This final chapter is dedicated to GhostWriter71 for their outspoken support of this story. Your reviews have made me smile and stopped the thought of abandoning this story on more than one occasion. Thank you.
Renesmee. It was a very… unique name, but it fit given that it belonged to a very unique little girl. I know very little about human children, but even I could comprehend that Renesmee is very advanced compared to a child of her age, it was amazing and disheartening to see the difference in her physical appearance before and after Jasper and I left to accompany Alice on her quest to find witnesses and track down Nahuel. It was hard to imagine the child that we had watched take her first steps just two months after birth was going to be essentially an adult in just over six years. She would be an immortal adult in a blink of an eye, something that was both a relief and a curse. In a way she was robbed of a childhood, but soon she would no longer be mistaken for an immortal child.
It was intriguing to see the blend of Bella and Edward in the child. Her hair resembled Edward's with it's reddish hue and tousled curls that were becoming more defined by the day but her expressive brown eyes and pouty lips were all Bella's. Her appearance was almost as intriguing as her gift, an inverted version of her father's that allowed you to see her thoughts with the simple press of a hand. Her gift had been a blessing given the little experience our vampire family had with raising a child, let alone a hybrid child.
Jasper's arms were wrapped around my waist, he chin nestled in the junction of my neck as we stood at the window overlooking the stream, from the corner of my eye I could see Rose brushing Renesmee's hair in the reflection of the glass. When Rose was done she set the brush down and Renesmee turned to press her hand to Rose's cheek. Rose smiled as Renesmee pulled her hand away, the little girl looking to Rose expectantly for an answer.
"You'd have to ask her, but I don't think she'd say no." Rose replied and despite the positive answer Renesmee frowned and I knew that I was the 'her' Rose had mentioned. Since Renesmee had shown she was able to speak I stopped allowing her to press her hand to my cheek to communicate, coaxing her to use her words more. The rest of the family understood, it was good for her to learn how to use her voice as shown by the hesitancy of many of our recent guests to allow her to touch them. But just because it was good for her, didn't mean that she liked it. Jasper chuckled as Renesmee slid off Rose's lap onto the floor and looked in our direction. I fought my own smile while Jasper just hid his face in my hair.
Renesmee toddled closer and stopped next to my legs. She was looking up at me expectantly but I continued to study the stream and giving her the opportunity to use her voice. As expected Renesmee didn't speak and instead tugged on my skirt, I looked down and raised a brow.
"Yes, little one?" I asked and she smiled as she held out her hand. I smiled back but shook my head.
"Use your words." I said gently and she pouted.
"Show." She said and waved her hand as she stretched onto her toes to reach that much higher.
"If you really want it, you're going to have to ask." Renesmee's face pinched and I could feel Jasper's shoulders shake. Renesmee was silent for a long moment before opening her mouth.
"Read to me? Please?" She said and I continued to smile as I nodded.
"I'd love to read you a book. Go pick one, I'll wait on the couch." Renesmee beamed and hurried across the room to the bookshelf Esme and Carlisle had filled with books for her. Renesmee was able to read many of the books on her own, but she still liked to have stories read to her, something all of us were more than happy to oblige in. Jasper trailed behind me and settled next to me on the couch to wait. Rose smiled warmly before exiting the room, hair brush in hand. After a few moments Renesmee came over to the couch with two books, placing them on the couch cushion next to me before agilely climbing into my lap. She picked up the first book and handed it to me before relaxing back against my chest.
"The story of the three little pigs." I began and Renesmee snuggled closer so I could flip the pages as she studied the colorful pictures.
"Once upon a time there was an old mother pig who had three little pigs and not enough food to feed them. So when they were old enough, she sent them out into the world to seek their fortunes." Jasper was turned so he could see the pages too while idly playing with my hair. Renesmee watched the pages intently, occasionally talking lowly, almost to herself as the wolf attempt to catch the little pigs. Jasper even chipped in, reading the wolf's part and making Renesmee giggle.
I heard the sound of heavy footfalls coming closer as I got to the end of the book, one of the wolves though I couldn't guess which one till they got closer. I smirked as I saw Jacob come out of the trees and make his way toward the door, intentionally slowing my words so Jacob would be able to hear the end of the story.
"So the little piggy put on the cover again, boiled the wolf up, and the three little pigs ate him for supper." I finished gleefully and tickled Renesmee's stomach making her giggle uncontrollably.
"What are you trying to teach this kid! Wolves aren't the bad guys." Protests, predictably, came from the doorway and we all looked up to see Jake acting as if was hurt with a hand over his heart.
"Jakey!" Renesmee cheered and ran to hug Jacob. He grinned and scooped her up, making her giggle as he gently tossed her in the air, she giggled and grabbed his hand as he went to put her back on the ground.
"Come on, Jakey, listen to the next one with me." Renesmee tugged on his hand and Jacob followed along letting her lead him to the couch. Jake took a seat and Renesmee climbed back into my lap. She took the closed book from my hand and exchanged it with the second that was still sitting on the cushion. I reached for it but she shook her head and pulled it away. I looked to her curiously but she turned and extended the book toward Jasper.
"Please!" She said and he chuckled before gently taking the book.
"Apparently I'm merely an extension of you." Jasper pretended to be put out by the action and I chuckled.
"Well, of course. What did you think you were?" I teased and Jasper wagged a finger at me warningly, ignoring the chuckle behind us, but the effect was already ruined by the twitch of his lips as he fought a smile. I turned slightly as Renesmee settled back against my chest so she would still be able to see the pictures as Jasper read.
"What book did you pick, Ness?" Jake asked and Renesmee shrugged, though we all knew differently. Jake raised a brow and looked to Jasper, but Jasper ignored him, instead choosing to flip to the first page and begin to read.
"Once upon a time there were four little rabbits, and their names were– Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter." Jasper began and Renesmee giggled while my lip twitched at the silly names. It was strange hearing them in Jasper deep timber, yet heart warming since this was something I never imagined the two of us doing. Despite the absurdity of the words, it was calming to listen to Jasper read, something I'd learned long ago when Jasper had been teaching me to read and write all those years ago.
Jasper was only part way through the book as Renesmee's eyes began to droop. Jasper's voice slowly lulling her to sleep, her thumb unconsciously making it's way to her mouth as she fought sleep. A habit Bella was insistent to break her of despite her concern of damage to Renesmee's teeth was highly unlikely.
"I am sorry to say that Peter was not very well during the evening. His mother put him to bed, and made some chamomile tea; and she gave a dose of it to Peter! 'One table-spoonful to be taken at bed-time'. But Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton-tail had bread and milk and blackberries for supper. The End." With the last words spoken Renesmee's tiny body went completely limp as she finally surrendered to sleep, snuggling further into my chest.
"Did she fall asleep on her own or did you knock her out?" Jacob whispered with a raised brow. Jasper looked to Jacob challengingly and Jacob raised his hands in surrender.
"Never mind, it was just a question. You two do realize the surreal picture this makes right?" Jake asked and it was my turn to look at him a quirked brow, though I was more amused then offended by Jacob's assumption that Jasper and I wouldn't adapt to our present situation. Jacob stuttered and quickly started to explain.
"I mean, put yourself in my shoes. Just a couple months ago I watched you two fight like Yoda and Jedi Tinker Bell and now I've seen you two playing house like it's the most natural thing in the world." He quickly defended and I hummed bemusedly.
"Though your reference doesn't make sense to me, I think I understand what you are trying to say and I believe what you meant to say Jacob was, 'it's amazing to see how wholeheartedly we have accepted a child into our family and how easily we have adapted to an unexpected situation that should have been impossible'." I gently stood, careful to not jostle the child sleeping in my arms.
"I'm going to find a parental figure to leave the child with." I excused and made my way out of the room, once I was out of the room I could just barely hear Jasper's voice as he spoke lowly to Jacob.
"Eternity can be a rather long time when you manage to aggravate others. Remember that and maybe you won't be reminded of such things by Jedi Tinker Bell." Jasper's words were solemn till he repeated Jacob's words, I could easily make out his amusement as he apparently understood Jacob's reference.
"I'll try to keep that in mind." Jacob said with a harsh swallow and I smiled to myself. Jasper had always believed that fear was the best motivator and I had a feeling Jacob had just made himself Jasper's prime example for at least a little while longer, though I imagine it wouldn't be too long till Jacob found himself as brazen as Emmett and making up yet another piece of our family puzzle.