The next morning, as things settle down, the wedding plans are in motion. Vampires are on their flights to Italy for the first wedding in centuries, but with a missing person, will everything be ready in time?

Jessica's POV

I've been racing through the castle since 3:30 last night. Everything has to be perfect. Not for me, but for Alec. I told him I would do whatever he wanted and I want to exceed his expectations. I've never wanted to make anyone proud so much in my life.

"Okay, so there will be some hybrids coming. I need the caterer here by eleven am so Demetri, you're responsible for that one. Uh… Renta, make sure all the bridesmaids are ready at one pm on the dot. Felix, can you handle getting the blood? I need human and vegetarian. Alright, we've got three hours before people get here. Move out!" I cheer.

Everyone goes off to do their job while I'm off to check Chelsea's job on the decorations.

"Great job, Chels! The flowers look great." I beam.

Chelsea grins, "Well, I had some help. The wives are really talented."

I smile and begin to head off when Jane comes bolting over to me. Her face is a mask of worry and shock. We keep walking down the hallway when I glance at her.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"Ella's gone." she mutters.

I freeze in place and turn to her. I breathe in and out.

"Do you know where?" I question deathly low.

She shakes her head. I close my eyes and let out a breath. Handing the clipboard of the to-dos, I nod.

"Alright, you handle all of this. I think I know someone who may know where she is." I growl.

Bursting through his bedroom door, I find Derek packing a suitcase on his bed. He sits up and grins at me.

"Jessica, how nice of you to stop by." he smirks.

I flash over to him and slam him in to the wall. His eyes go wild with fright as I glare at him. With one hand on his neck, I could rip his head off with the flick of my wrist.

"I am going to ask you once and I swear to all that is holy, if you don't give me a straight answer, I will slice your tongue out and force it down your throat," I snap.

"Now. Where is my daughter?" I ask, my tone softer.

He swallows and shakes his head, "I don't know."

I squeeze harder on his neck. The sound of cracking glass echoes in his room.

"Do not lie to me. I am on edge already as it is." I hiss.

He glares at me and fidgets. I notice how he begins to focus on moving something in the room, but before he can, I squeeze harder. His concentration breaks with another crack of his neck.

"Alright!" he yelps.

"She's waiting for me at the airport. I promised we'd runaway together." he said, his voice wavered.

"You what?" I seethe.

He sighs, "I'm sorry, Jess. I just- I really do love-"

"Don't fucking lie to me!" I scream.

Derek immediately silences himself.

"I'm going to the airport to get my daughter and when I get back, if you're still here-"

"What? You're going to kill me? Pah-lese. Don't make threats you can't keep."

I smirk, "I was going to say, if you're still here when I get back, I'd consider you a very luck man. I'm telling my husband, sister-in-law, and my son who convinced my daughter to leave. You may not be afraid of me or my husband, but your are definitely afraid of my son and sister."

His eyes widen before I shove him to the floor.

"I know you don't love her. Did you forget I can hear thoughts? You are pathetic and I'm ashamed that I ever kissed you. That I ever gave you the time of day. I regret every moment I ever gave to you because in the end, I was just like every other girl." I shrug.

"But, my daughter will not go through that. She is better than you and you don't even deserve a passing glance. When I say stay away from my family, I meant it."

I left him with a look of despair and headed off to the airport. Ella was waiting with two tickets to Maine when I came up to her.

"Mom?" she gasped.

"Hi." I waved.

Her face fell and she looked to the floor, "So I guess this means I'm grounded."

I laugh, "Oh hell yeah."

She nods. "I just want to be with him. I love him so much and I- I just don't get why you won't let me."

I sigh and sit beside her.

"Loreli, you are such a smart girl. Beautiful, talented, amazing. You and your brother are the most important people in my life and your father's. I know I've been crazy about the whole thing with you and Derek, but it's because I know what he's thinking. Everyone knows. I love you so much and I know that if you follow through with anything he wants, you'll get hurt-"

"How do you know, mom? You don't even know him." Ella grumbles.

I shake my head, "You don't know him. I've been his friend since high school and I watched him use girls like paper towels. Once he was done with them, he'd toss them out. They'd be broken and confused. I was almost one of them, but because I choose your father, Derek was angry. He hated me after that and to get back at me, he used you. I'm trying to get you out of that hole before you get torn up completely."

"Do I have a choice in this?" she questions.

"Well… I guess you should."

"Then listen to this, mother. Not everything is about you, alright? That may be the old him, but that's not

who he is anymore. People change. Stop threatening him and let us be happy," She snaps.

"And get over yourself."

To say I was surprised would be a lie. My daughter takes after me and my husband. Defiance and stubbornness runs in the blood of our family.

I stood up and nodded.

"I'll send him to the airport when I get home. Have a nice flight." I say before leaving.

Once in the car, I dial Alec's number and tell him what happened.

"Why are you just letting her go like that? And after what she said? Jessica, what are you thinking?!" Alec yells.

"Alec, I can't control her anymore than I can control the universe. She won't listen to me and she won't believe a god damn thing I say so if I can't convince her, I most certainly won't force her. I've been forced back home by my family and it didn't end well so, let her learn on her own. Spread her wings and fly or some shit like that," I explain.

"Nicky…" Alec sighs.

"If you want your kids to learn, let them make mistakes and learn from that. Stupid choices make us who we are." I say.

"Yeah and then she comes back pregnant with that bastard's baby. That'll be an awesome time to say I told you so, huh?"

My mouth forms an O and then idea comes to mind.

"Chop his balls off before you send him out."

Alright, so there's part one to the wedding. Part two will be here soon :D