9. DOWN THE AISLE
"OH, I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! MY LITTLE GIRL!" ROSALIE GUSHED AS SHE STOOD back to admire her and Alice's handiwork. Bella shook her head, but she seemed unable to speak or to manage even the slightest chagrin on this occasion.
"What do you think, Mom?" Renesmee asked shyly as she looked over her shoulder at her mother's reflection in the huge guilt-framed mirror.
Bella could only hug her daughter tightly around the shoulders. With the jumble of emotions she was feeling I was surprised she could manage that. I knew just how she felt, though. Renesmee stood in the bedroom (Edward's old room -- she had adopted it as her own for the nights she chose to stay at the big house instead of at Bella and Edward's cottage, which was more and more often as she got older. Though she loved her parents and wanted to be near them, I thought she probably wanted to give Bella and Edward their privacy. Besides, Edward's room was already sound-proofed for his music, so it was a convenient place for the only sleep-requiring person in a houseful of active vampires), clad in the elegantly simple white dress Alice had, of course, picked out. There were layers of tulle and some sophisticated beading on the fitted bodice, but other than that the dress was unadorned. There was no fancy train, no big poofed sleeves, no ropes of pearls. Just as Bella's wedding dress had fit the man she was pledging her life to, so Renesmee's dress suited Jacob. Simple but beautiful. Modern, but with a subtle hint of traditional style. The full tulle skirt just brushed her ankles and the thin satin straps were perfect, I thought, for a June wedding on the beach. It would be overcast (Alice had checked over and over again -- she was certain the only sunlight to break through the cloud cover would be shining off the shore over the ocean), as it usually was here in June. The weather would be warm nonetheless, almost muggy for the humans.
"Now don't mess up her hair, Bella," Alice chided sternly, readjusting a flower. Continuing with the simple, natural, feel of Renesmee and Jacob, Alice had adorned the bride-to-be's hair only with jasmine. Rosalie had brushed out Renesmee's usually tight ringlets so that they were now a cascade of loose curls -- Ness had insisted her hair be down because Jacob preferred it that way. In truth, so did I. She looked way too grown up when she wore her hair up -- the maturity in her appearance now was almost more than I could bear. The bronze hair, the creamy skin, the rose flush to her cheeks, eyes the color of melted chocolate alight with excitement -- she truly was the best parts of Bella and Edward. She was beautiful. A woman. I was so happy for her, but still, this was so odd. I'd had about nine months to prepare myself for this day, but I didn't think another century would have made me ready to see my baby as a bride, and marrying Jacob of all people. Not that Jacob wasn't going to make a terrific husband, it was just ... strange. He had been madly in love with Bella, certainly pictured this day with Bella. He had known Nessie since the moment she was born; he had been her babysitter, her playmate, her plaything... It was just too weird that now he would be her husband. Weird, but somehow also perfectly ... right. And that made it even weirder. Still, looking at Renesmee there, flushed with excitement, exuding happiness from every facet of her being ... it was hard to feel anything but happiness. At first I couldn't tell if they were her feelings or my own, but I decided they must be both. This is what she wanted, Jacob would take care of her. And, I reminded myself, this is what I wanted for her, what would make her happiest. They were perfect together -- how could I not be happy for her?
"You look gorgeous, Ness," I breathed from the doorway. Alice raised an eyebrow, questioning my presence. "Um, the car's here. Edward's ready."
Renesmee and Bella nodded, Bella's arms still tight around her daughter's waist. She looked up at her baby again. My baby.
"I wish Renee could have been here. I wish she...she..." Bella bit her lip. The only mark of sadness upon this day was Bella's longing for her own mother. Renee had never been allowed to know about Renesmee's birth -- Bella was sure it would put her in too much danger. Charlie's reaction to our existence, and his granddaughter's, had been better than we could have ever hoped for. Bella was certain she would not be so lucky twice. She had kept Renee in the dark, and it killed her to do so. She wanted so much to tell her mother how blissfully happy she was; how she was going to spend eternity with her soulmate; how she had a supportive family she would also be with forever; how she even surpassed everyone's wildest dreams and had a child of her own, who was now healthy and grown and wedding her best friend. I knew leaving Renee clueless about the most important details of her life had been an immense sacrifice for Bella. She always felt a pang of sadness and guilt when she thought of her mother. But she was sure it was better this way. Renee was blissfully unaware of anything supernatural in the world, living out her days in Florida with her husband. She had been rather hurt and even angry as the months and then years passed by with nothing more than phone calls or e-mails or the occasional doctored photo from Bella, but now she seemed resigned to the absence of her only child. She must be able to tell that Bella was healthy and happy, and apparently that was enough for her.
"I know, " Renesmee breathed, "Maybe someday..." She trailed off. The odds of it ever being safe enough to tell Renee the truth about our lives were not very good. I wouldn't bet the three Cuisinarts Alice had foreseen in the gift pile on it.
Bella nodded noncommittally, then, with some effort, composed herself.
"Well, my little nudger, are you ready to become Mrs. Black?"
Renesmee's face lit up, her smile almost blinding. No, nothing but happiness today.
"Do we have everything?" Rosalie asked, grabbing her own bouquet.
"Something old," Alice touched the antique silver locket Bella had given her daughter for her first Christmas, "Something new," she indicated the dress, "Something borrowed -- are you sure you don't want my garter? You're mother wore it on her wedding, you know."
Renesmee blushed, "Yeah, I know. My dad took it off with his teeth. And you've worn it too with Uncle Jasper... I'm good."
I chuckled softly as Alice frowned.
"But that is hardly the most appropriate --"
"I like it," Renesmee insisted, fingering the charm bracelet around her wrist. It was the bracelet Jacob had given Bella with his carved wolf charm and Edward's diamond heart pendant, "It's got a piece of the three most important people in my life." She looked at her mother, who smiled and hugged her tightly again. A honk sounded from the driveway. Emmett, I thought. Edward would have considered it very poor manners to honk. Alice sighed in dramatic resignation.
"Fine, fine. So something old, something new, something borrowed," she grimaced, "and..." She looked conspiratorially at Rosalie, who was grinning broadly.
"Something blue!" Rose said, pulling a velvet jewelry case from behind her back. Where she had been hiding it, I had no idea. Rosalie and Alice were quite ingenious when it came to their surprises. She handed the box to Renesmee who looked as though she were going to argue, but smiled brightly instead. It seemed that nothing could bring her anything other than complete happiness today.
"I should have known you'd try to spoil me more," she sighed, her perfect pink lips curving in a smile. She opened the box and delicately touched the bejeweled earrings inside. "Oh! Are they ... real?" She asked breathlessly.
"Of course!" Rosalie replied in mock offense. "We wouldn't let you get married in costume jewelry, would we?"
"One hundred percent platinum and natural sapphire. Quite a good cut, too." Alice added, pulling the earrings from the case and clipping them to Renesmee's ears (being born with skin as impenetrable as stone, we had never figured out how to pierce them). The horn honked again. "Rose," Alice said through gritted teeth, "Can you please tell Emmett to settle down. I know patience isn't his strong suit, but this is Renesmee's day."
Rose nodded. She seemed almost as annoyed as Alice.
"Well, I think that does it," Alice sighed in contentment as she stood back to look over Renesmee again.
"Thank you Aunt Alice! Can I say 'I look beautiful' without sounding arrogant? You know I owe it all to you, of course."
Bella and I rolled our eyes. Renesmee could wear a paper bag and look stunning. But Alice accepted the compliment with delight and, unable to retain her businesslike facade, threw her tiny arms around Renesmee's waist too.
"Oh, Ness, I just can't believe it! Grown up and getting married! Oh!" She choked on the words. Another day of almost-tears and overwhelming emotions. Emmett was going to love this.
I grabbed Alice, Bella, and Renesmee's bouquets from the counter, hinting for us to get going. Emmet was honking for a reason, after all. We were going to be late. Alice understood and nodded as she pulled away from our niece and straightened herself up.
"All right. Let's go."
She waited for Bella and Renesmee, arms linked, to head out the door and down the stairs before linking her arm in mine.
"I know it's Renesmee's day," I said, kissing the top of her head, "but you look beautiful, too." As a bridesmaid Alice, Rosalie, and even Bella (Renesmee had insisted that Bella be her matron of honor, as she considered her her best friend. It was rather unorthodox, but it was very sweet. And really, what was orthodox about the vampire's daughter marrying the werewolf?) all wore matching tea-length gowns in a pale sunny yellow. The color reminded me of Easter chicks, very warm and soft. It was perhaps a bit pale for vampires' skin, but with a little blush and the warm topaz jewelry Alice had accented all three women with, they looked like sunny daisies or golden rays of sunlight. It would take a lot to make Alice -- or Rose or Bella, for that matter -- look less than breathtaking.
Alice smiled up at me as we descended the stairs.
"I just can't believe it," she repeated, "Wasn't it, like, yesterday that she was right here bending spoons and ordering us around with her thoughts?" She smiled, indicating the living room. It was true. There was the small divot in the hardwood floor where Renesmee had thrown Esme's silverware; there was the couch where we all held her and adhered to her every whim; there was the window where she would wait, impatiently, for Bella to return from wherever she had gone. The baby with the bronze curls and chubby little hands, held out in command. Our little girl.
"I know," Alice patted my arm, consoling me now. I swallowed hard before we walked out the front door and Emmett could see me.
Edward was pushing the mass of Renesmee's tulle into the backseat of the car before carefully closing the door. Bella sat in the passenger's seat of the vintage nineteen fifty-eight Silver Cloud Rolls Royce Edward had, of course, bought for the occasion. She was turned around in her chair adjusting her daughter's dress, trying to spread it out across the seat and lay it flat. As Edward walked around the front of the car I caught a glimpse of his face -- a very familiar look. I had seen it on every one of our faces today. Sadness, loss, pride, happiness, all mixed together with a touch of awkwardness and self-sacrifice. He grimaced as he saw his own face in my thoughts and tried to rearrange his features so that they reflected only the happiness. It was difficult for him. He was happy, I could feel it, but in less than an hour Renesmee would cease to belong to him and would forevermore belong to another man. That had to be devastating, even if it was in her best interests. I was upset, and she wasn't even my daughter. Technically.
Edward climbed into the Rolls Royce and started the engine. I had to say, Rose had done a good job. It purred like a kitten. Alice and I walked to Rosalie's M3 (the new Z4 Roadster didn't have back seats) and got in. The top was up -- a specification of the girls' so as not to "ruin their hair."
"Finally," Emmett grumbled as the engine revved quietly to life.
"Not today, baby," Rosalie replied, putting a soothing hand on his burly forearm. Sometimes I wondered how Emmett found suits at all. He was a gorilla.
Thankfully, Alice bit her tongue so I held back on the calm I was considering dispensing.
Carlisle and Esme were already at La Push and so our little caravan sped quickly toward the Quilieute reservation. Alice had directed the brawny werewolves that morning in the erection of the platform and arch for the ceremony, the small collection of folding chairs for the guests, and the placement of the may-pole-esqe pillars. She hadn't trusted them with the actual decorating, though, so with Rosalie's help she had entwined muted yellow and cream ribbons and garlands upon garlands of jasmine, soft gold royal lilies, St. Bernard's lilies, and pale yellow freesia throughout the ceremonial arch and around the poles, spaced every five feet or so from the arch to the back row of the chairs. It was all very summery -- very light and warm and cheerful and simple. Very natural. Very Renesmee and Jacob.
We arrived at Billy Black's house in a matter of minutes. It felt very strange to be on Quilieute land, like I was breaking a law or something. I had never set foot past the loosely-defined no-man's land before, as Alice and I had joined the Cullen family after the treaty with Ephraim Black had been struck, and I had never had a legitimate reason -- or desire, for that matter -- to venture across the line as Carlisle had for his doctor's visits, or Edward had as Carlisle's accompaniment and the object of Jacob's imprinting's father. Sam had graciously agreed to renegotiate the treaty line for the event, and I tried to quell the unease I felt, reminding myself that we were all on the same side now -- for today at the very least.
Edward and Emmett dexterously positioned the cars into the tiny spaces allotted to us in front of the tiny red house. Jacob was already at First Beach, standing under the arch, I imagined, maybe greeting some guests. Billy was gone, too, so only Charlie and Sue were at his house to receive us. Emmett parked the car in front of the tiny house and the four of us climbed out. Charlie already had Renesmee in his arms and was gruffly trying to express how beautiful she looked. His emotions were very strong, but he never seemed able to get the words out. Charlie and I had something in common, after all.
"I'll see you down there," Alice crooned, standing on her tiptoes to quickly kiss my lips before turning to the bridal party. Rose and Emmett kissed too -- not as embarrassing a display as they were usually prone to -- and Emmett and I turned and began the trek down to the beach. I had no idea who was aware of what we were and who wasn't, so I didn't risk moving at more than human speed.
"How weird is all of this?" Emmett asked as we trudged down the dirt road. "I mean, wasn't she a baby, like, yesterday?"
I chuckled. "That's exactly what Alice said."
"But it's strange, right? I mean, she's only six and he's, well, he's Jacob. Not only that, but he's a werewolf. Not only that, but he's an alpha werewolf. He's sworn to destroy our kind, and here is, marrying one instead. It's weird."
"Yeah, weird," I agreed, running a hand through my blond mane absently, then I added, "He's not a real werewolf, though. And she's not a full vampire..."
Emmett rolled his eyes. "Still. Weird."
I shrugged. If Jacob made her happy I didn't care if he was an alien with five heads. As long as he protected her and gave her joy, what else could I ask for? Strange as it was, they were good together. They were meant to be. That was weird, but it was true, nonetheless.
Jared greeted us as we arrived at First Beach. The parking lot had been transformed into the most beautiful enclosure of flowers and ribbons, the salty breeze blowing the scent of the freesia and jasmine toward us -- which was good, as it helped to dilute the enticing smell of the humans and the foul smell of the werewolves. Even so, I felt the burn in my throat as the wind blew numerous human scents toward me. I stopped breathing, just in case. I had hunted last night, but wouldn't it be just my luck to do something weak and stupid on Renesmee's wedding day. I wouldn't risk it.
We followed Jared to the second row of chairs on the bride's side. The seats were almost full -- we were barely on time, after all. Carlisle and Esme were already there in the front row, and they turned to smile at us as we sat down. Tanya, Kate, Garrett, Eleazar, and Carmen were also seated in the second row. We exchanged smiles and hand squeezes as we sat. The Denali clan had arrived late last night, so we had already had our hugs and small talk and catching up.
Jacob was under the arch, as I had thought, Seth at his side. Old Quil Ateara -- I recognized him immediately by his extreme age -- stood directly under the center of the arch. Since neither Renesmee or Jacob were particularly religious, they had decided to have a Quilieute elder preside over the ceremony instead of a minister. I noticed Embry, Quil, and Paul ushering in guests as well. It made me slightly nervous to be deprived of the sense of smell and taste with so many werewolves around. As I involuntarily tensed I tried to remind myself that they were friends now. There was no need to be worried. They were probably just as loathe to ruin Renesmee's day as I was, though in their case it would be more for Jacob's sake than Ness'.
I didn't see Billy or Sam Uley anywhere yet, though I exchanged a polite smile with Emily Uley, carrying their daughter Sarah on her hip. As I turned back to the arch Seth waved at us, grinning from ear to ear. He would be about twenty-one or so now, I thought. He still looked fifteen. Had to love that kid, though. He was just so damned positive. I liked being around him, and I couldn't help grinning back.
Guests continued to file in and I gulped deep breaths of safe air when the wind shifted. Emmett laughed at me under his breath and I glared at the ocean -- I hated feeling weak. Esme patted my arm sympathetically.
Finally Charlie and Sue arrived and found their seats next to Carlisle and Esme. Claire, the little girl Quil had imprinted on, began playing an unfamiliar but classical-sounding tune on a violin from the back of the assembly. She could only be eight or nine now, but she was quite good for a child that age. Everyone turned to watch the entrances.
First came little Sarah Uley with a basket of jasmine and lily petals, throwing them rather forcefully in great handfuls. There was a ripple of laughter through the crowd. She was soon followed by a little girl with jet black hair and Jacob's nose -- Jacob's niece Michelle, I assumed. She threw her petals slightly more delicately, at least spreading them relatively evenly over the satiny aisle. Then came Billy, pushed by Sam, who positioned his chair in the empty space in the front row on the groom's side. Billy was beaming. Sam sat down in the chair next to him, with Emily on his left and Jacob's sisters, Rebecca and Rachel next to her. I thought fleetingly that it was rather odd that Sam Uley had a more intimate position than Jacob's own sisters. Well, the pack hierarchy would take precedent, I supposed. From a military perspective I understood it, but it seemed slightly strange that it extended into their personal lives as well.
Alice's scent pulled me from my reverie, and I watched as my tiny ballerina fairly danced down the satin walkway, more graceful and weightless than a feather on this breeze. She winked at me as she passed by and took her place on the left side of the arch, about ten feet from Old Quil. Rosalie came next, smiling but looking as though she would sob if she were able. She kept dabbing at her eyes as she held her bouquet in her other hand. In this case, I didn't think this was a pretense. Although she couldn't actually cry, it was a rather uncomfortable feeling having your eyes prick with unsheddable tears. I hated to admit it, but I knew how it felt. Rosalie took her place next to Alice, nearer to the center of the arch.
Claire's tune continued as it built to a crescendo and Bella appeared. If Rosalie's unshed tears were causing her discomfort, it was nothing compared to Bella's. She couldn't stop smiling, and yet, it seemed as though she couldn't see clearly, and she kept sniffling. As she neared the arch she seemed to lose her composure and she ran and threw her arms around Jacob. Chuckles escaped from the crowd, though many looked confused. I was sure a number of the guests did not know Bella and Renesmee's relationship -- who would believe it? -- nor did they understand Bella and Jacob's. Bella smiled apologetically at her best friend and almost-son-in-law and took her place beside Rosalie.
Finally Claire's melody changed into an intricate solo-version of the wedding march. She really was quite talented. Everybody stood and turned to look. Charlie was already wiping his eyes, and Jacob seemed glued to the back of the reception. As my eyes found her -- my little girl, my baby -- everything else around me was gone. I didn't worry about the humans or the werewolves or the jokes Emmett might make. I was glued too. Even though I had seen her not twenty minutes ago, I couldn't believe my eyes. Renesmee was absolutely stunning. Amazing. She was positively glowing with happiness as she met Jacob's eyes and glided, almost on air, toward her husband-to-be. Edward was still feeling a little sad and a little noble, but he seemed to have given himself over to happiness now. It was almost impossible not to be happy -- Renesmee was enveloping the gathering in it, better than even I could have done. This happiness was so pure and complete that any thoughts I had of weirdness or worries or loss were eradicated, completely overtaken by joy.
Edward led his only daughter down the aisle. Bella was biting her lip to keep her emotions from spilling over. Edward stepped upon the raised platform where the arch and Old Quil and the wedding party stood, and kissed his child on the cheek. There was such love and depth in that kiss that Renesmee did start to cry. Alice frowned -- concerned about her makeup, no doubt -- but Renesmee just wiped away the tears and hugged her father close, touching her hand to his cheek. I was sure most the human attendees thought she was simply too overcome to speak, but I knew she was conveying something deeply personal to her father in her own special way. Edward's reacting emotions almost overwhelmed me, and suddenly I felt a lump in my own throat. A part of me waited for Emmett's teasing jibe or elbow, but none came. I spared a split-second look at him and saw, to my amazement, that he was swallowing and rubbing at his eyes too.
Edward slowly reached for Jacob's huge hand and, gracefully, meaningfully, placed Renesmee's small creamy hand inside. He kissed them both on the cheek, tried to smile at Bella, and then turned and took his seat near the aisle next to Carlisle. Emmett patted him roughly on the back and he nodded.
The ceremony was, as predicted, not traditional. There were mentions of spirits and fate and some allusions to magic, but there was no mention of God or heaven or death. Jacob wouldn't die until Renesmee did, and with any luck -- well, with everything in our power, actually; luck had nothing to do with it -- Renesmee would live out eternity with the rest of us. There was quite a lot of talk about love and everlasting commitment and honoring one's vows. It was enough to make all of us rub furtively at our eyes. Finally Old Quil's wrinkled hand motioned to Seth.
"Do you have the rings?"
Seth pulled two golden bands from his jacket pocket and handed them to Old Quil. Quil handed the more sparkly of the two -- Renesmee's diamond and surrounding emeralds caught the streaming light and sparkled like the sunshine off the ocean waves beyond the arch -- and placed it in Jacob's hand.
"Do you, Jacob, take Renesmee as your wife; to love, honor, and protect; binding your spirits as one for all time?"
Jacob's eyes were cemented on Renesmee's as he slid the ring onto her thin finger.
"I do."
Quil turned to Renesmee, giving her the other ring.
"Do you, Renesmee, take Jacob as your husband; to love, honor, and protect; binding your spirits as one for all time?"
Renesmee choked a little, though she couldn't contain her beatific smile.
"I do," she breathed.
"Then, with your friends and families gathered here as witness, I now pronounce you man and wife! You may kiss the bride!"
Cheers erupted from the gathering at the announcement, and, though I couldn't help flinching a little, I smiled in joy as Jacob took Renesmee in his arms and kissed her strongly, passionately, triumphantly. Renesmee seemed too overjoyed to even mind the throat-clearing and titters from the assembly as she tightened her arms around Jacob's neck and pressed herself as close to him as humanly -- or even inhumanly -- possible. Some of the elder guests looked away in embarrassment, but the werewolves, and Emmett, cheered raucously as the wedding kiss continued for a full minute. Just as I was wondering how much longer they could survive without air -- they did need to breath, after all -- Renesmee pulled her face away from her husband's, though her body remained close, and turned to face her guests. Euphoria enveloped every last man, woman, child, werewolf, and vampire as the blinding smile flashed our way and the intense light of pure bliss lit her eyes. It was impossible not to feel one hundred percent happy. I should start frequenting the wedding circuit, I thought to myself, as my body filled and lightened with the enraptured emotions. I couldn't imagine everyone could be this happy, though. I sighed happily. My baby. Mrs. Renesmee Black.