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BOOK

THREE:-

RENESMEE

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

What Happens Next?

Chaotic murmuring was the first thing that I heard as I floated up through the thick fog that was unconsciousness. The most prominent voice was Jake's and I noted that it seemed to crack and break as he spoke, as if he had been crying, I struggled to open my eyes but the lids seemed glued shut. It took an immense effort to force them open so I could see the people I could hear, and when I finally won that battle I wished that I hadn't because everyone was there, even the wolves and Alyssa, they all look worried about me but the reaction I hadn't counted on was Jacob's. I found his head bowed and from where I lay I could see the tears streaking his face; I reached up a hand and gently touched the side of his face saying "Hey Jake what are the tears for?" He jumped as if electrocuted before throwing his upper body across me muttering the entire time "Oh thank God, you're awake, Oh Nessie!" I wriggled an arm free and patted his back murmuring comforting words while looking for some answer to why he was reacting so strongly. My eyes sought and found Daddy who, looking as if he would be crying too if he could, shook his head and said softly "Ness, welcome back." I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out, my throat was parched and felt as though it had been stuffed with cotton; so I swallowed and cleared my throat, trying again to speak. This time I managed sound but there was no volume, not that it mattered when everyone present had super hearing, "Why does everyone look so worried?" As I spoke the events of the last few days flooded my brain and I cringed, my heart pounding and breathing hitching. "Oh my God they're coming for us? Or is it Alice? Is she okay? What is going on here?" I pushed lightly at Jake, trying to get him to move so I could sit up, my attempt was as unsuccessful as a fly trying to push an elephant; it was as I did this that I realised that we weren't in the room in Italy. In actual fact we weren't even in Italy, as my gaze travelled around the room a very queasy feeling shot through me; we were in Carlisle and Esme's house, in the room Carlisle had made into a lab after my trip down the stairs. I felt my panic edge up another notch before a wave of calming peace washed over me; I looked for, and found, Jasper. But this was a different Jasper from the one I remember seeing last. This Jasper is calm and smiling not ferocious and broken, it was as I took in his smiling face that I looked at the person beside him and my heart soared. Because standing next to him looking as good as new, okay not so much as good as new more a well put together one, was Alice.

"Alice!" I felt a sob catching in my throat as I said her name and it wasn't until I saw her standing there, smiling over at me, that I realised how worried I was that I was never going to see that happen again. She danced towards me and bent down to kiss my cheek "Hey Nessie, how do you feel?" I laughed and said "I think I should be the one to ask you that, the last time I saw you it wasn't exactly looking great! And to tell you the honest truth you look like you need a good sleep." She laughed and said "Well that wasn't the best time of my life and I should be forgiven for not looking fabulous." I giggled before swinging my eyes back to Jacob; he was sitting next to me, his eyes red and swollen and his gorgeous face lined with fatigue and stress, gazing at me as if he had never seen me before. "What is going on here? How did we get back from Italy? Why are you all standing around my bed as if you were worried I wouldn't wake up?" I looked from one face to another as they all looked at each other to see who was going to do the explaining; all eyes fell on Jacob, who sucked in a deep breath before clearing his throat and saying "Ness, we were all worried about you because you've been unconscious since you blacked out in Italy. When the Doc had tried everything he knew to bring you round and nothing worked we decided we would wait, it was then that Alyssa came up and said that it would be a while before you regained consciousness and even then she couldn't tell if you'd be okay, so we concentrated on Alice. It took a fortnight for Alice to regain consciousness and when she did it took another week before we could move her.

We figured since we couldn't wait in Italy for the Volturi to regroup and come after us we would fly back home and wait for you to wake up. Carlisle wanted to be here where he had all of his equipment and could run more conclusive tests on you. The flight home was interesting, the airport called the Italian police because they thought we had drugged you and were trying to kidnap you. It took all of Carlisle charm to convince them that he was your doctor and that he was just taking you home, it was kind of funny. Then when we finally made it home the fact that you remained unconscious, even after all the test showed that you were okay, made us extremely uncomfortable." I watched as a cloud crossed over his face and his breathing hitched, he moved away from me slightly enough that I was able to sit up; it was as I tried to do this that I realised something that up until that point I had missed. My startled gaze flew from one person in the room to another but they all had that slightly amused look on their faces, finally my eyes rested on Carlisle. "How… How … When… What." Taking a deep breath I tried to calm my whirring mind and I started again. Dropping my eyes and my hands to the bulge of my stomach under the blanket, I said "Is everything okay? How could I have missed it? What happened to me?" Carlisle looked deliberately at each member of my family, who in turn filed out of the room, before he took up the seat on the other side of the bed to Jacob. I watched as Alice hovered nervously behind Jake and she seemed more concerned with the baby than I was. Carlisle took my wrist and monitored my pulse, his kind eyes never leaving my face. He smiled warmly before he said "Renesmee you and your baby are in perfect condition. We were worried that something was wrong when you slipped into a coma for no reason but once I ruled out all medical reasons for the coma we decided to let it run its course. We monitored you both carefully and unlike with you, we were able to see the baby and watch his growth" A gasp slipped past my lips and I smiled as I ran my hands over the bump that was my baby, I sighed gently "It's a boy? Jake we're having a son!" All three of them laughed, Jake bent his head and kissed my mouth softly before saying "I reacted the same way, after I got over being more concerned about you." He kissed me again, this time it lingered and I felt a kick of hot desire in the pit of my stomach. Carlisle cleared his throat before continuing "So we watched his growth so that we could be prepared for his birth, just in case you were still out to it. Jake has never left your side this entire time and we have had to force him to eat. I was starting to worry about him, planning on telling him to get out and stay out of this room, until Alyssa came down this morning and told us that she saw you waking today sometime." He stood and smiling down at me he asked "Do you feel up to trying to get out of bed?" I nodded my head and threw the blanket that covered me off, swinging my legs over the side of the bed before any of them could react, and I stood swiftly and fell back onto the bed just as quickly.

I huffed in surprise as I hit the mattress, the breath knocked out of me by a swift kick to the ribs. "Ow! What the hell was that?" Both of the men in the room reacted simultaneously but in totally different ways, Jake looked directly at Carlisle and his panicked "Doc!" was counted by Carlsile's "What did you feel?" I heard Alice's hiss of what seemed like pain before she was beside me; I lay still against the mattress for a second before answering and as I opened my mouth to speak another thump against my ribs stole the words. I reached a hand towards Carlisle and replayed what had just happened. His face relaxed and he laughed softly, saying "Ness, that's the baby. You probably upset him by falling back on the bed so hard." Jacob placed a large hand over the bulge of my stomach saying "Do you think she hurt him?" I snorted in an unamused way before saying sarcastically "Oh don't worry I'm fine." I crossed my arms under my breasts, which I hadn't noticed until that point had gotten huge! My companions laughed at my sarcasm before Jake said "Okay, how about we try again, but take it slow this time." I nodded and waited for him to move away enough that he could help me stand but he didn't move straight away. He looked at Alice whose features were drawn before saying "Is it okay? She didn't really hurt him did she?" She shook her head, her short hair fanning slightly around her head "No, she shocked him more than anything. I think if she takes it easy he will stop trying to get more room." I was amazed at the deference Jake and Carlisle were showing Alice in regards to the growing child within me. I opened my mouth and asked quietly "What is going on here? What have I missed? And why are you asking Alice about the baby? She can't see our futures so how can she see the baby's?" The trio looked awkwardly at each other before Carlisle spoke "When you first slipped into a coma, and we determined that Alice was going to be okay, I took some of your blood for Alice. I knew that you wouldn't mind." I nodded and said "Of course I wouldn't, don't, mind but how is that relevant?" Jake chuckled wearily and Carlisle continued "When Alice came to it was her that pointed out the baby's accelerated growth. For some reason, and I am just guessing when I say it is probably because of the blood, Alice is connected to your son. She can feel his emotions and when he is upset. They are connected." I nodded, even though I didn't really understand what he was saying. I looked up into Alice's concerned eyes and said "Is he okay?" she smiled tightly and said "He seems to be, he is running out of room quickly. Just like you did and just like you he is refraining from any big movements just in case he hurts you but he is getting worried about his inability to not hurt you."

My eyes shot to Carlisle and said "Can you get him out of me? I don't want to hurt him and if Alice says he is worrying than I think we should do something about that." Both Jake and Carlisle shook their heads and I knew that they had already discussed and dismissed this possibility. Alice spoke quietly "Nessie, honey, he will let me know when he can't handle being in there any longer but the longer he is in there the better it is for him." I nodded again even though I really didn't understand; I just wanted to do the right thing for the child that was growing inside me but a sudden thought had me cringing. Jake noticed and was instantly on alert "Ness what's the matter? Do you hurt?" I shook my head and quietly cleared my throat before saying "No I don't hurt but I just had a thought about the baby, well not actually directly about it, I mean him; more about me. Am I going to be able to have this baby, I mean in the 'normal' way, you know pain and all." Carlisle frowned and said "Honestly we are not sure but I see no reason for there to be any complications and if there are then we deal with them as they arise. Now enough of this worrying conversation; how would you like to try again to get out of that bed and walk around a bit?" I smiled and gingerly moved to the edge of the bed, swinging my feet over the side and standing upright with more caution than before. I smiled when the baby moved inside of me and said to Jake "This is so surreal. I can't believe our baby is inside of me, growing, it's just weird." Jake laughed softly, nodding his head as he guided my every movement. It was amazing how awkward and odd I felt, my balance seemed shot and I couldn't see my toes! I felt my breathing accelerate and a worried frown steal across my face. Carlisle grinned at the stunned look on my face saying "Your mother had that same look on her face when she stopped being able to see the floor at her feet. How about we take it nice and slow, your centre of gravity has changed so you will have to readjust your body to counteract this. Do you feel hungry?" My stomach chose that exact moment to growl loudly causing us all to laugh. Carlisle unhooked all the machinery and the intravenous drip before they helped me make a slow and ungainly way down the steps.

My progress was hampered by the guiding hands of Jake and Carlisle and watchful gaze of Alice; I felt fine and I wanted to try and walk on my own but I knew that if I voiced these concerns that they would just ignore them anyway, so I chaffed silently against their control. Carlisle frowned slightly and said "Renesmee we are only trying to help, to make sure that you have come out of your illness, for lack of a better word, with no side effects. Please just try and relax." I screwed up my mouth but didn't say anything but the fact that my feelings had been able to seep through my tight control had me concerned. We finally made it down the stairs and onto the lower level of the house; it was as we made it onto the lower landing that a terrifying thought suddenly occurred to me and I voiced it aloud because I wanted to break the silence as we walked slowly towards the front room "What are we going to do if, no, when the Volturi decide to come after us? We can't ask for a repeat performance from our friends like before because this time we kind of did ask for it, if that makes sense." Jake raised one bushy eyebrow and laughingly said "We asked to be kidnapped and taken half-way around the world, drugged and beaten? Next time I make a wish it'll be for world peace." I elbowed him in the side and said "Very funny Jacob! You know what I mean. The last time we had to face off against the Volturi our friends had a vested interest in the outcome. Most of them don't understand, or trust, the wolf members of our family and I honestly don't think they will stand behind us the way they did before." Carlisle nodded his head and said "I understand your concern Renesmee but I think you should concentrate on getting better and looking after yourself, we have Alice and now Alyssa to help us pin point when and what the Volturi's next move is." I nodded and swallowed the rest of my concern, I didn't want to rely solely on Alice and Alyssa but I trusted my family to know what was best for all of us.

The days after I woke up from my coma were spent reacquainting myself with my body and the changes my pregnancy had wrought in it. I was forbidden, by Jacob and he was surprisingly backed by my parents, to move back to our little home because Jacob didn't want me alone for more than a couple of minutes at a time; and even more surprising was Alice and her reactions. If for one second the baby got uncomfortable she would be huffing at me and trying to make me lie down or something equally boring. So when my chance to escape their probing eyes and over-powering protectiveness came I took it with both hands. Making sure I kept my mind blank of my betraying thoughts I started my day just like everyday since I had woken up, by being brought breakfast in bed. Okay I know it's a luxurious problem but when you are as active as I was, am, would like to be again; it gets a little constricting. Breakfast was delivered by Daddy and as I dutifully began to eat my oatmeal and toast (Blah! I wanted to go hunt!) He sat down beside me and smiling gently said "This forced inactivity and our over protectiveness is really getting on your nerves isn't it?" I screwed my mouth into a grimace and nodded my head before saying "I get that you guys are just looking out for us, I know that, but I need to be able to go about my day like before! I am sick of this damn room and being treated like some invalid. I am pregnant not terminal!" After my outburst I was breathing hard but I felt better than I had in a long time and I smiled sheepishly at Daddy, I knew that he had asked the question to give me the chance to express my unhappiness at being cooped up, saying "Thanks for that, I needed to vent." He grinned at me rolling his eyes and saying "Please if it was me I would want to escape so badly it wouldn't be funny, but Nessie we are doing this for your own good. We don't want the Volturi coming and finding you vulnerable and alone. I know how much it is annoying you but try not to do anything that will put you in danger." I knew then that my thoughts, although obviously unclear to him, were clear enough to show him that I was planning on escaping this room. I smiled, forced because my control over my power seemed to be slipping, and nodded my head "Okay Daddy I won't do anything to put myself in danger. I promise." He laughed softly before leaning over me and kissing my forehead.

I waited until he had left the room before pushing the tray he had brought me away and gently getting to my feet. I listened carefully to the sounds within the house, trying to discover my best escape routes, and was surprised to discover that only Esme was now left at home. I moved quickly to the edge of my bed and slid my feet into the shoes Jacob had left beside my bed for our 'walks', I crept as silently as my expanding body would allow me to towards the door and made a silent trip down the stairs. I made it to the kitchen on the lower level of the house and out the back door without being seen or heard. As I stole across the backyard I kept my senses peeled for any sign of my family or enemies I really wanted some time to myself where I could be me and not an invalid. I breathed in my freedom along with the scent of the surrounding woods, the tang of the forest and the sweet smell of freedom were the most intoxicating things I had smelt in a while and walking at a human pace had never been so liberating, so I stretched my limbs as I walked through the forest I enjoyed the slower pace. I let my feet carry me through the thickening forest to Jake's and my special place and when I pushed my way through the last bit of brush into the clearing beside the small pond I felt my entire body relax as I enjoyed my aloneness. I walked three quarters around the small pond to a reasonably large flat rock that jutted out over the water, climbing in an ungainly manner onto the rock I settled my bulk down on it and sat back on my elbows. Feeling the sun caressing my face I tilted my head back and closed my eyes, enjoying the warming rays against my sun deprived skin. I pulled up my maternity top and exposed my rounded stomach to the warmth of the sun, the baby moved in small stretching movements enjoying the sun as well. The sounds of the forest and animals within it seemed to be welcoming me back within its folds and they seemed as happy as I was that I was there.

I'm not sure how long I sat there, but I know it wasn't long enough, before a different sound made its way to my ears; the sound of running feet and annoyed breathing. The woodsy scent of skin encased in a light sheen of sweat reached my over-sensitive nose and rolling my eyes I waited for Jake to break through into the clearing. More than a twinge of annoyance swept through me as I waited for him, I hadn't gotten enough space or peace and quiet to satisfy me and I didn't want to have to go back inside just yet. I knew he was going to be pissed at me for taking off and I didn't want him to be angry with me but I wanted him to understand that I was capable of looking after myself. Shifting into a sitting position with my legs folded comfortably beneath me I trained my eyes on the spot in the wall of green I knew he would break into the clearing through and as he strode into view I had a gut feeling that I had pushed to far too quickly for this to be alright anytime soon. Jake was furious and his ferocity made my heart beat quicker inside my chest, he was magnificent and I felt a tug of desire in the pit of my stomach as he marched towards me. I opened my mouth to speak but his hissed words cut me off "Just what the hell do you think you are doing? How could you just sneak off without anyone to protect you? Everyone was worried about you!" I opened my mouth to answer but his tirade continued and my mouth remained open "How could you place yourself and our unborn son in such obvious danger? What if someone had been waiting for you? How would you have protected yourself, or the baby, from a direct attack?" I blinked, surprised at the attack, Jake had never spoken this way to me before and I never expected to be spoken to like this from him. I felt tears well in my eyes and I sniffed as I held them back, the sound stopping Jacob mid-rant; he walked up the rock I was sitting on and folded himself down next to me, drawing me closer to his warm body. I blinked again and felt a tear slid over my cheek followed in quick succession by more hot salty water flowing from me. I buried my head into Jacob's bare chest, wrapping my arms around his back, and sobbed noisily against his skin; he wrapped his arms around me and rubbed soothing circles across my back. His voice reverberated under my cheek and whispered "I'm sorry I yelled Ness, I was so terrified that you were missing." I gulped in a breath but the tears wouldn't stop so I touched his back, showing him what I needed and why I had left the house, I showed him that I hadn't meant to worry them and that I was sorry for stressing them out but I also needed 'me' time. Jake held me to him tightly as I fought to regain control of my emotions and when I had gotten the tears under control anger started to burn deeply within me; pushing away from him I sat away from him and said "I am sick to death of being treated like a fragile little flower! I am an adult and let me tell you something, if you think for one second you can bully me into doing something I don't want to do then think again. I didn't set out to cause you all to worry but I am not just an incubator! I am a person and I need sunlight and I need some alone time." I frowned as I felt myself starting to tear up again; I sucked in deep breaths as I tried to control my roller coasting emotions, haltingly I continued "I…am…a… big…girl…and…I… can…look… after…myself. You…don't…trust…me." I dropped my head into my hands and cried more, I felt Jacob moving to wrap his arm around my shoulder, he spoke softly saying "I do trust you baby, I was just worried about you and the baby. I couldn't live with myself if something happened to you, or the baby for that matter. You are not just an incubator, you are my wife and I love you totally." I sniffed in quite a un-lady like way before grudgingly nodding my head saying "Now that you've found me can we stay here for a while please?" Jake nodded slowly and reclined against the rock and I lay back in between the v of his thighs, lifting my shirt and exposing my stomach again to the rays of sunlight.

I laughed softly as the baby rolled gently, trying to get more sun. Jake placed his large hands over my swelling bump and whispered "Okay little man you need to take it easy in there, we don't need Momma in any more discomfort. I'm glad that you like the sun though, when you are a little bigger we can go fishing; I'll teach you to ride a motor bike and your Momma can teach you to hunt, she is better at it than I am, she's let me win more times than I can count." I giggled and said "I thought you hadn't realised that I had done that." he looked lovingly down at me and said "At first when you were younger I allowed you to win, it was the only way we could get you to hunt and not complain but that only lasted a short time before you started to really enjoy the hunt and then I found that I had to actually try to beat you." I laughed, a deep belly laugh, which caused the baby to jump and roll as if annoyed. My laugh cut short and I shifted to try and get more comfortable so that the baby had more room. Jake rubbed the taut skin stretching over my abdomen and whispered softly "Come on kiddo relax." I closed my eyes and lent back against his chest, I sighed deeply and tried to breath through the discomfort that the baby was causing me. I grimaced again as the baby moved again saying to Jacob "I don't know how much bigger I can stand this little man getting, I know he is struggling in there and I am worried about him." Jake sighed deeply and said "I know, but Carlisle says he is okay so I guess we need to take it one day at a time." I felt him shift under me and I moved to give him more room. He leapt to his feet and held his large hands out to me "Can we go back to the house now? I think we should go and talk to Carlisle, maybe get him to check the baby's growth and see were we going from there." I huffed out an annoyed breath before placing my hands and letting him pull me to my feet. I winced as a sharp twinge cramped my lower stomach; I let go of his hands and dropped my head to hide my features so that Jake couldn't see but as it was lately I had seemingly no control over my power but not quick enough. Jake lifted my face and said "Ness what was that?" I shrugged my shoulders before saying "Don't know Jake, I get so many aches and pains lately that I can't tell one from the other." I bit the inside of my cheek as the lie burned in the back of my throat, I decided to distract him "So how are the preparations for the Volturi coming?" I listened with half my mind as we walked quietly through the forest and I tried to dismiss the darts of pain that banded my lower back and abdomen. I knew that my obvious distance was confusing Jake but I didn't trust my control enough to risk contact.


Gotta love pregnancy hormones lol.

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