Chapter 102
As promised, Nathan and the others returned to America before the others. Their first destination was Las Vegas to return Ivory home. The plan was to remain in Las Vegas for a while so as to offer some form of insurance to Amber's parents that she and Kevin were never alone together. The plan was to eventually meet in Oregon and then they'd all return together with the remaining Cullen family as well as Jacob and Renesmee so no one would be the wiser. Ivory still was rather sad to return home if only because she knew returning to Las Vegas meant Nathan would be going home soon and she wouldn't see him again until Christmas. It was midday by the time they arrived and they all went to Tamara's house and let themselves in to relax and help Ivory get unpacked. Ada María cooked a dinner for everyone while they waited for Tamara and it was almost ready by the time she got home. Ivory got up from the couch where she was playing with Nathan to go hug her.
"Hi mommy," Ivory said. "I missed you."
"I missed you too, Ivory," Tamara smiled and leaned down so she could pick her up. "How was Rome? Were you on your best behavior? Did your grandma get you through your school work?"
"It was so pretty," Ivory smiled and held out the little souvenir she and Nathan had gotten for her: a little bracelet they got from a street vendor. "I picked this out for you."
"Oh, I love it," Tamara smiled and gave Ivory a kiss. "Will you put it on me?" Tamara held up her right wrist so Ivory could get it secured for her.
"As to your other questions, she was well behaved and all the school work she was set with is finished and on the dining table," Nathan said.
"Good," Tamara said and gave Ivory another kiss once her bracelet was secured. "So what's for dinner?"
"I saw a bunch of squash on your counter, so I'm making that three sister's soup you like," Ada María said. "Sans the butter of course."
"Much obliged," Nathan smiled.
"I have some cornmeal in the pantry. I'll make some cakes to go with that," Tamara said and put Ivory down so she could help in the kitchen. "So how long are you staying for?"
"Until everyone gets back," Nathan said. "Amber and Kevin ran off for a week in Naples to be alone. We're waiting for him to get back so we can meet in Oregon and pretend the two of them were never alone together."
"How dishonest," Tamara teased. "Well, you're welcome to stay as long as you like."
"Thanks Tamara," Nathan smiled as Ivory went back to him so they could continue the game they'd been playing together.
Kevin and Kyle more or less didn't cross paths the whole time they were all in Naples. Both remained largely at their destinations to be alone with their significant other, but Evalina did insist she wanted to have a night with all four of them together. The last day of Kevin's and Amber's stay, Evalina invited them over for a night of dinner (for Kyle and Kevin) and coffee of cards and talking. Kyle and Evalina would be spending another week in Naples but say Kevin and Amber off the following morning. They met Jacob and Renesmee back in Rome for the trip back but the others were not present. Upon asking why Jasper, Alice, Emmett and Rosalie weren't there, Renesmee just said they'd apparently still wanted to enjoy Europe a while longer and Kevin shrugged it off. As planned, they all regrouped in Oregon and took the final train back to Seattle. As promised, first thing when they returned home, Kevin and Amber went to her parents house relay the good news so they could get the moon ceremony started. Kevin gave Amber's hand a chaste kiss all the while giving her a knowing, seductive stare.
"You ready to tell them?" Kevin asked after giving her that kiss.
"Yes," Amber smiled longingly at him. There was even evidence of a tear threatening to fall at the corner of her eye. Kevin brushed just under her eye with his thumb to catch the tear before it fell and Amber leaned her face into his hand. "Sooner rather than later," she joked and Kevin chuckled and leaned forward to give her a kiss.
"Let's get inside then," Kevin said and pressed one last kiss to her lips before pulling away and getting out of the car. He walked around to open her door for her and grabbed her luggage before they walked to the door together. Amber pulled out her key and let them into the house. Levi was sitting in his recliner reading the paper while Anna was getting food ready for dinner when they walked in and both dropped what they were doing.
"Amber," Anna smiled and turned off the burners of her stove before running to Amber to give her a hug. Levi got up from the recliner and approached as well. "Welcome home," Anna continued. "How was Rome?"
"It was breathtaking," Amber smiled. "The wedding was wonderful and there was so much in Rome to see."
"That's good to hear," Levi said and kissed Amber's head. "Does that mean you're sad to be home?"
"Quite the contrary," Amber said and then looked at Kevin briefly before returning her gaze to Anna and Levi. "Kevin and I actually have good news."
"Do you?" Levi asked, looking at Kevin.
"We do," Kevin smiled. "Amber and I had a chance to talk it out during the trip and we've decided to set a date for the wedding."
"Oh!" Anna smiled and looked at Levi. "Levi, isn't that wonderful?! When? When is the wedding?"
"July," Amber said. "If possible, we'd like to get married on the 18th since that's the date we met, but it'll depend on the cycle of the moon. I was hoping we could all go to Forks so Kevin's mother could perform a moon ceremony. Kyle isn't due back for quite a while, so she said she could do it."
"How about we drive to Forks this Saturday evening, we'll spend the night and have the ceremony the following morning?" Anna suggested to Levi.
"I assume your family is already expecting us to arrive for this?" Levi asked Kevin.
"They are," Kevin nodded. "I admit they were expecting us tonight, but I can always let them know we'll be delayed."
"Friday evening would be best," Levi said. "We'll have the weekend in that case. I need to give permission for the marriage am I right?"
"You do," Kevin nodded. "I hope we still have your blessing to marry?"
"Of course you do," Levi smiled.
"Oh, this is wonderful!" Anna smiled brightly and went to her purse.
"Anna, what are you doing?" Levi asked.
"We need to speak with Rabbi Kowalski," Anna said. "He said once they chose date that we would more openly discuss giving them a Jewish wedding. The sooner we speak to him, the better."
"Anna, it's late," Levi said.
"That's of no consequence," Anna insisted and put on her shoes. "Come Levi."
"Anna, surely this can wait until Sunday after service," Levi protested.
"No," Anna insisted. "Now. Get your shoes on and get your wallet and keys. Unless, Kevin, you would be so kind as to drive."
"I'd be happy to," Kevin smiled. Levi sighed a little and followed everyone outside to the car. Anna and Amber remained in the back seat while Kevin and Levi were up front and they made the short drive to the Synagogue. Naturally, it was closed, but all the same Anna led them towards where Rabbi Kowalski and his family lived and knocked on the door. There was a moment of rustling on the other end before Rabbi's wife answered the door and smiled welcomingly.
"Anna," she said. "It's a pleasure to see you. I see your daughter got back from Rome."
"Indeed and we have wonderful news and were hoping to speak with the Rabbi. My daughter and her fiancé finally announced a date!"
"They have?" Mrs. Kowalski smiled. "Oh, Anna, that is wonderful news! When?"
"July," Anna announced.
"Well, that doesn't give us much time," Mrs. Kowalski stepped aside and let them all in before asking them to make themselves comfortable while she called out to her husband for him to come downstairs to meet the Dymeks. It took a minute for him to return to a more appropriate standard of dress, but when he did, he finally came downstairs and smiled politely at them.
"Anna, Levi, Amber," Rabbi Kowalski said. "I overhear a date's finally been set?"
"Yes, Rabbi," Anna said eagerly. "They want to marry in July. The 18th is preferred, but that'll potentially change if we find out Kevin's family's traditions dictate a different day. But July is a certainty."
:"Well, congratulations to you both," Rabbi Kowalski said. "It's been a long time coming. I'm sure the congregation will be beside themselves when they find out."
"Darling," Mrs. Kowalski said sternly with a kind smile. "You know full well why they came by. You promised when Kevin and Amber set a date that you would speak with them about a Jewish ceremony."
"I'm aware of what I said," Rabbi Kowalski said with a sigh. "Let's go upstairs to my office and we'll talk about this."
Kevin and Levi, Amber and Anna staying with Rabbi Kowalski's wife upon his request, followed the Rabbi up a set of stairs to his office in the Synagogue. When they arrived in the office, the Rabbi closed the door while Kevin and Levi took their seats and then he went to his chair on the other side of the desk. Rabbi Kowalski didn't appear to be any less hesitant about permitting a Jewish ceremony than he'd been previously. If anything, the man appeared all the more hesitant. Regardless, Kevin sat up straight and remained respectful and polite. Unfortunately for him, Rabbi Kowalski appeared to see right through it.
"You can relax, Mr. Black," the Rabbi said. "No need to waste charm on me. It won't do you a bit of good."
"It never hurts," Kevin said with a humored smile. The Rabbi did not smile back.
"Mr. Black–"
"Please, Rabbi, just call me Kevin," Kevin said and the Rabbi sighed.
"Kevin," he corrected and then continued with his thought. "You need to understand and appreciate what you're asking me to do and the position you're putting me in. I've explained this to you numerous times and the only thing preventing you from understanding appears to be your blind persistence. You are asking me to go against Jewish law and permit you, a gentile, to have a Jewish ceremony. Do you suppose, were your brother not Catholic, that the Vatican would have permitted such a thing?"
"I'm confident arrangements could have been made," Kevin said. "If there's one thing my mother's side of the family prides itself on, it's the gift of persuasion."
"Rabbi," Levi spoke up. "I really do appreciate what you're trying to say and under any other circumstances, I would absolutely agree with you. But my daughter and son-in-law are under different circumstances. Kevin has saved my daughter's life not just once, but twice. First when she was just a baby and took her to a Synagogue for safety after Germany got past the front and then again when he stormed the camp at Dachau and rescued her from the Nazis."
"I'll not argue he's a hero, Levi," Rabbi Kowalski said. "He's done great things for all of you and I've no doubt he'll be a wonderful husband to Amber and truly I wish them the best. That's not the issue here. The issue is he's not Jewish and you're asking me to perform a Jewish ceremony for a Catholic."
"With all due respect, Rabbi, his birth religion is completely irrelevant at this point in my opinion," Levi said. "It's not only that he's saved her life. It's that he made it possible for Anna and I to be her parents at all. Surely I've told you of this. He'd intended to give Amber to his aunt and uncle when the war was over, but the woman looking after Amber had made arrangements with us behind his back. Rather than force us to give up our only chance at parenthood, he put his own feelings aside and gave Amber to us. Anna and I owe this man a great debt of gratitude in more ways than we can ever repay."
"Indeed you do, but that doesn't entitle a gentile to a Jewish ceremony," Rabbi Kowalski said. "Now, Kevin, if you wish to convert, then perhaps we can move forward with a Jewish ceremony." Rather unintentionally, Kevin took a deep breath and crossed his leg with his ankle resting on his knee and Rabbi Kowalski looked at Kevin critically. Kevin was about to correct the gesture when he realized what he'd done, but it was too late. "That's what I thought," Rabbi Kowalski said. "Seeing as that's clearly off the table, there's nothing further to discuss."
"Rabbi, there's plenty to discuss," Levi said. "Kevin didn't say he wasn't willing to convert."
"He gestured it," Rabbi Kowalski said. "Your son-in-law is not circumcised. Were he to qualify to convert, he'd be expected to be circumcised."
"Oh," Levi said. He looked at Kevin who had his head held down, making his feelings on the matter rather clear. Not that Levi blamed him. Circumcision when one was baby was one thing. Circumcision when one is an adult? That was another matter entirely. "Perhaps he could be exempt from that expectation. After all, he's far too old for circumcision."
"Out of the question," Rabbi Kowalski said. "The Torah specifically dictates the requirement of circumcision and if he can't fulfill that requirement, than he can't convert. As I stated: that renders nothing further to discuss."
"Perhaps in the sense of conversion, but that certainly shouldn't push the ceremony off the table."
"I'm sorry, Levi, but as far as I'm concerned, it does."
"Rabbi," Kevin finally spoke up in the hopes he could salvage the situation. The Rabbi didn't want charm, so he wouldn't get any. Rather, he'd get bluntness. "When I proposed to Amber, I had every intention of giving her a Jewish wedding. She deserves no less. All bullshit aside, I love Amber and I promised her I'd give her the wedding of her dreams and more. That includes a Jewish wedding. I don't care if we have to come here July 18th in my uniform and her dress and refuse to leave until you marry us. I will give her a Jewish wedding. If I need to try to locate a different Synagogue, then I will, but she likes it here. She likes the congregants and she wants to get married here. So finding a different Synagogue would be an absolute last resort."
"Kevin, I can assure you that if you tried this at any synagogue, you will receive the same answer: you're not Jewish, so there's no Jewish ceremony. End of discussion."
"Not end of discussion," Kevin pressed stubbornly. "I realize my not being Jewish is an issue and I understand where you're coming from, but try to understand where we're coming from. Amber and I have been engaged for years now. A culmination of distance, a depression, and a war have forced our engagement to stretch to an inexcusable duration and I fully intend to correct that. Amber and I have already discussed and agreed that our children will be raised Jewish. My Catholic upbringing will not underhand that nor will it be compromised by my ensuring our children remember their Quileute heritage."
"I'm pleased to hear it, Kevin, but that's still beyond the point."
"Then let's get to the point," Kevin said. "Amber wants a Jewish ceremony and I will give her one. Since conversion is off the table, what else can I do? What can I do to make a Jewish ceremony possible? Donations? Help organizing fundraisers? My best friend is a contractor. Perhaps we could make repairs to the Synagogue. Or maybe improve the playground outside for the kids. Toys for the daycare? All of the above?"
"Mr. Black, you're suggesting bribery and I won't be so belittled," Rabbi Kowalski answered firmly.
"It's not bribery, Rabbi. It's a contribution. If I were offering you money, then yes it would be bribery, but that's not what I'm offering. I'm offering improvements in the form of educational materials for the kids, a better playground, maybe even repairs. I know for a fact there's a section of the Synagogue's roof that has been leaking. Embry could fix that without any problem and he wouldn't even charge you. So the money you've been trying to raise to repair the roof? That can go towards another project."
"Mr. Black, that money we've thus far raised has been raised with the understanding that it's going to the roof. To do otherwise would be a misappropriation of funds."
"Not if it was still used for improvements to the Synagogue for the betterment of the congregants," Kevin said. "Wouldn't you agree?" Kevin and Rabbi Kowalski exchanged a look for a few seconds before Kevin continued. "Or if you'd prefer, the money you've raised thus far for that roof is more than adequate to buy the required materials to fix the roof and Embry and a few of my relatives will do the rest free of charge. Any remaining money can be put aside for something else."
"And I suppose your friend would be completely and totally amicable to fixing an entire roof for free?"
"He will be if I ask," Kevin said. "He and I built a candle room for Anna and didn't charge a penny. All her and Levi paid for were materials. The tools we provided ourselves and we had it done in two weekends. For you? We'll all get a roof done in one weekend."
The Rabbi laughed a little under his breath. "A weekend? You're promising to repair the roof in one weekend?"
"Yes, Rabbi, I am," Kevin said. "And you know what? We'll even add to the playground and repair some of the older equipment. No charge whatsoever. I'll even buy some new toys and children's books for the playroom for good measure."
"Free of charge?" Rabbi Kowalski asked, still not believing him.
"All you'd pay for is materials needed for the roof which you already raised anyway. No misappropriation of funds but you still save some time and money and you get a free updated playground and new things for the playroom for your daycare. When you couple that with what we'd pay to have our ceremony here on top of that, I'd argue that's not too shabby. Wouldn't you say?"
Rabbi Kowalski still didn't appear entirely convinced, but he was considering it. That's all Kevin needed. He appeared thoughtful, wringing his hands together as he stared at his desk, rocking back and forth slightly in his chair. He seemed to glance at something. Little did Kevin know it was an estimate from a contracting company advising the cost of fixing the roof. It was a great deal more than what they'd raised thus far. Mrs. Kowalski had planned to set up another bake sale to alleviate that a bit, but if their last bake sale had been any indicator, they'd likely still not raise enough to pay for the contractor they'd contacted. He looked from that estimate to Kevin and back and then to the checkbook accounting for the money they'd raised. Then he looked at Kevin again.
"I'll make you a deal," Rabbi Kowalski finally said. "If you can in fact finish that roof, repair the playground, add new equipment and provide more materials for the classroom in one weekend, I'll perform the ceremony for you."
"Rabbi, that's being unreasonable-"
"Alright," Kevin said, interrupting Levi's protests.
"What?" Levi said.
"Alright," Kevin answered again with a victorious smile. "We'll get it done this weekend in fact. Friday evening, you and I will go to retrieve the needed materials for the roof, you'll cover those materials and I'll pay for any new equipment for the playgrounds and the classroom, and Embry, myself and a few others will get to work on that roof and the playground right away. We'll have it all done before end of day Sunday."
"You're confident you'd be able to do all that?" Rabbi Kowalski asked, almost challengingly.
"Let's just put it this way, Rabbi," Kevin said with the same challenge in his voice. "You may as well ask me to write the check for our wedding day now."
"I'll be courteous and wait until you've fulfilled your end of the bargain," Rabbi Kowalski said.
"That's fair," Kevin smiled and stood from his chair. Levi and Rabbi Kowalski also stood up. While Levi looked at Kevin in confusion, Kevin extended his hand to Rabbi Kowalski for a shake that the Rabbi accepted. "It was a pleasure, Rabbi. We'll get that roof, playground and classroom done this weekend, and Sunday evening, you can just tell me what number to put on the check for the ceremony."
"Indeed," Rabbi Kowalski said and showed them out of his office and back down to his and his family's living quarters in the Synagogue. Kevin let Amber and Anna know they needed to get going and they all went to the car. Only then did Levi finally speak up.
"Kevin, what on earth is wrong with you? You can't fix a roof and rebuild a playground in one weekend!"
"What?" Anna asked.
"Levi, it hurts my feelings you have so little faith in me," Kevin teased with a smile. "Don't worry about a thing. I'll make sure it gets done. That does mean we'll need to do the moon ceremony now, though."
"Kevin, I have to go to work in the morning," Levi said.
"I'll have you home by a reasonable time," Kevin said. "And you're all welcome to sleep in the car if you need to."
"You promised to repair the roof and the playground equipment?" Anna asked.
"And get more too," Kevin smiled. "Don't you worry; I'll get it done. Amber and I will have a Jewish ceremony."
"Kevin, I fear you may have bitten off more than you can chew," Levi said.
"I'll just have to chew as fast I can," Kevin said and began the drive to Forks. His speed on the roads were what one might call unreasonable, but he managed to get them to Forks in less than two hours. Night had fallen by then, but Renesmee hadn't gone to bed yet, so she was able to perform the ceremony for them. Levi was half asleep and Anna had laid down on the medical bed to take a nap. She got a small fire ready and prepared the required herbs while looking at Kevin with a pleased smile.
"Before I continue," Renesmee said after she finished mixing the herbs for the fire, "Levi, do you give your consent for Kevin to marry your daughter?"
"Yes, I do," Levi nodded and yawned just a little. He covered his mouth as he did so for politeness sake and Renesmee smiled. Then she looked at Kevin and Amber.
"Okay, you two," Renesmee said. "I'll toss the herbs into the fire and you'll need to hold your left hands over the fire together for as long as you can while I say the prayers. Are you ready?"
Kevin and Amber nodded and said yes. Renesmee smiled back at them and then tossed the mixed herbs into the fire. As directed, Amber and Kevin brought their hands above the fire beside one another while Renesmee's eyes went into the back of her head and she recited the prayer. They held their hand above the fire as long as they possibly could and only removed their hands when the heat was too much to bear. Soon Renesmee finished the prayers and saw what she needed upon which she opened her eyes to look at Kevin and Amber and smiled.
"For greatest happiness and prosperity, you must marry under the last quarter moon," Renesmee said.
"Is there any way to find out when that moon is?" Amber asked Kevin.
"For July next year, we'll have to check the lunar calendar," Kevin said. "Mom, do you think it'll be on the 18th?"
"It would certainly be lucky," Renesmee said. "It's night very likely, though. Like you said: we'll have to check the lunar calendar. I'll look into it and get back to you."
"I appreciate it, mom," Kevin said and went around to kiss Renesmee's cheek. "We'll come to visit as soon as we can. I'll have my hands tied this weekend with fixing a roof and a playground. Speaking of which," Kevin continued as he looked at Amber. "I'll be just a moment. I need to shift and let everyone know we're working this weekend."
"Alright," Amber smiled and Kevin left the hour and went to the woods, undressed, shifted and relayed the news. There were some grumbles and gripes, but he managed to obtain twenty volunteers that were either on patrol that agreed or people that had been brought up as volunteers that would be notified the following morning. The Cullens that were home would assist at night as per Renesmee's reassurance when Kevin returned inside to retrieve everyone and rush them back home.
By the time they returned, Levi, Anna and Amber were all asleep in Kevin's car but he was able to get them to wake and helped them all to their rooms to sleep for the night before returning to his house down the road. When that Friday came, Kevin went to the Synagogue as early as he could to meet Rabbi Kowalski so they could buy the required materials to fix the roof. Kevin reassured once again that he and his friends/relatives would be able to get the job done in the weekend. Rabbi Kowalski remained highly skeptical, but he bought everything they would need without a word. When they returned, Mrs. Kowalski was talking to a large group of men that Rabbi Kowalski had never seen before, handing paper cups of water and sandwiches.
"Good, they're here," Kevin said as they drove up.
"Your friends and relatives I assume?" Rabbi Kowalski said, stunned by how many men were gathered.
"I'll introduce you once we get out of the car," Kevin said. As soon as they arrived, Embry was the first to excuse himself from the group and went to the car.
"There you are," Embry said once Kevin was out of the car. "We're losing daylight, so we need to start. You have everything?"
"In the back of the truck," Kevin said. Embry turned and whistled for everyone to come over to help get everything out of the rented truck and as they approached, Kevin pointed them all out to Rabbi Kowalski. "This is Embry. He's the one I told you about that's a contractor. He helped build that playground down the road from here in fact."
"It's a pleasure," Embry nodded his head.
"That's my father, Jacob," Kevin said, pointing at Jacob who waved briefly before walking to the back of the truck. Kevin noticed the Rabbi gawk at a man he had no other choice but to assume was in his 60s at minimum but didn't look a day past his mid-twenties. Kevin moved along by continuing to introduce everyone as they walked past, receiving varied degrees of enthusiasm as they waved back and smiled while getting right to work. "That's my brother Nathan. His son Ariel. Those are my sister's sons JJ and Salem. That's Henry, my dad's friend's son. This is Embry's dad, Embry Sr. and these are Embry's little brothers Peta, the twins Taraq and Bayaq, Zephyr and the youngest one, Grae. My uncles will be here a little later. This is my cousin Travis and that's Embry's nephew Wren. That should about cover everyone that's here. Unfortunately, Kyle and his wife haven't returned from Italy, so Kyle won't be helping, but we should be able to handle this ourselves."
"How old is your father?" Rabbi Kowalski asked rather suddenly.
"Well," Kevin said thoughtfully, "He was…18 when I was born? I think he was still 18. I'm 45, so that would make him about 63, but we aren't positive. Until my mom and her family came around, they didn't really have calendars to reference. Wasn't really high on our list of priorities."
"Your father looks…a great deal younger than 63," Rabbi Kowalski answered.
"We all get that a lot," Kevin smiled. "There's a lot to be said about getting plenty of sleep, exercise and eating healthy." Kevin patted Rabbi Kowalski's back and grabbed some clothes from the back. "If it's alright, I'll change into some work clothes and we'll have that roof finished in no time."
Kevin stepped away from Rabbi Kowalski and went inside to change. By the time he returned outside, the Rabbi had already retreated to the living quarters of the Synagogue and Embry was already on the roof with the others removing the old shingles and getting things set up to replace the roof. Kevin climbed the latter to the roof to help and, as promised, Edward and Carlisle arrived after nightfall to help and brought a large lamp so they could see better. Rabbi Kowalski already thought they were weird without noticing they were working in the dark. They stopped when Edward overheard Mrs. Kowalski tucking in the baby and they all walked to Kevin's house to sleep for the remainder of the night, waking bright and early to return to work while Edward and Carlisle went ahead and stayed behind. Midday while they were working, they were nearly done with the roof and were preparing to get started on the repairs and addition to the playground when Rabbi Kowalski climbed up the latter to see the progress and nearly fell over when he saw it.
"Afternoon, Rabbi," Kevin smiled. "How do you like it?"
"It's almost done," Rabbi Kowalski said mostly to himself and Kevin chuckled.
"We've just got this corner left and we'll be done," Kevin said. "Embry's already in the playground with a few of the others making repairs on the playground equipment. We'll start getting the new stuff assembled today, but we'll probably finish by tomorrow morning. Should I bring my checkbook tomorrow?"
"Don't count your eggs before they hatch, Mr. Black," Rabbi Kowalski said awkwardly before going back down the latter.
Kevin smiled smugly to himself and finished the last part of the roof within a half hour. Once the roof was finished, Kevin checked it over a few more times to make sure it was perfect before going down the latter after he was satisfied. He'd intended to go straight to the playground to help with the repairs and set up when he saw Amber walking towards the Synagogue all dolled up in an a-line skirt and short sleeve pink shirt with her hair curled and bouncing as she walked with two large picnic baskets in her hands that she carried. She smiled at him, her teeth shining white in the sun when it hit her and Kevin returned the smile before walking over to her. She looked up at the roof and then at Kevin.
"I see the roof is finished," Amber smiled and accepted a quick kiss from Kevin.
"Just finished it," Kevin said. "The others are on the playground doing the repairs and we're hoping to start setting up the new playground equipment tonight and we'll finish tomorrow."
"Remember you promised before noon," Amber smiled and then held up the baskets. "Mom and I made sandwiches for all of you. We made some Rye bread last night and it smelled really good. They're roast beef and cheese with spinach, cucumbers and tomatoes. I made sure there are three without cheese for Nathan. I wrote his name on them."
"He'll appreciate that," Kevin said and took the baskets.
"There's also a big jug of lemonade in there if you're all thirsty," Amber added.
"Even better," Kevin answered and kissed her again. "I think the Rabbi's a little sore with me. He was surprised to see how far along I was with the roof when he'd checked it. I asked him if I should bring my checkbook tomorrow for after we're done and he told me not to count my eggs before they hatched. I think he meant chickens."
"Try not to tease him so much," Amber said. "What we're asking is very unorthodox so we need to stay on his good side."
"I know, Amber," Kevin said as he planted yet another kiss to her lips. "There's just a small satisfaction in getting him to agree to letting us have a Jewish ceremony. Can you really fault me that?"
"Just don't rub it in his face," Amber said.
"Kevin!" Embry's voice came from the back of the Synagogue, grabbing Kevin's and Amber's attention. "If you want this done by tomorrow, you'd better get your ass over here!" Embry seemed to either finally notice or finally acknowledge Amber and waved. "Afternoon, Amber! Tell that lazy husband of yours to get his ass over here!" Amber giggled and waved back.
"Afternoon to you too, Embry!" Amber called. "Perhaps you'll be in better spirits when you find out I brought you all lunch! Roast beef sandwich on Rye bread! Homemade!"
"All the more reason to tell Kevin to get over here! And thanks for the lunch!" Embry said and returned to the playground. Kevin smiled and looked at Amber.
"Well, you heard him," Kevin said and kissed her again. "Thank you for bringing us lunch. If I don't see you later today, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Okay," Amber smiled. They shared one last kiss before she ran off to return home while Kevin went to the back with all the food. Everyone knew about the food already and were lining up to get their share. JJ kept working on the swing set fixing a rusted screw prepared to ignore the meal.
"JJ," Embry said. "That can wait. Come and get a sandwich."
"I'm almost done. Just give me a minute," JJ protested and continued working.
"Fine, but once you finish that, you get over here and eat," Embry said. JJ didn't answer, but he did start mumbling under his breath about not being a child.
Finally, he finished what he was doing and went to the basket to grab his share of the food. There were three sandwiches left for him. He picked out the cheese on all the sandwiches and tossed them at Embry to eat, to which he'd said nothing because JJ and Salem generally ate like their mother. Salem ate the sandwiches as is. Embry didn't say anything when JJ picked out the roast and handed it over to someone else. Embry did, however, say something when JJ only ate half of one of the sandwiches especially after all the fuss he'd put into customizing the sandwiches in the first place. The others got back to work while Embry effectively told JJ he wasn't getting back to work until he ate all his sandwiches, reasoning that he'd not said a word when JJ only drank coffee that morning so he needed to eat something now. JJ eventually relented and ate the sandwiches so he could get back to work.
By nightfall, they'd finished the repairs and had all the things out so they could add all the new equipment, including a tire swing that would hang from the large tree in the back corner of the playground. They worked into the night as long as they could before Mrs. Kowalski was putting down the baby and they needed to leave so they could all get sleep, especially since service was the next day. Although Kevin couldn't resist gently knocking on the door, receiving an answer from Rabbi Kowalski, and telling him to make sure to tell the kids that after service, they should all send the kids to the playground. Rabbi Kowalski said, "We'll see," and told Kevin they'd see one another tomorrow before closing the door. The group slept at Kevin's house again and, once again, woke up bright at early before the sun and walked back to the Synagogue and got to work. They were adding the tire swing, a merry-go-round that kids could spin around on – that would be installed properly – a new set of monkey bars and a long hopscotch board off to the side that they painted onto the ground. They finished with just twenty minutes to spare and when they were done, Kevin smiled at it.
"Thanks for helping me you guys," Kevin said.
"Not a problem," Embry said and patted Kevin's shoulder. "You brought your checkbook right?"
Kevin chuckled, "In my back pocket. The ceremony here will be July 18th. Hopefully the moon ceremony will be same day or close to it."
"You have to marry under the quarter moon right?"
"The last quarter," Kevin said. "So it'll already be later in the month. That'll serve our purposes well." Just then, they heard the door to the classroom of the Synagogue open and they turned to see Mrs. Kowalski leading all the kids outside. The children all cheered and ran out to the playground moving around Kevin and the others to go straight to the new playground equipment and some of the original.
"Children! What do you say to Mr. Black and his friends?" Mrs. Kowalski yelled and the children all looked at them and said 'Thank you' before returning to their play. Mrs. Kowalski walked outside and looked around. "It's perfect, Kevin," Mrs. Kowalski said. "You all did a wonderful job."
"I'm glad the kids like it," Kevin said. "So where's that husband of yours? I believe I have a check to write him for that Jewish ceremony."
Mrs. Kowalski giggled and tilted her head towards the Synagogue. "He's still inside. I say give him a chance to come out here and see it for himself. He still doesn't believe you all were able to get this done by the designated time. He'll certainly be shocked when he sees it."
"Oh, Kevin," Kevin heard Anna say and he looked over his shoulder to see her, Amber and Levi stepping outside in their Sunday best. "It's wonderful! The playground looks like new!"
"The kids seem to love it," Levi smiled. Amber went to Kevin's side and hugged him while looking at all the kids play.
"I knew you'd all get it done," Amber said and rested her chin on his chest so she was looking up at him. "Mom and I were going to make a giant dinner for all of you tonight if you're interested."
"We're interested alright," Embry answered for everyone with a chuckle. Finally Rabbi Kowalski came outside to see the handy work and his jaw nearly dropped. Mrs. Kowalski saw him first and went to him.
"Darling, isn't it wonderful? The kids absolutely love it," she said.
"I can see that," Rabbi Kowalski said and looked at Kevin. Kevin smiled at him and Rabbi Kowalski motioned for Kevin to follow him inside. He did so and the two went up to his office together.
"So how'd we do?" Kevin asked once they were alone.
"You did as you promised," Rabbi Kowalski said and rubbed his face. "What about those school materials you promised?"
"I already gave them to your wife," Kevin said.
"Oh, right," Rabbi Kowalski said and ran his fingers through his hair with a sigh. "So when was the date you wanted?" Rabbi Kowalski asked.
"July 18th," Kevin said.
"Hold on one second," he said and went behind his desk and opened a drawer to pull out a calendar. He looked through to July of the following year and looked through the slots. "You're aware the 18th is a Monday?" Rabbi Kowalski asked.
"I'd not been concerned with that," Kevin said. "We can have an evening ceremony for those that need to come after work. We just want the 18th. It has special meaning to us. It's when we met."
"Yes, so I've been told," Rabbi Kowalski said. "I'm just offering fair warning. On the bright side, it's free. But then, people don't generally get married on a Monday."
"So long as it works. I think a ceremony at 4 should be alright."
"Just make sure you notify your guests promptly," Rabbi Kowalski said and took out a pencil. He wrote something down on the calendar and then put it away in his desk drawer. "Alright, I have you and Amber down for the 18th at 4. Now, while you're not Jewish and you're not converting, I will still require you to come here periodically so we can get you up to speed on some requirements for the wedding."
"Just tell me when," Kevin smiled. Then he reached into his back pocket and pulled out his checkbook. He took a pen from the table and got ready. "How much do I owe for the ceremony?"
"That'll depend in part on how many people you're inviting. If the guest count is 250 or less, it's typically $80.00 for the ceremony. If you're inviting more than 300 that can range from $90 to $200. You would pay $20 now to secure your spot and then you can pay the rest once you know your exact guest count. That would need to be known and then paid a month in advance of the wedding at minimum."
"In that case," Kevin put away the checkbook and just pulled out his wallet to grab a twenty dollar bill, "can I just pay cash?"
"That's fine," Rabbi Kowalski said. Kevin handed over the down payment and Rabbi Kowalski placed it on the desk to lock away later.
"Amber and I will talk about the guest list and we'll get back to you about that as soon as possible. I don't expect it'll exceed 250 and if that's the case, I'll let you know and bring the remaining $60. If it's more, I'll consult you."
"That'll be just fine," Rabbi Kowalski said.
"And Rabbi?" Kevin said.
"Yes?" he replied.
"Thank you for this. It really does mean a lot."
"I know," Rabbi Kowalski said. "I don't question why Amber loves you and I can see how much you love her too. I know you'll make each other happy."
"I really do love her," Kevin smiled fondly. "We've been together so long and we've wanted to get married for so long. After everything that's happened, it really does mean a lot that I can give her a Jewish wedding. Thank you, Rabbi."
"You're welcome, Kevin," Rabbi Kowalski said and finally smiled a little. "Now go tell Amber and the two of you can start planning. Just be prepared for 9 months of logistical hell."
Kevin chuckled, "I've watched my business partner plan his daughter's wedding, so I have a fair idea what to expect. Thank you for the warning, though."
Kevin and Rabbi Kowalski said their final pleasantries before Kevin finally left the office with a big, victorious smile. When he returned downstairs getting ready to go outside to the playground, Amber was inside standing by the door.
"How'd it go?" Amber asked nervously, but the nervousness dissipated the moment she caught Kevin's smile.
"July 18th at 4:00 in the afternoon, Rabbi Kowalski will give us a Jewish ceremony," Kevin answered.
"Kevin," Amber smiled and ran to him to give him a hug. Kevin embraced her and lifted her up a little so his back was straight while he held her. "He's really giving us a Jewish ceremony?"
"He is," Kevin said and kissed Amber's cheek. "July 18th," Kevin said again.
"July 18th," Amber repeated and she lifted her head so they could kiss.
Once Anna had told all the guys that she was making them a giant dinner at her house, they made the quick walk back to the Dymek's house and waited patiently for Anna and Amber to finish making dinner. It was a tight fit getting everyone in that house but they made it work. Since they had received the Rabbi's blessing and a date was saved, Anna spent the evening trying to plan the wedding. The subject of finding a dress came up and Amber asked Kevin if it would be possible for his aunts to make a dress for her. Naturally, he said, they would happily do so. Most of the men returned home right after dinner to return to the tribe, but Embry stayed behind to spend the night at Kevin's house. They stayed at Amber's house for coffee and didn't leave until Levi reminded Kevin and Amber they were both returning to work the next day. Kevin and Amber shared a kiss goodnight before he and Embry made the short walk back to Kevin's house.
"July 18th," Embry said with a light smile. "It's nice to finally put a date to it, isn't it?"
"You have no idea," Kevin said. "I need to find out what day our moon falls on. I doubt we'll be so lucky that they'd be on the same day. We can always do what Kyle and Evalina did and have one ceremony first and then the other."
"Will Kyle be the best man since you were his best man at the wedding?" Embry asked.
"Actually," Kevin said glancing down at his feet, "as much as I realize brothers are generally first in line for best man, I'd father rather it be you."
Embry looked up at Kevin a little surprised, "Me?"
"Of course you," Kevin smiled. "You're the big brother I never had. Besides, you've followed me to hell and back twice now and you've been my best friend my whole life. I want you to be my best man."
"Well, shit," Embry smiled and pretended to tear up, "that just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside."
"I hope that means you accept," Kevin said. "Unless you want me to rebuild your roof and backyard playground too."
Embry laughed out loud and patted Kevin's back, "Of course I accept. I'm honored. If my memory serves right, she wants us in our uniforms?"
"She does," Kevin nodded. "Medals and all."
"Well, I don't have any medals, but I'll happily wear the uniform," Embry answered. They reached Kevin's house and he let them inside and then locked the front door while Embry went to Kevin's pantry and pulled out the bottle of brandy and two glasses. He poured some in each glass with a single ice cube in both and then brought them over to Kevin, handing over his glass. "I'd say finally setting a date and naming me the best man calls for a drink."
"I'd say so," Kevin agreed. They touched their glasses and drank down their brandy. They had a few more glasses of brandy before they finally went to bed. They both woke up early and Embry returned home while Kevin got himself ready for work. Amber got to work before Kevin did. She was just getting settled at her desk when Linda came into work.
"So?" she asked. "How was Rome? Judging by your smile, it must have been a wonderful time."
"It was," Amber smiled a little more and felt her cheeks burn a little.
"Oh, Amber, please, give me more detail," Linda said. "Was the wedding lovely? How was the scenery? Most importantly, did you and Mr. Black have fun?" Linda winked at her last question and Amber blushed more.
"The wedding was lovely," she answered. "Kyle and Evalina were very happy and Rome was gorgeous. After the wedding, Kyle and Evalina went to Naples for their honeymoon. Kevin and I ended up going to Naples too and stayed at a sea view hotel with a big balcony overlooking the water."
"Oh," Linda sighed and leaned her chin on her hand. "That must have been so romantic."
"It was," Amber said. "We finally set a date."
Linda's eyes lit up eagerly finally receiving the answer she wanted, "Oh did you? And when is that?"
"July 18th," Amber said. "This past weekend, Kevin repaired the Synagogue roof, the playground and added more playground equipment so Rabbi Kowalski would agree to give us a Jewish wedding ceremony."
"And did he agree?"
"He did," Amber smiled and looked up at Linda. "You're invited, naturally."
"I would hope so," Linda smiled and gave Amber a big hug. "Oh, Amber, I'm so happy for you. I know the two of you will be very happy together." Amber hugged Linda back.
"Thank you, Linda," Amber said. Linda patted Amber's back and stood back up.
"We'd better get to work but I'll make sure to congratulate Mr. Black when he gets here," Linda said. Then she smiled brighter and hugged Amber again. "Soon you'll be 'Mrs. Black'! This is so exciting!"
"I think Amber Black has a nice ring to it," Amber agreed with a longing sigh.
Kevin got into the office about 10 minutes later and received the same congratulations from Linda. She tried to ask for more details like venues, dresses and if Amber would retire after they married or if she would wait until she was pregnant like Olga had. Kevin and Amber calmed Linda stating they'd not quite gotten that far with their planning and were finally able to start the work day after Kevin gave Amber a brief kiss on the cheek and went into his office. Though he shortly left his office so he could go to Alphonse's office both to let him know he'd returned and also to relay the good news. Kevin knocked gently on the door before letting himself in and seemed to catch Alphonse just as he got off the phone. Once Alphonse noticed Kevin there, he smiled.
"There you are," Alphonse said. "I was beginning to think I'd have to send out a search party for you."
Kevin chuckled, "Don't worry, I'm back. Although, I'll be gone for a while again July next year."
"Is that when the wedding is?" Alphonse asked.
"How'd you know about that?" Kevin asked.
"I'm not deaf, Kevin," Alphonse chuckled. "Although, even if I were deaf I'd probably still have heard Linda. Amber told her and I overheard the standing ovation. Congratulations to you."
"Thank you for saying," Kevin smiled.
"Cuba was lovely if you're hurting for honeymoon ideas," Harold's voice came from the door and Kevin turned to look at him.
"Amber did say she'd like to go somewhere with a beach, so Cuba or Puerto Rico are certainly options. Although, my little brother has a house in Salvador, Brazil that I'm thinking would be a lovely getaway."
"Oh, I hear Brazil is spectacular," Harold smiled. "I look forward to telling Anastasia about this tonight when I get home."
"Speaking of, how have you two been since I ran away to Europe?" Kevin asked.
"Pregnant," Harold smiled proudly. "We found out shortly after you left, so she's only about 4 months along now, but we're expecting our first child."
"Congratulations are in order for you too, then," Kevin smiled and shook Harold's hand. Then he looked at Alphonse with a smile. "Are you excited to be a grandpa?"
"Delighted," Alphonse said, no hint of his usual sarcasm. Only joy. "Anastasia's been elated since she found out. She and her mother are already spending hours at Macys looking at baby things. She's rather positive it's a boy."
"Is she?" Kevin chuckled. "Should we place bets on it?"
"Alphonse and I already have one going," Harold chuckled. "I'm betting it's a boy and Alphonse is betting it's a girl. Loser has to buy a year's supply of diapers."
"Sounds expensive," Kevin chuckled. "Any baby names?"
"Harold Foster Jr." Harold smiled.
"Over my dead body," Alphonse grumbled.
"We can always call him Hal," Kevin smiled.
"I've voiced my dislike for the name on numerous occasions to Anastasia," Alphonse said. "Though, naturally, her mother must contradict me if only to make my life miserable so she's claimed to 'adore' the name."
"What about a girl?" Kevin asked.
"Anya Teresa," Harold said.
"That's a beautiful name," Alphonse said.
"It is," Kevin smiled. "Can I admit I hope you have a girl?"
"Is the name that bad? You're starting to hurt my feelings," Harold joked.
"It's your child, you can name it how you wish," Alphonse muttered. "I still prefer something besides Harold Jr. for the record."
"You're opinion has been dually noted, grandpa," Harold said and Kevin started laughing.
"Don't push your luck too far, Harold," Kevin joked. "Keep in mind who truly has Anastasia's ear."
"Exactly," Alphonse said.
Kevin chuckled again and they all returned to their day and got to work. By the end of the week, Renesmee was able to confirm that the moon under which Kevin and Amber needed to marry would be on the 17th. It wasn't the same day, but that was still rather lucky. By that time, Kyle and Evalina finally returned home and Kyle near immediately returned to work and, as they had discussed, begun the process of training Evalina in nursing, though better, experienced teachers would be needed later. Kyle focused more so on helping her become well versed with the human body and the science behind its functions. Not long after that, Alice, Jasper, Rosalie and Emmett finally returned and were relayed the news that Amber wanted them to make her dress. Alice just smiled knowingly and nodded her head. She took Amber's measurements one weekend and told her to rest assured that her dress would be ready very soon. Just two days later, they received news that the dress was ready and they agreed they'd go to Forks over the weekend so she could try it on. Naturally, Kevin was not invited, so he'd be spending the day with Embry so that he was out of the way. The Friday before they were set to leave, Kevin had dinner with the Dymeks and stayed a while for coffee and light dessert, sitting on the couch beside Amber while Anna and Levi sat beside one another in another chair.
"What do you think the dress will look like?" Amber asked Kevin.
"I'm not allowed to know what it looks like, so it's best I not guess," Kevin smiled.
"Exactly right," Anna agreed. "The groom can't see the dress before the ceremony. It's bad luck. Right after the Quileute ceremony, we'll need to be sure to separate you two. You can't see each other right before the wedding either."
"All the bad luck in the world hasn't stopped these two from being together. Why should seeing a dress and seeing her before the wedding?" Levi teased Anna.
"We shouldn't tempt it," Anna protested. "There's no way you could find out what it looks like is there?"
"So long as no one else in the pack sees the dress, neither will I," Kevin reassured. "Alice has an eye for women's fashion in general, so whatever she made up for you, I know you'll love it."
"I know," Amber smiled. "I can't wait to see it."
Kevin could tell she had a sad smile and he knew why. No matter what Alice made her, the truth was it wouldn't be her mother's dress. The dress she'd spent her whole life imagining she'd marry Kevin in. Amber would not hold that against the dress Alice made her though. She knew no matter what, it would be gorgeous. Kevin remained for several hours until finally leaving around ten to return home and get some sleep before, bright and early, they all met at Kevin's house and made the trip out to Forks. When they arrived, Kevin kissed Amber to wish her luck before retreating to the woods to go to Embry's house so they could spend time together. When he left, Amber's hands suddenly went clammy and she started getting nervous. Alice had made her clothes before and they were always nice, but this was something else entirely.
"Just breath, Amber," Anna said when she saw Amber getting nervous. "Your father and I are here. And you know what, if you don't like it, just tell Alice and she'll redo it no questions asked."
"That won't be necessary I'm confident," Alice said, stepping out of Renesmee's and Jacob's house. She came down the steps and went to Amber to give her a big hug. "Are you excited?"
"Mostly," Amber smiled nervously and Alice smiled.
"Don't worry, you'll love it."
"I thought you couldn't see my future," Amber said and, once again, Alice gave her a knowing smile.
"I don't need to see your future for this one," Alice said. "Now let's go. We're stalling. I have the dress up at our house and it's ready for you to try on."
Alice took Amber's hand and led her and her parents up the hill to the Cullen house. Everyone greeted them when they arrived but kept it brief as Alice was eager to get Amber upstairs to see the dress. With each step up the stairs, Amber's heart raced more and more. She was already scared she wouldn't love it no matter how beautiful, how wonderful it was. She tried to put those feeling aside and took a deep breath. Alice led them to hers and Jasper's room but she didn't open the doors. Instead, she turned to face Amber with that proud smile.
"Alright, Amber, close your eyes. That goes for you and Levi too," she said to the three of them. For some reason, that made Amber want to throw up. But she, Anna and Levi did as she asked and closed their eyes. Once they'd done so, they heard the doors finally open and Alice guided them into the room gently until they were standing where she wanted them to. "Okay. You can open them now," Alice said.
Amber opened her eyes and nearly fell over. It was breathtaking. The antique lace that buttoned in the back going up to the neck and over the shoulders, the light lilac purple of the fabric going down in long sleeves to the wrists, the bodice and the skirt, the tight fitted bodice that tied in the back and the long, billowing skirt that reached down to the floor in a pool of the same lilac fabric. It looked exactly like the dress her mother wore at her wedding and her grandmother and even great grandmother before her. It even looked aged just the way she remembered it.
"Alice," Amber barely uttered, "you made my mother's dress."
"I didn't sew a single stitch," Alice said. "Well, except to hem it. I needed to take it in a bit. The manikin I got this off of was a little fuller figured then you."
"What do you mean?" Anna asked, confused.
"Well, my first plan had been to recreate it, but I knew that simply wouldn't be the same. I wanted to at least try to look for the dress. So while we were in Europe, Jasper, Rosalie, Emmet and I went to the last place you'd seen it. We started with that farmer's neighbors and I was able to find out that a soldier had given the dress to a woman in France that he was having an affair with. She'd kept the dress until he died in battle and remarried another man. He insisted she be rid of the dress, so she took it to a seamstress in town who argued the dress was an antique and she couldn't re-use any of the fabric. So instead, she kept it on display in her shop. After the war, a patron came in after seeing the dress and the seamstress relayed the story of how the dress was stolen from a young Jewish woman, so the patron bought the dress in order to take it to a museum that was being planned for the holocaust. We found it in a storeroom in England with plans of it being shipped to America and we were able to buy it from the warehouse. After we got it, I had it cleaned, took it in for you and put it on display for you."
"It's…" Amber started but she couldn't finish. Upon finding out it wasn't a replica of her dress but THE dress, she burst into tears and approached it. "Alice," Amber managed through her tears turning to face her and then running over to hug her. "You really found my mother's dress?"
"Yes, I did," Alice said. "I feared it was a long shot but I wanted to at least try. I'm glad I did."
"Me too," Amber whimpered, let go of Alice and turned to look at the dress again, still not able to believe her eyes.
Anna was crying too, having assumed the dress long lost. They'd lost so many things because of this war. Never mind the material goods. It was the sentimental things. Their family photos, pictures from Amber's Bot Mitzvah, all the letters Kevin had written to her, Amber's bracelets that Kevin had made her and the dress she'd spent most of her life imagining she'd marry him in. She'd received back her bracelets by some blind miracle and now, she had her dress back too.
"Oh, Alice, thank you," Anna whimpered. "I don't know to begin to thank you."
"May I try it on?" Amber asked.
"That's why we're here," Alice smiled and went to the dress to get it off its bust and helped Amber get into in. It fit her like a glove just as she remembered too. The lace around the neck fit snuggly, the arms were a touch wide but barely noticeable and the corset of the dress, when tied, made her nearly unable to breath. It was exactly as she remembered it and it was perfect.
Once Alice had Amber secured in the dress, Anna was crying more and barely looked at her for her occupation of brushing the tears away with a handkerchief. Amber heart raced as she waited to see how it looked. She'd tried it on so many times but had never truly seen herself in it. She'd only received her mother's praising words assuring it was perfect. Alice turned Amber around so she could see herself in the full length mirror and she cried renewed tears. The lace came up to her neck and was a slightly discolored ivory from years of aging. It nearly appeared like it could match her pale skin. The light lace looked beautiful and the skirt flared out just above her hips. The dress itself was rather heavy, but she didn't care. It could weigh 100 pounds and she'd still have adored it.
"It's perfect," Amber cried and Alice immediately blotted away the tears.
"Try not to cry, Amber," Alice said. "There will be plenty of time for that on your wedding day." Amber accepted a handkerchief and blotted just under her eyes making sure none of her tears got on the dress, but she was beside herself.
"I don't know how I can ever thank you for this, Alice," Amber managed through her tears.
"Make my nephew happy," Alice smiled. "That's all the more payment I need and you already do that."
Amber managed to nod and started crying yet again. Alice eventually got Amber out of the dress and promised it would remain hidden away until July 18th so no one else would see it. Afterwards, Amber took a moment to wash her face and compose herself so Kevin wouldn't see that she'd been crying. She and her parents remained at the Cullen house for about 2 hours before Amber felt confident enough to go back to the tribe and potentially see Kevin. He was still with Embry, so she stayed with Renesmee and Jacob and talked about what she'd need to wear for the Quileute ceremony and how that would end up working. Compared to a Jewish ceremony, it was night and day. It would be shorter for starters. It had to be at night and, since Kyle was the medicine man of the tribe now and Jacob was chief, the two would tell the story of the original Quileute that became so after their granted wish to become human from wolves. They would wear those ancestor's skins as a sign that they would rule upon Jacob no longer being chief. There would be a fertility dance performed by the tribe's most recent bearers of sons to wish them fruitfulness in their marriage and then they'd light the pyre together. The only part of the ceremony that would be postponed would be their three days alone together since the Jewish ceremony would be the following day. Since Kevin was Catholic, Amber decided she wanted to have a unity candle that they would light after the ceremony when they arrived at the reception. Anna insisted that she make the candle herself.
Finally, when it was nightfall Kevin and Embry came to Renesmee's and Jacob's house and Amber was proud that she didn't start crying at all when he asked how things went with Alice. She only needed to say it went well and that was the end of it. They drove back to the city and Kevin made sure they all got home before returning to his own house for the night. As he promised he would, every Sunday, Kevin attended service with Amber and her family and afterwards he'd go through a course that was effectively a crash course in what would typically be done for children preparing for their Bar Mitzvah and making sure he knew what to expect for the wedding and what would be expected of him. It was akin to learning a whole new language. A language that was nothing like any he'd studied before.
"So Rabbi," Kevin said one afternoon while he was studying with Rabbi Kowalski, "Can Amber and I recite our own vows?"
"Of course you can," Rabbi Kowalski said. "Plenty of couples do. It'll just be at an appropriate point while we're going through the 7 blessings."
"And her and I get to keep the Ketubah I sign, right?" Kevin asked.
"Of course," Rabbi Kowalski nodded. "We can provide you a Ketubah but you can always get them custom made. You sign it, you pick someone to witness you signing it and it gets framed and stays with you and Amber till death do you part or you divorce. Now, in traditional Orthodox Jewish law the witnesses need to be unrelated men and technically yours and Amber's signatures aren't actually required. Of course, as I'm sure you can tell, I've proven to be a more leisurely Rabbi. So I won't require that your chosen witnesses be Jewish."
"So I can ask my best man to be a witness?"
"I assume you're referring to….Embry was his name?" Kevin nodded. "If you don't mind my asking, why do you wish to have him be a witness?"
"He's as close to a brother to me as anyone can be without a blood relation. Embry's been my best friend my whole life and he's stood by my side no matter what. When I was just a wide eyed dumb kid that joined the army for glory and a better life, he stood by me and followed me to hell and back. That's how we always worded it. I don't know if I could have survived the Great War if I'd not had Embry by my side. Then, when I couldn't find Amber, he followed me again to look for her. He…." Kevin started, but Jae came to mind. "His brothers came and so did mine. Embry's brother Jae died during that war."
"My sincerest condolences to him," Rabbi Kowalski said.
"He lost a brother because I didn't put my foot down and force Amber and her parents into the country, consequences be damned. Jae's dead because I didn't save Amber in time. Despite that, Embry's stood by me. It's why I asked him to be my best man. I realize signing the Ketubah for us is a huge responsibility. I can think of no one else that I would want to seal our marriage more than Embry."
"Quite the speech," Rabbi Kowalski smiled. "In that case, his signature is perfectly fine. I dare say appropriate."
"Thank you," Kevin said. "Has Amber said to you who she wants as her witness?"
"She's not said," Rabbi Kowalski said. "I'd suggest you two sit down together and talk it over. You both really should pick your witnesses together. When my wife and I married, we picked witnesses who's marriages we wanted to emulate. I tend to suggest the same to other couples. Marriage isn't required of course. It's more important that the witnesses you pick are people that you can turn to in hard times. Given what you've told me, Embry certainly fits that requirement."
"I'd say so," Kevin smiled. "Now, you said those can be custom made? Any specific requirements?"
"Design wise, not especially," Rabbi Kowalski said. "It'll just require that it says what a Ketubah is supposed to say. If you're saying you two are going to have it custom made, I can give you the outline of what it's required to say."
"I'd appreciate that," Kevin said.
Kevin accepted a rough draft Rabbi Kowalski provided that advised what a Ketubah was required to say and left that day once his lesson was over and went to Amber's parents' house for dinner. He brought up what conversation he'd had with the Rabbi regarding witnesses for signing their Ketubah. Kevin explained that he wanted Embry to be one and Amber agreed that was acceptable. Now she just needed to pick her witness but Amber wasn't sure so she asked Kevin to give her time to think it over and she'd consult the Rabbi once she knew who she wanted. She gave it careful thought and remembered what Kevin had told her the Rabbi had said about picking witnesses: he recommended picking people whose marriages you wanted to emulate. She went to the Rabbi to explain who she wanted and why and when she received permission from Rabbi Kowalski, she told Kevin she wanted to go back to Forks as soon as possible. Once they were able, she went straight to Renesmee's and Jacob's house while Kevin went to spend time with Embry.
"Renesmee, can I make a request?" Amber asked Renesmee after they arrived and had their greetings.
"What's that?" Renesmee asked.
"Well, one thing we need to do for the ceremony is we'll need to sign a Ketubah. Kevin's explained that to you has he?"
"It's basically a marriage contract correct?"
"Pretty much," Amber nodded. "Anyway, the Ketubah has to be signed by me and Kevin and Rabbi Kowalski of course, but we need two witnesses of our choosing. Kevin picked Embry to be his. I was hoping that you might be mine."
"You want me to sign it?"
"Yes," Amber nodded. "Rabbi says to pick someone you know you can turn to in hard times and someone whose marriage is as you want your own to be. Aside from my parents, you two have a marriage I would hope for me and Kevin. I hope you'll sign our Ketubah with us."
"In that case, I'd be honored," Renesmee smiled, tearing up a little, and the two of them hugged each other. "The Rabbi said it was alright?"
"I already talked to him and explained my reasoning for wanting you to sign and he gave his blessing. The signing of the Ketubah will be after the ceremony. We'll probably sign it at the same time as our marriage license."
"I remember when Jacob and I signed ours," Renesmee smiled a silly smile. "We'd married under Quileute traditions only. Years later, my father and uncle pointed out that unless we had a marriage license we weren't officially married and it would cause legal problems, so we did it. It should have been just a business thing, but there was something giddy about us signing that license. Even years later. There was something romantic about it."
"Was there really?" Amber asked.
"You'd never think it, but there was. All our children were born by that time and we'd already made sure we wouldn't have any more children, but it felt like we'd gotten married all over again."
"Do you ever regret not having more children?" Amber asked.
"No," Renesmee said. "Whenever I complain about missing my children being babies, Jacob always tells me 'I would say we could have another baby, but'." Renesmee giggled. "I always have to tell him I don't want more children. I just want my children to be babies again. Even if only for a day. It's why I'm so happy whenever I get a grandchild."
"All the best parts of having a baby," Amber smiled. "You get to play with them and cuddle them and when you're done, you hand them over to mom and dad."
"Exactly," Renesmee smiled and gently put her hand on Amber's cheek. "I know I won't get a grandchild from Kyle for quite some time, but I know I can count on you and Kevin."
"We'll not disappoint," Amber reassured and they laughed a little. It was after she and Kevin were on the drive back to the city that Amber revealed to Kevin that she'd asked his mother to sign the Ketubah with them.
"That must have pleased her," Kevin smiled. "Especially that bit about wanting a marriage like what my parents have."
"It's an enviable marriage to be sure," Amber said.
"I'll not argue that," Kevin smiled. "She'll happily be a shoulder for you to cry on if I upset you."
"I'll keep that in mind," Amber said. She scooted across the seat of the car so she was right beside Kevin and rested her head against his shoulder with her arms wrapped around his. Keeping his eyes on the road, Kevin leaned his head down so he could kiss Amber's head.
"I can't wait to marry you," Kevin said.
"I can't wait to marry you," Amber replied and kissed Kevin's cheek. "Your mother fully expects grandchildren immediately. In case you weren't aware."
"She does? Never said a word to me," Kevin said sarcastically, chuckled and then kissed Amber's head again.
"It's alright, I've reassured her we will give her a grandchildren before our first anniversary. Just as we spoke of," Amber said.
"Just in case, will she accept you being pregnant by our first anniversary at least?"
"I doubt she'd kick up too much fuss, but why disappoint her?" Amber said and the two of them laughed.
"Why indeed," Kevin answered in humor.