Nicki's POV (5 days later):

Well, here it is… the big day has arrived. My sister and her immortal Bo are finally tying the knot. And soon Bella will be a Vampire, I'm not quite sure how to feel about that. But it's her life and I've got mine, for at least a while anyway. Try not to think about it… Today is a supposed "happy" day.

I'd been staring at myself in the floor length mirror in Leah's bedroom. The image that reflected back wasn't great but it'll do. Though I may seem cool and confident in a lot of ways…When it comes to my body, there's always been insecurities. Where Bella is a fair skinned bean pole, resembling Renee. I on the other hand, am 5.1 ft., slightly on the side of plump, with a body shaped like a pear. My last weigh in at the doctor said I was 130 lbs. (140 lbs. actually when my "metal legs" are attached.) I don't really scream "dress material". Plus, I didn't wish to have my prosthetics showing for everyone to stare and gawk at. Alice had designed the wedding as coat and tie. Judging by the bridesmaid dresses, everything below the knee was visible with the exception of Bella's gown and Rosalie's (which was slit from the hip.)

So despite Alice's objection, I was doing something nontraditional but still formal: a black pants suit.

After the outfit was on, Sue took me into the bathroom to do my hair. Yeah, you heard me right… "Hair." See, ever since Alice found out about my baldness and the wig. She's been giving me Rogaine treatments. My original hair is back. This was the first day I was going to be showing it off. Among other things, I'd also gone and inherited Charlie's tan skin tone and color hair: "Black." Short, wavy black, with curls at the end. I eventually emerged wearing a blue headband before walked out to join Seth.

As a thank you for helping defeat Victoria and her army, the people who were in or involved with the pack was invited to the Wedding. Though only Sue, Seth and Billy were going. I'll never be able to thank the Clearwaters and Charlie enough for allowing me to stay. The moment I'd stormed back in my room after having confronted Renee. I had no idea how I was going to make it the rest of the time with her there. Then I left with Leah and arrived here. It's been a relief, not having to worry. It's has been received like a much-needed vacation. Between hanging out with the other imprints, the pack and spending time on the beach. Playing my guitar against the sound of those waves. I must say though, I was surprised that Alice didn't call in hysterics that I wasn't at the bachelorette party. I was holding on to hope Bella explained. So here I was going back into the fray but this time I wasn't alone so that's a comfort…

Esme answered the door, "Seth, Nicki! Come on in" she invited warmly. I gave her a hug in response, I couldn't help it.

After a moment she pulled back to look at me, "Nicki, you're so cute!"

I blushed, "Thanks."

"Are you feeling better? You know if it gets to be too much with Renee, you can always come stand or sit by me" she whisper offered in my ear.

Touched, I smiled and nodded "yes". Then Esme reached out to snag a stray strand of hair and tucked it behind my ear. Surprised, she gasped in wonder.

"Yes, it is real. And it's really mine, thanks to Alice."

"You're welcome!" the familiar pixie squealed as she flashed down the stair case temporarily join us. "Let me see the finish product," she said, turning me around in a circle. Then clapped her hands, very impressed before retrieving something from the flower basket on the counter. It was a small but beautiful white rose which she tucked between my hair and the left side of my headband. "Perfect!" chirped Alice before dashing back upstairs "Still so much to do for the bride…" she sang. I shook my head with empathy. Poor Bella was going to resemble a china doll before Alice was through...

...

Well, they did it! Bella and Edward finally made it to the altar and the eternal vows of "I do" were exchanged. I got a vampire for a brother-in-law! (Cheers to working that out in therapy.) … Just kidding! I of course will continue to honor my word and not say anything. At this point, I feel there's no end to how deep the rabbit hole goes. Rest assured, I can deal with the March Hare and the Mad Hatter. But I swear, the moment the Queen of Hearts pops up demanding my head. I'm outta here!

We were at the reception. I took turns dancing with all the Cullens, including Edward. "You be good to her" I whispered as we waltzed to a slow jazz tune.

"I can honestly promise you that, Nicki." He whispered back, though frowning slightly. "How are you feeling?"

Aside from the Renee drama, my health had really taken a turn down hill in the past month. Including one brief overnight stay at Forks Hospital. I was stable now, though experiencing more chest pain from time to time.

"I'm alright for the most part, everything appears to be functional."

"Are you sure?"

I smiled and nodded. I can't blame Hair Gel for being worried, after all he was the one who found me passed out on the floor in the bathroom of my own house. I'd been in taking a shower when my heart began to pound abnormally in my chest. It wasn't from the heat of the water either, I had it on warm. Starting to get dizzy, I shut it off and wrapped a huge thick towel around myself before stepping out. Unfortunately the moment I placed a foot on the floor is when I collapsed on the tile. Apparently at the same time, Edward had entered the house through my sister's window. Intending to surprise her, instead heard a loud thump and discovered my body.

Luckily Bella arrived home shortly after. Dressing me in sweats, she and Edward took me to the hospital where I awoke. Since then he's been overly protective of me.

It's kind of nice and strange all at once. When the song ended, people changed partners. I was surprised to find Renee be the one to take my hand. I instantly pulled back, releasing my limb. But before I escape and walk away, she said, "Nicki, please just listen to me this one time. And I promise, I'll leave you alone from here on out."

I sighed, if that's what it takes… "Fine, talk" I answered, crossing my arms. "What on earth could you possibly have to say to me that hasn't already inflicted hurt and damage?"

Her next words surprised and shocked me to my core. "I'm sorry," What?

"I am sorry for everything," she repeated before continuing. "For all the hurt and pain I put you through over the years. You didn't deserve it, and that's my fault." I blinked rapidly, looking into her eyes. Trying to see if she was serious.

"But…" I put in before she could, expecting it to follow.

"No… no "buts" this time. I am truly and honestly sorry. It also wasn't fair of me to dump "the secret" burden on you to keep. On top of everything else you're going through…" she trailed off sadly. Bella told her, didn't she? "I can see it now, why you hate me and reacted so coldly."

I sigh heavily, needing to speak the truth. "I don't hate you," I corrected, "I've forgiven you and your actions against me… But I don't trust you nor do I want you in my life. Too much irreversible damage has been done."

She slowly nodded, "I suppose I have no choice but to accept that… Just please know: I wish you the best, Nicole Ann Swan" I begrudgingly allowed her to give me one last hug before walking off, going our separate ways…

...

The rest of the party was pretty good. In fact, Seth stole me away to a private corner where we shared our first kiss. It was perfectly slow and sweet the way our lips met. Lingering for a minute, our finger intertwining in each other's hair before parting. Not how everyone's first kiss is but just right for us. I was blushing like crazy, and I wasn't the only one. Seth seemed to be mirroring my feelings exactly.

"Fortunately" or "Unfortunately", depending on how you look at it. The embarrassment didn't last long.

Out of all the surprises that day, Jacob had come back and decided to crash the party! Of course, he and Bella saw each other and talked. Then trust my sister to have a doofus moment, tell him something very crucial about the "Wedding Night." Igniting that nasty wolf temper of his. Seth and the pack had to step in and reinforce Jacob before he exploded in furious fur and fangs and attempted to murder Edward.

Seth then left with the pack, wolf business came first as usual. Though I appreciated the winking glance he sent my way just before departing. No doubt the boys would be teasing him when they found out what we'd done. It wasn't long after that we (the remaining guests) wished Bella and Edward "Bon Voyage" as they drove off to start their honeymoon. I went home with Charlie, completely exhausted.

(Six weeks later) Seth's POV:

The sun is coming up now, Jake's still passed out on the floor, sleeping. He's probably gonna be upset that I didn't wake him when I came to check at midnight. But honestly, he does need his rest. He's been going nonstop for two going on three days ever since we'd found out the truth of Bella's condition: She's pregnant! That's not good news or bad news, it's Scary News!

Why? You may ask, it's not a normal one. Then again, nothing about this situation is "normal". The pack or rather my formal pack believe the Baby's a Monster which needs to be destroyed.

So in order to protect Bella and the child. Jake broke away from Sam and I followed. Together we've "unofficially" formed our own pack that Leah's joined, surprisingly! But understandable once she "explained" her need to get away from Sam. I used quotation because nothing in a pack is a secret. Stuff gets revealed whether you want it to or not…

It's been weeks since I've seen my Nicki. She had another bad episode within days after the wedding and had taken up residency at the Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. It hurt not seeing her everyday, but I'd always managed to get a phone call in. And I rode along with Charlie whenever he drove down to see her almost every other weekend. It wasn't enough, but I understood why she needed to be there. This right now was the longest I'd gone without contacting her. Maybe I could ask sometime today if I could use the phone.

Aha! Later that morning after Jake woke up and took some food and clothes to Leah, (Curtesy of Esme.) I made my move. Though ended up having to explain/catch the Cullens plus Bella up on Nicki and her worsening condition. They hadn't seen or heard from her since the wedding either. Alice was shocked that she didn't see it in her visions. Esme's heart went out to Charlie:

As far as he was concerned, both of his children were terribly sick and there was nothing he could do for them. I eventually got ahold of my angel. It felt so good to hear her sweet voice though pained as it were.

We just barely talked for five minutes, when the whole house rang with Edward's shout of

"Because you've given me no choice! Bella were supposed to be partners remember. But you decided this on your own, you've decided to leave me… Well I have no other way to see it. Cause it's me who will lose you and I don't choose that… I don't choose that."

The next thing I heard was a door slamming shut.

"Seth?" "Seth?" my angel asked coming through the phone. "

Yes, sorry about that Nicki," I apologized.

"Can I talk to my sister?"

"Sure, I'll ask" I said, before going and knocking on the door of the room Bella occupied.

"Come in" she said tearfully,

"Bella its Nicki on the line, do you feel like talking to her?" Sniffling, she nodded eagerly. I handed her the phone, walking out of the room. Trying to give them some privacy but with me and supernatural wolf hearing, I got every word:

Nicki: Hi Sis, so it seems congratulations are due?"

Bella: "Thanks Nicki, you're the only one besides Rosalie that seems actually happy about the baby."

Nicki: "You forget, I was a mother for however brief amount of time it was. It's a miraculous thing isn't, to know and experience that another "being" is growing and developing inside you."

Bella: Yes! Thank you! No one else seems to be getting that!

Nicki: I think they get it just fine Bella, but their worry and concern for you overrides it. From what Seth has told me: Baby's not regular, is it?"

Bella (chokes out): No, he's half vampire."

Nicki: "He? So, you know what it's going to be?"

Bella: "No it's just a guess,"

Nicki: "And big daddy vampire doesn't seem too happy with the idea of his future offspring?"

Bella (voice cringing): "Was he really that loud?"

Nicki: "Yep,"

Bella: "He'll come around."

Nicki: "You hope,"

Bella: "I know he will if he just…gives him a chance."

Nicki: "And what if he doesn't Bella?"

Bella: "He will!" she screeched desperately into the phone.

Nicki: "Bella! Bella, you're hormonal, and you're not thinking straight."

Bella (shocked and a little angry): "WHAT?"

Nicki: "Sorry, bad choice of words. Let me try again. (clears throat) "Bella would you please just listen to me for a moment? I promise it's not what you're possibly thinking or might have been told before. Give me a chance?

Bella (slowly): "Ok"

Nicki: (sighs in relief) "Thank you." "You can't force someone to be a parent. They have to want it and be willing to work for it. For when you become a parent, your wants are on the back burner. Your child's needs come first! You need to think about what's best for EJ? Especially, if you don't make it. That in itself is a chance every mother takes upon bringing a child into the world. My advice to you is:

Create a back-up plan. So, whatever happens, whether Edward accepts the child or not. You know your son is in safe hands with people who will love and protect Emmett and Rosalie for example, if it came down to that."

Silence… then

Bella: "Thank you Nicki,"

Nicki: "You're Welcome."

Bella: "You must really miss him…Noah, I mean"

Nicki: "Yeah, I do"

Bella: "Do you regret anything?"

Nicki: "How it started and ended maybe, but as far as his existence… Not a day. I treasure every moment we had together. A small bouncy, red, chubby faced baby with a smile and a laugh to warm your heart."

Bella: "I hope I get that lucky,"

Nicki: "You will…I've got a feeling…"

My Angel is so wise beyond her years, I could only hope and pray for more time with her but, will there ever be enough?