A/N: Things may be slightly AU IE, A little different from the book in this chapter, but don't worry it's not massive changes and unless you're studying the book word for word as you read this, it's not really noticeable. Please enjoy this chapter!

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I was just adjusting my bowtie in my room when Esme poked her head in. I've never been good at tying them and my mother must have timed her visit perfectly to check on me right when I needed her the most.

"Oh my goodness Christian Cullen you look so handsome!" She exclaimed coming into my room.

I glanced over at her and my mouth dropped open

"Mum, you look incredible," I said, she really did and I think if our bodies were able too, she would be blushing.

"Oh Christian," she said reaching for my bowtie

"No mum you really do," I grinned "absolutely beautiful" I took her hand, kissing it gently.

Esme smiled and tried to tuck a piece of my hair behind my ear, of course it didn't stay, before she kissed my cheek.

"You are such a darling." She replied reaching for my bowtie to fix it "I do not understand for the life of me how a boy who will be eighty in a few months cannot tie a bowtie."

"I blame Carlisle," I guessed grinning as she fixed it.

"I suppose he's a good choice, since he can't tie them either." Esme paused "Edward is going to have to watch out, you may very well steal the show today Christian."

"Come on mum," I replied as she put on the final touches "it's Edward's day." I grinned

"Well, that may be true, but will you at least save one dance for me?"

I nodded

"Of course mum. I'll always save a dance for you."

Esme tapped my nose and kissed my cheek again

"That's my son," she whispered "the Denali clan just arrived, they're asking for you."

"Really?"

"Irina came too Chris, but she doesn't seem like her old self, she's distant sweetie, not making eye contact."

I read between the words, my mother was warning me that Irina had still not gotten over the wolf incident with Laurent.

This could be a bad thing…Irina blamed the wolves for destroying her potential mate, she refused to see that he was infatuated with Victoria, that he was following her orders on everything and that he had nearly killed Bella and would have, if the pack had not intervened.

None of that would matter to Irina, I also knew how she probably felt, like we had betrayed her by not taking out the pack, by siding with the pack, choosing our enemies over our family. She wouldn't see that it wasn't personal; that we did what we had to because it was the right thing to do.

"Is anyone from the pack coming?" I couldn't remember who Bella and Edward had invited, at least not completely. The invitations had gone out while I was still in Alaska.

"Well, the Blacks received one of course,"

I nodded

"Jacob's father will still come probably, even if Jacob is AWOL."

"And Bella's father is bringing Sue Clearwater, so I believe Seth is coming as well."

I grinned a little, that could work in my favor, if the party started getting boring maybe Seth and I could make an escape to the loft and play video games all night.

"Cool,"

"Which doesn't mean you and Seth can make yourselves scarce Christian."

Bloody hell her motherly intuition scares me sometimes.

"Wasn't planning on it,"

"Christian Cullen I can see the plan unfolding in your eyes. You and Seth and your brothers for that matter are all to remain at the party, the entire time." Esme scolded gently "anyways that is not the point, I just want to make sure you're aware-"

"To keep an eye on Irina especially if anyone from the pack shows up, because she may not be able to control her anger in that instance." I finished for my mother and she nodded, the worry in her eyes was overwhelming.

"Yes that would be the reason. I'm letting Emmett and Jasper know as well. I hope I am just being overly cautious, but I was not expecting Irina to look so angry,"

"You don't think she blames Bella too do you?" I asked Esme looked at me in surprise as if she hadn't even considered that

"Oh Chris…" she said

"Don't worry mum, we'll take care of it. It'll be fine don't worry."

Esme nodded, she looked up at my hair as if she had just noticed it.

"Oh Christian," she mumbled

"What?"

"Your bangs are sticking up honey."

I reached up and tapped the bit of hair that was sticking up

"Oh well, it happens,"

"Not today it won't, I want you to go to your sisters and see if Alice or Rose can take a moment to wrangle down that mop on top of your head."

"I'm sure they're too busy dealing with Bella," I explained "I'll just wet it down with some water, it'll stay."

Esme shook her head

"Go to your sisters, they'll take care of you." I rolled my eyes course they will, I'll be lucky to get out of there with any of my sanity I thought. "Christian," Esme warned as if she could read my mind

"Okay, okay, I'll go"

"After that head downstairs and mingle sweetie, I know Tanya is especially eager to see how you're doing."

I nodded and kissed my mother's cheek again

"You look beautiful mum," I whispered heading out of my room. As I passed his cage, Chap gave a loud protesting squeak, he was not pleased with this being locked in a cage bit. "sorry Chappy, I'll unleash you later I promise," I said to him, focusing on his emotions to try and calm him down a little. It worked as he decided to make himself a nuisance on his wheel, which was better than nothing.

I headed out of my room and down the first flight of stairs, I could hear all the random noises coming from Alice's room, it's a place I tend to avoid like the plague for obvious reasons. But I did make the brave move and I poked my head in, just to see what all the noise was.

I was hoping to look in, make the decision that my sisters were far too busy to help me out and then just find a way to take care of my unruly hair on my own.

Alice was running back and forth to the bathroom, I could see Rosalie in the bathroom, she was doing Bella's hair.

Bella's mum was also in the bathroom, that bathroom on a normal day is a scary place, today however it was literally the scariest thing I had ever seen, with all the tools of hair destruction or reconstruction, whatever, scattered around, there was so much chaos in there, I could barely see Bella.

"Oh good Chrissy!" Alice exclaimed when she spotted me, damn it…busted. She reached over and grabbed me, yanking me into the room.

"Alice, what's up?" I asked nervously

"You're hair for one thing, honestly Christian how is it possible that that one clump of hand stands up so much?"

"I don't know," I replied "it's the Callaghan genes I suppose,"

"Well whatever it is it is obnoxious."

"Er," I started "sorry?"

"Rose," Alice called "do you have a moment to work on our brother?"

"Still finishing up with Bella,"

"Finishing up with me?" I heard Bella ask with kind of a squeak, I snorted back a laugh "shush Chris," she shot back

"I can work on his hair," Bella's mum spoke up "I have just the thing to get that hair to stay down."

I looked at my sister quickly and she clapped excitedly

"Oh Renée that is a wonderful idea! Thank you so much. He is such a pest sometimes."

"I am not a pest," I explained, but Alice went on as if she hadn't heard me

"This one clump of hair always stands up and we can never get it to go down, of course if he would just let us cut his bangs there wouldn't be a problem."

"No one is coming anywhere near me with a pair of scissors." I argued and everyone chuckled.

"No scissors involved I promise Chris," Renée explained, she put a hand on my shoulder and guided me over to Alice's vanity and gently sat me down. "Just a bit of hairspray and some good old fashion styling." She wrapped a towel around my shoulders to protect my tux.

I nodded

"Okay,"

As Renée set to work, I nervously glanced at the doorway, just waiting for one of my brothers to stumble in. I knew I was safe from Edward, he wouldn't dare come anywhere near Bella until the ceremony, Alice and Rosalie would kill him and he knew it, but Emmett and Jasper weren't bound by that same rule.

Both my brothers were still acting as gophers for my sisters, they would be right until the ceremony, and could appear at any moment.

It didn't matter which one caught sight of me having my hair done, I'd never hear the end of it, Jasper would tell Emmett, Emmett would definitely tell Jasper, it would be a nightmare.

Renée looked down at me and followed my gaze at the door, she smiled warmly at me, as she combed down my hair.

"Do I need to be concerned about someone coming to visit you?"

"Huh?" I asked

"You seem to be looking out into the hallway a lot." Renée explained "Chris can you close your eyes for a second, I need to use hairspray." I did as she asked and closed my eyes, I could hear the spray moving around my head, "okay, you can open them. So do I want to know?"

"Know what?"

"What has you so worried?" Renée asked and I chuckled a little

"Just my brothers," I explained "we tend to tease each other a lot and they know Alice's room scares me a little." I grinned "if they find out I came in here because E...Mum wanted my hair fixed, I won't hear the end of it."

Renée chuckled

"Brothers are like that I suppose. Teasing younger brothers is part of the package isn't it?"

I nodded

"Unfortunately,"

"Well I won't say anything to them about it." She promised "so Chris, Bella tells me you're quite the mechanic, kept her truck running for a long time."

"I guess so," I replied shrugging "I like tinkering around," I nodded towards the bathroom "Rosalie is the real mechanic, she taught me everything I know." Indiscreetly I looked over at the bathroom, I could see Rose in the mirror as she continued to style Bella's hair, my sister smiled at me, silently thanking me.

"Really?"

"Yup," I paused and shrugged "I was pretty homesick when I came to live with my godparents, missed my real parents and my home, everything was different here. Rose was only ten at the time, but she was pretty good at tinkering with cars, dad would let her help him change the oil in his car and do some of the basic repairs on it, she was really interested in that so she started reading all about car repair. When she saw how homesick I was, she showed me some of the different parts of the cars she had learned about, I liked what she showed me and started looking at the books she had. It was a way to fit in with my new siblings."

"That is sweet," Renée said. She put the finishing touches on my unruly hair "and you are good to go."

I looked into the mirror and grinned a little, not only was my hair not sticking up like it usually is, but I actually looked a lot older thanks to Renée's styling.

"Thank you so much Mrs. Dwyer,"

Renée returned my smile and actually reached over to hug me tight, careful not to wrinkle my tux. I was a little taken aback, and I could hear Alice and Rosalie giggling softly.

"Your brother is about to marry my daughter, that makes us family Chris, please call me Renée."

"Er, okay, thank you Renée, I appreciate this."

she nodded

"You're very welcome Chris,"

"That was excellent timing Renée," Rosalie called from the bathroom "I just finished with Bella's hair, it's time to move her into her dress."

"And that would be my cue to exit, stage left," I added

"ten minute warning," Jasper called from out in the hallway, he knocked on the doorframe gently then looked suspicious when he realized I was in the room too. "Er, Chris?" he asked "what are you doing in here?"

"I was…er…just…"

"He was just coming up to see if we needed anything else," Renée explained "thank you very much Chris, we're all set."

I nodded,

"Right, come on Jas, let's go take our place." I added nudging my brother as I left the room. We met Charlie in the hall, he looked as miserable in the suit as I felt "Hi Chief Swan," I said carefully

"Hello boys," he replied in almost a sigh before heading towards the room to collect Bella to escort her down the aisle.

Jasper and I headed downstairs, meeting up with Emmett and Edward who was trying his best to not appear nervous, but I'm a profiler, I could tell, my brother was a nervous wreck.

"So what were you doing up there?" Jasper asked "really?"

"Up where?" Emmett asked grinning a little

"I caught our little brother in Alice's room, he claims to have been checking on the girls to see if they needed anything, but I know he's not being entirely truthful."

Emmett got this gleam in his eyes

"Oh really, so Chrissy, something you want to tell us?"

"Nope, 'cause there's nothing to tell," I replied "Esme asked me to go check on them to make sure everything was okay, everything was fine so I was just leaving when third degree over here showed up."

All three of my brothers exchanged a look, even Edward's nerves calmed for a second. He could read my mind, he knew exactly why I had been in the room, but unlike Jasper and Emmett, Edward doesn't really delight in teasing me, even though he gets it enough from me and Emmett, he rarely turns it around on me. And this was one of those times, he simply shrugged and grinned a little.

"The kids telling the truth," he explained

"You boys better be heading outside!" Alice exclaimed from upstairs "NOW!"

"Come on lover boy, lets get you hitched," Emmett said throwing a massive arm around Edward's shoulders.

We moved outside to where the backyard had been transformed. White chairs were on either side of a long aisle, that lead to a large arch, where Angela Weber's father was officiating the marriage. He was already standing there with Carlisle waiting for us. This was huge for Carlisle and we all knew it, I said it before, but I'll say it again he was really surprised and humbled that Edward choose him to be his best man.

"You guys look great," Carlisle said "very proud of you boys," he added as Emmett, Jasper, and I moved to his side and Edward moved to his rightful spot near Mr. Weber. I glanced out at the guests and saw a lot of familiar faces.

The Denali clan waved at me and I winced, I had forgotten to go talk to them before the ceremony, the whole getting my bangs to cooperate had taken longer than I had expected, none of them looked mad though, I knew they'd catch me later and I'd be in for it.

Irina didn't look as mad as I expected her to be, but she wasn't herself either, just like Esme had warned me. She was staring off into the distance, looking at something only she could see and that worried me, a lot.

I also saw some of Bella's friends, Angela had made it of course, as had Mike Newton, Jessica Stanley, and a few others from their graduating class. I hadn't invited any of my friends even though it would've made the party a lot more fun.

I was still in debate whether I would be returning to Forks high school in September, it had been a decision that had been put on hold after the whole newborn incident, but was slowly creeping back into my thought process and I knew I was running out of time to make the decision.

Up near the front on the brides side was Renée and Phil, with an empty seat nearby, also seated nearby was Sue Clearwater, Seth, and Billy Black, the wolf pack was represented and I realized that Irina hadn't noticed them yet.

I was surprised, no offense intended to Seth, but I could smell him, Irina wasn't that far from them, I was surprised she couldn't smell them, that none of the Denali' could. But maybe that was a good thing, it meant there wouldn't be any trouble.

Seth looked up when he felt my eyes and he got this enormous grin on his face, he started to pretend to laugh at my tux and making all sorts of idiotic hand gestures. Finally his mother caught him and gave him a look that stopped him cold.

Now it was my turn to laugh, but I stopped when I felt Esme's look on me. I was still trying not to laugh though, the fact that two supernatural beings were just put in their place and scolded by their mothers was comical.

We also didn't get the chance to continue this laughing at each other bit, as Rosalie began playing Wagner's traditional wedding march. All the guests stood up and we waited patiently as Bella and her father walked towards the canopy.

I swear I heard Edward stop breathing and I looked over at my future sister and understood his gasp, she did look beautiful. Not the same Bella I'd come to know, not the same Bella I had once been afraid of. Regardless of who this Bella was, she was beautiful and though she looked scared, just as much as Edward did, she was ready for this.

Emmett was watching her intently, before the wedding he had placed a bet that she was going to stumble halfway down the aisle and that the only reason she wouldn't actually go flat down, was because her father was going to be there to help.

It was one of the few times I thought my brother's bet was a little cruel. So I refused to get in on it, Jasper too. So it would appear he decided to go with the bet all by himself (not entirely sure how that payday was going to work).

Bella didn't fall, she didn't even stumble, she walked smoothly and carefully down the aisle, until her and Charlie reached the alter, where he kissed her cheek and gave her hand to Edward.

The ceremony itself went off without a hitch, as an usher I really had nothing to do but to stand off to the side. Once the rings had been exchanged, the 'I do's' and the kiss, the area erupted with applause and cheers.

Bella and Edward went through the guests, being greeted and hugged by each one. Emmett, Jasper, and I stood off to the side as Alice skipped to Jasper's side and Rosalie joined Emmett, the four of them walking towards the other side of the yard where Alice had constructed a massive reception area, dance floor, tables, catering, a live band…it was kind of insane, but this was my sister. I expected nothing less.

I felt a little left out, I started to follow them when I felt arms wrap around my shoulders, someone pulling me close into a hug, it was Bella, she was crying tears of joy.

"Congrats Bella," I said softly as she hugged me tighter

"Thank you Chris," she replied, kissing my cheek gently, before moving towards Seth, Sue, and Billy.

I'm not one for parties, as with the graduation party I try to stay out of the way. I had an excuse with the graduation party, my friends were over, here I had no choice but to stick around. So I kind of stayed off to the side, just kind of taking things in, and people watching.

I was seriously contemplating sneaking into the house, figuring no one would miss me when I smelled someone come up behind me…wolf smell. I turned around and caught Seth, his mum, and Billy Black in his wheelchair.

"Hey Chris, great party huh?" Seth exclaimed

"Little boring for my liking, but I'm under strict orders to stay. Mum threatened to ground me if I tried sneaking up to my room." I replied with a grin, I didn't miss the surprised look on Sue Clearwater's face when she heard that.

"Oh, so Chris this is my mom and this is Ja…Billy Black," Seth introduced, clearly trying not to say Jacob's name. Neither adult looked comfortable with the situation, in fact I was pretty sure that Sue wanted to move away from me, she was clearly very uncomfortable with the fact that her son had become friends with a vampire.

When I looked over at Billy Black, I expected the same, but I could profile him and he seemed intrigued for a moment, he held out his hand cautiously.

"Nice to finally meet you Chris," he said I looked down at his hand, wasn't really expecting that, but I nodded and carefully shook his hand, he seemed to flinch a little, whether it was the coldness of my hand or the fact he was shaking hands with a vampire I wasn't sure which, but he didn't pull away.

"You too Mr. Black," I replied, then turned to Sue Clearwater, she was less eager to shake my hand but she nodded and did smile a little. "nice to meet you too Mrs. Clearwater,"

"Seth has told us so much about you, something about you both expelling the British?" she asked with a slight smile, Seth grinned

"Game mom, and the other night I kicked his butt,"

I rolled my eyes

"Again, I had to leave, that doesn't mean you kicked my butt, anyways you cheated."

"Did not,"

"Did too," I shot back,

Billy started laughing and though it took a moment, Sue did too as Seth and I exchanged a sheepish grin.

"It was a wonderful ceremony, Bella looked beautiful," Sue commented and we all nodded.

"She did," I replied, I paused when I felt eyes on me, when I followed the feeling, I realized it was the Denali clan. Irina had moved off somewhere, but Tanya, Kate, and Carmen were standing there, watching my interaction with the Quileute'.

Ironically, they had the same look in their eyes that Sue had with regards to me, they did not like me standing so close to a member of the wolf pack and his family. They thought I wasn't safe and were debating on whether or not to interfere.

Seth followed my look and did a double take when he saw them, his mouth dropping open in shock.

"Whoa, friends of yours?"

"Family," I explained "cousins from Alaska."

Edward and Bella moved closer to them and Edward broke their stare, to introduce Bella. Tanya whispered something to Edward then nodded at me, for a second I thought she was asking if I was safe, but then I realized what she was saying.

Being a profiler, you learn a few things when it comes to reading body language and one of the things I'm pretty good at is reading lips. Tanya was saying 'The Cullens are almost all evened up in numbers now. That just leaves Christian, speaking of which, Edward, our little Englishman seems to have gained a new pet?' she asked as carefully as possible

'No Tanya,' Edward was saying 'a new friend, a pretty good one at that.'

She seemed to accept that and smiled at Kate

'Kate I think its really time we started playing matchmaker for him, and do much better at screening first. Then perhaps it will be our turn eh?'

'Keep the dream alive.' Kate replied 'Chris first, we can't let the Cullens stay uneven like this.'

I groaned and Seth started laughing, he had no idea what I was groaning at of course, but whatever was annoying me had to be funny.

"What's the matter with you?" he asked between laughs

"It's not important," I replied grumbling, wishing my family would just accept the inevitable, I'm probably not going to find someone, it's just not my future.

Before I had a chance to really contemplate that or growl at our cousins, the band started up and we all moved closer to the dance floor.

I hung out with Seth, Mrs. Clearwater, and Billy for a while as Edward and Bella had their traditional first dance, followed by the father daughter dance, and of course the mother son dance, before the band opened the dance floor to everyone.

After a couple of fast paced songs, a slow one came on and I left the Quileute' to go find my mother, I had after all promised her a dance. I found her off to the side with Carlisle talking to Angela's parents.

I waited for a second then gave a cough, the four adults turned to me and smiled, I held out my hand to Esme and bowed

"May I have this dance?" I asked grinning, Esme smiled at me and took my hand, allowing me to lead her to the dance floor.

I'm not very good at dancing, it's never been something I'm fond of and it's not something I'm good at. I've always been positive I have two left feet even though both my human mother and Esme have argued that I'm a wonderful dancer.

I'll stick to the slow swaying stuff though and we got through that pretty easily. Esme looked down at me and made a move to fix my tie.

"You looked so handsome standing up there Christian," she cooed "I am so proud of you my little one."

I heh'd it's always kind of embarrassing when Esme calls me her little one, but thankfully (and I'm pretty sure there was a threat made about it) none of my siblings have ever commented on it.

"Thanks mum," I replied, leaning up to kiss her cheek as the song ended. Carlisle came over, he patted my shoulder and asked to cut in which I obliged.

Then I spotted Emmett dancing with Bella, he was being as gentle as he could and I could see Bella laughing and blushing a little.

I took a deep breath and headed over to them, I tapped Em on the shoulder and grinned at my brother.

"May I cut in?" I asked, Emmett rolled his eyes at me and gave me a gentle nudge with his elbow as he let me cut in.

I timidly took Bella's right hand with my left and put my right hand on her waist like Esme and my sisters have taught me. I still argue that I'm no good at this dancing stuff, but Bella didn't seem to mind.

"Are you having fun?" she asked and I nodded

"You?"

"Can't wait to get out of this dress," she admitted and I grinned

"Yeah I can imagine, did Alice sew you into that thing or something?"

Bella shook her head

"No why?"

"Because it looks like she did." I paused and looked at Bella with a serious look on my face "hey Bella,"

"Yes?" she replied

"I'm sorry,"

Now she raised her eyebrow in confusion

"What are you sorry for Chris?"

"For being afraid of you…when Edward first met you…and I found out how your scent had literally appealed to him so much that he high tailed it to Alaska…you…you well scared me, I was afraid to meet you afraid to profile you…I didn't want to get to know you. Wondering what kind of person could have such a pull over my brother."

"I never realized that Chris," Bella admitted

"I tried hard to make sure no one did. I'm not exactly one who likes to admit his fears Bella and Edward was sworn to secrecy…"

"You intrigued me Chris, from the first time I saw you, your eyes pulled me in and your aura too. You're a good person Chris, I'm so glad to be able to officially call you my brother." Bella paused "and someday soon I know you'll have someone in your life you'll have your happiness too because you deserve it."

I shrugged, more embarrassed with this conversation then Esme calling me little one. As the song ended I kissed Bella's cheek gently

"Welcome to the family sis," I said softly then let Edward cut back in to dance with his bride.

Bella had terrified me when she first came into our lives, but she's grown on me over this last year or so…and I was happy to have her as my new sister.

xxx