A month! Has it really been that long! *hangs head in shame* Life is unbelievably busy right now, and will not cease to be in the near future. I will try to get updates to you all as quickly as I can, but I shall never rush a story. Don't worry though, I always finish what I start :) Please, leave me some lovely reviews?

Disclaimer: It's not mine. Well the plot is. And Ava. ;) And Jasper, on occasion... ;)

Without any further ado, it's wedding time!

Never marry but for love; but see that thou lov'st what is lovely.

WILLIAM PENN, Some Fruits of Solitude

Alice

The big day had finally arrived. Rose had stayed with her mom the night before the wedding and Emmett had stayed with Mom and Dad. Despite living together for months and most probably going at it like rabbits, they wanted their wedding to be as traditional as possible.

I was awakened by a text from Rosalie just after 7am.

Morning! If ur not awake already then get ur ass in gear. I'm getting maaaaaarriieeeed today! :D xxx

I laughed out loud, quickly texting her back.

I'm awake NOW, mad-woman. Be there soon! :) x

Savannah's house was big enough that all of the girls were getting dressed there and the guys were getting ready at Mom and Dad's. Emmett wanted to get married in a small but beautiful chapel on the outskirts of Forks, so hotels weren't necessary.

Jasper had dropped Ava off at her Gramma's house early in the morning and by the time I got there her hair was already fixed in gorgeous ringlets.
"Alice!" She squealed as Savannah let me in.
"Hi pretty thing! Look how cute your hair is!"

She giggled adorably as she grabbed my hand.
"Hurry and put your dress on, Auntie Rosie says it's really pretty. Have you seen my dress?"
"I haven't. Let's see it, then I'll get ready."

Ava led me into one of the spacious spare rooms where all of our dresses, save for Rosalie's, were hanging. Rose had decided against a host of bridesmaids, instead asking me to be her maid of honor. I trusted her to find a dress for me and she had clearly outdone herself. It was a gorgeous, pale pink and silky, and it ended at the knee. Ava's dress was a similar color, with a lovely bow at the back.
"Aw look how pretty it is, sweetie!" She beamed.
"I can't wait to see you in it. Are you excited?" Ava giggled and nodded.
I smiled, gently kissing her curls.
"I've got to get ready sweetpea, do you want to sit and watch while I do my hair and stuff?"

Ava's eyes lit up and she nodded again. I saw no harm in her sitting with me whilst I got ready. She was such a sweet, well-behaved little thing, and was content and quiet as she watched me getting ready. I assumed that she would get bored and head off to find Savannah, but she stayed, helpfully pointing out pieces of my hair that I'd missed. Instead of curls I'd decided to spike it a little more than usual, fixing a few strands with a pearl clip, which Ava had told me was very pretty.

I kept my makeup fairly natural and light, and I knew from previous experience of weddings that I'd need waterproof mascara. As I applied a generous amount of lip gloss, Ava puckered her lips to mine.
"Can I have some too?"

I smiled.
"How about my special one, honeybee." She followed me to my purse excitedly as I pulled out one of my lip balms. She dug her little finger in carefully, taking only a little and smearing it onto her lips. There was no color, just a little shine.
"It tastes like ice cream!"
"It sure does, it's vanilla."
"Yummy!"

I smiled.
"Hey I'm going to get my dress on. Why don't you find your Grandma and ask her to help you with yours, ok sweetpea?"

Ava nodded.
"Ok. Thanks for the tasty lips, Alice!" She took her dress and skipped off to find Savannah as I closed the door behind her, buzzing with excitement.

Jasper

It was one of those mornings where I hated owning a cell phone, or any kind of communication device at all. I was pulled from a deep sleep by the shrill ringing of my cell. I fumbled to grab it and almost knocked it from the bedside table before answering on the fourth ring.
"Hello?"
"Please tell me I didn't wake you up – Ava's supposed to be here already and you're supposed to be at the Cullen's! Jasper!"

I groaned, scrubbing my hand over my face. I could have yelled at my sister for waking me at 7am but it was her big day.
"Ok, ok Rose, don't get your panties in a bunch – we'll be there soon."

I quickly hopped into the shower before waking Ava up and fixing us both some toast for breakfast. She still looked adorably sleepy as she tried to eat.
"Daddy why are we awake? The sun's not even all the way awake yet…" She yawned.
"Because, bug, it's Auntie Rosie's big day, remember? She gets to wear her pretty dress." I hoped I was doing that right. Somehow I sounded like much more of a pussy than my Mom when I explained it. Ava was suddenly full of energy, swallowing the rest of her toast and practically dragging me out of the door.

She barely glanced back to me when I dropped her off and explained that I'd see her in a few hours. I chuckled at her enthusiasm, pulling out of the driveway and heading to the Cullen's place. Although it wasn't even 8am the house was full of life. I was greeted by a guy who quickly introduced himself to me as Edward. Alice had picked her brother and Bella up from the airport and I'd not had the chance to meet him until now.
"Jasper!" Emmett's voice boomed from the kitchen.
"Come and help yourself to the spread!"

I chuckled as Edward led me through. The counters were covered with freshly baked goods. How had Esme had the time to do this before heading over to my Mom's house?

Emmett laughed as if reading my mind.
"She made them last night and gave Edward specific cooking instructions." He explained, grabbing another two pastries. If he was nervous, his stomach certainly wasn't feeling it.

None of us took long to get ready, and I relished the fact that I got to talk to Edward for a while. Alice had mentioned that they were extremely close. His smile hardened a little when I spoke of their bond and a flash of guilt shone in his eyes.
"I should have visited sooner."
"Sooner?" I didn't mean to press him but the words just came out.
"After James. He was –" I interrupted him.
"She told me a little bit about him."

I could tell Edward was surprised by this fact but I shrugged. I didn't want to go into what had happened at Rose's birthday; not if he wasn't aware of it already.
"I just feel like a bit of a shit brother, you know?"

I shook my head, guilt seeping through my veins at his words. I knew all about being a shit brother.
"Hey, we all wish we could turn back the clock and do things differently sometimes. That doesn't mean we don't care. I read people pretty well and I can see that you care."

Edward's smile was much warmer now.
"Thanks, man."

TSL

It wasn't far from the Cullen's to the chapel. It looked amazing inside and as I took my place beside Emmett and Edward I could see that he was finally beginning to look nervous. He relaxed a little as he caught someone's eye from the other side of the church. Ava. She looked like a tiny little angel; I'm sure I must have had the biggest grin ever on my face as she came towards me. It wasn't until she was halfway towards us that I noticed whose hand she was holding.

Alice. She wore a pale pink dress that made her alabaster skin simply luminescent. Her short, spiked hair accentuated her delicate features and she smiled as she approached us with Ava. She mouthed a silent hi to me as she came to a stop opposite us. I smiled, winking at her and Ava. For some strange reason it made me really happy to see the two of them together.

The small chapel had quickly filled and soon enough the familiar music sounded. Each guest rose to their feet and looked towards the doors. I heard Emmett take a deep breath as the doors opened. I'd never seen my sister look more beautiful than she did today. A lump quickly formed in my throat as she made her way towards us alone. I knew many of us wished that Dad could still be with us, but as Rosalie momentarily cast her eyes skyward, I knew he wasn't far.

As she reached us I gave her arm a quick squeeze. She smiled, leaning close and kissing my cheek before taking her place across from Emmett. Their hands met immediately and suddenly all nerves seemed to have dissipated. The priest spoke. I wasn't particularly listening until a passage from the Corinthians:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

As I recited the familiar passage in my head I glanced to my mother. Happy tears shone in her eyes. I looked to Ava. She was so calm and well behaved that I couldn't help but smile. My gaze finally rested on Alice. Her large eyes glistened with unshed tears, only one escaping and trailing its way down her perfect cheek. Her eyes met mine briefly and she gave a faint smile, reaching up to wipe the stray tear. In that moment, whilst my sister was getting married, I came to a sudden and startling realization. I would do anything to make sure that Alice felt that kind of love; the kind that perseveres, the kind that dares to hope, and not the kind that hurts someone in the worst way imaginable. I kept my eyes on her, reveling in her joy for my sister and her brother. I couldn't help but notice just how beautiful she was when she smiled. I'd seen her so often looking overwhelmed or despondent and I knew now that more than anything I wanted to put a stop to that.

There was a small but beautiful garden at the back of the chapel. Gazebos had been erected to protect the food and drinks but the weather was pleasant enough for springtime in Forks. I'd made sure that Ava had her little cardigan on as she played with some of the other children. The little ones seemed oblivious to the music, sitting and coloring or chatting with their parents and family members. I quickly found my sister and wrapped my arms around her as another slow song began.
"Hey…"
"Hi…I'm married." She beamed, wrapping her arms around my neck as we swayed slowly.
"I saw. I'm so unbelievably happy for you, Rosie." I pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead and she smiled, glancing to her new husband. He was doing as I was. Dancing with his little sister.
"You think we should swap?" Emmett chuckled, twirling Alice delicately. I nodded and released my sister back into Emmett's welcoming arms.

As Alice approached me I felt more nervous now than I had actually standing on that alter and watching Rose get married. Perhaps it was my earlier revelation that had me dazed, but as I took her tiny hand in mine and placed my other gently on her waist, I felt hope.

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