Second Chances

Disclaimer: Oh, no! I don't own nothing, sir!

AN: So, I apologize for the delay in posting this story. I had to rewrite it and I decided to finish it in the next four chapters. I wrote the wedding and I must say that I am quite smitten by it. I also posted pictures of how I imagined Em's and Madie's wedding in my profile... So check them out and I hope that you like them!

I do, Part II

Embry's POV

It was a magical evening; the sun's light filtered through the giant windows of the church, as if it was giving us its blessing. The church that had been chosen by Ashleighe, Madison's mother, was beautifully decorated with red flowers and candles.

"Dude, calm down!" Jake whispered happily. "You are finally going to be a married man! Just a couple of minutes more and you'll have her in your arms forever."

"Dude, I am so nervous," I whispered back.

"Why?" Quil mumbled.

I looked back and glared at him. "Why? Quil, I am getting married! I am going to be a father in about less than six weeks and you ask me why I'm nervous." I hissed at him in a low voice.

"I'm sorry," Quil said. "I haven't seen Claire-bear and I was just too…"

"You'll be alright, Em." Jake interjected. "You are a pro at making Madison happy. You'll do great. You'll be a great father, Em. So relax and enjoy this day."

"Thanks," I said, grinning at my best friend. "I needed to hear that."

"Don't worry. You'll be a great husband and father, Embry." Sam whispered from the church pews.

"The best!" Jared whispered after Sam. I had to laugh. My pack brothers were part of my family and having them there with me, giving me support and sharing this special occasion was the best. I was glad that I had family that supported me. I sighed, as I waved to my mother and waited impatiently for my bride-to-be to enter the church.

"Brides are always late." the minister said kindly. "Don't worry, son. You are doing the right thing."

"Thanks," I said, nodding at the minister.

I wasn't a religious man, but it felt good to have an ordained pastor tell me that I was doing the right thing. Today, I was questioning every aspect of my life. I was afraid that I was making a mistake. I knew that my Madison was my life, but was a wedding the right thing for us? I mean, was I prepared for a lifetime commitment like this?

My questions were all answered when the front double doors of the church propped open and the bridesmaids began to trail down the aisle, at the rhythm of the music. I was grinning widely, when I saw Emily and Kim, looking lovely in their dresses.

Emily and Kim were the bridesmaids and Leah was Madison's maid of honor. It was logical, since Leah was Mercury's fiancée and soon to be Madison's sister-in-law. They were dressed in matching strapless dresses that coordinated with the wedding décor. Quil suggested that Claire be the flower girl and Madie loved the idea, so Quil's little imprint became the flower girl. She was dressed in a beautiful white dress, with a red ribbon around her little waist.

Emily's sister had to guide the little flower girl down the hall. "No, Claire, don't eat the flower petals, sweetie." her mother said.

I turned my head to give Quil a sideway glance; there was so much pride in his eyes. I knew that I was ready for this. I wanted this with all my heart. Madison and I were meant to be together. She was destined to be mine.

"No, mama, I wanna do wit!" Claire yelled, causing her mother to let her daughter run down the aisle. "Qwil! Look, Qwil! It's me Clware!" she said happily, placing the basket filled with petals on the floor, as she waved her little hands at Quil.

"She's an attention grabber." Jake teased.

Quil was smiling and waving at his imprint. She continued to run rambunctiously around the podium, screaming to get Quil's attention. Sam had to get up from his seat to grab her.

"Come, Claire, you are a big girl now. You don't want to make Quil angry, do we now?" he said softly to the toddler. She shook her head and pouted at her uncle. "Good, girl! Now let's throw those petals to make way for the bride, OK?"

Claire nodded and smiled brightly at Sam. "Clware is pretty fower gel." she smiled, as she picked up the basket and started throwing the flowers.

"Claire is the most beautiful flower girl in the world." Sam confirmed, kissing the little girls nose.

"Isn't Seth a little too big to be a ring bearer?" Quil asked, stifling a laugh, when we saw Seth walking down the passageway, holding a small white pillow with red embroidery around it and two silver wedding bands, tied together in the middle.

"Blame Madison." I said, as I watched the happy punk walk down the aisle, smiling proudly. "At least he's smiling."

Seth was the ring bearer, because Madison begged him to be. He gladly accepted, because he didn't want to make Madie or the baby sad. I was ok with it, as long as my princess was happy, so was I. I only had one petition and it was to have my two best friends in my wedding: Jake and Quil. They were both my best men.

"I can't stand seeing Paul and my sister together." Jake gritted, when it was Paul's and Rachel's to walk down the aisle.

Paul and Rachel were the "sponsors" or the "godparents" of our wedding. I really didn't understand the concept behind having godparents in my wedding, but it was part of Madison's Spanish heritage and I only wanted Madison to be happy. Everyone was anxious to see the bride. I was dying to see my princess, march down the aisle, ready to unite her life with mine. My hands were sweaty and suddenly, the church got too hot.

The minister stood beside me and cleared his throat. He placed a hand on my shoulder and smiled at me. "Are you ready, son?"

I nodded and returned the smile. "I am!" I said determined.

I was smiling at my mother. She was wiping her tears as she waved at me. John, her new boyfriend squeezed her hand and kissed her cheek.

The wedding guests stood up, when the string quartet began to play "Here Comes the Bride", as my precious bride appeared through the double doors that led inside the church. I held my breath, as I anxiously watched her. It was sad to know that Madison's father didn't want anything to do with her. Her brothers Mercury and Manuel were the ones that were walking her down the aisle. The wait was greater than my own anticipation. With every step that she took, I concluded and confirmed that my decision to marry her and be with her forever was the correct thing to do. We could do this. We were ready. If Madison was ready and willing to have me in her life; then so was I!

She was a like a beautiful vision in a white dress with red embroidery around the hem. . Her long black hair cascaded down her back and soft curls decorated her cherub face. I couldn't control my heart. It wanted to run to her and never leave her side. She was a dream come true; Madie-baby was going to finally become my wife. I was anxious to say "I do".

When they finally arrived to the end of the stretch, Manuel and Mercury kissed their sister and gave their consent for me to marry her. She took my hand and I could feel her tremble under my touch. She looked radiant and elegant. She veered her head to the side and smiled down at her mother.

"Thanks," she whispered and then turned to face me.

"I love you," I said, kissing her gloved hand and giving it a gentle squeeze.

"I love you, too." she choked happily.

The exchange of vows was short and sweet. We promised to love each other, until death separated us. She promised to be there for me and keep me on my toes, whenever I started to slack. It was beautiful. I know that I am a man, but a man in love is like a poet. I couldn't pretend that I wasn't happy. I was excited to leave the church a married man. Being with her was all that mattered. I didn't need a piece of paper to let her know that I thought she was my world. I wanted her to have the security that I was serious, when I asked her to marry me. I wanted our son to be legitimate. I didn't want him to suffer, because of his status in society as a bastard. I didn't want that for my child or for its mother. I wanted to do everything the right way.

When it was time for the reception, Madison started to complain of lower back pain. Our first dance as husband and wife was postponed for a few minutes, until the aspirin that she had took effect. I was worried, when I saw her beautiful face turn in pain. She tried to hide it, but I knew her better than that.

"Let's go to the hospital." I said worriedly.

She shook her head and winced in pain. "I am fine, don't worry." she said, forcing a smile. "Look, let's just enjoy the wedding. Come on, let's go dancing. I am feeling much better." she said, as she put on a brave smile.

"Wait here, Madison." I said, kissing her forehead and walking towards her mother. Ashleighe was chatting with my mother and they were already planning Madison's baby shower. "Ashleighe, I think that you should come here." I said, smiling at my mother and then focusing on Ashleighe.

"What's wrong, Embry?" she said, placing a cold hand on my arm. "Are you alright?"

I nodded and pointed towards Madison. "She's complaining of lower back pain and is in a lot of pain." I said, staring at Madison, who was surrounded by her bride's maids and Seth. "I want her to go to the hospital, but she refuses to go."

"She is stubborn like a mule!" Ashleighe said and excused herself.

"I have a feeling that she'll soon be going into labor." my mother said, as she linked her arms with mine. "Look at her lovely face… she is in a lot of pain."

"I know, but she won't listen to me." I said, as we walked towards Madison's table.

"Baby," Ashleigh said to her daughter. "We have to get you to the doctor. I don't want anything to happen to you or the baby. Please, sweetie, pay attention to Embry."

"But the wedding," she whined. "I wanted to say goodbye to everyone. It's not fair, Mom!"

"Sweetie," Ashleigh said, kneeling by her daughter. "You already cut the cake and took your pictures. Leah caught the bouquet, your wedding is pretty much done, honey."

Madison sulked and then stared up at me. "Your son had to ruin our moment." she smirked, placing her hand on her stomach. "OK, let's go to the emergency room. This pain is killing me!" She held out her hand and I took it. "Let's go and bring our baby into the world!"