A/N: I own nothing Twilight, that's all the genius known as Stephenie Meyer.
Chapter 11 - Its All About the Phasing
{2 months after Christmas}
{Cullen's Main House}
It was Monday night and the Cullen family were honoring a very sacred tradition that Carlisle established decades ago. No matter what was going on the other six days of the week, Monday nights were reserved for family time and family time only. No distractions, no outside interference, no school work, just one evening a week where the family got to spend time together, doing anything from counseling on the events of the upcoming week, playing games, training, to just relaxing and being together.
This particular Monday night, the family had decided to stay in and just relax. They were all there, and Carlisle couldn't be happier as he scanned over the ones he loved, his and Esme's family.
Emmett and Jasper were working on designing strategic safeguards around the area. Not that there was anything to worry about, but since due to a certain someone, they were not going to be moving anytime soon, they needed to make sure the area was secure since this will be the longest they've ever stayed in one location.
Alice and Bella were talking fashion week in Milan, although to Carlisle, it looked more like Alice was doing all the talking.
Edward and Esme were in the kitchen preparing treats—baking cookies for Jacob and Renesmee, but mostly for Jacob. The biggest surprise of all though, was Jacob, Renesmee, and Rosalie were in the middle of the floor, playing monopoly. Carlisle smiled as he saw Jacob and Rosalie playfully bantering back and forth about cheating. It was nice to see them getting back to normal… well normal for Jacob and Rosalie.
As usual, instead of playing as individuals, Renesmee and Jacob were playing one person, Renesmee sitting comfortably with Jacob, leaning securely against him.
There had been a lot happening in the short time… well short time for them since they had lived in this area. Some things not so great, others, Carlisle looked back at Jacob and Renesmee, pretty special.
He remembered the research he had found on the legend of the Blue eyes. He did not tell anyone yet only because the more people that knew, the more danger they were in. Still, it was a miracle if the legend was true, but it would be a while before he could verify. So for now, he would just have to wait...
About two months had passed since that wonderful Christmas for Renesmee. That feeling she had when Jacob opened his gift—the necklace—just kept replaying in her mind over and over. Even this young, while she didn't know all the logistics of everything, there was one thing she knew without a doubt, she never wanted to be away from her Jacob. That is why she needed to say something now.
"Excuse me." Renesmee tried to speak a little louder than usual. She knew it was a rarity for her to form even whole sentences out loud, in front of so many, but she needed to say this. She instinctively twiddled with the bracelet Jake made for her. This was her go to when she needed to be strong.
While no one else in the room really reacted, Jacob instantly stopped what he was doing as he heard Nessie try to get everyone's attention.
Renesmee quickly tilted her head up and to the side to give Jacob a kiss on the chin, then she stood up.
Everything okay Nessie?—Jacob linked with her. While not freaking out yet or anything, he could sense that there was something very important on Nessie's mind.
Renesmee didn't answer Jacob right away, what she had to say was much more important. "Excuse me." Renesmee once again tried to get everyone's attention. This time it seemed to work as the family stopped what they were doing and gathered around the living room where Renesmee was now standing right next to where Jacob was sitting.
Renesmee really wasn't that nervous. When you were dealing with truths, it really was not that hard to show conviction and confidence. Her families curious reactions were probably more due to the fact she was calling a meeting and wanted to speak out loud.
Seeing she had the attention of everyone in the room, Renesmee continued. "I want to marry Jacob." Renesmee didn't shy away, didn't look down, didn't act childish. She just looked at everyone in the room making sure they understood her position.
Jacob smiled at her. He knew she had been thinking about this and it was so cute. It was like when his sisters were growing up and they wanted to dress up and pretend like they were getting married.
Bella just put her hand to her heart, how precious was her little daughter.
Edward walked over and gave his daughter a quick kiss on the top of her head, realizing he didn't have to bend down as far as he did not even a month ago. He smiled at his precious daughter—although he was blocked now from reading her thoughts—this revelation was nothing knew.
"I want to marry Jacob and start a family with him… today.
Jacob jumped to his feet, suddenly feeling like all eyes were on him.
Edward really didn't know how to respond as the once innocent conversation was somehow morphing into something more.
Jacob reached over to pick up Nessie, thinking it maybe best if they go help with treats.
Renesmee gave him a warning to not pick her up. Her Jacob looked somewhat hurt which of course was not her intention. She linked with him that she needed to be taken serious and looking like a kid in his arms was not what she wanted right now.
Jacob nervously ran his hand through his short cropped hair silently linking to Ness, Uh… Nessie, why don't we just finish, you know, playing the game.
Renesmee looked at him like he needed to get a grip, this was important after all.
Edward then spoke up. "Listen darling, we know you want to marry Jacob." Edward paused, trying to regain some composure, "and one day, far far far in the future, like 30 years from now, start a family."
Renesmee shook her head no at her father.
"I want to start our family now." Renesmee, with an air of wisdom of a twenty year old, reached out for Jacob's hand and pulled him next to her. "Jacob told me when two people love each other very much, then a child can be born of that love. Well, I want to start a family now because I love Jacob."
Jacob nervously tugged at his collar. Wow, for vampires they really keep the heat up in this house. Jacob twisted his head to the side, a loud crack heard as his now tightening neck ligaments were looking for relief. He looked around the room and stopped for a double take as he saw Rosalie with her arms folded across her chest, telling him good luck weaseling out of this.
Jacob linked to Renesmee, why don't we go to our spot and talk about this.
Renesmee shook her head no and severed the connection between her and Jacob although she didn't loosen her grip on his hand. That was the one thing she didn't understand, why everyone always wanted to talk. She was like her mom in that aspect, she would rather just say the truth, and let everyone else figure out how they would accept it. She was starting to feel aggravated thinking no one was taking her serious.
Knowing that Nessie had cut off their connection, and continuing to feel even more uncomfortable, Jacob knew he had to say something.
Jacob, gathering his nerve, continued, "I would just like to interject something here. Yes we talked very briefly about some day..." Jacob looked with pleading eyes to Edward, "getting married. But I swear I don't remember ever talking about having kids." He really wished Edward could read his mind now so he could see the truth.
Renesmee turned to look up at Jacob, a stern look in her eyes. "Do you not want to marry me and start a family together?"
Jacob coughed, once again feeling the weight of a thousand eyes bearing down on him, now his little one decides to speak instead of link. "Of course I want to marry you, you know, some day."
"So you don't love me enough to marry me now?" Renesmee would never question if Jacob loved her, but how much he loved her was apparently up for debate.
It was amazing to Jacob that at so many times in the past, he would pray that his family would just stop talking so much… now was not one of those times.
Jacob turned to Nessie, kneeling down in front of her, grabbing both her hands. "Nessie, you know my love for you has no limits. But now you're just too young to even think about this kind of stuff."
"I don't understand. If you love me now, why can't we get married? Is how much you can love someone based on age?" Renesmee looked at Jacob, trying to understand what his problem was.
Edward felt it was his turn to step in. "Renesmee, you're still so young, and you have a long way to go till you're ready to get married."
"So marriage isn't about how much you love someone, it's about how old you are?" Renesmee was tilting her head to look for answers.
Bella came to stand next to her husband. "Of course not honey. But there are laws that we have to abide by."
"You mean laws like not killing someone?" Renesmee wasn't trying to be disrespectful but she truly wanted to understand. "Or adhering to the speed limit? Laws like Grandpa Charlie enforces?"
She had us there Edward thought. But enough was enough. "Your mother and I just don't want you to get married until you're at least 18 years old."
"Why?"
"So you understand completely what you are getting into? Also, you have so much to experience, places to see, things to do, choices to make."
Renesmee gave a stern look. "Are you saying you want me to experience those things without Jacob? Because I believe I've made it clear that isn't going to happen. And I've already made my choice." Renesmee turned back to look at Jacob as if there was no debating that subject.
Jacob was pleading with Nessie to let him take her away just for a few hours so they could talk about things.
Renesmee ignored him, "So the only person you would trust me with if something happened is Jacob." She remembered what the plan was when the Volturi attacked almost a year ago. "The only one that has a spiritual connection with me is Jacob, the one that is capable of destroying anything that would try to harm me is Jacob, the only one that is bound to me for the rest of my life is Jacob. But you're saying I have to meet some age requirement, that from what grandpa tells me, doesn't even apply to my growth level?"
Jacob hated to see her getting frustrated, although he had to admit, it was really awesome to hear her say those things about him. "Come on Ness, let's talk about this later."
"No Jacob. Unless you tell me right now that you don't want to marry me, then I'm not going anywhere." Renesmee dared him to object, folding her arms now, breaking their physical connection.
Jacob could only look up at the ceiling, folding his massive arms across his own chest, his empty hand now feeling as if it was cut off his body with the loss of her touch. He couldn't say anything because anything he said to satisfy those in the room would be a lie. So he decided to be stubborn and just be quiet.
Renesmee linked to Jacob, Well that's mature.
Emmett thought he would give his two cents. "Look little one, even if let's say you did get married, there is no way you're ready to start a family—" Jasper punched his arm all the while Rosalie was giving him the evil eye.
Bella rubbed her temples, while it was incredibly emotional to hear Renesmee speak really for the first time this much, it was also such a troublesome topic to explain correctly.
Renesmee looked over to her uncle. "Why couldn't Jacob and I start a family now?"
Jacob sighed, this is exactly the problem he brought up to Bella about Nessie being raised in a household with a bunch of sex crazed teenagers. They had no clue how to show Nessie the building blocks of a family. It's not like POOF your a family.
"Nessie we're going." Jacob got the okay from Edward.
Renesmee folded her arms, standing her ground, no matter how much she wanted to go to their place.
Jacob looked to her and linked, If you love me, you will go with me now. Just trust me okay?
Renesmee responded, That is so not fair Jacob. But she consented, walking to the door, not wanting her family to see her jumping on Jacobs back like a little girl.
Ohhhhkay… Jacob thought as he walked out the door, his heart leaped as the minute the door closed, Nessie jumped on his back. That's my girl.
Don't you ever forget it. Renesmee squeezed him tight, kissing him on the back of the neck. Also, no phasing till you take off your shirt, I don't want you ruining one of my favorites.
Jacob thought that might have been a better idea before she plastered herself to his back. He laughed as he felt her sigh and then leap off his back. What surprised him even more was she was able to effortlessly remove his shirt in the process. A slight discomfort hit him, but was quickly quenched as he heard Nessie in his head. And whose the child now?
{* * *}
So let me get this straight. It's a bunch of high schoolers that some turn into wolves, coyotes, and… Banshees? And they're all led by some Alpha wolf named Scott Mc somebody? Jacob still couldn't understand why this was her favorite shirt for him to wear. He really did not like some dude with glowing eyes who was a teenager and a wolf on his shirt. But Nessie wanted him to wear it because she said Jacob was her own Alpha.
"Just Phase back please". Renesmee couldn't help but smile as her wolf tried to understand her love for that TV show.
Umm Ness, any chance I could get my shorts since obviously you aren't giving up my shirt.
Renesmee just rolled her eyes. "In the bag behind the tree." And he was right about not giving up the shirt because she was just to comfortable in it.
Once dressed, Jacob hurried back to where Nessie was waiting. "Okay so let's talk—What?" Jacob looked around him wondering what was causing Nessie to have such a disappointed look. "Oh, right." Jacob remembered their tradition as he quickly set down behind her, letting her sit across his lap as he held her close.
"Sorry, sometimes I forget things when I'm not phased."
Renesmee just held on to him tight, taking comfort in the one person in the world she felt 100% comfortable with.
Jacob loved this position, but he noticed that Nessie's legs were hanging over his much farther than he remembered. Also her arms seemed to easily wrap around his giant neck where before it was much more difficult. He shrugged it off thinking maybe he was just holding her differently.
"Why didn't you support me Jake?" She said it aloud although it was mumbled a bit since she didn't want to move her face.
Great, she's using Jake for this conversation. Jacob took a deep breath. "Nessie, we're just not ready to get married yet."
She was so tired of hearing that. "Why are you so scared about getting married?"
It didn't go unnoticed by Jacob that his little girl was talking aloud instead of linking, which of course means this conversation, this topic could not be brushed under the rug. Jacob knew no matter what that they both had to come to a agreeable solution for this.
Jacob kissed her head. "Ness, it's not that I'm scared. I know intellectually you're way beyond your years, I just think emotionally we both need to mature more." In their little world, he would hold nothing back. Nessie deserved to hear the truth and she would know if he was trying to pull a fast one on her.
"Is it starting a family that scares you Jake—"
Jacob interrupted her, "SQUIRREL" he faked like he was going to run off.
Renesmee couldn't help but giggle at this. She slapped his chest. "I'm serious Jake, tell me."
Jacob let out a quick breath. "Yes Nessie, to be honest that is huge hurdle. Because just like my body had to wait to a certain age to Phase, your body needs to wait until it's ready."
Renesmee pondered this, that actually made sense. It sure would have been nice for someone to explain that to her earlier. Odd how the man that would be her husband is the only one she could trust to tell her all the truth about what to expect with the man that would be her husband.
"And it's not just your body, because I know you are growing daily and just getting more beautiful every time I see you."
And people wonder I want to marry him.
"Think about if I phased, let's say when I was your age now. I mean who knows what trouble I would have gotten into. So just like there is a reason I had to wait for a certain time before I could become the wolf I was meant to be, you have some growing to do until you're ready to become the super awesome woman I know you'll be." Jacob turned his head slightly to see if she understood what he was saying.
"So how will I know when we're ready? Because when I think about us married, I just don't feel like anything is wrong with that." She hoped she was saying this right. She so badly wanted to understand.
"Ness, it's not about whether it's wrong or not. Matter of fact, I love that you feel that way. But as great as the idea of a family is, we need to use this time now to prepare, kind of like training."
Renesmee thought about that. Training wasn't easy, matter of fact it could be really difficult sometimes. But there was a reason for the hard work, she could understand that. While she wasn't thrilled with the idea of waiting for anything when it came to Jacob, she knew it was important to him so she would trust him. She nodded her head in understanding.
Jacob loved this girl so much. As awkward as this whole thing was, it could have been a lot worse. He was so thankful that Nessie trusted and believed in him. She truly was a blessing to him and he never wanted her to feel frustrated or ashamed with any of her emotions.
Jacob turned her slightly, making sure she was looking into his eyes. "I promise you something…" He brought her hand up to his face, knowing it wasn't necessary but sometimes you just needed the act.
You and I will figure all this out together. We'll make the decision together, we'll wait together. Jacob kissed her forehead.
Renesmee now understood a lot better why it was important to wait and so she would wait till she was ready—till her phasing happened.
Renesmee cuddled closer into Jake as if that was possible. "Jake, tell me our story…"
