Oct. 26, 09 - A/N: This is not a new chapter 2, but there was a technical error that one of my readers let me know about. So that error has been fixed :)
DISCLAIMER: Once again, nothing is mine. With the exception of a pair of squeaky Crocs... there was a torrential down pour in Atlanta today. FYI
Chapter 2 - Revelations
EPOV
A gazebo would have been nice. Lots of flowers. A few more guests...
I shook my head at Alice's thoughts. It had been quite the day in the Cullen household when Renesmee put Alice in her place concerning the wedding.
"Hey, Edward?" I turned facing my new son-in-law. Wow, that was going to take some getting used to. First he wanted my wife, now he's married to my daughter.
"Yeah, Jake. What can I do for you?" I already knew what he was going to say, but it gave me some sort of perverse pleasure to know he was struggling with saying it out loud.
"Um, I just wanted to say that I, uh, appreciate you know... letting me have Renesmee." Wow, "have"? God Jake, you could have used a better word.
I smirked at Jake's thoughts, "Jake. I know what you meant. Just treat her right, okay?"
"Yeah, man. I definitely will. And thanks for letting us use the island. I appreciate it."
"Jake, you'll have to thank Carlisle for that. He bought that island for Esme."
I turned at my wife's voice. She looked stunning today; not that she didn't always, but I was going to have to buy Alice a gift for getting Bella into that dress.
Bella came up and wrapped her arms around me.
Edward? I just wanted to let you know that I'm so proud of you. Renesmee was very glad that you behaved today.
I loved when Bella opened her mind to me. It was something I never got tired of.
I leaned down to her and laid a trail of kisses up her jaw, until I reached her ear. "I won't be behaving later tonight," I breathed into her ear.
She shivered in my arms and her eyes flitted closed. It was nice to know I could still 'dazzle' her after 10 years.
"Ew, dad. Take that somewhere else." Bella snapped her eyes open and if she could have blushed, she would have been.
"Well, squirt. It's not like you're not going to be doing the same thing later!" Emmett said, raising his eyebrows suggestively.
"Uncle Em!" Renesmee burrowed her head into Jake's shoulder in embarrassment.
"What? You know that you're gonna be..." a loud thump resounded through the room as Rose smacked the back of Emmett's head.
"Thanks Rose." She raised her eyebrows at me, "It's not like I did it for your sake." We all know they're gonna be at it like bunnies, she added mentally. I shook my head.
My plan of kidnapping Renesmee and running far away seemed better by the minute.
Alice's voice reverberated in my head: I told you earlier, that is not a good idea. Not unless you want a pack of wolves chasing you down. Now, go say goodbye to your daughter. It's going to be a while until you see her again.
I took an deep breath and moved towards where her and Jake were standing by the door.
She moved from Jake's side and gave me a big hug. As soon as her hands touched me, images of her growing up flashed through my mind. The most recent being our father and daughter dance we shared a few hours ago.
"I love you dad," she whispered in my ear, "I know mom's going to be a mess, do something nice for her." She gave me one last hug before turning back to Jake.
I felt Bella's arms circle my waist as I watched my little girl, the only one I'd every have, get into the car to head off on her honeymoon.
Come on. Let's go back inside before you chase after her. Bella pulled gently on my arm; I took one last look to where Jake and Renesmee were headed down the driveway.
Right before they went around the turn I raised my hand and waved, and saw Renesmee do the same.
JPOV
As much as I love my niece, I was so glad for this day to be over. I felt like had been on a roller-coaster all day the way my family was throwing emotions around. Edward was constantly changing between adoration for Renesmee and disgust at what her and Jacob were bound to be doing. Bella was juggling nervousness, sadness, and joy. Alice was radiating discontentment at not being able to plan a huge wedding. And Emmett... well, it's safe to say his mind was completely on Rosalie and their upcoming activities.
"Can everyone come in the dining room for a minute, please?" Carlisle called softly through the house.
I had really wanted to get away from everyone for a while and do some hunting, but knew Carlisle probably had something important to say. Alice pulled me through the living room and into the dining room.
We all sat down around the dining room table, as was customary for these family 'gatherings'.
"We know that it's been a very long time since any of us had any real alone time with our spouses. So, we are paying to have each of you go on a vacation by yourselves," Carlisle said with a smile.
"You just tell us when and where you want to go and we'll make it happen."
Esme stood beside Carlisle, nodding her head, "Carlisle and I have decided to take our own trip starting tomorrow, so if anyone else is wanting to go on their trip anytime in the next month or so, please let us know now so we can book it for you."
Rosalie immediately spoke up, "We want to go to Africa." Emmett nodded his head rapidly as his wife spoke.
Esme smiled, "Again? You went there for your last honeymoon? Is there not somewhere else you want to go?"
"Nah, Ma! Going to Africa puts us in touch with our wild side if ya know what I mean!"
Everyone at the table was trying to suppers their laughs. I looked at Emmett, "I'm pretty sure we all know exactly what you mean."
Bella spoke next, "I think Edward and I are going to stay here and get the cabin ready for when the honeymooners get back. We need to get all of our personal belongings out of it and move it into Edward's room here. But, we'll take you up on your offer as soon as they get back and are settled."
I cleared my throat and went to voice my opinion, "You know, I've been wanting to go to..."
Alice cut me off, "We're going to stay here with Bella and Edward. I have some things that I need to tend to."
I turned to her, confusion probably written all over my face.
"We'll talk later," she whispered to me.
"Esme gave a curt nod, "Okay then, it's settled. Rosalie, Emmett, we'll book your trip for later this week and we're going to leave first thing in the morning. So, we'll see you all when we get back!"
With that, everyone filed out of the dining room going there separate ways.
I walked on to the back porch and leaned over the railing, letting my head fall between my shoulders.
"Penny for your thoughts," Alice said as she began to massage my shoulders.
I shrugged her hands off. "I just wish every now and then you'd let me have a say in things."
She went to say something, but I cut her off, "I know you can see the future and all, but please Alice, let me make a decision every once and awhile."
I jumped off the porch and ran towards the river. I needed to get away from everyone and clear my mind.
I heard Alice following me, but continued on until I came across a herd of deer. I crouched and let instinct take over as I drained them.
When I was done, I turned to where I knew Alice would be. She was the picture of perfection as she floated towards me in the moonlight.
"I'm sorry Jasper, it's just... My visions haven't been coming to me lately and when I tried to see what would happen if we went to Europe, I kept getting nothing."
I took her hand in mine and lifted it to my lips. Placing a kiss on it, I pulled her into my arms.
"I just want to stay here until I can figure out why I'm not able to see anything."
I pulled back from her a bit. "What do you mean you can't see anything Alice?"
She bit her lower lip, a habit she got from Bella, one that I particularly enjoyed, and raised her eyes to meet mine.
"I haven't said anything 'cause I didn't want you to worry," she said quietly.
"Alice," I said as I placed a kiss on her nose, "I'm your husband, you can share anything with me. Besides, I knew something was up, your emotions have been all out of whack lately. Now what is going on?"
I could tell that she was unsure of what to say, so I sat down in the grass and pulled her into my lap.
"Darlin', just let it out. I'm not mad at you or anything, I just want to know what is going on."
She relaxed into my arms and began to speak, "It's just, lately I've been trying to see what's going on in Italy. The Volturi have been entirely too quiet. It's odd..."
"Alice. Don't worry yourself over that. If they decide to come, you'll know."
She pulled away from me a little, turning to face me as she did. "But will I? It's not just them I can't see Jasper. Any time I try to see any of our futures I come up blank. Nothing."
I could feel the worry rolling off her in waves. "How long has this been going on Alice?"
"On and off for about 5 years," she stood up and started pacing in front of me.
I grabbed her hand as she walked by and pulled her back down to me, laying her in the grass. Leaning over her I stroked her cheek gently.
"Silly Alice, did it ever occur to you that since Renesmee turned five Jake and his pack have been around pretty much non-stop? I'm willing to bet the only times you've got visions are when your not near them."
She seemed to think on this for a minute, and a smile began to grace her face. "Yes! That has to be it! I mean, I have gotten small visions concerning every day things when I've been out, but your right – Jake and his pack have been around almost non-stop."
I was glad to see the worry was slowly ebbing away. "Well, now that Jake and Renesmee are away for awhile, there's no reason the rest of the pack should be around. Your visions should start come back to you soon. And when they do, maybe you can look into that vacation. It would be nice to get away from everyone for a while."
She propped herself up on her elbows and a look of pure adoration took over her features. "It has been awhile since we had alone time. I can't wait till I have you all to myself again."
I leaned over and gently pushed her back to the ground, "I'm pretty sure we're along right now. Gotten any visions of what we'll be doing tonight, Darlin'?"
As I moved over her, she gave me a knowing look. "No, but I think I've got a pretty good idea of what you have in mind."
I trailed my fingers up and down her sides, sending shivers through her small body. Leaning over, I kissed her ear before whispering, "Darlin', you have no idea."
With that, I began tickling her uncontrollably.
"Jasper stop!" Her giggles rang throughout the forest like wind chimes.
I stopped, giving her barely anytime to catch her breath before I moved my lips to her neck.
"Jasper..." I swear, that woman's voice was like an angels.
"Yes, Darlin'?" I said, pulling away from her neck.
"I really am sorry about earlier. I just don't want anything bad to happen and me not see it beforehand."
I sighed, intertwining my fingers with hers. "Alice, I'm not mad, and I don't think you really have anything to worry about okay? Jake's gone for a while, the rest of the pack will be in LaPush, your visions will come back. Now can you please stop worrying and just enjoy yourself?"
She nodded her head and the next thing I knew I was the one pinned underneath her. "Now where were we..."
EPOV
As soon as our family had disbanded from the dining room, Bella and I headed back to cabin to start getting our stuff together.
With Renesmee and Jacob moving into the cabin, we decided that we'd just move everything we kept there into my room in the big house. That way, when we came to visit from Alaska, we'd have everything we needed there.
"Edward?" Bella called to me from our bedroom.
"Yes Bella?"
"Do you think it's too late for me to call Charlie? You know, to thank him for coming? I didn't really get a chance to talk to him much after the wedding."
I shot a glance at the clock – 11:00. "I don't see why not. He should be home by now."
"Okay, well I think I'm going to call him and then we'll get to packing all our stuff up."
Bella walked into the living room, still in the damn red dress she wore to the wedding.
"Do you need help getting this off?" I asked her, as I walked up behind her. Putting my hands on her waist, I let my nose run across her shoulder and up her neck.
Shaking her head, she pulled away. "Edward, don't start something you can't finish," she said walking towards the phone.
I reached out and pulled her back to me. "Oh, I think that finishing is not a problem."
Giving me a quick, chaste kiss, Bella pushed on my chest with her hands. "I have to call Charlie before it gets too late. We'll finish this conversation when I'm done."
I gave her the smile she loved so much and let her go. I sat down on the couch while she got the phone, then sat down beside me.
"Hello?" I heard Sue's voice pick up on the other end.
"Hi Sue! It's Bella. I was just wondering if I could talk to my dad for a minute, you know, thank him for coming today."
"Sure thing sweetie, just a second."
As Bella waited, I laid my hand on her thigh, squeezing it gently. She looked over at me and smiled, her eyes closing briefly.
"Bella?" Charlie's gruff voice came the line, causing Bella to open her eyes and shoo my hand away.
"Hey Dad! I just wanted to say thanks for coming today. I meant a lot to Renesmee, and me, that you showed up."
"Oh, no problem Bells."
After a few seconds of silence, Bella continued, "I know that you were kinda weirded out about Renesmee and Jake, but I promise you dad, if Edward and I weren't sure about this, we'd never have..."
"Bells, you don't have to explain things to me. Remember, I'm on a 'need to know' basis. As long as your okay, I'm okay."
"Okay dad, thanks."
A few more uncomfortable moments went by before Charlie cleared his throat and continued, "Um, I think Sue wants to say something, so I'll talk to you later Bells."
"Okay dad, bye."
I knew that Bella wanted so badly to just get everything out in the open with Charlie, but he really didn't care to know. This much I knew for certain.
He did find it a bit weird that not only did Bella still look 18 when she should be 28, but her daughter looked 18 and was, technically, not even ten years old yet. In fact, it weirded him out. But, I tried not to share these thoughts with Bella, she didn't need to worry anymore than she did.
"Bella? I just wanted to say thanks for inviting us. I know we don't see you that often, but it was nice."
"Thanks Sue! It was great seeing you all as well."
"Leah wanted me to let you know that she wishes Renesmee and Jake the best."
Leah... now that was someone we hadn't seen in a while. About a year or so ago, she had decided that she wanted to stop phasing and go find herself someone to settle down with. Pretty much everyone else in the pack had imprinted and she was feeling more and more alone with each passing day.
"Speaking of Leah, Sue. How is she doing? Where is she?"
"Honestly, Bella, I don't know. When she left last year she said she was going east, you know to get away from everyone so she could stop phasing." Sue's voice dropped with her last statement, probably so Charlie wouldn't hear.
"Well, about six months ago, the calls stopped and when I tried to call it would just go straight to voicemail. About a month ago, she called to see how everyone was doing. When I mentioned Renesmee and Jake getting married, she got real quiet and said she had to go."
Bella's eyes scrunched up and I knew she was running this new information through her mind. I tapped my head to let her know I'd like her to open her connection.
That's so odd Edward. She was always so good about calling her mom and Seth.
I nodded my head, waiting to see what else Sue would say.
"Then she called first thing this morning, which is odd; she's never been much of a morning person. She said she only had a minute and wanted to congratulate Jake. When I asked her where she was, she made up some excuse about having to head into work."
It didn't escape mine or Bella's notice that Sue said she wanted to congratulate Jake; Leah had never been a fan of ours and couldn't bring herself to really accept us as a part of Jake's life.
She also really didn't like that Seth, her younger brother, considered me among one of his best friends.
Before Billy's failing health required him to return to LaPush, Jake, along with Seth, spent a lot of time at our house in Alaska. The kid really had grown on me.
"I'm sorry to hear about that Sue. Maybe she just really needs some time to herself. I mean, she's been the only woman really in the pack for almost 10 years now. I wouldn't worry too much about it."
"Thanks Bella. Well, I'm going to let you get back to your husband. Thanks again for inviting us."
"Okay, Sue. Talk to you later."
Bella hung up the phone.
Tilting her head towards the bedroom, she began walking that way.
Pulling her hair to the side so I could unzip the dress, she sighed deeply again.
"Do you find it at all odd that Leah has stopped calling her mom? I mean, now that Sue mentioned it, I realize it has been months since Seth or Jake have said anything concerning her."
I ran my hands up her bare back, nuzzling my face into her neck as shrugged out of the dress.
"Yes, Bella, it is odd. But, maybe it's exactly what you told Sue; she needs space, time away from the pack."
I trailed my lips along her neck, while I unbuttoned my shirt. Turning around Bella took over that task. As soon as the buttons were undone, she took it off me, running her hands up my arms.
"I think your right. Now, I distinctly remember you saying something earlier about misbehaving..."
A/N: Thanks so much to everyone who is reading this! And a huge thanks to those of you who review! I truly appreciate it. :)