II. Speeches.

I sat at the bride and groom's table with Edward, eating a piece of cake that I pretended to feed him a few pieces of. He'd just laugh at me every time I poked the fork full of cake at his lips. As I was chewing a piece of cake, I noticed Emmett step onto the makeshift podium.

My eyes went wide as Emmett approached the microphone and I turned to look at Edward. "Oh God, please don't tell me Emmett is going to give a speech," I muttered as I shook my head.

Edward looked at his brother and then looked at me. "Oh he is," he confirmed as he reached out, wiping away white icing from the corner of my lips.

"Excuse me. Is this on? Hello?" Emmett called out over the microphone as he tapped it and everyone's attention turned to him. "Umm, I'd like to propose a toast. To my new sister." He spoke as he lifted his full glass of champagne. It was amusing watching the Cullen's dump out glasses of champagne when no one was looking. " Ana, I hope you've gotten enough sleep these last 19 years. 'Cause you won't be getting any more for a while."

My eyes widened as he finished and everyone clapped and cheered for him. I looked at Edward again. "That...that sounded like a dirty joke," I muttered softly. I knew Emmett meant after I changed, I wouldn't sleep anymore...but to everyone else who wasn't aware of vampires, that sounded very different.

Edward sighed deeply as he slowly nodded his head. "Oh yeah..."

"Great...no everyone's going think of us having sex," I mumbled, feeling mortified as I placed a hand over my eyes.

Emmett's speech prompted a few other close family members to make a speech as well. Angela, the maid of honor was next. She stood shyly on the stage as she looked around the crowd. "Becoming friends with Ana, my Stas, was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am so unbelievably happy that she gets her happily ever after. No one deserves it more." She toasted and I gave her a soft smile when we locked gazes.

Next to step on the stage was Charlie, ever so slightly tipsy as he raised his champagne glass with a big smile on his face. "Edward will be a good husband. I know this because I'm a cop. I know things. Like how to hunt somebody to the ends of the Earth. And I know how to use a gun." He joked as he looked at Edward who laughed softly. "Congratulations you two." he toasted.

Next was Alice and she smiled brightly as she stood in front of the microphone. "Today makes it official, but you have been my sister since the day I met you." She said as her gaze locked with mine. "I love you, Ana. And we are going to be sisters forever. My brother is so lucky to have you. And I will be sure to remind him of that every day."

Then came my mother, already teary-eyed as she stepped in front of the microphone. "My baby girl. I can't express how much joy it has brought me to see you so happy. I'm so thankful for Edward, because he has given me that gift, of seeing you happy. I know he'll make you happy for the rest of your lives." She said as she looked between me and Edward. "I know, because I am with the cop." She added jokingly and everyone laughed. "I love both of you." She told me and Edward before her eyes settled on me. "And I know your dad is so proud of you, my Ana."

The last of our guest speeches was Esme. "I'd like to thank Eleanor as well as Luke, for bringing such a wonderful person into the world and into our lives. We will cherish and protect her forever." She said and I gave Esme a soft smile at the mention of my father.

I stood up, kissing Edward's cheek while sending him a beaming smile. I stepped onto the stage and nervously stood in front of the microphone. "Moving from Phoenix to Forks was hard for me. I was afraid...I didn't know what to expect. I didn't know what waited for me here." I admitted, looking among the guests before turning my gaze to Edward. "Little did I know, the love of my life waited for me here. A life full of happiness, love, and adventure waited for me. And more waits for me. And I am so utterly happy, that I get to experience all of that with you." I said as I smiled and he was quick to return my smile. "I love you. With more than just my heart...my whole being." I said sincerely.

As I stepped off the stage, the crowd of people clapped and cheered for me. I passed Edward and he gave my hand a squeeze and my cheek a kiss before he took his turn on the stage.

He smiled brightly as he stood in front of the microphone, his gaze settling on me. "It's an extraordinary thing to meet someone who you can bare your soul to. And who will accept you for what you are. I've been waiting, what seems like a very long time, to get beyond what I am. And with Ana, I feel like I can finally begin." He said fondly before raising his glass in the air. "So I'd like to propose a toast to my beautiful bride." He said and everyone else raised their glasses. His eyes settled on me. "No measure of time with you will be long enough. But let's start with forever."

As soon as he stepped off the stage, I approached him. I smiled brightly as I placed my hands against his chest. "That was beautiful," I whispered.

He set his glass aside and placed his hands on top of mine. "I meant all of it. He told me, rubbing his thumbs over the back of my hands. "Every last word." he insisted.

"No measure of time with you will be long enough for me either," I told him as I shook my head, moving my hands as I wrapped my arms around his shoulders. "But I feel content that we will have forever," I whispered as I smiled. "That's all I want," I said as I nodded my head. "Forever with my soulmate." I added before kissing him softly."That's how I know you're wrong."

Edward looked down at me, eyebrows furrowing. "Wrong about what?" he asked curiously as his head tilted to the side.

"About not having a soul," I replied as I moved one of my hands to rest against his unbeating heart. "You do have one." I told him as I nodded my head."And it's tied to mine."

"Forever," he assured me as he smiled softly before kissing me again.

As the music began playing softly, Edward led me onto the makeshift dance floor and pulled me close to his body, holding me tightly as we danced to the soft and slow music. We danced together for two slow songs before Carlisle approached with a small smile.

"Ana, may I have this dance?" Carlisle asked as he offered me his sweet and soft smile.

I pulled away from Edward and turned to Carlisle, returning his smile as I nodded my head. "Of course Carlisle." I agreed.

Carlisle wrapped one arm around my waist and took one of my hands into his while my free hand rested on his shoulder. "I'm really happy you're joining our family," he told me as he led me to the gentle music.

"I'm really glad you have accepted me into your family, even the way I am," I told Carlisle in a thankful tone of voice as I nodded my head.

Carlisle gave my hand a gentle squeeze as his smile grew. "You have made Edward happy in a way I have never seen him before." he told me and I smiled softly as I looked down."I want to thank you for that," he said.

I looked back up at him and quietly nodded my head. Emmett came up to us and pried me out of Carlisle's arms. "Okay, my turn."h he insisted. I shared a look with Carlisle and we shared a laugh as he went to dance with his wife. "So you skipped the garter, huh?" Emmett teased as we danced.

I rolled my eyes at Emmett as I bit back my laugh. "Do not start with me," I warned him playfully as I shook my head.

"Didn't know you were so conservative, Ana." Emmett continued to tease me as a big grin spread across his face.

I scoffed in amusement as I stared up at him. "God, I'm really rethinking having to spend all eternity with you," I told him mockingly as I rolled my eyes once again.

"Don't worry, I love you too." He assured me playfully as he grinned and I laughed softly as I patted his shoulder.

After finishing my dance with Emmett, I went up to Edward. I smiled sweetly at him as I noticed him glaring at Mike Newton from a distance. I wrapped one arm around his waist and placed my free hand against his chest. "You can't glare at Mike the whole night," I told him as I patted his chest and he lowered his gaze. "Still not that fond of him, eh?"

"Not when I have to listen to his thoughts. He's lucky didn't kick him out. Or worse." he muttered as he shook his head and I raised my eyebrows in question. "Thinking like that about a married woman...about my wife." he gritted out.

I leaned into his side as I let out a soft laugh. "Oh come on, it can't be that bad," I told him as I shook my head.

Edward looked down at me, eyebrows raising as he tilted his head to the side. "Have you had a chance to look at yourself?" he questioned me.

My eyebrows furrowed as I slowly nodded my head. "Yes, why?" I asked in confusion.

Edward sighed deeply as he looked down at me with a playful frown." Then I suppose you don't realize how utterly heart-breakingly beautiful you are tonight." he told me softly as he slowly shook his head. "I'm not surprised Mike's having difficulty with improper thoughts about a married woman."

I scoffed in amusement as I shook my head at him. "You are very biased, you know," I told him as I smiled.

Edward hummed at me before taking my hand. He didn't say a single word as he led me towards the house and in through the back door. He took me to the hallway where a big mirror hung on the wall. He stood behind me as he made me look at myself.

"Biased, am I?" he asked me softly as he pressed a kiss to my shoulder.

I laughed softly as I shook my head at him. I turned to face him and threw my arms around his shoulders before pressing a kiss to his lips. His hands came up to my waist as he kissed back. Our moment was short-lived as the back door opened and clicking heels approached us

"There you are!" Alice called out as me and Edward reluctantly pulled away from each other. "Come on, you're needed on the dance floor." she insisted as she grabbed my hand while Edward shot her a look of pure annoyance.

"For what?" I asked as my eyebrows furrowed.

"To dance with your new sister's-in-law." She replied as she began dragging me towards the backdoor.

"Rosalie dances?" I asked playfully as I raised my eyebrows.

Alice looked at me over her shoulder, shooting me a look of amusement before dragging me out of the house. "Come on." she urged as she led me towards the dance floor where Rosalie waited for us.

After two songs, both I and Rosalie managed to escape Alice and instead left Jasper in her clutches. I sat with Edward for a while as we observed our guests and talked to one another. When a slow song came on, Charlie approached me. "Ana," he said.

"Charlie," I replied with a smile as I looked up at him.

"May I have this dance?" he asked as he held his hand out to me.

"I was hoping you'd ask," I replied as I took his hand and followed him onto the dance floor. I placed one hand on his shoulder while his free hand rested on my side. "Thank you for being here today," I told him sincerely as we began following the slow rhythm of the music.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," he replied with a shake of his head as he offered me a smile. "Thank you for including me."

"You know, you're very special to my mom," I told him softly as I nodded my head. "You're just as special to me," I added as my smile grew.

"Now I'm going to be the one crying." he teased and I laughed softly as I shook my head at him. "You're special to me too," he told me. He was silent for a second, visibly gathering his thoughts. "These past two years, you and your mom have become family to me. You two are really...all I have." he said softly. My heart ached, knowing how little contact he had with his daughter.

I silently stared up at him for a second before my smile grew a little. "So when are you going to ask her to marry you?" I asked him knowingly as I raised my eyebrows.

Charlie almost choked on air as he stared at me, his eyes widening. "What?" he asked.

I shrugged my shoulders. "Come on, you guys aren't too old to marry," I told him as I shook my head.

Charlie was silent for a second as he stared down at me. He was again, carefully gathering his thoughts before he spoke. "You think she'd say yes?" he asked softly.

"Definitely," I assured as I nodded my head.

"Would you be okay with that?" he asked carefully as he raised his eyebrows.

I nodded my head as I continued to smile softly at him. "I can't think of a better husband for her," I told him as I shook my head. "Or a better stepfather," I added before hugging him and he didn't hesitate to hug me right back.