2. CELEBRATION
"HELLO CHARLIE!" ALICE'S VOICE CHIMED AS SHE SKIPPED THROUGH CHARLIE'S FRONT door. I shook my head in pretended embarrassment as I followed behind her. "I thought I'd come see if you needed any help setting up for the party. I brought over some decorations I've been working on."
"Oh, Alice, you didn't have to do that," Charlie protested, but there was a hint of relief in his rough voice. "I told everyone that I wanted to throw Renesmee a birthday party for once. This was supposed to be part of my gift to her."
"I know, I know," Alice smiled, picking up on the tone of relief instantly, "but you know I just can't help myself! Let me just show you what I have..." Alice gracefully placed her bag on the worn wooden chair beside the small kitchen table and pulled out a royal blue satin banner. Across the silky material could be read the phrase, "Happy Birthday Renesmee" in slightly shiny champagne-colored lettering she had stitched on during the night. She laid it gently across the table, allowing it to drape over the sides, and pulled out one of the many garlands of blue larkspur and creamy Bird's Eye day lilies she planned to utilize. Alice glanced up at Charlie's incredulous expression with an innocent expression.
I chuckled, knowing what he was thinking; the same thing everyone always thought. Here she goes again! Good gracious! But Alice didn't care that our family thought she was absurd or over-the-top, that Bella cringed at the mere mention of the word "party," knowing what it would entail if Alice were involved. Whatever their reaction, people rarely had the heart to tell her no.
"Wow," Charlie sighed, "That's definitely more than I had put together. I just bought some fancy paper plates and napkins, and a couple of rolls of crepe paper." He looked to me, obviously hoping for an understanding, "Hey, we're guys. What do we know?" I smiled at him sympathetically, trying carefully not to show too many teeth. Apparently I got it right because his mouth twitched until the right corner of his lips finally shifted upward in an amused smirk. "Okay," he shrugged, "I guess I need all the help I can get. Alice, my dear, decorate away!"
Alice's brilliant teeth -- which never seemed to scare humans -- reflected the light of the shabby floor lamp as a wide grin stretched across her face. Her visions had already shown her images of Charlie's eclectic house adorned in her own creative trimmings, but I assumed it was reassuring to know first-hand that her foresight wasn't always flawed.
"Thanks, Charlie! You won't be disappointed!" Alice's voice sang with excitement.
"Oh, no," I groaned, winking at Charlie, "Now we're in for it."
Alice rolled her eyes, but I could tell the excitement of "transformation" was overtaking her and I could see her mind swelling with ideas. She flitted halfway up Charlie's narrow staircase. Charlie sighed audibly and exited the room. I caught his eyes flashing briefly to the closet where his fishing gear was stored, no doubt debating whether he had enough time to get in a little sport, now that decorating was off his hands, before the guests arrived. He didn't have time, though, and I heard him shuffling around in the garage, apparently half-heartedly attempting to organize the tiny space.
"Jazz, can you hand me the flowers?" Alice asked as she sized up the banister. I pulled out another of the garlands and passed them through the railings up to her. As she worked I also extricated the long roll of champagne-colored chiffon, a few spools of blue ribbon, and four long ropes of twinkling lights. I carefully hung the satin banner Alice had sewn together in the entryway between the kitchen and the living room as my little decorator meticulously wrapped the delphiniums and lilies around the banister, intertwining the string of flowers through the spaces between the wooden dowels.
When she was done, Alice danced down the stairs and scooped the chiffon off the scratched and stained end table, delicately cut four, four-foot long pieces and draped them over each of the scuffed up wooden kitchen chairs. I helped her tie them securely on with the ribbon. She used the remainder of the chiffon as a table cloth. I stepped outside and hung up the twinkling lights outlining the door and windows, and wrapped the last two strands around the trunks of the Red Alders in Charlie's front yard. Alice came out to join me and look over the enhancements we had made with dissatisfaction. I knew for her it wasn't much, not at all what she was usually capable of or disposed to do, but it would have to suffice due to lack of time. Our family would be on their way very shortly. Alice had foreseen that Charlie's feelings -- and ego -- would be bruised if she asked in advance to help plan. Waiting until the last minute made Charlie feel relieved, made Alice an angel of party-planning mercy. Two weeks in advance would have been questioning his ability to actually pull the soiree together.
We returned to the house, Alice dusting off this counter top with her porcelain hand and swiftly tucking away that coat where it could not be seen. I peered out the window to make sure my own motorcycle (the shiny black Ducati Edward had purchased to ride with Bella before he had decided motorcycles were a Bella-and-Jacob-bonding-thing and had opted to give it to me. I had taken it happily -- that thing was fast! It could outrun Alice's Porsche, and the rush of wind against my face was like a high. It was incredible!), the one Alice and I had arrived to Charlie's on, was not visible. Though I doubted Chief Swan would lecture me or Alice about the hazards of motorcycling, it was better not to broach the subject at all. Let sleeping dogs lie; we might have to deal with his fury soon enough. Luckily I had parked strategically and unless Charlie went to take out the trash or something, he would never see it. He was unobservant enough that I doubted he'd think to question where our car was.
As Alice straightened the house, Charlie walked through the door from the garage carrying a small champagne-colored cake covered with little blue roses made out of frosting. He must have gone to the bakery earlier in the day and been keeping the cake in the freezer. It was kind of sweet, the way Charlie thought of his only granddaughter, like she was still a little girl who needed a frilly confection encrusted in flowers. I was surprised he had opted out of the Barbie cake, though Renesmee had never been much for dolls. I wondered whether Charlie would notice how his cake "coincidentally" happened to match Alice's decorations. He didn't.
"Looks good, Alice!" Charlie exclaimed as he set the cake down on the counter. He didn't seem to be wary or afraid of me as he had been so many years ago, but he still seemed more comfortable conversing with Alice. I supposed I couldn't blame him. Emmett and I were usually considered the most frightening of the Cullens to humans. Besides, this was all Alice's doing -- I merely followed orders. "I guess it did need a bit of a woman's touch, huh? Too bad Sue had to work today, she could have helped you."
"Will she be able to make it to the party?" Alice asked with feigned curiosity while she repositioned the cake in the center of the kitchen table. I was glad that Charlie had found someone like Sue to take care of him. I knew the thought had eased Bella's mind when she had moved out of Charlie's house to begin her new extended life with Edward six years ago. She had been even more ecstatic when a few years later Charlie and Sue had decided to make their relationship official and had gotten married in the small Forks chapel in town. It had been a day filled with happiness and a surprising kinship between the werewolves and vampires. I chuckled, too softly for Charlie to hear. The veritable Romeo and Juliet, the vampire's father and the werewolves' mother, ending the long vendetta with their union -- well, further easing tensions, anyway.
"Yeah, she'll be here, but she'll most likely be late. Her shift doesn't end at the hospital until six thirty," Charlie answered. "Seth's coming too."
I smiled. Seth had become like family to us.
"That's nice. Renesmee is very fond of her uncle," Alice gave Charlie a good-natured wink. Renesmee referred to all of us by familial titles; "Aunt Alice," "Uncle Jasper," "Grandma and Grandpa" for Esme and Carlisle... I had gotten used to being called "uncle" when Renesmee was a little girl, but I still thought it sounded strange for Carlisle and Esme to be referred to as grandparents, being that physically they would always remain in their twenties. I knew the title gave them pleasure, as this was a future they had long given up, but now that Renesmee looked as old as we all appeared, possibly even older, it was starting to feel a little unnatural. Seth Clearwater was the only "relative" Ness didn't feel the need to address with a formal title. Seth was more like a companion to her, someone who she joked and just had a good time with -- much like her Jacob, but without the unsettling soulmate quality attached to it.
I glanced at the rooster clock above the stove. It was just minutes shy of five o'clock. "They should be arriving any minute now."
As Alice fussed with the chiffon chair covers one last time I heard the distinctive roar of several engines about a mile or two down the road. I knew they were close and I felt an ardent feeling of satisfaction and contentment wash over me. Part of it was Alice's emotions, but most was all mine. The last six years had brought me nothing but intense, almost unrealistic, amounts of joy. My family was happy, together ... complete. It seemed appropriate that we should be celebrating the very life that gave us this sensation of wholeness. I gazed out the kitchen window and watched as Carlisle's Mercedes, Bella's Ferrari, and Jacob's vintage Rabbit appeared around the bend, racing at ridiculous speeds -- especially considering their destination was the residency of the Chief of Police himself -- and swiftly, but neatly, positioned themselves into street-side parking spots. Charlie wouldn't even have bothered to ask about the missing vehicles if they had decided to arrive without them today. He had been exposed to countless supernatural occurrences since Bella's addition to our family -- he rarely even flinched anymore when something bizarre or unexplainable happened. Even so, we all still made our best efforts to be as "human" as possible around him. Besides, carrying Renesmee's presents while running would have been a bit cumbersome.
Carlisle strolled around to the passenger door to open it for Esme at a very human pace, while Emmett and Rosalie exited out the back lugging two brightly wrapped packages in their sturdy arms. Emmett handed the large oblong bundle he was carrying to Carlisle and slung his now free arm over Rosalie's perfect shoulders. Edward and Bella emerged from the Ferrari, Bella holding a small rectangular present wrapped with simple brown parcel paper, garnished with a single yellow rose tied on with cream-colored raffia. Edward sauntered around to the trunk and scooped out a generous-sized box with an ample blue ribbon wrapped around and tied in a broad, lavish bow at the top. Jacob and Renesmee appeared outside the Rabbit strolling toward the house, swinging their entwined hands back and forth. In a way, Renesmee and Jacob were like Bella and Jacob if Bella's heart hadn't already belonged to my brother. They were the best of friends, but I wondered when they would be more. I knew it was just a matter of time.
Seth clambered out of the back seat of the Rabbit and followed closely behind them, still watching Jacob with adulation, still cheerful and exuberant. Ah, Seth. That kid was just so darned happy. After his mom had married Charlie, Seth had moved into Bella's old bedroom -- the first redecoration the room had undergone since Bella's birth, I'd been told -- though he still spent most his time down at La Push or over at our spacious house.
Leah, the only "family member" missing from this occasion, had seen her mother's move as the perfect opportunity to move herself. I had never really cared for Leah -- her emotions were always so negative, and they made me feel uncomfortable -- until Edward had relayed to me her tragic story. How she and Sam Uley had been high school sweethearts, pledged to be married, until Sam had imprinted on Leah's cousin and best friends, Emily Young. And then, as if that betrayal and heartbreak were not enough, Leah had become a werewolf and had to share Sam's thoughts, and he hers. Every loving memory Sam had with Emily, every tender moment, every passionate embrace -- Leah had to see it all, feel it all, as if she were living it too. And worse still, Sam heard her thoughts, her devastation, her pain, her rage -- all of it was laid bare for Sam to see. Leah couldn't even put on a brave face. Sam knew the truth, knew everything she felt.
After that story, I had seen Leah in a different light. I still didn't like to be around her, to have her pain and sadness and anger become my own, but I pitied her now -- a fact she would have ripped my throat out for if she had known. Well, she would have tried, anyway.
And so Leah had escaped when she had the chance, left her mother and brother and pack behind. And she had been glad to do so, I could tell. I wasn't sure quite where she had gone. Seth would tell us he'd received a letter or a call or a postcard from her from time to time. The last I had heard she was in Atlanta working as a waitress while she took some night courses. Seth said she was thinking about applying to college in the fall. I was happy for her. I wanted her to get as much peace and happiness from this cursed life as she could. She had no more control over what she had become than I had, and I knew the toll that could take on someone. If I had not found Alice, the reason for my existence, I would have been bitter indeed. Leah's temperament would have looked like a basket of kittens next to mine. I couldn't really regret the path my life had taken now, but for Leah, with no one ... I thought, as I often did when I thought of Leah (which, granted, was not often), that this whole imprinting business was quite unfair. Why did it happen to some and not to others? Leah's life would be so much more peaceful if she had just imprinted on someone. Instead she was left with the only memory of true love she had; a love that had torn her heart into a million pieces, stomped on it, and run it over with a tractor. Poor Leah. I hoped she did go to college, got something of her own. Maybe she'd find a new love the old-fashioned way.
The resonance of exuberant greetings filled the small house and warm embraces were given all around. I heard Charlie tense almost imperceptibly at Bella's warm "hello." For the most part, Charlie had long since gotten used to her now flowing, sweet voice; more like singing than speaking, but I assumed there was always a split second of subconscious reaction to the voice he had known so well, now somehow "wrong."
There were smiles and laughter and good-natured jibes as the company milled around Charlie's tiny home, settling into corners and chairs, leaning against walls and banisters. I grinned brightly as the warmth of the atmosphere permeated my senses. These were the moments when I was supremely grateful to possess my gifts. This emotional climate of love and happiness and overwhelming joy was certainly one I was glad to experience. Much better than the previous "family" climate of greed and hate and fear I had been surrounded by with Maria, my creator. I shook my head minutely to dispel the memories, looking down at my little Alice, positively glowing with exuberant anticipation. Although the presence of Jacob and Renesmee severely clouded Alice's visions, I didn't need her sight to see that this was going to be a delightful occasion. Smiling brightly, Alice leaned her head against my arm. I angled my head down and laid it on top of her hair, breathing a sigh of contentment. My hand searched for hers, easily locating her tiny, elegant fingers, and I began to stroke them tenderly with my own. As much as I was devoted to my entire family, I wouldn't be much without the love I had, and thankfully received in return, for my beloved angel.
"You remembered our gift, right?" Alice whispered to me, so softly it was barely audible.
"Where's your faith?" I teased, rolling my eyes and patting the right side of my coat, "It's safe and sound in my pocket." I squeezed her fingers tightly in my own.
As soon as the commotion died down a bit and everyone starting settling into the handkerchief-sized living room, Alice cleared her throat daintily and announced, "Time to open presents!"
"Jeez, Alice, way to cut to the chase," Emmett jeered. Everyone laughed and Alice stuck out her tongue. I knew she considered the giving and receiving of gifts to be the purpose of birthday parties. Besides, she was very excited to give Renesmee our gift.
Everyone turned their gaze to Renesmee, who was leaning over the back of the worn living room couch. It was astounding to look at her and remember that she was small enough to cradle in our arms just six short years ago. She was a grown woman now, and positively stunning, I might add. She was taller than her mother by about three or four inches, and lean and muscular like her father. Her face now looked as mature as Bella's, with the same deep soulful eyes the color of melted milk chocolate. Her eyes always seemed to have a sparkle in them, as though they were reflecting a sunset, lighting her face with a brilliance that was difficult to describe. She had Edward's straight nose and angular jaw, but Bella's high cheekbones. And just as Bella's cheeks used to flush an appealing pink when she became the center of attention, so Renesmee's face blazed at this very moment. Her snowy front teeth were biting down on her pouted bottom lip and her eyes were focused on the shag carpet beneath her. She had retained a little of that childish shyness she had exhibited as a toddler, apparently inheriting some of her mother's distaste for attention as well. She let her bronze cascading curls fall across her face, hiding some of her blush -- a habit she had acquired when she was only a few weeks old.
Jacob raised his foot and playfully kicked the back of her shoes. "Are you ready to be spoiled?" The corners of Renesmee's mouth raised in a childlike grin.
"I think I'm used to it by now," she giggled, as though she were turning her true age.
"Ooh, mine first!" Alice insisted, "Well, Jasper's and mine first." She shot me an apologetic glance. I just shook my head, smirking. I knew Alice tended to get carried away when she was gift-giving. I reached into my pocket and handed her the small, turquoise-colored box adorned with a simple white bow. I glanced at Renesmee's exquisite face and noticed the gleam in her eyes as she recognized the Tiffany's logo. She may be a bit averse to attention, but Renesmee was considerably more accepting of gifts than her mother -- not that she had much choice either way.
"Here you are, my darling niece! I hope you like it," Alice almost danced with anticipation as she handed Renesmee the tiny box.
"Oh, Aunt Alice, you know I love everything you give me -- you have impeccable taste. You two are the greatest!"
I could feel Rosalie's glare on my little gift-giver. Alice smiled brightly, trying to keep the smugness off her face. Rosalie and Alice were always a bit competitive when it came to their only niece.
"You've given us more than we thought to hope fore, Ness," I smiled fondly, and then added, "but you'd better open your gift before Alice combusts!"
"Okay, okay," Renesmee took a deep breath before pulling on one end of the silky white ribbon. She slowly and gently lifted the turquoise lid and moved the fluffy, flat swathe of cotton aside. "Ooh," she smiled broadly, and pulled out a short silver chain with a shiny silver heart-shaped pendant on the end. The heart was adorned with diamonds and bore an engraving etched onto the back.
"Read it," Alice cooed, sliding her delicate arm into mine.
Renesmee set the small box on the end table next to the couch and turned the delicate charm over. As she read she put her hand to her chest and I could feel the emotion emanating from her, reflected in her shining eyes.
"It's beautiful," she breathed in her melodic voice.
I glanced at everyone's faces out of the corner of my eye as they watched Renesmee curiously, wondering what had stirred up the sentiment. After a long minute she seemed to realize everyone's eyes were upon her.
"Oh," she said sheepishly, "Would you all like to see? I can pass it around." She handed the bracelet to Jacob so it could make its circulation. "Thank you Aunt Alice and Uncle Jasper!" she exclaimed, squeezing first Alice and then me tightly. "I love it," she crooned softly in Alice's ear.
"I'm glad," Alice purred back, passing her off to me. I held her affectionately.
I, of course, didn't need to see the dainty little bracelet to know why she was moved. Alice had selected a popular Tiffany's bracelet and pendant but had, of course, added her own personal touches. One side of the silver heart pendant was bordered in eight delicate half-carat diamonds that symbolized Renesmee's intimate and loving family. Alice had also allowed me to add a gesture of my own; an inscription engraved onto the reverse side of the charm, forever embossed on Renesmee's symbolic heart. The passage read, in tiny, elegant script:
Though your heart may wander far and wide
And home may not your notice keep
Our hearts will linger by your side
Our love eternal, strong, and deep
Keep our hearts with you, our darling little girl
Love forever and ever,
Jasper and Alice
It wasn't much, certainly no Tennyson or Whitman, but it was from the heart. I watched as everyone admired the gift. I was pleased that Renesmee liked it and the warmth and love it symbolized. Even though Alice failed to get picture-perfect reception on her unique foresight regarding Renesmee, she still had her natural "woman's instincts" -- what girl didn't love Tiffany's?
After the bracelet made its rounds, Renesmee resumed the gift opening. The first few presents seemed to center around developing her artistic talents -- giving her new skills to hone and hobbies to try.
"Challenge. Right." Rosalie snorted sarcastically when Esme prefaced hers and Carlisle's gift by explaining she wished to give her granddaughter a new "challenge."
"You never know," Renesmee shrugged, trying to control the twitch to her lips, "I'm bound to bad at something." Her eyes rolled to the ceiling and her mouth had finally curved upward in an amused expression.
"Yeah, yeah, you're perfect," Seth grinned, elbowing her playfully in the ribs, "Just open your present."
It was inevitable that Renesmee would eventually surpass her teachers in any subject, hobby, or skill -- it would have been seriously annoying if we didn't love her so much. Her musical prowess had always been one of Esme's favorite talents. Renesmee had been Edward's protégé while learning the piano until she was about two and a half -- then the torch was passed. After she had mastered the piano, she became bored with it, like all her other wide range of talents. Although she never seemed to lose her appreciation of the skills and knowledge she obtained so quickly, her desire to conquer the next thing that caught her interest took over. There were numerous pastimes she had taken up on a whim over the last several years, mastered, then set aside. She was amazing at all of them: designing and building doll houses, after she had seen the endless effort and zeal Esme poured into one of her own renovations (though she never had much patience for the dolls themselves); sailing the boat Edward had gotten her on nearby Lake Crescent; playing the violin; charcoal drawing; water painting; creating stained glass designs; play writing -- and directing ... just to name a few.
Esme and Carlisle handed her their gift, a Gibson Hummingbird electric-acoustic guitar and thick book entitled "The Guitar Bible." Ness had recently hinted at a desire to take up the guitar, and it seemed Esme couldn't pass up the chance to have the house filled with her vibrant music again.
Next was an expensive and lavish collection of oil paints, brushes, canvas, and paper from Edward, housed in a rich velvet and brocade cube box with antique silver fastenings. After mastering most other forms of painting and drawing, Edward had decided to encourage Renesmee to give oils a try. Although I appreciated Ness' magnificent gift in art, I didn't have a clue where we were going to hang anymore of her masterpieces.
Bella handed her daughter the next gift accompanied by a loving squeeze of the hand. Ness smiled and pulled out the yellow rose that was garnished on top of the plainly decorated package, holding it to her perfect, straight nose, inhaling the sweet floral scent. I thought this was more a "human gesture" than anything -- we could all smell the rose without its close proximity. She reached forward and stuck the stem in Bella's thick, dark hair behind her left ear. They exchanged little smiles that somehow communicated more than any of us could read. Renesmee and Bella had always shared a very unique -- and powerful -- bond. It was unbreakable. It had been since the moment they had laid eyes on one another. Even though Renesmee's intellect probably surpassed all of ours -- maybe even put together -- she ran to Bella for everything. She longed for her advice, knowledge, approval ... anything Bella could offer her. Of course, the love Bella had for her only daughter extended through space and time and back again. I knew she felt creating and carrying Renesmee was the best thing she had ever done.
With another meaningful smile, Renesmee turned back to her gift and untied the the raffia bow. As she traced her dainty finger under the brown parcel paper and lifted the tape up to expose the two antique books underneath, I mentally thanked my lucky stars that Renesmee had not inherited her mother's proclivity for paper cuts. The books were an original edition of Idylls of the King and a Selection of Poems by Alfred Tennyson -- Renesmee knew the sentimental value of this book immediately, as she remembered learning to read as her mother recited the poems to her every night -- and an early edition of Emma by Jane Austen. Renesmee accepted her mother's gift and looked into her deep eyes with admiration.
"Wow. Thanks, Mom. I don't know what to say," she breathed, admiring the aged leather.
"Nothing some intense Google searches and a lot of bribery couldn't accomplish," Bella had grinned, waving her hand nonchalantly, "But I'm glad you like them."
Seth's gift was simple; two CDs, one burned at home and labeled in his own messy scrawl (I recognized the title immediately: "Werewolves In London" by Warren Zevon, a song Seth, Jacob, and Renesmee would belt out after a successful hunting trip. It was funny the first couple times, but now I just rolled my eyes when I heard them approaching in the distance, singing their hearts out while racing back toward the house.), the other was shiny and new and boasted dark, artistic cover art -- a new band I had heard of once or twice, thanks to Edward's musical predilection, called the "Young Werewolves." How fitting, I thought, smiling.
Renesmee pulled the rather dilapidated ribbon from Seth's parcel and leaned over to Jacob, wrapping the bedraggled bow around his forehead.
"Tarzan-style," she snickered.
"Shouldn't the birthday girl get to wear the trimmings?" Jacob grimaced as he allowed his one-and-only to fasten the blue ribbon behind his head, "At least let me have the rose." He eyed Bella's rose with sarcastically covetous eyes.
"It's my party and I'll style my guests as I want to!" she sang the words in her new silly rhythm. Jacob shook his head, flashing her a radiant smile. It was amazing the things
Jacob would let Ness do to him -- that imprinting business was truly incredible, or dreadful, depending on how you looked at it. If anyone had told me seven years ago that Jacob Black would play Antony and Cleopatra in a palace made of couch cushions and a costume made of Alice's gold-sequined scarves and lamé belt; or that he would compose -- rather lamentable -- poetry to recite to little Ness draped in Rosalie's favorite sea-blue velvet dress as she leaned out Edward's old window when she had gone through her Romeo and Juliet phase; or allowed his thick, shaggy wolf fur to be braided into a thousand tiny braids, each tied with a yellow ribbon ... I would never have believed it. I couldn't help grinning at the memory. And I thought Emmett was whipped!
I recalled my attention to the festivities as Renesmee opened the proffered box from Charlie. The package was long, skinny, and white, and was tied with sparkly red ribbon curled into tight ringlets at the ends. I was quite certain the embellishment was not Charlie's doing. I noted the hopeful expression creeping upon Charlie's face as Renesmee opened the box and extricated a heavy aluminum baseball bat.
"It's a Louisville Slugger!" Charlie exclaimed with enthusiasm.
"It's wonderful!" Renesmee cried delightedly as she examined the bat in greater detail. It had a long black handle with a sturdy silver barrel and the word "Warrior" scrolled in bold red and white letters across the widest section. "Remind me to thank Sue when she gets home, too."
I was glad, for Charlie's sake, that Renesmee had outgrown her childhood habit of non-verbal communication while in his presence. I knew Charlie had started to worry that maybe Ness was afraid of him or didn't like him, as the months had stretched into a year, then two, without a word from his granddaughter in his presence. It was probably realizing that very concern that had prompted Ness to speak her first words to her grandfather on her third Christmas, after Charlie had given her -- at Sue's suggestion -- a chest of dress-up clothes he had accumulated from various thrift stores, friends, and shops. Charlie's face had gone blank with surprise when the high, clear,
"Thank you, very much, Grandpa," had flowed from Renesmee's mouth. Charlie's own mouth had fallen open in surprise, though Renesmee smiled at him innocently, as though nothing were unusual.
"Um, well, you're, ah, you're quite welcome, sweetheart," he had stuttered, but moments later there had been a grin plastered across his face that didn't budge for the rest of the evening.
"Of course, honey. Well, we know how much you all like to play baseball together, so we thought a brand new bat of your very own was appropriate. I, uh, bought a bat for myself, too," Charlie admitted sheepishly, "I figured this way I can join you next time you're up for a game."
Emmet groaned, too softly for Charlie to hear, and we all exchanged anxious glances. We knew that we'd have to tone it down and play at human strength and speed if Charlie were to join us. It would be a tortuous game for all of us, but for Charlie's enjoyment we would bear it.
Renesmee playfully took a swing with her new bat -- quite a show of dexterity in Charlie's tiny living room -- and Jacob dove backward pretending to catch her fly ball. They laughed together, amused at their own antics. I saw Edward shake his head in disapproval. We all knew it was just a matter of time before things turned more serious for the two of them. For goodness sakes, they were destined for each other -- you would think Edward would have gotten used to it by now. You would think I would have gotten used to it by now. And she wasn't even my daughter, technically. I supposed even Bella still turned a little squeamish at the thought of her best friend and her only child creating a life of their own someday.
"All right, enough goofing around, you two. Don't your favorite aunt and uncle get to give you their present?" Rosalie interjected as Alice shot her an annoyed glare. Rose, of course, ignored Alice's narrowed expression and extended her hand to Renesmee, offering a daintily wrapped gift.
Renesmee took it and unwrapped very carefully, trying not to tear the smooth, powdery pink paper. As the book underneath slowly became visible, Renesmee's brow began to pucker in confusion. She must have realized quickly the face she was making, because she promptly smoothed her expression to one of polite interest.
Rosalie and Emmett let out a little snicker at her reaction and she flashed her aunt and uncle a flustered look, wondering what the joke was.
"What?" Emmet questioned, trying to hold back the guffaw he was dying to let loose, "Isn't that what you wanted?"
"Umm ... yeah, it's great," Renesmee struggled to articulate her words, "I actually don't know much about motorcycles. I'm sure it will be an interesting read," she held up the book entitled Motorcycle: Evolution, Design, Passion by Mick Walker.
Rosalie, Emmett, and Jacob burst out laughing. Edward ground his teeth and grunted, while Bella put her hand around his arm and squeezed gently. Though Bella had convinced him that there truly was no danger in Renesmee riding a motorcycle, Edward had conceded with poor grace. I knew he was still irritated and a little anxious about the intended gift.
Charlie's face was anticipating something he knew he wasn't going to like, and Alice tensed. I guessed she had just foreseen a clear picture of Charlie's strong objection to the next turn of events. I gritted my teeth but didn't say anything. Though I had no problems with the present, I had been opposed to the intended location of the presentation. Why had they decided to unveil the motorcycle here? Jacob knew how strongly Charlie was opposed to motorcycles (and I could only imagine how much more strongly he'd object to his only grandchild riding one), so why upset him? Alice had already warned them about the renowned Charlie-fit the gift would unleash -- who in their right mind would question Alice? I growled to myself softly. Stubborn as a mule Rosalie, that's who. I supposed I could ease the coming tension if need be, but I was annoyed at the necessity.
Renesmee looked at Jacob in dismay. She could easily conclude Emmett and Rosalie were up to something, but she couldn't figure out why Jacob would have anything to do with it.
"Why don't we cut the cake and let these troublemakers get ahold of themselves," Alice chimed abruptly. Rosalie shot her an abrasive look, followed by the incredulous faces of Emmett, Jacob, Renesmee, and Charlie.
Alice walked determinedly into the tiny kitchen, dragging me behind her, hoping, I was sure, that people would follow our lead. I looked over my shoulder and noticed Carlisle, Esme, Edward, Bella, and Seth following quickly behind, looking as uncomfortable as I did. The rest of the party remained in the living room with confusion -- or livid irritation in Rosalie's case -- stamped on their features.
"C'mon, everyone! Whatever your little prank was, I'm sure it can wait until later," Alice strongly emphasized the last word, raising her eyebrows and giving them a stern look.
Emmett huffed a loud sigh and swung his huge arm around Rosalie's neck, pulling her grudgingly toward the kitchen. When she was close enough Alice whispered under her breath, "Now is not the time!"
"When will you ever mind your own business?" Rosalie hissed back, swinging her long golden hair in Alice's face. I clenched my fists in annoyance. A line from "Gone With the Wind," threatened by Rhett to Scarlett, flipped into my mind, as it often did in Rosalie's presence:
"I've always thought a good lashing with a buggy whip would benefit you immensely."
Well, there wasn't much I could -- or was willing -- to do about Rosalie. We usually just ignored her and considered her Emmett's problem.
Charlie eventually made it into the kitchen, shaking his head like he always did when the Cullen family did something odd or inexplicable. Jacob and Renesmee remained in the living room leaning against the back of the couch, Ness' eyes pressing Jacob for answers as she bit down on her bottom lip. I wondered whether he would cave and admit everything -- I had never known him not to give Ness her way.
I heard a car's engine as it slowly approached the house and listened as the vehicle made its way into Charlie's driveway. Good. Sue's home. Maybe Alice could convince Jacob that he should reveal the motorcycle at some other place and time during this small distraction and save us all the commotion. Sue's driver side door slammed shut and her soft footsteps padded across the walk and up the porch steps until she opened the front door.
"Happy birthday, Nessie!" she called excitedly as she stepped into the foyer, pulling off her coat and hanging it by the door. "Sorry I'm late -- Melinda and Dr. Gerandi called in sick. You should be glad you have the night off, Carlisle."
"Do they need any help?" Carlisle asked, his voice full of concern.
"Oh, no, they're handling everything just fine. There was just an hour or two where we thought the emergency room's walls were closing in on us! It wasn't really that busy, though. Typical, huh?" she shook her head and laughed as she walked over to Renesmee. "How's your party so far, sweetie? Did you already open your gifts?"
"Most of them," she shot a glance at Jacob who quickly studied his shoes, "Thank you so much for the baseball bat! I can't wait to use it!"
"It's a Louisville Slugger, you know," Sue explained, as though she had been coached. She strolled toward the kitchen and Renesmee and Jacob followed her.
"Yeah, I know. It's great!"
"Sue, come and have some cake!" Alice's voice rose in crescendo as she sliced the knife dexterously into the frosting, smoothly cutting five moderately-sized pieces. She placed the pieces onto the paper plates Charlie had provided and starting handing them to Sue, Seth, Charlie, Jacob, and Renesmee. Charlie was the only one at the party who didn't know the specifics of why we Cullens didn't eat human food, but he was used to the odd behavior and chose not to ask, sticking to his "need-to-know" statute. Renesmee didn't prefer to eat human food, but I assumed she would choose to be polite since it was her birthday cake.
Alice handed Jacob his plate last and nodded her head back toward the living room, hinting for him to follow. I watched through my peripheral vision, pretending to be absorbed in Carlisle and Sue's discussion about events at the hospital. Luckily no one ever expected me to talk much, so it was easy to feign absorption while my thoughts were elsewhere. I listened as Alice walked Jacob through the living room and over to the staircase where they would be out of direct sight from the others. Jacob gave her a look like he knew what was coming.
"Look, Alice, I may not read minds, but I know what you're thinking," he grumbled defensively.
"Okay, then, what do you think? I know Rosalie won't be too pleased to hold off on the unveiling, but you know first hand how Charlie will react. This has been such a lovely evening, don't spoil it now... Not for Renesmee," I knew the last part would seal the deal. Jacob was worse than all of us -- he would do whatever it took to keep the love of his life happy. We all tried not to make it a habit to manipulate his feelings in this regard, but I guessed Alice felt little remorse about making the exception now.
"I guess it wouldn't be such a big deal to give it to her later, back at the house," Jacob slumped, knowing he had lost, "But, hey, you're telling blondie! That girl has a tem-per! I don't know how Emmett deals!"
"Oh, please, I've been dealing with Rosalie for nearly fifty years. She comes off like she fights like a bull, but she concedes quicker than you might think. Her emotions are impulsive, to say the least, but she's smart, and she loves Renesmee -- she comes around to the more sensible solution most of the time."
Jacob gave her a weak grin and raised his arm to lay his massive hand on her shoulder. It was an odd picture, giant Jacob and miniscule Alice next to one another, each accentuating the other's size.
"You're all right, Alice."
"It's about time you realized it, dog," she trilled with a wink and a smile, "Let's go join the others."
They sauntered back to the kitchen with their arms linked together like they were old chums. Alice caught my indulgent smirk and released Jacob's arm, shooting him one more fleeting simper. She danced over to my side lightly, laying her porcelain hand upon my arm.
"So ... catastrophe avoided?" I asked as I stroked the side of her jaw with my fingers, proceeding down the nape of her neck. Alice's satin skin felt so tantalizing, I had to focus on the next set of playful words out of her mouth. Oh ... and I had to breathe ...
"Oh, you know me. The peacemaker is triumphant once again. Did you really ever doubt me?"
"Not in a million years," I chuckled, leaning down to press my lips to her forehead. I lingered there for a moment, inhaling her scent, then I slowly turned my body toward the rest of the party.
"I need to go smooth things over with Rose," Alice sighed, her expression clouding, "Give me a sec, 'kay?" She gave my hand a quick squeeze.
"Would you like any ... help?" I asked, raising my eyebrow. Rose -- and Emmett, for that matter -- would be none too happy with me if I did "assist," but if Alice wanted me to I'd accept their irritation later.
"Thanks, Jazz, but I think it's best in the long run for me to talk to her without any assistance from the metaphysical realm. She wouldn't be too happy when the pseudo-calm faded."
"Yeah, I know," I agreed, somewhat relieved, "Good luck." I grinned at her, imagining Rosalie's pouting reaction. Alice twirled like a dancer to face Rosalie, sulking on the other side of the kitchen as she leaned her head into Emmett's broad chest. Alice sighed softly and then started toward her. Again I watched her from the corner of my eye, not wanting to call any more attention to the quiet dispute than necessary. As she neared our most self-centered sister, Alice suddenly halted and narrowed her eyes at Edward. He shook his head almost imperceptibly. I felt a twinge of annoyance. Their little non-verbal conversations could be so obnoxious -- though in this case I thought I could guess what Edward was relaying.
Edward turned and meandered back toward the living room. I rolled my eyes, realizing how ridiculous this was becoming. I could see Alice was doing the same, but she followed behind him anyway. I turned my body slightly to keep them in my view. Charlie or Sue would never notice that my attention was not on the various conversations -- not that they noticed me much anyway. Other than Charlie's vaguely uncomfortable reaction to my presence, my general silence and standoffishness seemed to place me on the periphery of his notice, as it had once done with Bella.
Once Edward and Alice had reached the staircase, Edward started in on her in a low voice. I had to strain my ears to hear them.
"Drop it, Alice. She's already planning on sneaking out and riding the motorcycle back to the house tonight after the party and giving it to Renesmee there. She's just disappointed that she'll have to wait -- her book was hardly the gasp-inducing gift she had planned on giving -- and she hates to admit you were right."
Alice looked annoyed at his words and I could feel the subtle anger in her. I couldn't blame her -- Drop it, Alice -- could he be more patronizing? Edward was infamous for his epic overreactions. Weren't we all trying to get him to be the reasonable one half the time, the one who needed to drop it?
"I apologize for my poor choice of words," he responded sincerely after hearing her agitated thoughts, "I just didn't want you to waste your breath. Rose understands why it isn't the most appropriate time. She just needs her fifteen minutes to pout."
Alice relaxed, accepting the apology instantly. It was hard for her to stay mad at Edward.
"Well ... thanks for letting me know. I wasn't exactly looking forward to broaching the subject. I should set things right with her later, though -- after she gets most the moping out of her system," Alice's lips twitched into a wicked smirk, "Maybe I should let her and Em 'sleep' on it."
Edward shook his head, grimacing at her lewd innuendo. "Well, that was an image I did not need in my head. Thanks, sis."
"Whatever. How do you keep it out of your head, reading their thoughts all the time?"
"It is not without effort, believe me," he wrinkled his nose.
"I guess that's one of the drawbacks of eavesdropping on people's thoughts all day," Alice sniffed sarcastically, "Shall we return to your daughter's sixth birthday party?"
"Six. Incredible. I would be ecstatic if she were physically and intellectually turning six ... so much less to worry myself sick about," he groaned.
"Well, think about what you put Charlie through with Bella," Edward shot her a horrified look. Alice continued quickly, "I'm not judging, I'm simply pointing out that it's the circle of life. You put Charlie through hell, unintentionally of course, but now the shoe's on the other foot. Now you know what it's like. You were once the overprotective boyfriend, and now you're the overprotective father," she snickered, elbowing her favorite brother in the ribs as they returned slowly to the kitchen.
"Yeah, maybe it's karma," Edward mumbled. Then he grinned wickedly and, in a movement as quick as lightning, moved his hand to the top of Alice's head, suddenly ruffling her hair.
"Hey now!" Alice protested with real annoyance. We all knew not to mess with Alice's hair -- she was almost as particular about it as Rosalie.
"Here, Jazz, take her back please," Edward chuckled as he picked her up and handed her off to me.
"If I have to," I answered, grinning. Alice stuck her tongue out at me as I pulled her into my waiting arms. I rested my chin on her already-flawless hair and wrapped my arms around her tiny waist. I rocked her back and forth slowly, just appreciating the occasion. My little Renesmee, our little miracle. Six years old. And if that weren't enough, a woman now. I watched her as she wiped three fingerfuls of frosting across Jacob's mouth, laughing exuberantly. Jacob, of course, took it without retaliation, as Renesmee knew he would. I stiffened slightly as Ness wiped one elegant finger across Jacob's chin, removing a touch of frosting, and delicately stuck her finger in her mouth, licking it off. The action seemed innocent enough, but I couldn't help noticing the undertones to it. Maybe I was reading things into the situation. I had felt nothing new from Renesmee, no change in her friendly, possessive feeling for Jacob. There was nothing romantic there -- at least not on her side.
After another couple hours of chatting and reminiscing, some loose-made plans for a game of baseball in the upcoming week, and three more helpings each of cake for Jacob and Seth, the party began to wind down. As much as I enjoyed these family functions, the necessity of "acting human" and breathing in the enticing scent of Charlie and Sue's blood for an entire evening began to wear on me, and I was anxious to leave. Maybe I should enroll in school again somewhere, just to get desensitized to the smell of humans again. I sighed. When would this ever be easy for me, the way it was for Carlisle, the way it appeared to be for Bella and Edward? If I was being truthful with myself, no one seemed to have much difficulty being in close proximity with humans ... except me. Gah! The weakest link. Still.
Alice, as she so often did, seemed to sense my tension. She took my arm and brushed her fingers along my clenched jaw reassuringly.
"We'll go soon," she promised in a whisper so low, I doubted even the immortals would hear it. I nodded my head the merest fraction of an inch.
"It's too bad you boys finished off the cake," Charlie chuckled as he rubbed his stomach, "I'm starting to get a little hungry."
Sue rolled her eyes blatantly and walked to the kitchen, but there was a smile on her broad face. She began pulling various ingredients out of the fridge, setting them on the counter. I wondered if Charlie ever ate leftovers anymore. Sue was an excellent cook, and even if there had been food remaining from a meal, I doubted she'd consider it "proper" to serve it to her new husband. Besides, if Seth's appetite at our house was any indication, I was certain edible provisions did not last long in this house.
"I think we'd better go home ourselves," Carlisle said politely as he rose to say his goodbyes. He left the allusion to supper as no more than a hint -- none of us wanted to spark Charlie's curiosity about what we actually did eat.
"Oh, well, if you have to," Charlie replied, his eyes darting furtively to the television. I knew his desire to be polite was warring with kick-off. I tried not to smile. Charlie was as relieved as I was that we were leaving.
"It was a wonderful party, Grandpa. Thank you," Renesmee bubbled as she gave her grandfather a warm hug.
"I'm glad you liked it," Charlie grinned sincerely, patting Ness on the back. "And let me know when you want to try out your present," he hinted again.
"Whenever the weather permits," Ness promised, "Thank you, Sue. I'm so glad you could make it."
"Oh, it was my pleasure honey. I can't believe you're, well--" she seemed to stumble over the words. I guessed she had been planning to say "six," but she decided against it. "--all grown up," she finished awkwardly. Renesmee smiled politely.
Charlie hugged Esme and Rosalie goodbye, shaking Carlisle's hand warmly and slapping Jacob on the back. Emmett and I received awkward nods and forced smiles, which was all right with me. Alice pranced up to Charlie, embracing him enthusiastically and planting a kiss on his cheek. I bit my lip. Charlie's answering blush sent a twinge of fire down my throat. I swallowed, feeling annoyed with Alice and ashamed of myself.
"Thanks for everything, Alice. The place looked great."
"No problem. Thanks for letting me force my help on you," she laughed her silver wind chime laugh. I edged further out the door, hinting that it was time for us to go. Alice ignored me, turning to Sue. "We had a lovely time, Sue. I'm so glad you were able to get away from the hospital. The family wouldn't have been complete without you."
"Er, thanks," Sue managed. As much as she adored Renesmee and had come to love Bella, as Charlie's daughter, perhaps even admired Carlisle as a gifted doctor, Sue had never quite gotten over her aversion to the rest of us. She certainly didn't share her son's sincere liking or Jacob's acquired comfort with us. Just as Leah had never really trusted or cared for us, so Sue remained more resolutely polite than anything else to the majority of the Cullen family. I didn't mind -- I felt the same way about many of the werewolves -- but Alice was determined to win her over. It was going to be a long battle.
Alice flashed Sue a dazzling smile, hugged Seth tightly, then pirouetted out the door to my side. Edward and Bella lingered behind, Bella unwilling to part from her father so soon.
I walked with Alice's tiny hand in mine around the side of the house to the Ducati. The dull glow of the back porch light glinted off the glossy black paint. Alice sighed.
"I don't know why you're so fond of this thing," she sniffed, swinging her leg over the seat behind me with such grace she looked like she were performing Swan Lake. "It always messes up my hair."
I chuckled. "Though it's true there are better ways to mess up your hair," I looked over my shoulder at her, grinning mischievously, "this one is almost as fun."
Alice rolled her eyes, but couldn't help smiling back.
"So, we're hunting?" she said, more of a statement of fact than a question. She had already seen that after the evening of pulsing human heartbeats I would feel disposed to hunt. I felt guilty again, then angry. Why was I the only one, the only one...
"You did wonderfully tonight. Don't be so hard on yourself."
I frowned but still didn't speak. I walked the bike down the road a bit so Charlie wouldn't hear the roar as I kick-started the engine to life -- at least, if he did hear it he wouldn't know it was me. Alice wrapped her arms securely around my waist, pressing her face into my back. I liked the way this felt, Alice's arms tight around me as I protected her from the elements. Well, protected her hair, anyway. We accelerated toward the big white house, gaining speed. I wondered whether I could push the Ducati past a hundred and sixty...
The wind rushed against my face and I felt that exhilaration, that high, that only reckless speed could bring. This was pretty close to perfection -- practically flying through the trees with Alice close beside me, holding me tightly... The weakest link wasn't doing so badly, I guess. Alice would keep me on the wagon so I could look myself in the mirror. The rest would come in time.