Chapter 17: The Ceremony (revised)

**The Ceremony**

Renesmee heard her cue, when the Adagio began to play. Her father smiled at her and coaxed her forward.

Edward smiled at his daughters thoughts. Of all things Renesmee could be imagining at this moment, she recalled the first time she saw Jacob: When she was a baby his was the second face she ever beheld, over the shoulder of her aunt, there he was. His face played in her mind as her father led her down the stairs. Edward knew this was perfect.

In her memory, Jacob's eyes began to glow, Renesmee recalled, and hoped to see the same thing again. Turning the corner from the staircase to the hallway, her breath caught as she was about to see him as if for the first time.

Renesmee dropped her gaze to her feet as she descended the stairs from the house to the back, that were specially made for this occasion, she wanted this moment to be perfect, his was the face in her mind.

As her eyes rose there he was at the end of the isle: shining with love, brilliant in beauty, fierce in devotion and strong in character. Suddenly it all fit. The first time she saw him, she knew he was the one that was meant to be for her, forever, as she knew now, again, even more than when she had laid eyes on him for the first time in her life.

Where the backyard usually was had been transformed into a glass banquet hall. Glass walls and a glass ceiling surrounded them. Pillars of marble with flowers hanging off of them dotted the walls, but all Nessie could see was Jacob waiting for her and his smile and glow of pride.

Renesmee was thankful that she hadn't been successful in pushing him away, because now she understood, she would never be complete without him. She had heard his voice from when she was in the womb, and every time he came to the house something inside her became exited. They would be connected for all eternity.

Edward had the profound privilege of seeing it from Jacob's view as well.

She's all I've wanted since I first saw her. My heart was broken, my life was ending. All pain was forgotten with this little life. My heart is bound, my life is her. Everything I've done has been to lead me here. The love I had for Bella led me to find my way with Renesmee. My life is sworn to protect you my darling, my life, my love.

Jacob's eyes raised to see the woman he would love and protect as long as eternity would allow him. When their eyes locked, time and space stopped for him. In an instant Jacob saw all that would be. Their love, the meaning of their lives, the joy they would bring to each other and those around them. There was never a more beautiful creature that existed or would ever exist. Everything paled into insignificance next to this woman that was tied to his soul. His existence meant nothing without her. She was perfect and she was his.

Upon reaching him, Edward turned to his glowing daughter, overwhelmed by the beauty of the scene he had just witnessed from their eyes, and spoke softly his beloved daughter and her Jacob: "My darling daughter, you are part of my very being and I know that you are a part of each other the way Bella is a part of me. I love you both, and entrust you to each other."

Edward kissed Renesmee gently on her blushing cheek. "So beautiful," he said while placing Renesmee's hand on Jacob's waiting hand. "No son could make me more proud than you Jacob." Jacob's eyes locked with Edward and with the solemn look Jake made a silent vow to Edward.

There is no one that I would rather have as a father forever than you Edward. Even my own father Billy doesn't understand me the way you do. I will love and value you forever even as my own father. I promise to love, take care of and protect what you've entrusted to me with my life and, if it should be, with my death.

With the look they exchanged, they understood each other and Edward shook Jake's outstretched hand, with all the love and conviction his mind remembered from his frozen heart, and reciprocated what he could feel from Jacob's heart.

The tears in Renesmee's eyes made them glow their beautiful chocolate brown all the more.

Adagio continued to be played quietly by the violin as the ceremony began.

Renesmee concentrated on the sound of Jake's even and steady heart beat, while the minister spoke. She could only anticipate the moment when she would have to speak her vow of love; looking into Jacob's eyes calmed her nervousness.

She felt Jacob squeeze her hand when it was time and she breathed deeply looking into his eyes:

"The bride and groom will now share their personal statements and declarations," the minister said, directing his hand, "Renesmee."

"Jake you are love. You're my love and you are my best friend. I no longer feel fear, I am now confident."

Raising her hand to his face she continued, showing him in a montage memories corresponding with her next words:

"I looked for you and I remember the first time I saw your face. Yours is the one I dream of. You held me when I cried and comforted me when I was sad. You've shared my laughter and my tears and you entertained my obnoxiousness. I nearly lost myself, but your love has become the anchor of my heart and soul. As long as I have your love, I will never be adrift again. I was complete the moment I first heard your voice. I knew you immediately Jacob and you were the one I was looking for when I took my first breath of life. I'm glad you were standing right there."

The audience laughed a little at her statement, some knew what she meant others just understood her love.

"Our hearts are connected, and as long as we are, I will be for you." She placed her hand back in his and concluded: "Jacob I love you and I want to give you my future, I want to you to have my soul, my virtue and my heart. I want to belong to you. You are my everything."

Nessie let out a sigh of happiness and looked at the minister indicating she was finished.

"Jake, go ahead." He motioned.

"Renesmee, beautiful Renesmee. You fixed my shattered heart with the first look of your eyes. When I saw you heat of purpose spread through me. You saved my life. There will never be a day that I won't think of you. There will never be a day that I won't feel you. As long as you are alive, we will be together. No matter what happens. Whatever comes, we will face it together and I will love you every day of my life the way I love you now, until the day I die. Carry me in your heart Renesmee, carry me in your mind, and as long as you know that I love you, you will never have to fear anything. I will protect you, I will love you, I will comfort you, and I will carry you. You are my life and I love you with every fiber of my being, with every beat of my heart. You my life, my love, my wife." Jacob smiled, resisting the urge to kiss her right then, he turned to the minister.

"Do you Renesmee Carlie Cullen knowing this man's love for you and returning it, realizing his strengths and learning from them, recognizing his weaknesses and helping him overcome them, take Jacob Black to be your lawfully wedded husband for as long as you both shall live?"

Nessie smiled, tears rolling down her cheeks, "I do."

"You may place the ring on his finger." He murmured.

Reaching around to Rosalie she was handed Jacob's Platinum band and slid it onto place looking up into his eyes.

"Do you Jacob Black, knowing this woman's love for you and returning it, realizing her strengths and learning from them, recognizing her weaknesses and helping her overcome them, take Renesmee Carlie Cullen to be your lawfully wedded wife for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do."

"You may place the ring on her finger."

Jacob smiled and turned to Sam who was his best man, and taking Nessie's ring placed it on her finger watching her eyes. They about bulged when she saw a five stone wedding band. Jacob smiled ruefully.

"Let these rings serve as locks, not binding you together, but serving as keys, unlocking the secrets of your hearts for each other to know, and thus bringing you closer together forever," he concluded, "I now pronounce you husband and wife, Jacob you may kiss your lovely bride."

Renesmee tilted her head to the side gracefully and Jacob enveloped her in a kiss, dipping her earning cheering from the modest circle of friends.

Raising her up from their binding kiss she laughed and there was never a more beautiful couple than Renesmee and her Jacob.

The reception was amazing, a true testament to the talent of Alice, Esme and Rosalie. The guests circled around Jake and Nessie at every opportunity, complementing them both on the beauty of the ceremony and their love. Renesmee was embraced by all and adored. "Congratulations Renesmee," Tanya had said, "I guess you decided to believe in love after all, I'm so happy for you."

Nessie got to see all her friends, from Denali all the way to the Amazon's and she was in heaven. Even her roommate Rochelle showed up.

"Oh my god Nessie, you look amazing," she said kissing her cheek, "this was an amazing ceremony you are so lucky. Jake is amazing."

"Yeah, he's pretty great," Nessie had to agree, "thank you Rochelle for coming."

"No prob, I am really happy to be here," she said smiling.

"I didn't steal you from your brother did I?"

"Huh?"

"Your brother, didn't he come down for winter break?"

"Oh oh oh," Rochelle said, cursing herself for forgetting, "no, he didn't end up coming after all, stupid flake."

"Oh I'm sorry to hear that."

"No worries. Hey Nessie, I got you something, it's no big deal, but I thought you might like it."

"What is it?"

"Perfume," Shell said taking it out of her little purse, "it smells like Jasmine and Magnolia's. You spray it in your hair. Its aroma is intoxicating."

Renesmee thanked her taking it and spraying it on the body of her curls, and breathed in. "Oh my god, you're right, it's amazing!" She said. "Thank you Rochelle. You're great, I really do like you," Renesmee said holding the little crystal vial.

Shell hugged her back and shifted out of the way for others to greet her. "Oh wait, you have to meet my family and my husband." Nessie said looking around for her, but she was already out of sight.

Jacob leaned in close, "That smells amazing, Mrs. Black."

Renesmee giggled at the sound of her new name and Jake's nose in her ear.

He swept her onto the dance floor and a circle formed and applause started as Jacob swayed to the music with his wife.

"I love you so much Jacob."

"As I love you my darling."

Fire raked through Nessie's eyes at the realization what she would be able to do later with her gorgeous husband, and a wicked smile spread across her lips.

Noting the smile he already was coming to know well he laughed. "I know what you're thinking he teased."

Renesmee blushed at being caught and smacked his shoulder.

Their rest of the reception flowed easily, from mingling to dinner, a tasteful cake display. Nessie had scooped some frosting with her finger and Jacob sucked it off the tip of her finger. She likewise sucked frosting off the tip of his finger, and bit it, tempted to draw blood but resisted the urge. He saw the fire in her eyes and ordered the next event: removing her garter. Instead of using his teeth, he shimmied his hands up her thigh, tickled her spot with the tips of his fingers and slid it down, shooting it into Emmett's face.

"Yea, go Jake!" He hooted in laughter. Rosalie smacked his shoulder.

They danced a few more dances when Jake suggested they get out of there.

"Oh please, I can't take another moment" she begged.

"What right now, in your wedding dress," he mocked.

Nessie smiled wickedly, "well now there's a thought."

"Do you think you can wait for another two hours?" He asked suppressing a snicker.

"Well that depends, two hours from this minute?" She asked cocking her head to the side.

Alice appeared with the family in tow, "Guess we better say our goodbyes right now." She laughed in her trilling sound.

She hugged her family and lastly her parents. "Momma, Daddy, I love you so much."

"And we love you baby."

"Thank you for everything Daddy, for Jake, for the wedding, for the diamonds, you know I'm in heaven and it's absolutely perfect."

"Nothing but the best for my Ness," her father smiled, "Have fun, be safe and come home soon."

"But not too soon, can you please get a handle on you-know-what, so we won't have to be nauseated all the time." Emmett said crushing his little Nessie up in a bear hug, trapping her arms. "'Cause Jake needs to get some, he's been such a jerk." He laughed, letting her go bouncing away back to Rosalie's side. "Ow!" was his response after Rosalie jabbed him in the ribs hard enough a crack could be heard.

Nessie could only laugh but she would get him back for that later herself.

Alice pulled Nessie to the side, "aren't you going to change, I have your outfit ready," she pouted.

"Nope," Renesmee said and winked at her cute little aunt.

"Hahahaha! Yeah! Get it on in the wedding dress!" Emmett hooted, this time Jacob jumped up to grab him in a head lock, but Emmett wasn't so easily caught.

Jake halfheartedly chased him out to the garage. "I'll get you back later bro."

"Yea, you do that, when you aren't busy… or about to be," Emmett chortled.

Jake was about to get into Nessie's car.

"Actually Jake, here," Edward said placing a keyless remote in his hand, and a black Camaro winked at him on the end of the line of cars. "That's yours. Congratulations. It's a wedding gift to you from your new mother in law and me."

Bella smacked Edward hard on the back of the head.

"What? You are." Edward said laughing and snaking his arm around her waist. Bella was kinda cranky too, maybe he needed to spend more attention on her…she was extremely needy, which was another explanation for their daughter.

Jake ran up in the course of the second that passed and hugged both of them thank you.

It was already packed and gassed up, and in an instant they were on the road.

"A thousand bucks says that they don't even make it to the hotel." Emmett smiled at Jasper with his hand out.

Jas smiled, "I'll take that bet."

Meanwhile, Rochelle was driving back to Seattle. Dialing a phone number she awaited the pick-up.

"Helloooo?"

"They are on their way. I've sprayed her with the isotope. She'll use it, so you should be able to track her," she said then immediately closed the phone.

She was completely unaware as out of Forks she drove, coming up in her rear view mirror was a shiny black Carmaro.

Jake laid one hand in Renesmee's while keeping a firm grip on the wheel of his new car with the other.

They silently drove out of Forks.

The highway loomed out before Renesmee in the evening light when a twinkle lit her eyes.

Jake smiled… "I know that look," he chuckled for the second time that evening.

"Pull over."

…

Alice and Jasper were dancing, as the guests were one by one taking their leave, when a distant look took over her eyes.

"Oh my god." She muttered in exasperation before remembering herself.

"What?"

"Nothing. It's nothing to worry about," Alice promised and smiled sheepishly.

Alice resumed her perfect mask as Emmett within earshot, dancing on the floor with his lovely Rosalie noticed the interruption.

"I promise its nothing. Nessie is crazy that's all," and pushed for Jasper to keep dancing.

The slightest hint of a smile gave her away.

"HAHAHAHAHA Kinky Nessie," Emmett hooted "pay up, I knew it," he laughed and headed for the door.

"Where are you going?" Alice demanded. Emmett just gave a wicked smile.

"No don't you dare." Rosalie ordered.

"No way! If they are out on the road, they're begging to get discovered." He laughed.

"Don't worry, they'll probably be done long before I get there," Emmett laughed hardily.

Edward standing in the doorway with his arms crossed and a look in his eye gave Emmett a warning that he better not.

"You guys are such buzz kills," he pouted.

"Hey! Whatever, I'll be watching you." Edward warned.

"And what exactly would you do to me?" Emmett taunted.

"The bigger they are, the harder they fall," he warned with his crooked smile.

"You wanna take this outside?" Emmett jokingly challenged.

"Not a chance, you forget, I'm smarter than you," Edward laughed and punched him in the shoulder, "and I see more than you do, and I'm faster than you too."

Edward ghosted to Bella's side snaking his arm around her waist, "Care to dance Mrs. Cullen?"

A/N: Thanks for following...this is kind of the end of part one - the revisions to part two will come later.