s to the two of you. May you have all that you desire... and Bella, if he gets out of line, I’ve got a book full of things you can use against him for blackmail. Cheers! To Bella and Carebear!”

“To Bella and Carebear!” Everyone shouted with a laugh, as we took a sip.

I cradled Edward’s face in mine, and kissed his cheek, “I like your nickname,” I whispered. “It’s cute.”

He blushed, shutting his eyes, “so embarrassing.”

After Emmett, it was my maid of honor, Colleen’s turn. She bit her lip, a little nervous. She wasn’t one for big speeches. “Good evening. For those of you who don’t know who I am, my name is Colleen, and I am the very proud best friend of our beautiful bride, Bella. While I am not as comical as Emmett may be, I can admit to being a hopeless romantic. When I look at th bride and groom, I feel a whirlwind of emotions. Bella and Edward are a very rare match, and because of this, any emotions they feel, we feel it too... Their passion for each other, the smiles on their face when they look into each other’s eye’s... they reflect that love... It’s quite magical, when you think about it.”

She smiled, turning toward Edward and I, “I never knew Edward before he and Bella got back together, so I can’t give you any horror stories on him, but I can say that he’s perfect for Bella. He’s carefree, he’s charming, intelligent beyond his years, and has a great sense of humor... Not to mention, a romantic. After the dinner rehearsal last night, I pulled him to the side and asked him to give me a few things about Bella that he loved the most... and he said that it was the little things that make her so special... like the colors of her many blushes, or the different speeds that her eyelashes flutter, or the way her heart dances whenever he’s holding her in his arms a certain way... Not to mention her several smiles -- I think he said eleven, to be exact -- that he seems to have memorized.”

“To this day, Bella is the only person who can make me cry for laughing so hard. Bella and I have a lot of fun together. She’s always there for me when things get tough, and we have an understanding that goes beyond words. We don’t judge, and we don’t have to explain ourselves... So when Edward came back into Bella’s life, Bella didn’t have to really say much to make it clear that Edward was THE ONE. All of the signs were in place... in special looks, or the way her face lit up whenever he was around... I have a lot of embarrassing and funny stories I could tell you about her, but since this is her special day, I’ll leave it alone for now.”

“But there is a few secrets that I have heard about marriage, that I thought I’d share with you. If you’re clever, you’ll always have the last word, but if you’re very clever, you won’t ever use it. When you’re wrong, admit it, and when you’re right, stay quiet. Separately you two are remarkable people, but together, you are complete. I read somewhere that love is like a roller coaster. As you two sit side by side, remember to scream at the peaks, hold hands through the dips, laugh through the loops, and enjoy every single twist and turn. For the ride is much better when you share it together. Please raise your glasses for Bella and Edward. We’re here because we knew that you two would be here one day... and you two are here because you knew it as well. We love you. Cheers.”

I stood from my seat and hugged her, whispering, “I love you, thank you so much for that.”

“I love you too.”

After that, Carlisle stood to his feet, and stuck his hands in his pockets, “Your mothers and I also wanted to give a toast, if you don’t mind...?”

Edward stood beside me now at the end of the table and pulled me into his arms, giving his father a gentle nod.

“Well,” Carlisle began, “I’m going to keep it short and sweet. My greatest wish for the two of you is that through the years, your love for each other will deepen and grow constantly, and never diminish with time. Years from now, I hope that you will look back on this day, your wedding day, as the day you loved each other the least... So you’ll see how far you two have come. I wish the very best. My love for the both of you.”

“Thank you,” we said, raising our glass to him.

Next, was my mom, in all her tearful beauty. She cleared her throat, smiling over from me, to Edward, “Today has been overwhelming for me, as you can imagine... I’m not going to say a lot, because I’m not sure how well I’ll hold up if I do, but I will say that the only thing Charlie and Phil would have wanted was for Bella to be loved unconditionally, and to always be protected. I know without a doubt in my mind, that Edward will come through with these requests. You can tell by the way he looks at my daughter... I trust that this relationship will last. I love you both.”

I wanted to give her a hug, but feared she’d break down and never let me go, so I just blew her a kiss, which she blew one back.

Next, was Edward’s mother, Esme. She brushed her hands down her skirt, smiling over at us, “My babies... Look at you. So stunning, what an incredible couple... I only bring advice to you, which was passed to Carlisle and I many years ago. Take each day, and cherish your time together. Make it count. Love one another and stand together, no matter what circumstances you are trapped under. Put your love and your family first, and your job and hobbies second... May your love be like the wind... Strong enough to move the clouds, but soft enough to never hurt. So, here’s my wish to you... I want you two to love, to laugh, to cry tears of joy, and find that happily ever after that you deserve. Cheers.”

“Cheers,” I looked up to Edward and his hand found my chin, and he gave me a tender kiss.

After that, Edward’s grandfather took control, telling everyone to eat and whatnot. He placed three huge bowls on our wedding party table, and stuck a wad of cash in each one, and directed the rest of our friends toward the bowls, if they felt the need to donate.

We didn’t get interrupted during the food portion. Everyone talked amongst themselves and around their area, while Edward and I kissed a lot and fed each other our portions. I didn’t drink wine, but didn’t mind as he did. I stuck to sparkling cider.

It was the time where we were also given our marriage certificate, signed by Pastor Joe. Pictures snapped while we signed them, and it felt both amazing and weird, to write ‘Isabella Marie Cullen’. But it looked beautiful on print, I must say.

While we ate, he tenderly rubbed along my stomach and reminded me every two seconds how stunning he thought I was, or how thankful he was that we were married, or how he couldn’t wait now that we get to spend the rest of our lives together.

After dinner was dessert, and we got to cut the cake. I tried my hardest to narrow my eyes and Edward and plead with my lashes for him not to smash it into my face... but as soon as I saw the look in his eyes, I knew it was hopeless. The next thing I knew, the top layer of our cake -- the cheesecake part -- was all over my face, clumped in his hair, smeared down his jaw, along my collar bone, and hanging from his right shoulder of his tux. I had cake up my nose, cake in a part of my ear. During our battle, I almost knocked over the entire table and the cake, because my heels slipped on the food that hit the ground. Our friends and families were probably close to peeing their pants, watching us two stubborn people battle it out with the top layer of our cake. I never saw so many flashbulbs go off from their cameras.

Alice and Rosalie quickly drug me to the bathroom to clean it all off of me and re-fix my makeup and hair quickly. By the time I got back, Edward looked like he hadn’t had cake dripping from his chin at all. He was perfect, all over again.

God, was he sexy.

EdwardPOV

Bella came back to me, looking as exquisite as ever.

The room dimmed into a golden shimmer toward the cleaned dance floor, and I held my hand to her, which she gladly accepted.

More consuming emotions swarmed between us as I took her in my arms in the middle of the dance floor. It was a tough decision, but I was glad with the song we picked.

It represented every part of our relationship. Where we are now. Where we’ve been. How we lost each other, and went to other people, only to find we weren’t happy without the other person. How we fought and won each other back. How we’ve accepted each other with all of our faults. How we look at each other now. And, most important, what we’d do for each other.

Keeping her as close as possible, I place my palms to the small of her back and pressed her into me. Her face found my chest and she breathed me in, her hands sliding slowly up my arms, and around my neck. I felt her trembling in my hands, and knew she was trying to keep herself from crying.

Look into my eyes... you will find... what you mean to me. Search your heart. Search your soul... and when you find me there, you’ll search no more.

“It’s okay,” I whispered delicately in her ear. “It’s okay to cry.”

“I know,” she said, pulling her face back. Her eyes were glistened with beautiful crystal tears, and her chin quivered as she clutched me in her hands, “I’m just crying because I’m happy... Overwhelmed.”

“I know the feeling,” I said, placing my lips to her forehead. I ignored all flashes around us, everything but the lyrics and her. “Can you believe we made it?”

Don’t tell me, it’s not worth trying for. Can’t tell me, it’s not worth dying for... You know it’s true... Everything I do... I do it for you.

She sniffled, pulling my neck down toward her. I rested my forehead to hers as we swayed beneath the golden lights.

Look into your heart... you will find... there’s nothing there to hide. Take me as I am. Take my life. I will give it all, I would sacrifice.

I brushed my fingertips along her chin and raised her up, pressing my lips to hers tenderly. I felt her face damp from her tears, and swiped them away with my fingers while I continued to kiss her.

Don’t tell me, it’s not worth fighting for. I can’t help it, there’s nothing I want more... You know it’s true... Everything I do, I do it for you.

She stood on her tiptoes, and hugged me for a moment, caught up in the moment. I lifted her gently off the floor, and placed her feet on top of mine, so we could dance and hug at the same time.

There’s no love... like your love. And no other.. could give more love. There’s no where... unless you’re there. All the time... All the way.

Bella buried her face into the crook of my neck, sniffling, batting her wet lashes on my skin. I could feel how tight she was gripping my jacket, my shoulders. My hands roamed around her back, and since she was on my toes, I found it easier to push my own face into her shoulder. I too, became trapped within the feelings of the moment, and had to pull myself together a little. I’m sure she could feel it in the way that I held her to me, I was just thankful for this day...

...Look into your heart, babe...

She pulled back a bit, her hands finding my hair. I smiled to her and tilted my head, lost in the depths of her beauty. It took me two seconds to lean in and kiss her. I didn’t care who was around us, it did not stop me from showing her how I felt in that kiss... Brush of my lips, taste of my tongue, whatever it took.

Oh, you can’t tell me it’s not worth trying for. I can’t help it, there’s nothing I want more... Yeah, I would fight for you. I’ll lie for you. Walk the wire for you. Yeah, I’d die for you...

Bella sighed as we broke for air, but then pulled me back to her, savoring this moment as we kissed again.

...You know it’s true. Everything I do... ...I do it for you.

As ‘Everything I Do’ by Bryan Adams came to a close, we didn’t stop kissing. Once the DJ, my college buddy Ben, figured out that we weren’t going to stop, he quickly changed it to another song and invited the rest of our friends to come out and dance, this time to an older, fast one, “Now That We Found Love” by Heavy D & The Boys.

I lifted Bella in my arms, pushing her into me as her head lifted above mine, and we continued kissing. Everyone around us was moving fast and laughing, while we remained in our own, private, safe bubble of romance. It was nice, having the difference.

Eventually, we had to break, and toward the end of the song, they announced it was time for me to dance with my mom. I felt nervous leaving Bella and doing this, since she didn’t have a dad to dance to at the same time. But she told me it was fine, and insisted I do it, and said she was going to dance with her mom the next song.

My mom met me in the middle of the dance floor, and placed her right hadn't into my left and her other on my shoulder. I smiled down to her, as Lynyrd Skynyrd’s ‘Simple Man’ played.

“Edward,” she began, smiling up at me, “you look so handsome. I’m so proud of you.”

“Oh yeah?” I beamed, as we glided around the dance floor.

“Of course,” she replied. “You went out and did what was intended for you to do. You’ll be twenty-three this year, in June. You have a medical career you’re aiming for... You have your own place, and are about to buy a house. You have your own car... pay your own bills. You’re getting ready to inherit that hospital here in a couple of years... You’re about to be a daddy to a beautiful baby boy or girl... But most of all, because you knew you were going to marry Bella. You told me that when you were fifteen, and again when you were eighteen. And even though I fought against it stubbornly back then... I knew it was going to happen. I could see it in your eyes, that raw passion you held for her. I knew that someday, maybe not at eighteen, but someday, you two would cross paths again... As your mother, I wanted to protect you from getting hurt, just as I promised you I would. But when it boils down to it, I just want you to be happy... and you are... as I said, I’m proud of you. Do you know why they call it a ‘pursuit of happiness’?”

I shrugged my shoulders, spinning us around slowly.

“Because most people never find it. They just search for it. But the two of you, you seem to have it. That’s incredible to witness.”

I kissed the side of her head and gave her a hug, “I just want to thank you for being there for me. Not just as my mama, but as one of my best friends too. Even when dad or anyone else is being a dick, you’re at least there for me. I owe you a lot.”

“Oh honey,” she said, brushing my hair, “I love you so much. And so does your father, don’t think any different for a second. He just has a hard time handling things when it comes to you... You’re all we’ve got, you know? You’re it for us now, and he just wants you to have the best of everything you can grasp. He wants good things for you.”

“I know,” I exhaled. “I just want him to understand that I’m doing the right thing... With Bella, getting married, having this baby, and just living my life. I know I’m doing the right thing, I feel it.”

“Well then you must go with it, no matter what is placed in your path, honey. It’ll all work out. It all ready is. Now we just gotta get that baby here.”

I pulled back a little so I could look into her eyes, “how are you feeling about the baby, mama? Seriously... since, you know, with my sister’s pas-”

“That’s my water and bridge mixture, honey. Not yours and Bella’s. This baby is a miracle from God... you’ll never find anything more amazing then the moment you become a parent. Of course, you’ll still hopefully look at Bella the way that you do now... but your heart, it will grow, and learn to love a child just as much...”

“I all ready love our baby,” I whispered with a smile. “It’s crazy... but every time I see Bella, I think about the baby, and what she’s doing while she carries it inside of her... It’s like, this light I saw behind her grew even brighter... She has so much beauty, and our child is going to be just like her, I think. I hope and pray for it. I’m always touching and rubbing her stomach... trying to even out my love all ready, so she knows she’s not forgotten, but the baby knows that I’m there as well...”

“That’s all you can do honey. Just love them both. They’ll return it. I promise.”

After our dance, I sat between her and my dad, and watched as Bella danced with her mom to ‘I Loved Her First’ by Heartland. It was intense to watch the emotions across their faces as they danced. They didn’t speak much, both too caught up in the loss of Charlie and Phil. But they’d look at each other and smile through their tears, and I felt proud of Renee for her strength as she held Bella in her arms. Just six or so weeks ago, she was a crumbled mess on the floor... but now she stood tall, and radiant, just as her daughter did... until the second verse.

As the second verse of the song came on, I noticed them stop dancing, both overwhelmed. Bella’s hands were trembling as she wiped tears, and Renee covered her face with both her hands. I started to stand, but my dad got to them before I did.

BellaPOV

“I’m sorry,” my mom sobbed, her hands trembling over her face. “I’m so sorry sweetie.”

“It’s okay,” I sniffled, throat tightening, “we don’t have to finish.”

As we started to walk off, a hand found my arm, and we stopped. I turned, finding Carlisle, face calm.

“H-Hey...” I said, trying to see what he was doing.

“Renee,” Carlisle said, rubbing her back, “if you don’t mind... I’ll finish the dance for you, if you can’t. After all, she is my daughter as well.”

“Yes, yes, please,” Renee said, giving him a hug, “plus I knew Charlie and Phil would love that... especially with you being Phil’s best friend and all.”

I don’t know why, but dancing with Carlisle poured more tears from me than it did with my mom... Maybe because he was a dad. Maybe because he was Edward’s dad. Maybe because he knew me back when my mom was with Charlie, or became Phil’s best friend after Edward and I got together. Maybe because he just claimed me as his daughter now...

I sobbed, sucking in air as he spun me around.

“Bella, how are you holding up?” he whispered, brushing my hair off my shoulder.

I shrugged, unable to speak.

He squeezed me tight, hugging as we danced, “I understand how hard this must be for you... I’m proud of you and Renee for coming out here.”

“I-I wanted to,” I said through a stutter, “it was my idea... but it’s hard. I miss my dad. And Phil.”

“I know sweetie, but I know that they just wanted you to be happy, and protected... And I know we all had our problems toward the end there, but that’s because we love the two of you so much. You’re their only child, and Edward is mine and Esme’s. We weren't seeing how our families were going to be bonded for life, we were only seeing the hardships that the two of you went through... and it wasn’t fair to you guys. And I’m sorry for that.”

I shook my head, wiping my face, “you don’t have to apologize about that again. We forgive you guys. We know how it looked, how it surprised you guys. But it’s in the past.”

“For the record,” he said gently, pulling back so he could look down to me, “Phillip and I used to go fishing on Saturday’s, when we both had time to do it, and we’d talk about things... about our families and whatnot. And he said to me that he would put a hundred bucks on the table that you and Edward were going to get married. Of course, I disagreed, thinking the two of you were too young, because I was shallow at the time... but he was honest, despite his worries that Edward would hurt you again. And he was right. He had that instinct.”

I shivered, pushing my face against his arm so I would stop crying, “I wish I was dancing with him.”

“I know you do sweetheart... I hope I’m a good third-best.”

“The best third-best ever,” I lightly giggled.

“I’m proud of you, Bella. I know they are too.”

“Thank you,” I said, as the song came to an end. I stood on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek, “for accepting me, as well. In Edward’s life.”

“I’d only accept you now that I’ve seen his happiness.”

“That means a lot.”

*&*#!#$^%$^

More dances occurred after that.

Edward danced with my mom, to, “Forever” by Ben Harper, and I danced with his mom to “Stay With You” by John Legend... not exactly lyrical songs you wanted to dance to with your mothers but they were slow and sweet, to say the least.

We had our wedding party dances, to “Sexy Love” by Ne-Yo, and “Comedown” by Bush.

Then we had two dollar dances, one slow, to ‘Someone Like You’ by Van Morrisson, and one fast, to ‘Rockin’ That Thing’ by The Dream. They were fun because we were getting paid to dance with our friends and family, and kind of scandalous, when we got paired up with Ryan and Aimee at the same time. Edward looked over at me and we both hesitated for a moment, then we started laughing. What were the odds.

Ryan was a blast as The Dream played in the background. “Wanna give them a show?” he asked, nudging his head toward Aimee.

“No,” I elbowed his ribs, narrowing my eyes at him, “you weren’t even supposed to know about that. I don’t know why I even told you.”

“Because I’m your partner and friend, and we work long hours, and shit comes out,” he said, spinning me around so he could press himself into me a bit.

I blushed, shaking my head, “you’re nuts, do you know that?”

“It’s okay to be a bit nuts,” at times.

“Yeah, yeah, just keep your hands where my husband can see them.”

“I can’t make no promises,” he teased, playing with my hair as he danced behind me.

I caught Aimee and Edward. Edward was respectful, one hand on her back, the other hanging to his side. He’d insisted several times that she had no feelings for him, and maybe I was just being silly because I hated anyone who had any type of relationship with him other than myself, but she just gave me a bad vibe. Sure, she was always sweet during my doctor’s appointments, and never called or texted him unless it was to bring him into work... but... Maybe I was just being stupid.

“So what did he ever see in her?” Ryan whispered into my right ear. “She’s kind of young and child-looking. Chubby cheeks.”

“She does not have chu-” I giggled, but he cut me off.

“Please, Bella. She looks twelve. You... on the other hand, you ahve all the right equipment. But her... nothing. She looks like a vacuum, the way her mouth opens. You could fit a hose in there... which is probably why he liked hooking up with her.”

“Ugh, that’s disgusting, shut up,” I said, turning around and pushing him back a bit.

“My bad, my bad,” he laughed, stepping toward me, “I’m sorry.”

“You’re not forgiven,” I teased. “Now unless you want to hand over more money, your song is over.”

“Awe come on, I don’t get an encore? I flew all the way out here.”

“Gotta pay for it.”

“I’ll pay all night, but I don’t think-”

“Hey, Danvers,” Edward said, cutting us off and slipping between us.

I noticed the grins on both of their faces, but the way they messaged each other with their eyes. Competition.

And for shits and giggles, Edward made his point crystal clear when he slid his hand down my body and cupped a hand full of my ass, and said, “I got it from here. Thanks for keeping my wife occupied for me.”

“Anytime,” Ryan said, winking at me, before Edward spun me around and away from him.

I shook my head, wrapping my arms around his neck, “you’re so obvious.”

“Can’t help it,” he kissed my cheek. “There isn’t a thing he can do now. You’re mine.”

He growled in my ear playfully, sending shivers down my spine.

“That I am,” I said, playing with the hair on the back of his neck.

After a while, we did the garter removal and bouquet toss.

Edward and I decided to just make it as anyone who wasn’t married had to get up, instead of anyone without a date.

And I couldn’t believe how excited people got over these things! Scrambling over people, just to get closer.

I was blushing up a storm as they pulled out the chair for me to sit in, while ‘Gonna Fly Now’, the champion theme song to Rocky played in the background.

All of his college friends, his groomsmen, his work buddies were front row center, along with his sexy but still sity-nine year old grandfather Victor, shouting, “DO IT! DO IT! DO IT! DO IT!”

“Be nice,” I shouted over the music as he walked around me.

All he did was show me a full mouth of perfect white teeth and give me a wink.

Oh God.

Then his friend, our DJ Ben, told Edward he was going to have to work for my garter, by dancing for it.

Of course, that made all of his guy friends jump up and down in anticipation, cheering and shouting and encouraging him to “Get nasty with her!” which put the fear of Christ in me.

Them encouraging him was never a good thing when it came to my virtue, I’m sure.

The next song came on was worse, “Right Round” by Flo Rida. I blushed as the lyrics of, “You spin my head right round, right round, when you go down, when you go down, down.” came on, being that we were in front of his parents, and my mom, and his grandfather.

I knew he was going to show off and make me blush as hard as he possibly could.

Holding my breath, I watched as he spun away from me and threw his hands in the air, getting our crowded room to cheer even more than they all ready were. All of his friends joined in, jumping and chanting, looking sexy in their tux' as they swung their arms and fists around, cheering him on and whistling.

“Work for it Edward,” Ben reminded him. “Go get ‘em tiger. Bust a move.”

Edward laughed and headed my way.

He straddled over my left leg as the verse passed and the chorus came on, and keeping his eyes on me, started to unbutton his jacket. I laughed, trying not to cover my face, as he shrugged the coat off and started spinning it around his head as he pushed his hips toward me with the beat.

Then he jumped back and spun around, so he could booty dance against me. Somehow he managed to climb on my lap, in a reverse cow-girl position, and lower to put his hands on the ground, and practically hump my lap.

His friends, some of them were falling on the ground in laughter as he got back up and then dropped his ass to the ground and brought it back up in front of my face. Then he knocked off the suspenders and let them hang, spun around, and started to straddle my lap again, this time, both legs. I thought the girls were going nuts, as they screamed while he gyrated above me. I couldn’t help it. I covered my face. I couldn’t stop blushing.

“Work it more Edward!” Ben shouted, turning the music up as the bridge finished. “Make Bella want to give it to you... all.... night... long!”

The music slowed and Edward did more funny booty dances, rocking his hips above me. The song quickly changed to the seductive, raspyness that is ‘Bad To The Bone’ by ‘George Thorogood’. Then his friends called him over, and he motioned to me with his finger ‘one sec’ as he ran over there. I watched as they all whispered in his ear, and the evil grin that smeared across his face as he licked his lips.

I shut my eyes, praying he didn’t do something too obnoxious in front of our mom’s. Being pregnant, they obviously knew we were having sex and all. I mean, I told my mom I wasn’t a virgin since college, and anyone who knows how sexy Edward is can tell he isn’t... BUT I’d rather not have sexual feelings from whatever he was about to do to me, in front of all of them... That would be bad... and awkward.

Edward walked around me slowly, eating up all of the attention and cheers he was getting as he taunted me with suspending this embarrassment.

Then, he headed back to his friends, and all of them pushed him onto the ground. I covered my mouth, trying ot figure out what happened, and then shivered as I watched him use his feet to slide himself toward me, on his back across the floor. Again, his friends were on the ground with laughter. I’m sure my face couldn't get any redder as he slid his head and most of his upper body beneath my tight dress. Don't ask me how, only he can do things like that.

I covered my face, feeling his teeth gently nip up my left leg, past my knee, past my inner thigh... going... going... he used his nose, grazing along the garter, then licked beneath it, before pulling up with his teeth. He twisted his body around to where he was facing me and slowly pulled himself back down... He finally came out of my dress, garter between his teeth. He winked as he pulled it out from his mouth and spun it around his finger. Then, somehow managing to avoid all of his jumping friends, he shot it over their heads, and straight to Ryan in the back of the room.

I shook my head at him, unable to stop smiling. I knew he did that on purpose. More points to make clear to him and all.

Ben let me off easier, not making me work for anything, as he put on ‘Ladies Night’ by Kool & The Gang. All of my girlfriends from school and work, as well as Rosalie, Alice, and Colleen came forth, shaking their booties and clapping their hands above their heads.

I gave them a little show, swaying my hips as I waited for the go. Then, on the count of three, I tossed it above my head. By the time I twisted around, I saw the majority of the girls on the floor, laughing. The bouquet was torn a lot, and Rosalie ended up with the stem and one flower, while Alice ended up with most of the petals.

EdwardPOV

Two hours into the ceremony, I finally got to dance with Alyssa, because I promised her I would. She changed from her dress, to tie-dye jeans, and a blue flower tanktop. She was too cute.

She reached out to me from Makin’s knee, and I pulled her into my arms, walking us out to the center of everyone else who was dancing.

Ben spun the song into ‘Cupid’s Shuffle’ by Cupid. I'd herad the song before, catchy beat, but never danced to it. She stood to my right and started bouncing around, from left to right. I watched her for few moments, then noticed that everyone around me was doing the same moves as she was... and she was three years old... I guess this was what Colleen meant by ‘three going on thirty’.

“Otay,” she said, tugging me down to her by my hand, “wisten and do what it stas to do, ‘k?”

“Okay,” I laughed, and she walked to the right first, then to the left, then kicked twice in front of her and twice behind her, then spun in a circle, facing another direction. As was all of my friends. So I twisted beside her and started to move with her... four steps to the right... four steps to the left... two kicks to the front... two kicks behind me... then spin in a half circle to face the next direction.

It was pretty fun, once I got the hang of it. She held my hand, giggling as everyone started to cheer her on. Some of my guy friends put little spins to the dance, dropping lower to the ground, or doing moves and thrusts and stuff, while the women started to shake their booties more seductively as the song went on. Alyssa though, she just bounced around and made sure she stayed focused. I noticed she was like Bella in a way... if she tried to do two things at once, like talk and move at the same time, she’d fall or become distracted.

It made me laugh.

I noticed Bella wasn’t around during that song, and started to look over the crowd for her... as the song came to an end, I heard my friends behind me hissing and cursing. I spun around, to find my wife, wearing a dress that should be highly illegal in most states. But fuck me if she didn’t look amazing in it... A strapless, satin, midnight blue dress, which fit every single curve and detail of her body like it was painted on, flowing to a few inches above her knees. She wore blue heels to match, making her still way the fuck shorter than me, but taller than usual.

I literally felt like I should fall to my knees and crawl to her... she looked that damn sexy.

She really was pulling out the nail of my reserve board. She was lucky I maintained myself in front of everyone and didn’t attack her and strip all of my clothes off. Because I really wanted to. Very fucking badly.

“Jeeeeesus,” I said, pulling her into my arms, “did you paint that on?”

“Do you hate it?” she asked, eyes full of sudden worry.

“Noooo, I most definitely do not hate it,” I said, narrowing my eyes at my co-workers who were gawking her backside and whistling, “But I may end up in a brawl by the end of the night.”

She stepped closer and wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling my face toward her as she looked up at me through those damn long lashes of hers, “I just thought... it’d be easier to take off than a wedding dress.”

I smirked, licking my lips, “woman, as beautiful as you are, it’ll take me about .02 seconds to rip anything off of you.”

“Who says I’m going to let you rip it?” she teased.

I cocked my head back and studied her expression, challenging her, “who says you won’t?”

“Uh... me?”

I shook my head, “baby, be honest... you know that nothing gets between me and your panties, when it comes down to it.”

She bit her lip, pulling her eyes from mine, “I’m not going there.”

“It’s wise that you don’t,” I said, covering her ass with my palms and staring Emmett down like he was a terrorist. The ass is mine.

We danced to more songs, upbeat, like, ‘I Know You Want Me’ by Pitbull, where she made certain to stick her ass on my dick at any moment possible. Then to ‘Whatever You Like’ by T.I., where all of my friends and I surrounded my bride and shook our hips against her and put our booties all over her. She was giggling, covering her face and swatting away everyone’s hands but me when they touched her. After that was ‘Kiss Me Through The Phone’ by Soulja Boy, where it was the girls turn to dance around me... and damn, did they do a good job. Of course, I focused mainly on Bella, who dropped her ass the ground and rubbed it up my leg as she rose to her feet. I felt hands all over me, but could only focus on her, as she bent over and pressed in to me. I don’t think I breathed for the entire song. We ended that one with a kiss that wasn’t through the phone, and all the girls walked away, fed up with our make-out session. Like we cared.

After that, a few more slow songs, such as ‘When You Love Someone’ by Bryan Adams, where she hummed most of the lyrics in my ear and made me relax into her. Then it was ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’ by Leona Lewis, where she never broke from my eyes. Smiling up at me, sincerely the entire time. After that was, “Angel Of Mine” by Monica, “You and Me” by Lifehouse, “This I Promise You” by N Sync, and “Can’t Help Falling In Love With You” by Elvis Presley.

Then it was semi-upbeat, like “Nothing Like You and I” by The Perishers, and “Lucky” by Jason Mraz and Colbie Cailat.

Alice interrupted us and pulled me to the side, to let me know that Plan Seduce Bella was in plan, “You’ve got about twelve minutes before you two have got to go, according to Victor. Everything’s set up.”

“Awesome,” I kissed her head, “thanks, you’re the best.”

“Remember that when I do something evil,” she teased as she walked away.

I pulled Bella to the middle of the floor and hopped up on the stage, grabbing the mic from Ben’s hand. As soon as everyone quit down, I smiled toward Bella, and trying not to laugh when my friends shouted things such as ‘take it off!’ and ‘look at you, you sexy beast!’

“Bella and I want to take this final opportunity thank you all again for your support toward us on this special day. It means a lot that you all have taken time out of your lives to spend with us. A special thank you to my grandfather Victor, and to my mom and dad, as well as Bella’s mom, for none of this would have been possible without their love, as well as their piggy banks. ...There’s two more songs left that I’d love to dance with my wife to. The last one is one we picked out together, but the one before it is a surprise... I dedicate this to you baby. I love you.”

She bit her lip, watching me hop off the stage and head toward her, the beginning of, ‘Then’ by Brad Paisley playing in the background. Bella and I weren’t ones for a lot of country music, so I knew she’d have no idea what song it was when it started playing.

I pulled her into my arms and held her as tight as possible. Then I pressed my lips to her ear and whispered, “Just listen to the lyrics okay?”

“Yes,” she whispered back, all ready sniffling.

We swayed to a steady rhythm, swept up in each other and the music, the soft lighting and the ‘awe’s’ of our friends.

I remember, trying not to stare the night that I first met you. You had me memorized. And three weeks later, in the front porch light taking forty-five minutes to kiss goodnight, I hadn't told you yet... but I thought I loved you then.

She shivered, turning her face inward, resting her left cheek against my shoulder, sliding her hand down my white collared shirt.

And now you're my whole life. Now you're my whole world. I just can't believe the way I feel about you, girl. Like a river meets the sea, stronger than it's ever been. We've come so far since that day, and I thought I loved you then.

I bent my knees a little, so I could be more toward her height, and brushed the strands of her hair from her face while we danced.

And I remember, taking you back to right where I first met you, ...you were so surprised. There were people around, but I didn't care, I got down on one knee right there once again, I thought I loved you then.

During the next chorus, I started to sing it to her, not caring who watched.

And now you're my whole life. Now you're my whole world. I just can't believe the way I feel about you, girl. Like a river meets the sea, stronger than it's ever been. We've come so far since that day, and I thought I loved you then.

Bella threw her arms around me, sniffling into my collar bone as she pushed her face into me.

I could just see you... with a baby on the way. And I could just see you... when your hair is turning gray. What I can't see is how I'm ever gonna love you more... But I've said that before.

I cradled her face and put my forehead against hers, so I could memorize more colors inside of eyes.

And now you're my whole life. Now you're my whole world. I just can't believe the way I feel about you, girl. We'll look back someday, at this moment that we're in... And I'll look at you and say, ‘And I thought I loved you then’.

And I thought I loved you then.

Tears streamed from her face as she giggled. I scooped her up in my arms as we listened to the song winding down, and hugged her tight while I continued to dance with her.

“I love you too,” she whispered in my ear. “More than anything.”

Ben cleared his throat and smiled at us, while I put Bella back to her feet.

“Ladies and gentleman, thank you all for coming. Bella and Edward’s last dance will be taken outside, as Edward has two more surprises for his bride.”

Everyone started to gather their things, and Bella just looked up at me like I was crazy.

“How many more surprises are there? My gosh... the ring... the songs... all of th-”

“Two more, at least,” I shrugged nonchalantly. “Come on, don’t you know me by now.”

She shook her head, grinning, “you never cease to amaze me.”

“That’s why you love me,” I said, pulling her outside. It was a bit chilly, so I managed to find my tux jacket before hand, and throw it over her shoulders. I caught glimpses of my grandfather and Alice holding Bella’s bags, and gave them a wink.

Once we were outside of the Ritz-Carlton, I pulled Bella to the front, past the elongated pool, and wrapped my arms around her waist, resting my chin on her shoulder.

“Remember a long time ago, when we were eighteen, and you and I talked about how all of the cheesy stuff -- which we’ve all ready done, by the way -- wouldn’t be in any wedding of ours, just as long as the whole world knew we loved each other, because that would be all that matters?”

“...Yes...” she smiled, leaning her head back against my shoulder.

“Well... this is my way of letting the world, or at least everyone in the surrounding area... know that you and I are married.”

“What are y-” Her voice was cut off, as gigantic streams of gold shot up through the clouds, exploding into balls of extravagant fireworks, in shades of gold, red, and purple shimmer. Bella gasped, covering her mouth as everyone cheered and watched the firework show. “Oh my gosh, Edward,” she said, unable to finish her sentence. Then she shouted, “This is crazy! How do you remember all of these things from back when? Why do you love me so much?!”

I beamed, kissing her cheek as I squeezed her close, “Because you’re you.”

“Edward,” she twisted around, watching the firework reflection in my eyes, “Thank you... for tonight. For sharing your life with me.”

I pulled her into my arms, while our last song, ‘Far Away’ by Nickelback played, and said, “Thank you for letting me.”

Bella hummed, and since she had my jacket through her arms and no one could see her ass, I lifted her up in my arms, encouraging her to wrap her legs and arms around me, which she did.

She buried her face into my neck, and we said absolutely nothing while the song played and the fireworks continued.

I rubbed her back soothingly, to the beating of my heart in my chest against hers.

I caught glimpses of Emmett dancing with Heather, Jasper and Alice, Jake and Rosalie, my mom and Dad, Renee and my grandfather Victor, and Colleen, Alyssa, and Makin, as well as everyone else, and smiled into Bella’s shoulder, happy that we weren’t the only one in love during this moment.

Bella pulled away a little and cradled my face in her hands, looking down to me as I held her in the air, “this is the best night of my life.”

I grinned, shaking my head, “mine too.”

The rest of the song was spent by us hugging. Not kissing, for that was something obvious, but truly just holding each other and squeezing tight.

So keep breathing, cause I’m not leaving you anymore... Believe it, hold on to me, and never let me go... Keep breathing... hold on to me and never let me go.

*&*#!#$^%$^

We were really running out of time, so we said our goodbye’s to everyone and was on our way to the limo. The car ride took sixteen minutes.

Of course, Bella thought that we were going to a different hotel here in San Fran area. I’m sure she imagined that, since the wedding cost a lot of money (even though we didn’t pay for hardly ANY of it), plus with everything else we were about to pay for at the start of our lives, that it’d just be easier this way. She honestly had no idea what was up my sleeve for three weeks now.

So when I led her through the airport, she was pretty much questioning and pulling on me every two seconds. All I kept saying is, “Just trust me, just trust me. I love you, please trust me.”

We quickly went through all of the bag checks and security, and she blushed as she walked through the machines in her tiny dress. After that I led her to an area where no one else was, and we were ushered outside a tiny pathway, to a private jet -- owned by my grandfather.

Again, she was puzzled and astonished, unable to form sentences. We bordered the plane and sat side by side, and all she di was look at me and say, “What’s going on?”

“You haven’t figured it out yet?”

“No...”

“We have a fifteen hour flight ahead of us.”

“A-Are you kidding me? Where on earth are we going?!”

“It’s a surprise.”

“No, no, tell me now. Fifteen hours? Edward, what is going on?”

I chuckled, lifting her hand and kissing the inside of her wrist, on her pressure point, “Somewhere below Asia.”

“Huh?” she asked, and I chuckled at her expression. “As in, Asia, the Continent?”

“Yes.”

“Below there?”

“Yes.”

“Edward...”

I turned and grinned at her, “I’m taking you to our own little paradise for the next week. So, please... relax, give me a long kiss, and enjoy the ride... wifey.”

I couldn’t help it.

----AUTHOR'S NOTES----

So there we go, Chapter 27!

-- Next chapter is all E/B as well... THE HONEYMOON! Lots of smut, smut, lemony fun-ness!
-- Yes I know Edward is a pervthat wants stuff some of us aren't comfortable with, such as anal sex, but as a married woman, I do know how much men beg for that stuff.
(I'm just not one to cave in like Bella is... maybe if I had an Edward though... Hmm... Shhhhh don't tell my hubby!!)

-- NOOOOO Edward is not Alyssa's father and Colleen was not the one night stand he had in New York. They'd never met before the cabin. NO WORRIES, I'm not that twisted! Okay... maybe I am, but I'm not going there. :D

LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK, OKAY?
BC if you guys think that it's time to retire after these next 5-6 chapters, then I can do that for a while. But if you guys want me to continue, I need to know.

-- ALSO, I'm doing an outtakes section to the story. It'll have things such as Bella and Edward's individual break downs, other POVs during the wedding, their bachelor/bachelorette parties, cabin features, and many, many more.

Reviews are better than ...wait. What can be better than EB getting married?
Hmmm. Reviews are runner-up to EB tying the knot! :D