Chapter 3 – The Truth
After school, Renesmee and I drove home. As always, she played her music loudly and we sang along. We pulled up to our house, Charlie's house. I had to pose as my own granddaughter to claim it. Renesmee bounded up the stairs and went into her room, my old bedroom. "Honey," I called, "we have company coming at 6." She sat at the top of the stairs, "Momma, who are they? I had my last hour class with the short one with spiky hair, Alice. She said she knew you when you were human." I stood at the bottom of the stairs, "Honey." She widened her eyes at me, "Momma, I just wanted to know more about you." She bit her lip. Renesmee had every right know. I never told her much about my human life. All she knew is that I was hurt by someone I loved, my best friend became my boyfriend and I was attacked while I was at college.
I sighed, "Honey, I'm not mad. Don't worry, you'll find out soon enough." She sighed. How many times have I told her this? I tried to smile, "Just go do your homework. We're having company at 6." She nodded and went to her room. I heard her sit on her bed and began working. I went to the seldom used kitchen. I was unsure if I wanted Renesmee to know the whole truth about my past. Renesmee thought that she ruined my life, when in actuality she saved my life. My human memories were foggy, but I remembered them. When I first changed, I kept a journal and wrote everything I remembered from my human life. Remembering them from my enhanced mind, everything was muddy. Renesmee read my journals and read everything about my parents, my home in Arizona and my friend in high school. But the journal I wrote about the family I wanted to join, I kept to myself. All I told her is that I was hurt beyond repair. For more than a century, it has just been me and Renesmee. It was always just me and my daughter. Even though we encountered many people, hardly anyone else joined our world.
I went to the living room and began grading papers. That hardly took up my time. After 15 minutes, Renesmee danced down the stairs. She was done with her work and so was I. We still had an hour until our visitors arrived. Renesmee could tell I was anxious, so she turned on the radio and began dancing. She chuckled and joined her. When I was human, I wasn't much of a dancer, but now, I couldn't stay off the dance floor. For an hour, Renesmee and I dance around the living room. We danced until we heard the doorbell. They were here. It was time; time for everyone to know the truth.
Renesmee turned off the radio and went for the door. I stood by the window and heard Renesmee greet them. "Bella?" it was Esme's voice. I heard Renesmee laugh once, "No. But that happens a lot. Come in." I turned to face the family I once was apart of, but painfully cut out of. Carlisle and Esme were in front. I smiled, "Hi Carlisle. Hi Esme." Esme's face showed several emotions; happiness, relief, sadness and remorse. She came towards me with her arms open, "Oh my Bella." I hugged her, "Don't worry. I have been good." Renesmee came into the room and stood with us. Carlisle came over to us and hugged me, "Bella, what happened?" I stepped back and took Renesmee's hand. I sighed, "Everyone, this is my daughter, Renesmee." She smiled brightly, "Hi," she chimed, "Would any of you like to sit down?" Rosalie, Alice, Jasper and Emmett sat on the couch. Edward didn't move an inch. Carlisle stood with him and Esme stayed with me. Renesmee rolled her eyes and by the fireplace.
"Bella, sweetie, please tell us what happened? Emmett told me you're his, Jasper's and Edward's math teacher?" I smiled, "Yes, Esme. I am. I began teaching two years ago. I really love it." Renesmee spoke up, "Momma?" I looked to her and she was pointing to Esme, "Is she the other one I'm named after." I smiled and nodded. Renesmee's smile grew wider. Esme clasped her hand over her mouth, "She's named after me?" I smiled, "Not just you. Her full name is Renesmee Carlie Swan. Renee and Esme for her first name and Carlisle and Charlie for her middle name." Esme gasped and hugged me. "She named me after her parents and another couple who were like second parents to her," Renesmee looked to Carlisle and Esme, "and I'm guessing that's you."
Carlisle smiled, "Yes." Renesmee's smile fell, "So if you were like her parents, why did you leave?" I stiffened, "Sweetie…." Carlisle raised his hand, "Bella, you never told her." I released Esme and shook my head, "Let me tell you what happened to me and," I looked to her, "you'll know everything." Esme went to stand by Carlisle and Edward and I sat by the fireplace with Renesmee. "Where do you want me to start?" Carlisle looked to Edward, whose eyes never left my face, "Right after we left." I nodded, "Alright. Just relax," I looked to Renesmee, smiled, closed my eyes and pushed my shield away from me. I heard them gasp and I showed them everything.
I showed them everything as I were watching a film. I started with that damning day when he left. I showed them my crumpling to the ground and curling into a ball. They saw how I stayed in the forest for hours and was found by Sam Uley. They saw my catatonic state, my depressing months afterward, including my mom's visit, my tantrum and my screams at night. They saw my getting the motorcycles and taking them to Jacob's. I showed my lessons, but left out my hallucinations. I showed them my encounter with Laurent and seeing the wolves for the first time. I showed them my encounters with the pack in human form and finding out about Victoria. I showed when I was on the cliff. I stood there, wanting to hear my hallucination. "Hello Bella." I spun around and saw the cat-like face of my nightmares, Victoria. I couldn't speak. "Where's your Edward? I'm very surprised I haven't come across him or any of his coven. They were so protective of you last time." Lie, the velvet voice told me. I let them hear that. "They moved on, but some of them still visit." She sniffed the wind that blew in from behind me, "Ohh, well. That'll just give me a head start. He'll be so angry." My breath staggered, "No, he won't. He doesn't want me anymore."
She raised an eyebrow, "You bored him?" Another wound punched through me, "Yes," I whispered, "I did." She laughed once, "Well, you humans are boring. But, I think he'll come back to check on his pet." She leaned into a crouch and growled. I closed my eyes. I was an empty shell, filled with holes. One from Edward, another from Jacob and the last from her. I pray that she is quick. My eyes flashed open when I heard another growl. Victoria wheeled around and stepped backwards to me. I saw the large russet wolf coming towards her. Victoria looked back to me and lunging. I fell to the ground as the vampire and the wolf leaped over me and went over the cliff. "JACOB!!!!!" I screamed, scrambling to my feet. Something hot and hard came around my waist, "Wait, Bella." It was Embry. I fought against his hold, "No, Jacob!!!" "Embry, get her away from here," Sam ordered. Embry towed my away from the cliff. I didn't fight. My tears flowed out from my eyes. Not Jacob. Embry didn't speak as we made our way to my truck. I didn't talk as he drove to Emily's house. Emily was in her yard as we pulled up.
I jumped from cab and ran to her. She hugged me, "What happened?" I cried as Embry explained. Emily hugged me tighter and I felt one of her tears on my cheek. Embry sat in the doorframe and stared into the forest. I don't know how long Emily and I stood together. We both turned when we heard laughter. I saw Jared and Paul first, "I can't believe you did it by yourself. That was awesome," Jared complimented. I saw Sam and coming behind him was Jacob. My eyes widened and my breath caught in my throat. Jacob and Sam saw us and smiled. Emily and I smiled at each other and ran to them. I couldn't stop my self. I threw myself at Jacob and hugged him around his neck. I could smell the sea brine of the ocean in his hair. When I pulled back, I looked him in the eyes. He was smiling and lowered me to the ground. I refused to loosen my hold on his neck and kissed him.
After that day, Jacob and I were always together. I never heard my hallucinations again, though, I missed them. At Harry's funeral, I held his hand and stayed with him and Billy. Since Victoria was dead, Jacob had more free time. One afternoon, when I was off from work, Jacob was taking me home and we saw his father was at my house. "Hey dad," we called out. "Bella, cold you come in here?" my dad called from the living room. Jacob shadowed my footsteps. I stood in the doorway and he was right behind me, "What's the matter?" Charlie handed me a letter, it was from Washington State University. I took the letter, "I'd like to open it in private." I walked around Jacob and opened the letter in the kitchen doorway. I read it and went back to the living room. All their faces were anxious, waiting for my news. I bit my lip, "I'm going to Washington State," I announced. Jacob held me up in a tight hug and kissed me. He dropped me and I hugged my dad and Billy. They attended my high school graduation.
I left for Washington State three weeks before my birthday. During my first few days, I noticed a student looking at me. I recognized the pale skin, but I didn't dare look at his eyes. He was a vampire. I knew his name was Stefan Johnson, but that could be false. One evening I was heading for my truck, when something or someone grabbed me from behind by my neck. I was being pulled back into the forest. It was dark, except for the streetlamp. I was pinned to the ground. It was Stefan and his eyes were black as the night. "Your scent is amazing," he was on top of me. He smiled and my eyes widened. He leaned closer to me and inhaled deeply, "Very floral." He looked at my face and I felt his hand glide down my chest, "But you are also very beautiful. I wonder…….." he trailed off. It was so quick and ripped open my blouse. With that I struggled under him, "Uh-uh," he said.
I felt Renesmee leave my shield and she was breathing deeply. I didn't break from telling them what happened. While still keeping my shield up, I took Renesmee in my arms. She knew she was the product of that night and she always hated herself for it. During my story, I tried to block out my screams and his threats of killing me if I screamed again. I picked up where someone called out, my attacker fled and I was left on the ground, in tears. Of all people, Lauren Mallory found me, "Oh my God!" she cried and ran over to me, "Bella?!" I was hysterical when she tried to help me. She called an ambulance and went with me to the hospital. I showed my father, Jacob and Sam coming with him. Jacob ran into my room and hugged me, "What happened?" I couldn't talk, I just cried. I gave them my attacker's description, knowing they will never find him. I told Sam and Jacob that my attacker was a vampire. Jacob's eyes widened.
Sam ran off as a wolf to find him. The morning after my attack, my appetite increased dramatically and I slept so much more. I thought I was still in shock of the whole ordeal. I wrote Lauren a letter of gratitude for helping me. I explained to her that she scared off my attacker. If she ever needed anything, I would try to help her. More than a week passed after my attack and I was still unable to return to school. I was allowed to miss the rest of the semester if I wanted. One early morning, I woke up in a shock and ran for the bathroom, where I was uncontrollable sick. At first, I believed that I was still recovering from the attack. Jacob came over and spent the day with me. While watching television, I felt sick again and ran to the bathroom. "Bells, honey, are you alright?" "Yes," I croaked. "I'll be right there." I straightened up and wiped my hand down my stomach. My hand paused when it came across something hard under my skin. I looked down and saw my hand was over a hard bump. My eyes widened and I turned to face the body length mirror behind the door.
I saw the bump on the lower part of my stomach. I patted it and it was rock hard. This wasn't possible. Yes, I was attacked by a vampire, but could they get human woman pregnant? I panicked, "Jacob!"
