Chapter 4: A Christmas Wish
Renesmee
From the moment she arrived home, Renesmee had been bombarded with her relatives. Esme wanted her to try her cooking, Rosalie wanted to show off her newly decorated closet, Emmett wanted to hear all about the college parties, and Alice wanted to see pictures. It was almost too much to handle.
By the time they were all settled around the Christmas tree unwrapping presents, Renesmee was about ready to collapse from exhaustion. Gazing across the room, she locked eyes with her father as he offered her a gentle smile. Renesmee knew that her mother was blocking her thoughts, but they still managed to share a silent exchange. She watched as he wrapped his arm around her mother, pulling her close to whisper something. Renesmee knew that they were planning 'hunts' that would last all night again. She couldn't be sure, but she supposed such outings had little to do with actual hunting. She shuddered and tried to think of anything else.
Where was Jacob? She wondered. Normally he would have been at the house waiting for her to arrive; however, today he was noticeably missing.
I hope I get to see him soon, she thought to herself with a soft smile.
"This one next!" Alice insisted, shoving a pretty box at her. Renesmee jumped, coming back to reality. She tore it open, revealing a beautiful violet cashmere scarf.
"Oh Alice, this is so beautiful!" she exclaimed, wrapping it around her neck.
Alice beamed, nudging Rosalie. "Told you it was the perfect color."
"The dusty rose would have worked well also," Rosalie pretended to huff. Renesmee rolled her eyes as her aunts playfully bickered about trivial things like scarf colors and what gloves would match as she unwrapped more presents.
As lovely as her gifts were, it was difficult for her to find joy in material things. She watched her relatives together, each one seated next to their mate as they opened their gifts. All around the room, the pairs of two seemed to taunt her as the night wore on. Everyone looked so happy and complete with their other half, and she found herself wishing to have the same thing. As silly as her wish for a boyfriend had been, it was times like these that made her long for the simple joy of love and companionship. With a heavy sigh, she returned to unwrapping presents and playing 'Santa' as she always did. Ever since she was a little girl, it had been Renesmee's duty to sort through the massive pile of presents under their elaborate tree and hand them out to the proper recipients.
"Who is that little pile for?" Bella asked, pointing to the bundle of presents against the fireplace. Renesmee smiled to herself, grateful that her father couldn't hear her thoughts.
"Jacob," she replied, biting her lip. She could hardly wait to give Jacob his presents each year; every Christmas she and Jacob had always prided themselves on buying the most perfect, personal gifts for each other. Opening presents from Jacob was always the ultimate surprise, for he almost always managed to get her something she loved but hadn't thought to wish for.
The family took turns opening gifts as the night evening wore on, and the longer it went the more impatient Renesmee grew. She wanted to see Jacob quite badly, but didn't want to insult her family by asking to go visit him.
As if he had been reading her mind, there was a soft knock on the front door. Carlisle stood, rushing with vampire speed to appear at the door. She heard it open and soon Jacob's warm, woodsy scent was wafting into the room. Renesmee was at the door with one quick burst of speed, only to slide to a rather ungraceful halt in the foyer. She shook her head and tried to get herself together after her rather clumsy entrance, all of the blood rushing to her cheeks. Her grandfather gave her a knowing look as he quickly returned to the living room to give them a bit of privacy.
"Um, hi," she said, suddenly shy.
Jacob's tan face spread into a slow smile as he watched her stand before him, clearly trying to compose herself.
"Hey," he breathed back. They grinned at each other for a moment, forgetting all the awkwardness that had arisen between them before she had left for school. Forgotten were the tentative touches, jumpiness, and nervous smiles that had been there months ago. For a moment, they were simply Nessie and Jacob.
Without wasting another second, she flung her arms around him at the exact moment he embraced her. Jacob laughed as he lifted her off the ground in a tight embrace, both of them smiling from ear to ear.
"Happy to see me?"
"You have no idea," she whispered.
Renesmee squeezed Jacob tight, letting herself finally embrace her other half that she had missed so much. Even if things were slightly awkward and strange between them lately, he was still the person she considered her closest companion. After all, Jacob had known her from the beginning - good and bad, inside and out. An entire semester apart had made her ache for him without her even realizing it.
"I missed you," she whispered, letting her nose touch the soft skin of his neck. Jacob chuckled, the sound reverberating through his chest. She squeezed his warm, hard body tighter as she realized that he was finally right in front of her.
Finally.
"I missed you too honey," he said, setting her down. She beamed up at him, bouncing slightly on the balls of her feet.
"Wanna open presents?"
Jacob peered over her shoulder, spying the rest of her family in the living room as they talked and showed off their gifts. Edward nodded at him, and he nodded back. Renesmee quizzically watched their silent exchange, but was too excited to think much of it. Jacob was finally here in front of her and she couldn't have been happier.
"How about we do presents tomorrow on our own?" he asked hopefully. Renesmee felt her face light up even at the idea of being alone with Jacob. Reaching up, she pressed her hand against his cheek and opened her connection.
Just us? she asked.
He nodded. She beamed again at the idea of being alone with her best friend. I want to spend some time with you, she pleaded.
Jacob looked down at her, his arms still wrapped around her body tightly. Renesmee felt herself melt as his dark brown eyes locked with hers in an excited yet quizzical stare.
"Just us?" he asked aloud, raising an eyebrow. Renesmee felt her heart stutter as she stared up at him, his gaze washing over her like a warm breeze.
"I-if you want. I mean….we don't have to-"
"-Of course I want to. We always spend Christmas day together Ness. Now that you're finally home, I…I wouldn't waste a second of it," he said quietly. Leaning forward, he pressed his scorching hot lips against her forehead.
Renesmee felt herself shiver slightly at his touch, reveling in the way his body felt against hers. How someone could be so muscled and hard yet so inviting was beyond her. So warm. So right. So enticing.
Calm down. He's your best friend, she told herself. Glancing up at him, she gave him a tiny smile as they separated.
"I should get back," he said. "Rachel is at Billy's, and Becks might be there by now. I didn't really have time to come, but…..I had to slip away and see my girl though."
Satisfaction raced through her veins at his words. my girl. He thinks of me as his girl.
"That's fine Jacob, I'm…I'm just so glad you came."
"Me too. Tomorrow, though….is your calendar clear?"
"Of course it is. I…I'll look forward to it," she stuttered, biting her lip. He reached out, playfully mussing her hair as she dodged away.
"Santa's coming soon. Better get in bed or he might skip the Cullen house."
"Shut up," she laughed, pushing his hand away as he attempted to ruffle her hair again. "Santa always manages to find me," she replied, giving him a devious smile.
He grinned at her, his smile knowing and cocky. "I bet."
"Yes", she replied coyly. If he wanted to play, then she would play. Reaching her hand up, she let her finger nervously twirled an end of her hair as she watched Jacob stand in the foyer.
"Yeah?" he asked, raising an eyebrow again. She nodded, trying her best to look flirtatious and older. The last thing she wanted was for Jacob to think of her as 'little'. "Well, that depends though. Have you been good this year?"
Renesmee bit her lip, debating her answer. She went with the most flirtatious one she could think of to test the waters. "Not especially," she whispered. Blood surged to her cheeks, turning them hot and pink as she stared up at him, waiting for a response. She normally wouldn't have said something so forward, but she found herself wondering what his reaction would be. Her parents and relatives were upstairs talking, so she wasn't worried someone would overhear her frisky answer.
Jacob's eyebrows shot up his forehead and his jaw fell open slightly. "Is that so?"
She nodded, shifting her weight on her hip as she swayed nervously in front of him. He gave her a self assured smile before glancing up the steps behind her. His grin faded slightly as he spied who was standing there.
"Good to see you Jacob."
Her father's voice cut through her flirtatious plans. Renesmee turned around, her eyes widening as she realized her father was at the top of the stairs, watching them. Jacob nodded quickly, meeting Edward's gaze.
"Hey. I just came by to say hi. Oh, and Merry Christmas."
"The same to you. Give Billy my best," her father said softly.
"Sure, sure. Listen Ness, I'll see you tomorrow…I should get back. But in the meantime….be good," he said, turning toward the door. He glanced over his shoulder at her with a twinkle in his eye. Renesmee felt her heart start to pound as she watched him open the door and give her one last smile.
Once he was in his truck and gone, she turned to her father. "Hey daddy," she said with her best smile. Taking the stairs in two leaps, she found herself at the top of the staircase next to him.
"Daddy? Hmm, what have you done for me to get that name?"
"Nothing," she replied sweetly, brushing past him. She was quite glad he couldn't hear her thoughts; that would probably not be good at a moment like this. Her cheeks were pink with thoughts of how nice it felt to hug Jacob against her and feel the heat of his mouth on her. Those definitely weren't thoughts she wanted Edward to hear.
"Your mother and I are going to…go on a hunt," he said quietly. "Will you be alright by yourself tonight?"
She nodded as they walked back into the living room where the rest of her family was. "Sure," she replied. "I think I'll be just fine."
And she knew she would be. Honestly, she was looking forward to some alone time with her thoughts. She wasn't sure what exactly had shifted between her and Jacob, but something was definitely different.
Later that night, she returned to the cabin with her mother and father. They quickly changed out of their nicer clothes and left, promising to be back in the morning. Renesmee shooed them away, promising that she would be fine by herself. Grabbing a blanket off the back of the couch, she pulled it around herself as she sprawled out on the warm cushions. A fire was burning merrily in the fireplace, giving the cottage's living room a warm glow. She listened to the flames crackle and pop as she watched the orange flames dance, a relaxing feeling coming over her.
As always, her mind wandered to Jacob. He was most likely visiting with his sisters now, happy that they were all together again. Family was as important to Jacob as it was to her, and she was glad both of his sisters had come home for the holidays. Happiness settled over her as she thought about what they would do the next day: exchange presents, catch up, maybe go for a run together. As she planned out their perfect Christmas, she became more and more drowsy with each passing minute.
With a sigh, she snuggled further into the blanket, pretending the warmth from the fire was coming from something different. Something real, and human. Wishing with all her might, she pictured a different source for the heat. A tall, dark, handsome one….
Soon, her happy thoughts turned into dreams and she was fast asleep. That is, until a sharp knock on the door made her eyes suddenly fly open.
Ooooh, I wonder who it is? A delivery, perhaps? ; ) Loving your reviews. Glad you are all enjoying this fic as much as I am writing it!
