AN: Wow! I've been an updating machine this weekend! Yay! This chapter is kind of short, but the break worked the best, so…. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy it! Please Vet me know what you think! I like exclamation points! :D
Renesmee POV
We arrived home to Carlisle and Esme waiting at the front door for us. Apparently, they had already been called by Aunt Alice. Once all of us were in the house, we sat down around our "dinning" table. Really all it was for was family meetings and a feeding trough for Jake.
"I'm happy that you finally asked her over, Nessie" My grandmother, Esme, exclaimed.
"I am happy as well" Carlisle, my grandfather, said. "When will she come over?"
"She said that she was going to eat dinner with her family and then come over in about two hours" I informed.
"Oh, how courteous" Esme commented.
"Yes, so we do not have to worry about feeding her" Dad remarked.
"What about breakfast?" Mom asked. "Humans need more than one meal per day, Edward". She rolled her eyes as she smirked, most likely remembering a time when Dad had failed to remember how human she was when they first met.
"I figure that we can prepare breakfast for her, but claim that everyone had already risen and ate. Nessie, it might be best if you eat breakfast with her so that she does not feel awkward. I know human food isn't your favorite, but I as if it is necessary" Esme explained, an apologetic look on her face.
"That's alright, Grandma" I replied. "I don't mind, as long as we can go hunting tomorrow afternoon".
"Nessie, we're going right now" Dad said.
"I know, but I'm going to need something to get the yucky taste out of my mouth!"
My family burst out into laughter as we all rose from the table and walked towards the front door. As a group, we ran off into the woods in search of anything we could come upon to make ourselves safer for my newest friend.
Lexi's POV
We arrived home, still not speaking to one another, verbally or mentally. I had figured that Chris would be full of words for me, especially after he had witnessed my interaction with the Cullens. Instead, I was surprised when he did not speak, nor think, about our conversation. We walked into the house and were hit with the delicious smells wafting in from the kitchen.
"Mom's home" Chris said, stating the obvious.
"Thanks. I had no idea who was in our kitchen cooking for us. Could've been anyone. How'd you know it was Mom?" I replied sarcastically, exhausted from the silence. Chris just threw me a 'look' and went off to his room. I travelled in to the kitchen.
"Hey, Mom" I called. My beautiful mother turned around, looking stunning as usual, and gave me a big smile.
"Hey, sweetie" She replied, taking off her apron and setting it on the counter. She held out her arms and walked towards me. I loved her hugs, mainly because they were always so comforting. "How was school today?" She asked, a smile playing on her face.
"Chris called you, didn't he?" I stated.
"Yes."
"Are you going to forbid me to go?"
"Now why would I do that?"
"Mom, we all know how much you…disapprove… of the Cullens and those like them" I explained, suspicious of my mother's random acceptance.
"Well, Lexi," My mother began. "First of all, you are an intelligent and mature person. You have certainly proven yourself over these past few years in terms of your ability to discern risky situations. I trust your judgment. Secondly, I want you to be happy. I know the life we live has been difficult on you as you've grown to desire other company besides your family."
I couldn't help but feel guilty as my mother confessed to me that she even remotely regretted bringing my brother and me into this life. It wasn't her fault that our family had been structured for this life, nor that we were the best of the best at what we do. It wasn't even that I regretted living my life and being with my family all the time. I hadn't even given a second thought about it until I'd met Renesmee and the Cullens.
"Mom, don't say that" I pleaded, leaning my head against her shoulder. "I love what we do as a family".
"I know, baby. I just also remember that, when I was your age…"
"You can remember back that far?"
"Oh ha, ha, ha. You're so funny". Mom grinned and lightly elbowed me in the ribs. "No. What I was going to say was that I remember the desire to expand my friendships beyond my family. Yes, it's a risky thing that you're going to do tonight, but it's also very important. You should definitely go". With those words of affirmation, Mom turned around to finish making dinner.
Congratu-freaking-lations, Sis. I heard my brother think from all the way upstairs. I sighed and walked upstairs to his room and knocked on his bedroom door.
"What do you want?" I heard him call out.
"I want to talk with you" I replied. "Can I come in, please?" There was a long moment of silence before I heard him think "Fine". I slowly opened the door and walked into his expansive, yet orderly, room. I looked at him for a moment and then went to sit next to him on his black leather couch.
"Chris, I need to know why you object to me befriending the Cullens so much", I told him. He stared at the floor, taking slow breaths. Finally, he looked up at me and I could see pain in his eyes. Not physical pain, but deep and emotionally scaring pain that never truly disappears. It is always present, even if the cause of the pain is reconciled. In the end, the memory is still there.
" Lex, it's not that I object to you befriending them" He began. "It's just that, well…"
"Well, what, Chris?' I questioned, frustrated.
"Why do you need to befriend them?"
I stared at him for the longest time, and then it dawned on me; the whole reason why Chris had suddenly become so hostile towards the Cullens and towards me; the reason for the pain behind those eyes.
"Oh, Chris", I exclaimed, throwing my arms around my baby brother's shoulders and pulling him into a tight hug. "You know that just because I make new friends and want to be around other people, it doesn't mean that I don't love you anymore. You're my brother, and we have been through Hell and back again more times than we can count. You're my partner in crime, my co-conspirator. I love you and always will, regardless of who I hang out with". I held my brother as he began to silently cry into my shoulder. We rocked back and forth until the sobs had quieted and he pulled his head away from my shoulder.
"Feel better?" I asked, grinning at his expression.
"If you ever mention this little episode, I'll hunt you down myself" He threatened, grinning as he stood up and left the room. I took a good look around his room, shaking my head at the unnaturalness of how tidy it was for a kid, and followed him downstairs for family dinner.
