xA/N: ok, so I just finally read back into previous chapters to see how I actually did once I didn't exactly remember what I wrote, and realized that the links to all of the new stuff she had didn't show, so I'm posting them on the top of my profile page. They'll be labeled and all, and they'll say ps. I love you more above them, so you know they're the ones. I know I haven't updated in FOREVER and I'm SORRYYYYY lol. Just finished up my summer job :] so they should be coming faster. I already have 21 done and I'm ½ way thru the epilogue :[ anywaysss, here yas goo.x
xTwentyxValerie POVxOne week laterx
Tonight was a bonfire, and something about that fact had Seth all worked up and nervous about something.
I was over Vanessa and Pauls place because Seth's anxiety levels were starting to get to me at Leah's.
"Ness, I know you know why Seth's all worked up, you just won't tell me," I whine at her.
"Yup," she pops the 'p,' agreeing simply.
"But why?" I ask, dragging out the 'y.'
"Because it's something for Seth to tell you, not me; so quit whining and come here so I can help you get ready." She orders.
"Ugh, fine," I grumble as I stalk into the bathroom and let her pull my hair half back into a half ponytail before pulling her own lower-back length hair into a long, gorgeous French braid. "Where'd you learn to do that?" I ask as she wraps her band around its end.
"A friend of mine," she replies simply as she pins her bangs back.
"Jeez," I mutter as she turns back to me.
"Dress simple, but nice, and not to warm," she warns. "Because the fire will overheat you."
I nod and head into the bedroom to look through my bag of clothes. I settle on my dark purple button down with a grey tank top and grey skinny jeans. I leave my purple top unbuttoned and slide on grey gladiator sandals. I straighten up just as Vanessa steps back into the room sporting a yellow oversized sweatshirt that says something in some Asian language. The yellow sweatshirt hangs loosely off her shoulders, revealing multiple black straps and is revealingly low cut, allowing her to still show much cleavage.
"That's cute," I comment as she looks towards the silent baby monitor.
"Thanks," she grins. "I'm still losing baby weight from Alex, and I'm still in my maternity bras because I'm still huge," she makes a face. "Stupid breast feeding," she grumbles.
"Oohk, for the record, you have no leftover baby fat, but the boobs are your own problem," I laugh.
"Yeah, I hear ya," she grins and picks up Alex's carrier before shutting off the monitor and heading into his light blue room.
"Come on, big boy. Time to go see daddy," she tells him as she lifts his tiny, sleeping form out of the crib and placing him gently in the carrier. "Ready Mel?" she asks Melanie as she comes out of her room wearing a pink skirt with a white sweater top and white sandals. She nods eagerly and takes Vanessa's free hand as we head down the hall.
"Do you mind if we walk there? I'm sick of sitting around and driving everywhere." She says as she locks the door behind her.
"That's fine," I grin as we make our way down the road towards first beach.
xSeth POVx
"Finally," I hear Paul mutter as I look up to see Vanessa and Valerie walking towards us, Alex's carrier between the two, whom are chatting easily and laughing with Mel on Vanessa's other side.
"We were beginning to think something happened to you two." I mutter as I encase Val in my arms.
"Nah, we're tougher than any chicks out there," she grins at Nessa and they laugh.
"Oh really?" Leah appears in front of them, standing on the defensive.
"You too, Lee, you too," Vanessa allows as she grins and hugs her.
"Seth?" Val asks. "Can we go for a quick detour?" I merely nod and lead her off towards the water. "What's going on? I feel like there's something you aren't telling me," she looks up at me.
"I'll tell you tonight, I promise. Just as long as you promise to keep an open mind," I tell her gently, running the back of my hand along the length of her jaw bone.
"Of course, I mean, it can't be that bad, she smiles, leaning into my touch.
"Come on, let's go get food before the beasts are unleashed," I chuckle and lead her over to the food table.
"Brady, dude, chill," I hear Jacob command as I look over to see Brady shaking violently. I watch as the scene before us unfolds.
I watch as Paul flat out sprints towards Brady, tackling him to the ground, away from Vanessa, Alex, Mel, and Leah. Then as Jake runs across the beach, clearing the food tables in one bound, trying to get to Brady as he phases, Paul still atop him from the tackle.
I hear Paul roar I pain as blood gushes from the deep cuts across his body as Jake phases on the fly and drags Brady off into the woods.
"Paul!" Vanessa screams, handing Alex to a shocked Melanie before sprinting towards her imprint. "Paul," she cries, dropping to her knees as I hear Valerie leave my side and watch as she drops down into the sand next to Vanessa, holding onto her, acting as her support for the moment.
"Vanessa," Sam approaches, hands extended. "Vanessa, we need to move him so we can get Carlisle to come fix him up."
"No, no no no," she cries as Collin wraps his arms around her from behind and picks her gently up to bring her out of the way.
"Val?" I ask, approaching slowly. "Val, I'm sorry; I didn't mean for you to find out like this; I'm sorry."
"How long? How long have you kept this from me?" she asks in a hard voice as she backs away from Paul.
"Since the beginning," I whisper.
"The beginning," she repeats. "Five months," she deadpans, taking Alex from Mel and placing him in his seat. "Five months," she repeats sadly before hurrying towards Collins' retreating figure with Alex and Mel at her sides.
"God DAMMIT!" I yell as I turn and punch a tree before phasing and taking off on a very long run towards Canada.
xVanessa POVx
"Paul," I cry as Collin carries me through my front door and to Paul and my bedroom to display a scene that I hope to never see again.
Paul was splayed on the bed, covered in bandages with the vampire doctor leaning over him.
"Paul," I cry weakly, struggling to get out of Collins grip.
"Is she alright to be near him? I don't want her to mess with his healing," I hear Collin say to Carlisle.
"She'll be fine, the cuts are healing themselves and his ribs are bound tightly enough to reform quickly. He should be fine in, oh – two or three days. I put him under though, made it easier on both of us."
xCollin POVx
I gently place Vanessa on her feet before shaking Dr. Fangs hand. By the time I've looked back to Vanessa, she's already on the bed, her cheek pressed to his bicep, tears pouring down her face.
The picture splayed out before me of my parental figures will forever haunt my memories.
xPaul POVx
Ugh, I groan internally as I feel myself begin to come too. I feel like I'm on fire; all of me hurt. With each passing heartbeat I begin to feel more aware.
The first thing I'm aware of besides the aching in my body is the feeling of someone at my side with the salty smell of tears in the air.
I open my eyes to see Vanessa sitting next to me, curled up with her arms around her knees. I feel tears come to my eyes and can't take watching her cry anymore, so I silently move my arm and rest my hand lightly on her cheekbone so it's cupping her face.
"Baby, its oohk, please stop crying," I ask softly.
"Paul?" she gasps looking up at me with her bloodshot, tear-brimmed eyes.
"Yeah, babe, its oohk, I'm fine," I lie. "Really."
She stares at me for a moment with agonized eyes before slumping over into my upper arm.
"How long has it been since you last slept?" I ask softly as I begin to play with her hair and she yawns a huge yawn.
"Since Carlisle put you under," she admits.
"When was that?"
"Three days ago," she whispers.
"Three days – what – babe, you need to sleep," I scold her softly.
"But," she protests as I wrap an arm around her and snuggle her against my aching torso. "But I didn't want you to wake up alone, or to hurt you accidentally."
"It's alright, babe. Just sleep now, oohk?" I tell her. She nods into my side before yawning once again and quickly falling asleep.
"Vanessa-" Val walks into the room. "Ooh, sorry Paul," she mumbles.
"It's fine, what did you need?"
"Nothing, Alex was just hungry, but I'm sure there's baby formula around here somewhere." She smiles wryly.
"Alright, thanks," I smile as she walks out. I look down at Vanessa and brush her cheek lightly with my fingers, slowly relaxing her face. I turn cautiously and pull her into me so that her face is cradled into my chest.
I watch for a few moments before drifting off beside her.
xVanessa POVx
As I slowly come to, I realize that I'm draped across Paul's chest, arms around him and snuggled tightly into him. I move my head and open my eyes before gasping, coming face to face with his scars.
Those will never go away, I realize as I feel him move beneath me.
"Vanessa?" Paul asks, his voice thick with sleep.
"Yeah," I whisper.
"You oohk?"
"I – yeah, I'm fine." I hesitate.
"You sure?" he asks quietly, a hand coming up to coax my face so that I'm looking at him.
I merely nod and smile softly before his lips attack mine and my lungs are dysfunctional.
"Babe," he pants a few minutes later. "I can literally…feel your anxiety. What's going on in that pretty head of yours?" he asks as he quickly regains his breath.
"Your scars," I mutter hesitantly, running my hands across the scarring on his chest. "They won't ever go away."
"True, they'll fade, but they won't go away. It's kind of like if a vampire bites another vampire; the bite stings for a bit, then the mark just fades into their skin." He explains
"Ooh," I respond, thinking that over.
"Yeah, ask Jasper about it sometime, he'll show you."
"Alright," I sit up; on edge at the sound of Alex's cries. "Val," I call as the crying gets closer. "I can take him, he probably wants to see daddy too." I tell her as she walks in, my screaming child in her arms.
"Your kid," she hands him over. "Is one of the biggest human vacuum cleaners I know, INCLUDING the wolves," she scoffs before laughing alongside me and plopping down beside me. I pull my shirt aside and allow Alex close enough proximity to latch on a begin sucking hungrily.
"So, how're you two?" she asks in a very Val like conversational tone.
"Good," I reply.
"Been better," Paul chuckles as he wraps an arm around my waist beneath a feeding Alex. "But still good."
"Well good," she nods happily.
"Have you talked to Seth?" I ask suddenly, but regret it immediately as a look of sadness takes over her features.
"No," she whispers softly. "Jake said after I left with Alex and Mel he took off towards Canada and hasn't shown any signs of coming back yet," she looks down.
"Why that little shit-" Paul moves behind me.
"No," I place a hand on his knee. "You'll stay here and won't phase, just like Carlisle told you."
"I could quite literally kick his ass right now," he mutters before surrendering and re-positioning himself behind me.
"Yes, well," I don't bother finishing the sentence as Val smiles a kind smile.
"He'll come back when he's ready," she smiles sadly.
"Why did he run off?" Paul asks.
"Because when Brady phased I found out about the whole wolf thing and he apologized because that wasn't how he wanted me to find out. Then he apologized and told me that he'd kept that from me for five months, so I took Mel and Alex and followed Collin and Nessa. I just…walked away." She looks down, ashamed.
"Don't blame yourself," Paul tells her quietly. "You have every right to be angry that he didn't tell you for that long."
"Yeah, but I shouldn't have walked off, then maybe he'd still be here." She says as tears begin to roll down her cheeks.
"Hey, hey, it's alright." I comfort her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "He'll come back, and when he does, I'll kick his ass soo hard, he won't know what the fuck hit him." I threaten, making her laugh a little.
"Th-thanks," she chuckles.
"You need a girl's night out," Renesmee walks into the room. "A night on the town, just us girls."
"No one's pregnant, right?" Nessie asks.
"Uh…no, Em had Aaron like, a week before you had Riley, so I think we're all set. Unless anyone's recently been at it like the rabbits." I say seriously before laughing.
"Then we're going out. No one smells like their imprint any more than usual, so we're good," Nessie grins. "Come on, girlies."
"Babe," Paul grabs my hand as I stand. "Be careful," he asks solemnly.
"Always, I love you." I kiss him softly.
"Love you more," he grins.
"Not a chance."
"Of course," he responds.
"Vanessa, you get your skinny ass down here, right now!" I hear Valerie yell from the floor below.
"I wish I could go with you," he says.
"I know, I do too, but you need to finish healing and this is what Val needs to get her mind off of Seth, so…" I stop before kissing him again. "Love you, I'll be back later. Don't hurt yourself anymore; just do what Carlisle says, ok?"
"Yeah, yeah, have fun, be safe, I love you too." He lifts his head to kiss me once more before I hurry down the stairs, recovering myself and my racing heart on the way. I pause at the bottom stair and look for Emmett.
"Hey Em?" I ask sweetly. He looks up. "Could you watch Alex for me for a while?" I ask hopefully.
"Uh…sure?" he says as I hand him Alex and squeal.
"Thanks!" I grin before running out the door towards the others.
"Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" I hear him call before laughing with Jared as I shut the door to Edward's Volvo.
I chuckle and start it as Renesmee climbs into the drivers seat. I wait while Kim climbs into the back with Val, Emily, and Leah while Rose, Bella, Alice, and Esme all get into Rose's red M3 convertible before Renesmee finally pulls out of the driveway and heads towards Seattle.
xIn SeattlexRenesmee POVx
Only about two hours later, thanks to mine and Rose's speedy quick driving, we're in Seattle, trying to find the best club to be at. About thirty minutes previously, we'd all stopped at the mall and picked ourselves out some cute clubbing outfits and changed in the cars on the way.
I was in a simple purple strapless skin tight dress that stopped about a quarter of the way down my thighs with black stilettos. Vanessa was in dark, short as fuck short shorts with a silver cami and silver stilettos. Val was in a skintight strapless black dress with a thick yellow ribbon around her waist and four inch black peep toe heels. Kim wore lighter wash ripped short as fuck short shorts with a pink flowy, low cut top with a black lace cami and four inch pink heels. Emily, who wore one of the most conservative outfits, wore a black, mid thigh length dress with a low v-neck and thick straps with cute black flats. Leah was also in short as fuck short shorts with a dark grey halter tube top and dark grey gladiator sandals. Rosalie wore a red short as fuck, skin tight dress until the bottom, which was only about four inches down her thigh, where it loosened a little so it flowed with red stilettos. Bella wore a more innocent looking medium blue strapless cocktail dress. The bust was decorated carefully with rhinestones, before being separated by the mid-thigh length flowy skirt by a darker blue ribbon and high heeled silver strappy sandals. Esme wore a soft yellow dress similar to Emily's with simple brown velvet flats. Alice, shortest and last one of all, wore a deep green strapless tube top with shapes cut out around her torso and light wash ripped short as fuck short shorts with simple black stilettos.
"Damn," Vanessa says, "We're all lucky as hell that you all decided to drive over to mine and Pauls place to see us."
"Of course, we always have perfect timing," I grin teasingly.
"Always," Vanessa grins as we pull into a clubs parking lot and I kill the motor.
"Let's do this," I hear Val mutter quickly and determinedly from the backseat.
We all get out together and head in, flashing our ID's at the bouncer, all fake of course; except for Emily and Leah, all of us being under twenty one or being undead and all. We get in easily and all head straight to the bar.
"A chocolate martini," I order. "Mudslide," I hear Leah say. "Make that two," Kim pipes up. "Three," Val sings. "Red wine," Emily requests. "Coors," Vanessa finishes off.
"Beer?" I ask her.
"Damn straight," she grins. "Has to be the good kind though; Coors or Budweiser, of course. The rest tastes like piss."
"True story," Leah pipes up, laughing. "Beer just doesn't involve Vodka."
"Of course," we all laugh as the bartender serves our drinks.