The reception was in full swing under strings of twinkling lights and the soft glow of lanterns. The massive wedding cake stood as the centerpiece, drawing admiring (and critical) glances.
Jessica stared at it with a skeptical expression. "Just thought it'd be bigger."
Eric nodded beside her. "Yeah."
Alice swept over to them with a bright smile. "Hi, guys!"
Jessica recovered quickly. "We were just saying how pretty everything is, you know. Just saying."
Alice beamed. "Well, thanks so much. You don't think it's too much?"
Eric and Jessica shook their heads vigorously. "No. Not at all."
Emmett stood up with a mischievous grin, tapping his glass for attention. "Excuse me. Is this on? Hello? I'd like to propose a toast. To my new sister. Bella, I hope you've gotten enough sleep these last eighteen years. 'Cause you won't be getting any more for a while."
There were scattered laughs and awkward chuckles. Bella buried her face in Edward's shoulder, mortified but smiling.
Jessica was next, standing with dramatic flair. "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." She laughed. "I'm just kidding! Or the president of the student council."
More laughter rippled through the guests. Bella shook her head, grinning despite herself.
Charlie stood up next, looking both proud and slightly intimidating in his tux. "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." He paused, then added with a serious look, "And I know how to use a gun."
The crowd laughed, but the Cullens exchanged knowing glances.
Alice's toast was light and fashion-focused. "Now that you're my sister, you'll have to get over your aversion to fashion. Skirts, heels, handbags…"
Renee stood and sang a soft, lullaby-like song, her voice sweet and emotional, bringing tears to many eyes.
Esme gave a warm, heartfelt toast. "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."
Then it was Mame's turn.
He stood slowly, glass in hand, looking slightly out of place in his dark clothes among the formal attire. The crowd quieted expectantly.
"Well," Mame began, voice carrying easily, "I'm not really one for toasts. But I was told I needed to give one." He raised his glass toward Renee and Esme with a small, genuine smile. "And a mother can make anyone do anything for her child. Hahaha."
There were warm chuckles. Mame's expression shifted as he looked toward Edward.
"I'll be honest and say I don't really like Edward. Or 'Edweird,' as I like to call him." He glanced at Jessica with a nod toward her earlier toast, earning more laughter. "But… if he makes Bella happy, then I guess he can live for a while more. Hahaha."
The guests laughed, thinking it was just brotherly teasing. Mame continued, looking directly at Charlie.
"And Dad, you're gonna have to get in line because I will hunt him down first."
The crowd erupted in laughter again, assuming it was all in good fun. But the Cullens, the wolves (including Jacob who had slipped in), Bella, and Edith Cullen knew better. Their smiles were tight.
Mame raised his glass. "To Bella. My sister. Be happy."
Everyone cheered and drank.
Edith Cullen approached Mame quietly afterward. "Mame… can we talk for a second?" she asked softly.
Mame turned to her, polite but distant. He forced a small, cool smile. "Not today, Edith. This is Bella's moment. Let's not make it about anything else."
Edith nodded, respecting his boundary for now. Mame moved away to rejoin the edge of the crowd, keeping his anger carefully buried.
Edward stood last, glass in hand, looking at Bella with pure adoration.
"It's an extraordinary thing to meet someone who you can bare your soul to. I've been waiting, what seems like a very long time, to get beyond what I am. With Bella, I feel like I can finally begin. 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."
The guests clapped as Edward pulled Bella away from the crowd for a moment of privacy.
"Another one of your gifts just arrived," he whispered.
Jacob stepped out of the shadows, looking devastatingly handsome despite his casual clothes.
"The best man didn't have time to get a tux," he said with a small smile.
Bella's face lit up. She ran to him, jumping into his arms. "Jacob!"
They hugged tightly as Edward watched with quiet understanding.
Jacob offered his hand. "Will you dance with me?"
Bella took it. They swayed slowly to the soft music. For a few precious minutes, it felt like old times.
Jacob's voice was low near her ear. "This is how I'm gonna remember you. Pink cheeks. Two left feet. Heartbeat."
Bella's eyes filled with tears. One slipped down her cheek.
Jacob brushed it away gently. "Come on, you're not supposed to be the one crying at your wedding."
Bella laughed through the tears. "Everyone cries at weddings."
Jacob's expression grew more serious. "So… you're really going through with it? Spending your honeymoon… writhing in pain?"
Bella hesitated, then nodded. "I didn't want to spend it as a human. I don't plan to be human during the honeymoon."
Jacob stopped dancing. His face twisted with horror. "You can't be serious. Tell me you're not that stupid."
He grabbed her arms. "Bella, no. You can't do this."
Edward was suddenly there. "Jacob, calm down."
The tension spiked. Jacob's eyes flashed with anger. "You're going to kill her!"
Sam and the rest of the pack materialized, grabbing Jacob and pulling him back. "Let's go, Jake."
Jacob struggled, eyes locked on Bella. "This isn't over."
As the pack dragged him away, Mame stepped out from the trees. His black coat shifted in the breeze, expression dark and unyielding.
He looked directly at Bella, voice carrying clearly. "If you return as one of them, only death will await you here."
The words hung heavy. Bella froze. Edward's jaw tightened.
Mame turned and disappeared back into the shadows.
The journey began in Rio de Janeiro, the city lights glittering like jewels. From there, they took a private boat out to the secluded paradise of Isle Esme — Carlisle's breathtaking gift.
Edward carried Bella over the threshold of the beautiful villa. "You're so beautiful," he whispered as they stood on the moonlit beach.
They swam together in the warm ocean, skin against skin, laughter mixing with the sound of waves. They made love under the stars, passionate and tender.
The next morning, Bella woke to Edward's horrified gaze. Bruises bloomed across her arms and shoulders.
"I'm sorry," Edward whispered, voice breaking. "I can't… I won't hurt you again."
Bella reached for him. "I'm not. I'm fine. Really. It was worth it."
But Edward's fear tempered their passion after that. Bella woke from dreams crying, wanting to feel fully human. Edward held her through the nights, the mate bond strong against distant threats.
They returned to Forks two weeks later. The moment they stepped through the door, Bella felt ill. She rushed to the bathroom, throwing up violently.
Edward was at her side instantly. When she emerged, pale and shaky, she looked at the calendar. "How many days has it been since the wedding?"
"Fourteen," Edward answered. "Why?"
Bella's eyes widened. "I'm late."
She stood in front of the mirror, hand hovering over her stomach. Suddenly, she felt a strong flutter.
"Whoa!"
Carlisle was called immediately. After examination, his face grew grave. "It's growing rapidly. Incompatible with your body. It's starving you by the hour. Your heart may give out before you can deliver."
Rosalie became fiercely protective. "It's a baby. Not an 'it.'"
Alice shook her head. "I can't see the fetus. I can't see Bella's future anymore."
Edward was horrified. "We have to remove it. Now."
Bella refused, hands cradling her belly. "No. It's a miracle. I'm keeping this baby."
Alice had quietly fetched Mame. He entered, black coat bearing traces of the forest. His eyes locked onto Bella's stomach. He knelt in front of her, one hand hovering just above but not touching.
"You're still human," he said softly, "and so is she."
The room went dead silent.
Rosalie blinked. "Who are you talking about?"
Mame looked up. "Her." He nodded toward Bella's belly. "She is not an 'it.' She is my niece."
The Cullens stared in shock.
Mame rose slowly. "She's family. My blood. I won't let you hurt her."
Rosalie stepped forward, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with him. "Yes."
Word spread fast. Jacob stormed in, horrified at the sight of Bella wasting away.
"You're pregnant," he whispered. "With his… thing."
He argued fiercely. "You're going to kill her!"
Bella was resolute.
The days after were hell. Bella's body failed rapidly. Her skin grew pale and paper-thin. She could barely keep anything down. Each step was visible effort, hand protectively cradling her swollen belly.
Mame visited often, silent and brooding. One evening, as Bella lay on the couch barely able to sit up, Jacob stormed in again.
"Look at her. She's dying. That thing inside her needs food. Real food."
Mame stepped forward. "Blood. She is part vampire. It figures she needs blood."
Carlisle nodded. "I have O negative laid aside."
Mame shook his head. He removed his long black coat, rolled up his sleeve, and extended his arm.
"No. She starts with mine."
He looked directly at Edith, then back to Bella.
Bella hesitated, tears streaming. But the child kicked hard. With a broken sob, she drank from her brother's wrist.
Mame's face remained stoic, though his free hand clenched. Some color returned to Bella's cheeks.
Bella's condition deteriorated rapidly in the final hours. She collapsed trying to get water, several ribs cracking audibly. Even Mame, weakened from the blood he had given, had to brace himself against the wall.
"The baby is coming," Carlisle said urgently.
They moved her to the prepared room. Rosalie tried the cesarean but froze at the sight of blood. Emmett pulled her away. Alice and Jasper took her from the room. Carlisle took over.
Edward stayed at Bella's head, whispering encouragement. Mame stood guard near the door, one hand on his gun, ashen but sharp-eyed.
Carlisle delivered the baby — a girl — healthy and crying.
Renesmee.
The moment Jacob saw her, he imprinted. His world shifted. He became fiercely protective.
But Bella was fading. Her heart rate plummeted. Edward reached for the syringe of venom.
Mame tried to move but was too weak. His legs buckled. "No…" he rasped.
Edward didn't hesitate. He bit down on Bella's neck, injecting venom directly. Bella's body jerked, then went still as the transformation began.
Mame watched helplessly, eyes meeting Edward's in a charged, silent promise.
Jacob stood protectively near Renesmee.
Mame slid down the wall slightly, breathing hard, but his gaze never left his sister.
The war over Bella's future had entered a new, irreversible phase.