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

Chapter 22

Nessie's POV

Monday came and went, as well as Tuesday and Wednesday. I was able to get permission to miss out on my classes and take a final test at the end of the year to make up for everything, thanks to grandpa who came in and pleaded my case, making up some story about the entire family taking a trip to Europe because of some temporary job placement he'd landed. Grandpa is supposed to be my guardian or "adoptive parent", considering it would be weird to say that Bella and Edward have a daughter almost their own age, and since grandpa is a very persuasive, charming and respected man, it was easy for the principal to agree.

Even though it was relatively easy to lie to my teachers, lying to my friends was another thing. I just couldn't do it, didn't want to do it. So I avoided them like the plague, storming out of class before they could reach me and making up some crap excuse for not coming to lunch with them.

But Thursday came and I knew I had to stop hiding, so I entered first period English not late like the last three days but early as usual, taking my seat next to Amanda.

"Hey, glad to see you little missy."

"Hi, sorry… it's been kind of crazy."

"Kind of crazy? You've been coming in to class late every day, you refuse to sit by me, you leave almost before the bell rings and disappear to wherever and then you don't even come to lunch… I mean… are you angry with me or something?" – Amanda looked frustrated and a bit worried for my answer. I swallowed hard, unsure of how to explain and how to ask her to keep it all a secret.

"Of course not, you're my best friend… it's just that… I have something to tell you, but you can't tell anyone, ok?" – Amanda's face turned from worry to anticipation to worry again.

"Is there something wrong, are you in trouble?"

"No… not at all… it's something wonderful, amazing, marvelous; it's the most amazing thing ever… but you have to promise not to go crazy, not to scream and not to tell anyone." – Amanda nodded, in full secret mode, scooting her chair closer to mine and placing her arm on the desk, creating a shield. I smiled and took a deep breath, realizing just how big the news was and just how much her opinion meant to me.

"Ok… I'm getting married."

Amanda's eyes were in danger of popping out. She just sat there, looking at me in shock, covering her mouth with her hand. I smiled at her, trying to dig up some sort of positive reaction, but getting nothing. I was just about to shake her so she would snap out of it when Mrs. King entered the classroom.

"Morning class… everyone to your seats…"

"Amanda? Mandy?" – She continued to gape at me with nothing but shock on her face.

"Take out your books; yesterday we left off on page 287… Renesmee, why don't you continue with the following chapter?"

I looked up and saw Mrs. King waiting for me, so I took out my book and turned to the right page, taking a minute to turn to glance at Amanda from the corner of my eye, seeing she was already leaning over her opened book, her face of shock still in place and her book on page 120 and upside down.

We had absolutely no chance to speak all throughout English, so when the bell rang I felt a huge relief, because surely by now the shock would have somewhat faded and maybe I'd be able to get a few syllables out of her, maybe even a full sentence.

We walked out, side by side, and silently made it to the girl's restroom. Amanda checked the stalls to make sure they were empty and then closed the door, locking it. She then turned toward me, her face serious.

"Are you pregnant?"

"What? No."

"Ness… come on."

"I'm not!!! I'm still a virgin for crying out loud."

"Well then why? We're seventeen, you're not even out of school, we still have college to get to!!!"

"I can do all that and still get married." – I could do it several times actually.

"Yeah but, why? Is he pressuring you or something…? I told you he was too old."

"Too old? You said he was "freaking hot", don't you remember? Besides, he's only a few years older." – I slightly resented the "he's too old" comment, having felt for so long like his "younger" sister, like a silly girl he would never take seriously.

"Ok, I know I said he was hot… but that's no reason to get married just like that… I mean, you've been dating for like 6 months, that's nothing."

"I've known him my entire life!!! And besides… I… I love him, he's the most important person in my life and I want to be with him and marry him and start my life with him… I know it sounds crazy, but you need to trust me on this."

Amanda had her arms crossed and was inspecting me, so I stood there, putting on my most convincing face.

"What did your parents say? Did they freak?"

"Well, mom freaked a bit at first, but dad was actually happy about it… they… they know Jacob, know him really well."

"So, are you going to like… live with him and everything? Are you dropping out of school? Will we still be able to hang out? Are you sure you're not pregnant?" – I had to smile, because I could see how crazy this all seemed to her, since she doesn't really know the whole story.

"Yes I'm going to live with him, no I'm not dropping out, of course we'll hang out and no, I am not pregnant." – She smiled at my response which put me right at ease.

"Sorry, I'm being silly."

"No you're not, I know this seems sort of spur of the moment… I didn't mean to catch you off guard, but I had to tell you, needed to tell you." – She smiled even wider and I could see my best friend starting to creep out, replacing the stressed out girl she'd become a second ago.

"So… let me see the ring."

I pulled out my hand and we both started giggling like mad, jumping up and down and only quieting down upon hearing someone knock on the door.

"It's out of service!!!" – She yelled.

"So when's the wedding? Who else are you going to tell? Is this like a secret?"

"We're having it in a week and I don't know… I really don't care about other people, plus, my um… dad got me permission to miss the last month of school by lying, so I wouldn't want the principle to discover that instead of traveling through Europe for business purposes with the family I'm actually on my honeymoon!!!"

"Yeah, we wouldn't want that. So you're not telling anyone? Not even Laura or Tyler or Jenny or Mathew?" – Hearing her mention all our close friends made me feel terrible. It didn't seem right to not share this with them. Even though I'm used to living a double life when it comes to them, I still felt like this was the kind of news I should share.

"I'll tell them after school, but you all need to promise to keep quiet, because principal Murphy would go ballistic if he finds out we lied and the real reason is I'm getting married, ok?"

"Eventually word's going to get out."

"Yeah, but I'm hoping it'll come out after summer, so I can tell everyone I got married during the vacation."

"So why don't you just do that… wait till school is out, I mean why so soon? Do you even have enough time in a week to get everything ready?"

"I don't want to wait and yes, my family is sort of a specialist in planning events, so we do have enough time."

"Ness… you're really crazy, do you know that?"

"Yep."

"Ok, well… there's no talking you out of this right?"

"No."

"Then we better get on with it… do you need any help?"

"Well, I was hoping you'd be my maid of honor." – Amanda screamed at the top of her lungs and began to hug me, jumping up and down in excitement.

"Really? Are you sure? Oh my god, that would be so awesome!!!"

"I know!!! We can go pick out your dress and everything!!!"

Another knock on the door stopped us from continuing with our excited rant.

"Open this door right now!" – I recognized her scent before her voice, Mrs. Welch, the meanest strictest teacher in the entire school. We both turned and gulped before walking out, but not even the two hour detention I got could deduct from my happiness; I was getting everything I'd ever wanted and just hoped it wasn't too good to be true.

When I arrived home two hours late I was greeted by my entire family; all of them waiting in the cottage, each one excited to show me some new element or aspect of the wedding they'd already planned or bought or got done. My two aunts had spent the entire morning working on designs for my wedding dress as well as for all the women in the family. They had stacks of sketches that would probably put any amateur designer, and maybe a few pros, to shame.

"… and then we're thinking that it should have a train, something not too long and overbearing but enough so it would look divine!!!"

"And how do you feel about the lace in the bust line?"

"Or the pearl and bead detailing on the veil?"

"And do you want strapless or with straps, because we have both options? Or maybe a see through back, because we have that too?"

"And wait till you see the bridesmaids', they are to die for!!!"

I was getting a slight headache from their incessant rambling and from the numerous drawings they were shoving in my face; it got to such a point that I had no idea what I was choosing anymore or which of the designs were for me and which for them. I could see dad smiling at me from the living room, where the rest of the "sane" family members where gathered, watching a movie.

Finally after an hour I was done with the dress, having really no clue what the end design looked like, but hoping and trusting that it would turn out wonderful. Either way, the wedding dress was the least of my concerns, taking into account that I'd only wear it once and that hopefully by the end of the night it would speedily come off.

Then it was down to the men, who were waiting with about twenty five different wedding cake samples. Since no one in my family can really eat and enjoy human food, it was down to me to make the decision; and since I'm not so fond of human food myself, swallowing down twenty five tasters seemed nauseating to say the least.

"I think maybe Jacob should try this, considering out of the two of us he'll be the only one actually eating cake that day."

"Well, we need to pick tonight because the chef is willing to get it done on time only if we make the order tomorrow." – Uncle Jazz meant business so I rushed to my phone, afraid he might force-feed me the little samples.

"Ok, relax… I'll call Jacob." – I picked up the phone and started dialing. -"Who's the chef anyway?"

"Wolfgang Puck." – I chocked on my own saliva, coughing profusely while holding the phone to my ear.

"What?!!! Are you kidding me? The guy who caters the Oscars?!!!"

"I'm paying for it, it's my business." – A wave of comfort and easiness washed all over me as uncle Jazz simply smiled, pretty amused with himself. – "You're my only niece, let me spoil you will ya?"

All I could do was nod as someone answered on the other side of my cell phone.

"Hey baby, are you home already?"

"Got in about an hour ago… have been assaulted by every member of my family." – He chuckled at my joke. – "Where are you? I expected to find you here… I need you."

"I'm sorry Ness, but I'm still at work. If I'm taking off some time to go on our honeymoon and the wedding and everything I need to finish up working on some cars… plus, I'm waiting for my boss to get here."

"Why?"

"Well, I need to tell him about the wedding and I'm asking for a raise… well, more than a raise… I want to see if he'll take me on as a partner."

"What? You never told me that?"

"I thought about it last night, during the council meeting… I have enough money saved up, so we'll see." – I could tell by his tone that he was anxious about the money, our money. Anxious about giving me the kind of life I'm used to.

"Jake, you know I don't care about the money right?"

"So what do you need me for?" – He completely dodged my question, changing the subject in a not so subtle way. I breathed in, now knowing by his reaction that this was a sensitive subject.

"Jake…" – I wanted to press on so I could put him at ease, but I knew that over the phone was not the way; so I let it go, for the moment. –"They have wedding cake samples they want us to taste."

"Gotcha… I'll be there as soon as I can; don't let them force feed you."

"I'll try." - I laughed. – "… just hurry."

"Ok, I will… love you."

"Me too."

I put away my cell phone and turned toward my awaiting family members. –"Next?"

"That would be me." – Dad was smiling at me in a way that said "sorry about our crazy family". I smiled back and exhaled, knowing dad would not torture me with more wedding plans.

"Ok, what's up?"

"I wanted to discuss the honeymoon."

"Dad, seriously… gross." – He laughed along with the rest of the family.

"That's not quite what I meant… I was thinking, well… we were thinking, that we want you to accept it as a gift, from one of us."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, we all have great ideas and if you like, you can choose the one you like the best and that person will give it to you as a wedding present."

"Um… I don't know, I'd have to talk it over with Jacob."

"Please don't spoil our fun!!! We even have a bet going on as to whose honeymoon you'll choose!!!" – Aunt Alice was smiling persuasively and I couldn't help but cave in.

"Alright, sounds great."

"Wonderful!!! Now that that's settled, we have to go over the wedding invitations, the flower arrangements, the color scheme and the menu, ok? So get over here." – Alice and Rosalie where already seated back in the dining room, patting an empty chair next to them and signaling toward the mountain of photographs they had clustered on the table. I inhaled and turned my gaze toward mom who just laughed at my expression.

"You too Bella." – Commanded Aunt Alice. Now it was me the one who was laughing at mom's expression of horror. So she took hold of my hand and we both made it to the table, inhaling in unison at the daunting task of picking from the hundreds of options laid out in front of us; I was beginning to regret not letting Alice just take care of it herself, foolishly insisting on being consulted on everything. I only prayed that Jacob would get here soon enough, because I could deal with anything, even this overwhelming amount of choices and details, if I could just have him beside me, if I could just feel his warmth, if I could just listen to his heart beating next to mine.

"Sounds great."

"Really? Are you sure?" – Jacob and I were taking a short evening walk through the forest, having survived the family gathering and Jacob having eaten every last piece of wedding cake sample, choosing the "delicious" pumpkin and lime one; a combination so outlandish it was obvious a world renowned chef was behind it.

"Why would I be against it?"

"Well because of everything you said about not accepting gifts and things like that."

"No, I think its fine… I mean, it is our honeymoon and they can probably pay for something much better than what I can afford."

"You know I don't care about that."

"I know baby… but anyway, isn't it like tradition for the honeymoon trip to be a present."

"Really?"

"I don't know… maybe I just made that up." – I started giggling; prompting him to stop walking and pull me up in his arms so we could be at eye level.

"Did you finally tell Amanda?"

"Yes, you should have seen her face… it was priceless, she completely freaked. But then she was happy, even excited; especially about being my maid of honor… speaking of which…"

"Don't go there."

"You have to choose soon; we're going to New York on Saturday to pick out all the men's suits and get fitted for our dresses and we need to know by then who's your best man, for measurements and everything."

"Well, can't we bring both of them…? I mean, they should both get nice suits."

"Fine, dodge it… but eventually you'll have to choose."

"Are you threatening me little missy?" – He was giving me a wildly sexy smile and I suddenly forgot all about Quil and Embry. I wrapped my legs around him as he still supported me with his arms, and took hold of his hair, kissing him with all the passion and longing in me.

I pulled back after a few minutes, to which he just smiled.

"Good thinking." – He said, still giving me the sexiest smile ever.

"Just eight more days." – He closed his eyes at my words and inhaled, pressing his forehead to mine.

"You think we'll hold up till then?" – I had to laugh at this, because it was ridiculous how much we wanted each other and even more absurd for two grown people to not be able to contain themselves. I couldn't help but wonder how mom and dad were together for so long without "doing it"; they were definitely in another league.

"I already told you to stop looking so damn sexy." – A huge grin formed in his face when I said it.

"I can't help it… I am "Mr. Hot Stuff" after all." – I rolled my eyes, making him chuckle.

"So, you didn't get a chance to tell me what happened with your boss?"

"Let's not talk about that now."

"Why? Did something bad happen?"

"No."

"Then what?"

"I'll tell you later… can you just let it go for now?" – Of course I couldn't, not with my mom's stubborn genes in me. I was just about to speak when I heard something move just behind us, but before I could panic, I felt the musky scent of Quil and Embry. Jacob quickly put me down and nodded to the two approaching wolves; they nodded back and went behind the trees to phase back.

"Are we interrupting?"

"How long have you been eavesdropping?" – Casually asked Jacob. I watched in horror as Quil and Embry looked at each other with complete guilt and mischief on their faces.

"You were watching?!!!" – I shrieked out, completely disturbed by the idea; remembering all the times Jacob and I got carried away when alone. The fact that that could have happened a few moments ago and that they would have been actually watching, was completely embarrassing and alarming.

"Relax, we didn't see anything, we just heard your conversation from a distance."

"Way out of visual reach." – Assured Embry, obviously worried about how I might take their voyeurism.

I shook my head, trying to hide the smile that was creeping toward my face. It really was impossible to get mad at these guys, not when they were looking at me with goofy grins.

"So, to what do we own this displeasure?" – Asked Jacob, unlike me unable to hide his smile.

"Well, first of all… we honestly didn't mean to eavesdrop… we were just walking by and heard you guys talking and…"

"We were curious… to… you know…" – Embry was staring at his shoes, the goofy grin replaced by awkwardness.

"To find out whom you chose as your best man." – Quil finished, blushing slightly.

"But we heard you haven't picked… so that's fine… something else interested us."

"What?"

Quil and Embry glanced at each other, a tingle of excitement hitting their faces.

"Well, we want in… on the honeymoon thing that is."

"Come on you guys, you don't have to… a simple wedding present will do."

"But we'd like to make you an offer… at least consider it, please."

"I'd like that." – I smiled at them, getting a warm fussy feeling inside. They both smiled at me and turned to look at Jake for his approval.

"You heard the lady." – Replied Jacob, folding his arms and shaking his head at them; the huge grin finally making its appearance. – "Just promise to not go around stalking us, you might see something you wouldn't like."

I slapped Jake across the chest but he just gave me a mischievous look. –"What? It's true."

"Yeah… we didn't want to hear that." – Quil had a disgusted face on, more for show than anything else. –"So I guess I'll be leaving now… have to go say goodnight to Clair."

"Hey, we're going to New York for the weekend, you both are coming, just so you know to get ready."

"Cool." – He saluted us as if in the marines or navy or whatever and went behind a tree to phase, leaving us with only the sound of his paws in the distance.

"I should get going myself."

"Hey, you want to hang out tomorrow?" – It wasn't that Jake preferred to spent time with Embry instead of me, but lately he was trying to get in some quality time with him, feeling bad that both he and Quil were always ditching him for their imprints.

"Um… that's ok, you should be with Nessie."

"It's alright Embry, I'm hanging out with my best friend Amanda tomorrow anyway; she's helping me with some preparations."

"So… what do you say?"

"Um… I actually have some stuff to take care of… work stuff."

"You never work in the afternoon."

"Um, I know… but I have to finish a few things I'm behind on… so…" – Embry looked nervous and evasive, so it was obvious he was hiding something. Jake simply shrugged and dismissed it as nothing, but I knew better.

"Ok, fine."

"Ok, well… it's getting late… I'll see you Saturday."

After that, we decided to head back to the cottage, knowing we had a long three days ahead of us.

Thank you for sticking with me!!! Sorry for the delays, I'm thinking once the wedding gets here I'll be more inspired and write faster. Give me your feed back!!!