A/N: chapter two of the reception, this will have the dances. There is the First Dance, two Father/Daughter- one with Charlie and one with Carlisle and two Mother/Son dances- one with Esme and one with Sue. Again the (...) means something is missing. The only songs here in their entirety are the First and Last Dance. This will be the last chapter of the actual wedding. The next will be after the honeymoon and then there's probably only the epilogue after that. Enjoy. :)
also I totally failed to make sure everyone knew Bella's something old, borrowed, blue and new. I did mention in the first wedding chapter that blue was the sapphire in the hair barrette, borrowed was the bracelet and earrings from Alice. Now, old is her engagement ring, which she would have moved to her right hand (as is tradition in some places, I know I did it, until after the pronouncement of man and wife when the woman moves that ring back to her left ring finger behind the wedding band) before the ceremony, and new- I mentioned Jasper saying he couldn't know what it was because it was a surprise- is the corset and panty set.
Chapter Fifty-Three
Bella
As we made our way onto the dance floor and Jasper took me into his arms, the sun glowed it's last and slipped below the horizon, now there was just the light of hundreds of candles and the smell of apple cider and this man holding me in his arms.
As I breathed his scent deeply Embry started the song I had chosen for, not just our first dance as husband and wife, but our first dance ever. We just never got around to it. So what better song to dance to for the first time than Bella Ferraro's- Set me on Fire.
As he begins to twirl me around the floor, the lyrics of the song flow over us and I move closer and lay my head on his chest and he kisses the top of my head.
Take me back to your place,
Show me how to dance
Let's go watch the sunset
With me in your hands
Fly me on a jetplane,
Take me to the moon,
Wherever you go,
I'll follow
Never really meant to start a spark
But this love
This love is like arrows through our hearts
I'm dreaming
Set me on fire,
With endless words
To show my worth
You take me to a place I've never known
Set me on fire,
With silent kisses like the sunset
Darkness is our playground we call home,
Take me in your mustang,
Let's go cruise the streets,
We'll stay young forever,
Cause love knows my beat
Running free in the daylight,
Feeling safe in the night time,
With your eyes beside me,
This love I won't fight
Never really meant to start a spark
But this love
This love is like arrows through our hearts
I'm dreaming
Set me on fire,
With endless words
To show my worth
You take me to a place I've never known
Set me on fire,
With silent kisses,
Like the sunset
Darkness is our playground we call home
Storms they may come
But I'm here to stay
Cause this heart is my anchor
No I won't drift away
Fearlessly in love,
With all of your ways
Shoot an arrow through my heart
With your love and embrace
Set me on fire,
With endless words
To show my worth
You take me to a place I've never known
Set me on fire,
With silent kisses,
Like the sunset
Darkness is our playground we call home
We say nothing as the final strains of the song play and when it's over we just stand there and hold each other for a long moment.
Our seclusion is intruded upon by clapping and we turn to see our family and friends surrounding the outside of the dance floor. We smile at them and then share a sweet kiss that speaks of all the love we feel for each other, then Alice walks up to us with two microphones and it's time for our speeches to each other. Jasper motions me to go first.
"Jasper. How can I tell you how I feel with words? I never dreamt that we would be together. I was with Edward and you with Alice. But fate had other plans for us. Ones not even we could see at the time. There was one moment, in all the many moments I've spent with you and our family, that stood out amongst the others- besides of course realizing you are my mate- it was in a tiny little hotel room in a scorching desert and a mad man was after me because he liked playing games.
"You told me that day, that I was worth it. I didn't believe you. How could plain unextraordinary Isabella Swan be worth all the trouble you and your family were going through? You were all prepared to die for me; and back then I thought it was because I was meant to be with Edward. Only Alice knew otherwise. She was saving me for you.
"Then the man I thought I loved walked away and I was heart broken. By then you knew what I was to you, yet you stayed away. Let me grieve for another, and waited patiently for me while protecting me with your life. Then came the day of discovery and my heart filled with more love than I could ever express in word or deed.
"I finally found my forever and eternity isn't nearly long enough for me to express my love for you. You are everything I could ever wish for and I need you to know that your words that day so long ago, are still wrong. It's not me who is worth it, it's you. I love you so damn much cowboy and I will wear your ring and carry your name proudly for the rest of my life."
At the end of my speech I'm pulled into strong arms and hugged so hard I think my ribs might crack. But the kiss he gives me is so gentle it's a total contradiction. He breaks the kiss, but not his hold on me as he looks me in my eyes and tells me what's in his heart, without the microphone.
"Bella, as you said, no words or deeds could ever express the love I feel for you. When I saw you that day in the meadow I was terrified. I had a plan all thought out but I knew there was the chance it could fail and I would lose you that day. Lose you before I ever got to tell you or show you how much I love you.
"You came into our lives like a whirlwind and nothing would ever be the same, but you snuck up on me. I never could have dreamed to find someone I feel so in love with. When you aren't by my side all I have to do is think of you, your smell, the way your lips feel on mine, your hand in my hand and I'm calmed.
"You're my home. The place I leave my heart. I can't wait to spend eternity by your side and see what joys and blessings life will bring us. With you by my side eternity will never be lonely, will never be dark. I love you with all that I am and all I can give."
This time it's my turn to kiss him. And then Alice reminds us of what's next on the agenda.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for the Father/Daughter Dance. Charlie, will you please join Bella and I on the dance floor?"
Jasper
As Charlie comes onto the floor I give Bella a smile. Once in front of us he takes Bella in his arms and I walk away, this is just for her and Charlie. I know what song Bella has chosen for this particular dance. She wanted something that would tell her father exactly how much she appreciated all he did for her no matter whether she lived with him or not. It's so quiet we can all clearly hear her words to him.
"Daddy, I wanted a song that would tell you the words I could not express well enough. Throughout my childhood you have been there for me. The hardest thing I have ever done was leave you behind. Now that we will be in each others lives forever I couldn't be happier. So I chose Daddy's Hands by Holly Dunn. This one's for you."
As the chords to the song begin and Charlie listens to the lyrics I watch as his grip on Bella gets just a little tighter, as the venom pools in his eyes, and as her head rests on his shoulder and venom pools in her eyes. The lyrics are beautiful, so meaningful and I look around and it seems the two people on the dance floor aren't the only ones feeling it as I see tears and venom in everyone's eyes.
I remember daddy's hands folded silently in prayer
And reachin' out to hold me, when I had a nightmare
You could read quite a story in the callous' and lines
Years of work and worry had left their mark behind...
There are things that I'd forgotten that I loved about the man
But I'll always remember the love in daddy's hands
Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin'
Daddy's hands were hard as steel when is done wrong
Daddy's hands weren't always gentle but I've come to understand
There was always love in daddy's hands
I remember daddy's hands workin' till they bled
Sacrificed unselfishly just to keep us all fed
If I could do things over, I'd live my life again
And never take for granted the love in daddy's hands...
As the chorus plays again I can hear Bella telling Charlie how happy she is to be able to have that chance, to never take him for granted again and to love him and show him that love forever.
They look up finally and look around. They were joined on the dance floor around the end of the first go through of the chorus by Jane and Wilhelm, Carlisle and Rose, then Alice cut in, Eleazar danced with each of the sisters, Marcus took the place of Chelsea's father and danced with her and Shannon had pushed Billy's wheelchair onto the floor and kind of twirled him around in it. There was a lot of fatherly love going on.
Then I announce that Bella had requested a second Father/Daughter Dance with Carlisle and that everyone is welcome to remain on the floor with them. As Charlie hands Bella over to Carlisle he shakes his hand and thanks him for being there for her.
Then he walks over to Leah and pulls her onto the floor with him and the strains of the next song begin. Bella chose for this dance a cover version of Forever Young by Rod Stewart or Bob Dylan, whoever sang it first. This particular version is done by Norah Jones. Carlisle and Bella begin to dance and the others join them.
May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young...
May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
And may your song always be sung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young
And the song ends and she thanks Carlisle for being a strong foundation that showed me what kind of man I could be. She knew that that particular song was technically a father wishing those things for his daughter, but told me that the song could easily be reversed and those be things a daughter wishes for her father, especially a man like Carlisle. He kisses her cheek and thanks her and they move off the dance floor with the rest of the fathers and daughters.
Now that the Father/Daughter dances are over it's my turn.
"Esme, will you please join me on the dance floor?"
She beams with happiness and quickly places her hand in mine. I hand my mic to Bella, who had moved to my side, and swing Esme into my arms.
"Esme, I had help choosing this song. When the time came down to talk to Alice about this I requested the others join us. You and Carlisle had gone hunting then. We all chose this song because we love you so much. In your honor I present to you the song Mother Like Mine by The Band Perry."
As the song begins to play I twirl her around the dance floor. We hand all this planned out perfectly. Hopefully everything will go according to plan. There are four of us after all.
She's the sky that holds the clouds
She's the lady of the house
A blind believer in all I dare to be
There's no safer place I've found
Than the shoulder of her white nightgown...
Then Emmett comes in and takes my place and I can see the surprise and love in her eyes as he continues moving her around the dance floor and I step over to Bella who takes my hand.
Oh the wars would all be over
'Cause she'd raise us all as friends
And no one would ever wonder if somebody wanted them...
If the world had a mother like mine
And then Edward steps in and continues the dance. As they move I can't help but think how true the lyrics are of Esme. Her kind and loving nature would wish peace for all and those of us she calls her children have never felt unwanted.
She's our father's one great love
She's the one he wanted most...
She takes the midnight call
She's the bravest of us all...
These words are the ones that hold the most truth. Esme is the heart of our family, the glue that holds us together. We were all just lucky that Carlisle loved her most and chose her. And she's so brave. Look at how she attacked Sulpicia for trying to hurt Carlisle. She would die to protect us all if it ever came to that. And now it ends with Jeremiah, her new son.
Oh the wars would all be over
'Cause she'd raise us all as friends
And no one would ever wonder if somebody wanted them...
The song finally ends and those who had joined us all on the dance floor- Sue and Seth, Renata and Alec and Carmen and Garrett- stop and go to move off the dance floor when Bella steps forward.
"I know you think the dances are over, but there's one more. Sue, will you please join Jasper on the dance floor?"
Bella
Jasper and I decided that Sue should be honored as our mother as well. She may not have raised me, but I can't remember a time she wasn't a part of my life in some form. Now she's my father's mate and that makes her just as much my mother as she is Seth and Leah's.
She looks shocked at first, but when Seth hands her over to Jasper she begins to smile and venom fills her eyes. Renata switches from Alec to Felix and the song Jasper chose for Sue begins to play.
When he told me what he had chosen all I could do was smile. The song may speak of a single mother trying to get by after her baby's father walked out, but it speaks of the strength of a woman and Sue is one of the strongest women we know.
Jasper told me he chose this song because Sue showed great strength from the moment he met her. In her willingness to treat him like one of the pack, to find love again with my dad after Harry passed, to being willing to set aside all she knew- all she had been taught- to join my father in his immortal life.
Yes, this song is perfect for Sue. It's called The Strong One by Clint Black.
When God made woman I wonder sometimes
If it was a flower he had in mind when he made her
A touch as gentle as a butterfly
A kiss so sweet it could stop time forever...
But there she goes, baby in her arms
World on her shoulders when her day starts
Working a job that don't pay much
But she thanks God it's enough
Just then Demetri steps onto the floor and switched places with Felix. And the song continues.
Tonight's the first night in a while
She put on her makeup wearing a smile, she's going out
And everything was all planned out
But the fever that the baby's got now, it's all shot down
She gives up what she wants to do
For what she has to, that's what a momma does
She'll be there like she always is
When the sun comes up...
Tries to laugh when she feels like crying
Nobody'd blame her if she stopped trying
But she's got a heart that gives and gives
So you tell me who the strong one is...
As the song ends I look around me. Both Sam and Emily are holding each other tightly and crying their eyes out. Both know just what it's like to have mothers who had to raise their children alone. Paul is also crying. Quil along with him. So many of the pack don't have fathers. Whether it was due to death or their father walking away, or just never knowing who their father was. There isn't a single face among the pack or their imprints that is dry.
The music has been stopped for about five minutes now, but Sue just stands in Jasper's arms with her face buried in his shirt as her shoulders shake with the sobs she cries that will never produce tears. Seth and Leah walk up and wrap her up from behind and I walk up to Jasper's side and join in the hug. She tries to speak through her sobs, but she's struggling.
"Thank... Thank you. You...you will...you will never know...just...how much...it means...to me...that you feel...this way."
"Hush Sue. Don't worry about thanks. This was an honor. There was never a time, except when I stopped coming to visit Charlie, that you weren't in my life. You've always been there and it's an honor to be able to call you my mother. For that is what you are. My mother, our mother, and we love you."
This just makes her sob harder and we just tighten our arms around her. I'm vaguely aware of the sounds of the others moving back to their picnic tables, leaving us on the dance floor. We stand there for what seems like hours, but it's worth it.
When Sue finally calms down we release our hold and she looks up at us all and smiles. That's when she notices Alex wasn't among us and she marches over to where he's sitting and grabs him up and hugs him and kisses his cheek and we can hear her admonishing him for not joining her children in the group hug as he's just as much her child as we are.
And he blushes and looks contrite and hugs her back and kisses her cheek and tells her he's sorry.
Alice announces that the floor is open for dancing and all but the garter and bouquet tosses are complete so we can go ahead and do whatever until it's time for Jasper and I to leave. Some go back to the dance floor- dancing to a good solid mix of old and new- while others, I'll give you two guesses as to who, go back for more food. Sam has Emily on his lap and is rubbing her back as she lays her head on his shoulder. I walk over to them to see if she wants to go lay down.
"No Bella, I'm fine. Promise. Just need to stay off my feet for a few. Thank you by the way. For what you guys did for Sue. I'm sure she felt more a part of the family because of it."
"There isn't any need to thank us Emily. Everyone on this ranch is family. We may be friends, but we're family too and if you guys ever need us we'll be there. All you have to do is ask."
"Thank you Bella. You're part of the pack too. I hope you know that."
"Of course Sam. And it's an honor to be so."
I leave them to their bubble and mingle a bit with the other guests. Marcus and the other Volturi will be leaving when we do, so they can get back to Volterra. Wilhelm and the twins will be leaving in the morning and everyone else will either be staying here for another week, or staying here completely.
Me and Jasper's honeymoon will last three weeks, and by the time we get back from it and from meeting the others in Texas, the group that stayed here should have Peter and Charlotte moved in to their new place, and my dad and Sue into theirs. Carlisle and Esme have been looking for a place and think they've found what they want.
They won't tell anyone about it though, although I'm sure Alice and Edward know but have been sworn to secrecy. Once they're gone it'll just be me, Jasper, Alice and Jeremiah on the ranch. We'll settle down into a routine then hopefully.
I know we'll probably have to move again sometime in the next five or six years to stop the humans from getting suspicious, but wherever we go I'm sure we'll move as one big family. I doubt we'll ever all live under one roof again, but our homes will probably be within running distance of each others.
Time flies by and soon it's about thirty minutes before we have to get on the road. Alice requests everyone to exit the dance floor and all the unmarried guys to move to the edge of the dance floor and pulls the chair Embry was using, for when he was running the DJ equipment, out and sits it in the middle of the dance floor.
She then tells me to sit and the garter removal commences. Jasper has the most mischievous grin on his face as his fingers softly glide up my leg from my ankle, after he removes my boot that is, up to my thigh where he gently traces the edge of my garter.
"Hmmm should I take this off with my hand, or my teeth."
If I could blush I would be. I'm also getting a tad horny. The gentle feel of his fingers dancing along my skin is getting me all hot and bothered but when he mentions using his teeth, well it's all I can do not to jump him right now.
There are several cat calls and wolf whistles as he gently and so slowly lifts my leg and places my foot on his thigh where he's kneeling in front of me. Then he slides both hands back up my leg and takes the garter in his grip and slowly slides it down my leg and, lifting my foot again, off.
He bends down and kisses my thigh and then smirks and winks at me and then stands and turns. Standing at the edge of the floor is Seth, Embry, Alec, Jake, Edward, Jeremiah, Garrett, Jared, Marcus, Quil, Felix, Alex, Eric, Paul, Demetri and Wilhelm.
He motions them to get ready and then flings the garter into the group. There is a lot of shoving, and jumping, but in the end Marcus comes up with it. He and Felix had the advantage I think as they are both well over six feet tall. Wilhelm almost had it though.
To say watching Marcus Volturi fighting over my garter was hilarious, is an understatement. But it gives testament to just how much more relaxed the Volturi are now. They keep things serious, but still manage to have fun.
Next is my bouquet toss. All the unmarried girls line up- Leah, Angie, Alice, Sue, Kim, Renata, Rachel, Kate, Tanya, Irina, Shannon, Chelsea and Jane- and I turn around so my back is to them, and throw the bouquet. There's a bit of a struggle and, like with the guys, I have a moment of fear one of the humans will get injured accidentally, but they hold their own.
In the end the prize goes to Renata. Perhaps there will be another wedding in the near future. She gives Marcus a knowing look and he gives her a tender kiss and then Jasper is standing next to me and the others sit back down. They still have a view of the dance floor but they're far enough away to give the illusion of privacy.
"Bella darlin', may I have this dance?"
Another dance? I didn't know we where having another, I guess you call it formal, dance. We didn't dance with the others after Alice opened up the floor because we wanted them to have fun and we were mingling.
He turns to look at Embry and I know this is something he planned alone. Even Alice looks surprised. Seems he managed to keep this from her.
As the song begins to play I recognize it immediately. It's the song Tim McGraw performs with his wife Faith Hill, called It's Your Love. Neither of us says a word as the song plays, content to do nothing more than hold each other tightly. There is nothing but us standing on the dance floor moving ever so slightly to the music, my head tucked under his chin, which he rests on my head.
I don't know about him, but I close my eyes and let the words of the song rush over me, the feel of his arms comfort me, and the scent of his skin surround me.
Dancin' in the dark
Middle of the night
Takin' your heart
And holdin' it tight
Emotional touch
Touchin' my skin
And askin' you to do
What you've been doin' all over again
Oh, it's a beautiful thing
Don't think I can keep it all in
I just gotta let you know
What it is that won't let me go
It's your love
It just does somethin' to me
It sends a shock right through me
I can't get enough
And if you wonder
About the spell I'm under
It's your love
Better than I was
More than I am
And all of this happened
By takin' your hand
And who I am now
Is who I wanted to be
And now that we're together
I'm stronger than ever
I'm happy and free
Oh, it's a beautiful thing
Don't think I can keep it all in, no
And if you asked me why I changed
All I gotta do is say your sweet name
It's your love
It just does somethin' to me
It sends a shock right through me
I can't get enough
And if you wonder
About the spell I'm under
It's your love
Oh, baby
Oh, it's a beautiful thing
Don't think I can keep it all in
I just gotta let you know
What it is that won't let me go
It's your love
It just does somethin' to me
It sends a shock right through me
I can't get enough
And if you wonder
About the spell I'm under
It's your love
It's your love
It's your love
When the song ends we share a gentle kiss, closing out everything and everyone around us. When we finally break apart I can see the love shining in his eyes and he projects it to me. I smile back at him and wrap my shield around him so I can use his gift to project my love for him back to him. His return smile is blindingly beautiful and he lowers his lips to mine once more and then we turn to the others and thank them for their presence here as two became one.
Then we're walking down through them where they've lined up on either side of us making a path towards Jasper's mustang, throwing bird seed at us as we pass. When we get to Jasper's mustang I can't help but sigh at his scandalized expression.
Someone, and I'm sure we both know who, has covered his other baby with silly string, Just Married is written in shaving cream on the back window, while there's shaving cream hearts on each door.
"Peter, Emmett, be glad I'm leaving, but might I suggest that you not be around when I get back. Peter you may not want to come to Texas with Charlotte. It would probably be safer if you stayed here. I'm warning you now, if my car isn't freshly detailed and clean when I come back. I'm gonna kill you both."
"See you idiots, I tried to warn you."
"Whatever Alice," Emmett says scowling.
"Come on Major, what's a wedding get away car without the quintessential decor?"
Jasper throws a glare Peter's direction and he just smirks back.
"Come on darlin', let's get out of here before I kill them."
We drive to the airport, I'm sure Peter or Emmett will pick up the mustang and get it cleaned up, and before long we're on our way. We have a stop over in Houston because we can't fly straight through to Rio, mainly because of fuel but also because of the time difference putting us there during the daytime- which to would be bad of course.
Then we'll leave around nine am from Houston- the sun not so much a problem here as we won't be out in it like we will in Rio- and get into Rio de Janeiro around three or four am.
It'll still be dark, which is a must in a place so sunny for us vampires, and we'll take a speed boat out to Isle Esme. Carlisle bought it for her as an anniversary gift one year according to Jasper. We really wanted to join the mile high club but Alice put a damper on that by reminding me that I would want him to see what I was wearing under my dress for the first time in a room with a bed.
We originally planned to take a private jet, but then decided flying commercial as newlyweds would be more fun. When we got into the hotel room in Houston we were all over each other. When Jasper finally got my dress off and revealed what was underneath he groaned loudly and fell to his knees.
"What's wrong cowboy, too sexy for you? Should I turn around so you can see the back?"
Needless to say I was thoroughly satisfied on my wedding night.
