Chapter 19: Wedding Crashers

Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns Twilight.

Bella couldn't help noticing the reaction of the women near the dance floor. Jessica Stanley especially, was swiveling her head around like a top searching for Paco San Juan. There were a lot of young single females tracking his whereabouts also, and unbelievably, so was her own mother as soon as she marked his entrance.

Curro was the first in line to kiss the bride, and shake Jacob's hand. He was also the first and only one in line to kiss Leah and leave her panting for more. After offering their congratulations, the troupe set their instruments on the chairs at Sue's table, but not before Curro gave Leah another sizzling reception. His turquoise eyes danced as he enfolded Leah's hand and announced, "Senorita Clearwater, I will see you after the show, no?"

Fanning herself, Leah answered, "I will see you after the show, yes."

Jacob and Bella finally got to sit down, while Embry made sure the microphones and speakers were still working. The entertainers grabbed some drinks and strutted to the front of the audience. This time, they had a young woman with them, Antonia Rodriguez, Guillermo's cousin. Paul and Quil set up some chairs for the musicians and Flamenco Fury was a go!

Introducing himself and his band of gypsies, Curro said, "Buenas noches, we are here on this very beautiful occasion to wish mi amigo, Jacob, and his lovely bride many happy days ahead as husband and wife. As our gift, we will entertain la gente aqui. I hope you will all enjoy a little bit of our culture. Viva Espana!

As you have already probably noticed, in my hurry to attend this wedding I have unfortunately forgotten my costume shirt. I am sure the beautiful ladies will not mind if I stomp my feet minus my shirt, do you?" There were howls and wolf calls from the guests. He gestured with one hand toward his friend. "I think, Jacob, my man, you cannot say a thing as, I hardly ever see you in one. Is that not so?"

There was a stream of laughter, and suddenly Curro pulled off his shirt, throwing it over his shoulder, yelling, "Ole!" The guitars started; the hands clapping, fingers snapping and heels tapping out staccato rhythms on the wooden surface. His energy and rapid fire footwork was only surpassed by his pure emotion and raw sexuality

Antonia danced a couple of numbers with her brother and one with Paco. Her red ruffled dress shook and shimmered, resembling flames as her body twisted and turned furiously in time with the beat of the synchronous percussion of their feet. Curro ended the show with another solo, a flamenco de Rhumba, that had the men amazed and the women drooling—shirt or no shirt!

The females converged upon the gypsies, gushing over their performance. Jessica latched onto Paco, repeating her previous actions at Bella's twentieth birthday party. This in turn elicited the same response from Mike, whose nose was now out of joint. Dammit, why did these guys have to show up at every stinkin' party?

Everyone ate, laughed and danced. Those gypsy boys had no problem acquiring dance partners. Antonia didn't either. In fact, Chad caught her up as soon as she hit the dance floor, must've been that dark hair and those charcoal eyes. He probably got her number too.

As he danced a slow number with Bella, Jacob felt a tap on his shoulder. He heard an old familiar voice say, "May I cut in?" He turned to see a tall handsome Native American with long black hair standing there; a big grin on his face. Essau slapped Jacob's arm good-naturedly as he said, "I couldn't have the whole Makah Rez here, without showing up, myself, now could I?"

Jacob and Essau hooted and jostled each other until Bella, clearly confused, chimed in. "Do you mind introducing us?"

Throwing his arm across Essau's broad shoulders, Jacob replied, "Oh, right . . . Sorry, Bells. This is Essau, the one and only."

"So, you're Essau, huh? Gosh, I've heard so much about you. I'm sorry things didn't work out between you and Rachel. Jacob would probably have liked to have a brother-in-law that he could actually get along with."

Essau took Bella in his arms dancing to the music, as Jacob politely backed up to his seat at the table. "Yeah, well, that would have been nice, but I'm okay. I have another girlfriend now, thanks to Jacob's expert advice on women." He raised his eyebrows and chuckled. "We'll see how that turns out."

Several other males sought out a dance with the bride including all the band members, Chad, Edward, and the rest of the Cullens, Charlie, the wolf pack, and of course good ol' Mike.

Bella was exhausted; good thing it was time to cut the cake. Jacob placed his hands over Bella's, while they sliced into the three tiered confection. The guests applauded as they each carefully offered a bite to the other.

After the cake-cutting, Embry toasted the couple with, "Here's to Jake and Bells—I wish you both the best. And I hope that you will be as happy as . . . well, as happy as you want to be?"

Next came the rush for the bouquet, a spray of wildflowers and daisies. Jacob lifted Bella onto a chair, and she tossed it over her right shoulder. Alice, being the fastest, snatched it up before it got away. Jasper winked at her and mouthed, "Will you marry me—again?"

Helping her down, Jacob sat Bella on the chair and kneeling down, proceeded to hike up her dress amid wolf whistles until he located the white garter. Then he ceremoniously kissed and nuzzled his way up to the ruffled circle of elastic. He pulled it down slowly, smoothing his hand along her calf, and beaming up at his bride all the while. Finally resting her foot on his knee, he slid it off and flung it behind him. Of course, Jasper, not wanting to disappoint Alice—after all, it was her garter—caught it, one handed.

It was getting late, but the party was still in full swing. Curro had left earlier with Leah, saying, "My beautiful Leah and I have much to discuss tonight, so adios, y hasta luego." He chuckled, and snapping his fingers, Leah magically slipped up beside him. They practically danced off together to the beach.

Bella hugged Charlie and Billie goodbye, but Renee was another matter entirely. She was dancing with Guilermo, and Bella had to search high and low for her. She did stop long enough to kiss her daughter a tearful goodbye. Winking at Jacob, she waved at them as they left.

The second time honeymooners were absolutely giddy as they walked hand in hand, swinging their arms between them like little kids. The moon shone brightly on the water and the roar of the ocean waves, kissed their ears simulating an angel's breath. There was a cool breeze and Jacob took off his coat and helped Bella slip her tiny arms into the massive sleeves. She pushed back the sleeves, and taking off her shoes, she dangled them from one hand. "I'll race you to the center," she taunted.

Bella took off like a lightening bolt, laughing all the way—of the two feet before he caught her. He scooped her up, bridal style and ran with her the rest of the way to the Community Center.

The happy couple crossed the last stretch of the pebbly beach reaching the Tribal Complex to pick up the wedding present that Chad left there. Putting Bella back down, he walked hand in hand with her to the other side of the complex. Chad's gift was hard to miss. The candy apple red, Alpha Romeo Spider glittered in the lights from the building. There was a big white ribbon wrapped around it, and a huge bow on the hood.

Jacob blinked—once—twice, then looked at Bella who was just as stupefied as he was.

Taking the envelope out of his inside pocket, he opened it to find a note and the keys to the sports car.

Bella looked at the paper along with Jacob. Chad explained in his note, that he couldn't take the car with him to Yale. It now belonged to the man who saved him from a non-living existence. It was a small price to pay for that great act of charity. The Spider was completely paid for, insurance included. The transfer of ownership papers could be signed on Tuesday at the bank. Who would have thought that the poor boy from La Push would someday be the owner of such luxury. A dream car, a dream girl, and a dream life. He never wanted to wake up.

Jacob pulled the ribbons from the car and lifted Bella once again, settling her onto the passenger seat. He checked the trunk, and as expected the luggage was there. He had packed a suitcase a few days before, and Renee had done the packing for Bella. Embry had kept them secretly stored at his house until the wedding. And now, all he had left to do was start up the car and arrive at the honeymoon destination in style.

Bella had no clue where they were headed. By the smirk on Jacob's lips, he apparently did. They drove outside of town until the sign for Black Diamond Cabins appeared. Jacob's face broke out in a joyful grin, and the secret was out. He pulled the car up to the office entrance, and let out a contented sigh.

"How many nights?" Bella asked.

Throwing his arms over his head, he yelled, "Two—and it didn't cost us a cent. Renee financed the whole thing. We even have the same cabin. Now don't go anywhere, Mrs. Black. I'm gonna get the keys."

He came back whistling, a few minutes later, jangling the metal objects. "You ready for some serious honeymooning, honey?"

"Anytime, anyplace. You're on, Black. See who tires out first."

Starting up the car, Jacob retorted, "Well, it won't be me, honeybun."

She turned to him, and in mock surprise, snorted, "Says who?"

"Says me. I've been in training for this all my life. And you're about to reap the benefits."

"Oh good, a best friend with benefits. Can't get any better than that."

The Spider swung out into the gravel road leading to their re-treat. Up ahead a cabin—destined for the Romeo and Juliet of our time—loomed before them.