Eek! I'm very excited about this chapter. It's the one we've been waiting for…well you've been waiting. I already know what happens, I did write it. LOL. Just to give you a heads up it gets really exciting from here on so prepare yourself.
Shout out to my newest reader "Ren4Black". Welcome to the family!
***WARNING!***LONGEST CHAPTER YET!***WARNING!***LONGEST CHAPTER YET!***
Enjoy!
Chapter 37The next few days around the house were extremely tense. Everyone seemed to be on edge about the upcoming party and the real guest of honor. I on the other hand spent the days letting Alice finish my dress and chilling on the couch with Finn watching confusing cartoons from Japan. Things between Alice and Quinn had been set right again thanks to Quinn's apology and Alice's chocolate chip pancakes. Apparently I was the only one in the family who couldn't cook.
As Jake promised, Seth kept his distance from Quinn. The only time they were in the same room together was when either Alice or Jacob was there to act as a barrier. Poor Quinn wouldn't even look in Seth's direction. No doubt it was because she was embarrassed by her actions.
It was the day before the party and because they weren't sure what was going to happen we had a pre party dinner. Esme cooked a feast and in honor of the first time Finn and Quinn came to dinner we had pasta. We all sat at the table long after the meal was finished talking and laughing even though for some it was a hard thing to do. Besides my parents, Sky seemed to be the most uptight. If my father was evil personified I'd be a little uneasy too.
The hours went by in a blur and soon I found myself trying to get to sleep for what I prayed wouldn't be the last time.
Hours later I was ready to kill whoever was blowing at my face. I cracked one sleepy eye open to see a soon to be ex boyfriend grinning like an idiot. It was way too early for someone to be that close to my face.
"Happy birthday Nessie," he whispered.
I looked at the red numbers on my clock and saw that it was after midnight and indeed my birthday. Managing to pry my other eye open I glared. "Do you know how hard it was for me to get to sleep?"
"Sorry, I just wanted to be the first to say it." He gave my cheek a quick kiss and started to leave.
"Wait," I said feeling bad for having snapped at him. I just wasn't a morning person. "You managed to get in here without getting caught. You might as well stay." I patted the space bed next to me and without argument he got in next to me, this time under the blankets. He pulled close enough so I could feel his breath on the back of my neck. The air that was coming from Jake now was different. Before it was cold, abrupt and very annoying, now it was warm, soft and gave me Goosebumps. When I giggled at the sensation he nuzzled my neck causing me to squirm.
"No matter what happens tonight I promise I'll keep you safe," he whispered in my ear.
"I know," the warmth of his arms around me was slowly putting me back to sleep.
"I love you."
"I know." I waited a few seconds before I spoke again. "I love you too huff puff."
It was cold, which was strange sensation to feel considering I had fallen asleep in Jake's arms. Probably the reason I was cold was because he was missing. Opening my eyes I was surprised to see that I was not alone.
"Happy birthday Nessie!" Every member of my family, including Finn and Quinn, were in my room wearing sad looking party hats. Seeing as how Alice was the only one really smiling I guessed that she was the one behind them being there.
"Alice can I go back to bed," Finn grumbled as pulled the hat from his head, snapping his chin with the elastic in the process. It was seven in the morning and way too early for party hats.
"Fine," Alice sighed.
"Does that mean I can go back to sleep?" I asked the question as my parents kissed me and both gave me a hug.
"Good god no! Do you know how much we have to do to get you and Quinn ready for tonight?" Alice was getting ready to have one of her meltdowns. "You need to get in that shower and downstairs like ten minutes ago missy."
Everyone filed out of my room after giving me their well wishes. Alice was the last one to go, but before she left me to get myself awake she said, "You're welcome."
"Thank you for waking me at an ungodly hour on the day of my birth," I said as I stumbled from my bed.
"No, I meant you're welcome for me getting Puff N Stuff out of here before you father caught him in your bed." She practically skipped out of the room, gloating with every step.
I had only barely come out of the bathroom when Alice pounced on me with giant Velcro curlers, bobby pins and invisible elastics. She twisted, teased, fluffed and pinned then used half a can of hairspray. There was no way a single hair on my head would move without divine intervention. It felt like I was being tortured.
Next was my make-up and nails. Alice sat on an office chair, scooting back and forth between Quinn and I doing one set of nails while the other dried. As she did this she was explaining how the evening was going to go down.
"The family will enter the field first in pairs of course. Carlisle with Esme and Emmett with Rose and so on. Then when the music changes you and Edward will enter and move to the center of the crowd where you will share the first dance. The next dance will be of course with Jacob then the rest of the men in the family. After that you will mingle and dance with whoever signs your dance card.
"Dance card?"
"Yes," Alice said. "Do not make a face at me young lady. This is as much my day as it is yours."
"I think it sounds fun," Quinn interrupted.
"Traitor," I hissed as Alice continued the beauty process. "How are we supposed to dance in the field wearing the shoes you picked out?" Maybe if we couldn't dance I wouldn't have to use Alice's silly dance cards.
"Oh don't you worry about it," Emmett and Jasper put down a floor two nights ago. Now let's see, where did I put those cards?"
Jacob saved the day by bringing us cans of red bull to keep us awake. He was kicked out of the room so we could finish getting ready. As the mascara brush was swept up my lashes a fifth time I asked who was helping the other girls get ready.
"Well, Rose and Esme can take care of themselves. When they're ready they will be working on Leah, Bella and Cris. Thank god for natural beauty…"
Alice didn't continue speaking as she worked the eyeliner across my eye. I must have dosed off because I jumped when she squealed I was ready, but before I had a chance to see her work she pushed me behind a curtain she had setup so I could put on my dress. She didn't want to risk me seeing myself until I was completely ready.
"Oh and BTW, I made your dress a halter to keep Edward from having a complete meltdown."
I had though Alice was being an alarmist when she made us get up so early, but by the time I was all laced into my corset/halter dress and Quinn was all ready there was only an hour left until guests were set to arrive. Taking very little time for herself, not that she could improve perfection, Alice got herself ready and insisted that we have sort of an unveiling, but before I left I managed to look at my reflection. A stranger stared back at me from the mirror. My hair sparkled with diamond gemstones that Alice had set in place. My eyes seemed older somehow and looking at myself I felt as though I were looking at an adult.
Alice had all the guys wait outside for each of us to come out. Esme went first, and then Cris followed by Rose, Bella and Alice. Quinn and I were left last so we decided to go out at the same time.
As we waited for our cue, Quinn began to fidget with the ribbon holding her mask in place.
"Is it too tight," I asked
"No, its fine, I'm just nervous." She smiled and linked her arm in mine, "Let's do this."
We stepped out onto the porch and everything seemed to stop. All eyes were on me with the exception of Seth's. His complete focus was on Quinn. I walked toward my family and did a spin along the way so they would get the full view. Edward was the only one not smiling.
"Alice," he said as he rubbing his forehead. "Where is the rest of the dress?"
"Edward," Bella growled as she placed my cloak over my shoulders. "You look so grown up and beautiful." She gave me a kiss. I turned from her then to get Jacob's reaction.
He stood there wearing a black satin tuxedo that had a five button vest. It was the most grown up I had ever seen him look.
"You look very handsome Mr. Black," I said as I looked into his eyes through his mask. It was deep red leather with a black ribbon tie. It matched my dress and mask. I made a mental note to thank Alice later.
"You look like a goddess," he said so that only I would hear.
"I got a baseball bat with your name on it Sparky so just watch yourself tonight," I heard Finn shout as he stood next to his sister. He was wearing almost the exact same outfit as Jacob. Alice had made all the men wear the same suits, but had them wear masks that matched whatever their dates were wearing. Finn was wearing the same mask as Jake. His hair, like Jake's was pulled back in a ponytail. Where Jacob's was like a long black cord, Finn's was short and threatened to fall out. Seth stalked away and took his place next to Leah. He was going to be on his sister's arm on along with Sky.
"Hey!" Alice shouted. "There will be plenty of time for everyone to kill each other later. Right now we have a party to get to. Let's go."
Following orders we all paired up and walked toward the field where our guests were waiting. I watched the couples walking ahead of us and couldn't help but be in awe of the beauty before me. My mother was wearing a dress of deep blue and silver. Esme wore black and white. Rose was wearing a dark green dress while Alice wore a sparkling silver dress that was as outrageous as she was.
"Hey Alice," Emmett grinned, "can I keep this mask?"
"Emmett why could you possibly need to keep it?" Rose was the one who asked.
"Babe, I'm totally rocking the Green Hornet look here."
"Alice," Rose sighed, "is it too late to switch partners?"
The only one there that made me jealous was Leah. Jacob had said that I looked like a goddess, but I paled in comparison.
Leah was wearing a golden dress that complemented her skin tone. Someone had woven strands of ivy through her hair and dusted it with a powder that matched her dress. She shined whenever she looked at Sky, but tonight there was something more behind the smile, a secret that only the two of them shared.
We all stopped when we got to the opening that was to be the entrance. Voices came from within along with the sounds of music. An unhappy looking Finn broke away from his sister and jogged it the field where he was to setup the right music. Seth who was wore a mask that matched Quinn's dress took his place.
"You look very nice," he said causing her to blush.
Alice cleared her throat letting them know that they had tonight, but after that…
Jacob and Edward traded partners. Jacob took my mother's arm so that my father could escort me into the party. Carlisle and Esme went first, and then after them each of the others followed leaving Edward and me to make our grand entrance.
We wait outside for a moment for the music to change to a piece my father had written for me as a child. Before the big moment my father turned me to face him.
"Just a second," he said releasing my arm. "I wanted to give you your present."
He held in his hand our family's crest on a golden chain. It reminded me of the one Rosalie had, except it was different. It was made of gold like the chain and was cover with tiny stones of rubies and onyx. I let him fix the clasp behind my neck and thanked him.
"Remember," he said with a grimace of pain, "When Aro gets here–,"
"I let Jake get me out of there and we use the fake ID's and run," we had gone over it a hundred times and he still found it difficult to believe I was okay with the escape plan. "I promise dad."
Edward nodded as he took my arm again and we made our way into the party.
The field full of talking vampires fell silent as we entered. Over a hundred pairs of red eyes were on us making me feel as though I was the second-coming and part of me wished that they wouldn't regret coming or worse, end up dead.
We made our way to the center of the crowd and there my father and I shared the first dance of the night. He swept me across the floor making me feel like a princess. My face began to hurt I was smiling so much. Then, before I knew it the music faded, Edward bowed and then it was Jacob's turn.
He bowed and pulled me into his arms. The Only Exception by Paramore played as Jake held me close. We swayed together as the notes filled the night and everyone watched. As much as I hated the idea of leaving his embrace, when the song ended I let him go and began dancing with the next person on my dance card.
When I had finished my prearranged dances, Quinn begged me to introduce her to the other vampires. I couldn't help her; I was a baby the last time I had seen these people. We grabbed Alice and had her do the introductions. Quinn was like a nerd at Comic Con. She beamed as she said hello to each of them, blushing whenever one of the men would kiss her hand. She was especially smitten with Garrett who flirted shamelessly with her. I swear I could hear Seth growling from somewhere in the crowd. It didn't seem to matter that Kate, Garrett's mate was at his side. Other couples filled the floor as the music played on.
Every so often my gaze would wander toward the entrance waiting for Aro to make his appearence. I was lost in thought when I felt a sweaty hand take mine. I turned to see Finn's eyes staring at me from behind his mask.
"Renesmee Cullen, would you honor me with the next dance?" He made a dramatic bow that caused my mouth stretch into a smile. We made our way into the other couples dancing to a classic waltz.
"Do you want to wait till the next song," I asked thinking he'd be more comfortable with something by Mariana's Trench, but he shook his head and held me in the same position as the couples on the dance floor.
"I have not been spending every night for the past month watching Dancing with the Stars on YouTube for nothing." We began to move and as we did, I had to bite my lip. "What is it," he asked. "Do I suck?"
"No, you really good," I answered a little surprised. "It's just Emmett was convinced you had a porn addiction. Alice went out and got pamphlets. They were going to sit you down next week."
He stopped with complete terror on what I could see of his face. I jerked his arms to get him moving again. I told him it would be okay, that if he just looked at it from my point of view he would see the humor.
"Nice mask by the way."
"I just wanted to feel like I belonged to someone." I was going to say something when he stopped me, "Hey, when the party's over, I was thinking about taking Quinn to Comic-con and rumour has it you get a discount if you go in costume. I think I'd make a pretty good looking Daredevil."
I was laughing when a deep voice rumbled behind me, "Excuse me, but could I cut in?"
When I wasn't watching the entrance, the rest of Jacob's pack had arrived along with the La Push pack. The voice belonged to Quil. I quickly jumped into his arms to hug him. I introduced him to a confused Finn.
"Hey Kreskin!" Embry said as he pulled me into a bear hug. "You didn't happen to see who was going to win the next Superbowl cause I know this guy who takes bets…" Jacob had obviously told them about my new talent.
The rest of the two wolf packs all said their hellos. It turned out that after my last vision Jacob had Alice send out extra invitations. It didn't hurt to have extra soldiers. As the night went on I continued to introduce Finn and Quinn to the new arrivals. Jacob greeted his friends with handshakes for some and manly embraces for the others. While he busied himself talking strategy plans with Sam Uley I asked how all the girlfriends and wives were doing. They had all been left at home in case things became too dangerous.
The dancing and catching up went on and on for hours, the guest we were all waiting for never showed. Alice pulled Carlisle aside at one point looking very upset. Minutes later her mood had completely changed as she and the rest of my family handed out champagne flutes filled with blood for the vampires and of course champagne for everyone else. Having a choice I went with the champagne; after all it would be a few years before I was allowed to legally drink the stuff.
Carlisle raised his glass and as he did a hush flowed across the room. Standing with the other members of my family I listened to my grandfather's toast.
"I want to thank all of you for coming tonight to share in our celebration. Sixteen years ago the Cullen family was blessed with the birth of a precious baby girl. Well that baby has blossomed into a beautiful young woman who continues to bring joy into our lives. Please raise your glasses and help me toast my granddaughter on the day of her birth. To Renesmee!"
Hundreds of glasses were lifted into the air as they all repeated, "To Renesmee!"
The music started up again, but before long it was time for the party to come to an end and I wasn't sure whether or not I was disappointed that Aro hadn't shown and I wasn't the only one. Alice complained that it was just rude that he was a no show.
"Hey," Jake whisper as he grabbed my hand and pulled in another direction that led away from the house.
"What are you doing?" everyone else was going back to the house for left over cake. Because the main objective of the party was to rid the world of Aro, a snack table had not been a part of the party. We were all very hungry and there was a can of whip cream with my name on it.
"Ness, you coming?" Finn shouted from the porch.
"We'll be there in a minute," Jacob answered as he continued to pull me toward the trees. When I asked him what was so important that he needed hide in the trees.
"I just wanted so alone time," Jacob was acting strange. "So, did you enjoy the party?"
Shrugging my shoulders as we walked, "I guess? It was kind of anti-climatic."
"How so?"
"I kept waiting for something huge to happen and while seeing Emmett spaz out to Soulja Boy was something…" I had kept walking and hadn't notice that I was alone. I turned around to see why Jacob wasn't beside me.
"I thought this would be a good place to give your present," he said from where he was down on one knee. My stomach starting doing its own interpretation of the Soulja Boy dance, as Jacob held in his trembling, outstretched hand an aged velvet box and in that box was a ring.
SAY WHAT? Aro's a no show and Jacob proposes! I wonder what Nessie's answer will be? Better yet what will Bella and Edward do when they find out?
"Renesmee & Jake" is at 6876 Hits! Thank everyone for reading and showing me the love.
The song that Nessie and Jake dance to, "The Only Exception" by Paramore, is my favorite song (right now).
The song Emmett was spazzing out to is "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" by Soulja Boy. In my defense when I first wrote this story this song was actually popular. I thought it was funny to think of him dancing to that song that I kept it in the story.
CHAPTER 38 TEASER
It's almost every girl's dream to have someone love them enough to get down on one knee and ask them to spend the rest of their lives together. Jacob's hand shook as held his breath waiting for my answer.
"If you wanted to break up with me you should have just said so," I felt my face grow warm, but I wasn't going to cry. I was too mad to cry. "You really didn't need all this drama."
He snapped the ring box shut as he stood, "Did I miss something? Cause me doing this," he gestured to the box, "isn't a break up."
"I know. It's a death wish."