Well, here it is. Finally. Sorry for the delay, but as it turns out I have a mental block on writing lemons from a male perspective. Ugh.

A massive, giant, huge THANK YOU to darlingsaila for beta-ing and helping me get the words down on paper. There are no words for how awesome she is! Lovelovelovelove you, girl!

Another massive, giant, huge THANK YOU to everyone who read/altered/reviewed/rec'd/lurked this story. The response was so much more than I ever dreamed and I love you all!

Normal disclaimer that I own nothing recognizable applies. All EPOV. Hope you like it!

Five years later - Chicago

I tapped my fingers impatiently on the armrest of the town car door, staring out at the steps of The Murphy Auditorium. On the left side there was a portioned off area with a group of about twenty journalists and photographers waiting for everything to begin. After sighing once more, I glanced at my watch in irritation.

"Fucking cockblocking pixie," I muttered and ran a hand through my hair. Alice would skin me alive after seeing the state of disarray my hair was in, but I couldn't give a shit. She was the reason Bella and I hadn't had sex in over a month, and the reason I hadn't seen her in nearly a week with the exception of a few hours last night spent in a restaurant surrounded by our families and friends.

It was bad enough that she had turned this wedding into a three-ring circus simply because it had to be "fitting for the starting quarterback of the Chicago Bears." No small, quiet affair for Bella and me like we'd originally planned. After a disastrous radio interview in which every female caller had berated Bella for not wanting an extravagant wedding, Alice had steamrolled all over the intimate, outdoor ceremony that was in the works. I was still pissed at myself for running late that day and Bella covering the phone interview while I was on my way home. Even women who said they loved small weddings insisted that if they were marrying me it would be an affair to remember and everyone would know it. But hindsight is twenty-twenty and Alice pounced all over the seed of doubt that had been planted.

And so began a year of planning. We had to pick the perfect venue, which turned out to be The Murphy with its "French Renaissance style and architecture that resembles the Chapelle de-Notre-Dame de Consolation in Paris." Alice insisted it would be a quaint, but elegant setting and exactly what we needed. There were late nights where Bella and I sat in bed together as she picked out flower arrangements and Vera Wang dresses. Appetizers of smoked haddock fishcake with pea guacamole and miniature watercress and asparagus tart, dorset blue salad followed by a choice of seared beef tenderloin with truffles or breast of guinea fowl with braised leek and juniper berry sauce. I didn't even know what that shit was, but I knew it wasn't something Bella would make us for dinner.

Then, a month before the big day, an overblown wedding became the least of my worries. It seemed that Jasper had to go to Tokyo on business for three weeks and Alice refused to stay at her house alone for that long, and with all the last minute details that needed to be finished, it would be perfect timing for Bella to stay with her. I thought I'd get Bella back for this last week, but no, that would just be silly. Why not make the wedding night that much more special? After all, what was one more week when we had already been separated for three?

Fuck that. I wanted my Bella at home again. Even trying to sneak into her office to steal a little time with her didn't work; there was always someone around. It had been the most torturous month of my life.

Last night at the rehearsal dinner, I couldn't let go of her for even a second. Not even when she needed to use the restroom—she had to physically push me out and lock the door. Although, all of my friends said I was the most pleasant I'd been in weeks. All I could do was smile and pull Bella closer. At the end of the night when she left to go to the hotel with the girls, I wanted to kick and scream like a toddler right there on the street. Thank fucking God it would end today.

Aside from missing Bella, it didn't help my sanity that she was stressed out. Every time we talked about the wedding I could hear her anxiety and unhappiness with the whole thing, but she kept saying the wedding would be "great." Everything was "great" whenever I asked. Such bullshit and I there was nothing I could do to make it better. At least not that she was aware of, but I would make damn sure Bella got the wedding she truly wanted – big or small.

"Mr. Cullen?" the driver asked, looking at me in the rearview mirror. "Everything okay, sir?"

"It's fine," I answered tersely.

"Are you sure? We can… go, if you'd like."

"No." I smiled. "Definitely not going anywhere. At least, not yet."

Finally, a limo pulled up in front of us and I snapped my head in its direction. The door opened and I held my breath. A blonde head emerged first, followed by a dark one—Rosalie and Alice. They both looked beautiful in forest green one-shoulder dresses, but they weren't who I was waiting for.

I let out a low growl, my frustration getting the best of me. "Come on, baby," I whispered. After handing her yellow calla lily bouquet to Alice, Rose held a hand out in assistance and Bella placed hers in it. The diamond ring on the third finger of Bella's hand flashed in the sunlight, and even though it had been a year, I remembered how fucking fantastic it felt to be the one to put it there.

I stared at the ring I'd just picked up one last time before heading into the house. A two-carat oval diamond with smaller round diamonds circling it and embedded into the platinum band; it would look perfect on Bella's hand. I couldn't fucking wait to give it to her. I snapped the box shut and put it in my pocket. I just needed the patience to make sure I planned everything out so the proposal would be exactly as she had dreamed.

I walked into our home, the smell of Bella's cooking hitting me and making my mouth water. "Hey, beautiful girl! I'm home," I called out to her.

"In the kitchen," she yelled back.

I smiled as I approached, touching the velvet box once more and feeling anxious to take that next step with her.

"Oh, my God, Alice is driving me absolutely crazy with all her wedding planning! I swear that girl loses her mind when it comes to things like that. At least Emmett and Rose had the decency to elope in Vegas," she complained when I entered.

"I'm sorry, baby. What is it now?"

"She can't decide whether to go with tulle or organza to wrap the bouquets in and she has to let the florist know by the end of the week. Seriously, she is freaking out over something that no one is going to notice, and I was on the phone with her for an hour listening to her debate the two fabrics!" she answered, gesturing with the wooden spoon she was cooking with.

I walked up and wrapped my arms around her from behind. She leaned against me and sighed, lifting her face for a kiss. After obliging her, I looked down to check out what was on the stove.

"Beef stroganoff?" I excitedly asked.

"Yep, your favorite." She smiled at me before stirring the sauce. With her left hand. I pictured what the ring would look like on her again and grinned like a fool. Suddenly, I literally couldn't wait any longer. It had already been four years since we started dating, what the fuck was I stalling for?

I gently tugged on the ends of her hair. "Bellllaaa," I sang.

"Edwaaard," she mimicked and chuckled.

I stuck my head over her shoulder. "Looks like you're missing something."

She frowned and examined the food. "What are you talking about? I have this recipe memorized, and I didn't forget anything."

I pulled the ring out of the box and held it in front of her. "I meant on your hand," I said softly. Bella gasped and looked from it to me and back again. "I love you, Isabella, more than life itself. Will you marry me?"

She screamed and threw her arms around my neck, making me stumble backward a few feet and lose my grip on the ring. "Oh, shit!" I exclaimed as I caught her.

"Yes! Oh, my God, Edward! Of course I'll marry you!" Bella squealed and peppered kisses all over my face.

"Bella, the r—" I started but stopped short when she pressed her face into my neck and started bawling. "Baby, why are you crying like this? I know a few tears are normal, but this seems like a bit much." I ran my hands soothingly up and down her back.

"Y-y-you want t-to marry me," she hiccupped. "I didn't think y-you actually wanted t-to."

"Why would you believe I didn't want to? I love you! I've always wanted to marry you, Bella. I've told you that countless times before."

She rubbed her nose on my shirt and looked up at me with red-rimmed and watery eyes. "It's been four years, Edward. Four. Years. Rose and Emmett are married; Alice and Jasper are a few weeks from it; and Seth and Makenna are having a baby! You always hint at it, but you've never asked. I sort of thought it wasn't going to happen."

"Bella, I… shit. Hold on." I reached around her and used the spoon to fish out her ring from the stroganoff and turned off the stove.

She turned and saw the ring covered in sauce and a look of horror crossed her face. "Oh, my God!" she yelled and grabbed it. She ran to the sink and started washing furiously.

I approached and put one hand over hers while the other wiped at the tears still slowly falling down her cheeks. "I'm so sorry, love. I guess I was just trying to wait for the right time. We had to finish undergrad, and then you started grad school and your new job as an assistant editor. Plus, I was starting out with the Bears. Even now, I had these plans for some big, romantic proposal, but I had the ring, and I couldn't wait anymore. I never meant to make you doubt me, to doubt us."

She looked at me with a small smile. "You really want to marry me?"

"More than anything." I cupped her cheek softly. "Are you sure you want me?"

Bella practically glowed with happiness. "Yes. I most definitely do, Edward Cullen."

Relief flooded through me and I slipped the ring onto her finger. I looked down and it was exactly how I pictured it: Absolutely perfect.

Bella stepped out of the car. All the air left my lungs at once and I felt my heart ache at the sight of her. She was fucking glorious. Her hair fell in soft, shiny waves around her shoulders with one side held up with a small cluster of flowers. The white dress she wore was breathtaking on her. It was strapless and fitted until it flared at her knees, made of delicate-looking lace and a dark green ribbon at her waist that matched the bridesmaids' dresses.

The waiting paparazzi went nuts. They began snapping photo after photo and hurling questions at her. She gave them a quick glance and then looked back at Rose and Alice while rolling her eyes in exasperation. Alice said something to her and Bella nodded softly and tilted her face down to examine her bouquet of white freesias.

I willed her to look this way.

As if she could sense me, she suddenly turned in my direction. One look at her expression and that was all I needed to know. I stepped out of the town car and gave her my 'crooked smile' as she called it. Her whole face lit up, and before anyone knew what was happening, she was in my arms. Instantly, my whole body relaxed and I tightened my hold on her as she pulled me as close as possible.

I knew I had about ten seconds before the Wrath of Alice was unleashed on us. "Is this the wedding you truly want?" I whispered in her ear.

I felt her shake her head minutely. "No, but I'll go through with it as long as I end up married to you."

"Do you trust me?"

Bella pulled back slightly with a confused look on her face. "Of course I do."

I grinned at her; that was all I needed to know. I scooped her into my arms bridal-style, and with a small shriek from her, ducked back into the car.

"Go, just go!" I yelled and the driver took off. One glance out the back window showed an outraged Alice and a stunned but laughing Rosalie.

"Edward?" Bella asked, her eyes wide.

"One second, baby." I pulled out my phone and dialed Emmett. "Hey. Yeah, plan B is a go. Tell Jazz I'm sorry for what he'll have to face with Alice. See you when we get back from the honeymoon." Still smiling, I ended the call and tossed my phone on the seat. I gathered Bella into my lap and gave the driver our destination address. Then I raised the partition between us.

"Edward?" Bella said again and arched an eyebrow.

"I knew this wasn't your ideal ceremony. This isn't Alice's wedding; she already had her own huge, ridiculous production. She doesn't get to force you into that, too. I'm giving you what you and I talked about before all of this exploded." I kissed her deeply, thankful that she had kept her makeup natural. "And then we are going on our honeymoon where I'm going to ravish you for two weeks straight."

Her eyes darkened and she leaned forward to capture my lips again. I did my best to only kiss her and not let things get out of control, because I knew we would be arriving at our destination soon. I didn't want to mess up her hair and dress and have her get embarrassed in front of the few guests who would be at our wedding.

Fuck, it was so hard. I was so hard. Just having her mouth on mine and tasting her again was making me crazy. It definitely didn't help that Bella was insistently wiggling her ass against my cock and letting out these little whimpers while tugging my hair. The girl knew how to get me desperate with need for her.

I let my hands wander a little and cupped her breasts. I loved how the fullness filled my palms, and I was rewarded with a groan from Bella as well as a harder push of her body against mine.

"Mmm, Edward," she moaned, and to my amazement, I got even harder at the sounds she made. If we didn't stop in the next few seconds, I was either going to destroy her dress in the process of burying myself inside her wet heat, or I was going to come in my pants. As appealing as the first option was, I knew I needed to get control of the situation. Very reluctantly, I pulled back and tried to make myself content with just holding Bella in my arms.

Luckily, it was only a few minutes later when we arrived. It was a small park with a secluded rose garden in the back that I'd gone to often as a kid. It was there that my parents, her dad, and Sue were waiting with a Justice of the Peace to marry us. I led her down the path to the garden, but she stopped.

Nibbling on her lip just a little, Bella gave me a nervous glance. "Edward, I want to marry you more than anything, but… my dad—"

"Is right here, sweetheart," Charlie interrupted as he walked up. "I'll get her to you in just a minute, Edward."

I nodded and smiled knowing both of them needed a moment alone together. "Of course." I bent my head and brushed my lips across her cheek. "I'll meet you at the altar, baby. I love you."

A shaky smiled crossed her face, and she looked at me with glistening eyes. "I love you, too," she whispered.

I turned and finished my way up the path, finding my parents and Sue waiting patiently with the officiant. A lone private photographer stood to the side, ready to capture the ceremony when the time came. They all smiled when I approached, and my mom squeezed me tightly when I reached the front.

"You look so handsome, Edward," she tearfully said. "I can't believe my baby is getting married! At least you had the good sense to pick a wonderful girl. Bella couldn't be more perfect for you."

"Thanks, Mom. I know I'm the luckiest guy in the world. She's exactly what I've always wanted in a girl, and I know she loves me for me and nothing else."

"She's pretty lucky, too," my dad added and hugged me, as well. "Are you sure you're ready to make this commitment?" he asked seriously.

I nodded. "You and mom were the best example of a happy marriage I could imagine. You two are soul mates, and I found mine with Bella. I can't wait to truly start our lives together."

Both of them beamed at me with pride, and my mom wiped at a fresh set of tears. "Good answer," he said before leading them over to where a small group of chairs had been placed.

I was ready. I'd been Bella's from the first time I laid eyes on her. More than just her obvious beauty, there was something so alluring about her. With every new thing I learned about her, the more I craved her. I would have gotten down on my knees and offered her my heart on our first date when I heard her speak with such disdain about football if it wouldn't have scared the hell out of her.

And now the day was finally here when she'd become Isabella Cullen. God, that sounded so fucking good. If I called her that every day for the rest of our lives, I didn't think it would ever lose its appeal.

"Are you ready to begin?" the Justice of the Peace asked and nodded his head toward the path. I looked down and saw Bella and Charlie waiting just about forty feet away.

"Absolutely," I breathed as I stared at my girl.

He must have given some kind of signal because they started walking forward and Bella's face transformed. She'd looked serene and happy before, but now she was glowing. The most breathtaking smile spread across her face and her eyes locked with mine, never once wavering. It took everything inside me to stay where I was and not rush to meet her.

Charlie placed her hand in mine and I felt the tension leave my body. She was here, with me, and we were finally getting married. The ceremony was simple and short, pledging to love and to cherish one another 'till death do us part with smiles on our faces. I kissed her hand after sliding the ring onto her finger, and she cried just a little when putting mine on.

Then he announced us husband and wife and it was time for our first married kiss. I slid one arm around her waist and lightly held the back of her head when she tilted her face up to me. I brushed my lips across hers once before pressing harder, and Bella sighed softly and leaned into me. She opened her mouth and our tongues met for a brief moment. I reluctantly pulled back when I heard applause from our parents and I rested my forehead against hers.

"My wife," I breathed and Bella beamed at me.

"My husband," she whispered and I grinned back at her.

Our parents came up and congratulated us before heading back to The Murphy for the reception armed with a video of the ceremony from a camera that had been set up off to the side. They would show it to all of our guests during the two hundred dollar a person dinner that was planned. Bella and I were headed to The Drake to spend the night in their Princess Diana Suite before taking off for Tahiti for two weeks.

I had Bella snuggled close to me as we made our way across the lobby. I felt the stares of the other guests as they watched us, but my gaze didn't wander for a second from her. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a flurry of activity from a small group of paps who had obviously been expecting us. At least it wasn't the huge gathering it would have been if I hadn't registered at four other hotels. I couldn't quite feel bad about the others who would be waiting for our arrival at them.

"Checking in?" a brightly smiling young woman asked from behind the desk. Her eyes roamed over me appreciatively. "Mr. Cullen, correct?"

"Yes," I told her and looked at Bella. "Mr. and Mrs. Cullen." I brushed my fingertips down her cheek and her smile was radiant. She was glowing with happiness, and the caveman inside me roared from knowing that was because of me.

"Oh," the receptionist said, her face falling slightly. She shot Bella an envious look. "Congratulations," she added flatly.

"Thank you," Bella murmured, completely oblivious to the other woman's attitude.

She gave us our key and we headed over to the elevator. Bella laughed good-naturedly at the questions thrown at us from the reporters, and neither of us stopped to pose for pictures. Finally, we were outside the door to the suite and I swept my bride into my arms and walked inside.

"Oh, Edward! This is gorgeous," Bella exclaimed, looking around. It was beautifully decorated in golds and blues, with dark wood accents, but I didn't care about any of that. All I wanted was in my arms. Now, to get her naked and writhing beneath me.

"Want a drink?" I asked.

She smiled at me. "Sure."

I walked us over to the dining room table where my surprise was waiting for us. I gently lowered her legs to the floor, sliding her down my body. Bella made a purring noise and kept herself pressed against me for a moment before turning around. I draped my arms loosely around her waist; the need to touch her was overwhelming.

"Oh, my God! Are those Mexican Martinis from Trudy's? And Freebirds' burritos? And a miniature replica of our wedding cake?" she squealed excitedly.

I chuckled and nodded. "I didn't want us to completely miss out on our reception, but I made a few adjustments to the menu. I had a couple things specially flown in."

Bella whirled around and threw her arms around my neck. "You are the best husband ever!" I grinned and dipped my head to kiss her—it felt damn good to hear her call me her husband.

"Hungry, baby?" I asked once we stopped kissing.

Her dark chocolate eyes dilated. "Starving," she answered in a low, husky voice.

"Me, too," I whispered and swung her into my arms again. I strode into the bedroom and set her down before kissing her senseless. Once I had Bella trembling against me and whimpering in my mouth, I reached around her and slowly lowered the zipper to her dress.

The silky white fabric pooled at her feet and my breath caught as I saw my gorgeous wife clad in a delicate, lacy bra and panty set with matching thigh high stockings. My eyes zeroed in on her right hip. I let out a low growl and Bella smiled. There, across from her Longhorn tattoo, was one of the Chicago Bears' "C" symbol.

"Bella," I said in a gravelly voice.

"It's your wedding present," she whispered, and I grabbed and pulled her close. I bent and began licking and nipping along her neck, across her collarbones, and down the tops of her breasts. My hands lightly caressed her waist and hips before tracing patterns on her thighs. She let out a throaty moan and my cock twitched.

Bella began pushing at my jacket and I slipped it from my arms while she went to work on the buttons on my shirt. I pressed my lips back to her breasts, then unhooked her bra and threw it behind me. I cupped them and gently sucked one nipple into my mouth. I swirled my tongue around the hard bud and relished in the feel of Bella's fingers tangling in my hair and gripping the locks tightly. The little sounds and noises she was making caused my already hard cock to border on almost painful. It had been so fucking long since we'd been together like this, I was hanging onto my control by a thread.

I yanked off the loosened shirt while Bella went to work on the fly of my pants. I hooked my fingers over the top of her panties and slid them down. I knew as soon as Bella put her hands on me that I'd be a goner, so I gently nudged her toward the bed and lay her across it.

"Fuck," I groaned at seeing her flushed, panting with desire, and spread out for me.

I snapped when she whimpered my name. I found myself between her thighs as I licked and twirled my tongue around her clit before dipping down to taste her. I closed my eyes and moaned as her tangy essence danced across my taste buds.

Way too fucking long.

I relished in the mewls and cries of pleasure coming from Bella while I continued my assault on her sweet pussy. I traced my name on her clit with the tip of my tongue and pumped two fingers inside her, searching out and finding that spot guaranteed to make her come.

"God, yes, Edward!" Bella yelled as I felt her flutter around my fingers, and I lapped at the fresh rush of wetness. "Please, baby, I need you. Now," she whimpered.

I growled against her slick flesh and was rewarded with another moan. I kicked off my pants, so desperate to be inside her that it was painful.

I leaned down and kissed Bella deeply as she lifted her arms around my neck. Her legs shifted around my waist and I slid my cock into her. We both groaned with the feeling of finally being joined together again.

"Goddamn, baby. I don't think you've ever felt so incredible." I marveled at her tight, wet heat surrounding me. I held still, to try to give myself a moment to adjust, but Bella was having none of it. She pushed her hips against mine and gave this sexy growly noise to demand I move.

I started to slide in and out of her sweet pussy, making love to her the best I knew how. I caressed her body with my hands, kissed the places guaranteed to drive her crazy, and thrust into her with the exact intensity and angle needed to give my girl the most pleasure possible.

I had to grit my teeth and fight not to come as everything she did drove me closer and closer to the edge. Each sound and every touch of her hands on my body made me crazy, and the dripping wetness of her core wrapped around me had me shaking from holding back my release.

"God, yes, Edward! So, so good. Ungh, you feel amazing, baby. I'm close already. Please don't stop," she begged, and I pushed harder into her. Her pussy clenched around my cock and I felt my eyes roll back.

"Fuck, Bella. You're… fuck, so wet and tight. Love being inside you," I panted and then nipped at the spot behind her ear that caused her to scream out. The sensation was overwhelming as a flood of wetness coated my cock. I roared her name and bit down on a pillow as her pussy pulsed around me and I came so hard that colors danced across my vision.

I collapsed onto her for a moment, trying to catch my breath. I nuzzled my nose against Bella's neck and pressed a soft kiss to her slowing pulse. Suddenly, she started laughing.

I opened my eyes and lifted up to look at her. "What's so funny, beautiful girl?"

She grinned up at me. "I'm going to murder Alice. I can't believe I let her keep us apart for this long. Never again will we go for this amount of time without making love. I really could kill that annoying pixie for this. I could cry from how phenomenal that felt."

I felt my own lazy smile cross my face. "I'll be right there to help you, baby. If I had my way, we wouldn't spend another night apart for the rest of our lives." I leaned in to kiss her before rolling onto my side and cuddling her close. "My wife," I whispered against her temple.

Mine.

Finally, this gorgeous, sweet, amazing woman was really and truly mine. The love shining in her eyes was undeniable and my breath caught from it. Bella didn't give a shit about my money, or fame, or anything else she could use me for. She loved me for me. She loved me in spite of all of that, and I worshipped her for it. No one else had ever come close to capturing my heart the way she had, and I would literally do anything for her. And now, for the rest of our lives, I would be lucky enough to call her my wife, to wake up to her beautiful smile each morning, and fall asleep with her in my arms every night. If I had nothing else in this world, I would still be the happiest man alive as long as I had her.

Damn, I was a lucky bastard.

I drifted my fingers down her waist to trace her latest tattoo. Bella gave me a knowing smirk.

"What? It's really hot." I shrugged, not at all contrite about my blatant staring.

"You better enjoy it, because that's the last one I'm getting. You change teams and you're out of luck."

I laughed. "Deal. Just as long as I always have you."

Bella leaned up to kiss me softly.

"I'm definitely yours."

There you have it. Love it or hate it, let me know. I promise to respond to all reviews for this chapter! If I can get my ass in gear, I'll hopefully be submitting a story for the Age of Edward contest in the next week. Even if I don't make the deadline, I'll post what I've come up with because I want to write this story. Put me on alert if you want to know when I post new stories. Do you want more light and fluffy or something with more drama/angst for the next multi-chapter? Let me know! LOVE YOU ALL!