A/N: 'Malyutka' is an American spelling of the Russian word for 'little beloved one'.
Everything Is Different Now
Chapter 18
May 6, 2013
"Thanks Marie, that was fabulous. See you for lunch on the terrace about 1:00 okay?"
"Yes Ma'am. It'll be ready. Uhmm,...Dr. Frederick?"
"Yes Marie?
"I don't know what's going on today, but we all know that something big is happening and we all want
you and Master Jacob to know that we are here if you need us, in ANY capacity. We all love Master
Jacob and of course you are our family, so..., just..., call us if you need anything...ANYTHING."
"Oh, my sweet Mama Marie! Thank you so much! I have Willikins and Barney on high alert and they
are both ready and fully informed. They will be close when our guests arrive. Cross your fingers
Marie but I don't plan to let go of Jacob without a fight."
"Thatta girl! We won't let him be taken from us. We've all come to love him too. He's such a
wonderful young man. I'm so happy for you my little one."
"Thank you Marie. I love you."
"And I love you too, Bebe. You know your parents would have loved Jacob, don't you?"
"Yes, I think they would have. I even think Pierre would approve."
"You know, I think he would too. If he had the chance to choose someone to look after you, Jacob
would have certainly made the grade. So, no regrets Malyutka."
"That's what I was thinking. Okay, Marie. It's almost time. Don't forget, you don't have to make
food for but one of our guests. Only one of them eats food. The other two are on bizarre "religious
diet/fasts", well, that's the story we got from them anyway. We'll just play along I guess."
"Yes ma'am. I'll remember. No accounting for different religious beliefs is there?"
"No, Marie, none at all. Do you think I'll be able to keep a straight face?"
"Ummm, maybe."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~EIDN~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Hey babe, a car just pulled through the front gate. I imagine that's them. How are you doing?"
"Hard to say honey. I've been sitting here taking deep breaths but trying not to hyperventilate,
running way too many old memories and pictures through my head. Sometimes I can't believe how
messed up I was and how not messed up I am now. All because of you. What would I do without
you?"
"Hmmm, not sure, but let's not try to find out okay? I don't know what I would do without you, other
than go crazy, so I'd just as soon keep our status quo if that's alright with you."
"Perfectly alright with me. C'mere honey, I need a hug and a kiss before you march into the lion's
den. Mmmm. Thank you Dr. Frederick. You're 'medicine' is a miraculous secret elixir. I won't
forget to renew my prescription."
"No need for renewal Mr. Black. That Rx has no expiration date and comes with a guarantee and a
lifetime promise."
"Lifetime promise? What kind of promise?"
"What kind did you have in mind, Mister?"
"Uhm, I wasn't gonna mention this right now, but... how about forever?"
"Forever?"
"Yeah, I mean...,FOREVER. Laura? Will you marry me?"
"Oh my, your timing IS off the wall, sweetheart! But there's no sense in putting off till tomorrow
what you could do today. Yes, Jacob, I can think of nothing I'd rather do. It would be my honor to
marry you."
"Hot damn! Now the sun is shinin'! C'mere again doctor. I want to seal this bargain officially."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~EIDN~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Mmmm, yeah that's the proper way to seal an engagement."
"I don't know honey. I can think of another ritual or two that might be more fun. Can we get deeper
into this discussion?"
"Well, sure baby, oh damn, there's Willikins' signal. We'll have to rain check it. But, hold that
thought. Forgive me please?"
"Always Laura. Always. C'mere quick. One more time..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~EIDN~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Your guests have arrived Madam. I have placed them in the parlor and Barney and I are prepared in
the butler's pantry."
"Thank you Willikins. And please thank Barney for me too. We'll have a chance to talk later I'm
sure."
"Willikins, I appreciate you and Barney being here to help Laura. Thanks from me too."
"You're quite welcome Master Jacob. We feel as protective toward you as we do the doctor. We're all
glad you're here Sir."
"Thanks again. Okay honey, I'll be in the hall outside the parlor door. Call me if you need me okay?"
"I will. Are you going to be okay?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine. We'll get through this together. As long as you're mine, I'm good."
"Then you're good. Cause I'm yours. And you're mine. Come on. Let's go see what amazing story
they've concocted. This ought to be interesting."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~EIDN~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Hello Mr. and Mrs. Cullen. Welcome to my home."
"Thank you Dr. Frederick. It's a pleasure to be here, thank you for allowing us to come. This is my
wife, Bella and this is our daughter, Renesmee."
"It's a pleasure to meet both of you. Won't you follow me to the terrace? The weather is cooperating
today and it's quite nice outside."
"Uh, I'm not sure we should be outside for very long if the sun will be making an appearance."
"Oh, it's okay Mr. Cullen. I am completely aware of the fact that you and your wife might sparkle a
bit during our visit and it doesn't bother me in the least. I hope it won't bother you."
"Uhm,...okay...I wasn't expecting...we weren't expecting..."
"That I would know what you were? Oh yes, I know a great deal about you and your wife, your
family, and your daughter. Don't worry Mr. and Mrs. Cullen. I'm perfectly happy to keep all of this
knowledge to myself and I have no worries about any repercussions. Now shall we make ourselves
comfortable out here? Right through these doors. Renesmee, I have refreshments available for you,
dear. Can I offer you a cup of tea or perhaps some lemonade?"
"Um, may I have some water, please?"
"Of course. Marie, some ice water for the young lady and I'll have a cup of tea, and yes I'm certain the
Cullens won't require anything."
"Yes Madam. Right away."
"Dr. Frederick may I ask how you know so much about us?"
"Certainly you may. I am not without resources Mr. Cullen. When you informed me that you were
on your way to see me without so much as a request from you for an invitation, I contacted someone
who could help me discover the purpose of your visit as well as how you were able to discover this
location. Your father wields a certain amount of influence in the Pacific Northwest, what with his
reputation combined with his large bank account."
"I beg your pardon! My father would never..."
"Bribe someone to divulge confidential information about a patient in a medical facility? I beg to
differ Sir. I know for a fact that he did exactly that. Please don't insult my intelligence."
"So you know why we're here?"
"Yes Mrs. Cullen I do know why you're here. I hope you won't be upset when I tell you that you may
be returning to New Hampshire with disappointment heavy on your shoulders."
"And by what right do you say that? What makes you think that it's your decision?"
"Oh, it's not my decision Mrs. Cullen. I'm merely the enforcer. This is my property and if my patient
does not wish to meet with you, it will not happen. It's quite simple really."
"You don't even know what you're saying! You don't know how close he is to our family. We must
see him!"
"Close to your family? Really? I'm not sure that would be an accurate representation of your
relationship with him."
"He's my best friend! We've known each other since we were children. He was at our wedding. He
was present at the birth of our daughter. Their connection is more important than your
confidentiality clause doctor!"
"Mrs. Cullen, please calm yourself. I know about the connection between your daughter and my
patient. I believe there might be mitigating circumstances concerning that. I'm in a position to claim
a right to be privy to this information. I am a part of his world."
"A part of his world? How can that be? You're merely Jacob's shrink. You are human, are you not?"
"Oh yes, quite human Mrs. Cullen. May I call you Bella?"
"Oh...uh...yes, if you must."
"Well, Bella, yes, I have become a part of your world since I have become a part of Jacob's world. Mr.
Black has been living here since February and I have had the good fortune to become integrated into
his world with full honors."
"With full honors? What the hell can that possibly mean?"
"Let me say that information is privileged. Your desire to meet with Mr. Black is not without merit,
but it doesn't have much."
"I need...I mean, we need to see Jacob. Your earlier comment confirms that he is indeed living
here now."
"Yes, he is here. He is unavailable at the moment. I can arrange a meeting with him later, if he is
amenable or course."
"If he is amenable?! What does that mean? He'd want to see me, to see us."
"Well, Bella, I'm sorry to tell you this, but you may be deluded in that respect. There is a distinct
possibility that Jacob would not want to see you or your husband or your daughter. I have agreed to
speak to you in advance and determine the nature of your visit and I will bow to his decision if he
wants to re-establish contact with you. I think perhaps you assume too much based on your skewed
memories of your last contact with Mr. Black."
"You've got to be kidding! You're running interference for Jake? That's nonsense! You take us to
him right now or I'll..."
"Bella!"
"Mother!"
"You'll what Mrs. Cullen? If you'll look over your shoulder, you'll notice that there are two of my staff
members ready to escort you from the property. And if you think I don't know that your physical
strength would require more than just two humans to remove you, let me assure you, Willikins and
Barney are NOT human and have MORE than enough power available to remove you, your husband
and your daughter from the premises. To put it simply Mrs. Cullen, DO NOT PUSH ME."
"I don't believe it!"
"Oh, please do believe it Mr. Cullen. Now, if we can all sit back down, and if you're willing, tell me the
reason for your visit and your wish to see Mr. Black and I'll take all you tell me into consideration."
"Very well, I suppose we have no choice. Dr. Frederick, we are here because Jacob Black is the
eternal soulmate of our daughter and because they have been separated for 7 years, she has suffered
emotionally, physically and mentally. We want to bring the two of them together to save our
daughter's sanity."
"I see. That is a very noble cause you're embracing Mr. Cullen. When did you become aware of your
daughter's connection to Mr. Black?"
"Okay, this is ridiculous. You're stalling! Edward knew a long time ago, the moment it happened,
that Jacob imprinted on Renesmee. He allowed Jacob to leave without saying a word. He allowed
our daughter to suffer, without saying a word. This is water under the bridge and something that I
will deal with after we get home. Right now, I know that my daughter's difficulties have been
happening because she has been separated from Jacob for all of these years. I didn't know! I only
found out a few weeks ago about the imprint and we put two and two together after that. She started
getting worse in January and we don't understand why. We need to speak to Jacob! Please!"
"What exactly do you need to say to me Bella?"
"Jake!"
"Yeah, it's me. Long time no see, huh Bella? Edward."
"Hello, Jacob. Please allow me to ..."
"No, I don't think I'm in the mood to allow you to anything Eddie. So just shut up, okay? Hey Laura,
honey, you're doin' a great job baby. Stay here close to me. You're the most wonderful mate a guy
could ever hope for. "
"Mate?"
"Yeah, mate. Are you surprised, Bella? Oh, I hope so. Here's the deal. I know you're both just dyin',
or not, to find out what's goin' on with your kid. Well, listen up. Yeah, I imprinted on her. And yeah,
I ran. I couldn't stomach the notion of bein' tied for eternity to a hybrid spawn. Sorry, Ren, nothing
personal."
"Ren?"
"It's just a nickname. Didn't mean anything by it."
"Well, for your information, her nickname is Nessie."
"Nessie? You shortened her name to the name of a sea monster? Damn Bella! That's cold even for
you! Whatever. Call her whatever you want, she's no longer a part of my life."
"What? What the hell, Jake?"
"Yeah, what the hell, Bella? You might have guessed that your precious Eddie would lie to you
AGAIN about something really important. But you didn't. And he did. So there. Here's the rest of
the story. I ran. I suffered. I went through hell. Because of YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND! But now,
I'm in another world, and I'm happy. And I can't bring myself to give a damn about you, or your
'mate' or your hybrid daughter. Here's the nitty gritty, Bella. My imprint on Renesmee BROKE in
January and it re-settled itself on Laura, here. I am no longer tied for eternity to your kid. I have an
imprint, a soulmate, a true love. And she is the most perfect match for me that could ever be. Way
more perfect then I ever dreamed you could be. I'm sorry your daughter has suffered because of my
imprint on her, but that's something you definitely will need to take up with your silent husband.
Maybe it's just the nature of things that are connected to you Bella. Anything that is attached to you
is destined to crash and burn. It is destined for failure and dismal unhappiness. I didn't see that in
time. I suffered because of my misguided hopes and dreams. But I know better now. Your daughter
is released Mrs. Cullen. She is safe from any connection to a member of any wolfpack or any other
shifter and she is on her own as far as soulmates might be concerned. Renesmee, I'm really sorry for
all of the pain you've endured. We've both endured more than our share. I think it might be a good
idea if you and your parents head for home as quickly as possible. I'm not sure I could contain my
reactions if your mother or father pushes me any further. I hope you are able to find some happiness
in your future."
"But...this is ridiculous! Jake...what do you...?"
"Sorry 'Mrs. Cullen'. This is goodbye, again."
"Have a safe trip home folks. Barney and Willikins will show you out. And please do not attempt to
return without an invitation. That would be considered trespassing and I would be forced to involve
the authorities."
"The authorities?! That would be unwise of you doctor."
"On the contrary Mr. Cullen. The authorities in ITALY have assured me that the wisdom of keeping
them informed is a certainty. Good day."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~EIDN~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Later that night, in a hotel in Boulder...
"Edward, you can't imagine how angry I am at you! What the fuck?"
"Love, I'm sorry. I didn't realize it would become this big a deal..."
"You didn't realize! Oh my God. Your daughter has been in agony her whole life and all you can say
is you didn't realize it would be a big deal? Holy hell, Edward! How insensitive and idiotic can you
possibly be? I'm having serious doubts about our own future now."
"Bella! Love, you can't mean that. We are bound for eternity. We will always be together."
"Edward, do not test me now. I can no longer trust anything you say or do. At this rate, the next
thing you'll tell me is you've found a new singer."
"What...uhm...makes you say that?"
"Wait a minute, Edward. You have, haven't you? I no longer have any blood to call to you so now
you've found a new singer! Oh, for the love of God, you HAVE!"
"Love, I'm sorry. I can't help it. He smells so divine, so mouthwatering!"
"HE? Edward! Have you lost your mind? You've decided that JACOB is your singer? He's a
werewolf Edward! His blood can't possibly call to you!"
"I know it shouldn't, Love. But it does. I can't explain it. I know he's a werewolf but his blood is
drawing me in. It smells totally different from the way it did in Washington. HE smells totally
different. There's no more wet dog odor, it's just outdoorsy and woodsy and spicy and there's
something incredibly powerful about him. His blood has been calling to me since before we went
through the front door. It smells glorious!"
"Glorious? Oh Edward...I think you've finally gone around the bend here. You need to put these
thoughts out of your mind and concentrate on what we can do for Nessie. We may need help. We've
got to convince both Jacob and Dr. Frederick to come to New Hampshire with us."
"Dr. Frederick? New Hampshire? Why would we want to bring her home with us? Her presence will
only hamper Ness's relationship with Jacob."
"I'm not so sure of that. We can bring them both to Hanover with us and perhaps we can work on
their sympathies and convince them to help our little girl. I can work on Dr. Frederick and you can
persuade Jacob."
"Bella, Love, I don't know if that would be a good idea. I'm not sure putting me in a room alone with
Jacob would be the safest place for either of us. You should talk to him and I'll talk to the doctor."
"I don't think I like the idea of you alone with the doctor, Edward."
"Oh Love, that's silly. I have no romantic interest in Dr. Frederick and you can apologize for your
behavior this afternoon. It will be fine. Won't it? What's wrong?"
"Dr. Frederick smells very nice."
"Bella? Are you trying to be funny? It's in very poor taste."
"No, not trying to be funny. It hit me when she walked into the parlor. That's one reason I was so
agitated. Her blood smells better than anything I've ever encountered in my vampire life, or my
human one for that matter."
"God, it's a good thing Ness is already asleep in her own room. What will she say when she finds out
that her parents want to steal her former soulmate and his current soulmate and sniff their blood out
through their pores?"
"Okay, let me see if I've got this straight."
"Nessie! What are you doing up?"
"Listening to my parents have the most bizarre conversation ever."
"Ness, love, you don't understand."
"I understand perfectly Father. You knew from the day of my birth that I was connected to Jacob and
you said nothing. I have suffered all my life because I've been separated from him and now you
finally have developed a tiny bit of a conscience and allowed me to know the truth. We've used every
manner of subterfuge and dishonesty, with Grandfather's financial help I might add, to discover
Jacob's whereabouts even though it is painfully obvious that he didn't wish to be found. He has
recovered from his connection to me, he is no longer tied to me, he is most assuredly in love with the
woman he embraced and kissed right in front of us, and the two of you still want to come between
him and his new mate. And then, the pièce de résistance, you have each discovered that you have
new singers. As I understand this phenomenon, a human's blood calls to you and you desire them
above all others. Daddy, you now desire Jacob and Mom, you desire Dr. Frederick. You are both so
completely demented and twisted, so completely debased and immoral, I'm not sure I ever want to be
around either of you again."
"Nessie, baby, you can't mean that."
"On the contrary, Mother, I mean it and more. I'm going to do something about it. I'm packing and
leaving tonight. I suggest the two of you make arrangements to join me in returning to New
Hampshire, just the three of us. I will be sending my apologies to Dr. Frederick and Mr. Black and
we will not be attempting to contact them again. Have I made myself clear? Don't make me call Aunt
Rosalie and Uncle Emmett."
"Nessie, your father and I need to see Jake and Laura again. We need to..."
"No Mother. Neither of you need to do anything involving the two of them except leave them
behind. You have overstepped your bounds in every way and I will not allow either of you to make an
even bigger mistake. You're leaving with me. I've already contacted Grandmother and Aunt Alice.
The family is expecting us home tomorrow."