Chapter 19: The Feather and the Stone

Disclaimer: S. Meyer is the proper owner of these characters.

I called her all excited, the next morning. "Bella." I spouted, "Old Quil says he'll perform the ceremony at seven P.M." Then as a second thought, I added, "That is . . . if you're still willing." Closing my eyes, I held my breath and crossed my fingers, listening to her response. I hoped she wasn't getting cold feet. But then, I could always warm them up again couldn't I? Bad joke, huh?

"What should I wear?" she replied quietly.

I felt like saying—Nothing, but thought better of it.

No brainer there—she only had one nice dress. "How about that little purple number you wore for your graduation."

"Yeah, I guess I should get some wear out of it."

Damn . . . that little purple dress . . . I prayed that she didn't get to stay in it for too long tonight.

I changed gears in a hurry, before my hormones started churning. "Hey, would you like to go cliff diving again this afternoon? I mean . . . you know, since we're gonna take the plunge today and all. It'll be symbolic. Whaddya say?"

"I'll be at your place at one."

My head was bobbling with an air of smugness. "I'll be the one waiting in the little red house with the big smile on my face."

As soon as Bella got off the phone, she started cutting up small rectangles and squares of paper, scribbling away on each one of them, then she grabbed for the safety pins.

She ate lunch and got changed into her swim suit. It dawned on her that Jacob had never even seen her in it. The cover-up went over the top of it, and she quickly picked up her tote bag and hat.

I opened the front door as soon as I heard her truck pull up outside. She was in some hurry to get into the house.

"I want to show you something," she said.

Bella peeled off her cover-up and showed off the bathing suit I had given her. She looked great in it, but there were these little white tags still hanging off the edges—a lot of them. What the . . .?

"You want me to remove those tags for you?"

She spread her arms out like she was ready to be frisked. "What tags?"

Getting closer to her, I picked up one of the tags. "One of these ta— Whaaaat?" I read a tag: Non returnable. On another was written: Hands off! A third one attached to her rear end said: You can look but don't touch—Jacob said so! And again: Back off, buddy! and Jake's Girl. Then there was my personal favorite, the one hung right above her chest: Private property of Jacob Black—absolutely no trespassing. I laughed as I ventured, "Let's keep this one on here."

I took the little pieces of paper off except for my fav, and put them in one of my books laying on the coffee table. Handing the pins back to Bella, I told her, "I think I'll keep these as a souvenir of your insanity.

"Okay, you ready now? Let's go." Putting an arm around her waist, I steered her toward the door.

We had a blast at the cliffs and this time there was no wardrobe malfunction, thank god. Once we got back to the house, I reached into my glove compartment and retrieved a bottle of astroglide and a pak of three condoms. I placed them in her lap. She gasped in shock. You would think I had handed her a snake.

When she recovered, she mused, "You thinking of getting really lucky tonight?"

My grin sneakily emerged as I quipped, "Well, I know how frustrated you've been all this time. I just wanted to be sure to anticipate all your womanly needs." I wiggled my eyebrows at her. "Anyway, it's not for today. Hopefully, I'll get you ready tonight, so you can be mine tomorrow."

She looked a little pale as she slipped the items in her tote bag. I helped her out of the car, pulling her closer to me.

"C'mere, honey. It'll be okay, I promise. You just need to trust me. I love you to the moon and back."

I walked her to the truck and watched as she climbed in. As I began to back up toward the house, I told her, "I'll pick you up at six thirty."

She started up the engine, then turned to me again. "What do you want me to tell Charlie?"

"Tell him the truth."

Those chocolate orbs rolled around in her head as she whined, "Oh, that'll go over great. Jake and I are going to a Quileute ceremony so we can have sex legally."

"Jeez, Bells, not that truth. You're going to a wedding. He doesn't need to know that it's our wedding."

I slapped my hand on the body of the truck as a sendoff. "Okay then, 6:30. Be ready."

"I know! I heard you the first time," she huffed. "Geesh, you're a bigger worry wart than I am."

Her truck rumbled out of the driveway onto the road, and I waited in the yard 'til it was out of sight.

Bella was right. I was scared that she'd have second thoughts and back out. I could probably live with that, but what a blow it would be after getting my hopes up so high. Could my heart take another beating? I went in the house to shower and shave and get ready to do this.

There was no way to avoid Billy. He was on me like a tick on a dog.

He rolled out of his bedroom, and stared at me with his all seeing eyes. "Do you have something to tell me, son?"

I shrugged my shoulders as he looked me up and down. "What—can't a guy get dressed up every once in a while?" Yeah, I admit it—it was pretty thin, especially since I was wearing my best light blue shirt, and grey suit. The silver tie I borrowed from Paul was the clincher. Me, wearing a tie? Never happened! Well, maybe at a funeral—or in this case, a wedding.

Damn, did he have ESP or what? Being in a wheelchair didn't diminish his knack for uncovering whatever it was that I was trying to hide. So I told him the truth—the real truth. I figured he would take it better than Charlie at any rate.

I sat down at the kitchen table, and placed my hands on the surface. Interlacing my fingers, I leaned back in the chair before returning Billy's gaze. "Bella and I are going to Old Quil to be married. Okay? You satisfied now? And don't try to talk me out of it."

His head tilted to one side. "I'm not going to talk you out of it. But I will point out that you're still in school, and don't have a full time job."

"I'm not stupid, Dad. I'm planning on graduating early. Embry's gonna help me sign up for online classes. Bella and I will be going to Peninsula College in January. We'll both work and get our own place at that time. But for right now, Charlie can't know. It's obvious I can't take care of her before I graduate. I love her, Dad; it hurts to be away from her. I just can't stand it anymore."

My dad wheeled his chair closer to sit beside me and placed his hand on my shoulder. "Do you think I don't understand how you feel? Believe me, I get it. I was young and in love once. Did you know that I was your age, actually a little younger, when I married your mother? She was fifteen at the time. I had to beg her dad to let us get married, and we'd be married still if it wasn't for that accident that took her away from me. So, no, I won't talk you out of it. You never know what might lie ahead. Life is short, and who am I to come between you and your future happiness.

"Since you've made up your mind, I might as well give you something I've been saving for an occasion like this."

He wheeled into his bedroom and returned with a small black box in his lap. "Here, Son, this was your mother's wedding ring. Your sisters wanted to pick out their own. You can keep it until you buy Bella a ring or it's hers to keep if she really wants it."

I opened the box and peeked at the thin gold band. It was set with seven small diamonds all in a row. I'd seen it plenty of times before, but it suddenly seemed so right for her. It was like Bella—simple, not pretentious, but precious beyond words.

I got all choked up at his gesture. "Thanks, Dad, but are you sure? I mean, this belonged to mom. You gave it to her."

"Sure, sure."

Dad winked at me then. "Did you think to buy some protection? Not that I wouldn't mind being a grandpa."

I guess it was my turn to be embarrassed today. I averted my eyes as I mumbled, "I already gave it to Bells."

"Good boy. Go get her, son."

Bella was ready when I got to her house, looking so gorgeous, I nearly swallowed my tongue. When I finally could piece together a coherent sentence, I whispered, "The stars in the heavens are going to be so jealous tonight." Damn, I couldn't wait to make this woman mine!

She bowed her head in embarrassment, but still managed to say, "Thanks. You clean up pretty good yourself. I've never seen you looking so—dashing."

Dashing? Bella thought I was dashing? I used to kid her that I was irresistible, but now I was dashing. I kinda liked that.

Charlie greeted me at the door. "Wow! Is that you, Jacob? Just look at you. This is the first time I've seen you in a suit and tie. I'm impressed." He turned to Bella and gave her a hug. "You two have a good time. Oh wait . . . let me get a picture of the two of you. I might not ever see you dressed like this again, unless it's at your wedding."

Bella and I eyed each other. If he only knew . . . He practically hit the nail on the head. I kept my fingers crossed that he didn't notice the look that passed between us.

He came back with a spring in his step and shot a few poses. Those pics should be awesome. Bella looked beautiful, and I was. . . well—dashing.

I didn't think about it, but Bella had the presence of mind to take the camera with her. Guys are always into the moment, whereas the women take the time to preserve all the precious memories. This would be one memory I would never forget though, with or without the snapshots.

We couldn't stop looking at each other on the way to Old Quil's. It was a miracle that we didn't get in an accident. Hell, I couldn't keep my freakin' eyes on the road. We did make it safely to his home; must've had a guardian angel protecting us from our own stupidity.

Old Quil was dressed in ceremonial robes. He had two witnesses with him. I should have guessed—there was my dad grinning from ear to ear, sitting in his wheelchair. Standing beside him was Jared's father, Philemon Tacheenie. They were wearing robes identical to Old Quil's.

Motioning us to sit down on nearby chairs, Old Quil began to speak to us from his heart. "I want to impress upon you the importance of the step you are taking. You realize that in the sight of God and these witnesses, that you will be husband and wife." He turned to Bella. "Are you taking Jacob as your life long mate of your own free will?"

"I am," she replied softly.

His ancient brown eyes rested on me next, "And you, Jacob?"

He didn't have to ask me twice. "Yes, I am."

"Follow me then."

As we followed Old Quil outside, I took a leather pouch from my jacket pocket and handed Bella a small white feather. I whispered in her ear. "You're supposed to give this to me during the ceremony."

We all walked into the tree line behind his house; Philemon pushing my dad in his chair. A clearing loomed before us with chairs set up, and a fire pit burning in the midst of it. Two smaller fires were burning at either end. There were three blankets folded on one of the chairs. Two of them were blue, and the larger one, white. On top of the blankets was the traditional set of vows burned onto leather sheets. Old Quil handed us each a set, and explained.

"As a couple, you will take seven steps around the fire. At each step you will repeat a vow, until you have completed all seven steps. At the second step, Jacob you will impart your gift to your sweet wife. And Bella, at the seventh step you will give your gift to Jacob.

Old Quil took the blue blankets from the chair. He put the first one around Bella and the second on me. We each took the first step and recited the vow; first me, and then Bella following.

On the second vow, I told Bella to stretch out her hand. I placed a smooth white stone into her palm.

Old Quil announced, "This is a symbol of his strength, which he will share with you throughout your sojourn in this life."

He nodded at me and I led Bella to the third step. We continued on 'til we came to the seventh step. I put out my hand, as Old Quil said, "Bella give your husband your gift of loyalty."

There were tears welling in our eyes as she placed the feather in my grasp.

Standing before us, Old Quil took the blue blankets away from our bodies, and replaced it with one white blanket binding us together as one. Bella was squeezing my hand, her chocolate eyes sparkling like diamonds in the firelight. She never once looked away from my face.

Old Quil said something that I didn't catch; I was so mesmerized by her beauty. I finally turned and replied, "What?"

My dad and Philemon both chuckled at the little mishap. Quil repeated, "Did you bring a ring with you?"

"Oh, sure, sure." I think my face was redder than Bella's, I was so embarrassed.

Old Quil countered with. "It's okay, Jacob, we understand. You are in love with this woman. It's stopped up your ears, blinded your eyes, and tied up your tongue.

"Bella, extend your hand to Jacob, so he may place his promise—in the form of a ring—on your finger. With it, he promises to love you as his own flesh, to honor and protect you."

My hands trembled as I placed the ring on her finger. I brought her hand to my mouth and tearfully kissed it. I gazed into her deep brown eyes again, so filled with love. God, I adored this woman!

He took the blanket from us. "Now, Bella, place your hand on top of Jacob's." Old Quil put his grizzled appendage on our layered hands. "Go now. Take her; she is yours, Jacob, as you are hers. May the spirits bless your home, and may you never speak an unkind word to each other from this day forward. You may bind together the fires burning in your souls, just as these fires are joined today."

I picked Bella up in my joy—and yes, you got it—swung her around and around. I set her down and we kissed our first kiss as a married couple. I took Bella by the hand, and with a nearby rake, helped her add the two small fires to the larger one, symbolically merging our hearts and spirits as one.

A/N: I apologize for fictionalizing this ceremony, but I could not find any information on it anywhere. I hope it sufficed. And here are the words to the "Rite of the Seven Steps", which is authentic, along with the fires and the blankets.

The Rite of Seven Steps

Let us take the first step to provide for our household
a nourishing and pure diet, avoiding those foods injurious to healthy living.
Let us take the second step to develop physical, mental and spiritual powers.
Let us take the third step to increase our wealth
by righteous means and proper use.
Let us take the fourth step to acquire knowledge,
happiness and harmony by mutual love and trust.
Let us take the fifth step, so that we be blessed
with strong, virtuous and heroic children.
Let us take the sixth step for self-restraint and longevity.
Finally, let us take the seventh step and be true companions
and remain lifelong partners by this wedlock."

We have taken the Seven Steps. You have become mine forever.
Yes, we have become partners. I have become yours.
Hereafter, I cannot live without you.
Do not live without me. Let us share the joys.
We are word and meaning, united.
You are thought and I am sound. May the night be honey-sweet for us;
may the morning be honey-sweet for us;
may the earth be honey-sweet for us and the heavens
be honey-sweet for us. May the plants be honey-sweet for us;
may the sun be all honey for us;
may the cows yield us honey-sweet milk.
As the heavens are stable, as the earth is stable,
as the mountains are stable, as the whole universe is stable,
so may our unions be permanently settled.