Disclaimer. All publicly recognizable characters, settings etc., are the property of their respective owners. The original characters, ideas and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. I only do this for fun.

Out of the Dark & Into the Light

A/N: This story is written as a COLLABORATION by both XoBellaItalianaoX and Katara Melody Cullen. If you have any questions, post them in my reviews and I will answer them in my next Author's Note at the bottom of the chapter. We hope that you enjoy the story and look forward to reading your reviews. – Bella'Xo

Reminder: For anyone who is interested in PICTURES, I have this story posted on my Wattpad page under the same Penname. There is a picture posted with each chapter of a scene from within said chapter. This is the same for each of my stories! Check em' out and let me know what you think! ;-)

Chapter 27: Wedding Day (Part Deux)

(Crystal's POV)

Alice took the garter from Bella's hands and then ducked under her skirt. She gasped and tottered as Alice's hand caught her ankle, causing me to reflexively reach forward to steady her as Alice yanked the garter into place.

She was back on her feet before Chief Swan had returned with the three frothy white bouquets. The scent of roses and orange blossom and freesia enveloped me in a tantalizing mist.

Rosalie - the best musician in the family next to Edward and I - began playing the piano downstairs. Pachelbel's Canon. Bella began hyperventilating.

"Easy, Bells," Charlie said. He turned to Alice and I nervously. "She looks a little sick. Do you think she's going to make it?"

"She'd better." Alice stood right in front of Bella, on her tiptoes to better stare her in the eye, and gripped her wrists in her hard hands as I wrapped an arm around her shoulders to ensure she remained on her feet. "Focus, Bella."

"Edward is waiting for you down there at the end of the aisle." I reminded her. "Just think about him and you'll be fine."

She took a deep breath, seemingly willing herself into composure.

The music slowly morphed into a new song, and Charlie nudged her."Bells, we're up to bat."

"Bella?" I asked, my arm still around her, giving her a squeeze.

"Yes," she squeaked. "Edward. Okay."

She allowed Alice and I to guide her from the room, with her father tagging along at her opposite elbow.

The music was louder in the hall. It floated up the stairs along with the fragrance of a million flowers mixed in with the dozens of different scents of the humans, vampires and wolves.

The music was familiar, Wagner's traditional march surrounded by a flood of embellishments that Rosalie and I had worked on, along with a little help from Edward.

"It's my turn," Alice chimed before turning to me. "Count to five and follow me. Then Bella will do the same after you." She began a slow, graceful dance down the staircase.

I gave Bella one more encouraging smile as I silently counted to five, and then began to follow after her, moving at the same speed that she had as I held my bouquet.

I could feel the curious eyes on me as I made my way down the aisle, interested in getting their first look at the Cullen sibling that they had never met before. However, I ignored them,taking in the beautiful profusion of white blossoms that hung in garlands from everything in the room that wasn't alive, dripping with long lines of white gossamer ribbons. But I tore my eyes from the bowery canopy and searched across the rows of satin-draped chairs - feeling a blush rise to my cheeks as the crowd continued to stare - until I saw him, standing alongside his brother in front of an arch overflowing with more flowers and gossamer.

Jasper's face filled my vision and overwhelmed my mind. His buttery eyes were on me, burning gold; his perfect face almost severe with his emotion as he took in the emotions of those around him, on top of his own. And then, as he met my gaze, he broke into a breathtaking smile. He held out his hand for me as I neared him, and I placed my hand delicately into his before he guided me to our seats in between my parents and Alice and Damon in the front row.

"Have I told you today how stunning you look?" He whispered into my ear.

"Hmm, maybe once or twice," I smiled at him just before a sudden fanfare trilled through the soaring music, giving Bella and Charlie their cue.

"Don't let me fall, Dad." I heard Bella whisper before Charlie pulled her hand through his arm and then grasped it tightly as they descended to the slow tempo of the march. She didn't lift her eyes until her feet were safely on the flat ground when the audience began to murmur their appraisal. Blood flooded her cheeks at the sound; of course she could be counted on to be the blushing bride, causing me to eye Bree all the way in the back corner with Emmett standing close by as a precaution. Her eyes were extremely dark, but she didn't seem as though she were going to lung, much to my relief.

"She'll be okay, but she'll need to take a brief break to hunt after the ceremony before the reception begins." Jasper whispered at vampire speed, noticing where my thoughts had drifted.

I gave his hand a quick squeeze in acknowledgement, returning my eyes to Bella, whose eyes had found Edward's and was doing her best not to charge headlong down the aisle to her mate. I knew that Charlie's hand on hers was the only thing that kept her from doing so. I couldn't help but to grin at this, taking a moment to look at my brother as he smiled in awe and exultation. Lucky for her, the aisle was very short and, at last, she was finally there.

Edward held out his hand. Charlie took his daughter's hand and, in a symbol as old as the world, placed it in Edward's.

The vows were simple,traditional words that had been spoken a million times, though never by a couple quite like them. They'd asked the minister - a father of a friend of Bella's from school - to make only one small change. He obligingly traded the line "till death do them part" for the more appropriate "as long as they both shall live."

Tears streamed down Bella's cheeks as they said the binding words, "I do," managing to choke it out in a nearly unintelligible whisper, blinking her eyes clear.

When it was Edward's turn to speak, the words rang clear and victorious.

"I do,"he vowed.

They were declared husband and wife,and then Edward's hands reached up to cradle her face, carefully, as if it were as delicate as they white petals swaying above their heads. His golden eyes looked as if they would have tears, too, if such a thing were not impossible. He bent his head towards hers, and she stretched up on the tips of her toes, throwing her arms - bouquet and all - around his neck.

Their kiss was tender and adoring. They seemed to have forgotten the crowd, the place, the time, the reason... completely lost in their own bubble with a deep joy that bounced off of one another.

We all erupted into applause, and Edward turned their bodies so we could see their faces. Bella's mother was the first to find her, Renee's tear-streaked face the first thing she saw when she finally tore her eyes from Edward. And then she was handed through the crowd, passed from embrace to embrace with Edward's hand still in hers.


The wedding flowed into the reception party smoothly - proof of Alice's flawless planning. It was just twilight over the river; the ceremony had lasted exactly the right amount of time, allowing the sun to set behind the trees. The lights and trees glimmered as Edward led Bella through the glass back doors, making the white flowers glow. There were another ten thousand flowers out here,serving as a fragrant, airy tent over the dance floor set up on the grass under two of the ancient cedars.'

Things slowed down, relaxed as the mellow August evening surrounded us. The little crowd spread out under the soft shine of the twinkle lights, and Bella and Edward were greeted again by the friends they'd just embraced. There was time to talk now, to laugh.

Jasper and I approached them, taking turns to pull them each into a hug.

"Congratulations, Edward," I smiled into my brothers shoulder as I hugged him tightly. "I'm so happy for you."

"Thanks sis," Edward replied before we pulled apart and Bella and I embraced.

"Welcome to the family, Bella," I told her as Jasper shook Edward's hand before giving him a sort of man-hug. "I'm so happy you're now my new sister."

"Thank you, Tally," she choked out before we pulled apart.

"Hey! Congrats, guys," Seth Clearwater told them as he approached our group, ducking his head under the edge of a flower garland. His mother, Sue, was tight by his side, eyeing the guests with wary intensity. Her face was thin and fierce, an expression that was accented by her short, severe hairstyle; it was as short as her daughter Leah's - the female wolf shifter I'd met during the battle. I wondered if she'd cut it the same way in a show of solidarity.

Billy Black - Jacob's father - was on Seth's other side, and was not as tense as Sue. When I looked at him, I felt like I was seeing two people rather than just one. There was the old man in the wheelchair with the lined face and the white smile that everyone else saw. And then there was the direct descendant of a long line of powerful,magical chieftains, cloaked in the authority he'd been born with. Though the magic had - in the absence of a catalyst - skipped his generation,Billy was still a part of the power and the legend. It flowed straight through him. It flowed to his son, the heir to the magic, who had turned his back on left Sam Uley to act as the chief of legends and magic now...

Billy seemed oddly at ease considering the company and the event - his black eyes sparkled like he'd just gotten some good news. I was impressed by his wedding must have seemed a very bad thing, the worst thing that could happen to his best friend's daughter, in Billy's eyes.

I knew it probably wasn't easy for him to restrain his feelings, considering the challenge this even foreshadowed to the ancient treaty between my family and his tribe - the treaty that prohibited my family from ever creating another vampire. The wolves knew a breach was coming, but my family and I had no idea how they would react. Before the alliance, it would have meant an immediate attack. A war. But now that they knew us better,would there be forgiveness instead?

As if in response to the thought, Seth leaned toward Edward, arms extended. Edward returned the hug with his free arm.

I saw Sue shudder delicately.

"It's good to see things work out for you, man," Seth said. "I'm happy for you."

"Thank you, Seth. That means a lot to me." Edward pulled away from Seth and looked at Sue and Billy. "Thank you, as well. For letting Seth come. For supporting Bella today."

"You're welcome," Billy said in his deep, gravelly voice,and I was surprised at the optimism in his tone. Perhaps a stronger truce was on the horizon.

A bit of a line was forming, so Seth waved goodbye and wheeled Billy toward the food. Sue kept one hand on each of them.

Some of Edward and Bella's school friends were next. They introduced me to Angela - whose father had performed the ceremony - and her boyfriend Ben, followed by a boy named Mike and a girl named Jessica. They were holding hands and were very interested in meeting me after they gave congratulations to Bella and Edward. It was a bit unsettling. Especially when two boys named Eric and Tyler were introduced. I could tell Jasper was doing his best not to lay into them for their hardcore flirting.

Behind their human friends were the Denali's. I realized that Bella was holding her breath when Tanya reached out to embrace Edward, and I gave her arm a gentle squeeze as a silent way of telling her not to worry.

I could see the curiosity in each of their eyes as they met Bella.

"Ah, Edward," Tanya said, still holding Edward. "I've missed you."

Edward chuckled and deftly maneuvered out of the hug, placing his hand lightly on her shoulder and stepping back, as if to get a better look at her. "It's been too long, Tanya. You look well."

"So do you."

"Let me introduce you to my wife." It was the first time Edward had said the word since it was officially true; he seemed like he would explode with satisfaction saying it now. We all laughed lightly in response. "Tanya, this is my Bella."

"Welcome to the family, Bella." She smiled, a little rueful. "We consider ourselves Carlisle's extended family, and I am sorry about the, er, recent incident when we did not behave as such. We should have met you sooner. Can you forgive us?"

"Of course," Bella said breathlessly. "It's so nice to meet you."

"And I heard you met Jasper's mate, my sister, Crystal, earlier?" Edward added.

"Yes," she smiled at Jasper and I as we returned the gesture. "The Cullen's are almost all evened up in numbers now. I had the opportunity to meet Alice's new mate, as well. I hear your new sister, Bree, is the only one left? Perhaps it will be our turn next, eh, Kate? Irina?" She grinned at the two blondes.

"Keep the dream alive," Kate said with a roll of her golden eyes while Irina was looking around uneasily. She took Bella's hand from Tanya's and squeezed it gently. "Welcome, Bella."

Carmen put her hand on top of Kate's. "I'm Carmen, this is Eleazar. We're so very pleased to finally meet you."

"M-me, too," Bella stuttered.

"Irina?" Eleazar said, trying to get Irina's attention. "Don't you want to congratulate Edward and Bella?"

Irina looked down, uncomfortably. "I can't do this."

"What do you mean? We talked about this." Kate whispered.

"I can't help it!" Irina responded, looking over towards Seth and Billy. "They invited one of them."

"Seth wasn't one of the wolves around back then," Jasper supplied.

"What difference does it make?" Irina shook her head.

"He was caught trying to kill Bella," Edward spoke calmly, but with an underlying coat of venom in his voice.

"I don't believe that!" She objected. "He wanted to be different! He wouldn't have -"

"Enough!" Tanya hissed at her sister, cutting her off while shooting the four of us an apologetic smile. She glanced back at the people waiting behind them - humans I had not yet met. "We'll get to know each other later. We'll have eons of time for that!" She laughed as she and her family moved on.


All the standard traditions were kept. The newly-wedded couple was blinded by flash bulbs as they held the knife over a spectacular cake that they took turns shoving in each other's faces; Edward manfully swallowed his portion as I watched in disbelief.

"No way!" Jasper gagged, much to my amusement.

"He's going to have fun throwing that up later." Emmett snickered.

"Be nice!" I chastised them, playfully.

Bella threw her bouquet with atypical skill, right into my surprised hands. Emmett and Jasper howled with laughter at Bella's blush while Edward removed her borrowed garter - which she'd managed to shimmy down to nearly her ankle - very carefully with his teeth. Then, with a quick wink at his new bride, he shot it straight into Jasper's face.

And when the music started, Edward pulled Bella into his arms for the customary first dance, twirling her effortlessly under the glow of a canopy of lights and the bright flashes from the cameras.

The music changed, and Jasper held his hand out for me, guiding me out onto the dance floor where we skillfully moved to the music. Mom and Dad joined us, spinning around like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

At one point, I noticed Edward and Bella heading away from the lights and then into the deep swath of night that ringed the luminous dance floor.

"It seems as though Jacob has made a surprise appearance," Jasper murmured, having followed my gaze.

"That was nice of him," I smiled.

He scoffed, "We'll see."

Edward appeared about a minute and a half later, alone, finding Rosalie for a dance.

"May I cut in?" Emmett appeared. "I want to spin my little sister around the dance floor."

I snorted, "Little sister? Hey, I'm older than you are, Mister!"

Emmett waved me off, "Details."

I smirked, shaking my head at his antics as Jasper bowed out in search of Bree, who was currently hiding in the corner. She was very nervous and was constantly being watched by a member of the family since she was still so very young.

We moved around the dance floor for a song before Jasper cut back in, swapping Bree and I with Emmett. However, we only made it another song and a half before Jasper's attention whipped around.

"Shit," he mumbled, marching over towards where Edward was, and whispered in his ear. Edward quickly dashed over to where he had taken Bella earlier to meet Jacob, Emmett, Jasper, Seth and I following after him.

"What's going on?" I asked, stretching my senses until I was able to hear what he was referring to.

"Ow, Jake! Let go!" Bella cried.

"Bella! Have you lost your mind? You can't be that stupid! Tell me you're joking!" Jacob yelled.

The second we were out of sight of any humans, we flitted over to them just in time to see Jake shaking Bella, his hands, tight as tourniquets, quivering, sending vibrations into Bella.

"Jake - stop!" She tried again.

"Take your hands off her!" Edward's voice was cold as ice, sharp as razors.

Behind Jacob, there was a low snarl from another wolf hiding in the dark night, and then another, overlapping the first.

"Jake, bro, back away," Seth urged. "You're losing it."

Jacob seemed frozen as he was, his horrified eyes wide and staring.

"You'll hurt her," Seth whispered."Let her go."

"Now!" Edward snarled.

Jacob's hands dropped to his sides, and the sudden gush of blood was heard whooshing through Bella's waiting veins. Edward's cold hands replaced Jacob's hot ones, pulling her back at vampire speed until she was back on her feet a half dozen feet away from where she'd previously been standing.

Edward was tensed in front of her, the rest of us standing slightly beside them, backing them up - should they need it. There were two enormous wolves braced between him and Jacob,but they did not seem aggressive to me. More like they were trying to prevent the fight.

And Seth - gangly, fifteen-year-old Seth - had his long arms around Jacob's shaking body, and he was tugging him away. If Jacob phased with Seth so close...

"C'mon, Jake. Let's go."

"I'll kill you," Jacob said, his voice so choked with rage that itwas low as a whisper. His eyes, focused on Edward, burned with fury. "I'll kill you myself! I'll do it now!" He shuddered convulsively.

The biggest wolf, the black one, Sam, growled sharply.

"Seth, get out of the way," Edward hissed.

Seth tugged on Jacob again. Jacob was so bewildered with rage that Seth was able to yank him a few feet farther back."Don't do it, Jake. Walk away. C'mon."

Sam joined Seth then. He put his massive head against Jacob's chest and shoved.

The three of them - Seth towing, Jake trembling, Sam pushing - disappeared swiftly into darkness.

The other wolf stared after them. I wasn't sure which one it was - Quil maybe?

"I'm sorry," Bella whispered to the wolf.

"It's all right now, Bella," Edward murmured.

The wolf looked at Edward. His gaze was not friendly. Edward gave him one cold nod. The wolf huffed and then turned to follow the others, vanishing as they had.

"All right," Edward said to himself, and then looked back at us. "Thanks. We'll be right behind you."

We nodded, leaving them alone for a private moment before joining the party once again.


(Jasper's POV)

The wedding reception was coming to an end. I was in the house helping Damon as we carried the luggage out to the car. I don't know why Alice had asked me to help Damon out and not Emmett. I mean, I really don't feel comfortable being in the same room as Damon after the way he'd been treating Crystal. It just makes me so angry to see my mate's sad face every time saw him, Alice too.

I cannot for the life of me fathom why Damon can't just tell Alice that he wanted to spend time with his sister. Sure, I can understand that Damon is Alice mate, but he should consider how Crystal is feeling. I knew how Alice felt now that she found her mate, and didn't want to be out of his presence, but she should be more empathic to what's going on. And I didn't know what Damon's excuse was. It wasn't like he felt the mating bond in the same way a vampire did.

So, I decided to speak up and tell him what's been bothering me, needing to bring my mate out of her depression and a smile on her beautiful face.

"Damon, we need to talk."

He looked at me and nodded, his emotions showing her unease and curiosity.

"I have something I need to discuss with you," I began. "You've been making Crystal really sad lately. And I, for one, do not like it when she's sad. She's been really upset that you came all this way to visit with her, but have basically been completely ignoring her in favor of Alice since you've arrived. I can actually feel the amount of hurt you're causing her and that's not okay."

I could feel a mixture between guilt, and sadness fluctuate in the cocktail in place of the curiosity.

Before he could speak, I continued, "Listen, I know how it is to have finally found your mate. I waited a really long time for my mine. I almost thought that I wasn't meant to have one until Crystal finally came into my life. And I know it was the same for Alice, but you can't just ignore her like that. It's really not fair to her." I told him sincerely, doing my best to act empathically rather than harshly.

He sighed, "I realize that I've been ignoring her, but I don't mean to. I've been trying to talk to her and hangout with her, but everytime I try, Alice is always there, and she is a person that is hard to say no too." A touch of a smile touched his lips before disappearing almost as fast as it had arrived. "And I also feel trapped, because I came here to spend time with Crystal, but then Alice came along, and... everything's just started to change." He shrugged.

I honestly did feel for him at that moment. On one hand, he had Alice, who is his mate, and who'll be there for him for years to come. And then on the other hand, he had Crystal, who was like a beautiful sister to him and was in need of her brother, who'd been there for her since she had first become a slayer at such a young age. I know that he and Crystal have been inseparable before she came here, they were like two siblings who were constantly in sync with one another. And I also knew that I could never replace Damon since they had tight sibling bond, however, I did have Crystal as my mate, and her love for me is very real.

"You should sit down with both Alice and Crystal and tell them exactly how you feel then." I suggested. "I know it would mean the world to Crystal for you to make that first step, and I know it will be good for Alice, as she needs to learn that she can't keep you all to herself, no matter how much she may want to. She's got to think about others, as well. She's a kind-hearted soul and I know she will understand and probably doesn't even realize what she's doing, having been so excited to have found you."

He looked at me thoughtfully and nodded. I could tell by his emotions that he agreed with me 100%.

We grabbed the last of the luggage and brought it down the stairs and out to the car that would soon be taking Bella and Edward to the airport.

I looked around outside and noticed that Crystal was talking to Edward. It must have been about something really important, because she had a serious look on her face.

Walking towards, them I heard her speak, "Edward, you can't have sex with Bella without using protection. If she gets pregnant, the baby could kill her! You know what happened with mom! She barely made it as it was!"

"Don't worry," He soothed her, his emotions slightly troubled at the thought of Bella going through what Esme had gone through with Crystal. "We'll definitely use protection, I promise. I can't lose her to a baby that would kill her."

"Just make sure you do," She spoke, "I also made sure Alice got her started on birth control pills to help a few weeks back. But you know I can't promise that it will work on it's own. You know that vampire sperm is vemon, so it might overpower any birth control methods she could use. And if the worst should happen, then I advise you to contact me immediately. The sooner, the better."

He nodded, "Don't worry, I will." He sighed, looking at his watch. "I should get back to Bella. She should be dressed and back down here by now. I'll see you when I get back," He tells her, pulling her into a hug goodbye.


"Hey Tiger," Crystal breathed into my ear.

I smiled, taking a hold of her hand and lifted it to my lips, gently pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "Hello, beautiful."

"So, where have you've been for the last couple of minutes? You've never left my sight this entire day, until just a couple of minutes ago."

I shrugged, "I'm sorry, Darlin, but Alice wanted me to help Damon get Bella and Edward's luggage down the stairs and into the trunk."

At the mention of Damon's name, her emotions instantly shifted, becoming saddened.

I couldn't bare to see her so down like this.

"Crys, it's goin' to be okay, Darlin'. I know that you miss him, but I think he's just confused with everythin' that's been happenin', and he's torn. So, let's just give him some time to come around an' figure things out." I suggested, tucking a loose curl behind her ear with a kiss to her pulse point. "But, for now, how about you and me go down to Texas for the next couple of days? This way, you can visit with Jackson an' the rest of your friends. Also, I would like to introduce you to my brother Peter, and his mate, Charlotte. I've told them all about you and they're excited to meet you. They live in Texas, as well."

She looked up at me with excitement bubbling in both her eyes and emotions. "Really? That would be great! I can't wait! You'll get to meet Jackson, and my best friends growing up, Kagome, Sango, Rose, Jade, and Inuyasha!" She grinned, taking both of my hands in hers. "I also can't wait to finally meet the infamous Peter and Charlotte. Pete sounds like a trip on his own, and Charlotte sounds like my kind of girl!"

I smiled broadly at her excitement. I couldn't help but to laugh at her bright, happy face with her eyes sparkling and shining with excitement. She had the one of the widest of smiles on her face that lit up the entire room.

It was times like this that I was still having trouble believing that this wonderful creature was my mate. Out of every male that the fates could have chosen as her mate, I was the one who was chosen. And I was so proud to be able to call her mine. I couldn't wait to marry this angel of mine.

She was so beautiful. I couldn't exactly put how much so into words. I knew that just by looking at her, she longed to have a wedding of her own. I couldn't blame her. Ever since I first met her, I kept imagining the day when she would walk down the aisle on her father's arm in a beautiful white gown - hell, she could walk down the aisle in a pair of sweat pants and a ratty old t-shirt, and I wouldn't care. Since she would look stunning either way.

I could tell that this wedding had created a yearning inside of Crystal's heart. I could tell by her emotions throughout the day that she wanted to marry me, and catching the bouquet earlier was only another sign that we were made for each other and was meant to bare my last name. And I wanted to marry her just as much. Being able to call her my wife in front of the world meant everything, but I didn't want to rush her. However, I think that me holding back was just making it harder on her.

It was then that I decided either tomorrow or the day after, I'd propose. It would be so worth it to see that beautiful smile light up her face.

"Come on, Darlin," I tugged on her hand to pull her in the direction of Carlisle and Esme. "Let's go and stand next to the rest of our family and send the two newlyweds off on their honeymoon." I winked.

Esme and Carlisle, as well as the rest of the family, were standing with the Denali's, gushing about their happiness and the newly wedded couple.

"Hey, where have you two been?" Emmett asked.

"Well, if you must know, I was having a private conversation with the groom." She winked.

"Ahh, the safe sex discussion," He grinned with a slow nod, striking up their own conversation.

Finding an opening, I took it, and pulled Carlisle off to the side.

"Hey Carlisle, would it be alright if I talk to you privately after we send off Bella and Edward for their honeymoon?" I asked him, feeling a set of nerves flare up inside of me.

My God, this was ridiculous. I've charged into hordes of bloodthirsty newborns without flinching, and here I am, getting all kinds of worked up at talking with Carlisle about proposing to his daughter.

He nodded, and smiled, "Sure, Jasper. Is everything okay?"

I nodded at him and looked over towards Crystal, who peeked up at me with a smile. "Yeah, everything's perfect."

We turned around at the sound of clapping, finding Bella and Edward coming out of the house from the front porch, which was lined with people on both sides. The applauding grew louder, along with some wolf whistles, as Edward kissed her on the doorstep. We all joined in on the clapping, and smiled widely, some of us blowing bubbles into the air while others were tossing up white rice as Edward rushed them down the stairs. Emmett was throwing rice with uncanny precision, and Bella was catching a lot of the ricochets off Edward's back.

"Why are people throwing rice in the air? Don't they know that rice can kill the birds?" Bree murmured. I didn't even realize she was over here. I thought she was with Seth, since he'd returned a little while ago and they'd became such fast friends. He'd agreed to take a turn keeping an eye on her around so many humans.

"I agree with her," Tally nodded, "Rice can harm the birds by making them explode."

Edward and Bella had finally made it over us, Bella's family approaching from behind them.

"Thank you, Alice. It was the most beautiful wedding anyone ever had." Bella told her earnestly. "Everything was exactly right!"

"I'm glad you liked it," Alice smiled, pulling her into a hug.

Bella's mother's tears streamed down her face without a break as she approached her daughter, pulling her into an embrace of her own.

"I'll call you when I know where I'm going," she promised as they hugged goodbye. I knew that he honeymoon secret was driving them both crazy. I'd come to learn that Bella wasn't good with secrets, and from what I could tell, Renee hated them as well - unless she was in on them, of course.

"I'll tell you as soon as she's safely away," Crystal outdid her, smirking at Bella's wounded expression.

"You have to visit me and Phil very, very soon. It's your turn to go south - see the sun for once." She pushed back her daughter's hair.

"It didn't rain today," Bella reminded her, avoiding her request.

"A miracle."

"Everything's ready," Alice said. "Your suitcases are in the car - Jasper and Damon got everything all packed and brought the car around."

"I love you, Mom," Bella whispered. "I'm so glad you have Phil. Take care of each other."

"I love you too, Bella, honey."

"Goodbye, Mom. I love you." She said again, her throat thick as she knew that this would probably be the last time she saw her.

Edward took her hand, but she leaned away, scanning our little crowd.

"Dad?" She asked, her eyes searching.

"Over here," Edward murmured, pulling her around the outside of the group. Charlie was leaning awkwardly against the wall behind everyone, looking a little like he was hiding. The red rims around his eyes explained why, along with the smell of salt.

"Oh, Dad!" Bella hugged him around the waist, tears streaming again.

He patted his daughter's back. "There, now. You don't want to miss your plane."

"I love you forever, Dad," She told him. "Don't forget that."

"You, too, Bells. Always have, always will."

She kissed his cheek at the same time that he kissed hers.

"Call me," he said.

"Soon," she promised, knowing this was all she could promise. Just a phone call. Her father and mother could not be allowed to see her again; she would be too different, and much, much too dangerous.

"Go on, then," he said gruffly. "Don't want to be late."

They made their way over to us, and we gave them each a hug.

"Congratulations, Bella, Edward. I hope you have fun during your trip!" Tally told them both.

"Thanks, Crys, Jasper."The both said in sync.

Bella and Edward walked towards the car, which was decorated with more flowers that railed in streamers along it's length, and long gossamer ribbons that were tied to a dozen shoes - designer shoes that looked brand new - dangling behind the bumper.

People began blowing more bubbles and tossing more rice, which Edward shielded her from, while she climbed in, and then he ran around to the other side. They started their descent down the driveway, waving out the open windows and calling out 'I love you's' before driving off towards the airport, leaving everything behind until they came back.

Once their car was out of site, I could see that people were beginning to leave, but not before congratulating our family and expressing to us how great of a wedding this was. We each said a thank you to each and every one of them before we went inside. Alice had hired a cleaning crew to come in tomorrow, so we didn't have to worry about the mess, for now.

I was following Crystal into the house when Carlisle pulled me off to the side.

"You said that you wanted to talk, son?"

"Yes, but not here." I whispered. "Could we go somewhere that we wouldn't be overheard?"

"Of course," He nodded, guiding me over to the woods, where we took off, not stopping until we were nearly a mile away from being overheard.

When we stopped, Carlisle turned to me with questioning eyes, his emotions speaking for him. I shifted on my feet, not being able to control the awkward fidgeting.

Of course, Carlisle caught this, and his emotions shifted to worry. "Is everything alright?"

I nodded," Yes. It's just that...Carlisle... I would like to ask for your blessing. I want to ask Crystal to be my wife."

He looked a little taken back, but I'm sure that he knew that I was going to be asking this question eventually.

Finally, he smiled at me after the shock seemingly had worn off. "Yes, I'll give you my blessing. However, you should know that if you hurt her, Jasper - her mate or not - I will make you pay. She's my daughter. So, I'm sure you understand." He was completely serious was he made the threat.

I knew that he and Esme loved each of us, and genuinely thought of us as family, but when it came to Crystal, she was born from their love and they had raised her from a baby. So I understood the overprotectiveness they felt for her.

"I won't hurt her, Carlisle. It's literally impossible for me to. I can't stand the thought of her being filled with anything but happiness and love." I vowed.

A small smile pulled at his lips. "I glad that were on the same page, Jasper. Now, when are you going to pop the question? I'm sure that will be the first thing Esme will want to know." He chuckled.

An involuntary smile tugged at me, turning into a full out grin. "I was planning on taking her out to dinner tomorrow night, and proposing then. I already have the engagement ring." I informed him, and reached into my pocket, pulling out my mother's ring. It was a 3 stone sapphire ring with twinkling diamonds surrounding them.

Carlisle's emotions echoed his expression as he took in the ring, clearly stunned at the sentimental value behind it. "Wow, she's going to love it, son. I'd be proud to have you place it on my daughter's hand."

I couldn't help the affection that swirled within me for the man I'd looked up to as a father figure since the day we'd met.

"Thank you, Carlisle, for everything. But especially for taking me in when I was so lost and new to this way of life." I murmured, unable to meet his eyes for fear that I'd choke on the familial emotions bouncing back and forth between us.

"You're very welcome," He said, placing a hand on my shoulder and giving it a squeeze. "It's been an honor getting to know you all these years." He paused, dropping his hand and gesturing back the way we'd came. "Now, let's get back to the house. I'm sure Crystal is missing you." He suggested.

After flitting back to the tree line of the property, we walked out of the woods and back into the house. My eyes immediately saught out Crystal, who was sitting contently on the couch when we entered the living room.

"Hey Darlin," I greeted her, leaning against the arm of the sofa as I bent down to speak softly into her ear. "Are you ready to go home? I remember how I promised that it would just be you and me and our king-sized bed tonight."I huskily drawled out. I could feel her lust hit me hard. After all, I knew how much she loved it when I used my Texas drawl.

She smirked, closing her book before she stood, and slowly walked to stand centimeters in front of me.

"Well, we best be on our way the, right?" She asked in a sensual tone.

Grabbing me by my tie, she smirked as she led me out to the back patio door and into the woods. But before she could take off, I bent down and picked her up into my arms, rushing us home with her giggling the entire way…

A/N: Another chapter down! Any thoughts on what's going to happen next or in future chapters now that the wedding is over?

Co Author's Note: Crystal's friends name are from the anime show inuyasha. Jade, and rose are original characters based off my best friends. The inuyasha character names are the ones i'm using their looks are going to be different, and i will be using their weapon choices though. But you'll see when they are introduced.- Katara Melody Cullen.

If you have any questions or comments, post them in my reviews and I will answer them at the bottom of the next chapter in my Author's Note!

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If you enjoyed this story so far, check out some of my other stories on my FanFiction page! Also, I am still accepting Twilight stories that involve Jasper/any female leads or Bella/selected male leads if anyone is looking for a Beta Reader. I will also accept other genres depending on the genre. I will make exceptions on the characters depending on the plot.

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Xo BellaItalia oX