A/N: Sorry for the delay in posting. Would you believe my computer ate my homework? Well it did. I had chapter 50 all written when the software I use to write had a meltdown and all I got was the spinning wheel of death and them my words were gone. so this is Chapter 50 Mark II. I hope you enjoy it. Oh and SM owns Twilight.
"Emmett, when you came to live with Esme, Edward and me you were an angry young boy who'd been given every reason in life not to trust anyone and not to love anyone. But instead you adored Esme, you trusted me, you became a fiercely loyal friend to Edward and later a protector to Alice. You are a large man with a large heart. I am proud of the man you've become and I know that you will care for Rosalie and your children with tenderness, protection and love. I love you son. To Emmett."
Jasper, Dad, Anthony and I raised our glasses and shouted as one, "To Emmett."
Em threw back his shot of whiskey and grinned a smile so broad it had to hurt the muscles of his face.
We were staying at the Bellagio Hotel in Vegas and Ma thought it would be fun if all the women stayed in one suite and all the men stayed in another. I was furious about it but then Bella pointed out that it would be another chance for Anthony to have some bonding time with the men of the family so I begrudgingly agreed. In the end it was a great night for all of us to share stories and enjoy Emmett's last night as a bachelor together.
He was as happy as I was to end his bachelor days and had no interest in going out for a wild last fling. So we hired a stretch hummer because we knew Emmett would get a kick out of that and headed out for a steak dinner at N9ne restaurant. I was going to suggest Strip at Planet Hollywood but then I remembered the rather provocative burlesque photos all over the walls I had enjoyed looking at the last time I had been there. I thought it might not go over well with Rev J nor did I want to have to explain the images to my not yet five-year old son. As it turned out N9ne was a great choice and we had a really enjoyable men's night out.
I had no idea what the girls were up to for their hen's night but with two pregnant women, a three year old and a Minister's wife in the party I wasn't too worried about them going crazy. Alley had mentioned something about dinner, a movie and beauty sleep.
When we'd returned from our dinner and put young anthony and Seth to bed, the men folk sat around talking weddings, women and wives. It was a lot of fun although emmett and I squirmed a few times when Jasper shared a little too much about his relationship with Alley but i called it a night when Dad started talking in a little too much detail about his 'healthy' sex life with Ma! No, not going there.
After having just one more drink with Emmett to help settle his nerves, Dad, Jasper, Anthony and I escorted Emmett through the hotel to the East Wedding Chapel with 15 minutes to spare.
As we had made our way across the crowded foyer in our Armani suits we must have looked quite a sight. Anthony tugged on Dad's arm, "Poppa why are all the ladies watching us?"
Dad laughed, "It's the Cullen curse Anthony, you'll have to get used to ladies watching you."
Anthony screwed his face up and just look confused. Then Emmett stopped, put his arms up and shouted, "Sorry ladies, I'm about to marry the sexiest woman in the world, so I am off the market."
Everyone around us laughed and I sighed, shook my head and pushed my big bear of a brother towards the Chapel.
Anthony looked up at him even more confused, "What market, Uncle Em?"
I smiled down at him, my poor boy had no idea, "I'll explain it to you later son, come on let's get your uncle married before he get's himself into trouble."
We opened the doors to the East Chapel and fuck me if they hadn't made it absolutely beautiful. This was only going to be a small wedding, even smaller than my Bella's and mine but Alice and Ma had made sure that it was still just as special.
They'd worked with the Bellagio staff to ensure that Rosalie and Emmett's day would be one to remember. The pews were decorated with white and pale peach coloured ribbons with peach coloured roses tangled in deep green ivy which draped to the floor. There were large candles lit all around the front where Rose and Em would be saying their vows and there was a lacy fabric of pale peach with deep green highlights stretched all down the aisle.
Vicky and Garrett were already seated laughing and chatting with Jane and Alec. Angela and Ben were sitting in front of them with Leah and young Seth. Sam and Emily couldn't fly because of her stage of pregnancy. She was still doing well and no-one wanted her to do anything that may risk her health or their baby.
Anthony turned his face up to me and asked to go and see Seth so I took the ring cushion from under his arm and sent him on his way. He ran over to Seth and they immediately had their arms around each other's shoulders.
Emmett came and put his arm around my shoulder, "They're becoming good friends."
"Yeah, I think they were a bit jealous of each other when it came to Lil Bit but they seem to have sorted that out now, one as her 'brovver' and one as her 'speshal fwend'."
Emmett laughed, "Damn Lil Bit's an adorable kid, I hope I have 10 just like her."
I snorted, "You are off to a great start with twins, man!"
His chest puffed out and his grin grew impossibly wider, "I am about to have it all bro'; my Rosie is about to become my wife and she's carrying my two little babies."
I slapped him on the back, "I am really happy for you, Em. Now let's get you up the front, your bride is due any moment. I'll just get Ant."
"Anthony, come on son, it's almost time for Auntie Rose to arrive." I waved him over to me. "Seth are you going to walk Lil Bit in again today?"
He nodded and walked to the back of the Chapel to wait for everyone's favourite flower girl.
When Anthony and I made it up to the front to join Emmett, Rev J was still chatting with the local celebrant who was there to ensure everything was in accordance with Nevada law. It would be Rev J conducting the ceremony though as Rose was insistent that she wouldn't feel married if Jacob wasn't the one marrying them.
We'd flown everyone here yesterday and we'd all fly back home tomorrow, except of course Em and Rose who were off to Hawaii for two weeks.
Taking Jacob on a private jet to Las Vegas had been hysterical. I've never seen anyone so uncomfortable in the lap of luxury.
"I'm sorry Edward, I just feel guilty. I just keep thinking that all the money you and Emmett are spending could keep the shelter going for a year."
I wasn't offended but Leah always the peacemaker spoke softly to him, "Jacob, let's not forget that Edward is single-handedly funding the construction and running of the Men's Shed. And Emmett is doing great work with the Helping Hands program. I think we call allow these men to enjoy their hard earned wealth while they are so generous to others, don't you?"
Jacob kissed her cheek and looked out the window, calmed but still uncomfortable. He was so doggedly loyal to his way of life and beliefs that I had to admire that about him.
And there he was in the Wedding Chapel of the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas supporting his good friend Rosalie, even if he was appalled by the extravagance of his surroundings. I admired that about him too.
We had just taken our positions when the doors opened and the music changed. Alice had hired a string quartet who'd been playing a lovely selection of Baroque music as we all waited but now the music changed and I knew my girls were about to enter the Chapel. It took a moment to realise these fine classical musicians were playing a rather lovely version of Elvis' 'Love me tender' but before I could tease Emmett about it my eyes were drawn to the sight of my sweet daughter waiting shyly at the door. She was wearing what she called her peachy ba-way dwess. She looked adorable and Alice had even found little ballet slippers to go with the dress.
Seth stepped forward to take Lil Bit's hand and walk her down the aisle but she stopped, put her basket down and gave him a huge hug. Everyone chuckled at her innocent display of affection before giving her encouraging smiles and waves as she skipped down the aisle scattering peach rose petals along the way.
When she got to the front she gave everyone a hug, Jacob, Emmett, Anthony then me before she and Seth went to sit with Leah, "Wuz I a good fowers girl Auntie Leah?"
"Yes, Lil Bit you were a very good flower girl. Now, we need to be good, quiet guests because it is time to watch momma and Auntie Rose, okay?"
"Oh - kay," she said as she climbed up into Leah's lap and waved to her Nonna and Poppa.
I lost track of anything else then as my sweet one entered the Chapel. She was draped in a soft peach chiffon dress which made her look like an angel. She was carrying a bouquet of peach tinted roses wrapped in what looked like green ivy. She looked ethereal, so beautiful.
Emmett threw his arm out in front of me as he laughed, "Edward, hold it together man." I realised I was about to walk down the aisle towards her, I wanted to kiss her so much. She saw the look on my face, giggled and shook her head in warning as she mouthed to me, "Stay there baby."
Damn, I loved it when she called me that. I stayed put but I didn't take my eyes off her as she took her place opposite me turning to the back of the Church waiting for the bride's entrance.
Then the music changed and I recognised 'I can't help falling in love with you' as the song. I had to smile that they'd chosen old Elvis songs for their Vegas wedding. It was so Emmett, so Rosalie and so perfect.
Everyone stood and watched in awe as Rose entered, gracefully and proudly walking down the aisle by herself. This had been the subject of a great deal of discussion in the lead up to the wedding, as she said the only man she'd want to walk her down the aisle was Rev J but she wanted him to marry her to Emmett so he couldn't do both. Jacob had in Rose's words, 'saved her life' when he took her in at the Shelter after she'd lost everything and everyone.
Jacob told her she should proudly walk down the aisle herself as a symbol of how she'd pulled her own life together.
Bella's tears flowed freely, as did Leah's, as they watched Rose stoically walk herself down the aisle. She was a vision wearing a deep emerald green dress which fitted her figure perfectly. She didn't want to wear white so she picked this colour green as she knew it was Emmett's favourite colour. Quite frankly Rose would look beautiful in a sack but in this dress she looked like a fucking goddess. Emmett was bewitched and I was sure he'd stopped breathing. Rose was just as mesmerized. Her eyes were locked on his as she stepped into his embrace. The love between them was almost palpable.
The ceremony was short and traditional, they wanted to keep it simple. The only difference being that Emmett held Rose in his embrace throughout, not wanting to let go of her for a moment. I knew exactly how he felt as I looked over at my sweet one, my ring on her finger and my child blossoming in her womb. I couldn't stay away from her any longer so I quietly moved to stand with her, taking Anthony along with me.
When it came time for the rings Anthony stepped forward and tugged on Emmett's sleeve. Of course rather than simply taking the rings from the cushion Emmett leaned down and picked Anthony up into his huge arms. Rose took the rings from the cushion before kissing my son's cheek and though he blushed Anthony was grinning from ear to ear. When Em placed Ant back down on the ground I took his hand bringing him back to me and into Bella's embrace, as we watched together as Rose and Emmett exchanged rings and vows of eternal devotion.
When Jacob announced them husband and wife, Emmett let out a loud rebel yell before dipping Rose and kissing the hell out of her. We all laughed and rushed forward to congratulate them. Jacob and the celebrant shuffled them over to a small table to sign all the necessary paperwork and it was only then that I noticed the photographer who'd apparently been clicking images throughout the ceremony.
When Bella and I sat down to sign as witnesses I realised the music had changed again and that the quartet were playing a classical version of 'Viva Las Vegas'... only Emmett!
After what seemed to me to be a stupid number of photographs, we all moved into the private banquet room we'd booked for the reception where everyone shared great food, delicious cake courtesy of Bella's Bakery and listened to some hilarious speeches of Emmett's wild youth and of Rose's years of rejecting suitors true to her solemn vow to never fall in love again.
Emmett and Rose then caused the tears to flow when they both shared their gratitude to the people in the room who'd 'saved' them. We raised our glasses to Esme and Carlisle for adopting Emmett and helping him overcome his horrendously cruel and harsh early childhood. We raised our glasses to Jacob and Leah for rescuing Rose and helping her start a new life. And Rose raised her non-alcoholic glass to my sweet Isabella for supporting her with her career, her studies and for offering her the business partnership for both the existing Bella's Bakery as well as the new Bakery they planned to open on the other side of town.
The music for the reception was a scream as Emmett and Rosalie had hired a wedding DJ who specialised in Elvis songs, some sung by Elvis and others of artists doing versions of Elvis songs. The DJ even dressed as Elvis, the younger handsome Elvis not the larger older Elvis thankfully.
When it came to their first dance Emmett took Rose's hand, walking her to the centre of the dance floor before dancing slowly with her to 'She Wears My Ring'.
Only Emmett.
A/N: I love Emmett don't you? Did you like the wedding? I look forward to hearing your thoughts. I promise to post soon. Love you guys.
Song credit:
Love me tender; Written by Vera Matson, Elvis Presley; Copyright: Elvis Presley Music
I can't help falling in love with you; Written by: Gary Paul Skardina, Marti Sharron, Luigi Creatore, Hugo Peretti, George Weiss; Copyright: Sony/ATV Tunes LLC, Anidraks Music, Gladys Music
Viva Las Vegas; Written by Doc Pomus & Mort Shuman; lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, EMI Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., POMUS SONGS, INC.
She Wears My Ring; Written by: Felice Bryant, Boudleaux Bryant; Copyright: Sony/ATV Acuff Rose Music