Chapter 23
"Did you have fun today?" I ask 'nesmee while tucking her in.
"Yeah! I like her. She's nice." She showed me her perspective with this air about it about how Alice came off as a bit eccentric but fun. I had to laugh. She scared me too, a little when we first met.
"Good."
"Are all of them like that?"
"Well, no. They're all nice, but Alice is just extra bubbly."
"I can't wait to see their gifts in action!"
"I'm sure they'll be happy to show you. Emmett will be especially excited."
"You said he was big. Bigger than Jacob?"
"Mmmm, maybe a little. Jacob is still young."
"Oh."
"He won't be scary."
"I'm not scared."
"That's great," I was happy, really happy. Maybe she'll soon love being different.
I was riddled with anxiety for the next twenty-four. Or painfully aware that Edward was getting closer and closer. Alice let me know when he finally arrived. I really didn't want to meet him alone, or at all. I'm not sure. So, I was grateful that his arrival was delayed enough for Esme and Carlisle to arrive. Maybe they could keep him from saying hurtful things or ruining anything.
It was decided I'd take 'nesmee to the house to meet everyone once everyone arrived. Rip it off like a Band-Aid. But when Charlie was notified everyone was coming back, he immediately went up to visit them, to have a chat. So, I was able to put off seeing Edward- I couldn't wait to see Esme and Carlisle again- which we, 'nesmee and I, were both relieved to hear. But it hurt to have to avoid Charlie. I would've liked to see him but...I wasn't sure if he'd be happy to see me, or if I could handle his disappointment. He would've met Renesmee if it weren't for her 'condition'. How could I explain that?
Maybe I could see him, once his hate for the Cullens simmered down.
"Remember that this doesn't have to change anything. We're not going to suddenly live somewhere else." I told her, as we drove up
"This is where you're from?" She asked. I glance at the surroundings. I never took her up here, I couldn't, lest I was recognized. Or let Jacob take her, in case she looked familiar to people. Especially Lauren Mallory. She'd spread the word that she was right if she hadn't already blabbed her mouth around to hurt me. Or something like that. I knew they'd make something up to make Renesmee's size fit the story.
"Yeah. Maybe one day you'll get shown around."
"Will you go see Grandpa Charlie?"
"No, honey. I can't see him. Not yet."
My stomach churned at driving through the familiar path. I tried to take deep breaths to calm down, but it sounded like the gasping when you cry. It's fine. I'm fine. I'm going to be fine. This is my daughter we're talking about. She's my responsibility, I have to be strong. Just focus on her, I told myself.
At last, I rolled up the driveway, the crunching of the gravel, deafening. Looking up, I saw no one standing at the windows, but I knew they heard us arrive.
"Alright. Come along, 'nesmee." I help up my hand for her to take. Renesmee marveled at the house in front of her.
"Wow!..." I smiled small to myself. That was how I reacted when I first saw the house.
"It's so big! Mommy? Who am I meeting first?"
"I...I'm not sure." I said with great difficulty. "I can only guess it's the family first." We returned our gazes to the front and tried to march firmly. The doorbell rang out loudly as it did inside, seemingly.
My heart nearly stopped in my chest when I saw Esme and Carlisle opening the door.
"Bella," He greeted.
"Carlisle...hi. Esme,"
"It's good to have you back, Bella," She said, pulling me into a hug. "We've missed you,"
"I missed you too," I couldn't hug her nearly as well with my other hand holding Renesmee's.
"Gr-grandpa, grandma?" She said. Carlisle and Esme marveled at the little girl in front of them.
"Amazing..." Carlisle whispered.
"Hi...I'm Esme," she greeted.
"I'm Renesmee."
Esme looked up from her crouch in a most heart-wrenching expression.
"I decided to name her Renesmee Carlie, combining your name with my mother's. And yours with Charlie's, Carlisle,"
"I'm honored," He said.
"I don't know if we deserve that much," Esme added. I shook my head.
"You were always family to me," I told her.
"Come, come inside," Carlisle invited. "The others are waiting for you,"
I was starting to step in, then froze.
"He'll be on his best behavior. I promise," Esme told me. I sighed and tugged down the sleeves of my sweater dress. I entered holding Renesmee's hand with both of mine.
In the living room, they stood. Jasper, as far back as possible. Emmett held Rosalie. Alice was in front. But no Edward. I breathed a sigh of relief, but my heart ached.
"'nesmee, these are your aunt and uncles."
"...hello,"
"Woah. Eerie." Emmett mumbled. Rosalie elbowed him.
"I meant it's clear who she looks like!"
Though it was clear whose side she was on, Rosalie still looked at Renesmee with sadness.
"That's Uncle Emmett," 'nesmee giggled. "Making ...that one Jasper,"
"Can we come closer?" Rosalie asked. I looked at Renesmee and she nodded. All of them, except for Jasper, circled around her, and one by one she touched their faces, saying 'hello' in her way. Showing them she was happy to see them?
Once she touched all of them, she noticed Jasper wanted to keep his distance. He looked absolutely racked and tortured with guilt.
"Jasper still struggles a bit with his thirst, is all," Alice explained gently.
"I'm sorry, I didn't think about-" I started.
"It's ok. Her scent isn't strong," I nodded in relief. Mine, however...
"Bella..." A sense of calm washed over me, reaching slowly from my toes to my head, taking the edge off.
"I wanted to say 'I'm sorry' for the pain I caused. There isn't...anything I can do to undo that, but I hope I can do this much for you."
"I appreciate it. Thanks, Jasper. I don't blame you for what happened. I don't blame anyone, really. I just...Even if you did hurt me, I wouldn't have blamed you." I said.
"You're...very generous," he responded, but what I said didn't soothe him.
"Alice explained, why she's already so big," Rosalie started. "It must have been hard."
Was she trying to be nice? I wasn't sure how to respond, being that it was the first time. I shrugged with a smile.
"What's your superpower?" 'nesmee asked. Intimidation? I couldn't help but smile at my own joke.
"I don't really have one."
"...you're really pretty. People automatically like you and want to make you happy." Renesmee answered. "That's the kind of thing that would happen, whenever I'm around."
I start stroking the back of her hair.
"Yeah...that does tend to happen," Rose says.
"She'd like to see your ability and compare it to Jacob's," I told Emmett.
"Sure!"
A silent, awkward moment passed. All of the introductions were done. There was only one left.
"Bella..." Esme started, gently touching my arm. "Someone's been waiting 'patiently' in the other room,"
I glanced at the opening to the next room in this open space.
Everyone gives half smiles and start filing out. As Jasper leaves, so does his calm. I close my eyes and shake my head a little, biting my lip.
"We're going to meet your Dad," I say, looking down at Renesmee.
I can't wait! XD
I know, I know. Everyone wanted it to happen this week, but it will next time. And as much as I wanted to update earlier, and put up 2 chapters because of everyone's really kind reviews, I kind of can't. I have a bit of pre-written stuff, but I want to sprinkle them so that there's always an update as I continue working on continuing the story. It's all coming together in 'real time' and my work schedule changes every week with last minute call in's most times.
Thank you so much to Rayssa, all of the guests, leggy, and Elizabeth who apparently binge-read this. THANK YOU SO MUCH! That's the greatest compliment a writer could get. I appreciate everyone, of course, but when someone does that surely I executed this well and I always worry about that. I saw your reviews after my difficult shift on Wednesday and it really helped. I got straight back to writing the next morning. Thanks again, take care and I can't wait to see you all again!
