Ness POV
"Ness, wake up," someone cooed as they gently shook me. I stretched and instinctively clutched the blanket around my shoulders. I prayed that I was dressed. Gently I looked down the blanket. Crap. I looked up to see Aunt Rose trying to stifle a laugh. "Babygirl its already past twelve. We have errands to run in town," and with that she walked outside. I jumped in the shower and tried to wash away any scent Seth had left. The events of last night swept through my body. I felt overwhelmed at the pure love and longing I felt for him. He was a few miles away, but I wanted to be near him, to see him and touch him and hear him. Thoughts pounded against my head. I tried to compose myself but I couldn't get rid of the smile that played at my mouth. I threw on some clothes and walked out to the kitchen to find Aunt Rose waiting with a bowl of cereal for me.
"Let's go! They're going to kill us if we don't go get a bunch of candles," Aunt Rose pleaded as I shot her a questioning glance. "Don't question Alice. I gave up a long time ago." We both laughed. "You're unusually happy," she concluded as we walked out to her car. A small drizzle meant we could speed to town. I tried to think of an excuse.
"I'm just excited for the wedding," I lied and stared out the window. Apparently I had gotten my mother's acting skills, or so everyone told me. I think there is an unfair advantage though with a mind reader in the house.
"Are you going to tell me about what happened with Seth?" she stared at me as we pulled into the parking lot.
"What kind of candles do we need?" I changed the subject smoothly as we got out of the car. I loved Aunt Rose. She knew when I couldn't talk about something, and didn't prod anymore. She went along with my subject change warily.
"Alice just said as many white candles as we could find," we laughed. The afternoon passed in a blur of stores and tons of candles. I couldn't help but stare at Aunt Rose every now and then and momentarily feel a pinch of guilt. It would be ok, I tried to tell myself. She caught me staring as we made our way back home.
"What?" she giggled. I wanted to grab her and tell her everything. I just shook my head and faked a smile and mumbled, "nothing."
"Ness, I have a confession. I didn't know what else to do, but I called Seth to come up here. I'm so sorry if its making things harder on you," she blurted out. I scoffed to myself.
"No, Aunt Rose, it didn't make anything harder. I feel relieved to have talked to him," I grabbed her hand to show her part of my talk with Seth. Her eyes shot open.
"So you guys are going to try to fix things?" she smiled and hope filled her beautiful eyes.
"I can't tell you," I whispered and stared at the floor. Her face fell.
"I understand," she finally mumbled, "Your father..." she trailed off.
"I love you Aunt Rose," I smiled at her.
"I love you too baby," she smiled back, "I promise to not even think about it."
"Thank you!" I kissed her cheek as I got out of the car with bags of candles to take to Aunt Alice. Already the sun was setting behind the house and I walked into a mad house that is Aunt Alice. Aunt Alice grabbed me and the candles.
"Ness! Thank goodness. Help me set these up. We'll light them after we get read. You guys got a lot! I love it!" she squealed as we set up the living room with thousands of candles.
"Where is everyone?" I looked around and couldn't even hear anyone else.
"Well, Jake is off with Quil and Embry, Leah and your Mom are actually bonding, and your uncles and your Dad are finishing up the honeymoon plans for me," She surveyed part of the wall and looked at what I had done. "Looks great! Now go get ready!" She scooted me out the door. I ran home and took another shower. Mom walked in as I slipped on the dress Aunt Alice had picked out for me.
"You look so pretty! You have a glow around you," Mom beamed. Evidently Alice had already gotten her dressed, because she looked beautiful in an all black dress with her hair spun delicately up off her shoulders.
"Right back at you!" I laughed, trying to hide whatever glow she was talking about. I knew it couldn't be good.
"I have to head back over to the house early since I'm the best man," she laughed and I joined her. "Everyone should already be there. Alice told me to remind you to hurry."
"I will, I just need to fix my hair," I smiled at her.
"Ok, I'll tell her your on your way. Um, Ness I think I need to warn you, Seth's here." She searched my face. I masked it and put on one of pure shock. I hope it sold.
"I'll be ok," I squeaked out. She hugged me.
"I know you will be. I love you, no matter what. I'll be here," she whispered. I stared back at her and tried to figure out what she knew. She fingered my locket and smiled as she walked out. I collapsed on my bed. This wasn't going to be as easy as I thought. I walked over to my desk and took out a piece of paper and sat down to write.
Leah POV
I laid in bed and let the utter warmth and comfort overtake me. Then it hit me. I was getting married today. I rolled around and giggled until there was a faint knock at the door. I shot up and went to answer it.
"Hey Leah!" Bella smiled at me. I smiled back. "I have a mission today, courtesy of Alice, we're going shopping," she tried to feign excitement. I groaned. "I know, I hate it too," she laughed.
"Let me get dressed so we can get this over with," I looked back at her and she looked a little hurt. "I meant the shopping. I really don't mind shopping with you. That didn't come out right." She laughed as she walked out. I mentally kicked myself. I didn't have a problem with her, why was I being a jerk? Habit, I told myself as I pulled on some clothes, brushed my hair and teeth and walked out.
"Hungry?" Bella asked as we got into her car.
"Starving!" I answered quickly, almost regretting what I had just said.
"Ok, I know a great diner," she smiled and put me at ease. The trip followed in silence as we got to the diner. To my surprise, Bella ordered food. I tried to hide my surprise, but she caught on.
"I can eat human food," she laughed.
"You really don't have to for me, I've hunted with you, its really ok."
"I know, I just try really hard to be normal, and at least pushing food around makes me feel better," she laughed. We ate with easy conversation much to my surprise. I offered to pay the bill, but Bella beat me to it.
"This is your wedding day, you can't pay for anything!" I gave in as she glared at me mockingly.
"Where are we going now?" I asked, almost afraid of the answer. We pulled into a tiny shop down the street from the diner.
"We are getting you somethings for your honeymoon," Bella giggled and looked at the ground. I knew she'd be blushing if she could. I know I started to blush.
"Let's get it over with," I rolled my eyes and went in. We started to look around and picked out a few things for me to try on. Bella sat outside the changing room quietly. "This is weird isn't it?" I asked over the curtain.
"No, trust me, its a must for the honeymoon."
"No, I mean us hanging out." She was quiet for a moment.
"I don't think so. I consider you family, as much as I consider Jake my brother or Alice my sister. You're always been there for us." I shook my head to myself as I walked out to show her the first piece.
"But I wasn't there by choice." I felt myself frown as she studied the piece.
"But you were there to save my family. Your good for Jake. That's all I need. I am sorry for everything we've put you through. I like this a lot," she smiled and approved, "most importantly Jake will like it." I walked back into the changing room to try on another.
"I'm not good with having friends that are girls," I conceded as I opened the curtain again.
"Me neither. Alice and Rose are good practice though," She laughed. We talked with more ease as I tried on what seemed like an endless amount of lingerie.
"I guess this was a good way to break the ice," I giggled as we checked out and Bella paid again.
"It was," she mused, "My wedding gift for both of you," she winked.
"Thank you," I smiled as we got in the car to go back. Surprisingly I found myself asking Bella questions about marriage, and she answered them eagerly. I guess shopping for dirty clothes was the best bonding experience ever. We pulled up to the house and Bella made me walk upstairs quickly so I couldn't see the living room. Alice was waiting for me to start getting me dressed. After my talk with Bella, it was easier to relate to them. Before I knew it, I stood in front of a giant mirror and gasped. The dress she picked for me was a beautifully simple flowing strapless gown. It was utterly perfect and exactly what I always envisioned for myself.
"Alice this dress is amazing. This is all amazing," I started to tear up.
"No don't do that!" Rosalie and Alice echoed as we all laughed.
"How much longer?" I stared to ask.
"As soon as Bella gets back," Alice gently helped me sit down. The minutes ticked by like hours. Alice ran downstairs for final preparations. Before I knew it I was standing on the stairs looking down into the candle lit living room staring at Jake standing in front of Carlisle, Bella at his side. Quil wrapped his arm around mine and kissed my cheek.
"We're happy for you," he smiled. I saw Seth standing opposite of Bella, nervously watching me. He smiled and winked as I walked down the stairs. I kissed Quil's cheek and he sat down next to Embry. I glanced over the family assembled and I felt overtly blessed. Edward sat next to Ness looking rather angry. I scanned Ness' face, but she looked completely blank. Finally I came to stare at Jake's face. He looked dashing in his tux. I handed my flowers to Seth and kissed his cheek.
"You look beautiful, sis," he whispered. I smiled, tears already filling my eyes, I turned back to Jake. He grabbed my hands and smiled the biggest smile I'd ever seen.
Jake POV
I couldn't help but feel my jaw drop as Leah walked down the stairs on Quil's arm. She looked amazing. I looked at Alice and nodded my head in appreciation. She smiled back. I continued to stare at Leah. I felt my heartbeat race. Bella nudged me and laughed. When Leah finally reached me I grabbed her hands and Carlisle started. I could barely listen to what he was saying, I was wrapped up in Leah's eyes. I felt Bella rib me gently.
"I do," I confirmed as I smiled at Carlisle. Leah whispered the same thing. I turned to Bella to get the ring. I slipped in on Leah's hand and she did the same for me. I felt a wave of heat start to permeate from where she slipped her fingers and I felt the hair on my neck raise. I smiled bigger than possible.
"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." Before I heard the end of it I was kissing Leah. I felt her wrap her arms around my neck as applause cascaded around us. Reluctantly she pulled away and wiped my lips with her thumb.
"I now proudly present for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Black," Carlisle boomed. The next few moments were a blur of handshakes and hugs and kisses. I scooped up Bella and swung her around.
"Thanks a lot best man," I smiled. She hugged me tightly.
"Anytime Jake!"
All of a sudden, the Cullens lined up.
"Jake and Leah, our gift to you," Alice handed me an envelope of airline tickets, "Now, please leave," She laughed and hugged me.
"What about?"
"Nope don't worry, we have it all taken care of. Bags are in the car, you can change clothes at the airport. Get out!" Rosalie laughed and gave me a hug. I looked at Leah who just smiled and shrugged. We made our way down the line of family. I thanked them all. This was too much. Suddenly we were in the car. I looked over at Leah and grabbed her hand. She let out a huge breath.
"It feels like I haven't taken a breath in days," she laughed.
"I love you," I whispered as I gently placed our lips together.
"I love you too," She laughed. "Where are we off to?" she took a peak at the tickets.
"Ah no don't ruin the surprise!" I bellowed. She slid the tickets back into the envelope.
"Fine. I'm happy to get lost with you," she whispered as she snaked her arms around my neck and played with the back of my hair. I shivered against her touch. The ride to the airport was jumpy. I couldn't wait to just touch her, have her all to myself. Snow started to cover the road ahead of our lights, but we finally made it to the airport. I ran around the car to open her door and grab the bags.
"Calm down Jake, we're going to make it!" Leah laughed and for a moment my heart stopped. We walked into the empty airport to see every flight canceled. I pulled out the tickets and looked at our flight. Costa Rica. Of course. I turned to Leah who just smiled.
"We could honeymoon in Alaska?" she tentatively suggested.
"I would go anywhere with you," I kissed her forehead and went back to the car. We pulled into the first hotel we found.
"Stay here, I'll get us a room," I kissed her again and went to find us a place to stay. I hurried the whole time, almost forgetting that I was even wearing a tuxedo. The woman behind the counter eyed me as she handed me the key. I ran back to the car to take Leah to our room. She went to get out, but I ran around and scooped her up quickly. She giggled against my chest. I fumbled with the key and finally threw the door open, carrying my wife across the threshold.
Bella POV
"Edward, let's go home," I whispered into his ear as the dinner started to wind down. He hugged me and we started to bid everyone a goodnight. Alice hugged me extra tight.
"Give some of that to Ness when you get home," she smiled to try and cheer me up. Evidently the worry showed on my face. Rosalie hugged me quickly and practically ran upstairs.
"Let's go, my love," Edward cooed as he wrapped his arms around me. I was a goner.
"That was amazing wasn't it? I'm so happy for Jake!" I tried to skate over the worry that clutched at my body.
"Yeah, I can't believe Seth. I'm glad he's gone. We don't have to see him again. How could he be such a 'friend' to our family," Edward vented against the steering wheel.
"I know," I tried to calm him. I felt his grip ease as I wrapped my fingers around his. He turned and smiled a ridiculously adorable smile, and I melted again. We pulled into the driveway, and not a light was on in the house.
"Ness is probably sleeping," I whispered, mostly for myself. Edward laughed.
"Yeah, after they day she's had I don't blame her for going to bed early. Eagerly I crept back towards Ness' bedroom, gently opening the door. I stopped breathing and clutched my chest. A note sat on her neatly made bed. I picked it up with trembling fingers.
"Mom, Dad, everyone-
I love you all. You are my family. I never meant to disappoint any of you. It hurts me so much to just up and leave, but I have to live my own life. Seth and I are going to start our life. I want it to include you so much, Dad. But I can't and will not choose. I love you with every fiber of my being. I am full of pain each day that I am not around you all. Mom, I am so sorry. I love you. In my heart you'll always be. Dad, I love you. I wish you could learn to let go, because then you would see that when you let go, you actually get so much more in return. Aunt Rose, you are the best godmother. Thank you. I will be safe. Please don't come to look for us. We'll come back when the time is right, once you've wrapped your heads around this. I love you, Ness."
I folded the note and laid down on the bed and sobbed. Sobs scratched at my chest to be let out, no tears would fall, but something had to get rid of the pain I felt. Edward came in at the sounds I was making and started to read the note. He placed it on the desk and laid down next to me, clutching me tightly.
"I'm sorry," he muttered against my hair. I wept for my daughter.
Seth POV
I had nothing to wear. I was the maid of honor, I needed something to wear. I couldn't wear any of the clothes I had brought. Shit. Obviously no one knew I was going to even be at the ceremony, so I needed a tux. I ran from Ness' window and tried to find my keys. They weren't in my pockets. Of course they were on her floor somewhere. I peeked back in her window, and saw her sleeping once again. Quietly I broke back into her house and searched her floor for my keys. I dug through her discarded clothes and smiled to myself. My keys were wedged in some small corner under her desk. I grabbed them and headed for the window. I heard Ness shift and I froze. She moved her head so she was facing my way, but her eyes were still shut and her breath stayed even. The blanket gently grazed her waist and it took all my self control to just pull it up and walk away. She clutched the blanket over her shoulder and started to mumble in her sleep.
"Seth," she whispered, but her eyes were still shut. My heart filled at the sound of my name from her lips. I kissed her forehead and ran out her window one more time, this time more sure of my life than ever before. I elected to spend the day in town after I got fitted for the tux and put a rush on it. Spending the day lurking around Rosalie's house didn't sound like fun, but neither did wandering around town, but it helped the hours pass by. With barely anytime to spare I picked up the tux and raced to the Cullens. Luckily for me, Jake was the first one to stop me and pull me into the bedroom with Quil and Embry to get ready. They all looked comical dressed up so much, when normally, they were so used to wearing fur.
"Alright, lets go get you married," Quil climbed up the stairs to meet Leah as the family got settled. I took my place opposite Jake and Bella. I could hear them whispering about me. I stared at the ground and started to think about what had just happened last night, as if it were a dream. I glanced up at Ness, she just kept talking with a worried look on her face to Rosalie. I saw Edward stiffen and his jaw inevitably clench. Shakily, he walked up to Bella and whispered something in her ear and kissed her cheek. She glanced at me and looked back at Edward questioningly. He just nodded. I assumed that she had put her shield on me so he couldn't hear my thoughts. He sat down in his chair again and I saw him relax mildly as he put his arm around Ness. She laughed and leaned over and kissed his cheek. She was doing a good job trying to avoid me. She glanced at me and for a moment I smiled. She turned to Rosalie as a mask of hurt clouded her features. Rose gently reassured her. This was actually working. Leah and Quil started to walk downstairs, and I heard Jake catch his breath. She looked stunning.
"You look amazing, sis," I whispered as she handed me her flowers. The ceremony was amazing. I found myself unabashedly staring at Nessie. As the vows progressed I couldn't help but say them along in my head. She stared back at me and a smile played at her lips. 'I do' she mouthed to me. I struggled to keep a straight face. I mouthed it back, and looked at the ground. The ceremony ended, and in the mess of hugs and kisses I snuck out the door and drove to Rosalie's house and parked and waited. Time froze. I was almost positive that she wasn't coming until a silhouette appeared and opened the door. Ness jumped in and smiled as she kissed me. I felt my body tense as I smiled, breaking the kiss.
"Let's go," she said weakly.
"Are you sure?" I looked into her eyes. She set her eyes and smiled as she grabbed my cheek.
"Totally and completely," she breathed. I pulled out of the driveway and started down the road. Ness cuddled herself against my side.
"Where to, Mrs. Clearwater?" I kissed her hair. She wiggled into her purse and pulled out a set of keys.
"Cabin in Canada," she smiled as she looked up at me.
"How did you get those?" I couldn't hid the puzzled look that flooded my face.
"Aunt Rose slipped them to me when I told her I was going to go home," she smiled, "Why do you look worried?" she sat up and studied my face.
"They'll come looking for us," I heaved a sigh.
"No. Aunt Rose didn't ask any questions. She just knows me. I swear. We're safe," she waited for me to be assured.
"Ok," I smoothed out my face. She sank against my shoulder again.
"Are you ok?" I whispered as I felt her shoulders start to shake. She nodded her hair, but I lifted her chin to see her crying. "You're not. We'll go back. We'll fix this." She shook her head and wiped her tears.
"No," she declared, "I can do this. I love you. My father will see this." I just tried to smile and hugged her tighter. Street lights zoomed over us as we headed toward the cabin. Ness fell asleep beside me and I traced her arms gently as I hummed her song. I snow began to swirl as the night dragged one. Finally, we turned down the winding driveway to the small cabin. I gently carried Ness inside and laid her down on the couch. It was freezing in the house, and I could see her shivering in her sleep. I lit a few candles and ran out to the woodshed to find some dry timber to start a fire. It took forever to get the fire going, but it roared to life eventually. I walked over from the fireplace and put my hand on Ness' shoulder, and it was frozen. Gently I lifted her up and placed her on top of me as I wrapped a blanket around us both. She stirred against my chest.
"I'm still in my dress," she giggled as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
"I think thats alright, you do look amazing in it," I kissed her forehead.
"I'm cold," she chattered. I wrapped my arms around her more and she snuggled against my chest. "That's better," she sighed, contently.
"This feels like heaven," I whispered into her hair.
"This feels better than heaven," she responded as she sat her chin up on her hands and stared at me. "Are you worried?"
"No," I tried to sound confident, "I can't be afraid or worried if I have you with me." I tucked a curl behind her ear. She wrapped her arms around my chest.
"I love you," we echoed against the fire as the warmth spread between us. Eventually, sleep came and I didn't even fight against it, I knew she'd be in the same spot the next morning.