It was the day of the wedding and Ellis was nervous. He stood stiffly against the Cullen's front door, one hand adjusting the neck of his pristine collar. His suit was a dark maroon red made out of a silky material that he had no idea of the name of and it hugged his figure nicely. The blazer and the trousers were matching in red, making the ivory shirt and the black tie stand out nicely against his caramel hair which had been tamed into smart ringlets by Alice a few hours prior.

"If Alice catches you, I won't be responsible for her reaction", the calm voice of Jasper made Ellis freeze as he was just about to run a hand through his hair and consequently ruin his hairstyle. Ellis scowled as the blonde moved closer with a soft smile.

"Is everything set up?" He asked.

Jasper relaxed against the frame next to him, his presence comforting. "Everything is in place", he replied. He smiled and Ellis felt a wave of calm wash over him. "What are you so nervous about?"

"Why do I have to be the ring barer?" Ellis definitely did not whine.

"Why not? You should be honoured".

"I am", Ellis muttered. "It's just- urgh crowds. I barely know anyone who'll be there. And two many smells".

"You fed last night right?" Jasper asked. Ellis had, he knew it. Jasper, Emmet and Ellis had bustled (Ellis a bit more reluctantly) Edward out for a stag party vampire style. That meant that Emmet taught Ellis how to hunt bears. "Just keep control and remember to act human. You should be fine".

Ellis huffed, unamused by Jasper's typical advice. Jasper noticed as he smiled jokingly at him. "Just be glad your eyes have changed". It was true. Ellis' eyes had finally faded from the amber orange to more of a gold tone. They were still more orange than the rest of the Cullens, but they were not too bright to seem supernatural. It just meant that Ellis did not have to wear those ridiculous contacts.

Alice spared the two of them any more conversations by opening the front door. She beamed at them, dressed elegantly in a shiny lavender silk dress, hair neatly styled. A plush white cushion was tucked under her arm along with a small box. "There you are!" She beamed at Ellis. "The guests are all mingling around the seats,; the others are dealing with them. Meanwhile, you are needed over here". She caught him by the shoulders and began to steer Ellis towards the path leading towards the wood where they were having the ceremony. The path was decorated with flower petals and Ellis was glad that the smell was strong enough to dull the human scents.

Alice stopped on the edge of the trees and pushed the cushion into Ellis' arms. "It's almost time. Now when Bella comes round the house, the music will start and you shall start walking. Also mind the stray pebble next to Seth's seat and you'll be fine". With that parting comment, she produced the rings out of the box and gently placed them on top of the cushion. Ellis wanted to point out that he had never been to a wedding before, let alone been a ring barer before, but Alice was already walking back towards the house.

Ellis huffed for what felt like the thousandth time that day (having been cleaned, styled and bustled around till about an inch of his undead life) and waited. Soon enough, he heard the clumsy human tread of shoes as a man, who he recognised as Charlie Swan, came to stand at Ellis' shoulder. The man seemed uncomfortable and he kept shifting his weight around. "So", he began awkwardly. "You're the newest addition to the Cullen family".

Ellis nodded and smile politely. Carlisle had completed the paperwork a few days ago and news had spread of Ellis' adoption quite quickly for such a small town. "Yes, Ellis Hale. Nice to meet you". Charlie grunted and shifted his glaze to the trees.

"How'd you meet the family. Bella mentioned that they first met you a few months ago", Charlie asked.

"Unfortunately I was a bit of troubled kid", Ellis recited, the story easy to remember. "Never got caught by the cops though", Charlie chuckled at this. "But my parents were pretty absent. They died a few years ago and I didn't want to get caught in the foster system so I ran away. I had heard that I had distant relatives over here so I stole a plane ticket and hitchhiked. Carlisle and the others found me whilst on a outing and got me cleaned up. Actually, after hearing my story, they offered to adopt me right then and there"- Ellis pretended to chuckle -"it freaked me out and I ran again. But the offer stuck and I found myself returning. Of course, I had to clean my act up. But it hasn't been that bad so far".

Charlie shuffled slightly, Ellis wondered if he moved so much when he was human, and messed with his blazer. "Just don't let me catch you slipping in to any bad habits you hear me".

Ellis grinned at him cheekily. "Sir yes sir".

At that point, the two descended into silence as Bella, Alice and Rosalie came around the house. Bella was looking stunning in her clear white dress and sheer veil. She smiled shyly at them and Ellis grinned in return. She embraced her father as the music started playing and Rosalie and Alice rounded the corner to face the wedding. Ellis waited a beat or two to follow them, rings balanced elegantly on the pillow.

He felt the guest's eyes on him as he walked up the aisle, vampire, human and wolf watching the precession. He knew that they were mostly staring at Bella behind him, but the eye contact still left some pressure on his shoulders. He glances around and his eyes collided with Seth's who was sitting towards the back of the pews dressed in a light grey suit that clashed delightfully with his tanned skin. He smiled, eyes focused solely on Ellis who grinned back. Next to Seth sat Leah and Sue Clearwater. Sue was a worn but still rather attractive woman with Seth's nose and eyes. She glanced between the two of them before smiling warmly at Ellis and turning to watch Bella. Suddenly, Ellis stumbled slightly over a stray stone but regained his balance and continued walking (he could practically hear Alice sniggering), taking up his position at the edge of the altar.

The rest of the wedding continued without a hitch, vows were exchanged, people cried and Ellis dutifully handed Edward the rings. Soon enough, the party was herded into the house for the reception. "Ellis!" Seth called as everyone headed inside. He grinned and caught Ellis by the elbow, linking their arms. "You um"- he muttered, cheeks colouring. "You look amazing. Alice?"

"Alice", Ellis agreed. "You look pretty handsome yourself", he replied bashfully. Seth's face lit up and he tugged Ellis towards the front door where Sue was standing talking to Esme.

"Mom!" He called and Sue smiled at him. "This is Ellis, my imprint". Ellis froze for a bit, unsure what to do before holding out his hand. Judging by how Seth had introduced him, Sue knew about all the supernatural stuff so she hopefully wouldn't react to his cold skin. "Pleasure to meet you".

"Oh None of that", Sue said before pulling him into a hug. Ellis internally freaked as she tried to smother him but luckily the hug did not last very long. Esme placed a gentle hand on Ellis' shoulder as he was released, her presence calming him slightly. "Seth has been telling me so much about you. You're just as pretty as he described", Sue replied warmly as Seth whined, cheeks pinking. Her brown eyes, exactly like Seth's, were warm and kind.

"Ah yes," Esme said proudly. "Eli's haven't been here long and he's already competing against Rosalie in terms for looks, Alice is just loving dressing him up". So that's why Alice paid so much attention to him, Ellis field that thought away for later.

"Well, You are welcome over any time regardless of vampirism. But no eating there, I won't have any blood in my house. It's a mess to clean out of the carpets", Sue smiled.

"Thank you? I won't get blood on your carpets" Ellis replied, slightly overwhelmed.

Sue beamed back at him and he was struck by the similarity between her and Seth. "You're welcome dear", she cooed before bustling off inside. Esme patted him comfortably on the shoulder before also turning inside leaving Ellis and Seth awkwardly standing near the doorway.

"So, you think I'm pretty", Ellis smirked. Seth scowled, blushing.

"Shut up".

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The wedding continued into the after party. The Cullen's living room had been removed of furniture and turned into a dance floor with music pounding out of the speakers where Edward was controlling the music. Ellis thought that he made a great Dj, considering that he could read people's minds to know the best songs. The glass walls were opened up into the garden and patio,, letting the warm breeze dilute the suffocating smells slightly. The kitchen was open and the counters covered with food and plates to which the human and wolf guests were happily helping themselves. People were lingering around the hall and garden chatting whilst couples danced in the living room.

"Ellis", Seth called around a mouthful of quiche. His plate was piled high with multiple finger foods and Ellis knew that this was his third plate. Escaping Bella's mother, who was a kind but slightly klutzy woman, he crossed to where Seth was loitering near the stairs. In the time it took him to walk at human's pace across the room, Seth's plate had decreased by half.

"Yeah?" Ellis asked as stopped by Seth's elbow. The wolf boy seemed pleased to see him, despite the fact that they had only been separated for thirty five minutes (Ellis had not been counting), and draped his arm over his shoulder.

"Do you want to dance?" Seth asked, mouth empty and voice clear. Ellis glanced towards the dance floor where Bella's friends from school were all moving in various pairs. Bella and Edward were swaying lovingly swaying to 'a thousand years' by Christina Perri practically excluding a sappy aura. Ellis pulled a face.

"Really? Let's wait for a change of song. This is a bit too lovely for me". Seth pulled a face but also agreed and inhaled a sausage roll. Ellis dusted away the crumbs on his jacket with his fingertips and Seth beamed at him adorably. Ellis concentrated on thinking about one particular song in order to get Edward's attention. As Christina Perri's voice faded, Edward and Bella broke apart. Edward shot Ellis a suffering look before strolling to the speakers. The song changed and Ellis grabbed Seth's hand, grinning at Edward in thanks. "Come on, I like this song".

Seth placed his now empty plate on one of the stairs and allowed Ellis to lead him to the dance floor. The sounds of electric guitar filled the room as 'When my Baby's beside me' by Big Star started. There was a cheer from those who recognised the old tune and the floor was flooded by people. Ellis pulled Seth to the centre of the room and began bouncing on his toes. Seth laughed began moving to mimic Ellis' actions.

"Don't need to talk to my doctor

Don't need to talk to my shrink

Don't need to hide behind no locked door

I don't need to think.

Cause when my Baby's beside me

I don't worry

When my baby's side me all I know"

Ellis sang along as he bobbed his head, styled hair becoming a mess of curls. He and Seth caught each other's hands and the taller boy twirled him laughing. Ellis allowed himself to fall into the other's arms before pulling away and tugging Seth after him. They danced until the song was over and the dance floor emptied slightly. The next track was slower, 'moonage daydream' by David Bowie, and the two of them slowed into a slow dance. Each boy had one hand on the other's shoulder and another at their waists as they swayed to the music.

"Never thought you'd love the older stuff", Seth remarked. Ellis hummed in response as Seth twirled him.

"I play cello", he retorted without any heat. "So my music taste has to be pretty diverse. I think my dad must have loved rock but I can't be certain".

Seth nodded and tugged Ellis back towards him. "Do you want to go and hang out upstairs?" He asked as the song closed. Ellis agreed and they approached where Sue Clearwater was talking to Charlie Swan near the kitchen. She looked up and gave them both a warm smile.

"Mom, we're going to go and hang out in Ellis' room", Seth said. Sue nodded, her eyes drifting down to their still conjoined hands. Both boys let go, Seth blushing and Ellis awkwardly looking away.

"Okay", she replied, a small smirk playing at the corner of her lips. "You can spend the night if you want Seth, as long that's okay with Esme and Ellis of course".

"Of course he's welcome", Esme answered as she exited the kitchen. "Seth is welcome around anytime". Seth's voice broke into a huge grin.

"Really? Thanks".

"Thanks mum", Ellis called he followed the happy wolf boy towards the stairs. Sue laughed as she and Charlie moved out into the garden. Ellis missed the tender look in Esme's eyes as he left, completely failing to notice her expression.

"What was that?" Carlisle asked as all the Cullen siblings surrounded an emotionally overwhelmed Esme. He wrapped his arms around his wife's waist comfortingly and pressed a kiss into her hair. Bella looked up to Edward in explanation and the male smiled at his family.

"He called her mum".

A fond look overcame their faces as they understood Esme's emotional overload. Whilst they had referred to Esme as their mother, and in all purposes she was. But being physically young adults, none of them had ever referred to her as mum, or mom, preferring just to call her Esme. Ellis' position as stuck at a age so close to being a child meant that he was less likely to overthink things, the name easily slipping from his lips.

Said boy was happily talking with Seth upstairs, unaware of the feelings he had stirred up down stairs.