Chapter Eleven
The music stops and a hush falls over the crowd as Edwards takes one of my hands in his and Jacob takes the other. The two of them join hands together as well.
Next, the three of us turn to face Carlisle who is presiding over the service in place of a traditional minister, since none would have been willing to perform a polyamorous service as it is not presently legal to join more than two people in matrimony.
"Dearest friends, we are gathered here today because, however unconventional it might seem to the outside world...the people present here today want to celebrate the love that has formed between these three souls.
"We know this love to be true and good, and we consider this a joyous occasion indeed. Edward, Jacob, Bella...
"We, your community, your family, and your friends, vow to love and support you throughout your journey of life together. Whatever challenges you may face, whatever storms might assail you, we vow to uphold you. We vow to be there for you as you have been there for us.
"And now it is time for you to make your vows to one another. I understand that you have each prepared something, so who would like to go first?" Carlisle asks.
"I would!" Jake beams.
Carlisle nods and all eyes turn to Jacob as he begins to speak. "A little while back, I was still in the process of trying to reconcile myself to a life alone.
"You see, I thought that these two were going to ride off into the sunset together and that happiness just wasn't in the cards for me. Little did I know that not only was happiness waiting for me just around the corner...but I also had no idea that it would look like this.
"I never dreamed that happiness could come from a union of fire and ice, or that the girl my soul was tethered to would ever return the sentiment. I never dreamed that I would get my happy ending but now that it's here, I can't picture my life any other way."
Jake place has one hand over Edward's heart and the other over mine. "Edward, Bella, you two are my heart and my soul. I vow to love you both eternally and unconditionally. Look at me usin' big words!" He grins, earning a laugh from the crowd as I wipe a tear from my eye.
"I guess I'll go next." I sniff, composing myself.
"It took me a long time to realize that choosing between these two men would be like ripping my heart in half. I don't know why the people of this world think that it's acceptable to pass judgment on others for who they love or how they live.
"I don't think it's fair that so many people feel like they have to hide who they are or how they feel in order to be accepted. I think that's something that we as a world need to work on changing.
"But since that might be a while, in the meantime I will say this. I will never settle for ripping my heart in half ever again. I will never again turn my back on someone I love out of fear, or shame, or embarrassment.
"I will no longer hide how I feel. I will Proclaim my love from the rooftops. I will walk down the street boldly holding hands with these two men. Because I know that I have no cause for fear, or shame, or embarrassment.
"There is nothing wrong with me for loving two men. There is nothing wrong with them for loving one another or for loving me. And I promise you both that wherever we go in this world I will wear my love boldly.
"I promise that I will never make a choice not to kiss you because of who might be watching. I promise that if we do choose to have children, my babies will call you both daddy. And I promise with all of my heart that I will always be proud to be yours." I say, my voice cracking at the end.
Jake whispers, "Dang, I'm glad I don't have to follow that!" Brushing a tear from his eye.
Edward laughs, "Yeah, no pressure, huh. Okay, here it goes." He clears his throat to compose himself.
"About a week before the wedding I was working on my vows. Jasper must have sensed my complex emotions and he asked me telepathically what I was stressing out about.
"I explained to him that even though we had always strived to keep things equal in this relationship I felt that the Imprint put what Jacob and Bella have in a whole other category from what I have with them.
"I have seen Jacob's mind and the minds of the other wolves often enough to understand exactly how that magic works and truly it is something very special indeed. But when I told Jasper all of this, he looked at me and said 'magic schmagic'.
"I frowned at him as he went on to elaborate. 'Edward, I know you've got it in your head that an Imprint bond is stronger than a mating bond but that is hogwash.' His words, not mine.
"He said 'As an Empath, I know exactly how each of you feels for one another and I can tell you with one hundred percent certainty that there is nothing any less significant or epic about the way that they love you.'
"And even though I believed that he was sincere in thinking that, I asked him to show me because my logical mind was having trouble comprehending it. So he did. Jasper sent me Bella's emotions for Jacob, Jacob's emotions for Bella, and both of their emotions for me.
"And at that moment I saw that he was right. Our relationship is built upon three epic, very significant loves. Loves that my life would be empty and meaningless without. Bella and Jacob, you give me the hope of a beautiful future by your side. You make this existence worth living.
"I know everyone nowadays says that a relationship shouldn't define you and people shouldn't be two halves of a whole and all of that. But I know that my life is better with both of you in it because both of you make me a better person.
"So while it may be cheesy and outdated, I am happy to say that the two of you complete me. And I am more than okay with that. I have never been happier than I am being the white bread of your peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
"I might not be as savory as Peanut Butter over here," he smirks, gesturing to Jacob, "or as sweet as jelly," he chuckles, gesturing to me, "but I'm okay with that too. I'm great with it. Because these are my two epic, very significant loves, and I wouldn't have it any other way." He concludes kissing us both on the cheek.
Carlisle smiles and takes over again. "And to honor these epic, very significant loves, they've had these rings made. Let's begin with Bella. Boys, together, I want you to slide this ring onto Bella's finger as you repeat in unison, 'A token of our forever love.'."
I hold out my hand, trying not to tremble.
"A token of our forever love," my boys say in unison.
We repeat the process, with Edward and me sliding Jake's ring onto his finger followed by Jake and me sliding Edward's ring onto his finger.
"And now, in front of God and this community, I pronounce you one another's very significant others," Carlisle stated.
"You may now kiss!"
And did we ever!
We had been practicing the three-way kiss a lot over the weeks leading up to the wedding because we wanted it to look sexy and sweet. Not to mention, a little extra practice never hurt anything.
I think it paid off because everyone starts applauding wildly partway through and by the end of the kiss we have a standing ovation going on.
After that, we head to the park to take pictures.