BPOV
“You look exquisite, Bells,” Dad murmured. “Happy, calm.”
“I am,” I said. “I’m ready to be married to Edward, Daddy.”
I looped my arm through his. “I never thought I’d be this happy again.”
“I knew you would be,” Dad said, kissing my temple. “You
just needed the right man, a partner in every sense of the word. You found that
with Edward.”
“You found that for me,” I snickered.
“Damn straight,” he smirked. “Much better at matchmaking
than your mother, hmmmm?”
“And sneakier, Dad,” I deadpanned. “But, I’m grateful for
it. You saw what I needed, as did Edward, and you both were patient, waiting
for me.”
“Bella, Charlie?” Alice chirped. We blinked to her. She
grinned. “It’s time.” With a wink, she left the bridal suite.
“Don’t let me fall, Dad,” I whispered.
“Never, baby girl,” Dad said, kissing my cheeks and gripping
my hand before we made our way to the sanctuary. The doors were closed, and I
heard the string quartet we’d hired play Pachelbel’s Canon in D. As the music
changed to Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, the doors opened, and we started down
the aisle.
EPOV
I shifted on my feet, listening to string quartet as began
playing the processional. Alice walked down the aisle, followed by Grace; both
of whom were gorgeous. Grace wrapped her little arms around my waist before
standing in front of Alice. I smiled crookedly at her before blinking down the
aisle, craning my neck to try and see my Bella. Emmett poked my shoulder,
waggling his brows. I ignored him, my smile widening when I saw Charlie’s hair.
Shortly after that, I saw Bella …
“Oh, my God,” I breathed. Bella looked absolutely
breathtaking, exquisite. Her hair was curled, pinned away from her face and
looking like a mahogany halo. She smiled, soft and tender as she walked slowly,
toward me on the raised dais. My eyes gazed down her body. Her wedding gown was
lacy and a subtly soft white. Laying between her collarbones was the necklace
I’d given her. I wanted to scoop her up, kissing her until we were both
breathless. “Bella …”
“She’s gorgeous,” John whispered behind me. “I’ve never seen
her look so happy.”
“Agreed,” Emmett said. “You’re a damn lucky man, Ed.”
“Language,” Reverend Webber chided, with a quiet chuckle.
“Sorry, Rev,” Emmett snickered.
I shook my head, looking back at Bella and taking a step
down, moving closer to her. The music stopped, and Bella stared at me, her eyes
shimmering with unshed tears. I ached to touch her. Reverend Webber began
speaking. Charlie squeezed her hand before placing her warm palm against mine.
I felt my heart calm. I helped her onto the dais, staring into her eyes and
wanted nothing more than to scream at the top of my lungs how much I loved her.
I had tunnel vision, staring at the woman I was pledging my
life to. She handed her bouquet to Alice and twined our fingers together. “The
joining of a man and a woman is blessed, wonderful occasion. However, creating
a new family? I’m honored to be a part of this special day helping Edward, Bella,
John and Grace join together as a new, blended family. Father, son, mother, daughter,
love knows no bounds.”
Bella squeezed my fingers, smiling brightly and blinking
around us. Our family, friends and loved ones were all around us. As weird as
it sounded, it felt like Jake was there, too, blessing the wedding. I faintly
heard Reverend Webber began the service. I was too enamored with the vision of
beauty, love and goodness in front of me. I took a step closer, desperate to be
nearer to my fiancée, soon-to-be my wife. Reverend Webber chuckled. “Don’t be
jumping the gun, Edward. I see you eyeing her lips.”
“What?” I snorted, arching a brow. I grinned at him and
looked back at Bella, who was grinning goofily and trying to hide her giggles.
“Admit it. You want to kiss me, too.”
“Yeah, I do,” Bella snickered. “Can we get to that part,
Reverend?”
“In time,” he said, a wry smirk on his face. “We
have a few readings before you two can make out.”
Thank you, Rita, for the manip!
