I started pinning flowers on the walls. Emmett and Jasper were setting up chairs, Esme and Carlisle were working on the alter and Rosalie was selecting the music for later today. I decided to listen to Liz's beautiful voice.
"Alice, I think I know why my lips are soft, though I can't yet explain why my eyes are purple."
"Explain,"Alice commanded. Suddenly I knew everyone was listening in.
"Well, it just occured to me, couldn't being human be an ability? Couldn't that be why I'm different?"
"It could, but it doesn't make sense. Being a vampire is a step up from being human."
"I see your point,"she countered," and here's another idea, what if my lips are soft because they have to be. What if my lips have to be soft to absorb the power?"
"That one makes more sense,"she gave in,"did everyone hear that?"
Everybody replied yes. But afterwards all was quiet. Those upstairs and down. The decorations were in place and the carpet rolled down. I looked out the window, the sky was lighting and the sun was peeking over the tree tops and mountains. Everyone headed upstairs to collect their outfits for the wedding. I followed behind.
Edward, you better stay out if you know what's good for you.
I followed to the doorway and waited outside for Alice to hand me my gloves and tux. Then I went back to my room to dress myself. I came out fully dressed and listened to the girls talking in Alice's room. Carlisle would be the priest for out ceremony. I walked down the stairs, listening to the Volturi driving back. Not long after they were being seated. I took my place at the alter and watched as everyone prepared for their roles. Rosalie was the only female member downstairs, and she sat at the piano starting her first piece. It was the signal that the wedding was starting and that made me smile. It was also the signal to the girls upstairs. My smile widened while I anxiously waited for my bride to come. This was the happiest day in my life. I listened for the change in music as Alice decended the stairs and made her way up the aisle. How many times I had watched them make their way to the alter and now it was my turn.
Finally the music changed and Liz's light footsteps decended the stairs. I watched as the most beautiful girl in the world decended the stairs. If I were playing, I would have sped up the music. I was impatient for her arrival, but mostly excited. I would finally be able to call her my wife. My better half. Her dress was beautiful and it made her stand out. She finally stopped and turned to face me. My smile never left my lips.
When it came, she replied in a clear and radiant voice,"I do."
And I replied when it was my turn,"I do,"so proud of the young woman standing before me, and so in love with her.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride."
I wrapped my arms around her and she placed hers around my neck. When our lips met, I felt a slight shock, but it was a good one. Her lips warmed mine, though the heat was increasing and the pleasure great, I broke the kiss and led her back down the aisle and throught the door, where the rice was thrown. We headed to the front yard, where the reception was to take place and started the music. Everyone followed us out and the dancing started. We danced with different people through out the reception and met back with each other. It was too soon when Alice interupted to remind us of our flight. She grabbed Liz by the wrist and led her back inside. I followed but went further in to change. Then, after grabbing my already packed suitcase, I waited for her at the bottom of the stairs. She came down wearing a dark purple dress with Alice carrying her suitcase and we headed through the door where the rest of the rice was thrown. I unlocked the trunk of my volvo, which Emmett had driven up, and Alice put both suitcases in the trunk, while Liz and I got in. After seatbelts were on and the trunk was shut, we sped off into the distance.
"So where are we going?"
"You'll see, I don't want to spoil the surprise, so my thoughts will be guarded."
"Ok, so I guess I'll just have to wait,"she paused," I know you don't want to go to the Volturi."
I kept myself calm before speaking up.
"And you are right on that assumption,"I replied.
"Then why didn't you persuade me to stay and decline their invitation?"
"Because I feel it was your decision, I myself would have declined, but it was your choice, not mine,"I stated honestly.
"I know you don't, but I'm curious, I know we'll be hunting animals, I don't want to go human, but that you chose to go with me, rather than force me not to go, that you understand my opinion, rather than object it, shows me how much you love me. I am greatful for that, that you are willing to put aside your hatred for the Volturi and allow my feelings to take priority, is the best wedding present I could have, besides you of course. Thank you for this."
"I will always follow you, and I will do what needs to be done, because I can't live without you and because I love you."
I slowed down, now that we had reached the airport. I parked the car and then grabbed our suitcases out of the trunk. I locked the doors and then headed inside with the love of my afterlife walking beside me.
"Why are they all staring, it's weird,"she broke the silence.
"They're staring because you're absolutely gorgeous,"I replied smiling.
"If I could blush, I would be."
My smile grew, but I didn't laugh, I heard the thoughts of a traitor nearby.
What happens if Edward sees her, Liz thought.
"What happens if I see who."
I followed her line of vision towards the heartbreaker and her dog companion. I ignored them, hoping they didn't notice us walking near them.
"I hate that. I don't eavesdrop on your conversations."
"Sorry, I'm just used to it. Besides, I'm more tuned to your thoughts because I love you,"I said passing Bella, but she saw me, I felt it.
"You love her,"she said her voice cracking,"what about me? Did that love just deminish?"
"Bella,"I acted surprised,"what are you doing here?"
"We're going to her mom's,"Jacob cut in,"what about you bloodsucker?"
"Of course the dog would be with you."
"Hello Bella, I see you haven't changed much,"Liz broke in.
"That's because you can't be bitten to become a werewolf,"she replied snidely.
"So you remember me then,"Liz stated, just as mean,"would you know what we did today?"
"You probably died a few days ago and I have nothing to say to a bloodsucker,"so she was using his terms now,"except how the rest of the family is doing."
"Bella,"Jacob warned,"don't talk to them, he broke your heart and he obviously doesn't want to talk to you, see his new slutpire?"
"Slut, did you really just call me a slut,"Liz asked, outraged,"I don't know you and you don't know me, so I suggest you stop the freaking name calling and mind your own business. And Bella, we're all doing fine without you, and by we're I mean MY family. The one you decided to no longer involve yourself with. My husband and I don't need this, we're on our way to our honeymoon, something you really missed out on."
I looked at her surprised, she really had a lot of anger towards Bella. But I had to speak up, to let Bella know that I wanted nothing to do with her.
"Bella, can I talk to you alone, please?"
"Jacob, please go stand over there."
"No, Bella, I won't let you get hurt any further."
"Jacob, please,"she pleaded.
"Fine!"
Liz looked at me,"I'll let you talk,"and then followed Jacob. I waited for them to be a safe distance away before turning back to Bella.
"I'm sorry to disapoint you, but I can't talk to you anymore."
"Why Edward, why can't you just listen?"
"Go ahead, I'll listen, but keep in mind, I have a flight to catch."
"Okay, I know I hurt you, just as bad as you hurt me, if not worse, but I need you Edward. I want to marry you, never age with you, to hunt with you, I want it so badly. I want to be your... your wife, something I never thought I'd want, but I truly do. I love you Edward. Take me back."
"I can't. That woman was telling the truth. We just got married today, we're on our way to our honeymoon. I still love you Bella, something that will never stop, but I love Liz more, more than I could love anyone else."
"No, Edward, I don't believe you, I know you still want me, just as I want you. You need me and I need you. We complete each other, something that bimbo over there wouldn't understand."
"Bella, I understand how you feel, that's how I felt the day you chose the werewolf over me on our wedding day. You chose him and I had to live with that. But you hurting me so badly opened my heart and I fell in love with Liz. I will always love my wife. You married Jacob, you married him, but I married someone who is closer to me than you ever were."
"How could you, how could you be closer to some other girl than you were to me. We were meant to be together, meant to never be apart."
"Yet here we stand, both married, both in love. Your husband is talking to my wife."
"But Edward, divorces are easy, we can get married."
"I will never divorce Liz, I married for the right reason. I will never leave Liz."
"Why won't you? I know I chose wrong now, please Edward, I need you, I know who I can't live without."
"I'm sorry Bella, Ineed you to understand. You chose Jacob, no one forced you, and I got over it. I fell in love, my heart was mended by that beautiful woman over there with Jacob. She taught me to love again. She taught me about how even when everyone you've ever loved has been lost, you can still recover. She lost her parents to drugs, she was beat up by the dealers who tried to get the money her parents owed from her. How even though she was all alone, she found someone to love. She loves me, really loves me and I her. I can't do this anymore Bella, I can't deal with you anymore."
"No Edward, I don't accept that. I know you love me, I remember how often you told me you loved me. How can this be any different? I think she's just a replacement for me, look at her."
"Bella, do I have to repeat myself? I may have loved you, but I love her more than I have ever loved anyone else and nothing you can say will change my mind. You chose Jacob and now you have to live with that decision. Now, my wife and I must get to our plane, so we don't miss it. Goodbye Bella, I don't expect to see you anytime soon."
"Edward, please! You can't expect me to believe that. That you got over me, since I've never gotten over you. I will see you again. I will make you love me."
"Come Liz, we have a plane to catch."
Liz returned to my side and I lifted both suitcases and walked away from Bella, never glancing back. I listened as Jacob and Bella argued. Then went to our departure point. After giving them our tickets, we boarded the plane, taking the first class seats we paid for.