Chapter Twenty Three

When they reached the car, Tanya dug out a hairbrush and tried to tame the mess her curls had become, with little success. Grabbing her bag, she strutted into the restroom and cleaned up as best she could, washing her face and pulling her hair into a ponytail. She was going to change, until she realized that the only other thing she had to wear was the dress she'd gotten married in.

When she returned, Jesse took pity on her and dug out the black dress shirt he'd worn when they got married and put it on her. It was long, nearly to her knees, but it was cleaner than what she'd been wearing. After rolling the sleeves several times, and buttoning it, she was ready.

Throwing him a grin, she said, "I'm sure I look ridiculous."

Jesse shook his head. "You look beautiful. You should really take up wearing my clothes more often..." a rakish grin broke out. "Preferably with nothing else." He winked and tossed the keys to her. "Why don't you drive us back?"

Tanya caught the keys one handed, startled. Then she grinned and walked by him, sashaying to the drivers side and climbed in. Adjusting the seat and mirrors, she started the car before he'd even gotten in. Once he had hopped in and slid the seat all the way back to accommodate his long legs, Tanya pulled the car out of it's spot and headed back toward Forks.

-

The car had driven like a dream. Pulling into the long drive that led to the Cullen house, Tanya smiled to herself. When she parked the car in front of the door, Jesse reached over and took her hand. She turned to meet his gaze and he smiled a bit. With his free hand, he brushed the tips of his fingers lightly over the scar that was on her neck.

"Are you ready for this?" he asked quietly before pressing a kiss to her palm.

Hesitantly, she nodded. "I think so. It's done and over with, and no one else had to get hurt. It's time to face the music."

Jesse laughed a bit. "Then lets get it over with."

Exiting the car, they laced their fingers together and slowly walked up the stairs to the porch. They paused at the door, Tanya exhaling an unneeded breath. As she lifted her hand to open the door, it was flung open. Drawing her hand back quickly, Tanya looked down into the amber gaze of Alice glaring up at her.

Though Tanya herself stood nearly a head taller than Alice, she took an involuntary step back from the pixie's wrath. However, it wasn't Tanya that Alice was now glaring daggers at. "You. You blocked me. We couldn't get there in time to help you! How could you do this?! You almost got Tanya killed!"

Jesse, for his part, stared the angry little vampire down. "I knew what I was doing, Alice. And no matter what any of you think, Tanya can hold her own, and I know that. The question is, do you? Besides Kate, Tanya is older than every one of us. Why would you even think she couldn't defend herself?" he asked calmly.

Alice hadn't moved, so they hadn't been allowed into the house. Carlisle appeared behind Alice and opened the door wider. "We all know Tanya can defend herself Jesse," he replied. "We were all worried about the both of you though, since you disappeared, only to reappear in Alice's visions when Tanya was going to be attacked."

Silently Alice allowed them to enter, and Tanya finally spoke up. "Don't blame Jesse. This is something that the two of us had to take care of. We didn't want any of you to be hurt is all." She had stepped inside, and Jesse followed, not letting go of her hand.

"Tanya –" Alice started, but was cut off.

"It's over. Amanda is dead. And no, neither of us killed her, though I'm sure Jesse would have, if he'd been given the chance," Tanya said firmly. "Now we have happy news to share, if you are all done worrying about the past?" Tanya looked around the room, until everyone nodded that they were done being overprotective.

"I told you she'd say yes," Alice said to Jesse in a stage whisper.

Jesse just looked at Alice and grinned before giving her a wink.

"Two nights ago, Jesse and I got married!" Tanya said.

While everyone else surrounded her to see the ring, Alice and Kate hung back. Alice turned accusing eyes to Jesse. "That's why you blocked me!"

Jesse shrugged with an apologetic look. "I'm selfish. Sorry."

Alice rolled her eyes, because he didn't sound sorry at all. "I could have made it perfect!" she wailed dramatically.

Esme looked up at her daughter. "Alice," she said sternly. "This was Jesse and Tanya's day! If that's how they wanted to do it, who are we to complain?"

Kate looked between Tanya and Jesse before making her way over to her brother in law.

Jesse took a step back warily. "You're not going to shock me, are you Kate?"

She couldn't help it, Kate burst out laughing. "The thought did cross my mind," she admitted between giggles. "But Esme is right. Who are we to say how you should to get married?" She stepped closer to him and wrapped her arms around him, before pressing a soft kiss to his cheek.

Jesse kissed her forehead and then accepted kisses on his cheeks from Carmen and a handshake from both Garrett and Eleazar. Finally, the Cullens, minus Alice, all congratulated him as well with hugs and handshakes. It seemed like forever before he was able to wrap his arm around Tanya's waist again.

She smiled up at him, her eyes dancing with happiness. Pulling him down for a quick kiss she then looked around for Alice. "Where did Alice go?" Tanya asked Jasper.

Jasper, who had hung back a bit, was now deep in conversation with Garrett. He looked up at Tanya. "She said she was going out," he replied.

Tanya sighed. "I'll be right back," she murmured to Jesse, and went out the back door. She didn't have to look far, she could see Alice sitting on a rock by the river. She walked over to her. "Alice, I'm sorry. But I wanted to know if you would put together a reception? I never intended to cut you out of everything!"

Alice looked at Tanya, her brow arched skeptically. After a moment, she smiled. "Do I get free reign?"

Tanya eyed her warily. "Um... within reason. Nothing too outrageous Alice."

Alice let her eyes glaze over a moment and then nodded. "Excellent. Give me a few days. And you better have your dress cleaned. Take Jesse's clothes to be cleaned too," she instructed.

Tanya laughed. "Okay then. You just let me know when and where, and I'll be there."

Alice chuckled, but her mind was already planning. "Yes, yes, off with you, I need to work."

-

The days flew by in a haze of delivery trucks and workers bringing in flowers, food and tables and chairs. When Tanya had questioned about the food, Alice had informed her that Jake's pack would be there. When Tanya looked like she was going to say something, Alice had merely told her that they would come because Jake would be there for Nessie.

The evening of the reception arrived, and Alice had made Tanya put on her dress again. Rosalie and Alice had done her hair. Once they had her hair cascading down her back in ringlets, they had told her to put her shoes and jewelry on while they went and changed.

All the guys were already downstairs. Jesse was dressed as he had been on their wedding night, and Tanya couldn't help the grin that came to her lips as she descended the stairs. The rest of them had all dressed up as well. Alice had sent Kate and Carmen out shopping in Seattle for proper clothes for them and their husbands. Jesse met her at the base of the staircase, and brushed a kiss against her lips. "Ready for this, Mrs. Macgillivray?" he asked quietly.

"I'm ready for anything with you by my side, Jess." She reached up and brushed some stray strands of hair off his forehead. "We did it our way, now lets let Alice have her fun," she said with a smile.

And have fun Alice did. The house, and the area outside where the dance floor and tables were set up were filled with flowers. The twinkle lights were strung up in the trees, and lanterns cast a soft glow about the entire area. Edward's sound system was set up in the corner, and he was playing music. Alice was at his side, picking out CDs. There was a table laden with food, and Tanya saw some of the wolf pack members filling their plates to heaping. That would explain why Alice ordered so much food when only a handful of guests would eat it.

When Alice announced it was time for the first dance, Jesse swept Tanya out to the dance floor. They moved fluidly with the music that Edward played. After that, it seemed that each of them danced with everyone. The endless string of their family trading them off during the songs was exhausting but fun. The highlight of dancing was watching little Nessie dance with Jacob.

By the time Nessie was drooping in Jake's arms, Tanya had decided Alice had done a wonderful job. "Thank you Alice," she said sincerely, hugging her close.

Alice smiled. "It was nothing Tanya. You, of all people, deserved this. I'm truly happy for you."

Tanya glanced over to where Jesse stood, talking with Garrett and Jasper. The three of them were really so much alike. "It was about time, wasn't it?" she asked with a smile.

"Yes, it was. Now go get your husband, and get out of here. It's time for you to go on your honeymoon," Alice said with a twinkle in her eye.

"Honeymoon?" Tanya looked confused.

"Oh come on Tanya, you didn't really think I'd let you get married and have a reception without a honeymoon did you? Go get Jesse. You're both packed, suitcases in the car. The tickets are in your carry on. Now get out of here," Alice grinned.

Tanya leaned down and kissed Alice's cheek before going to collect Jesse. "Thanks," she whispered. Then she made her way to Jesse, wrapping her arm through his. "Apparently we have a honeymoon to go on," she told him with a smile.

"Oh?" he replied as she led him away.

They were stopped by everyone offering hugs and kisses and well wishes.

"We'll see you at home, when you get back," Kate told her sister.

"I'll miss you Katie."

"No you won't, you'll be too busy. Now go!" she laughed.

Finally, they made it to Jesse's car. He opened the door for her, and helped her in before closing the door behind her and getting in the drivers side. Starting the car, they both waved to their family standing in front of the house. Then Jesse swung the car around and headed down the drive.

Reaching over, Tanya took his hand. "Have I told you how much I love you?" she asked him.

He looked over at her and grinned. "Not in the last twenty minutes. I waited a long time to find you Tanya. I'm so glad I did."

She laughed. "I'm glad you did too!" They were off to start this new chapter in their lives. Tanya wasn't sure where it would lead them, but they would face the future head on. Together.