Chapter 9:

"Should I be worried?" Jake asked me from the drivers seat.

He had turned the car around, taking me to my grandma and grandpas house. I texted my uncle back, telling him that I was on my way - to my disappointment.

"I hope not. Just said they wanted to talk to everyone." I really wished they didn't have to talk now. We were having a good time on our first date, it seemed. "Sorry." I said for the millionth time.

"No, Nessie. It's okay. They need you. Can you text Quil and tell him that we can't make it to the movie?"

I nodded, taking out my phone again.

Quil, something came up with my family. We won't be making it to the movie. Sorry. I texted.

A minute later, my phone beeped.

OK. Should we be involved?

No, I replied. It shouldn't be serious. Thanks for caring. Say sorry to Claire too.

"What is he saying?" Jake asked.

"Just wondering if he should come. I told him it's not a wolf thing." I said.

"Oh."

I got another text, No problem. Let's plan to hang again, okay? :)

Of course. I texted back and put my phone away in my bag.

We eventually pulled up to their lot, and got out of the car.

"I think I'll see if I can stick around." Jake mentioned as we walked up to the house.

I nodded. It would be nice if he didn't have to leave.

In the dining room, eveyrone was standing around the table, waiting for our arrival.

"Oh, Renesee you're here! Okay, everyone take a seat." My aunt Rosalie hollered. She looked anxious to start.

I joined my family and did as she said, except for Jake. I saw him whispering to Emmett, and then my uncle nodded. Jacob then took a seat beside me. I guess that meant he was staying.

"Ok." Rose started. "It's so nice to be back, we missed everyone."

"Yeah, and while we were down in Mexico, we discovered something that really interested us both." Emmett informed. "But we wanted to share it with you before we decided on anything...big."

The rest of us stayed silent, listening, curious as to what they were talking about.

Rosalie continued. "When we were vacationing, we went to some pretty interesting places. After doing some research, we were aware that there was some sort of vampire activity downtown-"

"Oh Rosalie, you two need to be careful! You never know what could be down there..." My grandmother Esme spoke up, worried.

"It's okay Esme, everything was OK." Emmett assured her.

We all knew that they would be fine in any situation; the whole family has been through a lot. I'm sure they have lots of experience with strange vampires. But my grandma was just constantly worrying for everyones safety. She was so caring.

"Anyways, we went to the location... and we did, in fact, meet some like us. And they had the most interesting institution..." Rose went on.

"This is going to sound crazy, but hear us out." Emmett warned. "They had an... adoption center."

"A what?" Jake, my father and uncle Jasper all hissed at the same time.

"Just wait! It was for adult vampires... ones over 16-years-old that wanted a family." Rose explained. "We met a... vegetarian, too."

We were all silent again, taking it in. I've never heard of anything like it. And by the looks on my familys' faces, I'm sure they haven't, either. How safe was it? How did something like that even... work?

"So... you want to adopt?" My grandpa assumed.

"Well... yes. We were considering it. But we wanted to know all your thoughts, first." Rose said.

Jasper asked, "Well, how trusted could it possibly be?"

"Did you get any further information from them?" Asked my father.

"Were you able to talk to any of the... kids?" Aunt Alice asked.

"I just want you to be safe..." Esme said.

Everyone gave their imput and asked their questions, except for me. I don't really know what I think about it. As long as my aunt and uncle can trust them, and they are ready for this... I don't see why not. A new friend, right? More like cousin...

"I feel like we can trust them. They have papers to sign and everything... we can't own them completely, as they are adults. But they seem pretty eager for a family. We thought it was reasonable." My uncle answered.

"And we did talk to one of the vegetarians, Wes. He was about 18 when he was transformed. He is very mature and kind, and seems very promising. We loved him." My aunt Rose beamed.

They continued to discuss this around me, and I just kept thinking to myself.

I imagined what it would be like to have a cousin. Almost like a brother. I obviously don't have any biological cousins, because my family are all vampires. I had been a surprise; my family didn't anticipate my mom getting pregnant from a vampire when she was human. They didn't think it was possible. And when I was 'born', I almost killed my mother - she had to be transformed into a vampire to be saved. So of course I don't have any siblings. The only person that's as close as a cousin or brother is Jacob. So it was hard to imagine having someone else like that in my life.

Sometimes I feel horrible for risking my mothers life. I never wanted to hurt her - even in the womb my father could tell that I loved them. But my rare species has a... different way of being born. I wonder if my mom or dad ever regret going through all that. Of course they wouldn't say it, I know they love me. But have they ever felt like I was a... mistake?

I started to tune in when I felt everyone go silent and turn to my grandpa.

"I suppose it's acceptable. As long as Esme and I come with you; look it over." He declared.

I guess in the end, the decision would've been up to my grandfather.

"Perfect." Rose beamed.

"Sounds great." Em smirked.

At that moment, everyone became more relaxed and started talking to themselves.

"This is so cool!" I heard my auntie A exclaim to Rose and my mom. "Now I'll have a little nephew!" She smiled.

"And he's about your age, Renesmee!" My mother directed to me.

I turned around, smiled and nodded. I suddenly felt very tired. And Jake noticed.

"Do you want me to take you home?" He asked me. I yawned.

"Sure." I said.

I hadn't taken note to the time, but now that I checked, it was getting close to midnight. Jacob stood up and took my hand.

"Well... this should be interesting. Eh?" Jake spoke up on the way home.

"Yeah," I said sleepily. "A cousin..." I could see him smirk, in front of the wheel.

"Hey... did Quil say anything about the date?"

I thought back to my texts. "Oh, well he just said that we should do it again. Maybe next week?" I suggested.

"Yeah, that sounds great. I had fun." He smiled, looking ahead of him. I sighed in agreement.

We got to my cottage, and both stepped out of the car. Jacob walked me to the door.

"Well... it's been a weird day." He murmured. "Hopefully we can fit in a full date next time."

"Yea," I smiled. "Hey, I wonder if Quil and Claire still went to that movie..." I turned around to face him.

There was a long stretch of silence, and then I looked up at Jacob. He was staring at me with that weird-imprint-love look in his eyes. I tried to keep his gaze, but then blushed, and looked down at my shoes. His eyes were so intense, but familiar.

Then he said, "Renesmee."

"Yeah." I responded, looking up again.

"I love you." And he reached down to kiss me.