Chapter 31 - Reflections

Jacobs POV

I had been fiddling with it for hours. It had been weird at first, wearing the ring all the time. It was pretty, just a simple gold band, but it was perfect. For the first week or so I was convinced everyone was staring, as though I were wearing a flashing neon sign, but eventually I got used to it, now I can't imagine not wearing it. Even when I was a wolf it still felt a bit weird not to have it with me.

People made a huge fuss at first, but no one was really mean aboat it, a couple people reacted bad but most just held their tongues. Charlie practically had a fit, he didn't believe we could be ready for a commitment like that at our age and asked me almost constantly if I was sure but he was still supportive. Seth and Leah were great about it.

It had only been a couple days when Seth and Leah came to congradulate me on graduating. The first thing Seth did was hug and congratulate me, Leah however had a different response.

"What the hell is that thing on your finger?" The she-wolf asked and I looked away blushing.

A cold arm wrapped aroung my shoulder and I eagerly leant into his comforting touch. Edward rubbed soothing circles into my shoulder as I fought down the fear of rejection.

Seth's jaw dropped. "Holy crap you're getting married?" The younger boy asked in shock.

I blushed uncertainty before admitting, "um... Yeah."

And then I was being hugged again.

I stood in front of the full length mirror fiddling with my ring. While it no longer felt uncomfortable and I wore it gladly every day, today was different. Today the ring weighed three times as much and felt both like it was about to fall off and cutting of circulation. It made my finger, my whole hand, itch.

It was stupid really, me being so nervous. Everyone here was okay with us, mostly. It wasn't even a big thing, just a small event, there is no reason for me to freak out. But I am, I am freaking out a lot. I was about to have a coven of vampires as my in laws.

"Calm down," Edward insisted as we walked towards his mansion of a home. "They love you, everything will be fine."

Easy for you to say, I thought and Edward chuckled."Come on," he encouraged, pulling me into the house.

Esme was the first to greet us. She pulled Edward into her arms and kissed his cheek before repeating the process with me, something I had finally become used to over the years. "And how are you boys today?" She asked when we finally parted, I'll admit to holding on an extra second but no one seemed to mind.

"We're brilliant," my vampire assured her and I could hear the grin in his voice.

"Oh?" Esme asked, her eyebrow raised and her curiosity piqued. "And what makes this day so wonderful?"

It was the nerves, I was still freaking out about telling everyone. My cheeks burnt and my eyes locked on the floor. "Is something wrong Jacob?" Esme asked in concern and a familiar cold hand grasped my own.

"He is just nervous," Edward explained stepping closer to me. "We have something to tell you all."

Before Edward could say anything else Emmett appeared from upstairs. "Edward did you get the werewolf pregnant?" His brother scholded. I knew Emmett would do something like this but I still felt my cheeks flame in embarrassment and Edward sighed as he pulled me in closer.

When we were all seated in the main room I practically hid in Edwards neck. Everyone was looking at us and while they were all perfectly friendly, I was still panicking. "What would you like to tell us son?" The way Carlisle said it made it seem like it could be directed at either of us and I think that was mainly to help be feel more welcome. It sucked that they could all hear my heartbeat going crazy like that.

Edward just smiled like he was the happiest guy in the world and dammit sometimes I wanted to punch him. The vampire took my hand in both of his and told his family. "Jake has kindly agreed to marry me."

And that was it, my heart stopped, I was holding my breath but I couldn't bring myself to breathe. The first thing that happened was Rose standing and storming from the room without a word, she had made her position on our relationship very clear. I sighed, I knew she wouldn't react well but that could have gone a lot worse. The problem was, Edward cared what his family thought, it hurt him that she didn't accept us.

Before anyone could say anything about Blondie's reaction Esme chimed in. "Oh that is wonderful!" She exclaimed in all her motherly excitement. I had to smile at how she clapped her hands and almost jumped from her seat in happiness, she was a far too refined to actually do those things but the intent was there. "You must show me your ring," she insisted, holding out her hand for mine which had previously been kept out of sight.

"I'm glad you boys are so happy together," Carlisle assured us. "Welcome to the family Jacob." I could tell he would have held out his hand for me to shake if his wife weren't still fussing over my new ring.

Emmet walked over and clapped a hand on his smaller brother's shoulder. "Oh I am so planning your bachelor party." The big man announced, leaving no room for argument.

I didn't see Sam's reaction but I hear it wasn't good. Seth told the pack without me so I didn't see them until they were over the shock of it. I'd made it very clear I wouldn't speak to them if they didn't have anything nice to say.

So overall it could have been a lot worse. I still had Edward, and we both still had family so we had everything we needed. I didn't care if my father wanted me, I had Rachel, Seth, Leah, Paul, Quil, Embry, and Charlie. Screw anyone who couldn't accept me, I wasn't alone and I didn't need them in my life.

The door opened but I didn't look, it was probably Seth again. That kid was the only one who never judged me, he never once considered if what I was doing was wrong, I was happy and that was what mattered to him. There really wasn't anyone else to consider for my best man.

"Hey stranger," a very not Seth's voice greeted me as the scent of an unfamiliar vampire reached my nose. I knew Edward had some relatives coming in from out of town but why would one be coming to see me?

I spun around to face the door and froze, unsure how to react. "Bella," I breathed in disbelief.

It had been so long since I'd seen her last and she had changed so much. Her hair was darker than I remembered, or was that just because her skin was so much paler? She also seemed to be a bit taller, but she was wearing heels so that could be it. Bella leaned against the doorframe smiling confidently, I had never seen her so confident.

Our eyes met and Bella grinned at my surprise before looking me up and down. "You clean up well," she commented.

"I..." My voice faltered as I tried to speak. I didn't know what to think, I had known this was coming, Bella was to be turned. She wanted to be one of them, part of their family, plus she was under orders to be turned or killed. I knew she left to be turned and while no one had said anything I had known for some time she was definitely one of them.

I had never wanted this for her, I used to see it as a curse, a fate worse than death, to become a monster. My thoughts on the matter had certainly changed since then but I never put any thought into what my opinion was now. It didn't matter what I thought, this was Bella's life and she chooses how to live it, so I never bothered to think about it.

They weren't monsters, I know that now, Edward had shown me that. Still, she wasn't the same Bella I had known. My best friend as a child, more of a sister to me than my actual sisters, the one who played with me, who pushed me in the mud during a game of truth or dare when I was dared to kiss her, all of that was gone. but the most disturbing part, the part that took my voice away and left me frozen in place, was what left behind. Those golden eyes held such love, such happiness, such cheekiness, such mirth. This was not the same Bella I had known, not the one I knew as a child, and not the one who came back as a teenager, this was a new Bella, one I didn't know yet, but at the same time one I felt I had known my entire life.

Unable to find the words to capture what I felt I stepped towards her, my arms moving from my sides. I didn't get to take more than one step because she was immediately holding me tight. "I missed you." She whispered into my ear. It was her voice, Bella's voice, it was softer, silkier, but it was still her. She felt the same, uncomfortably cold, but still the same. She smelt so much sweeter, like an overpowering stench of flowers and honey, but it didn't stop me from returning that familiar embrace.

"I didn't think you'd come," I breathed the words, finally finding my voice.

Bella pulled back and smiled at me, her arms still gripping me tight. There was so much love and devotion in her eyes. "How could I miss this?" She asked, smiling at me, a smile I felt was only for me.

And then I was crying. How cliché that I would cry today. I felt stupid but Bella just held me tight as though promising never to leave again. "Tell me he makes you happy," she begged in a whisper.

"More than I ever though possible." I replied, my heart in my throat.

Seth walked with me to the beginning of the aisle where we met Edward and Emmett. He looked amazing all dressed up and I wanted so badly to rip those fancy clothes of him. Seth and Emmett then followed as we walked down the aisle together.

There weren't too many people here, just some family and friends. Understandably not all of my family showed but I didn't mind, if they didn't want me, screw them. I was finally happy with my life and I didn't need or want anyone who couldn't accept that.

I wasn't really listening as we went through the ceremony, my eyes were on Edward. I couldn't believe this was happening and I felt I would explode from all the emotions coursing through me. It was cheesy and cliché but I loved it, not that I would ever admit. That was the best thing about Edward, I didn't have to admit things I didn't want to, he just knew. It was also the worst thing about him.

And then finally it came our turn to speak. Edward spoke first, "With this ring," he began as we had rehearsed and slipped the simple gold band onto the finger on my left hand. "I thee wed. I give myself over completely and vow to always be yours, to love and to hold, in sickness and in health, for rich or for poor, for as long as we both shall live." He delivered the lines flawlessly and with such devotion.

My heart caught in my throat and I couldn't breathe. I had to say my part now but all I could think was that Edward was mine, all mine. Dammit, not again. Blinking away tears I opened my mouth and forced the words out through the lump in my throat.

My hands were shaking and I stared at his hand, worrying I would miss. How embarrassing would that be? Would Edward hate me if I ruined our wedding? "With this ring, I thee wed." My voice was shaky, it was pathetic. The pale hand squeezed my own and I looked up into those comforting golden eyes. Edward smiled at me reassuringly and with a deep breaths I continues. I slipped the matching ring onto his finger finished my vows. "I give myself over completely and vow to always be yours. In sickness and in health, for rich or for poor. For as long as we both shall live."

I did it.

I breathed a sigh of relief as my part was over, I hadn't screwed it up. My vampire beamed at me as though I had just flawlessly recited the most romantic poetry instead of stumbling through my vows. We were both distracted as the priest continued. "I now pronounce you husbands, you may seal your union with a kiss."

It sounded stupid in my opinion. The priest was supposed to announce the couple husband and wife and allow him to kiss his bride, but Edward didn't have a bride, he had me. I thought he would hate that, he was the traditional one after all, but Edward didn't seem to care. His cold hand rested on my cheek as he beamed with joy and leant forward to press his lips gently against mine.

It was strange, we didn't usually kiss in front of others and I was torn between pulling away embarrassed or deepening the kiss to show him just how much I loved him. Instead I just returned the kiss and we soon parted. People clapped as Edward took my hand in his and led me down the aisle.

As soon as we were out of the room I pinned my vampire against the nearest wall and kissed him thoroughly. I gripped his shoulders and his fingers found my hair as my lips attacked his hungrily. When finally we pulled back I looked into the golden eyes of my, husband. "I have been wanting to do that all day." I admitted.

"I'm glad you did." Edward replied, kissing me lightly before leading me towards the reception.

Authors Note: And I think I'll leave it here. I considered adding a bit with Sam and Billy but I decided Jake didn't need it. Thanks for joining me on this ride, its been fun.

~SophieAngel69