p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"NESSIE/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"Claire, Rachel, Marissa, and Emily were trying desperately to keep me contained in mine and Jake's room, while I tried desperately to get past them and run the short distance to Paul's, where the boys were getting ready. The boys being, Embry, Quil, Sam, and Paul, much to Jake's chagrin. I hadn't seen him since yesterday afternoon, since you aren't supposed to spend the night before the wedding with the groom. And now I could hardly wait for the next thirty minutes to pass when we would go to the beach for the actual wedding. Everything was as Jake and I had discussed, simple. My bouquet was of white lilies and tiger lilies, the only thing that I had truly insisted on other than the suits for the boys and dresses for the girls. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"We had folding chairs down at the beach. And Embry and Quil had made us a hand carved arch to stand under which was gorgeous. The dresses were semiformal sundresses. And my hair had been simply styled, up, with some small white flowers in it. And folding chairs were set up on the beach for everyone. And we were going to have a ritual bonfire for our reception. Sometimes I couldn't keep myself from wondering what exactly Alice would have put together. Something with twinkling fairy lights, I'm sure. a live band. But I love the wedding I have. I just wish my family could have been involved in it. I frown slightly. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;""Aww, Ness," Rachel says, wrapping her arms around me. "They'll regret not coming later." I hugged her back tightly and then hugged Emily. She was already crying. I reached out and wiped her eyes. "It's okay," I said to them, "They'll come around eventually. And then Jake will have to do a five star wedding." To this comment all the girls laughed, trying to imagine it. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"It was finally time to go to the beach. I felt so excited like I might explode. I anxiously tried to spot him in the crowd, my Jake, but it seemed they had been expecting this and were hiding him or something. I smiled as Charlie walked over to me. We kissed each other's cheeks. "Hey," I said to him, "Thanks for coming." /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;""Of course," he answered, taking my hand and linking it through his arm. He didn't say much about it, but I think that it hurt him that his daughter and granddaughter weren't speaking. Invitations had been sent to my family. And I think Charlie had tried to convince them to come. But they, of course had refused. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"The boys were now standing by the archway, Jake underneath it. Though I couldn't do much more than make out his form through all the people milling about. As Emily started to walk down the aisle, I want to tell her and all the other girls to run. Please, run. Because I wanted to hurry to Jake. I wanted to be married. I could barely stay still. I was bursting at the seams with excitement. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"And then as I watched as Claire walked down the aisle, the last girl to go before me. I felt a cold hand on my arm. My head jerked to the side. And I smiled, feeling tears in my eyes. "Daddy," I whispered. Charlie seemed more than glad to take his seat with Sue and Seth, as I beamed at my father. "Thank you so much for coming. I know you don't agree with all of this. But I love him. And I love you. And my family. I just really wanted everyone here." It was then that I noticed the rest of my family taking a seat. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"He leaned over and kissed my cheek. "I love you Renesmee," he said to me. "I wouldn't be able to miss this for the world. And we're working on accepting the mutt. Again." /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;""Daddy," I admonished, but now it was time for us to walk. I smiled at Jacob, hoping he didn't mind our last minute guests as I made my way down the aisle to him./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"JACOB/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"The last few weeks have gone by in a flurry of activity, with Nessie up and about doing most of the preparations, and me doing my best to stay out of the way unless they needed me, letting the girls do their girly things. It's been great to see Nessie so excited, and though we both still grieve for those we've lost, we're learning to live with it, cope with it, and move on into the future. But underneath it all, there's still that unspoken sadness that her family has still refused to reestablish contact./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"Well, until now, that is. I'd tried over and over to get through to them. I called them countless times, and sometimes someone, usually Blondie, would pick up the phone and yell at me till I was sure I'd go deaf, but most of the time they just ignored my calls, hung up on me the moment they heard my voice. I was getting fed up. I was tempted to go over to their place and deal with them personally. But I was sure Nessie would get upset with me if I did, so I just kept calling, hoping against hope that my luck would change before the wedding. It killed me that Nessie would have to spend one of the most important days of her life without some of the most important people in it./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"And finally, my luck did change. Two days ago, I called again. And instead of Blondie, this time it was Cullen. He'd growled in his usual manner, but I'd tossed my pride aside and begged him to hear me out. And he did. Instead of shouting, for once we'd actually talked. He told me that he wasn't happy letting his daughter marry me, after everything I'd put her through. But he admitted, begrudgingly, I assumed, that he was getting tired of this feud. That he didn't want to lose his daughter because of me. And I told him that I didn't want that either./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"The phone call had ended on as cordial a note as you could ask for from the two of us. And I'd had a feeling then that Edward, at the very least, would change his mind about showing up. But I didn't want to say anything to Nessie, didn't want to get her hopes up in case I'd read him wrongly./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"And today, all I can do is hope for the best. I grin as Quil helps me with my tie. Actually, he helps all of us with our ties, complaining that we're pathetic. As he works on Paul's, I try to sneak out, but Embry immediately puts his hand on my shoulder. "Aww, come on, Embry." Embry clucks his tongue. "You know the rules, man." I groan as I go back to waiting, and it's getting agonisingly painful now that it's been almost a day since I last saw Nessie./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"Then finally, finally it's almost time. Everything looks perfect, simple but elegant in its own right, just as Nessie had planned for it to be. I stand at the end of the aisle, waiting impatiently, trying to catch a glimpse of her. Until she appears, and it's like the sun has burst out from behind the clouds. And even better is that beautiful, serene smile playing on her lips. She looks at ease, fully at peace. With everything. So even before my gaze shifts to the figure beside her, I already know who it is. I glance out at the rows guests, finding Bella amongst them. She gives me a small nod and I nod back. It won't be easy to earn back her trust, but for now she's willing to give me a chance, one that I intend to make the most of./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"And so this is it. The day is almost complete, almost perfect. Now there's only one more thing left to do./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"The smile widens on my face as Nessie draws closer, her arm linked through her father's. It's an odd sight, I must admit, considering he looks more like her prom date than her dad. But even that, her vampire heritage, as I've come to realise now, is something that I wouldn't change for the world. It's a part of who she is, the woman that I'm about to marry. "Wow…" I breathe, taking her in. She's always been beautiful to me, always will be, but I'll never forget the way she looks today, so stunning in her simple white gown, her curls piled elegantly atop her head, loosely spilling over. And that smile. That blush. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"But once she's right in front of me, Edward almost looks like he'll never let her go. And I may not like him, but I would never dream of coming between her and her father again. I give her a smile. I think it's only right and only fair that I let them have their moment, after so long. "Be happy, sweetheart," he tells her quietly, lightly patting her hand. But beneath the surface, I know he's speaking to me too. He may disapprove of me, but since he has no choice, that is all that he really wants from me. To make his little girl happy, to not let her down the way I have in the past. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"And if there is one thing in the world that we can agree on, it would be this./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"NESSIE/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"As we walk down the aisle, all I can see is Jacob straight ahead of me, and again I want to run to him. I want to launch myself into his arms and just skip to the part where he may now kiss the bride. My dad's hand tightens on my arms, and I pat his hand, to assure him that I'm not in a hurry to leave him, just in a hurry to truly, on paper belong to my Jake also. I can't keep the 100 watt smile off my face as we walk and when we get to the end of the aisle, as much as I want to go to Jake, I almost don't want to let go of Dad. I only just got him back after all after months of silence. My grip on him tightens, I'm afraid that if I let him go, he won't stay, or he'll disappear, or I'll realize that my wedding day hasn't even started yet and this was just a beautiful dream that I had where my family didn't hate me, and my dad was giving me away. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;""Be happy, sweetheart," he says to me, and the worry and apprehension leaves me. This I know is his way of putting our feud to rest. Even if he is still unhappy with Jake, he is okay with me. We have no fight. And all he wants is for me to be happy. I think as loudly and constantly as I can, to make sure that he hears it and knows that I mean it, I need you and mom, and the rest of my family too to do that. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"He nods at me and gives me a small smile. I lean over and kiss his cheek. "Thanks, dad. I love you." /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"And then with that the proceedings begin, as the officiator of the ceremony asks who gives this girl away and my dad says that he does and kisses me on the cheek before handing me off to Jacob. And as I feel my dad's cold hand lingering on my arm for the briefest of moments, and Jake's large, warm hand engulfing both of mine as he pulls me close, the world feels like a perfect place again. And then my dad's chill leaves as he goes to sit next to mom and I look up into Jake's eyes. I know this is the right thing for me. There's no doubt in my mind. This man in front of me. I need him. His beaming smile makes my smile grow wider until it can't possibly be any bigger, until it actually hurts my cheek muscles. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"I want to tell him how much I love him, but I don't want to rush this, or skip any part of the ceremony. I stand there, holding hands with him as the preacher talks. And then finally after a few bible readings and things that we both already know about love and marriage being said, it's time for vows. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;""And the bride and groom have prepared their own vows to share with us today," he said. He looked towards Jake, telling us that it was his turn first./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"JACOB/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"I can tell when Edward looks at me briefly that he is making an effort to be polite, though there is a stern look of warning in his eyes. One that tells me that if I ever hurt Nessie again, he would finish me off, that if not for her sake he would already have done that by now. And I think that if I ever did hurt her again, I would want him to finish me off. I can't bear the thought of doing that to her again. She is, after all, first and foremost my life's purpose. If I were to do anything to harm her, I shouldn't deserve to live. He gives half a nod, in acknowledgment and probably agreement of my thoughts. I nod back. It's understood./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"The instant Nessie's hands are in mine, everything seems to fall back into place again. We'd lost our balance for some time, spent a while trying to pull ourselves back together, but here we are standing on our feet again. For a moment I think about how Dad would've loved to be here, and how he probably is. I could almost imagine him and Mom sitting to the side, our lost child with them. He would be smiling proudly, but I think maybe even smirking at me for the formal setting, the necktie, the works. Good old Dad. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"And we're okay. We're more than okay. I look into the eyes of the beautiful young woman standing in front of me, seeing the one person whom I've always loved, in so many ways. And she looks back to me with the most brilliant smile I've ever seen, and I know I'm the luckiest man in the world./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;""And the bride and groom have prepared their own vows to share with us today." Seeing her now, I almost forget that I was actually kind of nervous about this bit to begin with. I'm not generally a shy sort of guy, but talking in front of a whole bunch of people has just never really been my thing. To be honest, I'm quite out of my comfort zone here. But I don't really care anymore. I'm not talking to anyone else, my words are meant for her alone. Everyone else is just a witness./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"Quil passes me a folded-up piece of paper. I would've written it on my palm, but I doubt Nessie would've been very pleased. At first I start off by referring to what I'd written, but after the first two sentences I decide to shove the note back into my pocket. If I can't remember what I was going to say, then it would delete the purpose. I'm supposed to remember it for eternity. "…From the moment I first saw you, you became my world. But even though I can't live without you, that isn't the reason for today. The real reason is that I want to live with you."/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"I stroke the back of her hands, aching to pull her to me and close even this small distance between us. "And I promise to be with you, cherish you, protect you, love you, always. Through the good times, through the bad." I hold her gaze right then, hoping she sees that I mean it, that I've learnt my lesson, that I would never dream of abandoning her again. "You asked me once, some time ago, if we had a future," I say with a little smile, recalling the time when we first started dating. "And here we are. But it's only the beginning. We still have forever to look forward to, and there isn't a single person whom I'd rather spend it with than you, Nessie Cullen. My soulmate."/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"So yeah, it's kind of cheesy. But I'll do cheesy for her any day./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"NESSIE/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"He talks about our love and our future in a way that brings tears to my eyes. We're so close right now. so close, yet so far. I want to bridge the gap, to rest my head on his chest. I just long for this wedding to be over so that we can dance close at our reception, eat some cake, and then go back to our home together. I want to breathe in his scent as I fall asleep and whisper cheesy things about how much we love each other all night long. I just want to feel his warmth. And now it's my turn to talk. And his words have stolen all of mine from me. I don't remember a single thing I was going to say. His thumbs run over the back of my hands. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"I try to start talking but my voice cracks with the emotions that his words brought on. I swallow before trying again. "I've known you were the one for me ever since I first heard your voice," I said to him, truthfully, something I'd never admitted until now. "It's always been soothing for me." Even in the womb, when I first heard him. Even when his voice didn't say nice things about me, I still found it comforting. "Ever since our eyes locked across the room, I knew. I knew I loved you. I knew you loved me. I knew you were safe for me. That I would be safe with you. That I could trust you no matter what. And I still believe that." I didn't want him to think that his grief in past months had altered the way that I saw him in anyway. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;""I want to spend the rest of my very long life with you and only you because I wouldn't know how to live it any other way." I say a few more over the top sappy things, and then it's time to exchange rings. And before I know it, the part I've been looking forward to since the whole thing has started. "And you may now kiss the bride." I can't hold back any longer. I leap into his arms and kiss him deeply. "Or she can kiss you..."/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"Claire, Rachel, Marissa, and Emily were trying desperately to keep me contained in mine and Jake's room, while I tried desperately to get past them and run the short distance to Paul's, where the boys were getting ready. The boys being, Embry, Quil, Sam, and Paul, much to Jake's chagrin. I hadn't seen him since yesterday afternoon, since you aren't supposed to spend the night before the wedding with the groom. And now I could hardly wait for the next thirty minutes to pass when we would go to the beach for the actual wedding. Everything was as Jake and I had discussed, simple. My bouquet was of white lilies and tiger lilies, the only thing that I had truly insisted on other than the suits for the boys and dresses for the girls. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"We had folding chairs down at the beach. And Embry and Quil had made us a hand carved arch to stand under which was gorgeous. The dresses were semiformal sundresses. And my hair had been simply styled, up, with some small white flowers in it. And folding chairs were set up on the beach for everyone. And we were going to have a ritual bonfire for our reception. Sometimes I couldn't keep myself from wondering what exactly Alice would have put together. Something with twinkling fairy lights, I'm sure. a live band. But I love the wedding I have. I just wish my family could have been involved in it. I frown slightly. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;""Aww, Ness," Rachel says, wrapping her arms around me. "They'll regret not coming later." I hugged her back tightly and then hugged Emily. She was already crying. I reached out and wiped her eyes. "It's okay," I said to them, "They'll come around eventually. And then Jake will have to do a five star wedding." To this comment all the girls laughed, trying to imagine it. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"It was finally time to go to the beach. I felt so excited like I might explode. I anxiously tried to spot him in the crowd, my Jake, but it seemed they had been expecting this and were hiding him or something. I smiled as Charlie walked over to me. We kissed each other's cheeks. "Hey," I said to him, "Thanks for coming." /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;""Of course," he answered, taking my hand and linking it through his arm. He didn't say much about it, but I think that it hurt him that his daughter and granddaughter weren't speaking. Invitations had been sent to my family. And I think Charlie had tried to convince them to come. But they, of course had refused. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"The boys were now standing by the archway, Jake underneath it. Though I couldn't do much more than make out his form through all the people milling about. As Emily started to walk down the aisle, I want to tell her and all the other girls to run. Please, run. Because I wanted to hurry to Jake. I wanted to be married. I could barely stay still. I was bursting at the seams with excitement. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"And then as I watched as Claire walked down the aisle, the last girl to go before me. I felt a cold hand on my arm. My head jerked to the side. And I smiled, feeling tears in my eyes. "Daddy," I whispered. Charlie seemed more than glad to take his seat with Sue and Seth, as I beamed at my father. "Thank you so much for coming. I know you don't agree with all of this. But I love him. And I love you. And my family. I just really wanted everyone here." It was then that I noticed the rest of my family taking a seat. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"He leaned over and kissed my cheek. "I love you Renesmee," he said to me. "I wouldn't be able to miss this for the world. And we're working on accepting the mutt. Again." /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;""Daddy," I admonished, but now it was time for us to walk. I smiled at Jacob, hoping he didn't mind our last minute guests as I made my way down the aisle to him./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"JACOB/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"The last few weeks have gone by in a flurry of activity, with Nessie up and about doing most of the preparations, and me doing my best to stay out of the way unless they needed me, letting the girls do their girly things. It's been great to see Nessie so excited, and though we both still grieve for those we've lost, we're learning to live with it, cope with it, and move on into the future. But underneath it all, there's still that unspoken sadness that her family has still refused to reestablish contact./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"Well, until now, that is. I'd tried over and over to get through to them. I called them countless times, and sometimes someone, usually Blondie, would pick up the phone and yell at me till I was sure I'd go deaf, but most of the time they just ignored my calls, hung up on me the moment they heard my voice. I was getting fed up. I was tempted to go over to their place and deal with them personally. But I was sure Nessie would get upset with me if I did, so I just kept calling, hoping against hope that my luck would change before the wedding. It killed me that Nessie would have to spend one of the most important days of her life without some of the most important people in it./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"And finally, my luck did change. Two days ago, I called again. And instead of Blondie, this time it was Cullen. He'd growled in his usual manner, but I'd tossed my pride aside and begged him to hear me out. And he did. Instead of shouting, for once we'd actually talked. He told me that he wasn't happy letting his daughter marry me, after everything I'd put her through. But he admitted, begrudgingly, I assumed, that he was getting tired of this feud. That he didn't want to lose his daughter because of me. And I told him that I didn't want that either./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"The phone call had ended on as cordial a note as you could ask for from the two of us. And I'd had a feeling then that Edward, at the very least, would change his mind about showing up. But I didn't want to say anything to Nessie, didn't want to get her hopes up in case I'd read him wrongly./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"And today, all I can do is hope for the best. I grin as Quil helps me with my tie. Actually, he helps all of us with our ties, complaining that we're pathetic. As he works on Paul's, I try to sneak out, but Embry immediately puts his hand on my shoulder. "Aww, come on, Embry." Embry clucks his tongue. "You know the rules, man." I groan as I go back to waiting, and it's getting agonisingly painful now that it's been almost a day since I last saw Nessie./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"Then finally, finally it's almost time. Everything looks perfect, simple but elegant in its own right, just as Nessie had planned for it to be. I stand at the end of the aisle, waiting impatiently, trying to catch a glimpse of her. Until she appears, and it's like the sun has burst out from behind the clouds. And even better is that beautiful, serene smile playing on her lips. She looks at ease, fully at peace. With everything. So even before my gaze shifts to the figure beside her, I already know who it is. I glance out at the rows guests, finding Bella amongst them. She gives me a small nod and I nod back. It won't be easy to earn back her trust, but for now she's willing to give me a chance, one that I intend to make the most of./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"And so this is it. The day is almost complete, almost perfect. Now there's only one more thing left to do./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"The smile widens on my face as Nessie draws closer, her arm linked through her father's. It's an odd sight, I must admit, considering he looks more like her prom date than her dad. But even that, her vampire heritage, as I've come to realise now, is something that I wouldn't change for the world. It's a part of who she is, the woman that I'm about to marry. "Wow…" I breathe, taking her in. She's always been beautiful to me, always will be, but I'll never forget the way she looks today, so stunning in her simple white gown, her curls piled elegantly atop her head, loosely spilling over. And that smile. That blush. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"But once she's right in front of me, Edward almost looks like he'll never let her go. And I may not like him, but I would never dream of coming between her and her father again. I give her a smile. I think it's only right and only fair that I let them have their moment, after so long. "Be happy, sweetheart," he tells her quietly, lightly patting her hand. But beneath the surface, I know he's speaking to me too. He may disapprove of me, but since he has no choice, that is all that he really wants from me. To make his little girl happy, to not let her down the way I have in the past. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"And if there is one thing in the world that we can agree on, it would be this./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"NESSIE/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"As we walk down the aisle, all I can see is Jacob straight ahead of me, and again I want to run to him. I want to launch myself into his arms and just skip to the part where he may now kiss the bride. My dad's hand tightens on my arms, and I pat his hand, to assure him that I'm not in a hurry to leave him, just in a hurry to truly, on paper belong to my Jake also. I can't keep the 100 watt smile off my face as we walk and when we get to the end of the aisle, as much as I want to go to Jake, I almost don't want to let go of Dad. I only just got him back after all after months of silence. My grip on him tightens, I'm afraid that if I let him go, he won't stay, or he'll disappear, or I'll realize that my wedding day hasn't even started yet and this was just a beautiful dream that I had where my family didn't hate me, and my dad was giving me away. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;""Be happy, sweetheart," he says to me, and the worry and apprehension leaves me. This I know is his way of putting our feud to rest. Even if he is still unhappy with Jake, he is okay with me. We have no fight. And all he wants is for me to be happy. I think as loudly and constantly as I can, to make sure that he hears it and knows that I mean it, I need you and mom, and the rest of my family too to do that. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"He nods at me and gives me a small smile. I lean over and kiss his cheek. "Thanks, dad. I love you." /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"And then with that the proceedings begin, as the officiator of the ceremony asks who gives this girl away and my dad says that he does and kisses me on the cheek before handing me off to Jacob. And as I feel my dad's cold hand lingering on my arm for the briefest of moments, and Jake's large, warm hand engulfing both of mine as he pulls me close, the world feels like a perfect place again. And then my dad's chill leaves as he goes to sit next to mom and I look up into Jake's eyes. I know this is the right thing for me. There's no doubt in my mind. This man in front of me. I need him. His beaming smile makes my smile grow wider until it can't possibly be any bigger, until it actually hurts my cheek muscles. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"I want to tell him how much I love him, but I don't want to rush this, or skip any part of the ceremony. I stand there, holding hands with him as the preacher talks. And then finally after a few bible readings and things that we both already know about love and marriage being said, it's time for vows. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;""And the bride and groom have prepared their own vows to share with us today," he said. He looked towards Jake, telling us that it was his turn first./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"JACOB/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"I can tell when Edward looks at me briefly that he is making an effort to be polite, though there is a stern look of warning in his eyes. One that tells me that if I ever hurt Nessie again, he would finish me off, that if not for her sake he would already have done that by now. And I think that if I ever did hurt her again, I would want him to finish me off. I can't bear the thought of doing that to her again. She is, after all, first and foremost my life's purpose. If I were to do anything to harm her, I shouldn't deserve to live. He gives half a nod, in acknowledgment and probably agreement of my thoughts. I nod back. It's understood./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"The instant Nessie's hands are in mine, everything seems to fall back into place again. We'd lost our balance for some time, spent a while trying to pull ourselves back together, but here we are standing on our feet again. For a moment I think about how Dad would've loved to be here, and how he probably is. I could almost imagine him and Mom sitting to the side, our lost child with them. He would be smiling proudly, but I think maybe even smirking at me for the formal setting, the necktie, the works. Good old Dad. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"And we're okay. We're more than okay. I look into the eyes of the beautiful young woman standing in front of me, seeing the one person whom I've always loved, in so many ways. And she looks back to me with the most brilliant smile I've ever seen, and I know I'm the luckiest man in the world./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;""And the bride and groom have prepared their own vows to share with us today." Seeing her now, I almost forget that I was actually kind of nervous about this bit to begin with. I'm not generally a shy sort of guy, but talking in front of a whole bunch of people has just never really been my thing. To be honest, I'm quite out of my comfort zone here. But I don't really care anymore. I'm not talking to anyone else, my words are meant for her alone. Everyone else is just a witness./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"Quil passes me a folded-up piece of paper. I would've written it on my palm, but I doubt Nessie would've been very pleased. At first I start off by referring to what I'd written, but after the first two sentences I decide to shove the note back into my pocket. If I can't remember what I was going to say, then it would delete the purpose. I'm supposed to remember it for eternity. "…From the moment I first saw you, you became my world. But even though I can't live without you, that isn't the reason for today. The real reason is that I want to live with you."/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"I stroke the back of her hands, aching to pull her to me and close even this small distance between us. "And I promise to be with you, cherish you, protect you, love you, always. Through the good times, through the bad." I hold her gaze right then, hoping she sees that I mean it, that I've learnt my lesson, that I would never dream of abandoning her again. "You asked me once, some time ago, if we had a future," I say with a little smile, recalling the time when we first started dating. "And here we are. But it's only the beginning. We still have forever to look forward to, and there isn't a single person whom I'd rather spend it with than you, Nessie Cullen. My soulmate."/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"So yeah, it's kind of cheesy. But I'll do cheesy for her any day./p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"NESSIE/p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"He talks about our love and our future in a way that brings tears to my eyes. We're so close right now. so close, yet so far. I want to bridge the gap, to rest my head on his chest. I just long for this wedding to be over so that we can dance close at our reception, eat some cake, and then go back to our home together. I want to breathe in his scent as I fall asleep and whisper cheesy things about how much we love each other all night long. I just want to feel his warmth. And now it's my turn to talk. And his words have stolen all of mine from me. I don't remember a single thing I was going to say. His thumbs run over the back of my hands. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;"I try to start talking but my voice cracks with the emotions that his words brought on. I swallow before trying again. "I've known you were the one for me ever since I first heard your voice," I said to him, truthfully, something I'd never admitted until now. "It's always been soothing for me." Even in the womb, when I first heard him. Even when his voice didn't say nice things about me, I still found it comforting. "Ever since our eyes locked across the room, I knew. I knew I loved you. I knew you loved me. I knew you were safe for me. That I would be safe with you. That I could trust you no matter what. And I still believe that." I didn't want him to think that his grief in past months had altered the way that I saw him in anyway. /p
p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.119999885559082px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'GNU Unifont', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; caret-color: #2a2a2a; color: #2a2a2a;""I want to spend the rest of my very long life with you and only you because I wouldn't know how to live it any other way." I say a few more over the top sappy things, and then it's time to exchange rings. And before I know it, the part I've been looking forward to since the whole thing has started. "And you may now kiss the bride." I can't hold back any longer. I leap into his arms and kiss him deeply. "Or she can kiss you..."/p