Okay…it's what you've been waiting for…and it's ridiculously long. Have fun!
I stood up slowly. My head was spinning, and it took me longer than it should have to approach the kitchen. I wasn't sure if this was because I was dizzy…or because I was absolutely dreading what my parents had to say. Either way, it was going to happen.
I slipped through the doorway as slowly as I could, one step at a time, keeping my eyes toward the floor. Maybe if I didn't look at them…
"Ness, you don't have to crawl to the table." My mother said quickly. "Come over here and sit down."
My feet pulled me forward. I tried to tell them to stop…or go backward a few hours…
I took a seat next to my mother at the kitchen table, trying to avoid my father's eyes. The look on his face suggested deep thought…and I wasn't sure if he was focusing on the best punishment…or on how much he'd like to strangle Jacob. I hoped it wasn't the latter.
Carlisle and Esme had slipped from the room unnoticed, probably to avoid my father's famous overreaction tendencies…and also to avoid hearing the grounding sentence I was about to receive.
I took a deep breath and braced for impact.
…But the silence continued.
I felt like a criminal as I sat there, watching both of them…the expressions on their faces solid, but strangely hard to read. If this continued, we'd be here all night…which was definitely not out of the question for them. I, on the other hand, needed sleep…so I figured that I'd get it over with.
"I'm sorry." I said simply, turning my eyes downward toward the table.
The words sounded like such a defeat.
My mother's eyes met mine. "For?"
I pondered several things to say, but none of them seemed entirely relevant…or appropriate. I settled on saying what was on my heart, which was also probably not one of my better decisions…
"For being such a burden to both of you."
"Renesmee, that's the most ridiculous—." My mother began.
My father's head jerked up. "Is that what you think?" He demanded. "That you're a burden to us?"
My head bobbed a slow yes and I closed my eyes. "I'm not like any of you…and I'm beginning to think I never will be…"
"Sweetheart…" My mother's voice trailed. "I don't think you realize just how far from the truth that is." She shook her head. "You're like us in more ways than you know."
"It doesn't feel that way." I folded my arms over my chest.
"Of course it doesn't." My father rolled his eyes. "You're a teenager."
"I've gone up a level, then?" The words erupted from my mouth before I could stop them. "From child to teenager?"
"Ness, what has gotten into you?" My mother's eyes widened.
"That's what I'm talking about!" He shot back at me. "Renesmee…" He clenched his fists and took an unnecessary breath. "Do you realize how difficult it is to watch you grow up this way?"
I said nothing, and he continued.
"Just a few years ago, you were a child…and it's absolutely excruciating, as your father, to see the woman that you're becoming right before my eyes…"
"Edward." My mother put a hand on his arm to calm him. "This isn't what we were going to discuss…"
"Maybe we need to, Bella." He looked at her. "My initial intent was to discuss Jacob, but maybe the situation is more complex than that."
"Daddy." I almost whispered. "I'm growing up…"
"Ness, did you not listen to a thing I told you this morning?" His voice was firm. "Your mother and I are fully aware that you're growing up…sometimes too fast…but that doesn't give you the option to go anywhere, or do anything you please!"
"I'd just like to know what it feels like to be a normal teenager…for once!" I pleaded.
"Normal teenagers also have to follow rules!" My mother chimed in. "Renesmee, we're trying our best to see that you lead a semi-normal life, despite the circumstances."
"Semi-normal?' I raised my voice. I knew that I was taking things too far, but it was too late to turn back now. "I spend all of my time here…and I have no outside contact with other people my age! The pack is the closest thing I have to friends!"
"We do what we have to do, sweetheart!" She replied. "This is who we are!"
"Who you are!" I snapped. "I'm not a vampire…not yet…and I won't throw away what little human existence I have to—."
"Enough!" My father growled, and I knew then that I'd really pushed the limit. "Enough." He said again, softer, almost a whisper this time. "This is absurd, Renesmee, the way we're carrying on like this."
I nodded. He was absolutely right. We were handling the situation like teenagers would…but of course, that's exactly what we were.
"I want to see him." I said simply after several moments of silence, running a hand through my thick hair. "I need this…whether you understand my reasoning behind it or not. You can't keep me away from him…"
I'd made my request...or was it an ultimatum? After all, it's what I'd thought we'd be discussing in the conversation. Either way, I'd thrown it out there, hoping to be heard.
"They need each other, Edward." My mother said softly. "And it's going to happen, whether we're ready for it or not."
My father closed his eyes and sighed. I knew all too well when he was giving in. I'd been a daddy's girl for far too long…
He raised his hands in surrender. "It's not my decision to make anymore." He shook his head. "But understand that if anything happens to you, I reserve every right to step in and—."
"Edward." My mother stopped him. "She's going to be fine."
"Let's hope so." He returned, and reached for my hand. "And…" He began, though it sounded almost painful for him to say. "I'll make an attempt to be less overprotective and overbearing…"
"I'll try to be a more obedient daughter." I said softly.
"Good." My mother smiled at me. "I'm glad we came to an agreement. You can start by marching home and spending some time in your room. No questions asked…and Jacob is more than welcome to visit when you've finished your grounding sentence."
I reluctantly stood from my seat and turned to head toward the door. When I got to the doorway, I turned around once more to face my parents. "I love you both..." I smiled at them.
"We love you, too, Ness." My father replied with a smile. "And despite what you may think, you're like us in so many ways. You are our daughter, after all."
I couldn't argue. He was absolutely right.
