A Request

Renesmee's POV

Three Weeks Earlier

The thrumming of a heart called to me… a doe was close. Venom started pooling in my mouth much like salvia would in a normal human's mouth at the thought of a meal. But I was no normal human. I was half human and half vampire. The vampire half of me needed blood to survive, while the human half needed fruits and vegetables. It was a strange combination but it was all I knew, not that I could stomach eating meat. The mere thought made me gag. I'd seen my fair share of steaks thanks to Grandpa Charlie, but never once have I been tempted to partake. Cooked dead animals just didn't appeal to me. He didn't understand it, but then he did say I took after my mother.

The scent of the doe was getting closed to my position. I didn't want the doe to run off at the sight of me, so jumping, I grabbed the highest branch and pulled herself up and sat on down, waiting. The doe I'd been tracking had stopped at the stream. I watched from above as it bent its neck and drank.

With stealth, I leapt and brought down the doe with ease, sinking my incisors into its artery. The warm, fresh blood flowed into my mouth and as I swallowed, I used my senses to find another, but no other deer were in the area.

Lifting my head from the deceased doe, I eyed my father. He was on the opposite side of the open meadow near the base of the mountains. Something was bothering him, but what it was I couldn't tell. All my attempts to speak with him resulted in him saying he didn't have the time for one reason or another, and since I needed to sleep each night… I sighed.

He glanced over at me giving me a smile. "Mountain lions," he said, pointing to the east.

I made a face. Mountain lion was my least favorite source of substance.

"Lead the way," Mom called.

Sighing, I rushed off, following Dad with Mom and the rest of Dad's family on my heels.

Soon, Dad motioned for us to stop. Crouching low next to him, I again looked at him. His eyes were intense, scanning the horizon as a pride of lions came into view. The soft purring had my ear pricking up and my mouth watering with venom again. Creeping forward and staying low, I positioned myself and a moment later, a lioness walked right by me. I sprang and took her down fast.

"Nice," Uncle Emmett said in a low voice, taking down one nearby.

My focus didn't stray from the lioness. She was struggling to free herself from my grasp, but I held on and sank my teeth in deep. Before long, her struggles ceased as her blood, her life force, drained into my open mouth. I gagged on the foul taste but manage to swallow the blood I needed to survive.

Throwing the carcass away from me, I wiped my mouth and tongue.

Uncle Emmett glanced over with me and laughed. "You can't be picky, Nessie," he said. "The deer population is dwindling fast this season, so better get used to mountain lion or bear."

Sticking my tongue out a little, I wrapped hands around my throat as if I were chocking. "Not in this lifetime will I ever drink bear blood, Uncle Emily," I said.

Uncle Emmett had once donned a dress and joined me for a tea party on a dare from Uncle Jasper. It was hilarious and earned him the nickname Emily. Since then, I haven't let him forget it.

He laughed again. "Keep it up, Nessie. Jacob's not here to protect you."

"Bring it," I said. Aunt Alice would warn me before he had a chance to prank me and he knew it.

"If you two are finished," Mom said, "we should be heading home."

I jumped up and took off, remembering Jacob and I had a Skype date. I was back at Cullen house three minutes later. It was rare that I and my parents stayed at the main house, even if we had rooms there. My parents preferred the cottage three miles behind the main house. It was quiet, but whatever was bothering my father had us staying with the rest of his family.

"Yikes," I shrieked, seeing myself in the mirror. There were twigs and leaves in my hair and I had a bloody streak on my left cheek. Sure, Jacob had seen my like this on a number of occasion, but I wanted to look my best for our date especially when it had been two months since we had last talked. He was in the Navy… a Seal. I was proud of him even if it meant he was in the middle of the danger. It worried me that he put his life on the line with each mission, but I knew he could take care of his self and was taking every precaution to ensure he would come back home.

Ten minutes… I could be ready in less. Racing up the stairs, I stripped and jumped into the shower. My hands blurred as I washed the grime of the hunt off. Refreshed, I shut the water off and stepped out of the shower while grabbing a towel. Aunt Alice and Aunt Rosalie were in my bedroom when I walked in with the towel wrapped around me.

"I saw that you were going to need help," Aunt Alice said, holding up my makeup bag as I slipped on clean undies and a cami top.

The dress Jacob sent me from Monaco was lying on the bed. Motioning to it, Aunt Rosalie handed it to me. I was glad it was a simple slip on, no button or zipper to mess with.

Sitting in my desk chair, Aunt Rosalie started tackling my hair as Aunt Alice applied a bit of makeup to my face.

"Come in, Bella," Aunt Alice said before the knock came.

"You and your pixie abilities," Mom said, sitting on my bed. It was new... a four poster with wispy white curtains hanging down from the rods running between each post.

"Log in for me, Mom… please," I said, motioning to my laptop on the bed.

My laptop screen blazed to life a second later, and then Mom was typing in my password to Skype.

With three minutes left, I shooed everyone out of my room.

"Your father wants to talk to you when you finished talking to Jacob," Mom said, touching my shoulder before I left.

Was I in trouble? I didn't have time to ponder what I had possibly done, as my computer starting ringing.

Jacob… the smile that split my face hurt as I accepted his call. When his face filled my screen, I noticed immediately that he had dark circles under his eyes and concern welled up in me. "Are you okay?" I asked.

"Yea," he said, rubbing his face. "But I wasn't going to miss this opportunity to talk to you face to face."

I smile, biting my lip just like my mother. "We could have put it off until later. You look like you need sleep."

His hand dropped away from his face. "I do, but there's no telling when I will be free to call again," he said, frowning. "Things are horrible here. I wish I was home already."

My gazed drifted up to the counted down I had on my calendar. "Two and a half months," I said.

Jacob sighed. "And they can't pass fast enough, my heart." He reached out touching his screen.

My face warmed.

Jacob's smile spread slowly. "I love that you can blush."

Jacob knew what I was, just like I knew he was a Quileute wolf… a shapeshifter… a protector… a vampire hunter. A truce was reached right after I was born with my father's family and the Quileute tribe. As long as they didn't feed off of wolves, then they would protect us like we were tribe member. Of course, Jacob had imprinted on me on the day I was born, six years ago. With my vampire side active, I grew fast. Though I was only six, outwardly I was seventeen. And in two and half months, if Grandpa Carlisle's calculations are correct, I will be twenty-one. Maybe that was what Dad wanted to talk to me about. I would be old enough, by human standards, to marry.

My face heated even more at Jacob's verbal observation. "I hate it," I mumbled. Changing the subject, I said, "Uncle Emmett is planning some prank."

"Like he would ever pull it," Jacob replied with a wave of his hand. "Your father would hurt him if he did something mean to you."

"I know. Speaking of my father, he wants to talk to me. I think I might be in trouble."

"What did you do, Nessie?" he said in a stern but teasing voice.

I shook my head. "Nothing. Honestly. He's been distract lately."

Jacob leaned forward, filling the screen even more. "Distracted how?"

I shrugged. "Not sure, but he has been since he returned from Italy."

Jacob's eyes narrowed. "When was he in Italy?"

"Six months ago. When he got home, he wouldn't speak to anyone. Aunt Alice might know what's going on or maybe grandpa Carlisle."

"Can't Esme get anything out of him, or your mother?"

"No." I leaned forward and rested my elbows on the desk. "I'm worried about him."

"Whatever it is…" he started. "Maybe that's why he wants to talk to you."

"Maybe," I replied. "Can we talk about something else?"

He smiled. "Sure," he said. "Nice dress."

A blush rose on my cheeks again. "I really like it," I remarked, smoothing a hand down one of its sleeves. "Thanks for sending it."

"You're welcome, Nessie. I can't wait until I'm home. I really need one of your hugs."

"And I need one of yours."

"I also see you hunted recently."

"Yep. Had to drink mountain lion." I made a "yuck" face that made Jacob chuckle. "Nasty."

Jacob laughed harder. "Sorry. And I know how you dislike it, but it must have been the only thing around."

"I got a doe first, so it wasn't too bad."

Jacob smiled. "Good. I wouldn't want you starving yourself."

It was my turn to giggle. "I love you," I said.

"Yeah, I know… everyone does," Jacob said, settling back in his chair.

Cheeky ass. Oh, grandma Esme would be proud of that thought. "Really? Sam loves you."

"Yep… though, I don't think that one would work out."

My eyes went wide. "Really? Why not?"

He chuckled. "Do you even what to go there?"

I nodded, not sure what he was going to say. In some ways, I had young ears, though with Uncle Emmett's not so subtle innuendos, I knew a great deal of what went on in the bedroom between husband and wife.

"Nessie, Nessie, Nessie," he said. "I imprinted on you, fell in love with you the moment I laid eyes on you. Just a short three hours you were in the world. Before you could even walk, you had me chasing after you. You were one fast crawler."

I blush again. "Damn you, Jacob," I said covering my cheeks.

A self-satisfied smile formed on his lips. "You asked me why it wouldn't work with Sam, and you're the reason, my heart." He saluted me by pacing a single hand over his heart.

"So… when you get home, where do you want to go?"

"Anywhere… a movie, dinner, a walk at First Beach… it doesn't matter as long as I get to spend time with you."

I was speechless. I had thought he would want to spend time with Billy, his father.

"Have I told you how much I love you, Renesmee?" he asked, drawing my attention back to him.

"No."

His eyes softened as did his smile. "You're the ray of sunshine in my bleak soldier world. The picture of us walking hand-in-hand makes me smile when all I want to do is cry at all the destruction I see." He smiled as tears formed in the corner of my eyes.

"Sometimes, I hate being half human."

"And that is what I love the most about you."

I heard someone yelling in the background. "Do you have to go?"

"No… Embry's taking my watch tonight."

I pursed my lips. "I hope it's not because of me, is it?"

"No," he responded with a shake of his head. "I pulled a double last night, taking his since he was injured."

Injured? "How bad?" I knew Embry was a Quileute wolf and that he, like the others in the unit, healed fast.

"Nothing serious. It was only a broken rib and was mended by morning." He sighed, looking over his shoulder. "Look, Nessie, I didn't want to bring this up again but… I don't think you should come to Europe with your parents. It's too dangerous."

"I'm not going to let that stop me, and a lot of tourist are in the country."

"And many of them are going missing," he yelled.

I blanched. "I won't disappear."

He sighed again. "I don't want to lose you."

"You won't, and I don't want to have this conversation again, Jacob. We've already talked about this."

He raised his hands. "I better go then before I say something I can't take back."

"Fine. I love you, Jacob. You be safe."

"I love you, too. Take care." A moment later the screen went dark.

I stood, staring at the picture of Jacob that sat on the shelf above my desk. He was in his uniform, navy white, with a single daisy in his hand. A smile sprang to my lips. Daisies are my favorite. Before he shipped out, he gave me a sterling silver daisy pendant. It was nestled in blue box; the color reminded me of a robin's egg. Mom had smacked Jacob on the shoulder before dragging him out of the house. Because of my heighten hearing, I heard every word she said to him. She hadn't like that he gave me an expensive necklace. Dad couldn't hide his mirth at Jacob's response.

"Oh, so it's okay for you and Edward to shower her with expensive jewelry, but I can't."

Mom had come back in the house, shaking her head, but she didn't take the necklace away. Not wanting to lose it, I always took it off before going out to hunt. I hadn't put it back on when I returned. It lay on my desk, next to my laptop. Snatching it up, I debated on throwing it through the open door. My laptop rang again before I could decide.

Looking over my shoulder… I saw Jacob's picture come up.

I smiled and answered as I fastened the chain around my neck.

"I'm sorry, Nessie."

"Me, too. I know you worry about me, but like you, I can take care of myself."

"I know." He said, reaching out and touching the screen. "It's hard being so far away from you, not being there to protect you." The way Jacob spoke, all soft and low, had tears forming in my eyes once more.

"I miss you," I whispered, wiping at my eyes. Our platonic relationship over the past few months had started to change, and I was sure Jacob was aware of it. Everytime I heard about what was going on overseas, I rushed out of the room and house. Running was the only one I could escape my fears of something bad happening to Jacob, some injury that wouldn't heal but take his life. "I need to see you, to hug you, Jacob. That's only possible if I come to Europe."

His eyes closed and he brought his hands up, running them down his face. "Two and a half months, Renesmee, and I'll be home."

I stood, going over to my bedroom door, pushing it shut. Not that it would prevent everyone from hearing. And I knew they wouldn't be able to ignore what I was about to admit out loud. Walking back over to my desk, I sat and faced Jacob again. "I'm scared, Jacob… scared that something is going to happen to you." I swiped at my eyes, not caring if he saw. "I can barely watch the news. There's always a story about what's going on. I can't escape it, no matter where I go."

"Nessie—" Jacob started and I cut him off.

"Don't go there, Jacob. What would happen to me if you were to die? Think about that. There's no way I would be able to get close to someone else like I have you."

Sam chose that moment to interrupt. "Jacob!" he yelled.

Jacob's eyes went wide as he turned his head. "I'll be right there," he yelled back before turning his attention back to me. "I've got to go, Renesmee. I won't ask you to stay home. If seeing me will ease your mind, then come."

I smiled. "Thanks for understanding."

"I don't think I could deny you anything, my heart. Bye."

"Bye, Jacob." The screen went off as he ended the Skype call.

I stared at the screen for a few minutes more, collecting myself before going to see what my father wanted to talk about.

Heading down stairs, I knocked on the open door of the music room door. Dad looked up from the piano, indicating with his head that I should take a seat next to him on the bench. His fingers stroked the ivories lovingly. "Nessie," he said. "I don't think you're going to like what I want to talk to you about."

"Why?" I asked, setting my fingers and playing the upper melody he wasn't.

Dad smiled. Like him, I was a natural pianist. "It's on along the same lines of what Jacob asked of you."

I swallowed. "He asked me not to come with you and Mom."

"I know… I have a better reason for you not to go," he said.

"And that would be what?" We had transitioned into the lullaby he had written for Mom while she was still human.

He sighed. "I received a threat from the Volturi," he said.

The Volturi. I swallowed again. They had tried to kill me when I was five years old. One of my distance cousins, now deceased, Irina had mistook me for an immortal child. Aunt Alice foresaw the Volturi coming to punish my family on this accusation. Aro, however, didn't get his wish of ending my family thanks to sever vampire clans rallying around Carlisle. They witnessed my growth, heard my heartbeat for themselves. Even the Quileute pack came to our aid. In the end, Aunt Alice and Uncle Jasper saved the day. They had left and searched for a single witness of their own… another human-vampire hybrid. Aro was not pleased and vowed he would be watching.

"You mean from Aro, don't you?" I asked.

Dad's head turned, looking at me. "Yes," he responded.

"What was it?"

His jaw clenched, and I didn't think he was going to tell me. "No vampire—save to witnesses Aro brought with him, and many them have disappeared—know about you and Nahuel. Aro wants to keep it that way. He said if I were to bring you to Italy, he would kill Jacob."

Dad's admission hit me hard, and for a split second, I couldn't breathe. "Jacob's a vampire hunter, so he can take care of himself."

"That might be true, Renesmee, but is it a chance you want to take."

Closing my eyes, I heard Jacob's voice telling me the stories of the pack's origin. How they were strong and fast. Aro could be bluffing or use a trap to capture him. I didn't say this out loud. "I'm not going to let an ancient vampire like Aro dictate how I live my life, or where I can go. I'm going to Italy with you and Mom. If Aro tries to hurt Jacob, I'll rip him apart."

Dad's eyes went wide, but eventually he nodded. "That's my girl."

"What's Mom say about this?" I asked.

Dad motioned to the door. Mom was leaning there. "All I said was it had to be your decision. If you recall, I did everything I could to save your father from being killed by Victoria. She was out for revenge and created a newborn army."

I nodded. "You cut your hand with a sharp rock," I said.

"That she did. She got that idea after hearing the Quileute story about the second wife," Dad remarked. "I still can't believe your mother risked death in order to save me."

"It worked, didn't it?" Mom said with a shrug.

Dad lifted his hand, saying nothing more about that day. "Okay, Italy in three weeks."