4. The Stranger
Nessie POV
"Happy birthday!" a sea of faces sung at me. I could not help but grin from ear to ear.
I could see my Mum and Dad standing by the grand piano talking to my human grandparents, Charlie and Renee. They all looked up from their conversation and waved at Jacob and I. I turned my face up to Jacob's and found his eyes, pleading with him to go over. He laughed and we walked towards my family, hand in hand.
Walking through the sea of vampires, werewolves and humans, i thought of how six years ago this would not have been possible. Vampires hated werewolves, werewolves hated vampires. Humans did not know either exsisted, except my Mum. I giggle lightly to myself as Jacob squeezed my hand gently.
"Nessie!" a womans voice shouted, I could hear the Spanish flowing in my name. I turned to the sound to see the beautiful face of Carmen, her hair pulled up into an elegant bun.
"Hey Carmen, you look amazing!" I said as we hugged. She held me out at arms lenght, her eyes sweeping from head to toe. She took my hand from Jacob and spun me round slowly. She gave my hand back to Jacob and smiled thankfully at Jacob, then turned back to me.
"Perfecto. Mira a todos crecido, que está impresionante" I love it when she talks to me in Spanish, I asked her to teach me when physically looked 8 years old. We used to talk to each other in Spanish and annoy everyone else.
"Gracias." I said as Eleazer came and stood next to Carmen.
"Don't start this again. I like knowing what you two are talking about" He laughed and kissed Carmen on the cheek. Striding around Eleazer was Tanya.
"Hey honey." She smiled then she took my in with her eyes and wolf whistled. "You are definately Bella and Edward's child." She hugged me as Kate and Garrett joined our little circle.
"Jacob. You are one lucky werewolf." Kate laughed as she queued up behind Tanya to hug me. "Step away from the half-breed Tanya" she laughed louder. Tanya let me go to give her playful evils. This just made Kate laugh even louder. She had a really boisterious laugh. I could not help but laugh with her.
"Happy birthday, Sweetie." She giggle in my ear.
An electric current flowed through my body.
"Oww." Kate jumped off me holding her hands up. Kate has an extra ablilty like myself, but she can put people in pain just by touching them.
"Sorry." She looked really upset.
"You didn't mean it babe." Garrett comforted her as her but his arm around her waist. Garrett reminded me of Emmett. He was slightly smaller than him, with lighter hair and really friendly, but he could still scare anyone who did not know him. "Happy Birthday Nessie."
When I first met Garrett he was a nomad, he had red eyes, he then fell in love with Kate and has been changing his diet since. He looks rather charming with golden eyes.
"Thanks guys." Kate was still upset. "It's okay Kate. It was like getting an electric shock. It was over in a second." I smiled at her trying to cheer her up and make her feel a bit better. She looked up and looked into my eyes, trying to see if I was lying. She knew I was not and instantly cheered up.
"Your human grandparents have been waiting for you for ages, you best go see them." She smiled.
"I'll see you later then." I laughed and walked towards my grandparents again.
"Your doing fine." Jacob whispered in my ear and kissed my cheek. "I won't leave your side. Ever."
"I love you, Jake." I whispered.
"I love you too, Ness." Just hearing those words was like he was letting thousands of butterflies loose in my stomach.
I walked, well I felt like I was floating, over to my human Grandparents. Charlie was wearing a grey suit, which looked alot like the one he wore to my Billy and Sue's wedding, a white shirt and a black tie. He looked really nice.
Renee was wearing a black satin dress that fell over her slim figure and ended just below her knees, she was gorgeous. Seeing the two of them standing next to each other, I can understand how they fell in love with other in the first place.
"Renesmee" Renee always called me by my full name. "Look at you all grown up. And it only took five years." She laughed.
Renee found out about the Cullens secret last spring, when she stayed with us for a few days, which Edward was not happy about since I was having bigger growth spurts. Renee noticed this and asked Bella what was going on. Bella was not going to tell her about her being a vampire, when Renee told her she knew that the Cullens are vampires. We were all shocked, even Alice did not see this coming, that she knew. She told us she had gotten suspicious when Bella had told Renee that I was Edward's niece, our cover story, when at that time I was starting to look more and more like Bella. So she started researching and stumbled across vampires by accident. She read about vampires and it all sounded rather familar. Bella, reluctantly, told Renee everything. To everyones suprise, again, she accepted the truth and swore she would not tell anyone.
"Nana. You look gorgeous." I smiled as we hugged.
"Oh. I do love it when you call me that." She laughed.
"Hey Pops." I turned to Charlie.
Charlie had always said he only wanted to know what was necessary, but one day he just got too curious and asked Bella to be told the whole truth.
"Nessie." he said as we hugged. "You look so much like your mother." I smiled at him. He still was not good with compliments.
"You look very nice too, Pops." Renee and Charlie laughed. Up to now Jacob had been unnaturally quiet.
"Renee, are you settling into Forks okay?" Jacob asked tenderly.
Renee has been living with Charlie for the past few months, since Phil left her for another woman. She rang Bella when she had come home from work to find Phil had packed all her possessions and told her to leave.
"Jacob!" She jumped. "You've been quiet. Rather well actually."
"She's been in kitchen again. Absolute disaster" Charlie laughed. She pushed him gently and laughed.
It is obvious that Charlie has been enjoying Renee's company at home more than he lets on, as it is obvious that Renee likes being back in Forks, though she wont admit it.
"Ooh! I got some good news!" Renee beamed. "You know about how I applied for that job at the Junior school?" She paused.
"Of course they do Renee! You've not stopped going on about it!" Charlie laughed. Renee ignored Charlie and continued.
"Well...I got the job!"
"Nana, thats awesome!" I hugged her. "I'm so happy for you!"
"You can't leave Forks now, Renee" Jacob laughed as he hugged Renee. The four of us laughed.
"Nessie!" I heard a familiar voice. I turned to see Zafrina with Senna and Kachiri following behind her as they walked, rather jerkily, over to me. I heard Renee and Charlie gasp behind me, they might know about vampires but they are definatly not used to them.
"Zafrina! Senna! Kachiri! You guys made it!" I did not know they were coming tonight.
"Of course we did. We couldn't miss this!" Zafrina was an incredibly tall woman and had to kneel slightly so she could hug me properly.
"You look incredible. You are a lucky boy, Jacob." She smiled at both of us.
"So I've been told." He laughed and kissed me on the cheek. Letting thousand more butterflies loose.
A white hand was placed gently on my shoulder. I looked up to see my father's face smiling down at me. He looked at Zafrina.
"Would you mind if I borrow my daughter?"
"Not at all Edward." She smiled polietly. He smiled polietly back and steered me away from Amazonians, with Jacob still attacted to me.
"Whats up Dad?" He looked down at me and laughed. I look hilarious when I'm confused, apparently.
"Do you want to cut your cake or not?" He smiled. Of course, how could I forget the cake. I loved chocolate cake, buttercream and icing. It still makes me giggle when I think of the day in La Push at Billy's.
Billy had gone out to see Sue, when myself, Jacob, Leah, Steve, Seth and Seth's 'then' girlfriend, Laura, we decided to bake a cake. We found all the ingredients and made the mixture, we also made chocolate buttercream then just could not be bothered to wait for it to bake. We all sat around the big bowl, each with a spoon, and ate the mixture and the buttercream. I started eating icing sugar and started gigglying at nothing. This then set Jacob off and one by one we were all gigglying. Billy and Sue came in 10 mins later and we were still laughing at each other being weird.
Back in the present I giggled and both Edward and Jacob looked at me as if i am losing it. This just made me laugh even more. I put my hand on Jacob's cheek so he can see what I'm laughing at. Straight away he started laughing with me. Edward just rolled his eyes at us.
In the middle of the room was a table covered with a white sheet, on top of the table was the cake. It was a huge chocolate cake covered in chocolate buttercream with green writing saying "Happy Birthday Nessie!". I helped make it.
Edward set me behind the table, facing most of the crowd, and cleared his throat loudly so everyone would hear him. The sea of faces all turned to stare at me.
"Cameras at the ready. It's cake cutting time!" I turned away from Edward to see the sea of people rush towards me. I felt Jacob squeeze my hand, I felt better instantly.
I looked back up to Edward who was smiling at me, then suddenly the smile vanished. He looked up towards the Denali Clan, I followed his gaze and saw Eleazer looking as grim as my Dad.
"Dad. What's going on?" I tugged at his sleeve. I blinked and Edward was stood in front of Eleazer.
"Why?" It was all he could get out.
"I'm not sure. He's just on my border." Eleazer was concentrating. His extra ability is that he can sense other peoples abilities. I ran towards Dad and Eleazer.
"Whats going on?" I demanded. Edward turned to Alice, I looked at her too. She was having a vision. I looked back to Edward and grabbed his wrist.
"Dad! What's going on?" He looked back at me and smiled, a smile that did not reach his eyes.
"It's nothing. Go cut your cake." Taking my hand off his wrist. "I've got some business to sort out." And walked to the door. I just stared after him.
Something was definatly wrong and I was not going to drop it so easily, so I followed my after my Dad. Eleazer tried to stop me but I just shoved him off me.
I could hear Jacob behind me, followed by Bella, the Cullens, the Denali's, the Amazonians, Jacob's pack and the humans. I stood on the porch letting my eyes adjust to the darkness, the fairy lights had gone out. Something definatly was wrong.
"Renesmee. Get back inside!" Edward growled.
"Not a chance, Dad." I stormed over and stood beside him. I stared into the blackness waiting for whatever Edward was waiting for. Edward stiffened beside me.
When a voice echoed towards us.
"I am terribly sorry for interupting the party. My name is Lucas." His soft voice washing my face. His words felt soft. "Who are you?"
"My name is Edward. This is my wife, Bella." He gestured to Bella. "My daughter, Renesmee." Gestured to me. "And our guests." Gestured behind us, never once leaving his eyes from where this person must be stood. I felt the persons eyes bore into me.
"Hello." My voice quiet. "Can I see you?" The voice laughed gently.
"You cannot see me child?" I shook my head. "I can see you perfectly. Such a beautiful face." Jacob growled next to me. "I apologize. That last remarks seems to have upset your boyfriend."
"Please. Can I see you?"
"As you wish." I could see a figure looming towards me. He was about 5 metres away from me, when the lawn was flooded by light. The fairy lights had come back on.
I could not tear my eyes away from the figure.
He was beautiful. His skin was as white a freshly fallen snow, his sharp jaw looked like it would cut you if you touch it. His eyes like liquid gold, boring into mine. He could not be older than 16.
"How old are you?" I was so confused. The stranger laughed, most probably at my expression.
"Do not be confused. I am 16, but I have not been 16 in such a long time." He continued to walk towards me, never taking his eyes off me. Jacob noticed this and stood protectively in front of me. "What might you name me?" He asked Jacob, but not taking his eyes off me.
"Jacob. Leech." Glaring at Lucas.
"Hello Jacob." He tore his eyes away from me and stared at Jacob. "Dog." The vemon in his words made me shiver. They both noticed this.
"I apologize again, Renesmee." Lucas' voice flowed around me, hypnotically. "I do not mean harm to anyone. I come here before you to ask a favour." Lucas turned to address Edward.
"What might that be?" Edward asked just as polietly as Lucas.
"I heard that there was a coven here, that lives on animals. As you can see, I live that way too. I was hoping to join your coven."
"I'm sure something can be arranged."
"Many thanks. I was also hoping to join the local school, for it has been an awfully long time since I have been to school."
"That can be arranged too."
"Thank you, Edward. I am in your debt." Lucas bowed slightly.
"Can I ask something of you?"
"Of course. Ask away."
"How did you track us here?" I heard myself along with a few other people gasp. I was sure Lucas would have retaliated, but he just laughed softly.
"I have my sources."
Edward laughed softly. "Would you like to join us, we were just about to cut the cake."
"Of course. What is the occasion?"
"My birthday" I blurted. Lucas' eyes darted right back to mine.
"How delightful." He smiled. He looked back to Edward. "Shall we?"
Edward nodded and took Bella's hand and led the way back to the house.
"The party shall continue!" Edward annouced. The crowd clapped, cheered and sauntered back into the house. Jacob took my hand and whispered in my ear.
"I don't like this new leech. There's something freaky about him."
"Just get to know him, you didn't like my Dad but you two are like best buds." I smiled.
"Only because he's married to my best friend and I'm destined for his daughter." He laughed.
We stood on the porch when Jacob pulled me into an embrace and kissed my gently.
"I love you Ness. Don't you ever forget that." He stared deeply into my eyes.
"I couldn't love anyone but you Jake. Don't you ever forget that." I kissed him again. "Come on, cake time!" I laughed and pulled him though the doors.
First thing I saw was all the Cullens talking, no doubt about the new vampire, secondly everyone had grouped off, Denali's, Amazonians, Jacob's pack, the humans. Thirdly, Lucas was staring at me again. I smiled polietly back at him, he smiled and bowed slightly, his dark hair covering his left eye, and walked away. Maybe Jacob was right, he was freaky.
"Hey Jake. Hey Ness." It was Seth. I turned and looked up to look into the face off the six foot 6 muscular giant.
"Hey Seth!" I waved as Seth smiled down at me. "Damn you wolved for getting so tall, you hurt my neck." I giggled.
"Sup?" Jacob asked.
"The pack want to have a little meeting." Seth's smiled faded. I knew what was going on. They had to decided if the new vampire was a threat or not. Just like the Cullens were, except the wolves are not as nice as the Cullens.
"Okay. I'll be over in a minute." Seth turned and headed back to the pack. Jacob turned to me. "Damn leech. Making me leave your side." He leaned down and kissed me. "Love you Ness."
"Love you Jake. I'll save you some cake" I smiled. I watched him walk away, his hands in his pockets.
Why had the arrival of a strange vampire caused such commotion. I just could not understand it, he seemed rather friendly. The only thing that frightened me was that he kept staring at me. I walked over to my cake whilst I was thinking, I did not realise he was stood by the table, and almost bumped into Lucas.
"I apologize, Renesmee. You looked very deep in thought then. I did not mean to interrupt your thought." His voice so calm, soothing and so very formal.
"I'm sorry Lucas, I guess I was deep in thought." I laughed. He continued to stare at me. I felt a surge of emotions, confusion, fear and even attraction.
"I apologize for staring. But you are just so incredily beautiful. Like the moon reflecting on a still ocean, like a shooting star dazzling the sky." I blushed at his words. He smiled. "How delightful." He leaned towards me slightly and sniffed the air. "You smell absolutely mouth watering." He sniffed again. "A unique scent, like a rare flower, i might add."
"Why thank you." I smiled. He was such gentleman, yet he had caused such an uproar.
"You are rare, are you not?" I nodded. "Half human, half vampire. In love with a werewolf. How very unique."
"Yeah. You could say unique." I laughed. Lucas looked around the room and looked back to me.
"I feel that I have ruined your celebrations. I can see that everyone is deciding how to deal with me, apart from you." He looked questioning at me.
"Like they say you can't judge a book by it's cover."
"Wise words, for such a young lady. May I be so bold?"
"Pardon?"
"Can I be honest with you?"
"Oh." I blushed. "Yeah, Sure."
He smiled. "I feel this attachnment to you Renesmee, and I am not sure how and why that is."
His words set butterflies off in my stomach which shocked me and frightened me.
"I apologize. I did not mean to be so blunt." He bowed his head slightly.
"No. No. It's fine." I stuttered. I shifted my gaze away from his mezmerising face and to the cake.
"I shall cut you a piece. You just stand there and look stunning." He smiled and picked up the knife.
I smiled shyly back. He sliced the cake with such gentleness and lifted the piece away from the cake and gently onto a plate with a fork next to the cake. His handed the plate to me, and as I took the plate his hand slid across mine sending shivers down my spine. I looked away from his glourious face and casted my eyes down to my cake and started eating. I could feel Lucas' eyes watching me.
"Is it good?" He asked. I had just forked a bit of cake in my mouth. I tried to chew it fast so I could answer, I gave up and just gave him a thumbs up. He laughed so heartily, his laugh so contagious, that once I'd finished my bit of cake I could not help but laugh along with him. Our laughs echoed around the huge hall in the silence, I could feel everyone staring at us. I managed to calm down and saw the Cullens stood beside me. They were in a defensive position. Edward and Bella at the front, flanked by Jasper and Emmett. Carlisle and Esme stood beside, and slightly behind Emmett. Alice and Rosalie stood beside Jasper.
"Lucas, we've come to an agreement." Rosalie snorted. Alice elbowed her in the rib. "That you can stay with us, you can move in to my old room." Edward smiled.
"Thank you." Lucas bowed his head slightly and smiled back. Edward turned to me, his face seemed to glow, as if a light had been turned on from inside him.
"Nessie, we have great news." I looked into the faces all of my family. Each face seemed to be glowing.
"What?" I could feel my heart racing with excitement.
"For your birthday, we have enrolled you at Forks High School." Bella beamed at me. I screamed and threw my arms around Edward and Bella. Their arms circled me.
"Oh my gosh." I could feel tears of joy swelling in my eyes.
"And it seems like you've already met one of your classmates." Edward laughed. I was speechless, all I could do was point at Lucas.
"Yes. You both start school on Monday." He smiled so sweetly.
"Why, thank you. You and family are fair and generous. Such wonderful people." Lucas directed to all the Cullens.
Emmett scoffed. "Wonderful. That's an understatement." Lucas laughed.
"Indeed. How about marvelous?"
"Better" Emmett's booming laugh echoed, like mine and Lucas' had.
***
The rest of the night passed in a blur. Lucas was talking with Edward, Bella and the Denali's. Jacob's pack, and any imprintees, were talking to the Amazonians, Carlisle, Esme, Rosalie, Alice were talking to Renee and Sue. Emmett, Charlie and Billy were watching the game. Jacob was by my side again and Jasper was talking to us.
"You're really excited about school aren't you?" Jasper asked.
"You should be able to tell better than anyone, I am." I smiled.
"I can. It's coming off you in waves." He beamed at me.
"Can you feel what the new leech is feeling?" Jacob asked, he has noticed too that Lucas keeps staring at me. Jasper looked at Lucas and concentrated.
"He just seems happy to be excepted. Edward read this thoughts when he first arrived. He's been searching for years for a place to live in peace
with humans."
"I hope he likes it in Forks." I said. "I really do."
"Ness. Trust my instincts. He's not good." Jacob turned me to so I could look into his eyes. He was not lying.
"I'm sorry Jake, I just can't. Stop being so mean, I think we should give him the benefit of the doubt."
"Ness, don't be so daft. Please, you got to trust me." Jacob pleaded with me whilst he held my face between his huge warm hands. I pushed his hands off my face.
"Jacob. Stop it." I warned. I never called him Jacob. I got my desired effect. "I'm sorry Jake, be nice to him. I want to be his friend."
Jacob scoffed. "You might want to be his friend. He wants to be something more." I held his hand again and stood on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek.
"I love you Jake." I smiled.
"I love you too." He whispered back.
It was 11 o'clock when people started leaving, firstly was Charlie, Renee, Billy and Sue.
"Humans first!" Emmett teased.
The Amazonians left second, followed shortly after by the Denali's. The pack, and imprintees, left last. Jacob stayed with me. After everyone left, the Cullens and Lucas starting tidying and cleaning up. I yawned, it had been a very busy day.
"Go back to the cottage Nessie." Bella stroked my cheek. "You must be exhausted." I had no energy to talk so I just put my hand to her cheek.
Night Mum.
"Night Sweetie." Then a chorus of "Night Nessie" echoed around the giant house. Jacob picked me up gently and started towards the door, when he stopped. I managed to lift my head to see Lucas smiling, the moon shining through the window reflected off his dark hair.
"Goodnight Renesmee, sweet dreams." his soothing voice helping me drift off. Jacob sprinted past Lucas and was streaming through the forest. Last thing I heard before I fell into my unconciousness was Jacob cursing Lucas.
"Behave Jacob." I whispered.
My eyes fluttered shut.