Chapter22

I told Jacob that Edward would be here in two days. He wanted to be there, of course.

"I figure the elders don't have to know anything," I told him. "We could give them a fair warning they're coming, but maybe not now. They don't need to know Renesmee and I are going to meet him. I mean, what if it gives them the idea we're planning to start a fight?"

"Maybe we don't have to tell them, but..." Jacob said. I think he was thinking that it might cause a problem with the wolves running through any forest to try and catch Victoria.

"I think...I think Alice might want to stay and help. I know she'd protect Charlie for me if I asked. I probably don't even have to ask. I'm not sure about the others. I don't want to involve them and make this their problem. They've helped me enough."

"The wolves can handle it, anyway. Load of good they did you."

"They saved me from James. Took me as far as Arizona, and fought him, despite the danger to themselves. If they were truly evil, they would have just left me for him to tear apart."

"I guess they're not terrible," Jacob hatefully relented. "I still don't have to like them at all."

"I guess not. But you have to keep the peace, alright?"

"Fine." He paused for a moment. "Are you going to be alright, seeing them all again? What was it like seeing Alice?"

"Well...it was devastating, in a way. I missed her a lot, and she's protected me this whole time, providing for me as she did." I shook my head to myself.

"I wish they knew how much I love them. I wish they felt the same way. It was a bit confusing. Alice didn't tell me much about the others as I said, but she said that she missed me this whole time. I don't know. I almost didn't believe her. It didn't feel real. All this time I knew one thing, I got comfortable and now it's all up in the air again. This doesn't mean you can make things difficult for them." I told him.

"If I want to be angry, I will be. You don't have to do that for me." I reiterated.

"I don't know about that. I was there. I almost watched you die. I get to be a little angry." He retorted. I rested against the bed's headboard. With the house being so tiny, Jacob and I still shared his bedroom. Renesmee often slept sandwiched between us.

I stroked her hair, thinking about how I'd be taking her to meet Alice tomorrow. I figured it might be better to meet one person at a time. If I could ease her into it like that; Give her a break in between. We'd be meeting up on the 101 again but in the forest by Lake Crescent, so they were free to interact in any way they wanted.

"Thanks for not coming with me," I told Jake.

"I have to stay behind and patrol the forest with the others so no 'innocent' vampire gets killed anyway."


I woke up at the usual time, let Renesmee take her time eating, and packed a lunch for the both of us.

"Do you want to wear a dress or pants? Or...we could do both, by combining a dress with leggings?" I said, holding up the pieces. Based on the expression on her face, she must've been wondering why it mattered.

"You might be playing in the forest, that's why it's a little important," I explained. "Here, I have a plan. I'm gonna put this dress and these leggings on you. Your boots will handle the terrain, and I'll put braids in your hair." She loved having little braids scattered throughout her hair. Said it made her feel pretty.

She didn't resist me at all but asked me if I was excited for her to meet her.

"Well. Yeah. She's seen pictures of you. She's amazed at how much of a perfect mix you are of E-Edward and me. She can't wait to see you in the flesh. And I can't wait for you to meet her." I crouched in front of her. "She's your aunt, but she's like a sister to me. She's always supported me. I only hope you like her. You don't have to force anything on me, okay?"

She hummed in response and jumped off the bed. I grabbed my backpack, and we went to the car. Jacob was already shifted in the forest. He'd be following us as far as the treaty line, just to be safe.

Neither Jacob nor I told her about Victoria being in town, though she's seen the scar on my wrist, and I told her how I got it. I chewed my lip in the driver's seat. One thing at a time. But I was willing to beg for their help if it came to it. I'd protect Renesmee no matter what.

...

Lake Crescent had a barren area where cars could park, but it was too out in the open. People could be fishing here or coming to fish. I told Renesmee to stay in the car and walked up to what I thought was Alice's ride. It was bright yellow, not quite incognito. Just like her clothes in high school most of the time. Tucked under a wiper was a note.

Turn to the trees. I'm right there.

I turned just enough to see the forest and figured I had to walk us on a diagonal line. I really don't want to do any hiking. I never hiked alone. It was easier to be in it with Jacob.

I got back to the car and collected 'nesmee.

"But why are we going in there?" She asked, annoyed.

"Because it's too open."

"Keep the secret?"

"That, and she's not supposed to be here. Grandpa Charlie doesn't like the Cullens right now so no one can see she's here."

"If they're not bad people, why do they have to hide?"

"Jacob has to hide. Everyone knows the stories on the rez but even they can't know wolves are real. Just the elders and the other wolf pack." She walked with me quietly after that, her hand in mine.

My breathing became more and more labored as I got closer, entered, and stepped further inside. I was becoming dizzy.

"Mom?"

"Yeah? I'm fine. I'm just getting tired already." Right then, Alice stepped out from behind a tree. Renesmee step back to hide behind me.

"But I've seen you already," Alice chimed. Her voice rang in the forest. Renesmee poked her head out more to look at her, before stepping out. In a flash, Alice crossed the space between us.

"I'm Alice," Renesmee looked up in surprise. Alice's eyes were clearly yellow, bright as the sun.

"Don't scare her," I chided lightly.

"I'm not scary," she said, crouching down. "I'm not a monster, right? It's too bad you miss out on the best parts, but that's okay. It won't stop us from being friends," she said to her, grabbing her hand. Alice smiled widely at her, and Renesmee smiled shyly, leaning on me.

Before I could remind her to use her words and say 'hi', she reached out to her and showed whatever she wanted to share. Alice's eyes glazed over like when she had visions, and she returned from it easily.

"Wow...you're special, you know that? I have a gift too. I can see the future!" Alice responded.

"Mommy told me. She said something from your human life gets amplified and carried over to your vampire life. But I was never human..." She said. Alice looked at me, surprise in her eyes at the sound of her voice. It was soft, clear, and ladylike. Music, like a vampire's.

"That's okay. You're even more special than me. Bella said your favorite food is mac and cheese. I never got to try it. Human food isn't tasty at all to me. I could eat it, but I couldn't enjoy it or keep it down." Alice said.

"Blood is tastier."

"It sure is!" They laughed together at that.

"I got you a present. Do you want it?" 'nesmee nodded eagerly. Alice ran back to her tree and back. I could barely register her movement. I wondered if Renesmee could see her better than I could with my human eyes.


Alice didn't get her just one present. In her words 'it was hard to pick just one. I haven't seen my niece in forever.'

There were several dolls, books of all subjects and novels, and an ipad. Renesmee used my laptop whenever she wanted, but at least now she had a device of her own to search to her heart's content whenever curiosity struck. I couldn't be too annoyed by it.

"I'm not trying to buy your affection. I'm just making up for missed birthdays and Christmases." Alice explained. "If you don't like any of them, I can bring them back and get you something else?"

Renesmee shook her head.

"It's okay. I like them."

"Could you show her your vampire side?" I breathed. Loud enough for Alice but far from it for 'nesmee. Alice took her hand and pulled her to her tree.

"Come on! Let's hide the stuff up here so we can hang out. Have you climbed trees before?"

"Not too high. Mommy said I'm not allowed."

"It's okay this time," I called.

Alice showed her all kinds of things I couldn't. She tested 'nesmee's strength by daring her to crush a rock. She was frustrated she couldn't crush it while Alice made sand out of it easily. They raced each other, with the challenge of jumping to touch a branch at the finish line. Everything Alice could do, Renesmee could only do it halfway. I hoped she understood why vampires, half or full, had to hide and hold themselves back. With the scar on my wrist, she at least understood they could be dangerous, and that everything was a choice.

"She's really something special," Alice said to me as we walked side by side. Renesmee was running ahead, picking wildflowers. "And you really walk at a snail's pace," she said, jokingly pulling me forward.

"Can't help it."

"I really wish I got to hold her as a baby," She hung her head, face crestfallen almost like...someone got seriously hurt.

"Yeah, me too. But she really didn't miss out on presents or clothes. You took care of that. I'd never be able to pay you back in my lifetime."

"What are you talking about? None of it has to be paid back. Nothing I did could've mitigated everything else. It's the least I could do."

We walked silently for what felt like a minute to me.

"I worried about you. I didn't know when I'd see you again, and I knew Charlie could only do so much. So, I wanted to make sure you and your parents had nothing to worry about as you got older. I could hardly imagine you with wrinkles." She said.

"Mmm...Hey, Alice?"

"Yeah?"

"I can't imagine Renesmee not living very long. If she's okay with it, will you turn her for me? And me, so I can be with her?" Alice nearly missed a step.

"Um... I guess that's okay. When she's old enough. I'd do it no matter who disapproved." She said, turning to me. I stopped in my tracks.

"Turn me now!"

"Bella! Just wait a minute. Don't rush into things,"

"With Victoria stalking me and the wolves to worry about, I can't protect her when I'm like this."

"The wolves can't hurt her. She's technically a Cullen, and Jacob's imprinted on her." She said.

"I'm not sure. I'm worried they'd make an exception if she slips in her control."

"If they lay a hand on her, I'd consider that breaking the treaty. I'd go over there and put them all down!"

"I know you would, but don't do anything rash either. I don't want them hurting you too."

"Jasper wouldn't let anything happen to me," she said matter-of-factly. He'd indeed follow her in, which wouldn't make things better.

I stepped forward and we walked some more.

"So, you've all just been scattered throughout Europe and...the west?" I asked.

"Or southern hemisphere. Rosalie and Emmett went on another honeymoon. Esme and Carlisle settled somewhere else so he could keep working as a doctor. I stayed somewhere secluded with Jasper to give him a break and kept an eye on things."

"Sounds...fun." I said unconvincingly.

"It was pretty boring. Even more wild animals aren't tastier."

"At least we have werewolves now," I joked.

"Ew, no! I had no idea they smelled this bad. His scent is all over you and her, it's disgusting!"

"Really? I never smelled anything off."

"Of course, you wouldn't with those human senses of yours."


Do let me know if you mind long conversations.

So the Twilight Effect podcast hosted by Ashley Green just had Mackenzie on, and omg, she's a grown woman now! Not that long ago she was just a girl. How time flies.

Now make it stop.