Driving through Forks Playlist
Chapter 30
Jacob was the werewolf guinea pig. A yellow-toned wolf wanted to volunteer but he was held back by a white-haired wolf. I assumed it was Leah. He and Jasper circled around each other, sizing each other up.
"Is this such a good idea?" I said to Edward.
"He thought it'd be educational for everyone, including himself." I wasn't entirely sure about that. I knew just how much the Cullens were hated, and though Jacob wouldn't purposely do damage now, I could feel the others bracing to pounce if anything looked off.
Jacob jumped at him, teeth bared, and Jasper easily got away. They dodged and weaved. Jasper was pinned at one point, and Jacob pushed back and tackled. Jasper latched on to his back and Jacob couldn't shake him off. A perfect way to crush vulnerable spots, the neck, and ribcage. "Never let them get their arms around you," Jasper had said. His eyes were wild with excitement, while Jacob looked disheartened.
"They're not expecting these many werewolves. Maybe that'll throw them off." Edward murmured. I hoped so, and I also wished it wasn't the truth.
They kept going. Jacob got Jasper in his mouth, shocking all of us, but it wasn't fully closed. Jasper was almost sitting up in the dip of his jaw. Jake spat him out a few feet in front of him.
"We can pull them off you, toss the newborns to you and you tear their heads off!" Edward said, loud enough for the other wolves.
"Let's end this for tonight," Jasper huffed, straightening his clothes. Saliva was still all over him even if Jacob was being careful. He was a little incredulous, raising his eyebrows and widening his eyes as he tried to wipe it off. My daughter was brought to me that way a few times and he's carried me like that once. I would laugh, but I could only scoff under the circumstances.
"Shall we go home?" Edward asked. I watched Jasper reach Alice who tried to help him shake off the slobber.
"Renesmee is fast asleep," he continued. "Why don't you stay at the house for the night? Alice has already created a room for her," I move to turn my attention to him, and over his shoulder I noticed Jacob returning to us.
"I don't know. I don't want to test anything else right now." I murmured as low as possible.
"I know you can get them there fast, but there's no need to wake her," Edward responded, to Jake I quickly realized.
"You don't need to hog me just yet. I'll be back," I said, more for Jacob's sake. When I left La Push- I suppose it was obvious I was going to live with the Cullens if that was possible. How to ease Jake into it when he wasn't even allowed up here...
I rubbed Renesmee's back as I rubbed his arm and got her transferred to my arms.
True to my promise, I took Renesmee up to the Cullen's house every day after a few hours of homeschooling. I drove the rabbit, and Jacob looked after us from the trees. The wolves would meet up with the Cullens at the baseball field every 2 days so Jacob would pick us up then, but he was allowed to go to the house by the Cullens. He was invited in several times by Esme. Even Jacob wasn't immune to her kindness. He'd gobble up her cooking she plated, touching things as little as possible so her scent wasn't on it, keeping him from eating. I hoped that Cullens and Jacob could be friends since he'd be around a bit and potentially part of the family. He was part of mine and 'nesme's. I grimaced when the thought that we'd literally be family one day occurred to me.
At the same time, Sam got to know Carlise better. And Esme. They were clearly a couple, raising a bunch of teenagers who just happened to be vampires. I knew he couldn't reconcile with the thought that those teenagers were once human and that Carlisle 'killed' them again by turning them, but he seemed to understand Carlisle was good. Good to the core, only good intentions. Maybe he even thought that though as unfortunate as it was that they were plagued with the curse of needing to feed, it was good they got to live longer.
I felt bad for the newborns. The Cullens were changed because they were dying. The others were healthy, living breathing humans with their lives ahead of them and family that loved them. Now they were mourned as if they were dead. They were dead to them, to the world. Living dead. Carlisle had already stated he'd like to try to talk to them and see if he could take some in, but he only told us. The wolves and Elders probably weren't ready for that kind of thing yet.
It got easier to talk with Edward. Whenever we were alone, I did my best to fill him in on Renesmee's milestones, to describe the memories I had with her like when she caught her first fish, walked for the first time, and called Jacob 'doggy' as a baby, called me 'mama' for the first time, etcetera. I wish I could remember them perfectly, recall every detail for him, or better; show them to him through my eyes. But I suppose Renesmee made up for it by showing him hers.
We'd sit on the couch, holding hands, as she slept on the couch cushions on the floor.
The Cullens and I bonded over the delivery of a niece to them, and Esme took care of me in her way, making sure I was fed, and giving me warm drinks on the ever-cold nights. Carlisle, who didn't return to work, was always present. It was like 'parents' were returned to me and I could be taken care of again.
Winter was coming, and soon Christmas. Alice couldn't wait. It was the greatest excuse to shop. She spoke about driving me and her, and Rosalie if she wanted to come along, to Seattle to shop. I'd ask her to gift Charlie useful things, like a jacket or new boots, in my stead.
The wolves also got more comfortable around the Cullens. Now, Jacob wasn't the only one brawling with them. Seth, Quil, and a few others, sans Paul, practiced with them too. Rather than only having one target, Jasper made it harder for them, having Emmett, Edward, and Alice join in, interchanging the Cullens. It mimicked what it would be like well enough. Rather than being calmer about the upcoming fight, I was having mini heart attacks as they fought.
When they finished, Jasper thanked them for their participation as he always did, patting the wolves' shoulders as they passed, and giving the others on the sidelines a nod. I can finally breathe normally again.
The sessions always left me feeling exhausted. I really couldn't wait to lay Renesmee to bed. La Push was still a drive away...
"You're tired," Edward said, as I took Renesmee from him. "Why don't you stay for the night?" I thought about it as I rocked Renesmee, already almost falling asleep on her.
"Mmm," I hummed. She was bundled up, as was I, against the cold, creating a very cushy surface.
"Alice hasn't exactly been waiting patiently to show you her latest project," he added. I peeked over her head and Alice was vibrating on the rock she sat on.
Jacob huffed several times as he got closer, resembling a horse.
"It is really late..." I tried to reason with Jacob. It wasn't hard to imagine Alice's effort and how much love she put into it. "Alice has already prepared a room for her, weeks ago. She's worked hard on it, been excited, and waited- would be a waste. You know Alice," I murmured, looking at Edward. His following expression nearly resembled one of pain. Too bad Jacob found Alice too annoying to use her to melt him. Granted, she had us all cowering at her fashion/interior decorating powers.
"It's ok, we'll be ok," I told Jacob. You can go home and get some good rest. You've been watching over us nearly 24 hours a day, doing the patrolling too. Be home with Billy for once," His expression remained stoic.
"Of course, I know what you're going through. I'd be shocked if you've actually been able to sleep, staying up late to watch the house as you have been. Seriously, a break is best for all of us," I continued. He suddenly turned to Edward.
"We're keeping tabs on their movements to better plan for their attack. We'll meet again as soon as we know something, I promise," Edward said.
It's a bit short, not sure how long it's been since the last update- haven't received word over what I was concerned about but hopefully, you see this- but I thought you'd take anything. How sweet that Christmas is coming at the same time as the story. I swear I didn't plan it.
Thank you to everyone who followed.
