Chapter 35 anyone? Ok, so I do believe that the next chapter is going to be the last for this story! Holy bajeebles, I'm excited! And after this chapter, we all know what it's gonna be! I really hope I can get it done for you guys tomorrow so that I can start on the third. Oh and a few of you have PM'd me asking if I listen to anything in particular when I write. To be honest, usually I just let my iTunes go, but on the last chapter, there were two songs that just hit me hard. They were: 1) Not Gonna Die by Skillet and 2) 18 Days by Saving Abel. It was a powerful chapter that needed some powerful songs. So, anywhozzle! Enough with my ramblings! Onward!

*Disclaimer*

Please Enjoy!

RPOV

Shoving the door open with my hip, I balanced the plate piled high with food and the two glasses in my hands. Two days had passed since Jacob woke up, and all I wanted to do was take care of him even if it meant being away from his side for a few minutes to get him food. I closed the door with my foot and went for the bedside table.

Jacob was sitting up, having healed dramatically within the two days of his waking. The slices on his neck had closed up enough that Carlisle could take out the stitches, though moving too much still hurt. With Jacob having stayed still for so long, the sternum wound had healed thoroughly. The skin and meat underneath was perfect once more. Most of the bruises had lightened to the point where they were no longer visible. The scratches had disappeared.

Right now, Carlisle was going through some physical therapy stretches just to see that everything was still functioning properly. He'd asked all kinds of questions about how Jacob felt, was he able to use the restroom properly, did anything feel off. Jacob had motioned to his neck, but other than that he was fine, just really hungry. And that had been my queue to go get him something to eat

"Well," my grandfather said. "If you've been honest about all your answers, everything seems to be in order aside from your throat."

"He was," Dad said. When Jacob gave him a look, he held up his hands. "Hey, don't think that I liked intruding in your head while you were using the facilities. I just made a promise to my daughter and to you to look out for you. That's all I was doing."

Jacob rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"Be that as it may,"Carlisle continued with a chuckle. "I want you to keep resting. Don't overdo it. Maybe when the neck wound heals a bit more, you can phase. It'll probably help you heal faster."

Jacob nodded and then scribbled something on the small dry erase board we'd given him. It was more proficient than a notepad. Otherwise, there'd be paper balls everywhere. All he had to do with the board was erase it with a towel or his hand.

When he finally turned to board to Carlisle, he blushed. Carlisle chuckled while it was Dad's turn to give Jacob a look. Jacob just shrugged shamelessly.

"Well, that is true. It may help, as long as you're in working order. Again, I'd wait until you're a little more healed for that kind of activity depending upon the," he cleared his throat, "position, but I don't see it really hurting you unless you tried to talk before I feel it's time to try."

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

All the guys turned to me, each of them wearing a guilty expression as if they hadn't realized I was in the room. Maybe they hadn't. Dad and Carlisle were concentrating hard on Jacob as they ran him through tests.

"I think we'll let Jacob go over that with you. Perfect timing since I'm done, you brought food, and his stomach has been growling for the last ten minutes." Grandpa smiled as he walked over to me. He hugged me around the food, kissed my forehead, and then he was gone. Dad gave Jacob one last exasperated look before he also kissed my forehead, following Carlisle out of the room.

Jacob grinned over at me, his eyes going from the plate to me. Carlisle had said if Jacob were to have protein, no tough meats. So, I'd made him some chicken so tender it was almost melted. Garlic mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli, and other steamed veggies completed the meal. As well as two large glasses of sweet tea. I wouldn't eat or drink much but I'd brought up enough for three people because I knew he'd eat most of it.

He took the plate and glasses from me so that I could climb up onto the bed beside him. The chair had been taken out because I'd stopped using it. When I was settled in, he handed me the plate. For some reason, he liked it when I fed him, but I wasn't allowed to use silverware. He always glared at it as if it had offended him somehow whenever I brought it in.

So, picking up a piece of chicken, I brought it to his mouth. Grinning at me, he wrapped his lips around my fingers before taking the meat. Shaking my head, I scooped up some mashed potatoes. This time he licked my fingers clean with slow, deliberate movements. Watching his lips and tongue, air seemed hard to come by.

Taking a deep shaky breath, I shook my head again with a smile. "So, what did you ask Carlisle?" I asked him as a distraction. He was still healing, and didn't need that kind of obstacle. Opening my eyes, I saw that he had a piece of squash in his hand. He put it against my lips and I opened up. I made sure to caress my tongue over his finger.

While I chewed, he reached over for the board that was on the table on his side of the bed. He grinned again as he flashed it at me. Reading it, I almost choked on and spit out my food at the same time.

In his messy scrawl, he'd asked Carlisle if sex would also help him heal because of the rush of hormones.

Heat flooded my cheeks even though we'd made love countless times. "Oh you did not, Jacob Black."

The bed shook with his soundless laughter. I couldn't help but join in. Ever since he woke up, I had a smile plastered to my face. My heart just felt so light and alive.

Looking up at him, his grin died down into a softer smile and heat filled his eyes. He took the plate away from me to put it on the table. Cradling my face in his hands, he pressed his lips to mine in such a way that I knew he was telling me he wanted more. Reciprocating the kiss for only a moment, I pulled back, breathless.

"Jacob, you're still healing. That kind of movement isn't going to help."

With deliberate eye contact, he reached over, gripped my thigh, and pulled me over his lap so that I was straddling him. I caught his meaning and my body responded. Chills tripped down my spine, and my skin ached for his touch.

I shook my head. "Jake, are you sure about this? You've only been awake for two days. You heard Carlisle. It would be better to wait until you healed more."

Of course, he had a response to that. Holding up a finger, he reached for the board. Wiping it off, he scribbled something, and then flashed it to me.

Depending on the position. This way, you're doing all the work, not me.

Tossing my head back, I laughed. It was classic Jacob to find a way around obstacles. Another thought occurred to him and he scribbled again.

Unless you don't want to.

I completely melted. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I leaned in to press a kiss to his lips. "Of course, I do. Jacob, I will always want you no matter what." Heat filled his expression and I could feel his body respond under the sheet against me. "I just don't want to hurt you or for you to hurt yourself."

Gripping my hips, he pulled me harder on top of him and shook his head. You won't, he mouthed.

When his hardness pressed up into me, I had to close my eyes against the rush of pleasure and emotions. My body jerked a little when he unsnapped my jeans. Making up my mind, I raised up on my knees so that he could push the denim over my hips. Once they were down to my knees, it was kind of awkward, but we got them off eventually with much laughter. Once the jeans were off, he pulled my shirt over my head before his lips found mine again. My shirt hadn't even hit the floor before his hands were on me, all over, touching as much of my skin as he could. Eventually the bra and panties followed, as well as the sheet being pushed aside.

And then Jacob and I were skin to skin, lips to hips and lower. He didn't take time to stretch me with his fingers, and really, I didn't need it. I just wanted him as close to me as he could get. Close was inside me.

Rising on my knees again, I placed the head of him at my entrance and slowly slid down his shaft. When he was completely sheathed inside me, we both groaned. His hand buried into my hair, gripped my curls, and pushed my mouth to his. The other hand was at my hip, urging me to move.

Arching and swinging my hips, I danced over him. The pressure was so intense and electric that little shocks flicked over me. It became more intense when Jacob broke the kiss to flick his tongue over my nipple. Gripping the back of his neck, I held him tighter to me as I moved faster and harder over him. He managed to help out with small thrusts of his hips. His hand on my hip moved to the front of my core, to my sweet spot, and rubbed in circles.

My rhythm began to break. It wasn't going to be a long session. I'd been so worried and scared over the past couple weeks that my body craved something powerful, good, and nothing but love. Jacob and I making love was one of the most loving, good, and powerful things I'd ever felt in my life. I needed to know that he was here and that he could feel me, how much I loved him, needed him. Not just my heart and soul, but my body as well. He was the only man to ever turn me on, and would no doubt be the only man to ever take me this high. I prayed I'd never have to test the theory. This was perfect. Letting him go would have broken me beyond repair.

While I rode him, I dug my nails into the warm, bare skin of his shoulders, feeling the building pressure of pleasure in my lower belly. His mouth had moved to give attention to the other breast before moving over my heart. I knew what he meant to do, and I loved it. We hadn't marked each other in a while so I was definitely ready to start up that little tradition again.

Once he was done licking, sucking, and biting the skin over my heart, he raised his head with his eyes closed, breathing hard, chest rising quickly. He was close. Bending down, I licked each of his nipples, just a flick, before moving to the spot over his heart. The fingers he'd kept in my hair tightened while his thumb did something sinfully delicious at the juncture of my thighs. I bit harder than I'd intended but we were both too lost to the pleasure to care. I licked, nipped, and sucked his skin between my teeth making sure the mark would be as dark as possible.

Inside me, Jacob jerked. The instant pleasure brought my head up, breaths short, rapid. He was closer. The hand in my hair moved to my hip. His grip was hard, pushing and pulling me where he wanted me, harder, faster.

Just before I came, he pushed my head to his shoulder. At first I was confused, but then I realized that we were in a house full of vampires and werewolves. They knew what we were doing, of course, but he probably didn't want them to hear me shout out in pleasure.

One more stroke of his thumb against me had me spasming, biting his shoulder hard with a scream, nails breaking the skin of his shoulder and neck. He came when I bit him, voice barking out as he jerked inside me causing my orgasm to keep going.

Eventually, we were both sated, liquid, breathing heavily. Sweat covered us, but inactivity didn't cool us down. Jacob's skin was hot. I rested my forehead on his shoulder as he leaned back into the bed, arms wrapped tightly around me. We stayed like that for a long while, just enjoying the feel of life pouring through the other as we calmed down, our heart rates returning to normal. Well, what was normal for us.

Raising up, he lifted the sheet to cover both of us, and then pushed the button to lean the bed back so we were reclining.

Opening my eyes, I stroked his chest, staring at the rough skin in front of my face. Amazingly, the wound had healed even more over the course of the last couple hours. Maybe a couple days from now, he could try to talk.

The tip of my finger traced designs on the skin of his chest, his warm hand stroking up and down my spine.

"I love you, Jacob," I whispered, tears filling my eyes. I kissed his chest again over his heart. "So, so much."

His finger lifted my chin so that I could see when he mouthed, I love you, too, baby. So much.

One last kiss and I hunkered down into his side before dozing off.

His heartbeat was still the best lullaby I'd ever known.

JPOV

Nessie fell asleep first like she always did. I stayed up, watching over her, stroking her skin. It was just like every other night we'd spent together, but it had felt different. Tonight hadn't been just about sex for me, and I knew it hadn't been for her either. It had been about reconnecting, getting back in sync with each other. Now, I felt right. My soul was content, restful inside me.

The wolf was happy, too. He'd been dying to reclaim what was his, especially after remembering Tristan shoving her up against that tree, his naked body all over her. But now, even the memory wasn't enough to raise his hackles. We were back, and Nessie was ours once more, our scent on and in her.

She was my world. I'd always come back for her. And she would always find a way to help pull me back.

Sighing with pleasure-induced exhaustion, I pulled her tighter to me, slipped deeper into the hospital bed, and drifted off with my mate's mint and honey scent in my nose.

RPOV

With a jolt, I woke up. Moonlight was streaming through a crack in the curtains, a line cutting over Jacob's chest. Not sure what woke me, I sat up a little pressing the sheet to my chest. I didn't see anyone in the room. Chalking it up to a weird dream that I didn't remember, I went to cuddle back into Jacob's side when I felt a tap on my shoulder.

Swallowing my scream, I jerked around to find Aunt Alice standing over me with an apologetic smile.

"Sorry. You've been sleeping all day. I really need to talk to you about something though."

Wiping the sleep from my eyes, I sighed. "Can't it wait?"

"Not really."

I groaned quietly. "Ok. Let me get some clothes on. I'll meet you in the hall."

"There's a robe in the bathroom," she whispered.

"Thanks."

I waited until the door quietly clicked shut behind her before easing my way off the bed. It was sturdy and didn't shake as I did a little hop to get off of it. The room was chilly so I quickly tip-toed to the bathroom for the robe. Thank goodness it wasn't silk. It was flannel.

I checked on Jacob before going out. He was still fast asleep. Only the snoring had stopped, a frown forming between his eyes. I smiled. He knew I was gone.

Teeth chattering, I closed the door most of the way. I was paranoid, so just in case, I left it open a little so I could hear inside the room clearly.

"What's up, Aunt Alice?"

She looked sympathetic. "I'm sorry to have to ask you this, but it's kind of getting last minute. But...what are you going to do about the wedding?"

My eyes bugged out of my head. "What?! You didn't cancel it after Jake got hurt?"

Shrugging, she said, "I didn't think he'd be out that long. But nevertheless, I need to know. I mean, there's nobody coming in from out of town, but there is the caterer, the dj."

I gave her a bored look. "Aunt Alice, the dj is a kid that goes to the high school on the rez. I'm pretty sure he'd understand. And the caterer? Come on. Emily and the pack are doing the baking and grilling." I sighed, suddenly understanding why she was throwing in unimportant things. "Really, I appreciate it. And no, I don't want to cancel my wedding, but, Aunt Alice, I have to. Jacob isn't healed completely, and I don't want him to-"

My aunt cleared her throat. "Um, hi, Jacob."

Spinning, I found Jake in the doorway in a pair of boxers that I'd brought him. His arms were crossed over his chest. A scowl darkened his features along with a raised eyebrow.

"Jacob! What are you doing out of bed?"

He gave me the same expression I'd just given my aunt. The "really?" look. Then, reaching forward, he gripped my hand, pointed at my ring, and shook his head.

"I know, Jake. We can't have the wedding, but it's ok. I'd rather you be healthy than-"

He shook his head fiercely, anger replacing the scowl.

"What?"

With my hand still in his, he used the other hand to point at the ring, then give a thumbs up.

"I think he's trying to say that the wedding is still on," Aunt Alice said in astonishment.

Jacob nodded fervently with a smile.

I laughed, but not like it was funny. "Jacob, you're still hurt. The twentieth is less than a week away. There's no way we could tie up all the loose ends by then."

When Jacob got a frustrated look on his face like he was thinking something and waiting for an answer, Aunt Alice shifted on her feet and said, "Well, actually…"

I turned to her, my hand still in Jacob's. "Well, actually, what?"

A second later, Dad appeared in the hallway, eyebrows raised, gaze searching all of our expressions. Jacob looked relieved, and I realized that he'd been mentally calling for my dad.

"Aunt Alice, answer the question," I demanded.

She grinned, bouncing on her toes. "I took care of all the loose ends the first time Jacob got hurt. Back in September. Everything is ready, Ness. All we need is for everybody to show up."

My jaw dropped. "But what if I'd cancelled it, like I'm trying to do right now?"

Again, those shoulders lifted in a shrug. "Then we'd cancel it and set another date. But as of right now, everything is prepared and ready to go."

I was still staring at her when Jacob squeezed my hand. When I looked over at him, he smiled gently.

Dad cleared his throat. "Uh, he's asking that I talk for him. But he's saying that he'll be ready by then. Already, after...today, he feels a thousand times better." He looked uncomfortable as he obviously tried not to glare at Jacob. "He also says that on that day he'll talk no matter what Carlisle says."

I met Jacob's dark eyes and hoped. Becoming his wife was my ultimate dream right now. I wanted to belong to him in every way, and this was the last step. But I didn't want him to hurt himself with all the exertion.

"Nessie, sweetie," Dad said, stepping up close to us, "I have to agree with Jacob. The way his body is regenerating is amazing. In a couple days, he'll be as good as new. Whether or not his voice fully returns, we know something works. He's kind of spoken since he's woken up. You know that, sweetie." Jacob had been able to rasp monosyllable words like 'yes' and 'no', but it never got above the softest of whispers. If I hadn't been half vampire, I never would have heard it. I wasn't quite sure that counted as talking.

I looked over at him. "You want us to get married, don't you?"

His hands cupped my face. "Of course I do, baby. If you're dead set on it not being now, then I guess we'd have to call it off. But tell me, what does your heart say? Forget logic. Love will always win over logic. I learned that a long time ago with your mother. Trust it."

Wracking my brain, I stared from him to Jacob. Dad stepped back to let Jacob move in. He cupped my face like my father had, but it was a totally different feeling.

"Are you sure, Jacob? I don't want to be selfish with this. If you need time to recover, then we can always pick another date."

He shook his head.

"No to another date?"

He nodded.

"Yes to now?"

He nodded again, this time with a grin.

"Sure?"

Rolling his eyes, he kissed me softly.

Licking my lips, I nodded. "Ok. Let's get married."

His grin blinded me.

JPOV

I couldn't really believe it. Nessie and I were getting married in a matter of days. I hadn't even thought about the wedding since the first time I'd gotten hurt. And now? I was going to become her husband in three days. Three freaking days!

I'd meant what I said to her. I'd be ready. I already knew my vocal chords were fine. I'd been able to talk, with growing strength, to Edward and Carlisle. I just hadn't wanted to let Nessie know. Not yet. I loved hearing her voice fill the silence. She just talked and talked. The sound of her voice kept me calm, letting me know I was still alive. Yeah, maybe that was wrong, but it would be perfect for her to hear my first strong words to be the two words that bound me to her forever. Disgustingly, hopelessly romantic, but I could handle that as long as it made her smile.

Right now, we were in the recovery room where I'd been moved. Nessie was beside me, rubbing my scalp with her nails. We'd just woken up after going back to sleep after the decision had been made. We'd come in here, made love one more time, and then fell asleep wrapped around each other.

Bella had just taken our breakfast plates away, ignoring Nessie's objections. Nessie had been nothing if not relentless in her need to take care of me, to clean up after me, since I woke up from my coma-nightmare-thing.

There was a knock on the door.

Nessie looked at me with raised eyebrows. I nodded.

"Come in," she called.

A moment later, the door burst open. Henry came busting through with a gigantic grin on his face. Rebecca was in the doorway, laughing at her son.

"Unca Daycob!"

He tried to climb up onto the bed but in the end Nessie had to pull him up. Energetically, he crawled across her to climb into my lap.

"Remember, Henry," Becca called. "Be easy. And also, he can't speak just yet, ok? I know you're happy he's awake, but you have to be gentle, like you are with Leila."

"Otay, Mommy," he said with a serious face. When he turned to me, he held his arms out. "Hug!"

Laughing silently, I pulled him up. He landed hard on my chest, but it didn't bother me. The throat wound was just a bunch of angry red welts. Carlisle had said that the sex and being close to Nessie had actually had a huge improvement for me. In three days, my skin would be cleared up. I'd be able to phase before then, hopefully tomorrow. Or that was the plan. If Nessie was up for it, there may be another "session", and that would help. Of course, I wasn't using her for the sex. I loved being with her. It was just a huge added bonus that the imprint helped heal us. Another reason to protect the imprints above ourselves.

Little fingers played in my hair at the base of my neck. I purred for him which made him giggle. He pulled back enough so that he could see my face. Without warning, he leaned forward to plant a sloppy kiss on my mouth. Nessie and Rebecca laughed.

"Hey, baby brother," Becca said.

I waved to let her know that I heard her.

Her face became very stern. "Don't you ever do that to us again, do you hear me, Jacob Black?"

"Uh-oh," Henry said into the side of my neck.

"So help me, if you ever give me a heart attack like that again, I will…" her eyes went to Henry. "Well, you know what I'd do myself." She dropped her eyes, which had been filling with tears. "We can't afford to lose another Black, especially you. There are too many people counting on you."

Nessie reached out to take her hand. "It's ok, Becca. Claire and I won't let him leave us."

Speaking of Claire, Henry had sat down in my lap and had started playing with the bracelet on my right wrist. The night after I'd woken up, I'd asked and Nessie had told me about everything that had happened. I owed Claire something serious for pushing that faith and hope back into Nessie. If she hadn't, I'd probably still be in that nightmare.

"Uncle Jacob!" Again, speaking of Claire.

She was in the doorway, grinning. Her long black hair was done in a braid that flowed over one shoulder, a headband holding back her bangs. Walking around the bed, she came to the side that Ness wasn't sitting on so that she could scooch in next to me. I raised my arm so she could cuddle into my side. Her little arms wrapped around my middle.

"I missed you so much!" she said, squeezing me. I rubbed her back in return. She leaned back so that she could meet my eyes. "You're the only one who can handle me. Don't go away like that again." She buried her face into my side while I chuckled.

Caden and Leah showed up next. I had plenty of questions. None of which needed to be asked nor answered in front of the kids. Edward and Bella were followed by the rest of the Cullens. Some of the pack filtered in as well. Morgan and Lucas went to stand in the far corner. Christa wrapped her arms around herself, looking sad and happy at the same time.

"Ok, kids," Becca said. "Let's go start making lunch for everyone, ok? Uncle Jacob and Aunt Nessie need some adult time with the family."

Claire didn't like it, grumbling, but moved anyway. Before she bounced off the bed, she leaned up to kiss my cheek. I pressed a kiss to her forehead. Henry wouldn't let go of my shirt and start screaming as soon as Becca pried him off me. Secretly, I liked that he wanted me that much. But he was my nephew so of course I liked it.

But Rebecca had been right. We all needed to talk. I looked to Edward after the door closed behind the kids.

"Alright, everyone," he said, shushing everyone. "Jacob has some questions."

What happened to Tristan and Nyla?

Edward asked the question. Caden cleared his throat.

"Tristan got away, but not without some serious damage. Some of his wolves came back. They pulled me away from him and ran with him. It's going to take him a long time to heal. I tore him up pretty good for what he did to you."

My gaze meeting his amber one, I felt a flood of emotion, a sense of brotherhood, between us. I nodded to him in thanks.

Caden nodded back. "You all are my family now. I owe all of you, especially you, Jacob. You gave me a home, and you are now a brother to me. I couldn't not let him suffer for what he did."

Thank you. When Edward repeated it, I asked, What happened with Nyla?

After Edward voiced the question, Christa and Morgan stepped forward. They shared a glance. Then looked at Caden.

"Where did she learn to fight?"

He shifted guiltily. "She was trained in martial arts."

Morgan glared at him. "Gee, thanks for the warning. She kicked our asses. I had her pinned and everything, but she wiggled a hand free. Bitch stabbed me with those fucking claws."

Someone snorted on the other side of the room. Everybody moved so that I could see Shelby. Her belly was noticeably rounded out, way more than it should have been. Nessie had told me what Carlisle had said. At this rate, she'd be ready to give birth very early next year, maybe even at the end of this year.

"Yeah, she was the one who killed Jordan and infected me. I really wish that bitch would just die already. I don't care how. I just want her life for Jordan's. He was a good man," she said, rubbing her belly. Seth moved up behind her to wrap her in his arms.

We'll get her, I thought. Edward repeated.

Shelby smiled over at me. "I sure hope so. Jordan needs to be avenged."

I knew what she was thinking. Jordan's death was her fault, which was bullshit. Nobody was at fault except Nyla and fucking Jane. I also knew that Shelby wanted to be the one to rip Nyla apart. And if we got the chance, I'd throw the bitch at Shelby's feet myself. After this last episode, all the mercy I may have had was gone. Anyone or thing still following Tristan was going to die, especially Tristan himself. I was done. All the wolves that we'd captured had made their choices. They were being treated with good hospitality in their prison cell: hot meals, cold water, blankets. Hell, a shower and bathroom had even been built inside of it.

Last question. Have we heard anything from Walker?

After Edward repeated the question, everyone either looked to Embry or to Christa. Christa looked as if she were about to burst into tears, so Embry stepped forward.

"No word from him, but we've been sending teams out to search just in case. Tricia doesn't think he's here or dead. She thinks he went to their cousin's house in northern California. She said they're pretty close, someone he trusts. Also, she thinks he'll come back after he cools his head. Apparently, he does that a lot. Goes off to cool down and then comes back to face whatever he needs to face."

I nodded. Keep with the teams just in case. Nobody needs to be alone whether they're coming or going. Caden, are you and Leah still planning to leave?

Edward repeated everything I said. Embry nodded, then excused himself.

Leah stepped up to stand with her mate. He wrapped an arm around her waist. "Yeah. Something tells me this still isn't over. Jacob, Tristan told me that Jane disappeared. He has no idea where she is. And before you think it, no, he wasn't lying to me. He's never been able to lie to me. Something is still going on with those royals of yours. I'd rather be safe than sorry."

I nodded. Looking over at Nessie, I took her hand.

I want you to leave as soon as possible, but after the wedding.

When Edward didn't immediately repeat my thoughts, I gave him a "go ahead" look. He sighed.

"Jacob said that he wants you to leave as soon as possible...but only after the wedding."

A gasp floated around the room. Apparently, some people didn't eavesdrop. Nessie and I grinned.

"Yep," she said, beaming. "The wedding is still on and in three days. I fully expect everyone to be there. No 'if', 'ands', or 'buts'."

"Hell, yeah!" Morgan cheered.

Everybody else joined in with growling, howling, or catcalls. Before leaving, they all congratulated us as they walked out the door. As happy as I was, I couldn't help but agree with Caden. This didn't feel over. And it wouldn't until Jane and Tristan were dead. There was also no saving Nyla. If she got within reach of Shelby, she wouldn't be breathing much longer.

Nessie's finger rubbing between my eyes brought me out of my morbid thoughts.

"Stop," she said. "We will deal with it when it comes. Right now, we have a wedding to be excited and nervous over. No matter what happens next, we'll do it as husband and wife, ok?" She cuddled up into my side but kept her gaze steady on mine. "I want you to promise something for me."

I nodded. What?

"These next three days? All happy, ok? Please. You heard Caden. Jane is off running around somewhere else and Tristan is too hurt to do anything. They could have killed him when they took Tristan, but they didn't. It was for a reason. Their leader was hurt badly." She gripped me hard around the waist. "Let's just not worry for now. We need a moment of not just happiness, but joy. Even if it's the only joy we know, at least we'll have something to hold onto."

Staring at her, I thought, God I loved this woman. Every day I loved her more and more. She always surprised me with her strength, her ability to prioritize in a way that made sense. Wrapping my arm around her shoulders, I pulled her close to kiss her forehead. Pressing my cheek against her hair, I nodded my promise.

She held out her pinky in front of me.

Smiling, I hooked mine around hers.

Not feeling the need for more talk, we laid like that until Claire came to grab us for lunch.

On our way down, she told us to be careful of all the wedding stuff or Alice might do something bad. Nessie and I had laughed until we actually saw what she meant. Garment bags hung from every doorway and doorknob. Two of them were set apart from the others. One white, one black. The white one was a lot bulkier than any of the others, and I guessed that that was Nessie's dress. Temptation flooded through me as I started imagining what she'd look like as she walked down the aisle toward me. Keeping my promise was not going to be difficult. Invitations, programs, photo albums, cameras, and various other things littered the entire downstairs of the house along with shoes and bouquets of flowers.

Nessie and I shared a look as we entered the kitchen. Alice was serious.

"Jacob!" Esme called from the stove. As she beamed at me, I realized that she hadn't visited me. Or at least, not when I was awake. "Lunch is ready. I would have made you a steak but Carlisle said no, so it's chicken again. Sorry."

My stomach rumbled as I leaned in to kiss her cheek. She turned back to the stove looking as if she'd blush is she were able.

"You're welcome," she said happily. And then she glanced at Nessie. "Oh, you poor dear. You look thin. You need to eat more."

Nessie laughed on her way to fridge. "I am really hungry actually. Is there any of that blood left?"

Lucas darted into the kitchen so fast I thought he'd run. "Nope, but I can go hunt something down for you."

"Oh, no, you don't have to-"

Too late. He was already out the door before she could finish. We shared a look and a shrug. Morgan walked in shaking her head.

"He'd been running around all day trying to make people happy." She frowned. "I think he's scared of Alice."

Nessie and I both nodded in understanding.

"That's a good precaution," Ness said as Morgan followed him out.

When lunch was served on the large dining room table, we all gathered around it. Nessie stayed in my lap "to make more room". Wedding talk flooded the space. Everything from colors to dresses to future wedding predictions flew through the jubilant air. We fed each other as we listened to our family and pack throw jabs and jaunts around.

I was so ready for this, as was everyone else apparently. When the topic of a honeymoon crept up, however, I looked around for an answer because I didn't have one. Edward was standing in the corner. Grinning, he nodded at me.

"I've got that covered," Alice yelled from the living room. "And no! I am not telling you. I will say it's not an island."

"Don't worry," Rosalie said peeking around the doorframe. "You'll love it. I kept her tame."

"Thanks, Aunt Rose," Nessie said as I nodded to her.

She grinned, then disappeared. "I'm trying to figure out how to do your hair." I opened my mouth, but knew nothing could come out when Rosalie continued, "I know, I know. It has to stay down. But in what down style? Hmmm." And then her voice drifted off.

We were all quiet for a moment, just smiling at each other when…

"Man, I could go for some fish right about now."

Shelby scowled as we all laughed before going back to the topic of weddings.

I kissed Nessie's temple, so ready to make her my wife.

Meh-heh! Soooooo...who's ready for the next chapter?! I know I am. And the honeymoon? Sorry, but you won't find out until the next installment! Ha! Talk about an open question. But I do it because I love you guys. Just remember that often times, I don't know anymore about the next chapter than you do. I just write what comes to me while I'm at my computer. Anyways, I love you guys lotz, and I suppose I'll see you tomorrow, hopefully. (fingers crossed!) xoxoxoxoxo