Chapter 19:

Bella POV:

It was Friday night, the night before the wedding. Mom had flown in earlier today and had insisted on renting a car and driving herself here from Seattle. Mom told me Phil couldn't make it. He was coaching a high school baseball team now, and they were close to making the State finals. She told me he felt just terrible about missing the wedding, and I told her it was fine, I understood.

Mom was actually staying at the house with me and Charlie. I thought it would be very uncomfortable, but Charlie and Renee had both mellowed over the years, and they actually got along better now than they ever did. Charlie let Mom take his room and he said that he would bunk on the couch. It was only for the one night, because tomorrow I would be moved into my new house, with my new husband, and Mom could sleep in my room. One more night as a single girl.

I had packed everything up and moved it to the new house, so my room was pretty bare. My bed was there, and the small bedside lamp was plugged in, but it sat on the floor. I put my pajamas on and then looked around thinking of all that had taken place in this room over the last few years. Coming here as a little kid, being scared to be away from my mom. Moving here, and being so unsure of how to relate to my dad. I smiled at that. Now I can't imagine not being with him.

I sat down on the bed and thought about all of those nights that Edward stayed here with me and watched me sleep. It seemed so surreal now. I got up and walked to the window and looked out at the woods. I smiled as I remembered the night that Jacob came here and wanted so badly for me to remember the story he had told me that day on the beach because he couldn't tell me about becoming a werewolf.

I sighed and turned from the window to go climb into my bed for the last time. Tomorrow I would become Mrs. Jacob Black. I smiled as I closed my eyes. Tomorrow was the first day of the rest of my life . . . and it would be perfect.

Jacob POV:

I was hanging out with the guys at the beach. They wanted to throw me a bachelor party, so here we were, on the night before the wedding, drinking beer around the bonfire. Everyone was laughing, and sharing stories.

I plopped down on the sand by Sam. "So, this time tomorrow you'll be an old married man like me," Sam said as he took a swig of beer. "You ready for this, Jake?"

"Hell, yeah. I feel like I've been waiting a lifetime already," I answered him.

"I have to admit it, bro, I do like being married. Beautiful wife, adorable baby . . . "

"Look at you," I said with a grin. "What happened to big, bad Sam, Alpha werewolf, barking orders at all of us? You're a pushover now," I teased as I shoved him.

"Oh, I'm still big and bad. I can kick your puny ass," he answered with a big grin. "You wanna go?"

"Yeah, right. I show up at my wedding with a black eye, Bella will kick my ass. I'm more afraid of her than I am of you," I told him.

"You should be. Always be a little afraid of your wife, Jake. Makes you a better husband," Sam advised. I laughed at that as he reached over and handed me a beer. "Come on, bro, drink up! Tomorrow will be one of the best days of your life. But it's not here yet."

I took a drink of beer and looked over at Embry. He was trying to tell every embarrassing story he could think of from our childhood. I couldn't believe how many there were. Me and Embry had been together our whole lives. Quil, joined us when we went to school. I loved these guys like brothers.

I set the beer down, got up and walked over as Embry was saying, "And then he puked all over her! I swear it was the funniest thing I had ever seen!" All the guys were having a good laugh at my expense.

"OK, thanks Embry for the trip down 'Jake's Embarrassing Lane'," I said as I sat down beside Embry. "Let's hear some Embry stories, shall we?"

"YES! Go for it, Jake!" Seth hollered.

"We were in the 10th grade," I started. "Embry sees this girl – yeah, I know, it's Embry. Of course it's about a girl. So, anyway, he leans over to me in the lunch room, nods over toward this babe and says, 'Five bucks says I kiss that girl before lunch is over.' I told him, 'You're on.' So, he stands up, glides over to her with his 'God's Gift to Women' swagger, and whispers something in her ear. She looks at him, slaps him in the face, and pours her milk over his head." Everyone laughed. "THEN, he grabs her, plants a wet kiss on her cheek, and comes back and says I owe him five bucks! Dumb ass," I reached over and shoved Embry.

"You never paid me that five bucks. I was right . . . I did kiss her," Embry argued.

We went on like that until it got pretty late. "I gotta go, guys. I'm getting married tomorrow. I gotta get my beauty sleep," I told them with a yawn.

"Yeah, well you don't have enough time left for that. You're pretty ugly, bro!" Quil yelled out at me. More laughter.

"Ten years ought to do it. Then maybe you could be as hot as me," Embry added.

Seth punched Embry in the arm and said, "Yeah right. Who'd want to be as ugly as you?"

Embry grabbed Seth and had him in headlock as they hit the sand.

"Look, Best Man. Just don't be late, and don't forget the wedding ring. You show up without and I'm kicking your ass, got it?"

Embry laughed as he let Seth go and stood up. "I got it, dude, chill. Come on, give me a ride home." Embry put his arm over my shoulder and we walked back to the truck.

As I drove, Embry said, "Man, I can't believe you're getting married tomorrow. To Bella! I don't know you pulled that one off," he chuckled. He got quiet for a minute or two, then he looked over at me and said, "All your dreams are coming true tomorrow. Good for you, bro. You deserve it. I mean that."

"Thanks, man. I'm pretty happy about it," I answered him.

"I really hope I find that someday, you know? I mean, I love the ladies, don't get me wrong, but, someday, I want what you got. I really do." Embry turned his head and looked out the window.

We drove the rest of the way in silence, both of us lost in our own thoughts. I stopped the truck in front of his house, and he opened the door and climbed out. "Don't forget that ring," I hollered at him.

He didn't look back, but he put his hand up in the air as he walked up to the door of his house so I would know that he heard me. I smiled and shook my head as I drove away. Embry, my best friend. I'd be lost without him.

Bella POV:

The day was finally here . . . my wedding day. I couldn't believe that the Washington weather was actually cooperating, and it was sunny and warm. A perfect day for a wedding on the beach.

I slipped into my dress and was standing in front of the mirror. I turned sideways. It felt a little tighter than when I bought it. I hope it looked alright. It was a very simple white dress with an empire waist and a sheared bodice that fell to my knees. I decided I didn't want a long dress to walk through the sand . . . knowing me I'd trip in it.

I left my hair down for the wedding, and Kim had added some spiral curls to it, and I had to admit, I really liked it. Emily brought me the hair clip that had a couple of small white flowers wired onto it that she had worn at her wedding. She combed one side of my hair back, and clipped them in. Perfect.

I put the silver heart necklace that Alice had given me around my neck, and then I fastened the bracelet with the little wolf charm that Jacob had given me around my wrist. I looked down at the small blue velvet box Alice had given to me when she gave me the necklace. I opened it and again marveled at how beautiful the earrings were. They matched the necklace – they were little silver hearts with two diamonds inside the heart, and they dangled from a wire that went through my ear. They were a wedding gift from Edward. I put them on and looked in the mirror. Thank you, Edward.

Let's see. I had my engagement ring that had belonged to Jacob's mother - that was my something old. I had the necklace and earrings from Alice and Edward - those were my something new. Emily loaned me the clip for my hair, so I guess that was something borrowed. What about the something blue?

I was getting ready at Sue's house because that is where the party would be after the ceremony. I walked out of the bathroom into Sue's bedroom and asked, "Well, how do I look?" My mom was there, with Emily, Kim, and Rachel, who were standing up with me. They were all busy adding final touches to their hair and make-up. Emily was trying to get Claire to stand still so she could zip up her dress.

"Oh, Bella. You look beautiful," Mom said. She came over and gave me a hug.

"Mom, we talked about this. You can't spend all day crying," I told her.

"I know, I know." She wiped her eyes for the hundredth time that day already. "I don't even know why I bothered with make-up today."

"Hey, I was just thinking, what about my 'something blue?' I have everything else," I told them all.

Rachel said, "Oh, we took care of that." She walked over to pick up her purse. She opened it and pulled out a blue garter. She put it on her finger, pulled back and let it fly. I reached out and caught it while everyone laughed.

I sat down on the bed and slid the garter up my leg. I stood up with my skirt pulled up, wiggled my hips and said, "How's that?"

"OK, Bella. I really don't want a mental picture of my little brother pulling that down your leg with his teeth or anything, so could you put the skirt down?" Rachel said covering her eyes. We all laughed again.

Emily stood up and came over to me. "Bella, you do make a beautiful bride." She reached up and adjusted the flowers in my hair. Then she looked over and said, "Claire! Get out of there, honey!" Claire had found Sue's jewelry box and was putting as much of it on her as she could.

"I look pwetty!" she said as she put another necklace over her head. I smiled. She was too cute for her own good. I could see that she would always keep Quil on his toes.

I walked over to her, kneeled down in front of her and said, "Claire you look beautiful, but I think that's a lot of necklaces. Why don't you pick out the one you like the best, then we'll ask Sue if you can borrow it to wear in the wedding, OK?" She nodded as I helped her take off all of the necklaces.

"Bella, where is your bouquet? I want to get a picture of you with it," Mom asked.

"It's in the fridge," Emily told her as she was putting the last of the necklaces back into the jewelry box. Claire had finally chosen her favorite and was happily looking in the mirror at it.

Kim stood up and said, "I'll get it, Emily." She opened the door of the bedroom, and before she could shut the door after her, we heard: "Emily! Lily is crying and I can't find the diaper bag," Sam was hollering from the living room.

"I better go," she smiled. "Oh, I hope she doesn't puke on my dress." I smiled as she went out the door, Claire following her.

"We better get going. You don't want to keep your groom waiting," Mom said.

I smiled. No, I don't.

I walked out into the living room. The house smelled so good. Sue had been cooking for two days already to make sure we had enough food for the party, and she was still in the kitchen. There was Sam, walking back and forth with a crying Lily, waiting for Emily. I smiled at him. He was such a good dad. I found Charlie there, sitting in a chair, reading the sports section of the newspaper. He looked so handsome all dressed up in his black suit and purple tie. "Hey, Dad," I said.

He looked up from the paper and I saw his eyes soften as he said, "Bella. How did you grow up so fast?" He stood up and pulled me into a hug. "Baby, you look beautiful. I am so proud to be your dad today," he whispered. I felt tears spring into my eyes. Oh great. Now I'm going start balling just like Mom.

Emily came in with the diaper bag, and took Lily from Sam. "OK, let's change your diaper, sweetie." She laid Lily down on the couch.

Sam said, "I'll do it. You go ahead. You got a job to do. Make sure Bella heads the right way down the aisle." He winked at me then he sat down on the couch and began changing Lily's diaper.

Kim came in and handed me the bouquet of white roses. "Here you go, Bella. Are you ready to do this?" she asked me.

"Yes, definitely," I said full of excitement.

"Bella, stand there with your dad. I want a picture of the two of you," Mom said as she grabbed her camera. We posed and smiled.

"Come on, Bella. Let's go get you married," Charlie smiled as he tucked my arm into his.

Jacob POV:

I stood in the bathroom looking in the mirror, making a mental inspection. I had Rachel trim my hair last night, and it didn't look too bad. I had just showered, shaved and brushed my teeth. I smiled at myself. You are getting married today, dude. By tonight, you and Bella will be husband and wife. All alone in that giant bed . . . OK, better get to the wedding first.

I walked down the hall in my boxers and went into the bedroom to get dressed. Rachel had ironed my clothes last night and they were laid on my bed. Bella had bought me a pair of black dress pants and a white shirt that was straight across the bottom. She told me she did that so I could leave it untucked and be more comfortable. I smiled at that. She said 'It's a beach wedding, not a cathedral wedding. This way we can both be comfortable and not be someone we're not.' I loved her for that . . . for not worrying about what other people wanted or what they thought. This was our day, and I was glad that we would have it our way.

I put the pants on then sat down to put on black socks and the black shoes I had borrowed from Sam. I stood up and slid the shirt on. I buttoned it, but left a few buttons undone at the top. I wanted to look hot for Bella, but I also wanted to be comfortable. OK, ready to go.

I walked into the living room. "Woooooo, look at you!" Embry whistled. "Dude, you clean up good." Quil and Seth were there too. They gave out a wolf whistle. Embry was also wearing a white shirt and black pants, as was Quil and Seth. They were all standing up with me.

"Yeah, you're all jealous, I know," I told them with a grin. I looked at Embry and said, "I'm just glad that you showed up on time. Where's the ring? Come on, show it to me."

He reached in his pocket and pulled out the ring. "Chill, I got it, OK? Look, we better get going. You don't want to give her a chance to wise up and run off." Embry came over and smacked me on the back. "Let's go!"

Seth stopped me before we walked out the door. "Hey Jake?"

"Yeah, Seth. What's up?" I asked.

"I, um, I just wanted to say that I'm really happy for you guys. Bella is great, and I know how hard it was for you when she was . . . with Edward, you know? I remember being there that day, when you kissed her before the fight. I was really hoping that she would change her mind. I'm just really glad she did. That's all," he finished.

I smiled and tousled his hair. "Thanks, little brother. I'm glad she did too. Maybe if you're lucky, I'll stand up for you at your wedding someday. Any prospects yet?" I always thought of Seth as my little brother.

"Not yet," Seth smiled shyly. "I'm looking."

"Good. Just don't take any lessons from Embry," I warned him with a chuckle. He just smiled and shook his head.

Just then Embry honked the horn of the truck.

"Come on, bro. Embry's right. I don't want to give her a chance to change her mind. Let's go!"

We all piled into my truck and Quil's truck and headed to the beach.