Recap:
But first I need to get through my birthday, and then deal with Jake... I still don't have a sure decision of what to do about him, being pulled in two directions is so frustrating and stressful.
Chapter 15: Hiding Behind a Smile
Renesmee's POV
"Renesmee sit down right now I want to do your makeup, we only have 3 hours till the party starts!" Alice yanking me toward her vanity table right outside the bathroom of her and Jaspers bedroom.
"Alice I am old enough to do my own makeup." Sternly announcing to the enthusiastic pixie.
"COME ON! Bella wont let me do this for her anymore, I can not loose you to! Please just sit!" The strong little arms of my short little aunt pulling my hips down onto her the vanity stool, and coming eye level, " I want to style you for your party! Can you please just accept it!"
"Alice it's just the family, Jake, Seth, and Leroy... There is no reason for all of this, and the decorations are far to much" frustrated over her determination, "its not like I am getting married." mumbling as I think of my crumbling relationship.
Alice's quick hands turn still instantly, a firm glare burning from her eyes through the large Vanity mirror, her glare so sickeningly strong, I look away, first toward the door then to my long slim fingers fidgeting at my white robe tie.
Swiftly being spun around to meet Alice's face, "For your best future I am ordering you to knock it off! Don't you dare break up with Jake! I am serious Nessie don't you dare." Her quick and demanding tongue causing my stomach to turn.
"Alice, I need some help in the living room. I will send Rosalie up to help Renesmee with the rest of her getting ready preparations." Dad appearing at the door instantly.
No movement from Alice as she continues to stare at me at eye level, three inches from my face.
"Alice. Out. Now." Through gritted teeth, dad glares at aunt Alice.
"Brother, I will not stand by and let her make a mistake like-"
"Alice. If you don't leave I will remove you."
"What happened to us Edward, we have always been the closest of siblings. I am beginning to miss it." Alice states as she storms past him.
"I'm sorry dad, it... it is because of me. I screw up a lot of things. My relationship. You and Alice. Our relationship. I.... I'm just really sorry dad. I am terrible at this life that I have."
Embracing me with both his arms around my shoulders. "Shh, sweetheart we are all just figuring it out.... and myself accepting the fact that my baby girl has grown up..." pulling his head away just slightly to look at my eyes, "so quickly. You are beautiful don't ever think that you are anything less. You are just as beautiful as your mother. I love you Renesmee, and don't think that everything is your fault... that is my job." smirking to one side of his lips with the crooked grin he and I share.
"Well that is something she picked up from her martyr father. He is such a gorgeous martyr though so it works." Mom grins leaning against the door frame.
Dad releases me to greet mom after her errands Alice had her on most of the day. "...And is there a reason Alice is sulking around and rearranging every flower, in every flower arrangement set up in the living room?" Mom lifting her eye brow toward dad.
"Just Alice's interfering. Now... I should go talk to her before she puts a hole through the piano." Instantly leaving mom and I in Alice's vanity area.
"So, I see you are in the infamous barbie torture chair. Would you like some help getting ready?"
"No thank you, I think I am just going to use some eyeliner and mascara, maybe some lip gloss."
"Sounds like a beautiful plan Renesmee. What do you have planned for your hair?"
"Just straighten it a bit." Turning toward the mirror. "Did you want to help with my hair?"
"This isn't my area of expertise but I would love to help you." Kissing the top of my head, she kneels down and starts searching through the vanity drawers for the straightener.
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Smoothing out my teal green party dress and clipping a small strand of hair up with a pin Alice bought me, one large pearl with two smaller ones on each side, it has a slight elegance and classiness to it that I love, "How do I look?" Stepping up from my place at the vanity.
"You look beautiful, but you would say I am biased." Jake grinning as he takes my hand, leading me down stairs toward the small crowd gathered for my birthday.
"So I will have to ask someone with an unbiased opinion then, huh?" Smiling and leaning into him.
"I think everyone will say the same, but you can try." Wrapping his arm around my waist giving it a light squeeze.
As Jake and I start to descend the staircase, I see my family positioning themselves at various places in the living room.
Renee and Phil weren't here, but that was because mom and dad thought it best not to spook Renee with my very visible "growth spirt" as dad referred to it as with grandma Renee and Grandpa Phil. I talked with them on the phone earlier, Both Renee and Phil wishing me a happy birthday. They don't know we still live in Forks; they believe that we moved to somewhere in Alaska.
Charlie wasn't here, he didn't get to see this birthday. I want him back. I remember the day it happened I begged dad and Grandpa Carlisle to turn him, they of course wouldn't, which I am slowly accepting. I don't like it or agree with it but I can not change it now, if I was venomous I would have done it myself but of course I am not graced with that genetic ability. He was the only human that knew the secret, and I loved that at least some one from the normal world accepted me, because I knew that if anyone else in that world knew about me I would be chased around with pitch forks along with the rest of my family.
Charlie, I just wish you were here! I miss you so much! I wish I could one day see you again! I don't know if that will ever be possible though. I mentally prayed that I would one day see him again, and I knew what that meant... and if my parents had anything to do with it I would never die, they will prevent it, and save me from what ever may come in the future.
Pulling me out of my thoughts was Jake, guiding me with his hand on my lower back, pulling me forward at the bottom of the stairs.
Leaning down to my ear, "My sister couldn't make it with the baby and all... and Paul didn't want to leave her home alone..." Jake's low whisper ringing through my ears. A polite and small smile creeping onto my face for everyone in the room, glancing to see who really came this year. As I looked around and saw Seth and Billy... they were the only two that came from the reservation. I hoped that earlier more of the pack would show, but obviously I set my hopes too high...
It was just going to be my family, Billy, and Seth... The usual... well, plus our visitor Leroy who was sitting at the edge of a leather chair in the living room.
"So this doesn't have to do with Paul hating me or Rachel worried that my family or I will eat her baby? What about the rest of the pack and your family what about them? They can not come to my party for the ninth year in a row again too?" I quickly whisper back, a tad angered by his pack and family's un-acceptance of me.
"I'm sorry Renesmee, I can not make them come. They do accept you... They just don't feel comfortable here with all the vampires."
"Don't just say that Jake, I know they don't accept me. Jake lets talk about this later when we actually can talk about it. Okay? I need to greet Seth and Billy. Then we can see what is next on Alice's party list." Quickly pulling out of Jake's hold.
"Thank you Seth and Billy! Thank you so much for coming. It means so much to me." Quickly making my way to embrace Seth.
Seth pulling me tightly into his chest for a strong hug. Smelling of fresh pine and maple. Letting go and smirking at how big Seth has gotten from when I was little, even larger just recently.
"Been working out more I see, Seth?" Laughing as he lifts his arm to flex, playfully picking me up by my waist and lifting me with no effort at all.
"Okay, okay. Put the girl down so she can give me a hug! You young guys and your muscles. I could give both you and Jake a run for your money if I were back at your ages." Billy's joyful and wisdom filled smile filling his features as Seth lowers me to the ground.
"Oh Billy you are looking so good. Still as handsome as ever! How is your back been treating you, did you see the doctor like you said you would last week? Carlisle could take a look at it if you haven't gotten to the doctors office."
"Hey, today is about you! Birthday girl. Now, no talk about my back it is perfectly fine. Jake pesters me about it enough. I am old and I am bound to have aces and pains. Now here is your present." Reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small yet thicker brownish envelope placing it into my hands. "Now you take care of this it is an important item from our family." Nodding quickly and hugging Billy, I felt comfortable around Billy because being around him makes me feel closer to Charlie.
"Thank you Billy, it means so much to me that you came," Billy has never been well off and a present from him tends to mean so much more because they are always items that were home made or passed down through generations.
"Okay everyone I think we can start with mingling and I will get the cake set up!" Alice's commandingly cheery voice.
Looking through the room for an open spot to sit and talk; finding a opening next to Jasper. Jake took a place at the end of the couch leaving the middle open to me.
Jake turning into my side brushing the hair off my shoulder, "I'm glad we got to talk earlier Ness, and I am sorry for disrespecting your family, I really am. I hope that you are not still mad about it."
"I'm good... Jake lets not talk about this right now, we talked earlier, we don't need to talk about it with my family right here and Billy, I forgave you now lets just have a good time." Looking him in the eyes with as quite a voice as I could create. Keeping a smile on my face for everyone else.
"I feel like you are still mad at me, I need to be able to talk about this, obviously we didn't get through everything earlier." whispering closer into my ear.
"Jake... later..." Turning away, putting a firm grip on his leg and looking at him with a forced smile. " Hmm, I wonder why Alice is taking so long, I am going to go see if she needs any help," quickly hopping up from my place heading for the kitchen.
"Renesmee you sit and talk with everyone, I will go check." Mom pressed as she got up from her conversation with Rosalie and Dad.
"Really I don't mind going just because its my birthday doesn't mean I can not help."
"Sit. Talk. Okay, let me be your mom, and make sure every thing is perfect for your birthday."
Giving her a questioning look, her returning with only a guilty smile. She heard me and Jake, she had ulterior motives than to just make sure everything is perfect for my birthday.
"Ohh-kay, thanks mom." Smiling not showing my discouraged feeling of not getting away, and sitting back down next to Jake, smiling at Billy who wheeled himself over and started a conversation with Jake. Myself, only adding input when needed.
I was the new mature version of myself, the good daughter and the more polite Renesmee.
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"Cake time!" Mom and Alice cheer pushing a large cake into the living room. A giant white cake with red and pink roses lining each of the three tiers, on a large white table cloth covered tray.
"Wow, guys this is far to big. I hope Seth, Jake, and Billy are hungry..."
"Don't be silly Ness, its for all of us."
"Yeah okay Aunt Alice I will believe that when you eat some of it yourself."
"Okay everyone its time to sing happy birthday!" Alice chirped, ignoring my comment. Setting up a chair and clapping her hands.
Everyone eyeing me as I find my place, standing next to the large cake. Quickly seeing flashes and noticing Aunt Rosalie with her camera snapping away. Shaking my head slowly and stepping up to stand in front of everyone, in behind the large mass of sugar and cake batter.
How children could eat tons of sugar in the form of frosting every year for their birthday has always slightly repulsed me. Standing only a foot from it I smiled and held in the vomit that started to creep up my throat from the close proximity of the large pile of sugar.
A beautiful mix of voices start to singing the all to familiar song.
"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear... Renesmee... Happy Birthday to you....."
Blowing out all the candles making a wish for a new beginning, in what ever form possible.
Looking into the sugar based mound and stepping away needing to put space between my self and the repulsive stack of cake. From an art standpoint it is very beautiful with the off white frosting and fondant and then the perfect pink and red roses lining the base of every tier, adding to the pink, red, and purple decor in the room. Alice had even switched out the the white pillows on the couch for purple ones just for this occasion, the rest of the decorations did not stop there. There were Bouquets of mainly purple roses, with a few red and a few pink flowers mixed, scattered on every flat surface of the main floor in the house.
"Hey you are having a slice if I have to force it down your throat, you little toothpick. It's tradition you have to eat cake on your birthday." Pinching the side of my waist.
"I bet you saw that in a vision Alice. But, really am not hungry." Smiling, hoping to get out of it.
"You get first bite!" Jumping up for the cake knife and cutting up a few slices.
Silently noticing that the inside is different from all the other cakes I have seen... It almost looked as if the batter has blood mixed in, with the cake being deep red in pigment. But it definitely doesn't smell like blood.
"I think you might like this one its a different flavor than you have tried before. Its really popular right now its called red velvet." Dad coming by my side handing Billy, Seth, and Jake a large chunk if it.
"Hmm, thanks." The deep red color made me smile a bit because most humans don't eat food with such vibrant colors in them. Cake is usually off white, yellow, or brown... not blood red.
Thinking of the effort that my family put in, to find something I might like makes me happy to have them... I still don't want to eat it... but I guess it doesn't hurt to try, for them.
Taking a chunk onto my fork, and sitting down in a chair behind me, noticing Jake already up for a second slice. Shaking my head just slightly; if only I liked human food as much as the pack...
Alice, on my right is watching me, I can feel it, along with Esme who is across the room sitting with Jasper and Carlisle.
Esme and Alice made the cake, after hours and hours of "how to make and decorate the perfect cake" videos through the internet.
Lifting the fork from the plate, looking at the mixture of red with the creamy ivory colored paste more commonly known to humans as frosting; quickly popping it into my mouth. The textures are the same as every year except for the red velvet cake being a slightly smoother texture than that of the other cakes I have tried. The flavors were not amazing, the frosting tasted bitter, and though the texture of the cake is smooth the flavor is almost like licking a penny from my childhood piggy bank. Licking my lips and smiling toward Alice, then Esme.
"It's good. Thank you." The vampires in the room talking and laughing amongst themselves as Esme and Alice nod in happiness that they had succeeded. I couldn't make them feel bad that I didn't like it.
Jake stopping for a moment to smile in my direction, happy to see I would eat it.
Looking to my left noticing Emmett and Leroy.
Leroy's stance relaxed in a black AC/DC "Back In Black" tour t-shirt and dark wash jeans. With the shirt looking to be an original tour shirt, I wonder how old he is? When was he turned? What time did he grow up in?
As he leans against the post of the railing I see a scar just peaking under his t-shirt. This peaking my interest in knowing more about him.
He seems very comfortable with Emmett, talking and joking. It is like he fits into the family even if he has only been here for a few days.
Taking a few more unwanted bites of the cake to make Alice and Esme feel good about it, I went into the kitchen to toss the rest out. Opening the trash disposal with my toe and dropping the contents of the plate in and quickly walking to the sink to rinse the clear designer etched glass plate under the faucet. Draining all the remaining penny flavored residue down the drain.
Rolling my shoulders, and stretching my arms above my head to release the stress of all the people, and having to put on a show to my family so that they wouldn't bug me about not eating. Leaning against the cold granite countertop behind me, taking some time to get a little peace and quiet before having to go back into the living room.
Closing my eyes and thinking of the river, four miles out from the house, my special place I go to sit and think. Such a beautiful spot where the forest is dense around the river. I have never shown the spot to anyone or mentioned that I go there, guessing dad knows of it, but has never mentioned it; for that I was grateful.
Sitting on the large fallen tree that spans from one end of the river to the other, looking at the water flow very slowly below me. So peaceful. Watching the turtles swim along the edge of the river bank and crawling onto the muddy edge to rest. Watching the fish twirl around in the never ending stream of water. Watching the deer several yards down the river lap at the crisp water, is a sense of clean peacefulness for myself due to the fact I don't care for animal blood, I would much rather a stronger blood. Feeling the freedom of being in my safe place, feeling the happiness fill me from my toes up my spine, taking deep breathes of the crisp forest air as the breeze flutters through my hai---
"Overwhelming crowd?" A questioning voice can from my left. Slightly spooking me as I had not sensed anyones presence enter the kitchen.
Jumping from my perch against the counter and clearing my head. "Uhhh, yeah. I..."
"I am very sorry; I didn't mean to startle you." Leroy's dark cinnamon coated gold eyes looking at me from under his perfect lashes. The sight of him in the soft light of the stove, making my toes curl under slightly, he has to be one of the most amazing looking creatures I have ever met. Yanking myself from the dangerous fog starting to cloud my senses I give him the infamous crooked grin I share with my father.
"No, its fine... I just wanted to clear my head. I have a lot on my mind." Unconsciously biting my lower lip looking away from his entrancing gaze. Focusing on the shadows of the trees out the large glass window, as the sun is disappearing and leaving a navy blue sheet of night to cover us until morning.
"You are quite an interesting and beautiful creature." Leaning his back against the counter across from me.
"Well thanks, I guess." Letting out a twinkling giggle.
"Yes that was a compliment. You seem mad at Jake the man in the other room... Why?" Tilting his head to the side, as his questioning eyes explore my expression. How could he tell? Was I that bad of a liar in my act for everyone, during Jake's and my own silent conversation.
"Jake is my boyfriend, he imprinted on me when I was a baby... So, we are meant for each other. Um, and this is the first time a shapeshifter werewolf has ever imprinted on a half-breed vampire...so we are kinda winging it."
"Yeah sounds like it would be difficult. What about his family, they aren't all here, I overheard someone say that only his dad and his friend came?"
"Yeah his sister and brother-in-law wont come here, they don't like the fact that I am part vampire... or leech as Paul his brother-in-law call us... His other sister doesn't live near here she moved away a while back. He says that, the pack feels slightly uneasy at the house... So they wished me a happy birthday over the phone earlier today... And well as you can see there is tension not only between the families, but just the fact that we are of different species makes it hard for us all to mesh well, we love each other though I know that... I know he loves me even though he doesn't show it sometimes."
"Hmm. Well you seem uneasy with the fact of imprinting... you love him, yes that is visible, but do you regret having your life already mapped out for you at a day old?"
Tracing the pattern on the tile with my toes, staring down at the floor, as I explore my answer, "Yes I do love him, the pull between us is there. And yes it is strange having my 'mate' picked out for me at as young of age I was then, I have grown up with him... as a child he acted as old brother, a person to look up to, we would compete when I was young... We still do at times, I don't much care for animal blood so we don't compete when we hunt anymore... I lost interest a while ago, in competing for something I don't really want... All due to the fact that the animal blood tends to upset my stomach..."
Hearing a deep voice from the entry clearing his throat and walking up to me. "Ness, Alice wants you in the living room. It is time to open gifts..."
Turning my head to see Jake's tall strong figure slightly angled in toward me as if shielding me, while not looking at me.
Turning to ask Leroy if he was coming... Noticing a silent stare down was going on with Jake... Glaring at Leroy with hard and dark eyes.
"Stay away from my mate. She's mine." Jake's growl threatening, yet not startling the vampire in the room, Leroy keeping a completely calm demeanor as he looks toward us.
"I'm not trying to steal her away... It seems like you don't really know how she feels, I am just trying to be her friend and listen to her. Maybe you should try it some time, listening can do wonders."
"Jake..." pushing him back toward the living room. Still creating an ass out of himself Jake presses himself against me as I stare up at his face, "Jake, knock it off, we were talking. Okay, quit!" Turning slightly to look back at Leroy and apologize for Jake's behavior.
"I am watching you." Jake's growl slowly building deep in his chest as he threatens Leroy yet again.
"I am sorry Leroy... He is just a tad over protective as well as a bit rude..." Giving a side glance he calmly nodded and looked away, following us into the living room. Pushing Jake backward causing him to walk backwards, so he could continue to glare at Leroy.
"You heard me. Stay away from her." Jake's nostrils flaring with his shoulders slightly beginning to shake.
"Jake, stop it. I will not have you shifting in my families kitchen, you are over reacting. Now lets go."
Using brute force to turn Jake around so that he was walking out of the kitchen and not glaring at Leroy. Jake's incredibly rude behavior is incredibly embarrassing. It is ridiculous that Jake would treat a guest of my family in such a manner.
Composing ourselves as we reach the living room, seeing an orderly and perfect asymmetrical stack of presents, no doubt the work of Alice.
Leroy just barely brushing my shoulder, creating a tingling sensation on that area of skin, as he passes to stand with dad and Emmett against the stair case. What was that? I have never felt that before...
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Any opinions would be appreciated! Please review, 15 reviews will get another chapter. I hope to see more than 15 but I would be happy to see any, So please feed my addiction and review.
Picture of Renesmee's green dress and her Birthday cake in the album I made for this story (on the second page). just copy and paste this into a browser and change the (dot) to periods.
http://pics(dot)livejournal(dot)com/elb02/gallery/000014fw
Link is also on my profile if that doesn't work.