Chapter 60

A light rain had begun to fall and Esme was about to make her way in from the balcony that stretched out from her room. She had been out there for the last hour, enjoying the night air and some personal space. The rest of the family had gone hunting, aside from Carlisle who was due home from work soon, and Renesme who Bella and Edward had taken to visit Charlie hours before.

Just as she was about to return inside, a fluttery laughter rang through the night air. Esme returned to the edge and leaned over the railing slightly, noticing Renesme and Jacob making their way toward the front steps of the porch.

They must have let her go with Jacob, Esme thought to herself. As much as she wanted to give her granddaughter her well deserved privacy, Esme couldn't help but watch the slightly awkward moment between the two of them by the door.

Jacob smiled and though Renesme's back was to her, she could tell she was smiling too. "Well, you can come back for Seth's birthday tomorrow if you want," Jacob told her.

"Okay, yeah that sounds great," Renesme said back, unable to hide the giddiness in her voice.

They stood in silence for a moment, and Esme heard Jacob try to break it with a fake clear of his throat. "Good night, Nessy," Jacob said, "Ask your parents if it's okay first, and if it is, I'll swing by and pick you up tomorrow around three. Maybe four."

"It'll be fine, I'm sure," Renesme told him, "Are we going to have another fire?"

"That's how we party on the reservation," Jacob told her with a smile.

"I love the bonfires," Renesme said.

"They're definitely fun." There was another moment of silence. Esme felt so guilty spying on Renesme and Jacob, but she couldn't help herself. Jacob grinned and gave Renesme a long, tight hug, "Goodnight, Ness."

Renesme wrapped her arms around him, "Goodnight." They went to part, letting their faces linger toward each other's. Jacob smiled and looked down shyly. When he brought his eyes back up, Renesme leaned in and planted a kiss on his lips. It was short and sweet, and by the look on Jacob's face, happily unexpected. Esme smiled to herself and made her way back inside, still eagerly listening to their conversation.

"I'm sorry," she heard Renesme say. Her voice had a mixture of excitement, fear of rejection and total and utter happiness.

A short snicker left Jacob's mouth, "Wow, Ness. I -"

"I'm sorry if I made that awkward," Renesme said.

"It's not at all awkward, Ness," Jacob told her, "I'm glad you did that, because I was a little too chicken to. Mainly because of your mom and dad," he confessed. They both laughed together.

"So that was okay?" Renesme asked.

Esme could tell that Jacob had kissed Renesme again. There was a few second pause before he answered, "Does that answer your question?"

A short sigh escaped Renesme's mouth.

"Good night Renesme," Jacob said, "I'll text you in the morning."

"Okay, Jacob."

"Goodnight," he said again.

"Goodnight." A moment later, Esme heard the door open and Renesme made her way into the house. She heard the refrigerator open and a soda can pop. The television went on shortly after and she could tell Renesme had made herself comfortable on the couch.

Esme casually made her way down the stairs, "Hey Nessy," she said, "How was your day at Charlie's?"

Renesme smiled from ear to ear, "It was great."

"Good," she smiled back.

Renesme fidgeted on the couch, and Esme could tell she wanted to get it off of her chest that she had kissed Jacob. She glanced back and forth between the TV and Esme. Finally, she muted the TV and Esme looked toward her. "So," Renesme started. She didn't say much more.

Esme laughed, "So?"

"You know, don't you?" Renesme asked with a grin.

"Know what?" She couldn't keep a smile from her own face.

Renesme laughed, "I kissed Jacob. Just now."

Esme couldn't lie, "I could overhear your conversation."

"It's only you here, right?"

She nodded.

"Good," Renesme said, "I'll have to talk to Alice and Rose about it later And I'm really glad none of the guys are here." Renesme's glow was contagious, and Esme found herself feeling as happy as her granddaughter. "That was so..." she couldn't find the right words, but her expression gave it away, "It was great."

"Are you glad you waited a little while?" Esme asked.

Renesme nodded quickly, "I'm so glad. I'm so happy." She looked at the clock, "I'm not tired, but I want to try to sleep before Dad gets home. I don't want him to read my thoughts and get mad. I'm too happy tonight."

Esme felt a little bad for Renesme, unable to keep the little moments of her life private that should remain that way. She knew it wasn't Edward's fault, and he'd unwillingly be able to pick through every detail of his daughter's first kiss. She knew it was no picnic for him either.

"Are you going to tell him?"

Esme pretended to zip her lip, "I won't say a word to your dad."

"Thanks," Renesme hugged Esme. She quickly finished the soda she was drinking.

Carlisle entered the house and hung his jacket. Renesme smiled at him as she was about to turn in for the night, "How was work?"

"It was good," he said, returning the smile.

Renesme fluttered her way upstairs. When she was gone, Carlisle looked at Esme with a touch of confusion, "What was that about?"

Esme shrugged with a smile, and Carlisle grinned. "I'm guessing something with.." He let his voice taper off.

Esme nodded and found a pen and paper, scribbling the words, Ness kissed Jacob.

Carlisle raised his eyebrows and nodded. Esme mouthed the words, 'don't say anything.'

He shook his head, as if to agree to her request.

"How was your day?" Esme asked.

"Fine. Better now," he smiled and kissed her, then whispered, "Should we leave so Edward can't read our thoughts? About Renesme I mean."

"I promised her I wouldn't say anything to him," Esme whispered, "So maybe we should."

"Another walk?"

Esme nodded, "Sure."

Carlisle held out his arm and they made their way to the car.