Renesmee
5 and a half years later
PREFACE
When all seems lost, when you have nothing left, what do you have remaining to do? I thought there was nothing, but I was wrong. Horribly wrong. I knew in that terrifying moment that I had to fight. Of course, the chance of me actually winning was slim, slimmer than slim. What was the point then? The point, I told myself, was to die trying, not to have died doing nothing at all. I saw all of them, motionless, completely unaware. Seeing my loved ones like this brought out the courage I needed to face our enemy. What wrong had my family done? I could think of nothing. I had to try to protect them, there was no other answer. Our eyes met for the slightest of a second, a smile spread across his face. I braced myself for anything and everything, including my death.
Chapter 2: New Beginnings
My feet were slowly dragging along the so called trail that led to my parent's meadow. My arms were loose by my sides as I swung them back and forth. I refused to walk any faster than a human, in an attempt to draw this day out as long as possible. The leaves lifted in the air as I kicked them and then fell back to the earth slowly. I envied them, they could stay here and I couldn't.
I didn't want this day to go any faster. We were moving from Forks to Oregon. Of course I was not happy about this. Forks was my home, where I had grown up. Everything about me was in Forks. La Push, my grandfather, Jakes family and brothers, all of them in Forks. But, I knew we had to leave. We had stayed far longer than expected and it was time to start somewhere new.
Jake and I had visited Billy earlier. It had been short and sweet. Jake had assured me that Billy preferred that the goodbye was easy. He wouldn't have wanted it to drag on and on.
At last I reached the opening to the meadow. I stepped into the place that always relaxed me and took a deep breath. My parents had brought me here when I was younger and I had been attached ever since.
The meadow was always stunning. No matter the season, no matter the weather, it was beautiful. The morning frost was still stuck to the botany in the meadow. Rarely in Forks did the sun show, but today was one of those rare lucky days. The sun's rays were beginning to evaporate the dew left on the greenery.
The wind today blew stronger than most days. It was cool against my skin, and it made the bare limbs on the trees sway back and forth with every gust that flew past them. There was something so calming and peaceful about this place and I knew it had less to do with the scenery and more to do with its backstory.
It had been the place where the fate of my parents had been sealed. There love began here and flourished here. I felt protected in this small, yet guarded area. It represented determination and 'mind over matter' as my father had once put it.
I looked down in what Alice had dressed me in today. I wasn't sure if it was waterproof or not. To be honest I didn't know the designer, how much it cost, or if I would ever wear it again. Alice handed me clothing and I did as I was told. It was much easier this way.
I wanted to lay in the meadow, but the grass was still moist with the morning dew. I contemplated the pros and cons of laying in the grass. Alice being furious that I ruined my clothes, or doing what I wanted.
I decided that what I wanted was more important. Besides, this would give her an excuse to dress me again. I was sure the white sweater dress, cashmere no doubt, wasn't one of her favorites. The brown boots were durable enough that I didn't have to worry about ruining them. That would be my defense when she exploded. After all this was my last time in the meadow.
The thought of leaving returned, a lump formed in the back of my throat and I felt like crying. A new adventure, which is what they told me. Sure it was new, and sure it would be exciting, but I preferred things just the way they were.
I lowered myself to the ground. I listened to the calming wind, felt it on my face. I heard the animals crunching the leaves on the ground, scurrying through the forest. The sun was warm on my skin, something I experienced very little of. I wanted to soak in as much of the heat as possible. I closed my eyes, enjoying the peace and quiet…
I found myself in the cottage. Everything was gone, empty, not even a box in sight. I was just standing there motionless. Jake came up behind me, pulling me to come with him. I wasn't moving, I couldn't move, though I knew I was trying to. Jake said nothing, he just kept pulling me, his face unreadable. Mine, filled with grief.
He continued to try to pull me forward, but my feet were planted to the ground. No matter how hard Jake tried, there was no way to break the hold the ground had on me.
I could see everything, my body, my face. It was if I was watching the scene from another set of eyes.
Jake gave up and sat on the ground, crossed his legs Indian-style, and looked up at me.
His father, Billy, came through the door, though on his feet and not in the usual wheel chair. Billy's voice was said as he spoke. "Son, don't leave me. I need you."
Jake didn't answer him, he was still looking at me.
"Jacob, please." He pleaded. "Jake! Jake!" he struggled to gain his sons attention, but Jake refused to look away from me. And at last, he answered his frantic father.
"I can't stay with you anymore dad. I have to stay with her." his voice was gloomy.
"You have to come with me." Billy snarled, and then in place of his human form, a giant wolf replaced him. It was bigger than any I had ever seen in Jacob's pack. Its silver fur was bright and in its mouth were large and sharp teeth. Those teeth suddenly lurched towards Jacob.
The wolf pounced, pulling Jake away from me.
"Jake!" I screamed. "Come back!" I tried to run to him, but my legs stayed frozen where I stood. I tried desperately to pull them from the ground, but I knew I had no chance of freeing myself. "Let him go" I cried desperately.
The farther Jake got away from me, the deeper I sank into the ground. I knew at some point the ground would take me all together.
Jake tried with all his might to free himself from the silver wolfs grasp. But he refused to turn into a wolf to protect himself. I knew this because he would never do anything to hurt his father.
"Nessie!" he called to me, wanting me to save him. "Nessie." This was a voice of defeat. I watched in horror as he was carried away. I couldn't move, I was still part of the ground. His voice grew quieter as he was farther away now. He just kept repeating my name.
"Ness!" I heard a familiar voice calling from the distance. I sat up instantly and jumped, startled. Partly from the dream and partly due to the fact that the man behind the voice was much closer than I had anticipated. Jacob was crouching down beside me, smiling warmly. I smiled back. He was in his usual jeans and T-shirt, a gray one today. He looked good in gray.
Jake was my absolute best friend and he had been since I could remember. Being with him was so easy and so simple. He understand every aspect of me and knew everything there was to know about me. It seemed that at times he knew what I needed and wanted even before I did. I could talk to him about anything and everything and he would listen intently, just because it was something I wished to share with him. I trusted him with anything and everything, nothing was inconsequential or unimportant. The natural bind we shared was unbreakable. But, the bonds between all imprinters and their imprinted was unbreakable. This was not an uncommon thing in the world of imprinting.
The rarity of our bond was due to the fact that Jake had imprinted when I was an infant, and they had only seen that one other time, with Quil and Claire. And Jakes and my relationship had changed a lot from the time I was born, just like Quil and Claire. Though Quil would have to wait much longer then Jake did for things to become more real and romantic.
The romantic aspect, the phase that would be the last in the imprinting time frame, had yet to come with me and Jake. I knew at some point our relationship would change forever, he would become my other half and the love of my life. But, for now, we were both perfectly content with a friendship more real and true then most people ever found.
I worried that Jacob was more eager for a romantic relationship and I wasn't moving fast enough for his liking. But Jake reassured me multiple times that it would happen when I was ready and he loved me know matter what. I took comfort in that because I had been trying to force myself to want him in that way and I simply could not force feelings that weren't there. And another part of me was worried that when these feelings did come to surface, that I would lose my best friend. I never wanted to lose that relationship with him when that happened.
"Sorry, Ness, did I scare you?" he asked, seeming worried.
"A little, a just feel asleep, it's ok." I assured him, finally becoming aware of my surroundings. I guess I had fallen asleep, it was the only logical explanation for the bizarre dream I had just had. It was strange how much I was sleeping lately.
"Ready to leave?" he asked, his eyes staring deep into mine. His face stern yet soft. He knew how much I didn't want to go, and he knew how much I was trying to hide the fact that I in no way wanted to leave Forks from the rest of my vampire family. He knew me much too well.
"I suppose I have to be, don't I?" I faked a smile, hoping it looked genuine. The look on Jacobs face proved that I failed miserably in my attempt to pretend happy.
He got down on his knees and wrapped his massive long arms around me pulling him closer to chest. Jake pulled his head back just far enough to look at me, his face twisted in pain. I hated this aspect of imprinting. My pain was always his pain, and that was not fair to him. It always made me feel terrible to know that I was hurting him.
"I swear to you Renesmee, no matter what your parents say, I will take you back here whenever you want." The seal of a promise was clear in his voice. "Edward can try whatever he wants to keep me from taking you back. If I have to face kidnapping charges, that's perfectly fine." Dark humor crept it's away into his tone.
"I may hold you up to that." I told him, trying to lighten the mood, and he released me from his hold, sitting back down. The idea of him and Edward fighting frightened me. Before I was born, they had hated one another. They had made leaps and bounds since then, but there were times when they went at it, and I hated it. They really only went around when it came to be. Edward was always way over protective and Jacob knew he could always protect me and just wanted to do whatever would make me happy.
He continued to look at me, as I looked at him. I couldn't understand the look on his face. It was no longer pained, but there was something else there in his eyes. His lips were pouted in an odd way. Not like he was upset, but like he was really concentrating on something.
"You know if you want, we can run away." He told me. I waited for him to smile, to show he was teasing. But his face stayed serious, no signs of joking on it. He would do literally anything to make me happy.
I tried not to be too panicky when I talked. "Jake, we couldn't do that. Edward and Bella would just freak out. And they would find us soon after, so it would be pointless."
"We could always try." Jake urged, but I knew he wasn't as serious as he was before. His face was softer.
"They'd send out a SWAT team to find us." I laughed.
"Now, that could be fun." He said, as he lightly punched my shoulder.
"Anything to get away from a house full of vampires." I joked, shaking my head. Jake had gotten used to vampires, he had to. But, he still thought they stunk.
"The stench, Nessie, is terrible." He said, and I knew how much he meant it. I smiled at him.
"You know Jacob, they say you smell pretty terrible yourself." I said, raising an eyebrow. I took a huge whiff, inhaling his scent. "I think they're all crazy." He smelled good to me, earthy and woodsy, like a forest in the spring.
He laughed loudly. His laughs echoed through the meadow, "They are crazy, Nessie. They're vampires."
I shook my head again, I knew his teasing was all in good fun, but they were my family, and I was part vampire.
"Jake, I'm a vampire." I stated, matter of factly.
He shook his head vehemently. "Cross-breed." He corrected. "And Nessie, it isn't that I would do anything to get away from vampires, it's that I would do anything to make you happy." He said, the sincerity in his voice was hard to miss. "All you have to do is tell me what I need to do to make you happy. "
"I know, Jake. All I need is you, my parents, and the rest of my family." I assured him.
"Ok then. I'll just get some Lysol spray."
And this time I laughed. "I don't think Lysol spray gets rid of vampire scent Jake, you may need something stronger."
Jake stood up and offered me his hand. "Let's get going hybrid. I was sent to find you, and I'm sure I am taking too long." I grabbed his hand and jumped up next to him. "Wouldn't want them to send in the SWAT team." He chuckled.
"Nope." I agreed.
I started to head towards the house. But, he yanked me back. A huge grin stuck on his face. He looked smug. "Want to race? We will get back faster." The grin on his face got even wider.
I backed away from him slowly, my own face turning up into a smile. I turned to give him some privacy.
I waited until I heard the sound of four paws landing lightly on the ground. I turned back around, and he grabbed his clothes in his mouth. I tied them to his hind leg, knowing it would not affect his racing what so ever.
I looked up at the giant wolf, and even in his wolf form, he was still grinning. For anyone else, the reddish-brown wolf in front of me would be absolutely terrifying. This was an animal that was designed to kill, my kind (well, half my kind) being his main target.
Jake came up to me and lightly nudged me with his nose, before placing himself next to me, prepared to take off running as soon as I said the word. My body arched and my muscles coiled in anticipation of the run.
"Go!"
And with that we both took off. I was running as fast as my half vampire, half human legs would allow. I could hear Jacobs passive paws thumping against the forest floor behind me. I knew he was not going nearly as fast as he was capable of. My feet skitted to a stop and he whizzed by me. He made an immediate 360. Jacob stalked forward, towards me, his broad, furry shoulders slumped down.
I crossed my arms and glared at him, he looked confused.
"It isn't going to be very much fun if you just let me win." I scolded hm. He huffed, all of the air coming out of his nose.
And with that he turned abruptly and took off, this time at full speed, into the vegetation. I smiled and took off after him, taking a short cut through a path of trees. Jacob awas much to big in his wolf form to make it through the trees and he had to take the longer route. This gave me the distance I needed to catch up to him.
I loved to run, especially when I could go as fast as I wanted. There was something about speed that I enjoyed, something I knew I got from my vampire family. It seemed like they all loved speed.
I hopped up onto his back, staying in an upright position, distracting him for a moment. I was sure he was worried I was going to fall and hurt myself or something ridiculous like that. They all needed to stop worrying about my safety when it came to things like this. I may have been half human, but I had enough immortality in me to make things like this a piece of cake. There was enough balance and advanced vision in my body for me to be able to accomplish things like this.
I grabbed two sturdy branches from two trees side by side. I lifted myself in the air and off of Jacob. He continued forward, but turned his head toward me. I swung off the branch and into the air. I gained 50 feet from my launch and smiled, thinking I had the race in the bag.
We were coming to the edge of a small cliff, maybe only about thirty feet high and 40 feet wide. As I was preparing to jump, a rather large wolf leaped over me, landing on the other side. How had he gained so much ground?
I could see the small cottage I had grown up in ahead, and my parents, looking amused next to it in the distance. I knew I didn't have much time to pass him f I wanted to win, which I clearly wanted to win. I pushed my legs to go faster then they ever had before. I came up along the side of the wolf and flipped myself over him. I was mid air for a moment before I kicked off the trunk of a massive spruce. I landed at the edge of the grass from the cottage.
Jake had beat me by a couple of inches. He turned to face me, and even in his wolf form he looked cocky.
"You got lucky this time." I said, my hands automatically moving to my hips as I sulked, Jacob snorted. He came up next to me and I placed my hand on his shoulder, running my fingers through the soft fur.
My parents were by my side then. Edward embraced me first, hugging me tightly to his chest. "Did you enjoy the meadow?" he asked, kissing the top of my head.
I nodded. Although I had wasted most of my time sleeping. The more I thought about the angrier it made me. Edward looked puzzled. "Renesmee, it isn't like you won't ever go there again. We will be making frequent trips back, I am sure of it." As he spoke he looked adoringly at his wife, my mother. With Charlie here, I knew we would be coming back often, I grinned at the thought.
"Now," Edward began, "are you finished playing with the dog, or shall I go find a Frisbee?" he teased. Jake growled low in his chest and ran off into the forest to change.
Bella reached out towards me next. She held a small gift box in her hand, she was smiling widely. This was strange, usually when gifts were involved, Bella was not so enthusiastic. "For you," she said, her smile getting bigger. Ah, it made sense now, she stayed as far away from gifts when they were for her, but she loved getting them for her family.
"What is it?" Jake asked for me as he came towards us. He glowered towards Edward "Frisbee, really?"
Edward chuckled quietly to himself, proud of his joke. "It's for Renesmee when we get to the new house. You'll both see." I raised an eyebrow. "You can open the box when we get to Oregon, your mother is just a little over excited about this one."
"Just, because I know you will love it. Jacob too." She said as she wrapped her arm around Edward. "There's quite a few surprises at the new house." Bella was just bubbling with excitement, something she very rarely did. I could tell she was saddened about leaving Forks, where her whole life had completely changed, but she was enthusiastic too. I had to remember that this was Bella's first time moving as a vampire. No wonder she was more excited than usual. She was doing a whole new charade for the first time, while the rest of them, this was nothing new.
I saw Edward nod in my direction, his lips turned up into a half smile. "Were going to go visit Charlie before we head out, but I think everything is ready to go. Are the two of you ready?" he questioned.
Jake and I nodded in unison as we walked toward the Volvo.
This visit with Charlie was nice. He didn't want us to leave, it was evident in his voice, buthe knew we had too. He didn't know why, but I was sure he guessed it was due to the fact that no one changed. It was time to start over. We said our goodbyes, though we would be back soon, and headed out.
We stopped through the drive thru to get Jacob food on the way to Oregon. Much to Jakes amusement, the toys being handed out in the kids meals were vampire fangs. He asked for nine of them, and gave me and my parents each a pair in the car. I opened the fangs and put them in my mouth, I hissed. Jake shook his head in disapproval and just pulled them out of my mouth.
As we drove the sun began to drop, and a sky full of stars took its place. My dad pulled onto the highway that would lead us to our new home. As he flew down the road, I accepted the fact that we were getting further away from Forks, and closer to Oregon, to our new beginning. I laid my head on Jake's shoulder, he pulled me close, and my eyes flickered shut.