Chapter 80

The night before his wedding, Charlie found himself on one knee for another reason. He knelt down in front of Harry Clearwater's grave to have a talk with one of his oldest friends. It was just after dawn, and Bella had warned him about traveling alone, but this was one exception he felt he had to make. He placed a hand on top of the tombstone.

"Hey," Charlie started aloud. He found himself looking around to make sure his one sided conversation remained private, "Harry. We were friends for a long time. There's a hole in my heart, and everyone's heart that was close to you. Your death, it was.. it so sudden," he cleared his throat and looked around again. "Sue was a wreck without you, and she's never stopped loving you. The same goes for Seth and Leah." He paused again thought for a minute. "What I'm trying to say is that you are and always will be their one and only. I was very hesitant to ask Sue for my hand in marriage out of respect for you. I just think it will help keep both of our families safe from whatever's out there. I hope you understand. You're a good man, a good friend, a great husband and father..."

Charlie stood up from his position and tapped the gravestone several times with his hand. Tears hung in his eyes but never fell. He took a deep breath and headed home.

There ceremony was small, filled with just the closest family and friends of Sue and Charlie. It was an intimate gathering, nothing overly fancy, as both of them insisted over and over again. Sue compromised with Alice, and allowed her to take control of the reception, which would take place at the closest hotel to the wedding. Rooms were already booked for the guests, and entertainment was ready to go following the exchange of vows.

Bella could see how nervous her father was by his expression and body language at the alter as Sue walked down the isle. She could see how hard it was for him to hide his deep breaths, but she could hear it clear as day as he breathed in and out. A wave of emotions fluttered through her heart - she loved her father very much and knew this was something that would make him happy. She felt a little bad at his awkwardness at being the center of attention, but the fact that it was for such a great reason made Bella feel alright about it.

The priest read aloud the typical sayings that went hand in hand with a wedding ceremony, as Sue and Charlie exchanged their vows and dedicated the rest of their lives to one another in front of their loved ones. At the priest's command, they shared their first kiss as a married couple. The crowd was all smiles and everyone stood and clapped as they made their way back down the isle together.

Bella's smile was wide and she clapped as loud as she could. As Charlie passed, he stopped and kissed her cheek before continuing the rest of the way with his new bride. Edward put a arm around Bella's shoulders and nodded at her with a smile. Renesme gave Bella a hug and neither of them seemed to want to let go.

A wave of people began flooding out through the church doors, eager to get to the reception. A few of the boys cheered and hollared on their way outside.

The after party was going smoothly. There were tons of speeches made in honor of the newly married couple. There was dancing, eating, drinking and once the night was well under way, karaoke from some of the old timers who had a few too many drinks, Billy included.

Charlie and Jacob shared a laugh as he belted out the lyrics to an old, popular Elvis song. It kept everyone's spirits up and people began joining in on the words, encouraging Billy to continue.

When a slow song finally came through the speakers, everyone joined hand in hand with someone, and Bella asked Sue if she could have the dance with Charlie. She agreed, and grabbed Seth to dance with.

"Dad," Bella said, "I'm so happy for you." She stepped on his foot and both of them laughed.

"So you're still... you," Charlie smiled.

She laughed again, "Still me."

"A little colder," he said, eyeing her hand in his as they danced.

"Yeah. Sorry."

Both of them enjoyed the dance together and when it ended, the lights came on. Some people had a hard time adjusting to the incoming light and squinted their eyes.

"And I think that'll do it for tonight folks," the DJ called out, "I hope everyone had a good time. Congratulations again to our lovely couple Sue and Charlie. For those of you who aren't quite ready to turn in, the bar will be open for another two hours. Last call will be at 1:45 a.m."

There were lots of exchanges of affection between the different groups of people. Every took their turn going up to Sue and Charlie, before the two of them were off to another location via a limosine, courtesy of the tribe.

Bella pulled her room key from the wristlet she wore around her arm and made her way out of the reception room with Edward and Renesme close behind. He removed another key from his pocket and handed it to his daughter, who was sharing the room with Masen.

"What room number?" She smiled at the small amount of freedom she was given.

"577," Edward said, she grabbed for it and he pulled it back momentarily, "Your mom and I are in 578. It's a connector room."

Bella smiled, seeing Renesme's facial expression change, "Okay."

"And don't you or Masen try to sneak anywhere. It won't do you much good. I'll know."

"Well, there's nothing new," she grabbed the card from him. Bella could tell she was attempting not to give him an attitude.

"You could always stay in our room," Bella said, defending Edward.

"578 is fine," she said.

"Oh," Edward added with a smile, "Carlisle and Esme are in 579. Right on the other side of you."

"Awesome!" Renesme said sarcastically.

"I'm going to tell them you said that," Edward said with a laugh.

Renesme seemed to lighten up and rephrased tone, "Awesome."

"That's better," he said, pulling her into a hug. He kissed her forehead, "You can stay out and about for a little while. Just make sure you at least get back in time to get a good night's rest."

"Yeah, why are you all staying? It's not like you sleep."

"Just a mini vacation," he said, "Just to get out of the house for a day. A night. We all figured it'd be easiest instead of wandering back home."

She nodded, "Okay. So you don't mind if I stay up a little longer? I'll knock on your door when I come up."

"Sure," he said, "If it's okay with your mother."

Bella nodded, "It's fine, Renesme. We trust you."

Renesme looked at them, "A bunch of people are going back to Leah and Seth's room. Sue got them a suite to share, is it okay if I go there with everyone?"

The two of them looked at each other.

"Masen's going."

"Carlisle and Esme said that was okay?" Edward asked.

"I don't know. I think so."

He looked over her shoulder. Carlisle had his back to them and was talking with Esme and Masen.

"Carlisle!" Edward shouted.

He turned around. Edward motioned for him to join them. "Is Masen going up to the Clearwaters' room?"

Carlisle looked at Renesme, then back to Edward, "With a very specific time limit, yes."

"What time is that?"

"An hour from now."

Edward looked at his daughter, "You'll come back with Masen."

She didn't want to argue with him in front of Carlisle, and he could tell this by her thoughts, "Okay," she agreed.

Esme looked over toward them, and ended up joining with Masen by her side.

Masen and Renesme exchanged glances and mischevious smiles.

"You can't hide anything," Edward said with a smile.

Carlisle and Esme smiled at each other, overly glad at Edward's abilities.

Jacob walked by with Jared and Paul, smiling at them as he went. "Coming up?"

Edward eyed Jacob, "Renesme and Masen need to be back in their room in an hour."

He nodded, "Sure. No problem."

As much as Edward wanted to be angry, he could see Jacob's thoughts were still pure. His only intentions were to bring Renesme to the small after party with the rest of the gang. There was nothing else on his mind, and as happy as he was to know this, he knew there would come a day when that wouldn't be the case.

"Okay then." Edward looked at Renesme, "Go ahead."

Masen looked at his parents.

"Not a minute later," Esme warned, "Or there will be consequences."

He nodded with a smile, "Yes ma'am."

"Don't push it," Carlisle said, backing her up, "What room is it Jacob?"

" Oh.. uh.." he looked at Paul.

" 749," Paul told them. He whipped a copy of the room card from his pocket with the number written across it.

Carlisle nodded and the bunch of them disappeared up the stairs. He turned and met Edward's stare.

"What was Jake thinking?" Bella asked.

Carlisle and Esme seemed to be just as interested in what his answer would be.

"All he had in mind was the party," Edward said, he took a deep breath.

"Why do you seem not satisfied, then?" Carlisle asked.

He looked down and shook his head.

"Something with Masen?" Esme asked.

Edward shook his head again.

"What then?" Bella asked.

"It's Renesme's thoughts I'm woried about."

Bella's eyes lit up and she made eye contact with Esme.

"She was trying to fight it, block it out so I couldn't see what she was thinking," Edward said, still shaking his head.

"You still let her go?" Bella asked.

He looked at her, "Jacob won't let anything happen."

"Do you think Nessy will try..." Esme started, then wasn't quite sure how to finish the sentence.

Edward got the gist of it, "I don't know. I wouldn't think she'd be that bold. I don't know."

"Maybe we should send Alice or Rosalie down there to look after them," Carlisle said.

"No," Edward said, "I want to see what decisions she'll make. What he'll make. We're right here if something... goes wrong."

Bella felt a little bad for her daughter. If Charlie could read all of her thoughts when she was a teenager, she would have died. Nevermind every intimate thought she had about Edward, even well before they ever were together.

"Edward," Bella said, now changing her mind from her previous comment, "I doubt Renesme will try to make a move like that on Jake. I mean, if Charlie knew every single thought I had about you, and I mean well before our honeymoon, he would have freaked too. It doesn't mean she's ready for... that."

A silence fell over the four of them before Carlisle took out his key, "Let's go relax for a bit. They'll be fine. It's not much different than the group that they're usually with. I think it's just the setting that's getting everyone a little extra concerned."

"I agee," Bella said, looking at Carlisle, then back to Edward.

They walked up the stairs together, reaching level five. After finding their rooms, Esme turned to Edward, as Carlisle slide the card in and popped their door open. "What were Masen's thoughts?"

Edward smirked, opening his and Bella's door at the same time, "Nothing too bad."

"Elaborate..." Esme said, letting a smile spread on her face before becoming serious again. Carlisle's eyes met Edwards.

"Just tell us Edward," Carlisle said calmly.

Edward looked at Bella, then back to his parents, "I think he had a little bit of, you know, kissing Leah, on the brain. But nothing more."

Bella couldn't help but snicker a little. Esme looked a little worried, but Carlisle pulled her by the hand, "Come on."

"Goodnight," Edward teased, knowing he made his mother a little nervous. He pulled Bella into their room as she and Esme were trying to exchange a few extra words with each other.

Both doors shut almost simulateneously. Carlisle kicked off his shoes and began to get undressed from the fancy suit he'd been wearing. Esme asked for help with her necklace, and he unlocked the chain before she placed it on the nightstand. Her earrings were next and she stared at Carlisle. "What do you think about Masen and Leah?"

"Edward was being truthful. I don't think there's much to worry about."

She nodded, "You don't think he'd even try to..."

Carlisle shook his head, "I don't think so. Like I said, this isn't everyone's first.. opportunity.." He didn't have the right words to make her feel completely content with the situation, "I just don't think either of them are ready for that. I've had Emmett looking out for him with that stuff. I think he'd talk to him first if he didn't want to come to me."

Esme nodded, "I guess Edward would have known. It's too bad that Alice can't see past the wolves."

"His mother raised him right," Carlisle said with a reassuring smile. He tilted her face toward his and kissed her once before continuing to get undressed.

Esme turned on the television and began flipping through the stations. She heard the water go on in the other room and Carlisle reappeared with a towel around his waist and a smile.

Esme laughed, shaking her head, "Edward and Bella are right next door."

"Two doors down," Carlisle reminded her. He looked at the clock, "We've only got about forty-two minutes left before Masen comes back to let us know he's back in time for his curfew."

Esme glanced at the clock. The sound of the shower running was louder than the television show she had put on.

Carlisle crossed his muscular arms across his chest, awaiting her answer.

She smiled and walked slowly past him to where steam had taken over the small portion of their room, never breaking eye contact as she undid the back of her dress. He dropped his towel, making her smile and let out a short laugh before pulling him toward her in a playfully long kiss.