Chapter 18: The Big Day
Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns Twilight.
July, 7th, the big day had arrived. Jacob was up early and on the phone to Quil.
"Damn, Jake," he heard from the other end of the line. "You'd think you were getting hitched for the first time. Yeah, yeah, I won't forget the ring. I already put it in my pocket. Quit worrying, will ya?" A loud yawn escaped Quil's lips, as he shook his disheveled mane.
"I'm not worrying. I just don't want to be caught without a ring again. It was embarrassing enough the first time."
"Okay, I got it. Can I finish my breakfast now?"
"Sure, sure, but guard that ring with your life."
Quil hastily groaned, "You expecting to get robbed at your wedding?"
Jacob was now staring at the ceiling. Maybe he should have given the ring to Embry for safekeeping. But Quil was the one with him when he bought it, so he didn't want to seem distrustful of him. "No, smartass, I'm afraid you'll lose it."
"I'm not gonna lose the ring; it's in my jacket pocket. I'll be there at 3:20 I'm goin' back to the table to eat my food, so long, Jake."
At 2:00, Jacob was busy shaving and showering, and Bella was seated on a chair in the spare bedroom while Renee and Rachel were fixing her hair and makeup. Those thick mahogany locks were being teased, sprayed, curled, pinned and tortured into submission. The result was an updo with soft curls in place and wispy tendrils framing the sides of Bella's newly fashioned face. It was accented by a white feathered hair ornament lovingly handmade by her sweetheart. Tiny pearlized beads hung from thin see-through ribbon attached to the spray.
Jacob was finished dressing. He looked sharp in his light grey suit and silver tie. He even sported a little tie tac of a black bell.
Charlie was entering the house. He looked pretty sharp himself. The people in Hell must've been having a snowball fight, because he had on a white button down shirt and a shiny black bow tie, with matching jacket and trousers. He started yelling for Jacob. "Come on, kid, you're going to be late for your own wedding. The motor's running, and your old man is out there getting grumpy."
Running out of the bedroom to greet him, Jacob said, "Hey, Charlie. Let me tell Bells I'm leaving first. I'll only be a minute."
Charlie waved his hand at him. "Okay, but hurry it up, I'm going to go wait in the car."
Jacob rushed to the door of the spare bedroom, and unthinking, burst into it to say goodbye. The women all let out shrieks. Rachel jumped in front of Bella to obscure his view.
"Get out of here, you idiot," Rachel shouted. "It's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding."
"Jeez, I'm sorry. I just wanted to say I was leaving. You don't have to panic." All the while he was leaning to the side sneakily attempting to satisfy his curiosity. As he leaned every which way, so did Rachel, countering his every move. Damn, he couldn't catch a single glimpse. The horn began honking outside, and this time he heard Billy telling him to get a move-on.
"I'll see you in an hour, honey," he said speaking through Bella's bodyguard. "Don't keep me waiting."
A big smile stretched across her face as she replied, "I'll be the girl in white, rushing to your side."
A few minutes after Charlie drove off with Jacob in tow, Leah showed up. Bella was helped into her gown, and taking a big gulp of air, she followed all the women piling into the car. When they took off, Bella and Jacob both noticed that their respective vehicles were heading away from the beach. They were understandably confused; their destination turned out to be Jacob's old Taj Mahal. It was decorated with white lights and streamers. Somehow, the Rabbit was sitting there in the middle, huh . . .
Paul and Jared were waiting outside Charlie's cruiser. As soon as Jacob disembarked, they hoisted him up between their shoulders and paraded with him into the garage which was now transformed into a miniature wedding chapel. They plunked him down onto the driver's seat of his car. Then Bella was escorted in, enthroned on Quil and Embry's crossed arms in a two man carry. They set her down gently beside her groom.
Jacob nearly swooned at the sight of her. If an angel had come down to the earth that day, she could not have held a candle to the beauty that graced the spot right next to him. Her hair, her eyes, that creamy complexion, that ethereal gown—could any other bride be any more beautiful? He couldn't close his mouth; he was in such awe of his Bella. He felt like he wanted to boldly pick her up and run back to the house with her. The hell with the wedding!
Truth be told, his bride was blushing brightly at the view before her also. Gosh, he cleaned up good. Those ebony eyes glowed with the light of love, and his thick black hair glistened, reflecting the twinkling glimmer from the tiny lamps adorning the walls of the Taj. The two of them sat together unable to tear their eyes away from each other for several minutes.
Finally, looking at his watch, Jacob asked, "Uh, guys, what are we doin' here? Bells and I need to be at First Beach. We're getting married in 20 minutes."
Leah's voice rang out above the rest of the voices. She walked forward, waving everyone away from her. "Keep your shorts on, Jake. Everything's under control. You and Bella are going to arrive at the wedding in style." She motioned for the guys waiting outside the door of the garage. "Bring 'em in boys!"
The pack wheeled in the bikes. They were decorated with white bows on the handles and ribbons trailing off the rear of each motorcycle.
"Okay, Rachel and Renee, you're coming with me. Embry and Quil, you'll go with Billy and Charlie. We'll meet at First Beach. Let's move it!"
Paul and Jared steered Jacob to his bike. When he settled on it, the two wolf boys ran alongside, pushing the bike at top speed. Jacob looked back at Bella and shrugged his shoulders. Bella sat side saddle on her's while Sam and Seth copied Paul and Jared's lead. She was wild-eyed, hanging onto the handlebars for dear life.
First Beach came into view, with all the guests waiting.
The boys lifted the bikes up in the air to maneuver around the pebble strewn dunes and stopped when they had a clear view of the runway to the altar.
Embry and Quill stood beside the flowered and beribboned arch on the left and Rachel and Leah stood on the right. Old Quil, as still as a statue, awaited their arrival in the middle.
Paul rammed his foot down on the engine's kick start and the roar from the motor announced the bride and groom. Then he killed the engine as the four boys proceeded to push the bikes down the aisle. When they got close enough, Collin and Brady were there to help Bella climb down. The ushers moved the bikes to a secluded spot as Jacob walked to the front of the audience.
Charlie took their place and proceeded with Bella, kissing her cheek as they neared Old Quil. Her poor dad got a little misty as he placed his only daughter's hand in Jacob's. "Take care of my baby," he whispered, choking back tears.
"You know I will," Jacob answered, getting a little teary himself.
The weather was perfect for the outdoor wedding. The couple stood under the metal archway decorated with white flowers, ribbons and tiny shells. It was set in full view of the ocean, and the rhythmic undulation of the waves and the sounds as they washed ashore added to the ambiance. It was only fitting that they should be joined together at the spot where they spent most of their courtship.
Jacob barely heard a word that Old Quil said, he was so entranced by Bella. He managed to say, "I do", in the right place as did his bride. He got jolted out of his stupor when Embry elbowed him, muttering, "The ring, Jake, the ring."
"Oh, right," Jacob put his hand out to Quil, who took the ring out of the box and promptly dropped it on the sand below. It was a tense couple of minutes as the three guys searched in the waning light for that small gold circle. Embry was triumphant, and breathed a sigh of relief, as he handed it to his friend.
Placing the ring on her finger, he lifted her hand to his lips. To his surprise, Leah transferred another wedding ring to Bella. Apparently the wolf minds were all abreast as to what and where to get its match.
She looked up into that handsome face and slipped the ring on his finger, smiling all the while. They both definitely heard, "I now pronounce you man and wife."
Jacob needed no prompting to kiss his bride. When they broke the kiss, Jacob looked out at his friends and family, his signature smile staging an appearance. He slid his arm around Bella's waist, drawing her nearer. Bella beamed along with him; it was hard not to. Applause broke out, in honor of the couple. There were hoots and several wolf howls, Paul and Quil being the perpetrators, no doubt. The crowd followed them as they weaved themselves through the guests, lining up by the dance floor to receive each sentiment of congratulations.
Bella hadn't seen so many distant relatives and tribe members of the Makah reservation before. It was a never-ending stream of people, grinning and shaking their hands.
The Cullens were also in the line waiting to offer their congrats; Jacob smelled them a mile away. The little pixie, Alice was jumping up and down with excitement. "Oh, Bella, you look gorgeous. This whole wedding is moxi fab. I couldn't have done better myself." She turned toward the groom. "And boy, you sure turned out to be one handsome devil, Jacob. Just look at you—you're actually wearing a shirt," she laughed. Alice hugged them both. When she let go of Jacob, she added, "Wow, it's hard to believe, but your muscles are as big as Emmett's."
"No way," they heard the brawny vampire complain.
The rest of the Cullens took their turn, except for Rosalie, whom Bella later learned, refused to come, remarking, "I'm not throwing that mutt a single bone. He can celebrate without me."
Jacob held his tongue, but saw Edward suppress a smile as he read his thoughts. All riiiight . . . We'll all celebrate—that you're not here. Hallelujah!
Edward was the last of the Cullens to wish them well. Jacob watched him like a hawk.
He smiled ruefully. "You're a very lucky man, Jacob. You know how much I wish it was me standing in your place.
"This may sound funny, but if she was to marry anyone other than me, I'm glad it was you. I'm aware how much you love her. And I'm certain that you can protect her from harm."
He turned his sorrowful golden eyes to the bride. "You look lovely, Bella, but then you always did."
Jasper walked up behind Edward, adding, "I tell you what, don't that lil' gal look good 'nuff to eat?"
A low growl emanated from Jacob's chest. Bella immediately back-handed him in the stomach. "Don't you dare ruin this day, Jacob Black," she muttered.
"I can see who's gonna wear the pants in this family," Emmett joked, as he pulled Jasper away. "C'mere, dude, you already had your dinner."
The tall Texan murmured all the way to the table where the rest of the Cullens were seated. "I was not goin' to forget my manners. It would be downright rude to suck a bride dry on her weddin' day."
Edward stifled a laugh, but Jacob did not find it funny at all, remembering what almost happened the last time. He was on Jasper alert for the rest of the evening.
Fixing his attention on Bella, Edward asked, "Jacob, may I have your permission to kiss the bride?"
Jacob glanced at Bella to see her reaction. She shrugged, so Jacob nodded—reluctantly.
The kiss from her ex-vampire lover was no different than it had always been—careful and controlled, with just a hint of regret. Edward pulled away, smiled through his pain, and shook Jacob's hand. He returned to his waiting family.
The next well-wisher was quite a surprise. He had heard about the wedding through the grapevine and decided to crash the party. He was handsome as ever. That shock of sandy blonde hair and those startling ice blue eyes made quite a stir among the young single women.
He took Bella's hand and kissed it. "My congratulations, little lady. However, I can not say that I am not a little disappointed. I have still got that old ache in my heart for you, Isabella. You are a diamond among the rough stones of this earth. It was my privilege to have known you. Even though you will never be aware, I shall endeavor to improve myself so as to win your approbation."
Bella couldn't resist winking at him. "I can see that you still sleep with that dictionary under your pillow."
Chad laughed, shaking his head at her reply. "Touché, sugar. You always were ready with the quick repartee.
"Well, I will not hold up the rest of the line, but at last, I could not leave town without seeing the two of you. I am fixin' to head out to Yale next week. Jacob, I brought a wedding gift for you, but unfortunately, it was too large to bring with me, so I left it outside your community center. If you could see fit to come by this Tuesday, we can discuss my little gift." Chad handed Jacob a card, which he immediately slipped into an inside jacket pocket.
"Thanks for coming, Chad. Go ahead and stay awhile. There's plenty of food."
Chad nodded, shaking his hand. "My pleasure. It was the least I could do for the man who saved my life."
He gave Bella one of his eye blinding smiles and walked to a food laden table.
Suddenly there was a commotion coming somewhere behind the crowd. All heads turned toward the sound. Leah stood up, holding back a squeal as that rascal Curro Castillo came marching toward the dance floor with his band of gypsies bringing up the rear.