A/N: Hi, there! Thank you for the amazing response to chapter one; I was blown away by how many of you are reading. I hope you enjoy the second chapter. Enjoy the citrus :)

Faith, Hope, and Love

Chapter Two

I Turn to You

For a shield from the storm,
For a friend, for a love
to keep me safe and warm
I turn to you.
For the strength to be strong,
For the will to carry on
For everything you do,
for everything that's true
I turn to you.

-I Turn to You – Christina Aguilera

Renesmee

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes for a minute to try to get my nerves to calm down. I stood in front of the mirror in the makeshift bridal dressing room wringing my hands together as I waited for someone to come get me so I could marry Jake.

I opened my eyes and looked down at my ring. There was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to go through with it, but it had been a long time since I'd been so nervous about anything. The planning had gone so much smoother than either Jake or I could have hoped for. The month had turned out warmer than Jake and I had hoped, and there weren't many snowstorms on the forecast. We had first wanted to find some park somewhere for the day, but we decided not to push it and went with one of the churches in the area. The church itself was small, but it had a beautiful garden Jake and I would use for the ceremony, then we'd go inside for the reception.

Neither of us really cared if we kept to any specific tradition. After a few white dresses, I realized that I really hated them. I didn't want to wear anything pale since my skin was white enough. Instead, I finally decided on a dark purple, lacey dress that looked almost Celtic. The front had an empire neckline and looked a little like a laced-up corset. It had long sleeves with the kind of cuffs that drooped to my knees when I held my arms out. The skirt was long and flowing. My shoes were lighter purple, high-heeled sandals. Leah had begged me to let her do my hair. I gave in, of course, and she and Melanie helped me get ready.

Jake and I wanted to somehow honor our parents during the wedding. We decided to have some pictures printed so we could make a special place for them. I let him do that part and pick out the pictures while I dealt with the bouquets and catering. We'd used many of the same people Leah had for her wedding. Jacob hadn't wanted me to do the flowers, but I insisted. I knew exactly what I wanted, and I doubted if anyone else could get it right. I'd made the arrangements for each table different from one another, but my bouquet had a little of everything. Azaleas for abundance, hyacinths for sincerity, baby's breath for festivity, red and white roses for union, and red tulips for our declaration of love.

I took another deep breath and wondered what was taking everyone so long. I didn't want to be left alone anymore. I needed Jake. My heart was pounding hard against my chest, and my stomach turned with every breath. I knew it wasn't all nerves. I wanted to see my dad so badly it hurt in a way I hadn't felt in a long while. Every moment I didn't have something else to think about, another memory crept in. I had gone through exercise after exercise to stay calm and not break down on my wedding day, but it wasn't looking hopeful.

I fought the urge to run my fingers through my hair and sat down on the closest chair. I took a few more deep breaths and told myself I couldn't lose it. Not today. I remembered the way my dad would brush my hair then refuse to braid it. He'd said his braids always turned out lopsided. I'd tried to teach him on one of my dolls once, but it didn't do any good. After the situation with Greg when I was sixteen, my dad had promised me that someday I would find a good man who would love me. It had been awkward—what sixteen-year-old girl honestly wanted to talk to her dad about getting serious with a guy? I hadn't, but now I really wished I had. Just to say that I'd trusted him that much more than I really did.

I jumped when the door opened and looked up to see Joshua walk in. His two-year-old steps were wobbly, and he clapped his hands when he saw me.

"Hi!" he said loudly.

I smiled and waved. "Hi."

Leah came in after him. "It's time, sweetie."

My stomach heaved. I nodded and stood up. "Okay."

"Are you all right?"

"I want to be." I looked up and delicately wiped under my eyes. It would be just perfect to smear my makeup this close to my debut as Jake's wife. "I don't know. I'm scared, and I can't stop thinking about my dad."

Leah took my hand and squeezed tightly. "Jake just went out there, but I can get him if you need me to."

I nodded. "I need him."

"Okay. Watch Josh for me; I'll be right back." She stooped down and gave him a quick kiss before she ran out of the room.

I sat back down and lifted Joshua onto my lap. He leaned into me and grabbed a lock of my hair. "You're lucky, you know that, kid? You've got a wonderful mother and a loving father. Don't ever take that for granted."

A moment later, Jake and Leah came in. He looked so handsome in his tuxedo and bowtie.

"Ness, what's wrong?" Jake asked. I had to wonder what Leah told him; he looked really worried.

I put Joshua down, and he waddled over to his mom. She took his hand and led him out of the room before she shut the door. I stepped up to Jake and lifted my arms around his shoulders.

"I'm so sorry, Jake." I sniffled and tried to figure out how to get what I needed without smearing my makeup or getting any of it on his suit.

Jake pushed me back and framed my face with his hands to make me look at him. "Nessie, please tell me you're not changing your mind."

I laughed and shook my head as much as I could. "No, of course not. I just got thinking about my dad and that he can't give me away, and I wish he could be here to do it. My stomach hurts, and I'm not sure I can keep myself together."

He breathed a sigh of relief and sat down to pull me onto his lap. I had to pull my sleeve out from under me before I could relax. He kissed me and held me tightly. I did feel a little better now that I was close to him. "You can, baby. You've come such a long way, and I know you can do it. Do you think you'll be okay with the pictures?"

I nodded and reached down to get a tissue from the box on the floor. "Yeah, I'm sure they'll be fine. You believe they're here, don't you?"

He smiled and kissed me again. "Of course I do. My dad wouldn't miss this for the world, and I know yours wouldn't either. Remember how he checks on you often? This is your wedding. What better time to check on you?"

I dabbed under my eyes with the tissue. "Do you think I could walk down the aisle by myself?" Sam was going to do it, but somehow that just didn't feel right.

Jacob wiped an errant tear from my chin. "I think you could, yes. If you really want to, I'll let you."

I thought about asking him to do it, but I really didn't want that. I wanted to be alone with the memory of my dad as I gave myself to Jake. "I really want to."

He nodded. "Then you can. I'll talk to Sam. I love you, Ness."

I kissed him and got another tissue to wipe the lipstick off his lips. "I love you, too. I'm sorry I worried you and dragged you back here when everything was about to start."

"Don't be sorry, baby. I'd rather that than have you get scared or break down during the ceremony. I should get back there and let you come to me."

I smiled and nodded. "Good idea."

He helped me off his lap then stood up beside me. "You look great, by the way. So fucking beautiful."

My eyes widened. "Jacob, we're in a church. You shouldn't say that."

He pursed his lips. "You're right. I'm sorry. You're so fucking hot."

I snorted and pushed his shoulder. "Get out. I love you."

He squeezed my fingers. "Love you, too."

I took a few minutes to breathe while Jake got back in his place and calmed everyone down. I waited five minutes before Leah came in to get me. She kissed my cheek and hurried out to take her place next to her husband and son. I took one last deep breath before I got my bouquet and walked out.

Jacob was standing under a lattice arch in the church's garden. The bishop stood behind a small pulpit. Our guests were seated on folding chairs with an aisle down the middle of them. Everyone turned to look at me. My stomach turned again, but I pushed it aside and took the first step.

"Okay, Dad," I said softly to myself. I paid attention to each step. "Jake says you're here. I hope he's right." I wasn't used to talking to my dad unless Jake and I were at the cemetery. Even then, it was still a little weird. As I approached the front, I realized there were three empty seats in the front row, each with a picture propped up on them. I squeezed the bouquet hard as I finally stepped up to Jake. He smiled and put his hands over mine. I looked over at the empty seats. Jake had picked the most wonderful pictures to have blown up. He had one of his mother in a bright green dress that really showed off her eyes, and the one of his father dressed up in a suit. The one he picked of my dad was the one that had hung in his room. It was both my mom and dad, and he held her from behind with their hands on her pregnant stomach. My eyes watered, and I looked up at Jacob.

"Thank you," I mouthed. He just nodded a little bit and looked at the bishop.

Bishop Henry cleared his throat to get everyone's attention. "Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today in the presence of God to witness the union of holy matrimony between Jacob Eli Black and Renesmee Anne Masen."

I stared into Jacob's eyes as the bishop spoke about marriage. The way he looked back at me told me all I needed to know about how he felt. He had told me time and again that he was ready to get married and he wanted me to be his wife, but there had always been some small part of me that doubted it. Now, as we stood here and he watched me with his dark, intense eyes, I knew it was true.

We had decided to recite our own vows rather than repeat after someone. When the time came, Jacob squeezed my hands.

"Renesmee, I'm standing here in front of you today to promise my life to you. I promise to love you forever, through good times and bad, sickness and health, rich and poor, and all that bullshit. I promise to protect you and help you as best as I can as we both grow and overcome anything that stands in our way. I'm yours, baby. That's my solemn vow." He lifted my hand and kissed my knuckles.

I sniffled and took my hand back to wipe a tear away before I spoke. There was nothing better than the words Jake had just said. "Jake . . ." I cleared my throat. "Jacob Black, I am so in love with you. I promise to love you forever and never shut you out. I promise to be there for you for better or worse, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, forever. That's my solemn vow."

"Do you have the rings?" Bishop Henry asked.

Leah got up and helped Joshua hand us the rings. Tears clouded my vision and made it a little difficult to get Jake's on him, but we both managed.

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Jacob smirked before he pulled me close and kissed me. He didn't waste time deepening it. The thought that I was now Mrs. Black made me so happy. I dropped my bouquet and wrapped my arms tightly around his shoulders. I was vaguely aware of applause as I tried to think of ways to get Jake home as quickly as possible. Nobody would care if the bride and groom didn't show up to the reception, right?

We finally pulled apart what felt like hours later. Jacob steadied me and smiled as he wiped under my bottom lip. He had lipstick smeared on him, too. I stifled a laugh and kissed him again lightly. He picked up my bouquet for me, and we made our way inside to the gym where the reception was being held. The pictures went in with us and sat at a table Jacob had set up just for them.

Since I didn't like cake, Jake and I decided on a huge amount of brownies. We had some made plain the way I liked them, then some with frosting and nuts. Jacob insisted on keeping some sort of tradition, though, and we both laughed as we all but shoved the brownies into each other's mouths. I was lucky it wasn't the one with frosting, though, because the mess wasn't as sticky as it could have been. I was sure I had at least a half a brownie worth of crumbs down the front of my dress, though.

"I'll get them later," Jacob said with a wink. I smiled and kissed him, then we got some food and went to sit down at the front of the room. Everyone else got their plates and sat down. I leaned over a little and rested my head on Jake's shoulder. He kissed my head.

"How are you?" he asked. "Your skin? We were out a little longer than I'd anticipated."

I smiled and looked up at him. "I'm fine. Not even a tingle. How are you?"

He shrugged the shoulder I wasn't on. "I feel like the luckiest bastard that ever lived. Oh, wait. I am."

I stretched up to kiss his lips. "You still have lipstick on you."

He nodded. "So do you."

"Yeah, but I was wearing it to begin with."

"It just means I haven't kissed you enough yet." He did it again. "I love you."

"I love you, too. You should try the shrimp. They're really good." I held one up for him and let him eat it.

"Not bad. Not as good as you, though."

I blushed. "You'll get plenty of me later tonight."

"I know I will."

We ate for a few minutes and listened to the chatter around the room. I knew there would be some toasts, but I wasn't sure when they would start or who would start them. I noticed Leah gesturing to Jake about something, and he shook his head slightly. She glared at him. He sighed. I was confused for a second before he stood up.

"I guess it's time to say a few words to my wife." I smiled to myself. He reached down and took my hand to pull me up with him. "It's weird to say that. My wife. Nessie, if any woman could convince me to get married, it's you. No one else is as patient, kind, or as loving as you. I'm proud to call you my wife and I will do my damndest to be the kind of husband you deserve. I love you, baby." He kissed my knuckles.

I blushed at the thought of everyone staring at me. I decided to just look at him when I spoke. "I love you, too, Jake. I can't even tell you how long I've waited for this. You once told me that if I could see in myself what you saw, I'd know there's a lot to protect. You might not think you'll be a very good husband, but I know otherwise. If you could see what I see, you'd know it, too. I really look forward to proving it to you."

He smirked, but I swear I saw tears in his eyes as he leaned down to kiss me again. Leah was the first to stand up after Jake and I had sat down. Jake shifted in his seat like he was making himself more comfortable. I noticed the smile of anticipation on his lips.

"First of all, Jake, let me just say that it sure took you long enough. I'm glad you got it together, though. You two deserve each other and belong together. It was obvious even from the first time I saw you with her that she was different for you. Ness, seeing you today gives me hope that anything can be overcome with enough time, love, and patience. I'm so glad you two found each other. Cheers to a long, happy, and productive life together."

Jacob chuckled and raised his glass. "Thanks, Leah."

I got a little excited when he didn't get upset about the obvious meaning of Leah's last sentence. I knew children were still far away, but it seemed we got a little closer each year. Sam got up next and shared a few thoughts about how much he'd seen Jake mature over the last two years. I saw him smirk out of the corner of my eye. More of our friends got up after him. My chest swelled with the thought of how many good friends Jake and I really had. Even Lisa was my friend. Her evil twin Jamie was a different story, though. Their older sister Geraldine still tried to flirt with Jacob every single time we saw her. It had first annoyed me, but I learned to laugh at the way he would blatantly ignore her. It made me feel good.

I was nervous when we went to have our dance. Jake and I had debated for weeks over which song we would use. We eventually came up with a playlist and picked a song that pretty much summed up our whole relationship. We stood in the middle of the makeshift dance floor, Jake's hands holding my waist lightly and mine resting on his shoulders, as the first strains of I Turn to You by Christina Aguilera started. I still didn't like the idea of dancing in front of people, especially when I was pretty much the center of everyone's focus, but I kept my eyes on his and tried to block everything else out. Jacob pulled me a little closer and dipped his head to kiss my ear.

"I love you, baby," he said softly.

I shivered and turned my head to look at him. "I love you, too."

He kissed my lips and put his forehead against mine as we continued to move. He smirked and started to sing along with some of the lines. I smiled and tightened my arms around his shoulders. For all I knew, we could be back in our living room, dancing in our pajamas. I relaxed more and just let myself be with him. When our dance was over, everyone else joined in. A couple songs later, Sam asked if he could cut in. Jacob reluctantly stepped aside, and I tensed again as I reached up and held Sam's shoulders. Over the years, he and I had gotten closer. We were so much alike in a lot of ways, and I think it was part of what made us such good friends.

"Congratulations, Nessie," he said with a smile.

I smiled back. "Thank you."

I wasn't nearly as graceful as I had pretended to be with Jacob. I tripped over my shoe, but Sam caught me. I laughed nervously.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

I nodded. "Yeah, I'm just clumsy."

He chuckled and tightened his arm around my waist. "Knock it off; you can't be clumsy at your wedding."

"Thank you coming, Sam."

He nodded. "You know I wouldn't miss it."

"I'm sorry I changed plans on you right before everything started. It wasn't because I didn't want you to give me away; I just—"

"I know, Nessie. I'm not upset about it. Jake told me you wanted to have that time with your dad."

"Yeah. I wish so badly he could be here to see this. He'd love Jake." I couldn't even count how many times I'd said that over the last two years, but it never seemed to get old. As much as I knew that my dad would approve or think the world of Jake, I still wanted to hear it from him. My eyes watered again, and I leaned in to put my forehead on Sam's shoulder. "I'm sorry."

Sam rubbed my back. "It's okay, Ness."

We danced together until the end of the song, then Jacob came back to get me. He furrowed his brow and wiped under my eye when I reached up to hold his shoulders.

"What happened?"

"Nothing happened. I was just talking to Sam about how I wished my dad were here."

He nodded and pulled me close to him. We stayed on the dance floor through a few more songs until I noticed Jake start to tense up. I had a feeling he'd had about enough of socializing. We went back to the tables and ate a little more before I threw the bouquet and Jake threw my garter. Jamie caught the bouquet, and I couldn't help but silently wish her a bitter good luck. There was a reason she hadn't found a man yet, and that reason was her nastiness. Seth caught the garter.

Soon after, Jake told me he was ready to get home. I was eager as well. It wasn't just for the wedding night, although I really was looking forward to it. It was everything that this night meant for us. Our first night as husband and wife. The thought sent a happy shiver up my spine. We packed up the pictures and some food and made sure everyone else took some, too, then we left after Jake assured me for the fifteenth time that we had someone to clean everything up for us.

When we got home, the sun was just starting to set. Jacob insisted we leave everything in the car so he could carry me over the threshold.

"Isn't that kind of silly?" I asked him before we got out of the car. "A new husband does that because his wife is just moving in with him."

He took my hand and kissed my knuckles. "Do you really think that's going to stop me?"

I smiled. "No."

We got out and he held my hand again as we walked up to the door. "Besides, you may have been living with me for a while, but this is the first time you're coming home as Mrs. Black." He scooped me up and stepped in the house. He set me down in the middle of the living room. "Welcome home, my wife."

I shivered with delight. "Thank you, my husband."

His arms were rough as he pulled me closer and kissed me again. It was deep and needy, and I really wished we were naked already. I tugged on his bowtie to loosen it and started to unbutton his shirt. He stopped me before I could make it past three buttons.

"As much as I want to strip you and fuck you right now, we have to at least get shit put away and let Faith in."

I blushed and remembered the little outfit I had picked out for tonight. "Okay." I got one more kiss before he went to get the stuff from the car and I went to let Faith in. She was almost literally vibrating with excitement. I gave her kisses and hugs and told her not to chew on my dress. The thought that she could accidentally ruin it made me want to get out of it as soon as possible. I helped Jake put everything away, fed Faith some of meats from the wedding, then we went back to the bedroom.

Although Jake and I made love almost every day, there was something so special about this night. I watched him as he undressed and couldn't help but smile at the thought that he really was mine now. My claim on him was so much more substantial than it ever had been before. His ring caught the light, and I started to feel a little choked up.

"Are you going to stare at me all night?" Jake asked.

I laughed. "Maybe. You're very handsome."

He slipped his pants down and stepped out of them. Underneath, he was wearing a pair of black silk boxers with a little rose on the bottom of the left thigh. His erection was already obvious. I licked my lips.

"You either need to take that off or come over here and let me do it for you."

I took a deep breath and went to him. I found myself wishing my dress was the kind that I needed help getting out of, but it wasn't. "I'm going to change." I gave him a kiss. "Stay right here."

He nodded and laid on his back on the bed, his legs stretched out and his arms folded under his head. I couldn't help but look him over one more time before I went to get my outfit and change in the bathroom.

I slipped the dress off and hung it delicately on the hanger I'd brought with me, then I stepped out of my underwear and put on the light purple thong. The dress I put on was sheer and a lighter purple than my wedding dress. It had thin spaghetti straps and a little ruffle at the bottom near the tops of my thighs. I smoothed the fabric over my stomach and looked at myself in the mirror. Even I had to admit it looked good. The cups weren't see-through like the rest of it, but they conformed so well to my breasts that they left very little to the imagination. I took the clips out of my hair and brushed it out, then I shook my head and tried to fluff it up a bit.

"Are you okay in there?" Jake asked.

I smoothed the dress down one last time before I turned to the door. "Yes. I'm coming out now." I had absolutely no reason to be nervous. This was Jake; we had made love in so many ways and so many places. He knew everything there was to know about me, and I him. The only thing that had changed was now we were married. It seemed like such a huge change, though. It felt like everything we had worked for the last two years had led us here, and now I wasn't sure how to act. I thought maybe I should try to be seductive and dance a little bit for him, but I still wasn't comfortable with that. I could dance, but not the way I knew he really wanted me to.

I forced myself to open the door and take a step out. Jake was sitting on the bed. He smiled and held out his hand. I went to him and put my hand in his. He pulled me down on his lap and kissed me.

"You are so beautiful, Nessie." He kissed me again. "So sexy."

My nervousness melted away as he leaned back and shifted to hover over me. I was still me and he was still Jake. My hands skimmed over his tanned arms up to his shoulders. "I love you."

"I love you, too, baby." He kissed me down to my breasts and slowly uncovered each one. He took his time giving them attention before he continued moving down over my stomach. My hips moved on their own as he got between my legs. He didn't take the panties off, he just pushed them to the side before he leaned in and licked me. I cried out and grabbed the pillow. He didn't rush himself or me as he worked me up to an orgasm. My back arched and I grabbed his hair, crying out again as ecstasy swept through me. He kissed my body back up to my lips.

He got up briefly to take his boxers off and get a condom. When he came back to me, he kissed my cheek. "I want you on top, babe."

I smiled and sat up. I put the condom on for him and rubbed his erection for a moment before I climbed on top. He squeezed my breasts and moaned as I set a rhythm. I put my hands over his and leaned into him, using his strength to hold me up as I got more into it. He moved his hips with me, meeting me in my descent. I threw my head back and moaned loudly. He let go of my breasts and grabbed my hips to pull me down harder. I put my hands on his chest for leverage and let him guide my movements.

"Oh, shit, Ness . . . cum for me, baby," he begged. "Cum on my dick."

I loved it when he spoke to me like that. "I'm so fucking close, Jake. Just don't stop." Over time, I had tried to loosen my tongue when we made love. I knew he loved it when I talked dirty or swore, so I had tried to do it more often. Soon, my body began to tighten up. I noticed Jake get tense as well. I froze for a moment before the release hit, stronger than it had before. My hips jerked as I all but screamed from pleasure. Jacob pulled me down to him roughly and flipped us over to finish on top of me. He growled into my ear and kissed my neck.

We were both panting heavily when he pulled away to get rid of the condom. I snuggled up to him when he came back. He kissed my forehead.

"I love you, my wife," he said softly.

I smiled and leaned up on my elbow to look at him. "I love you, too, my husband." It still felt amazing to say it. I grinned. "Can you believe we're really married?"

He pushed my hair back behind my shoulder and held up his left hand to play with his ring. "Not really. It seems surreal, you know?"

I nodded and kissed his lips. "I know what you mean. I wonder how long it will take to get used to being a wife."

He chuckled. "We'll be a typical married couple before you know it, complete with arguments and nagging."

"I don't nag you."

"No, but you will. Give it time." He pulled me close. "As long as we don't become one of those couples that never has sex, we'll be good."

I kissed his neck and lifted my leg over his. "I'm pretty sure we don't have to worry about that."

He hummed. "I think I should fuck you again now, just for good measure."

"I think that's a good idea."

A/N: Thank you for reading!

You may have noticed that I removed the banner links from my profile. You can still find them and other fic artwork/pictures at my website, sheewolf85 . weebly . com (remove the spaces) under the artwork tab.

For those of you reading Blood Moon, I have also created a playlist website for that fic. You can find it at bloodmoonplaylist . weebly . com. When I get around to it, I will be adding a playlist for Faith, Hope, and Love to the Give Me a Sign playlist site, givemeasignplaylist . weebly . com.

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