The wedding had been perfect. I'll never forget how I felt that day…seeing myself in the white dress, Charlie holding my arm as I walked down the aisle, locking eyes with Edward, the swell of emotion I felt when he said "I do", waltzing in the moonlight. It was all still so surreal to me. I mentally kicked myself for being so ridiculous about his marriage request. I had always wanted him. Of course I would marry him. I would take back all of my protesting, and all the pain I had caused him in doing so, if it were possible. I can't even describe how I felt when he recited his vows to me. The intensity of the love I felt at that moment was overwhelming. But in his…in our bathroom on our wedding night, that love had been replaced with overwhelming anxiety.

The Cullens had all left after the reception, leaving Edward and me alone for the night. We would leave the next day for our honeymoon, but tonight we would stay in Forks. Edward wanted to take me to some fancy hotel, but I insisted that I'd rather stay at his house. I didn't want the events of our wedding night to take place in some strange place, in some strange bed. He carried me bridal style up to our room and I excused myself for a human moment. So there I sat on the bathroom floor in my wedding dress, knees pulled up to my chest, completely freaking out. The longer I sat there, the worse I felt. I had no idea how girls did this without even thinking twice about it. Edward was the love of my life, my husband and I was finding it maddeningly difficult. I didn't understand! This was my one demand, the one human experience that I wanted. I was nauseated. I was hyperventilating. I knew Edward could hear me and that made it worse. I had expected him to have knocked on the door already, but he hadn't. Maybe he needed the time alone, too. I knew that, if I could have just brought myself to leave that bathroom, being near him would have settled my fears. I tried to give myself a pep talk. Bella, Edward loves you. He is your husband. You will not be doing this alone. But I was interrupted by a soft knock at the door.

"Bella…love…are you ok?" he asked. I didn't know how to answer. I felt silly, embarrassed, and still nauseated all at the same time.

"I'm fine," I lied, knowing he would see through it.

"You're not fine…I'm starting to worry about you. May I…may I come in?"

"No, please…I'm fine. Just…give me a moment."

"Bella…I love you. Please? Please let me in?" I could hear the strain in his voice and I knew I couldn't resist him.

"Ok," I said, burying my head against my knees and covering my face with my arm. I heard the door creak open and I felt him beside me, his arm across my back. He pulled me close to him and I allowed my head to rest on his chest.

"Bella, it's ok sweetheart. Breathe…slowly." I tried to do as instructed. A few moments passed. "Are you alright?"

"Isn't this what you wanted? For me to be afraid of this?" Where did that even come from? Now he will never allow it!

"I wanted you to consider the situation, the risks, the dangers. I wanted you to make an informed decision. I didn't want you to…be in distress." I could hear the pain in his voice that I'm sure he was trying to conceal. Now he thinks you don't want him. Nice, Bella. I already felt a little better with him so close to me. I looked up at him and smiled. He was still partially dressed in his tuxedo. His shirt was partially untucked and unbuttoned at the top, his tie hung loosely from his neck, and his jacket had been removed. I couldn't recall ever seeing him so disheveled. I found it very attractive.

"Oh God, Edward! I'm sorry. I don't know what's wrong with me! I can't believe I'm acting like this. Is it possible to die from embarrassment?"

"Fortunately, no. Otherwise, we would all be deceased," he said, chuckling quietly. I smiled at him and he continued. "Bella, we don't have to do this," he said with genuine concern, his hand rubbing my back.

"No, it's not that…I want to. I'm just so very nervous, and the longer I sit here, the more reasons I think of to be nervous."

"I know. Believe me, I know. So am I. But…it's just us, sweetheart. We'll take this slow. If it doesn't happen tonight, that's fine. But I will not have you spending our wedding night hyperventilating in the bathroom." He stood and grabbed my hands, pulling me up with him. His room was lit by candlelight and soft music played in the background. Pulling me close to him, he whispered, "Dance with me, Isabella Cullen" and my heart skipped a beat.

"I will never tire of that," I whispered.

"Good. Because I will repeat it for eternity. You have no idea how happy it makes me to hear your name and mine together." This moment was perfect. We swayed in the candlelight, alone, new husband and wife. He twirled me out and pulled me close again, pressing his forehead to mine. "You are an exquisite creature," he said, tucking a lock of hair behind my ears. Then he took my face in his hands, brushed my cheeks lightly with his thumbs, and kissed me so passionately that I forgot why I'd been so nervous.