Disclaimer: I am not Stephenie Meyer and I do not own any of the characters in the Twilight Series. I'm just a fan having a little fun. No copywrite infringement intended.

Chapter 20

Jacob's POV

"There's only one problem… who's gonna tell dad?"

"I'm so dead." – And I was, literally D-E-A-D… dead. Edward was sure to rip my lungs out; the leech isn't anything if not traditional. He would have wanted me to ask him first or wait until she was legally 18 (in non-human years) or wait till she came back from college; either way, I knew he wouldn't be pleased.

"Maybe he won't freak out." – Ness as always was trying to calm me, to look at things positively; but I knew better.

"Ness, have you met your father?" – She giggled nervously at my joke, relaxing me slightly.

"You know what, on second thought, give me the ring back." – Ness started laughing even louder, playfully pulling away as I pretended to try and take the ring from her.

When we were done goofing around, Ness got up and started pacing.

"We have to come up with a plan, not just blurt it out." – She continued to think hard while all my mind could focus on was how pretty she looked in that dress and how once we got married, I wouldn't have to restrain myself as much.

"Wait… were you thinking about proposing during the ceremony?"

"Of course."

"Well, dad was sitting right behind us; he would have heard you right? So if he were against it, he would have stopped you."

"You think?"

"Yeah, I mean, he even saw us leave and didn't do anything!!!"

"I don't know Ness… it just doesn't seem like him."

"Well there's only one way to find out."

Nessie and I turned out to be the worst of chickens, aimlessly walking through the woods for hours, delaying the decisive moment. After a while it was clear we needed to head back so we braced ourselves and ran straight to the big house.

When we went in they were all there, every last leech, just my luck. Bella was lying on top of Edward's piano as he played, reading a book. Carlisle and Esme were sitting in the living room sofa deep in conversation as Emmett sat to their side with his feet on the coffee table, screaming at the flat screen TV, watching a football game. Pixie was twirling like a ballerina all around the room, with her headphones on, stopping only to take Jasper's hands and dance with him for a bit before letting him get back to a serious game of chess with Blondie. Who knew blonds could play chess? That was definitely a joke for later… if I were still alive that is.

There was no point in delaying this any longer, so I just stepped inside the living room and cleared my throat.

"Something on your mind Jacob?" – Edward glanced at me but kept playing.

"Actually, there is."

"Would it have something to do with why Bella kept shielding yours and Nessie's thoughts all day?" – My heart sunk; I was beginning to delude myself into thinking that he was ok with it because he already knew… I didn't expect this. Bella looked up from her book and stuck her tongue at Edward, making him frown at her.

I turned to look at Nessie, half expecting she'd know what to do, but she looked just as staggered as me.

"So, are you going to answer me Jacob? My wife thinks it's funny to cover for you, to indulge your little indiscretions by keeping them from me. Now, I can't actually force her to take off the shield, because I love her and because she's the most stubborn woman I know, but you… I can certainly persuade you to tell me." – He looked truly menacing and all I could do was stand there like an idiot, partly because I was afraid and mostly because I didn't understand. Why would Bella shield our thoughts? I hadn't told her about my plans and unless Edward's mind reading abilities had rubbed off on her, there was no way she could know.

"Edward, you're overreacting… nothing happened." – Bella took a sitting position on the piano and rolled her eyes at him.

"I'd like Jacob to tell me that."

"Edward, I really don't know what's going on… Bells, why did you shield us?"

"Because I told her about… about what happened in the forest, after the first fight." – Nessie looked so embarrassed that she didn't even blush. The mood changed abruptly, everyone dropped what they were doing and left the house quickly, leaving only the two of us with Edward and Bella.

Edward turned his gaze toward Nessie. – "And what was that?"

Nessie hesitated and I knew I needed to step in, because I couldn't stand to see Edward look at her with anger; a minute longer and I'd kick his ass.

"We decided to sleep together… but we didn't, the whole werewolf thing interrupted us." – Honesty seemed like the best policy, considering I needed to get on his good side since I was about to ask for his only daughter's hand in marriage.

"I told you, you didn't want to know." – Bella said to Edward, smiling at him, trying to lighten the mood.

"You decided? You decided? I thought I made it clear that you needed to respect my daughter's honor."

"I am… I mean, I will."

"I highly doubt it, now that I know you were doing god knows what and in the forest of all places."

"It won't happen again."

"How can I know that?"

"Because… because I just asked her to marry me." – The look on both Edward and Bella's faces was priceless, and would have been hilarious on another occasion were there wasn't so much at stake.

"You what?!!!" – Bella's humorous lighthearted face went away and I knew she wouldn't be on my side this time. Nessie was the one to answer her.

"He asked me to marry him and I said yes." – Bella and Edward looked at each other and then at us.

"That's insane!!! You're not even done with school!!! What about college?" – I was surprised to see that it was Bells and not Edward the one getting worked up about this.

"We love each other." – My answer was stupid and pretty obvious and redundant, but I felt like I needed to say something… anything.

"Be quiet Jacob Black!!! Don't even get me started on you!!! How dare you!!! First you imprint on my baby and now you propose to her!!! She's barely legal!!!"

"You weren't concerned about her being legal when you knew we were fooling around!!!" – Edward I had a problem yelling at, but not Bells; there's something about her that makes me become straightforward, maybe because I trust her so much and maybe because she gets on my nerves… a lot.

"Oh shut up!!! You're such a stupid adolescent!!! I'm not letting my baby girl get married like that… she's not some… some brainless small time teenager getting knocked up and married before she can even vote!!!"

"You got married when you were eighteen!!!"

"That… that's different… those were special circumstances you know very well about!!!"

"Oh, because Edward convinced you… because he wouldn't sleep with you unless you were married… because it was a bargaining chip for him to turn you into a leech?!!!"

"Oh, don't tell me your intentions are any more honorable!!! You just can't wait to get into my daughter's pants and don't want the guilt that comes along with it!!!"

"I hate to break it to you Bells, but we weren't really planning on waiting. I want to marry her because I know I'm spending the rest of my life with her and I don't want to go another minute without being her husband!!!"

"You have forever to marry her!!! I didn't have that with Edward but you do!!! So why rush it?!!!"

"Because we might not have forever… look at Sam and Emily."

Bella was about to keep going but hesitated. I was astonished that Edward had let me yell at her that way without stepping in, and even more so that he hadn't voiced his opinion.

"I'm sorry… but you're not getting married." – She said it much more calmly, but still a little pissed.

"Bells…" – I was down to pleading, even begging.

"No Jake." – She crossed her arms over her chest like a little girl throwing a tantrum, and far from looking adorable, I wanted to kill her.

"Mom, you made your choice six years ago… now let me make mine."

"You're too young."

"Mom, in a year I'll stop growing, I'll stay this young forever. No matter how much I wait, I will still get married as a teenager. That's what freaks you out right?"

Bella took in a long annoyed breath and turned toward Edward, asking for backup. This is it… it's over. Once Edward opens his mouth whatever hope I had of marrying this girl will vanish; because while Bella is irrational and impulsive, Edward always manages to sound totally right and convincing. Damn leech.

"I'm sorry… Bella." – Ness and I both did a double take at his words… didn't he mean "I'm sorry Nessie"?

"Jacob, you have my blessing." – Ok, this is a joke right? I come over here to ask for Nessie's hand in marriage and not only do I get a freaking blessing from Edward, but no big moral speech?

"Say again?" – I was sure I got it wrong.

"You have my blessing." – Bella was fuming at him. If looks could kill, Edward would definitely be a goner. – "I'm sorry love, but they're right… life can be taken away so abruptly; I don't want to stand in the way of our daughter's happiness. We knew this day would come eventually." – He was speaking to her with such love and intimacy that I felt bad for in listening, like I was intruding on something sacred.

"But not so soon… we've only had her for five years… I'm not ready to let go."

"I'm not going anywhere momma… I'm still your daughter."

"No… you're too young… tell her she's too young Edward."

"I can't love… I'm sorry, but I know what it's like to wait your whole life for someone, and then finally find her and want to marry her. I got you… now it's only fair that Jacob gets his Nessie."

"He already has her… they can be together as much as they want, there's no need to get married." – Bella turned toward Ness. – "Renesmee honey, marrying Jacob hadn't crossed your mind before, why now? If he hadn't asked you, you would still be alright with just being with him. Give yourself a chance to consider it, not just say yes because you love him."

I began to panic, would Bella be able to convince Nessie? I didn't even turn to look at her, not wanting to persuade her or influence her in any way. I just held my breath and waited for her answer.

"I've been dreaming of marrying Jacob since I can remember; just because we hadn't actually discussed it doesn't mean I wasn't thinking about it. Jacob has had the ring since my fifth birthday… I mean… we have waited. If it had been up to me, I probably would have eloped the night we confessed our love to each other… I know this is meant to be, so why wait?"

Edward looked at me amused, probably because of what Ness said about the ring. I really didn't mean for anyone but her to know that little bit of information and felt really embarrassed… who knew I could be such a girl.

Bella just sat there perplexed, looking from Nessie to me as if trying to make up her mind, until finally her eyes stopped dead on me.

"Promise to not be a jerk?"

"Promise."

"Promise to not be impulsive or reckless or insensitive?"

"Promise."

"Promise to take even better care of her than we do?

"Promise."

"Good, cause remember Jake: I may be your best friend but I'm still your mother in law and a vampire… so watch it." – That was it, Bella's approval. It wasn't elegant or eloquent or anything you'd hear in movie, if anything it was nearly a death threat, but it was classic Bella and it was an approval. Suddenly I didn't feel like killing her anymore; more like hugging her and calling her "mom" just to mess with her. She was giving me her only child; no matter how hard I try, I could never repay her for the gift of Nessie, never repay her for loving Nessie when nobody else would, for defender her when I didn't, for bringing her into this world at the expense of her own life, and for now, after all that, handing her over to a freaking dog.

Edward stepped forward interrupting my thoughts and hugged Nessie tightly.

"Congratulations my darling."

Then he came over to me, but instead of just nodding or shaking my hand as usual, he went for the hug. My insides squirmed at his closeness and touch, but this was my baby's father for crying out loud; if he wanted a hug, I'd give him one. He patted my back and whispered in my ear – "Welcome to the family… mess up and your dead." – I knew this was too good to be true; all it needed was a little death threat from Edward to make it right.

When I stepped back from Edward I saw that Bella was hugging Nessie, whispering so softly in her ear that I couldn't make out anything. After a few moments she gazed up at me and extended one arm toward me, inviting me to a hug. So I approached and she wrapped her arm around me, keeping us both close to her. After a few minutes she stepped back and did the weirdest thing, she sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Ok… you can come in now." – I had no idea what she was talking about until the room instantly filled with vampires… the Cullens… my family. They were so fast that one minute we were alone and the next, I was surrounded by them. I took Nessie's hand, nervous about what they might say; if Bella who loves me and has always loved me freaked out, I couldn't imagine what the rest of them would do.

"Yeah, welcome to the family!!!" – Emmett was clapping loudly. –"Excited about the honeymoon? – He put his hand on my shoulder and smiled suggestively. Bella smacked him across the chest, making him flinch slightly and then chuckle as he put his arm around her, pulling her head down under his chest and messing up her hair.

"We're so happy for you Nessie… and you Jacob." – Esme looked like she was about to cry, if she could anyway; and even Carlisle was a bit emotional, smiling so brightly his eyes were sparkling.

Pixie was balancing on the balls of her feet, back and forth, giggling like a giddy child. I could only imagine all the horrible things her head was already concocting for our wedding. By now, I'm guessing she already had picked out in her mind the theme, decorations, flavor of cake, centerpieces, color of the bridesmaid's dresses, Nessie's dress and hairdo and my tuxedo. I inhaled loudly, gulping slightly at the thought of everything that had to be done, not to mention the pressure and annoyance I would have to put up with.

I turned and realized Blondie was standing just a few feet from us. Nessie squeezed my hand and I could actually feel her anxiety radiating onto me. I braced myself for the worst as well but quickly realized there was no need to, not from the way Blondie was looking at Nessie. She looked absolutely positively happy. First Edward doesn't kill me and now Blondie is… happy? For a moment I actually considered the possibly that she hadn't understood what was going on, maybe all my dumb blond jokes weren't so far off?

"Nessie… I always dreamed of watching you get married, of having you get everything I always wanted for my own life… and now you will… and I'm so very proud of you." – Nessie threw herself at her and hugged her. – "Thank you for supporting me aunt Rosie… I love you… thank you."

Blondie looked up at me once they broke the hug.

"Just promise to tuck your shirt in for the wedding." – She glanced down at my un-tucked shirt, making a disgusted face; there she is, the Blondie I know. I couldn't help but smile.

"If you promise to not upstage the bride's dress with some crazy getup." – I mirrored her by looking up and down at her over-the-top costume of a funeral dress. She scoffed and rolled her eyes, tossing her long hair over her shoulder. – "Fine." – Everyone laughed out loud and I was able to exhale, relieved.

After Nessie had to retell how I proposed about a thousand times to Pixie, after everyone appraised the engagement ring and I had to sustain Emmett's jokes, we were just about ready to call it a night. Bella and Edward stayed behind in the big house while we headed back to the cottage.

"I'm so tired." – I sat on Nessie's bed, unbuttoning my shirt and taking off my shoes, which were a really big pain considering I never wear shoes, much less stiff dress shoes.

Nessie came over, wearing her pajamas, to stand in front of me, running her hands through my hair. I pulled her shirt up and kissed her belly, loving the feel of her soft skin on my lips.

"You know… now that we're engaged…" – I looked up at her only to find her giving me a sexy ass smile. Damn, just when I thought I'd do things right.

"You don't want to wait for the honeymoon?" – I was beyond pretending I could stop myself; maybe I could before, when it felt wrong to want her this way, but once you mentally give in, there's no going back. I braced myself for her answer.

"Do you want to?" – Did I want to? It was kind of hard to think straight, with Nessie looking so damn sexy in her pj's, her hair already loose out of her bun and no makeup. This was my fiancé!!! Renesmee Cullen is my fiancé!!! I smiled almost to myself, thinking I really was a lucky bastard. My fiancée, the most amazing woman in the world, was standing in front of me asking me to choose between doing things "the right way" and waiting, or making love to her, something I'd been craving for way too long. Either choice led me to her, so at least that was easy.

"I don't know." – And I really didn't. Nessie continued to run her hands through my hair, willing me to say yes; but the truth was, I was really tired and really wanted to be my best for something like this. – "I'm very tired… it's been a long two days… really long."

"You're right, I'm sleepy too." – She climbed on the bed as I finished getting undressed, keeping only my boxers on as I lay down next to her.

"Jake? Is Emily alone tonight?" – I felt like a jerk for being so happy to have forgotten all about Emily for a moment. Nessie's eyes looked sad and worried, as she scanned my face.

"She left."

"What? What do you mean she left?"

"She left right after the funeral; said she couldn't handle the burial. They're doing something private, just Sam's pack, but she decided from the beginning that she wouldn't go. So she went back home with her family; we're supposed to go over to the cabin tomorrow to pack up everything and ship it to her."

"You think she'll be alright? I mean… I would die if I didn't have you… just die." – I felt a pressure come down on me when she said that. Just the thought of my Nessie dying of sorrow was enough to make my heart hurt. I felt like a fool for ever being careless or impulsive or overconfident; for ever taking my life for granted, knowing it belonged to her but not realizing what its loss would do to her.

"I don't know Ness… all I know is Emily is strong. She'll get by… and I don't think Sam is really gone, he doesn't feel completely gone, maybe that's why she's holding up, because maybe he's somehow still with her, still protecting her, still loving her."

Ness nodded, her eyes closing slightly. I decided to stop talking and let her sleep.

"Sleep baby." – I said as I kissed the tip of her nose.

"We're engaged." – She whispered, her eyes already shut, drifting into sleep.

"Thank you for saying yes." – I whispered back. Even half asleep, she smiled.

"Thank you for asking."

This one's short but I couldn't wait to update. I don't get a lot of free time to write so to not keep you in the dark for too long, the following chapters might be smaller than the previous ones. Hope you like… tell me what you think!!!! Plus, give me ideas on places Nessie and Jacob could go on their honeymoon!!! Even if I don't respond, I read all of your reviews and go crazy over them, good or bad, I love them. Thank you!!!