CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
The legal battle with Jacob was not a long one. When Bella told Jacob that he wouldn't have a case, she was right. His name was not on the birth certificate, and the Cullen's lawyers were able to "find" documentation of Bella's rape. When the Cullen men found out how Ezra was conceived, they were ready to go to La Push with guns blazing, but Bella insisted that they didn't. They respected her request, but they still asked to come and tough him up some. They didn't tolerate the mistreatment of women, especially their women.
Edward asked Bella to file a restraining order for Jacob on Ezra's behalf, and Bella agreed to it. Restraining orders lasted three years, which was plenty of time for them to tell Ezra what he needed to know so he could decide by himself.
Bella really wanted Jacob and her to at least try and be friends, but it was obvious that their friendship was long gone. It was fine, though. Bella was surrounded by people who loved her. She spoke with Alice every day, and Rosalie every so often. Emmett was very fond of her, finding his sister-in-law to be quite amusing at most times. Bella loved it, though. It had always been her and her dad, and being close to Edward's siblings made her feels as though she had her dream of a large family. The Cullens could never compare to the boys that made up Jacob's "family". She was still glad that he had them, though. After everything was said and done, Bella wished the best for Jacob. She just wanted him to stay away from her kids.
Soon after the legality concerning Jacob was over, Edward re-proposed to Bella. He told her that he wanted to do things the right way, instead of their love feeling forced upon them. Of course, Bella said yes. She already had the ring. The wedding was not rushed in the slightest. They had time to craft out their invitations, pick out what flowers they wanted, all of the things that Alice insisted a real wedding needed.
Edward was so close to graduating his school. He had to go to the University of Washington college campus twice a week for labs for his last semester all the way in Seattle. It was a two-hour trip one way, and it really made Edward struggle, but he did it for his family. He spent twelve hours in class on those days and came back home to go straight to bed. It was a tough part of their relationship, but they made it work. After Edward graduated and got accepted into medical school, they knew that things would be rolling soon.
Ezra's fourth birthday was a very exciting one. The Cullens came up to see him and spent the weekend, so Alice could take Bella dress shopping. Renesmee was almost a year old, and Bella had bounced back from her pregnancy quite nicely. Her hips were nowhere near as narrow, but she still had her slim waist, and her bust was heavy from the process of breast feeding. At her wedding with Jacob, she wore a cheap dress that was very simple, but Alice really dressed her up to the nines. She was in glamorous gowns that had long trains, glitter, lace, everything that Alice loved, but Bella was a simple girl. She fell in love with a simple satin dress with a high neck and a mermaid skirt. The back and sleeves were lace, and the stylist sold her on a cathedral length veil to match her short train. Bella had never felt so beautiful in her life.
The next time Edward and Bella saw the Cullens was on Renesmee's birthday. Esme had insisted on throwing her a big party in Sacramento, and even invited Charlie. Renesmee enjoyed the extravaganza that her family planned for her so much. That night, Charlie confided in Bella on the porch that he was jealous. He told Bella that he wished that he could do things for his grandchildren like what the Cullens did. Bella had to comfort her father, holding his hands and smiling.
"Dad, do you think that Carlisle is going to teach E.J. how to fish?" Was the first thing she said. That completely changed Charlie's way of thinking. Being the chief of police in a small town, he didn't make much to afford his bills and beer, but he did spend quality time with his grandchildren that the Cullens could not, and that was not something a person could just buy.
The wedding was in the fall. It was appropriate for Bella's dress and the colors that they had decided on. Bella invited her friends from work, Edward invited his friends from school, and the entire Cullen family was there. Apparently, the Cullens had a lot of "cousins", meaning people that were in their close circle. They never had real weddings in their family, just ceremonies like Emmett and Rosalie did, so they jumped at any event. Charlie brough Sue Clearwater with him, a woman Bella had known since she was young. She never imagine that the woman would one day be dating her father, but she was glad to see her father mothing on her mother's death.
Their wedding felt like a real wedding, even if they hosted in at their home. The lake provided the most gorgeous scenery in the fall. The water was still bright blue from the summer, but the colors surrounding them were muted due to the changing of the seasons. Edward, Jasper, and Ezra stood at the altar, all wearing dark navy-blue suits. Renesmee trotted down the aisle in a fluffy, sparkly, champagne colored dress, none of the flowers leaving her basket as she rushed to her father. He smiled at her and bent over to pick her up, balancing her on her hip. They all watched Bella walk down the aisle, clinging onto Charlie for dear life. She wasn't nervous to be married, considering the fact that she already was, but more nervous that she would fall over in the heels she was wearing. As soon as Charlie handed her off to Edward, Renesmee begged to be held by her mother, now very aware of all the people watching her.
As Bella held her daughter, he couldn't help but admire his family. Bella's children took after her, neither of them resembling their fathers. They both had dark hair and eyes and perfect pink lips. Their teeth were straight and white, and they all had a perfect furrowed look when something strange happened. Jasper married them, and when he allowed them to kiss, Edward took his time. E.J. had found his hand and held it while Edward's other hand reached around to touch the arm that was holding his daughter. They were all surrounded by one another, which made their wedding much more special.
Renesmee and E.J. stayed awake long enough to snag some cake, but Rosalie was carrying their sleeping bodies up to their rooms before the sun had even set. They partied like they had no worries, because in that moment, they didn't. They didn't know what the future held for them. Eventually, they would have to deal with Jacob, and more than likely, the Cullens would recruit Edward in their "business". Those would be problems for another time though. Bella and Edward spent the rest of their wedding night focused on themselves.