Chapter Fourteen - White Lace

Renesmee POV

Jake was sitting on his bed, reading a book when I awkwardly leaned against the door, pushing my hip out. He glanced up with an easygoing smile before it suddenly dropped from his face.

"Nessie, what are you… What?" Jake stammered. I strode forward as elegantly as possible, standing at the foot of the bed. His eyes took in the little white lace nightgown I was wearing. It barely reached my mid-thighs.

"I'm not a little kid anymore, Jake," I tried to sound confident. "So maybe you see me as just a little tag-along, but I'm actually a smart and powerful woman, and… and mature."

"Nessie," Jake sat up, putting his book down. He looked like he was trying not to laugh. My heart broke - he thought this was funny? My attempt to show him I was ready was… laughable to him!?

"Are you laughing?" I asked meekly. He swallowed hard and shook his head, but I already knew the truth. I ran into the closet and shut the door, leaning against the dresser as tears began to slide down my face. I felt rejected, embarrassed and hurt.

"Nessie," Jake said from the other side of the door. "Renesmee, please open the closet."

"No, you think it's funny!" I kicked the door. "It's not funny, Jacob Black!"

The carpet rubbed against his clothes as he obviously sat down. "I know it isn't funny. I have to talk to you."

"Talk through the door."

"I would really rather we do it face to face, actually," Jake was laughing again! I kicked the door so hard it swung out into his face and then I scooted away. He wanted to think I was immature? Fine, I could act like it!

"Ness, come here!" He shoved the door away and chased me into the closet. "Honestly, sit still!"

I ran out of closet. I leaned against the back wall, pouting. Jake knelt in front of me, looking at my flushed face in the dim light.

"Renesmee, do you have feelings for me?" He tenderly brushed a stray lock of hair from my face. I nodded, another tear escaping. He just swiped it with his thumb.

"I do have feelings for you, honey," Jake whispered raggedly. "I thought you still saw me as a friend, so I accepted that. You didn't have to… try and seduce me, sweetheart. As adorable as it was, you coulda just told me."

"I wanted to show you," I pouted again, though my heart was shimmering. "And I'm not adorable."

"Sure, sure," Jake rumbled. I was suddenly very aware of him, very close to me in a very dark closet. I didn't really want my first kiss to be in a closet. And then I realized I didn't much care where we were, so long as I got to feel his lips on mine.

"Can I kiss you, Jacob?" I whispered. His heart thudded heavily as he closed the distance between us in a nonverbal yes. My lips touched his carefully at first, brushing together as little shocks skittered across my skin. And then he was kissing me, I mean really kissing me and the whole world disappeared. We were one, in perfect synchronicity just like when we hunted. It was gravity, when he moved, I moved.

I didn't want to pull away. I never wanted to pull away. But my eyes were a little heavy and we had things to do in the morning. We fell into bed together, holding hands.

"Nessie?" Jake whispered in the darkness.

"Yes, Jacob?"

"If you don't want your parents to kill me, maybe you should wear somethin' a little longer to bed from now on," he suggested. "As much as it pains me to say that."

"Okay, Jacob," I blushed in the darkness. "Good call."

Seth POV

I was in love. That was a fact that hit me hard when I woke up that morning, still in our blanket fort with a sleeping Juliet in my arms. She looked so peaceful, lips slightly parted. The worry that constantly etched her face was gone. Instead there was a childlike hope and dreaminess to her face.

I let my eyes trace the tip of her nose, the curve of her lips, the freckles across her cheeks. Her softly closed eyes with dark lashes grazing her skin. I was just so in love with her. And now she was my girlfriend.

Today would be hard - I contemplated keeping Juliet away from the family drama. She didn't need to be involved in any fights so early in her life here. Then I realized keeping her away would only make her feel separated from the family. She already felt like an outsider with the fact that she was human. She thought she wasn't special enough to be here. If only she knew how special she was to me.

"She knows," Edward whispered softly from the doorway. "Sorry to intrude, Seth. It's eight AM, Charlie will be here in about an hour. He really wants to meet Juliet."

"Probably to make sure no one's been snacking on her," I deadpanned, planting a kiss on Juliet's cheek. "Wake up, little beauty."

"Mmm," she covered her face. "No, no."

"Yes - Grandpa Charlie wants to meet you," I laughed. My heart hurt a bit - over the last six years, Charlie had really stepped up as a dad. Even before him and my mom were dating, he took care of me, made sure I knew what I needed to know about being a man. Leah was slightly less welcoming - she hated the fact that our dad died, hated that we were so "quick" to replace him.

Leah was a real headache lately. I hadn't heard from her in a while - which was probably for the best. My family really was fragmented suddenly. I pushed that out of my mind. When Juliet was around, that didn't matter as much.

"Seth," Jake appeared at the door alongside Edward. "Get up, man. There's a pack meeting tonight in La Push. You wanna bring Juliet?"

"There's a what?" Juliet sat up.

"Nice, dude," I snapped. "Juliet, don't worry. All the guys bring their imprints to these campfires, we just eat and tell stories."

"Oh, thank god. I didn't bring any dressy clothes, so I was worried," she sighed. "Well, I'm awake now."

"Sorry, love," I kissed her temple, listening to the rapid beating of her heart. It sounded like Nessie's when she got excited.

Speaking of Nessie, she assaulted me when we reached the kitchen.

"Seth," Nessie pouted. "Don't you… don't you love me anymore?"

"'Course I do, you're my sister!" I lifted my hands in defense.

"Then why don't we hang out ever?!" She demanded. "I know you're like, in love with Jake, but you're my best friend too, and I have things to tell you! Both of you."

Juliet grinned at her. Something must have happened with Jake last night.

"We'll hang out after all this family drama settles down," I told her. "Promise."

"'Kay," she grabbed Juliet, grabbing a bowl of fruit for the two of them and going off somewhere alone. I tried not to pout - I guess I had to share Juliet with her best friend. Still, though. I missed her.

The house looked real different than it had yesterday - Esme had obviously spent all night cleaning and making the place look nice for Charlie. The vampires milled around nervously while we waited for Charlie's cruiser to pull up.

"It's time," Edward said suddenly, as gravel crunched underneath wheels. Rosalie, Emmett, Alice, and Edward left the room so not to overwhelm Charlie. Bella stayed, alongside Jasper, Esme, Carlisle, and myself. Nessie must have been hiding. I cocked my head and listened to Juliet trying to coax Nessie out of one of her hiding places. From the echoing, it sounded like it must have been the dryer.

"Charlie," Carlisle opened the door.

"Where's Bella?" Charlie entered the room. She stood, unsure of what to do. Charlie gasped.

"Oh, Bella," he jogged forward. They met in the middle, hugging each other tight.

"Dad, I'm so sorry for not telling you. I'm so sorry for all of this," Bella said into his jacket.

"I knew, sort of," Charlie sighed back. "I knew something wasn't right. I just wanted you to be happy, Bells."

"I wanted to let you in, all this time. But vampires have laws, Dad. I was in danger by knowing… and you would have been, too. You are in danger. I'm so sorry, I'll kill Leah," Bella growled the last sentence.

"Don't," Charlie shook his head. "I'm glad I know. I'll accept whatever consequences occur."

"Which is why we brought you here," Carlisle interrupted delicately. "Bella is right, you are in danger. We have to discuss our options. Charlie, if you'll have a seat."

Charlie sat on the armchair across from Bella. Jasper obviously sensed his ability wasn't needed, so he excused himself. Edward entered in his place.

"Charlie, you're looking well," Edward said. Charlie nodded at him curtly.

"Heard you could read minds, kid," Charlie said. "Pretty freaky."

"Yes," Edward chuckled, sitting down next to Bella. "A little freaky."

"Look, before we begin, where's Renesmee? And this Juliet girl, I'd like to meet her," Charlie was antsy.

"Grandpa," Renesmee said from the stairwell. "Please don't freak out."

Charlie's eyes boggled as Renesmee appeared in the living room in all her sixteen-year old hybrid glory.

"Jesus, kid," Charlie huffed. "Could you quit growing on me? Leah said you looked… older but… You look like my daughter, not Bella's."

Bella giggled. I'd never heard her do that before - must have been a nervous reaction. Renesmee and Charlie embraced and talked for a moment before Juliet entered and my heart swelled.

She was wearing a cute pale blue mid-thigh length dress with a slightly darker blue belt and spaghetti straps. Her hair, which was getting longer, was down around her ribs. She stuck her hands in her dress pockets nervously.

"Hello, Mr. Swan," she whispered. "It's nice to meet you."

"Please, it's Charlie," he got up and shook her hand. "Are you doing okay here?"

Juliet nodded, her sunny smile lighting up her face. "I'm really grateful to Carlisle and Esme for adopting me. I'm happy here."

"And Seth," Charlie glanced at me. "Treating you right?"

"He's amazing," Juliet peeked at me through her hair. Charlie nodded and moved back to the couch.

"So this imprint thing," he continued, sitting down. "Jacob imprinted on my granddaughter?"

"It's true," Edward said. "And not impure in any way. He wouldn't be alive if it were."

Charlie nodded. "Good man, Edward."

"Alright, I think I'm up to speed," Charlie sighed. "So, our options. What are they?"

"We could try to hide you," Bella began as Juliet went to tuck herself under my arm. "But that has a very low chance of working. You could marry Sue, or we're left with… one option."

"Sue is unable to accept that my daughter is a… vampire. Leah's unable to accept Bella as her sister. It's good to see Seth has some sense. So whatever the option is, I'm taking it," Charlie grunted.

"Dad," Bella chewed her lip. "Our only option is to turn you into a vampire. You… you would stop aging. You'd be frozen in time with us. We'd have to move around, you couldn't work as a police officer anymore. We'd have to live concealed from humans for a while, because you'd thirst for human blood. You'd never drink or eat again, only consuming animal blood. Is that something you want?"

Charlie was still and quiet for a few moments. "Bells, I only want to be a part of your life. If that means changing, adjusting to some new life, I think I could handle that. I'm not fragile, Bella. I can handle this."

"The change is very difficult," Carlisle cut in. "It is painful and lasts several days. One of us has to bite you, so their venom essentially infects you. It will feel like you're burning. When you wake up, everything will be clearer and sharper. You'll be faster, stronger. You won't need to breathe, or eat or sleep. And you'll thirst for blood."

"I can handle this," Charlie grunted again. "And I want Bella to change me. That's the deal - Bella does it."

"Dad, I can't bite-" Bella began. Edward cut her off.

"You don't have to bite him, love, we can use a syringe like I did for you," he kissed her head.

"It's settled, so change me," Charlie folded his arms. "I ain't getting any younger, Bella."

"Don't you want time to think, Charlie?" Esme offered softly. "This is a lot to take in."

"With all due respect, Esme, my son is a werewolf and my daughter is a vampire. I think I can make this decision pretty clearly," Charlie smiled at her. I beamed. Charlie thought of me as his son. I wasn't forgetting Harry - he was my dad. I'm sure in the spirit world, Harry was thanking Charlie for taking over and not leaving his son without a father figure.

Juliet's hand found my waist and she rubbed it. Obviously she'd caught it, too.

"I think it would be safest if Juliet and Renesmee stayed away for a while after your change," Edward said. "We're currently living in Oregon."

"Rose and Emmett could take the girls back home," Bella said. "Carlisle and Esme, too. We could stay and help train Charlie for a while."

"I'd miss you," Renesmee pouted. "Grandpa's not going to hurt me."

"He'll be a newborn, sweetheart," Bella said.

"I'm always right! Besides, Momma never hurt me or Charlie when she was a newborn," Nessie placed her hands on her hips, challenging us.

"You really wanna risk Juliet like that?" Bella shot back. I bristled. No way in Hell.

"…No, I guess not," Renesmee was beat and she knew it. "Well, dang."

"When are we, you know, changing me?" Charlie was impatient.

"If Bella will join me upstairs, I'll extract the venom and we can begin whenever you're ready," Carlisle gestured to the stairs. Bella darted up, followed closely by Carlisle.

"Guess we're doing this," Charlie muttered as the rest of the family, including Jake, filtered in. Everyone chatted to Charlie, catching him up on our exploits while Bella and Charlie were upstairs. They also explained some vampire mechanics to him, including how Nessie was possible, while skipping the gory details. Alice broke out the photo album, showing him pictures from all Nessie's growth, to my first days with the family, and then the night of my adoption.

"Dad, is there anything you need to take care of at home before we do this?" Bella asked once they had returned. He thought for a few moments before nodding.

"I'll need to resign at work… What will I say?" Charlie snapped his fingers.

"We'll have to say you died, Charlie," Carlisle said carefully. "I'm a doctor, so I can easily say you had a heart attack and sign your death certificate."

I suddenly frowned. No, no, no. This was bringing up too many memories. My heart thudded painfully as I thought about my dad, the way his face looked when he suddenly keeled over, clutching his chest.

"I'm just gonna go get some fresh air," I excused myself, walking outside. Juliet followed after me.

"Seth?" Juliet sat beside me on the stairs. "What's wrong?"

"My dad died when I was fifteen, back in 2006," I told her, chest heaving. "Leah had just phased for the first time. She was the first female to ever phase - she got pissed, and suddenly she was a wolf. It shocked our dad so bad that he… he leaned over. When we got him help, it was too late. Part of why Leah's so angry all the time is 'cause she blames herself, you know? And then I phased. His passing made me so… emotional, I just burst."

Juliet POV

"Seth," I whispered, holding him close as a cool mist coated our skin. "I'm so sorry."

"S'okay," Seth grabbed my hand. "Just miss him a little."

"I know how you feel," I sighed into his shoulder. We sat in silence for a while until something dawned on me.

"Are you twenty one?" I shot up, nearly falling off the porch steps.

"No! Well, yes and no. I stopped aging when I phased the first time! Physically, I'm about sixteen!" Seth covered his face. "Shit, I can't believe I didn't tell you! I'm so sorry if that makes you uncomfortable, Jules. It just slipped my mind!"

"No, no, it's okay," I steadied my breathing. "Okay, unexpected, but I live in a family of immortals… obviously I should have clued in. Gosh, that was just a shock. I'm good now. It's fine, it's not like my best friend isn't a six year old."

"Sorry again," Seth laughed, taking my hand. I squeezed it, letting him know it was alright.

"It's arranged," Nessie appeared at the door. "We're doing it tonight. Carlisle is calling the station now and breaking the news."

"What about us?" I asked Nessie, leading Seth back into the house, my hand never leaving his.

"We're leaving tomorrow morning," Nessie huffed. "Except I don't want to."

"We just got here," Seth groaned. "Can't you get Edward and Bella to swing us another day or two?"

"They don't know how long it'll take Charlie to change," Nessie answered glumly. "But maybe we can put it off 'till tomorrow night, make it an all-nighter trip."

"Not like we're missing anything good at school," I added. The others agreed. For the rest of the afternoon, Nessie toured me through the cottage, the forest surrounding the house, and the river. The weather wasn't very nice, so we retreated inside.

"We're leaving in an hour," Jake kissed Nessie's head. She led me upstairs to get ready for the pack meeting.