I pull my legs up on my chest and wrap my arms around my legs. I close my eyes to have another terrifying flashback and see Irina. Staring at me. Not Mom or Dad. Me. I flutter my eye lids open automatically, I've always had them since the terrifying day when the Voultri came for us... When I was helpless.
My body weight shifts to the side and I feel my body slip off of the tree, I fall and realize I'm hanging. My finger nails dig into the wood, but they can't keep me up. I fly through the air, then bang! "Oof!" I grunt. I landed on my back, and immediately my lungs burn gasping for air. My mouth and nose gasp for the sweet air. When my lungs fill with air it rejects it. Pushing it out, then suddenly begs for more of the air. Finally my lungs relax and realize there is plenty of air in the world. I still lay on my back, it aches from the fall
Then, I hear the sudden wine of. . . Jacob. My best friend. Mom and Dad tried to explain what Jacob would soon mean to me. I knew that he was my soul mate. He explained to me that he imprinted on me. He explained imprinting first, then told me he imprinted on me! I felt honored that he picked me. And he told me that he couldn't control it, which didn't mean anything to me then. It made me love him even more.
He was in wolf form. He ran off most of the time then came back in wolf form. Then would run off and come back in human form. He never phased in front of me. Mom would kill him if he did. Soon, we would get married. That was certain. Then he could phase in front of me. Dad told me, only once, that when he phased he would be naked. I nearly had a heart attack when he did tell me that. But, Jacob always had hoards of clothes under logs or in hollow trees.
He emerged from the trees and bent down next to me. I sat up and ran my fingers through his russet colored fur.
"I love you," I whisper.
He looks at my arm and I realize I'm bleeding. Not bad, but I know Jacob. He was going to worry much more than needed. He crawls forward and licks the wound, covering me in his saliva. I giggle, appreciating his effort. He motions for me to climb on his back and let him carry me home. I nod, and climb on his back. I'd forgotten how far out I've gone from Grandma's and Grandpa's.
The ride was short. I laid my head down on his gentle fur and turned my head to the side so my ear could her the quick thud as his heavy paws hit the ground. Soon, I could see the dim light coming from the light and open, welcoming home. I would miss it when we would leave the next month. Mom and Dad told Grandpa Swan about what they and I were. Including Jacob. He took it well, well better than I would have expected possible. He understood when we told him we would have to leave. He didn't want to join us. He promised not to tell a soul. He would die with the secret. The Voultri would never find out about his knowing.
"There you are. . ." I hear Grandpa sigh with relief. "Your parents are looking for you out in the forest. They began to worry. I tried to tell them you would be..." He trailed off, frustrated. "I suppose I should go looking for them. . ."
"Let Jacob," I volunteer, knowing he won't disagree with me, "He can find them." I turn to look at Jacob and he seems fine with it.
"Are you Jacob?" Asks Grandpa.
Jacob nods his large dog head. I grin. I walk over to him and kiss the top of his forehead, "Love ya." I whisper, even though I know Grandpa can hear me. I turn and see Grandpa smiling. Then he turns away and walks for the house.
"Good luck, Jacob." I say, then follow Grandpa.
I walk into the beautiful home. And see Aunt Alice, Uncle Jasper, Aunt Rosalie, Uncle Emmett and Grandma Esmé. I always call Grandpa Carlisle: Grandpa. Then Grandpa Charlie: Grandpa Swan. Grandma Renée: Grandma Renée. Grandma Esmé: Grandma Esmé. I've always called them my own special names.
Aunt Rosalie climbs down from her perch on the arm of the couch and walks over to me. Mom told me that she always took care of me when I was little. She loved me. I loved her. She's always been my favorite aunt. I hate to say it, but she has.
Suddenly, the back door flies open, and 5 beautiful vampires step in. Cousin Garret is carrying Cousin Kate, both smiling.
Cousin Carmen and Eleazar hold hands. And Tanya, proud and single. No mate by her side, but still happy.
"Renesmee!" Cries Carmen in surprise I'm here. Rosalie stops coming towards me and lets Carmen hold me.
"Carmen!" I cry, mirroring her surprise. She picks me up and carries me. I look 12 and I'm really 9. At the age 5 I looked 8 then I almost completely stopped growing. For a whole year I barely grew an inch in 4 months. Grandpa worried. I stopped growing so fast. So, now I'm not really growing. But Grandpa says I will be growing and at about 12 I'll be full grown.
I curl up in her arms.
Eleazar and Grandpa walk over into the living room and sit down. They start discussing about the Voultri. I pick out, "...Jane is dead. Alec and her got in a fight and Alec used is his gift on her. She's still alive, but is as good as dead..." They continue on in their conversation.
"Are you hungry, Renesmee?" Camren asks, and I realize my stomach is growling. She can obviously hear it growling.
"Actually, I am," I smile at her. She's so nice.
"What do you want?" She asks setting me down in chair at the table. She glides around in the kitchen opening and closing random cupboards.
"Chicken. . ." I groan, I don't want food. I want blood.
"Do you want blood or food?" I wince as she asks me what I want to eat or drink.
"Blood. . ." I admit.
"Do you have a stock of blood in here?" She asks walking towards the refrigerator.
"Yeah, in the fridge," I say, pointing toward the gallon of dear blood on the top shelf of the open refrigerator she holds open.
"I'm not used to being in a vampire home with food and blood in it," She lets out a dark laugh and strides over to the cupboards and grabs a glass. She sets it down and pours out the crimson color liquid. She sets down the jug and puts the class in front of me.
"Thanks," I say, grabbing the glass and sipping down the blood. It relaxes the ache and burn in my throat.
A few minutes later the front door opens, but doesn't close.
"Renesemee!" I hear Mom cry.
"Mom!" I yell jumping down from the chair and running towards her. I jump into her open arms.
"You're crazy to go into the forest alone, She says sternly and solemnly
"Jacob had my back," I say, my voice sounding as if I'm winking.
"Of course he did." Says Dad passing me to join Eleazar and Grandpa in the conversation.
"I see we have some visitors," Says Mom glancing at Kate and Garret sharing the chair.
"Yeah, Cousin Carmen gave me some blood to drink. Now I'm not thirsting." I say shaking my head.
"Well, wasn't that nice of her." Mom says setting me on the ground and striding back over to talk to Carmen. I hope our visitors don't leave anytime soon.