I spent the rest of the week with Jacob. My parents kept clear, giving us our space. Billy did too, I don't think he was exactly comfortable with a vampire as a house guest, but because he was glad to see Jacob, he didn't complain. I had not forgotten the thirst that plagued every other thought of mine. I was using every ounce of reserve I had to not let the monster expose itself. But as a newborn, my self-control had limits. One week without hunting and I was going crazy. My parents and Jacob had sensed that, and we all agreed it was best I return to the Cullen mansion. I could hunt wildlife freely there, with little risk of exposure and a variety of animals to choose from.
I was happy to get back home. I'd missed my family terribly. Two back to back mini vacations had taken there toll on me, and although physically I was not tired, I was mentally exhausted. We arrived back to a near empty house, I assumed everyone else had gone hunting.
"Well, it's certainly nice to be back home" My father announced when we finally pulled into our driveway.
"I wonder if Alice has the entire wedding planned yet" my mother joked. What was funny is that it wasn't entirely far fetched.
"I wouldn't put it past her" I laughed.
"Do we even have a day picked out yet?" Jacob asked, slightly annoyed.
"Not yet. Alice said she saw it happening in the next few months though.."
"Of course she did.." Jacob replied, rolling his eyes.
We carried our bags into the house. I heard the sound of a piano playing upstairs. Esme. She was welcoming us home. Carlisle walked downstairs that same instant, wearing a huge grin on his face.
"I'm glad you all made it back, I was beginning to think you were leaving for good.." Carlisle said joking.
"We were running out of things to wear, and these two can't put an outfit together without Alice's help" my father laughed. When he was right, he was right. I had inherited my lack of fashion sense from her.
"Speaking of me, what on earth are you wearing! Seriously, being a vampire is supposed to increase your sight, not make you blind. Did you get dressed in the dark wearing a blindfold?!" Alice exclaimed, walking in the door.
"What?!" I said defensively. Surely, my outfit wasn't that bad.
"No, not you, although you need some work. Bella, seriously.. stripes and a polka dot bra? Honey.. you're a vampire, I'm not even sure you need to wear a bra anymore. Come on, let me make you pretty again.." Alice said, pulling my mother upstairs for another makeover.
"Alice.. I just got home.." My mother protested, but to no avail. My father laughed along with Jasper and Carlisle. I'm pretty sure I heard a stifled giggle from Esme upstairs as well.
"Well, I think I should hunt.. " I said, trying to get out of there soon, before Alice finished with my mother and made me her personal Barbie doll.
"Not so fast, you're next. Be home in an hour, we have a wedding to discuss!" Alice yelled from upstairs. Jacob even laughed that time.
"Ness, we've been out here for half an hour, how have you not tracked anything yet?" Jacob said impatiently.
"I don't know, there isn't anything good around. Deer is to much like eating salad.. I want a grizzly." I said. My mind was set, I needed the closest thing to human blood as possible, and that was carnivore. Of course, it tasted nothing like human blood, as I unfortunately knew all to well, but it would have to suffice.
"Come on.." Jacob rushed.
"If you don't want to be out here, go back to the house. I'm fine to hunt alone.."
"If you'd hurry up I wouldn't be so tempted to take you up on that offer.." he mumbled.
Then, I caught the scent I'd been looking for. To the East of us, about three miles away. I ignored the fact Jacob wasn't keeping up and ran like a predator chasing it's prey. The bear was huge, but it only made it more fun to hunt. It struggled for a few minutes, but once I'd had his throat.. the fight was over. I drank until I felt sloshy and full, then we headed back to the house.
"That was disgusting Ness.." Jacob said on our way back.
"What?" I said innocently. The sight of me killing a bear ten times my size was probably not the easiest thing for Jacob to watch.
"I used to have to help you do that.." he said glumly.
"Well, next time I'll pretend to be weak and let you help.." I smiled.
"Promise?" Jacob said, and I wasn't exactly sure if he was joking or not.
"Sure.." I laughed. "Come on, if Alice is making me do wedding stuff, you're helping.."
"Oh man.." Jacob complained, and I laughed once more. Like promised, Alice had over a hundred bridal magazines for us to look through the remainder of the night. It sure felt good to be home.