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Polar Night	By : belladonnacullen Category: Twilight Series > AU/AR > Het > Het Views: 8234 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or make any money from this story.

Chapter List
- 2
- 3
- 4
There are beautiful quotes directly from Breaking Dawn in this chapter. I am so thankful that Stephenie Meyer lets us use her characters and her words this way. Not all authors are as supportive of fan fiction.

"What is it?"
"A surprise wedding gift."
"Huh?" Bella cocked her head to the side and the little crease I loved puckered between her brows.
I needed to control myself. I could look happy and calm, but I didn't trust my voice to explain further. I'd let the dog explain for himself. So without a word I spun Bella out onto the dance floor. I made sure to press her closer to my chest than I had all night. I wanted my scent to cling to her, and I wanted her to remember me while she spoke to him. It was silly, I suppose. I didn't doubt her love. But I certainly didn't doubt his love, either.
I felt Bella's heart flutter as I held her in that tight embrace. Her lips immediately sought out my own and I was happy to oblige. I kissed her as deeply as I dared as we spun towards the tree line at the edge of the yard. We came to a stop and swayed together at the edge of the dark night, kissing, Bella's hands running through my hair, as we waited out the end of the song.
"I get the picture," a thought growled from the dark.
My head turned toward the darkest of the shadows. I made sure that my face gave nothing away. I wouldn't scowl, for Bella.
"I came. You've made me want to vomit. Are you happy?"
"Thank you. This is very... kind of you."
Suddenly, I felt Bella go tense in my arms. She looked away from me to the black forest. I knew she couldn't smell his stench like I could. She couldn't see the vague outlines of the three shape shifters.
I sensed my brothers behind me. "Jasper and I have your back, Edward. It's gonna' be cool. Don't worry." I breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for the support of my brothers.
"Kind is my middle name," Jacob said out loud. Can I cut in," and he added silently, "bloodsucker? Or did you just ask me here to rub my nose in it?"
Bella went from tense to completely weak in my arms. Her knees buckled beneath her and I held her up as her body collapsed into mine. She'd stopped breathing.
My chest ached as I realized that marriage hadn't changed Bella's feelings for the dog. I wished I could be the only one that would make her feel that way. But what were wishes in this world? I stayed still and strong and held her up. I would be strong for her.
"Jacob? Jacob!" Bella called. I heard the hope and happiness in her voice.
"Hey there, Bells," Jacob called from the shadows.
I hated that he used the same term of endearment Bella's father used. It was too familiar. I gripped Bella's elbow in response, but quickly calibrated my hold, careful not to hurt her. This wasn't Bella's fault. This was a mess I'd made, and I would have to live with it.
When I was sure she could use her legs again, I led Bella in the direction of the dog. I watched Bella straining her big brown eyes to catch site of him. When she was within his grasp, Jacob held out his arms and Bella tumbled into them. He'd grown so that he was taller than me by a head, and his large hot body seemed to engulf Bella. He pressed his cheek against the top of her head.
"A moment, if you don't mind?" he thought as his eyes flashed up, assessing me, sizing me up.
I heard Bella trying to suppress a sob and I ached to take her back in my arms. But this was for her. I would have given her to Jacob forever, if that was what she wanted. I could certainly give her a few minutes on her wedding night. At least, that's what I tried to convince myself of.
"Rosalie won't forgive me if she doesn't get her official turn on the dance floor," I said by way of an excuse.
"Thank you," Jacob silently growled.
I backed away slowly, and the sounds of Bella's sobs tore at my dead heart. I tried to ignore the venom that was filling my throat until I was nearly choking. Taking a deep breath, so that I could hold a piece of Bella with me, I turned and walked quickly back to the reception. My brothers immediately flanked me, and each put an arm around my shoulders.
"You okay, dude?"
"Of course he's not okay, Emmett. How would you feel?" Jasper asked.
"Well, I'd have killed him months ago. But that's just me."
"Is she happy, Jasper?" I asked as I peered over my shoulder at the couple in the shadows.
Jasper looked at me reluctantly. "Yes, she is."
"Then I'm fine, Emmett. Would you two keep an eye on them? It would be inappropriate for me to intrude. And, I don't think I could..." I stopped and swallowed another wave of venom. "There are wolves watching as well."
"What's that filthy dog doing here?" Rosalie snarled behind me.
"It was Edward's idea," Emmett answered as he wound his hand around Rose's waist.
"What?"
"I don't get it either, babe."
"Rose, would you do me the honor?" I asked motioning towards the dance floor. "I could use some distraction."
Rosalie's eyes lit up. "You're asking me to dance?"
"I believe I just did."
"This a first!"
Rose took my hands and we spun underneath the lights. Petals rained on our heads and lights twinkled in Rosalie's eyes. "You played beautifully tonight, Rose," I said in an attempt at conversation.
"And now you're complimenting my piano playing! Bella has changed you."
With mention of Bella, my head reflexively turned in her direction. Rose put her hand to the side of my face and forced me to look at her.
"It's not polite to look away from the lady you're dancing with, Edward. She's going to be fine. Emmett would never let anyone hurt her."
"Yes, I know." But somehow this didn't make me feel any better. I tried to smile bravely.
"Edward, she loves you. She chose you; she's giving you everything she possibly can. Please, be happy tonight! No one has ever had more proof of someone else's love."
At that moment Alice ran over and clasped Jasper in her arms. A feeling of love and desire surged through the crowd. Humans murmured and shifted awkwardly, some blushed. Katrina rolled her eyes and giggled, and Esme playfully pinched Carlisle's backside.
"Okay, maybe Alice is right up there with you. From time to time we all have proof of Jasper's... love."
I chuckled. The night was lovely, and now it was perfect for Bella. My family was together and happy. And finally, tonight, Bella was officially one of the family. She would be, forever. My life was complete in a way I never thought it could be. I felt a weight lift off of my shoulders and I smiled at Rosalie in thanks.
"That's better. That's the look of a vampire that's finally about to get some."
"Is he, now?"
I spun Rosalie around to face the owner of the voice. Tanya's honey-colored eyes glittered in the lights.
"May I cut in? She asked innocently. But she continued in her mind, "It seems this dance is for the losers."
Tanya nodded her head in the direction of Bella and Jacob. The two were swaying back and forth in each other's arms, speaking in whispered voices, and staring into one another's eyes. Our ears could easily pick up their conversation.
"You can have as many dances as you want," Bella assured the dog sweetly.
I felt my jaw tighten. I stopped dancing. Rose interpreted this as agreement on my part to let Tanya cut in. She hugged me, before walking off to ask Eleazar to dance. I hardly noticed as Tanya took my hand and wrapped her arm around my waist.
"That would be interesting." Jacob replied. His thoughts filled the night around me.
* In his dream, he spun Bella onto the dance floor and kissed her underneath the lights. When my family went to pull him and Bella apart, his pack leapt out of the shadows and engaged us all in battle. Meanwhile, Jacob and Bella spun in a slow circle in the middle of it all, Jacob kissing like Bella and I never could. *
"Cousin, please." Tanya tugged at my arm. I hardly heard her. Tanya intentionally blocked my view of Bella. "You can go and break it up, but your bride might be disappointed. Or you can pass the time and dance with me. We have much to discuss. There is too much unsaid between us. You can't go off married leaving strings untied, can you?"
I noticed that my entire family was now watching Tanya and I standing in the middle of the dance floor. Carlisle and Esme exchanged a knowing glance. Alice nodded her head at me, "This is the time, Edward."
Emmett was trying to figure out were he'd missed signals of some sort. I felt a wave of reassurance from Jasper. "We're watching Bella; now's the time for both of you to clear the air."
I held out my arm and Tanya took it without hesitation. "You could have been more civil to my wife."
"I believe I said all the right things."
"It wasn't your choice of words. Your actions said something different entirely."
"I'm sorry if I offended your bride." She said the word with disdain.
"I don't want any confusion, Tanya. For me, this wedding means everything. But let me speak plainly for you, one vampire to another. Bella is my mate. There is no other. There never will be."
"But she's human."
"For now."
Shock moved across Tanya's face, but left no evidence in its wake.
"This isn't easy for me, Edward," Tanya said wordlessly as she gazed past me into the night sky.
There was an unusual vulnerability in Tanya's face as she turned to me. "I'm sorry to have offended your mate. I'm honored to meet her. I always hoped you would find someone who would... who would..." Tanya's voice trailed off. There was no mistaking the sorrow in it.
"Tanya, I'm sorry. I never knew the true extent of your feelings."
"You never wanted to," she accused. "It is what it is, Edward. I'm glad to see you so happy. Finally. You're hum--, your mate, I mean, must be a very special female."
"She is," I agreed as I felt an uncontrollable smile take over my face at the thought that she was my mate, my female, and my bride.
Tanya and I both turned to look at Bella in the shadows with the dog. "She's lovely, Edward. I can see how much she means to you. Does she know how lucky she is?"
"She's not the lucky one. She saved me from myself. I can only hope that --"
"Sshh." Tanya put her finger to my lips and then drew it quickly away. I thought I saw a look of pain flit over her face. But it was gone so quickly I may have imagined it.
"You've given yourself, completely. We should all be as lucky as Bella Swan."
"Cullen," I quickly corrected. I heard the unmistakable ring of pride in my voice. Suddenly, I wanted out of this dance. I wanted to be back in Bella's arms. I looked at Bella still dancing with Jacob. I heard him preparing to ask when she wanted to be turned. I wondered what she would say, if she would answer.
"Yes, Cullen, right," Tanya replied, distracting me from my thoughts.
"There was always a connection between us, Edward. We are similar, despite all of those times you said otherwise. Who would have thought, succubus and incubus, cousins?"
"Tanya, that's enough."
"I don't mean to offend you, cousin. I've just watched you struggle for so long, and now, with two very dissimilar legends as your guide, you've balanced things perfectly. You've taken Carlisle's chastity and propriety, and I'd like to think you inherited my family's... love... for humans. Now tell me, is it true what we spoke about so many years ago? Do you see the beauty around you now? Does it outshine the darkness?
Against all odds, Tanya managed to warm my heart. I remembered how she tried desperately to save me from myself almost eighty years ago on the banks of the Hudson River. I was so lost that night. She'd been a true friend. "Yes, it even outshines the darkness within myself."
"I knew it would when you finally found love." Tanya smiled at me. "Now, there's something else you never let me say."
"Tanya, I don't think now is the time --"
"It's nothing like that, dear. Those words, as humans say, I will carry with me to the grave. Or in my case, I'll just carry them forever. Those words need never be spoken now that you have a mate." Tanya paused, and I could see that she was trying to compose herself before going on.
"First of all, never let her get away. Not this one. Honor her and let yourself have true and eternal love. We are given the gift of this life, this world. Enjoy it together, for there are no guarantees afterwards."
"Secondly --" But Tanya didn't get the chance to finish.
*
"Ow, Jake! Let go!" Bella's voice was hushed, but she might as well have been shouting in my ear.
"Edward!" Jasper silently called out.
"Bella, have you lost your mind? You can't be that stupid! Tell me you're joking!" Jacob hissed.
My mind was suddenly assaulted by my worst nightmares, but the thoughts were coming from Jacob Black's mind. Bella lay underneath me hemorrhaging, limbs broken, crying. Bella was screaming out in alarm as I sunk my teeth into her neck. Bella was suffocating underneath me as I fell on top of her.
"Jake - stop!" There was fear in Bella's voice this time.
My brothers may have been close by, but I managed to get to Bella's side first. Jacob had Bella's arms in his iron grasp and his eyes were on fire. She was shaking with the force of his grip.
"Take your hands off her," I managed in a voice so steady, even I was surprised. I didn't want a fight. Not tonight. I wouldn't let this animal ruin Bella's night. Seth was instantly by my side. I felt the present of my brothers behind me. I watched two Quileutes shift into wolf form in the shadows.
"Jake, bro, back away. You're losing it," Seth coaxed. "You'll hurt her. Let her go."
"Now!" I growled, taking a step towards Bella.
Jacob's eyes flickered toward mine and he dropped his hands to his sides. I had Bella in my arms and out of harm's way in an instant. I should have stood between her and the wolf, but I couldn't let her go. I kept her tucked under my arm as I stared Jacob down.
"You will never touch my wife like that again," I snarled.
"What the hell are you thinking?"
Two wolves moved between us; one black and one brown. "We'll take it from here, mind reader. Jacob won't hurt her. You have our word."
Seth wound his arms around Jacob and tried to pull him back into the forest, but Jacob wouldn't budge.
"You married her just to kill her? I thought you said you loved her!"
"C'mon, Jake. Let's go," Seth urged, tugging on Jacob's sleeve. He pulled hard enough to tear the shirt at its seams.
"I'll kill you. I'll kill you myself! I'll do it now!" Jacob shouted out loud this time.
The black wolf circled around Jacob, growling and trying to lead him into the trees.
"You're very calm for a leach that's about to die. But you never show emotion, do you? Do you even have emotions? Is that how you can so calmly plan on killing your wife?" I saw the air around Jacob quiver. I pushed Bella behind me, and knew that my brothers would have her out of the way if Jacob shifted.
"Seth, get out of the way." I hissed. I didn't want anyone else hurt if it came to a fight. I would take Jacob Black alone. This was between him and I.
"Don't you worry about Seth. I would never hurt my brother. I don't hurt the people I love," Jacob silently accused.
Seth finally managed to pull Jacob backward. "Don't do it, Jake. Walk away. C'mon." The large black wolf pushed his muzzle into Jacob's chest, and Jacob was forced back another few feet. The brown wolf continued to guard the space between Jacob and I.
"I'm sorry," Bella whispered from behind me.
I spun around and pulled her body to mine. "It's all right now, Bella." I murmured as I cradled her head against my chest.
Then the brown wolf addressed me silently. "Sam will take care of Jacob, mind reader. We have no reason to kill you, yet. We won't violate the treaty. But we'll be watching to see if you do."
"All right," I nodded to the wolf. I could hope for no better.
Bella was shaking in my arms. "Let's get back," I quietly suggested, rubbing her bare shoulder.
"But Jake --"
"Sam has him in hand. He's gone." I kissed the top of her head, but Bella pulled away from me.
"Edward, I'm so sorry. I was stupid --"
"You did nothing wrong. --"
"I have such a big mouth! Why would I... I shouldn't have let him get to me like that. What was I thinking?"
"Don't worry, Bella," I begged as I caressed her cheek. I knew my words of comfort were spoken as more of a plea than as reassurance. But the interaction with Jacob had me shaken. "We need to get back to the reception before someone notices our absence."
*
Bella asked for time to pull herself together. Outwardly, I kept my strong fa�ade intact. I managed to be reassuring. I held her, supported her as we walked back to the reception.
But my mind was a whirlwind of emotions. Jacob was right. Everything he said was true. I claimed to love Bella, but I was always the one that hurt her. And now, my plan, it put Bella more squarely in harm's way than she ever had been before.
In my mind's eye, Bella lay naked, bloody and broken on my bed. Alice's visions battled with Jacob's, but it was no use. I could feel the raw power that coursed through my body every time Bella and I had been close to intercourse. Neither of us knew what we were doing. How could I even entertain the idea?
When I resurfaced from my thoughts, I found myself on the dance floor with Bella in my arms. She was staring lovingly into my eyes.
"It's over. Let's not think of it again tonight." Her words were like a caress that I didn't deserve. It was all it took for my outward strength to crumble.
"Edward?"
Her gaze was full of trust. I couldn't bear to look. I didn't want to betray what I saw there. I closed my eyes and leaned my forehead against hers, letting her support me. "So much for being strong," I thought to myself.
"Jacob is right. What am I thinking?" I murmured.
"He is not! Jacob is way too prejudiced to see anything clearly." Bella's voice was soft, but her words were full of conviction.
"I should let him kill me for even thinking --"
"Stop it!" Bella's voice was fierce and her warm hands were suddenly holding my face, pulling it away from hers. I opened my eyes to see Bella beautiful, powerful and full of fire and light. "You and me, that's the only thing that matters. The only thing you're allowed to think about now. Do you hear me?"
"Yes," I sighed, giving in to my wife. I was supposed to be the strong one.
"Forget Jacob came. For me. Promise that you'll let this go."
I concentrated on Bella's eyes. I'd come to depend on them so much, to measure myself in them. And searching, I found a shred of the faith I'd come to rely on.
"I promise."
"Thank you, Edward. I'm not afraid."
"I am," I whispered.
"Don't be," Bella cooed. With a warm smile she added, "By the way, I love you."
I felt my heart surge into my throat with those three gentle words. "That's why we're here," I managed. And somehow, Bella carried me until the song came to an end.
*
I felt Emmett's presence beside me before I heard his thoughts. "Edward, Jasper wants to talk. I'll take over for you here, buddy."
Out loud, he said, "You're monopolizing the bride. Let me dance with my little sister. This could be my last time to make her blush." Bella gave me a quick peck on the lips, before letting Emmett sweep her off her feet. I heard her giggle as I went to find my brother.
Jasper was sitting alone on the back steps.
"Hey, Edward."
"You wanted to talk."
"I can feel how shaken up you are. You shouldn't let that wolf get to you, you know."
"Jasper, I can handle his feelings for Bella, and I can live with her feelings for him. But he was right. The idea of a honeymoon is criminal. It's insane. In all your existence have you heard of something like this? Where the woman lives? Why are we all just going along with this idea?"
"Edward, none of that matters."
"What?"
"The only thing that matters is you and Bella. Do you know how much she loves you? I've never felt love like that from any other human."
"All the more reason not to put her life in danger."
"Edward, you told me how... close the two of you have become this past month. Have you hurt her at all?"
"That hardly matters. You yourself said sex itself was incomparable to anything else."
"I didn't lie, Edward. But to see the change in you, I have faith it will work out. I was away for four weeks, and in that time your love for one another has grown exponentially. And now you know each other intimately. How could it not work, if it's what you both want? Besides that, my mate wouldn't let you put her best friend in danger. Alice must have said something to you."
"There's no way of knowing, Jasper. The future changes."
"Edward, take a minute and look at the big picture. Bella is your singer, but you've become closer to her than anyone else in the world. You married her! I don't even think you want to eat her anymore. I don't feel that coming off of you at all.
"Instead I feel your desire to protect her, and to love her. Own that instinct. You exist to protect Bella, and to give her everything she wants. She is your mate. A vampire would never hurt his mate. He would do anything for her.
"It will be intense, but only as intense as what I've just explained to you. You'll be consummating those intense desires and wishes. Physically, you've already proven that you can restrain yourself."
What Jasper said made some sense. "But then you'd lose your bet," I joked.
"I knew last night after we spoke that I didn't have a snowball's chance in hell. I trust you completely, Edward. Go take that girl and make her yours."
With that, I suddenly had no other desire. I felt my physical need for Bella growing steadily. "Thank you, Jasper. You can cut it out though, I think I can handle my emotions from here."
"No, buddy, that's all you. But, uh, I think I'm going to go find Alice, if you don't mind."
"Did I hear my name?" Alice was instantly at Jasper's side, smiling between the two of us. Undoubtedly, she'd known beforehand what we would have been talking about.
"Absolutely," Jasper replied, pulling Alice into his lap and kissing her full on the mouth.
Alice struggled futilely in his arms. "Jasper! We have guests. "
"Blame Edward," he mumbled as he trailed kisses along her neck.
Alice managed to partially extricate herself from Jasper's grasp. "I came over here to see you, Edward." Then she brushed my cheek with her hand.
* I could see Bella lying on the sand with seaweed tangled in her hair. She was at the shoreline, and waves were breaking gently around her. I was holding myself over Bella and her sunburned nose crinkled as she smiled up at me. *
Alice took her hand away and the vision disappeared. "Two and a half weeks away. So you see Edward, you should really make sure Bella wears sunscreen," Alice giggled as Jasper pulled her back into his arms.
"All over," Alice added. She laughed out loud as Jasper picked her up and carried her away.
I smiled despite myself. Whether it was my own emotions magnified through Jasper, or Jasper and Alice themselves, I wanted nothing more than to have Bella in my arms at this moment. Jacob Black meant nothing to me compared to what I felt for Bella. I would do anything for her; I would protect her, even from myself.
I was at Bella's side in an instant, easily spinning her away from Tyler Crowley. I wound my arm around her waist and pressed her body firmly against my mine. Bella responded to me immediately. Her heart hammered in her chest, her breaths came quick and shallow, and her scent intensified and enveloped us both until I couldn't see beyond the two of us. I didn't care to.
I knew Bella could feel how much I wanted her, and she pressed her body impossibly closer.
"I could get used to this," she murmured. Her voice nearly sent me over the edge on it's own.
"Don't tell me you've gotten over your dancing issues," I managed to joke. I was almost positive that wasn't what she meant. But I wanted to hear her say it.
"Dancing isn't so bad - with you. But I was thinking more of this."
Bella suddenly moved against me and my breath caught in my throat. Her hand pushed into the small of my back, where it burned like fire. Her other hand wound around my neck, trying to pull my head to hers. Her eyes pierced into mine.
"Of never having to let you go," she whispered in a voice so low, only I would have heard. With those words, her warm breath swept across my face and I was lost.
"Never," I heard myself whisper back as I bent my head to hers. I tried to hold myself back in the kiss, but it was impossible. The warmth of her body consumed me and her scent overwhelmed me. My lips moved urgently against hers and she pressed back just as hard. My hand lingered just below her waist, and I pressed her against me. I felt her heart pounding against my chest, and I heard her gasp into my mouth.
"Go take that girl and make her yours."
It couldn't be soon enough. Before I knew it I'd picked Bella off of the ground. Her right leg began ever so slightly to wind itself around my thigh. Heat was radiating off of her body in waves.
"Bella, it's time." I heard from a distance. But with every move Bella made, with every little sound from her mouth, a wave of electricity coursed through my body.
"Do you want to miss your plane?" Alice was suddenly closer. I fought the urge to push her away.
Instead I growled at her. "Go away, Alice."
"Bella, do you want to wear that dress on the airplane?" Alice growled right back. "I'll tell her where you're taking her, Edward. So help me, I will."
With a sigh of resignation, I lowered Bella to the floor, all the while glaring at Alice. "You're awfully small to be so hugely irritating."
"Like you're not about to have weeks alone together. Please!"
Bella was flushed and glowing and I could see her trying to decide whether to follow Alice, or to jump back into my arms. I'm sure the look I was giving her wasn't helping at all. Finally she gave in to me, wrapped her arms around my neck and brought her lips to mine.
"Oh no you don't!" Alice tugged Bella's arm, and Bella gave in easily this time. Everyone knew that it was useless to battle Alice. Bella turned to look over her shoulder as she made her way into the house. "I love you," she mouthed.
I heard Emmett and Rosalie laughing behind me. Emmett slapped me on the back. "Boy are you in for it! Good for you."
*
It only took three minutes for me to make my way up to my room and change out of my tux. I could hear Bella talking with Alice, Esme and Renee in Alice's room. I suddenly wondered at the thickness of the walls. Would Bella and I come back here after the honeymoon? Would she want to be changed that first night? Ultimately it mattered little, because we would most likely have to leave immediately. If we breached the treaty, we'd have to move quickly to avoid the wolves.
But as I looked around my room, at what remained of the bed, at the couch pushed up against the wall, I hoped Bella would grant me just one night. I looked at her clothing hanging next to mine in the closet. I opened the top drawer of the dresser and ran my hands over her under things. Did Alice see the possibility that we would stay? I hoped I could persuade Bella to wait a night. Or two.
These were my thoughts as I made my way back down the stairs. So I was surprised to feel a firm grip on my wrist as I paused on the second floor landing.
"I didn't get a chance to finish earlier, Edward. The pup interrupted us. I wanted to catch you before you left." It was Tanya. With her soft steps and her wordless mind, she had an uncanny ability to catch me unaware.
I could hear Bella saying her goodbyes upstairs. "Tanya, I don't have time for this."
"I'll be quick, Edward. Consider it my wedding gift. One night, many years ago, you asked me how I... well, anyway. You never let me finish. This is information you may be able to put to use, imminently."
I took a step away from Tanya, not fully understanding what she was offering. But her hand tightened on my arm. She moved to my side and bent her head to mine, and whispered in my ear words of advice garnered over the centuries about how to love a human.
I was speechless and found I couldn't look Tanya in the eyes when she was finished. "You're welcome, Edward. Have a happy honeymoon." And with that she was gone.
I was still trying to digest everything that had just transpired, when Carlisle met me at the bottom of the stairs.
"Son, I just wanted to let you know that Esme and I leave in the morning. We should be in Rio de Janeiro by nightfall. But I still don't believe it's necessary."
I'd asked Carlisle to be on hand in case anything happened to Bella. I didn't want to be left alone if she were injured, or if... well, I didn't want to think of the other possibilities.
"Thank you, Carlisle. I appreciate it. Hopefully, you and Esme can enjoy your time together and I won't bother you."
"Yes, son. I'm sure that will be the case."
I felt my confidence building as I stood there. Jacob was a boy, a wolf. What did he know about Bella and I? How could his worries compare to the assurance of my family? I was as prepared as I could ever be.
I caught sight of Bella as she made her way down the stairs and couldn't help the smile that overtook my face. I don't know how she did it, but I saw signs of a compromise in her attire. Bella had on a short blue skirt and delicate blue flats, which were obviously Alice's idea. But she was wearing a plain white tank, topped with a lightweight hoodie. Definitely Bella. She clearly wasn't going to be the fashion pushover Alice planned on.
I watched Bella's face search the crowd that had gathered to see us off, and when our eyes met, she ran to me and jumped in my arms.
"Are you ready?" I asked.
"Almost." She looked through the crowd. "Have you seen my dad?"
I took her hand and we made our way through our family and friends. When we found Charlie, his eyes red with tears, and Bella fell into his arms.
As they whispered their parting words, my family lined up to hug me and wish me well. We embraced wordlessly, for after this evening, what else was there to say? I had more love and support than any being deserved.
Alice hugged me last of all, but I held on to her before I'd let her go.
"I haven't had a chance to thank you properly, Alice. For everything. Only you could pull off a stunt like you did this past month. And for that I'll be forever grateful. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart."
She smiled. "I was afraid you would be angry."
"If I found out any sooner, I would have been."
"I know. It almost killed me trying to keep it from you, and from Carlisle and Esme," she whispered.
"You'll tell me though, if anything like that happens again?"
At that moment Bella wound her arms around my waist, hugging her body to mine.
"I'm ready now, Edward."
"You guys better leave... The chances of you missing your flight are growing by the second!"
Our friends and family filled the landing, and lined the steps down to the drive. There was more that needed saying between Alice and I, but now obviously wasn't the time. Bella pulled me toward the front door. I looked back at Alice and she smiled lovingly in our direction, waved, and blew a kiss.
I kissed Bella one more time in the doorway, a kiss full of gentle promise. And then I held her hand firmly as we ran to the car amidst cheers and a shower of rice. I tried to shield her as she stepped into the car. Her foot slipped on the rice, and I had to catch her in my arms. I used the embrace as an excuse to kiss her again. That made eleven times as my wife.
"Be careful, Mrs. Cullen," I whispered. We both laughed as I helped her to her seat.
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Polar Night