A/N: Why, hello there. =o You startled me; I didn't see you... What? Why are you all staring at me? What are you waiting for?
Cheers to chapter seven!
Seven days later...
It was beautiful out. The sky was gray and cloudy but the trees and grass and wildlife seemed to bask in it like a rare sunny day. I sat peacefully on my bed, sketching it on a piece of paper. I didn't usually draw but the scene that spread like a painting on my window compelled me to do so. I was just drawing in another tree when the door opened and closed. The quick, bird-like thrumming of Renesmee's heart told me that Edward and Bella had just arrived from their cottage in the woods. I had never been there but I would like to get a chance to see it someday.
The family greeted them and I could hear Emmett's voice rise above the others with a not-so-subtle inuedo about Bella and Edward's supposedly nonexistent sex life. Bella snapped that they agreed he wouldn't say anymore on that particular subject. I caught on from the ensuing argument that he had lost the right to make comments along with several wrestling matches.
Emmett simply responded with a playful,"You lost the last one, sister-mine." I could hear Bella grind her teeth as I giggled into my palm.
The thrumming of Renesmee's little heart grew louder and was accompanied by a quick patter as she made her way up the stairs. She stopped in the doorway and hovered in the threshold, unsure. I smiled at her.
"Good Morning, Renesmee."
Renesmee Cullen intrigued me. I was used to seeing little one year olds sitting in there mother's laps, clapping their hands, smiling to show growing teeth, being babies. Renesmee was different, though. When she walked, her strut was graceful, elegant and sure. Her ever-curious eyes drank in every detail of everything new, making the intelligence in them grow. Her milky teeth glittered when she grinned and the little girl looked like the result of a photo shopped picture of a pageant baby-huge eyes, glowing skin. I was also told that she could speak clearly, like an educated adult, but she chose to use her, apparently, unusual gift.
And then there was the fact that she was half vampire.
She grinned her glittery smile and took a tentative step toward me. When I beckoned her forward and patted the space beside me she came without any further hesitation and hopped onto the bed. Her gaze shifted to the window and her full pink lips popped open to form an O.
"It's pretty, isn't it?" I whispered to her. Renesmee turned back to me and she placed a blazing hand on my neck.
The scene on the window clouded my view of her face and I could feel what she felt. She liked how pretty it was here and it was even prettier when it snowed. But her love of the sparkly crystals that fell out of the sky to blanket the green earth was tainted. The vision of the spotless white snow was invaded by dark, billowing cloaks that advanced as one, then disappeared altogether.
Renesmee removed her hand and as my vision cleared, I could see the family gathering silently around the door. They were looking on, their faces showing open curiosity. Edward's eyes were narrowed and as Bella looked from him to her daughter, she finally seemed to understand and her eyebrows drew together. I kept my attention fixed on the child.
"It's because of them isn't it?" I asked her softly. She nodded, eyes glistening. Edward shifted and just as I thought he was about to come and get her, he stopped and stayed where he was. I looked deeper into Renesmee's eyes and saw something painfully familiar in them. The growing urge to let it all out or you might explode. I could see that she was trying not to let anything on, trying to be as strong as the rest, trying not to worry them. I gently lifted her tiny hand and placed it on my cheek.
I did not expect the pictures to come so quickly, so willingly. First, I saw the faces of the Cullens. Bella's, contorted with fury, Edward's, listening, Carlise, placating, Esme worrying, Rosalie and Emmett's, calculating. And Jasper and Alice, absent. I also saw other familiar faces, ones that she had showed me the day I came, who had been welcomed into their home to fight for her life as well as their own, whom she had come to care for greatly. There were others that I didn't recognize.
With the picture of loved ones at war came a crushing sense of helplessness and sadness. All of these people were there to protect her, but there was nothing she could have done to protect them. Though Renesmee's friends and family had walked away for the most part unscathed, she feared the Volturi's return and this time, there would surely be one more person whom she could not protect.
Renesmee pulled her hand away again, breathing deeply.
"Oh, Honey," I breathed. She scooted closer to me and surprised me by putting her arms around my waist and burying her face into my lap. She was trembling slightly.
"It was so horrible," came the tinkling, melodious voice. I jumped a little. I had never heard her voice before and I held onto her a little tighter as I heard how it shook with emotion.
At the door, the Cullens still looked on. They wore matching looks of horror and, again, I wondered what kept them from coming to her. I then saw Alice's eyes glaze over, the tell-tale sign of a vision. When her eyes focused, they locked on me and I returned her gaze questioningly. Her only response was a small, mysterious smile.
I looked down as Renesmee's trembling slowed and she sighed, a sound of release. She straightened again and sniffled. Her cheeks flushed crimson against her pale skin as I reached out and brushed away her tears. I laughed.
"It's okay. It's good to cry sometimes," I told her,"I do, too. Everyone does. It makes you feel better, chéri."
She touched me again, and this time, I didn't see anything but I heard the sound of my own voice. A silent emphasis was placed on the way it lilted and purred almost imperceptibly and the last word I had said. She liked the way I talked.
"It's French, it's in my blood. Maybe I will teach you if you would like." Her eyes twinkled and she smiled.
"I like you," she said, and I delighted in the fact that she was talking to me-really speaking.
"I like you, too," I responded earnestly. Her smile slowly faded and she touched my cheek.
I saw what looked like the Cullen's front lawn and when I looked out into the trees, I saw me. To see yourself as you appear to others is a very peculiar thing to experience. I had my bag hung over one shoulder and was walking slowly into the forest. Before I was completely lost in the trees, I looked back and waved.
"Where will you go?" My thoughts immediately turned to Lola but I shook my head.
"I don't know, Renesmee. But I can't stay here. The Volturi have let me go for a while but I don't know how long it will take for them to come back for me. I'd hate to be the one to bring them down on your family again." Or mine, I added silently. In one swift movement that was so fast, it would have been a blur to human eyes, Renesmee was standing on the bed. Her jaw was set and her eyes blazed in determination.
"Well then, let them come! We are strong and you are strong. And they can't rightfully do anything to us. I want you to stay." Her head whipped around as Alice laughed and stepped forward.
"Our little warrior. You are your parents' daughter. You don't have to worry Renesmee, Kendra is staying with us," she said cheerfully. My jaw dropped and Renesmee threw me a startled glance.
"What?" I gasped. Alice gave me the small smile again but the mystery in it was gone. Carlisle, with Esme on his arm, stepped forward and their smiles radiated warmth. My eyes stung. "But what about the Vo-,"
"Renesmee is right," Carlisle said,"We are strong and so are you."
"And, in the short time that we've known you, we've come to care for you as one of our own. Should the Volturi return, we will protect you as such." Edward held his arms out to Renesmee and she jumped into them gracefully. I looked at him briefly to get his attention. He seemed troubled despite his words.
I don't want them anywhere near her. I know you don't either. If there is the slightest sign that they're after me, I'm gone.
A flash of gratitude and some other emotion I couldn't place shone in his eyes. I nodded and looked back to Renesmee. Grinned.
"I guess I'm staying then."
A/N: Now, I know this chapter is a little short but I just wanted to show the growing relationship with Renesmee and how it triggered the decision to let Kendra stay. Also, I wanna apologize for the loooong wait. was giving me a hard time and I couldn't post any chapters. You all are gonna luv, luv, LUH-V the next chapter which is being written, like, right now. Can you say 'Romance'?