Chapter 19

Nessie's POV

A Bet and A Surprise

"Nessie!" I can hear someone screaming my name, but I can't tell who, so I keep running.

"Nessie!" This time the voice is closer, but more unfamiliar.

Then I hear a voice that stops me in my tracks. It's Jacob. "Run! Go Nessie!" I can't. I can't do it. I can tell by the sound of his voice that he's in trouble and there's no way I'm leaving him now.

Just as I turn to run everything goes black. It takes me a minute to realize I was having a nightmare. My heart's racing and I can't seem to catch my breath. I can feel the tears pooling in my eyes, and I can't seem to stop them.

I don't realize what has woken me up until I hear the soft vibrations coming from the side table. I realize that my cell phone is glowing with a new text message.

I swipe the illogical tears-I know I was only dreaming-away from my eyes and I look at my cell phone, as I grab it off the nightstand.

I unlock my phone and read the message. I see that it's from Alice, and it reads, Be prepared-more vampires to arrive throughout the day. I flop back onto the bed, not wanting to face the other vampires who are coming today, not because I don't appreciate them coming, or because I don't like them, but just because I don't want to worry about the Volturi coming any more. Apparently they've already started terrorizing me in my dreams.

I realize, by glancing at the clock that it's already 4:15, so there's really no point in going back to sleep. I do, however, curl into Jacob, trying to wash the memory of the dream away.

It works. Ok, not really, but it does assure me that he's here, right next to me, and not in any danger. I close my eyes briefly but as soon as I do the setting and feel of the dream overtake me and I tense up jerking my eyes open.

Jacob seems to sense my distress and he wakes up quickly, his arms tightening reflexively.

"What's wrong Renesmee?" He whispers, his voice soothing me immensely in the darkness.

"Nothing." I hate how my voice wavers, because I know he will be able to tell that I'm lying.

"Ness, come on you can trust me." He sounds sad that I'm keeping something from him.

"No, it's not that Jacob. I trust you with anything. I am keeping the from you solely because I don't want to worry."

I can sense his frown in his voice. "Renesmee, you can tell me anything. Even if it will make me worry about you. That's what I do. We both know that."

"Yeah, but I worry about you. And that means when you worry about me I worry about you. Are you following me here?"

"Yes. Regardless, will you please tell me?"

I let out a dramatic sigh but pull him close to me. "Just don't worry ok?"

"No promises."

I smirk a little, though he can't see me and I rest my hand gently on the side of his face. I call the dream back into my mind and carefully send them into Jake's.

He freezes, and I pull my hand away from his face, instead wrapping my arms around his neck.

"It's ok Ness, I'm right here." He recovers fast, and wraps his arms around my waist tightly, pulling me as close to him as possible. "I'm sorry."

I laugh lightly into his neck. "For what?"

"I'm just sorry that you had to dream that."

"It's not something you can control."

"I know that. I just…."

"Worry about me."

He chuckles lightly. "Sure, we'll go with that." He's quiet for a minute, thoughtful. "Why didn't you wake me?"

"I thought I did for a minute. What with the crying and the freaking out."

"Nessie!" Jacob manages to pull me impossibly closer. "You were crying? Why didn't you wake me up?"

"I was distracted." I say, rolling just enough in Jake's vice grip to grab my phone. I hold it in front of his face so he can read Alice's message. "Oh."

"Yeah, that's what woke me up."

"Sorry?" It's a question, because he's not sure I wanted to be woken up.

"It's a good thing."

"Well than remind me to thank Alice for her impeccable timing."

"Will do." I say with a smile. Unfortunately my happiness bubble is short lived, and I know Jacob needs to get ready for his patrol. "You have to go."

"Mmm…" It's a groan, but it's a question as well. It's one of those things I just know.

"It's about 4:15."

"Then I have forty five minutes."

"I suppose so." I sigh, sitting up, and reaching for the nightstand where my lamp rests. I switch it on and warm yellow light floods my room, making it radiate warmth and comfort. I smile, then turn to Jacob.

"Breakfast?" I pretty much know the response before I hear it.

"Always."

"That's what I thought, but I want to get dressed first, give me… ten minutes?"

"Somehow I don't think you can get ready that fast."

"Is that a challenge?"

"Maybe…"

"You're on. I bet I can be ready in ten minutes."

"I still don't believe you." He says with a smirk, "But I bet I can be done first."

"Yeah right." I scoff obviously disbelieving. "Whatever, loser cooks breakfast." This is sort of mean because I knowthat the closest Jake gets to cooking is making a sandwich.

"Deal."

I hop off the bed, and dash to my closet, grabbing things to get ready for a quick-less than five minute shower-and I literally run, at an inhuman speed, to the main house.

I race through the back door, and call to the vampires who are lounging on the couch-at least the ones I see, "I'm trying to win a bet. Can't talk now."

I hear their chuckles as I rush through my shower. I use my vampire speed to finish in under two minutes, and I hop out, drying off and slipping into the clothes I chose, despite the November chill in the air.

I decided to wear a teal dress that I've had for a few months now. It's two separate parts but it's lacy and simple with a chocolate brown belt circling the waist. I dash down the stairs quickly, running out the door, ignoring the laughter I hear coming from the living room, probably because I look silly running with all my things with wet hair and no shoes, but no one stops me.

I am pleased when I burst through the door without seeing Jacob there, which satisfies me that I've won. Even so, I go into the bedroom and quickly blow dry my hair which takes about a minute because I have a high powered blow dryer that is amazing, and I go through my assortment of jewelry settling on a simple silver necklace with a pendant that has a knot design.

When I step away from the mirror I smile, because I actually look pretty good. My long brownish hair falls in loose curls over my shoulders and the dress is casual but nice looking, which can only help me when I'm surrounded by a bunch of drop dead gorgeous vampires.

I head back into the kitchen, putting some bacon in a pan and starting my cooking just as Jake comes into the house.

"I win!" I call in a sing songy voice.

He looks stunned, though I can't quite tell if it's because he lost or because of what I'm wearing, or maybe it's because I'm cooking for him anyway.

I shrug, "I decided to have mercy on you. I proved my point, and I am still going to make you some food."

"Thanks Ness." He still looks shocked, and I think, judging by the way he's eyeing me from head to toe, it's because of what I'm wearing. "Isn't it a little cold for dresses?"

I giggle. "Not when you have werewolf temperature." I tease, "You know, mom would laugh and say something like 'this coming from the boy who often goes shirtless.'"

Jake chuckles. "Either way, you look good."

"Thanks, you too. Now, let me finish cooking or you won't have time to eat before you leave."

By the time I've fed him and shooed him out of the house it's closer to 5:15, but I'm not worried. Knowing Jake his real patrol doesn't start until 5:30 and he wanted to be early. Jacob is never late for patrol. He takes his 'duty' very seriously when it comes to the pack.

I skip into the main house and the Denali clan all look at me expectantly.

"What?" I ask, slightly confused.

"Did you win?" Tanya asks, bouncing a little in her seat.

"Of course." I say flippantly, and a little cocky. "Thanks for asking."

"No problem."

"You'll be happy to know that I also tried my talent with my mom and dad. It worked, still clear and everything."

"That's wonderful Renesmee." Carmen says smiling-she, much like my mother, uses my given name more than most.

"We're also supposed to be expecting more vampires today, at random intervals."

"Oh? Who?" Kate sounds intrigued.

"Not a clue. Alice only texted, feel free to read it if you want to." I toss her my phone and she does read the text.

"Not very helpful." She grumbles, obviously joking.

"When they get back you will just have to file a complaint." We all laugh a little.

Then, suddenly, the laughter is broken up by wolf howls-not a 'trouble' howl, but another 'they're here' howl. I just wish I knew who 'they' was.

"We have more guests!" I say, moving towards the front door.

I pull it open, only to be shocked into silence at who is on the other side.

He he he! I am being devious, leaving you with a cliff hanger like that. Sorry! But it had to be done, don't hate me. I didn't want things getting too boring despite the wait for the Volturi to come. So... tell what you think. Who's at the door? Is it ond person? Two? Three? Why is it shocking? Come on! Please I'd love to hear your thoughts though, honestly I am hoping you don't guess right because I don't want to be predictable. Hmm... I am a bundle of contradictions: 'tell me what you think but only if you're not thinking what I'm thinking.' Don't listen to that part of me. I want to hear what you thought, not just about the cliff hanger but about the whole chapter.

Hope you liked it. OH! And please check out my profile, towards the bottom where I keep my story summaries so that you can see photos of Nessie's outfit and jewelry from this chapter. Hope you like what I am doing with the characters, but please, if you don't let me know.

Thanks for all your help, support, and encouragement.