Thanks again for the reviews. It is great to be back writing this again. I hope you enjoy!
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Over the next couple of weeks there was a romantic air throughout the house with the new couples and their budding romances along with all the planning for Jacob and Renesmee's wedding. Renesmee had asked Sierra, Letty and Angel to be her bridesmaids and Jacob was having Sam, Sean and Leah as his best men. A week before the wedding was scheduled Jacob and Renesmee organized for Billy, Charlie and Sue to visit them at the Cullen house for the final preparations.
When Billy, Sue and Charlie arrived with Jacob, Sam, Leah and Sean, Renesmee let them in and hugged each of them before kissing Jacob. She led them into the living room where the entire Cullen family was waiting.
'What a crowd,' Sue murmured, still not entirely comfortable with the vampires.
'Please, have a seat,' Carlisle smiled as he greeted them.
'I have made refreshments for you,' Esme added, pointing to the iced tea and little cakes she had set on the coffee table.
'Thank you,' Sue smiled. They were all seated and everyone looked at Jacob and Renesmee.
'Well, I guess we start with the biggest issue we have,' Renesmee said once Jacob had squeezed her hand. 'Where to actually have the wedding?'
'I thought you would be having it here,' Bella frowned.
'Well, maybe,' Renesmee said and glanced at Jacob. 'We want Jacob's family to be as comfortable as us. We thought somewhere near the river might be nice. An outside wedding would be wonderful. The problem we have is the treaty line. Which side do we have it on?'
'I think the treaty line could be ignored for one day,' Billy said carefully. 'I will address any concerns our tribe has with this.'
'I agree,' Carlisle nodded.
'What about down near the falls?' Jacob suggested. 'It is the Cullen side of the line so the tribe will have no issues and it's not too far for either side to travel.'
'That's sounds perfect,' Renesmee agreed.
'That was easy,' Edward smiled. 'What next?'
'We have a problem with who will perform the ceremony,' Renesmee said uncomfortably. 'Both Billy and Carlisle have offered and we don't wish to offend either of you.'
'Let Billy do it,' Carlisle said instantly. 'I have done Emmett and Rose's, Jasper and Alice's, Edward and Bella's and Oliver and Stella's. I will probably have the opportunity to do more in the future with the next generation. Jacob is Billy's only son, he should have the honor.'
'Are you sure?' Billy asked carefully.
'I am,' Carlisle nodded.
'Thank you,' Billy said.
'Is there anything else?' Bella asked.
'I don't think so,' Renesmee answered. 'They were the two main issues. I think everyone knows what they are doing and I think between you, Aunt Alice, Aunt Rose and Aunt Esme you have the details organized don't you?'
'We do,' Alice nodded. 'It will be perfect.'
'One thing Alice and I do well is plan weddings,' Rose giggled.
'True,' Bella nodded, remembering her own wedding day.
'There was one other thing,' Jacob said and they noticed he had taken Renesmee's hand in his again. 'Not exactly wedding related, more to do with our married life afterwards.'
'Oh yeah,' Renesmee mumbled.
'What is it?' Bella frowned.
'We have been thinking about where we want to live after we are married,' Renesmee said.
'I thought that had been decided,' Esme said. 'Your parents will stay here and you can have the cottage.'
'We appreciate that,' Renesmee said carefully. 'But Mom, Dad, I don't want you to stay.'
'What?' Bella growled.
'Bella, hear her out,' Edward murmured, seeing in her head exactly what his daughter meant.
'Dad has his responsibilities in Volterra,' Renesmee said. 'And your life is there now too Mom. It feels kind of weird uprooting my parents just because I am getting married. When a person marries they are supposed to leave their parents. I want to stay here with Jacob but I want you guys to return to your own life.'
'You are our life,' Bella argued.
'No, Mom, I'm not,' Renesmee said. 'I am a part of it and I always will be. But I want the chance to build my own life. We can come visit you and you can come visit us but I would prefer it this way.'
'I think she is right,' Edward murmured.
'You do?' Bella frowned in shock.
'Would we have wanted Charlie parked right next door to us when we married?' Edward asked.
'I suppose you have a point,' Bella smirked and glanced at Charlie and winked. 'We will go back to Volterra as planned then.'
'Thank you,' Renesmee squealed and jumped up and raced over to hug both her parents.
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The day of the wedding came quickly and in the early dawn Bella led Renesmee, Sierra, Angel and Letty out of the main house and through the forest to the cottage. Esme, Rosalie and Alice were already there waiting for them with everything they would need to get ready. Alice and Rosalie took charge of the bridesmaids and helped Sierra, Angel and Letty get ready while Esme and Bella disappeared into the main bedroom with Renesmee.
By the time Edward arrived Letty, Angel and Sierra were all dress in soft blue flowing gowns with their hair and makeup looking exquisite thanks to Alice and Rosalie.
'You all look beautiful,' Edward smiled when he saw them.
'Thanks Uncle Edward,' Angel grinned. Rosalie knocked on the bedroom room and let the women inside know that Edward had arrived and it was almost time to leave and then they waited in the living room.
Not long after the bedroom door finally opened and Esme stepped out with a smile on her face. Behind her Bella walked out and then Renesmee appeared, wearing a long flowing white dress, with crystal and diamonds across the bodice. Her auburn hair fell freely with soft curls and the only ornament in her hair was a soft blue flower.
'Nessie, you look breathtaking,' Edward gasped and rushed over to his daughter and leaned down and gently kissed her cheek.
'Thanks Dad,' Renesmee smiled shyly.
'Let's get some pictures,' Alice announced and she was soon bossing them around, getting them all into a variety of poses and snapping as many photos as she could.
After a lovely photo of Edward, Bella and Renesmee had been taken Edward held his hand up in mock defeat.
'Enough Alice,' he growled playfully. 'It's time to get to the ceremony.'
'All right,' Alice grumbled but the smile on her face showed she wasn't mad. Rosalie slipped into the kitchen and carried out a box of flowers and handed a bouquet to each girl.
Once they were ready Bella gave Renesmee a final check over and, convinced she was ready, the group left the cottage and headed for the riverside where the ceremony was being conducted.
When they arrived at the clearing they stopped just inside the tree line where they couldn't be seen and Esme, Rosalie, Alice and Bella all gave Renesmee a kiss before walking into the clearing. The mean had been busy and the clearing had been turned into a magical place for the day. White chairs had been set up for the guests and sparkling fairy lights adorned the trees surrounding the clearing. A white gazebo with soft blue flowers stood at the front of the area by the water's edge and underneath the gazebo Billy and Jacob stood waiting. Beside Jacob stood Sean, Sam and Leah and the rest of the guests from both the reservation and the Cullen family were already seated.
Esme gave Billy a discrete nod as she slipped into her chair beside Carlisle and Billy turned and nodded to Sue. Once the women were seated Sue began to sing a soft, Indian song as Letty stepped from the tree cover. Angel followed her and then Sierra and they walked down the aisle between the guest chairs and went to stand with Leah, Sean and Sam just outside the gazebo.
As Sue continued to sing all eyes moved back to the forest and Edward stepped out from the tree cover with Renesmee by his side, her hand tucked in the crook of his arm. The vampires and half breeds of the group all heard the sharp intake of breath that Jacob took when his eyes landed on Renesmee.
Edward led his daughter down the aisle, her eyes locked on Jacob the entire time. When they reached the front Edward stayed holding Renesmee as they came to a stop in front of Billy and Jacob. Sue finished the song she had been singing and Billy began by welcoming everyone to the ceremony that day.
'I will begin by asking, who gives this woman to this man?' Billy said.
'I do,' Edward answered and Billy inclined his head slightly. Jacob stepped forward and Edward transferred Renesmee's hand to his arm before stepping back. He waited a moment and it was obvious he was struggling with his emotions but he seemed to get them under check quickly and he moved wordlessly to his seat in the front row beside Bella.
As Billy performed the ceremony and the family watched on, Jacob and Renesmee spoke the words that united them as one.
'I now pronounce you husband and wife,' Billy announced. 'You may kiss the bride.' Jacob grinned and pulled Renesmee into his arms and she giggled as he crushed his lips to hers. Behind them their family got to their feet and applauded and cheered until the couple finally pulled apart.
The group moved to an area to the west of the clearing where tables had been set up for the reception. There was plenty of food for the half breeds and the Quileute's and a gorgeous cake decorated with soft blue edible flowers. The group settled in to celebrate Jacob and Renesmee's marriage and there was soon a festive feeling in the air.
Jacob and Renesmee had just finished speaking with Billy to thank him for the ceremony when Carlisle, Esme, Edward and Bella approached them.
'We have a gift for you,' Carlisle smiled. 'As each couple married in our family we have bestowed this on them and we didn't see the need to break with tradition.'
'We have arranged a honeymoon for you,' Esme added.
'Oh, that is so nice of you,' Renesmee grinned.
'You will fly out later tonight,' Edward told them. 'We have arranged to take you to the airport in Seattle once the festivities have finished.'
'Where are we going?' Jacob asked.
'Isle Esme,' Carlisle said.
'Isle Esme?' Jacob repeated and glanced at Esme.
'Yes, it is named after me,' Esme laughed. 'Carlisle purchased it many years ago.'
'Your family owns an island?' Jacobs smirked.
'We do,' Carlisle nodded.
'That is pretty cool,' Jacob grinned.
'Thank you so much,' Renesmee whispered.
'You are more than welcome,' Carlisle smiled at her.
'What time is our flight?' Renesmee asked.
'Not until midnight,' Edward told her. 'You have plenty of time to enjoy your party first.'
'We will need to pack,' Renesmee murmured.
'Already taken care of,' Bella laughed. 'Aunt Alice and I bought you both new clothes for the vacation. They are already packed in suitcases and in the boot of your father's car.'
'Which I have parked in the road five miles from here,' Edward added. 'We won't need to leave here until ten.'
'Okay,' Renesmee grinned. 'Thank you again. This is the best present ever.'
They turned their attention back to the other guests and it was late into the night before people started to leave. As the guests dwindled Alice and Rose helped Esme clean up and they organized the younger vampires to take everything back to the house.
Jacob and Renesmee said their goodbyes to Billy, Charlie and Sue, and then to the wolf pack, and saw them safely back over the treaty line. When they returned to the clearing the Cullens had cleared everything away and the family stood together by the water waiting to say their goodbyes. The other family members were heading off to Volterra the following day for the Council voting and Renesmee knew it would be a while before they all saw each other again.
She hugged each and every one of them and managed to have a few words with them before the only ones left to say goodbye to were her parents and grandparents. Jacob was standing with Edward, Bella, Carlisle and Esme when Renesmee finally broke away from the others and approached them.
'I was just telling Jacob the house is all yours,' Carlisle smiled at her.
'Please make any changes you wish,' Esme added.
'Thank you,' Renesmee smiled. She stepped forward and hugged first Carlisle, then Esme and then she turned to where Edward and Bella were standing.
'Thank you,' Renesmee whispered. 'For everything.'
'You are welcome sweetheart,' Bella murmured and stepped forward and pulled her daughter into her arms. 'We are going to miss you so much.'
'I'll miss you too,' Renesmee gasped.
'We can talk on the phone all the time,' Bella soothed her, her arms still wrapped around her tightly. 'I know Jacob will take care of you. And Charlie is always nearby if you need him.'
'I know,' Renesmee nodded. They hugged for a moment more and then Renesmee stepped out of Bella's arms.
Jacob said goodbye to Bella and then the couple stepped closer to Edward.
'We can say our goodbyes at the airport,' Edward said and it was obvious he wanted to put the moment when he said goodbye to his baby girl off as long as possible.
Jacob and Renesmee agreed and they said their final goodbyes to all the family before Edward led them from the clearing towards where he parked the car.