This is my first one-shot in this story, which occurs a few days after the last chapter. There is not much romance and fluff in this chapter, but I hope you will still enjoy it.
To an outsider, it would seem like just an ordinary day in the Cullen home. Carlisle and Esme sat on the couch watching the morning news, and, despite their completely breathtaking youthfulness, they looked like any other parents. Alice and Jasper were out when we arrived at the house, hunting, I presumed. Edward and Rosalie were feeding Renesmee; something I still did not feel comfortable doing, even though my thirst was under control. Emmett was still slipping in suggestive remarks about how I spent my night, but I was able to tune him out, focussing on more important matters.
Even Charlie would be able to pick up on the difference between Renesmee today and Renesmee a few days ago. Her proportions were again more adult like, her body leaner and longer. Renesmee looked much more like a four month old than a three month old. We could see the trend in her growth was slowing, though only by a small amount each day. Her mind was progressing greater than her body though. Even through her thoughts I could quickly see her intelligence increasing as she became more aware than most adults with each new experience. However, I let my mind focus on spending each day with my beautiful daughter, and tried very hard not to think about the negatives.
It seemed Jacob was trying to do the same thing. Jacob spent most of his days and nights in the Cullen house now, something I would never have even dreamed of in my wildest imagination. He mostly sat in the corner, not saying much, except when he was arguing-mostly with Rosalie- over feeding or playing with Renesmee. Jacob seemed just as content as I did to have Renesmee near. It reminded me slightly of the comfort I used to have by having Edward in the room while I slept. I shoved that thought out of my head; it was way too early to think of Jacob and Renesmee together like that.
Seth often joined us as well, perfectly comfortable in a house full of vampires. He was just as fascinated as everyone else was watching Renesmee. His sister, on the other hand, was a lot different. Leah's uncomfortable feelings and disgust were poorly disguised every time she reluctantly came to the Cullen's- which wasn't very often- to check on Jacob and Seth. Though Leah was not exactly polite, Esme and Carlisle offered her the same level of hospitality that she offered Seth and Jacob, providing the pack with any clothing or food they may need.
I was brought back to reality as Seth walked cheerfully through the door, waving to Renesmee, who happily waved back, before taking a seat next to Jacob. Esme had food in his lap before he had even settled into the couch. From the corner of my eye I could see Leah pacing along the edge of the Cullen's lawn. I suppressed a sigh; Leah still though Seth was in danger from being in the bloodsuckers lair. I can't say I blamed her though; after all, I was the one who had broken Seth's collarbone less than a week ago after he jumped in to protect Jacob.
Though the imprinting issue had been a problem at first, it was not as bad now. Jacob didn't have a problem just staring at Renesmee, so my moments of motherhood were not stolen by the relationship. I still had the joy of listening to Renesmee's thoughts as she updated me on every second of her life I had missed. I sat down on the loveseat beside Edward, where he now held Renesmee on his lap, letting her mangle another piece of Esme's silverware.
All of the vampire's in the room froze as an ear-splitting howl echoed through the room- one which could have only come from Leah, who now growled at the forest, her hackles raised. Jacob and Seth were on their feet immediately, their hands violently shaking as Leah looked back at the house, calling for backup. Jacob quickly stripped (which we all pointedly looked away from), his clothes in his mouth as he phased on the fly, throwing himself off the deck. Seth quickly followed. Seth and Leah covered Jake's flanks. It made me nervous to see Jacob in the firing line at the front.
Seconds later, two wolves emerged, and Jake's pack retreated a few paces, allowing the new wolves to emerge completely from the bush. One was a chocolate brown colour, the other a spottier, lean grey wolf. I couldn't be sure-thanks to the muddy human memories- but they looked like Jake's old friends Quil and Embry. My guess was confirmed as Seth and Jacob immediately stopped howling, relaxing their defensive positions. Leah wasn't so convinced, her eyes looking around, as if to say it might be a trap, whatever it is.
The wolves stared for what seemed like forever, and eventually Leah relaxed, stalking off in the opposite direction, as if whatever had happened was not interesting to her. Embry and Quil turned around to head back into the bush they had emerged from. Jacob and Seth followed in a way that was completely non-threatening, after grabbing their shorts off the grass. I looked at Edward. He didn't need to read minds to know what I would be thinking.
"They'll be back in a few seconds; they just went to phase back," Edward explained. I wondered who they covered. My question was answered as Jacob, Seth, Quil and Embry emerged from the bush in their human form, Jacob and Seth leading the way into the house. Quil and Embry followed slightly nervously, but more out of natural instinct as opposed to feeling any antagonism towards us. I thought how bad I must look to Quil and Embry, wondering if they would still see me as Jake's vampire-loving friend. Much to my surprise, Quil smiled at me, giving me a high-five as Embry greeted me.
'Sup Vampire Girl," he said as if I were no different than how I had been when I last saw him. I smiled in response before looking at Jacob questionably. Almost every other pair of eyes in the room matched mine. Well, except for Edward, who obviously knew what was going on.
"Quil and Embry have joined the pack- I mean my pack," Jacob said, twisting his face a little over having to say the pack was his. I had guessed the wolves had already covered all the obvious questions using their inter-mind communication. "Quil, Embry, come here," Jacob called his friends excitedly, walking over to where Edward held a shy Renesmee, hiding her face, "This is Ness-er-Renesmee." He used her full name for my benefit, no doubt. No one else seemed to have a problem with the monstrous nickname.
Like she had with Charlie, me, and not to mention the rest of the Cullen's, Renesmee immediately had all the attention of the newest members to Jacob's pack. She peeked up from under her long, dark lashes as Quil and Embry leaned in to take a closer look. Jacob looked like the proudest brother on earth as they admired her. Eventually, Renesmee turned her head so she could completely see the people she had just wrapped around her little finger, causing them to gasp as they took in her complete perfection. Renesmee turned back to Edward to pat his neck, asking him something.
"We'll have to see if they are comfortable with that," Edward said to her quietly, before turning his attention to the wolves for the first time. They must have asked the obvious follow up question.
"She wants to know if she can...talk to you, using her usual way of communicating." Edward spoke for Renesmee, who stared up at Quil and Embry with curiosity. They had obviously heard enough about Renesmee to understand what Edward was implying. Quil, always open to a challenge, reached his arms out first, and Edward handed Renesmee to them. I briefly remembered just how safe Renesmee was in their arms- after all, it would be completely unforgivable if a wolf harmed the object of another wolfs imprintation.
Renesmee, delighted with her new friends, was quick to start communicating with Quil and Embry (who had leaned in so she could talk to him too), and after the initial gasps of shock, they were nodding in agreement and understanding. I whispered to Edward, though everyone else in the room would no doubt hear.
"What is she telling them?" I asked curiously, watching how Quil seemed to understand whatever she was saying.
"She's making the link that he is a friend of Jacob. She's sharing the...bond...her and Jacob have," Edward replied just as quietly, his voice changing a little around the word 'bond'. That explained why Quil understood. Another human memory flashed into my head, one where Jacob told me how Quil had imprinted on Emily's two-year-old niece. It comforted me to have that explanation Jacob had given me how there was nothing romantic about the relationship.
Renesmee spent the remainder of the morning in the arm of Quil and Embry, who had accepted her without even thinking about it. It seemed as if Renesmee was completely irresistible, and after a few short hours, Quil and Embry seemed just as comfortable as Jake and Seth did. I had to admit I was a little jealous. It seemed as if every moment with Renesmee was precious, and as impossible as it was, I wanted her all to myself for the next few hours when she would be awake.
So it was a relief when she was finally returned to my arms, after pressing her hand against Embry's cheek and pointing in my direction. It felt as if she had always been there as she cradled in my arms, telling me by her normal means of communication all she had told Embry and Quil. I had to smile as she showed me how much she loved her parents, and how she had told Quil and Embry all about Charlie as well.
Edward must have been listening because he moved closer to us so he could put his arm around us, kissing Renesmee on the forehead as he saw just how perfectly happy our daughter was. Almost as if I had Jasper's gift, I could feel the happiness radiating out from Edward and Renesmee, and nothing pleased me more than their joy.
I am still deciding which event I will do for my next chapter, so it may be a few more days before the next update. If you have any events you want me to write about which occured during Bella's first 3 vampire months, please message me.