Chapter 3

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAAAPPPPYY BIIRRTHHDDAAAY TO RENESMEE!... HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!"

It was Saturday morning - also my birthday.

I sat up in my bed, surrounded by my singing family. Grandpa Carlisle, grandma Esme, papa Charlie, auntie Alice and uncle Jasper, mom and dad -and of course Jacob- were all crammed into my room.

"Wow, thanks guys. This is great." I beamed when they finished.

"Good morning Nessie." Jacob hugged me. "Happy birthday!"

"Thanks! Oh no-" I saw presents behind my aunt's back. "Auntie, please no gifts." I moaned.

"Oh, come on Ness! Just a few?" She pleaded with her puppy eyes.

"Er- fine..." I gave up. It was hard to resist all their hopeful faces.

Auntie Alice pulled two small wrapped boxes out behind her back and placed them on my bed. Jake sat beside me, his face full of excitement. He gestured to hurry up.

I sighed and grabbed the first present. It was pretty heavy. I unwrapped the green paper and opened the box. Inside was a thick book about the History of Italy.

"That one is from me and Esme, Nes." My grandpa Carlisle said softly. "I thought you might find it interesting."

"Thanks Grandpa!" I smiled. He and my grandmother always got me books. And I can't complain - I love reading and learning new things. I've been told I got that from my father.

"This one is from Alice and I." My uncle said, pointing to the next gift.

I unwrapped the smaller, lighter present. There was a giftcard inside.

"Oh, a giftcard to Forever 21. Thank you!" I chuckled. Of course my aunt would pick out a shopping card for me.

"I also got you a little something, Nessie. Nothing big." My papa Charlie grunted. He is the only human in my family, and I can tell he feels out-of-place sometimes. But I love his shyness and awkwardness. He reminds me a lot of my mother.

"Thanks papa!" I said, taking the bag from him.

I opened the bag and found a digital camera. I lifted it up for everyone to see.

"Wow, very original dad." My mom said. "You got me one on my 18th birthday, too."

I chuckled.

"Hey! I just thought it was a good idea.." He mumbled.

"No papa, I love it. Thank you." I assured him. I'll enjoy playing with the camera.

"Me and your mother have a gift for you too..." Dad said, "but we'll save those for later." He winked at me and I rolled my eyes to the ceiling.

I got up and hugged each one of my family members, saving Jacob for last.

"I've got something for you later, Renesmee.." He whispered in my ear. I gave him a deadly look. "What? You'll like it, I promise. It's home made." I sighed in defeat.

"And I can assure you there will be more gifts at the bonfire, for both you and your mother." My grandma Esme mentioned.

"And more people." My mom mumbled, shaking her head. She hates attention and presents even more than I do.

"I'm sorry hun, but I have to leave." My papa Charlie whispered to me. "I've got work. Have a fun time today. Happy birthday... Bye Bells." He said, turning to my mother. I waved goodbye to him, and my mom kissed him on the cheek before he left.

"Well, let's give Renesmee some privacy to get ready before the bonfire." My father called. Everyone said happy birthday again and left me alone in my room.

I looked at the clock on the wall, it was 1 o'clock. Wow, I'd slept in long. We are to be down at the beach at two, so I started getting ready.

It's not like I really need to do things like take a shower. Since i'm half-vampire, I don't sweat or anything. But I like to do human things, like paint my nails and brush my teeth. It makes me feel... somewhat normal. I like the warm water on my skin when I take a shower, and I like styling my hair differently.

My grandpa says I'm more human than vampire. Although like a vampire, I'm still stronger and can move faster. I also thirst for blood, but not as strongly as my family. I could walk within a large group of humans and not feel much burning. I just feel more content when I have blood in my system - and I'm fine with drinking animal blood.

I think it also makes Jacob feel a bit better, the fact that I'm a bit more human. I try not to freak him out sometimes. But he really enjoys watching me in the sunlight. Unlike my vamprie family, I don't sparkle. My skin just glows naturally. It's even natural enough to go in public. But Jake still loves watching it.

After washing up and getting dressed, I walked out of my bedroom. Everyone had left the house to prepare, except of course my parents.

"Sorry for the huge group of people, I know you don't particularly like that," my mom said to me.

"Just like your mother..." my dad sighed.

"Nah.. it's alright. I love them all so much." I said. "Thank you."

"Oh no problem sweetie.. it's your special day. You've grown so much." My mom smiled. "And just wait until the party - we will be surrounded!" She joked.

Oh right. Apparently everybody was going to be there to celebrate our birthdays. All the wolves, including Emily, Claire and the other imprints. And of course my whole vamprie family except for Aunt Rose and Uncle E.

"Is papa Charlie going to be there?" I asked.

"No... he has to work all day today Ness. I don't think he would be comfortable, anyways." My dad explained. I nodded.

"Renesmee," my mom started, "Jacob said that he would be available if you wanted to ride down there with him. I think he wanted to drive his new car." She smirked.

"Okay, I'll text him..." I mumbled, walking off into the TV room.

We had a sofa, fireplace and television in there - mostly just for show. We rarely watch TV and don't have the need to light a fire.

I texted Jake, Hey, want to pick me up?

He replied shortly; Of course. I'll be down there in 5.

I waited in the TV room for 3 minutes and 37 seconds before hearing him come up the driveway in his new car.

"Jake's here!" I called to my parents, "I'll see you two later!" Then I ran out the door.

"What do you think?" Jake grinned, admiring his car.

"Wow Jake. It looks great. What's it called?" It was a red convertible, that's all I knew. I don't know too much about cars, although Jake and my aunt Rose have been trying to teach me more.

"It's a Aston Martin Vanquish! It's a beauty."

"Clearly..." I said, hopping into the front passenger seat. It had super comfortable leather seats, and a huge sound system.

"Yeah, I tweeked it up so the music would be better. You like?" He grinned. He started the car and began driving down the highway.

"It's so- IT SOUNDS GREAAT!" I yelled as he turned up a rock song extremely loud.

"I KNOW RIGHT!" He screamed. We both started laughing.

He turned it down, "Ha, sorry. I wanted to test it out." I couldn't stop laughing.

We were still giggling when we turned into the beach entrance. I had so many good memories at La Push- it was definitely nice to be down here again. Jake and I still come to the beach just to hang out. Sometimes we go swimming, or just walk. I spotted everyone around a big fire down by the shore. They were right; there was nobody else down here.

We skipped down to the bonfire, greeted everyone and sat down on a log beside each other. The logs weren't too close to the fire - probably for the sake of the vamps. Sam started handing out hotdogs and burgers to whoever wanted one. Jake took 5 burgers, and I just grabbed a drink.

All of us chatted and laughed for hours. It was always nice seeing us all have fun together, like a big family. I've heard stories about how it was before I was born, when the werewolves and the vampries didn't like each other. I even remember the awkwardness when I was young. My mom and dad said it was Jacob and I who brought the two groups together. I'm glad, because we always have such a good time.

"Okay! Everyone listen up!" Emily yelped.

The group got quieter, stopping the story-telling to listen to Em.

"It's present time!" She chirrped.