Chapter 26

Jacob and Renesme returned home from their honeymoon, only to be given a set of keys to their new home. It was a quaint house just over the border of the reservation, at Renesme's request. She knew this was the only place Jacob truly felt at home.

As much as Jacob wanted to protest, he decided to keep his mouth shut upon Renesme's glow over their newly owned piece of real estate. He also couldn't complain about the two of them having their own space and actually thought the place was quite perfect for the two of them to begin their lives together as a married couple.

When they walked up the driveway, his mouth dropped as he noticed the motorcycle he'd sold a little while back. He looked over at Renesme and she smiled.

"What's this?" he asked, shocked.

"Your bike."

"How'd it get here?"

"Well... Charlie was the one who actually bought it off of you."

"No-" he began to disagree.

Renesme put up her hand, "He sent his friend's son to pick it up, but it was actually Charlie who bought it."

Jacob's slight annoyment at the fact that Edward, or someone else in their family, may have purchased it disappeared. There was no way he could get mad at Charlie for trying to help him out.

"I have to return it," he said, shaking his head, "I-"

Renesme grabbed his face and kissed him, feeling him gradually loosen up and relax before she pulled away, "No you don't," she flashed a warm, happy smile and Jacob couldn't protest against her, "I love you," she told him.

He looked down and smiled, before looking back up at her with a grin, "I love you, too Nessy."

"Come on," she urged, "Let's go take advantage of our privacy."

Jacob continued to smile and let her lead him into their new home.

At the Cullens' house, Edward tossed a football back and forth with Emmett. William was expecting Madison at any minute and lingered by them on the back step.

"Is Peter joining her?" Edward asked him.

William shrugged, "I'm not sure. She didn't say."

Alexandra scooted out the back door upon hearing his name and sat next to William on the step.

"Lovestruck upon hearing his name," Emmett commented aloud.

Alexandra found a rock on the ground and tossed it at him lightly.

"Be careful," he said a little more serious, catching a pass the Edward threw over his head.

"I will," she assured him, looking down at her pink fingernails that Rosalie had just painted for her.

"Where are you guys going?" Edward asked, "I'm assuming he's coming."

"Does Pops know this?"

"I'm hoping Peter gets here before he gets home from work so we can just leave."

William snickered, but the other two shook their heads.

"What?" Alexandra asked upon seeing their expressions.

"Just be careful," Emmett repeated, "I've seen guys.. act like him before."

She rolled her eyes and shrugged.

Michael strolled out the back door, "Oh, American football, huh?"

"The only football," Emmett joked.

"I beg to differ," he said with a grin.

"I prefer soccer," Alexandra said, looking strait at Emmett.

"I'd prefer if Alexandra kept quiet," he gave her a funny expression and stuck his tounge out of the side of his mouth.

She gave a little laugh and watched as Edward tossed the ball to Michael, who slung his arms out and caught it.

"Oh, the Englishman can catch."

"I'm a natural," he joked, then tossed the ball lightly to Alexandra.

She caught it and made sure her nails were still flawless.

"Oh, the nails, I forgot," Michael laughed.

"It's okay. They're still perfect," she grinned, wiggling her fingers.

"Perfect for Peterrr," William teased.

Alexandra pushed him hard with one hand, sending him into the railing. A piece of wood shifted and broke in half.

"Oh, you're in trouble now," Emmett said.

Esme walked outside upon hearing the word 'trouble' and immediately saw the little damage that was done. She put her hands on her hips and looked at her daughter.

"He started," she said, pointing to William.

"She finished it," he shot back.

"I'll fix it," Emmett volunteered.

Esme smiled, somewhat satisified, "Thank you."

William stood up suddenly and had a big smile on his face. A moment later, Madison and Peter emerged from the trees and joined everyone in the back yard.

Emmett and Edward exchanged glances and Alexandra ignored them, just happy to see Peter.

Michael's happy go lucky expression changed, though he continued to toss the ball to Edward.

"Hey," Peter said with a smile.

"Hey," Alexandra gave him a hug.

"Hello Mrs. Cullen," Peter waved.

"Hi, Peter."

He looked at Alexandra, "What are we doing today?"

"Hmm.." she smiled and looked over toward William, "Well, what are you guys doing?"

"Cliff diving," Madison raised her eyebrows, "Since it looks like it's about to pour, I think we're safe from Aro catching us again."

"Aro?" Peter asked.

"Just a little incident that happened awhile ago," Emmett told him before his son could reveal anything specific.

Edward picked up that Aro's name greatly worried Peter, though he was sure it would most of their kind. "Yeah, he comes around here quite a bit... unexpectedly a lot."

Esme looked over at him, knowing he'd slightly exaggerated, but didn't say anything.

"Can we go?" William asked Emmett.

He looked up into the sky and a rumble of thunder passed over them. "Sure," he nodded.

"Do you want to go?" Peter asked, then turned to William, "Or should I say can we go?"

"Fine by me," William told him.

"We could all stay here and play a game of football... or soccer," Michael suggested. His words sounded eager for them to stay.

Madison shrugged and William was trying to signal 'no' to her by shaking his head slightly.

"Half of us aren't even here," Emmett said, "How about when you get back."

"Do you have a swim suit?" Alexandra asked Peter.

He looked down at the mesh shorts he was wearing, "These will do. They're basketball shorts."

"Let me just go change," she told him.

He nodded and looked over toward William and Madison, who both looked eager to leave. "We can meet you guys there if you want to go ahead."

"No, they'll wait," Emmett said quickly, "Right Will?"

"Uh, yeah," he said, though his voice indicated that it was the last thing he wanted to do.

"Great," Alexandra said, "I'll be back in a second." She smiled at Peter and quickly scooted upstairs, exchanging a few quick words with Rosalie and Alice, before she was back outside and the four of them were on their way.

Michael's body language was slightly sulky and he made an excuse to leave, "I'm going to a shower."

"You just got out here," Emmett said, "Come on. Stay awhile."

"I'll be back in a bit," he told him with a nod, politely excusing himself from the group.

Emmett and Esme both looked at Edward, looking for answers.

He shrugged, and Esme made her way down to him, "What's wrong?" she whispered.

Edward tried to be as quiet as possible, knowing Michael may still be in range to hear him, "He... has feelings for Alex."

"Alice?" Emmett said loudly.

Edward shook his head and motioned for him to be quiet, "Alexandra."

"Oh, man. I like him so much better," Emmett said.

Esme patted them both on the back and let them have some time to talk without her there. She had a soft spot for Michael, as well, but wanted Alexandra to make up her own mind about everything.

"I feel it in my gut," Emmett said, shaking his head, "I'm not a fan of this kid."

"He'll slip up," Edward assured him, "I told Carlisle that his thoughts sounded rehearsed the last time. I thought the same thing today. He started thinking one thing, then his thought changed to something totally unrelated. Hard to explain but it's just not a natural thought selection."

"Call him out on it."

He shook his head, "He'll slip up. Then I'll have proof and no one can just say we're being overprotective."

"I saw him checking out Rose at the wedding," Emmett told him.

Edward shook his head and repeated for the third time, "He'll slip up. It's only a matter of time."