Chapter Three
"Baby, we're here." I smell that intoxicating woodsy scent being blown on me with every word, and I smile.
"Jacob." I groan, realizing I had fallen asleep with my head in his lap. "What time is it?"
There's a pause for a moment, but not a pause of silence, for there are people talking and the engines running oh so loud. "About 3:45." And he yawns, his words proving themselves.
I open my eyes to see his half asleep face above me. Starting to get up and leave, I see a face – a face that halts me right then and there. My breath catches and the world changes.
He looks right at me, his black eyes just as hypnotizing as Jacob's… but maybe even more so. His lips pull up at the corners, and–
"Uh, Renesmee?" A voice says, but not his, for that beautiful smile is still set in place, but slowly beginning to fade.
I break eye contact, disappointed, and turn to Jake as he called.
"What?" I say. And then the energy in the cabin shifts, and I glance back at mystery boy to see him gone. I frown, but turn back to Jake.
He gazes at me, his expression strange and unreadable, but he goes on to say, "Nothing," and gets up off his seat. He reaches upward to reach for our carry-ons – his pack and my purse. Seeing the cabin nearly empty, we start on our way out to exit.
Once we are out and have gotten my trunks off the other plane, I rummage through my hot pink leather bag with the big fat R on it. I find my cell phone to switch airplane mode to off. It vibrates multiple times, and I see that most of my messages are from Alice. They tell me of where she will pick me and Jacob up, and when she will be there.
As we head on over to the proper gate, I hold Jacob's hand and rub my thumb, comforting him as always. I think, I love you, hopefully easing away his worries of what had happened before, still not sure what he was going to say.
But oh, that boy… I have never met another boy such as him him, never even seen someone quite like him… besides Jacob of course. Although I'm not sure what that was even about, I just brush it off like it had been nothing, and just keep walking to where Alice is expecting us in her Porsche.
"Goodness, that plane ride took forever." She complains as I get inside, with Jacob at the back putting everything in. Her ranting continues as he comes in beside me, shutting the door on the way in. "I don't even know why Esme insisted in the first place…" she trails on and on, talking in her high voice, saying God knows what. I just keep my eyes out the window, taking in my new home for three short years that will go so quickly they will feel like three weeks, wondering what this city has in store for us and what the future holds.
Her Porsche then comes to a crawl, and I see lights in the distance. She turns right and begins down the drive. In front is a long lawn with an abundance of trees everywhere. Through the trees, I see the house. House isn't nearly the right word – mansion seems much more appropriate.
The mansion is absolutely and exquisitely stunning. It appears to be very modern; mostly concrete and glass making up the three stories. The top and bottom floor are of dark gray stucco, and the second level is paneled with reddish brown wood. The entire expanse holds a fair amount of windows as well.
Alice pulls up to detached garage to the left of the house. In awe, I gawk at it, seeing that the garage is able to accommodate an astonishing twelve cars, sheltering Dad's Volvo and Astin Martin, Mom's Ferrari, Carlisle's Mercedes-Benz, Rosalie's beemer, Emmett's Wrangler, Jasper's Maserati, Esme's Lexus, Alice's Porsche, and hopefully my car if I ever get one.
"So what do you think?" Alice asks us, gazing back at us to see our expressions. My mouth drops open and forms a big O.
I hear Jacob make an amazed, "Whoa," response before he says, "How big is this place anyway?"
"If I do remember correctly, it happens to be about 16,000 square feet." She giggles like the spoiled little rich girl she is.
I personally think that's ridiculous, even if there is ten of us.
"But you, Jacob," she continues to say, her voice more serious. "You won't be staying here."
We both gape at her, and speak at the same time, as I say, "What do you mean Jake's not staying with us?" and he says, "Then where will I live?"
Her eyes jump from me to Jacob and back again before looking to the garage and pulling in. "I don't mean you won't live here, that you won't live with us. There's a separate guest house in the back, and that's where you will sleep."
"What—!" I begin appallingly, before she interrupts me with, "I'm sorry, but due to the present circumstances, that's what Edward and Bella believe is best."
"Oh my god, come on." I groan in distress and lean into Jacob's side and his arms wrap around me in response.
"I know, Ness, I know. If I had a say in it, you know I would totally let you guys be together. But they're your parents and everything… but it's whatever. It sucks, but you're going to have to live with it." She says and gets out of the car, slamming the door behind her.
"Jakey…" I pout and look up at him.
"Don't I know it, Nessie." He shakes his head and squeezes me tight for a moment, then proceeding to exit the car. When he's out, he takes my hand and leads me out of the garage and into the house.
Once we enter, I nearly gasp. The chandelier in the foyer is so beautiful it probably costs a fortune just by itself. Below that lies the grandest staircase I have seen, made of materials like solid marble and stone. Beyond the foyer there is the widest wall of windows my eyes have ever set upon in a room I assume is the living room. Next to that is the kitchen, also paneled with floor to ceiling windows. The cabinets are of the richest and deepest wood, so modern and sleek I nearly die. The countertop is of the highest quality marble I have ever seen that is finished with hand cut Italian edging. Amongst the marble are my favorite appliances – the expert Wolfe line. To the right of us is the dining room, already set with a table that could seat twenty. To the left is the parlor, filled with a long couch and two oversized chairs and accommodated by plenty of unpacked boxes.
"Oh my…" I breathe, my hand going to my chest. "I love it!"
"Do you really?" Esme appears at the top of the stairs, smiling in the sweetest way, pretty much like every day. She ventures the whole way down the stairs to pull me into a hug.
"Yes, Grandma, it's fabulous." My lips curve into a grin and I embrace her.
"Everyone except you two will be setting up all night, so the whole house should be up and running by the morning. We already have your bed set up upstairs, but don't worry, it's only temporary. Alice and Rosalie are taking you shopping tomorrow for your bedroom and you can pick out anything your heart desires." She says all this excitedly, clasping her hands together in excitement.
"Grandmama," I say, pushing my hair out of my face and tucking it behind my ear. "Jacob and I can stay up and help everyone if you'd like." As I volunteer him, I can feel his energy shift beside me, upset that I offered his help.
She puts her hands face forward in front of her in a stopping gesture and says, "Oh, heavens no. That's awful nice of you, sweetheart, but you need your rest. You have a busy day tomorrow." Her index then taps on my nose playfully and she wrinkles her nose.
"Are you sure? I'm perfectly fine with helping—"
She cuts me off. "Honey, just get your rest; we're vampires, we can handle it." She winks, followed by a short laugh.
I sigh and reply with, "Okay, Grandma, if you insist." I point up the stairs and ask, "Which room is mine?"
"Follow me, I'll show you." Smile back on her face, she leads the way up the stairs and to the end of the hall. Once we're there, she flicks on the light. It's no doubt gigantic, with floor to ceiling windows once more. In the center of the right wall, there is a black wrought iron bed covered with a luscious white duvet and fluffy white pillows. The walls are white and plain, the windows practically mirrors.
Jacob's hand in mine, I walk over to the bed and pat it, feeling how extremely soft and fluffy it is – my favorite kind. I look back at Esme and raise my brow, wondering where Jacob will be sleeping. I mean, obviously not the same bed since they're not allowing him to sleep in the same house. Hell, they'll probably bar my windows and bolt my door now that they know I tend to sneak out pretty much every single night.
"Oh!" She says, blinking, heading out the door and disappearing for a moment. When she comes back, in her hands is a full size blow up mattress that is nearly twice her size. "I hope this will suffice?" She looks up at him from beneath her lashes.
He nods politely and says, "Yeah, Esme, thanks."
"I'll get you some sheets." She kindly smiles at him. The next second she's vanished, and then a few moments later she's back, already pulling the fitted sheet around the mattress.
"Esme, you don't have to—"
"It's perfectly fine; it will only take a few seconds." She stops to look up at him as she says this. Esme then goes back to putting the sheets on and tucking them beneath, a total blur as she does so.
"Anything else you might need?" she offers to Jake when she is complete, now standing with her arms flat to her sides.
"Nah, I'm good." He says, shoulders lifting.
"Okay, well call my name and I'll be here." Esme smiles, body blurring to the door and shutting it quietly behind her.
Jacob turns, his eyes meeting mine. "So," he says, his brow rises and he grins suggestively.
I laugh and say, "No." shaking my head and turning away to open my luggage in search of my night sweats and tee. I then hear him whimper, forcing me to shake my head and giggle. "Jake, you are such a teenage boy."
"Yes ma'am, I sure am." He comes behind me and tenderly places his hands on my hips. His breath is now on my neck, his nose trailing along my collar bone.
Taunted by the butterflies in my gut formed by his touch, I half spin to look up at his big brown orbs of never ending love. "Why do you always do this?" I ask him, desperately in need for an answer after all these years.
"Do what?" his expression changes, becoming more thoughtful and soft. Jacob's hands encircle me now, holding me closer, our bodies threatening to melt into one another any moment.
Quieter now, I think, Why do you always make me feel like I can't breathe, or that my heart beats a million times faster than it already does? When I look at you, I can never think straight. Why do you always make me want you?
Jake smiles that wide, wolfy smile, making my heart warm. Not saying a word, he gently tightens the nearly nonexistent space between us. His lips duck down to mine, passionately pressing, turning rough and hungry. Kissing him back with just as equal enthusiasm, I grab the collar of his black tee with one hand, and with the other I remove the luggage from the bed nearly whipping it across the room. His collar in my grasp and my fingers now twined in his hair, I help myself onto the bed, taking him with me. Groaning in desire, his large russet hands snake beneath my top, ready to rip it off.
Jake, I think to him with a strained feel, wanting him to stop.
"Shh," he whispers to quiet me, his hands never once fumbling as they search for the clip of my hot pink brassiere.
"Jacob. Jacob, stop it." Pushing him away when I say this, completely not comfortable with my family downstairs.
He sees my thoughts through my touch and quickly understands. He moves away to have nearly half a foot gap from me to him. But my hands reach for him, a blur as they swiftly meet his sides and pull him nearer.
I… I love you, Jake. Never think I don't. My mind sends him longing kisses when I think this, taking his hands in mine.
He's silent at first, his gaze on my hands clasped around his. Then he begins to look up at me, expression serious when he speaks.
"Marry me." Is all he says, all he needs to say to make my breath halt and my stomach sink.
Mouth wide open, I am at a loss for words. "I, I—Jacob—" One of his fingers touches my mouth to stop me. He continues.
"Marry me, Renesmee, and make me the happiest guy on Earth." Our lips are magnets as they come together so abruptly, staying there for the longest moment of my life. And I break the kiss, my hands on his chest and feeling the heat emanate from him, his beat reverberating from his body to mine.
I simply say, "No," regretting it the second my mouth opens and forms the words. As I process his reaction, his face infinitesimally falls in disappointment. Turning away from me and crawling toward the edge, he helps himself off of the bed and onto the air mattress beneath me.
We exchange goodnight and wishes of sweet dreams shortly after. Before falling asleep, I remember burying my face in my pillow and wanting to cry.