I don't own anything except George, Sophie, and Morgan; but you already knew that.

~***~

Chapter 28: Cuff Links, Kisses, and a Crazy Idea

"He's so tiny… and beautiful." She had never held a newborn baby so she was nervous when Carlisle handed him to her. Jake stood directly behind her, looking over her shoulder.

"He's sturdier than he looks Nessie, just be sure to support his head. Here, like this." Carlisle helped settle him in the crook of her arm.

"Oh, wow." Nessie was speechless. How could anything so tiny be so perfect? From the red downy hair dusting the crown of his unbelievably soft head—to his tiny oval fingernails—he was flawless. Nessie couldn't resist kissing the top of his head and she felt his pulse beating against her lips through the soft spot where his skull had yet to close. He smelled so good—like clean laundry and rain.

His dark blue eyes were wide and intelligent as he gazed at her and… smiled. He seemed to recognize her. This little miracle knew her! How could anyone hold a baby and not believe in God? Nessie placed her palm on the side of his face and let her thoughts and feelings flow effortlessly from her heart to his.

"Nessie, stop. Give me the baby." Edward demanded as he took the baby away from her. She immediately felt a sense of loss.

"Dad?" Nessie was hurt and confused by her father's strange reaction.

"I'm sorry Nessie, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, but you were bonding with him. It isn't fair to either of you. This baby needs to bond with his parents."

Nessie's eyes filled with tears. "But Dad, Morgan doesn't want him."

Edward smiled at her. "Don't let Morgan or Marcus hear you say that."

"What? What do you mean?"

"Morgan refused to let us administer general anesthesia. She opted for an epidural block instead, so she was awake during the delivery. When he cried for the first time, she looked right into his eyes. It was love at first sight. Morgan still hate's Aro and what he did, but she holds no malice for the child at all, and this little guy loves his mother with all his heart." The baby had his little fist curled around Edward's finger and was trying to draw it into his mouth.

"Are you saying that Morgan decided she wants this baby? After all the hateful things she said about him?" This is what she had hoped for, wasn't it? She wanted Morgan to love her baby. Didn't she?

"What about Marcus? He hates the baby. Is Morgan willing to leave Marcus so she can keep her baby?" Nessie wasn't sure what the relationship was between Marcus and Morgan, but she knew that Marcus was completely obsessed with her, and that Morgan trusted him.

"Marcus has a gift, Nessie. He can read the bonds between people. That's why he connected with Morgan in the first place. She was the first person since his wife died centuries ago that created a visible bond with him. As soon as he saw the bond between Morgan and her baby, he opened his heart and that bond included him. It is impossible for Marcus to hate anything that Morgan loves."

Edward gently rocked the baby in his arms as he spoke. "It's a miracle, Nessie. But love has a way of making miracles happen."

Edward smiled kindly at her. "Come with me, Sweetheart." He led her into the improvised operating room where Morgan was recovering. Nessie almost didn't recognize them. Morgan and Marcus were both beaming at each other and then at the child in her father's arms. It was the first time Nessie had ever seen Marcus smile. He didn't seem creepy or even frightening anymore.

Marcus stood and tenderly took the baby from Edward. "Are you hungry again already my little man?" Morgan laughed quietly and slipped the hospital gown off her shoulder revealing her swollen breast. Marcus handed her the baby. He immediately began to root around and Morgan gasped when he latched on to her nipple. Nessie lunged toward them and would have snatched the baby away if Edward hadn't restrained her.

"It's all right, Nessie." Morgan laughed. "The wee little tyke knows not to bite me. Don't you Love. He just has a strong nursing instinct and a voracious appetite. "

"But… that's milk… doesn't he want blood?" Nessie still had vague memories of the nasty taste of baby formula.

"He definitely wants blood," Edward laughed. "But he is just as happy with his mother's milk."

"Wow." Nessie was speechless.

Edward laughed. "My thoughts exactly. Let's give this new little family some bonding time shall we?"

Nessie nodded and followed Edward out of the room. Everyone was talking in excited whispers. No one could believe how Morgan, and especially Marcus, could have changed their hearts so drastically. Esme looked grief-stricken. Carlisle had his arm around her and Esme was leaning on him for support. Of course. Esme and Carlisle had planned to adopt the baby. Nessie felt her heart break for their loss.

"Dad, are you sure that Morgan and Marcus should keep that baby?"

"Absolutely. Once you bond with your child, it's unbreakable." Nessie realized Edward wasn't just talking about Morgan's baby. "I love you so much, Renesmee."

"I love you too, Daddy." Nessie felt tears spill over and flow down her cheeks. Edward wiped them away with his cool fingers. He hugged her briefly and whispered, "I think someone is looking for you."

Nessie peeked over her father's shoulder and saw Jake staring at her. He was wearing that damn sexy crooked grin of his and she had to bite her lip to keep from moaning. Edward groaned and gave her a gentle push toward Jake. "Go on, before I change my mind and try to lock you away someplace he can't find you.

~***~

"Nessie hurry up! We're going to be late." Jake was waiting just outside her door.

She tried once again to get the wild orchid to stay in her hair, but it just wasn't long enough yet. "Ahhhh! Screw it!" Nessie stuck the flower's stem behind her ear and flung her door open.

Jake looked magnificent, better than any male model or movie star—and he was hers. Jake was always gorgeous, but the sight of him leaning casually against the doorframe left her breathless.

"Can you help me with these damn things?" Jake handed her two diamond-studded cuff links.

Nessie looked up at him and when their eyes met, they both smiled and said, "Alice." Laughing softly, Nessie quickly fastened Jake's cuffs. "Only Alice would insist on something as silly as cuff links for a wedding in the jungle."

Jake ran his finger around the edge of his shirt collar and strained against it. "Is she trying to strangle me? This is way too tight!"

"Here, let me fix it." Nessie pulled the tie off his neck and tossed it on her bed. She quickly unbuttoned the top four buttons of his shirt and adjusted the open collar to reveal a small "v" of silky smooth skin stretched over hard muscles. She was used to seeing Jake completely shirtless so she was unprepared when the contrast of stark white cotton against his russet brown skin filled her with desire. Mesmerized, she trailed her fingers along the open edge of his shirt and Jake trembled under her touch.

Nessie took a deep breath and shook her head to clear the lust from her mind. "Let me take a look at you. Hmmm… I really think you should tuck in your shirt." Nessie ran her hands lightly down the sides of Jake's ribs and attempted to slip the hem of his shirt into his jeans at his hips. Jake gasped and grabbed her wrists.

"I better do that." His voice was so low and husky she could barely understand him. She brazenly watched him tuck in his shirt and bit her lip as she let her gaze travel down his body. His dark blue denim jeans rode low on his hips and strained across the muscles of his thighs. She quickly lowered her gaze and noticed Jake was wearing… shoes. Huh. Maybe Alice was serious after all.

"Hang on a minute, Jake." Nessie darted into her closet and retrieved the strappy stiletto heels Alice insisted she wear to the wedding. She tossed the silly shoes out her window, leaned out over the ledge, and watched until they hit the ground. There was no way she was going to attempt to climb down the tree in those things. It was bad enough she had to do it in a dress, especially one as short and form fitting as this one. Nessie wiggled her hips and tugged on the hem trying to cover a few more inches of exposed thigh.

When she turned around Jake was standing right in front of her. He ran his hands up and down the sides of her body then grabbed her hips and pushed her against the wall. His eyes were on fire as he growled, "I… want… you." Nessie clutched the sides of Jake's head and forced his mouth onto hers. They were frantically devouring each other when someone knocked on Nessie's open door.

"Umm… sorry to interrupt… but Alice sent me to fetch you guys. Everyone else is already at the gazebo and… ummm they are threatening start without you."

Jake growled, "Go away Seth." But he broke the kiss and tossed Nessie on his back. "You stay here until we hit the ground. Got it?" Nessie wrapped her arms around Jake's neck, gripped his waist between her thighs and felt the hem of her dress slip up even higher. She hoped her underwear wasn't showing.

"Sure Jake, but why?" Seth sounded genuinely confused.

"I love your innocence, kid. I really do. Nessie is wearing a dress and I don't want you to see anything you shouldn't, so just stay put."

Seth blushed and mumbled "Oh, okay."

Nessie giggled and tugged at the hem of her dress again, but it didn't help.

"Hang on Nessie." Jake made it to the ground in record time and Seth landed just a few seconds later.

He took off and called over his shoulder, "I'll tell them you're right behind me."

Nessie slid off Jake's back and was glad Seth wasn't behind her. She quickly found her shoes and slipped them on while Jake was busy smoothing out his shirt and re-tucking it into his jeans.

~***~

Wild flowers from the jungle filled the gazebo with a riot of color and sweet perfume. Oh my gosh! This must be the vision Alice had. The one Carlisle told me about in the clearing. This is supposed to be my wedding!" Nessie surreptitiously wiped her eyes with her fingertips. This is Morgan's special day. I refuse to ruin it with my own selfish emotional craziness.

"Nessie? Are you okay?" Jake was instantly worried.

"Sure, sure, I'm just a little emotional. It's a girl thing."

"Oh." Jake went from worried to embarrassed and Nessie realized "girl thing" probably meant something entirely different to Jake. Geeze! When is he going to stop getting embarrassed about this stuff?

"I'm not on my period, Jake. I'm just emotional." Jake's face darkened when he blushed, and the effect was sexy. Everything about Jake was sexy. Nessie wished this really were her wedding. Then tonight would be their wedding night and they wouldn't have to wait any longer. She replayed the passionate scene of Jake pushing her against the wall and kissing her in her mind… Nessie suddenly blushed when she noticed her father frowning at her. Damn! Jake and I are going to have to move to Alaska. Edward just rolled his eyes, and looked away.

Carlisle officiated and the ceremony was short and sweet. He said something about the bonds of love being stronger than the bonds of blood and venom. Nessie was too busy admiring Jake to catch all of it. Morgan and Marcus promised to love each other and their baby forever. Carlisle pronounced them "Man and Wife." Everyone cheered and clapped as they rushed to congratulate Morgan and Marcus. There was a lot of hugging and kissing among the vamps; but the wolves just shook hands with the happy couple.

Morgan was still weak from the surgery so she and Marcus took the baby and left shortly after the ceremony. Everyone else stayed and enjoyed the moonlight and soft music. Even Sophie and George had a great time laughing, playing and chasing each other.

Nessie was astonished when she saw Embry and Leah dancing with Sophie between them. Embry was the only of the trio that looked even remotely happy. Jake was right. There is no way this can end well. Nessie truly hated everything about imprinting. She hated the way it took away a person's free will, she hated the way it destroyed families and tricked people into thinking they were in love. Most of all, she hated the way it made her doubt Jake's love.

"Nessie, what's wrong?" She quickly pushed away all the negative emotions before looking into Jake's eyes.

"I'll tell you what's wrong, Jacob Black. You haven't kissed me nearly enough tonight."

"Nessie… Jasper is standing right over there and he hasn't lifted the no kissing rule yet. Besides, Edward has been giving me the evil eye all night long." Jake kissed her cheek and wrapped his arms around her waist as he rested his forehead on hers.

"I wonder why?" Nessie pulled back so she could see his face and smiled seductively at Jake. "Could it have anything to do with what you're thinking?" She tucked a loose strand of his hair behind his ear.

Jake laughed and said, "Without a doubt."

"A penny for your thoughts?" Nessie grinned at Jake and lifted her eyebrows.

"Are you trying to get me killed?" Jake whispered as he nibbled at her ear.

"No silly, I'm trying to get me kissed." Nessie pushed her lower lip into a pout and frowned.

Jake lightly brushed his lips across hers and Nessie tried to capture his mouth, but Jake lifted his chin so she couldn't reach his lips. She settled for the sensitive skin under his jaw and trailed kisses down his neck onto the seductive "v" revealed by his partially open shirt.

"Hey guys, you better cool it. Edward is about to explode." Nessie was past caring, but Jake pulled away from her. "Thanks Quil." Did he just thank Quil for interrupting us? What the hell?

"Seriously Nessie, you are driving me crazy." Jake's hand shook as he stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers.

"Nessie Darlin', can I speak to you for just a moment?" How had Jasper managed to sneak up on her?

"Sure Jasper, what's up?"

"If you'll excuse us for just a moment Jacob, I'll bring her right back." Jasper extended his elbow formally and Nessie guessed she was in trouble. Jasper led her far enough away from the party to be sure no one could overhear their conversation.

"Bella is shielding us so you don't need to worry about Edward reading our thoughts. Relax Nessie; I just wanted to talk to you a little bit about what you are doing to Jacob." Nessie would have been even more apprehensive if Jasper was not already calming her down. "You are making things very hard for him right now."

Nessie sucked in her lips and stifled the giggle that threatened to erupt. Jasper smiled indulgently. "I suppose that was a rather poor choice of words on my part, but in this case it is also accurate." Nessie blushed but immediately felt her embarrassment fade as a wave of confidence straightened her spine.

"I was just teasing him a little." Nessie glanced sideways to check on Jake and caught him sneaking a peek at her. She smiled and winked at him.

"It was more than just a little, Nessie. You don't have to be an empath or a mind reader to feel the frustration and lust radiating off that poor man. I know you love him and you wouldn't do anything that would intentionally cause him pain. I assume you are aware of the physical consequences of male arousal?"

Nessie blushed again and Jasper increased the level of emotional support. "Of course Jasper. I passed all my anatomy and human physiology classes months ago. I'm not that naïve."

"Nessie Darlin' there is a tremendous difference between knowing how something works and actually experiencing it. What you are doing to Jake is just plain wrong. His body is going to ache for hours because of your 'teasing'."

"Oh." Nessie didn't know what else to say. "So… it's painful?"

"Very."

"Is there anything I can do to…?" Nessie gasped and felt her eyes widen. "Never mind!" No amount of emotional support could alleviate Nessie's complete mortification.

"There are lots of things you could do to help, but the one you should be focusing on before your wedding is abstinence. That is unless you have changed your mind about waiting?"

"No, we still want to wait. So what exactly should I be abstaining from?"

"Well, I noticed that you two are ignoring my advice to abstain from kissing so I'm going to say that it is up to you and Jake to decide where to draw the lines."

"Sorry Jasper, we did try—for awhile anyway. The good news is that I don't get nauseated anymore when we kiss."

Jasper chuckled softly, "That is very good news, Nessie. How about your other major issue, any progress there?"

"I think so. I still hate the idea of imprinting and it still upsets me when I think about how Jake would have killed me if he hadn't imprinted first. A part of me is afraid that someday the imprint might break and then he would hate me again. I know that isn't logical, but since when have I ever been logical?" Jasper laughed and shook his head, but he didn't disagree. "I know in my heart that he loves me. I just wish I could get my head to believe it."

Jasper squeezed her shoulder. "It sounds like we still have some work to do, but I'm confident we can figure it out. Jake is starting to feel anxious so I think you better skedaddle on over there. Think about what I said and talk to Jake about it, okay?"

"Okay." That should be an interesting conversation.

Jake was sitting on one of the benches that bordered the gazebo with his long arms draped over the railing at his back. His eyes sparkled with reflected moonlight and drew her to him like a moth to a flame. He took her hands in his and pulled her closer until she was standing between his knees. Nessie was a couple of inches taller in the shoes Alice had decided to torture her with, so she actually had to look down into Jake's eyes.

"Hey you." Jake's voice rumbled in his chest and Nessie's pulse increased. Damn it he was just so irresistibly hot tonight.

"Hey yourself. Did you miss me?" Nessie tried to keep her tone casual, but it still sounded like a cheesy pick up line.

"Mmmm… yeah, I did. Soooo… I think you better make it up to me." Jake pulled her a little closer until she was wedged between his legs. The rough denim of his jeans pressed into the bare skin of her outer thighs and it nearly drove her crazy. Jake reached up, removed the orchid from behind her ear, and trailed it down her throat onto her chest and across the upper edge of her strapless dress before bringing it to his nose and inhaling deeply. Nessie began to tremble and it took all of her self-control to push away from Jake.

"Jake, we need to talk." His eyes immediately widened and his lips parted a little as he drew in a ragged breath. He looked so young and vulnerable.

"It's okay Jake." Nessie placed her palm on his cheek and replayed her conversation with Jasper. She hoped her mother was still shielding her thoughts.

Jake's eyes narrowed and flashed with anger. He didn't even kiss her palm before he started cussing. "That son of a Southern bitch should just mind his own freakin' business."

"Jake? What's wrong? Jasper was just concerned about you. He doesn't want you to be in pain and neither do I."

"He had no right to talk to you like that. You do not need to worry about… about that… stuff. If I ever feel like I can't handle something, I'll tell you myself." Jake was practically growling and everyone was staring at them.

"Jake! Calm down, everyone is listening." Nessie felt her face flush with humiliation.

Jake stood abruptly and raised his voice well above what was necessary for werewolf and vampiric hearing abilities. "I am sick and tired of everyone butting into our business. Nessie and I are both adults and we do not need any more advice, counseling, rules, or interference. We can figure things out for ourselves so I would appreciate it if you would all just butt the hell out!" Nessie felt a strong wave of calm wash over her. "That means you Jasper! Shut it off. Quit messing with my moods." The calm dissipated immediately and Nessie's anxiety returned.

"Come on Nessie, we're going for a walk." Jake grabbed her hand and pulled her across the gazebo.

"Jake wait a minute." He glared at her, but at least he stopped. "I just have to get rid of these shoes." She started to bend over, but remembered how short her dress was. Jake dropped to the floor on one knee and held her calf in one hand while removing her shoe with the other. He switched legs and removed the other shoe in the same manner. It was strangely erotic and Nessie felt her heartbeat increase. Jake squeezed her leg briefly before standing up and grabbing her hand again.

There was a buzz of nervous conversation behind them but Nessie couldn't understand what anyone was actually saying. Once they were out of hearing range Jake stopped and pulled Nessie into his chest. "I'm sorry Nessie. I shouldn't have let Jasper get to me, but he had no right to embarrass you like that. I wish we could go someplace where it was just the two of us—no wolf-pack, no busybody bloodsuckers, and no distractions."

Nessie sighed and kissed the exposed skin of Jake's chest. "That does sound nice Jacob. In fact, it sounds like a honeymoon." Jake chuckled and Nessie began to relax.

"Yeah, it does. You know Nessie. We haven't really talked much about getting married since… well since…"

"… Since I overheard Leah and totally freaked out?" Nessie slid her hands around Jake's back and gave him a big hug.

"Yeah, since that whole mess began. So uh… do you still want to get married?"

"Of course I do Jacob." Nessie nuzzled Jake's chest and the buttons of his shirt rubbed against her cheek. She was tempted to unbutton his shirt and remove it for him but decided that might be considered "teasing."

"I can't believe I don't already know this… but… do you want a big fancy wedding with the puffy white dress and bride's maids and all that stuff?" Nessie giggled as she imagined trying to walk through the jungle from the tree house to the gazebo in a traditional wedding gown. She could just see all the torn bits of tulle and lace that would mark her trail.

"I'm serious Nessie. What's so funny?" Nessie put her palm on Jake's cheek and shared her 'wedding vision' with him. Jake laughed with her then kissed her palm.

"We don't have to get married in the jungle. If you want a traditional wedding, you can have one." Jake placed his palms on her cheeks, tilted her face up and locked his eyes onto hers. "Now tell me. What kind of wedding do you want?"

She stared directly into his moonlit eyes and said, "I don't want a big wedding unless you do. I most certainly do NOT want to wear a big puffy dress that will make me look like a vanilla cupcake. I don't care if there are five hundred guests or none at all. As long as you show up and we both say 'I do', I will be deliriously happy."

"You are one amazing woman Renesmee Carlie Cullen and I can't wait to make you my wife." Jake brushed his lips across hers three times and then kissed her gently. "Well Nessie—if you don't care about a big fancy wedding—how do you feel about getting married tonight?"

~***~

A/N Anyone that reviews this chapter will receive a preview of the next one to show my appreciation.