chapter┊ ✦. :: thirty nine
♡ ﹙ happy ever after﹚ ❋ ˚ ݂ ꛒ

[ S I X • M O N T H S • L A T E R ]

—Edward, that doesn't go there. I've told you a million times it goes on the other side," Alice said to her brother, clearly annoyed.

Edward looked at her, not understanding. He almost felt like rolling his eyes and sighing, but he restrained himself.

"No, you told me it goes right here. That's why I put it right here," he replied with a slightly grumpy tone.

Alice sighed tiredly but then smiled.

"Everything has to be perfect. I've been organizing this for over a year, and none of you are going to ruin it. This will be the perfect wedding Lydia and Carlisle deserve."

"What do I do with these things?" Emmett asked from inside the house, holding up a blue plastic box.

Alice seemed even more irritated than before.

"We'll put them in the trees and then hang the lights. Is that so hard to understand? The blue boxes have the lights, the green ones have artificial flowers, the pink ones have crystals, and the yellow ones have other decorations. The natural flowers will arrive in two hours. I've repeated this ten times in the last fifteen minutes. Is anyone even paying attention to me?" She shook her head while placing her hands on her hips. Then she entered the house and smiled upon seeing Maven running past with Seth chasing him. She then went upstairs to Carlisle's room and knocked a couple of times.

"Come in," Rosalie's voice responded.

Alice entered, glancing back to make sure no one was nearby. She closed the door behind her and looked eagerly at Lydia, who was trying on her wedding dress for the final adjustments.

Lydia gazed at herself in the improvised mirrors and could hardly believe what she saw. She had never felt so beautiful in her entire life. She was truly happy.

It was a long, lace-filled white dress with a long train, long sleeves, and a sweetheart neckline. There was some beading adorning the train, gradually fading as it moved up, giving it a sparkling touch. The veil was also quite long but in harmony with the dress, not overshadowing it. Lydia still remembered the dress she was going to marry Jonah in, and she couldn't recall ever feeling as happy and excited as she did at that moment. This was her dream dress.

"Doesn't she look beautiful?" Esme asked with a smile.

Alice nodded enthusiastically, a wide grin from ear to ear.

"She's the most beautiful bride in the universe. Carlisle won't be able to contain his excitement."

Lydia felt tears welling up in her eyes; she couldn't handle so much emotion and happiness at once.

"I warn you, tomorrow I won't allow you to cry," Rosalie said, still adjusting some details of the dress. "Once I put on your makeup, I don't want you to ruin it."

Lydia let out a laugh. "Alright, I'm sorry."

"By the way, the painter confirmed he'll be here tomorrow at nine in the morning to set up all his things," Esme said with a short laugh.

"Carlisle said if he ever got married, he didn't want a photo, he wanted a hand-painted portrait by an artist in the moment. And it seems that after all this time, his dream will come true," Rose joked. "He'll probably hang it in the main entrance for everyone to see—although I wouldn't mind at all."

The four girls laughed. Lydia felt a bit embarrassed; she had never been painted before, and she was quite nervous about seeing the final result. But it was also true that it was the only thing Carlisle had asked of her: to have a painting of the two of them in oil.

Then they heard what sounded like a bunch of glass breaking.

"I swear I'll kill them," Alice said, quite desperate, as she rushed out of the room.

"I think I'll go with her before they drive her crazy," Esme said and followed Alice.

"Don't worry," Rosalie began, "tomorrow everything will be perfect."

"I know, I'm sure Alice won't let anyone ruin it," Lydia smiled. "But I'm quite nervous, actually. I still can't believe that tomorrow we're getting married. We really are."

Rosalie smiled with a certain tenderness.

"You deserve it. More than anyone else in the world, you deserve to be happy," she left the needle and thread she was using on the table, "I hope it's what you wanted. I've never put so much effort into making a dress."

Lydia felt her eyes welling up with tears again.

"It's perfect, Rose. Thank you so much."

"It's nothing, but you better take it off now so it doesn't get ruined. Need any help?"

"No, I think I can manage on my own."

"Alright. Dinner will be ready soon, so don't take too long."

Rosalie left the room, leaving Lydia alone. Lydia sighed as she continued to look at herself; she really loved it. Finally, she took off her heels and removed the dress to change into something else. They hadn't let any of the guys see the dress since it was a complete surprise, and Carlisle was especially dying of curiosity, but he managed to resist.

When Lydia reached the ground floor, Maven crashed into her legs, and Lydia lifted him into her arms. Then Seth appeared, who had been in charge of taking care of him while everyone else helped with the preparations.

Just then, Carlisle entered with Evander, both having been in charge of setting up the tables for the guests in the garden. He approached his fiancée and son, leaving a kiss on each of their foreheads. Carlisle couldn't believe he was about to marry the woman of his dreams and the mother of his son. Did he really deserve it? Absolutely.

That night, the guys took Carlisle hunting, and Rosalie took care of Maven so Lydia could have a quiet and peaceful night to rest. Alice had organized a small spa night at home for her, with a nice bubble bath, scented candles, and plenty of facial products.

It was almost impossible for her to sleep that night, but she did. She didn't really need it anymore, but she always felt much better when she did.

She woke up when someone knocked on her door. It was already light outside, so it was probably around eight or nine in the morning.

"Come in," she said groggily from her place.

She smiled when she saw Rosalie and Alice.

"Good morning," Alice greeted excitedly. "It's time to get started."

"So early?" Lydia asked, flopping back onto the bed.

"Yes, this will take us a few hours. And I still have to make sure everything downstairs is in order."

Lydia sighed and then released a big yawn as she stretched her whole body.

"Where's Maven? I'd like to give him his morning kiss."

"He's having breakfast with Esme, she'll bring him over as soon as he's done."

"Alright."

She finally got out of bed and looked out the window at the garden decorations. Everything looked more than perfect.

It was a long process. Lydia first entered the bathtub, and when she came out, Alice even had her underwear ready. She couldn't help feeling a bit embarrassed by how provocative it looked.

"Alice, I really don't think this is necessary."

"Of course it is. You two will have your honeymoon properly, and we

'll take care of Maven. Don't worry about anything else; you know he'll be just fine with us."

"Honeymoon?" she looked at her almost in panic. "Was Carlisle okay with that?"

"He actually just found out too. Evander was the one supposed to tell him."

Lydia smiled, unsure of what else to say, and finished putting on her underwear and a robe.

"I'll take care of the rest," Rosalie said. "You can go make sure everything is in order."

"Alright, but I'll be back later."

"We'll be here."

Alice left the room. Rosalie started with the hairstyle and then moved on to the makeup. Almost half an hour after they started, Esme appeared with Maven. The boy was wearing a beautiful suit that Lydia didn't know about, but it was identical to Carlisle's.

Esme didn't stay long; she also had to help with the final details and get ready herself. She took Maven with her, but Seth would come later to look after him.

Nearly four hours later, Lydia was ready. Only the dress was left. She wanted to start crying, but Rosalie would kill her if she did.

"I'll be back in a moment to help you with the dress; I just need to get a few things from my room."

"Alright."

Rosalie left the room, and Lydia stood up. She couldn't remember the last time she had been so nervous. She stared at the dress lying on the bed. She still remembered when they had told the family they wanted to get married finally but wanted something more private, just with them present. Alice didn't allow it for a second. She swore they would have the most spectacular wedding in history. No one was able to break Alice's illusions and enthusiasm, so they agreed. Besides, after the disaster with Bella's wedding, they wanted Alice to feel a bit happier.

Although Carlisle didn't express it out loud, he was very grateful to Alice because he also longed for a big wedding. He had a great need to give Lydia the whole world because that's what she was to him. His whole world. And he wanted everyone to see it.

Rosalie returned with Alice, both smiling conspiratorially, and Lydia looked at them with curiosity.

"Is everything okay?"

"Everything's perfect."

"We bring your first wedding gift. It's from Carlisle."

Rosalie showed her a small square white box with a pretty black bow. Lydia took it with curiosity and quickly opened it. It was a bracelet, but not just any bracelet.

"It's a rather rare stone; I don't even remember what it's called, but it has the family crest carved into it. We all have it; Alice and I have a necklace, Esme, Carlisle, and Evander have a ring, and the boys have a bracelet."

"It's beautiful, thank you so much," she put on the lovely bracelet and hugged both girls.

"Then, it's time for the dress."

She nodded excitedly.

"I'm ready."

🫀

Carlisle approached Seth, who was carrying Maven. The boy had become something like Maven's babysitter when no one else could be with him. Of course, Seth had no problem with that; he loved spending time with Maven and now also with Maggie.

He held his son in his arms, the boy looking even more adorable now that he was with his father, and it was clear they were wearing the same suit design.

The Denalis approached to greet; they wanted to joke about the last time they celebrated a wedding, but they knew it would only spoil the mood. Kate was holding Garret's hand, and everyone couldn't help but notice the wedding ring she was wearing.

Benjamin was also present and was more than amazed looking at all the truly beautiful decorations they had put on the trees surrounding the Cullen house.

Everyone agreed it was like stepping into a fantasy dream. It was simply perfect and wonderful.

Carlisle saw Alice and Rosalie approaching with big smiles, indicating that everything was ready for the big moment.

This time it was Evander who carried Maven and took him to his place next to Esme. Behind them was Jacob, who carried his daughter, the girl wearing a very pretty lavender dress.

And the music started playing. Everyone stood up to watch Lydia make her entrance. Emmett was by her side, holding her firmly to prevent her from tripping. Lydia had asked him to accompany her on the walk down the aisle, and the big man was almost crying with so much emotion that he almost let go to cry at that moment. Of course, he accepted happily.

Carlisle looked at her, mesmerized; he could hardly believe that she was his future wife. If he could cry, he probably would be doing it right now. He couldn't look anywhere else but at the beautiful figure of Lydia walking directly towards him.

Lydia's cheeks already hurt from smiling so much; she couldn't look at anyone else but the man waiting for her at the end of the aisle.

It was a very pleasant ceremony, and this time there were no interruptions. Later, the party began, starting with the bride and groom's dance.

Carlisle and Lydia took to the center of the dance floor, where a beautiful version of "Until I Found You" played on violin and piano live. Lydia suppressed her tears and focused solely on Carlisle, her now husband.

"There are not enough words to tell you how much I love you, Lydia," Carlisle spoke to her in a low voice.

She smiled.

"I understand," she laughed, "because I love you the same way, Carlisle. I love you more than anything in the world, you and Maven."

Carlisle gently kissed her lips. Some lights came up from the ground, and when they stopped, a rain of small fabric butterflies began to fall from the sky. It was simply a magical and perfect moment.

"So, you're now formally Mrs. Cullen," Carlisle said with a big smile.

"It seems so. I think I like it, Mrs. Cullen. I don't think I'll get tired of it soon."

"I won't ever let you get tired of it."

The party continued quite smoothly. Everyone seemed to be having fun, even Maven, who had his turn to dance with his mother. In the middle of the party, they took a seat for a moment for the speeches. Even Charlie stepped up to say a few words.

Lilian was not present. Lydia actually preferred it that way; she wasn't ready to fully involve her in the family yet, and that was okay. The only thing she really regretted with all her heart was that her parents weren't present.

When it was over, Lydia and Carlisle went to change into something more comfortable and lighter. Lydia's dress was very heavy because of its size, but it was undoubtedly worth it, and in reality, now that she had much more strength, she didn't mind at all.

Both said goodbye to their son, who was already more asleep than awake after such a tiring day, and promised him they would be back soon.

The couple got into Carlisle's car, and the man started driving. Lydia took his hand, intertwining their fingers, still feeling that euphoria and happiness that ran through her from head to toe.

"Before the trip, we'll make a stop so you can see a gift we prepared among all of us."

She looked at him curiously.

"You know I don't

need any other gifts, right?"

Carlisle let out a laugh.

"Sorry to disappoint you, but this gift thing has just begun," he glanced at her quickly, "there's a bandage in the glove compartment; I need you to put it on. We're not far."

She frowned but complied with the order. As he said, it didn't take long before the car stopped. Carlisle opened the door and helped her out, but Lydia didn't take more than two steps when the man lifted her into his arms.

They walked for a short while until Carlisle put her down, and she heard a door opening behind them.

"Ready, you can take off the bandage now," he said.

She did. The room was quite dark, illuminated only by some candles, but she recognized the place where they were. It was her parents' house, where she had gone to live when she arrived in Forks. Although it looked somewhat different, in a good way.

"I know you wanted us to have our own space, and I thought this house would be the perfect place. Esme helped me with a complete remodel, although everyone helped. We added a new room for Maven and a small studio."

Lydia smiled and, without thinking twice, hugged her husband. How good that word sounded. Husband.

"I love it, Carlisle. Thank you so much."

"We'll love it, Mrs. Cullen. I won't let you get tired of it."

She smiled again.

"I'll make sure you don't."

Carlisle lifted her into his arms again.

"Now, I think it's better to start enjoying our wedding night."

"I would love that," she bit her lip, trying to contain her smile, but that turned out to be impossible.

They both headed to the master bedroom, which was also filled with candles and flowers everywhere.

It was a truly special and unforgettable night for both of them. And it was only the first of many others. They would be happy until their lives came to an end, and even after that, they would reunite in their next life if it existed. But undoubtedly, they would always be together. Anywhere and anytime, they would love each other as intensely as if it were their last breath.

Maybe happy endings did exist. And not only that, but they would be a very happy family together with Maven and the other Cullens.

THE END