Father of the Bride Chapter 8: Union, a twilight fanfic

Chapter 8: Union

We finished getting ready. Bella was in her beautiful dress and I was in my tux. The rest of the family was dressed and so was Jacob. If it wasn't for the history Jacob had with Bella and the fact that our kinds generally were enemies, I think he would have been one of the best son-in-laws. But there was that history which made our relationship complicated even though we had bonded over the years.

The guest list was nothing extravagant. The Cullen's and Hale's were present, as well as Charlie and Renee. The majority of the pack was here as well as several members of the Quileutes. A few other vampires had come. Eleazar came with Carmen; the rest of the Denali's had little to do with anything related to Renesmee since their sister was killed. Benjamin and Tia came. They had become very close to my daughter in recent years, even visiting quite often. Zafrina loved Renesmee and wouldn't miss this, even if she did have to leave the rain forest for a while. Nahuel and his aunt Huilen came as well.

So there were 14 vampires, two half-vampire-half-humans, a great deal of wolves, and a handful of just humans. Luckily, there were the bride and groom sides, even if poor Charlie wasn't sure which side to sit on at first. He was almost as close to Jacob as he was Renesmee. He decided to sit with Bella and Renee, on the front right row of chairs and Sue joined him there.

"Are you ready?" I asked my daughter. Jacob and Carlisle were already in place. Emmett was in the back somewhat impatiently waiting to hit the play button on the wedding march Bella and I had recorded.

She smiled and kissed me on the cheek. I hugged her and she said, "Now I am." She ran her entwined her arm into my slightly bent arm, a very traditional way to proceed, placed her bouquet of white roses in front of her, took and deep breath, let it out, and smiled.

I gave the signal to Emmett to hit the play button. We waited until everyone was standing and then began our processional down the isle. It seemed to take forever, but I almost wanted it to. In this instant, Renesmee was mine. In a few short steps I would be giving her to Jacob. All too quickly we were in front of Carlisle and the music stopped. I heard Emmett move away from the sound system and take his seat next to Rosalie. I saw the smile on Jacobs face and felt the warmth of my daughter and I knew I was ready for this. I was ready to give my baby, my darling daughter, away.

"Who gives this woman to be united with this man?" Carlisle said.

"Her mother and I do." I replied. Bella stepped towards us and hugged her daughter, kissing her on both cheeks. Bella stepped back and I repeated the same gesture to my daughter. Then I took her hand and placed it in Jacobs. I smiled at him. I was truly happy it was him who was marrying my daughter rather than anyone else I could think of. I walked away and stood in front of the empty seat next to my wife.

Billy Black came to the front and said a traditional Quileute prayer-blessing. We all bowed our heads out of respect and the thoughts were all on the prayer and on Renesmee and Jacob. I was a very peaceful feeling to hear so many thoughts in one accord. The prayer ended and Billy hugged Renesmee, kissing her forehead, and hugged his son. He came over to me and shook hands with me and hugged Bella. Then he walked over to wear he would be seated, on the opposite side of the row we were on, next to Jacob's sisters, their significant others, and Seth.

"You may all be seated." Carlisle started. Everyone in the crowd sat down, all eyes on my daughter, very soon to be son-in-law, and Carlisle. "Family and friends, we are gathered here today to join Renesmee and Jacob in marriage. If there are any objections, speak now or forever hold your peace." There was silence. I couldn't see who in the group would really wait this long to say something, especially in such company. None of the pack would stand in the way of a union between a fellow pack member and the one they had imprinted on.

Maybe I should….I could confess my love for Nessie. Or Jacob. That would be so funny. Only Emmett would be so, Emmett. I didn't have to look at him to get him to change his train of thought. No, this isn't the place. Plus I am thrilled! Another family member I can wrestle with!

"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. (1 Corinthians 12: 4-8)" As Carlisle continued on with a very traditional beginning to the ceremony, in a nearly ancient but romantic language only very familiar to Carlisle, I stared at my daughter. I had never seen her so happy. I held my wife's hands and gently rubbed the wedding band and engagement ring I had place on her finger over 10 years ago. She returned the gesture. I saw her smiling out of the corner of my eye and I knew I was smiling as well. We all were truly happy.

"And now for the rings." Carlisle took both rings out of his pocket. They were plain platinum bands, exactly what they had wanted. He hands the smaller one to Jacob as he said, "Jacob, take this ring and place it on Renesmee's finger as you repeat after me. I, Jacob Black"

"I Jacob Black"

"Take thee Renesmee Carlie Cullen"

"Take thee Renesmee Carlie Cullen" He began to slip the ring on her finger and it was barely above her polished fingernail. She was smiling.

"To be my wife."

"To have and to hold from this day forward"

"As long as we both shall live."

"As long as we both shall live." And the ring was on her finger.

"Renesmee, take this ring," Carlisle handed the ring to my daughter, "and repeat after me. I Renesmee Carlie Cullen"

"I Renesmee Carlie Cullen"

"Take thee, Jacob Black"

"To be my husband"

"To be my husband" She was slowly sliding the ring on his finger and fighting back tears as she spoke.

"To have and to hold from this day forward"

"As long as we both shall live."

"As long as we both shall live." She had finished placing the ring on his finger and her smile was so wide I feared her face would crack.

"You may now kiss your bride." Jacob leaned in and gave Renesmee a chaste kiss. She placed her hand on his cheek when he broke the kiss and kissed him lightly again. We all stood. "I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Black." My daughter and son-in-law turned towards us and we exchanged excited glances. Recessional music would have done no good here because we were embracing them before they could go very far.

"How do you feel son?" I asked.

"Great pops." Jacob replied, embracing me for the first time. I was truly happy for them. They proceeded on, embracing nearly everyone there. Even vampires outside of our coven were embracing Jacob. I thought I saw Seth out of the corner of my eye hugging Zafrina, who did not object. It was too happy an occasion for any malice or bad feelings.

"Everyone is welcome back to First Beach for the reception." Jacob announced and everyone began to find their respectable rides.