To a Future Yet Unknown

Cecily just stared at herself in the mirror, unable to speak or move.

Of course, it wasn't the first time she had seen the dress. Or even seen herself in the dress. But there was something about seeing the full effect of it all together with her hair pulled back into a low updo on the back of her neck and her makeup done.

"You do like it, don't you?" Alice asked nervously from behind her. "I mean, we can do something different with the hair or makeup, I just thought this was best with the veil. We have enough-"

Cecily turned and pulled the woman into a hug, nearly crushing her.

"THE DRESS! YOU'LL WRINKLE IT!" Alice shouted.

Cecily laughed as she let Alice go and turned back to the mirror, once again taking in how she looked. If someone had told her a few years ago that someday she would be standing in a beautiful, lace wedding dress about to walk down the aisle, she probably would have called them crazy. Cecily Stewart wasn't built to get married or fall in love. She had one goal in life - to tell the stories that needed to be told and take down as many bad guys as she could.

Turned out when one was a vampire, you could do it all.

Cecily couldn't help but run her hands over the fabric, taking in the soft texture. Part of her had been terrified that Alice was going to try and put her in some sort of poufy ball gown, or diamond-encrusted mermaid dress - neither of which were very her. But from the very first dress the pixie-like vampire had made her try on, Cecily relaxed, remembering this was Alice. The woman had a gift for dressing people.

Cecily turned slightly, seeing the open back that left the tattoo she had gotten in university on display. The dress was pure lace and cascaded down her body in a way that even Cecily had to admit was flattering, a short train following behind her. It had a simple silhouette with tiny straps holding it up and a slightly low, but still classy v-neckline. Most importantly, well, to Cecily at least, it was incredibly comfortable, and she couldn't help but feel as though it had been made specifically for her. Wait… maybe it had been…

"Where exactly did you find this dress again?" Cecily asked, glancing at her, remembering that Alice had randomly brought it to the house one day, declaring she had found the dress. Alice just grinned.

"I didn't tell you? It's a custom design, if you must know. I saw it in a vision," she replied brightly as she picked up the veil and gently fastened it to Cecily's bright red hair. "There… finished…"

Cecily turned around to face Alice, feeling her eyes water up slightly. She nearly couldn't believe that they had pulled off planning a wedding in the time they had, but then again, never underestimate Alice Cullen when it came to a wedding.

"Oh, Cecily…"

The two women turned, seeing Esme stop just as she walked into the room, a grin filling her face. The next second, she was in front of Cecily, pulling her into a hug.

"You look beautiful," she said softly.

"Thanks," Cecily said. She looked past Esme to see Bella, Rosalie and Renesmee walk into the room. "How is he?"

Rosalie smirked as she glanced over at Bella and then walked over to Cecily.

"Let's just say I'm pretty sure hell has frozen over," Rosalie said. Cecily frowned, not exactly sure what she could be talking about. "Demetri is… get this… nervous."

Cecily's eyebrows shot up as her mouth dropped open. There was no way Demetri - former Volturi guard - could possibly be nervous. It was just a wedding. One that he had insisted on several times, though Cecily wasn't even sure why it mattered. It wasn't like they had to go through all the legal pomp and circumstance that humans did.

He had faced down rogue vampires and countless other dangers in the 2,000 years he had been alive. And this was what made him nervous.

"Pretty sure he still thinks you're going to skip town on him or something," Renesmee said, grinning mischievously. Cecily snorted.

"I flippin' flew all the way to Greece to rescue his ass and he thinks I might run," she said, rolling her eyes. "That man…"

"You are intimidating, you know," a voice said from the door. Cecily looked over, seeing Mara and Embry walking into the room. "Hope you don't mind. Just wanted to say hi before you got too distracted."

She was dressed in a delicate light blue eyelet dress that hit her below the knee. But from the way Embry couldn't take his eyes off her, you'd think she was in a wedding dress of her own. Cecily chuckled and walked over, hugging her. Probably wouldn't be too much longer for those two.

"Thank you so much for coming," she said. Mara laughed.

"And miss a fancy Cullen wedding? I think not. Seth wouldn't shut up about the last one," Mara said, stepping back from her. "You look amazing."

"Thanks," Cecily said.

"Okay, it's nearly time," Alice said. While her voice was pleasant, Cecily could tell that she was seconds away from slipping into wedding planner-zilla. Seeing as Cecily had been a rather laidback bride for the entire process it seemed fitting that someone should fill the roll. She turned back to Mara and Embry, smiling at them.

"We'll get to our seats. See you on the other side," Mara said before she and Embry stepped out of the room.

Cecily walked back to the mirror, looking at herself one last time.

"You ready?" Rosalie asked. Cecily looked at her, a brilliant grin on her face.

"Never been more ready."

"Where were you guys?" Paul asked as Embry and Mara took their seats among the rest of the packs.

"Just had to talk to the bride," Mara said lightly. Embry caught the grin on Paul's face and knew what was about to come out of his mouth before it even opened.

"Say Mara," he said.

"Paul," Embry said in warning, cutting him off and hoping to save her from embarrassment.

Sure, he had overheard her conversation with Katie the night before. And truthfully, he had been thinking the same thing for the last few months as well. But it wasn't something he wanted to discuss with the others before he and Mara actually talked about it.

"What? Just wanted to say that you look beautiful today," Paul said. Mara gave him an odd look, likely guessing that wasn't what he had intended to say.

"Thanks," she replied.

Paul looked around at the simply, but elegantly decorated clearing near the Cullens' house.

"So, you guys thinking about an outdoor wedding?" he asked breezily.

Embry groaned softly as Mara whipped her head over to look at Paul, her eyes wide. Her cheeks were already coloring.

"Should ask you the same thing. How long since you imprinted on Rachel?" Mara shot back. Embry couldn't help but chuckle. Mara certainly could handle her own with the wolves.

"Trust me, I've been asking," Rachel muttered from Paul's other side, earning more chuckles from the group. Mara met Embry's eyes as she smiled smugly. Paul looked slightly stricken, as though he hadn't anticipated the tables turning this quickly.

"Better get on it," Embry said casually. Paul narrowed his eyes at him.

"Do you want me to tell Mara what's been going through your mind?" he asked. Embry laughed.

"You don't know a damn thing now that we're back in separate packs," he said nonchalantly.

"Damn," Paul cursed under his breath. Embry looked over at Mara, who was laughing at Paul. He couldn't help as his heart swelled.

When he had walked into his old room earlier to see if she was ready yet and saw her in the dress, he couldn't help but lose all train of thought for a few moments. She looked amazing. And then when they had visited Cecily, he couldn't help as his mind began wondering what sort of dress Mara would wear in their wedding.

With the nature of wolves and imprinting, of course they had both known for a long time that there would eventually be a wedding. But it had seemed like some far-off, future thing. Being here made it seem all too real.

And Embry found he didn't want to wait. Couldn't wait.

He wanted to see Mara walking down the aisle towards him. He wanted to pledge to love and support and protect her for the rest of their lives before their friends and family.

But right now wasn't the time to get caught up in that, he realized. It was Cecily and Demetri's big day and he certainly didn't want to take the spotlight from them. He and Mara, they had time. And he wanted to make it special, when he finally did ask her.

"If you guys are done giving Paul a hard time, I think it's starting," Mara said, lowering her voice.

The rest of the pack quieted down as music started up. Up at the front, Demetri stepped out with Emmett, Jackson and Edward behind him. Carlisle stood on a platform to officiate.

Embry looked back at the house, seeing Bella start down the aisle in a light green dress. Rosalie and Alice then followed behind, wearing similar dresses. There was a break and then Cecily stepped out of the house with Esme escorting her. The two women started down the aisle, but it was obvious that Cecily only had eyes for Demetri. Embry turned to look at the front, seeing a look of utter enrapture on the tracker's face.

It was as though the only thing that existed in his world was Cecily.

Embry couldn't help as he put his arm around Mara and pulled her close to him, kissing her cheek. She looked up at him, smiling with tears in her eyes.

For a moment, it felt as if they were the only two people in the world.

"When I met you… I was in a place in my life when I thought I was alone. That there was no one I could trust except myself. And then… you came along," Cecily said. Demetri tightened his grip on her heads, a grin on his face. "I ran from you in the beginning. Thought it was utter bullshit, this whole mate thing." There were a few chuckles.

Cecily opened her mouth to say the next part of her vows, but stopped, finding herself lost in his eyes as their entire shared history ran through her mind.

She had been lost. Alone. Had been searching for home and acceptance, though she didn't realize it at the time. Then she found that with the Cullens. And then she found Demetri.

The real Demetri.

The man that loved her and accepted her. Who wanted nothing more than to be at her side and love her for the rest of their days - which would never end, hopefully. This was something that Cecily had never even dared to dream of. And here it was in front of her.

"The Cullens taught me to open my heart again. But you… you taught me it was okay to love," she whispered. "And so, I vow from this day forward, to be at your side. To love you. To be your partner in all things."

Demetri squeezed her hands but didn't speak just yet. He looked to the ground and then met her eyes again.

"I was changed a long time ago. Thought that there was nothing more in this life that would surprise me or enthrall me than what I already had," he said. "And then you - loud, brash, independent, wonderful you - came along. I knew from the moment I saw you that you, Cecily Stewart, were going to change my life. But I didn't realize just how much." He went silent and Cecily gripped his hands tighter. It was almost as if everyone else had faded into the background and it was only them.

"You have changed me in ways I never thought possible. In ways I honestly thought that I could not. I didn't want to. But then you came into my life like the whirlwind you are, and nothing was the same," he said. "I promise that I will always be at your beck and call. To love you. Support you. Be at your side and be a partner in whatever it is you endeavor to do… from now until eternity."

Cecily couldn't help the grin that spread across her face as he slid the simple gold band on her finger. He, of course, had wanted to give her a proper engagement ring that likely would have weighed a ton and cost more. But all she wanted was simple bands. That's all they needed in her mind.

"I can now pronounce you husband and wife," Carlisle said. Before he could say "You may now kiss," Demetri had pulled Cecily to him, wrapping his arms around her as he kissed her passionately.

There were shouts and whistles - likely from the wolf packs - and polite applause. When Cecily stepped back and stared into his eyes, she was too overwhelmed to speak.

"What is it, my love?" Demetri asked, before they made their walk back down the aisle.

"Just… it's perfect…"

Mara chuckled at a joke that Quil had just told, standing in a small group near a bar and few tables of food put out for the guests that did eat and drink. For probably the 50th time since the reception started, she found her eyes drifting over to Cecily and Demetri, who were moving gracefully around the dancefloor. They weren't the only ones, but she couldn't help but be enchanted by the sight of them.

Cecily looked gorgeous in her simple dress while Demetri was dashing in his tux. But it was the way they looked at each other - the way they moved together - that had her fixated. She could almost see the love pouring out of them to each other.

"What is it?" Embry asked softly, his breath brushing against her ear and causing a shiver to go down her spine. She looked up at him as he slid his arm around her waist and pulled her closer.

"Just… really happy for them," she said, looking back at the couple.

Embry took the glass of champagne out of her hand and put it down on the table, then started leading her out to the dancefloor. Mara chuckled.

"Figure we should show the bloodsuckers that they aren't the only ones who can dance," he said with a smile. Mara rolled her eyes as she settled one hand on his shoulder and he held her other out, his large hand now resting on her waist.

They began moving slowly, keeping in time with the song. Mara glanced at Cecily and Demetri again and then looked up at Embry, sighing happily.

"It really was beautiful," she said. Embry stared down at her intently, nodding.

"It was," he said softly. Mara chuckled.

"What? Something on my face?" she quipped. Embry smiled and shook his head.

"Just… listening to their vows… made me think of you," he said. Mara raised her eyebrows. She had actually thought of him as well, but she was eager to hear his thoughts first, so didn't speak. "I honestly thought I wasn't going to imprint and then… you came along out of nowhere. Completely turned my world upside down." She laughed.

"I think I should be the one saying that, considering," she replied.

"I know… but even with all the craziness… this feels right. It feels like…" he trailed off, as though he was searching for the right word.

"Like home?" Mara offered. Embry grinned.

"Yes. You are my home, Mara," he said.

"You're my home too, Embry," she nearly whispered. He bent down, capturing her lips in a gentle kiss.

"Marry me, Mara," he whispered, his lips still brushing against hers.

"Yes," she said almost immediately, just as breathless.

In that moment, everything clicked into place. Much like it had when she first heard that Embry had imprinted on her. She knew that this man holding her was her partner for life. And that whatever came next - be it another supernatural disaster or centuries old vampires out to get her - she could face it as long as Embry was with her.

Embry leaned away, a brilliant grin filling his face.

"That was easy," he commented. Mara laughed.

"We both know you heard more of that conversation last night than you let on," she replied. "Though, for the sake of the newlyweds, maybe we should hold off on announcing anything tonight?"

"Agreed," he replied before kissing her again.

They stopped moving as Embry wrapped both arms around her, pulling her closer. Mara slid her hands up his chest and wrapped them around his neck. She could vaguely hear a whistle or two from the pack, but she didn't care.

She loved Embry and in that moment, that's all that mattered.

"So… Mr. Cullen… what comes next?" Cecily asked, grinning at Demetri as they slowly moved around the dancefloor.

"Anything… Mrs. Cullen," he said. Cecily chuckled.

"And you're sure about using Cullen as a last name?" she asked.

"Seems fitting. They are the family that took us two ragamuffins in," he said. "Better than Volturi."

"This is true. Though… we could always make up our own," Cecily suggested. "The world is our oyster now that we've fulfilled our promise to the Volturi." Demetri nodded slowly. "But no need to decide now. We literally have all the time in the world."

"That we do," Demetri said, bending down to kiss her softly on the lips. "Are you ready for our honeymoon?"

"Yes. A trip that doesn't involve killing rogue vampires is definitely what I need right now," she said, smiling.

"And… no family to interrupt us," Demetri said, smirking slightly. Cecily felt a jolt of desire run through her but put it aside for now. They still had all their wedding guests around them.

"You going to tell me where we're going?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. Demetri was silent a few moments.

"I thought it best that I take you back to my home. If I'm going to truly share everything, then it would help if you could see it," he said. Cecily's eyes widened.

"We're going to Greece?" she asked.

"One of many stops. I intend to spend a good several months traveling on our honeymoon," Demetri said. Cecily chuckled.

"You vampires and money," she said. Demetri stopped moving as he gazed down into her eyes.

"I would gladly give it up - everything up - for you," he said. "I love you, Cecily."

"I love you too."

Aro looked down at the wedding announcement that had just come in the post.

"It seems they have made it official," he said, looking up at Caius and Marcus. Caius glowered while Marcus returned to reading his book.

"I still do not understand why you let him go," Caius said. "He was great asset. How are we to track down others now?"

"Patience, dear Caius. They will come back to us," Aro replied, looking down at the photo of Cecily and Demetri on their wedding day. "You forget how long he was in service to us. There are always ways to draw him back."

"I don't see how. Now that he has his mate, he will never return," Caius said. Aro flicked his eyes up to him.

"As I said, there are ways," he said smoothly as he dropped the photo and announcement on his desk. "I'm actually quite curious to see what they do together. Cecily, she has a gift, I can tell… it will be interesting to see what they can accomplish."

Caius stared at him, slightly perplexed but then looked away, deciding it better not to question Aro on that.

"And what about the human woman?" he asked instead.

"Ah, yes. That will be interesting as well. I thought it prudent not to take her whilst she was amidst the shapeshifters. No doubt her mate would have made a fuss," Aro said. "Though I do think it fortunate that Alessandra was not successful in her endeavor. I feel there is more for her to learn before she is turned."

"Is that so?" Caius asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

"Yes. It was rather unfortunate her father was killed when he was. Such a waste of… talent," Aro replied. "But I feel that she might be more powerful than he. It will be very interesting indeed to see how she develops."

"So, we wait… more," Caius said dryly. Aro looked at him, his stare now cold and calculating.

"Yes, Caius. We wait."

Why can I not end this series!? Every story I write, the ending that comes to me is soo open-ended. I'm not sure if I'll write more, but for now I think it's at a good spot. We shall see…

Thanks to everyone who read this story!