Author's Chapter Notes:
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. Twilight belongs to the great Stephenie Meyer.
Chapter 2 ~ Denali
When we arrived in Alaska, the first thing that I heard was Renesmee squeal in delight. "Oooh, it's so white here! Can I build an ice castle, please Momma?" She looked up at us from her place behind us in the backseat of a new S60R 2009 Volvo. This was a newer model that of course that Edward had just purchased a week ago, right off of the lot.
I looked over my shoulder, my lips peeling into a subtle smile. "Of course, sweetheart," I reached back to smooth her curls with my fingertips. They fell over her downy white scarf. Her excitement was infectious. I shifted my gaze at Edward. His jaw was fixed. I could tell that he was contemplating the bleak future of Aro, Caius and Marcus—the Volturi. "Let's get you settled, Nessie, and then you may," Edward answered. He had controlled his stress well enough not to let it leak through his words, but as always, Renesmee caught onto everything.
When we had woken her in the middle of last night to tell her that we were visiting Tanya, Carmen, Eleazar and Kate in Alaska, she had given us an ecstatic, yet suspicious stare. "What is the matter, Momma?" she had asked me in her tinkling tone, her inquisitive eyes full of deep concern. I had basically told her that we needed to go away for a little while. We were in our vehicles in the next five minutes. We couldn't afford to waste time until we knew precisely the right time to bring Renesmee home to Forks safely.
This wouldn't be like the last time we had waited for the Volturi to invade us.
Keeping her streams of questions was a delicate matter, with our daughter, it was getting to the point where we could not hide our emotions, let alone our whispers, away from her. She was far too intelligent.
Renesmee, as usual was complacent and cheery, despite Edward's and my agitated moods. She was excited as ever to go on a trip. Alice and I had adorned her in a pale pink snowsuit and matching cotton mittens. Setting down her blonde baby doll, she fixed her brown eyes on me. They were full of surmise. She placed her hands in her lap, clasping them.
"Momma? Daddy?" She ticked her eyes at him. He peered over his shoulder, a faint smile on his lips as she spoke to him. If I could ever read Edward's thoughts, now would be the time. I knew he was thinking what I was thinking, and that was that we knew Renesmee would soon need explanations. She was a rare child, and shielding the truth from her would not help.
She cocked her head to the side, her long, honey-brown curls touching all the way to her knees. "Why have we come to Denali, and why did we leave so early?"
Blinking, both Edward and I gazed at her uncanny expression and then our eyes locked, almost as if we were having a silent conversation of 'Do you want to tell her or shall I?', I shrugged and then mounted up to the plate. I turned my body to look back at her.
"We are here to visit Denali. We had to leave our home for awhile, just in case the Volturi come back," I said, as if speaking to an adult, rather than my own child. I had carefully chosen my words, not letting on that we thought that Aro had sent a spy to drop in on us and investigate our present lives. It was inevitable that they would.
Edward added gently, "We think it is best to keep you safe, my little one." He ever so gently reached back and caressed his thumb under her chin, causing her to smile back at him.
"We weren't safe before?" Renesmee asked, always one step ahead of us. I gawked at her in awe. It amazed me that each day, she matured about a year as far as I was concerned.
My lips parted as I realized how stunned I was at my daughter's brilliant mind. She missed nothing.
"We aren't certain, sweetheart." Edward answered her. He opened his door and stepped out, came around the front of the Volvo and then opened my door before I had time to reach for the handle. I stepped out in a fluid motion and stood beside my husband as he opened Renesmee's door, unbuckled her and then set her on his hip.
In that moment, Alice and Jasper pulled up beside us in her yellow Porsche 911 Turbo, followed quickly by Carlisle, Esme, Rosalie and Emmett in the Coupe Devil. We had three vehicles in total, loaded with winter supplies for Renesmee. Jasper and Alice disembarked from the sleek yellow Turbo. They collaborated, discussing unpacking amongst themselves.
Rosalie and Alice wore designer scarves just for the show of it. Of course, Rose wore a light blue beanie so that her hair wouldn't get snow covered. The little white puffs floated down from the grey sky, causing Renesmee to giggle with glee. Her hand shot out to catch as many as she could.
The tips of the high spruce trees looked like Frosted Mini Wheats from the generous icing of the snow. It was so white here. Even the sky was a pearly-grayish hue. It was also bitterly cold, yet made no difference to me or the other Cullens. It only concerned me when it came to Renesmee, who could still feel the frost of the twenty five degree weather.
"Brrr!" shivered Renesmee, causing Edward to wrap her in a cotton blanket. She now looked like a Renesmee-wrap with her eyes peeking out over the edges topped with bronze curls.
"Goodness, Nessie needs a hat," remarked Esme, eyeing Renesmee with loving concern.
Alice danced towards us, beaming. She produced a cute, fluffy pink beanie and placed it on Renesmee's head. "A gift, from me to you, mua," she planted a kiss on her rosy cheek.
"Wow, thanks Auntie Alice!" she tried to move her hands, but she was encumbered by the blanket. She was my little burrito. Edward held her like a baby in his embrace.
"Of course there is. You're Alice. It's an Alice thing to do," I said with a laugh as if it were obvious. I took the baby beanie from Alice and planted it on Renesmee's head, patting it into place. Edward was smirking as he kissed Renesmee's chilled cheeks.
Renesmee posed in her hat, smiling brightly. "I love it!" said Renesmee in her baby-voice.
Alice nodded proudly at how stylish my daughter appeared. "Only the best for my favorite niece." Alice clapped her hands together, praising her.
"You look beautiful, now let's get you inside, you're freezing." Edward said to Renesmee, holding her closer.
"Watch, Nessie. You can catch it with your tongue, see?" Alice showed off for Renesmee, as a few flurries landed on her tongue and stayed there for a few seconds.
"Let me see if I can do it." Renesmee stuck out her tongue up in the air.
Edward's hand found mine and he squeezed it, looking down at me yet not saying anything. I attempted a glimmer of a smile up at him. His pensive stare was troubled. I placed my palm on his cheek and nodded a silent 'You're doing good.' As if he understood me he closed his eyes for a moment and then turned to grin at Renesmee. "What's wrong, Daddy?" As our daughter grew more mature and as we watched with pride how her personality progressed, I was in no doubt that she would be one of those observant—analytical types of people that picked up on every gesture, every word, and every emotion that passed across our expressions. That worried me.
We knew that these days would come—soon.
Edward shook his head and kissed her forehead. "I just want to make sure you're comfortable."
"Oh, I am!" Her little pink tongue stuck out between her plump lips. She arched her head in the air to catch a snowflake. She tried to move the rest of her body, but she couldn't.
Carlisle and Emmett opened the trunk of the red HSV GTS Coupe Devil, and piled on a few suitcases on their shoulders. Jasper made arrangements to park the Coupe in the garage of Tanya's mansion. It was a three-story white brick house, with elegant onyx roofs. It must have at least fifteen rooms. There were stone steps which lead up to the double French doors. Of course, those were glass. It must be a vampire fixation; I was beginning to see the trend. There were trees hidden underneath the blankets of white. In fact, trees speckled the entire home, encompassing a nice three-acre private getaway. The clearing in their front lawn must have been an acre, easy.
Once Emmett had parked his Coupe, and Jasper had stored the Turbo, he lifted his head towards Jasper and threw Edward's set of keys to Jasper. Catching them like pro, he got inside of the Volvo to park it inconspicuously. "Now, let us get that baby inside," said Esme.
As if on cue, a gorgeous young woman with long, strawberry blonde rivulets that bounced as she trotted towards us, flashed a greeting smile. Tanya. Her icy-gold ice seemed to warm when she swept a fluent gaze over us, not meeting my eye contact. I would always recall her as the one who had wanted my husband. I had no reservations for her, though it stuck with me.
"Welcome to my humble home. Please, the young one must be frozen like ice by now," she said in her light Russian accent, letting her gaze wander towards Renesmee, the half mortal. Her then her eyes rested appreciatively on Edward. They lingered there longer than they perhaps should have.
"Ha, funny," said Emmett, as if what Tanya had said were a pun.
Rosalie flipped her long cascades of hair, as if in competition with Tanya. Of course she would be, though she had no reason to. She had Emmett, and I had to remind myself that Edward, the beautiful godlike creature carrying our daughter—was mine.
I blinked and looked up at Renesmee who waved frantically at Tanya. Well, I could see Renesmee's bump of a hand beneath her blanket moving, trying to wave.
"Why hello there," Tanya said to her, rolling her shoulder as she gestured with one fancy motion of her hand and lead the way up the stone steps and into the home. I wasn't sure if she was flirting with my husband or greeting my daughter. I kept my lips tight and tried to smile congenially. The rest of the Cullen family followed suit.
Alice danced beside Jasper after he had parked the Volvo. She took his hand and swinging it like a schoolgirl. She enjoyed life to its fullest, and I had to remind myself to be more like her. I admired her. I always did. So why couldn't I stop worrying and just be thankful that I actually had a husband and a beautiful baby?
"Hello Tanya. Thank you for having us." Carlisle escorted Esme with his palm on her back into the elaborate home.
"Yes dear, thank you," said Esme sweetly, touching her palm to Tanya's cheek.
"It is my pleasure," Tanya sighed. Entertainment must have been her forte. "Please come in, and make yourselves at home." She motioned her arms as we arrived indoors. Everything inside of her home was marble, and the floors were cherry wood panels with white Persian rugs that spotted randomly across the floor. There was a stone fireplace to the right in the living area. I noticed that it was a sunken room in the center off to the right near the large bay window. One must step down into the living room.
Straight back was a swirling staircase which lead up to the next set of spacious rooms, I guessed. To the left was a wide dining area that could easily fit twenty guests. The furniture looked like it belonged in one of my fancy Elizabethan novels. More like one of the queen's castles. I was mesmerized. Renesmee and I exchanged looks of wonder. She giggled at how my mouth dropped open. Okay so I admit, I was exaggerating my reaction to this mansion that I had always wondered about.
Inside of the wide living area were tall cedar posts, one to the left center and one off to the right. The walls were handsome cherry-wood panels. It reminded me of a lovely wooden cabin in Flagstaff, Arizona. My eyes locked on Edward. He flashed a faint smile at me, though in his eyes I depicted anxiety. As always, he was fretting. I had to admit, I was right there with him. My hand slid down his right arm, as a gesture to comfort him. His fingers interlaced with mine as he caught my hand in his, kissed it and then released me.
"How grand!" Renesmee remarked. Edward rubbed her back and agreed eagerly. He clutched my arm gently.
"Does this remind you of Pride and Prejudice, Nessie?" I had read her the entire novel and she had eaten it all up.
She nodded excitedly. "Yes, I feel like I am in a fairytale."
Tanya let out a tiny hum, and then smiled enormously. She was quite exquisite. I harbored no envy at all, I kept my mind clear. I needed to for the situation at hand.
"You are," I replied fondly to my daughter.
Edward looked at me for a longer moment than usual. When I caught him staring at me, a sheepish smile flickered on his features. I parted my lips to mouth 'what is it?' though he subtly shook his head to the side and looked back on Tanya. I wasn't sure what that meant though I would have to ask him later. I made a mental note to self.
Emmett grabbed Jasper and pointed towards the luggage. Jasper punched Emmett playful and turned to the rest of us and said, "No, don't overload yourselves, it's okay. We got it." They burst into guffaws.
Alice smirked up at me, skipping along beside me, matching my steps. Esme and Carlisle exchanged a questioning look. Puckering out her lower lip, Rosalie pretended to be engrossed in a long string of her hair. She seated herself, crossing one leg over the other and then eyed Renesmee as if she wanted desperately to hold her.
"Do we get to stay the weekend here?" Our daughter was thrilled. It made me feel serene.
I smiled up at her, trailing my fingers through her hair. I slipped her fuzzy beanie off and handed it to her. I unravelled her and replaced the blanket around her shoulders. She clutched the beanie between her dimpled hands. Her smile dazzled me, just like her fathers did.
"We will be staying here darling," He told her pleasantly. "Would you like to see our room?"
"Yes please!" Renesmee bubbled over. She shrieked so loudly that I swear that Tanya jumped in alert, though she didn't seem bothered by the sound. No, Tanya had a more entertained look upon her doll-like face. I wonder why, I thought to myself. My eyes roamed on Edward but he was staring at Renesmee.
Carlisle, Esme, and Alice conjugated into the main living area. They had been here plenty of times, though this was my first initial time here.
Edward remained next to me. Tanya gestured for them to follow her.
Immediately, Tanya saw to her guests in the living room. Once she was convinced that they were comfortable, she returned to us, standing near Edward. "I can show you to your quarters."
Her full lips remained in an attractive pout. She darted a mock-friendly glance in my direction and then her eyes softened up at Edward. Oh God, I thought to myself.
"That would be most helpful. That way we can get this one as comfortable as possible," Edward said, inclining his head towards Renesmee, a hint of earnest professionalism in his voice.
"Right this way." Tanya strutted upstairs, gesturing for us to follow in step.
Renesmee gushed. "We get to share a room!" She touched her palm to my shoulder and then up at her father's face. "Yay yay yay! she clapped her hands and I gasped with surprise and widened my eyes at her. She copied me, and I laughed.
"If that is what you wish, then you shall have," Edward said to Renesmee, as we followed Tanya upstairs to the castle quarters upstairs.
"Oh it is! IT IS!" she exclaimed, happiness radiating all around her.
Eleazar, Carmen and Kate resided here, but they must be out on a sprint, hunting, as I gathered. Carlisle had called Tanya to alert her that we were on our way. She must have stayed behind for our sakes. I let my eyes roam to familiarize myself with the new home that we would be living in for who knew how long.
Once we arrived to our suite, which had a king size bed, our own bathroom that was far more luxurious than the penthouse at a Four Seasons that I had been to in Seattle once with Edward. This was more magnificent that that. We had our own private balcony that had an ancient Roman stone pillar railing. It was about four yards wide and five yards width. The carpet was lush white, and there was a white leather sofa next to a matching loveseat. To the west was a full-length mirror, and of course a walk-in closet. It was bigger than our cottage.
I didn't even have time to ooh and ahh over the accommodations. "Wow," I said, floored. Nothing would surprise me after this majestic site. And I thought our home at the Cullen's estate was luxurious.
"You can pretend it's a castle, Nessie." Edward seemed to not even notice the luxury of the castle. That was what I called it in my head, a castle.
Renesmee was gasping theatrically. She spun in a circle, her mouth open wide. "Can this be our room?"
"Of course, my sweetheart," Edward answered in such a soft, velvety intonation that I paused and looked at him in marvel.
Jasper and Emmett blazed past us towing three large suitcases and setting them on the floor near the wall, cackling at some inside joke about it being a good thing we'd have our own room. I pointed my finger at Emmett and he backed a few paces, smirked like a little boy with his hands raised in forfeit, and then left with Jasper, both running at full speed. Jasper was heaving with laughter.
Tanya materialized out of nowhere. She spoke in an alluring tone, "If you need anything do not hesitate to ask." And in one dignified motion she was gone.
When Edward was satisfied that she was on the first floor, he closed in the few feet between us and murmured into my ear. "There is no reason to concern yourself," he shifted his eyes towards the double-doors of our suite. "You hold the key to my heart."
That was what that glance meant that he had given me a few moments ago when Tanya had given him the eye. With his free hand, he swept a piece of my hair out of my face.
My eyes rolled up and down his arm as if there was no argument. "And your ring," I said. He smiled sweetly, as if the reminder had consoled him from all of our stress that mounted on our large plate. Of course this would not be a vacation what with the Volturi in the driver's seat of our plans.
I was awarded a crooked smile from Edward. "Then why the scowl?" His palm tipped my chin so that I was looking into his stunning, bright golden eyes. Even though I didn't need to breathe, I forgot how to. I kissed him lightly and then turned my attention on our daughter, who was whirling around, about to make herself dizzy.
I allowed a hint of a smile to spread over my face. I rolled my shoulders in a nonchalant shrug, trying to appear indifferent at the mention of the fact. I had long ago accepted the annoying fact that she had a seductive manner when it came to any male, breathing or not. I didn't have time to fret about Tanya's innuendos when it came to Edward. I had enough anxiety to keep me focused just thinking about Aro, Caius and Marcus in Italy.
Edward averted his eyes on Renesmee. He picked her up and cradled her gently in his arms for a moment; "You may explore your castle quarters." He kissed the top of her head and placed her on her feet.
Happily, she began dancing around the room saying, "I'm a princess!"
"Yes you are." I praised her and then turned to face Edward. He was already watching me, with an expression that looked like he had just been stunned with a tazer prod. I could hear his inaudible breath as he sucked it in swiftly.
"What is it?" I asked him, barely whispering now. We couldn't hide very much from earshot of our child, though I knew something was burning underneath the visible surface.
"Alice." His eyes were distant and then all of a sudden, they were on me significantly.
"What about Alice?" I asked, weary. I knew that expression and it was one face that he made that I despised. "Don't give me that look Edward."
He deliberated. For a fraction of a minute, he paused, listening. Finally, as if it were official, he looked sternly into my eyes. He sighed heavily, reluctant to let the words form a solid affirmation. His mouth moved inaudibly, though I could understand him easily. "Aro knows that we are here. We do not know how, but he knows. They are curious as to our motives. Alice sees them in a chamber room, with you and I."
My eyes widened with surprise. "Wait. What?" I could see the indecision that clouded his sight.
He clenched his teeth. "Alice doesn't know the reasons behind this scene, but it's etched in her mind now." I hadn't heard Alice speaking, so he must have read her mind.
My still heart leapt. I stared down at Renesmee, who was looking back up at us, her eyes puzzled. She was smart enough to know that something was wrong, and that this was not a fantasy vacation. "What Daddy? Tell me?" she asked him, and remorse concealed his anxiety. She tottered over to us, sliding her eyes back and forth between us. His fingers massaged her hair.
"We will explain to you later, sweet one, when we know for sure." He told her lovingly. She nodded and then went back to dancing around the room, touching each piece of furniture, exploring the room in which should have been the entire second floor.
I stepped closer to Edward. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?" I asked my husband, my hands on his chest for support.
He didn't need to reply. We stared into each other's eyes for a few minutes, as Renesmee took out her dolls and began to arrange them.
"Why?" I mouthed. We stared at one another in shock. His golden eyes were filled with alarm.
He shook his head, his eyes closing in trepidation.
Downstairs, I could hear Alice describing her vision to our family, her details were that the chamber was dim, there were flamed torches, and Edward and I were at our knees in front of Aro, as if pleading for our lives.
"That's all I see for now. It is obscure, though I believe this is in Italy, in their court below ground," Alice said, strained.
"So how'd we get from here to there?" asked Jasper.
"I can't tell you," Alice said, dejected.
"We will not allow them to go alone," Carlisle said firmly.
"We'll go," volunteered Emmett almost too keenly. Rosalie must have nudged him in the ribs, because he groaned. "Fine. We send her." Emmett regarded Rosalie.
"Oh my," Esme caught her breath, "this cannot be happening."
Jasper was comforting Alice. "It's okay. We will figure this out. If anything, Emmett, Carlisle and I go. Edward needs to stay with you all, and his family, and I think it would be wiser." Jasper must be lulling us, because I felt a veil of calmness radiating all the way up to the second story, where we were.
I searched Edward's horrified gaze. His jaw locked in place. I felt his muscles flex in his hands, his arms. I sunk into him and he pulled me closer.
My brow knitted together, and my mind spun. What did this all mean? I could see myself in his eyes, and I appeared petrified. Not for my life, but for his and Renesmee's.
"We're going to have to act soon. Aren't we?" I asked, panic threatening to seize me.
"Where are we going now?" Renesmee's trill sank into my heart, as I realized that I was gripping Edward's shoulders. The child's eyes were full of surmise.
"Nowhere yet, sweet one," he answered quietly, though his eyes did not leave mine.
After Renesmee gave us an awkward look, she averted her attention back to her three dolls and began babbling to herself, speaking for the voices of her dolls. Edward reached down to smooth over Renesmee's curls.
A deep rumble of a growl vibrated in his chest where only I could hear. I winced.
He was determined, torn, confused and decided all at once. Finally, he answered me. "Yes. We must, love." When he said those dreadful words, fear crept into my mind. I wished I could wake up form this nightmare.
Chapter End Notes:
Full credit for this story goes to the wonderful eternal_bella (listed as a co-author) - I am very honoured that she asked me to get her story onto Twilighted for her. Angela is currently finishing off her own novel and close to getting a publication.
I just do a spot of editing for her and upload her chapters.
You may follow Angela on Twitter .com/Destiny_Eternal