Chapter 6

Jacob and I began counting down the days until the ceremony. Save-the-dates and invitations were sent out, and just a few days later, RSVPs were flooding in. It seemed that nearly everyone was coming to the wedding. Everyone from Jacob's side was coming; his father as well his sisters and their respective families, including the rest of the pack and their families. Alice also invited a few of the covens that we had remained friends with after what happened when I was younger. Of the three she had invited, only the Denalis had responded. Everything was beginning to fall into place, and it was only a handful of weeks until the wedding. I couldn't wait.

xXx

"Alright, so we have the long table in the back, we can put the round ones in front of it, and that way we have room to put in a sort-of dance floor, as well as the booth for the DJ," Alice smiled, looking up from the diorama she was playing with.

"What do you think?" She set the diorama on the coffee table in front of us.

"Alice, we could have a reception in a back alleyway and you'd still make it look amazing." I laughed.

Alice smirked. "You are just like your mother, you know that?"

"Now, really, tell me what you think."

"I love it, Alice." I smiled. "Thank you."

Alice outstretched her arms and enveloped me in a hug.

"Oh, I'm just so happy for you!" She squeaked. "You're getting married!"

I laughed. "You knew it was going to happen one day,"

"And I knew that your parents would get married from day one, but it's still exciting when it happens." She left the hug and kissed me on the forehead.

"Just think, only two more weeks and you and Jacob will be married," Alice shook from excitement.

"And we still have so much to do," she gasped. "We have to call the caterers and make sure the menu's correct, give the DJ the music list, decorate, write vows, speeches, make sure we have dresses, tuxes, not to mention the dress rehearsal…"

"Alice, calm down," I heard Daddy chuckle. "You don't want the bride to have a panic attack."

I hadn't realized I had gotten nervous until he had said anything. Now, I could feel my leg shake, which in turn made the right half of my body quiver. I felt Daddy's cold hands on my shoulder, his way of getting me to calm down.

Alice stuck her tongue out at him. "It happens to every bride, Edward," she retorted. "Don't you remember how Bella was before the wedding? She was a mess!"

"Yes," Daddy conceded. "But, to be fair, she felt like she was being tormented."

"Well, at least Nessie wants to talk about the wedding," Alice stood. "I have to run to Seattle with Jasper to get a few things ready for the reception, and to pick up the dresses and tuxes. We'll be back tomorrow."

She leaned over and kissed my forehead. "After that, it will all be downhill—in a good way!"

She skipped out of the room, leaving Daddy and I to ourselves. I fell against the couch with a heave. My arm rested over my eyes.

"Is it almost over?" I moaned.

"That's arbitrary," Daddy replied. "The wedding's in two weeks, but that doesn't mean she's not going to stop. There's parties, anniversaries, birthdays…" I felt the weight on the couch shift, and Daddy's hand on my forehead.

"But, she'll calm down after the wedding. There's just something about weddings that gets her fired up. I have no doubt that we'd have weddings every month if she didn't have some sort of self-control."

I laughed.

"Anyway, I came down here to see if you wanted to take your mind off of the wedding stress and go on a hunting trip."

"Yes," I quickly stood up, and grabbed my jacket from the banister.

Daddy chuckled lightly, and stood. We left through the back door, and started off at a run. We hadn't hunted together in almost a year, but we fell into our old rhythm. For as long as I can remember, Daddy and I raced each other to the first kill.

This time was no different from the last; as soon as we had broken out in the run, Daddy had pulled out ahead. I heard him laugh, and I rolled my eyes. I stopped for a second, looking around for a quick way to get around him. I spotted a tree a few feet away, and sprinted towards it. When I got close enough, I reached my arms out and pulled myself onto the tree, crouching on the branch. I looked for a second and spotted my father, ahead of me by a few hundred feet. I tried thinking of a way to get ahead of him, but the scent of mountain lion got in the way. I turned my head in the direction of its scent. It was two miles due north, and getting closer.

When I saw my father head that direction, I knew I had to move fast. I jumped down from the tree and broke out in a sprint, zig-zagging through the trees, until I caught back up with my father. I sped up, flying past him, when I got the mountain lion in my sight. I slowed, and climbed into a nearby tree. I watched the cat pace through the forest, unsuspecting. I licked my lips, crouching, getting ready to make my move. When it got close enough I jumped, sinking my teeth into its flesh. Warm blood poured into my mouth as the lion fell. I sunk my teeth deeper, scraping them by the jugular. I sucked it dry, the blood warming my stomach.

I stood when I was done, wiping the corners of my mouth with my sleeve. I turned and found Daddy standing a few feet behind me, smiling.

"Just like you're mother," he commented. "Always going after the big kills first. Never settling for something considered lesser,"

He stepped a few inches to the right, revealing a medium-sized doe. "While you were focused on the mountain lion, I spotted this little lady and got to her just moments before you snagged your cat."

"I thought you were supposed to let me win," I pouted. "That's what dads do with their daughters, isn't it?"

"Hmm," Daddy scratched at his chin, a small smile graced his lips. "I believe that would be cheating,"

I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms. "You win this time, Daddy. But, I'll get you next time."

"You won't be too busy with your new husband?" He smirked.

I frowned, furrowing my eyebrows. "Of course not, Daddy. Why would you say that?"

He shrugged. "Well, you and Jacob will be starting your lives together. You've grown up, love, and it's time for you to move on with your life." He crossed his arms.

"That doesn't mean that I'm not going to still see you guys," I responded. "I'm not just going to abandon my family,"

"I know that," Daddy replied. He walked towards me, reaching out and moving a piece of hair from my face.

"But you're going to be busy with your own family soon."

I looked down, feeling the familiar pain in my chest. "No, we won't."

Daddy lifted my chin. "How do you know that?"

"Like you don't remember," I pushed his hand away and started walking back towards the house.

"One miscarriage doesn't prove anything," I heard Daddy's footsteps and he followed behind. He reached for my arm, and I turned.

"How do you know it won't keep happening?" I could feel tears sting the back of my eyes. "I'm not meant to have kids. Why try?"

"Renesmee," Daddy sighed. He let go of my arm, and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"You are so stubborn, you know that?"

"I wonder where I got that from," I let out a small laugh.

Daddy kissed my forehead. "Your mother and I never dreamed you were possible." He smiled lightly.

"If there is anything that I've learned from having you with us for the last seven years is that anything is possible. So don't tell yourself that you can't, because you don't know what's going to happen."

I nodded slowly. Daddy stretched his arms out and enveloped me in a hug. I buried my head in his chest, feeling hot tears escape my eyes.

"I'll still be around, Daddy. Even after Jacob and I are married, and have a family…I mean, if you're going to have grandkids, don't you think we'd bring them over?" I smiled softly and looked up at my father.

"Of course," he chuckled. "How could I think elsewise?" He pressed his lips against my hairline.

"Don't stress yourself out about having children. If it is meant to happen, it will happen. But you don't want to focus on that. Focus on Jacob for now, and go from there." He stepped away from the embrace and held me at arm's length.

"It's going to be okay. Really."

I nodded. "Get back to me after the ceremony."

He laughed lightly. "You are more like your mother than you will ever know."

"I love you, Daddy."

"I love you, too, Renesmee."