I really enjoy days like this. I can sit in the sun, reading a book and not worry about a thing. Today, I wasn't reading as much as I was listening. I listened to the beautiful heartbeats of the Italians as they went about their afternoon chores. Yet, through the throng of relaxation, something different caught my ear. A new heartbeat, one beating so fast, I wasn't sure at first if it was even a heart.

Staring across the crowd in the piazza, I saw him. I instantly recognized him, but I couldn't place him at first. I was only lost for a second, then I knew the last time I had seen him; it was shortly after my birth. My ability makes it very easy for me to remember things. It's my gift. I instantly remembered our last encounter. I was only a few months old, which put me at almost a toddler, growth wise. I age quickly; it's another of my gifts. I remember my feelings about him; he was my guardian, my friend, closer than my uncles. But the Volturri killed him, my parents, my family, and my friends and took me to Italy. Yet there he stood.

Not dead Jacob. Alive Jacob.

All of my memories of him came rushing back. Every second in his presence, every word, every touch, all of it, rushing through me in a single whirl. All of my feelings and my sadness. Then I remembered the pain, the loss of him and my family. Feelings I had been taught to cut off. Zafrina had been by my side, choosing to protect me by joining the Volturri but she had taught me that the only way to survive would be to cut it off. She was my savior when I wasn't able to save myself.

At this moment I felt nothing toward him because I was so stunned to see him, alive. He looked magnificent. I didn't remember his beauty. I only remembered his warmth. His big, strong arms protecting me while the Volturri ripped through my mother's shield. Both of my parents, along with the rest of my family, died trying to save me. I didn't see very much because Jacob had shielded me with his body and then at some point, Zafrina had taken me, used her ability and showed me a giant meadow with flowers. When it was all finished, I was in Aro's hands and the only person I recognized was Zafrina. No one was left and I didn't know what had happened. Twelve years had passed. I had locked my family away in a small room in my heart and hadn't let them out since.

But here stood Jacob, ALIVE!

Does he recognize me? He was looking right into my eyes. I hadn't changed my expression, I didn't act as if I recognized him. But did he know me? I had been just a toddler when he had see me last but I had reached my full maturity five years ago, so I may only be 12 years old but I looked 27.

He moved with lethal grace through the crowd of people, and I was unsure if he was moving toward me or just maneuvering through the crowd. I was sitting in a café, which was a welcome escape, being the only member of the Volturri able to be in the sunlight, which also meant I was alone. No Zafrina to protect me from this apparition, no Jane to slow his progress, nothing but myself. I slowly put my book down and began to rise from my chair. He was definitely coming my way. I looked away from him and down at myself and noticed absently that I was wearing a long white skirt, a navy blue tank top and sandals. My hair was pulled back to tame the curls and keep people from staring at me. Not that I was a freak of nature or anything, but humans were often struck dumb by my slightly pale skin and unnatural beauty. He was less than a hundred feet away and I realized I had to make a decision. I either had to face him or run away as fast as my legs would take me. But he moved quicker than I had anticipated and the fact that I was in shock slowed me considerably, so I was forced to face him.

I stopped and turned to face him, my expression blank, though inside I felt fear and some other emotion I couldn't place. He stopped a few feet away from me, looking as if he were seeing the sun for the first time, as if he were finally a complete man. I didn't remember him ever looking this way before. He had always been happy around me; my mind's eye only ever saw his smiling face. Now he had a very pained expression and I was curious. The fear I had felt before was ebbing, now I was filled with curiosity.

He slowly took a step toward me, and I narrowed my eyes at him. Though he looked like my Jacob, I still didn't trust him. I quickly took a step back, bumping into the chair I had been sitting in. I could hear his heart beat; it was so fast I could barely discern the individual beats. I was so thrown out of myself that I needed to leave, to regroup, to get away from this trick my mind was playing on me.

Then he reached out his hand and touched my hair as if he couldn't believe I was real.

"Nessie?" He whispered after just barely brushing his hand over my hair.

I just looked at him with my same blank expression, I was afraid my voice would give my emotions away. He looked like Jacob, sounded like Jacob and he most definitely smelled like Jacob, but was it really him? The only way to find out was through Aro and I definitely didn't trust Aro.

"I can't believe your alive" His voice was barely a whisper, but I heard him loud and clear. All I could do was stare at him, my mouth agape, still shocked that this was happening. I didn't know what to do, I wasn't prepared for this.

"Who…are you?" I asked slowly, making sure that I could keep my voice under control.

"Nessie…it's me, Jacob"

"Jacob?" I said, shaking my head slightly and playing dumb, but the expression on his face when I said that would have broken a heart that was less than mine, instead an unnamed emotion ran through me, one I had never felt before.

"Do I know you?"

"Yes." Was all the answer he could choke out. I could hear his heart beat even faster if that was possible. He was getting upset, I could tell by his clenched fists. I took another step back, this time sidestepping my chair, giving me a clear path to run, if need be.

"I was there when you were born, Reneesme. I protected you and took care of you. I was your friend." His use of my full name shocked me. The last person to call me that was my mother. I froze where I stood. It's really him, it's really Jacob. My blank expression finally broke.

"Jacob?" I said in disbelief and I watched as relief cascaded over his face and through his body. He took another step toward me, and reached his hand to my hair again. It was as if he wanted to make sure I was real, not a ghost or a figment of his imagination. I flinched away this time, shocking him and myself. I didn't let anyone touch me, ever, not even Zafrina.

"I thought you were dead Jacob." I said slowly taking a step myself, only backwards, away from him.

"Nessie, I have so much to tell you. Oh God, it's been twelve years, six months, 4 days and 3 hours since I last saw you. I was driving myself mad. Deep within me, I could still feel you here, I felt you were alive, but there was never any proof. I've searched everywhere and once I got to a place, I felt as if I had just missed you. But when I arrived in Italy, it felt like a little part of me was back. Now, seeing you, I feel whole again." All of his words came out quickly but I heard each one. I understood what he was saying, because I had felt the same way. Not just about him, but my whole family. As if I were missing something just out of my reach.