A/N: A lot going on in this chapter! Crazy stuff, man! Crazy stuff O_o Anyway, this chapter switches POV's a lot but I really needed to get everyone's opinion and at the end you get to hear from Anna! Yay! Also I found a song I really love to describe Anna and Nessie's relationship. So go online and look up Fix You by Coldplay if you haven't already heard it before. It's absolutely gorgeous, and I take it differently under different circumstances but it always touches me. It fits because Ness really just wants to fix Anna. Any who…Enjoy =)
Lonni's POV
It took me too long to get here. Far, far too long. I slowed my walk and paced myself that way I would have time to adjust to the reality that Renesmee was okay. I needed time to think everything over before I saw here, because my reaction was different from what I thought it would be.
Instead of excitement for her safety, and regret over leaving; my heart soared and I felt like I was on cloud nine. I felt my heart for the first time in all of my vampire years. Renesmee Cullen made my still heart beat once more.
I knew I was falling for her in a away I swore I wouldn't; but I couldn't resist myself. I needed to see her again, I needed to hug her and know for sure that she was still alive and her heart was still beating faster then a hummingbird.
I nearly tripped over a tree rout, my mind was so preoccupied. I was watching Bella watch Renesmee until I was close enough to see her myself. I stopped, staring.
Had she gotten more beautiful? Was that even possible?
It was a sunny day and the light danced off of Renesmee's skin magnificently; she slowed softly like an angel. She was twirling in a circle, her long white dress flowing around her like in a fairytale. She was more then gorgeous. More then perfect. She was simply, Renesmee. Simply herself.
She giggled as she danced around. I couldn't feel the temperature, but I knew that it was too cold for a human to be out in a short sleeve dress; but then again Ness was used to cold temperatures in the family that surrounded her.
I wouldn't let myself think of her family or the inevitable anger they would feel towards me when I came into view. All I allowed myself was the joy of watched Renesmee from a far once again. Like when I'd first seen her. She never ceased to take me back. She was too magnificent for my comprehension.
She seemed so free and almost childish as she spun in slow turning circles in the grassy back yard of the Cullen's property; the sun doing its own little dance across and off her beautiful face. Her chocolate brown eyes were practically sparkling and her smile was larger then I could imagine.
My urges overwhelmed me and soon enough I was walking forward without my consent. Just like the one time I'd allowed myself the luxury of peeking in her mind; she took over my thinking process. She took over me as a whole. I had no control over myself. At all.
She was all I could think about; she was the only thing I saw. She was…everything.
I walked the last step out of the trees and waited for her to see me. When she did, her dance stopped short and her jaw dropped. Her face wasn't angry or happy. She seemed to be just genuinely shocked.
"Hello, Renesmee." I whispered, unable to raise my voice any higher. If I were able, tears would form in the corner of my eyes. I resisted the urge to smile when a blush warmed her cheeks at being caught dancing like a child. She averted her eyes and I immediately missed the connection.
She looked back up instantly. "I…don't think I can see you." she whispered and my face showed my confusion through a quizzical expression. I tilted my head, taking a tentative step forward.
"A lot has happened," she murmured pathetically, her voice cracking and shooting through a few octaves. I watched her eyes glaze over as I took a few more steps forward towards her.
She opened her mouth to say one more thing, but stopped and snapped her mouth shut when I enveloped her in the hug I'd needed so badly. She folded into me, letting herself feel the emotions we'd both been fighting for so long. I felt like crying.
I wanted to whisper that I'd missed her in her ear but I couldn't say a word. I couldn't do anything but hold her closer and closer to me. I was an alcoholic, and Renesmee was my alcohol of choice. I drank thirstily. She felt so nice pressed against me.
It wasn't but five seconds of bliss before she was gone from my arms. I immediately missed the contact.
Anger surged through me as I registered what had happened. Fucking Jacob Black!
I crouched and growled at him as he stood between me and my sweet Renesmee. He'd thrown me backwards, protecting Ness from the imaginable threat he perceived me to be. He crouched as well, preparing to defend his decision to hurl me half way across the yard.
"Move, mutt!" I seethed through clenched teeth. I paid no mind to the Cullen's who all gathered on the back porch worriedly. No one came to help though.
"You don't get to come back here, Lonni. You don't get to toy with Renesmee that way. I won't let you." Jacob growled, scowling at me from across the yard.
Behind the dog, Renesmee's quiet sob caught his attention. He turned quickly and I got a quick glimpse of Renesmee. She was curled into herself tightly, crying softly as she fought for control over her emotions. He wrapped her in a hug and lifted her into his arms, carrying her bridal style. She willingly curled into his chest- different from the hug we'd shared. Terribly different.
It was then that I realized I'd misinterpreted her reaction earlier. She didn't fold into me, succumbing to desire and longing like I was. She was folding into a missed friend's arms.
When she folded into Jacob, she was letting herself go- letting him take her pain and feelings as his own. She let him carry her like a child; letting him treat her like the most important thing in the world. When she tucked her head into the crook of his neck, she was telling him how special he was. She was showing him how much she loved him.
Jacob got loving hugs. I got a friendship hug.
I wanted to curse and throw things around the yard.
"Jasper," Jacob murmured as he carried Nessie away from me. He handed Renesmee off to her uncle and my anger grew worse. Because she shifted away from Jasper, wanting to stay in Jacob's arms. My heart nearly shattered.
Jasper took her easily into his arms and turned his back to everyone else to walk her into the house.
My heart did shatter when I saw her watch Jacob over Jasper's shoulder as he walked her away. Instead of wanting to throw things, all I wanted was to curl up in a ball and die. I wanted nothing more then to be with her, and she wanted nothing more then the mutt.
I glared at Jacob viciously, ready to rip his head straight off his body. He had nothing better then me! He was no better then me! Jacob Black. Practically a child. Nothing.
Jacob didn't look back at me as he went to Edward. They nodded quickly before Jacob sauntered into the house. I knew then, that he would be the guy to take the high road.
He was going to fight shy. I made up my mind immediately. I wouldn't fight shy.
Man up, and fight for Renesmee. That's what I would do.
Renesmee's POV
There was only one person I knew who would understand what Lonni was doing to me. Only one person I knew who would be able to sympathize without treating me like a child. The one person who I could run to.
So I hopped in the Impala and took off towards the McAdams house as fast as I could. I didn't bother texting Anna to let her know I was coming; I knew she'd be there. And I knew she would let me in. I just couldn't seem to get there fast enough.
I couldn't tell if I was trying to get to Anna faster, or trying to get away from the house fastest. Either way, the car seemed to crawl down the highway. I was pushing 60 though, so I knew it was just my imagination.
Finally, I turned into Anna's neighborhood then onto her street. I stopped my car just inside her driveway and jumped out, running to her door. I knew better then to just walk on in- the bruise on my arm was a testament to the damage that that would cause- so I knocked and rang the doorbell frantically.
Lindsay opened the door. "Oh, Renesmee." she said, shocked to see me. Or maybe she was shocked to see me looking so disheveled and frantic.
"Is Anna home?" I asked, already fully aware that she was upstairs studying. Lindsay nodded, showing me in without a word. I really couldn't see why Anna didn't get along with her mother. She was a great person, and obviously knew when to speak and when to let it go for a while.
I thanked Lindsay and bolted up the stairs at a human running pace. I didn't knock on Anna's door.
She was sitting at her desk with her horticulture book in her lap and a notebook and pen on the desk with notes scribbled all over it. She looked up when I flung her door open and she slowly took in my appearance.
Neither of us said a word as I dropped to her bed face down. She just came over and sat next to me, stroking my hair delicately. "Want to talk about it?" she whispered sweetly after a second. I sighed.
"No…" I said, sitting up. Then I delved into the whole story. I told her of Lonni the "friend of the family" that came to visit over the summer who left abruptly at the end of summer. The same guy who seemed really into me and was really nice. The very same man who I became really good friends with. The guy who left me hanging without so much as a goodbye.
I told Anna that he'd come back without a word- again. And her face remained passive until the end of my story. I was ashamed to admit that I broke down in tears and that I didn't know how to handle his return, but I admitted these things to Anna who just hugged me close and let me cry.
Once my story was done, she pulled me into her and hugged me close. "I'm so sorry, Ren." she whispered, her voice sounding like she might be crying with me.
"It's just that…he left. Out of the blue, while I was…sleeping. He didn't say goodbye, didn't give a good reason. Just bolted. I didn't think he would ever come back." I cried, my voice cracking. I knew exactly why I was so emotional over Lonni's return. Not because I didn't want him back; but because I wanted him back.
"Why do you think he came back?" Anna asked as we shuffled to a sitting position against her headboard. I sniffled and swiped at my tear stained cheeks.
"I don't know, Anna, I'd like to think he came back because he felt bad for leaving, but somehow I don't think that's the reason."
"Then why?"
I paused for a long minute then turned to look Anna in the eye. "You have to promise-" I was going to say but she cut me off.
"I swear on my life I'll never tell a soul." she promised, raising her pinky up. We pinky swore.
"I think Lonni is in love with me." I admitted, the words sounding weird coming from my lips but still ringing regretfully true.
Anna laughed delicately. "Can you blame him?" she asked rhetorically and I ignored her.
"I'm with Jacob! I told him that last time he brought it up, but he has it in his head that I could love him back or something."
Anna sobered up and looked me dead between the eyes. "Renesmee, you have to know you can love more then one person at a time." she said honestly. Of course I knew that. But Jacob and I are different. But I couldn't tell Anna that.
"I know…but it's not Lonni. If I'm ever going to love someone else- as well as Jacob- it won't be Lonni."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because I would've felt something by now!" I had her with that one. Her eyes showed how true she knew that was. She was lost in thought for a long time, just mulling everything over in her mind. I sat patiently awaiting her response.
"What is Jacob going to do?" she whispered, almost fearful.
"Kill him." I stated matter-of-factly. I knew it was a fact. Jacob would kill anyone who would try to touch me, or hurt me, or do anything he thought unsuitable. He was practically ready to rip Lonni apart today for just hugging me.
"Okay, this is what we're going to do," Anna said, shuffling onto her knees in front of me. I liked that she prominently announced she was involved, despite the fact that she shouldn't be. "Don't give me that look. I'm involved." she said, reading my mind. I chuckled at her.
"We're going to fix this." she continued, ignoring me. "I'll go back to the house with you because if I'm there, Jacob won't kill Lonni and if I get to meet this man I get to decide whether or not I'll let you like him back."
I was shocked at how logical and true that plan was. Jacob would never display anger in front of Anna because when things got hot, Jacob suddenly burst into a wolf and he wasn't spoiling that secret for Seth.
"You act as if you have control over my feelings." I teased, laughing at her serious expression.
"I do. I'm Jesus." she said, deadpan.
She grabbed my hand and pulled me off the bed and out of the room. She grabbed her backpack as we headed out down the stairs.
"Going somewhere?" Lindsay asked as she came around the corner as we headed for the door. She was holding a vase of flowers and I absently wondered if that's all she did was clean and rearrange the furniture. I would need to set her up with Esme some time.
"We're going over to Renesmee's to study a bit. I'll be back latter tonight." Anna said dismissively, pulling on her shoes by the door. Lindsay smiled at us.
"Alright, see you tonight." was all she said before disappearing again. I felt worse and worse for Lindsay every time I saw her. Her husband didn't let her have a life. It was sad. Terribly sad.
"Oh, Anna, wait in the car. I forgot something upstairs." I lied, shoving her towards my car once we were outside. She landed against the hood, curing at me. I laughed, jogging back to the house.
"Lindsay?" I asked as I came back through the front door. She reappeared, no vase but a dishcloth in her hand.
"Yes dear?"
"I wanted to let you know that I'm planning a birthday party for Anna at my house at the end of the month. But I wanted to make sure that was okay with you. And if you'd come along?" I said, coming to stand beside her as she dusted random objects around her house.
"Oh, that's so sweet of you Renesmee! Of course that's okay with me. Anna would love a party." Lindsay cheered as she dusted off the table in the foyer. I smiled at her as I grabbed a cloth to help her a bit.
"Will you come as well? I know it would mean a lot to Anna."
Lindsay thought about it for a long time as we dusted. "I don't know. I'll have to think about it." she finally said. I couldn't quite understand the tone of her voice, but I dismissed it.
"Okay, that's fine. Me and my family are doing everything so all you'd have to do is show up."
"That's so nice of your family. Be sure to thank them for me."
"I will." I went to leave but Lindsay stopped me.
"What's the party going to be like?" she asked and I caught the glitter in her eye. I knew then that it wasn't Lindsay's fault at all. None of it was. Anna didn't have the ideal childhood because of her father. Lindsay just fell victim. I saw in her eyes, the desire to give Anna the dream birthday, and I assumed David refused his wife that desire. I had to stop myself from crying.
"Her favorite movie,"
"27 Dresses? Oh she'll love that!" Lindsay cheered joyfully and I really had to fight against my tears. David probably didn't know 27 Dresses was his daughter's favorite movie.
I left the house, determined to bring Anna and Lindsay together again. If it was the last thing I did.
Anna's POV
Renesmee pulled the Impala up the driveway to the Cullen's place. I could tell she was nervous. I never liked coming to the Cullen's place unannounced, because I always felt like I was interrupting something. Even if they clearly weren't doing anything in particular, I still felt like I was disturbing their lifestyle or something.
I walked up the stairs with Nessie in front of me. Though I was here for Renesmee, I was secretly hopping Seth would be here as well. Because he always seemed to be.
I couldn't describe what was going on with Seth. I couldn't comprehend it at all. It was like magic. I saw him for the first time, and never ever wanted to look away ever again. He was the most spectacular thing I'd ever seen in my entire life. I'd never met a man with the amazing ability to make me laugh when I'm about to cry, or comfort me when I just want to be left alone. He was perfect in every way I could imagine.
Seth was, of course, gorgeous. But that didn't really matter much to me- which was a first. I'd always chosen guys I was physically attracted to. But with Seth I wasn't just physically drawn to him but I was literally pulled to him- like some kind of magic held us together.
I chuckled at myself. How silly can a girl get, for thinking magic held me to Seth? But I sighed. Something had to explain my attraction to a guy I'd only met so recently. Magic was the only thing I could think of.
We walked into the living room where the whole Cullen family was seated in a group, discussing something serious. I felt so weird being here while they were in one of those "family meeting" things.
"Oh, hello Anna. I wasn't expecting company." Esme called with a smile as she rose from her seat next to Carlisle. I smiled at her- it was hard not to smile when Esme smiled. Her warmth and love was infectious.
"I'm sorry to just barge in."
"Oh, nonsense. Your always welcome here, Anna." she said sweetly- as if she could say anything without sounding sweet. She turned her attention to Ness for a minute. "Are you alright?" she asked with a concerned smile.
Ness nodded. "Yeah I'm fine. Much better." She squeezed my hand and shot me a quick smile. Esme seemed to except that with a wide smile. But her smile was also somehow sad and I had no clue why.
"Renesmee," a deep voice called and instinctively moved away from Ren to give Jacob room to hug her- like always. But I was more then shocked to see him keep his distance. His face seemed almost…angry. At Ness? I didn't think it was possible for the two lovebirds to be angry at each other.
"I need to talk to you." he said to her, looking more like he was insinuating she needed to talk to him. Nessie sighed, caving almost instantly. She turned to Esme before following Jacob outside.
"Do you mind keeping Anna company? I'll be back in a millisecond." she said and Esme touched her cheek. Nessie disappeared upstairs and I turned to Esme.
"Are you hungry?" she asked, per her custom. The woman loved to cook, and I loved to eat. So I didn't mind. Not to mention, she was a damn good cook, at that.
I followed Esme into the kitchen and was barely finished my sandwich when Renesmee came back downstairs. I wasn't finished my sentence either when I heard the backdoor slam shut. I turned to look out the window.
Outside was the most outrageously gorgeous man I'd ever seen- probably more gorgeous then the Cullen's, or dare I say it, Jacob and Seth. Ness walked right over to him and they shared words- seemingly intense words.
I hopped off my stool and went to the door. But froze with my hand on the backdoor. My mind had to be playing tricks on me. It had to be. There was no way.
The gorgeous man tried to stop Nessie as she tried to runaway, back towards the house. And out of the woods came the single largest animal I'd ever seen in my life. Larger then I thought possible.
Huge with russet fur and big brown eyes; a wolf sauntered threateningly out of the woods. As soon as the wolf was in his sights, the man threw Renesmee behind him and looked as if he were going to fight the wolf.
"Lonni no!" Renesmee screamed. So that was Lonni? Figures. Everyone in the Cullen family is gorgeous. "Jacob stop!" Renesmee screamed at the wolf and my mind literally detached itself from the situation. Jacob? What?
I flew through the backdoor and onto the porch, scared for Renesmee. She looked my way with the most horror struck expression…that only made the situation worse.
My eyes were too slow, my mind uncomprehending. It seemed faster then reality itself. The wolf was on top of Lonni and Renesmee was running to me. As I watched it all happen, my mind still fogged, my hands started to shake and my legs buckled.
Renesmee held me up, lowering me to the porch, but everything else disappeared when I heard Seth's voice.
"Jacob stop!" Seth's lovely voice called but when I turned to see where he was, all I saw in his place was a large wolf- similar to the one Renesmee referred to as Jacob. Then I blacked out.
