A/N: Imprinting…duh-duh-DUH! Haha =) Enjoy
Jacob's POV
The ability to get over something quickly is vastly important with Renesmee. I had to get over the anger surging through me over the little twit that had kissed her. Alice provided me an outlet though when she announced to everyone- except Nessie- that she'd had a vision and that it was something we all needed to know about.
Everything after her description of her vision became blurry for me. I didn't know what I meant that Nessie would get bit but I knew it wasn't good and I didn't like the idea. No one knew what would happen to her if she was bitten by a vampire and that had us all unbelievably nervous.
Alice came dancing back into the room with a silver cell phone in her hand. "Edward and Bella are on their way home now with Esme and Carlisle. They have information for us they aren't willing to disclose over the phone. They'll be here tomorrow." she said to all of us. We were all still in the same place we were when she'd told us of her vision from the party. She was the only one who was able to move.
"And what are we supposed to do until then, Alice? I'm not going to wait around here sitting on my hands waiting for a vampire to come and rip apart our Nessie." Emmett shouted, standing up. I was next to move. I ran right past Alice and the others and out to the back porch where Nessie was.
I didn't care whether or not she knew why, I just grabbed her. I wrapped her little body in my arms and pulled her tight- a little too tight- to my chest, fighting emotions. The beginning of a question formed in her mouth but she stopped. She didn't move away and she didn't question it. She folded into me and let me hold her tight for a long minute.
"What was that for?" she finally asked once I'd grudgingly let go of her, only to move us to the floor where I sat her in my lap.
"Protection mode getting the best of me." I replied truthfully. It didn't matter that she didn't know why my protective side was so strong right now; all that mattered was that I had her in my arms and no one was going to hurt her while she was here.
"Jake, we need to talk." she whispered, looking up at me with trouble eyes. I knew this was coming. But I didn't mind. I knew how I felt about my Nessie. I knew what I wanted- no needed. I just didn't know how to explain imprinting at all. "What's imprinting, Jake?" she started. I looked past her over to the trees then back.
I placed my hand on her cheek lightly. "Werewolves have a lot of…perks to deal with. Like hot skin, for instance. "I removed my hand when I saw her face turn red from the heat. "Imprinting is one of those bizarre things we have to deal with. The legends say it doesn't happen to everyone but I disagree."
"What is it?" she prodded.
"Do you remember me telling you about Sam and Emily…and Leah?"
"Yeah. Sam loved Leah first but left her for her cousin Emily. He's kind of an ass." Nessie replied flippantly. I chuckled.
"No he's not an ass, he imprinted."
"What does that mean, Jacob?" Her eyes were so thoroughly confused.
I looked back at the trees and took a deep breath. "Sam did love Leah. But when he saw Emily, that didn't matter anymore. Sometimes…we don't know why…we find our mates that way." I let my eyes flash back to hers, my face reddening. "I mean…our soul mates."
"What way? You can't be trying to convince me of love at fist sight." she snickered. But I wasn't smiling. In fact I was a little critical of her reaction; naturally.
"It's a little bit more powerful than that. More absolute."
"Sorry," she muttered. "You're serious, aren't you?"
"Yeah, I am."
"Love at first sight? But more powerful?" Her voice was still dubious.
"It's not easy to easy to explain. For Jared it was a girl he'd sat next to in school every day for a year and never looked at twice. And then, after he changed, he saw her again and never looked away. Kim was thrilled. She'd had a huge crush on him. She'd had his last name tacked on to the end of hers all over her diary." I laughed mockingly.
"So for Jared he met the girl of his dreams, fell in love; boom happily ever after. All because of imprinting?" Nessie asked, a little bit more then confused.
"Yeah pretty much. Same thing with Sam. And Quill-" She cut me off with a gasp.
"Quill imprinted? On who?" she squealed. Oh right. I hadn't really told her about that one. Oops. My bad folks.
"Well, do you remember Claire?" She nodded then the silence told her what I didn't.
"Quill. Imprinted. On Claire? 10 year old Claire?" she gasped, her jaw hanging open and her eyes wide. I just nodded. "But she's a baby!" she protested.
I looked at her with dark humor covering my hurt. "Quill's not getting any older. And he imprinted when she was two."
She was silent for a long time. "I…don't know what to say." I saw in her face the judgment she was making. I clocked her in the chin lightly and let my eyes tell me I was disappointed in her for judging without the facts. I'd taught her better then that. "Sorry," she muttered. "But it all sounds really creepy."
"It's not like that; you've got it all wrong." I said, suddenly vehement. "There's nothing romantic about it at all, not for Quill, not now. It's so hard to explain. It's not like love at first sight, really. It's more like…gravity moves. When you see her, suddenly it's not the earth holding you here anymore. She does. And nothing matters more then her. And you would do anything for her, be anyone for her…You become whatever she needs you to be, whether that's a protector, or a lover, or a friend, or a brother. Quill was the best, kindest big brother any kid ever had. And then, when she got older and needed a friend, he is more understanding, trustworthy, and reliable than anyone else she knows. And then, when she's grown up, they'll be as happy as Emily and Sam."
"But doesn't Claire get a choice here?" she asked, concerned. Wow. Out of everything I just told her she hadn't latched on to anything. Not one bit of information- no matter how relatable to our relationship it all was- she didn't understand that I was telling her she's my imprint. I love her and always had.
"Of course she does. But why wouldn't she choose him, in the end? He'll be her perfect match. No imprint is forced to love the wolf that has imprinted. It just happens naturally because Quill became what Claire needed; a brother, a protector, a friend. Because Sam became the lover Emily needed. When we imprint we become someone different; someone our imprint needs. It's a match made in heaven." I scoffed at my own greeting card term. But Nessie wasn't laughing. I could practically see the wheels turning in her little, perfect head. It was a lot to digest but I couldn't help finding myself impatient for her reply.
"So what happens when Claire no longer just needs a friend and instead she needs a lover?" she questioned, not looking at me.
Good girl. Question what you're really thinking.
"Quill will be there. She might want to test the field a little, but eventually she'll see him. He'll be perfect for her and she'll know it. There won't be anyone else for her to look at when she has her perfect other in front of her."
"And that's it?" she asked. What else is there?
"Should there be something more?"
"Well, no. It just seems like it's a lot of work for Quill to wait so long for her. He should test the field a little too. If Claire can then why can't he?" She was mumbling into her hands while she played with her lips. She does that when she's nervous.
"It is a lot of work; but it's worth it. Totally, 100% worth it. Because the moment Claire does look at Quill in a loving way and not a childish sisterly way, his world will come full circle. He doesn't need anyone else as long as he has Claire. Sam, Jared…none of them needs anyone else but their imprint."
It took her a very long time but she finally looked up at me, leaning her face towards mine until we were just inches apart. "Jacob," she whispered then gulped. "I remember once, when I was little…I asked you why you don't have any friends…"
"And I said "Because I don't need anyone but you." And I still mean it." I finished for her. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. Again, I could practically see her mind connecting the dots and figuring out everything I was trying to tell her discretely.
"Jake did you imp-" She was cut off when the backdoor swung open violently. Rosalie stood in the doorway and I could have knocked her out flat for interrupting us now.
"Renesmee, you need to get some sleep. Edward and Bella will be home tomorrow with Carlisle and Esme. We're picking them up at the airport at twelve so I need you to be ready." Rose said to Nessie.
Ugh! Blondie! I could have pummeled her. She was being the parent and it was getting frustrating. She stood in the doorway waiting for Nessie to move. I held onto the belt loop of the jeans she was wearing.
"Can we have a minute, Rose?" Renesmee asked, gesturing to me with a jerk of her head.
"You've had your minute. It's well past three a.m. Renesmee. Don't make me ask again." Rose said, pointing to the door. Nessie sighed.
"Night, Jake." she whispered, kissing my cheek and hopping out of my lap. I let go of her grudgingly. "Night, Rose." she sang, kissing her aunts cheek too before dancing up the stairs. Rosalie stood still for a minute.
"You couldn't have given me just five more minutes?" I seethed, through clenched teeth. She chuckled! God forgive me for cursing out this woman, but she laughed at me! And walked back into the house.
I quickly bolted for the trees to resist from bursting into a wolf while at the house.
The pack was out, making rounds already. Everyone was out though and I knew I had to of missed something. The Cullen's were out too. Jasper and Emmett.
We all agree with Emmett. We're making rounds tonight protecting the house while Nessie sleeps. We aren't just going to sit around waiting for this vampire to strike. Embry called to me as he circled. I agreed and headed further out in the trees to make rounds up there. We all had a patch of land we were designated.
There was only a small opening for anyone to get in between Alice and Leah for latter tonight. But I was entrusting them to keep it closed off. No one was allowed to the house.
Nessie doesn't know. The Cullen's will come out once she's asleep. Sam added. I didn't like that too much but I knew it was important.
Nessie would be sound asleep and we'd all be out here watching over her. What could go wrong with that?
I phased back to human form when I heard the shower kick on in Nessie's room. I scrambled around her room as fast as I could without her knowing, leaving behind a CD as the only reminder that I'd been there at all.
Renesmee's POV
Could Rosalie get any meaner? I don't think so. I was ready to hurt my favorite aunt. Ugh, she could be so thoroughly irritating sometimes. She hated Jacob that much? Tonight was important. I was getting answers. Then Rosalie had to come a ruin it!
I worked myself up into a panic just thinking of how things might have gone tonight if Rose hadn't stepped in. I knew the answer to the question I was about to ask. Jake had imprinted on me. It was why we are both so thoroughly vital to each others existence. It's why he's been here for so long. Being a brother then a friend, now a lover, always a protector.
I took a deep breath, letting the warm shower water fall on me as it wishes. Imprinting. A complex thing I didn't understand…and yet I didn't really mind. I couldn't. I had enough answers. I knew Jake was the one for me. My other half, as he had said it. The perfect match. How is one supposed to avoid the inevitable perfection? I didn't even want to avoid the inevitable. I was a little frightened that this was it for me, one and done like an alcoholic drink. But not so much that I was going to bolt.
The one thing that scared me the most was the thought that this was it for Jacob. He would never have anyone else. That hit low.
He needed to go out and love other people; yet the very thought had my chest constricting in a painful way. I don't deserve him and yet the universe has forced us together. Why fight the world when you can let go and let fate be fate? Let the world do as it wishes?
Because that would cause too much damage to Jacob. It would be too difficult. I couldn't bring myself to hurt him that way. If I let go and let myself love him the way I was created to do then he would return that love. He would love me like never before. And I would ruin it. I would crush him and it would end all too soon.
That was what I did. I destroyed things. I nearly killed my mother when I was still in her womb and again when I was born. I nearly killed my whole family when the Volturi found out about my existence. I am very good at destroying everything.
I can't destroy Jacob though. I refuse. Not this time. This time I will love without destroying and this time I was going to let the world follow me without failing.
I turned the shower off and dried off, smiling. I could conquer the world; why not? Most parents told their children they could be presidents. Mine told me I could do anything. And I chose to make this life count. Make my life with Jacob something easy and good and not something terrible and fated to destruction.
I walked out of my bathroom and changed into pajamas (not my cherry pajamas- they were dirty and in the hamper- but sweats and a T-shirt.)
I was about to crawl into bed when I saw it lying on my pillow.
A CD and a note. I looked at the cover of the CD. Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Don't You Fake It. Hmm, odd. I opened the note, penciled on paper from my desk.
Nessie-
If you listen to track 11 you'll know my answer to your question tonight. Sleep tight.
Love, Jakie
I couldn't help but smile. And worry at the same time.
I opened the case and placed the CD in my radio player and hit the button to play track 11. My heart pounding in my chest; I listened to the opening bars.
Guitar. Soft yet strong.
"When I see your smile. Tears roll down my face. I can't replace. And now that I'm strong I have figured out, how the world turns cold and it breaks through my soul. And I know I'll find, deep inside me I can be the one. I will never let you fall. I'll stand up with you forever. I'll be there for you through it all. Even if saving you sends me to heaven. It's okay. It's okay. Its okay-ay-ay-ay. Seasons are changing and waves are crashing and stars are falling all for us. Days grow longer and nights grow shorter. I can show you I'll be the one.
"I will never let you fall. I'll stand up with you forever. I'll be there for you through it all. Even if saving you sends me to heaven. Cause you're my….you're my. My. My true love. My whole heart; please don't throw that away. Cause I'm here for you. Please don't walk away please tell me you'll stay? Whoa. Stay. Whoa.
"Use me as you will. Pull my strings just for a thrill. Yeah, I know I'll be okay. Though my skies are turning gray. I will never let you fall. I'll stand up with you forever. I'll be there for you through it all. Even if saving you sends me to heaven. I will never let you fall. I'll stand up with you forever. I'll be there for you through it all. Even if saving you sends me to heaven…"
And the song faded out. I sat still for a minute; only realizing the tears streaming down my cheeks after they began to fall to my lap.
Amazing how a man can touch a girl's heart with just a simple song. It meant so much though. Almost as if Jacob was singing it to me himself.
I swiped at my tears as they dried. I pulled the CD back out and placed it back in its case, slipping it- and the note- into my bedside table. That would be something to cherish.
It struck me dead between the eyes. Jacob loved me. Not a "yeah, I love you" kind of way. As in "I will never let you fall, I'll stand up with you forever. I'll be there for you through it all even if saving you sends me to heaven" kind of way. He wasn't going anywhere any time soon. He was here to stay.
I would have smiled if I weren't so terrified by the idea.
There goes my sleep…
I turned over in my bed again. It had been two and a half hours since I'd gone to bed and I'd still yet to close my eyes for good. Sure I'd tried really freaking hard, but nothing was happening. I wasn't even tired! It was now five thirty a.m. and I had five and a half hours left to get sleep before I had to pick up my family at the airport. Oh the joy!
Jacob Black Jr. was sleeping at the foot of my bed- I snuck him into the house almost every night considering the man who made the outside only rule (Dad) wasn't home and I got away with almost everything. I was too awake to pretend not to hear Junior's growling. The bed began to quiver lightly as he panted and growled in the direction my back was facing. I panicked immediately.
I flipped back over to face the window and froze.
At first I though maybe I was delusional, or finally sleeping and dreaming the man in my window into existence. But my eyes adjusted and I saw him to be real. The scream built in my throat and my hands began to sweat.
But I couldn't do it. I couldn't scream. His hand was suddenly covering my mouth, his face too close to mine.
"Please, don't scream, Renesmee. You don't know how long it took me to get here." he requested of me, his eyes pleading. He removed his hand, almost testing to see if I'd go against his demand. What he didn't know what my throat was too dry to scream. What he didn't know wouldn't hurt him.
"How do you know my name?" I squirmed. Jr. immediately placed his furry body between mine and the intruder's. But this man was a vampire. He would be able to take out my dog in a second.
I grabbed a chunk of Junior's fur in my hand and yanked him behind me.
"That's a long story. You see I've been searching for you for so long now. My name is Lonni and my sister Gwen was a half-human, half-vampire hybrid like you and I've been in search of others of her kind ever since she died. Please don't think me creepy, I just needed to meet you." Lonni rambled as I began slithering off my bed slowly.
"Sneaking through my window isn't exactly the grand introduction I would have shot for, buddy."
"Yes well let's just say your family is on high alert and I needed to see you before I told them why I'm here."
"Why are you here?" I asked, my eyes narrowing. I was nearly at the edge of the bed now.
"I need you to know, Renesmee-" He was cut off when the door slammed open.
"Jake!" I screamed- finally finding my voice- and lurching straight off the bed to my feet and over into his arms in one fluid movement.
He hugged me tight to his body in a protective gesture. I was reminded of our song once more and nearly smiled. But I didn't. I trusted Jacob to keep me safe but that didn't help the fact that Junior was still in the room and dangerously close to a vampire who could rip him apart without even thinking about it. I grabbed a hold of Junior's body, reminding myself to go buy him a collar at some point.
"We told you not to come back." Jacob seethed at the vampire standing dumbfounded and indignant in my room.
"I promise not to harm you, Renesmee." he said to only me. I curled closer into Jacob's protective barrier. Lonni's face hardened at the cold motion.
"Leave. Now." Jacob was now fighting quakes rocking through him.
"Renesmee, I can't let you die. I have information you need." Lonni said and Jacob froze. I looked up at him and caught on to the desperate spark in his eye. "Not so sure I need to go now, huh Mutt?" Lonni teased Jacob and I shot my glare back at him.
"I don't care what information you have. Don't talk to Jake that way!" I yelled at him, moving forward at him without my minds consent. Jake caught the back of my shirt and pulled me back to him, holding me even tighter. I let him hold me back as I kicked Junior lightly behind us. Funny how we made up an almost familial picture, Junior, Jacob and I.
"Talk. Tell me the essentials you have." Jacob said, his voice a mix of anxiety and hope. I looked back up at him and focused my eyes on him.
"Not here. Please, give me the time to tell you all properly." Lonni was now pleading…me. He was looking at me only and asking me. He dropped the decision on me.
A/N: Ohhhh cliffy! (P.S. Pattyheartcake: Jake got a little bit of loving- not much but a little. But I promise he will soon! Not in this chapter…or the next one (lol) but soon! HAHA!)