All Grown Up: The Story of Jacob and Renesmee Part I

The Rite of Seven Steps

Jacob

I was with my groomsmen waiting in Edward's old room for this show to get on the road. I could hear the voices of our wedding guests downstairs.

"You ready, man?" Seth asked, giving me a light punch on the arm.

"Yes and no. I'm ready to marry her, not sure if I'm ready to make a fool of myself though."

"You're fine, you're totally fine. You know all your stuff. All you have to do is go down there, say the Seven Steps, which I know you know because I've been hearing them over and over in your head for weeks, do your promise, and you're good. Then you just ride off into the sunset," Embry said.

"You're right, I'm fine," I said.

Little Alice came bouncing into the room, "It's time!" and she would know.

My sisters were right behind her. It was the first time I've seen them today. The little noises they were making, I could tell they were both trying not to cry. I laughed and rolled my eyes.

"Don't you roll your eyes at me," Rachel scolded while Rebecca walked over to hug me tightly.

"You look so nice. I love you and I'm so happy for you."

"Thanks, I love you both too."

"Okay, line up!" Alice ordered.

I was first in line. After me, it was Seth escorting Rachel, Quil with Rebecca, and Embry with Alice last. It got very quiet all of a sudden downstairs and up.

"When the drums start, go ahead," Alice told me.

I don't know why she whispered, but it seemed appropriate. She darted out of her place and jumped a couple of feet to kiss my cheek.

"You'll be great, sweetie, don't worry. All she wants is for you to be you." Then she darted right back into line.

When I heard the drums I took a deep breath.

"Oh shit, here go," I muttered to myself as I reached for the doorknob.

I opened the door and when I walked out onto the landing, the first thing I noticed was the overwhelming smell of vampire. But as you may have guessed, I've become immune to it over the years. I focused on walking down the stairs, I'd never done anything like fall down the stairs before but now was the time NOT to do it. I let my eyes scan the crowd once my feet hit the bottom step. I saw the Denali clan, then my dad in his new suit in the first row for my side of the family. He reached his hand out and I shook it and bent down to hug him.

"Looking pretty sharp there, old man."

He laughed softly, "You two. Congrats, son, I hope you are just as happy as your mother and I was."

"Thanks, Dad."

I passed the pile of rocks and made sure I was exactly seven paces past it. The wedding party filled into their places, the guys lining up behind me and off to the side and the girls lined up and behind off to the side where Nessie would start out.

Claire came down, wearing a dress with a wide white band around her waist that matched the color of the bridesmaid dresses. She threw rose petals off the side of the stairs. Bella came out of Edward's old room carrying Anthony. She had her arms in front of her, making a little cradle for him to sit in, so everybody could get a good look at my beautiful boy holding the rings. His little nose was going crazy with all the new smells, his eyes quickly scanned all the new faces with fascination. Many of the people haven't met him yet, I grinned at the big reaction he got as Bella carried him down the steps. I heard people say things like, "Look at his hair!" and "How cute is he?"