Renesmee sat on my lap as Jacob played Peek-a-boo with her. She giggled and clapped her hands. She was three days old, but looked more like a three month old.
"It's time." Carlisle said as he flitted down the stairs, and turned to dash back up. I handed Renesmee to Jacob and followed Alice, Jasper, Esme, and Emmett up the stairs.
Bella's chest was rising and falling quickly. She was breathing in quick spurts. Was that normal? Her breathing caught suddenly and I heard her heart beat for the last time. The room went silent as we all held out breath. Bella took her first breath as a vampire at the same time her eyes shot open. Edward took a step towards her, but Carlisle held him back. He cautioned him to stay back with his finger. Edward shook his head and mouthed, "No," to him. He turned back to Bella and squeezed her hand. She sprang off the bed and pressed her back against the wall. Edward followed her motion and reached across the bed for her.
Jasper and Emmett stepped closer together keeping Alice, Esme, and I behind them. Alice and I both leaned around Emmett and Jasper to get a better look at her. Her eyes were bright red, her face reminded me of a porcelain doll. Her hair became darker during the transformation, and it grew a bit longer. She was stunning--a real vampire. Just as my visions had seen, but it was different to see her in front of me rather than in my head. I was glad her scent was gone. She smelt like the rest of us, but she still had a hint of the flowery scent she once had. I was sure Edward would be happy about that.
Bella was focused on Edward's face. She was concentrating on it like an artist studying a masterpiece for the first time.
Edward slowly moved around the bed, his arm still extended out towards Bella.
"Bella?" Edward asked warily. "Bella, love? I'm sorry, I know it's disorienting. But you're all right. Everything is fine."
Bella raised her eyebrows and she seemed to be thinking about something. I stepped around Emmett and stood next to him. We stayed silent as we waited for her to realize where she was and who she was. I crouched forward with Jasper and Emmett when Bella threw her arms around Edward's neck. Carlisle touched my shoulder to let me know it was ok, she didn't mean to hurt him.
"Um… carefully, Bella. Ow." Edward smirked. He seemed to be amused that she hurt him. Emmett and Jasper relaxed next to me.
"Oops," she mouthed.
Edward's smile widened. "Don't panic, love. You're just a bit stronger than I am for the moment."
Bella was fine, Edward couldn't have been happier, and they didn't need me up here. I wondered back downstairs to check on Renesmee, Jacob, and Rosalie.
"How is she?" Rosalie whispered too low for anyone upstairs to hear.
I nodded, and smiled. "She's fine."
Jacob kissed Renesmee's cheek and she smiled and touched his cheek. "Yes, she's talking about your Mom. You can see her later." Jacob told her. She pressed her palm more eagerly to his cheek. "No," Jacob took her tiny hand in his and placed it back on her lap. "You can't see her right now. We have to make sure she's… feeling better before she sees you." Jacob looked over her head and narrowed his eyes. "She's not going anywhere near her until I see her." He hissed.
"Good, I'd like to see her rip you apart." Rosalie snapped.
I could hear them moving around on the second floor. Edward was taking her hunting. "No way," Jacob laughed and handed Renesmee to Rosalie. "I have to see this." I followed him to the window and we watched Edward land perfectly on his feet. He turned, waiting for Bella to follow. "She's going to fall on her face." Jacob whispered.
"She's a vampire!" I hissed.
"You don't know, Bella."
Bella gracefully landed on her feet in front of Edward. He stared at her in amazement. Jacob laughed beside me as soon as Bella tossed her shoes back through the window she jumped from. "Now that's the Bella I always knew. I told you guys not to put them on her."
"She looked good in them." Although she still looked pretty in just her silk blue dress Alice and I dressed her in, shoes or no shoes.
Edward showed her how to jump over the river and she went to follow, but tore her dress. Again Jacob threw his head back and laughed. I had to laugh along with him. We all knew how to hunt in any outfit we wore. Guess it's going to take her a little while to figure that out. Within a matter of seconds they were out of sight.
"I don't understand." Jasper said as they walked back down the stairs. "She's too calm. I didn't feel any tension coming off of her. Besides when she first looked around the room. She only wanted Edward. She's not supposed to…" Jasper trailed off when Alice kissed him.
"Just be glad she's awake and here. Edward did it--he saved her. She might not want to go killing everything, but when had Bella done things the way they're supposed to be done?" Alice half sang. She seemed to dance everywhere she went, she was so happy. I didn't know Bella as long as the rest of them, but having her awake made the family seem whole. All of us, together. I couldn't believe they wanted me to be a part of it all.
"You've got a point." Jacob chuckled.
"Still, we all must keep an eye on her. Especially with you-know-who." Carlisle made sure not to look at Renesmee, who was listening intently to our conversation. Esme had taken her in her arms, and she reached up to touch her neck.
"She knows you're talking about her. She wants Bella." Esme told us.
Carlisle sighed and reached out for Renesmee. "Your Mom needs to drink before she sees you. She's a vampire like Daddy now, so she needs to be careful around you."
Renesmee pulled her eyebrows together and pressed her hand to his neck once again.
"What does she want?" Jacob asked him. Jacob didn't like the aggravation in her eyes just as much as I hated to see it.
"She wants Bella. She knows she's changed. She remembers sitting and waiting with Edward. She doesn't care."
"Impatient, just like her mother." Jacob laughed.
Renesmee reached out for Jacob and rested her head on his shoulder. She lazily lifted her hand and placed it on his neck. "I will wake you when she comes home. I promise." Jacob said softly.
I decided to head over to the computer and search around the web. Carlisle started his own research a while ago with Renesmee, but I was curious. I didn't find anything, so I played around with the computer. I drummed my fingers on the desk as I stared at the sign in screen for my email account. "Think, Bree." I mumbled to myself. I tried looking through the muddy mess of my human memories. I typed in what I thought my email was and closed my eyes and clicked sign in. "Yes," I hissed. It worked. I had 500 emails, I guess that's what happens when I don't sign in for months. Most of the emails were titled RIP. I swallowed hard before opening the first one.
Dear Bree,
I know you will never read this, but I just wanted to say goodbye. We never talked much in school, but you were always a sweet person. You're family misses you terribly. Josh hasn't been to school in a while. He comes once in a while, but losing you really took its toll on him. I hope you found peace wherever you are. You're mom still posts new posters around the city. She's still hoping you come home. Oh, the killings have stopped. It's weird, they just kind of stopped one day, not too long after you disappeared. I hope that helps you rest easy.
RIP
Heather
I stared, eyes gaping, at the computer screen. "Josh," I could see his face in my mind. I could remember my mom telling us to be careful when we went out. The movies… we were going to see a movie. I was with a friend. She left me alone. Josh was supposed to pick me up, but I was never there. He must blame himself. I had to go see him. Somehow I had to tell him I was ok. He would understand, I knew he could handle it. He had to. He could know I was ok, know I got a new beginning in life. Maybe then he could move on and be as happy as I am. I would talk to Carlisle later about me going back to Seattle. I clicked keep as new, so I wouldn't be noticed. I hesitate to click on the next email I knew her name. I would know her name anywhere. Cara had written many emails. I clicked on the very first one she wrote.
Hey Girly,
I refuse to think the worst, so I am going to assume you ran off with some hunk and you are living like a princess. Why didn't you take me alone? HAHA!! Listen, if you ran away, please come home. I will wait until I have proof of what really happened. If you get this email please write me back. I need to know if you are ok. You're my best friend. How am I supposed to go through high school without you? Come home, Bree. They have counselors walking around the school trying to get people to talk to them. I refuse, you know what we always said about them. I miss you so much, Bree-Bree, please come over and tell me you're ok…
Cara
I couldn't read the others she wrote. I could remember so easily now. I clutched my chest as I gasped for air. Was this crying?
"Bree? Oh, Bree, honey." Esme leaned over my shoulder and turned off the computer. "It's hard to come to terms, I know."
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have read the emails." I turned in the chair and stood up. Esme caught me in her arms and she patted my back.
"In time you will feel better about all of it. You're heart will always ache for them, but it will get better."
"How come I can miss them, but he so happy where I am? All at the same time."
Esme nodded and kissed the top of my head. "Because you have a new family who loves you very much. They are mourning your death, but you are very much alive and well. It's where our worlds have to split."
I understood what she was saying. I knew if I talked to Carlisle he would never let me go off and tell my brother I was ok. I had to do it on my own.
"Edward's bringing Bella back. You ok? Why don't you go up to your room and relax."
I shook my head. "No, I want to stay down here."
"Very well, then." Esme smiled and wrapped her arm around my waist as we walked back into the living room.
"Where's Jacob?" I asked.
Rosalie pointed out the window and then brought her finger to her lips, signaling for me to be quiet. Renesmee was asleep in her arms.
"I thought Jacob said he was going to wake her up?" I asked, a little annoyed that he lied to her.
"He will, as soon as he makes sure Bella can handle being close to him. She's going to think he stinks. I don't see what kind of test that is. Renesmee smells a lot better than he does." Rosalie informed me.
I waited patiently as we listened to the conversation outside. Bella passed Jacob's test and Jacob ran into the house before Edward and Bella. Jacob knelt in front of Rosalie and she stiffened, but allowed it.
"Ness, honey time to wake up. You're mother is on her way in." Jacob said softly, and touched her cheek. Her eyes fluttered open and she stretched and yawned. She leaned forward and pressed her hand to his cheek. He took her face gently in his hands and kissed her forehead. "You're welcome," he moved his attention to Rosalie. "You hold onto her. Stand by the door." Jacob said quickly. Rosalie nodded and went to stand where she could leave if needed.
"This is unnecessary!" I snapped. "She's going to be fine. I can see it."
"No, I want to be safe." Jacob growled.
"Whatever," I mumbled and let him be the hero.
We all moved to stand in a line as Bella walked in. Her dress was in pieces, or at least what I could see was. She had Edward's shirt on. Alice hissed next to me and I nudged her with my elbow.
Bella searched for her just as eagerly as Renesmee was reaching for her. When Bella's eyes fell on her daughter she gasped. "I was out jus two days?"
Renesmee reached up and touched Rosalie's face. "Yes, that's her." Rosalie answered her. We all watched Bella waiting for her to ask what had just happened, but instead she took a step towards her. Everyone moved quickly. Jacob crouched in front of Rosalie, Emmett and Jasper moved to stand in Bella's path. Even Edward stepped in, he held Bella from behind.
Alice and I were the only two that stood in our places. "Oh, give her come credit," Alice rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, she wasn't going to do anything! You would want a closer look too, so back off." I added.
Edward stayed close to Bella as she walked through Emmett and Jasper.
"Edward, the risk--" Jasper warned.
"Minimal, listen, Jasper--on the hunt she caught the scent of some hikers who were in the wrong place at the wrong time…"
Carlisle sucked in a sharp breath and all our eyes fell on Bella. She looked down at her bare feet.
Edward explained to us that she refused them. She ran off on her own. I could remember the first time I smelt human blood, how tempting it was. My throat burned from the memory. How could she turn away so easily? She was better than I thought.
I focused on Bella as she stepped closer to Renesmee. Everyone else was listening to Edward's story. Renesmee was becoming impatient, I could see it in her eyes. When Rosalie wouldn't giver her what she wanted she threw her head back and let out a loud screeching sound. No one was paying attention to her, so she got it. They all swarmed around her, again leaving Bella, Alice, and I out in the open. Alice and I huffed impatiently. Bella looked like someone punched her in the gut.
Jacob took Renesmee is his arms and Bella seemed even more confused. She didn't know yet, and I knew how she was going to react, but Edward didn't seem to be stopping her from finding out. So her first murder victim was going to be her best friend? Interesting.
Bella reached out for Renesmee, but Jacob held onto her. He extended his arms as Bella took Renesmee. They both stood there, Jacob looking awkward. Why couldn't he just let her go? Stupid imprinting bond thing.
Bella gasped when Renesmee touched her cheek. She was showing her mother her gift. The scene in front of me was precious. Well, it would have been if people would leave Bella to bond with her daughter. They all had to step in as soon as they thought something was wrong.
It only took Bella a matter of seconds to understand what was going on. As soon as she did Rosalie took Renesmee and Bella stalked Jacob backwards out the door. This was my vision. "Edward, she's going to hurt him!" As soon as I warned him Renesmee wiggled in Rosalie's arms. She shook her head, her curls bouncing off her face.
"They're fine," Edward placed his hand on her chest and she clawed at his arm. "Relax," he said softly and touched her cheek.
A deep snarl echoed off the trees, it was Bella. The answering howl told us someone was in pain. Edward disappeared out the door followed by Emmett and Jasper. I clapped my hand to my forehead. "When are you guys going to start listening to me?"
"They're boys, they're never going to listen to you." Alice sighed.
"Was it Jacob?" Esme asked Carlisle.
"No," Carlisle's bowed his head. "Seth, she got Seth instead."
Emmett, Jasper, and Edward helped Seth inside with Bella tagging in slowly behind them. She was really upset with herself. Seth didn't seem to be upset at all. I felt bad for the kid. This all could have been avoided, but who wants to listen to the vampire that can see the outcome of a situation like this.
This chapter was sort of sad, I know, but I need Bree to remember this stuff. It's for a good reason lol. This made me cry just writing it lol. Anyway, sorry it was so long. I had no idea where to stop the chapter lmao. Well, I hope all of you liked it!