Chapter Five
Nessie's POV
Don't let me trip, Daddy. I thought to him as I heard the music drift from downstairs. That was our cue to begin our descent.
Bex and the Gasman stepped in front, taking the steps two at a time even though they were supposed to be setting the pace for the rest of the bridal party. I could hear laughter from downstairs as they reached the bottom step. Angel and Seth walked down much more gracefully.
Iggy and Leah each had their faces facing the opposite direction of each other. I had to bite back a laugh. Their vampire and werewolf senses were making it hard for them to take the steps slowly and they parted the second they reached the front of the isle.
Nudge and Embry were more civilized, though it looked like Nudge was talking to herself in her head because her hair was bouncing from side to side. I had seen that look too many times before…usually after someone told her not to talk.
"I have you." Edward whispered, gently guiding me down the stairs.
Max and I had flipped a coin to see who would have to walk first and the traitorous quarter sided in Max's favor. Now, all eyes were on me as she waited upstairs.
I spotted Sue sitting with Charlie and Billy. Rachel was amongst the pack, mainly Paul, and Rebecca (who I have only met once) was on Billy's other side.
Renee and Phil were in the front, having been invited by Bella to see Edward's 'niece' get married. I saw Renee glance at me and Edward before flicking her eyes to Bella with horror.
"Don't worry about that." My father whispered, sensing my thoughts. I knew that he knew that I knew that Renee didn't believe I was his niece but I wasn't going to let that ruin my wedding.
I scanned the crowd, trying to see if I could recognize Max's family members. I saw a forty-something woman with dark hair and Max's eyes was sitting next to the slightly more Hispanic version of Max. Ella and Dr. Martinez.
A scrawny (compared to the wolves) boy with thick black hair, Hispanic skin tone, and brown almost black eyes was sitting next to Ella. He had his hand in hers and she had a constant blush on her face.
I reached the front of the alter just as Max was making her descent and I smiled at my Jacob. Edward placed my hands into Jake's and went to sit down next to the rest of the Cullens (besides Carlisle who was performing the ceremony.)
I could tell that the crowd was focused on Max and her father so I took the opportunity to give Jake a quick peck on the lips. He smiled at me even though I knew he wished we could continue.
Jeb placed Max's hands in Fang's and I momentarily wondered why Fang flinched. The thought left my mind as soon as Carlisle started to read the usual ceremony stuff. In all honesty, I wasn't paying one lick of attention even though I knew I probably should.
My mind was too focused on what I was going to say. All four of us had decided to write our own vows so it was going to be a giant tear fest when we were done.
Suddenly, the room was quiet and Jake squeezed my hands. "Your vows, Ness." He whispered, though most of the room heard and chuckled.
"Oh, yeah, um." Brilliant, no? I cleared my throat and started again. "Jacob William Black, from the moment I was born, I knew you were mine. As I grew, so did our relationship. Now I am very happy to get to call you my almost-husband because it means we'll have the rest of forever and no one can take you away from me."
Jacob looked like he had tears in his eyes, but it could have been the lighting. "Renesme Carlie Cullen, from the first time I laid eyes on you, I was hooked. It was love at first sight to the extreme in a way that startled me. You have no idea how much it means to me that you accepted my proposal. I have always wanted nothing but happiness for you and the fact that you are allowing me to be the one to bring you that joy is the greatest gift imaginable. I would walk through fire for you, Ness, and I can't wait to call you a Black."
I blushed as he said that and sent him a thousand 'I love you's with my gift.
Carlisle motioned for Fang and Max to exchange vows and I listened intently, even though I never once took my eyes off of Jake's.
"Nickolas Fang," Max began (using the legal name that we were putting on their marriage license even though they were taking Max's last name). "this mushy stuff is hard for me, but you should know how much I love you by now. Every time our family was separated, it was you that I missed. When we got in a tight bind, it was you that I wanted to have my back. I don't want to live without you, Fang, and there's no way that I ever could. You're a part of me."
"Maximum Ride, you are the most stubborn, hot headed woman on the planet. You're bossy and loud and always putting others' needs above your own even when it is incredibly stupid to do so…but that's why I love you." I heard Fang say and I blinked. He had never shown so much emotion before. "You are the best leader, friend, and girlfriend that I've ever had, but I can't wait to make you my wife so everyone will know that I'm the luckiest guy in the world."
"Nick and Jacob, do you take Max and Renesme to be your wives?" I heard my grandfather ask and Jake and Fang both said "I do" eagerly. Well Jacob sounded eager.
"Do you, Max and Renesme, take Nick and Jacob to be your husbands?" Carlisle asked and I heard Max say "I do" at the same time I did.
Before Carlisle could get the "you may now kiss the brides," Jake leaned in and captured me in a kiss. The crowd laughed at his eagerness and Carlisle just continued with the ceremony for Max and Fang's sake.
"I know pronounce you man and wife." Carlisle announced. "You may now kiss the brides."
