Chapter 1

I gasped as I unzipped in long, blue nylon garment bag. A flowing white dressed plummeted to the ground, exposing its intricate lacing, lavish embellishments, and yet, a simple old-fashioned glow. I took a moment to take it all in. This dress was my mother's from a while back, and now it was to be mine in three days. My thoughts were abruptly stopped when Alice impatiently knocked at my bedroom door.

"Well? Have you got it on yet?" She sounded impatient. I shook my head and began to slip off my casual clothes and drape the beautiful gown over my body. It fell perfectly, and I stepped back to get a look at myself in the full-body mirror. I looked like a true bride. Well, bride-to-be, anyways. I strode for the door and pulled it open to see Alice's beaming expression.

"Oh Nessie! You look absolutely gorgeous!" She was delighted.

"Thank you, Alice. May I take it off now?" I loved the dress, but to be quite honest, I would much rather have my regular clothes.

Alice sighed, "You are like your mother in so many ways."

"I know," Then Alice smiled and walked into the other room. Turning back into my room, I glanced down at my engagement ring. It was beautiful as well. It had a small gold band with a raised stone in the middle. The stone was from the Quileutte people. It was a deep brown that almost matched my eyes. Little diamonds circled the precious stone. Jacob had special ordered it, and more than likely used his entire savings for it.

Once I had changed out of my dress-to-be, I sat on my bed and thought about the day Jacob proposed. I remembered it very well and had a personal recap of the entire story.

***

We were walking through the thick forest for the millionth time. This place was so familiar now. After all, Jacob and I had been taking walks here ever since I can remember. Last year, Jacob and I began thinking of each other in a romantic way. I was fully matured and loving Jacob with all my heart, so we became classified as a couple. Of course, my father objected entirely. He just couldn't accept that Jacob and I loved one another and would always love one another. What really baffles me is he knew it was coming. From the day I was born, he knew it. You'd think he had enough preparation time, but no. But, he finally accepted it.

By this time, Jacob and I had gone a long ways without even speaking. I had to admit, I was a little concerned. We were holding hands, like always, and just silently trudging through leaves and environmental waste. Really, what was the point of walking if we weren't even going to have a nice conversation? The silence was killing me. I had to break it.

"Oh Jacob! Is there something wrong? Why in the world are we just walking? Oh no! You're going to break up with me aren't you?" I almost went into hysteria when Jacob pulled my chin up and kissed me tenderly. My whole body relaxed instantaneously.

"Nessie, of course I am not going to break up with you. I thought we established the fact that I love you?" He was smiling gingerly. I hugged him tightly.

"Good. You scared me half to death," I chuckled a little, the uneasiness still sounding in my voice. "But if that wasn't it, then why did we walk all this way without even so much as a word?" I really was confused beyond my extent.

He laughed to himself, as if he had a secret in which I was utterly unaware of. "You don't have any idea how long I have waited for this day." Okay. This helped me none. I still was staring at him stupidly, waiting for more. He cleared his throat and knelt down on one knee. My mouth popped open and tears began to gush once I realized what this whole walk was about. "Renessemee Carlie Cullen, would you marry me?"

I began to cry harder as I nearly tackled Jacob in a hug. I stayed there, sobbing away for a good five minutes. Jacob kissed my head and then whispered in my ear, "Nessie, you didn't answer me."

I pulled away and smiled wide. "Of course!" Suddenly I was enveloped in another kiss that lasted much longer than the last. Finally, I stopped and told Jacob that we should probably go tell the others now. He nodded once and took hold of my hand again.

The trip back seemed much shorter than the trip there. We walked across the grass to my front lawn and began to climb the steps of our small front porch. Before Jacob could open the front door, I stopped him.

"Jacob, you didn't, by any chance, run this by my dad first?" He better have. Otherwise I would be hung along with him when we told my family the "good" news.

His eyes made circles while he thought. They never met mine, because he knew he would be in deep trouble. Finally he mumbled out, "Well-"

I cut him off before I got his lame excuse. I almost yelled, "Jacob! Now we both are in trouble deeper than we can imagine!" I groaned and stared at the ground. I dreaded this. Suddenly Jacob took my face in his warm hands.

"Nessie, they have to know. I don't think they will hurt us too bad. After all, they had to know it would happen sometime." His words made me decide to go ahead and get it over with.

"Okay. But if my father seriously hurts you, don't say I didn't warn you." And with that, I opened the large front door. I took Jacob's hand as we walked through the foyer. I could hear everyone's laughter coming from the living room. I followed the sound, and everyone stopped when Jacob and I came into sight. My grandfather, Carlisle, spoke first.

"Jacob, Nessie, please come join us. We were just telling stories from way back when." He was always so kind and fatherly towards me. I always thought it was ironic how he was my grandpa and he could barely pass for twenty-six.

Jacob and I took our seats in the small sofa next to the middle wall. We were sitting right in front of my mother and father, who were also holding hands. I thought to myself, Oh this is great. Dad has a perfect shot at Jacob. One quick movement and- My thoughts were interrupted when my mother asked, "Renessmee? Honey, is something wrong? Is there something there you would like to share with us?" She must have noticed my silence.

I twittered my fingers nervously as I built up the courage to answer her dreaded question. I cleared my throat and confidently announced, "Yes. Mother, Father, everyone…Jacob and I are to be married."

And with that, time seemed to stop. Vampires can go forever without moving, but my family had habits of moving here and there to portray a real human. Yeah, that stopped too. I looked into my mothers face. She seemed completely surprised and shocked. Her mouth hung open to make a nice "O" shape. Then I looked at Dad. His face was slightly different. It was twisted in such a way, that anger only could describe it. I quivered a little. I kept staring at him, waiting for the explosion. Finally he cracked.

"Renessmee Carlie Cullen. How. Dare. You." He was perfectly pronouncing every word to emphasize his fury. "What. Makes. You. Think. You. Can just go and get married?"

I cringed back into the sofa. He always scared me when he got mad. Then his focus shifted to Jacob. "And you! How dare you propose when I haven't even gave you my permission. I ought to-" Before he did something he would regret, My mother put her hands on his shoulders and told him to relax. I had already put my weight closer to Jacob to protect him. Suddenly, I felt my blood begin to boil. How dare him yell at me for this! I am a grown girl! I couldn't hold it in any longer.

"Dad! You are blowing this way out of proportion! I am grown up, and I can make my own decisions! When I get married concerns neither of you! I honestly don't see what the problem is, either! All of you knew this would happen! Sooner or later it would! It was just a matter of time!" I was puffing in air once I was finished. I plopped myself back down to my seat when my father suddenly became soft. His eyes gazed into mine and he put on a remorseful face.

"Renessmee, I am sorry. You were right. I knew all along this would happen. I give you my blessing. After all, your mother and I were there in your place not too long ago. I am happy that you two have decided this." I smiled and we hugged. I felt a little sorry for him. He has to watch his little girl grow up and get married faster than any other dad, since I grew up in seven years. Alice began to poke me on the shoulder with her finger. I turned away from my father and Alice began telling me about how she would plan my wedding.

"I planned your mother's, so I would think I have the duty of planning yours."

"Of course, Alice!" I had seen pictures of my parents' wedding, and it was truly beautiful. I wouldn't want anyone else but my aunt to plan it.

The last events of the story played in my head as I came back to the present. Just then, my mother gently knocked n the door.

"Renessmee? Can I come in, sweetie?" My mother was so loving. It was because of her I was even here. My entire family, even Jacob, wanted my mother not to have me because it was too dangerous. But she persisted that she would have me and live to tell the story. And she did.

"Of course," I replied. "Do you need something, Mom?"

"No, not particularly. I just wanted to spend time with you before you go get married then head off to our beach house in the tropics and honeymoon. Gosh, I can't believe it. It seems like just yesterday I held you for the first time, and now your getting married." She definitely would have cried if she were able.

I gave her a big bear hug and then touched her face to tell my story of the engagement. As the story went on, her lips turned at the ends to make a smile. Once it was over she embraced me tighter and said, "I am so happy for you and Jacob both."

We stayed there for a while, and I glanced at my engagement ring once more. I twisted it around in sudden anxiety. I felt like a kid around Christmas with all this excitement. I told myself almost reassuring, Only three more days.