Chapter 6: Bridal Dress? (Renesmee's POV)
The plane ride was far from what I had dreamed of. I imagined myself feeling exhilarated miles above the earth while being pampered. Instead, it was frightfully excruciating. The cabin pressure against my head caused my ears to pop and my head to ache. My skin felt like it was being sucked against my bones as we rose from the runway. I had never experienced anything so oppressive. Within a few hours I realized I had run out of fresh air and was confined to my small uncomfortable seat for the duration of the flight. The weather was rough and unpredictable causing the fine hairs on my skin to stand at salute as we bumped around the clouds.
When Uncle Emmett leaned over and said we were there, I leapt to my feet feeling the sweet liberty from my bondage. Finally our vacation will begin, I thought to my self with a broad smile. I glanced around the cabin as the rest of the passengers began to arouse from their statue like state in their seats. With the full moon just outside my window, I thought about Mom and Dad. I missed them. Shifting my feet impatiently I growled lowly.
"Why's the doors not open yet?" I asked aloud still standing at my seat with Uncle Emmett blocking my way. Aunt Rose sat quietly behind me as if she had the rest of the day to just wait. As more passengers began to stir from the lights suddenly brightening, they shrugged off their blankets and pulled their tiny pillows from their shoulders just to brush the sleepy bugs from their eyes. I was pumped and ready to go. I didn't understand why everyone wasn't ready to get off this plane.
Uncle Emmett just laughed tugging at my right arm.
"Just relax, it always takes them a few moments. Let the humans have a chance to wake up. It's not like we don't have forever." He teased. I felt like I could run for hours if I could just rip my way out of this tin can. I slumped back down in my seat and rocking my legs back and forth impatiently. I noticed Aunt Rose glance in my direction.
"What? I have to do something." I snapped. Uncle Emmett and Rose just shrugged their shoulders looking at me as if I was humorous. He shook his head occasionally bursting into laughter. I continued to fidget pulling at my clothes, twisting my hair around my finger, and tapping the back of the seat with my thumbs.
I hope he will not be this easily entertained all week, I thought.
It was dark outside, but that was to be suspected. They had planned the trip so we would leave in the dark and arrive in the dark to avoid sunlight. I had no problem with that, but the rest of them had to always be aware of their shiny factor. Aunt Alice and Uncle Jasper had sat behind us. They were so quiet the whole trip. I had glanced back a few times and saw them wrapped up in one another's arms. With them it was like an eternity of puppy love.
When I saw them, I couldn't help but think about Jacob. Little details reminded me of him, the sound of the plane sometimes, the peanuts, or a song on my ipod. I wondered what he was doing right now and how we would break the engagement news to my father. I couldn't help but smile every time I played back those moments together as he proposed. I was sure Alice already new about the engagement, but she had said nothing yet, nor did she act suspicious. Her visions were typically useful, but sometimes, when you wanted privacy, it was down right annoying. She couldn't see Jacob's future, but maybe she saw me planning the wedding, or her helping with the plans. I wanted to surprise everyone and was sure she sensed that. She was one of the few of my vampire family that actually got along well with Jacob. Uncle Jasper had helped me out a few times during the flight by sending out a wave of calm. I still had a hard time resting entirely. I needed and wanted Jacob. I could close my eyes and feel his breath on my neck. I could smell his sweet scent and feel his long hair brush my face. How would I survive without him for an entire week? Suddenly it hit me, this trip would not be all pleasure as everyone had expected. Without Jacob by my side, I felt empty and alone.
The airport was surprisingly busy for the middle of the night. It was around 3:30 am and I flung my one duffle bag over my shoulder as we pressed through the crowd. I scanned the large room as we weaved through the potpourri of people. This airport was not as modern or clean as the one back home. I wondered what was causing the unusual odor lingering in the stuffy air. It smelled like raw chicken, sewer, and cigars. Some other nasty things mixed in with it as well. Outside, with more fresh air available, I scanned the line of taxi's waiting to load passengers. They stood in a cluster waiting for their chance to fight for our fare.
Maybe I was just a little cranky by this point since we had flown for so long, but stuffing our bodies back into the confines of a small metal object left a bad taste in my mouth. I looked at the cab and then back to my aunts and uncles.
"And how long exactly do we have to ride in this?" I asked sounding unbelievably spoiled. They were not impressed by my newly discovered demeanor. Even I was taken back by my tone and looked at them apologetically. "Sorry" I whispered climbing into the back seat of a smelly cab.
"Just to the car rental, Nessie." Alice said kindly. She knew I was slightly stressed.
My elbows brushed against Aunt Rose on my left and Aunt Alice on my right. I glanced at each one with a smile hoping they would not be irritated with me. I would try my best to be polite, but on the inside I felt like screaming.
Aunt Rose leaned over and whispered into my ear, "Once we get our cars at the rental, we still have the drive to the hotel. I suggest you sit back and relax. I'd say we have another hour and a half. Sorry kid, the getting there is the hardest part."
I grimaced in the seat next to her with my arms now crossed over my chest. I closed my eyes and thought once again of Jacob in the garden as he fell down on one knee. I couldn't wait to feel his arms around me again. The exhaustion was taking its toll. Gradually my body shifted towards Aunt Alice as my eyes fluttered closed. Even thoughts of Jacob couldn't keep me awake. I had dozed on the plane from time to time, but now my body submerged into a profound slumber. My head fell heavily onto Alice's shoulder.
The next thing I knew, Uncle Emmett was carrying me from the taxi to the leather seats of a Porsche. He laid me out across the back seat and I stirred. This is more like it, I thought caressing my arms against the seat. I was half in and out of consciousness, but I knew for sure I liked this open space and leather feel against my skin. For a second, I almost thought I was back home. I drifted back to sleep as my dreams now took me back to Forks, Washington.
I awoke at some point feeling hazy. I wiped the drool from my cheek. The hum of the engine was soothing to my ears as I heard the muffled conversation from the front seat. It was my two uncles talking quietly about sports. I listened half interested for as long as I could keep my eyes open, but hearing their soft, gentle voices only lulled me back into my deep slumber.
I rose up out of the back seat with my hair a disarray. Uncle Jasper glanced back with a grin. I rubbed my eyes and patted my face so I could be more alert. The long rest had been good for me. The tinted windows of the Porsche had not only protected my family from the obvious sparkling problem they had, but helped me stay asleep longer.
It was Jasper's curious eye as I tapped my cheeks that reminded me that I still had Jacob's engagement ring on. I slipped it into my pocket sheepishly, but he didn't ask. Further down the road I decided to slip it onto my necklace for safekeeping. Then I could easily pull it out from under my blouse and sneak a peek whenever it was safe. Not to mention how close to my heart it would rest. I contemplated telling my uncles, but if they would slip in front of Dad, that would mean trouble.
Uncle Jasper had rented one red Porsche and one yellow Convertible. We parked them in the hotel garage, which was located in the basement of the hotel. They could all go to the main floor never setting a foot outside.
"I'm just amazed at how efficient you guys are. I mean, I know you've had several years of practice," I teased rolling my eyes, "but you guys have this down to a T."
Uncle Emmett smiled at my realization. It wasn't their first trip here, I did realize, but still. The idea that a group of sparkling vampires could travel halfway around the world and to a very sunny place undetected was quite impressive.
"Like you said squirt, years of practice. Uncle Jasper here is like a thousand. Decrepit little monster isn't he." Uncle Emmett tapped at his shoulder moving Jasper just slightly in the passenger seat. We pulled into the darkest corner of the garage, the place no human would want to be.
Uncle Jasper began to pull our bags out of the trunk as Uncle Emmett pulled me into his side. I clutched the engagement ring into my fist as he leaned in.
"You will see things are different with the tribe. They live far out in the desert, away from everything and everyone. You probably haven't thought about how we visit a tribe during daylight with being,…well,….sparkly." he smiled at his own words. He was right, I had not thought about how they would hide this from the tribe, but I knew they had visited many times before. Aunt Rose and Uncle Emmett loved this tribe. They all but adopted them. I had no idea why, but I knew Aunt Rosalie was the one that really was fascinated by them.
We checked into the hotel and put our things away. I freshened up and ordered breakfast. It felt good to be on the ground again, and not just out of the plane, but anything that moved. If it wasn't so dirty I would bend down and kiss the floor. I rolled my eyes at the thought, gross.
I was so glad to finally be here. I checked my camera batteries and then plugged my ipod in for another charge. I wanted to make sure I was ready for this adventure. I was staying with Aunt Alice and Uncle Jasper in a room with two full beds. Uncle Emmett and Aunt Rose were in the room right next door. We were on the third floor and had a beautiful view of the town's main
square. In the square was a large fountain with stone cherubim's. It was so tall and beautiful I wondered how old the fountain could be. I heard my family behind me making plans for the day when I heard Uncle Emmett say no more than two and a half hours. I spun around aghast.
Alice spoke up, "I know, but it's just two hours. Maybe Rose will let you drive part of the time, when we're out of the city." She glanced at Aunt Rose who smiled devilishly. Time would pass by faster and it would be just one more exciting adventure to talk about when I got home. In that moment I was feeling a little guilty about my plan. My selfishness to see Jacob took over and I ignored my subconscious thoughts telling me I was behaving very badly.
We flew through the open desert. I was amazed to see elephants and giraffes in the distance. The sun was so hot and the dust flew from behind our cars. The wind blew through my hair and it was so much fun to be somewhere other than green, mossy, rain covered trees and mountains. I was really in Africa and it was more than I could have anticipated. I was already picturing Mom here and how she would love it. It was so much like Arizona, just much bigger.
My eye could see for miles on this flat, sandy plain. Rather than mountains of trees, there were tall, straggly trees here and there protruding out of the dry sands. Just as promised, they let me drive for about an hour when we left the populated area. As the landscape began to change back again, I knew we were nearing the village. A river ran just to our left. Aunt Rose explained that it was the only water out here, so it became a battle ground sometimes for water, especially in drought seasons. We passed a woman with children carrying large clay pots on top of their heads. Each clay pot was covered with a beautiful African weaved cover.
My cell phone began to ring and Uncle Emmett looked over his shoulder with a lack of surprise.
"He already doesn't trust us." He sneered. He knew my Dad all too well.
"Hi Dad. We're almost at the village. Sorry I forgot to call this morning." I said quickly before he had time to yell. It was hard to hear with the wind hitting my face. "I can't hear you very well, Dad. I'll call you back when we get there, kay." And hung up the phone uneasy. Hopefully he heard that or he'd be on the first plane to Africa. I saw the village on the horizon and watched my aunts and uncles faces as they reacted too. I felt the car accelerate just slightly and smiled back at Aunt Alice warmly. I felt her cool touch as she took my left hand. I could see the excitement on everyone's faces.
"You're going to love this place, Nessie. The people are so friendly. Tomorrow we will bring things to trade with them." Alice explained.
Rosalie tapped Emmett on his shoulder. "Did you call Taebhu and let him know we're in the area?" Emmett nodded a quick yes without turning to face her. Aunt Rosalie and Uncle Emmett had spent a lot of time in Africa. It was one of their favorite places to visit. They were considering buying a home here to live at least part of the time. I didn't know why they liked it here so much. Uncle Emmett did love to hunt here. Aunt Rosalie would miss the American beauty shops, malls, and nail salons. She was a beauty queen through and through. I did not picture her living in Africa, except maybe for the leopard patterns.
The car came to an abrupt stop as Aunt Rose announced our arrival. Just ahead, thirty feet or so were two rows of huts facing one another. They were so small and simple. A small girl slipped out of the first hut hearing our arrival. We all watched as she ran as fast as she could towards us. She knew them well. I could tell by the wide smile and open arms. She ran to Uncle Emmett first wrapping her slender arms around his waist. They immediately began to speak in her language. I had no idea Uncle Emmett spoke Venda, one of the many African dialects. Uncle Emmett had explained to me on the plane that the tribe we were visiting was the Bakhuhe and that they had somewhat adopted the tribe as their second family. They were located at the Northern tip of Algeria, right between one of the larger cities of the area and a large mountainous area, which he loved climbing. Uncle Emmett was a very athletic outdoorsy man, very rugged. He was like that too as a human, at least he assumes since he was found in the woods getting eaten by a bear when Aunt Rosalie found and saved him.
Uncle Jasper laughed as Uncle Emmett nodded his head to the girl. He was agreeing with her about something humorous. Apparently I was the only one who didn't understand their conversation. Aunt Rose leaned over and whispered,
"Uncle Emmett will never admit he has a soft spot for children, but watch him with this little girl the next few days. You'd think he was her father. He's asking her how she has been since his last visit. She said she was waiting for her big American whiner to come back." I looked at Aunt Rose confused.
"She says your Uncle Emmett reminds her of the white Rhino because he's so large and white, but she cannot pronounce it correctly in English and it comes out whiner instead of white rhino." She smiled as she explained watching Uncle Emmett from a distance. He was an eyeful to a small skinny African child in the middle of the desert. I wondered what could be going through that little girls mind. If Dad was here, he could fill us in. Well, he would be here soon enough and I now couldn't wait. It was just day two, but I already missed my sometimes annoying father.