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Sunrise
I may not be a lion, but I am a lion's cub, and I have a lion's heart.
--Elizabeth I
Chapter One
Happy Sweet 'Sixth' Birthday
Today is my sixth birthday though you wouldn't know it to look at me. I stand just over five feet tall with waist length curly auburn hair and piercing brown eyes. I walk with a grace and dignity that nobles would envy and my vocabulary far exceeds that of many college graduates. Yet, today I will only blow out six measly candles on the cake that Grandma Cullen has prepared. My unique, yet endearing family surrounds me. Mine and only two other hearts are beating in anticipation. I examine their faces.
Auntie Alice, who designed the lavender dress I wear, and my other Aunt, Rosalie, is ready with the camera she really hasn't put down since my birth a mere six years ago. Uncle Emmett and Uncle Jasper overlook the shoulders of their wives with soft smiles. Grandpa Cullen and Grandpa Swan stand close by. Grandma Cullen brings in the cake wearing a smile wide with pride and love.
By my side are my dearest members—Momma and Daddy with their arms forever intertwined and my Jacob beaming at me. The normally bright and seldom used dining room is dimmed by twilight and the faces of my family are illuminated by the six glowing candles on the cake that bears my name in elegant script: Renesmee. Holding hands with Momma and Jacob, I take in a deep breath and blow….
As you might have guessed by now, I'm not your typical six-year old. In fact, I more closely resemble your average sixteen year old in both mind and body. I also come from a rather unique family. You see, my parents are vampires and my best friend is a werewolf…still with me? And if that wasn't enough to freak you out, I also have a power that enables me to project my thoughts into your mind. Trippy, huh. But other than the fact that in about another year I will essentially appear to be an nineteen year old woman, I'm pretty normal. I sleep and eat (well, we'll get to that later).
I take classes, at home mind you. Aging a year every four months precludes attending a traditional school. I don't really have many friends here in Forks where the constantly gloomy weather allows my family a relatively "normal" life. Therefore, I have pretty much lived in seclusion. My growth spurts and family's un-aging ways have forced us to limit our contact with the outside world. In fact, tomorrow we are moving.
All my aunts and uncles, including my mom and dad, have graduated from college, again, and they need to start over. An occupational hazard of life spent as perpetual teenagers. This time I will be starting over, too. It's going to be really weird going to high school in general, but even more so when my mom and dad will be going to class with me! And I'll have to be around humans, yuck. It's a long trip to Alaska to move closer to my vampiric cousins who share the same 'vegetarian' lifestyle. At least my Jacob is coming, though. Although he isn't too happy about more vampires in his life, he would loathe seeing me go alone.
But tomorrow is another day. Tonight it is about me and my family and being sweet six years old. So out go the candles and three of us actually eat the cake. The celebration continues with Daddy at the piano, Auntie Alice twirling me on the dance floor and Uncle Emmett insisting on giving me my six pinches with Jacob looking a little perturbed. Uncle Jasper just basks in the cheerful mood with a rare smile. Rosalie keeps yelling at Emmett to stop making silly faces for the camera, while Momma and Grandma Cullen share quiet exchanges while looking at me longingly. They are no doubt savoring the moment, for I change so quickly. Grandpa Swan mumbles congratulations and, after an awkward hug and a quick kiss on the cheek, heads out in his police car.
Soon Jacob takes me for a turn on the dance floor. He stands about a foot and a half taller than me and I comfortably settle my head into his chest. He is the best friend anyone could want and has kept me sane these last six years. I try not to cry as I catch Uncle Jasper with a slight concerned frown and Daddy stumbles a microsecond on the keys. They have both caught my mood, my thoughts: joy that I have the best life, mingled with the sadness and fear of the unknown awaiting me in my new life in Alaska, coupled with the knowledge that it is because of me we are moving there.
I hope I don't blow it.
