A Vampire's Aurora

Ties that Bind

Ties that Bind

Aurora buried her head in Carlisle's shoulder as her mother, only slightly having let the champagne go to her head, delighted all 66 guests of the time Aurora stole her father's motorcycle and crashed it into a neighbor's garden shed, and ended up ten feet away in the bushes covered in thorns and later, as it turned out poison ivy.

"Even her little bottom had poison ivy on it! I spent a week picking out thorns and pine needles from her hair!" hiccupped Aurora's mother. "And her tush was sooo red, redder than a cherry!"

Aurora groaned as the crowd, especially Rosalie and Emmett were all clapping loudly and chanting for more. Finally, it was Aurora's father who came to the rescue, pulling his wife into his arms and leading her away from the stage, as she waved her hanky at the crowd. Aurora saw her mother grabbed another champagne flute off the table.

"I didn't realize mum was such a lush," Aurora grinned, still not being able to look Carlisle in the eye, as he was trying to hold in his laughter. "Oh, ha, ha laugh it up, Dr. Cullen."

Aurora swatted him on the arm, as he stole a kiss. Carlisle stood up slowly, picking up his own champagne glass. He cleared his throat and commanded everyone's attention with a single look of his eyes.

"First off, I wanted to express my gratitude to all of you," Carlisle began. "These days it seems that family gatherings don't happen all too often, and when they do it's not always a joyous occasion. But as I stand here today, with my new bride, I am reminded of what is most important."

Carlisle turned to Aurora.

"I am reminded that love is eternal and universal and that even though we may sometimes wander this earth for what seems like eons of time – love does wait for us. It is the glue that binds us all together. And from that love comes family," he said, raising his glass to the crowd. "And as I look at all of you here today, celebrating this moment with us, I am also reminded that family is the rock that we build our dreams on. So, let me propose a toast – to love and to family."

The crowd all raised their glasses in unison, everyone's eyes misty.

"Hear, hear!" they all chanted.

Guests sat down at their tables, the hum of murmuring voices and the clinking of glasses was the perfect symphony to the scenery. The tables were covered with massive white clay vases filled with yellow, ivory, and pink roses, as well as carefully selected Versace china paired with Wallace Grande Baroque sterling silver utensils. As a soft melody came from the band, Carlisle, took Aurora's hand, pulling her from her seat.

"Shall we Mrs. Cullen?" he grinned.

Aurora blushed, realizing that all though Alice had instructed her for weeks on how to balance on high heels, she forgot to mention how to dance in them.

"You'll have to lead Mr. Cullen," Aurora giggled.

Carlisle easily snaked his hand around her hips as the newlyweds made their way to the dance floor. A singer softly crooned out Frank Sinatra.

There are many many crazy things
That will keep me loving you
And with your permission
May I list a few

The way you wear your hat
The way you sip your tea
The memory of all that
No, no they can't take that away from me

Carlisle gently twirled Aurora on the dance floor, before allowing her to float back into his arms.

"Interesting choice of music Mr. Cullen," Aurora smirked.

Carlisle swooned back and forth with her in his arms.

"I think it's perfect," he said. "Besides I couldn't help but notice that you like to hum to Mr. Sinatra when you're working."