Chapter 15

The Wedding

Ambrogio's POV

To keep them occupied, my fingers began fiddling with the lace cuffs of my sleeves; my outfit was inspired by the 18th century clothing my father and uncles were wearing but mine consisted of full cream coloured pants, an ivory brocade vest with Fleur-de-lis detail, and a white poet shirt, though I was not wearing a coat like the others.

But Uncle Marcus was trying to ease my nerves as he adjusted the ruby pin on my jabot.

"Breath, Ambrogio. Renesmee will be down soon enough." He grinned.

I looked around, the garden was absolutely stunning; my father had orchestrated most of the decorations, along with little Didyme, but even the placement of the plants seemed entire too perfect. Around were beds of peonies, roses, and freesia; the chairs and tables were laced with lilacs, lily of the valley, and morning glory but perhaps my favourites were the hydrangea and the magnificent canopy of wisteria. I was proud to say that the Cullens and the Denali were highly impressed, even Jacob.

Quite soon after I saw my father talking to Edward and Bella – seeing a caress hand from my father glide across Edward's – he soon then hastened down the stairs in the direction towards his spot beside me; I tried my hardest not to read his mind – and I could tell he was trying his best not to think of anything that would give the surprise away.

"How is she, Father?" I asked as he took his place beside.

"Oh, you'll see." He smiled.

Suddenly whispers began to arise and people began to take their seats, I closed my eyes and concentrated on my breathing; listening to other's thought kept my mind busy – Carlisle was looking and speaking to me 'Congratulations' and 'I'm so happy for you' were most of the conversation. But then I heard music, De La-Haut, begin to play – kindly by my sister Jane – and everyone's head turned as the bride slowly made her long walk down the aisle.

Dear Didyme and Orithyia came out first, scattering rose petals as the paced a few steps ahead; and then emerging behind them, as they parted on either side of the aisle, came the love of my life. Renesmee Carlie was donned in a stunning 19th century cream coloured wedding dress; the torso was a corset and the skirt fanned out around her with the trail flowing behind, and in her hands was a bouquet of lilacs and lilies – she was perfectly captivating.

Renesmee seemed lost as she looked at the crowd around her, with Edward at her arm; that was at least until her eyes met mine, I knew then that she had found what she had been searching for. As Renesmee and her father's journey ended, Edward faced and kissed his daughter's cheek; before finally smiling at me and placing her hand in mine. Taking the hand of my bride I brought her to my side and the minister finally began; at all times it was almost impossible to avert my gaze from Renesmee.

Her luminous eyes and skin glowed so radiantly, she was just so beautiful; though I strongly believed that 'beautiful' was a major understatement. When time came, we turned to face each other and then the minister permitted us to say our lines; Renesmee had the honour of going first.

"Ambrogio Cyrus Voltago, today I take you as my husband. Asking you to be nothing other than what you are and I shall cherish you with a wife's love and devotion. And so with this ring I ask you to be mine."

With a warm smile I replied without missing a beat. "I do."

She placed the ring on my finger and then it was my turn.

"Renesmee Carlie Cullen," the tears were starting to fog my vision. "Today I take you to be my wife; to be beside me and forever a part of me. Loving what I know of you and trusting what I not yet know..." Even though it was impossible to hide anything from me. "I vow to cherish you with a husband's love and devotion; and so, my love, with this ring I ask you to be mine."

I placed the ring on her finger and she tearfully replied.

"I do."

The minister cleared his throat and announced. "I now pronounce you, man and wife; you may now kiss the bride."

Revealing her perfect angelic face from the veil, we sealed with a binding kiss, and so finally Renesmee Cullen and I were finally married.

Everyone rose from their chairs and a round of applause showered around us as red and pink rose petals, and purple wisteria blossoms fell from the sky; I was so over filled with joy for Renesmee finally now belonged to me. But I did giggle to myself as I looked back and I could have sworn, if such a thing was possible, that I witnessed tears in my father's eyes; panting as he applauded and Marcus placing a hand on his shoulder for congratulations and emotional support.

The Volturi and the Cullens were now a proper family; and when it came time to throw the bouquet it was Orithyia that caught it with Alec smiling genuinely at her side. The family danced together but Renesmee and I were pulled aside and I finally was properly introduced to the Denali Coven; Gareth and Eleazar were the first to shake my hand.

"Ambrogio Voltago, this truly is a pleasure," began Eleazar. "And such an honour to meet the first Ancient Child."

Carmen came forth and kissed both of my cheeks, "We have heard so much about you," Taking a few steps back she smiled as her eyes darted to Renesmee and then back to me. "Oh, Renesmee, you were right; he really is beautiful. The way she described you, I thought such a thing could not possibly be of this earth but not a single detail was spared; and now I see... you are the genuine article."

I bowed and thanked her for her flattery, though I felt she was being overly-kind. Our audience with them was very brief as Father and Carlisle swiftly approached us with open arms.

"Oh, Ambrogio, my young prince," Father kissed our foreheads, "And Renesmee my little princess; there are no words I can say that could possibly explain how wonderful it is to welcome you into the family." Father was almost at the point of crying, if only he could.

"Hmm, yes Renesmee, we're very proud of you. And Gino, I can honestly say that you were destined to be a part of the Cullen family."

I smiled and then uncontrollably I hugged him, "Thank you so much... Grandfather."

The wedding casually flowed into the reception and the toasts were made, thankfully starting with Carlisle.

"I would to propose a toast to my granddaughter and my new grandson; Renesmee, I knew from the very first moment that you came into the world that changes would start to happen to us, and, Ambrogio, you are a blessing to my family and your father. You both have certainly changed the face of the Volturi and all of us forever, and I'm sure that everyone will join me in saying 'May your happiness bring us closer together; for it has reminded us of what we fight and live for.'"

Surprisingly, the next toast was from Bella.

"I would like to say first off that being a mom has certainly turned around some aspects in my life; I mean, it only feels like yesterday that it was me and Edward sitting in the front seat, where Renesmee and Ambrogio sit now. I always thought that I could protect Renesmee from anything, even when she hardly needed protecting because she had me, her father, Rosalie and above all, she had Jacob; but then came the most unexpected thing and that was when Gino was born... I knew then that something had changed. I thought I was trying to protect Renesmee from harm but she has slowly made me realise that I was trying to separate something that should never be separated; and that was love. Often we don't choose who we love, because most of the time it chooses you; and today Renesmee and Ambrogio have chosen each other."

And then finally my father, Aro; but everyone could see for the first time that he was lost for words.

"Um... I suppose congratulations should be given first and for most," some quietly laughed with my father for his first effort, "There's very little a father can say to express the honour of seeing his own son's wedding but... Ambrogio... my son... no doubt you have seen it in my mind but I would like to say it to you none the less. Although my wife has done everything and more, but I find myself selfish in having to wait thirteen years to finally say that none of this would have ever been possible without your mother."

My breathing began to break as I folded my hands and felt my mother's ruby ring on my right hand.

"Sonja loved you more than anything, and although it was futile, I did try to save her life; though not because I loved her but because you loved her. She would have belonged as one of us. My son because of you, I forever bless the day that she gave her life to bring you into it; and this I can tell you for sure, that I know that she would have been proud of you today, and every day that was and will be for the rest of your life – because I am so proud."

My lip was trembling as Renesmee leaned over and kissed away a single tear running down my cheek; Father had never spoken of my mother in such grace, and a round of applause rose from the crowd as I stood and walked over to my father and embraced him as tightly as I could.

"I love you, Father." I whispered under my flowing tears.

I felt his lips against my hair, "And I love you, too, my son... and so does she."

Later on each of the wedding gifts was revealed; I had tried my hardest not to look through Edward's thoughts, cheating by looking at the Cullen's wedding gift, but I couldn't help it as Carlisle was thinking about it almost all the time – Edward, Bella, and the other Cullen siblings had pitched and had bought us an adorable two-story cottage close to the Cullen's house for when we visited. But perhaps the most overbearing gift was the wedding present from the Volturi; it was our new home – my father had graciously given us a palace in the country side of France – so we could stay close to Italy but still have our own space.

But my new father-in-law expressed his fear and concerns of having his daughter move so far away, and what affect that would have for Jacob; I told him that I had not taken Jacob out of the equation, by marrying Renesmee was to have Jacob as a brother-in-law, and that we did promise that we would visit very often.

And then finally after the wedding and the reception, after saying goodbye to our loved ones; Jasper and Alice drove us to the airport for our honeymoon – this was Carlisle and Esme's present for allowing us to have the honeymoon at Isle Esme.