The Twilight Series belongs to S. Meyer, no copyright infringement is intended. I'm just playing with the characters.
Chapter Nine
La vie en rose
It had been several weeks since the now infamous meeting. Billy had been staying with Old Quil but wanted to return to his home. He had tried several times but Seth and Rachel's antics woke him at all hours of the night and he shuddered to think about what they were doing during the day. He wasn't sure what to make of those two. Both he and Charlie wished that Harry was alive so that they could tease him about Seth's stamina.
A week after the meeting, Sam and Emily had finally moved to Neah Bay. The relationship between them and the Clearwaters wasn't completely fixed but at least they didn't need to worry about bloodshed if they were all together. It was Jake who finally approached his dad and apologized for Seth and Rachel. He was also the person who came up with the solution so that Billy could return home.
The pack moved Seth and Rachel out to Sam and Emily's old house. It was some distance from the main village so hopefully no one would get an eyeful of something they didn't want to see. Billy's shoulders shook in mirth as he remembered seeing Seth's ass cheeks as Rachel ran out of the house carrying his only pair of shorts which she was threatening to light on fire.
He was sitting in the kitchen one morning when they arrived. He watched as they walked in together, Seth's hand resting on the small of Rachel's back. His daughter had a glow about her that he remembered his wife Sarah having when she was pregnant.
"Hey, dad," Rachel said as she walked over to him and kissed his cheek. "We've got some news."
"Don't tell me, the entire tribe has now seen Seth here naked. I knew it was going to happen sooner or later," he told them jokingly.
"No, dad," she said blushing. "I'm pregnant."
"Congrats, I knew it wouldn't be long. Have you told Sue yet?"
"No," Seth answered. "Rach wanted you to be the first to know. She ordered Jake to not have me patrol this week."
"He didn't question it?"
"No," she said laughing. "I think he's exact words were, 'I don't want to know. I really don't.' and then he hung up."
After finding out Rachel was pregnant, they got to thinking more about their future. It was important to them both that their baby had Seth's name. And as they were already living together, in love and were soul mates, marriage wasn't that big of a step for them. Rachel wanted to get married sooner rather than later as she didn't want to be showing on her wedding day.
So they planned a small ceremony and reception at The Palace Hotel located in Port Townsend on the first Saturday of December. The Palace Hotel had quite a history, built in 1889; it had been billiard parlor and saloon and the upper floors had rooms for rent. Throughout its history it had been home to many different businesses. Paul teased them about the fact that it was known as "the Palace of Sweets" as it was being used as a brothel and hotel. As much as Rachel would have preferred an outdoor wedding on the beach, Seth worried about the cold and her being pregnant. So it was their second choice.
Just their closest family and friends were there. Rachel had sent an invitation to Rebecca but she never showed. She understood how difficult it was for Rebecca to come back to La Push but she thought for sure that Rebecca would show up. Her sister was getting married, granted it was just as spur of the moment in some ways as Rebecca's nuptials and Rachel had been unable to make it there but Rebecca wasn't a college student like she had been then.
She didn't know that their brother had tried to talk to Rebecca, too. Or that Rebecca has refused to come, stating she didn't care to witness her sister make the biggest mistake of her life. One the day of her wedding, she was overly emotional. Leah consoled her, assuring her that it was due to the hormones and that it was Rebecca's loss that she didn't want to share in this day with her sister. At that moment, she realized that she'd made a good choice by asking Leah to be her maid-of-honor. She had hoped that Rebecca would be able to fill that role but her absence made it an impossible dream. Sue took over the job of being both the mother of the groom and the bride.
Charlie had taken to his role as step-dad quite easily. He and Billy had organized a bachelor party for Seth. And as they were getting ready for the wedding, Charlie was giving Seth last minute advice.
"No matter what, son, she's always right, even when she isn't," Charlie told him. "Arguing the point is not worth it and you'll end up on the couch. If she says she's fine, she's lying. You messed up and you better figure out what you did. If you can't, make sure that you go out of your way to make her happy. Buy her some flowers, offer to cook dinner...wait only do that if you can actually cook. I guess in my case that means, taking her out for dinner. Offer to rub her back or feet. Lastly, good sex will usually get them to forgive you but you have to go about it in such a way that they don't realize what you are doing. Else you'll make it even worse."
Seth blushed at Charlie's last statement. He didn't want to think about his stepdad buttering his mom up. He closed his eyes at the thought and softly groaned.
"Your dad would be so proud of you, Seth," Charlie said as he stepped closer and hugged him. "I wish that he could be here. But I want you to know that it's an honor to be here and I know that I could never take his place but I'd like to be part of your life, yours and Rachel's."
Seth returned Charlie's hug and felt tears gather as he thought about how his dad wasn't here. How he wouldn't be there for the birth of another grandchild. "Thanks, Charlie. It means a lot to me for you to say that."
The ceremony was beautiful. Seth wore a black tux with lavender accents. He stood at the front of the church with Collin and Brady as his groomsmen. Leah and Kelly, a girl that went to school with Rachel were bridesmaids and Lottie was a flower girl.
Billy sat at the front of the church; both he and Old Quil would be officiating. Seth held his breath as he watched Rachel walking towards him on Jake's arm. She was wearing a strapless white wedding dress that had beaded corded lace on the bodice and skirt. There was a lavender ribbon that tied into a bow on the side with the tails running down towards the floor. She had chosen not to wear a veil and her hair was upswept with curly tendrils hanging down.
Once they reached him, Jake shook Seth's hand just a little tighter than necessary. Seth recognized the look in Jake's eyes and fought the desire to roll his own at Jake's idiocy. Then, Rachel was handed to him and they joined hands. He focused on Rachel's face and listened as Billy and Old Quil asked for the spirit's blessing. They did the traditional exchanges of vows and rings. Finally, they were introduced as husband and wife.
They spent the evening surrounded by their family and friends celebrating. When it came time for the bouquet and flower toss, they laughed as all of their single family and friends ensured that Leah and Jake were the recipients. As the evening grew darker, they said their goodbyes and left in Rachel's car to a nearby travel to a nearby Bed and Breakfast, the Lost Mountain Lodge.
They had rented the Hideaway on Quail Lake St. which was a suite with a private entrance that had views of the lake and forest for the week. There was a fireplace that they used in the evenings, even though they didn't really need it. They spent hours in the bed and tub being together. In the early mornings they would eat breakfast on their private deck.
At the end of the week, they were both sad to leave. This place had become their little haven. It was like their cabin in the woods but only with modern amenities, which Rachel was very grateful for. They returned to La Push but vowed to come back some day.
