AN: Thank you SO MUCH to whoever nominated this story for the Fanatic Fanfics Multifandom Awards! It's up for Favorite Undiscovered Fanfic! If you love this story, I would love it if you would go and vote at fanaticfanficsawards. blogspot . com now through April 14, 2014.
Also, apologies for the hiatus! This has been a tough chapter to write. I wanted to get Bella and Jacob's wedding just right and I still don't think I did it justice!
Chapter 9
Bella looked in the full length mirror as she adjusted her cap. Graduation day was here. High school was officially over.
But that wasn't all that was over. Tonight she would marry Jacob Black.
She sat down, brushing her hair, thinking about how she and Jacob had told Charlie. It wasn't at all what Bella had expected, because what she didn't know was that Jacob had asked Bella's dad for permission. The act of asking her father just seemed so...old fashioned. She imagined Edward would have done the same.
That very thought shook her from her daydream. Even now, Edward could still invade her thoughts. She brushed the thought aside, and smiled. She was marrying Jacob.
"Ready to go, Bells?" Charlie asked, peeking her head into her room.
"Yeah, Dad. Ready as I'll ever be," she replied.
The graduation ceremony was long. Angela, who was Valedictorian, gave a long speech about their futures and their dreams, but Bella's stomach was full of butterflies. She caught Jacob's eye as he sat in the audience, and he smiled and winked at her. That's my husband, she thought to herself. Her heart felt warm and she willed the butterflies in her stomach to calm down. A tear of joy sprung to her eye and she waved a small wave to Jacob. Charlie, who sat next to him, caught onto their public display of affection and rolled his eyes. Bella couldn't help but chuckle.
After Angela's speech was over, the Principal spoke about the world this graduating class would be entering, and the challenges they were prepared to face. You have no idea, thought Bella. After his speech was over, they started to call names to claim their diplomas, When they called her name, he shouted some cat calls and wolf howls. How apropos, she thought.
And with that, she was Bella Swan, high school graduate. She, and the rest of the class, threw their caps up in the air.
The sun was setting when they arrived on the reservation. She was surprised to see that the ceremony site was already set up, near the lake by Jacob's house. She sat at the vanity in the Black's bathroom, fixing her makeup - not too little, not too much - when she heard a knock at the door.
"Bella? Are you..decent?" It was Charlie.
"Yeah, Dad. Come in," she replied. Charlie opened the door and drew in a breath in awe, seeing Bella in her white satin gown, tiara and veil and just enough makeup to highlight her best features.
"Wow...Bella. You are beautiful," he said, squeezing her shoulder.
"Yeah...thanks. You don't look so bad yourself," she said, giving just the hint of a nervous smile.
"Are you ready?" Charlie asked.
Bella nodded, feeling the butterflies in her stomach go into overdrive.
"I just have one surprise before we go get you married off," he said, linking his arm in her's and escorting her into the Black's living room.
When she saw the surprise, she exploded with joy. "Mom!" she shrieked, throwing her arms around Renee.
"Bella, I wouldn't miss this for the world. I miss you baby girl, I'm so proud of you," Renee told her daughter.
"Hey now, don't get too emotional here, we don't want to mess up any makeup and have to start over," Billy Black, Jacob's father, said, rolling around the corner in his wheelchair.
"Right. Don't want to keep the groom waiting. The guests are all here and waiting to see the beautiful bride," Charlie said.
"Jacob's here, right? He didn't run off?" Bella said, nervous, unsure why she was doubting Jacob. It's because Edward left you, but he's not Edward, she thought, and then, feeling a warm hand on her bare shoulder, willed the worry away. It was Jacob, who had just come down the hall behind her.
"I'm right here. I know it's bad luck to see the bride before the ceremony but...wow. You're breathtaking," Jacob said, wrapping his arms around Bella, pulling her against his tuxedo-adorned body. God, he looks amazing. He's mine. My husband, Bella thought.
"Oh, Jake. Now I'm really going to cry," Bella said, hugging him back, nuzzling into his shoulder.
"See you at the altar?" Jacob asked, releasing her body but grasping her hands.
"See you at the altar," Bella replied, as Jacob lifted her hands to his lips, planting a gentle kiss.
Jacob walked out the front door and met Sam and Quil, the groomsmen, at the front door. Jessica and Angela, the bridesmaids, peeked their heads in to see Bella.
"Hey, are you ready yet?" Angela asked.
"Mom...Dad...can I have a minute just to myself?" Bella asked.
"Of course, sweetheart. We'll wait right outside for you," Renee replied, taking Charlie's arm and escorting him out the door.
"Thanks. I'll be right there," Bella said.
Once the front door to the Black's house was closed, Bella turned and looked at herself in a mirror hanging on the wall, bracing herself on the table in front of it. She squeezed her eyes shut, and said to herself, "Okay, Mrs. Black. Your husband...your future...awaits."
She was surprised to see a figure standing behind her when her eyes opened.
"Congratulations, Bella," the figure said. It was Edward.
"What are...why...who...Edward, why are you here?" Bella stammered, surprised to see him, and angry that he snuck up on her.
"I'm watching for Volturi presence. And I wanted to wish you the best. Truly," Edward said.
"Does Jake know you're here?" Bella asked.
"Yes. He does. He asked me to come and keep an eye on the perimeter," Edward replied.
"Does he know you're in here?"
"No. That was...against our arrangement. Emmett and a few of the Quileutes are also guarding the perimeter so you're safe. I just had to see you off. To know what I let go of, one last time," Edward said, closing his eyes and drawing in a sharp breath, a painful grimace crossing his face..
"They're waiting for me, Edward. I have to go. You have to leave," Bella said, forcefully, closing her eyes.
"Then I shall let you go," Edward said. Bella opened her eyes and mouth to speak, but Edward was already gone.
Before Bella had time to think about what had just happened, Angela peeked her head in the front door again. "Come on, Bella! Everyone's waiting to see you!"
Bella walked toward the front door. Angela grasped her hand, helping her down the steps so her heels wouldn't trip her up. She and Jessica each took part of the train of Bella's gown and helped her keep it clean as they walked down toward the beach. Once they arrived, they handed her off to Charlie, who was beaming from ear to ear with tearful eyes, and walked down the aisle to the Wedding March as it played on the piano.
"Ready?" Charlie asked, linking his arm in hers. All Bella could do is nod.
As she walked down the aisle, she took in the breathtaking surroundings. She had never really pictured what it would be like to get married, and yet somehow, this was exactly what she dreamed. There was the hint of a cool breeze, just enough to take the bite out of the summer air.. The sky was without a single cloud. We're getting married under the moon and stars, and they're perfect, Bella thought. All of their friends and family sat on wooden chairs. The aisle she walked down was lined with a series alternating pink and red roses, just like her bouquet. It was dark out, but the beach was lit with tall tiki torches. A small, white, wooden arch wrapped in a green leafy vine was erected at the end of the aisle, under which stood Jacob, next to him were Sam and Quil, and Jessica and Angela waited for her on the other side.
Once the reached the end of the aisle, Charlie nodded to Jacob, and handed him Bella's hand. Charlie kissed Bella's cheek and took a seat next to Renee.
"I love you," mouthed Jacob.
"I love you, too," Bella mouthed back.
Turning around and facing the Quileute tribal leader, who was officiating, the music faded out.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join in the bonds of matrimony, Bella Swan and Jacob Black," began the officiant.
Bella's heart raced as he spoke. Just from moments from now, she would recite the vows she had written just for Jacob. She would be his. Forever.
"The bride and groom have prepared vows, which they would like to say to each other now," the officiant said. Seth handed Bella Jacob's ring.
"Jake. Since we were small children, making mudpies and giving our parents headaches, you've been one of the only constants in my life. You know me better than I even know myself. What I feel for you goes beyond words. It travels from here to the moon and the stars and back and connects our hearts in a bond that I know will never be broken. Jacob, I take you as my husband, and promise you this love, and much more, for eternity," Bella said, then took Jacob's hand and slipped the ring on his finger.
Jacob had to choke back a tear. Bella's eyes met his, and she felt tears spring into her eyes as well.
"Bella, my sweet Bella. You've never let me down. You're smart and funny, beautiful and sweet, clumsy and reckless, and have so much substance to you that I'm not sure I've even cracked the surface, but I'm the happiest man alive right now because..." Jacob's voice cracked with emotion, and then continued, "...because I have the rest of my life to learn all of the wonderful things that make you...you. I promise to be everything you need in your life - a friend, a lover, a protector, a confidante...a husband. I take you, Bella Swan, as my wife, and my life. From here on out, my heart is yours," said Jacob, slipping Bella's ring on her finger.
Tears were streaming down Bella's face, and looking into Jacob's eyes again, she could see them on his cheeks too.
"And with that, I pronounce you, husband and wife. Jacob, kiss your bride!" The officiant said with glee.
Jacob took Bella's hands in his, and pulled her close for a chaste, but loving kiss. Their friends and family stood up to cheer as Bella and Jacob turned toward them.
"Friends and family, I now present to you, Bella and Jacob Black!"