»—— act four. breaking dawn, part one
☽⋅── FOUR ──for eternity─⋅☾

The day had finally arrived, and the air was filled with a sense of anticipation. Carlisle and Eve's wedding day was a small yet intimate affair, attended only by their close-knit family. In addition to their trusted ones, the presence of Leah and Seth Clearwater added an extra layer of warmth to the celebration.

Eve was sequestered in her room, surrounded by Alice, Eleanor, Rosalie, and Leah, who worked together to transform her into a stunning bride. Every detail was meticulously attended to - the dress, the makeup, and everything else necessary for the wedding. The process was an intricate dance of beauty and anticipation, the excitement palpable in the air.

While Eve was being pampered and getting ready, Carlisle was finalizing his preparations in another room. Unlike the meticulous process Eve was enduring, his was much simpler. After he was finished, he headed outside toward the tent where the ceremony would take place.

Back outside, Carlisle and his sons, along with Seth, engaged in lighthearted conversation to pass the time before the ceremony commenced. They shared laughs and enjoyed each other's company.

Inside the house, Eve was diligently having her makeup redone, tears occasionally escaping her eyes, but eventually, she managed to hold them back.

Eleanor stood before her mother, a wide smile on her face. "This is it, Mom," she said. "You are finally getting married." She then chuckled and continued, "Honestly, I never thought that our move to Forks would lead to a day like this."

Eleanor's words echoed with a sense of wonder, reflecting the unexpected twists and turns life had taken them on. Their move to the small town of Forks had certainly set into motion a chain of events that had led to this momentous day, where Eve was about to embark on a new chapter of her life with Carlisle.

The room was filled with a mix of excitement and anticipation as the time for the wedding drew near. Eleanor's words added a touch of irony to the moment, reminding them all how the journey that had brought them to this day was a beautiful yet unforeseen turn of fate.

With her daughter's hands in her own, Eve spoke softly, her voice laced with a touch of reminiscence.

"We both never thought that moving here would bring us this much happiness," she echoed. The journey they had embarked upon had become a path of unexpected joy and contentment, surprising them in profound ways.

Despite the excitement of the wedding, a hint of seriousness crept into their conversation as Eleanor brought up the topic of college.

"After the wedding, let's finally talk about the college thing," she said, her smile shifting towards a more determined expression. "With you taking this big step, it's time for me to face mine."

Her words signalled a transition, a moment of readiness to embrace her own future and make her own life decisions. The wedding, in its way, had become a catalyst for both mother and daughter to step into new chapters of their lives.

As Eve tried to embrace her daughter, the limits of her pregnant belly became apparent. Despite this, she held Eleanor close, cherishing the moment, though knowing that Alice would likely appear and fuss about her wrinkled dress.

Eleanor wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled, saying, "Let's get you married, Mom!" Her voice was filled with both excitement and a hint of bittersweet emotion, knowing that this day marked a significant milestone in her mother's life.

They shared a moment of quiet understanding, the weight of the occasion pressing on them both. The tears and smiles were a reflection of the tangle of emotions swirling within them - joy, nostalgia, anticipation, and perhaps a tinge of melancholy, acknowledging the passing of one season and the beginning of another.

The moment had finally arrived. Alice, Rosalie, and Eleanor surrounded Eve, each taking a role in escorting her down the stairs and outside to the tent.

Outside, waiting patiently was Leah. Her role in walking Eve down the aisle held a special significance, as she had been chosen by Eve herself to give her away on this momentous day.

The atmosphere was filled with a mixture of beauty and sentimentality, the women who had helped Eve prepare and the woman who had been chosen to walk her down the aisle, each playing a part in guiding her towards the next chapter of her life.

As the twins kicked within her, Eve couldn't help but chuckle.

"Okay you two," she said, a hint of amusement in her voice, "No aiming for the bladder now. I'm all dressed up, and I don't want to ruin the moment with a sudden need to pee."

Alice chuckled, but she remained uncharacteristically quiet. The thought of the twins was still a source of anxiety for her, as her inability to clearly see Eve's future caused her to worry. Despite her usual confidence, the twins introduced an element of uncertainty, one that Alice grappled with silently.

While Alice was grappling with her own concerns, Rosalie's demeanour was entirely different. She was brimming with joy and anticipation for the twins. In this moment, as they escorted Eve towards the aisle, Rosalie took the role of the positive one, providing reassurance and comfort to Eve whenever possible.

After the embraces from Alice, Rosalie, and Eleanor, Leah stood by Eve's side, ready to guide her down the aisle. The moment was filled with an undercurrent of emotion as the two friends prepared to take the symbolic walk towards the tent where Carlisle waited.

As Eve and Leah stood together, the weight of the moment hung in the air. They exchanged a glance, a shared nod passing between them, signalling that they were ready for this walk, this symbolisation of a new chapter in Eve's life.

"Are you ready?" Leah asked, her voice hushed but warm.

Eve took a few deep breaths and responded, "Yes."

Despite the flutter of nerves in her stomach, Eve affirmed her readiness, taking a moment to collect herself before walking down the aisle.

In her heart, Eve knew this was the right step. The jumble of emotions was all part of the experience, the mixture of excitement, nervousness and anticipation. With a final nod to Leah, she stepped forward, ready to embark on the walk that would lead her to Carlisle.

The atmosphere within the tent was still, the air heavy with anticipation and expectation. Carlisle stood waiting, his eyes fixed on the entrance, eager to catch the first glimpse of Eve as she walked down the aisle.

The sight of Carlisle waiting patiently added another layer to the moment. His gaze, filled with love and anticipation, pierced through the fabric of the tent, a silent plea for the moment he would see the woman he was going to marry.

In the still air, the anticipation was almost tangible. The tent seemed to hold its breath, the silence broken only by the occasional shift of someone's stance or the soft rustle of fabric.

Carlisle's gaze was unwavering, his eyes fixed on the entrance, a silent plea for the moment when he would see Eve walking towards him, her beauty on full display.

The echo of footsteps seemed to fill the air, each step closer adding to the tension within the tent. The family shifted their weight, their breaths held in anticipation, their eyes glued to the entrance. It was as if they could feel the momentousness of the occasion closing in on them.

The moment was electric. As Eve entered the tent, Carlisle's eyes lit up with a mix of wonder and deep affection. If he had a heart, it would be racing a mile a minute, and if he could cry, his tears would stain his face.

The sight of her, adorned in her wedding dress, walking towards him, was a vision he would never forget.

As she drew closer, Carlisle swallowed, his mouth dry with emotion. He could barely take his eyes off her, his gaze scanning her from head to toe, taking in every detail of her appearance, every detail that made her so utterly captivating at that moment.

Her dress, the smile on her face, the way she held her bouquet – everything about her seemed to radiate grace, beauty, and strength. And the look in her eyes, it was as if she was seeing him for the very first time, her adoration and love for him so strong that it was almost tangible in the air between them.

The air within the tent was heavy with emotion, the love between them so strong that it could have been a physical force.

As she reached the end of the makeshift aisle, she smiled at him, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of joy and anticipation.

This was the moment they had been waiting for, and it was everything they had imagined and more.

Within the intimate confines of the tent, the air was thick with an almost tangible sense of anticipation. For a brief moment, it was as if time stood still, the world narrowing down to just the two of them.

Emmett prepared to begin the ceremony, but Carlisle's focus was so intense on Eve that Emmett's words were almost lost. At that moment, nothing else existed - only her standing there before him, ready to dedicate her entire life to him.

Once Emmett officially started the ceremony with a poignant and meaningful introductory remark, "We are gathered here today"

His voice echoed through the tent, capturing the attention of everyone present and marking the official beginning of Carlisle and Eve's union.

The words hung in the air, the sentiment they carried making the atmosphere in the tent heavy with emotion and expectation. There was an air of sanctity, a sense that something significant was about to take place—the joining of two souls in the sacred bond of marriage.

Emmett's voice faded into the background as Eve and Carlisle became lost in each other's gaze. A hush fell over the tent, the collective breath drawn in anticipation of the heartfelt promises about to be made.

As the moment for their vows arrived, the atmosphere crackled with tension and emotion. The gravity of the promises they were about to make was palpable.

Carlisle and Eve exchanged a glance, a silent communication that spoke volumes, conveying a kaleidoscope of love, commitment, and loyalty. They were about to embark on a lifelong journey together, and the words they were about to share served as the first steps on that path.

Carlisle smiled gently, taking a deep breath. He was about to pour his heart out, to lay bare his soul in front of the people who mattered most to him, and, most importantly, to the woman he was about to marry.

He began, his voice steady and sincere, "Eve, from the moment I met you, I knew you were something special. You have challenged me, loved me, and supported me in ways I never thought possible. You have filled my life with a light and a joy that I never believed I'd experience. I promise you, today and every day hereafter, that I will love you with all my heart, body, and soul. I will be your partner, your friend, and your confidant. In times of joy and in times of sorrow, I will stand beside you, unwavering in my commitment to you."

Eve's eyes glistened as she listened to his impassioned words. She could feel the sincerity and depth of his love in every syllable, and it made her heart swell with emotions so intense that she had a hard time keeping her composure.

Carlisle continued, his voice strong and steady, "I promise to cherish you, to respect you, and to always put your well-being and happiness first. I vow to always be there for you, to listen to you, and to offer my support and comfort in times of need. I vow to love you through the ups and downs of life, through the laughter and the tears, in sickness and in health, till death do us part."

Eve's breath caught in her throat. She had heard many of these traditional vows before, but hearing them from Carlisle's lips, spoken with such sincerity and passion, made them feel new and entirely personal.

Carlisle ended with, "From this day forward, I commit myself wholly and forever to you, I love you, Eve, with all that I am and all that I hope to be. You are my heart and my soul."

As his words echoed across the tent, Eve was completely overcome with emotion. She could feel her heart fill with love, her eyes brim with tears, and a lump formed in her throat. This was the man she was about to marry and the depth of his love for her left her both humbled and overjoyed.

The moment of truth had arrived. Eve took a deep breath, steadying her racing heart and calming the flutter of her nerves. This was it - the moment she would bare her soul, express the depth of her love, and make promises that would bind her to Carlisle for eternity.

She began, her voice slightly shaky but strong and sincere, "Carlisle, where do I even begin? You have changed my life in ways I never imagined possible. You've loved me, challenged me, and made me feel more alive than I ever thought I could be."

Her gaze never wavered from Carlisle's as she continued, her words pouring forth with a mixture of vulnerability and determination, "I promise to love you with all my heart, mind, and soul. I promise to stand by you through thick and thin, in happiness and sadness, wealth and poverty."

Eve paused momentarily, the weight of the promises she was making sinking in. She continued, her voice steady but emotional, "I promise to be your partner, your friend, and your confidant. I will fight for you when needed, protect you with every fibre of my being, and honour you in all that I do."

Eve's words hung in the air, the meaning behind them as clear as could be. With this single statement, she had encapsulated the profound impact Carlisle had had on her life.

She continued, "You are my golden sunrise, my beacon of hope and happiness, breaking through the clouds and illuminating my world with your love and care."

She smiled at him, her eyes filled with a myriad of emotions, "You have given me a reason to wake up in the morning, a reason to keep fighting, dreaming, and living. You've made me see life in a whole new light, and there is no one on this earth I'd rather be doing life with than you."

Tears welled up in her eyes as she prepared herself for the final, most crucial promise. She took a deep breath before saying, "I vow to cherish you, to love you without reservation, to always put your needs before mine. I vow to stand by your side, support you in every decision you make, and never let you go."

Her voice became quieter, but no less heartfelt, "I will honour and respect you, through the highs and the lows, in good times and in bad, until death do we part. My love for you is boundless, Carlisle, and I will spend the rest of my life proving it to you."

As the final words left her mouth, a profound silence fell upon the tent. Everyone was holding their breaths, captivated by the depth of love and devotion in Eve's words. Even Carlisle, who had heard a version of these promises many times before, was left in awe by the sincerity and intensity in Eve's voice.

Emmett's soft chuckle echoed through the tent, breaking the moment of silence and bringing the attention back to the ceremony. His eyes twinkled with emotion as he prepared to continue.

He smiled warmly at the couple in front of him, his voice filled with a hint of amusement and a whole lot of affection, "Well, the moment you've all been waiting for... Carlisle, do you take this woman to be your lawful wedded wife, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse, for as long as you both shall live?"

Carlisle didn't hesitate for a second. His eyes locked onto Eve's, his heart overflowing with love, as he replied firmly, "I do."

Emmett nodded, his smile widening at Carlisle's resolute answer. He then turned to Eve, his gaze soft and kind, "And do you, Eve, take this man to be your lawful wedded husband, to love and cherish, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, for as long as you both shall live?"

Smiling through her tears, Eve replied, "I do. With all my heart and soul, I do."

Emmett's voice was tinged with pride and satisfaction as he declared, "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

The moment the final words left Emmett's mouth, Carlisle enveloped Eve in his arms, pulling her into a passionate kiss that was met with a cheer from the family.

The world seemed to fade away as they kissed, the loud cheers of their family nothing more than a distant background noise. The only thing real, the only thing that mattered in this moment, was the sensation of their lips touching, and the love that flowed between them, now more profound than ever.

As the kiss ended, they looked at each other, eyes filled with an intoxicating mixture of love, joy, and a hint of disbelief that this moment was real. Their lives had just changed forever, and they were forever bound to one another, husband and wife.

Eve rested her forehead against Carlisle's, her heart overflowing with emotion. She whispered, her voice shaky but filled with love, "I love you, my husband."

Carlisle tightened his arms around her, his voice thick with emotion as he replied, "And I love you, my wife. More than you can possibly imagine."

With a final kiss, they turned to face their families, their faces glowing with happiness. The ceremony was over, and they were officially married, united in front of the people who meant the most to them.