Pre-Apology: I am so sorry for what I am about to write…..and also very proud…then sorry again…..then relieved…..please stop listening to me, and just read the freaking chapter already….enjoy! :)
Chapter 29: If Today Was Your Last Day
Three days later.
We'd all been training harder than ever for this very day, and now it was here.
We all entered onto the field where Alice instructed us to be, and, to no one's surprise, it was the same spot as last time.. The Volturi were supposed to be here within the next twenty minutes and everyone was saying how much they loved one another and Esme was crushing me in a hug right now.
"…..and I love you so much. You top any granddaughter that I could have ever been blessed with. You have become such a beautiful girl." She babbled on about how she would miss me while I did my best to keep the tears in my eyes and not ruin my composed face. She released me and went on to the next person.
My mom came up behind me, and I could tell that she would be crying if she could. She didn't say anything and just wrapped her arms around me as I did the same. Another pair of strong, icy arms wrapped around us both. We all stood there until Edward broke the painful silence. "I love you both more than everything in the world combined….I just wish that it was enough to keep you safe….." He kissed the tops of both of our heads. I couldn't hold it in anymore and started bawling. I stained both of their shirts, and was passed off to everyone else who had something to say to me.
All except one….
Some of the lyrics rung in my head from an inspiring song by Nickleback, 'If Today was your last day.' Every second counts 'cause there's no second try.
I walked up to Jacob who was standing in a pair of shorts talking to Sam. I tapped his hot shoulder. He turned around to look at me, still pleading with his eyes. I grabbed his bronze hand, telling him to follow me. More lyrics played out in my head. What's worth the prize is always worth the fight.
I didn't really need to worry about my thoughts anymore, and after figuring out that I could protect Jacob's thoughts, (I put together the reason as to why that was on my own.) I decided to run out of Edward's hearing range anyway to be safe. I wanted it to be just us. I stopped suddenly, and turned to face Jacob.
"So….." He started.
"So….." I didn't really know how to start.
He looked into my eye, still hurt and pleading. "You obviously didn't bring me out here this far just to stare at each other all day. So what did you want to talk about?"
I laughed, halfheartedly. "You're right. I had something I wanted to tell you about."
"And what was that?" He urged, sitting down and leaning his bare back against a large Oak tree, reminding me of when he got into the terrifying car accident. Everything reminded me of him somehow….
I didn't know how to start. How do you tell someone you love them without diving right into it? "I wanted to talk to you….about the imprint, you could say…" I trailed off.
He seemed shocked. What else would I drag him out here for, though? "Oh."
"Look, I know that you've been….hurting," I started lamely, looking up at him through my eyelashes. "And if you've been paying attention, then you know that I have been too…..I never wanted it to be like this…the exact opposite, actually." I felt a lump in my throat as I talked. "Jacob, everyone's been telling me to go after what I want, and when I finally got the chance to decide for myself, I chose the one that I wouldn't have chosen in a million years, had I been provided the choice. I know that you think that I need to forgive you, Jake, but I don't. You need to forgive me."
He was about to object, but I interrupted him. "It's true. I should have jumped for joy or something when I realized that you imprinted on me. I just was so frustrated that I didn't get a chance to even think about anything when everything that I could've ever wanted was layed out in front of me, that I didn't think logically."
He started to stand up. "Renesmee, you have nothing to apologize for. I was the one who didn't tell you, I was the one who told others to keep it a secret, when you should've known about it your whole life. I am so sorry for playing with your heart, your head. Sorry for confusing you. You have enough on your mind right now, and I only just made it worse. I can't ever forgive myself for-"
"Jake, Jake, just stop. If I say that I forgive you then will you shut up?" I interrupted with a light chuckle.
He smiled in a way that he hadn't in months. "Yes."
"Then you have to forgive me first. I'm not saying it until-"
"Yeah, yeah. I forgive you." He laughed at my ridiculous compromise.
I chuckled. "Well, you have to be sincere about it, or it doesn't count."
He took my pale hands in his and looked into my eyes. "I forgive you….for doing absolutely nothing." He laughed at the end.
I did too. "Close enough. And I forgive you too…..for the same reason."
We both laughed and I threw my skinny arms around his waist. His bare arms wrapped around me instantly. He hugged me tighter than he ever had before. We pulled back and he angled my face to his. (A/N: Gee, I just wonder what happens next?) I wasn't sure who leaned in first, but was grateful for whoever it was when his lips came down on mine, sending the ghost in my chest further, and further every second. My hands reached to his neck, while he helped by lifting me off the ground, as I wrapped my legs around his torso, which brought us to eye level. We pulled back, and rested our forehead against each other's. He didn't seem to have anything to say, so I filled in the blank. "I love you." I whispered, sending my ghost away for good.
His brown eyes lit up at the powerful phrase. I could tell that he believed it. "And I love you. Always have, always will. Now and forever. Never doubt that." Before I could respond, his lips were crushing mine again. We stood there like this for the next five minutes, my lips glued to his. Eventually he stopped, only to press his to mine once more in a soft, sweet kiss. One more time, and he set me on the ground.
"We should probably head back now." I said, sounding sad.
He nodded, seeming to have his thoughts in sync with mine.
He kissed my forehead. "I'll be back in a sec."
I nodded and waited. He was back in thirteen seconds, in wolf form. He bent down. "Jake, you don't have to. I have legs, I can run."
He huffed and ducked under me so that I was riding on his back. "That works too." I murmured to myself. Jacob barked a laugh and was off.
We get to the field just in time. I didn't climb off Jacob's back, mainly because I couldn't move, but partially because I didn't want to be away from him. I just got him to understand, just got him back. I wanted every moment that I could possibly have with him.
They entered the field gracefully, creating an energy that sent chills down your spine. Flickers of memory from the last time that they were here flooded my mind. I tried to figure out what one was Maria, only having a weak description of her, but giving up, deciding that it was useless when half of the women here could fit the description. But no matter who they were, I hated them all. You could tell the difference between the guard, and recruits. The guard were much more graceful, they seemed to know what was coming at them better than the other vampires, who seemed like Emmett before a wrestling match. (But much more vicious, and unpredictable.) They stopped a hundred yards from us, standing in a straight line.
Nobody said anything for a long while, until Aro broke the piercing silence. "Carlisle. Friend. We meet again, but like before, not on the most friendly of terms." He walked forward slowly, as he spoke.
Carlisle stepped up as well. "Aro." He nodded.
"Oh, how I will miss you, dearest, Carlisle. You were always so good to me and my brothers. It will be a shame of what we are about to do."
"Yes, such a shame." Carlisle sounded calm. But I knew that he felt the opposite, fearing for the lives of everyone here, even his enemies.
"But I am afraid that talking, and reasoning will not persuade us this time, unfortunately." Aro, pointed out. "I am sorry that we will not be able to cooperate….now weather you and your beautiful family and friends decide to cooperate, well, that's up to you…."
Carlisle didn't respond.
Aro looked to my mom. "Bella, I see that you have continued the Cullen tradition….still a vegetarian, I see." He made small talk. He knew that she wouldn't switch over, not in a million years, even when she'd have the chance to.
His eyes fluttered over to me. "Why, Renesmee, I am honored to be in the presence of such a stunning young lady. You have blossomed quite gracefully." He murmured in Italian, "Mozzafiato."
Growls and snarls ripped from most on our side of the field.
Aro held up a hand. "Peace. We wouldn't want to scare our guest, now would we?"
I was confused, then realized that Felix and Demetri were nowhere to be seen. I turned to Edward who just looked apologetic. I'm so sorry. He mouthed. Sorry about what? What did he know, that I didn't? I saw then.
Felix and Demetri walked out to the front with a male figure between them. I saw their muscles tighten as Drake winced in pain at the squeeze. I fumbled to get down but Jacob wouldn't let me. Bella was instantly at my side, trying to calm me. I listened to her thoughts, don't, that's what they want.
I can't let them…..kill him. He's the only friend that I've ever had, they've been looking for him, and I've only given them more of a reason to kill him, he deserves to live. Please. I thought to her.
She shook her. No. She made it an ultimatum.
Mom. I thought.
I love you.
Love you too. I couldn't help the tears damping my face now. She gave my hand one last squeeze before releasing it.
I looked to Drake. His hair was disheveled. His eyes burning. His clothes the same as when I last saw him….which caught me off guard.
They'd been here longer than we'd thought.
They go to Drake the same night that I'd said goodbye to him. How had Alice not seen that? She can see humans, right? Or did she finally find her one exception.
As if on cue, Aro spoke. "Maria, darling, will you please escort Daniel forward, please?"
A petite female, with a seductive stride walked with her arm linked to a tall male with, wind-blown hairstyle that was dirty blonde, almost brown, a medium build, and ruby red eyes.
Jasper growled at his ex, as she stopped just two yards from Aro. "Friends, please, let me introduce Maria's new mate, Daniel." Aro spoke. "He is a gifted one. Much like your Bella, Edward." He looked to my dad, who growled protectively. "Bella is a shield, strong enough to protect from gifts, so powerful as Jane's, or Alec's. Daniel can do much the same. But to the opposite gifts. Only physical talents work on Bella, where you cannot create an illusion that can convince her unique mind, where Daniel shields from gifts such as the future, like lovely Alice can do. And Jasper cannot get a feel on him, no?" Jasper growled at Aro's bad pun, and snared his arm around Alice's waist. Aro chuckled. "Eleazar. It's been so long. How are you?" I was confused. This guy was insane! He was all over the place! Did he even have a point? "You cannot sense Bella, am I correct? But you can feel Daniel? Surely you understand the strength of his powerful gift, friend."
Eleazar gave one slow nod.
"He can shield multiple species, like Bella as well. He got the chance to put his special ability to good use with Drake, here." He walked, very ghost-like, to Drake who grunted at the, soon to be, bruises on his arms. Aro put his translucent fingers under Drake's chin and turned his head from left to right. I winced at the thought of Aro touching him. "Such a handsome young man." Aro turned back to face us. "We've been looking for him for a while now. He is so talented, like his mother was, and I can see him as a wonderful addition to my family, don't you think, Carlisle? What about Renesmee, what do you think?" I growled in response. Aro held up a hand in caution. "Patience, young one…..Anyway, we've been looking for him for a longer time than I thought that we would've, but, unfortunately, Demetri never met him before hand." He frowned. "But we caught a scent on our way here….we would've been here sooner, but we had to make a stop along the way." Snarls ripped through several chests on our side of the clearing, as we all looked to Drake. "We took advantage of the trail, giving you a little extra time to prepare…..you're welcome." He said unnecessarily. "Nevertheless, we have yet another destiny that is to be fulfilled, here today. And it is up to him to decide for himself." He floated back to Drake, who looked alarmed, and exhausted. I held my breath. "Drake…you are so talented…I am giving you the opportunity to join us. Live eternally. Put your gift to good use…Would you do me the honor of joining our family?"
It was so silent that you could hear a pin drop, on the mossy ground. No one spoke. No one breathed. No one moved.
A silent tear slid down my face as I waited for the inevitable. Drake knew what the Volturi were capable of. How horrid they were. He wouldn't want to be like them if he lived forever…which is the opposite of what, I knew, that he would choose.
"Never." He spoke firmly, using every last bit of energy that he had to utter the low words.
Aro nodded, disappointed. "Very well, then."
Pale blue irises were the last thing that I saw before I buried my face in the thick, russet fur on the back of Jacob's neck. I didn't see what happened, but could do nothing to tune out the blood curdling screams that erupted form Drake's chest, before all fell silent…
A/N: AHHHHH! I have been crying a lot lately, just at the thought of writing this chapter. I finally got Ness and Jacob back together, but then…..a certain death, ruined it…AHHHH!
DISCLAIMER: STEPHENIE MEYER HAS ALL RIGHTS TO THE TWILIGHT SAGA, NOT ME (As much as I want them, I don't have them. Ha ha.)
Be sure to check out Love Changes You: The Eagle and The Snake, by my amazingly creative friend, Cassua4u. It's a Harry Potter fanfic! You'd love it, for all the Potterheads reading this!
Be sure to check out…I have a banner for 'Daybreak' posted on my profile, as well as a 'Edward VS Jacob' poll, so please vote on that! I also recently posted a few YouTube links to some good videos of the songs used in 'Daybreak,' for those who haven't heard them, you can just head over to my profile. And 'Daybreak' sequel, coming soon!
I love you guys, special thanks to Cassia4u, Missionarycook, and ae81, for their reviews on Chapter 28! I love you guys, and by the way, ae81, thank you for being honest with me, and not being afraid to express what you think! I need three reviews on this chapter in order for me to upload Chapter 30! I hope you know how my system works by now! Thank you so much for sticking by me, and reading, you guys are awesome! Remember, 3 reviews!
