Nine
Weddings
But Ours...
DISCLAIMER: I don't own any characters, places, etc. in this story. Stephine Meyer does, along with the Canadian Government(I think). I just took where she left her story(ies) and ran with it.
Twenty-Six:
Vows, Weddings,
Surprises and Flowers
We arrived at the park at five thirty, with Picia and Athenodora in the car with us. They were fascinated by modern technology, and the Cullen cars were amazing to them. Alice and Rose had distributed contacts where needed, and now we prepared to go through the back door of the building we'd rented. Esme had booked the grounds, and they came with chairs and a building to get ready in.
"Jasper!" Alice screamed, and he came running, the flour dusting behind him.
"Yes dear?"
"Oh, for god's sake, change into this! Here!" She shoved him his suit, and began frantically blowing the sugar from his hair. "Of all the times to bake!"
"I know dear." He knew enough to not object- Jasper wasn't stupid.
"Well? Go get dressed! Now!" Jasper hurried off, and we went into the small building.
"Ani, where's the boquet?" Rose asked, brushing the nonexistent tangles from my hair.
"Right here." Ani put the flowers in my hands, and I gasped. They were lovely. The roses, baby's breath, everything was gorgeous.
"Nessie," I heard a voice call my name, and turned to see Zafrina and her sisters- or what ever they are. Alice had loaned them animal print dresses for the wedding, and their heels easily made them close to seven feet tall. "We have something for you."
"It is to be the 'borrowed' thing." Katchiri intoned, the term clearly unfamiliar.
"It was from my wedding, ages ago. To bring luck and happiness." Senna added. "Here." she presented me with a tiger cub's paw, that had been mummified and strung on twine.
"Oh. Thank you!" I said, and tucked it in my bodice. I wasn't sure how to accept a tiger's paw, but the Amazon's were some of my favourite people. Mum and Daddy had taken me on a holiday there, and it had been so fun.
"You're welcome. We hope you will visit some time soon." Zafrina said, and they walked out. No hugs, no kisses, but vampires weren't to lovey dovey, I guess.
"Ready?" Rosie asked, happy. I sighed.
"Yep." I stood up, and put on my heels.
We walked out the door, and I saw Daddy waiting.
"I get to walk you down the isle." He said, proudly.
"How?"
"We told everyone you're his cousin. He's the closest male family member." Alice said, clever as always. "Lets go!"
"Do we have to?" Jane asked, pulling at her dress, and taking her basket of petals from Ani. "I hate this dress."
"Come on. You can change for the reception."
"Thank goddess." Jane got ready. Alice, Mum, Rose and Ani all hugged me quickly and took their place in line, and Daddy took my arm.
"Here we go."
We walked into the tent with Alec playing some song Daddy had found on a portable key board. Most of the tent was filled with locals- the town was kinda small, and everyone knew the Cullens, and all the vampires who had showed up. Everyone had the same contacts in, and rose when we entered.
Jake stood at the end of the isle with Leah, Seth, Quil and Embry beside him, and beamed when he saw me. Beside him stood the minister, but who cares about him, anyways?"
I couldn't help but notice that Aro's eyes looked at Jane with humor and disbelief, and I heard her hiss "don't ask" as we passed.
Finally, after what seemed to be eternity, I was standing beside Jake, and my father was right beside me, nudging Jake aside a bit.
"Who gives the bride away?" the minister asked.
"I do." Daddy said, after a millisecond of hesitation. He lifted my veil, kissed my cheek and whispered, "You better know what you're doing." then, grudgingly he took my hand and put it in Jake's, and took his seat in the chair beside Jasper.
" Dearly beloved," the minister started, "we are gathered here today before this witnesses to join Renesemee and Jacob in holy matrinony, a state to be treated reverently, with respect and love. It is into this holy estate that Jake and Nessie now come to be joined to unite two hearts and lives, blending interests, hopes and intentions. Do you enter into this state and vow willingly?"
"We do." I said, after a side glance at Jake, and he smiled.
"Is there any objections from those here gathered? If so, speak now, or forever hold your peace." Jasper tightened his grip on my father's shoulder, and Mum shot him a bad look.
"Jacob," the groom began again. "Will you take Nessie to be your wedded wife, to have and to hold in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, and keep her, in sickness and health, and forsaking all others, keep yourself unto her, so long as you both shall live?"
"I better," Jake said, and everyone but Daddy laughed. "I will."
"And Nessie," the minister turned to me, "Will you take Jacob to be your wedded husband, to have and to hold in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, and keep him, in sickness and health, and forsaking all others, keep yourself unto him, so long as you both shall live?"
"I will."
"And what pledge have you, Jacob, to present to Nessie?"
"A ring."
"And Nessie, to you accept the pledge of love given in this ring?"
"I do."
"Then Jacob, repeat after me," the minister handed Jake the ring, and Jake took my hand. "With this ring,"
"with this ring,"
"I thee wed."
"I thee wed."
"And with all my worldly goods I thee endow."
"And with all my worldly goods I thee endow." He slid the band on my finger, and I couldn't help but smile.
" May this circlet of pure gold, that is without end, be a symbol of your evermore pure, changeless and eternal affection." The minister then turned to me. "And what pledge have you, Nessie, to present to Jake?"
"A ring."
"And Jake, to you accept this pledge of love given in this ring?"
"I do."
"Then Nessie, repeat after me. This ring,"
"This ring,"
"I give to thee,"'
"I give to thee,"
"In a token and pledge,"
"In a token and pledge,"
"Of my ever constant faithfulness, and love evermore."
"Of my ever constant faithfulness, and love evermore."
"May this circlet of pure gold, that is without end, be a symbol of your evermore pure, changeless and eternal affection." the minister finished off. "And may these rings given be an outward and inward symbol of the bond you now share, spiritually, mentally and physically, between your two hearts, as long as you both shall live.
"Dearly beloved ones, this day marks a new era in your lives. Henceforth you travel life's pathway together, and never alone. Let love forever be enthroned in your hearts.
"By what means to you declare this new chapter in your lives together?" the minister asked Jake.
"A kiss."
"And do you accept this new life together, Nessie?"
"Hell yeah!" another ripple of laughter.
"And who shall witness this vow of commitment?" Leah stepped forward.
"I do." she was in a skirt and suit, and looked damn cute.
"And you will ensure that this commitment is always kept?"
"Defineately."
"Then Jacob, repeat after me. Today, as I give myself to you my mind is clear and my commitment,"
"Today, as I give myself to you my mind is clear and my commitment,"
"is strong and without reservation. I take you to be my life's partner."
"Is strong and without reservation. I take you to be my life's partner."
"I will never leave you nor forsake you;"
"I will never leave you nor forsake you;"
"I will spend all my days at your side."
"I will spend all my days at your side."
"and we will share a lifetime of eternal, immeasurable love."
"And we will share a lifetime of eternal, immeasurable love."
"And Nessie," The minister asked, "Do you return this commitment, which is to be sealed with a kiss?"
"I do."
"And do you, Jacob, accept this commitment?"
"I do."
"And who witnesses this commitment?"
"I do." Ani said, stepping forward.
"And you will ensure that this commitment is always kept?"
"Damn straight I will." her cockney accent poked through, which added to her words.
"So, Nessie, repeat after me." The Minister said, addressing me again. "Today, as I give myself to you my mind is clear and my commitment,"
"Today, as I give myself to you my mind is clear and my commitment,"
"is strong and without reservation. I take you to be my life's partner."
"Is strong and without reservation. I take you to be my life's partner."
"I will never leave you nor forsake you;"
"I will never leave you nor forsake you;"
"I will spend all my days at your side."
"I will spend all my days at your side."
"and we will share a lifetime of eternal, immeasurable love."
"And we will share a lifetime of eternal, immeasurable love."
"You may kiss the bride." I threw myself at Jake, and he caught me and kissed me back. An 'awe' ran through the crowd, and Jake managed to pry me off him.
"Those who have taken these scared vows, and the witnesses, please sign." the minister presented us all with the wedding paper, and I signed my name Nessie Black for the first time.
When we were done signing the paper, we turned to face the crowd as a united front, me holding Jake's hand tightly.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I present you with Jacob and Renesemee Black." Everyone stood and cheered, smiling and happy. Jasper and Ani had promised to make the wedding a success, and it was. We ran down the isle, and everyone threw stuff at us. We ran right outside, and everyone followed us.
"Congratulations!" Carlisle said, pulling me into a hug the minute he came out of the tent.
"Thanks grandpa." I said, happy. He released me, and shook Jake's hand.
"I'm very happy for you both."
"It was a lovely ceremony, Esme." I said, and she smiled.
"I hoped you'd like it. I took out all mentions of god, and rewrote half of it."
"Well, darling, it was lovely." Carlisle said, smiling.
"Um, excuse me," Emmett's voice came across loud and clear through the speakers. " I hate to break it you you all, but if you want food you're going to have to help clear the place and bring in the tables."
everyone laughed an grumbled, and we all filed in and helped to cart out the chairs. The fact that we had vampires and super strong wolf boys making up half the guest list made this job really simple, and Esme, Alice, Rose and Ani, along with my Mum and Jane had the tables set in seconds. The flowers were beautiful, and everyone took their seats. Jake and I sat at the head table, with all our families beside us.
Jasper served the tables himself, an apron covering his suit. Alec pushed the tray behind him, and Seth helped.
"He promised me the left overs." Seth told me in passing.
"What's on the menu after appetizers, Uncle Jazzie?" I asked, and he beamed at my pet name.
"Well, pasta, hand made, with a tomato basil sauce, family recipe. After that there's steak cooked to taste, with mixed vegitables, mashed garlic potatoes served with butter and gravy. Then dessert, which is my special black forest cake, tea or coffee, and cupcakes for younger guests."
"Fabulous." I said.
"Thank you." he poured us our wine, and Alec ladled out the soup into bowls.
"Why are you helping?" I asked him.
"It gives me an excuse not to eat." Alec shrugged, and toddled his cart off to the next table.