Picking up the Pieces

Chapter Twenty-Five

This story is dedicated to my friend, Pam, who recently lost her husband to cancer. She's a wonderful friend with a beautiful soul who didn't deserve losing her best friend to such a devastating and deadly disease. I love you, girl.

Okay, the previous chapter got away from me. We'll finish up the wedding, the brief honeymoon and the inevitable starting the following chapter. We'll also alternate between Bella and Edward's POV.

Also, I do apologize for the delay in the update. My muse ... she's taken a vacation. I'm ready to kick her ass, but I'm hoping she'll come back soon so I can finish this story. We've got just a handful of chapters left. Thank you for your patience. Hugs!

Chapter Twenty-Five

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.