Hi everyone! Thank you all so much for your reviews and adds. I'm glad you all enjoyed the last chapter, and I really hope you like this one as well. Thank you for reading, and as always, let me know what you think!
Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Twilight.
Chapter Thirty-Four
"Aurora!" Charlie yelled from outside and Seth's posture stiffened as he stopped mid-sentence and I looked at him with wide eyes. He seemed to be listening to what was going on outside and when his eyes widened and his eyebrows rose.
"Um, you might want to go out there," he said as he turned his eyes to mine, and I let out a slew of mental curses before I waved my hands at him.
"Help me up, please," I said knowing I couldn't quite get up on my own yet. Seth was quick to his feet before he grabbed my hands and helped hoist me up from the couch. I winced slightly, but let go of his hands before I walked around Seth as quickly as my legs could take me with Seth hot on my heels. I walked outside and with Seth's assistance made my way down to the area where Charlie chopped wood. "What-," I started but stopped when I saw Wolf Jacob lying at Charlie's feet and Charlie lying back on the ground, obviously having fallen back onto the ground. Jacob's clothes laid scattered on the ground near the piled up wood and upon seeing me Wolf Jacob stood with concern in his brown eyes. "Are okay, Charlie?" I asked as Seth let go of my arm and I walked over to Wolf Jacob, putting my hand on his neck as I looked down at the man that was as good as my father.
"You knew about this?" Charlie asked as he gestured towards Jacob, his voice an octave higher than usual.
"Yes," I said slowly as Charlie scrambled up to his feet, eyes still wide and the expression on his face was a mixture of fear and concern as he looked between Jacob and I before his eyes zeroed in on my stomach for a beat. I saw his eyes darken as he looked at Jacob and before I could say anything Charlie threw out accusatory words with anger that I didn't think he was even capable of expressing.
"She wasn't attacked by a bear, was she?" Charlie asked, eyes narrowed at he stared at Wolf Jacob, and I saw Seth shuffle closer to where Charlie now stood. The fear was completely gone from Charlie's face as he glared at Wolf Jacob who whined slightly as he lowered his head. I gripped the fur on his neck and moved a little closer to him to let him know it was okay. "Did you do that to her?" Charlie nearly spat and Wolf Jacob let out a low growl as he shook his large head negatively.
"No, Charlie," I said and he turned his anger filled eyes to me only for them to soften slightly as he looked at me. "It wasn't Jacob that did this to me, but it wasn't a bear either."
"Then who or what was it?" he asked and I sighed quietly as I looked at Wolf Jacob. The look in his eyes made it clear that I shouldn't say anything, so, taking a shallow slow breath and letting it out I returned my eyes to Charlie.
"I can't really say," I said quietly, "but it's been handled. Jacob . . . dealt with it." Jacob grumbled beside me and I ran my fingers through his fur to sooth the anger that was likely still simmering because of Charlie's accusation that he was the one that put me in the hospital.
"Dealt with it?" Charlie asked with raised eyebrows and I nodded my head.
"Yeah, it's a wolf thing," I said and Charlie let out a heavy sigh before he ran his hand down his face and shook his head as he put his hands on his hips.
"A wolf thing?" he asked and I nodded my head. "Do you know about Bella then? Do you know what Jacob meant when he said that in order for Bella to get better that she had to change?"
"Yes, but I can't tell you exactly what that means, Charlie. Just that it was necessary," I said and he raised his eyebrows as he looked at me. I hated not telling Charlie the whole truth, but I knew I couldn't. I just hoped that this new development didn't damage my relationship with him and that he still saw me in the same light. However, I doubted that he did and I doubted that anything after this moment was going to be the same between us, and I wanted to cry at just the thought of that. "She's . . . different now, better than ever really, but . . . you'll have to see her for yourself to really understand I guess."
"Where is she?" Charlie asked with a look of utter disappointment and, dare I even think it, betrayal on his face as he looked at me. Tears lined my eyes and I blinked several times to keep them at bay before I took yet another shallow slow breath, this time to try and push away my tears.
"She's home, Charlie," I said weakly, knowing he would know that I meant she was at the Cullens' place. With that, Charlie turned away from me and Wolf Jacob, walked by Seth, and up the embankment towards the house. I lowered my hand from Jacob's neck and looked at him. "You and Seth have to get to the Cullens' place before he does and tell them that he's on his way so they can be prepared and take precautions," I said, my voice shaking slightly with my unshed tears, and Wolf Jacob nudged my cheek with his cool wet nose. He knew something was wrong and he wanted to comfort me but I just shook my head as I turned away from him.
I gathered his clothes, taking the long piece of straw like string he kept in his jean's pocket out. I folded his clothes as tightly as I could before I tied them to his hind leg with shaking hands. I stood from my squatting position, my right hand going to rest on my aching bandaged stomach and my left grabbing Jacob's boots from the ground in the process, before I looked between them.
"Seth, you need to phase. They only way you two will beat him there is by running," I said and Seth hesitated as he looked at me before he nodded and disappeared into the trees to shed his clothes and phase. I looked at Wolf Jacob then, before I held out his boots to him to take into his mouth. He, however, just looked at me. "There's no time for you to comfort me right now, Jacob," I said quietly, "and besides, I'm fine." He whined softly before he gently licked my right cheek and at a tear that I hadn't realized had escaped. "You need to leave, Jacob," I said as I held out his boots to him once more, choosing to ignore the fact that a few tears that I had been trying to hold back fell. Knowing I wasn't going to back down, Wolf Jacob let out a huff before he gently took his boots from my hands with his teeth just as Wolf Seth appeared. Wolf Jacob looked at Wolf Seth and then at me one more time and I waved my hand at him. "Go," I whispered and with a promise to return in his eyes, Wolf Jacob turned away from me before he took off with Wolf Seth close behind.
Two hours later I was sitting on the couch, barely paying attention to old sitcom re-run I had turned on the TV, when I heard the cruiser pull up in front the house signifying that Charlie had returned home, and when Charlie entered the house alone I felt my stomach twist uncomfortably. In all honesty I was a little afraid to face Charlie without Jacob, and as I turned off the TV I looked towards the man in question as he slowly walked into the living room, hands in the pockets of his jeans.
"Hi," I said as I sat the remote down on the coffee table and he gave me a tight lipped smile before he sighed heavily and sat down on the sofa beside me. I figured since he hadn't just walked away upon seeing me that it was a good sign, but I still wasn't sure. So, I decided to test the waters a bit. "How'd your visit with Bella go?"
"Fine," he said quietly as he looked at the blank screen of the TV for a few quiet beats before he turned his eyes to me. "Jacob's outside, but I asked him to give me some time alone with you so the two of us could talk," he said and I nodded my head.
"Charlie, I'm sorry," I said quietly as I went from nodding my head to shaking it. "I can only imagine what you're thinking and how angry and disappointed you must be in me for keeping this stuff from you, but I . . . I couldn't say anything." Tears once again lined my eyes as I spoke and as a few of them fell, I was surprised by Charlie reaching out and taking my right hand into his left before he gave it a firm squeeze.
"Aurora, I'm not angry or disappointed in you," he said, his dark eyes not leaving my face.
"But earlier-," I started, but Charlie interrupted me.
"Earlier, yeah, I was upset for you keeping this stuff from me, and while I don't understand anything that's going on, I'm just going to have to accept it and roll with the punches," Charlie said and I was rather surprised at his words. I'd thought for sure that he would give me the cold shoulder for a long while, but I was very relieved to see that that wasn't happening. "Bella said that if I want her to stick around, I have to understand that there is just some stuff that I don't need to know. So, I'm not going to ask any of the million questions I have because I can't lose her again." I nodded my head in understanding and he squeezed my hand once more. "I almost lost you too, Aurora, and I can't go through that again. Is Jacob really not the one that put you in the hospital?"
"He's not," I said honestly. "Jacob would never do anything like that to me, Charlie. Never. He'd cut off his own arm before he'd ever intentionally hurt me in any way."
"You know, the way he looks at you I can believe that and how he was when you were in the hospital . . . I don't think he even slept," he said after a few quiet beats, and I nodded my head as I gave him a tight lipped smile. "So, I'm going to assume the same 'need to know basis' agreement that I have with Bella applies to you too."
"Not really," I said quietly as I sniffed and wiped at my face with my left hand. "I mean, I can't tell you what I know about Bella, but after I talk to Jacob I'll know what I can and can't tell you."
"You have to talk to Jake?" he asked and I nodded.
"There's nothing different about me, Charlie, and that will never change. Unlike Bella, I'm still the same as I always was, but the secrets that I have been keeping from you involve Jacob and . . . others. I have to ask him if it's okay to tell you because it's a tribe secret. I only know what I know because of special circumstances."
"Special circumstances?" Charlie asked with a frown. "What does that mean?" I opened my mouth to respond with 'I have to talk to Jacob before I can say,' but Jacob's voice cut me off.
"Her connection to me," Jacob said and both Charlie and I looked towards the foyer as Jacob walked into the living room and stood in front of us but on the other side of the coffee table.
"Because she's you're girlfriend?" Charlie asked and Jacob's eyes fluttered to me before he took a deep breath and looked Charlie square in the eye.
"Sort of," Jacob said. "It's because she's my imprint."
"Imprint?" Charlie asked and I looked at him just as he looked at me. "What the hell does that mean?" I wasn't sure what to say, but thankfully I didn't have to say anything because Jacob answered for me.
"It's a really long story," Jacob said drawing Charlie's attention to him and I followed Charlie's gaze, "but in short, it means she's my soul mate."
"Soul mate?" Charlie asked, his hand tightening on mine.
"It's another wolf thing," I said, finally finding my voice and Charlie looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "When we met, Jacob 'imprinted' on me meaning that the moment our eyes met he became bound to me for as long as we live. It probably sounds conceited but since that moment, I've been the most important person in Jacob's life and my happiness and safety pretty much takes precedent over everything else for him."
"It's not conceited, Rory. It's true," Jacob said quietly and I looked away from a dumbfounded looking Charlie and at Jacob.
"It's still weird to say," I said and he grinned as he looked at me. Charlie let out yet another heavy sigh and I looked at him.
"So, the two of you . . . I knew things were serious, but I . . . well, I guess certain things make a hell of a lot more sense now," he said, talking in small circles that only he really understood. However, I knew he was just mentally putting the pieces altogether. He'd had a very long day and I was tempted to let go of his hand and go into the kitchen to grab him a beer, but I stayed put as Charlie turned his eyes to Jacob. "Are there others like you, Jake? Are there others that I know that turn into very large dogs?"
"They're wolves, Charlie," I said with a small smile and he looked at me before he shook his head.
"Dogs, wolves; they're both canines," he said, his dark eyes going back to Jacob while I continued to smile at him.
"Seth, Leah, Embry, and Quil are part of my pack," Jacob answered honestly, surprising the hell out of me as I turned my eyes to him with eyebrows raised. "Sam Uley, Paul Lahote, Jared Cameron, and a few others are part of Sam's pack."
"There are two packs?" Charlie asked with a frown.
"Until a week ago there wasn't," Jacob said, "but that's a story that can probably wait until Sue and Dad fill you in on the details of everything."
"Sue knows about this?" Charlie asked as he turned his eyes to me and I nodded.
"Don't hold it against her for not telling you, Charlie," I said as I squeezed his hand. "I'm sure once . . . everything started happening last week that she wanted to tell you, but like I said before, it was a tribe secret. Now that you know what you know, she can tell you." He nodded, understanding in his eyes, before he pulled his hand from mine, sighed heavily yet again, and ran his hand down his face.
"It's been a long day and I think I'm going to hit the sack early," Charlie said.
"Okay," I said quietly and Charlie sighed quietly as he looked at me before he kissed my forehead and carefully pulled my still injured body into a warm and gentle embrace. I hugged him back and turned my face into his shoulder. "I love you, Charlie," I said loud enough so that I knew he could hear me, feeling that the words needed to be said at that moment. His arms tightened a bit around me before he kissed the side of my head that time.
"I love you too, Aurora," he said softly before he slowly let me go and gave me a lopsided smile as he stood from the couch and settled his eyes on Jacob. Jacob shifted his feet and looked at Charlie head on, his hands at his sides as he seemed to wait for something. However, Charlie just reached out and patted Jacob's upper right arm solidly. "Watch over our girl," he said and I watched as Jacob nodded his head curtly and kept his expression serious as he looked at Charlie.
"Always," he said and Charlie nodded before he walked out of the living room and left Jacob and I on our own. Jacob sighed heavily before he walked around the coffee table and sank down into the very spot Charlie had just vacated. He took my right hand into his left before he laced our fingers together and looked at me. "That went a hell of a lot better than I thought it was going to," he said and I smiled at him as I shook my head before I rested my head on his warm shoulder as Jacob eased the two of us back and let go of my hand to wrap his arms around my shoulders as he gently pulled me closer into his side.
"Since Charlie's still alive I'm taking that as I sign that Bella has really good control," I said as I raised my left hand to rest on his chest. He was without his jacket at the moment and only wearing his khakis and long sleeved shirt and I was happy for that since the warmth of his body easily eased my aching muscles and it allowed me to be even closer to him.
"Yeah," he said with another soft sigh before he absently ran his left hand up and down my upper left arm.
"I'm guessing that Edward and the others weren't exactly thrilled with what you did," I said, a small smile coming to my lips as I ran my fingers over his chest.
"Not really," he said with a scoff, "but I think they understand why I did what I did." I nodded my head as a comfortable silence settled between us before Jacob raised his right hand to my left hand on his chest and caught my hand in his. The action drew my eyes up to his face out of curiosity and his expression was serious as he looked at me. "You know that I didn't just do this for Seth, right?" he asked and I nodded my head once more.
"I know," I said. "You did it for Charlie too."
"And you," he said and I frowned.
"Me?" I asked and he nodded.
"As much as I hate it, you're close to the Cullens; and not just because of Bella," he said as his thumb ran over the palm of my hand and making goose bumps race up my arm at the soft touch. "I know it would hurt you if they were to leave right now. Plus, you almost died trying to save Renesmee and you haven't even met her yet."
"Since Bella seems to have such good control maybe that could be sooner rather than later, huh?" I asked and he took a deep breath as his hand tightened on mine.
"Yeah, well, since you're not going to school tomorrow, she asked that I bring you by after Charlie goes to work," he said tightly. "The rest of the Cullens want to see you too. Plus, Carlisle wants to check you over."
"Or you want him to check me over to make sure that the doctors didn't release me too soon," I said rather than asked with a smile tugging on my lips and he rolled his eyes. "Admit it, Jacob, after everything you trust him more now than you did before." Jacob looked at me for several long and quiet beats. I didn't look away from him, I just watched as a what seemed like a million different emotions flashed in his eyes before he sighed quietly.
"I trust him, Rory, but that's only because he saved your life," he said, adding the last bit very quickly and to justify his newfound respect and feelings for the vampire doctor. I smiled fully at him, which only made Jacob roll his eyes again before he leaned forward and kissed me chastely. "Don't get smug," he said and I rolled my eyes that time before I chuckled quietly and rested my head on his shoulder/chest and got comfortable.
"So, what time are we going to head over there tomorrow?" I asked and he grumbled something under his breath that I didn't catch, but I had a feeling that I probably didn't want to know what it was he said.
"We'll go after breakfast," he said reluctantly and I smiled to myself as Jacob's left hand lowered from my arm and rested on my hip while his right remained encased around mine that was still on his chest. I let out a sigh and closed my eyes as silence settled between us once again. "Tired, Rory?" he asked and I hummed slightly in agreement. The pain medication I'd taken while Charlie and Jacob had been gone and the emotional stress of that late afternoon/early evening had caught up with me. "Let's get you up to bed," Jacob said quietly before he let me go, stood, and easily picked me up. I opened my eyes and smiled at him before I kissed his chin as he walked towards the stairs.
"Thanks," I said quietly, and he gave me a crooked grin as he walked up the stairs, carefully so he wouldn't jostle me too much. Thankfully, I was already dressed in sweats and a baggy t-shirt, so, there was no need to change. Jacob settled me down on one side of my bed before he turned down the other side for me to crawl under the covers. "You're staying, right?" I asked as I looked up at him and he pulled my sheet and comforter over my shoulders and he smiled down at me.
"Of course," he said before he raised his hand and brushed a few loose strands of my hair from my face. "I've just got to run outside and connect with the others to check in. I won't be gone long, I promise."
"Good," I said as I snuggled into my pillow. "Hurry though because my bed's far too cold without you in it." He chuckled before he shook his head and kissed my forehead. Sadly, I was asleep before I think he even was out of the room.
I was pretty sure that Jacob was going to break the steering wheel of my car because he had such a tight grip on it as he drove to the Cullens' place the next morning. His bike was still parked in my driveway given my current condition didn't allow me to ride his bike with him, much to both of our disappointment since I now loved riding with him on his motorcycle. I smiled slightly to myself as I shook my head and turned my eyes from my scowling boyfriend and looked out the window at the passing trees.
Breakfast had been an interesting affair that morning since Jacob hadn't gone home last night. That wouldn't have been so unusual if he would have snuck out like he normally did, but instead he walked down the stairs with me that morning and into the kitchen where Charlie was sitting sipping on coffee and reading the morning paper. Charlie hadn't looked surprised to see Jacob there, and when I noticed the look on his face I had had a feeling that seeing Jacob with me made Charlie put a few more things together.
That feeling had only been confirmed when Charlie had asked Jacob how long had he'd been sneaking into the house after we had fixed bowls of cereal and toast for breakfast. Jacob's answer of 'a while' hadn't gone over all that well with Charlie, but he just nodded his head and pursed his lips. He'd left for the station shortly after that, kissing my head and telling me to take it easy and call if anything happened or if I needed anything. I'd nodded, told him to have a good day, and that I'd seen him later that night.
Jacob had helped me get ready for the day after the two of us had finished our meager breakfast. However, I most certainly wasn't going to complain about what I ate because that was the first time I'd been able to eat actual food since I'd woken up in the hospital. Sadly, I couldn't shower or take a bath since I couldn't get my staples wet, which meant I had had to give myself a sponge bath. Jacob had been more than willing to help me with that. However, I had politely declined his offer to help me with that, but he did help me wash my hair over the side of the tub and I made a mental note to have him do that again.
It had felt so good when he'd massaged my scalp and worked the shampoo and then the conditioner in my long hair. Who knew that such a thing could be so intimate because I sure as hell didn't. When he had finished washing my hair, I had been all hot and bothered, which I knew that he knew because of his super sensitive senses. However, he had said nothing about it but he didn't have to. The grin that had been on his face as he helped me dry my hair had said enough, and at that moment I had mentally cursed my stitches because it was going to be at least two weeks before they came out and it was going to be at least that long before Jacob and I would be able to do anything more than kiss.
"What are you thinking about?" Jacob asked and I tore my eyes away from the window, shifted slightly in my seat, and looked at him; but he was watching the road.
"Nothing; why?" I asked and he chuckled.
"Because your heart is racing and skipping away in your chest," he said, "and I know it's not because you're nervous about seeing the Cullens or anything." I blushed as Jacob glanced at me and the grin on his face was just like a replay of this morning in the bathroom while he towel dried my hair. "Not even a full twenty-four hours out of the hospital and your mind is already going to the gutter, Rory," he said and my blush deepened as I reached over and lightly smacked his arm so I wouldn't hurt my hand. He laughed fully, and while I wasn't happy to be the source of his entertainment it was nice to hear his laugh and see him smile when he'd been scowling just a minute before.
"You know, you can't really blame me, Jacob," I said, deciding to turn the tables on him while he still chuckled to himself. However, he made a choking sound as his laughter abruptly came to an end as my left hand settled on his thigh. I rubbed my hand and back and forth, going from his inner to outer thigh, which caused his muscle to tense rather tightly under my touch. I inched my hand a little closer to his hip and I swear he stopped breathing as his grip tightened on the steering wheel once again, but this time for a completely different reason. "I love you, and it's only natural to want to express that love in a physical way. It's just too bad it's going to be a while before we can do that." Jacob took a shuddering breath before he let go of the steering wheel with his right hand and took my hand off his leg and laced his fingers with mine.
"You play dirty, babe," he said as he glanced at me once more and I smirked in return as he turned my car into the Cullens' driveway. "Now I'm going to go in there thinking all sorts of things I shouldn't around the mind reader." I laughed lightly, which made Jacob smile as he glanced at me yet again, and I shook my head.
"It's not like Edward hasn't heard it all before," I said. "He's told me before that you're not very good at keeping your thoughts PG even during the most innocent moments."
"Yeah, well he needs to stay out of my head," Jacob grumbled as he stopped my car in front of the Cullen's garage and I smiled.
"He's also said you think loud, Jacob. You're kind of hard to ignore," I said and he sighed as he let go of my hand, put the car in park, and turned off the engine.
"I'll work on that," he said dryly and I smiled once more as I unbuckled my seatbelt. Before the strap was even completely off my body, my door was opened and I was carefully swooped up into strong and cold arms bridal style. I let out a small shriek before I laughed at Emmett's smiling face and rested my left hand on my bandage covered stomach before I wrapped my right arm around his broad left shoulder.
"Hi Emmett," I said, still chuckling and he laughed, his now golden eyes shining as he looked at me.
"How you feeling, wolf girl?" he asked.
"Good," I assured him. "Much better than before."
"She can walk you know," Jacob growled out and both Emmett and I looked at him as he walked around the front of my car and glared at Emmett.
"He's right," I said as I looked up at Emmett, who rolled his eyes before he turned and started carrying me towards the house. I heard Jacob growl, but he didn't say anything as he followed after Emmett and me. "Is there a reason why you're antagonizing my boyfriend?" I asked Emmett in a soft whisper even though I had a feeling Jacob could still hear me.
"He banned Rose, Alice, and I from visiting you at the hospital when we heard you were awake," Emmett said, grin back in place as he opened the front door of the house even though I was still securely in his arms. "I just want to give him a little hell," he said as he walked inside and in a rush of air I suddenly found myself in the Cullens' living room.
"Whoa, head rush," I said quietly as my head spun slightly from Emmett's fast movement.
"Emmett do be careful with her," came Carlisle's soothing voice and after blinking a few times to clear my vision I turned my head to see him approach us with a concerned look on his face, but a warm smile on his lips. Jacob came up the stairs and into the room just as Emmett settled me back on my feet and I closed the distance between Carlisle and me before I promptly hugged him as tightly as I could manage. For a second Carlisle stiffened, but after a beat Carlisle wrapped his arms around me and hugged me gently.
"Thank you, Carlisle," I said as I pulled back from him and met his golden eyes with a smile on my lips. He shook his head as he raised his right hand to the side of my face as his smile grew.
"There's no need to thank me, Aurora," he said softly. "I'm just glad that things worked out in the end." He lowered his hand and I nodded my head.
"We're so glad you're okay," Esme said before she moved in and I smiled brightly at her as she wrapped me up in her usual motherly embrace.
"Me too," I said truly as she pulled away and she smiled at me before she settled next to Carlisle while I looked around the room. Alice remained at Jasper's side, but both of them gave me bright smiles as I waved at them as I smiled back at them. Seth was there, lounging on the couch and a goofy smile on his face as he looked at me. I laughed quietly as I shook my head before my eyes landed on Rosalie as she stood from the couch and where she had been sitting beside Seth, and in her arms, I assumed, was Renesmee.
"I've missed you around here, Aurora," Rosalie said with a smile on her lips as she looked at me, and I smiled back at her. The little girl in Rosalie's arms turned her head so she was looking at me then and my eyes moved from my friend to the baby.
I couldn't help but gasp quietly as Renesmee's big brown eyes locked with mine, and I had to admit that Seth really wasn't being biased when he talked about Renesmee. She was the prettiest baby I had ever seen; granted that would likely change when I had had my own baby or babies; but for now she would hold the title of the prettiest baby for me. She was pale with the same coppery brown hair on top of her head that Edward had, and the more I looked at her the more I realized that she was the perfect combination of Bella and Edward. She smiled at me then as she looked at me revealing tiny teeth that a baby that was not even a full week old should have. In fact, she looked more like an eight or nine month old baby rather than the four or five days old she was. She giggled and I blinked in surprise before I smiled back at her and moved closer to Rosalie and Renesmee.
"Hello Renesmee," I said softly before she reached out for me with her right hand, gurgling and giggling in that little baby way that was beyond adorable. I was close enough for her to touch me as she reached out and when her hand settled on my cheek I was no longer looking at Renesmee. It was hazy and I hadn't a clue what I was seeing but I could hear my muffled voice telling Edward that he should play the piano for the baby because classical music helped with brain development before I suddenly saw myself standing with Bella looking like she had the night she gave birth. I had a teary eyed smile on my face as I looked back at myself and laughed quietly and looked at Bella before I told her she had a daughter. As suddenly as it appeared the vision was gone and Renesmee lowered her hand from my face. I blinked rapidly as I looked at the little girl who smiled at me once more.
"What was that?" I asked quietly and to my surprise it was Edward that answered. He hadn't been in the room when I'd arrived and he must have come in while I'd been occupied with the baby.
"Renesmee is gifted," Edward said and I turned my head towards the sound of his voice and saw him standing with a very different looking Bella. Like the Cullens, Bella had taken on an inhuman beauty and while she'd been very pretty before she was absolutely stunning now. However, her red eyes were rather freaky. Thankfully, over time I knew that that would change and her eyes would turn gold like the others so long as she kept to a 'vegetarian' diet, which I knew she would. "She showed you the first memories she has of you," Edward said, drawing my thoughts away from Bella's appearance and I turned my body so I was facing them completely and smiled.
"Well, you don't do anything half-ass do you, Bella?" I asked. "Not only do you make one of the prettiest babies I have ever seen, you go and make one that's even more special than being just half-vampire." Bella gave me one of her crooked smiles and I was glad to see that not everything about Bella was different. She took a step closer to me, but before her foot was even fully planted Jacob was behind me and his hot hands settled on hips. I was turned around and pulled into Jacob's solid chest before he turned our bodies slightly away from Bella and held me protectively. However, I could still see my cousin and I saw her scowl as she looked at Jacob.
"I'm not going to hurt her, Jake," Bella said as she shook her head.
"It's nothing against you, Bella, I'd just rather be safe than sorry right now," he said and I saw her shoulders deflate a bit before she gave him a curt nod.
"Fine," she said tightly before she turned her red eyes to me. "I wanted to thank you, Aurora, for not only taking care of me, helping me like you did, and doing what you did to try and help; but for taking care of Charlie too. I'll never be able to thank you enough for that."
"He's the dad I've never had, Bella," I said as I shook my head from where I was still tucked into Jacob. "It wasn't really all that hard because I love him as much as you do." She gave me another crooked smile as she looked at me and I easily smiled back at her.
"Jacob, could I talk to Aurora for a few minutes?" Edward asked. Jacob's body tensed for a few seconds before he slowly unwrapped his arms from around me and settled his hands on my hips.
"Five minutes," he said, his voice tight and unsure, and I rolled my eyes as I shook my head.
"Honestly, Jacob, he's not going to attack me," I said and he looked down at me. "Relax, okay, I'm not going anywhere." I rose up on my toes slightly and kissed his chin. He took a slow breath and nodded before his hands left my hips as he reluctantly let me go. "I'll be back." He nodded and I walked over to Edward before he led me upstairs. I wasn't sure where we were going or what we were doing, but the serious look on Edward's face told me that he wanted to talk about something and I couldn't help but be curious about what it could possibly be.