Disclaimer: I do not own the Twilight series. Stephenie Meyer does, silly!

RENESMEE CULLEN

Dad's gaze shifted to mom, and I was thankful for whatever she did to distract him.

I looked at Jacob again, and it was easy to imagine that he loved me.

My mind was blank whenever I looked into his never-ending eyes. They looked like a dark pool. A pool that was abnormally inviting, a pool I could easily fall into if I didn't have a hold on myself. It felt like gravity was pulling me to that one point where all my troubles would be gone - a pull so strong I couldn't possibly ignore it. Heaven, though I never will see it - there are many theories about that my father believes we don't have souls, my mother believes we do - I'm pretty sure it will look a lot like Jacob Black's eyes.

I wanted him so much, with all of my heart, and all of my strength. My heart throbbed with the intensity of how I felt about him, but I was afraid he didn't want me the same way.

Today would be the day I found out.

We had arrived at Grandpa's house before everyone else got there. Connor was coming too. Both wolf packs. That meant 12 werewolves on the spot. I hoped Rosalie would keep her cool. She wasn't so happy with Jacob being around a whole lot, let alone the entire pack.

Each of the members of the pack arrived with their own snide remarks about the smell. They were happy and very enthusiastic about my birthday because they were all my friends (I'd been spending so much time in La Push I was pretty much extended family to them all), but the setting was bound to annoy them no matter how good of a mood they were in and what good terms they were on with my family.

Maddie was the prototypical bubbly cheerleader type. She was blonde and had designer clothes with perfectly white teeth, and blue eyes. She always acted happy-go-lucky, and filled conversations with her chatter. Everyone around her liked her, especially Brady.

Believe it or not, Brady was at a football game when he imprinted on Maddie. She was a cheerleader for the opposing team. They had come from a huge high school and were rich kids. Brady got a lot of grief for that one.

My father was distracted with all of their thoughts, I guess, so maybe that was why he didn't chew me out for dwelling on Jake. He had walked off, talking to Embry and Seth, so I was free to ogle Jake all I wanted.

Soon, people surrounded me. Leah, Emily, Quil, Maddie, Brady and even Rachel and Paul were hugging me, and saying cheerful happy birthdays, setting presents on the huge dining room table and complementing Alice on the decorating. I hadn't noticed a thing. The first thing I'd seen was Jacob, and I didn't pay attention to any details after that.

I managed to take my eyes off Jacob, who was taste-testing… well, devouring, and the appetizers that my family had managed to make. I had sat through hours of taste testing with Esme and Rosalie before the chicken - it was Jacob's favorite - had finally tasted right.

Alice's decorations were amazing, I realized. Alice was Alice. Silver balloons were floating everywhere and the entire house was flooded with deep blue flowers. Their petals were scattered on the present table. They were set in piles on top of dad's piano, and the kitchen table, and even on the cake. None of them were in vases, and I was confused and struck by the waste. Why hadn't anyone put them in water? A pile of silver paper plates surrounded the cake, and it was obvious that someone had watched Food Network to learn how to frost cakes. There were frosting flowers on the cake along with the real ones, and it was hard to believe someone who didn't eat had made this. Yet again, Alice made the cake. The present table was overflowing with gifts, about eight gifts in matching silver gift bags, and the rest were wrapped in paper, covered in bows and stickers. I managed to inconspicuously sneak a look at the name on the tag on one of the silver bags. Sure enough, all of my family had used identical bags… but why bags? Alice could work magic with wrapping paper.

Everyone gathered around me, and I was somehow forced to move to the present table, unwillingly. I picked up the first gift without looking at whom it was from. It wasn't in a bag, though, so it wasn't from my family. It was a department store box, and I figured it was from Maddie. She was always trying to get me to go shopping with her,

I opened up the expensive-looking box - it definitely wasn't from a department store, this was designer.

Of course, it was from Maddie, and it was clothes. I was fine with it at first. It was an unbelievably luxurious evening gown. I was cool with all the thank-you stuff, until I looked at the tag.

"You gave me a one-of-a-kind Miuccia Prada!!!!!!!!" I said, my eyes bulged out of my head, and my cheeks burned. Even Alice knew not to go that far with me. Gosh! How could she? I didn't have anything against it… it was gorgeous… but the price! Sheesh! Why spend that on me???

Maddie interpreted that as exultation and ran up to hug me.

"You're welcome! It's from Brady too!" she said. She was obviously so happy I enjoyed her gift, that I didn't say anything but a mumbled "Thanks".

I heard a muffled chuckle from the corner of the room. It was Jasper, obviously. I hissed at him and threatened, "Not a word." Under my breath. Other than Jasper, Jacob was the only one who noticed my threat.

I opened Paul and Rachel's next, and inside of it was a nice piece of jewelry. It was a gold necklace with a golden leaf on the end. It was two inches shorter than my locket, so I thanked Rachel and gave her a hug, before being crushed by Paul, and put it on right then. It was gorgeous, and I thanked her again once I had it on.

I peeked at Jake's present, but decided to save it for last. I'd open Sam and Emily's now.

I peeled back the wrapping paper to the small present and thanked them for the beautiful anklet, then moved on to the next.

Quil gave me a bracelet, and Embry gave me a gift card to a bookstore, apologizing that he didn't have a female's shopping advice. I assured him it was perfect, the poor guy. Embry's parents didn't know about the shape-shifter thing. He hadn't imprinted yet, and he was alone. At least Quil had Claire, who was now ten, and knew exactly what I liked.

Jared and Kim had given me earrings, and Leah had given me an anklet and I was growing suspicious about all of the jewelry.

I was touched with Seth's present, and ran up to hug him immediately. He had paid such close attention! It was a notebook I had been admiring in the window of a shop we passed when Jacob, Leah, Seth, and I had been walking to the big car show. (Jacob didn't want to go alone, and Seth wouldn't let him go without him. Leah came because we both wanted to go shopping if it took too long.)

It wasn't any notebook; it was a music notebook with a binding and a burgundy cover. The cover had some metallic gold writing on it. It matched my locket. It was filled with music paper, and I had wanted to get it from the second I saw it, but it wasn't in stock. He had gone back to the store to get it for me.

Leah also gave me a few hair clips with rhinestones in them; she said that with her hair having to be short for the pack, she didn't use them anymore.

I opened Connor's next, and he had gotten me a book. "Dracula". Ha ha. Connor's favorite pastime is driving me crazy, so I figured this was another one of his pranks. I thanked him kindly, as if there was nothing out of the ordinary in his box, and then moved on to the next one. He looked at me as if I was crazy, but then just shrugged and said something so low I knew I wasn't meant to hear. It sounded like something like "I'll never understand the nature of girls" or "I never planned a cool-headed curls". I couldn't decide which he really said, because "curls" is his nickname for me.

I took a deep breath, and let it all out in a huge, dramatic gust. Time to open my family's presents. I would open Jake's present second to last, because I knew, from experience, that my parents would want to go last.

Every year they got me something huge and spectacular that I had to walk somewhere to find. Last year it had been a recording studio, the year before that it was a grand piano - never mind that my dad had one, I just had to have an expensive piano I hadn't asked for. For my second birthday they got me a pony. I tried to set some ground rules after that, but really, I was the size of a five-year-old. What was I supposed to do?

I looked and, sure enough, they're gift was the smallest of all. They were going to do it again. Of course there had never been a doubt.

I picked up a large silver bag, looking to where my family stood, and toyed with it a bit, bouncing it up in down in my hand. I carefully examined each of their faces before I opened it. It was Emmett and Rosalie's. I could tell.

I pulled a large box out of the bag, and carefully removed the tissue paper slowly, watching Emmett squirm. I finally had the paper all the way off, and held it up in front of my face while closing my eyes. Emmett let out an exasperated sigh. I giggled, but it couldn't be heard behind Jacob, Quil, Embry, Paul, and Connor laughing at the same time. At least, they didn't hear it. Paul started teasing him.

"Aww… Emmett… is she teasing you?" he said, in a babyish voice.

"He ought to get a taste of his own medicine sometimes." Mom said, smiling evilly.

That annoyed me, because that sent them into another fit of laughter. Jasper, who was in a far corner for some ridiculous reason, responded to my guilty emotions by shooting an amused glance at me as I opened my eyes. I wanted to tease Emmett, but they were taking it too far, and Edward raised his eyebrow at Jasper.

"Enough." I said. I was getting mad.

The gift was a brand new camera, and it was professional, too. Cool! Now I could document all of my memories.

I thanked them both, and moved on.

Carlisle's and Esme's was next, and I smiled at them, overjoyed, as I saw their present.

Carlisle and Esme had known I had been using a computer in their house since I was born, so they had gotten me a brand-new laptop, with a mouse to match it. They were both dark blue, my favorite color.

Alice and Jasper's was next, and I picked up the bag and looked inside. A cookbook? I deliberately walked all the way across the room to hug Jasper and thank him.

"What are they keeping you all the way over here for?" I asked.

"No one's making me, I just don't enjoy watching people open presents. I had a bad experience with it once." He said, chuckling. My mom hissed. "Ask your mom about it later."

"Okay… " I said, confused. "Thanks." I said, hugging him.

I walked back to the present table to thank Alice. I thanked her, but I was confused.

"You'll see." was all she promised.

I sighed, and reached toward Jake's present.

"My dad got you something." Jacob said. "It must be special, because he wouldn't tell me what it is," he chuckled.

"Oh… which one is it Jake?" I asked, looking back and forth between two wrapped presents. One was small, and one was quite large, and the wrapping paper stretched over a design I couldn't make out.

"This one," he said, reaching over me to tap the smaller box. His arm barely brushed mine, and my heartbeat stuttered. I blushed, and my heart throbbed and burned. His skin felt so perfect. I just wanted to reach out and stroke it.

Embry, Connor, Paul, Jared, Emmett, Rosalie, and especially Jasper cracked up laughing… although Jasper had a different reason for laughing. My emotions had lurched more than my heartbeat.

Jacob's reaction was interesting though. Jake just looked at me, his eyes thick with an emotion to complicated for me to understand. His hand reached out for me, as if to embrace me, but then hit the table, grabbing the present and handing it to me gently.

"Here you go," he said, more intense than the time called for, with that same strange emotion. One of his fingers brushed my hair subtly, sending tingles down my spine, and then whipped away as he stepped back to watch me open my present.

I watched him for a second too long, and then began to peel the wrapping paper away from what seemed to be a book. The cover of the book was blocked from my sight with an envelope. I set the book on the table and opened the card. The outside of the envelope said "Nessy Cullen" in the shaky cursive handwriting that belonged to Billy Black.

"Nessy,

First of all, I would like to say thank you. Thank you for accepting our flaws so kindly, even though our instincts tell ourselves that we are enemies. Thank you for being patient with my prejudice, and for not holding it against me.

All of us, especially me, here in La Push (The packs, the council, and our families) enjoy your presence, and feel like you are one of the tribe.

I am very glad that Jacob found you. I haven't seen him this happy since his mother died. You are a lot like she was, and I feel like you should know more about us.

I've given you a book of legends, hand-written by Jacob's mother. I hope you enjoy it. There isn't a person I trust more to have it, and my time is coming to an end. Thanks again.

With love,

Billy"

I had been reading the note aloud tonelessly, and didn't notice until I saw all the eyes in the room were on my cheek, that I was crying. I hastily wiped my hand across my cheek, but more hot tears came.

Jacob was by my side in an instant, asking me if I was okay. I said yes, took a deep breath, and pushed him away slowly. It took some effort to force his body away from mine, not that he resisted, but because all of the fibers in my being urged me to do otherwise.

I picked up the small leather book, and looked at the cover. The words "Sarah Black" were etched on the cover in a loose manuscript. I flipped through the pages. They were all written in that same handwriting. Jacob's mother's handwriting was always on the verge of breaking into cursive, and she wrote in a very fine, even print throughout the pages. The story of the Spirit warriors, the Third wife, the shape-shifter's entire past and more was written in this book. It was the last thing the Blacks had from Jake's mom, Billy's wife who had passed away, and Billy wanted me to have it in his old age. Not a younger member of the council, or Sam, or even Jake, but me.

I had started crying again, but I didn't care. I flipped through the pages, feeling the ridges the pen had made when Jacob's mom had pressed it into the page; writing down all there is or was to know about the Quileute tribe. There were stories she had heard from council members who had passed away, stories that weren't told anymore at the bonfire meetings. Hundreds of stories were in this book that I'd never even heard of. One in particular caught my eye. The title was "Things to come". Was this a prophetic story? I had to see this.

But the page after that story's end was empty. Over half the book was empty (it was very thick). I wiped my face off quickly, and then took another deep breath.

"Why is it empty, Jake?" I asked, confused.

"I think my dad… I think he intends for you to continue the tradition," he said. He was looking past me, most likely seeing the memories that were tied to this book. That touched me even more.

Part of me wanted Jake to be able to have it. It was obviously very important to him, and the look on his face right now told me he had not been in on the gift. I wondered if he was upset about his father giving it to me, or if it was the fact that his father's time was almost up that saddened him.

I just looked at him, still confused.

"He wants you to finish what my mom started," Jake said, almost inaudibly.

"She has the book?" Seth asked, his jaw wide open. "The one with the legends Old Quil's father used to tell? The forgotten ones?"

"Oh my gosh. She's the one dad chose!" Rachel exclaimed.

"You do know what this means, don't you? You will be part of the council. When Billy dies, you will be as much of an authority as Jake will, Nessy. I can't believe it!" Embry yelled. "My friends the tribe leaders! Hah!"

My family stared in wonder as the packs surrounded me, hugging me, and congratulating me.

"I'm glad he gave it to you. He's smart. You are the right choice." Sam said, hugging me.

Embry kept hugging me, and was more enthusiastic than the rest, because we were friends. There was a strange sense of comradery between Embry and me. He was, truly, my best friend.

"It looks like I have some work to do." I said, after they had finished congratulating me.

I picked up Jake's present and started pulling back the wrapping paper. I gasped as I saw the design only hinted at before.

A wolf was carved into the surface of a wooden jewelry box. I quickly tore off the rest of the wrapping paper. There were roses carved in the side, and the front of it had "Nessy" carved in it.

"Billy taught me how to carve a long time ago, before you were born. It took a really long time to make, but it was worth it." Jacob said, walking up behind me and touching the top of the box briefly.

"You made this?" I asked, dumbfounded.

"Yeah," he said, letting his fingers touch the edge of the table beside mine.

"It's beautiful. Thank you." I said, contemplating touching his hand. No, I decided, that wouldn't be a good idea right now. My heartbeat would give me away.

"You're welcome. Like I said, it was worth it," he said, stepping back.

My parents stepped toward me.

I sighed and reached my hands into the bag. I dug for a while, and then my fingers grasped a loop. I pulled it out of the bag. Car keys. I smiled at them brightly.

"Where is it?" I asked.

"The garage." Dad said, smiling mischievously.

Jacob stepped towards me, his mouth gaping wide, and he touched the key.

"It's an Audi!" he rejoiced, looking more pleased than a little boy on Christmas. I giggled. No doubt Jake would be begging to drive my car. I tried to suppress the pleasing feeling I had when I pictured Jacob on his knees, because I knew I was imagining him asking for something else.

As expected, all of the guys in both packs sprinted to the garage, except for Sam, who followed at the same pace I did.

When I got to the garage, I couldn't help but be pleased. It was exactly what I wanted!

It was an Audi R8 coupe, in ice blue, with dark grey leather interior. Only dad could know to get me that, and I smiled. This was the one good thing about having a dad who could read your mind.

Jacob was standing there practically worshiping my new car, as were the rest of the La Push teens, and I felt myself blush.

"Thanks Mom. Thanks Dad. It's exactly what I wanted!" I said, hugging them, and mouthing extra thanks at Mom. Jake caught me.

"What's that for?" He asked.

"For shielding our thoughts. Haven't you noticed that my dad has been uncharacteristically patient with us today?" I said, grinning at him, and ducking under his arm, that was propped against the wall of the garage, to walk back into the house.

Alice had pushed the table to one wall, and party music was playing. She and Jasper were sitting on the kitchen counter, hand in hand, waiting for the others to come back.

Jasper looked at me, compassion and understanding filling his eyes, when I felt a pang of jealousy and longing as I looked at their hands, and the loving way he looked at her. I wondered if I'd ever have something like that, someone who would love me and protect me.

I leaned against the wall and heaved a sigh.

It was late afternoon now, around four, and the clouds were blocking the sun, making it look like night.

Everyone came back in one huge clump, walking in and dancing, chattering among each other and drinking punch.

I was dealing with it, barely holding myself together, when Sam and Emily walked over to talk with Jared and Kim. Sam leaned over Emily, unexpectedly kissing her. He kissed her with a passion that made my eyes burn, and I quickly escaped out the back door.

I walked over to where there were no windows, and sat down on the back porch. I wiped my eyes and wished that Jacob were out here with me.

I guess I was lucky, or Jake was bored, because Jacob slid out the back door, and sat down next to me. He held my hand, and my heart skipped a beat.

"Are we going to talk now?" I asked.

"Yeah. We are," he said, looking down.

I should've felt relieved. The hard part was over, right? Wasn't the hard part getting him out here? Now it was all over with, right?

That seemed to be right... but what was I supposed to say?

Ok... so I will probably have the next chapter out by the end of this week. Thanks for the feedback! Sorry to keep you hanging. Keep reviewing!