The Favor
Renee's POV
I put my book, 'The Adoration of Jenna Fox' down for then tenth time in the last hour and stared out the airplane's window watching the gathering cloud cover. 'Forks, Washington here I come—again!' I moaned to myself. Well, at least there was a silver lining to this cloud and that would be seeing my baby girl again. It had been over two years since I had last seen her, at her wedding, and I was very anxious to see her now. I knew that she had fallen very ill on her honeymoon and had to be quarantined for several months and even spent time at the CDC in Georgia. I had packed my bags and planned to drive up there and demand to see her. It wasn't that far from Jacksonville to Atlanta and I knew they had those special suits I could wear so I could be with her without getting ill myself. Then Charlie had called me, letting me know she was back in Forks but still too sick to see anyone. Funny how no one else at the Cullen house had gotten sick though they were apparently all exposed and quarantined as well.
What was most alarming, were the results of her illness. She sounded different on the phone. Granted I had a new digital phone so that might have had something to do with it. Her voice sounded the same but often when she laughed or sighed, the tone changed to sounding almost musical. I knew for a fact, Bella had never sounded musical in her life. A new, higher, melodic tone had been more and more evident in her voice over the last two years. Maybe she had a surge of estrogen hit her system or something. She was pretty sick after all.
Then there were some physical changes as well. Dr. Cullen explained to me she was not supposed to be out in direct sunlight anymore because she had developed a rare photosensitivity called Th1 disease that required a strict adherence to a regiment called the 'Marshall Protocol'. Bottom line was she had to avoid exposure to the sun or risk potential severe sudden cardiac conditions.
There were other changes resulting from her condition. She had told me, when she'd finally gotten better, that she had swollen up as a result of all of the sunlight on the Island and when the swelling finally had subsided, there had been some changes to her facial structure as well. Once again, I examined the wallet-sized photo I had received of her and Edward last Christmas. She definitely looked different. I had a hard time reconciling the happy woman in the picture to the daughter I had known and loved for so long. She was beautiful. I sighed as I ran my finger across the picture again. The Bella smiling out at me had glossy, thick brown hair. My Bella's was the same color but not so lustrous. Of course, that could just be an expensive shampoo. I mean, Bella did marry into money. Her skin was flawless; as was my daughter's but in this picture it was paler than my Bella's. That could be a direct result of staying out of the sun. And Edward's complexion was just as white. But, he was always pale. The Bella starring out at me from the photo had a golden tint to her brown eyes. They looked similar in tone to Edward's. From the photo I could see that his were a darker gold than hers. Huh, well, he'd always had some gold in his eyes. But then there was her smile. The smile that was on this Bella's face was the same smile I remembered from my Bella's. Of course, her teeth were sparkling white now. Perhaps the Cullens all went to an expensive dentist. I couldn't imagine Bella being vain enough to have veneers put on her teeth; unless, well, maybe it had been necessary because of her illness. That was the rub of it though. She had changed and I had to look beyond those changes to see the beautiful daughter I loved. She was there still and I was so thankful she was alive—even if she looked like a stranger now.
I would have to remember to not react to her colder embrace either. Charlie had explained that one to me. Apparently another side effect of her rare condition was the development of a thyroid condition referred to as Wilson's Syndrome. Her temperature was substantially lower than most cases; probably because she couldn't go into the sunlight. Oh, my poor baby. I couldn't believe I'd waited so long to come and see her. It was just that I didn't know how I would react to her and I didn't want to hurt her feelings. What was I thinking? I was an adult here. I could handle this. I mean, for goodness sakes, she's still my daughter after all! It's not like she grew four eyes or an extra set of arms or something like that! She was still my Bella. She hadn't turned into a monster. Maybe Bella was right and I shouldn't read science fiction—it just freaked me out! Like my last book 'Methuselah's Virus' and even watching 'Smallville' and all of its meteorite poisoning affecting everyone. I'd get something in my mind and think all sorts of crazy things as a result. It's a good thing that the' X-Files' wasn't on anymore. I shook my head ending that train of thought and returned my thoughts to my daughter.
Here I was, afraid to see her, worried about how I would react to her and that turned out to be only the half of it. Bella—a mother! I couldn't believe she would keep that from me. I mean sure, I didn't want to be a grandmother for at least another ten years or so, but it was an older child they'd adopted--Edward's niece. It wasn't like it was their own child. I could be an adopted Grandmother without it affecting my self-image right? So in the mean time, Charlie had gotten the scoop on me for two years. He had given MY granddaughter the birthday presents and gotten on her good side while I hadn't even been given a chance. Well, I'd fix that too. It was hard to put my finger on how I felt about this little girl—Renesmee. Funny that she had such an unusual name that sounded so much like my own. Well, I realized the feeling I had was hurt. I didn't understand why Bella had kept this from me. I was brooding this over in my mind as the plane landed in Seattle and I quickly departed the plane and was soon in my rental car headed for the last part of my journey--my drive to Forks, Washington—where my girls awaited me. I spent the long car drive focusing on the positives to help my mindset be free of the negatives. Bella was alive, she was happy, she was sort of healthy, she had a little family and I was a part of that. And I was about to become an even bigger part of that little family. And for icing on the cake, Charlie was tying the knot again. It was about time too. I was so relieved to hear that last week. Now I wouldn't feel so guilty when I saw him again.
Finally I pulled up in front of the huge white house in the deep woods. It seemed almost alive itself. There were sounds of laughter coming from somewhere in the distance. One was higher and child-like the others were an assortment of deeper rumbling sort of laughter. I closed my door and surveyed the front porch. As I did so, the front door opened and Esme appeared. Her smile was wide and she welcomed me. Before I knew it, I was up the steps and into the house.
This was only the second time I had been inside the Cullen home. The first time it had been filled with flowers, celebrating as my daughter became a bride and a Cullen as well. That was the last happy time before her terrible illness. Today the decor was in its normal state. There were white couches and chairs and pale ivory carpet. The walls were also a creamy white. There were two men in the room and they talked in quiet whispers. One was big and hulking with short cropped hair and the other was slightly shorter, his dark brown hair shoulder length. Even though they had chalky white skin, they appeared to be of Italian descent.
They looked up at my entry and stopped speaking.
"Renee, this is Felix and Demetri. They are visiting us from overseas." Esme said by way of introductions.
"Hello," I said politely. Apparently their house had a lot of visitors and I hadn't traveled the farthest. Where was my daughter? Surely she wasn't hiding from me.
"Felix, Demetri, this is Renee Dwyer from Florida. She is Bella's Mother." Esme said to complete the introduction.
They both gave me a nod. Our attention was then diverted as a beautiful young Indian woman with long flowing black hair quickly and gracefully entered the house through the large glass door to the back. Before I knew it she was at Esme's side.
"I'm here to spell Bella now." She said while apparently looking around for her. "Where is she?"
"Oh, she'll be here with Mia in a moment. This is Bella's mother Renee. Have you met her before?" Esme asked, making more introductions. And who was Mia?
The Indian girl shook her head once and full of poise strode forward and shook my hand firmly. "No, I have not met Bella's mother yet. It's nice to meet you Renee. I am Leah Clearwater. My mother is marrying Bella's Dad." That caught my wandering attention. I found myself focusing on this confident young lady before me. She seemed to be politely appraising me as well.
"Well, you are certainly a beautiful woman Leah. Of course you wouldn't remember me. I knew your parents before you were born—but only briefly." I said returning her smile with one of my own. Then there was suddenly an Indian man behind her with strong arms and a handsome face. He picked her up from behind and spun her around to face him. She laughed in delight.
"There is my woman?" He growled playfully. "What were you doing? Running off without giving me my good-bye kiss?"
"You nut!" Leah managed to get out before his lips found hers and silenced her name calling.
"This would be Nahuel from South America." Esme told me while fondly looking to the couple. "He is Leah's intended."
"Oh," I said feeling a little in the way.
"Oh Nahuel," Leah said breaking from his kiss. "This is Bella's mother, Renee."
"I see," Nahuel said taking one of his arms away from Leah's waist and extending it to me in a warm hand shake. "Bella is very excited to have you here." Then he looked around. "Where is she anyway?"
"I'm right here," Bella called from behind the stairs. Her voice was still high and musical. So it wasn't being distorted by my phone then. She came out assisting another young woman who was pregnant and appeared not to be feeling well. The girl had an arm around Bella's neck as they slowly entered the room.
"Mia," The pale man named Demetri said as he bolted to her side. "Are you alright, Sweetheart?"
"Yes," She said very quietly. "I feel much better now." He took her from Bella and lifted her right up into his arms like she weighed nothing at all. I could have seen the bigger fellow doing that but it surprised me to see the slighter man pull it off. Mia's eyes fell to me. "Oh, is this Bella's mother?" She said smiling warmly at me. Demetri sighed and brought her closer towards me.
"This is my fiancée Mia." He told me almost stiffly. "She is here under the care of Doctor Cullen and Bella was helping her in the restroom."
"Oh," I said. I was not sure why but it seemed like the pregnant girl was very happy to meet me and the good looking pale boyfriend was just the opposite.
"Hello," She said, "It is nice to meet you. You're daughter has been taking such good care of me."
"It is nice to meet you." I said. "When are you due?" I asked to show interest.
"Oh, in a few weeks." She responded with a weary smile.
"Well, you are carrying it well then. You don't look like your over four months along. When I was ready to deliver Bella, I was huge." I said with a shake of my head. The memory almost made me cringe. "It took me a whole year to get my figure back in shape."
"I'm going to take Mia back up to bed so she can get a nap before dinner." Demetri said curtly as he gave me a stiff nod and bounded up the stairs with Leah and Nahuel on his heels.
"Did I say something wrong?" I asked in a whisper.
"No, he's just worried about his girlfriend. She's quite sick." This was from the big brawny man Felix, who had sauntered up with a grin on his face. "So this is Bella's mother. You are one fine looking woman."
I wasn't sure what to make of this man. The complement made me blush but his eyes almost leered at me. And for heaven's sake, he was a good ten years younger than Phil. Maybe he liked older women or something. Well, I'd just have to set him straight.
"Thank you, my husband thinks so too."I said turning back to my daughter who was standing beside Esme. "Bella? Is that really you?" I asked before I could call the words back. I was going to not call attention to her differences. She stepped forward. Her hair, always curly, had an extra bounce to it. Her face was more defined; more delicate in its features. Was it a created effect of expertly applied makeup?
"It's really me Mom." She said with a little catch in her voice. I knew that I had to reign in my shock. She needed me to accept the changes in her physical appearance.
"Oh, Baby!" I cried as I gathered her up in my arms and held her to me. "It is so good to see you again!"
"You too Mom!" She said and she buried her face in my shoulder.
"You're so cold Bella. You're not getting sick again are you Sweetie?" Dang it. I wasn't going to mention that either. But she was very cold and it was summertime. "I mean is this your regular temperature now from the Wilson's Syndrome?"
"Yes Mom, this is the new 'regular' me now—temperature and all." She said pulling away from me and biting her lip with her ultra white teeth. "Are you okay? With the new me, I mean?"
"Bella, if you're okay, than I am too. Oh I love you honey!" I said pulling her in for another quick hug and kissing her cheek.
"Thanks Mom, I love you too." She said sounding relieved. "I have really missed you."
"I've missed you too, baby. We're going to have to get together more often." I sighed. "But I guess Florida is off the table because of the sun." That reminded me. "How did you manage to stay out of the sun down in the Amazon?"
"That was very tricky but under the jungle canopy there wasn't that much sunlight coming through so I was okay most of the time." She said quickly.
"Well, it sounds like you have been pretty busy since your illness. Where's my son-in-law and my new grand…" I was cut off by a blur running in from the back door.
A high pitched girl's voice said urgently, "Mommy, Daddy says 'come quick'! And get Grandfather! Me and Daddy were doing the 'Pretzel Man' contortion and Uncle Emmett insisted on trying and he got STUCK! Hurry!" I looked down and beheld the most beautiful girl I had ever seen before in my life. I instantly knew she was my new granddaughter. She was pulling Bella's arm, frantic to get her outside. I was shocked to see her resemblance to Edward. It was uncanny. Well, she was biologically his niece after all. But there was something else. It was her expression. I had seen that look on Bella's face many times over the years and this little girl made the exact same expression. Had she learned it in the past two years? I couldn't see how. Even the eyes were the same? Renesmee's eyes looked more like the Bella's I'd remembered than the Bella who was now being dragged out the back door. I would have to keep that observation to myself. It might make Bella feel bad.
"Sorry Mom," She called back to me.
"I'll call Carlisle," Esme said. "He's almost done with his shift at the hospital." She whipped out a cell phone and hit a speed dial as the rest of us followed Renesmee out the back door, as though she were pulling all of us instead of just Bella.
I recognized Edward bent over at Emmett's side. As soon as I saw Bella's brother-in-law, whom I'd met at the wedding, I gasped in shock. At the same time, Felix started roaring with laughter. Emmett had his right leg pulled up behind his head and his foot was somehow caught in the crux of his neck on the other side. Edward was trying to bend Emmett's head even more to the right to unhook the foot but the rest of his leg was in the way preventing his head from moving in that direction.
"I already tried that Edward." Emmett was saying to him. "I hope we figure this out soon. This is starting to get uncomfortable. How did you get out of it so easily?"
I didn't know what Emmett's definition of uncomfortable was but I thought it was a bit of an understatement. Well, just because Emmett was a big man, it didn't mean that he couldn't try strange yoga positions; apparently, just not all of them.
"Emmett, what were you thinking?" Bella chided him in a worried way.
"Hello to you too, sister dear." Emmett said sarcastically. "This is your fault you know."
"My fault? How do you figure that?" Bella stammered back.
"Well, it was your daughter and your husband who were having so much fun seeing who could hold the pose the longest that got me wanting to try it for myself." He said sheepishly.
"Oh, well sorry then." Bella said sighing. "If it's any consolation to you, I think you've won the contest."
"Great! Thanks for declaring me the winner!" Emmett said sweetly. I couldn't figure out how he could talk so nonchalantly in such a painful pose. "That's what I like about you Bella. You always find the bright side. Now, where is Carlisle?" He asked looking at the crowd. Then he spied me. "Oh, hello Renee. It's a pleasure to see you again. I'd shake your hand but, maybe a little wave here will do." He waved his free hand. It nearly knocked him over. However it amazed me that he still managed to stay balanced on one leg, being so large and bulky. "How was your flight?"
It took me a minute to realize he was still talking to me. "It was great. Say, I took yoga classes once and there was a fellow that threw his back out doing something similar to what you have attempted and he had to take muscle relaxant to fix the ummm… problem. Perhaps that would help you get loose as well." I said trying to be helpful.
"Good suggestion," Emmett said, "Which brings us back to the question--where is Carlisle?"
We all looked around and found Esme and Alice very slowly approaching us from the house. They were deep in discussion as they walked. I was surprised to hear a moan come from Edward and I turned back towards him to see his hand covering his face, and his expression as well.
"What! You'd better tell me what is going on Edward—right now!" Emmett bellowed ominously.
"It's not good." Edward said to him. His face still covered in his hand. "Carlisle is on his way, but Alice sees the only way to get you free." He uncovered his face to look at his brother and his expression was grim. "And it's not good at all."
Emmett registered the look on Edward's face and his turned even whiter. "Oh no! There has to be another way! Try harder Edward! Push my foot harder--Please!" Edward started pushing harder until Emmett's shoe slipped off his foot and fell into about six pieces on the ground. All except for the heel that shot off like a hockey puck and landed in a stand of trees off in the distance.
"Oh no! I liked those shoes." Emmett said dejectedly. "Where is Rose?"
"I'm right here Emm…" Rosalie appeared from behind us holding a fourth grade science book and gasped, dropping the book. "Emmett, who did this to you!" She wailed and the most ferocious look I had ever seen in my life came into her face. She looked at Felix, who abruptly stopped laughing at the sight of her. I didn't blame him. She had me scared to death too. I could hardly believe this was the same young woman who had so beautifully played the piano at Bella's wedding. If I could have made my legs move I would have run for my life. As it was, it was all I could do to breathe in and out occasionally.
"Hey, don't look at me Rosalie." Felix said holding his hand up as if he could stop her. She looked as though she were about to knock his head right off from his shoulders. "I was nowhere near him. He did that himself! However…" he said cracking his knuckles with an evil glint in his eyes that made me stop breathing all together. "I'd be happy to help Emmett 'break a leg' to coin a phrase. I have a lot of experience in that department."
"That won't be necessary Felix," Esme said in an authoritative tone. "Carlisle will be here shortly and we'll deal with it when he arrives." At her pronouncement, Rosalie and Felix returned to their former postures. Rosalie bent down and retrieved her book and went to Emmett's side; kissing his cheek.
"Poor Emmett! Can you sit down?" She said sympathetically. "Who put you up to this anyway? Was it Jasper?"
"No, it was my idea--and sort of Bella's." He said somewhat abashed.
"Bella goaded you into trying this ridiculous stunt?" Rosalie's tone was skeptical. Emmett nodded reluctantly.
"I'm so sure!" Bella said indignantly. "I was nowhere near him. I have been sitting with Mia for the last six hours. Emmett here was trying to 'one up' Nessie and Edward. That's what's been going on. Keep me out of it!"
Emmett laughed.
"I can't help it Sis, you're so much fun to tease!" Emmett said before sighing.
"How was it Nessie?" Rosalie said turning towards my granddaughter whom I guessed they had nicknamed. Her face, that had scared the begeebers out of me seconds ago, was now the most gloriously beautiful one that I had ever seen. It almost hurt to look at Rosalie.
"It was great!" The beautiful girl, my granddaughter, enthused. Before anyone could stop her she wrapped her own leg up and around her neck and started hopping around on one leg as though it was a new dance move. Everyone laughed; everyone that was—except for me. My heart rate was still off the charts from the near confrontation between Rosalie and Felix. I certainly had newfound respect for Esme. She really knew how to handle herself around kids. I was having trouble coming up with a coherent thought when I noticed Edward was looking at me with concern.
"Renee," He said in a soothing velvet tone I had heard him use occasionally. "It is good to see you again. I think we can leave Emmett in good hands here and go back into the house." He put one arm lightly around my shoulder and the other around Bella's and towed us towards the house. Were my feet working yet? They must have been because I was moving forward. "Come on Nessie, you're with us." He called behind him interrupting Emmett's plea.
"Oh, come on Bro. I need you here for moral support."
"You're on your own Emmett." Edward replied shaking his head. "Besides I do not want my daughter seeing your uh, extrication procedure. It would give her nightmares for a month."
"I don't like the sound of that one little bit." Emmett said in a strangely sad voice for such a hulking man. I felt sorry for him. And how had tiny Alice seen what would need to happen to fix it? And how had Edward suddenly understood without her saying a word. It would seem as though Bella's new appearance wasn't the only thing different at the Cullen household.
"It is so good to see you again Renee. You are looking well." Edward said while we were still walking towards the house. His voice was strangely comforting and it was helping to calm me down.
"Yes, I'm fine. It's good to see you again too, Edward!" I said when I could catch my breath. "Are you sure Emmett is going to be okay though?" I asked while trying to look behind me but Edward's arm rose slightly to block my backward view.
"He will be fine. And Carlisle will be here in ten minutes anyway." Edward continued smoothly while he slid the large glass door aside for our entry. I was surprised when not just Renesmee followed us in but a big hulking Indian as well.
"Mom, you remember Jacob Black, right?" Bella asked me inclining her head towards the large Indian. This was Jacob Black? He had turned into quite a handsome man. But he was supposed to be a few years younger than Bella. He looked more like he was twenty five. And when did he get so tall? His father and mother weren't that tall. And even through his t-shirt, his well defined muscles were in evidence. When did he become a body builder? I remembered Charlie scheming with me to encourage Bella to continue her relationship with Jacob after Edward returned. I had reluctantly agreed because he had helped Bella during Edward's absence when no one else could. But secretly I had liked Edward better for Bella all along.
"Jacob, it's nice to meet you finally." I said straining to look up into his face as we made our way into the living room and Edward sat with both Bella and me still tucked under each arm. Jacob sauntered over to a side chair and dropped into it. The day's surprises continued as my granddaughter scrambled up into his lap as soon as there was one. "How is your father, Billy doing?" I hadn't seen him in years. Charlie had told me how his wife had died in a car accident and that Billy was now in a wheel chair.
"He's fine. Rachel and Paul are keeping him company since I'm over here all the time now." Jacob said matter-of-factly.
I thought I'd wait and ask Bella why Jacob was over to the Cullens house all of the time. Was it really appropriate for him to be here? He seemed to be doing alright with Bella being married to Edward, but Charlie had told me he had taken it pretty hard and even run away when he'd found out about their engagement. "Ah, Rachel is one of the twins right?" I asked to stay on a safe topic. Jacob smiled and nodded in approval at me. "And who is Paul?"
"Paul is her boyfriend." Jacob said rolling his eyes. He must not really like this Paul fellow much. "My other sister is living in Hawaii. She married a Samoan surfer."
"Well, I guess that's a change from Forks!" I said smiling. Then my gaze finally shifted to the little beauty in his lap. "I don't have to guess who you are." I said grinning in her direction.
"I'm Nessie!" She said as Jacob lifted her to her feet so she could better make my acquaintance.
"Nessie?" I asked. "Now, I thought your name was Renesmee?"
"It is both!" She chirped with a grin. Her grin was the same one I had seen on Edward many times but there was something about it that screamed 'Bella' to me too. What was it?
"Well, I like Renesmee, personally." I confided in her. "It is a beautiful and unusual name for such a beautiful young lady." I said as she inclined her head, suddenly shy.
"You look so much like your Unc…sorry, I mean, Daddy. It is uncanny." I said. I shook my head. I didn't want to make this poor girl sad on her birthday by bringing up memories from her traumatic past and her real parents.
"That's what everyone says." She said rolling her eyes. "But I look like my Mommy too." She continued as she went and kissed Bella sweetly and jumped in her lap. There is was again. She had the same expression on her face Bella used when she was speaking fondly of someone. Then she moved to Edward's lap and put her arm around his neck. She was certainly demonstrative with her feelings for Edward and Bella. Not like step-parents at all. Then she turned and smiled brilliantly at me and my heart melted on the spot. How did she do that? I didn't know, but suddenly it felt as though I'd known her for a lot longer than five minutes. And of course I loved her. I held my hands out hesitantly to her. Not sure if she would accept or not. I was after all, a stranger to her. But my worry was short-lived as Renesmee came eagerly to me without any hesitation at all. If Bella was cold, then my new granddaughter was extra warm. I didn't care. I was finally getting my turn to meet her and before I knew it there were tears in my eyes.
"I am so happy to know you." I told her as I closed my eyes and smelled her hair, holding her tightly in my arms. She smelled so wonderful. It was like a bouquet of flowers. I knew I'd have to figure out what shampoos and soaps Bella was buying before I left to go home. But more importantly, I was holding my new granddaughter in my arms. And here I'd thought I wouldn't enjoy the role of grandmother. Boy was I wrong. I got the most indescribable feeling holding that little girl. What was it about her?
"I love you Grandma Renee." She whispered in my ear and what was left of my composure melted and the tears rolled down my cheeks.
"I love you too, sweetie. I love you too." I whispered back. I opened my eyes to see Bella, Edward and Jacob all staring at me with smiles on their faces. No explanation was necessary. Clearly they already knew she was special.
Just then the front door opened and Carlisle stepped inside. "Where is Emmett?" he asked us as a group.
"He's out back milking his predicament for all the sympathy he can get." Jacob said with easy familiarity.
"Okay," Carlisle said as he took in the four of us on the couch. "Renee," He suddenly said warmly. "It is so very nice to see you again." He stepped forward and bent down to shake my hand. His was a little cold. He must have had the air conditioner blowing right on the steering wheel while he drove.
"It is very good to see you again too, Carlisle." I told him while I batted tears out of my eyes. "I was just meeting my granddaughter here." I said to explain my emotional state.
"Yes, she is a remarkable girl." Carlisle replied smiling widely. "She's got us all wrapped around her little finger and we couldn't be happier."
"I don't have anything or anyone wrapped around any of my fingers." Nessie said in confusion as she raised both hands out for our inspection. There were light chuckles in response. My stomach growled. Thankfully everyone's laughing covered it up.
"Ahh, Edward why don't you take Renee and your little family out for dinner so she can have some more time getting to know her granddaughter and eat at the same time." He said this while looking so intently at Edward, it almost seemed like he was saying volumes more with his eyes or something.
"Fantastic!" Jacob said rising from the chair. Apparently he considered himself part of Edward's 'little family'. "We should try out that new place "The Golden Gate Bridge"
"No! It's my birthday and I want to go to the Hard Rain Café." Nessie said definitively.
"Well Jake, I think you just got out maneuvered." Edward said looking at Nessie and then to Jacob.
"Mine was just a suggestion. What Nessie says—goes!" Jacob said in compliance
***
Later that night at the Misty Valley Inn, as I prepared for bed, I thought back on our dinner earlier that night.
We had a lovely meal at the informal café. Jacob put away a mammoth Mount Oly ½ lb burger like it was nothing. Edward had only taken one bite of his before he got caught up in our conversation and seemed to forget it. When Jacob finished his burger he started eyeing Edward's. Without a look in his direction Edward slid his basket over to Jacob who put that hamburger away just as quickly as the first. Bella picked at her french fries before asking for a to-go box. When we left, Bella had handed her food to Jacob. Maybe it was so that she could get Nessie in her seat. At least Renesmee really enjoyed her ice cream dessert and confided in me that she was very excited to start school the next day. I was perplexed as she was old enough to already have started school but Bella quickly explained that she and Edward had been home schooling her before. I had to say, I was impressed with what a good Mother Bella had turned into. Of course, she was always very mature. It would only stand to reason that she'd be an excellent mother at that.
I was glad that Bella had told me about the charm bracelet birthday present. I had enough time to go to the jewelers and find one for her and have it engraved. She had been delighted when I gave her the tiny box and she pulled out the little golden heart that had her name on one side and love, Grandma Renee on the back.
I was lying in bed waiting for sleep to find me as I reflected on that scene over and over again. There was something about the way she looked at me when she read the inscription. It was something about her face, her expression and her eyes--so Bella like. And then I faded into sleep.
***
I awoke the next morning refreshed only to find myself standing on a beach in the brilliant sunlight. How had I gotten there? I didn't know, but it was quiet and peaceful. There was a pleasant breeze that teased my hair away from my neck.
As I looked up I saw a bright light come down. It got brighter and brighter. After it was completely through the atmosphere it became darker and darker. It was a huge boulder--perhaps a meteorite. It landed behind me and the ground under my feet shook on its impact. I was almost knocked over from the rush of displaced hot air as it landed.
I could hardly breathe, the air was so acrid. I turned and walked a short distance from the beach towards the huge rock that had patches of iced over, areas smoking hot and laced with patches of silver, grey, gold and copper tinged with green that appeared to be metals of some sort. I wondered if it was like the meteorite from an Asteroid Nysa I had read about last week.
The rock began to shrink in size as I walked around it. I noticed that as it eroded some of the ice melted and some of the embedded metals melted with it. They seeped into the ground and contaminated the immediate area. I wouldn't even have been surprised if it had leaked uranium and gamma rays like the meteorite from the old Quartermass series did.
Finally, all that was left of the meteorite was a rather small unimpressive rock. Then I heard the sounds of laughter and turned my head towards it. It was back on the beach, but the shoreline had receded. It was now much closer to the site of the meteorite landing. Two figures immerged from the water holding hands—the source of the laughter. My breath caught. It was Edward and Bella. Only Edward's skin was sparkling for some reason. He grabbed Bella and she still laughing tried to wiggle out of his embrace. Strange, Edward's glittering didn't seem to bother her in the least. I must have been dreaming. What a strange dream. They were way too close to the meteorite site for my liking. I had to warn them somehow. In an instant I realized I was seeing their honeymoon on Isle Esme.
"Kids, you have to get out of here!" I ran towards them yelling. They were oblivious to my presence. They were lost in each other. They were so in love. Just—not here! "Please, listen to me!" I begged them. This must be why Bella became so ill on her honeymoon. Somehow, the sparkles protected Edward. Where did he get them? Maybe they were salt crystals from the ocean. Maybe they stuck to him because of his sunscreen and Bella didn't put any on. That explained a lot. They dropped to the sandy beach into an intimate embrace. I looked back to see their proximity to the 'crash site'. It was less than two yards. I had seen the melting contaminated ice go at least that far out.
I turned and looked up the beach a ways and a woman was walking towards us. As she got closer I could see that she had blonde hair and wore a blue and white sun dress. She held blue flip-flops in her hand. She had a beautiful smile on her face and she looked directly at me.
"Hello Renee, I've been looking for you." She said stepping right up to me. Well, I was pleased that someone seemed to know I was there. Perhaps she could help me warn Bella and Edward about the meteorite contamination.
"Please, can you help me warn Bella and Edward? They can't hear me for some reason." I stammered out immediately.
"Oh, they're fine and they can't hear you because this is the past. By the way, my name is Chandra. Come with me, there's something I want to show you." She said easily as she took my hand and almost pulled me along a jungle path.
"But the kids are back there." I said reluctant to leave them.
"No, they are up at the house now. This way…" She explained in a soothing manner. I didn't know why but I trusted her somehow. Soon we were at cozy beach house. Now how did something so big get built on a deserted island?
Chandra went right up to the door and opened it for me. Inside were Bella and Edward. Bella wasn't feeling well and Edward was saying something about getting an air-conditioner. Bella ran to the bathroom and threw up. She told Edward it was food poisoning. Then she lay across the couch in Edward's lap. She looked unwell. Edward was suggesting that she should go see a doctor in Rio.
I looked at Chandra. "Was this when she found out she was infected?" I asked looking at my daughter's clammy face.
"Oh, she found out she was infected alright--just not with what you're thinking." Chandra said dryly.
Bella then ran to the sink and threw up again. She told Edward she'd feel better in a minute and she ran to the bathroom and brushed her teeth. Then she started rummaging through a small box of pills and came across some tampons. Then her gaze became fixed and glassy.
When Edward finally came in to check up on her, he was as confused as I was until Bella announced that she was five days late for her period. Then it clicked in place for me.
"Why didn't they take birth control precautions?" I asked Chandra appalled.
"Edward did not believe he was capable of fathering a child. He was more shocked than Bella was." My dream guide told me.
I was horrified when Bella went to the mirror and raised her pajama top to see a baby bump already in place. Edward made a phone call and the next thing I knew, he was running around faster than I had ever seen anyone go before. Probably this Chandra lady, was somehow speeding it up again. Soon they had their flight arranged and there was a knock at the door.
An older couple came in and the lady carried a meal of some kind of fish. Before I knew it she was screaming at Edward and she made a motion of a belly bloated out. Edward, who apparently understood her, became very sad.
"What is she saying to him?" I asked my guide.
"She is telling him that this has happened to women before in this area and that the baby grows very fast and the mother is killed."
"What?" I choked out.
"Yes, Edward was frantic to get her home to Carlisle to remove the baby and save Bella's life." Chandra said sadly. "The only thing he didn't take into consideration was what Bella wanted. Come on." She said as she gestured to me to follow her out the door. When I did so, I was surprised to see that we were not back outside on the island, but we were now in the Cullen's living room; where Bella lay down on the couch while Rosalie and Edward looked on. Edward was beside himself and Bella was huge. She was also very sick. "This was two weeks after their return from Isle Esme." Chandra said in her musical voice. As I watched I saw Bella cry out and start to pant. Edward pulled back her sweatshirt to reveal a mass of purple blotches and an already carefully taped rib. Carlisle was suddenly there and directed the group upstairs. Edward gathered Bella in his arms and easily took her up to the second floor.
"What happened to my baby?" I wailed. "Is this why she was so sick? Did the meteorite make the baby grow too quickly, on top of making Bella so sick?"
Chandra pursed her lips and after a moment's hesitation she explained. "I am sorry Renee, but I am not permitted to speculate with you on the causes for the poison that entered Bella's system, the reason the baby grew and developed so quickly, why the baby was so strong or the process by which Bella's life was saved." I nodded my head in reluctant understanding. At least she was giving me more facts than I'd known before. I was pretty sure the meteorite had really been there and was the culprit, even if Chandra would not confirm it for me.
"Carlisle was away trying to secure needed supplies when Bella and the baby went into distress. She suffered a detached placenta and she and the baby both almost died."
We were suddenly in a library of some sort that looked strangely like an operating room. Edward was performing a c-section and Jacob Black was there giving Bella mouth to mouth. I stopped breathing as I watched Edward pull the baby out of Bella's contorted abdomen. Thankfully Chandra had removed the sound. Bella looked so lovingly at her newborn and then it was given to Rosalie and Edward worked so fast on Bella I could not make out what he was doing. I did notice that Jacob started CPR though. She really had pretty much die then. Suddenly, I was back on the now empty beach with Chandra.
"What happened to the baby?" I asked her when I could speak. "Did she continue to grow quickly?"
"Yes, she will continue to grow quickly for the next four years. Then she will stop. And you have met her today." Chandra said carefully. "The baby is Renesmee and she is 100% your biological granddaughter."
I woke up suddenly and found myself lying in my bed at the inn. I looked at the clock and it was 6 am. But I knew it wasn't a dream. It was a vision. And this Chandra, was my spirit guide sent to tell me the truth.
[A/N: Not sure if you remember Nessie seeing the man 'stuck' in the Amazon or not, but on my page is a link that will hopefully work showing an actual man from the Amazon doing what I have dubbed, 'The Pretzel'.
Also the medical conditions I have mentioned in this chapter are actual illnesses. And the meteor was an actual one as well. So were all books, TV series, and places of business mentioned. Hope that you liked it. Let me know what you thought. The book left so many open ended plots and Renee was one of them that I had a lot of fun playing with.]
