A/N: I just want to preface this chapter by saying I do not harbor any ill will towards Canadians, I was just making funny comments about their driving customs; please do not take them seriously, it is supposed to be amusing. I lived in Florida for a year, and therefore had to deal with Canadian tourists being taken aback by the crazy, fast, and somewhat reckless driving of Florida residents on I-4. (Which I was so one of!)
Chapter Eight: Milestones and Goodbyes
Once we got to Victoria, the trip was a blur, so many things to pack into three days. We got to the station without a hitch, although Nessie did have a little trouble getting through customs. Her passport was made at the same time as her driver's license; therefore, it had a picture of her when she looked like she was fifteen. A customs agent detained her for 10 minutes in a holding room, verifying the authenticity of her papers, because he refused to believe that she could look like she did in just one year. She soon returned, looking triumphant, saying how she needed to go give Jenks a visit to thank him for his excellent work.
When we pulled out of the docking area, I could see Edward and Bella waiting under an overhang on the other side of the Causeway, wearing trench coats, gloves, and scarves, boy they were a sight. We quickly drove over to the intersection nearest to where they were waiting to pick them up. Edward insisted that he drive, because I wasn't use to Canadian driving customs, saying something about how I would plow down pedestrians or something. I guess he was right, because anytime a pedestrian even put their foot into the street, traffic on both sides was required to stop, and then there was the matter that mph to km was a drastic difference in speed, no wonder Canadian tourists drove so slow.
Soon we were out of the city, and all of the pedestrians were safe from the crazy American vampires, and shape-shifter. We headed to an area to the west of the city named Langford. Nessie was fairly upset when we got there, because she had always wanted to stay at the Empress Hotel downtown, but I promised her she would get to at least once when the family was moved out here later on. Even though she appeared to be nineteen on all accounts, she still pouted like a six year old.
Edward and Bella told us that we were going to look at the piece of property that Esme and Carlisle has decided to buy. They were planning to build two houses on the property, one for the entire family, and then one for the four of us. They also told Nessie that when she eventually went to university, as they call it in Canada, because college refers to community college, that she would have a surprise closer to campus. They told her that it was her 10th birthday present from the entire family, so it would have to remain a surprise. The piece of land was on the far side of Langford, near Gold Stream National Park, on the far side of Langford Lake.
Apparently, this was the only open land in the area because of the park and Indian reservation to the north. It was pretty pricy, so developers had luckily not snatched it up, and I knew that if Edward was calling it pricy, then it really was. The area was beautiful, and the plot of land was hilly and sprawling. It was bordered by the lake on one side, and Goldstream on the other. This was good, because since it was a National Park, hunting was forbidden, so the animal population was large.
After we wandered around in the woods with her parents, we left to meet Carlisle and Esme. Priory Hospital was nearby, so he had been talking to them about the possibility of working for them when the family relocated in two years. Then the family went to tour what would be our school.
Due to the fact that there were several Native reservations on the island, they figured that it would be ok for me to return to school with them. Carlisle and Esme were legal custodians for the entire group, although the family names had changed for obvious reasons. Being so close to Washington, they didn't want to risk being discovered using their Cullen name. Nessie and I were enrolling as seniors at the secondary school; with Emmett and Jasper as juniors, and Bella, Edward, Alice and Rosalie were going to be sophomores. We figured that way the family would be able to stay in the area longer, without suspicion. It also worked out well, because the school we would attend, Belmont Secondary School, was grades 10 thru 12.
Our aliases got somewhat confusing. I took the name of William Wolfe, Nessie was Carlie Masen, Emmett was Emmett Brandon, Rosalie was Rose Whitlock, Jasper was Jasper Whitlock, Alice was Mary Alice Brandon, Bella was Isabelle Evenson (Esme's former name), and Edward was Edward Masen. Bells refused to pretend to be Edward's sibling anymore, because they would not be able to be a couple, which I understood. Jasper and Alice figured that it would be safe to use their real names, because they had technically been 'dead' for a few centuries now.
Edward decided that since he and Nessie looked so similar, it would be easier to pull it off with them being siblings. Nessie welcomed the change, and thought that it was funny that she could finally be older than her father. In addition, this meant that he would still remain in school while she was attending university, so she could have some semblance of privacy. She also hoped to live away from the family when she went off to school in Victoria, because she wanted to see if she could survive by herself. Although I assured her that I would stay close by wherever she went.
That afternoon, we toured the school and then went downtown for 'dinner' in the evening. We went to a restaurant that was next to the Causeway, and then the four vampires, went hunting on the northwest part of the island.
Nessie and I stayed downtown and watched the street performers until most of the tourists headed to bed for the night, and we travelled back to our hotel on the outskirts of town. As promised, Nessie only held my hand and kissed me on the cheek the entire evening, and I was happy that we were able to be alone for a while.
The next few days were spent exploring the island, doing touristy things, and Nessie and I went on a tour of the University of Victoria. Normally, she would lose interest in things like this, but she was intently listening to everything that the tour guide told the group.
When it came time to return home, Edward, Bella, Nessie and I returned from the Victoria Airport, and Carlisle and Esme returned the Mercedes back to Forks and returned home shortly after we did. I was definitely excited to return home after being away from everyone for a week, but I wondered if we would be able to keep our night together a secret. I was sure that Emmett would say something inappropriate when we got home, but time would tell.
We arrived home late on Sunday afternoon, so there wasn't much time, between dinner, unpacking, and situating for school the next day, for the family to go into the fact that we had missed the ferry and spent the night in a 'hotel'. I was beginning to wonder if Edward and Bella actually told any of the family members that it had even happened. Maybe they trusted us enough to let it slide as just an accident. I knew that Edward was aware of my thoughts changing towards Nessie, but maybe because we had both been careful to block it, he didn't suspect anything had happened.
I guess that my theory was correct, because Edward never mentioned the glitch in our trip to Victoria, not once. That definitely made things less awkward as the family went back into the routine of daily life. Alice continued to accompany Nessie to school. Edward and Jasper went on with the charade on the faculty side.
Nessie finally kept her side of the bargain and didn't let anything slip, I was certain that if she had, that Edward would have found me, and hurt me. We continued to keep our actions towards each other chaste, and soon we fell back into the routine of spending daily meals together, and hours playing games or talking on the weekends. There wasn't any teasing or harassment coming from any of the family members. They had obviously been oblivious to the shift in our relationship.
I no longer spent nights at the house, unless I was forced to because of one of Alice's mandatory 'family functions'. This helped considerably, because if I did dream something inappropriate, it wouldn't be intercepted. I don't know how Nessie managed to keep her thoughts to herself, but maybe Bella had helped her out. Bella guarded Nessie's privacy fiercely. Nessie was already upset that her father was able to hear the intimate thoughts of all of her friends, so it would have been natural for Bella to want to shield her.
After March, days faded into weeks, and before we knew it, Alice was chattering on about the upcoming prom. I was starting to feel left out, because this was the one thing that Nessie hadn't felt compelled to share with me. I knew that going with me was never a possibility, I would be too auspicious, but I didn't know if she planned to go with someone else. Not that I could be jealous, I had made the rules, I had to abide by them. Her tenth birthday was all I asked of the both of us, and I hoped we would have the will power to resist. I wasn't the same reckless kid who once threatened to get himself killed if the girl he liked didn't reciprocate. I was older, I was more mature, and I was bent on keeping the virtue of Nessie Cullen intact until she at least agreed to marry me.
One day in late April, I went to get something from my room at the main house and happened upon a very awkward conversation between Nessie and her parents. I had walked by her door and heard her say in a very irate voice "God dad, I'm not some horny idiot, I don't intend on doing that for a very long time."
This comment intrigued me, so I went into my room, quietly slipped into the bathroom and listened in. I wasn't sure why they didn't hear me, but I assumed they were distracted by their nerves considering their conversation topic.
"I know you think that Nessie, but it's very hard to control your hormones at your age," Bella said seemingly on edge.
She took a deep breath and continued, "If your father hadn't been so intent on keeping my virtues intact, I would have made some very reckless choices. Not all boys are as considerate as he was."
I was shocked, Bella, who punched me for kissing her, was going to give it up before marriage. I had known Edward was uneasy about the situation in general, but I had figured that she had been the one to make him wait until the honeymoon. I remembered getting aggravated and furious when I found out their plans, but I figured he was the one pressuring her, I mean, he was a man after all. Hearing this, I knew that the rules had to remain in place, because he would kill me if I violated his daughters honor. He hadn't even let himself do that to Bella, I had been right; he was virtuous beyond all measure.
Before I could even try to block my thoughts, Edward was opening the door, so I grabbed my toothbrush and shoved it into my mouth. I gave him a toothy grin, and he laughed at me. He told me it wasn't nice to eavesdrop, and that he hadn't heard much, just something about rules and virtue. I guess he had been concentrating too hard on Nessie's thoughts to notice mine.
He pushed me into my bedroom, and closed the door behind him. He didn't look mad, just confused. I focused my thoughts and tried to block out anything unwanted, and I guess it worked. He asked me about the 'rules', so I told him most of the truth. I told him that Nessie had inquired about the future of our relationship, so I laid out some ground rules. We were to maintain a friendly, non-romantic relationship until she reached the age of 10. If she pushed the boundaries, then I would return to La Push until that time. I also told him that I fully intended to marry his daughter, but only if she chose me, after her 10th birthday of course.
He pinched the bridge of his nose, which was never a good sign, and sighed. He then said the following comment, straight-faced, and even toned, not stopping once.
"Jacob, I was skeptical when it came to the progression of the imprint. I was worried that you would not be able to control your emotions once Nessie 'matured'. I knew that you had fleeting thoughts about her, well, sexually, and I didn't know if and when you would act upon them. I fully understand the situation that her accelerated growth puts you both in, and I know that Nessie has matured well beyond her years, in both appearance and the literal sense. I am glad to hear that you are being responsible about your potential relationship, because I know that she has come to care for you deeply.
I also respect the fact that you are giving her the choice to be with you later on. I only hope that you are able to enforce your rules until that time. I would really hate to have to cause you physical harm. I have come to think of you as a respected member of our family, and you were there for Nessie when no one else could be.
For that, I thank you, and I hope that you are able to come to Bella and me in the future with any concerns or questions about our precarious predicament. Oh, and if your relationship does result in marriage, I hope you will come to me for my blessing ahead of time."
I literally thought at that very moment that my jaw was going to come unhinged and fall to the floor. Edward Cullen, the very same man who had once loathed me for the way Bella felt about me, respected me for holding his daughter in such high regard…..That was new.
He simply laughed, saying "Vivid imagery," and retuned into Nessie's room.
Apparently Bella had continued on with the conversation, because all I heard Nessie say was "Mom, seriously, chill….Brad will be getting nowhere near my pants, um, dress, whatever. I haven't even let him kiss me, I don't even think I like him like that."
Yes!
Even though she was experiencing her first prom with another guy. The fact that she didn't have romantic feelings and not intended to let him touch her had made me feel triumphant, and slightly less jealous.
Two weeks passed, and then it was time for the prom. Alice went with one of Brad's friends, because I guess it would have looked suspicious for her to show up with her History teacher, and because Emmett, like me, was a freaking giant, and would therefore attract attention.
The day of the event was upon us, and I had a sickeningly nervous feeling in my gut all day. No matter how much I had eaten at breakfast, I still couldn't make it go away.
The guys, including Carlisle, and I decided that we didn't have any desire to hear giggling and squealing all day, especially from the over excited Alice, so we decided to play a friendly game of two on three flag football. We weren't allowed to play touch football, as much as Emmett pouted, because of the obvious noise factor. Since Emmett and I had strength and size in our favor, we were one team. Edward headed up the second team with Jasper and Carlisle. The only rule was that Edward was not allowed to use his gift, because it would create an unfair advantage. Although chagrined at this change in events, he agreed because he knew the game wouldn't last long if he didn't play fair, and we did have until 5 pm that evening to waste.
I had to say that I was happy that I was faster than the normal human was, because I had a hard time keeping up. Edward was still just as fast as ever, and Jasper moved like a freaking ghost, now you see him, now you don't. In addition, as the sun came overhead in the afternoon, it was hard to concentrate when they were practically glowing; it hurt my eyes so much I had to go inside to eat lunch.
After lunch, the games went faster, and the winners constantly changed. We switched teams and I played with Jasper and Carlisle, and Emmett played with Edward, who was allowed to use his gift on Jasper. But the twist was, Jasper could use his gift on him as well. It was pretty funny to watch, Edward would be fuming one minute, and practically in tears the next. I had to give Jasper props; he knew how to push his brother's buttons.
During the final quarter of the last game, I was standing in the backfield, completely open, and Jasper passed me the ball. I barreled down the field, Carlisle blocking Edward and Emmett and headed for the end zone. The next thing I knew I was laying on the ground, writhing in pain, 10 feet on the opposite side of the end zone, and Carlisle was popping my shoulder back into place. This somehow managed to hurt more than actually dislocating it in the first place.
Poor Emmett, who was obviously who had taken me out, kept mumbling, "Sorry man, I forgot I could break you", so much for flag football.
I also had this shooting pain in my wrist, so Carlisle carried, yes Carlisle, I'm sure it was a sight to behold, me back to his house to run some x-rays in his office. It turned out that while my shoulder was only dislocated and already partially healed, my wrist was not to great, having a clean break in the growth plate at then end of my 'Radius' and a hairline fracture in my 'Ulna'. I had no idea what he was talking about, all I know was that it hurt, and since bones took longer than scrapes and cuts to heal. I would have to wear a cast for at least a week.
Emmett kept standing in the corner with Jasper, looking terribly guilty, and Edward couldn't stop laughing. I couldn't say that blamed him, maybe some part of me deserved this for my little escapade with his juvenile daughter, although I refused to think that, because that would have only resulted in more broken bones.
At one point Rosalie came down and was saying something like, "So are you going to give the doggy a cast and paint it to look like a bone? I'm sure Esme could help. Or maybe he would prefer a pink cast, so he could be the girl he really is."
The first comment was mildly funny, but at the second, I growled at her, resulting in Esme saying, in her typical motherly voice, "Now Rosalie Hale, don't you tease the poor boy. Your husband is the one that hurt him, and you should be thankful that he didn't do more damage. I know you like to make jokes as his expense, but now is not the time."
She simply scoffed, grabbed Emmett, who was now chuckling by the arm, and pulled him from the room complaining that she was not a four year old. I think that she was mad that Esme was taking my side in the matter. Rose and I constantly joked, but it was supposed to be lighthearted and fun, not mean and spiteful.
After I was casted, drugged up and sent to watch TV on the couch downstairs, the next few hours groggily drew on, and before we knew it, the intercom from the end of the driveway at the cottage was buzzing. Esme had put in a gate with an intercom at the drive to the cottage, because since most of the family spent time at the main house, we needed to know if and when Nessie had visitors at the cottage.
By this time, Nessie and Alice had snuck out of the house with Bella to go finish getting ready at the cottage, so the rest of us quickly ran to join them. I was the first to get there, and I quickly went to let the limo in at the gate. Edward ran to the house, and let the women know that their dates were on the way. Then he and Jasper said goodbye to the girls, and snuck out to head to the school, because they had volunteered as chaperones.
Alice was excited for Jasper to come, but Nessie was angry that her father was, yet again spying on her friends. He simply told her that she had no insight into the minds of eighteen-year-old boys, and while she could take care of herself, it was his duty as her father/brother to protect her from such advances. I, for one, was happy about this, because then Edward could keep that damn pretty boy quarterback from sneaking inappropriate looks and grabs at Nes. She may have been able to take care of herself, but boys will be boys.
When I reached the cottage, Nessie was standing in the doorway, looking like an angel. She was wearing a floor length, emerald green, halter dress, which was form fitting with slits on either side of the skirt up to her knees. It was silky and the light that reflected off it made it shimmer. Green had become my favorite color on her, because it accentuated her pale skin and bronze hair, which was pulled up into a tight bun at the nape of her neck.
Alice looked equally as stunning in a black, strapless dress, which had a full skirt. Alice grabbed her hands and pulled her towards the limo, so they could greet their dates. Bella wanted to take pictures, because she had not realized how much this event really did mean to her as a human, and she wanted to remember how Nessie looked at her first real school dance.
They posed for pictures for what seemed like hours, which was only 20 minutes, and then the guys and Alice headed to the limo to join the other few couples riding with them. Nessie went back inside with Bella, and I followed. Bella was putting on Nessie's promise necklace, and I found myself grinning ear to ear. They quickly hugged and kissed goodbye, and the rest of the family members headed back towards the main house, out the back door.
Nessie came over to me and hugged me, trying to be careful of my sling and cast, and then she bent down to kiss my fingers. I told her she looked beautiful, and she blushed, holding her hand back to my cheek. She showed me the images of her learning to dance with me at Rachel's wedding, dancing with me at New Years, the kiss at Christmas, and me holding her after our encounter at the cottage in Washington. Then, before I could say anything, she gave me a quick kiss on the lips, held her necklace pendant in her hand, and told me that she never planned to take it off.
That night, I tried to sleep in the cabin, without much success, and when I did fall asleep, I dreamt of taking Nessie to the prom myself. Nessie snuck out of the dorms that night, where she was supposed to be staying with a friend, and came to see me. When she woke me up, she was still wearing her gorgeous dress, and not wanting to ruin it; I went to my closet and got her a long sleeved button down shirt to sleep in. We cuddled in my bed that night, her sleeping in the crook of my arm, lightly stroking my injured shoulder. When I woke up in the morning, she was gone, and there was a note propped up on my dresser next to my shirt, which was neatly folded.
Jake, thank you for everything you have done for me. I am almost at one down, two to go, and only three more years until I can begin my life with you.
Love always,
Renesmee
The girl never ceased to amaze me. I vowed to never wash the shirt again, tucked it into my closet, and then went to burn the letter in my fireplace. I would never forget what it said, but I couldn't risk any snooping relatives stumbling upon it.
After another few weeks, graduation rolled around, and the entire family decided to attend. This ceremony was indoors, at the school, so we were all able to attend, with no crazy attire needed.
Edward and Jasper were asked to help pass out the diplomas, or volunteered, I didn't bother to ask. The ceremony didn't last too long, so when it came time for student speeches, I wasn't surprised to see Nessie at the podium, honors tassels hanging from her gown, making her address as the Valedictorian and Student Body President.
The rest of the family had spent their many high school careers in the shadows, trying to remain anonymous. Renesmee had been voted the Prom Queen, had numerous amounts of friends, from all walks of life; excelled in all of her classes, played sports with her friends, tutored underclassmen, won over the hearts of the faculty, and was voted prettiest and most likely to succeed by her classmates. All in all, this remarkable creature seemed to win over as many hearts in the human world as she had in the werewolf and vampire ones, and continued to remain a loving and caring person.
As she addressed the audience and her peers talking about how life is a journey and you should enjoy every step along the way, I couldn't help but cry. Bella grabbed my hand when she saw tears trickling down my cheeks, and if she could have joined me, I'm sure she would have been crying as well. I was so proud, and in awe of her at the same time. She had overcome so much, and continued to grow and love. I thanked Bella for creating such a magnificent creature for me, and she smiled from ear to ear. If she were still human, her face would have blushed beet red.
By the end of her speech, Bella was squeezing one hand, and Esme had her arm around my shoulder, which was still in a sling, but the cast had been removed. Even though I was away from the pack and my biological family, I was glad that I had made the choice to come with the Cullens to New Hampshire, and wherever else they went, because they had become irreplaceable people in my life. We were created to be mortal enemies, but love kept us together, and the bonds we had formed could never be broken.
When the diplomas were being passed out, Jasper was in charge of finding them on the large table behind him, Edward would hand them to the student and shake their hand, while the Dean was standing next to them to shake their hand once more. It didn't take long for the Cs to appear in the alphabet, and soon they were announcing Alice Brandon Cullen. Jasper grinned from ear to ear, as Alice pranced across the stage, getting catcalls from the student section. She shook Edward and the Dean's hands and then blew kisses at the audience, while Emmett and I cheered loudly and the rest of the family clapped for her. So much for going unnoticed, I guess Alice had really enjoyed joining Nessie's group of friends after all.
Then, they called Renesmee Carlie Cullen, and I couldn't help but to cheer even louder, and Bella was practically jumping up and down at my side. I was sure she would have fallen on her face, tripping over her own feet, but she had become graceful as a vampire, and her clumsy stunts were only memories in the past. As she strode across the stage, the audience clapped loudly, and cheered. When she got to her father/'brother', Edward stepped forward and hugged her, with a look of pride on his face. His baby was already all grown up. Not one person thought this was strange, because they knew that he was her brother, and when she got to the Dean, he patted her on the back. She looked truly happy, happier than I had ever seen her before, and I was glad that she was able to finally have experiences of her own, she deserved them.
The rest of the day was a blur, being whisked around with the family, introduced to people. Eventually we left, leaving Nessie to hang out with her friends. She had told them that she and Alice were going backpacking in Europe for several semesters before they went to college, so no one really asked her about her plans. That way no one would know where to contact her later on, we could not afford for any unexpected visitors. The only people that even knew we would eventually be settling in Victoria were Charlie, and the pack. Even Carlisle's hospital didn't know where we were going; he had told them something about doctors without borders, so they knew not to try to find him.
One down, three to go….that's all I could think about. Just three more years and I could finally stop hiding from my life. Three more years, and I could confess how deep my feelings really were. I hoped that they would be fast, but exciting, so we wouldn't have to wait long.
A/N: Ok, more Random Comment time: When I went to visit my friend in Victoria, Goldstream was my favorite part of the trip, it was so extremely beautiful! Only I don't recommend visiting after the salmon runs, because apparently the smell of dead fish is pretty disgusting. Also, if you ever have the chance, go watch the street performers in the Inner Harbour Causeway, they are amazing!
