This is a nice and long chapter for you guys, so hopefully it should make up for the fact that I forgot to update for two days... sorry.

I don't have much else to say, so ...

READ ON!


6. Speeches

Dinner was amazing. The Cullens served as waiters, bringing out the delicious entree to me and Edward first. Apparently we needed to eat some before the rest of the guest could touch their plates. I took a tiny bite, mindful of my dress, and Edward surprised me when he too swallowed down a lump of the entree.

If I hadn't been wearing the dress, I think I would've eaten it for him. It was a gorgeous tart that the ingredients I couldn't name for the life of me, much less cook. The pastry melted and the filling was so intricately flavoured and balanced and rich. The salad beside was gorgeously dressed and it too had a myriad of ingredients fitting together so perfectly despite their range. There were some candied nuts, feta, pine nuts, pear, lettuce and a bunch of other stuff that I didn't get in my tiny mouthful.

We went around the tables, Edward and I, talking as everyone ate, and only returning so we could take a bite of the main then continue. That too was too gorgeous, filet mignon with amazing vegetables. I felt sorry for vegetarians.

Walking around being congratulated wasn't nearly as tiresome as the hugs. Now I could move to where I wanted, able to respond to a beckon by others when one conversation dragged, apologising and pulling away.

Mike, Jessica, Lauren, Tyler, Angela, and Ben sat together at one table, the rest of our grade on the other. They all congratulated me, all extremely dapper in their formal clothes. I very quickly exchanged compliments with the girls before Jess started babbling about how gorgeous the place was, how good the food was, how... I quickly excused myself. Angela gave me a warm smile and a subtle eye-roll at Lauren and Jess. I nodded.

Edward was – for once – just as talkative as I was. Sometime he was with me, holding onto my waist, as we made small talk with the guest. Other times he moved off without me, nodding or talking avidly with someone.

I spent a lot of time with the wolves. I ended up sneaking them my plate of food, all but untouched, and they battled with each other over it. Their banter was achingly familiar. I tried to experience as much as I could. Soon, too soon, I'd never be able to see them again. After I was changed they would want nothing to do with me – that is if they don't try to kill me. Jake joined in, but his jokes were rather more morbid, the laughter that resulted somewhat forced. I didn't fail to notice his eyes were almost always trained on me.

I was just about to leave the wolves' table (Jake's gaze was becoming uncomfortable, and I would not allow the guilt to ruin this day) when Alice approached me. Paul couldn't help but wrinkle his nose, Quil, Embry and Sam nodded at her. They had fought with her before, when they were fighting newborns. She'd earned their respect – if not their trust.

"Bella, come on, it's time to cut the cake!" she squealed.

"Finally"

"Yes"

"God I'm hungry"

I laughed at the wolves; they could probably each eat a horse then request a cow afterwards. I had to admit, I was jealous of their metabolism. My stomach growled a little. The water I found (the punch was surprising un-thirst-quenching, like ginger ale) wasn't enough. I promised myself a slice of cake, a small one – the dress was too tight.

The cake was spectacular. It was at least four foot high, beautifully white, little ropes of icing along the bases of each level, and white garlands of icing around the top. Then over the already gorgeous cake was icing flowers and leaves, looking almost exactly like the ones that decorated almost every surface.

I posed with Edward, both of us holding the colossal knife. When all the photos were taken and the first slice cut Edward manoeuvred the knife as far from me as possible.

"Remember what happened the last time you were around a cake knife?"

I remembered all too well, and shuddered, but my mood immediately brightened again when Esme presented me with a smaller slice of the cake I had just cut and a spoon. I shoved a bite into my mouth and almost groaned, it was a deliciously moist chocolate mud cake, and the little icing flowers tasted sweet and had the perfume of the flower they imitated.

I took another spoonful, grinning as I shoved it into Edward's mouth. He swallowed manfully, his returning smile mischievous before he too fed me a piece like a baby, making aeroplane noises and saying, "Open the hangar."

Esme passed out the cake while Alice snapped more photos of Edward and me eating the cake. Alice gave Edward a little speech how he was not to try and put the cake on my face after I took a spoon to the cheek. Of course Alice had come out with a napkin and more bronze blush for my cheek.

I was grateful when jasper whisked her away, forcing cake into her mouth, to which she retaliated with a larger piece. Emmett pulled Rosalie away from the cake too, joking that she needed to keep her figure. She swatted him playfully; he pushed her into her chair.

Edward pulled me after them, and I sat at the table for the first time longer than a minute. Everyone seemed to take our actions as an example, carrying their cake-bearing plates to their designated seats.

All the Cullens had one table, and our closest neighbour held the Denalis. I frowned when a particular guest took a seat at our table. I guess she was technically one of the Cullens now, and she was family, but I still felt that irrational annoyance at her presence. Her being here defied the logic of my presence, made me feel like I didn't belong, and turned on a hose of guilt in me. I had technically taken her life, despite the fact she didn't know of it.

Of course, my effort to be civil to her wasn't aided by her looks. Like any vampire, Izzy was gorgeous, her pale skin pink with a subtle rouge, her thick lips peach, her big eyes framed by thick, long lashes. Her eyes were a strange shade, maroon on close inspection – a result of brown contacts over her shining red eyes.

Her black dress was gorgeous, contrasting strikingly with her white skin. It held a plunging V-neck, was loose to her knee, and banded tightly around her tiny waist, a silver flower pendant at the front.

I hadn't seen her at all until now, and could understand why she had decided to stay away. She was shy, and didn't know the Denali's well enough to hide with them in their corner. She did attract attention, a strange girl no one had seen before and was just as beautiful as all the other Cullens. Looking around I could see Mike was staring at her, as well as a few other of my year, but those weren't the eyes that concerned me. Jake was staring – glaring – at her. The last time they had met he had come away with most of the bones in the left side of his body crushed.

She might not have noticed the gazes yet, but looked uncomfortable, which distracted me from my un-provoked dislike. She looked like she was trying to hide behind the curtain of her silky, wavy hair, and when she sat she placed a plate on the table, poking at a piece of cake with her spoon.

She noticed my staring, looking up and smiling sheepishly. "It feels weird – you know – to not want to eat it."

She poked at the icing for emphasis, unconsciously wrinkling her nose.

"No, I don't know," I answered, smiling genuinely at her for once, "but I will soon."

I turned to Edward grinning, he rolled his eyes.

I heard a clinking sound, and looked up curiously until everyone else seemed to join in with the tinkling. There was only one explanation, speeches. I didn't know whether to be excited or to groan in embarrassment – but I starting leaning towards the latter when I saw it was Emmett at the seemingly forest-made podium, tapping at the microphone.

"Is this on?" His voice sounded like it was right beside me, speaking normally rather than booming from a speaker nearby. I wondered where Alice had hidden the speakers.

"Well, as Edward's best man, I'd just like to say that I'm proud of you bro, you finally managed to catch one. And to my new sister, I'd like to propose a toast. Bella I hope you've got enough sleep these last eighteen years, because you won't be getting anymore for a while!" He laughed, and I shot a look to Charlie, who was glaring at Edward.

Emmett strode off the podium, grinning at me. I knew the meaning behind his words, but he knew exactly how everyone else would interpret it.

At my fuming Emmett only wiggled his eyebrows. I contemplating making his knee give out.

Instead I watched as Alice danced up to the stage, or flew. She looked so graceful that I could imagine wings on her back, holding her aloft, because she certainly couldn't keep her balance in those shoes, not with that flitting walk.

Everyone waited expectantly – some more hesitantly – as she mounted the podium, adjusting the microphone down a few inches to accommodate her height. Then she beamed, perfect white teeth shining. She looked gorgeous, a kind-hearted fairy.

"Bella, as your Maid of Honour, and your best friend, I can't tell you how glad I am to be able to call you my sister, though I already thought of you that way. There is one thing you'll have to do now that you're a part of our family though, which is sit or kneel when I'm talking to you, or grow a couple of inches shorter." Everyone laughed, genuinely this time, relieved it wasn't another innuendo. "And to Edward, my dearest brother, watch out, because now I have another thing to control you with." Everyone laughed again, even Edward, but when I turned to look at him he was raising his eyebrows in amused disagreement. He was probably right; I would side with him in most arguments.

It surprised me that the next person to take the stage was Jessica. I wasn't aware she even wanted to give a toast. I guess she just loved making speeches, as much as she would try to deny the fact in feigned humbleness.

Jessica was wearing an outrageously flamboyant pink dress. It seemed she was trying to steal the spotlight with it, the ruffled mermaid train at the back, the deep neckline at the front, the compressed waist. Then again, it did make her look good, and she wore it confidently as she strode across the stage, looking like she was trying to imitate Alice's dancing walk.

"As one of Bella's best friends," she said it like she believed she was the best, despite what Alice had said, "I'm very happy for you two today, as much as you love each other and everything, it's good to take away the competition." She gave me a warm smile and everyone laughed. "I remember the first day I met Bella, I was still trying to see the face on that tower," more laughter. "It attracted a lot of attention when a sky-scraper decided to attend school." I swear Angela never received these jibes! "Well Bella was just like every other girl at school had been, totally mesmerized by Edward. Then suddenly Edward is all about Bella! So I'd like to propose a toast, get this lovey-dovey couple out of here! I hope for your guys' sakes that it is somewhere warm!" I gave Jess a warm smile, taking a sip of water. Well, soon enough everything would feel warm to me, that had to count.

Charlie was next, even less graceful than Jess had been in her six inch pink pumps. He coughed once, clearing his throat, before he took the microphone. "Edward will be a good husband," he began, chocolate brown eyes trained on the man beside me. "I know this because I'm a cop, and I know things… like how to track someone to the ends of the earth." I laughed with everyone else, cringing inside. "And I know how to use a gun." My eyes flickered to Edward, who was smiling despite the threats of my father. "So here's to a good, respecting husband that will always put his wife first!" Everyone clapped as my father left the stage, dark eyes still flickering in warning to Edward.

"Sorry," I whispered.

"Don't be, I assure you I have nothing to fear from your father." Edward squeezed my hand softly, leaning in to kiss my hair.

Esme went next, graceful and beautiful in her flowing green gown. It was modest enough for a mother, and looked a little like the dresses of her time, but she looked far too young in it – definitely far too young to have an 'eighteen' year old son who had been married that day.

Esme's speech was short; her musical voice coloured by the warm, loving tone that made me feel so welcomed and part of the family the day we met. "I'd like to thank, Renee and Charlie for bringing such a wonderful person into the world and into our lives. We will cherish and protect her forever."

I didn't realize I was crying until Edward's thumb grazed across my lower eyelid. I didn't take my eyes off Esme, trying to convey my thoughts to her through my eyes. I was promising to her, promising to myself, that I would do the same to them, protect them to the best of my ability, and cherish every moment of happiness.

Then Edward was standing, and I was frowning, clutching at his hand while he tried to remove it. "I'd like to have my say too, Bella." I pouted, and he laughed, kissing my hand.

He was gorgeous standing on the podium, his olden-style tux with a tail on his suit-jacket. It reminded me of those types of suits pianists wore at concerts. I imagined him flicking it out behind him, and giggled. Alice smiled at me, used to my wandering mind. Izzy wasn't, however, and her smooth forehead crinkled into a frown. I shook my head at her, smiling softly. Eventually she would understand me.

Edward stood, proud and handsome, waiting for our silent conversation to conclude. When my eyes connected with his buttery orbs I did not look away. He smiled widely at me, like he'd won the lottery, and I was his prize. I imagined my expression mirrored his, only multiplied tenfold. I had more than won the lottery. The chances of being killed by being struck by lightning are 2320000 to 1, and the chances of being reincarnated into another dimension had to be closer to 7 trillion to one, and the chances of winning a vampire's love on top of that… well, I couldn't even guess.

God had been very, very kind to me. I don't know what I did to deserve it, but I would be forever thankful. Gazing up at Edward, who I could now absolutely claim as mine, was as good of a reminder as anything of my blessing.

Edward's voice held all the love his gaze held – Charlie had nothing to worry about. "It's an extraordinary thing to meet someone who you can bare your soul to and accept you for what you are. I've been waiting, for what seems like a very long time, to get beyond what I am. With Bella I feel like I can finally begin. So I'd like to propose a toast to my beautiful bride. No measure of time with you will be long enough. But let's start with forever."

I was fully crying now, my Cheshire-Cat smile catching the salty tears in my mouth. Alice's small hand appeared in front of my face, a bouquet of clean tissues in her hand. I thanked her quietly while keeping my eyes on Edward, refusing to look away until he was back at me side.

Instead of moving to sit beside me again, he took the bunch of clean tissues I held in my grasp and took my now empty hand, pulling me out of my seat so I stood almost eye to eye with him. Then he cupped my cheek with one hand, and wiped my face clean with tissues, gently and tenderly. I vaguely registered the crowd applauding, the coos and crying of some of the women. Most of my focus was one Edward, as he dropped the tear-soaked tissues onto the table, cupped my face like it was made of glass, and leaned in to place a soft kiss on my lips.

Moved hand hands to the back of his neck, running my fingers through the soft hair there. His hands moved to the small of my back, stroking the expose skin behind the laced up back. As much as his touch sent tingles through me, as much as I wanted to crush my body to his, I restrained myself, keeping the kiss as sweet as his gesture, blinking back the tears so that it would not be necessary again.

He still pulled back first, and rested his forehead against mine. "I love you," he whispered past the noise of the crowd.

"As I love you," I whispered back.

He stroked my arms, pulling my hands away from his neck and slipping his fingers through mine. "Come on, it's customary for the bride and groom to have the first dance."

"Wait," Alice called, flitting to Edward's side and glaring. "You know it's customary for something else to come first."

I was quite surprised when Edward grinned and dropped to the ground, lifting the skirt of my dress. Emmett and Jasper were suddenly behind him, hooting with laughter as I squealed at the cold and fright of Edward's cold hands on my knees. Suddenly it seemed all the other guests were up standing, crowding around us. I glared at Edward's guffawing brothers, lifting my skirt and bearing my garter-wearing thigh unashamedly. Of course that changed a little when Edward's head was there, and he was removing the lacy ring very carefully with his teeth. He winked at me before he flung it behind him, catching Mike Newton full in the face. Alice caught it all with her rapid-fire camera – I wanted the one of the garter in Mike's face.

But it was funnier when he caught the fabric, still in shock, and little Alice stalked up to him like a lion and snatched the fabric from his hands. She gave him a pointed glare before stalking back to me, stuffing the lacy thing into her bra.

Edward stood up, and chuckled. He placed his lips over my ear, and whispered, "He was thinking of where it had been, and was going to try and take it."

I nodded, it sounded like something Mike would do.

"Okay, you can go and dance now," Alice permitted, giving us a shooing motion. "Well hurry up, we're on a schedule here."

Edward led me to the dance floor, through the bunches of flowers spaced evenly around its edge. There he took my hand and my waist, moving me into position. I could dance, but waltzing wasn't really on my repertoire. I was glad for his leading, he slipped into the role like it was as easy as walking, which – knowing him – it probably was.

Dancing with Edward was effortless. I did not need to stand on his feet. All I needed, and all I wanted, to focus on was him, not the crowd, not the flashing cameras, not how I looked, not the temperature, just how nice it felt to be in his arms, how flowing the dance felt.

"Enjoying the party Mrs Cullen?" Edward whispered.

"Without the Mrs, I don't like feeling like a teacher."

"Okay then Isabella Cullen, but you did not answer."

"It's amazing, and you can tell Alice that."

"She already heard."

Then the music changed, and Charlie tapped Edward on the shoulder. Edward pecked me quickly on the cheek, and then moved off to dance with Esme. I watched them twirl across the dance floor, more graceful than professionals, as Charlie and I danced in a small little rectangle. I think pushing Charlie to be any more flamboyant would only result in him either stumbling or stepping on my feet.

"I'm going to miss you, Bells. It'll be weird not having you under my roof anymore. I'm already lonelier."

"You'll have Tiffany, and probably Embry. I just hope you've warned her that she'll have to cook ever meal you don't buy. I know Embry can't cook more than a sandwich, and you're cooking should come with a risk assessment… or an anti-venom… either or."

"And I'll miss your jokes," he added, trying to grin, but his eyes were glassy.

"Me too, oh, how will I survive without the 'pull my finger' gag," I let go of his hand to slap it dramatically at my collarbone.

"What, Carlisle doesn't know that one? I guess I better teach him it while I've got the chance."

I laughed at him, then the music changed, and I had a new massive partner to dance with while Charlie pulled Carlisle away from the crowd to talk with.

"What are you giggling at?" Emmett asked.

"Oh, nothing," I answered.

"Are you looking forward to your honeymoon?" Emmett smirked, wiggling his eyebrows as he twirled me around.

"Yes," I answered, unabashed. Emmett laughed, twirling me around faster and harder than necessary. He stopped trying to embarrass me verbally, instead finding amusement in catching me by surprise with a bunch of lifts. I only just bit back my squeals, but after the first few I couldn't hold back my giggles. It was kind of fun, like going on a rollercoaster. I always couldn't decide what to do on those rides, scream or laugh.

I was a little disappointed when the song ended and Emmett bowed at me, still wearing his mischievous smile, and moved to dance with Jessica. She looked scared and excited, a blush touched her cheeks. Soon her squeals could be heard over the dance floor.

"May I have this dance, malady?" Jasper was standing in front of me, offering his hand. I took my eyes off the spectacle of my former classmate with my brother-in-law, to take his offer with a smile. Jasper danced more respectively, and gave off an infectious feeling of happiness. I wondered if he did it consciously, or if everyone else's good feelings were making him feel good.

Most of my other dances were uneventful, almost all of them with humans that were less than great at dancing, so I spent the time chatting with them while keeping as much distance between my feet and theirs.

There were only a few more standouts, dancing with Laurent, Eleazar, and Tyler. Laurent decided to spend the time telling me how he'd been, what had happened in his life since I last saw him, and thanking me for starting this happy streak in his life. He explained that as difficult vegetarian life was he was much happier, and it was a lot easier as well. He surprised me when he thanked me for killing Victoria, saying he'd only kept up the friendship out of fear that she would come back to hurt him.

Tyler had come a few dances later. When Mr Weber moved away from me Tyler pounced, arm immediately snaking around my waist and pulling me to him. His other hand grabbed mine in his sweaty hold. "Bella," he sighed huskily, his head tucked into the notch of my neck and collarbone. I was taller than him in my heels, taller than a lot of people, as I had noticed as I danced with most of them.

Tyler smelt like he'd drowned his tux in cologne. His tie was loosened and the first few buttons of his dress shirt had been undone to expose the skin of his chest.

"Uh… hi Tyler," I said, frowning at him. I found no need to hide my shock and discomfit.

"You look beautiful," he whispered, crushing me closer to him.

"Thanks," I said unsurely, worried as he pulled back.

He looked at me, trying to stare at me from eye to eye. His expression was serious, but the hand that held my back was starting to go a little too low for my liking.

"Bella, I have something I need to say to you, to show you rather." Tyler moved his hands away from me, to his shirt. He stepped back.

"Ah, Isabella," Eleazar appeared in front of me, sidling into the space Tyler's moving away created. "Would you care to dance?"

I smiled widely, thankful for the saviour, taking his offered hand and mouthing 'sorry' to Tyler, who was watching the intimidating vampire with more fright than irritation. He huffed, stalking away to an angry looking Lauren.

"I was instructed to steal you away from that boy before he ripped his shirt off," Eleazar explained in a hushed voice, silent mirth shaking his chest.

He spun me in a pirouette, and I took the opportunity to search the crowd for Edward, seeing him watching me. I gave him a thankful look, and I saw the beginning of his nod before I was back facing Eleazar.

"Edward tells me you have an interesting ability, it sparked my interest. Are you aware of my previous occupation?"

Yes, I was, and Edward had explained it recently. I would be glad when I no longer had to feign not knowing anything. I didn't think I would need to wait long.

I nodded to Eleazar.

"Well then, for lack of better terminology, may I have a look?"

"Go for it," I allowed. I wondered what he needed to do just as much as I wondered what he would find. It'd be nice to put a name to my ability, find out what it was, but then again there was that quirky thing in my brain that stopped Edward and Jane's powers. I had no idea if that had anything to do with my power, or if was just a safe-guard god had granted me.

Eleazar brow was furrowed deeply, and his leading became less ostentatious, more like the human couples around us. I kept my feet moving, watching Eleazar's face.

"Oh, well, that's interesting," he whispered eventually, his brow now rising up and his eyes focusing again.

"What? What is it?"

"I can read humans very well, but I can sense that your power is strong, or will be very strong when you become immortal. It seems that you can control bodies – is that correct."

"Yes, well, I think so. I can kind of, but only majorly if I have contact with the person, or animal."

"It works on animals too, that's very interesting. Does it work on plants, or minerals?"

"No, I haven't really tried but I really don't think so. I work more with the cells, and plant cells are held too closely together."

"Wait," Eleazar frowned again, moving back, "you know what you're doing? It's not just instinctual, you can control it?"

"It's stronger when I don't control it, when I just go with the flow," I smiled softly.

Eleazar mouth fell open, and when he recovered the shock was still in his eyes. A small smile touched his lips, and he shook his head. "Oh Aro will be so disappointed that he lucked out. I suggest you do not make your powers known to him."

"Whoops," I cringed.

"He already knows?" Eleazar's voice and expression were incredulous, and a little scared.

"Not everything."

The music changed, and Eleazar realized he had to go. He took my shoulders, looking deeply into my eyes. "Isabella, be careful, Aro is already envious of the Cullens." With that he left, walking away and pulling his mate from Carlisle's grasp and into a corner.

The most velvety and beautiful voice spoke from behind me, shocking me a little. "Don't worry Bella. Aro won't make a move on us. He is too good a friend to Carlisle to do that without provocation."

I turned flinging myself into Edward's arms. He chuckled wrapping his arms back around me. "I don't want to put you in danger," I explained. "I don't even hate the Volturi – as power-hungry as they are, they are necessary. We need law, we need order."

"I said," Edward laughed, pulling me away from him to spin me around, "don't worry! It's your wedding day, enjoy it!"

I sighed, shaking my head at myself. This was my wedding day, and I knew that if I was unhappy Edward was unhappy. This was the supposed to be the happiest day in both of our lives, so I moved back to his chest, capturing his lips. It was short and sweet, but when I pulled back my cheek-straining smile was back.

"There's one person you still owe a dance," Edward whispered, leading me across the floor.

I saw him quickly – he was the tallest one there – dancing awkwardly with a very excited Lauren who looked like she was subtly harassing him. One of her hands was dangerously close to the back of his jeans, the other resting at his peck. As we approached I started to hear her nasally voice, chatting incessantly as she batted her eyes at him. I could not see it personally, but with my gift I could feel she was pressing her arms in against her chest, trying to accentuate her bust.

I felt the urge to slap her, but instead stretched my stride and widened my smile.

"Jake," I called, a little too sweetly. "There's my best man."

He raised his eyes, smiling widely and thankfully as I approached, placing my hand on Lauren's shoulder. "May I take it from here?"

Lauren nodded, her smile fake and her eyes glaring, but she left without commotion. Maybe it was my height with the heels, or some kind of scent I gave off, but I swear I could see a touch of fear in her eyes as she retreated, running off to where Jessica sat.

"Oh my god, Bella, why couldn't you come ten minutes ago? I had to dance with the short one too! No offense, but are all girls your age subject to incessant-mundane-chatting disorder?"

"I think so, speaking of I just got the most amazing shoes and gosh they look so good!" I squealed, imitating Jess and flicking my braid.

Jacob just glared. "Not funny, I think my ears are bleeding."

"So that's what that was, I thought you'd started growing some kind of fungus."

Jacob chuckled, pulling me to him in a massive hug, disregarding the music for a minute. "I've missed you Bells, no one insults me like you do."

"And no one suffocates me like you do."

Just for that Jacob hugged me a little tighter, and I laughed despite the winding.

I didn't realize he'd lifted me off the ground until he spun around and dropped me to the ground. He was just as bad as Emmett.

"Okay Bells, you're going to bear with me here. I'm not the best dancer."

"That's okay; you don't need to be as long as you don't step on my feet."

Jake grinned and lifted me up again so the balls of my high-heel clad feet rested on his sneakers. He kept his hands at my waist, and I wrapped mine around his neck, leaning into his chest. I listened to his steady heartbeat, silent as we moved slowly in a little circle to the beat of the music. For a little while everything felt normal, we were just two good friends dancing. I could forget the tension between us, the love we felt to each other, the fact that soon we may never see each other again.

That left when I felt his lips graze my hair. I had to sigh, because I wanted to do the same, hold him tight, kiss his cheek, and make sure he never left me. While I knew I loved Edward, while he had won the fight for my heart, I still selfishly wanted Jacob beside me. Never seeing his white teeth shining in a smile against his russet skin was painful.

"I'm sorry," Jacob said in response to my sigh. "I'll promise to be good from now."

"You don't need to be good, Jacob, you just need to be you."

"Sure, sure," he mumbled. "Still, I wouldn't want to do anything wrong. This might be that last time I get to see you. I want to make the most of this dance, I'll probably only get one."

"You'll get as many dances as you want."

Jacob chuckled slightly, darkly, "You don't want to cause talk."

"They can talk all they want, I can't hear them."

"I can, and he can," Jacob jutted his chin out; in the direction I could feel Edward's body. I recognised his body so well I could probably track him now, and had; in those dark, dark times when I had no idea I even had a gift. Like I'd told Eleazar, when I worked purely on instincts, no real conscious thought, that was when my gift was at its strongest.

"You two shouldn't care either. And who says this has to be the last time we see each other?"

"You'll be different, Bella. And it'll mean they've broken the treaty and I'll have to kill you."

I smirked despite the seriousness of his words. "Who says you'll be able to? Gifts do get stronger."

I felt Jacob tense at the words, and he gulped loudly, clenching the fists at my back. He was still breathing a little too quickly. "You won't be able to control yourself. I just hope the leeches can somehow keep you under control." His smile turned bitter. "You'll be there problem. Do me a favour and promise me you'll bite them as much as possible."

I sighed. "I will be able to control myself, I know what to expect, and I'll have their help."

"That's not a promise," he was trying to put light on a serious situation, calm himself by being less serious.

"Okay, I promise to bite and scratch them as much as possible."

"That's my girl."

The music changed, and Jacob looked like he was about to pull away, looking up. I looked around, seeing that we had moved to a corner of the dance floor that almost no one else occupied. All the humans were closer to the drink table or half-eaten cake. Most of the wolves stood there too, steadily chipping away at the colossal cake.

I gripped Jake harder, looking to Edward with pleading eyes. He nodded again, but the pixie beside him frowned and tapped her watch. I sighed; the day had been so beautiful, so wonderful so far, that I had forgotten there was a time limit to it.

"One more dance," I insisted on turning back to Jake. "I don't want to say goodbye yet."

Jake smiled sadly, "Neither do I."

I moved one of my hands from his neck and cupped his cheek. "I don't want you to feel sad." I moved inside his body, to his brain, but all I could do was make him feel good, like he'd just eaten chocolate or something. Endorphins wouldn't help him, wouldn't take away his hurt. I wished I had jasper here.

"And I don't want you to feel guilty," his hands moved to cup my face. "I'm glad you're not hiding it though. You shouldn't have to hide what you feel."

I didn't lie; tell him I wasn't feeling guilty, because I could see the pain in his eyes, what coming today caused him. "I'm just so happy you came."

"It would've been a shame to miss this. You look beautiful today, Bella, even more than usual."

"You can thank Alice for that."

"No, it's not just the make-up. You're happy, I can see that, I understand he makes you much happier than I ever could – well, at least after you were with him. Admitting defeat is a little hard is all."

"You'll be happy you lost when you find the girl for you, Jake. She's out there, I know it, and I'm sorry I couldn't find her for you. She'll make you much happier than I ever could."

"But all I'll ever see is you, Bella."

"That'll change, you'll forget."

"No I won't. I have too good a memory for that. This is how I'm going to remember you though, olive skin, blue eyes, warm, soft," his hands moved back to my back, pulling me close. He took a deep breath, "I'll remember your smell."

"I'll be the same inside, you know. I'll just be a little more durable, a little faster. I might even be able to finally beat you in a fight."

"I'd still win," he said it like it was a bad thing, like he was imagining killing me. When I pulled back I saw him cringing.

"I don't care what Sam says, what you think, you'll always be welcome with me – treaty or not."

"Bells," Jake began before I put my hands over his lips.

"Shush," I growled, "just think about it please! I'm not going to say goodbye yet."

"Maybe you're right, maybe it doesn't have to be goodbye. When is it… happening?" I could tell it was hard for him to talk about civilly.

"After the honeymoon."

"You're um, still going to … try?" His heart was beating faster, his voice strained. I could feel his jaw was clenched with my gift. I nodded, not wishing to elaborate.

He pushed me back away from him, seizing my shoulder and bending so we were eye to eye. His black eyes burned with anger and worry. "Bella, you're stubborn, so I know I can't convince you NOT to do this. But you have to promise me you'll be careful." He was grimacing from the mental image he had. "You need to, I don't know, take control – use the gift if you have to, because he won't be able to control himself. He's much stronger than you, Bella, remember that."

"You sound like a dad."

"Bella, be serious! Promise me!" He shook me lightly, tightening his grip.

My smile fell at the pain. "Okay," I almost yelped.

"Promise me," he almost yelled, eyes blazing at the lack of commitment in my last answer. His grip tightened.

I frowned, jaw clenching, and determined not to admit to the pain of his hands. Instead I very deliberate grabbed his arms, undoing his clenched with my hands and made them into fists at his sides. "I can take care of myself Jacob."

"Please," his was begging now.

"Okay, I promise," I said, voice fierce. "But you need to promise me something. Don't run away, don't take off. Even if you don't want to see me, I'll still be able to write, to talk over the phone. I am not going to say good bye to you Jake."

"You have to make things difficult don't you?"

"Yes, I do! Now, I have to go," I could feel Alice starting to approach us, "but I WILL talk to you later." Jacob was starting to shake his head, his shaggy hair flying out. I wouldn't have that, I seized his face, gave him a big kiss on the cheek and a fast, tight hug, before stepping back. "I love you, Jacob."

I turned and strode away, hearing no reply. That didn't faze me, this would NOT be goodbye. I wouldn't allow it to be. I would find a way to make Jacob happy, I would.


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