Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight! As you all know everything belongs to Stephenie Meyer!
Chapter 4:
"You know," Edward said conversationally as he grabbed my hand, and pushed the door open, "if you continue to be so maternal people are going to become suspicious and then you'll blow our cover."
"Right!" I scoffed, rolling my eyes, "Like people are really going to believe we're her parents!" I burst into uncontrollable laughter at Edward's dumbfounded expression.
How can there still be fifteen minutes left? I sighed heavily, as I leaned farther back, resting my head dejectedly on Edward's smooth shoulder. Could this day drag on any longer? I glanced furtively at the clock hanging on the opposite side of the deserted hallway, wishing the hands would move faster. Was it possible that only three minutes had passed since the last time I had looked? I scowled at the clock miserably, as though I could speed time with a mere glower. Edward's arms constricted protectively around my waist, his warm lips pressing softly against my hair, a soothing reminder that I was not the only one stuck here. His simple gesture calmed me, comforted me, almost as well as Jasper's peculiar talent would have. It was at times like this that really made me question whether he could actually read my mind and it was all simply a façade. Deep down of course, I knew that he would never lie, especially to me, but how else could he have possibly sensed my desperate need to escape, or how he had known how to ease my agitation at the precise moment when I had all but acted on one of my many half-formed plans to flee. Then again, I thought grudgingly, it wasn't like I was exactly talented at hiding my feelings or intentions-open book was not just a general figure of speech when it came to me, it was more of an accurate description.
"Only ten more minutes love," Edward murmured gently, before pressing his flawless lips once more to hair.
Great, I thought rolling my eyes, ten more minutes of boredom in this hallway followed by almost three more hours of boredom in a cramped classroom. Such an improvement!
I nodded against his chest, keeping my negative feelings to myself, concentrating solely on my bracelet. I shifted my wrist watching with delight as the bright fluorescent lights reflected prettily off the silver charms. Ever since Jacob had given it to me as a graduation present so long ago I had yet to take it off. In truth I felt slightly naked without it, as though I was missing some small part of myself, which in a way I guess I was, since each charm represented the three people I love most in this world. The only change I had made over the years was adding a small, yet striking wooden charm directly in between the hard, diamond heart and the intricately carved wolf. I smiled lightly at the pale, wooden charm, tracing the contours of the linked hands, my fingers lingering tenderly on the slightly smaller hand, an exact representation of my daughter's hand holding mine. My smile widened as I thought back to the day Renesme had given it to me.
"Happy Birthday Momma!" Nessie called happily, as she struggled onto my lap. Although technically she was barely over a year old, she was roughly the size of a small eight year old.
"Thank you sweetheart," I replied, trying to sound enthusiastic, while inside I panicked. I had already had this conversation with Edward, and I had an ironclad promise from him that we would not be celebrating my birthday this year. With dawning horror I realized I hadn't considered Alice in the promise. How had I forgotten ALICE?! My breath caught in my throat as I imagined all the things Alice could have planned. My vision was suddenly obscured by something pink and fluffy and for an agonizing moment I thought my nightmarish vision of Alice's would-be party had actually come true, before my better sense acknowledged that the overwhelming pink was simply tissue paper. I stared down at the wrapped gift in my daughter's small hands before looking into her excited, flushed face.
"I got you a present Momma, even though Daddy said we weren't going to celebrate your birthday," she announced proudly, "Jake helped me make it!"
"Oh my! I can't wait to see what it is!" I told her, my enthusiasm no longer false. I took the small package from her warm hands, only slightly curious as to what was inside. After all my daughter had already given me the best present of all; the knowledge that we would not be celebrating today. I carefully lifted the pink paper out of the bright gift bag, cradling the small bundle in my hand.
"Open it! Open it!" she cried, clapping her hands together.
I smiled as I gently peeled back the wrapping, revealing the tiny charm nestled in the center.
"Oh Nessie it's stunning!" I breathed. The charm itself was made of a pale wood, the light colouring only a shade darker than my own marble skin. I was amazed at the amount of detail, and the beautiful simplicity of it. The charm was two hands; their wooden fingers entwined, while the thumbs pressed firmly together in a small point, forming a perfect heart.
"You made this?" I asked astonished.
"Well Jake helped at first, but after a while I could do it all by myself." She explained smugly. "Do you really like it? I made it for your bracelet, so now you have something of me too, not just Jake and Daddy."
"I love it!" I answered, kissing her softly on the cheek. She smiled satisfactorily her glistening white teeth flashing in the pale morning light. All too soon she was climbing down from my lap and racing towards the door.
"Jake, Jake!" she called excitedly, "Mommy loved it, she absolutely loved it!"
A low growl shattered the peaceful quiet of the vacant hallway, pulling me from my thoughts. I started, glancing around anxiously, half expecting to find some sign of danger. Alice and Jasper's startled faces reflected my own surprise, as they gazed up at Edward. Jasper was sprawled on the floor at Alice's feet, his head resting on her lap, as she toyed unthinkingly with his golden hair. I hastily turned my head to the right, staring straight into Rosalie's concerned topaz eyes, as she tried to disentangle herself from Emmett. There was nobody else in the hallway except for us, seated on the wooden bench.
"Edward, what's wrong?" I asked, trying to keep the panic from my voice. A small part of my mind acknowledged that this was not the first time I had asked him that exact question today, although I truly hoped it would be the last. His arms constricted around me, pulling me closer to his smooth, marble chest. He breathed in deeply, burying his face in my hair before answering.
"Nessie was just invited to a party," he explained stiffly, "It is going to be at some girls' house tonight while their parents are visiting family in Grande Prairie."
"Okay," I said slowly, confused. "I don't quite understand why that is bad."
"It's not going to be a very tame party," he growled, "Actually half the stuff they're planning to do isn't even legal!" I twisted around in his arms, turning to face him. I stared into his liquid eyes, seeing the worry and anger as he struggled to control his emotions.
"Alright," I said calmly, raising my hand to his flawless cheek, "So they are going to act like teenagers. There isn't anything we can do." A deep snarl rumbled low in his throat, his eyes turned hard, as his face contorted in an unfamiliar mask of fury.
"What?" I cried. What could possibly have happened now?
"She wants to go to the party!" he muttered angrily. He was standing up in one fluid motion, pulling me along with him, his hard hand clutching mine firmly, as he stalked towards the cafeteria door.
"Edward wait!" I pulled my hand away from his, as I spun around to face Alice. Our entire family was staring at us shell-shocked, clearly unsure of what to do.
"Alice!" I said hurriedly, the words tumbling out, "Can you see this party." Her eyes took on a blank look as she became solid stone. Before even a second had passed, she refocused, her bright eyes holding mine. Edward hissed menacingly in reply to whatever Alice had seen in her vision.
"Yes," she answered simply.
"Is it going to be out of control?" I demanded, although judging by Edward's reaction I already knew the answer. She nodded once stiffly.
"Can you tell what time things are going to start getting rowdy?" I asked. I had never been to a high school party even closely resembling this but I was pretty sure things would not be completely chaotic right off the bat. Alice became a granite statue once more as she focused on the future.
"After eight." She said confidently. I nodded, relieved. So there was a way that Renesme could go to this party and stay out of trouble.
"What are you thinking?" Edward asked anxiously, suddenly standing right in front of me. His strong hands cradled my face as his golden eyes smoldered from under his long lashes.
"Well what happens if we let her go," I paused at Edward's angry hiss, glaring at him for interrupting, "But one of us picks her up at seven." We both looked hopefully at Alice.
"I assume she'll be safe since we all disappear around that time, but I see us at school tomorrow." She said happily, utterly confident in what she saw.
I sighed, relieved that this was actually going to work. Edward bent forward, his marble forehead resting briefly against mine before pressing his smooth lips firmly against my own trembling mouth. I entwined my hands in his hair, pulling him closer. His hands gripped my waist, as he leaned farther down, molding his body around mine.
"You
are such a genius." he murmured against my lips.
"I am glad
you think so." I whispered, "Because Jake is going to kill me."
I let my face slip into a pout as he gently pulled away. H pulled his cell phone out of his back pocket, punching in the familiar number, as I wound my arm firmly around his waist. With his free hand he pulled me closer, resting his arm casually around my shoulders. Jake answered on the first ring, his husky voice guarded.
"Hello?"
"Hey Jake. When are you done work?"
"Uh three, why?" I heard Jake's curious voice as clearly as if he were standing beside me. Edward explained the situation to him hurriedly, his words blending together. The bell rang, a low nasal sound, and I hastily slipped from Edward's side to gather our bags. Above the clear sounds of scraping chairs and shuffling feet I heard Edward slam his phone shut. He took his bag from my outstretched arm, lacing his fingers with mine. He leaned down appearing to simply brush my jaw with his lips.
"Jake is going to head over right after work and he is going to stay the entire time, before driving her home at seven." He whispered quietly in my ear. I nodded trying to look unconcerned, as the red swinging doors of the cafeteria burst open and the entire student body poured out. We waited patiently for Renesme outside the door, with the rest of our family doing our best to ignore the muttered whispers and awed stares. She was one of the last students to leave, her new friends crowding around her.
"You guys keep going, I'll catch up." She murmured, bending over as though to tie her shoe. Once her friends were out of earshot, she glanced up, her chocolate eyes pleading.
"You can go Nessie, but you have to leave at seven." Edward said calmly, answering the question in her thoughts. She nodded resignedly, her beautiful face disappointed.
"And Jake will be there the entire time." He continued ignoring her reaction. She scowled, clearly frustrated, but nodded once more.
"Okay." She murmured before standing up again and turning around. She walked slightly faster than a human, hurrying to catch up with her friends.
"Nessie!" I called after her retreating form, "Keep your cell phone on!"
She glanced back over her shoulder, slowing down to a leisurely walk.
"Don't worry mom, I will" she said softly, much too low for human ears.
I am sorry it took so long to post this but I couldn't log on until today. Please review!! Let me know what you guys think! I love hearing from you!! Thx!