Chapter 2
Thanksgiving with the Vampires
It was the last day of school before the Thanksgiving break. I was just finishing my Algebra class work, and waiting for the bell to ring before lunch. Lunch was the only time I got to see Jacob at school. He was a senior, so he wasn't in any of my classes. I took all college prep classes, advanced Science, Math, and English and History. All of which I am acing. Sometimes I hate being smart. I take a couple of electives as well, Art, Home Economics, and French. Home Economics is my least favorite class. I am not the gourmet cook that my parents are. I currently had a B- in that class. I think I need some extra credit or something.
The bell finally rang,
and I headed to lunch. Only two more classes, and then it will be a
glorious 5 day weekend. I was looking forward to this because my
other family from Forks, Washington was coming to visit. Even my
Grandpa Charlie, Bella's dad. I haven't seen him in over a year.
He will be surprised how I've grown. Grandpa Charlie will be odd
man out at Thanksgiving, though. He will be the only human at our
house. My aunts Alice, Rosalie, uncles Emmet and Jasper, Grandma
Esme, and Grandpa Carlisle, all vampires, are all going to be there.
I walked to lunch thinking fondly of all my family at one big dinner
table, more than half not eating. There won't be many leftovers
with Jacob around. As I opened the door to the cafeteria, I suddenly
felt my books being pushed from behind me, and through my arms. I
tried to stumble to catch them. I heard laughing and snickering as
the hoodlums passed me.
"Have a nice trip, Lochness?" The
large blonde football player teased. Two other girls on either side
of him giggled and pointed. But suddenly there was Jacob in the large
boys face. Jacob nearly stood a head taller than the football boy.
Jacob's eyes were fierce and narrow. I could hear a low growl
coming from him. His body was shaking. I quickly got up and put
myself between the boys, pushing Jacob back.
"Jake! No! It's not worth it! Please!" I kept pushing on him until he was back to our usual table. All the while the football boy was egging him on.
"Come on Freak! Let's see what you can do, Chicken! You gonna let that little girl stand in your way?"
Jacob lurched and almost broke free of me. He pointed to the boy and muttered something. I couldn't quite understand him. But I knew Jacob was planning something to get him back. We sat down, and Jacob composed himself, all the while staring down the large blonde boy. He looked at me, surveying me.
"Are you alright?" Holding my shoulders and looking me up and down. Then he noticed something on my leg. I looked down, surprised to see blood seeping through my khaki pants. I was surprised, because I never got hurt falling before. I was almost scared. Tears came to my eyes.
"Oh, my gosh, Jake! I'm bleeding!" He helped me up out of my chair and walked me to the nurse, holding my elbow. I noticed I was kind of limping, now. That was a first. We went to the nurse, and she gently pulled up my pant leg. I saw the blood congealing to my pants. It actually stung a little. I winced as she put some anti-bacterial ointment on it and then a large band-aid.
"So how'd you do this?" The nurse asked finally.
"I tripped."
"Well, you'll be fine, just a little scrape. You may have a bruise, though."
"Oh, really?" Tears started to well up in me again. Jacob looked at me. You'd thought he never saw me cry before. He looked concerned. I felt like a balling little child just then, who just fell off her bike for the first time. Jacob patted me on the shoulder, and comforted me. The nurse got up and said something to her assistant. I vaguely heard her say "drama-queen". I started to get angry. My face turned red, and I could feel the heat of my cheeks. Jacob still comforted me, and then the nurse released me back to class. By that time lunch was over, and I was getting hungry. I didn't get a chance to eat. The throbbing in my leg was making my stomach churn. Jacob walked me to my next class, which was English, and then Art following. I couldn't concentrate much in either class. I kept thinking why my leg bled. It was odd. Maybe I was turning human! The terror I felt came across my face. My English teacher asked me if I was alright. I just nodded, and tried to compose myself. Why was this happening?
I got through Art
class barely, we were just drawing thumbnail sketches. Somehow I
managed to incorporate my injury in the pictures somehow. I looked at
my sketches like it was a comic book. My teacher looked over my
shoulder, and put his thumb and finger to his chin in thought.
"Very interesting Nessie. I like it."
"Oh, thanks." I barely noticed he was there.
When class was over, everyone was cheerful and loud in the hallways. I walked to the car, where Jacob would be waiting. He was standing next to the BMW my father gave Jacob to drive. It was an older BMW, and not so conspicuous. It needed some bodywork, and a paintjob, Jacob kept it running good. He saw the forlorn look on my face as I approached him. He wrapped his huge arm around my shoulders and gave me kiss on my cheek.
"Are you still bumming about the scrape?"
"Yeah, I am scared, Jake." I could feel the tears welling again. "What if something is seriously wrong with me?"
"Nessie, you are stressing for no reason. It's probably nothing." Jacob reassured me.
"I hope you are right Jake, but just in case, I want to tell Mom and Dad. They may need to call Carlisle."
"Do you really think that is necessary?"
"You're right. I don't want them babying me."
"Then you better change your pants, when you get home, and wash them right away. They will smell the blood a mile away."
"Oh, yeah, good idea."
We drove home, and pulled up to the long gravel driveway, when I noticed two cars in front of the house.
"Dang it! They are here already! I need to sneak past them, Jake. Can you divert them?"
"I thought they weren't supposed to be here until tomorrow?"
"They must have gotten an earlier flight."
My vampire family had arrived early, and I had a scrape on my knee that surely they would notice, just by the smell. We hurried into the house, and I quickly ran upstairs saying a quick hello, and making an excuse for the facilities.
"Too much water, I guess." Jacob tried to cover, shrugging his shoulders.
I quickly ran to my bedroom, finding another pair of pants similar to what I was wearing, and ran to the bathroom. I was changing, and noticed something strange, the worst thing that could happen to a teenage "human" girl. I really started to panic, as I thought. Unbelievable! Is it possible? It was. I referred back to my Health class last year, and remembered what to do. I know we didn't have any feminine products in the house, with vampires, and a boy-werewolf. I was really embarrassed and scared now. I threw on my soiled pants and ran back to my room then back to the bathroom. A few moments later I heard a quiet knock on the bathroom door. Jacob was whispering through the door.
"Ness, are you alright?"
"No!" I whispered loudly. "I'll be out in a minute."
I began to panic, and started rummaging through the drawers and cabinets, nothing. I grabbed some extra toilet paper, and hoped that would help, for now. I changed my pants. Jacob was standing outside the door. I couldn't tell him. He was my boyfriend, too embarrassing. I rinsed out my underwear, and dabbed the blood on my stained pants. I tucked them away in the bottom of the hamper. I would deal with that later. I tried to compose myself and opened the door, almost running into Jacob. He startled me.
"You okay? I was getting worried."
"Yes, I'm fine." Talking through my teeth.
I was working through my mind, how I was going to sneak out to go to the store. I had to get essentials. I must have still looked terrified, because Jacob pulled me toward him and gave me a hug.
"I'll be okay, Jake, but somehow we need to sneak out to the store. We don't have band-aids." It wasn't a total lie. "We'll need to make an excuse."
"Oh, okay, I will follow your lead."
We casually walked down the stairs to greet my "vampire" family. Jacob walked in front of me. I tried to look excited to see my family. Alice was first to greet me with a hug that nearly knocked me over. She pushed me away from her carefully, holding my shoulders.
"You smell musky. New perfume?" She sniffed me from afar. "Must be the company you keep." She looked toward Jacob and laughed. "That wolf must be rubbing off on you."
I giggled nervously, hoping she wouldn't notice the sweat beading on my forehead.
The rest of the family gave me their round of hugs. Emmet was next.
"Alice is right, Ness, you do kinda smell like a wet dog!" He teased me mussing my hair. He gave Jacob a friendly punch on the arm. Jacob reciprocated with another, yet harder. It didn't seem to bother either one. They laughed it off. Rosalie was next, and she gave me the longest, hardest hug, nearly crushing me, and then looked me over.
"You are more beautiful for words, Nessie." She was taking me all in. She gave me the same look that Alice did. "New perfume, huh? That's different."
Good! I thought to myself. They haven't figured it out yet. I looked over to my Dad. He had a funny look on his face. Figured out what? He spoke in my head. Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing. I tried to block him from my thoughts. Please, please, please don't read my mind. I kept thinking. He may have given up, or I did actually block him.
He didn't speak to me anymore. I didn't feel his presence.
I finished my hugs to all my family. They all gave me the same strange look. I tried to change the thought on that.
"Hey, Mom, do you need anything at the store? Jake and I could go get it." I was not letting Jacob away from my side.
"Oh, yes. I almost forgot cranberries. Charlie loves cranberries at Thanksgiving. You don't mind going?"
"No. Not at all." I was trying not to be obvious. I rushed Jacob out the door, grabbing my purse on the way out. I hurried to the passenger side of Jacob's BMW. We drove out of sight of the house.
"Whew, that was close!" Jacob finally breathed.
"I know, right? I thought it was going to be a blood-bath."
We were quiet most of the way to the store.
"Jacob," I finally said. "There's something I need to tell you, but I'm a little embarrassed to." I bit my lip nervously. Not wanting to tell him, but he was the only "human" that would understand.
"Yeah, what's up?" He asked, not looking my direction.
"I don't know how to say this, without embarrassing you either." I continued.
"It's okay, Nessie, I think I know already."
I was confused. "What do you mean?"
"Nessie, you forget I have highly sensitive senses. Smell, touch, taste, hearing.
"Oh, god!" I hid my head in my hands. "Now I'm really embarrassed."
"Don't be. It's only natural."
"Or is it? And why didn't my family pick up on it. Do I smell weird or something?" I was almost in tears, now.
"Don't be upset, Nessie. Maybe because you're different, I don't know."
"Well, it won't take long before they figure it out. I need to talk to Carlisle. He may have some insight on the situation."
"It may be because you are growing into a teenage girl." Sometimes he seemed so much wiser than he acted.
"That's the thing. I'm not a girl. I'm half-vampire. These things shouldn't be happening to me."
"But you are half-human too, Ness."
We arrived at the store and I went in alone. I got my essentials, plus band-aids, and made sure not to forget the cranberries for Charlie. That would defeat the whole purpose of going. I returned to the car, frantically looking around, making sure no one spotted me.
"Okay, that takes care of that. But you'll have to take my bag and hide it in my room for me, please? Hide it under my bed, that should be fine."
"Did you remember the cranberries?"
I nodded and pulled them out of the bag. We continued home, in silence.
When we arrived, Jacob quickly ran my things upstairs. I noticed my parents were gone.
"Where did Mom and Dad go?" I asked everyone. Alice chimed in.
"They went hunting, before Charlie comes tomorrow. I think we are all taking turns today. Do you want to come, Nessie?"
I thought briefly. "No, thanks. I you guys want to go now, you can. Jake and I don't need a babysitter." I thought of only getting a relaxing hot shower, and laying in bed.
"Cool!" Emmett rang in. "Got any bear?" Bear was Emmett's favorite to hunt.
"I think there may be one wandering around."
He seemed pleased at that venture.
They started to take off, but I pulled Carlisle aside to talk privately. "I need to talk to you for a minute Grandpa Carlisle." I batted my jade-green eyes at him.
"Go ahead, I'll catch up!" He yelled after them. Just then Jacob came down the stairs. I wondered if he hid my stash. He was about to leave when he saw I was about to talk to Carlisle. I stopped him.
"No, Jake, don't leave. I don't want Alice to see." This perked Carlisle's interest.
"What's going on Nessie?"
"Well, there have been some strange things happening to me."
"Like what?" He asked curious.
"I've been moody lately… And for the first time I scraped my knee yesterday and I actually bled, Carlisle." Tears started to well up again. Carlisle looked at me strange.
"Then when I got home from school…I started…you know…that time." I whispered this.
"Oh, I see. Hmm, this is very interesting, Nessie." He paused, paced back and forth, scratching his head.
"What do you make of that, Doc?" Jacob chimed in.
"I don't know, Jake. It is quite interesting. You are one of a kind, Nessie. It may just be your human side going through puberty. It's kind of natural, in a way for a human."
"But unnatural for a vampire." I said regretfully.
"That's what is so strange. I, at first, thought your vampire side would prevent this sort of thing, like the aging. Eventually we thought you would stop aging, like when puberty would be over, like at 18. So we all hoped." Carlisle continued.
"So we hope? Is there a possibility I would grow old, faster? Like I'd be 50 in a year or so?" I panicked.
"Now, now, Nessie, I don't believe that." He tried to comfort me.
"But you're not sure?"
"No, no one can be sure. It's all theory, really."
"Right, because I'm one of a kind, a freak of nature!" I started to cry and ran to my room. I slammed my door and plopped face first on my bed. I grabbed a pillow and cried uncontrollably into it. Balling like a child.
I heard Jacob come into the room a few moments later.
"What do you want Jake?" I muffled into the pillow.
"I was just checking on you. Make sure you were alright. You said you didn't want Alice to see. So I figured it was better I stuck with you."
"You're right." I propped myself up on the bed patted the empty space beside me for him to join me. He gently laid face down on the bed, and put his hulking, warm arm around my waist. I started to cry again.
"You'll be fine Nessie. I'm sure Carlisle is right. You are just going through a natural "human" change. Once it's over, you will be your normal self."
"That's just it, Jake. I'm not normal. No one knows what will happen to me. It's all a mystery. I shouldn't even exist!" Angry tears fell now. I looked into Jacob's warm eyes. He wiped my tears away.
"If you didn't exist, then neither would I. You are my other half, my soul, Nessie. You belong to me, and I belong to you. Together we are one soul. You got that? It tears me up to see you upset. It will all work out. You'll see. Let's try and be optimistic, okay?"
His reassuring eyes met mine. He smiled his bright white smile I love so much. I finally stopped crying.
'So you okay, now?" He asked.
"For now."
"Good, 'cause I'm hungry. Can we eat some food?"
I chuckled at him, and then realized I was hungry too, in fact I was ravenous. I had to stop in the bathroom first. I grabbed my stashed sack and excused myself. I made sure I washed my face, and surveyed my bloodshot eyes. I found some eye drops and soothed my eyes. I didn't want the family to notice anything was wrong. I finished up in the bathroom and Jacob was still waiting on the other side of the door. I gave him a look.
"Still by your side. Remember?"
"Yes, you're right. We don't want to alarm the psychic vampires."
We bounded down stairs, and Carlisle was still in the living room.
"Nessie, are you feeling better?"
"Yes, I think so. I guess I was just a bit scared. It's just part of being part human. I'll have to get used to it."
"Yes, honey, don't worry."
"And if you don't mind, don't mention to anyone else. I'm embarrassed enough as it is."
"I can't promise your father won't find out."
"Well, I'll handle, Dad."
"Maybe we should have a family meeting. That might clear the air. You wouldn't have to be in the room if you are too embarrassed."
"I guess that would be better. I could listen from the other room, or something. It would be better than facing everyone."
"Face everyone about what?" My Dad suddenly appeared with my mother in tow. "What's this about Nessie?" Dad was suddenly in front of me, staring into my eyes.
Out of my head! Out of my head! I kept thinking.
Carlisle place his hand on Edward's shoulder.
"We need to have a family meeting." He said to Edward.
"Okay." I could see my Dad's wheels turning trying to enter Carlisle's mind.
Just then Alice and Jasper, Emmett and Rose, and Esme returned.
"I hear we are having a meeting." Alice professed.
Jacob put his arm around me, and eased me out of the room. We stayed in hearing range at the top of the staircase. I could hear them discussing my situation.
"So explain to everyone, Carlisle what is going on." Edward asked well knowing he had already probed Carlisle's mind.
"Well, Nessie is going through some adolescent changes."
"Hmmph!" Edward replied.
"Is she aging again? I haven't noticed any changes." Bella asked.
"No, not quite."
"Just spit it out, Carlisle." Emmett chimed in.
My Dad's voice got louder and more concerned. If I were in the room, I could see his brows crinkled. "Why didn't she come to us with this?"
"Well, she's embarrassed. She is a teenage girl now, to human standards, and part of that goes with the changes she is currently experiencing."
"What's going on, Carlisle? What are you trying to say?" Bella asked.
"Bella, what Carlisle is trying to delicately say, is that Nessie is becoming a woman." Esme carefully and sweetly tried to say. "She is going into puberty."
"Is that possible, Carlisle?" Bella asked, sounding confused.
"Well, she is approximately 14 in human years, and the average for girls to change is 11-15. Although Nessie is a special case."
"Hah!" Slipped out of my mouth, and I quickly put my hand over my mouth.
"So what happens now, Carlisle?" Edward, my dad, asked.
"I'm not quite sure. She's only aged five years in the last 8 months. I don't know if this will speed things up, or slow them down." Carlisle explained.
"It seems like she became a teenager overnight, hormones and all. She and Jacob have been getting a little too friendly as well." Edward announced.
"Well, that's part of it, and again only natural." Carlisle reiterated.
Jacob smiled at me.
"Well, I don't like it one bit!" Edward shouted knowing, well, I was listening.
"You'll have to get used to it, Edward. You can't keep her prisoner in her room, until she grows into an adult." Esme reassured him.
"I can try."
"Or I could send Jacob away." He spoke in my head, knowing how I would react.
I stomped downstairs and into the living room, glaring at my father. Jacob trailed behind me.
"You will not send Jake away! You can't keep us apart! That's not fair, Dad! It's not my fault, and you know it! I wasn't asked to be a freak of nature! So help me, Dad, if you send him away, I'll run away with Jacob and you'll never find us."
"Oh, really? And how will you survive? You'll have no money, no family."
"Jacob can work as a mechanic or carpenter. And I could find a job. We'll manage."
"Now, lets all calm down." Jasper interjected. I suddenly felt a wave of pressure released from me. I knew Jasper was influencing the emotions of the room.
"Thanks, Jasper." Carlisle said.
Jacob took my hand. I still glared at my father.
"Don't do this, Dad." I pushed my thoughts into his mind for once.
"Maybe it would be better to discuss this later." My Dad would say to everyone.
"Maybe so. I'm exhausted. I think I'll turn in." I was totally drained. I pulled Jacob by the hand and walked upstairs. We went back to my room, and I turned to give Jacob a hug tightly around his waist. I wept lightly. He took my face in his large hands.
"I wish you wouldn't cry. You are killing me."
"Sorry." I wiped them away. "All better, see?"
He leaned down and kissed me lightly on the lips. I slowly pulled away from him.
"I better get ready for bed, now."
I took a hot shower, staying under the water for as long as possible. I dressed in my warmest softest pajamas, and footies. I shut out the light and crawled into bed, letting the abundance of pillows surround me. I hugged one tightly. I dozed off as soon as my head hit the pillow. I remember feeling a kiss and a pat from my parents, I guessed. I remember, vaguely, them saying, "good-night."
They also whispered, "I remember when she was just a toddler, playing and laughing. Riding piggy-back on Jacob." They sighed and walked out, closing the door behind them.
I tossed and turned for the next couple hours. I realized I was too tired to sleep. I snuck out of my room, and tapped on Jacob's door. He quietly opened it, and grinned at me. He held his arm out for me to enter his room. He looked around down the hall, before shutting the door.
"I couldn't sleep." I confessed to him.
"Well, maybe you're hungry. We never did eat dinner." Jacob seemed to pull a carton of cold Chinese noodles out of nowhere, and held them in front of me. My eyes widened.
"Mmm, my fave! Thanks." I snatched the carton from him and surprisingly scarfed down the whole thing.
"Wow, you were hungry!" He watched me in amazement. "Good thing I brought two." He pulls another carton, seemingly from nowhere. He ate his share, and I proceeded to snuggle close to him as we sat on his futon. My stomach was satisfied, so I started to get sleepy. I leaned my head on Jacob's shoulder, and soon was asleep. I felt Jacob gently move me over and place a pillow under my head. I was soon sound asleep.
I remember having a dream…I was dreaming of two dark haired children, running and playing in a meadow, chasing colorful butterflies. I was behind them playing along, and chasing them, and we were laughing and rolling around on the ground. One would put flowers in my hair. We looked over near the forest edge, and saw a dark figure approaching. We were scared at first, and I held the children protectively. Then a russet brown wolf ran past us and charged the dark figure. He attacked it, and they fought fiercely. The wolf struggled to take it down, and then the dark figure was gone. The russet wolf collapsed, and laid at the edge of the meadow, not moving. Me and the children rushed to the wolf, crying and calling his name. The wolf turned into Jacob, and he was badly injured. I kept calling his name, but He didn't wake up…
I startled myself awake. It wasn't quite light out. I almost forgot where I was. I could barely make out Jacob's figure on lying on the floor. I went to him, and shook him, still thinking about my dream.
"Jacob! Jake! Jake, wake up!" I was still shaking him. "Please, Jake, wake up!"
He finally stirred and jumped up, cautiously. "What, what's going on?"
He noticed me staring at him scared in the faint morning light. "Are you okay?" He reached his hand to me, and pulled me closer. "What's wrong?"
"I had a bad dream. Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."
"Oh, it's okay. Do you want to tell me about it?"
"It was nice at first, and then it was scary." I described my dream to him. "I was playing in a meadow with two dark haired children. We saw a dark figure at the edge of the forest. You, as a wolf, attacked the figure, but you were seriously hurt. The dark figure ran away, and we were crying over you. We couldn't wake you up. So you see, then I woke up and got scared because you really wouldn't wake up."
"Wow. That's strange. I kind of had the same dream."
"Really?" I was surprised.
"Yeah, I was watching you play with the children, guarding you like, and the dark figure appeared. I went to fight it, and it was very strong. I was taking a pounding. I got my last swipe in before he took off. But then I collapsed. I remember you calling my name, but I couldn't wake up. Then I did."
"Weird." I said finally. Just then my stomach growled. Jacob sniffed the air.
"What?" I asked.
"Bacon and eggs!" Jacob grinned, and grabbed my by my hand and pulled me up. We were in the kitchen in a flash, and sitting at barstools at the counter. My father and mother were fixing breakfast for us. Jacob grinned, holding his fork and knife in either hand. My parents turned to see us sitting. My Dad raised an eyebrow. I just shrugged my shoulders.
"Are we hungry, Jake?" My Dad asked.
"Oh, yeah. Always hungry for bacon and eggs." He was almost drooling.
Mom served up the plates in front us. Jacob scarfed his down and Mom served him another helping. I leisurely ate mine. I didn't care for the bacon. The thought of fried pig skin made me have goose-bumps. Jacob looked at my barely eaten breakfast.
"What's the matter? Not hungry?" He talked with his mouth full. I gave him a look.
"No, not really, maybe just some toast, Mom, please, would you mind?" Mom and Dad looked at me strange.
"You haven't hunted in a few weeks, either, Nessie." My dad said concerned.
"I know. I just haven't needed to."
"She looks okay, Edward." My Mom stated trying to convince my Dad.
"Yes, she does. Except she's taller today."
I looked at him strange. I didn't notice at first. "See, she is up to Jacob's shoulder now." Dad continued.
Mom and Dad sized me up. Mom's jaw dropped. "My goodness, you're right. I should have noticed." Mom stood next to me and I stepped down from the stool. Mom was always 5'4" at best. I was only a couple inches taller than her yesterday. "That must put you at 5'10"!" Mom announced.
Panic stated to show again. I gave scans to each of their faces. They were amazed and not scared. The rest of my "vampire" family came in to see what all the fuss was about. They all started circling me like vultures. I started to get dizzy and angry.
"Okay, would you all stop staring at me like I was a circus freak, already?!"
They all stopped suddenly. "Sorry." They chimed in unison.
Alice looked over my too short pants. "Looks like its time to go shopping again."
I looked down at my "high-water" pants, embarrassed. "I guess so." I said blushing.
"Sorry, Kid." Jasper would say sympathetically.
"I think I'll take my toast to go." I grabbed my toast and headed upstairs.
"Where are you going?" Dad asked after me.
"I think I'll go jump off a cliff." I said sarcastically, then I realized at what I said. I looked at Esme sorrowfully. "Sorry, Esme. I didn't mean it that way."
I tried finding something to wear, since all my clothes were clearly too small. So I decided to stay in my pajamas, and eat my toast on the chaise lounge. I put a CD in the stereo. No one bothered me for at least an hour. Then there came a low knock on my door. I opened the door to find Alice holding large shopping bags in either hand.
"What did you do Alice?" I was surprised.
"I thought you could use a few items."
I smiled widely, and grabbed the bags from her, and dumped them on the bed. I loved it when I got new things.
"It's just a few items to get you by. We could shop more later, if you want? Just a few pairs of jeans, sweaters, tops, and boots. Plus other necessities I thought you were in need of." I looked at the frilly under things, blushing. Then I looked at my chest, realizing she was right.
"Oh, yeah. Thanks. Alice. You always know what I need. Thanks." I gave her a big hug. She seemed much smaller to me now, yet she was hard as granite.
"You're welcome, sweetie. Green is your favorite color, so I got a few green items." She held up an emerald green sweater cable knit sweater to me. "Plus it brings out the green flecks in your eyes." She paused. "Wait a minute. You. Have green. Specks."
I looked at her confused. She pushed me over to the mirror. "Look."
I put my face closer to the mirror. My eyes were mostly dark chocolate with a few jade specks surrounding my iris. "Well, isn't that curious." I said, admiring my new eyes.
"Maybe it has something to do with your new diet." Alice analyzed. "Kind of like our vegetarian status that makes us have amber eyes instead of red."
"Hm, that is an interesting theory." I pulled myself away from my eyes, and went back to the clothing. "Can I try on a few items?"
"Sure, if you like? Do you want me to leave?"
"No, stay. I need to model for someone."
"Okay." She looked pleased.
I modestly changed into each possible outfit. The green, cable knit sweater and jeans were my favorite. I pulled on the black boots that she bought as well.
"That's my favorite!" She beamed.
"Mine too!" I was giddy.
Then there was a knock on the door as we cheered and jumped around like a pair of teenagers would. I giddily skipped to the door. Jacob was there, and he eyed me up and down. He gave a "wolf" whistle.
"Boy, don't you look foxy!"
I blushed and slapped him on the shoulder. "Thanks."
"Good, now that you're dressed, and feeling better, we were volunteered to pick up Charlie at the airport."
Great! I thought. My human grandfather coming for dinner with the vampires. The thought almost made me laugh. "He will hardly recognize me."
"True. But he can't miss me in a crowd." He grinned.
"This is true." I paused, thinking. "I may give Charlie a heart attack when he sees me. I was a lot smaller last time. Like 5 years old smaller."
"Oh, yeah. Well, he may be surprised, for sure."
"No kidding. Look at me. I have the body of a 16 year old!"
"Yeah, you do!" Jacob ogled at my new figure.
"Okay. Eyes up here, Jake." I pointed to my face.
"Oh, sorry." I thought I'd never see him blush.
"Boys."
Alice giggled in the background. I almost forgot she was there. She jumped up from the bed and made a quick exit. "See you when you get back, guys." We watched her skip down the hall.
"So Alice got you a some clothes?"
"Just a few necessities." Thinking back to the frilly things. "Jeans, and tops. That kind of thing."
"It always amazes me how she knows just what to get, and how fast she shops. She has a knack for that kind of thing."
"She loves to dress all of us. Maybe she thinks of us as living dolls. Perhaps she didn't have a great childhood, so she relives it through us."
"That's probably true. It's like she's perpetually dressing up dolls and having tea-parties."
"Exactly. I wonder what she was like as a child?"
"Probably much the same as she is now. Hyper-active, annoying little girl." Jacob grinned.
"I could see her in cute little frilly dresses, playing tea parties with her dolls and teddy bears."
"Anyway, are you ready to get Charlie?" He asked.
"Not really, but I guess I will have to be."
Jacob drove to the airport. The airport was a half hour from the house. It started to snow, and I hoped it didn't delay Charlie's flight.
When we arrived, we checked the flight board to see what terminal he was coming in on. We headed that way, with only a few minutes to spare. Jacob could easily see over the crowd. We waited for a few minutes, then the doors to the terminal opened up. I squeezed in front of Jacob to take a look. I saw Jacob's hand go up and wave. I looked through the crowd to get a glimpse of Charlie coming our way. He weaved through the crowd, carrying only one carry-on bag. He looked grayer to me. He noticed Jacob, and smiled. He came over to us and gave Jacob a bear hug, not noticing me.
"Hey, Charlie." I said to him, nervously. He did a double-take, and looked in my face, shocked.
"Nessie? Oh, my you are quite the young lady! I didn't even recognize you." He cautiously hugged me.
I was nervous about him seeing me "grown-up", but that all went away with his hug. He stopped hugging me, and looked me over. I was nearly as tall as him, now, due to my overnight growth spurt.
"Well, Jake, you are a lucky man to have such a beautiful girl at your side, like my sweet granddaughter. You better take care of her."
"So how's life in New Hampshire?" He asked as we walked to the car, exiting the airport.
"Great, Charlie. The beach is beautiful, and Bella and Edward have made a nice home for us here."
"Good. Glad to hear that. And school is going well?"
"Well, for the most part." I answered.
"Good."
"So how are Sue and Billy?" I asked.
"Good. Sue is fixing Thanksgiving for her kids, Seth and Leah, and invited Billy up. He is kind of lonely since you left, Jake. But he is getting around real well with his new legs."
"That's right, he got titanium legs. That's great." I replied, trying to change the subject.
"Yeah, but he sure misses you, Jake."
"Well, he knows where I live. He can visit anytime." Jake and his dad, Billy had a falling out when he moved across the country with "the vampires". Billy was superstitious and over-cautious. But Jake was fated to be with me, and Billy understood that, even though my "being" is a strange union. Who would ever thought a member of the Quileute tribe would ever be paired up with a half-vampire human. Never heard of .
"Don't you think it is time to bury the hatchet, so to speak, Jake?" Charlie asked of him.
"He's the one who is prejudiced, and stubborn. Ever since I got involved in the Cullens' lives. He's the one who needs to bury the hatchet."
"You're his only son, Jake."
"He has Sam, Quil, Paul and the others of the pack."
"It's not the same, and you know it. You're his flesh and blood."
"He knows where to find me."
I held Jacob's hand as we drove home in silence. I could see the anger fuming in his eyes. I kept patting his hand, and giving him loving looks. His anger melted each time he looked at my face, until he finally smiled.
When we arrived at the house, Charlie was surprised at all the work we had done to the house.
"Wow. You guys have really fixed this place up nice."
"Jake helped. You'd be amazed at houw skill ful he is with a hammer."
"I bet."
We entered the front foyer, and knocked the snow that was clumped on our shoes. There was about a ½ inch now. Everyone was gathered in the living room. Mom and Dad greeted Charlie first. Mom gave him a hug, and Dad shook his hand. He greeted the rest of the family and got reacquainted.
"I really like what you've done to the house. Looks really nice."
"Thanks Dad." Mom thanked Charlie graciously.
"We made reservations for you at a Bed and Breakfast, just down the road. We thought you would be more comfortable there." My Dad said to Charlie.
"Oh, yeah." He almost forgot about being ina house full of vampires. Although he has never admitted the fact to himself. The reality of it hasn't set well with him, even when Jacob revealed himself as a werewolf to Charlie. He was shocked, but not quite sure of what he was seeing was real. "A bed and breakfast inn sounds nice."
"Jake and Nessie can take you later to get you settled in."
"Sure, Edward. Thank you." Small talk was always the way with Charlie.
Jacob and I gave Charlie a tour of the house. My Mom and Dad followed further behind us, moving in slow motion, it seemed. We showed him the unfinished parts of the house as well. Mom and Dad's master suite was unfinished. They only had a king sized bed that had a wrought-iron frame intertwined with metal flowers. The attic space was renovated, but had unfinished white walls and large bare windows.
We all invited Charlie to stay for dinner. Mom fixed him his favorite stroganoff. He ate 2 helpings to Jacob's 4. I only ate noodles.
"Aren't you feeling well, Nessie." Charlie inquired about my eating habits.
"No, Nessie is kind of going vegetarian." Jacob told him.
"Oh, I see." He seemed confused, even shocked that I ate human food at all. I acquired a taste for it when I was smaller, as well as blood. I drank human blood when I was a baby, by donors not actual humans. Then when I was older and able to walk and run, my parents took me on hunting trips to feed on animal blood. Animal blood didn't taste as good, but it was better, and less conspicuous than the bags of blood Carlisle had to buy.
Charlie stayed for a while longer, and watched football on TV. Afterwards Jacob and I drove him to his Bed and Breakfast just down the road. The snow was getting heavier, and up to an inch, also coming down in large flakes. The change of weather always amazed me. We dropped Charlie off, and told him we would pick him up for breakfast.
The night dragged on, and Jacob and I played a few board games, then watched a few old movies in my room, snuggling on my chaise lounge. Jacob and I then decided to turn in, and we went to our separate rooms. I went to the bathroom to get ready for bed, and just as I was passing Jacob's room, I heard him talking to someone.
"Yeah, everything is good. Edward and Bella are very cordial. I'm like part of the family. You should see Nessie. She has really grown into a beautiful young lady. I can't believe how lucky I am to have found her… No I don't think it's strange." I realized he was talking to Billy on the phone. "Can't you ever give up your old fashioned ways? Why can't you just be happy for me, and accept the way things are? I do want to see you, Billy. It's just been a little busy with school and working on the house. Maybe we will come out at Christmas. What do you mean? Of course I'm bringing Nessie. Billy, I'm done arguing with you about this, old man! When you have a change of heart, call me. And Happy Thanksgiving, too!"
I heard him slam the phone down, then there were a few other things, I could hear, being thrown around. He then stormed out of his room, nearly running me over.
"Oh, sorry, Nessie. How long have you been standing there?"
"I didn't mean to eavesdrop, Jake. Sorry."
"I need to get out of here for a while. I'll be back." He touched my face, and dashed down the stairs. I ran to my room and looked out my window, just in time to see a russet brown wolf running toward the woods behind our house. I figure he was heading to the beach. I knew he needed to blow off steam, but it hurt me to see him so mad. I decided to get dressed and go after him. I went downstairs to be bombarded with my family. Why didn't vampires go to bed, anyway?
"Where do you think you are going?" Dad inquired, arms crossed. "It's late, and you should be in bed. You're not running after Jake every time he has a temper tantrum."
"He needs me, Dad. I want to help him."
"No. He's not in the right frame of mind right now. Let him cool off."
"Okay." I turned to go to my room, and caught Alice's eyes. I knew she couldn't see me or Jacob for that matter. I wouldn't have to worry there. I just had to block my thoughts from Dad.
I climbed out my bedroom window, climbing down a flower trestle. I cautiously ran toward the direction of the beach, trying not to be seen. It was dark, but the moon shone on the fresh fallen snow and was bright enough to see. I made my way to the beach, and stood at the top of the cliff looking down at the shore. The waves crashing on the shore seemed so loud. I saw a silhouette of Jacob, out of his "wolf" form standing in the moonlight. He was facing the beach and he was stark naked! I could see water dripping from his jet-black hair. He must have gone for a swim. I was awed by his muscular, nude form. I don't think he heard me approach, due to the crashing waves. I walked down the narrow path to the beach, and stood about 10 feet behind him. I must have startled him, and he turned quickly seeing it was me. I quickly shielded my eyes from his nakedness. "It's me." I finally said. He leapt quickly into the water, embarrassed. I peeked through my fingers to see if it was safe to look.
"What are you doing here, Nessie?" He wasn't mad.
"I was worried about you. So I came after you."
"So Edward just let you come after me?"
"Not exactly. I kind of snuck out my window."
"You what?! Great, now Edward is really going to be pissed at me."
"He'll get over it."
"I doubt it."
I tried to move closer to the water so I could talk without yelling. I felt like I was shouting over the waves.
"Don't come any closer, and turn around." He commanded me.
"Oh, okay." I quickly turned and heard him splashing out of the water, and then rustling of some clothing.
"Okay." He finally spoke. "You can turn back around, now." He must have found his sweatpants, because he was wearing them. The water was dripping off his body glistening in the moonlight, and it looked like steam was coming from the warmth of his body heat. I smiled at him like I'd never seen him bare-chested before. "What?" He was self-conscious and folded his arms across his chest.
"Nothing." I told him. But was soon imagining his naked body once again, glowing gold under the moonlit night. I shook my head to get the image out of my head, and smiled.
"I hope you got an eyeful?" He asked grinning slyly. I blushed as I realized he knew what I was thinking about. "What did you expect, me to be fully clothed?"
"No. I thought you would still be in wolf form."
"Oh, I see. Well, it's the ocean. It seems to calm me."
"So, are you better now?"
"Yeah, I guess. Billy just really gets under my skin, acting so high-and-mighty. I hate it."
"It may take him time to get used to the idea of you being with me. He is set in his ways." I reassured him.
"Yeah, I guess you are right. I guess I just miss him. I'd really like to see him."
"I know it is hard being so far from your home, and from him."
"You are my home now, Nessie."
Jacob took my hands and pulled me toward him, and held me tight.
"We better get back before Edward realizes you're gone." He pulled away from me and took my hand. We walked casually back to the house. I figured I had better sneak back in the way I came. Jacob gave me a boost to my bedroom window, and I crawled in quietly. Jacob went in the back door.
Phew! I thought. Dad didn't notice I was gone.
Jacob came in my room a few minutes later. He said good-night and kissed me on the cheek. I went to get ready for bed and went to sleep.
I had the same dream of the shadowed figure, only this time the figure attacking Jacob was my Dad! They were fighting, and Jacob was lying still on the ground, my father was hovering over him, with red eyes staring at me. He gave me a sinister grin.
I woke up suddenly, and I was sweating. It was nearly light out. I could see the pink and orange hues of the sunrise. It was dawn, Thanksgiving Day. The day for all vampires and native Americans to be peaceful and be friends. I could only hope.
Jacob and I picked Charlie up around 9 am. He absolutely loved the B & B. He said the bed was more comfortable than his bed at home, which reminded him he needed to buy a new mattress. We brought him over to our house and when we arrived, Mom and Dad were already fixing breakfast. Jacob and I watched some of the Thanksgiving Day parades. I loved all the giant balloons. I thought how enormous they would be in person.
Mom announced that breakfast was ready. She made spinach and mushroom quiche, sausage patties, and my Dad's famous Frisbee size cinnamon rolls, which I loved. Mom actually made a vegetarian meal this time. Charlie, Jacob and I scarfed down the breakfast. Charlie was in heaven. He sure didn't get meals like this at home. Cereal and pizza were Charlie's mainstays. Mom even said he burned spaghetti noodles once. Since my Mom left Forks, Charlie has been spending most of his spare time with Sue Clearwater. She fixes him dinner several times a week. Maybe there was something to that relationship, so I brought it up.
"So, Charlie, how are things with you and Sue?" I nudged him and gave him a wink.
"What do you mean? She's a good friend. She is very kind and fixes me meals once in a while."
My eyebrows raised. "Is that all? You aren't dating her?"
Charlie and Jacob shot me a surprised look.
"No, not really. In fact, I think I'm kind of like a third wheel." Charlie looked at Jacob. "Ever since Jake moved here with you guys, Billy and Sue have gotten pretty close. Sometimes I think I'm imposing when she invites me to dinner, because Billy is always around. I think there is more than meets the eye there."
"Wow, a real love triangle in LaPush. Interesting." I proclaimed. LaPush is the Indian reservation near Forks where Jacob is from.
Jacob and Charlie glared at me. I didn't pay attention to their faces as I schemed the outcomes of the love triangle.
After breakfast, we mostly gathered in the living room. The football games were about to start, and the Seahawks were playing. All the guys gathered around the TV. I helped my Mom clean up the kitchen as she started to prepare Thanksgiving dinner. Esme, Alice and Rose were looking at sales ads for Black Friday. Since when did Alice shop retail?
They guys were cheering in the other room, and I could hear Emmett and Jacob give high-fives. It was like a clap of thunder.
Mom was preparing the turkey, which kind of made me nauseous to watch. I got a glass of soymilk to relax my stomach. My Dad would pop in the kitchen once in a while to help, and flittered around like a spastic child. Watching him made me dizzy. I felt my eyelids grow heavy as I listened and watched from the barstool. I decided I needed some fresh air. I told my parents I was going for a walk.
"Be careful." My father told me.
I was going to ask Jacob to come along, but he was too involved in the game. No one was really paying attention to me, so I was feeling kind of left out.
The fresh fallen show was glistening and bright even on this overcast day. The air was crisp and clear. My breath made steam as I exhaled. I started through the woods, running at first. The trees were flashing by me like a blur of green. I was suddenly out of breath. I stopped and clutched my chest as my heart raced. Calm down. I would tell myself. I decided to walk the rest of the way to the beach. I reached the top of the cliffs over looking the beach. The cliffs edge was slippery with the moist sea air, and froze on the rocks. The sea birds were trilling as I approached. I looked out onto the ocean to see if I could spot any whale pods, but not today. I saw a few distant fishing boats. I thought Charlie would enjoy the fishing here when the weather warmed up. I walked down the narrow path and stood in front of the crashing waves. The sound was deafening. I closed my eyes to listen to all the sounds around me.
"Who are you?" I thought I heard a voice. My eyes flicked open. I looked all around frantically. The voice sounded like it wasn't far. I looked around the beach, and up to the cliffs edge. I thought I saw a glimpse of something, a dark shadow, maybe, run towards the woods. I ran as quick as I could to the cliff, my breathing was heavy again. I looked into the forest. Was it still there? I couldn't tell. I kept looking to see if there was any movement. Nothing. I chased it off, maybe, whatever or whoever it was.
I walked back to the house, bewildered. Maybe it was Jacob, playing around, or one of my other family members. I returned from my walk. Everyone was still in their positions. The guys were still glued to the game. My aunts and Esme were still at the kitchen table, apparently making a list. My Mom was still preparing side dishes for the dinner. All was just as it should be. My Dad looked my way. He was curious at my bewilderment. He actually came over to me. "Everything alright?" Was I blocking him from my thoughts?
"Yeah, fine. I was just getting sleepy and needed some air. Actually I'm still sleepy. I may go take a nap." Realizing I was exhausted from my running, so I slowly sauntered up the long staircase. My legs felt like lead weights. I stripped off my coat and threw over on my chaise. I plopped down on my bed and hugged a pillow. I stared out the window, watching the falling snow. My eyes grew heavier…
I started dreaming again.
The shadow was watching me again, from the edge of the cliff. I could see his red eyes blazing and burning through the darkness. I was frightened, yet I called out to the shadow. Who are you? What do you want? There was a long pause. I was mesmerized by its red eyes. I want you, Renesmee! The voice bellowed, and startled me.
I jerked awake. What was this shadow? Why was it haunting my dreams?
I woke in time for dinner. My mother was busy at work, and my Dad helped where possible. Alice set the table, elegantly, as she only could, looking like a page out of Good Housekeeping. The turkey and fixings were organized at the dining room table. Napkins, placemats, and silverware were all in its place. Candles were glowing. We all gathered to our places. Mom and Dad were at the heads of the tables. Me and Jacob were to my Mom's right, Charlie to her left. Carlisle and Esme were to Dad's right, Alice and Jasper to his left with Emmett and Rose between Charlie and Esme. I glanced around at my family, vampire, human, and werewolf alike.
My Dad gave a toast with his glass of red wine. All had red wine except Jacob and I. We had milk, but mine was soy milk. Mom remembered.
"I want to thank all of my family for being here on this day of thanks, and to Charlie for coming across country to join us. Bella is grateful for you all as well." He smiled at my mother. "Also I want to thank our extended family, Jacob for being here as well. I hope you all enjoy the feast. Cheers!"
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©2009 Erin Hartfile