***** Hey guys, thanks for all the reviews!! Those reviews are what keep me writing, so keep 'em coming. I hope you enjoy this next chapter. I'll try to update again this weekend, but I am trying to figure out what I want to happen next in the story. I'm excited the movie comes out tomorrow night/Saturday morning... Robert Pattinson makes me swoooon! hehe, have a GREAT weekend!!!!*****
"So, what do we do about our visitors?" Jacob asked later that night, still endulging in the other half of a pumpkin pie. He'd finished the first half during dinner.
"The way you eat… it's disgusting. It makes me glad I'm not human… or.. dog" Rosalie scoffed.
"Rose.. chill" Emmett laughed. Rosalie sneered at him, but kept her comments to herself.
"The best course of action would be to introduce ourselves to these strangers and make it clear this is a no hunting zone. I see no reason to get hostile unless we are forced too" Carlisle reasoned.
"I hope it doesn't come to that either.." Esme said, a tone of worry present in her voice.
"So many people could be hurt.." my mother worried.
"I'll notify the pack.. Sam will want to know." Jacob said.
"I'll go with you.." I volunteered eagerly.
"No, Renesmee.. you stay here with Charlie. Esme is going to stay too." My father instructed.
"What? No way! I want –" I began to interject, but was interrupted by my father.
"Ness.. please. I can't stand the thought of you possibly getting hurt. I know you're still young and you want to fight, but I need you to watch Charlie. If there is any trouble here, you and Esme need to keep him safe." My mother begged.
I nodded my head in defeat, but I had no doubt my father heard everything I was saying, even if the rest of the room couldn't. He looked at me, almost sympathetically, and then wrapped his arm around my shoulder in a hug. I took that opportunity to see what I saw. The possibility that we wouldn't come out victorious if this turned into a fight. The thought that not everyone would make it out alive scared the hell out of me.
"Hey.. it's going to be okay. We haven't lost yet, and we've fought bigger battles" he said so only I could hear. I nodded and leaned into my father.
"Jacob, be careful.." I begged. "We have a wedding before too long.."
"I'll be back before you know it, probably with some of the pack.." he said, kissing me briefly before bolting out the door.
"Alright, Jasper, Rosalie, Bella, come with me. We'll cover the West half of Forks. Carlisle, Emmett, Rosalie, you get the East half. We'll meet up in the middle and go through the center of town to find them." My father suggested.
"No, Edward. Either you or Alice should be with me." Carlisle said.
"Of course.. uhh.. I guess I will" my father said with some hesitation.
"No, Edward. I will. You stay with Bella." Alice said.
I watched them deliberate on strategies for a few moments. I hated being left behind. At least Esme was here to keep me company, not that I was worried about boredom. Jasper must have sensed my worry, because I was feeling almost euphoric a moment later. "Thanks Jasper.." I whispered. He didn't respond, but smiled accordingly.
"Alright, if you need help, or if they come here, the pack will be outside. Jacob will see to that. Esme, Renesmee, be careful." Carlisle said. He kissed his wife, hugged me, and then walked out the door. Rosalie, Emmett, and Alice followed closely behind him.
"Renesmee, we'll see you soon. Be careful my love" my mother said, hugging me and kissing my forehead.
"I'll be fine mom.. don't worry. You guys be careful too" My father hugged me tightly and then walked out the door, everyone else following him.
"Well, the hard part for us is over. Now we have to keep busy. Charlie's house is filthy.." Esme noted.
"I take it we're cleaning?" I asked knowingly.
"I have the cleaning supplies in the car. Cmon, it'll be fun. Charlie will love it! I also brought some paint.. I figured the living room could use a fresh coat."
"Everyone else is fighting vampires, and we're remodeling my grandfathers house. Okay." I laughed.
Sure enough, that's what we did. It didn't take more than an hour for us to get the first coat on the walls. While that dried, we cleaned every inch of the house. The cleaning was meant to distract me from thinking about everyone else, but it failed. The thing about being a vampire, distractions were hard to do. I could clean and think at the same time without hesitation. In fact, it was while I was cleaning the bathroom that I heard Jacob outside.
"We don't want any trouble, friends." I heard him say. I was downstairs less then a second later.
"Ness… ssh. We have visitors. Play along." She instructed. I followed behind her as she walked to the door.
"Jacob, you brought friends home?" Esme asked.
"Uhh, no. We were out here .. patrolling, and we came across some newbies"
"Oh, well… welcome to Forks" Esme said, studying the five vampires before us. They were beautiful creatures. Two women, three men. All looked to be in their twenties when they would have been changed.
"We were out for a walk when we stumbled upon this place. No harm intended" one of the males said.
"Yes, well, I'm not sure if you are aware, but Forks is protected ground. We are vegetarian, and make permanent residence here. We would appreciate if you hunted elsewhere." Esme said firmly. I'd never seen her talk to anyone like that, but she could be intimidating. I had to give her credit.
"Of course. After tonight, you will not hear from us again. We are however, hungry. If we could just have the man in that house, we will leave with no argument." One of the females, the blonde one, said.
"Out of the question. He is part of our family. Soon to be changed actually." Esme added.
"I see… well, that's inconvient for us then. He smells wonderful" the other female said.
"Well, sorry to disappoint you. I think it'd be best if you left. Our family is on their way back and they are very defencive of our territory." Esme suggested.
"Ah, well, the last thing we want is a fight of course. I'd like to meet the rest of your family though. To meet vegetarions as you call yourself, is surely a once in a lifetime thing." The other male said snidely. I couldn't help the growl that escaped from my throat.
"What seems to be the trouble here?" I heard Jasper call casually from behind them. Sure enough, my family emerged with Jasper into the clearing in front of Charlies house. They took the strangers by surprise, as they turned quickly and defensively, braced for a battle.
"We're not lookin for a fight here… but if you don't leave, know that we will win.." Emmett said smugly. I heard Rosalie laugh behind him. Around my family, I saw about 6 over sized wolves father.
"And what we don't destroy, they will.." Alice added, smiling knowingly.
"We get the point." The other female said quickly. It was clear they didn't expect so much backup. This was a fight they knew they wouldn't win, and so with half assed apologies, they left.
"Well done Esme.." Carlisle said, kissing her forehead.
"Thanks. See, I can hold the fort down just as well as you boys can. The sweet demeanor is just a disguise" Esme joked.
Once again, my family was safe. Jacob was by my side, Charlie was still sound asleep upstairs, and everything was perfect.