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"You're going to make me blind if you poke my eye one more time." Caius scowled, swatting her hand away from his face. Tashi huffed, frustration bubbling up in her chest. "You can't go blind, you're a vampire. It's been three days, you need to get used to them. You can't show up to a wedding with red eyes. There's going to be humans there. And since you refuse to go temporary animal diet, contacts are the only solution."

"I don't like the way they feel," he said, rubbing his eyes.

"It'll only be for a day. You can't skip either. You're there to witness on behalf of the Volturi, so you need to blend in." Tashi said, repeating what she had been telling him for days. "You're repeating yourself, darling. I think you've finally gone insane." He said mockingly. She rolled her eyes, turning around and throwing away the used pack of contacts. "If I'm going insane, I'm taking you with me."

"I'd happily follow you." He smiled, setting his hands on her waist.

"You're a bit obsessed, no?" She squinted her eyes, setting her hands on his shoulders, his muscles tensing and relaxing at her touch. "Obsessed with you? Yes, very much." He smirked, standing to his feet and connecting their lips, her arms sliding around his neck, hands tugging on his curls. "Don't start something you can't finish, amore." He breathed out, a satisfied look on her face. "Who said I wanted to start something?"

A loud knock echoed the condo before he could muster up a response. "I should've never told her about this place." Tashi grumbled, walking over to the door, she didn't bother going down the stairs, just using her abilities to open the door. Alice smiled, walking up the stairs with a pair of purple strappy heels in her hand. "I'm not wearing those," Tashi objects, knowing those were meant for her.

"You can't wear those hideous boots. They don't even match the dress." Alice argued, following Tashi into the living room, Caius just lounging on the couch boredly, eyes scanning over his mate. "You're lucky I'm wearing the dress. Purple is not my color." She countered, sitting on the cushion of the couch and not even a second later, Caius pulled her onto his lap. "You will look beautiful in it, I promise. And you're wearing the heels, I don't care if I have to force them on you tomorrow."

Tashi scowled as the pixie girl set the heels on the stool by the television stand. "I will burn them."

"No, you won't." Alice says knowingly. "Now, hurry up home. We need your help with the arrangements." She smiled before leaving through the front door. Tashi glared at the heels, "I'm going to look ridiculous." Caius scoffs under his breath, "ridiculously hot? Very much so." She rolled her eyes, shaking her head in dismissal. "I don't want to look hot. I don't want to even look appealing." She stood up, walking over to the coat rack and picking up her autumn colored coat.

"Not to burst your bubble or anything, but it's physically impossible for you to look anything less than beautiful." He voiced, standing up and approaching her, his hand reaching for his own coat. He squints his eyes, her mood had drastically changed ever since the wedding planning started. Something was certainly wrong. As she reached for the door, he grabbed her hand, causing her to look at him expectantly. "What is it?"

"Ever since the wedding was announced, you've been...different. You're distant, and cold. What's going on?" He questioned, his eyes holding so much care that it felt unnatural.

Tashi sighed, her head falling, "she's going to be there." It didn't take genius for him to know she was talking about Leah. "You still feel guilty?" He asked, although he knew the answer, he always knew how she was feeling. She scoffed lowly, feeling shame, "how can I not? I strung her along when I knew I didn't love her, when I knew I couldn't love her. I played her. I made her fall in love, and then I dropped her, like she was nothing. I've done some horrible things, but that is by far the worst."

He looked down, wondering if she felt guilt over choosing him. "Do you regret your decision?"

She quickly moved her sight to him, shaking her head lightly at him. "Not at all."

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Tashi watched boredly as Bella struggled to walk in the heels Alice had practically ordered her to wear for the wedding. Alice cringed at the sight, "uhm, you just have to break them in." Tashi snorts as if they hasn't been "breaking them in" for several days. "I've been breaking them in. For three days. Can I just go barefoot?" Bella proposed, and Tashi's eyes widened at that request. You don't ever say that to Alice. "No, absolutely not." The pixie shrieked out.

"Just thinking it's a little much, you know? The dress and the shoes, and all of this." Bella spoke, referring to the sight of Jasper, Carlisle, and Esme setting up the isle, the men holding two large logs that were carved into benches. "No, it's exactly enough. Tomorrow will be perfect." Alice insists. Tashi glanced over to see Emmett holding up an entire tree trunk, with Rosalie behind him, holding a smaller and thicker one. "Where do you want them, boss?" He asked.

"On either side of the aisle," Alice answered. "What aisle?" Rosalie asked, causing Alice to huff in frustration, "does no one have vision?" Tashi chuckles at the irony, watching Alice walk over to instruct them. Bella pulled off the heels and Tashi took them, grimacing at the bright white color, adorned with jewels. They looked extremely uncomfortable. She hated these kinds of heels. She much preferred platforms, preferably in boots and shoes.

Alice returned in Bella's sight of vision, which had previously been on her future husband. "You, go home and get lots of beauty sleep. That's an order." Bella nods with a small smile, "okay." They shared a hug and then Bella left. Alice turned around, glaring at Caius who was just lounging around boredly, only here to be with his mate. "What are you doing just standing around? Go set up the aisle."

Caius looked at her, raising a brow, and most vampires would be intimidated, but Alice was not. "Why do I have to help? They look like they've got it."

"Soon enough, your wedding will be next and you'll want some help, so get to work." Alice ordered, and he scoffed, but still cooperated and walked down the porch to assist. Tashikah's eyes widened at her statement, "excuse me? Wedding? I think you're mistaken." Alice rolls her eyes, taking the heels from her pseudo-sister. "You're going to get married eventually. And it's going to make you a Queen. There's going to be a big ceremony, obviously, and I'll plan it all."

"Queen? Ceremony? You planning it? No offense, but if I could sleep, those would all be my nightmares." Tashi expressed, and the pixie girl scoffs at the dramatics. "You can't just date forever," Alice retorts. "Date? What is date? Like a prom date?" She questioned, genuinely confused. Alice raised her brows in disbelief, "oh my gosh. You are so out of touch with the world. This is the 21st century, Tashi. Catch up. Caius is your boyfriend. You are dating."

"No, no, he is my mate, and we are...together. Which would mean, we are courting, as my brother would say. Boyfriend's are for humans." Tashi stated, and the pixie girl just face-palmed, wondering why she hadn't caught her up on this a long time ago. "Courting is dating, nowadays. And boyfriend's still applies to us vampires. Caius is your boyfriend, who also happens to be your mate." She explained.

"Well, considering I am not from this time. I will call it what I want. Therefore, he is my mate, and we are just together. Labels disgust me. Your new version sounds like I came out of a high-school movie." Tashi muttered in disdain, and Alice groaned in annoyance. "Why do I even try with you? You're so old-fashioned." The telekinetic vampire watched as the pixie walked off, muttering things under her breath.

"Old-fashioned isn't necessarily a bad thing," Tashi mumbled, and pursed her lips awkwardly, "unless you're Edward."

"I heard that," Edward scoffs in disbelief. Tashi looks up to see him standing on the small balcony, looking down at her with an offended look. "Good. Then you'll know I am judging you extremely." She smiled sarcastically. Edward scoffed in offense, a smirk of amusement creeping up his lips, "weren't you a virgin longer than I was alive?" She glared at him, looking around to see if her mate heard and luckily he wasn't around. "I told you that in confidence!"

"Point still stands," he shrugs, walking back into the house before she could throw something at him.

"Tashi, come here!" Alice called, causing the girl to roll her eyes and begrudgingly walk over.

"What now?"

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"I look...disgusting." Tashi grimaced, the satin purple dress hugging against her body. "You look beautiful," Alice squealed excitingly as she walked into the bedroom where Tashi was looking herself in the mirror. Her eyes landed on the black platforms she wore and she grimaced in disgust, "take those dreadful things off!" Alice picked up the purple heels and forced Tashi to sit down. She unzipped the boots with a huff and Alice immediately replaced them with the purple heels.

"Stand up." Tashi did as told, standing to her feet but cringing at how much her feet were exposed. "These are treacherous."

"You look so pretty. Let me do your makeup." Alice insists. "No, no, this is already disgusting. Do not cover my face in that dreadful stuff." Tashi said sternly, causing the pixie to sigh, it was worth a shot. "Fine. Can you pick up Bella for me?" She requested. "Sure." Tashi huffs, grabbing her car keys and following Alice out of the room. She walked out of the house to the front porch where Caius was talking with Jasper. His eyes landed on Tashi and he blinked to make sure he wasn't just seeing things. "Tashi?"

She turned around with a hum, "I know, I look...repulsive."

"No, you look captivating. I've just never seen so much color on you. It feels unnatural." He says, causing her to smile, it still surprised her at how much he paid attention to every detail. "It is unnatural." She replied, walking down the stairs. "Wait- where are you going?" He asked, quickly following her. "I'm going off to pick up the human. Would you like to accompany me?" She asked, a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

"I would." He smiled, pressing a kiss to her head and pulling open the passenger door for her.

"Hold on, you are not driving my car," she said stubbornly. "Yes I am. I don't trust you to drive with those things on your feet." He retorts, taking the keys from her hand and walking around the side, leaving no room for argument. She huffs, climbing into the car and pulling the door closed. She gave him instructions to Bella's house, and it wasn't very far so they got there fairly quick.

"Wait here, I'll get her." Tashi pushed open the door and climbed out. She walked to the porch, carefully making her way up the steps. She knocked on the door, and Charlie pulled the door open, surprised to see her as she never came around. She was always the Cullen sibling that was stood off to the side, not concerning herself with things that didn't involve her. He only met her once and it wasn't even a real meeting. He just greeted her and she nodded her head, mumbling her name in return.

"Uh, Tashi, right? Edward's sister?" He questioned.

She nods, "yes, that's me. I'm here to pick up your daughter. Is she awake?" Charlie nods, pulling open the door wider to let her in. "She just got out of the shower. You can go right up." Tashi hums politely and steps inside, walking into the home and ascending up the stairs. She knocked on the door, and Bella pulled it open, furrowing her brows at the sight of the vampire. "I told Alice, I can just drive," she huffed.

"She doesn't trust you won't hit a rock, spin off the road and die. You're quite the danger magnet. So I suggest you suck it up and come with me." Tashi said, unfazed by the girl's slight annoyance. "Fine. Let me just find my shoes." Bella mumbled, looking around the room and finding her shoes kicked under the bed. "I'll wait by the car." Tashi mumbled awkwardly, quickly making her way out of the house, nodding her head to Charlie who just eyed her awkwardly.

She walked over to the car, tugging her purple cardigan close to body as the dress made her feel super exposed. Maybe it was just her old-fashioned life that made her feel that way because she used to dress in cheap thick materials to keep herself modest. She didn't allow anyone she wasn't courting to see her nude body. She didn't show it, but she was very insecure of herself. The lights had to be off, the room needed to be pitch black for her to feel comfortable when having intercourse. Behind her confident facade hid a damaged woman who never truly healed.

Bella walked outside, tugging her jacket close. Tashi pulled open the backseat and Bella climbed in, a bit nervous to be in the same vehicle as the powerful and intimidating couple. She walked around and slid back into the passenger seat. "Seatbelt," Tashi tuts, and Bella quickly reached to pull it on. Caius pulled onto the road, the speed causing Bella to grip the seats nervously. "Slow down, amour." Tashi warned, noting how nervous the human girl was.

"You speak French?" Bella asked in surprise.

"My mother was French." Tashi explained, sliding her hand into her mate's, his long and slender fingers wrapping around her hand. He brought it to his lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles.

They got back to the Cullen house quickly, Alice immediately ushering Bella inside so she could get her ready. "What did I say about beauty sleep?" Alice scolds, dabbing some concealer under Bella's eyes. "Sorry, bad dream. It was wedding jitters." Bella explained. Heels clicked against the tiles, they looked over to see Rosalie, another Cullen who was never very welcoming to Bella. "Do you need some help? I could do her hair?" Rose suggests.

"Really?" Bella asked, it seemed both of the Cullen sisters were surprising her with kindness today. Rose walked over, gathering Bella's hair. "Please. I'm not offended by your choice of groom." Bella looked into the mirror, "just my blatant lack of respect for mortality." Rose tilts her head slightly, "essentially." Alice smiled, taking Tashi's hand and setting a hand on Rose's back, "weddings. They bring everyone together."

"Yay," Tashi voiced sarcastically, feigning mock excitement as they chuckle at her.

"Alice? Bella?" Tashi looked over at the sound of Bella's mother. "In here, Mom." Tashi took a few steps back, moving around to Rosalie's side, not super comfortable to be so close to humans. "Oh, my gosh! You're so beautiful. Oh, honey. Crap! My mascara." Renée spoke, and Alice pulled out a handkerchief, handing it to the emotional woman. "Thanks. Charlie, get in here!"

Charlie walked around the corner, a box in his hand. "You sure? I don't wanna.." He trailed off, slowly walking into the room, as Bella stood to her feet, looking at her dad in shock. "I know. I look hot," he jokes, causing them to chuckle. Tashi stood to the side awkwardly, she wasn't really one to have many girls around her doing girly things. Having a brother all her life, she hadn't had any friends, and girls always thought she was weird. Rose gave her hand a small squeeze, causing Tashi to smile softly.

"We thought you needed something blue." Renée said, and Charlie opened the small box up. "And something old. Besides your mother." He adds, causing Renée to scoff at him, "nice." Bella reached for the pin with a smile. "It was Grandma Swan's." He says. Renée nods, pointing to the pin, "but we added the sapphires." Bella smiled, looking to her parents, "it's beautiful, you guys. Wow. Thank you so much." Bella handed it to Alice and sat back down so it could be put in her hair.

"It's your first family heirloom. Pass on to your daughter, and her daughter." Renée said emotionally. Bella shares a look with her three sisters, all of them very aware that wouldn't be possible when she turned. Bella stood up with a soft smile, "Mom, I love it." She goes to hug her but Alice stops her, "uh, nope. No smudging my masterpiece." Renee nods in agreement, "she's right."

Alice walks over to the closet and pulls out the dress that was covered in a protective bag to ensure it was safe from any damage. "Okay. Time for the dress!" She expressed excitedly.

"That's my cue to leave," Tashi mumbled, quickly escorting herself out of the room. She made her way to the third floor where her bedroom was. She pushed open the door, finding Caius sitting on her piano stool, fingertips brushing over the keys. "Have you ever played before?" She questions, removing her cardigan and hanging it on the rack. Something about him made her completely comfortable with showing skin. "No, but we have a woman at the castle who plays. She offered to teach me." He answered.

"Who is this woman?" Tashi tilts her head, averting her eyes to the floor.

His red eyes twinkle in amusement, "why? Jealous, amore?" She scoffs, walking over, his hands immediately finding her waist. "I don't need to be jealous. I've got you wrapped around my finger." She coaxed, running her hands through his healthy blonde curls. "That you do," he voiced, not making any effort to deny it. She smirked, moving away and walking over to her bedside table. She pulled open the drawer and took out the packet of blue colored contacts.

He groaned, rolling his eyes, already knowing what was coming. She walked over, heels clicking against the tiles. Pulling open the package, she set it atop of the piano. "Don't stab my eye again," he scowls. She rolled her eyes at his dramatics, "don't be such a baby." She gathered one of the contacts on her finger and leaned in close. As she tried to put it in, he moved away. She huffs in frustration, "we can't waste an hour doing this. Stop moving."

"Fine, but you could at least look like you're not struggling." He retorts, and she scoffs in offense. "Come here." He pulled her onto his lap, her dress riding up as she straddled his lap. She cleared her throat, the position making her nervous. Snapping out of her trance, she gathered the contact in on her finger again and cupped his jaw. She set the contact over his eye and he blinked, the solution causing him to cringe. She moved onto the next one, adding it to his left eye and he blinked again to adjust.

"How do I look?" He asked, finally relaxing.

"You look...human." She breathed out. He smiled, caressing her cold skin, "in all my years of this life...I've never once felt anything other than a vampire. But, being with you...it makes me feel human again. And I'm not..disgusted by it." A soft smile reached her lips at his words, her brown eyes softening, as she wore brown colored contacts. "I want to say you make me feel human, but it wouldn't be honest. I actually...I don't remember what it feels like to be human. But, I want to. I want to feel vulnerable again."

"When this is over, I'm going to take you somewhere. Just us. I'd like to show you the life you've been missing out on." Caius spoke softly, caressing the cold skin of her exposed thighs. "Like a vacation?" She mused, and he shrugs, pursing his lips, "something like that." She chuckles softly and nods, leaning down to connect their lips. His hands clenched around her dress, pressing her hips into his as her fingers run through his hair.

"Break it up!" Alice interrupts with a scolding tone.

Tashi groaned, looking over her shoulder at the pixie-cut girl. "What is it now?" Alice cringed, rubbing her neck nervously, "...Emmett may have stepped on one of your violins." Her eyes widened and she quickly stood up, tugging her dress back down. "Which one was it? It better not be my white one." She said through gritted teeth, reaching for her cardigan on the rack. "Uh, I think it was the purple one you made."

"That's worse," Caius mumbled, and was correct because his mate was rushing out of the room in a quick second.

He listened around and a smirk appeared on his lips when he heard the loud girlish scream from Emmett. "That's my girl."

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"You can sit with Alice and Jasper if you wish," Tashi said, resting her arms on her piano as her mate sat next to her. It was tradition for her to play the piano at a Cullen wedding. It started with Carlisle and Esme, and then she played for the whole family as they got married to their mates. She was playing her own song "Turning Page," that she would play live with some hired people playing the violin. She had to replace one of them because Emmett broke it, but it was a good thing she had a spare. Guests of the bride and groom had arrived and were searching for their seats as Alice had it all arranged.

"No, I rather stay with you. I don't have the biggest...fans here." Caius spoke, glancing around, the vampires who were present, were not at all happy to see him. Tashi smiled, turning to face him, he smiled down at her, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Can't exactly blame them, you are a King of all vampires. The cruelest of them all. Even if you don't dare look at me the wrong way." She smirked. He tilt his head with a smirk, "well, why do that when I can just admire you, cara mia?"

"Facile, chéri. Wait 'til we leave to flatter me." She tuts, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

"Whatever you say, carino." He leans down for a kiss until stopping mid way, both of them turning to a boy standing before them, it was Seth Clearwater. Leah's little brother. Tashi glanced around and now she finally noticed the lack of Leah. "She's not coming, is she?" Seth shook his head, wearing a sad smile. "No. Sorry, Tashi." She shrugged lightly, giving him a small smile, "that's quite alright, nothing to be sorry for. We're glad you could be here. Enjoy the wedding, Seth."

"You too, Tashi. You look really pretty." He smiled, cheeks tinting red as he quickly made his way back over to his mom.

"The boy isn't wrong. You look stunning." Caius smirked, causing her to smile, and turn back to him. She pressed a kiss to his lips before his arms enveloped her. "Those kids still staring at us?" She mused, and he nods, glancing at the group of four who quickly looked away, pretending to talk about something else. Tashi honestly had no idea why Bella would even invite them. Jessica was the extremely fake, and judged just about everyone. She was very insecure, and that's something Tashi hated about her. No one that pretty should be so nasty.

Mike and Jessica both returned their sight to the couple, Eric and Angela doing the same. "He looks like he's in the mafia," Mike comments. "The mafia isn't real, Mike," Jessica rolled her eyes at the dramatics from her boyfriend. "That's what they want you to think," Eric scoffs, completely in agreement with his friend. "I've never seen him around before, but he looks Italian, and Greek. Maybe he's from Italy. It would explain the way he dresses." Angela says in a more polite manner than her friends previous comments.

"Makes sense, that outfit is definitely Italian. No wonder Tashi turned Tyler down. If I had a man like that, I wouldn't even look at anyone else." Jessica continued, and Mike scoffed in offense. "He's not that good looking. Eric, back me up!" Eric just pursed his lips awkwardly, shrugging lightly, "I have to agree with the ladies. That's a good looking guy." Jessica huffs, her eyes subconsciously glaring at the couple. "They look so good together. I hate it."

"Tashi looks amazing though. I need to know where she got that dress," Angela comments.

The ceremony soon started, everyone taking their seats. When Tashi gave the cue, her fingers pressed the piano tiles, the violins in tune with her, the song she wrote filling the guests ears. Charlie escorted his daughter down the aisle, and gave her away to Edward. They repeated after the wedding officiant before locking lips, sealing their marriage. Everyone clapped, and Tashi grinned happily, fingers still pressing the keys.

Caius pressed a kiss to her cheek, squeezing her side as she smiled. She stood up once everyone made their way to the reception area. She took Caius's hand and they made their way over to Bella and Edward. "I won't hug you, but I am very happy for you both. You deserve nothing but happiness. Welcome to the family, Bella." She said kindly as they smiled at her sweet words. Bella blinked in shock, "oh, my God. You said my name. That's the first time I've ever heard you say my name."

Tashi chuckles, shrugging a shoulder, "you're family now, the least I can do is say your name."

Bella smiled, giving Tashi's hand a small squeeze. "Thank you, and the song was beautiful. I loved it."

She nods politely, "you're very welcome."

"Congratulations to you both. I will be sure to inform my brothers of your new status, and furthermore." Caius spoke, and Edward nods in appreciation, extending his hand to the King. Caius took it, shaking his hand respectfully. Tashi cleared her throat, "we'll leave you to it." She took her mate's hand and dragged him along, making her way over to her "cousins" from Alaska. Carmen smiled brightly, taking the telekinetic vampire's hands, "Tashi. You look so beautiful."

"Thank you. You all look amazing. I'm very glad you could make it." She expressed, smiling at them, which did take them a bit off guard considering she never showed much emotion, let alone a smile. "I don't think I've ever seen you so happy. But I'm so glad for it. A smile is beautiful on you, Tash." Kate said, moving to hug the vampire, and normally Tashi would be against it but it was Kate, and that woman just loved to hug.

"Thank you, Kate. You look stunning." Tashi pulled away awkwardly, to which Kate just gave a supporting squeeze to her shoulder. Tashi noticed the awkward tension between the Denali's and Caius and cleared her throat, "you should go introduce yourselves to Bella. She's very ecstatic to meet you all." They nod in agreement and leave the couple, Kate practically glaring into Caius's soul which only made him smirk.

Tashi nudged him, "stop smirking, you look evil."

"She started it." He mumbled. They sat at a table, Tashi scanning the crowd in hopes that she'd at least show up to say congratulations to the couple. But, still nothing. It wouldn't make much sense anyways as Leah didn't like Edward or Bella. She was only invited because her mom and brother were. "They invited one." Tashi perked up, her ears picking up a conversation happening. She recognized the voice to be Irina's. "Do you hear that?" She mumbled and Caius nods, listening in.

"Irina, he's our friend." Edward says, referring to Seth. "They killed Laurent," she countered. "He tried to kill Bella," Edward defends. She stepped forward, not believing his words. "I don't believe that. He wanted to be like us. To live in peace with humans. With me." She says, her golden eyes glaring at Bella. "I'm sorry," Edward says apologetically, and then Tashi appeared, stepping in front of Irina. The blonde tensed, taking a step back from her, Caius standing a few feet away, watching in case he needed to step in.

"I'm not. As we've said, he tried to kill Bella. Now, you can believe the lies he told you, but do not bring your hostility here. This is a wedding, not a wake. If you want to cause trouble, we can cause trouble, just give me the word. But, we will not be doing this today. We're here to celebrate, no matter who's on the guest list. If you're not going to be civil, I suggest you kindly make your exit." Tashi spoke, growing defensive over her pseudo-brother and his wife. She wasn't gonna let a Victoria situation happen again.

"Oh, so now you want to actually speak more than five words? What happened to you? Laurent was your friend, Tashi. How are you going to betray him like that?" She scoffed, glaring at the woman before her, ignoring her sisters who were warning her to stop. "I've changed. So did Laurent, or did he not tell you that he attempted to kill me? Come on, you can't be that delusional, sweetheart. Mm, I guess he filled your pretty little head with lies, too, didn't he?" She smirked and Irina grabbed her arm roughly, Tashi unfazed.

"Let her go. I will not ask again." Caius spoke strictly as he joined his mate's side, really not in the mood to fight, but he would if he had to.

Irina scoffed, releasing her grip and storming off, her sisters quickly going after her to console her. "We're so sorry about that," Carmen said to avoid any problems with the King. "That's alright. Can't have a wedding without a little drama." She jokes, moving pass them with a polite smile, looking over her shoulder to see Edward give her an appreciative look. Caius took her hand, following his mate as she walked over to the stage, sitting at the black piano. Emmett walked onto the stage and Tashi handed him the microphone to put on the stand.

"Excuse me? Is this on? Um, hello?" Emmett pats the microphone and Tashi sighs, mentally preparing herself for whatever he was going to say. Gathering everyone's attention, they quickly took their seats to prepare for the toasts. "Umm, I'd like to propose a toast. To my new sister. Bella, I hope you've gotten enough sleep these last 18 years. 'Cause you won't be getting anymore for a while." Emmett chuckles, everyone sharing an awkward look as Charlie just took of gulp of champagne.

Tashi stood up and ushered Emmett away, getting a few chuckles. "Apologies for his...wording." That got a few laughs around. She cleared her throat awkwardly, all the eyes on her causing her to subconsciously pull her cardigan closer around her. "Uh, I'm not very good at speaking, unless I'm arguing with someone. So uh, I won't be giving some long emotional speech. Just um, congratulations to the couple. I'm glad to have you apart of the family, Bella."

She bowed her head and returned to her seat on the piano stool, her mate pressing a comforting kiss to her head as the next person came on stage to give a speech. It was unfortunately, Jessica Stanley. "Well, Bella was just like everybody else, totally mesmerized by Edward. Or "The Hair," as I call him. And then, suddenly, Edward is all about Bella. Even though she's not the captain of the volleyball team. I'm just kidding. I'm just kidding. Or the president of the student council."

Tashi stood up again, setting her cold hand onto Jessica's shoulder, "all right, who's next?" She ushered the human girl off the stage before she could keep showing her bitterness. The urge to eat her was very high for Tashi at the moment. Charlie volunteered himself next, glass of champagne still in his hand. Tashi sat back down as he reached the microphone. "Edward will be a good husband. I know this because I'm a cop. I know things. Like how to hunt somebody to the ends of the Earth. And I know how to use a gun."

The next person up was Alice. "Now that you're my sister, you'll have to get over your aversion to fashion. Skirts, heels, handbags." Once she finished hers, the next person who went up was Renée. She started singing...yes, singing, and Charlie had the most accurate expression towards it. Tashi stood up quickly, and set a hand on her shoulder, "all right, that was beautiful. Who's next? Esme?" She ushered the woman off the stage, a look of relief on Charlie's face.

Esme joined the stage next. "I'd like to thank Renée and Charlie for bringing such a wonderful person into the world and into our lives. We will cherish and protect her forever." Short and sweet, just as Tashi expected. She stood up and pointed to the mind reader, "limited time here, so Edward, come on up." He chuckles and stands up, walking onto the stage. She sat back down, crossing her legs as he got ready to speak about his newly wedded wife.

"It's an extraordinary thing to meet someone who you can bare your soul to. And who will accept you for what you are. I've been waiting, what seems like a very long time, to get beyond what I am. And with Bella, I feel like I can finally begin." Tashi smiled as he continued, her fingers pressing against the keys, a light tune playing. "So I'd like to propose a toast to my beautiful bride. No measure of time with you will be long enough. But let's start with forever." Everyone clings their glasses together at his words.

Tashi got up as the band returned to play some upbeat music for dancing. She chuckles, spotting Jasper and Alice putting on a show without a care in the world. She was not a dancer, and thankfully Caius wasn't either. The last time Tashi danced, it was with at a ball that Mary, Queen of Scots, invited her to.

They stood off to the side, his arms wrapped around her as she rested her head on his chest. And then a familiar scent caught her nose. She furrowed her brows, the sound of fighting filling her eyes. In an instant, she was at the married couple's side, Seth grabbing on the angered Jacob. "Walk away, Jake!" Jacob pushed the boy down and tried to run forward, Tashi blocking his way to Edward. "This is none of your business, walk away!" She spoke, Embry and Quill both running to restrain him before he could lay a hand on her.

"You're gonna let this happen, Tash? He'll kill her!" Jacob shoved them off, running at Tashi and grabbing her arm tightly. Caius was by her side in a second, quickly shoving him off of her, both Leah and Paul running over to pull Jacob away. "Enough, Jacob!" Sam shouts, growing alarmed when he saw the King, Tashi holding her arm out to keep him from killing Jacob. "Stay out of this, Sam."

"You're not gonna start something that we'll have to finish." Sam stated sternly. "She'll die!" Jacob argued. "She's not our concern anymore," he finished, leaving no room for argument. Jacob clenched his jaw in anger, shoving his shoulder into his Alpha's before disappearing into the woods. Embry, Paul, and Quill were quick to follow after him. "No bad blood, Tashi?" Sam questioned, obviously referring to if Caius would be a problem. Tashi nods, ever since she saved him in the battle with the newborns, they had respect for each other. The Alpha had no plans to make enemies with someone mated to a vampire King.

"I understand. He's just upset. We're fine. No bad blood." Tashi assured him. He nods and walks off, calling after the two Clearwater's. Caius wraps an arm around her, still trying to calm down from his mate being grabbed by werewolf. Leah looks at the new couple, holding an angry expression, but sad eyes betray her. "Leah!" Sam called again, very aware of her relationship with Tashi. She hadn't been able to keep her thoughts to herself, so the whole pack knew. She had wanted to kill Caius. He had to talk her out of it, knowing it was a battle she'd lose. Leah takes one last look at Tashi before running off, Seth following after his sister with sad eyes.

Edward and Bella return to their guests, leaving the couple to themselves. Tashi turned around, cupping his jaw softly, "I'm okay. Calm down. He didn't hurt me. He's just upset." Caius sighs, calming down significantly. "He lays another hand on you again, I'll kill him." Tashi just nods, she didn't need to make him more angry, or then she wouldn't be so confident in her abilities to calm him down.

"Mhm, I know." She wrapped her arms around him, inhaling his scent as his cold hands run up and down her back in soothing motions.

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a/n: they're so mwuah together 😫

caius basically yearning her this whole chapter <3

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