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"Attacked you?" Eric repeated and for the first time his gaze moved to Alice. Oliver noticed his eyes widen a little in surprise and the man took a careful step back. "I am sorry. I did not realise your mother had been turned as well."
"You came looking for Oliver," Jasper growled, his hatred for the man in front of him flooding them all. "How could you not have known?"
"James only told me that my son had been turned," Eric explained, his fearful eyes turning to Jasper. "Who are you?"
"I am Oliver's stepfather," Jasper snarled.
"No, my father," Oliver corrected as he glared at Eric. "You are nothing to me after what you did to Mom."
"I shouldn't have come here," Eric mumbled and turned quickly and disappeared into the forest.
"Don't bother ever coming back!" Oliver called after him. The group stood for a moment staring at the spot in the forest where Eric had disappeared but they could all sense his fast retreat.
"Jazz?" Alice whimpered, breaking the silence and Jasper turned quickly to his family.
"Alice!" Jasper gasped as her fear and terror flooded over him and he raced quickly over to her and drew her into his arms. "It's all right sweetheart, he's gone. You're safe."
"He can't hurt you anymore Alice," Emmett said forcefully from behind them. "None of us will allow it."
"I don't see him coming back," Oliver added.
"Me either," Alice admitted. Jasper could still feel her fear coming from her and with his arms still tightly around her he ignored the rest of the family and guided her gently inside. As soon as they had gone Stella rushed over to Oliver and took his hand and without a word spoken between them they turned and walked off into the forest.
"Poor Mom," Sierra whispered, the emotions that had spread through the group deeply affecting her.
"Mom will be okay," Emmett assured his niece.
"Your Dad will take care of her," Jackson added, not liking the sad look on Sierra's face.
"You kids should get into the house," Emmett decided. "I'm sure Eric won't be stupid enough to come back but just in case."
"Of course," Sierra nodded and turned and scurried into the house. Jackson followed her quickly to check on her and Emmett glanced at Brandon.
"You too Brandon," Emmett added.
"I'll be there in a moment," Brandon nodded. Emmett glanced at him and then turned and walked back into the house and once he was alone Brandon let out a deep sigh.
He could still feel his parents' strong emotions washing over the house and he glanced towards the forest line. He didn't see how anyone could complain about him going for a run as long as he went in the opposite direction to the way Eric had gone. His decision made, he knew his mother would see his plan so he didn't bother going inside and letting them know where he was going but just broke into a run and disappeared into the forest.
He ran for miles and miles until he was near the small lake he had met Candice by. As he stepped out of the trees he smiled when he saw her sitting by the water's edge and without any movement on her part he knew she had sensed his approach.
"I've missed you," she murmured softly.
"I've missed you too," Brandon admitted as he walked over to her and sank down to sit beside her.
"Is everything okay?" Candice asked as she turned to look at him.
"Just some family stuff," Brandon shrugged.
"You want to talk about it?" Candice offered.
"Not really," Brandon sighed. "Just be careful out here. We had another of our kind visit my family today. Someone evil."
"Evil?" Candice smiled. "Aren't we all?"
"No, we aren't," Brandon snapped. "You could never be evil."
"How sweet," Candice grinned. "So who was this visitor?"
"Someone from my mother's past," Brandon explained.
"Your mother's past?" Candice echoed and Brandon noticed she seemed really interested.
"Her human past," Brandon added.
"Oh," Candice smiled. "But this person has gone again?"
"We think so," Brandon nodded. "But just be on guard. I would hate anything to happen to you."
"I'll be careful," Candice promised. "I should probably leave this area soon anyway."
"Leave?" Brandon echoed as his eyes went wide.
"I'm nomadic Brandon," Candice sighed. "I don't have a family and a house and a life like you do."
"But you could have," Brandon smiled at her. "Come back with me and meet my family. I'm sure they would make you welcome."
"I don't know that I am ready for that," Candice laughed. "I have been alone for so long. I enjoy our talks but a large group of our kind like that? To be honest it frightens me."
"Of course," Brandon sighed.
"I tell you what," Candice continued. "I'll stick around this area for a little longer. I enjoy our friendship. I'll go hunt away from here and return in a couple of days."
"You promise?" Brandon asked.
"I promise," Candice nodded as she looked up at him with a smile and then leaned forward and lightly brushed her lips on his. He moved his arms around her and their kiss deepened as she melted into him.
"I won't leave you Brandon," she murmured huskily as she broke away but didn't pull out of his arms. Brandon smiled down at her and as she snuggled into his chest he looked out across the water, unable to believe the feelings coursing through him for the woman in his arms.
XXX
"I should be getting home," Renesmee murmured lazily as she stretched out languidly on Jacob's bed. Now that Billy was living at the Clearwater house with Sue Jacob had the house to himself and they had taken full advantage of the fact.
"You don't have to," Jacob grinned beside her.
"Yeah I do," Renesmee sighed reluctantly. "We came over from Italy to see our family and they have barely seen me at all."
"I think they would understand," Jacob smirked.
"I'm glad you think so," Renesmee giggled as she sat up and reached down to the floor to grab her shirt.
"You really have to go," Jacob sighed.
"I really have to go," Renesmee nodded as she got up and finished getting dressed. "I'll try come back later tonight."
"I'll warn the pack," Jacob agreed. Although Renesmee was the only Cullen allowed full, unrestricted access to the reservation, Jacob still liked to warn the pack when she was coming and going so no nasty mistakes were made if her scent was detected.
Renesmee nodded her head as she turned her back on him and finished dressing and she could sense him getting up and getting dressed himself.
"Before you go Nessie…" Jacob murmured.
"Yes?" Renesmee smiled as she turned back to him and she stopped cold when she saw him knelt on the floor right behind her, a black box held up in his hand.
"Jacob?" Renesmee gasped.
"Nessie, will you marry me?" Jacob asked formally, although a cheeky glint still remained in his eye.
"Oh Jacob!" Renesmee giggled.
"Is that a yes?" Jacob prodded.
"What about my father?" Renesmee whispered worriedly.
"I have his permission to ask you," Jacob grinned.
"You do?" Renesmee said with wide eyes. "How did you get that?"
"I asked," Jacob shrugged. "And made sure your mother was there at the time. Bells kept Edward in check."
"I bet she did," Renesmee laughed.
"So?" Jacob prodded. "Will you marry me Nessie?"
"Yes," Renesmee smiled happily and Jacob opened the box in his hand and slid the ring gently onto her finger before pulling her down into his lap.
"I love you Nessie," he murmured huskily.
"I love you too Jake," Renesmee whispered as their lips met softly.
XXX
When Jacob and Renesmee reached the Cullen house Jacob was surprised that the entire family had gathered in the living room.
"How could they know?" Jacob murmured.
"Aunty Alice," Renesmee giggled.
"Oh, of course," Jacob laughed as they stepped through the front door.
"I have seen we are having a celebration of some sort," Alice announced, a little grumpily. "I cannot, however, see why. Which leads me to suspect it is something to do with you Jacob."
"It is," Edward mumbled.
"Well, share with the rest of us?" Rosalie growled in frustration.
"Jacob has asked me to marry him," Renesmee announced happily.
"That's fantastic news!" Esme gasped.
"Congratulations," Stella smiled.
"I'll get the champagne!" Alice grinned.
"Champagne Alice?" Edward smirked and rolled his eyes.
"For the half breeds and Jacob," Alice replied and poked her tongue out at him as she jumped to her feet and raced out of the room.
"Are you okay with this bro?" Emmett asked as he stepped up beside Edward.
"I am," Edward nodded tightly. "Jacob asked me for permission first."
"At least he did it the right way," Jasper murmured from the other side of him and although he could sense Edward's anger he could tell his brother was trying to be calm and happy for Renesmee's sake and decided not to voice the feelings.
"Here we go!" Alice announced as she came back carrying a bottle of champagne and a handful of glasses. She popped the cork easily and poured the glasses, handing them around to the children and Jacob.
"How did we come to have champagne in the house?" Esme asked in confusion.
"Well, I saw we would need a bottle," Alice grinned. "I couldn't see why though."
"Of course," Esme laughed.
Edward sat down at the piano and began to play softly and the rest of the family gathered together, sipping champagne, admiring the ring on Renesmee's finger and talking about the upcoming wedding.
Sierra had just finished her glass of champagne and was setting the flute on the table when she glanced across the room and noticed Brandon standing on his own, his eyes locked on something at the base of the stairs. Sierra followed his gaze and sighed when she saw Lucas and Angel sitting on the bottom stair, their heads close together as they had a private conversation. Sierra got to her feet and managed to slip away from the group gathered around Renesmee undetected and she walked over to her brother. She looked up at him and nodded towards the back of the house and without a word the two siblings walked out through the kitchen and onto the back porch.
"You okay bro?" Sierra asked softly.
"I'm fine," Brandon replied tightly.
"You didn't look fine back in there, or feel fine," Sierra said knowingly.
"I guess it still hurts a little seeing them together," Brandon admitted. "I really thought Angel liked me when we all arrived here."
"I'm sure she did," Sierra nodded.
"She doesn't now," Brandon sighed.
"But you still like her," Sierra murmured.
"I'm not sure," Brandon admitted honestly and turned to look at her. "See, if I tell you something, will you promise not to tell anyone else until I do?"
"Of course," Sierra smiled. "You know I keep your secrets."
"Yeah I know," Brandon nodded. "I've met someone See, someone I really like, a lot."
"A human?" Sierra gasped.
"No," Brandon admitted. "She is a vampire."
"Full?" Sierra frowned.
"Yes," Brandon nodded. "She is nomadic, like Dad's friends Peter and Charlotte."
"And traditional I'm guessing," Sierra sighed.
"Yes she is," Brandon replied. "But we have spent a lot of time together. We haven't done much more than talked and shared a few kisses but I feel like I already know her so well. She isn't blood thirsty like some of the traditional vampires we have heard about. She is really sweet actually."
"And you like her?" Sierra smiled.
"I do, a lot," Brandon grinned.
"Well good for you I guess," Sierra said finally. "What's her name?"
"Candice," Brandon told her proudly.
"Well hopefully one day I will meet this Candice," Sierra smiled. "I hope it works out for you bro, I really do."
"Me too," Brandon grinned.