I felt like someone had just punched me in the gut with a metal stick. I stopped breathing and I could bet my eyes were probably bulging form my head. An 'Oof' sound escaped my mouth and that was it. I couldn't move, I felt frozen. Maybe she was kidding; maybe Tanya was just joking around but, judging from her serious expression it didn't seem possible. Marissa was frozen in her spot, her little hands on her mouth and her blue eyes looking so scared I thought she might pass out.
If Marissa is Tanya's daughter and if Tanya is Edward's mate doesn't that make Edward the father? Edward fathered this child? What? That can't be possible. Tanya's body couldn't conceive a child; her body was frozen just like mine. Marissa couldn't even be an immortal child, she was human. I could smell her innocent blood; I could hear her blood pumping in her veins. I could hear her heart pounding in her little chest. She wasn't a vampire, she was definitely human.
"W-what?" I sounded so lost it was almost funny. Tanya bit her lip and glanced at Marissa who looked like someone had just killed her puppy. She looked horrified and again, I thought she might faint.
"Momma, why did you tell her? You told me to never tell anyone" Marissa whispered. Her eyes flashed at mine but, then she quickly looked away. Tanya didn't even look at her, she was staring at me.
"She's like Momma and daddy. She's one of us" Tanya said stoned-face. She didn't glance at her so-called daughter. Her gaze was on me, I didn't know if she was angry or sad, or happy or frustrated. Her eyes betrayed no emotions.
I felt week, I had to sit down to make sure I didn't fall over. Tanya hesitantly sat next to me on the rough rock while little Marissa sat on her lap. Marissa buried her face in her mother's neck like she thought I was scary. I was too weak to say anything, my brain wasn't working right, it was like someone had stolen my brain from my head. I felt like a robot with no emotions. The world was a funny place, when you thought all the uninvited surprises were over, one just popped right back up. I waited for Tanya to say something; I needed to know what was going on. Tanya's big golden eyes met mine, her pupils had enlarged and she looked like she was preparing to spill a top-secret. Her eyes glazed at the moon, she looked like she was lost in thought.
"Before I was changed into a vampire, I was living a pretty happy life. 7 years ago, got married when I was 18 to a man who I loved more than life itself. I couldn't have been happier; I was living like I've always wanted to. I lived in a big estate in Virginia with a husband who kissed me the first thing after he opened his eyes and the last thing before he closed them. I was living the dream, I felt like I couldn't be happier" Tanya smiled like she could see the image. But, her smile seemed a little haunted. Her blond hair flew in the wind and she seemed to snap back to reality.
"But, then something else happened. I got to know I was pregnant. I wasn't ready to be pregnant; I was only 19 for god's sake. I didn't know what to do; I didn't want to have a baby. I didn't want to lose all my freedom. I wasn't ready to parade around a baby like it was the center of the universe. But, my husband didn't let me get an abortion. He practically threatened me that he would divorce me if I got an abortion" Tanya glanced at the now sleeping child in her arms. She held her awkwardly in her arms, Marissa looked like she was about to fall. She readjusted the baby and focused her attention on me.
"So I didn't kill the fetus. After nine months I gave birth to a baby girl. I was right; I wasn't ready to take care of a baby. I couldn't handle the pressure; I would scream and yell at my husband and at the little girl for no reason. I couldn't take care of her, I just couldn't do it. It was too much work and I was way too lazy and too naïve to look after a screaming child. I had absolutely no training in babies; I had no clue as to what I was supposed to do. My husband and I fought all the time, our relationship was going downhill" Tanya looked at the stars, black eyes were glistening.
"Then one day, I accidently dropped Marisa. She hit her head on the wooden floor and she started to bleed. I was so scared and my husband…. Oh god, my husband was like a tornado. He was so angry, he was so, so angry. I was afraid he would hit me, something in his eye td me that our relationship was over. We were hastily taking Marissa to the hospital, I was driving…" her voice trailed off and her eyes landed on Marissa's head.
There, on her forehead was a tiny scar that you had to squint to look at. It was pretty deep but, it was hidden by her bangs. Tanya absentmindedly torched the scar softly; her eyes were full of regret.
"I was driving. I was so, so terrified and my husband, he kept on barking orders at me, kept on telling I was a horrible mother. I was stressed out and I was crying loudly. I looked around to tell my husband to shut up. I wanted to tell him to quite insulting me-" she sounded like someone was strangling her. Her eyes were now glittering with tears openly.
"I turned around in my seat just for a second but, I hit someone. The person was made out of rock, nothing happened to him. But, it was me who got hurt. Me and my husband. Marissa was safely tucked away in her seat but, unfortunately my husband wasn't. My husband died almost immediately from the shock and I was searing my last breath. I had hit Carlisle with my car, and well he saved me. If you can call this saving." she laughed bitterly and gestured to herself.
"Before Carlisle changed me, he took Marissa to Rosalie. He couldn't just abandon her in the car. When I was changed, I wasn't allowed to meet Marissa for two years; I was after all a newborn while Marissa was human. Rosalie and Emmet took her to Paris where they took care of her…" her voice trailed off and she glanced at her daughter again.
"And the rest, well I'm sure you can imagine what happened" she looked lost; her eyes were still wet with un-shed tears. Her eyebrows were furrowed and she looked like she was trying to keep herself together.
I didn't know what to say. I stayed quiet for while as I watched Marissa sleep awkwardly in her mother's arms. As if she could sense that I was watching her, Marissa's eyes opened slowly. The clear blue eyes stared back at me with silent questions. Her eyes were sparkling with soft tears, her blue eyes had darkened. I realized that she wasn't sleeping when Tanya was talking. The little girl didn't say anything; she just closed her eyes again and let the tears fall on her cheek. I couldn't look away from her and I got a feeling that I'll carry this image in my head for the rest of my life.
"Marissa has his eyes" Tanya whispered suddenly, she still didn't look at me. I couldn't find my voice to answer
"She has my dead husband's eyes. I can't tell you how much it hurts when I look in her eyes. Not only did I damn her life, I also killed her father. When I look at her, I see his face. His nose, his eyes, his mouth. Every time I look at her, it's like living the car accident over and over again" I felt like she was talking to herself, like she didn't even realize I was here.
"Are you going to change her?" I asked softly. Tanya's hard, black eyes snapped back at me. She looked haunted, I felt like she was a thousand years old right now.
"Do I have a choice? I can't just let her grow old and die, it's not right. A child can't die before its parents. I'm waiting until her seventeenth birthday, and then I'll change her. Edward doesn't like it but-" I instantly hardened at the mention of Edward. What was his relationship with this sad child?
"E-Edward?" I asked as my voice shook. Tanya looked back at me; her blond hair flew in the wind.
"My mate" she announced softly. I felt my frozen hear shatter again. Her voice was like a razor cutting into ice. Even though I knew that she was Edward's mate, her saying it only made it more official.
"He's like Marissa's father. She loves him and he loves her. I don't know what I would do it he weren't here. I don't know what Marissa would do if he weren't here" my eyes snapped at Marissa and I saw her smile slightly through her pained tears. I swallowed my bitter remark and focused back on Tanya again.
"He doesn't like it but, I have to do what I have to do. He wants her to stay human for her entire life but, I can't let her die. It would be like breaking an unspoken promise to my dead husband. I have to protect her but, I have no clue how to. If she turns into a vampire, she'll never get hurt, she'll never have to die" Tanya looked broken again, she looked tiered and pained.
"Edward hates this idea, he thinks it's wrong. He thinks we have no souls and that we're un-natural creatures. I couldn't agree more but, this is something I just have to do" she sighed softly.
I wished I could hate her. But, I couldn't. I just couldn't, she had already been through too much. Seeing her like this, all broken it made my heart ache for her. Without thinking, I put my pale arm around her.
Tanya jumped, she looked very surprised. I couldn't blame her, I was too. She hesitated, her eyes questioning me. But, finally she leaned in and let me wrap my arms around her. She sobbed softly, a horrible sound breaking off from her throat. I hugged her tightly, not knowing what else to do.
In this time, we were sisters. Sisters who had been through so much in their life. Sisters who had experienced the worst pain anybody could ever experience. Sisters who went through pain every day. Sisters whose life would never be their own. I don't know for how long we stayed that way, me comforting her while she sobbed her heart out. All jealousy aside I hugged her tightly, hoping to comfort her.
It was true, I could never stop envying her, could never stop wishing her life would be my own. But, after going through so much in her life, I understood her pain. I understood the way she felt.
"Why did it have to be me?" she cried out. I had wondered the same exact thing for a century now but, id never gotten the answer.
"I don't know. I just don't know" I whispered. I didn't want to give her some stupid answer. It was the truth and it had to be revealed.
I didn't realize I was crying too until I felt my eyes get heavier and my throat closed up. I didn't sob though; I didn't let my tears make any noise. My dry silent tears stood on the very edge of my eye, threatening to spill over. But, they were frozen, just like me. They would never fall; I would never get the satisfaction to actually openly cry with actual tears running down my cheek.
A soft sob came from Marissa's mouth. She was crying too, her blue eyes were puffy and bloodshot, her nose a crimson red. She was trying to keep quiet; she didn't want her mother to know that she'd overheard our conversation. But, it was already too late. Tanya glanced down at Marissa.
Tanya squeezed her pitch black eyes closed. She looked like she wanted to kill herself. Her sobs were louder now and then without a word she entangled herself from me and handed me her child. Tanya gave me a small sad smile, thanking me with her eyes and then she ran. She ran away from me and her daughter. She needed some time alone; she needed to get away from everyone for a while.
I stared at the ground that Tanya had stood on just about a second ago. I glanced at Marissa, the poor girl was still crying. Her tears soaked on her golden hair. I'd never touched a child before but, my instinct told me to cuddle her in my arm, to make her feel safe and secure. Marissa wasn't tall, so she perfectly fit in the crook of my arm. I squeezed her close to me, trying to make her feel safe. Marissa wrapped her small hands around my neck and clung to me tightly.
I held her until she stopped crying, which was a long time. Finally, her wails stopped and she turned around to face me. She looked like hell. Her hair was a tangle of leaves, dirt and little strands of golden. Her blue eyes were bloodshot, her cheeks were clumped with brown dirt, and her nose was red and a little runny. But, I didn't care. To me she was the most beautiful baby on the world.
"Mommy doesn't like me" she whispered as she played with her hands. I gently wiped her eyes to get rid of the tears that she still shed. I then I cleaned her cheek slowly.
"Mommy loves you" I said gently. Marissa looked at her feet which were resting on the other side of my elbow. She bit her lip- a trick that I always used.
"d-daddy is not my daddy" her voice shook with more tears. She meant Edward. Of course, she thought of him as her dad. Maybe this was supposed to make me angry but, all I felt at this time was my heart breaking for the poor girl.
"Do you love daddy?" I asked. Marissa didn't look up but, she nodded.
"Does he love you?" I asked her. She frowned through her tears, her little eyebrows furrowed at the questioned.
"I don't know" she still had trouble pronouncing the't' in don't. I don't know why but, I thought that was the cutest thing ever. Sometimes I forgot that she was only seven years old.
"Does he ever tell you he loves you?" I asked her again. She hesitated but, then nodded.
"There you go then. He definitely loves you" I stated with confidence. No matter what, I was going to make this child stop crying.
"You dink so?" she pronounced 'think' wrong. But, it was the cutest thing ever. It made me smile with adoration.
"Definitely" I voiced. A small smile tugged her plump lips, and she finally stopped crying. But, the smile disappeared again and I frowned.
"b-but what about Mommy" her voice shook again. I swallowed.
"She'll be fine. She's just….." I was at loss for words. I couldn't lie but, I couldn't completely tell her the truth. Marissa's hopeful eyes blinked at me.
"She just needs time alone" yeah. Great going Bella. But, Marissa seemed to believe me, she finally stopped crying.
Marissa smiled up at me showing off her teeth. Her front tooth was missing which made her cuter than she already was. Being this cute should be illegal. I smiled back immediately, I was glad I'd made this child stop crying after all. I reached out and tucked her blond hair behind her small ears. She-
Just then I remembered something that I had wished I hadn't remembered. Alice. Oh god! She said they would be coming to our house tonight! Man! How the hell could I have forgotten that?
"shi- I mean crap" I said to myself. I didn't want to swear in front of a six year old
"What happened?" Marissa looked concerned. She chewed on her lip again. I smiled at her reassuringly and put her on the ground but, she didn't let go. She tightened her arms around my neck. She wanted me to carry her, I realized. I swallowed and then picked her up again. She weighted as much as the air
"Nothing. Alice and some other people were supposed to come to my house tonight" I said in a soothing voice. Marissa frowned again.
"You mean Aunt Alice?" she asked in her small voice. Oh. So Alice was her aunt.
"Aunt Alice, Uncle Jasper, Aunt Rosalie, Uncle Emmet and Edward" the last name made me shiver. I didn't know if I shivered because I was excited or nervous. A little of both, I guess.
"Daddy's coming too?" Marissa's lips made a big 'o' in surprise. I nodded nervously. I just hoped that everything will turn out alright.
"What about mommy?" I was at loss for words again. I didn't know what to say. I couldn't crush Marissa's hopeful little face.
"I'm sure she'll show up later in the evening" which wasn't an actual lie. She might show up, right? Marissa smiled, her blue eyes sparkling with life again. I was glad she was happy, it made me happy too.
Looking into her innocent blue eyes I could feel something tugging at my heart. I felt my frozen heart melt as she smiled at me with trust. She was just so….pure. I smiled back with equal eagerness and bounced her in my arms playfully. She giggled as she landed in my arms safely.
"Are you like momma and daddy?" she asked me as I started to walk towards my house.
"Hmmm?" I hummed softly and looked into her soft eyes.
"You have de same eyes as dem. All golden. " it was adorable how she couldn't pronounce't' right.
"I guess I am" I mused. She looked at me with wide exited eyes.
"Really? Can you run like them?" she asked me eagerly and put her hand on my stone cool neck.
"Sure. Would you like to see?" I asked with a small smile. She nodded eagerly. In a second I safely wrapped her around my shoulders and then started to run.
We were at my house in less than a five heartbeats. When I stopped running I heard Marissa laugh slowly, I pulled her face to me and saw that she looked awed.
"That was- that was awesome!" she shouted and I smirked. It was nice to have kids call you awesome.
"Bella!" I heard a Pixie shout out. I turned my gaze around just to see a bronze haired guy shoot like a bullet towards me.
In less than a second the blue eyed girl was stolen from my hands and put into the hands of a handsome bronze haired Greek god. I blinked and saw Edward literally squish Marissa to him tightly. I saw the way Marissa clung to him for dear life. She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck tightly. Edward handled her with such care it was like she was made out of glass. I felt like an intruder watching this show, it seemed way too private for me to see.
I uneasily turned my gaze to Alice who gave me a reassuring smile. She danced her way towards me and lightly pecked me on the cheek.
"I saw Marissa with you. I told Edward she's fine but, he wouldn't listen to me. Can you believe it? He wouldn't listen to the awesomeness of the physic vampire" she rolled her eyes playfully and gestured to Edward.
I turned to Edward again. I got the same reaction I always did when I looked at him, my heart clenched and I felt a wave of nausea hit me. He was just so beautiful. His golden eyes snapped to meet mine, a precious moment was born. He was thanking me silently, his eyes melting into mine. I felt dumbstruck, there were so many emotions running through his eyes. His liquid golden eyes burned into mine so fiercely it made me wince slowly.
He seemed so grateful that it made me flinch. The right side of his mouth turned up into a perfectly crooked smile. He kissed Marissa's perfect little head slowly, his eyes never once leaving mine. I swallowed slowly. It was obvious as hell to me that Edward and little Marissa shared a strong father-daughter relationship. I still didn't know how I felt about that. But, seeing them together made something in my heart melt. I felt a strong sensation of something in the pit of my stomach.
He didn't thank me by speech which I was grateful for, believe it or not. I fumbled with my hands slowly; I didn't know what else to do. Alice had danced away to his husband quite a while ago and now I was alone with Edward and Marissa.
"Are you ok?" Edward asked his daughter slowly. Marissa grinned largely.
"Totally! I even got Bella to run!" she giggled softly. It was like music to my ears and I think Edward felt the same way because he kissed her perfect forehead again.
Some noise caught my attention. Screeching noises coming from less than a mile away. An alarming sensation raised its head in my mind. No one ever came to our house; it was hidden deep in the bulk of the dark forest. I'd had people built it so, my family and I could hide away from the humans. Edward noticed the same thing as me because his perfectly arched eyebrows shot up.
Then I completely understood and I felt like choking Marie and Stephen with my bare hands. I could smell the humans; they were less than a mile away now. Oh why? Why had I gotten Marie and Stephen as my family? Why couldn't I have picked someone who was way more mature to do this?
"What's going-" I cut off a now worried Edward. I opened my mouth and put as much hate I could manage into my words.
"MARIE! STEPHEN!" I saw Marissa flinch and I instantly felt bad. I waited for them to show up; they were definitely hiding from me. Bad idea.
"IF YOU DON'T GET HERE IN LESS THAN A MILISECOUND I'M GOING TO BURN BOTH OF YOUR CARS" I yelled loudly. I knew that they would be here in less than a heartbeat and I was right. They both sheepishly made their way towards me, their faces hooded.
I wanted to curse them with every colorful word I could think of but, well there was a child standing right next to me. I tried to control my anger by breathing in and out for a while but, when I spoke I understood that it was help.
"What the hell were you thinking?" I contained myself from not yelling. I felt Edward's presence next to me and instantly calmed down. Just a little though.
"Well….um we just wanted to unload our next 'scheme'" Marie said sheepishly. I'd never felt the sudden urge to slap her before.
"So you just invite a bunch of humans to come party with vampires. Amazing idea sweetie" if I were human my face would be red from anger. Stephen grinned slowly.
"It'll be really fun! You don't even the next part in our plan! It's going to be so awesome! I swear-" a dark glare from me cut him off but, he continued to speak "and by the way, it was Alice's idea"
I should've known better. I felt Edward sigh next to me and I had a sudden urge to touch him. I mentally slapped myself. As on cue, Alice popped up. She grinned sheepishly and a mischievous glint in her eye appeared.
"Don't worry. Everything will be alright. I just couldn't let Marie and Stephen have all the fun by themselves, I wanted to help them out a bit. Don't worry, everything will turn out perfecto!" she laughed. I could tell that Edward and I were thinking the same thing.
"If you haven't already noticed, we have a child with us right now" Edward clenched his perfect teeth. I shivered at the thought of those perfect teeth biting my lips. I mentally slapped myself again. Suddenly Jasper appeared next to Alice followed by a very excited Emmet and I very bored looking Rosalie.
"Actually she did notice. Nothing will go wrong. I promise" Jasper was in this too? He seemed like a pretty serious guy, how the heck had these crazy people managed to talk him into this? But, I believed him. Jasper didn't seem like the kind of guy who would promise stuff without meaning too.
"This will be sooooooo much fun! Right, Rosie?" Emmet squealed like a little girl. I still couldn't believe someone who was this well built and who looked so mature was acting this way.
"Whatever" Rosalie mumbled. The ice queen as usual looked bored but, when she saw Marissa, she instantly brightened.
"Hey honey" Rosalie cooed as if she actually had a heart. Marissa smiled hugely as she turned her head away from Edward. It seemed like she seemed to really like Rosalie.
"Aunt Rose!" she yelled gleefully and jumped out of Edward's grasp and landed gracefully on Rosalie's arm.
"How's my favorite kid in the whole world" Rosalie was whipped. Her icy golden eyes seemed to melt when she met Marissa's eyes.
"Great! I was with Bella!" she pointed towards me. Rosalie didn't glare at me this time; she stared at me for a while. Her right lip twitched lightly, it was a weird icy smile but, her it was a beginning.
We all stiffened when we all smelled humans. They were just a few feet away, I swallowed quickly and said.
"I'll be in my room" I had no intention to actually stay and mingle with these stupid humans. Alice and Marie pouted but, I just ignored them. I did not want to stay here. I took my steps towards the house but, Marissa's cute voice stopped me.
"Can I come wid? I'm really tired" her mispronunciation was as cuter than ever. I waited for her to catch up; she jumped out of Rosalie's arms and ran towards me in her little dancers steps.
She reached out and clamed my hand in her tiny ones. It strangely felt normal, like my hand was made to hold hers. While we walked, I turned around to look at Edward.
He was as handsome as ever, he had a small smile playing on his red lips, and his golden eyes seemed amused. Then I realized that he knew that I was staring. I was ashamed but, not ashamed enough to look away. It was hard to look away from his hypnotizing face. He finally looked at me and his smile got wider. It felt like my heart just might start beating again. I think I forgot to breath but, it wasn't like I needed it. The last thing I saw before I led Marissa to my bedroom was Edward's beautiful smile.
Marissa stumbled into my room; her blue eyes were hooded with sleep. I had to keep a tight grasp on her so she wouldn't fall. She lazily smiled at me as I laid her gently on my bed. As it was cold outside, I tucked her in with the blanket that I never used. I didn't know how this happened but, it all felt very natural. I watched as Marissa's eyes closed peacefully and she went into a peaceful slumber. Sometimes I wished I could sleep like say now. I didn't know what to do with myself.
I could tell that the party was going in full force. Loud music was erupting from the base of my house. I didn't know how this would tie into Marie and Stephen- excuse me, now I mean Alice, Emmet, Jasper and Rosalie's- scheme. And really I didn't want to find out. I sighed again and opened my balcony. It was chilly outside but, I didn't feel it. My body temperature was below the positive. The view was beautiful from my small balcony. I could see the whole forest.
I was glad that there was nobody bothering my view, I was in no mood for more irritation. I sighed and wondered what Edward was doing right now. I grimaced as a small shot of pain erupted form my hest, it still hurt to say his name. I didn't know why my life was so messed up. Could you believe it? I was taking care of a girl who was the love of my life's mate's daughter. Yeah I was messed up alright.
I wondered where Tanya was. I just hoped she was alright, I didn't want Marissa to suffer and really I didn't want her to get hurt either. I just didn't want that to happen. That would make both Edward and Marissa suffer, and I didn't want that. I didn't know why I liked Marissa, maybe it was the sweet way she talked to me, or maybe it was her innocent eyes. But, no matter what, I liked that girl.
Thinking about Edward brought me another shot of pain. It just seemed so unreal…..how could he be alive? I still couldn't believe it. My life was hell. It was a living hell. I walked away from the chilly air and into my bedroom. As I walked to my rocking chair a diamond caught my eye.
The same diamond that Edward had slipped on my finger that day he's said 'I do'. The same diamond that I'd buried deep into my closet because just looking at it caused me pain. But, now when he was alive, my husband was alive, it almost made the pain unbearable. My knees were shaking so badly and I felt my hands tremble as I took the ring in my hands. It was hidden beneath my cloths but, I could still see it.
I swallowed back a agonizing scream and had to practically clamp my mouth shut from sobbing. I slipped the ring on my finger, it still fit perfectly. Had Edward slipped another ring on Tanya's finger the same way her had done with me? No he'd probably done it with great affection. He probably had taken her hand in his gently and then put the ring on her finger slowly, severing each minute. Then he had probably kissed her hand slowly working his way up to her mouth where he would've kissed her passionately.
STOP! My mind screamed. I clenched my eyes shut; there was no use to think about it. I couldn't change it but, I didn't have to live it. Why was my brain doing this to me? I stood there with the ring on my fingers for a couple of hours. I didn't move or breathe. I just became as still as a statue. My mind had gone completely blank for which I was thankful for. I didn't know what I would do if it had kept showing me whose hurtful images.
"Bella?" the sound of an alarmed child made me jump. Without a though I threw the ring on my rocking chair and made my way towards Marissa. I was thankful for the distraction.
Marissa looked afraid. I noticed she was sweating and that her lower lip was trembling. I ran to her as fast as I could and wrapped my arms around her. It seemed to help us both, we both clung to each other, it eased my pain. Marissa wasn't crying but, I could tell she was afraid. Her heart was beating a mile an hour and her breathing was ragged. I didn't ask questions until I let her calm down. When her heart rate slowed down and when she finally started to breathe normally, I shifted her in my lap so she could face me.
I smoothed her long curls which were matted to her forehead. She leaned into me and rested her head on my shoulder. I had forgotten about my previous problems. I was concentrating full on force on Marissa. I ran my hands soothingly along her hear. She sighed slowly.
"Do you want to tell me what happened?" I asked her slowly, turning her around so I could face her again.
"I-I just had a bad dream and then I saw you weren't there. it made me- it made me scared" I knew she didn't want to talk about her nightmare by the way she bit her lip. I smiled gently and put my cold hand on her cheek. She didn't flinch at all.
"I'm here now. I'll make the nightmares go away" she hesitated but nodded. It made me sad to see her troubled. Even though I desperately wanted to know what her nightmare had been about, I knew she didn't want to talk about it so I didn't ask.
I laid her on my bed again and she snuggled into the side of my stomach. She had a weird way of sleeping; she curled up into a ball and touched her hands to her toes. Kind of like I used to when I was human. I knew she wasn't asleep because her heart was still beating a little too fast but, I didn't bother comment. A peaceful silence followed.
"Do you like my name, Bella?" Marissa suddenly asked. I frowned but, then thought about it.
"It's a very pretty name. Very old too. Very beautiful" it was her turn to frown now. She bit her lip as she thought.
"I don't like it. It's too- it's too boring" she declared. I laughed softly; leave it to kids to find their names boring.
"No it's not. It's beautiful" I argued. She pouted her lips as she thought.
"Well I don't like it" she said childishly. It was actually the first childish thing she's said all day. If you didn't look at her you wouldn't know that she's only six years old.
"What name do you like?" I mused as I naturally combed her hair with my fingers. Her hair was like silk, she had a pretty head of hair for sure.
"I like Bella. It sounds like Bell from beauty and the beast. I wished I was named after a princess" she pouted with no shame. I swear, her cuteness is going to be the death of me.
"I wasn't name after a princess. My name's very old, older than Bell actually. And Bella isn't even my real name" adoration dripped from my voice.
"Then what's your real name?" she asked me with those blue eyes.
"My parents named me Isabella" I tapped her small nose with my ice cold finger.
"It's better than Marissa" she sighed and looked at me longingly. I laughed again and hugged her closer. I thought for a minute but, and then finally spoke.
"Tell you what. You tell me what you want me to call you. It'll be your nickname" I was a pure genius and I could tell that Marissa thought the same thing. But, then she frowned again.
"I dunno what I want to be called" she furrowed her eyebrows and hit the tip of her nail thumb. I pushed her thumb away from her face and smiled slowly.
"I'll think of something" I shoved her hair away from her face. She brightened immediately, a excited glint in her eye.
"Pinky swear?" she demanded gleefully and shoved her pinky finger in front of my face
"Pinky swear" I confirmed and shook her pinky with mine. Suddenly, she reached out and kissed my forehead. I was way too shocked to do anything but, by that time she had finally settled in her bed and her eyes had already closed.
I was still stunned for a while. She was just so…. I didn't have any words to explain how she was. She was like a light to my dark world. I smiled with daze and shook my head at her innocence. I leaned my back against my bed and thought about the world with a small smile playing on my lips
~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O
I was thinking about random stuff when Alice burst into my room. She looked ready to scream from the excitement I was sure she was feeling. Just as she opened her mouth, I shushed her loudly not wanting to wake up the sleeping child next to me. Alice made a 'o' with her mouth but, then opened her mouth again.
"It's time!" she whispered.
"For what?" not that I really cared. She smiled so big it was a wonder her cheeks didn't break.
"For the plan to unravel!" she whispered yelled. Even though I told her I didn't want to leave Marissa's side she practically pushed me to the door.
With one last lingering look at Marissa's sleeping body, I sighed as Alice pushed me to the door. The party was going on in full force. Most of the humans were wasted, all drunk from the booze that one of them had probably brought by. One gross horny human boy even tried to get in my face and kiss me when I walked by but, I knocked him out. I thought about Edward as Alice led me somewhere. Why hadn't he come up to my room to check on Marissa?
"Where's Edward?" I was glad Alice knew the truth. She wouldn't think I was weird for asking that. Alice looked up and I saw sympathy in her eyes. I waited for her to answer.
"He went to find Tanya. He wanted me to thank you for taking care of Marissa" Alice said gently as if she were afraid of hurting me. Of course, he had gone to see his mate. To make sure she was okay and wasn't really hurt. I swallowed my bitterness and tuned any thoughts of Edward away from my mind.
Just then I saw Marie and Stephen standing on the kitchen counter with a mike in their hands. They had everybody's attention and I was pretty sure they were waiting for me. Here comes trouble. Out of nowhere Jasper, Emmet and Rosalie appeared at my side. They were all grinning, even the ice queen. Rosalie's eyes were asking me some silent questions and I knew right away she was asking if Marissa was alright. So, the icy queen did have a heart. I nodded stiffly and she breathed a sigh of relief.
"First of all I would like to thank you all for coming to our awesome party!" Marie yelled in the microphone. Everybody cheered even though they were all too wasted to even think
"We just have to tell you one thing. You guys all know Zack Etine, right?" I curiously looked at Alice. She grinned and rushed to explain but, Rosalie
"Captain of the football team. Blond hair, blue eyes. A complete ass. Calls you a bitch and trash talks you because you refused to date him" Rosalie explained nakedly. My eyebrows rose.
A number of gross boys had tried to ask me out but, of course I had turned them all down. This one particular boy didn't ring a tiny bell. I didn't even care if he called me a bitch. Who the hell cared? But, apparently Marie and Stephen and Alice and Jasper and Emmet and even Rosalie seemed to care.
"You know what Zack did to us?" Stephen pretended to sob. Everybody seemed to believe him. Marie looked like she was about to cry too, she wiped off an invisible tear off her cheek
"He - I can't even say it- he tried to rape our daughter, Jumbug" she sobbed. Oh god, you have t be kidding me. Marie pulled out her plastic baby and showed it to the audience.
"Tell me that you don't feel sorry for this poor, delicate creature. She was assaulted by a man and now, she can never ever be happy!" Stephen cried out. He had drawn a sad face on the doll's face.
There were loud boo's that echoed the living room. People looked angry; can't they tell that Jumbug is just a doll? Of course they couldn't, they were all wasted and all their brains weren't working right. Marie pretended to sob into Stephen's shoulder mournfully. The whole audience looked really angry. Wow. I just stood there with my mouth hung open. Alice was laughing slowly.
"I-I know I shouldn't ask you to do this but, please would the whole football team beat up Zack for us? You guys are the strongest. I couldn't fight him, he's too strong for me" Marie said weekly like she couldn't even stand on her feet. Of course, she was stronger than the whole football team put together.
I watched in horror as the angry members of the football team moved towards the door with their sleeves rolled up and angry expression on their faces. Even though I was horrified, I didn't bother stop them. Oh well, that kid deserved it for calling me a bitch. Marie smirked when she saw me and Stephen winked. I shook my head at them but, still a small smile graced my lips.
Everybody was still buzzing about Zack but, they were back in their partying mode. Before anybody could notice I slipped back in my bedroom. I didn't feel like talking to anybody but, mostly I just wanted to make sure Marissa was okay. She was.
She wasn't asleep, her eyes were wide awake but, unlike last time she wasn't afraid. She was resting peacefully on my king size bed with knees brought up to her chest. She smiled widely when she saw me and waved enthusiastically. I smiled slowly, my mind wondered about this strange child.
"You're awake" I noted. She grinned and cocked her head to one side.
"Duh! My eyes are open!" she giggled. Just then Alice hopped into our room again, I eyed her suspiciously, and did she have anything else planned? Alice laughed when she saw my expression but, shook her head at me. She pecked Marissa on her cheek and danced towards me.
"We're leaving. I saw Esme and Carlisle coming early form their hunting trip and I don't think they'll think partying with humans is okay" Alice sighed as if leaving the party caused her pain.
"Oh" I mumbled as Marissa jumped off the high bed. Immediately my reflexes kicked in and I instantly grabbed her from her shoulders. She landed in my arms safely. She was definitely used to being around vampires.
"Edward's outside and he wants to talk to you" Alice bit her lip, pity lingered in her eyes.
"Oh" I said again but, this time it was a different type of 'oh' my frozen hearts felt even icier. Marissa looked at me curiously through her big eyes.
"Come along, Marissa" Alice ushered. She waited for the child near the door while I put her on the ground safely. Marissa caught the hold on my neck and pulled my ear near my mouth like maybe she didn't want anybody to hear what she was about to tell me.
"Did you figure out a nick name for me?" she whispered in my ear even though Alice could hear us perfectly fine. I felt my lips curve up despite the situation.
I had thought about the perfect name for her. It was cute yet strange. It fit her perfectly. I couldn't have thought about a name that would fit her perfectly. She was going to love it, there was absolutely no doubt.
"I actually did" I whispered back. Marissa's eyes widened and her mouth turned up in a wide 'o'
"Tell me! Tell me! Tell me!" she asked in a rush. I couldn't make her wait longer so I put my lips right next to her ear.
"Nessie" I whispered.
I know. i know. im the worst person ever! how come i havnt uploaded in 3 weeks, you ask. my answer/ lame excuse: i had homework and tons of tests this last few weeks. yeah. it's lame but, so true! stupid idiot school! what did you think of the new nessie, some of you might be mad but, as i said Nessie will make thinks much more dramatic! and i'm a sucker for drama )
review if you think School is stupid and the only reason you go there is to see your friends!