EDWARD
Jacob and I made our way out of the music room and followed Renesmee into the kitchen. She was busy preparing some dinner for Mackenzie as Mackenzie told Renesmee about her day.
"… So daddy said I could be a professional ballerina and we might have to move," Mackenzie finished. I saw Jacob tense at my side.
"Did he now?" Renesmee asked bringing the food over to Mackenzie.
"Mhmm," she mumbled already putting the food in her mouth. Renesmee looked over to Jacob thoughtfully, he shrugged.
We'll talk about it later. Renesmee placed in his head as she touched his arm. She then walked over to me and sat down on my lap. I smiled and wrapped my arms around her waist. It was often Renesmee would do this, I don't know if it was a nostalgic thing or a comfort to be this close to me or Bella, but occasionally shed just come and sit on my lap or choose to sit by us rather than Jacob. I loved it when she did because it felt like my daughter was little again. Sure she was definitely a woman now, with kids and a husband but whenever shed sit on my lap or fall asleep in my arms I suddenly felt like she was five again and she was still little.
"Mommy," Mackenzie said with her mouth full of spaghetti.
"Yes sweetie?" she asked.
"Why don't I have a power?" she asked. Renesmee sighed.
"I don't know baby, maybe you do you just haven't found it yet," she told her.
"I guess," she mumbled looking down at her food.
I want a power, why does Charlotte get to be special and I don't. I heard in her thoughts.
"Mackenzie you are special," I assured her. "You have a talent, your talent is in your dancing, you shouldn't feel so upset about your sister having an ability. You're talented in your own way," I told her. She looked up at me with her brown eyes, they were darker than Bella's human eyes or Renesmee's but I still couldn't deny I saw Bella in her face. She still doubted herself in her head. I placed Renesmee on the seat I was sitting and walked over to my granddaughter. I knelt down next to her chair so I was more or less eye level with her. I reached out and held her face in my hands. Her mouth was covered in spaghetti, I smiled at her.
"Sweetheart. You are more special than you can ever imagine. You're the daughter of a vampire hybrid and a werewolf. There just aren't any kids out there like you. You are unique, except for your sister of course, but you two are so different in your own ways that it doesn't matter that you're twins. You are both beautiful and I couldn't imagine having anyone else as my granddaughter. I love you Mackenzie and you will always be special to me," I said smoothly. She smiled a much more genuine smile and reached to hug me. I pulled her in my arms.
Awww, I think I'm going to cry. I heard in Renesmee's mind, I looked over my shoulder to see Renesmee sitting on Jacob's lap looking at us with watery eyes. I smiled at her and she managed to smile back. I turned back to Mackenzie and kissed her head as she pulled away from me.
"Love you too grandpa," she said with the most adorable smile. I laughed and stood up.
"Eat your dinner," I said and I started walking out the room. "I'm going to find your mother," I told Renesmee and Jacob as I walked out. I knew where she was, she was in Charlotte's room, so I walked up the stairs and over to where Charlotte's bedroom was. The door was open but I paused to smile at them. Bella was sitting cross legged next to Charlotte behind a giant dollhouse. Bella caught me looking at her and smiled at me. I walked over to them and sat down on the other side of Charlotte.
"Hey," I greeted her.
"Hi grandpa," she said placing her doll in one of the bedrooms. "You want to play?" she asked. I laughed slightly.
"Nah its okay, I'll just watch," I told her, I looked over her head at Bella who was smiling widely at me. What? I mouthed to her.
What you said downstairs to Mackenzie was the sweetest thing ever. Thank you. She said in her head, I smiled wider.
"She doubted herself, I couldn't have that," I told her, she smiled and looked down at the doll in her hands.
I miss Renesmee like this. She said.
"So do I," I told her but wrapped my arm around Charlotte's waist and pulled her into my chest for a hug, she giggled but willingly cuddled into me. She moved so she could hug me better and was straddling my thighs.
"You want a hug grandpa?" she asked. I smiled and tightened my arms around her.
"I do," I said and she giggled some more. I then turned to Bella. "We have our grandchildren, that's worth the fact our daughter isn't little anymore," I told her, she nodded and smiled as she came closer to us.
"Hey I want a hug," Bella said to Charlotte. Charlotte untucked her head from my shoulder and looked at Bella.
"Okay!" she chimed and reached her arm out. Bella laughed and put her arms around both Charlotte and Me. I put my arm around her waist so I was holding both of them.
"Okay you would think someone was dying, what's with all the hugging?" Jacob asked from the door. Bella and I laughed as we pulled away.
"Just making the most of our grandkids Jake," Bella told him.
"Ah," he said.
Nostalgia. He said in his mind. I nodded to him.
"Well it's nearly time for Charlotte's bed time. Can I trust the grandparents to put her to bed?" he asked raising his eyebrows. Bella laughed.
"You forgot who won the best parents award for 2006 Jake?" she asked. He rolled his eyes and walked over to Charlotte still in my arms.
"Goodnight princess," he said and kissed her head.
"Night daddy," she said but didn't move from my lap.
Thank you. Jacob said. I nodded briefly and he left the room.
"Okay looks like it's time for bed," I told the little girl in my arms.
"'Kay" she mumbled but didn't move from her curled up position. I stood up smoothly, not moving her at all and walked over to her bed. Bella pulled back her covers so I could put her down. She was already in her pyjamas so I assumed Bella had already dressed her before they started playing.
"Goodnight angel," I whispered in her ear as I put her in her bed.
"Night," she said with a smile.
"Goodnight sweetheart," Bella said and kissed her head as she pulled the covers around her body.
"Grandma Grandpa?" she asked.
"Yeah?" Bella asked.
"How long have you guys been together?" she asked.
"Fifty four years," Bella answered. It didn't feel like that many; to us it really did feel like a year or two.
"Oh… 'Kay," she mumbled.
"Go to sleep darling," Bella said and we walked over to the door.
"Night," she mumbled again before she closed her eyes. Bella turned out the light and we walked out the room, leaving the door open a fraction.
"Has it really been that long?" I asked her putting my arms around her waist and pulling her towards me.
"Yep," she laughed and put her arms around my neck.
"Huh…" I said and moved towards her lips.
"Spare room is down the hall," I heard Jacob say next to us. Bella and I laughed and stepped away from each other.
"Don't worry about it," I said and patted Jacob on the shoulder as we walked past him back towards the stairs.
We walked into the empty living room and sat down together. Renesmee and Jacob soon followed us in.
We spent an hour or so watching TV and talking before Bella and I left for our own home.
RENESMEE
After my parents left Jacob and I stayed curled up on the couch for a good part of the night. By the time it was eleven pm I was pretty sure I was asleep on the couch. I felt Jacob's strong arms carry me up the stairs. I was vaguely aware of him stripping me from my clothes and putting my pyjamas on.
"No," I mumbled.
"What?" he asked.
"It's too hot," I told him pulling my pyjamas back off so I was just in my underwear. He climbed into the bed next to me and wrapped his arms around my body.
"I just didn't want you to rip my head off in the morning accusing me of taking advantage of you or something," he laughed. I patted his cheek.
"Silly Jakey," I mumbled nearly half asleep again. I was his, when ever he wanted.
"Go to sleep angel. I love you," he whispered sweetly.
"Love you too," I whispered before I was back in my unconscious state.
I woke up to hear birds singing and the gentle breathing of Jacob. This could only mean I had woken before the alarm. I shifted in Jacobs arms to turn the alarm off so it didn't wake Jacob unnecessarily. I also noticed it was just before six am. I sighed and curled back into Jacobs chest, resting my head on his shoulder. I watched his peaceful face for nearly ten minutes before I started peppering it with kisses. A small smile broke through his lips.
"You know, waking up like this is much better than that dreadful alarm," he said his eyes still closed. I smiled and paused my kissing to swing my leg over his body and sit up so I was straddling his waist. His hands fell to my hips and he started rubbing circles on my hip bones with his thumbs. His eyes were still tight shut.
"How come you're awake babe?" he asked, his eyes fluttering open to look at me. I shrugged.
"I don't know." I replied.
"How long until we have to get up?" he asked his hands moving from my hips to rest behind my back.
"Ten minutes," I answered.
"Well then Mrs Black, would you like to shower with me?" he asked sitting up which caused me to fall onto his thighs. His hands gripped the top of my thighs pulling me closer to his chest. I giggled.
"Sure," I grinned and placed some kisses on his neck. He stood off the bed, still carrying me and made his way over to our bathroom.
After our shower I woke up the girls and made their breakfast. By the time it was time for school my mom was already here and ready to go.
We arrived at school just in time. I yawned continuously throughout the day. It wasn't until Biology that my mom spoke up.
"Why so tired Ness?" she whispered.
"I woke up ridiculously early today," I told her.
"Why?"
"I don't know," I answered her as I stood up to get our equipment for the lesson. Walking back to my desk I suddenly felt very dizzy. I put the equipment down with a thud and gripped the counter top.
"Ness?" my mom asked. I squeezed my eyes shut. Trying to straighten my mind out. "Renesmee?" she asked I could feel her cold hands on my waist.
"Renesmee dear are you okay?" I heard the teacher's voice ask me. I nodded my head, regretting it completely because it just made the room spin faster.
"Bella, why don't you take Nessie to the nurse's office?" the teacher asked.
"Sure," my mom said, her cold arms wrapping securely around my waist as she lead me out the room. I was aware we weren't going in the direction of the nurse's office. She took me out side and sat me down on a bench. I breathed in the fresh air; my head wasn't spinning as much now.
"Are you okay sweetheart?" she asked, her arm was still around my waist. The other resting on my cheek as she stared at me concerned. I nodded to her.
"I think so."
"What have you been eating?" she asked. I knew her doctor mode was kicking in now. Having both my parents as doctors came in handy every now and then, especially with my daughters.
"Nothing out of the ordinary." I told her. Her hand went onto my forehead and hers wrinkled.
"You're hotter than usual. Is anything else wrong? Aching muscles? Sickness?" she asked.
"I'm a little achy but I thought that was because I'm tired," I told her.
"Maybe," she said. "I think you need to go home though. I'll get your dad to pick you up and he can make his own diagnoses. You might have food poisoning or something, I'm not really sure. With humans it's so easy to know what's wrong with them. You're a lot harder," she said. I let out a small smile.
"Alright," I told her. She pulled out her phone and called my dad. My dad was here within ten minutes and had his arms around me.
"Take her home. I think she might have food poisoning or something. I'm going to explain to the school where she is," my mom said. I relaxed in my father's arms and tucked my head into his neck. He cradled me and took me over to the car.
When I arrived home my dad carried me over to the couch in the front room and lay me down. He then left the room and came back in with a towel; he rested it on my head. It was cold and wet.
"Ness?" I heard Jacobs panicked voice as the front door slammed.
"In here Jacob," my dad answered. Jacob was in the room before I could blink. He ran over to me.
"Are you okay?" he asked dropping to my father's side and reaching across me to put his hand on my cheek.
"Yeah," I answered him.
"Bella rang me and said she sent you home. I came as quick as I could," he said in a rush his eyes were scanning my body for any signs of distress or abnormality.
"I'm fine," I told him again.
"Is she fine?" Jacob asked, ignoring me and looking at my dad. He nodded.
"I think so. I think its just stress and lack of sleep," he said.
"I guess," Jake mumbled looking back at me. His face was still worried. I smiled and lifted my hand to rest on his face.
You worry too much babe. I'm fine, I swear to you. I placed in his head. It was sweet that he worried about me, I loved it in fact. I knew that I was the centre of his world and everything revolved around me but sometimes he worried too much. His face relaxed slightly but he was still a little pained.
The matter of the fact was I was still part human and I still got sick. I recovered a lot faster than most humans did but it didn't mean that I was completely immune to things like my parents were.
I was waited on hand and foot for the rest of the day and night. Even the girls insisted on helping me do things. I tried to reassure them all that I felt better but no one was listening.
It wasn't until around seven pm that Jacob left to get Mackenzie from dance that I was allowed to do anything. My parents knew I was fine now so they didn't object to me getting off the couch. I began tidying the house a little. I wanted something to do.
"Mommy I'll help," I heard from behind me. Charlotte walked in with her own mini apron and little rubber yellow gloves on her hands. Her hair was tied up and she had her sleeves rolled up. I laughed slightly.
"Alright," I told her. She helped me wash the dishes and clean the kitchen.
"She's like a mini you," I heard from the door. I turned around to see my mom standing in the door way.
"Just like I was a mini you," I told her with a smile. She smiled back.
"You were much more like your father," she said coming over to help us finish up.
JACOB
I arrived once again at the familiar dance studio. I was aware I was late so I rushed in. The waiting area was empty so I looked inside the first studio. I wasn't sure which one she was in so checking them all I started to get worried. I noticed Lexi in one of the empty ones.
"Lexi," I said, I couldn't help the panic in my voice.
"Oh hey Jacob," she said walking over to me. "What can I do for you?" she asked.
"Do you know where Mackenzie is? I was meant to pick her up at seven," I told her.
"Well she's not in my class today; I could help you find her though. Renesmee not tell you where she was meant to be?" she asked walking out the studio and closing the door behind her.
"No," I said. She walked down the hall checking every room.
"I'll go check the register to see what class she was in. She might just be watching the next class while she waits," she said. I thanked her and followed her to the reception. She checked the computer and then looked back up at me with a smile.
"Follow me," she said and I followed her back around the building. She paused at a studio and frowned. She knocked lightly on the door and the teacher inside told her to come in.
"Did you just have grade five tap?" she asked.
"Yes, it ended at seven," the lady said.
"Were all the children collected?" she asked.
"Yes, no one came back," she answered.
"Not even Mackenzie Black?" Lexi asked, her voice rising in worry. My heart was already beating faster. I scanned the hall way for any sign of my daughter.
"No," the lady answered.
"Okay thank you. If she comes back can you let her know her father is looking for her?" Lexi asked.
"Of course," the woman said and Lexi came back out of the room.
"I'm sorry, she's not there. I'll keep looking with you though, she wouldn't have left." Lexi told me. I nodded. Mackenzie was a good girl; she wouldn't have left the building until someone came to collect her. We started thoroughly searching the large dance studio. When it became more than obvious she wasn't here my heart was hammering in my chest. The need to see my daughter and have her in my arms was nearly unbearable. The crime numbers had risen significantly in the past year or so in Vancouver. Specifically kidnaps, Renesmee and I planned on moving away pretty soon, and with Mackenzie having a chance at going to a good dance school it seemed more and more like the perfect time to leave.
"We'll find her Jacob. It's okay," Lexi assured me, her hand on my arm comfortingly. "Is there anyone she would go to? A friend? A relative nearby?" she asked. I shook my head.
"No. There's only her grandparents and they've been with me and Renesmee at our house the entire time," I told her.
"Okay well I think maybe you should call home and let Renesmee know, ask her if Mackenzie somehow made it back. Ill ring the police," she said as we made our way down the stairs for the one hundredth time.
"Thanks," I said to her. In all honesty I wanted to phase and see if I could pick up her scent better and just run and run until I found her but I had to be practical, I didn't live in Washington anymore, surrounded by forests and the protection of the trees, I was in a giant city, nowhere to hide. I dialled the number for my house and waited.
"Hello Jake," Bella answered.
"Hey. Are you with Renesmee?" I asked her.
"Yes," she answered. "Do you want to talk to her?" she asked.
"No!" I answered quickly. I knew my wife well enough to know that if I told her Mackenzie was missing right now she would break down. I would tell her if it got too serious but I needed to have a chance to find her first. "Bella, keep a straight face as I tell you this. Don't react any differently than if I was just telling you the time," I told her carefully, scared of my own voice. My head was spinning. I needed to find her. "Mackenzie is missing. I came to pick her up from dance but she's not here. I'm going to try and find her. If I haven't called within the hour I'm going to need you to tell Renesmee." I told her.
"Okay," she said. Her voice was slow and controlled.
"Thank you Bells." I said, my love for my best friend ringing in my voice. She knew Renesmee well enough to know how she would react and she trusted me enough to give me a chance at this before I got her involved.
"Do you want me to help you?" she asked. I speculated that for a moment. Did I have the time to get her to come? My conscience fought with me, having a vampire would really help.
"Be at Queen Elizabeth Park in ten. Tell Renesmee you're meeting me at Wal-Mart or something. Tell her it's about her Christmas present and she can't come. Tell Edward in your thoughts what's happening and leave him with the phone. If we don't return with her in the hour we'll get him to tell Nessie" I said to her.
"Okay. I'm on my way," she replied and we hung up. I put the phone away and walked into the reception area I knew Lexi was in.
"I've rang them they'll be here in about thirty minutes," she said.
"I can't wait that long. I'm going to find her," I told her.
"Jacob! I think you should wait here for the police," she called after me.
"I'm not waiting," I told her. She reached for my arm, an attempt at pulling me back.
"Jacob. The police will find her," she said.
"Someone might have taken my daughter. I'm not going to sit here and wait for them to get away with her. I will find her. Thank you for your help. I'll call you if I find anything," I told her as calm as I could and left the building before she could try and stop me. I ran over to the car and threw it into gear, driving a hundred miles an hour through the city and closer to Queen Elizabeth Park. It was Mackenzie and Charlotte's favourite place and I had no idea where else to start. As I drove I watched the sidewalks, praying to find her walking home. I arrived at the park and Bella was pacing up and down at the entrance. I slammed on the breaks and jumped out. Bella caught me in her arms. I automatically held her against me, digging my face in her shoulder. I could feel the lump in my throat.
"We'll find her," she whispered to me. I nodded into her neck and finally pulled away. She stroked my cheek with her cold hands. "Come on," she said taking my hand.
"I couldn't trace her scent. I could smell it all around the dance school. She's there a lot so it's hard to tell what's old and what's fresh. I wish I could go in as a wolf so I could taste the scents better." I explained to her. We were back in my car and on the way to anywhere in Vancouver.
"Take me there. I might be able to." She told me. I nodded and took a sharp left towards the dance school. When we arrived there I noticed the police car outside.
"Great," I muttered. We climbed out the car and walked into the studio.
"No, Jacob's her father, he's gone out to look for her," Lexi was telling the officer.
"Are you sure? Where is he now?" he asked her.
"I don't know! He couldn't just stand here and wait. His child is missing!" she nearly screamed at him.
"I'm here," I answered walking into the room
"Mr Black, I need to ask you a few questions. You are the girl in questions father yes?" he asked.
"Yes," I told him.
"And you are?" he asked Bella at my side.
"She's her mother," I answered quickly it would be a lot easier for the question process if I told the officer she was her mother and not a friend or an aunt. I noticed Lexi look at us confused. She had met Renesmee before and she knew Bella wasn't Mackenzie's mother.
"I'm going to look around," Bella said.
"Excuse me Mrs black, I can't allow you to do that I need to ask you a few questions," the officer said.
"You will not stop me from looking for her," Bella said glaring at the officer.
"Okay. I guess we can question your husband first," he said turning back to me. I caught Bella's gaze before she walked out the room and further into the school.
"Sir, where were you at seven pm?" the officer asked. I sighed. I didn't have time for this.
"I was on my way here. I was late to pick Mackenzie up," I told him.
"And why were you late?" he asked writing on his pad.
"I lost track of time. I was taking care of my wife," I told him.
"And what is wrong with your wife sir? She seemed fine to me," he said looking at me sceptically.
"Okay I know it's your job to question me. Eighty percent of kidnaps are people that know the child but I did not take my daughter, I wouldn't be here right now worrying sick if I had would I? Now I suggest you watch some CCTV or something," I said walking out the room in the direction Bella went. Lexi followed me.
"Why did you lie?" she hissed at me.
"To make things easier," I told her.
"What easier?" she asked accusingly. I sighed to look at her.
"Bella is a very close friend, she's helping me search for Mackenzie, I haven't told Renesmee yet because I don't want her to worry. She's got enough on her plate as it is and if I can I'm going to get Mackenzie back without Renesmee ever knowing she was gone. If that proves to be impossible I will tell her. I'm grateful you are willing to help but I know Renesmee a lot better than you do. I've had the time to know how she thinks and she's not going to take this well," I told her.
"No parent would Jacob. I just don't think you should lie to your wife," she said sympathetically.
"What I decide to tell my wife is none of your business," I shot back at her. The pain of not knowing where my daughter was was crushing on my heart more and more every second. Bella appeared next to me. She gripped my hand and I followed her out the building.
"Erm! Excuse me! Mr and Mrs Black, please come back," the officer said. "I need a contact number!" he called. I stopped in my tracks and span around.
"Lexi has our number," I told him and Bella and I ran as fast as humanly possible down the street until we got out of sight, then we ran as fast as our legs could manage.