Chapter 4: Settling In
Jacob and Seth ran through the woods, Renesmee on the former's back. Smith Mountain Lake, where the Swans' cottage was located, was only a few miles away.
Should have rented a car at the airport, Seth groused.
Yeah, well, we weren't given that option, Jacob shot back. You think Jane will try to follow our scent?
I guess it's too much to hope for that she got killed in that airplane brawl? Seth prayed.
Yes.
The Swan cottage was nestled in a cozy cove of the man-made lake, just off its main dam and with a perfect view of the mountain. There was even a public boat launch right down the street, which Jacob noted would be excellent if they needed to make a quick getaway.
While Renesmee played on the cottage's private dock and Seth kept watch over her, Jacob examined their new home. Their amenities were nice – overall, the place was quaint. Jacob even chuckled to himself as he was reminded how much Bella's design tastes seemed to resemble her mom's. Whether said tastes were good or not was not for him to say.
"Dude! They've even got a piano down here!" Seth called up from the basement floor.
"I thought I told you to watch Nessie."
"I am. There's screened doors down here too."
Jacob joined his friend downstairs and saw the Baby Grand near the back of what looked like a living room. How Bella's family got it in here, God only knew.
"That should keep Renesmee entertained when she's not swimming," Seth grinned. "Edward taught her plenty of tricks for the keys."
"And thank goodness he did," Jacob agreed, knowing it was one less way he would have to entertain his imprintee.
Just then, Renesmee rapped on the screen door, a towel wrapped over her bathing suit. Seth let her in.
"I'll help you dry, and then we can come back down here and you can play on the piano a little before bed," Jacob suggested.
A half hour later, the three were gathered around the piano, watching Renesmee play. Her fingers played a beautiful melody ("It's a lullaby Momma often sings to me"). Jacob cocked his head as he listened.
"I've never heard that tune before, Nessie."
"It's called If I Never Knew You. From Pocahontas. Really, Jacob? Really? You don't know your Disney better than that?" Seth mocked him.
Jacob threw up his hands in surrender. "I'm sorry! I've just never heard it before!"
"OK, well, it was deleted from the theatrical version because apparently the test audiences were restless. But, really, who gives a crap what a bunch of antsy kids think? They almost cut Part of Your World for the exact same reason! Alan Menken is a 1990s genuine artifact – a genius! Totally underrated."
Jacob smirked. "Since when are you such a musical theatre nerd, Seth?"
"Since I was in all those school plays that you never came to," his friend deadpanned. Renesmee giggled, before she and Jacob started in on chanting "Theatre Nerd! Theatre Nerd!" in Seth's face. He scowled.
"Oh….. you two are no fun!" he grumbled. But his eyes were twinkling.
"All right, young lady," Jacob now chuckled. "Time for bed." He scooped Renesmee up and carried her upstairs to her bedroom. Inside were two single beds. Jacob got in the other one after he kissed Renesmee goodnight. Seth slept on an air mattress just inside the patio deck. Yet, both werewolves stayed up all night, waiting for Jane to find them.