I haven't updated in forever! I'm sorry! I've had three projects and a major research paper, a couple of tests, and I caught the flu. (Normal flu) I'm also trying to practice driving, so I've had time to do zilch. Forgive me. D:

*Note*

If you have not read the oneshot Eccentric this story may not make a whole lot of sense.

Court

Nessie Pov:

After the credits from the movie rolled right off the screen Jacob stood up to give me a hug and a kiss on the forehead. He had to work with his father for the rest of the afternoon, and I wouldn't see him until tomorrow. I would miss him so much.

The eyes of my father and Rosalie trailed his footsteps as he walked out the door, relaxing when he was gone. Rosalie stood up and smiled maliciously before sauntering into the kitchen. "I'm so glad he's gone that filthy mongrel."

I gritted my teeth and flicked off the television. Dad leaned back against the cushion and picked up the book he was reading earlier.

I stood up quickly and grabbed my coat off the back of the sofa. "I'm going out."

My footsteps were normal until I was out of earshot. Once I was far enough away from the river, they quickened and turned into angry stomps. I made it to my favorite log and threw myself down on the wood, staring dejectedly over the scenery.

My guardians apparently still believed this was the 18th century and Jacob had to formally "court" me under their constant supervision. It was unbelievably annoying. Rosalie was always making snide remarks about his smell or appearance and my dad wouldn't let us move past anything but a hug.

It was maddeningly annoying.

I dug my fingers into the weathered wood, knowing that I was being a bit immature. Rosalie did love me like my own mother, only wanting the best for me. She just couldn't accept the fact that Jacob was what was best for me. My dad was just being over-protective.

I had faced the Volturi, grown into a strapping young woman, excelled in my lessons, learned the truth about vampires and werewolves, and I couldn't even get the man I loved to reciprocate the feeling.

"Renesmee?"

I turned at the sound of a new voice and met a familiar pair of strikingly green eyes.

With a smile I swung my legs over the log to face him. "Caleb! It's nice to see you again! What are you doing out here?"

Without the furs and coats I was able to see that he was a very attractive young man. He smiled and gestured towards the fishing pole in his hand.

"Well, I'd gone to see if I could catch us somethin' to eat later on, and came upon you sitting on the log. You looked a might upset, so I thought I'd see what was the matter. It's real nice to see you again too."

I patted the log next to me and he sat down, leaning the pole against the tree.

"So, how's Santa?"

Caleb chuckled and shook his head. "He's only Santa in the winter. In the summer, he's just Matthew." I stared at him and he shrugged his shoulders. "I'd told you, he was eccentric." He pursed his lips and gave a toothless grin. "You know, I forgot. Only the fabulously wealthy are eccentric. He's a few puppies short of a litter."

I laughed and he smiled, pleased that he had broken me out of my melancholy mood. His eyes softened and he placed a hand on his knee. I noticed the calluses and blisters that ran along his palm. "Now why where you looking so sad before I said hello a few minutes ago?"

I opened my mouth and closed it, not intending to spill my boring life story to him. Only, there was something about him that was disarming. I don't know if it was the sun, the fresh air, the pine smell, the happiness of seeing him again, or the frustration of the afternoon, but it all came pouring out.

"You remember Jacob right?"

Caleb thought for a moment and nodded. "He's the one who came and got you when you left my house after the storm. Your beau, right?"

I nodded and continued on. "It's just that lately…my parents are being so over-protective. They are always worrying about my relationship with him. Jacob is so afraid of my parents he won't do anything but hug me. I think he knows that if he does anything more, they will forbid him from coming to see me. I want to tell them to back off. I just don't know what to do."

He listened to my tirade in silence and waited until I looked up again. "Are you afraid of your parents?"

I shrugged and shook my head. "Not really. My mother is far more lenient than my father. She understands…on a level he doesn't know."

He thought some more. "Well, it seems that your biggest problem is Jacob's reluctance. He needs to talk to your father and make it known that his intentions are nothin' but good. That way, they'll back off."

I smiled sadly and toyed with a stick in the dirt. "You make that sound so easy." I looked towards him in surprise when he stood up and took a few steps away from the log.

"You wait here, I'll be back soon."

Caleb had been gone for about fifteen minutes before he returned with his hand behind his back. I arched an eyebrow and gestured towards the hidden hand. He smiled and pulled out a bouquet of beautiful wildflowers, bowing grand and low before me.

"None are as pretty as you."

I blushed and took them from his hand, feeling a little uncomfortable. His smile widened as I squirmed in my seat.

"Well, these are really beautiful Caleb, thank you! It's just…well…I like Jacob… and…"

His booming laugh echoed off the trees and I wondered if Matthew was wearing off on him. He wiped an imaginary tear from his eye and sat back down.

"I'm not asking you to be my steady girl Renesmee. I might just be a young guy who lives in the woods with no one but Matthew for company, but I do know a couple things about life." His eyes shown with a mischievous notion I couldn't identify. "However, I know that jealousy tends to bring out the truth in many people's hearts."

I stared at the flowers, him, than back at him. "You are one evil little man Caleb."

"I know."

His fishing pole slid off the tree and my expression switched to one of chagrin. "I've kept you from your fishing."

He shrugged it off and picked up his pole. "It wasn't a good day for fishing anyway. There are too many bugs for sittin' still." A black fly landed on his arm to prove his point. "I do have to get going though. Matthew should be waking up from his nap soon. He gets a bit ornery when there isn't something to eat."

I stood up and gave him a quick hug. "Thanks Caleb. I feel a lot better now that I had someone to vent to."

He patted my head, just like a brother would. "Any time Renesmee, any time."

Jacob stopped by unexpectedly that night to see me one last time before tomorrow. As I gave him his customary hug he stopped and gestured toward the vase containing the flowers. "Alice set up another arrangement? Wild flowers aren't usually her forte."

I smiled and looked towards the lovely vase. "Oh, I ran into Caleb in the woods after you left. He gave me those flowers. Aren't they lovely?"

His eyes narrowed and his hands began to shake. "Huh…Caleb. Do you see him often?"

I hid a smirk and kept my face the perfect image of innocence. "No, today was an unexpected surprise. It was good to see him again."

The anger drained from his face and was replaced with a longing look in his eyes. For me or for something else, I wasn't sure. A russet-colored hand ran through his short hair and he cast one last glare at the flowers. "Hmm…I guess I'll see you tomorrow Nessie."

I watched him walk out the door and fell onto the couch, biting my lip against tears. I really thought it would work.

The next day was unexpectedly sunny, but my mood was dark. Jacob would be here any minute now, and I didn't know what to say to him. I felt a little foolish, flaunting those flowers in front of him. Maybe he saw through my little scheme and thought I was immature.

When he arrived he asked if I wanted to go for a walk. I was a little surprised that no one objected to my being alone with him. We walked to Pike's Creek and stopped by the water.

"I talked to your dad."

My eyes widened at the opener and He fiddled with his pocket.

"Seeing the flowers made me realize that I don't want to hold off because they're afraid anymore. I assured them I would treat you with the utmost respect and honor. And I wanted to give you something to show you that I'm sorry for making it seem like I didn't care for you."

He pulled something out of his pocket and kept it tightly cupped in his hand. "You're beautiful, and perfect. You are nice and understanding. You could have any boyfriend you wanted, but somehow you stick with me." He opened his hand and perched on his dark palm was a marvelous sterling silver promise ring.

"I don't know if I can always show how much you mean to me through actions. I'm going to try. When I'm on patrol and come home late at night, will you promise to always be there waiting for me?"

He bit his lip and looked at me with wide nervous eyes. I picked up the ring and read the inscription.

Jacob and Renesmee

Its simplicity said everything. I smiled to erase his worry and held it back out to him. "Will you put it on for me?"

His sunbeam smile lit up his face as he slipped the band of silver on my finger. It glittered in the sun and made me smile as well. He yanked off his shirt and gestured towards the trees. "How about a wolf-back ride home?" I nodded and he disappeared for a second, coming back furry. I climbed on his wide back and he mock stumbled under my weight. I smacked the back of his head and he barked out a laugh, racing home.