Chapter Twenty One
The Wedding of the Century
Grace Cullen

"Remind me again why I thought this was a good idea?" I asked Charlie, trying my hardest not to clench my fingers so hard that I broke my steering wheel.

"Honestly, I have no answer." He replied, taking a long drink of his coffee.

We were sitting in my car in the telephone lot of the airport, waiting on Bella to return to the car with her newly arrived mother, and my nerves were going haywire.

Have I technically already met Renee? Yes, but as Carlisle's nursing aid with red hair, freckles, and green eyes. Was I the one that told Bella to invite her? Yes, but only to make Bella happy. Am I regretting it now? Maybe.

"There they are." Charlie pointed them out as they neared us, breaking me out of my thoughts.

"Charlie." Renee smiled, somewhat forced and awkwardly, as she gave him an even more cringeworthy hug.

"Renee." Charlie smiled tight-lipped, just as awkward, and I was slightly relieved.

Relieved? Grace, Charlie is your mate and after tomorrow he'll be your husband. Stop being jealous when it's entirety unnecessary. He worships you.

"You must be Grace!" Renee cheered excitedly, throwing me off completely as she rushed forward to hug me tightly. "It's so good to meet you!"

"It's nice to meet you as well." I offered her the warmest smile I could as we pulled apart.

"Wow, you and Doctor Cullen really do look alike." She laughed, eyes wide as she really took in my appearance.

"Well, we are twins." I laughed. "But yes, even for fraternal twins I suppose we do look an awful lot alike." I nodded as Charlie finished putting her luggage in the trunk. "Why don't we get on the road, hmm? I'd hate to be late to dinner." I spoke as I ushered everyone to get in the car.

Renee spent most of the drive alternating between talking with Bella and asking me non-stop questions. I suppose she was just trying to get to know her daughters new step-mother and future in-law, but it seemed more insistent than I had anticipated.

"I feel just awful about coming down the night before the wedding." Renee confessed as we neared the town of Forks. "You two both should've gotten a last night of fun before being tied down." She laughed, but it struck my nerves the wrong way.

"I don't need or want a bachelors party." Charlie frowned. "I would've married Grace the first day we met if I could've, this wedding is cause for a celebration." He nodded firmly and my heart swelled in love.

"Not like they'll be married long anyway." Renee muttered too low for human ears, and my nerves went haywire.

There was tension the rest of the ride, and it really didn't go away until we dropped Renee off at her hotel after having dinner with Carlisle and Esme. Renee managed to have a jealous passive aggressive comment to almost everything I said throughout dinner.

"Don't let her get to you." Charlie told me, taking my hand in his sweetly and kissing my knuckles. "I love you."

"I love you too." I smiled at him.

"I'm so sorry, Grace." Bella sighed as she got back in the car after helping her mom get into her room.
"I had no idea she was going to act like this. I don't think it was a good idea to invite her."She frowned, looking like she was about to start crying.

"Oh, sweet Bella!" I cooed, turning around in my seat to catch her hands in mine. "It's okay, really. As long as your happy she's here, I'm happy." I nodded at her.

"But it's your wedding day!" She shook her head.

"Weddings are silly pretenses for us." I tried to soothe her. "I'm just so thrilled I get to marry your dad and gain you for a daughter. Anything else doesn't matter." I promised her.

•••

"It absolutely does matter!" I cried out as Alice played with eye makeup choices. "How was this not thought out?!" I panicked.

"What's wrong?!" Esme gasped, rushing into the room looking gorgeous in her maid of honor dress. "I heard a scary tone of voice coming from the bride." She came to my side, worrying over me.

"Aunt Grace is just a nervous bride." Alice giggled. "Last minute decisions are starting to get to her."

"Oh, sister." Esme cooed. "Everything will be perfect, you'll see." She promised me. "Go with the beige and brown. It's more natural." Esme advised Alice before breezing off to her next task.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what's gotten into me." I apologized to Alice.

"Marriage." Alice laughed. "Everyone's either a nervous wreck or a diva. After four of Rosalie's weddings, your nerves are a piece of cake." She promised me, quickly finishing up my simple makeup look. "There! Hair and makeup are done!" She announced excitedly.

"Wow." Bella smiled widely as she entered my room. "You look so gorgeous, Grace."

"Aww, thank you sweet Bella." I smiled back at her. "How's your dad doing?"

"He's so excited." She laughed. "He hates the suit, can't wait to get it off, but he's really ready to marry you."

"I'm sure he's miserable in that suit." I laughed at the idea. "But, I'm ready to marry him too." I smiled to myself.

"He wanted me to bring you this note." She giggled, handing me the sealed envelope.

"How romantic!" Esme cried from the doorway.

"What a softie." I smirked to myself, delicately opening the envelope and pulling out the note.

Grace,
     Remember, I want you for you. I love you.
                                                  -Charlie

"I need help getting into my dress. Let's get this wedding started." I spoke quickly, going into my closet and pulling out the dress bag.

"The note was that good?" Alice smirked at me.

"I just want to be married to this man already." I gushed as Alice and Esme helped me into my dress.

"Oh Grace, you look like a queen." Bella marveled.

"Straight from a fairytale." Esme agreed, venom tears in her eyes as she gave me a careful hug.

The dress was pure white satin with a long a-line skirt. A sweetheart neckline and capped sleeves showed off my narrow shoulders and prominent collarbones in a way that made me feel very feminine and soft. I did feel like royalty.

"What a vision." Carlisle smiled widely as he entered the room. "Truly an angel on earth." He laughed, taking my hand and spinning me in a slow circle.

"Thank you, brother." I grinned up at him. "So? Are you ready to walk me down the aisle?" I teased him.

"Me? Really?" He smiled excitedly.

"There's no one else I'd rather have by my side." I smiled back at him.

"I'm always on your side." He swore to me, our constant promise to each other, before offering me his arm. "Rosalie sent me up here to collect everyone. We're ready for you."

"Wait!" Bella cried out suddenly. "Not yet. You're missing things." She told me, coming over with a box. "Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue." She explained as Esme helped her take items out of the box.

"The anklet you gifted me on Carlisle and I's wedding day. I'll let you borrow it for good luck." Esme explained, fasting the diamond anklet just above my heel before adjusting my dress to cover my feet again. "Something new, a set of hair pins." She smiled as she perfectly placed the tiny diamond star-shaped pins in my half up, half down hair style. "Something old." She smiled, carefully lifting the first layer of the skirt of my dress and pinning a cross broach from my human life in the tulle of the fabric.

"And something blue." Bella smiled excitedly, stepping forward with a large sapphire half-moon shaped hair pin.

"Bella, it's beautiful." I gasped as Esme pinned it carefully into the center knot of my hair.

"It's perfect." Esme agreed. "And so are you." She kissed my cheek.

"We're ready downstairs for you." Rosalie smiled from the doorway.

"Then let's go." I nodded, taking Carlisle's arm and letting everyone else file downstairs first.

"I'm so happy for you, sister." Carlisle swore to me. "Beyond thrilled."

"Thank you, brother. I love you." I cooed, relaxing at the thought of having his steady hand to walk with me. "You'll stay by my side?" I asked as we approached the backdoor.

"I'm always on your side." He promised me as Edward and Emmett opened the door.

There, at the end of the white satin aisle, was the man I've waited three hundred and sixty seven years to marry. It felt like a dream as I relied on Carlisle to keep me from running the rest of the way to meet him. We reached the end of the aisle, Carlisle put my hand into Charlie's, and Charlie smiled that wide smile of his that sends my dead heart racing every time.

I was in a daze from that moment on. I barely registered the preachers words or the crowd around us as I was solely focused on the love of my existence in front of me. We got to our vows, which Charlie and I both stumbled through in our excitement to get them over with, and we both eagerly said 'I do'.

"It appears we've reached a consensus." Charlie teased me and my breath caught in my throat. It was the same thing he had said to me after I told him there would be no stopping our relationship once we started it. He told me that before picking me up and carrying me to his bed for the first time. Those words had marked the start of our relationship.

At that thought, I couldn't help but laugh at the inside joke as we exchanged rings.

"It is my honor to introduce to you for the first time, Charlie Swan and his wife Grace Cullen-Swan." Mr. Webber announced, and a sea of people all cheered and clapped.

I, however, was much more focused on Charlie's lips attached to mine.

"Alright, that's enough you two." Esme giggled, stepping in to hand me my bouquet.

"Thank you." I gushed, feeling like I would be blushing if I could as I offered the crowd a happy smile.

In what seemed like moments, Alice had me changed from my wedding dress into a miniature version for the reception. It was the same sweetheart neck, but without the sleeves and a much shorter skirt.

"Oh so you get a costume change and I don't?" Charlie chuckled as I joined he and Carlisle at the base of the stairs. "You look gorgeous as always. I can't wait to completely embarrass myself attempting to dance." He grumbled and it was my turn to laugh.

"You'll be fine. We're just going to sway around for bit." I giggled. "We better head out there before Alice gets impatient and drags us out." I smirked, pulling him with me out of the backdoor and over to the makeshift dance floor.

Alice had set Edward's piano up outside and hooked it up to the sound system, so he began to play as we hit the stage.

"Remember, just sway." I smiled up at my husband, just happy to be in his arms.

"I feel bad that you don't get a proper dance." He chuckled as I took one of his hands and spun in a slow circle before tucking myself back into his embrace.

"I don't mind." I grinned up at him. "This is my favorite place in the world, here in your arms. I'm sure I'll get plenty of good dances out of Carlisle and the boys." I laughed.

"If you're sure, Mrs. Swan." He smiled adoringly down at me and I pressed a quick kiss to the side of his mouth.

"Since both the bride and grooms parents are no longer with us, they would like to invite Carlisle and Esme Cullen to fill their places." Emmett announced over the loud speaker, and Esme and Carlisle both looked surprised as they apprehensively joined us.

"May I have this dance?" Charlie chuckled, offering Esme his hand.

"Are you sure?" She grinned. "I'm not one for holding back." She laughed.

"Oh I'm terrified." Charlie laughed. "But why not?" He shrugged.

In a quick moment, Esme had snatched him up and was leading him around the dance floor. She looked graceful and elegant as Charlie struggled to keep up with her. Carlisle and I couldn't help but laugh at them as we watched them dance around us.

"Well, Grace Swan, shall we?" Carlisle smiled down at me as he and I assumed the position.

"Cullen-Swan." I reminded him. "And we shall." I laughed.

We were off, waltzing and gliding in a large circle around Esme and Charlie. I couldn't help but laugh and squeal as my brother kept perfect pace with me, spinning me around the floor beautifully.

I had an equally enchanting dance with Edward before getting a sweet simple dance with Bella. I danced with every member of the family before everyone settled down for dinner and toasts.

"I've been asked to begin tonight." Edward suddenly announced from the makeshift stage, tearing me away from my conversation with Eleazar and Carmen Denali as I went to go take my seat by Charlie. "My mother is the most selfless person I know, truly. Adopting my brother and I at only nineteen may have kept her from exploring the world like she wanted, but I will be forever grateful for everything she sacrificed for us. Chief Swan, Mom, I wish you both lives full of happiness and love. It's what you both deserve." He smiled widely.

"Okay, yeah, that was cute Edward." Emmett nodded as he took the mic, causing the crowd to laugh. "Let's just get this straight down to the point. My mom is amazing and Chief Swan is a badass. Goodnight!" Emmett laughed and the crowd echoed him.

"Leave it to Emmett." Esme shook her head as she approached the stand, causing another laugh from the crowd. "Charlie, we are so happy to welcome you and sweet Bella into this family. We will cherish and love you both forever. Grace, my lovely sister-in-law, you welcomed me into your and Carlisle's small little world with wide arms and an even wider smile. I will forever be grateful to be a Cullen, and I will forever love and support you and your family." She cooed and I couldn't help but dab at my eyes, knowing I would be crying if I could.

Bella was next, stumbling nervously as she walked towards the mic, and I thought she looked so cute in the pantsuit Alice had picked to resemble her dads suit.

"So, umm, I'm not good with crowds." She apologized as she straightened out her notecard, and I couldn't help but giggle at her. "As most of you know, I haven't been in Forks long. At first, I had a hard time adjusting to the cold and rain. I thought I would be miserable my year and half here. Until, I had a teacher take special interest in me." She shot me a smile. "I didn't know it at the time, but after Grace and my dad started dating she really tried her hardest to always make me feel heard and accepted. And now that she's my stepmother, I have no doubt that she'll always be there when I need her. She and my dad are constant and loving supportive parents that I'm thrilled to call mine. I used to dread being here for a year and a half, but now that seems like too short of a time to spend with my parents." She offered the crowd an awkward smile before retreating back to our table.

"Perfect, Bella." I praised her, reaching across her dad to squeeze her hand.

"I'm the last of the family, I promise." Carlisle addressed the crowd with his easy charm. Of course, they couldn't help but eat him up. "Grace," Carlisle spoke my name with nothing but love and adoration "I have been by your side for as long as we've both been alive, literally." He laughed. "We've done everything side by side since we were children. We lost our parents, we lost our sister, took in Rosalie and Jasper together, and navigated a form of parenthood together. I have a spectacular wife, amazing kids, healthy nephews, and to top it all off I have the most wonderful twin sister anyone could ask for to be by my side through anything life throws at me. I can't imagine a man luckier than I am. Well, except Charlie is quite a lucky man to have you on his side as well." He teased, earning another laugh from the crowd. "I'm so glad you've found each other and I wish you all the happiness in the world." He toasted, tipping his glass in the air and the crowd copied his gesture.

I couldn't help myself as I stood and caught him in a tight hug as he approached the table.

"I hope you know how much I love you, brother." I squeezed him, trying not to let him see the tears in my eyes.

"I love you too." He swore to me, hugging me back just as tight.

"Well, I guess it's my turn." Charlie chuckled nervously as he took the microphone. I hadn't even seen him get up from the table in my eagerness to hug Carlisle. "So, all of my fellow officers here can attest to this; the Cullens like to drive fast." He stated and everyone in the crowd laughed. "Grace got one of her many speeding warnings right when we started dating. I teased her and told her that I couldn't date a criminal." He shrugged, causing another round of laughter. "But she's surpassed speeding and advanced to theft, because she stole my heart." He laughed at his own joke.

"Such a dad joke." Bella grimaced, but I was eating every moment of it up.

"Sorry, I couldn't help it." He apologized before turning his attention solely on me. "Grace, you are such a dream come true. Strong, intelligent, and unapologetically yourself. Of course, it doesn't hurt that you also manage to look gorgeous even while sitting up in a hospital bed after taking a gunshot wound to the abdomen." He chuckled and a group of his cop buddies cheered. "You are everything I have been hoping for and more, Mrs. Swan. I love you, Grace." He smiled widely at me, and he got a resounding applause as I climbed the few steps of the stage and wrapped my arms around him tightly.

"Well, that's hard to follow." I gushed, swiping at nonexistent tears as I tried to control myself, allowing Charlie some time to get to his seat. "On our first official date, Charlie told me that he thought it was funny how Fate always has a way of playing itself out in the end. I was, of course, surprised that such a tough policeman believed in Fate. He told me he was a sucker for a good love story, but I didn't realize just how good a love story we were already creating." I smiled widely at Charlie. "I am so excited for what comes next in our story, whatever that may be, and I'm thrilled that I get to have such an amazing family supporting us every step of the way. I can't believe I can finally say I have a daughter after two boys!" I cheered happily, earning a laugh from the crowd. "I love you beyond words, so here's to the story we're writing." I toasted and Charlie simply nodded his head as he took a drink, a line of tears running down the side of his face.

After cake, goodbyes, and getting changed into comfortable clothes, Charlie and I joined Carlisle and Esme in the living room to relax for a moment.

"It's over." Charlie sighed happily as we sat down. "That's enough social interaction for me for the rest of the year." He chuckled.

"It was a lot." I agreed. "But worth it." I smiled at him.

"Very." He agreed, kissing the top of my head sweetly.

"It was a beautiful ceremony." Esme sighed wistfully. "I hope everything was perfect."

"It was." I assured her, knowing I hadn't payed much attention to the small details as I spent most of the night obsessed with my new husband.

"Alice was right, it was the wedding of the century." Carlisle chuckled. "Aro sent you a wedding gift and a personal letter."

"Aro?" Charlie questioned, as I took the letter Carlisle handed out to me.

"He's the leader of the Volturi, the form of government we have that I've told you about." I told him as I tore open the envelope.

Lovely Grace Cullen,
Congratulations, angelo biondo! My coven and I are quite overjoyed to hear of your nuptials. I look forward to meeting the man of the hour soon.
-Best Regards,
Aro

"Sounds like a warning." I grimaced as Charlie read the note from over my shoulder. "He said he looks forward to meeting Charlie soon."

"The Volturi are known for taking their time." Carlisle reminded me. "There's no cause to worry too soon." He tried to soothe my nerves.

Suddenly, the sound of several wolves howling sent everyone on high alert and every Cullen gathered in the living room quickly.

"What is that?" Bella asked worriedly as she rushed into the room, half asleep.

"The shapeshifters." Edward responded, going to look out the windows. "They're all outside." He frowned, tuning into their thoughts.

"How many?" I asked calmly, though I was panicking internally.

"Four." He answered quickly.

"Easy, we can take 'em." Emmett boasted, already gearing up for a fight.

"Might I remind you this is a new generation of shapeshifters than the ones we encountered last time? They are quite different." I frowned at him. "We promote peace, not hostility." I reminded the room.

"Grace is right." Carlisle affirmed, coming to my side. "We will try to communicate with them through Edward's gift first. No one is to instigate any kind of hostile reaction towards them. But, in the case that they do attack, aim to wound and not kill." He instructed.

"You two stay inside." I demanded Charlie and Bella as everyone went to go out onto the porch.

"But-"

"Stay." I cut Charlie off with a sharp look. "I can't risk either of you getting hurt. We can handle this." I tried to soothe their worries before following my family out of the backdoor.

"They just want to talk to Grace." Edward translated, frowning at the request. "I don't think I trust this." He told Carlisle and I discreetly.

"We'll go together then." Carlisle took my hand in his as he and I stepped off of the back porch and out towards the wolves slightly.

"That is not the intent at all." Edward suddenly growled at the wolves, and Carlisle and I both turned back to give him a sharp look.

The last thing I registered was my family members horrified faces before my vision went black.