Chapter 2: Two Different Lives

Valerie's POV

It's my birthday today.

Well that's what my birth certificate says anyway. I'm five years old, literary speaking. But- I've a body of a seventeen year old. This fact alone proves that I'm not human. Because humans don't grow up so fast. Not to mention, I'm strong, very strong; and fast and I grow up every single day. In the beginning I thought I had some weird disorder or something but soon it became obvious to me that I am a non-human being.

My fast growth is more a confusion to me than a concern. But lately I'm feeling as if it's slowing down. Is it something normal for a being like me? Everything about me is unusual compared to humans. My entire five years of life, all I've been doing was asking questions about myself. Needless to say, I've never got any answer. Not one. And my most important question- 'if not human than what am I?'

I've no idea. Am I a demon? A witch? Perhaps I'm some sort of a mythical creature. Am I an evil being? My first parents who adopted me from the orphanage called me an antichrist and tried to kill me. They obviously thought that because I was growing up too fast. Abnormally fast. Though later they killed themselves. Was it their guilt? But I often find myself asking- 'did I kill them?'. If I did then I must be something evil. Sister Rose-Anne says that taking a human life is one of the greatest sins. Am I really the child of the Satan? Am I born to destroy the world and the good in it? My life is nothing but questions. Nothing else at all.

After my first parents committed suicide together; I was adopted again. My second parents though never tried to kill me but they did get rid of me by dumping me in a trash cane as soon as they adopted me. Afterwards they disappeared somewhere. My third parents were kind enough to return me to another orphanage. Though not to the one they adopted me from. Perhaps they thought that the orphanage wouldn't recognize me since I grew up again and no one would believe the truth. Not to mention they were too scared of me to say anything to anyone. In this orphanage I found sister Rose-Anne. She was a kind person. I just knew it. Therefore I cried and pleaded with her to let me stay in the orphanage and not let anyone else adopt me again. She was denying the request at first but when I tried very hard to persuade her, she suddenly agreed to it. And since then she has kept me hidden from the world and took care of me like her own daughter.

Sometimes it feels like I'm making her do everything. As if she isn't willingly caring for me. But then again sister Rose-Anne shows me kindness and affection. She wouldn't do that if she was being forced to look after me. But then there are also times when her behavior really hurts me. Especially when she looks at me like I'm some sort of an evil monster. Ever since I can remember and I remember even my dead mother's face, all I have known from people around me is hatred, and fear, occasionally curiosity, but rarely a brief moment of affection or kindness.

All these negative emotions directed towards me should have turned me bitter, hateful, and angry but I am too curious about the mysteries regarding myself and this world as well to focus on my feelings and emotions much. Specially the negative ones. Besides, it's not like I have to deal with a lot of people. I only have sister Rose-Anne. I don't even go to school like other human kids. For that reason I'm very little educated. I only know what Sister Rose-Anne teaches me. However ever since I started going outside the orphanage, I'm learning more. It's still limited though, since I don't interact with anyone. I am aware that there are many things I don't know yet but there's one thing I do know a lot about and that is about mythical creatures. I've been reading books about them ever since I could read as I'm trying to find answers in them about myself. Unfortunately, so far I am still as clueless about myself as I was when I was born.

"Sister Rose-Anne." She looks up at me from whatever she was reading as I call her.

"What?" She asks sounding annoyed. Clearly I've disturbed her. And since I've already interrupted-

"Sister Rose-Anne, it's my birthday today." My voice is full of nervousness and hesitation as I tell her that.

"So?" She asks, actually snaps at me. I should've backed down then but I don't.

"I was thinking if I could celebrate it. The other day, I saw some people celebrating a child's birthday by cutting cake and blowing candles. I've heard it's... some kind of tradition for celebrating one's birthday." I say very softly and very hopefully. Sister Rose-Anne however sigh out heavily hearing that.

"Yes Valerie, you're right. It is a tradition. But for humans." She spits the last part out as she glares at me hatefully. And then asks with venom in her voice-

"Are you a human?"

"No." I whisper out the answer. My voice shakes a little but sister Rose-Anne unabashedly ignores it. I start to leave but then she speaks up again.

"Valerie, I really think that you shouldn't go outside. Not that you'd ever listen to my wise words. I simply don't understand. What is the point in learning about a world where you don't belong? And who knows one day you might end up killing someone out there?" Her tone is bitter as ever. I'm used to of it though since that's how she speaks to me most of the time. Only occasionally she speaks affectionately to me. Sister Rose-Anne doesn't fear me. Not that I want her to. But the lack of fear makes her unhesitating to show her hatred towards me. And her fear of me is non-existent because she knows that I will never hurt her. Why will I? After all she takes care of me. Even if unwillingly. I'm depended on sister and she knows it.

"I'll never kill or hurt anyone sister." I say with determination in my voice but sister scoffs at that.

"Says the creature who killed her own mother."

And that's it. There is nothing else I can say to defend myself now. After all that is the truth. I only sigh out heavily and prepare to leave the room again; and go back to the attic where I practically live. When I turn around I hear sister Rose-Anne say under her breath-

"Bloody evil murderer."

For a moment there, I felt like turning around again and walk up to her and then break her neck like a twig. But I control that urge and walk away. In the attic, I light a small candle and draw a cake on the paper. I've seen kids making a wish at this point, so I close my eyes. I make a wish and then blow the candle. What I wished for? I wished to find out about myself. Who am I or more appropriately what am I? Little do I know that very soon my wish is really going to come true?

Renesmee's POV

It's my birthday today.

I'm only three years old but I already look fourteen. I don't know yet at which age I'm gonna stop growing. Since aunt Alice can't see it happening from beforehand, no one knows when it will happen. Anyway, since it's my birthday, aunt Alice is throwing a huge party for me. Also Mom and Dad are obviously planning something big for me as well. And Jacob- well I've no idea what he's up to but I'm sure it's something crazy and that I'll love it anyway. Jacob's my best friend. Yes, I know that I'm his imprint and we are soul mates but I don't have any romantic feelings towards Jacob. At least not yet. For now, we're just friends. Jacob said it himself, that he'll be whatever I need him to be. For now I need a friend from Jacob, not a lover. But if I ever feel any different towards him, he'll be the first one to know about it. And I just know how happy he'll be about it.

"Renesmee sweetheart, are you ready?" asks Bella, my mum as she appears at the door.

"Yes mummy, how do I look?" I ask while swirling around, showing her the dress I'm wearing. Aunt Rosalie picked it up for me. And I must admit that it's a really gorgeous dress and seems to be meant only for me. Not only the Prussian color of the dress but every little detail of it is just perfect.

"You look beautiful honey." Says mum as she walks over to me with a happy and proud smile gracing her lips.

"My little angel." She gives me a kiss and hugs me. All her love for me reflects in those affectionate gestures. I hug her back with just as much love.

"Our little angel." Says daddy appearing there out of nowhere. It surprised neither of us. Vampires are fast and my dad is the fastest. I'm slower than the vampires but faster than humans.

"Daddy." I squeal happily and hug him as well. He hugs me back in a way as if I'm his life. And I am. My mum and I are the reasons of his existence in this world. He just won't be able to survive without us. This I know for a fact. Same goes for mum as well.

"Happy birthday sweetheart." Mum and dad wish me together with happy smiles on their faces.

"Thanks mummy! Thanks Daddy!" I say smiling back at them. Right then aunt Alice appears at the door, interrupting our little parents child moment.

"Nessie, come on. Everyone's waiting for the birthday girl."

Aunt Alice drags me downstairs as my parents follow us. Once we get there, I see everyone gathering in the room. My entire family. The Cullens and the pack which is my second family. And of course grandpa Charlie and grandma Sue are here as well. Most importantly my Jacob. Everyone has smile on their faces. And the fact that it is my birthday today didn't make me as much happy as the fact that everyone gathered together and now having a good time while enjoying the party. Getting together like this doesn't happen very often.

"Happy birthday Nessie." Jacob wishes me with a huge grin and gives me a much expected tight hug. I giggle at his goofiness. I just adore my Jacob. After him, grandma Esme comes over and hugs me.

"Happy returns of the day sweetie." She wishes me. Then it was grandpa Carlisle's turn. He hugs me and wishes me too. One by one everyone gave me a hug and wished me 'happy birthday'. At that moment I realized, how lucky I am to have so many people love me and care for me.

"Renesmee, it's not possible not to love you. You're very precious honey. We're blessed to have you in our lives." Daddy says to me as he read my mind. I smile at him and give him a tight hug. Not feeling angry at all that he invaded my thoughts. Let's just say I'm very well used to of it.

"Okay, Nessie, what's first, presents or the cake?" Asks uncle Emmett who's very excited about the present he got me and wants me to see it as soon as possible. Not to mention, he has a bet with uncle Jasper that I'm gonna like his gift more than anyone else's.

"The cake." The pack yells in unison. The wolves barely think of anything else when there's food in front of them. I couldn't stop myself from laughing at their excitement.

"Then you should definitely go with presents first Renesmee" says aunt Rosalie smiling bitter sweetly at the wolves. They're never gonna get along.

"Rose, Jacob, it's Renesmee's birthday. Let her decide." There grandma Esme successfully put a stop to the argument before it could get ugly. She's the best. Dad smiles at my thoughts and non-verbally agrees with me as well.

"How about we open half of the presents before cutting the cake and the other half afterwards?" I suggest as I didn't want to disappoint anyone.

"That's a great idea sweetheart." Mum says planting a chaste kiss on top of my head.

"Okay, so who's first?" asks aunt Alice.

From then on the immature ones argued about who should give me the first gift for a while. Somehow the problem was solved. Grandpa Carlisle and grandma Esme got me a locket with my name elegantly engraved on it. It was beautiful and I happily wore it. Grandpa Charlie and grandma Sue, got me a book of poems since I love reading poems. Aunt Alice and uncle Jasper bought me a Porsche that I can't wait to learn to drive. Way to spoil me more. Aunt Rosalie gave me a set of diamond earrings that actually matched well with grandma Esme's locket. Perhaps they planned the gifts together. I of course love both their presents. Then came uncle Emmett's turn. A huge smile was plastered on his face and a huge, I mean a huge box was in his hands. When he put it down, I realized that the height of the gift was almost as tall as me. I glanced at my dad from the corner of my eyes and saw him shaking his head to himself. It actually got me more excited. I eagerly opened uncle Emmett's gift. And guess what, there was another gift box inside the first one. I opened it too and found another smaller gift box. Inside that was another smaller gift box. After opening five more boxes, I found the real present. A medium sized stuffed toy, a Pooh.

"Emmett!" Aunt Rosalie immediately scolds uncle Emmett for his immaturity. While the wolf pack finds it very funny and laughs out loud. Actually I laugh along with them. Uncle Emmett was right. I loved that cute Pooh. It'll always remind me of uncle Emmett.

"Okay my turn now" says Jacob. Finally- I think to myself. He comes up to me and hands me a key which makes me look at him with confusion.

"What's this?" I ask curiously.

"That's the key to Jake's heart" says Quil teasingly. Jake shakes his head at that.

"Actually that's the key to your tree house. I know you've been thinking about a tree house for a while. So, I made one for you. It's close from here." While Jake explains that I hear his heart beating very fast. Is he worried that I won't like his gift? Well he can't be more wrong. In fact I'm beyond happy and excited about it.

"Oh my god. Thank you Jake. Oh my god. I can't believe you actually built me a tree house. Thank you so much." I hug him tightly. Not hesitating to express my feelings. I turn to my parents.

"Mummy daddy, can I go see the tree house after the party please please please?"

"Sure sweetheart. It's your birthday." Mom says to me while giving Jake an appreciative smile along with dad. My parents haven't given me their present yet which didn't surprise me. They believe in saving the best for the last.

"Okay, let's cut the cake now." Invites aunt Alice. We all gather around the huge cake which is a barbie cake. I love barbies. Aunt Alice lit the candles. There are three of them indicating my actual age.

"Make a wish Ness."

"Come on Nessie." I hear encouragements. I look at mum and dad and they smile at me. Encouraging me in their own way.

"Make a wish honey" says my mum. Inhaling a deep breath, I close my eyes and wish-

"May love and happiness never end in our lives."