Disclaimer: blah Stephenie Meyer blah. Lyrics: Brighter Than Sunshine- Aqualung. The songs in the ceremony are mentioned and I made a playlist for them for your convenience, linked in my profile. The quotes used in the ceremony that don't belong to me are referenced within the text- as in, it's said where they're from.

(A/N: Thanks for the reviews, faves, and alerts; special thanks to Keyster for being my 1,200th reviewer! Check out my JB-n-Pack group for the story- I post graphics and teasers there. NTL is there if something happens to it here. Tons of visuals for this chapter including clothes, setting, etc are there as well, or in my photo bucket account. Links in profile)

****** (IMPORTANT: THIS IS PART ONE OF THE CHAPTER. PART 2, WHICH IS UNEDITED, WILL BE POSTED HOPEFULLY BY THIS WEEKEND. I HAVE NO TIME TO EDIT IT AT THE MOMENT, BUT THANKFULLY PART 1, AKA THIS PART BELOW, WAS ALREADY EDITED A WHILE AGO. **************

Chapter 34: Bound, Part 1 of 2

I never saw it happening

I'd given up and given in

I just couldn't take the hurt again

What a feeling

I didn't have the strength to fight

Suddenly you seemed so right

Me and you

What a feeling

The day of the wedding

Bella's apartment

(Bella's POV)

I wanted to say that today could be the day we could all sit back and relax because planning was complete, but that wasn't the right thing to say.

I was getting married today.

Which meant all of me and Jacob's planning, with the assistance from our friends and family, boiled down to this one day. And if things didn't run smoothly, we'd have quite the unhappy bunch.

I'd known what my dress looked like for a long time, and I supervised Kyle throughout his process of making it. It was perfection…like silk against my skin and the fabric clung to every curve.

But, I was completely putting my faith in Kyle and I refused to gaze at the dress in the mirror when I tried it on. I knew he'd make it exactly the way I wanted and I trusted his instinct when it came to fashion. I wanted the full effect of seeing the dress in the mirror on me right before the wedding.

We had heaps of food prepared by my co-workers, and a few of the members of the Reservation. There were several mouths to feed belonging to our fellow 'wolf-boys' who ate no less than three servings of food per meal. Because it was me and Jake's wedding, our only job was to, once again, watch every platter and cake be prepared, providing input on what we wanted, but always leaving room for other options from our friends and family, since everyone had various taste. We had a vast collection of food ready for the reception.

Typically, the Maid of Honor and bridesmaids do most of the decorating, but Jake and I wouldn't have that, and ended up helping out, surprisingly. The finished product was precisely the way the two of us envisioned the decorating to be. It was like my co-workers had extracted the vision of the ceremony and wedding from our minds and threw it onto the blank canvas of the beach and house we rented out.

Jake and I had planned everything to the last detail and placed it in the hands of our friends and family to bring it to life, while we kept a close watch. And after seeing everything the other day during rehearsal, that dream was coming true.

And now it was just hours before the big moment. My big moment. Me and my fiancé's big moment.

And I'd just woken up, planning to go straight to La Push. Kyle, Ashley, and Angela had just left to set up the food. I felt left out, since it was our catering company, but then I remembered it was my wedding.

My wedding.

Wow.

Talk about coming full circle!

Jake had spent the past few days at Billy's, so we could maintain the 'white wedding' tradition: he wouldn't see me the night before the wedding, or before.

He wouldn't see me until I was at the edge of the aisle.

My plan to go directly to meet the girls, which I'm sure they'd crawled out of bed the same time I did and were about to bolt out the door by now, dresses and makeup in hand, was completely tossed aside the second I stood to my feet, felt that wave of dizziness and nausea, and barely made it to the toilet in time.

The nervousness was hitting full force.

I reached for a towel to wipe my face the second my stomach stopped churning, reaching into my cabinets for aspirin or something, before feeling another wave of nausea flow through me so quickly that I knocked half the stuff in my cabinets to the sink with a clatter as I dove to the toilet again.

Shit. Really, God? Are you really going to make me have to clean my spotless bathroom when I just polished it yesterday? I'm not living here anymore after tonight, you know…

I reached for another towel, searching for it the cabinets beneath the sink, knowing the one I'd just puked on wouldn't be of use anymore.

My fingers finally brushed against a wash cloth and I tightened my grip, shifting it to reveal an unopened bag of pads, which wasn't a big deal since I only wore them when my 'time of the month' was so bad I could hardly move from the bed. Those moments rarely happened though.

No, the most shocking thing I'd uncovered with just a flick of my wrist was an unopened box of tampons.

I always had an opened box of tampons, usually at least partially empty with every period.

I thought back: around eight weeks ago was the last time I'd had that dreaded 'monthly thing' women have to go through. And I'd missed one around four weeks ago, when I thought I'd been 'spotting.'

Eight weeks ago was the last time I'd had sex with Jacob

"Oh my God," I gasped, clutching the edges of the sink, breathing heavily.

It couldn't be. I was probably over thinking. They say stress can affect your cycle.

One fault with that excuse: the pills keep my cycle regular.

I glanced at the disarray on my sink top that I'd knocked around on my journey to the toilet; Aspirin, mouthwash, razorblades, and…my birth control pills… had fallen haphazardly everywhere.

I glanced at the pack…no, I glanced at the packs. There were three of them. I was supposed to start a new pack today- and there it was… unopened. My time to take it would be tonight.

But that wasn't the problem.

One of the packs, from April, had the months first week's pills still intact.

How in God's name could I have missed those? I never missed a day.

I remember though, stumbling home every night, during those weeks and going straight to bed, not even glancing at them because they'd been stored away in my cabinet, too sidetracked and not getting much of 'any' during the time, afterwards too.

I remembered that week- it'd been a stressful week, and Jake and I had been in a huge argument- one that came out of nowhere about, God, I don't even remember what it was. I recall it hitting me I'd missed a few days, but I hadn't really comprehended the exact day Jake and I had had sex…knowing now it was about eight weeks ago. It didn't even cross my mind that very day I'd missed a pill.

That'd been the 'rough sex day,' where we'd both been reckless.

Everything hit me at once- the nausea, the dizziness, the exhaustion, the lack of appetite, getting sick after ingesting certain foods, eating foods I wouldn't normally eat…

All it takes is missing a day. One encounter with absolutely no protection.

And I'd done just that.

There was only one way to be sure though.

My body had rejected the pills I did take soon after. It was out of sync with how I usually took them.

I had to be overreacting. It was the only explanation.

I checked the clock, a bundle of nerves teetering on edge, not sure how I would take the news if the test came back positive…or negative.

My mind had just one instinctive thought. One that told me to change into a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, pile my hair on top of my head, grab my purse and travel way over the speed limit to the nearest pharmacy. A local one was down the street.

My head was rushing a mile a minute. Was I really pregnant? Even as I sped around the corners, knowing the fate of my future, me and Jake's future, depended on this single test, and knowing my wedding was to take place in about three hours, and I'd be in a huge hurry to get this done, a small smile tugged at the corners of my lips.

I swerved into the parking space near the front of the store, positioning my car diagonally accidently, and ran through the automatic doors of the store, making a direct walk to where I knew everything involving birth control and pregnancy was located, keeping my head down to avoid gazes.

I made it to the aisle and was greeted with a section loaded with pregnancy tests. A part of the aisle I'd never had to run to, until today. Why today of all days? A pregnancy scare on my wedding day? Couldn't it have happened after the honeymoon, at least?

I picked up several of the boxes and read the information. Great…I had to pee on a stick, and how exactly does that work again? My nose scrunched up in disgust.

My brain didn't know how to take the possibility that this could be real. It was blank, or rather it was filled with visions of the wedding…and children.

I plopped down on the floor, exhausted, at a loss of what to do, knowing with each moment I sat there, the seconds were flying by, ticking down to my wedding.

I remembered what Edward said about Summer, and gave it a shot, dialing his number. I had to talk to her. She had to have known.

The phone went straight to voicemail. I left a message, explaining I needed to speak with Summer immediately, no questions asked, before I slammed the phone shut and threw it carelessly into my purse.

And I continued to sit there, cross legged, for a good five minutes, surprised, but also grateful, no one had asked if I needed help. I mean I could've used it, but I didn't want to answer any questions.

I made a final decision and stood to my feet, grabbing five of what was supposedly the best test, and tossed them into the basket I'd somehow picked up without knowing on my way in. My body had been running purely on instinct.

I dashed to the express lane, setting the basket on the tracks, digging for my wallet, opening it, and tapping my foot impatiently while I waited for the kid in front of me to purchase his handfuls of snacks.

When it was finally my turn I met the eyes of the cashier and promptly froze. My mouth dropped opened. "Mike Newton?" My eyes darted to my basket.

He wore the same expression when he saw me, before he smiled. "Bella Swan, really?" His eyes glinted with amusement.

"What are you doing in town?" The more I talked the luckier I'd be that his eyes didn't flicker to my basket as he scanned my items. I could just imagine how that scenario would unfold.

"I snagged a summer job up here. I'm visiting my family, and going back to school to finish my Doctor's degree in fall."

"Impressive," I swallowed nervously as he turned to the register to add up my purchases. Just my luck, I thought, sarcastically, as his eyes fell to the screen, and then drifted to my pregnancy tests. Our eyes met. "Mike, if you say a thing," I muttered angrily.

"I'm not even going to ask." He dropped them into a small, lunch-sized paper bag. "You got married to that Cullen guy, after all, didn't you?"

Oh God. He thought I was with Edward…still. Someone was years, years late when it came to that tiny piece of information. Hadn't he been the one to tell Angela I'd ran away from the wedding? Maybe he assumed I got back together with Edward?

"I thought you were with that kid from the res though…" He scratched the back of his neck, face flushing furiously.

My eyes widened and I reflexively flexed my ringed hand. His eyes caught the glimmer of the ring. I stuffed my hand in my pocket, but the damage was done.

"You're…engaged. Not married. My bad." He cleared his throat. "I just never thought I'd see the day you'd walk in searching for pregnancy tests. You didn't seem like that type of girl."

Oh how wrong he was. I remember trying to get Edward to sleep with my long before I ever actually had sex…with Jacob, of all people.

Time to make a quick exit.

"Actually, Mike, I'm getting married in a few hours." I paid, grabbed my bag and waited for the receipt. "And I'm running late."

I darted out without a single goodbye glance the moment that slip of paper brushed against my hand, jumped into the car, reached illegal speeds ascending the mountain, before I finally screeched to a stop outside my apartment. I ran upstairs, palms sweating, and headed straight to my bathroom, not bothering to close the door behind me. No one was here- they were where I should be, but I had to take this test. I had to know. It would kill me if I gave myself to Jacob not knowing something may or may not exist inside of me.

I smiled at the thought, but my nerves took over again and I took the test, using all five sticks, set them side-by-side on the sink counter and sat on the edge of the tub, staring at them.

I set my alarm clock, one of those hand held, annoying ones I had on hand that literally ticked away the seconds… loudly ticked them away.

My phone went off- I ignored it, knowing all too well it was probably my mother. She could wait, just a few minutes was all I needed before I could leave. I had to know. I was rocking back and forth, rubbing my arms…waiting.

Just thirty seconds had passed and it felt like minutes. I promptly hopped in the shower, and was out within five minutes, the timer blaring; it'd been doing so for a good two minutes, at least. Of course, when you have all-in-one shampoo and conditioner in your hair (yes, I was taking the easy way out), it's kind of stupid to get out before rinsing the product out.

I stumbled out of the shower, shut off the timer, forcing my eyes away from the tests.

As much as it was killing me to not check, I was scared too; I wasn't sure if it was a 'good' afraid, or a 'bad' afraid. I threw on my jeans and t-shirt, still soaking wet, towel-dried my hair as much as my patience would allow me, and ended up leaving it dripping.

They just…sat there, lined up, taunting me, beckoning me and I gave in, running forward so swiftly I clipped my leg on the edge of the sink. I grimaced in pain, but ignored it to lift up each.

Two bars means I'm pregnant. One bar means I'm not pregnant. The box said so.

I opened my eyes, clutching the tests piled in my hands, finally glancing at their screens.

Two bars…on all five of them. I sifted through all of them again, double-checked, triple-checked.

My eyes were wide, mouth gaping, but not from shock…well, somewhat, but more of a…

Holy fucking shit.

I was pregnant.

The force of this news caused me to stumble back and sit down slowly in the middle of the floor, staring at those two red lines, flicking back and forth between those lines and "pregnant" on the stick.

I was pregnant. There was a baby, a human being growing inside of me.

Something I created with Jacob.

Jacob and I were having a baby. We were going to by a mother and a father, officially.

I finally reacted. I laughed quietly, then it turned into something more intense, and I laughed harder and louder, before laughing hysterically, rolling on the floor. I felt wetness in the corner of my eyes as I fell on my back, clutching my stomach laughing, giggling…crying.

I was happy. I was giddy. This was the happiest day of my life.

I laughed and sobbed, at the same time, before finally calming down minutes later, hiccupping, which made me giggle each time they bubbled in my throat.

My hands didn't move from my stomach.

Jesus Christ, I was going to have a child. Jake and I were having a baby!

I wanted to tell him immediately, right this second, but I'd rather say it when he was with me, and I couldn't see him before the wedding- bad luck and all that bullshit. And he had to know first. I wouldn't be able to speak with him alone until the honeymoon. I had to wait until then.

Summer had to have known. Did she think I'd known? I almost decided to dial Edward's number again, but knew without a doubt, he would have called me back if he'd received my message.

My phone went off again. It startled me and I crawled to the tub, where it was placed in the towel rack. My mom was calling, and I had several missed calls from Kyle, Autumn, and of course the same woman calling me at this moment. "Mom."

"Bella, sweetie, where are you?" She was speaking so rapidly I had to strain my ears to catch on to every syllable. "Bella you were supposed to be here half an hour ago! Don't you always have your phone with you? Has it rung?"

"Mom," I interrupted her. "I'm on my way."

"Bella, honey, you need to hurry up!" She became frantic. "I have to do your hair; you're not bailing are you? We're starting to freak out here! Jacob's a mess!"

"Oh God, mom, don't say that!" I cried. "Don't tell me he's upset. Is he really? Why would he be? He has no reason to be!" I panicked, pacing around.

He definitely had no reason to be. Once he knew the reason I was late was because…because I'd found out I was carrying our child, he'd…

Oh God. I had to get there fast!

"Bella, just…get here, okay? I can't…this…we're worried!"

"Mom," I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to relax. "I'm leaving as we speak." And I was. I'd already retrieved my keys from the bottom of my purse and was out of my room. "There was a…complication," that's the only way I could put it. "I will be there soon."

And, thankfully, the cops weren't watching me today because I was driving far too fast.

Wait a minute…alcohol. There would be wine and champagne to toast at the wedding. I couldn't be drinking.

So, in my hurry, I stopped at a grocery store just outside the Reservation and almost bought a bottle of sparkling grape juice, walking out when I realized we were already going to have plenty, as well as fruit punch and sodas, for those who chose not to drink, and for the kids.

Oh yeah, that would go over well. Why wouldn't I drink to celebrate my wedding? I can just imagine all the suspicious looks I'd get. But, it had to be done. Besides, everyone was aware of how I was when I had alcohol in my system; they'd likely believe that was my reason not to drink at my wedding.

It wasn't the case though, obviously. I hadn't had a drink in a while, thankfully. But, I had another life to look out for now. I wouldn't be touching an alcoholic beverage for at least…seven months.

In all technicalities, I was around two months pregnant. Eight weeks. I couldn't…goodness…there was another life blooming inside me.

I'd probably scare everyone when they saw how god damn happy I'd be today, happier than ever, for more than the fact I was finally marrying Jacob. I couldn't keep my hands from cradling my stomach, and there was no way I'd be able to stop smiling today.

(Jacob's POV)

She couldn't be doing this…no, no. Was she blowing off the wedding?

"You've got to be fucking kidding me," I spat out loud, accidently, untying my tie and slinging it in some corner, where it hit Quil's head and dropped to the floor.

Quil whirled around. "Dude, what the fuck? You're lucky your ass didn't throw something heavier…could've busted my skull…" He quipped.

I ignored him. His attempts at jokes couldn't save my mood now.

There was a part of me that knew she wouldn't decide not tomarry me because I knew she loved me. But, was it too soon? Should I have waited? No, no…now was the time. We'd been at each other's throats throughout the past few months. She had to be nervous.

I was nervous. Definitely. Marriage was a big commitment, and even though I knew there was no one else for me but Bella, my stupid, fucking ridiculous insecurities had to return.

Bella was running late. Her mom poked her head in the door nearly an hour ago to announce the news that sent my head spinning. So, I'd been in this state of kicking and throwing things, cursing under my breath and occasionally aloud to my pack mates in the room with me: Embry, Quil, and Sam. And as usual, Quil was annoying, Embry was too quiet, and Sam offered words of "she'll be here" and "Don't worry" throughout. I almost wanted to cover me ears I was so sick of hearing that from him and the others.

Embry stood up from his lounged position in the window. "There she is."

I breathed the biggest sigh of relief. Why, why did I allow myself to think she changed her mind, even though after all this time, she always let me know I was the one for her?

Never again though. She was going to be mine in just a couple of hours.

I ran towards the window, but Sam and Quil were fast to lock my arms behind my back and Embry guarded the window, arms crossed, standing to his full height. "You can't see her, man. Go away." He waved his hand in my face, 'shooing' me. I glared. He rolled his eyes. "She just pulled into the drive." He nodded over his shoulder.

I slumped into a chair and was suddenly nervous for all the right reasons. Twitching and shaking. "Shit, I forgot my vows," stumbled from my mouth, even though I knew them by heart the second I wrote them down. My brain kept repeating the words in my head and sometimes I'd mix them up though, at this precise moment. Pre-wedding jitters would win this battle, not my attempt to remain composed.

Embry resumed his window-watching, grinning. "She's in a hurry."

"She better be," Sam grumbled, straightening his jacket in the mirror.

"Jake," Embry reached out and threw my shoes I had yet to put on at me. I spun around in the chair. "What?" I snapped. I didn't mean to.

He sent me another attempt at a menacing stare and gazed out the window again, watching my girl who hadn't been in my arms for a few days, who I hadn't made love to in weeks. "She's, like, fucking glowing was what I was going to say, jackass. I can see that smile from here, bro."

Quil joined him in the window and I almost growled. They could see her and I couldn't because of these wedding traditions we promised we'd obey. "Duuude, she just hopped out of the shower. Girl was in a rush…"Quil smirked. "She's fucking happy."

I snarled the second Sam peered outside, having the nerve to say, "It's the happiest I've seen her."

"Let me see her," I pushed through them and practically tumbled over the windowsill to look out. Fuck wedding traditions.

The door had just closed shut behind her. I dropped back into my seat and pouted, tripping Quil as he passed me. He fell to the floor, laughing…the fucker.

Embry smiled and patted my shoulder. "Jake, you'll see her soon. Relax. It's a big day.

I rolled my eyes. "No shit."

Was it time yet?

(Bella's POV)

I could already see our ushers, Kyle and Seth, chatting up the early guests on the beach. Kyle had dressed down. It was quite the shocker to see him in a normal tuxedo. His hair was wild to balance it out though. I don't blame him. It was who he was.

Now I was getting butterflies. "I'm getting married," I said, out loud. Almost in disbelief. Happy.

"Bella," Autumn shouted and lifted her almost floor length gold dress off her calves so she could walk down the stairs and meet me halfway, ponytail swinging around. "Thank God you're here." She seized my arm and I ran with her upstairs.

"I had things to do, sorry," I weakly explained as we speed-walked down the hall. I nearly raced to the side where the men were, but my mom, clothed in a strapless black dress, cut in the 'mermaid' style, began walking from that direction after talking to my dad, who stood outside the room, pacing back and forth. She intercepted me and led me to the room behind Autumn, closing the door behind her.

I was smiling, of course, although honestly upset for the first time today that I'd chosen to not see Jacob before the wedding.

I was immediately greeted with squealing girls, each of whom were speaking all at once, pleased to see me. Rachel, Rebecca, Chimera, Leah, Ashley, Angela, all wearing different styled dresses in various shades of gold and champagne.

Although Jacob and I decided to have aspects of a traditional wedding, we chose to shake things up and have bridesmaids not wear identical dresses. It allowed each of them to express their individuality. Besides, the core of this wedding had something to do with me being me, and choosing this life, so why not?

I couldn't give any of them hugs because things were time sensitive now. There was hardly a second to pause.

I took a seat in a chair in front of the vanity so my mom could work on my hair. The dresser in front of me was stocked with every aspect that completed my look: Autumn's pendant, my white heels, which I wouldn't wear for the actually ceremony because I'd rather not fall flat on my face and possibly injure myself, or my child, more importantly, in the process. I told mom I was going barefoot, and she said, with haste, "Whatever you like," sticking several black hair pins between her teeth as she began to pile my wavy hair on top of my head. She poked me several times, shaking, trying to get them in and I got up, laughing, as she followed me around, dodging her attack. I had to walk around. I was nervous!

Chimera was staring at me with a smile in a gorgeous, open backed, gold, thigh-length dress.

I batted my hands at my mother and she gave up momentarily, so I could greet Chimera with a tight embrace. "Welcome back."

"For a little while…" She chuckled, bending over to put on her shoes.

"Did you see Jacob before?" I was concerned. I had to ask; it was trapped in the back of my mind. "Mom said he wasn't doing too well…or, he hasn't been doing too well all day, apparently." I crossed my arms, shivering.

"He's fine, Bella," she straightened up, rolling her eyes. "He's been uneasy all day, and he just had a moment of panic that you wouldn't show up." I opened my mouth to say something, but she cut me off. "He knows you love him, and you've chosen him, and he's yours, and you're his, yadda yadda," she snickered. "He's…" She shrugged. "Leave it to me to try and talk some sense into him in hopes he calms down."

I exhaled, relieved. "Bella, now, darling," my mom called out to me. I sent Chimera a smile, whispering a "thank you for coming," before succumbing to my mother's hands tugging at my hair again. I had a head full of hair- it would take some time.

I gave Autumn the honors of clasping the pendant around my neck, her gift to me from years ago- the gorgeous heart with solid gold and diamonds, with a pearl in the center. My mother had being urging me, no, begging me, to do most of my hair for months, so, I let her continue that, and she only received help from Rebecca when needed, who'd kissed me on the cheek in greeting shortly after. Soon, my locks were pinned on my head by the both of them and raised off my neck into a bun. Ashley leaped in to pin two silver flowers adorned with diamonds onto the side of my bun as they finished.

Leah handed me my earrings. I'd narrowed my choices down to three, and didn't care at this point which ones I wore. The most appealing were the single white pearls that I took from Leah's hands and placed them on my ears.

Chimera was phenomenal with makeup and laid out the few choices I'd made. I pointed to the browns and pale rose-pinks, wanting to go natural. Light brown shadow, sheer lip gloss with a tint of red ('fake lipstick' as Ashley called it), rose blush, were my final selections. Rachel pinched my cheek to bring out my natural blush, cracking up as I moved away from her, rubbing my cheek, glaring. Chimera hurriedly applied my makeup.

Angela handed me my heels and I slipped into them. All was secure.

I was grateful for the help of these girls, the women I'd chosen to be in this wedding, and proud of the fact that they'd assisted in "putting me together" for the wedding.

My makeup was perfection, at least in my eyes. My hair, luckily because of my demands, hadn't been hair sprayed to death by my mother; she only made sure it would stay put, with no fly-aways with a quick once over. It was tight against my head and I was positive it wouldn't come undone, even through the dancing at the reception. I turned my head from side to side, admiring their handi-work.

I finally walked over to the platform to put on my dress, hanging in the corner. My mother had tears in her eyes as she handed the gown to me. "H-here y-you g-go baby," she sniffled.

"Aw, mom…" I cooed, crying softly as she finally let go of any pent up emotions and sobbed. I leaned down to hug her from my place on the platform (she wasn't much taller than me) and whispered words of comfort. "It's okay…it's just a big step is all…I'm changing my last name, mom, and…"

I absentmindedly rubbed my stomach.

Rachel caught it. "Are you hungry? I can steal some snacks from the reception hall." Her consideration was endearing, but I couldn't puke during my wedding. I'd be eating light tonight.

I recovered quickly. "I'm just really nervous." I didn't meet her eyes.

I was nervous.

I stripped down to my underclothes and took the dress from my mother. Before I could slide it over my head, Leah sauntered over to me holding a thin piece of fabric in her hands.

I blushed. "Leah! I thought we weren't doing the garter toss?"

She twirled it around her fingers before holding it out to me, smiling evilly. "Slide it up that thigh baby." She winked. "You said you'd do a garter toss a week ago remember?"

Oh…now I did. I sent her a sinister look before taking the delicate, pink and champagne colored lace fabric and inching it up my leg and to my thigh. "Happy now," I teased.

She winked. "Wait till you see what the girls and I bought you…"

My cheeks darkened. I hid my embarrassment by pulling my dress over my head. "If it's from a sex store, I'm murdering you."

Ashley erupted in a fit of giggles in the corner. "It's a surprise, Bella. You can't know."

My mother cleared her throat. "I'm forgetting I heard this conversation."

The conversation died down, and to my delight I started to think about the wedding, and not the disturbing, naughty gifts I'd surely get from the girls. They had said there was one gift from all of them…

I turned my dress around so it was on me properly. It was white, obviously, with a wrinkled top half and sweetheart neckline, ornamented with jewels beneath the bust. The bottom flowed out as the space between the purposely made wrinkles increased, falling fast my feet. A short train wasn't far behind me.

I struggled with the zipper on the back of the dress. It wouldn't zip past my chest, and I barely managed to drag it over my hips.

Shit. That was a symptom wasn't it…swollen breasts and the widening of the hips? The dress was snug around my waist; it fit, but my breasts were another story. Please think I'm on my period…although they were never this big even then.

My mother accompanied me on the platform to aid with the zipper. "Bella, did you gain some weight?" She wasn't concerned, or annoyed, just…surprised. It wasn't easy for me to gain weight.

My hands fluttered to the top of my chest, making gestures of 'you're choking me, let go please,' breathing deeply. My breasts ached too. "Yes."

Ashley moved into action. "I'll get Kyle. He's a miracle worker. He'll save you, girl."

"Yes, thank God…go now," My mother whined.

She tried to zip it up again. "Mom," I gasped. "Lay off."

She tensed and unzipped it partially so I could breathe, letting the dress pool around my hips as I held it to my bosom.

Kyle bounced in minutes later. "Baby girl," he cried. I adored that brotherly, high pitched voice he used. "What's going on?" He ran straight towards me, hardly sparing the others a smile and a glance- a man on a mission- and immediately went to work with a spare needle and thread he always kept on his person for last minute fix-ups, or even protection from unwanted advances.

"She's got to be on her period," Ashley said. "It's about that time for it."

"Yeah, definitely my lucky day," I sighed, exaggerating. "Or, my period's about to start, at least." I had to lie- Jacob had to know first out of my family and friends here. Although, I was sure Summer knew, but that couldn't be helped. I'd gotten better at lying after…when I…left so long ago.

"Your breasts are huge, sweetie," Kyle gasped as he kneeled in front of me and pulled the dress around.

You know, in any other case, I would've slapped the shit out of a guy who ogled my chest, but Kyle was…well, breasts didn't do a thing for him.

I don't know what he did, but with a flick and twitch of his fingers with the crunched part of the dress-pulling them apart, increasing the space between them, or something, I don't know, my dress loosened enough for me to breathe. "Thank you," I let out a deep breath, blushing at his earlier comment and the fact that I had more cleavage than I was used to.

"No problem, babe," he winked, stepping down and heading to the door, smacking Chimera's ass in greeting; he hadn't seen her in a while either- none of us had. And that was how he 'rolled.'

My mother would have scolded him, but she was well aware of his sexual preference. Kyle never kept that secret.

He paused in the door, wearing a mischievous smile. "Jacob's going to go crazy with those tonight."

I flicked him off, blushing…God, was I blushing or what!

My mother gave in and said something to him. "Now, Kyle, I know my daughter is 24 years old and getting married, but not in front of me." She didn't sound too stern.

Kyle chuckled and returned to his other job of the day besides catering, which happened to be ushering.

My father ambled into the room, patting Kyle on the back as he passed him on the way out. "Ladies," he grinned, ruffling his hair. "I'd like to speak with my daughter in private."

They giggled, curtseyed, and strutted outside, my mother last, clutching at her chest and looking me up and down with a smile. "I love you, mom," I mouthed.

She smiled and whispered, "I love you too," in return.

I could hear the guests being seated to "Kiss the Rain," a beautiful piece by Yiruma, before the door shut behind my dad. The wedding had begun.

Charlie grinned, glancing up at me. "You can step down now if you'd like, so you can see your old man."

I snapped out of my thoughts. "Yeah," I chuckled, sighing heavily. "Guess I can." I smiled widely as he took my hand and helped me down.

As soon as both my feet were firmly planted on the ground, he took both my hands in his, smiling. Tears were beginning to form in his eyes. "You look beautiful."

I blushed. Charlie was a charmer when it came down to it. "Thanks," I said, watching him as he stepped away and reached for my veil.

"One step to complete it," he cleared his throat as his voice trembled. "Hope I can do this correctly. We have been practicing. I remember you and I took dance lessons a few months ago for the reception as well…" He trailed off. He was turning the fabric around in his fingers.

"Dad, it's okay to cry you know," I said as he positioned the veil on my head, keeping it off my face so he could look at me. It was so light that the brush of the fabric against my skin and the slight tug of it being attached to my hair at the head of the bun was the only sign it was on.

"Nope," he smiled. "Not until later. Billy and I challenged each other. I can't shed a tear until the end of the ceremony. None at all would be nice."

"You holding back tears for that long is not going to happen," I joked.

"Let me keep my manliness for a while, okay?" His lips curved into a small smile. "You're my baby, my only child."

"I'll always be your baby girl, dad." He took my hand and led me to the mirror. "I'm just…older. I'm not a child anymore. But I'm still your daughter. That's not going to change for as long as I live. I guess, you can't carry me like you used to is the only difference," I said playfully, well aware there was a tremor in my voice.

My father wasn't going to be the number one man in my life now. Jacob would be. I wasn't going to be his little girl anymore, I was going to be a married women.

I didn't know it'd be so painful to know that I wouldn't care for him, or cook for him, or live with him like I once did, for many years. I wouldn't depend on him anymore, at least not so seriously. I had to be independent. I had to work with Jacob on everything from money to children and all the marriage complications in between that come with the whole package of spending the rest of your life with someone.

Again, my thoughts drifted back to the present as Charlie stepped away and gestured to the mirror.

It was déjà vu, like when I saw myself in the mirror before my wedding to Edward, except, things was different. I was different. There were no epiphanies or changes of heart and mind. There were no visions of a life I'd lose as a vampire, just a vision of the life I chose. The dress, the jewelry, the hair, matched perfectly…matched me. And I was utterly happy, armed without a single shed of doubt clouding my mind.

Just joy, a clear vision of a future I would never, ever want to not have, a future that, most importantly, actually rested in my womb.

I smiled and placed a hand on my stomach, before pulling it away. I had to stop that, at least for now.

I looked like a bride.

And the idea of being "knocked up" before my wedding didn't make me feel like a slut. Far from it. I was a grown woman, 24 years old, and I wasn't getting married because the man I was in love with had impregnated me. This was not a marriage of convenience. This was a marriage of commitment, a marriage of forever. A choice I'd ultimately made so long ago, a choice I only saw once before I almost committed myself to another man I wasn't supposed to be with. "I-I'm getting married," I blurted out, smiling, speaking more to myself than my father.

His voice came from the door, which was open. "Breathing Space" by X-Ray dog was playing, signaling my mother, Billy, and Phil were being seated.

Charlie gripped my hand when I finally reached him and pulled me into a hug. "Thank God for you, dear." He pulled away. "You're beautiful."

"Dad, you said that."

"And you're intelligent, and you're a bit hard to handle sometimes, but you're here, and you're my daughter and you're safe, and this is your moment," He breathed deeply, swallowing what I assumed to be a sob. Aw…dad…I gave him a solemn smile. "And I've never been happier for you." I hugged him again, catching the flurry of dresses of my girls rushing downstairs. They were supposed to join the guys outside when told to, so they'd likely been eavesdropping. Not that I minded. Sneaky women…

Charlie and I were alone again. "You're going to want to see this." He squeezed my hand and inclined his head towards the window.

I'd never seen a smile so big even though he was wiping tears from his eyes. "Billy said the boys, bridesmaids, and Jacob are making a 'grand' entrance." He winked.

Oh, I had to see this.

My father descended the steps, where he'd wait for me at the edge of the path, with tiki-torches on either side of it that led to the shore. It was concealed by a thicket of tress.

I turned to the window and peeked my head out between the curtains, knowing I wouldn't be noticed.

And the boys idea proved to me once again just how much of party animals they could be.

(Jacob's POV)

Finally, after what seemed like fucking centuries of waiting, I was outside with my groomsmen, Quil and Sam, my best man, Embry, Bella's father, who was leaning in the doorway, and all of Bella's bridesmaids, including her Maid Of Honor, Autumn. She couldn't just pick two bridesmaids could she?

I decided last minute to spice things up, told the guys an idea, which got them excited for a good hour, and knew, the second after they calmed down and raced each other down the hallways to tell the girls, that the idea had definitely gotten the green light.

The bridesmaids, groomsmen, and I were going to be entering to "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor. It was random and out of nowhere, but there was a rebellious side of me that wanted to break down the barriers of a traditional wedding somewhat and have us enter to a fast song.

Everyone was more than willing to participate in the entrance to surprise the guests. I knew Bella would be thoroughly entertained as she watched from inside the house.

The temptation to catch even a fleeting glance of her was at an ultimate high, hence why I was watching from a distance with Charlie, who would alert Bella as the song ended, so I could enter right behind Embry, so Bella couldn't see me either. Behind him would be Autumn, escorted by Seth, and they'd enter before Naira and Claire, our flower girls, who would be before Bella and Charlie. The flower girls, Charlie, and my soon-to-be wife would make their entrance to music after the rest of us took our bows at the end of "Eye of the Tiger" and lined up flawlessly within seconds.

The song started and I was hunched over laughing with Charlie throughout the entire thing. My brothers and the girls danced, shook, and ran down the aisle. Quil began, striking various 'strong' poses, flexing his muscles alongside my sister Rebecca, who was enjoying it just as much as him before the headed down the aisle, dancing in sync.

Quil weaved his way back to the end of the aisle and skipped down the aisle again with Angela. Ashley and Leah paired up, lifting their dresses and mimicking what the others before them had done. Chimera and Sam followed, as well as Rachel, escorted by Kyle. Embry took off and I followed, feeling like an idiot, but having fun. Autumn happily followed with Seth.

And we were abruptly serious, lining up within seconds as if we didn't just enter to a fucking Survivor song.

I turned to the side, noticing my father and sisters, and Renee had uncovered a picture frame. That's when the waterworks loomed because behind the priest, on my side, was a large picture, black and white, a candid of my mother. My beautiful mother, who should've been here. She was here, undoubtedly, likely standing to the side watching, invisible. I could feel her presence; it was part of the spirituality of the tribe, our belief our ancestors are connected with nature and watch over us when we call on them. The picture was just a physical item, a temporary placement to represent her. "In loving memory" and "Tis better to have loved and lost, then never to have loved at all" was printed and engraved along the frame. She had to be here, somehow, because the wedding wouldn't be complete without her.

Claire and Naira were led by Emily to the end of the aisle, where they would wait for Bella's appearance to signal the two of them to start walking.

All I had to do was see her at the end of the aisle, and I'd be good. I'd be content. No, not content, euphoric, and there wouldn't be a single fraction of doubt bordering on the edge of my conscience. I wouldn't see her until she emerged though because the trees were thick. That was the point: not to see her until she hit the flowers that littered the path as soon as the trail ended. Then she'd follow that short, angled path that led to the aisles straight down to me

Chimera caught my eye for a split second as we waited for the music that would let us know Bella had indeed exited the house with her father and was on her way.

She smiled warmly and I was instantly more relaxed than before. "She's the most beautiful bride I've seen," she whispered under her breath, just loud enough for me to hear.

I smiled widely. She didn't need to tell me that; I knew Bella was going to take my breath away. It just didn't hit me how much until a flash of white leaving the trees aligned with my peripheral.

And there she was.

(Bella's POV)

After the spectacle organized by the boys my dad called out to me, telling me it was time to walk down these stairs.

And I did as Pachelbel's Canon in D Major began.

My father's expression when I appeared at the landing and glided my way down the winding stairs (yes I glided, without tripping over my feet), in my dress, a bride, was one of relief, love, and happiness. I could see a single tear leak from both eyes as he followed my movements

He extended his hand to take mine as I reached the last two steps, smiling. He covered my face with the veil. "You ready?" He grinned broadly.

"More than ever," I said, laughing nervously as another round of butterflies assaulted my stomach.

Charlie looped his arm through mine and I placed my hand on his arm as he pushed through the doors into the bright afternoon sun. Almost blinded by the sudden change from a dimly lit area to sunshine, my eyes cleared up to reveal fire blazing from the tiki posts in the shadows of the woods, with the beach in the distance. I could smell the salt, feel the breeze, and hear the water.

Home was around the corner. Literally.

I removed my shoes before we stepped off the final porch step. My father chuckled.

I felt the sand between my toes, grateful it wasn't blistering hot, thanks to the rain from the previous day and the shade from the trees.

The sun's rays shined through the canopy of the forest, illuminating the earth with an almost heavenly glow as we headed down the pathway. Charlie squeezed my hand at regular intervals.

Strangely, with every second, the butterflies and the tight knot in my stomach faded.

As soon as we left the thicket of trees, just a few yards away from the beginning of the aisle, surrounded by chairs we'd set up, I followed the flowers- lilies, roses, all white in front of me. 'Season of Hope' by Immediate Music, the song I'd picked for my entrance, played as soon as I came into my companions view. It was a beautiful, haunting, uplifting piece I'd recently fallen in love with.

Naira and Claire walked in front of me, throwing flowers from their baskets, looking adorable in their white and champagne colored sundresses and buckled shoes, before sitting with their parents.

I looked up and my eyes scanned over our smiling guests, friends, and parents, facing the aisle, heads towards me, before my eyes made a direct line to Jacob, who I could clearly see at the front of the aisle.

I couldn't describe it.

I'd seen a lot of looks in Jacob's eyes, plenty of them. It'd take me ages to list all of his expressions, and describe the emotion that paired with them, but I'd do it correctly if I was asked to. But, this was new look, one I hadn't seen before; his eyes were wide and he was smiling, and God, I loved that smile. All I wanted to do was to leap into his arms, The Notebook style.

I couldn't keep my eyes off him, I refused to look anywhere else as I closed in on him with every step, clinging to my father's arm so I wouldn't fall, or stumble.

My heart was beating a hundred miles a minute. I instinctively touched my stomach with my thumb as I clutched the bouquet in my hands.

I could see him, up close now, a few feet away from me, wearing a black tux, tie, white shirt, dressed up for me, for this occasion.

My father gave my hand a firm squeeze. I'd missed part of what the minister said because I was too distracted, staring into Jacob's eyes, and he in mine that we both didn't react even as Charlie held my hand out towards Jacob to take.

My father was giving me away, for the first and last time.

My eyes watered, and I shed tears, good tears, no more tears of sadness.

Charlie lifted the veil off my face and kissed me on the cheek. I glanced down for a brief second, and grasped Jacob's hand, my tiny fingers resting in his palm as he tenderly gripped my hand. I hadn't held his hand in days. I hadn't seen my pale skin, now with a beautiful glow from the pure happiness I was emitting, against the darker shade of his. The contrast was always something I loved.

Our eyes locked again as he drew me into him.

And yet another new look was present to store in my memory.

Tied up in ancient history

I didn't believe in destiny

I look up you're standing next to me

What a feeling