Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight
Chapter Five
*Grace's POV*
"Are you even getting ready for that camping trip you told me about?" My mother asked as she walked in on Masen and I. The two of us were currently chilling on my bed watching some T.V when my mom decided to invade. "Or pick a college even?"
"Mom," I whined, narrowing my eyes at her. "Really?"
"Well, I'm just curious. There's Columbia, an ivy league school, and Boston College. Not ivy league, but still a very good school. I'm proud of you Grace and I just want you to get the college education you deserve," My mother chided. "And you too, Masen! Dear, don't you know what your going to do?"
"I mean...Mrs. Martin, I'm not too concerned," Masen spoke up, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. "I have forever, so whatever Grace picks I'm going to follow her."
"For the last time dear, it's Elaine. And I mean, since you two are so certain you're mates, which at this point it seems pretty clear, why don't you figure it out together then?" She pointed out to us. "If you plan to have a life together the next four years, then plan it out."
"Mom, there's a lot to consider. Like...This whole immortal thing," I said to her quietly.
My mother stopped and then looked at me hesitantly. "Right..."
"Do half witches like me get the chance to be immortal? Is that even a thing?" I asked. "I think it is, right?"
"There have been immortal half-witches, but they've been practicing since they were children. You just really started becoming a practicing witch, so I don't know. I mean, you've been practicing right?" My mother asked curiously as she slowly took a seat by us.
"I have, but I don't know if it's working. Mom, look...I want to be with Masen. Forever. I just-"
"I understand, dear. It's just, not many girls like you fall in love with Lux Lamia," my mother quipped, smirking a bit at Masen. "To be honest, you might be the only half-witch to have ever fallen in love with one. And to think, I thought you'd just meet a human and this was going to be a lot less complicated than it seems like it's become."
"Do you think Nonna would know a thing or do?" I asked curiously, referring to my grandmother.
"Maybe, but right now we need to convince your grandmother Ava and I aren't nuts," My mother mumbled, getting up from her seat. "Once we get her on a mutual level, then we'll introduce her to the Cullens and Masen. After that we have to ask her about the Lux Lamia. That's gonna be a lot of info for Carolyn to take in...We don't need to give her a heart attack just yet."
"I know," I replied, nodding in agreement.
"Just...In the meantime you two try to figure something out. You're in this together. That's what couples do," my mother told us as she made her way towards the doorway. "Wish me luck, I'm going to see if she's home."
"Alright," I called after her, wincing a bit. I then turned to Masen and sighed, "My grandmother isn't a very open minded person..."
"Kind of figured that one out," Masen replied, chuckling lightly. I nodded as I snuggled into his side.
"I don't ever want to loose you," I muttered into the fabric of his shirt. "I don't want to be old with a husband I'll never love thinking about how you're out there somewhere. Then I die and-"
"Grace, don't talk like that," Masen whispered, cupping my face in his. "Something will happen. The universe wants us together."
"How are you so sure about that?" I asked fearfully. "What if it doesn't?"
"It does. I can feel it in my bones," He insisted, winking at me. I chuckled as I buried my face deeper into his palm.
"It's just...I'm mortal at the moment. I don't know if I'm immortal. I practice magic now, but who knows. Maybe it won't work. Maybe one day I will...I'll have to leave you," I muttered unhappily. To think, a little over a year I was trying everything I could to get away from this world. The supernaturals and magic, but now here I am, trying everything I can to stay in it.
"No. If you die, I die. I'm not meaning this to be so deep or scare you, but you are my life, Grace. If you were to grow old and die, so would I because you are my world. I don't want to live in a world where you don't exist," He confessed to me deeply.
I felt my heart swell as our eyes locked, "And I don't want to live in a world where I can't be with you. In a world where I'd have to leave you."
"It won't happen because Grace Martin, I am not leaving you and you are not leaving me. I'll do whatever you want, but I'm not my father. I'm not determined to keep your soul in tact when I know that whatever you choose, your soul will be fine. It seems mad that you'd be damned," Masen told me softly. He licked his lips and then looked at me with uncertainty, "Maybe there could be a way for me to become human...Maybe I could become mortal?"
"Is there?" I asked, raising my eyebrows. "I've never heard of any immortal creature becoming mortal? Is there a way?"
"I don't know, but maybe. God knows. I mean, look at me. I was some weird miracle child that wasn't supposed to exist," Masen said, shrugging.
"But what about your family? I wouldn't want you to leave them!" I pointed out, shaking my head.
"And what about you? Your family? Your friends?" Masen argued. "It's not fair for you to leave yours."
"It'll be painful, but I'll be fine leaving my friends here. I don't want to, but I can live with it. And may I remind you my brother, aunt, uncle, and cousins are all immortal. I do have mortal family, but I barely see them as it is. It'll just be my mother, but she can be immortal if she likes. All she has to do is start practicing magic again. It might be better if we just find a way. I don't only want to loose you, I don't want to loose Renesmee, your family, Robert, Cordelia, Lucia, Ava, Lexie, Tommy, Zach- the whole lot. It'll probably be easier for me to become immortal," I explained to him.
"Alright. We'll figure something out. And just know, whatever we figure out we'll be fine Grace. Whatever happens, we'll be fine. I promise," Masen vowed to me fiercely.
"You promise?" I repeated, causing him to nod.
"Of course."
"Good." I smiled as we leaned our foreheads together. I took a deep breath and sighed, taking in his scent. The surroundings of the room. The way the comforter felt and the way all my college mail seemed to tease me in the corner of my eye.
"Speaking of other life decisions, what am I going to do? I have a week left until I have to pick one!" I muttered, picking up my two acceptance letters. "This is so hard."
"It really shouldn't be. I mean...Do you want to stay in New York or move to Boston? That's the real question," Masen said to me. "Exclude the immortality crap for a second. Let's think now. Where does Grace want to live next year? Where does Grace Martin want to learn?"
I bit my lip, "I mean, I love New York. It's my home. My mom's here. So is Robert, Delia, and Lucia. There's also Ava, Zach, Tommy, and Lexie. My whole family's here. Then there's your family..."
"So New York?"
"But...I always wondered what living in Boston would be like?" I quietly spoke up, thinking of the charming city. "It's a college city, you know. It seems like it could be a lot of fun, even if they're home of the Red Soxs..."
"Forgot about that Red Sox-Yankee rival." Masen chuckled, kissing the top of my head. "I was always more of a Mariners fan myself."
"We can't be together anymore," I teased, causing my boyfriend to roll his eyes at me.
"So, what are you saying...You want to go to Boston?" He asked me slowly after a few moments of silence.
I thought about it for a bit. I wanted change. I wanted Masen by my side as we explored the streets of Boston. I wanted to party with him at a real college party. I wanted to go to a real college football game. We could have a lot of fun up there. Not that New York isn't a great city. It's my home...But...
"It's time for change." I smiled, looking up at him with a big grin. "Boston College. I've made my choice!"
"That's my girl! Boston College!" He exclaimed, planting a big kiss on my lips. "Hey Elaine! You're gonna be a Boston College mom!"
"Wooo!" my mother cheered from the other side of the room. She then came in moments later with a big grin. "So you finally decided?"
"Yep," I announced, smiling from ear to ear.
"This is going to be great," Masen chirped. "We could get an apartment down there. Not too far from the campus-"
"Oh! I like that idea!" I exclaimed, jumping up and down a bit. "This is really going to be fun. Really fun."
"Yeah," Masen agreed as our lips met again. Now that this was settled, all we had to figure out was my immortality. Even though I could go through with a mortal life, I didn't want it and I could tell neither did Masen. We wanted to be together.
*Renesmee's POV*
"We should take a ride somewhere," Jacob whispered in my ear. His arms were wrapped around my waist. I was dressed in my white flowered summer dress and he in his black t-shirt and shorts. We were on the roof top, just enjoying one another's comfort. "Somewhere nice and quiet. A place we could relax."
"I know a place," I said, smirking up at him. I watched as an amused look appeared on his face. "You just have to follow me to get there."
Jacob just chuckled as I began to dash away. I looked back to see he was following me, so I kept running. I ran until I got to the bottom of the stair case. That's when I realized, he wasn't there anymore. I frowned, doing a 360, and taking the whole area to see if he was anywhere.
"Jacob?" I called out, seeing as my boyfriend just disappeared into thin air. "Jake!"
In fact, the whole house was quiet. Besides Jacob, my parents were nowhere to be found. My sister, brother, even my cousins. No one. Not a soul lurking around.
A chill ran down my spine as I looked for some sort of life, "Mom? Dad? Lizzy? Masen?!" I called for their names, but no answer. "Lily? Aidan? Aunt Rose? Uncle Em? Aunt Alice? Uncle Jasper?! Grandpa! Grandma!? Abby! Seth!? Ethan!?"
"Renesmee! Dear! Come out, come out wherever you are!" I froze in my spot. I knew that voice. I turned around to see Serena standing right behind me. I screamed, but another hand covered my mouth. I looked to now see it was the hand of Lorenzo.
"This will only hurt a bit!" She exclaimed, her eyes turning a different color. A weird yellow. I tried to scream, but Lorenzo's hand muffled my sounds.
"Do it, my dear. For once they're gone, we may rule over again with full power," Aro Volturi announced as he came into focus with the brothers. I began to scream again, but nothing. No one was there. I was stuck. Trapped.
"Goodbye it is," Serena whispered, raising the knife in the air-
That's when I woke up, jolting upward from the bed. My body wracked in sweat while my chest heaved up and down as I tried to catch my breath. My hand over my chest as I attempted to slow my thudding heart. I tried to take my surroundings in. I was in my bedroom. It was just my room. I was safe-
"Ness?" I jump up again from my bed, looking over to see a sleepy Jake now arising before me. "Ness? Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," I responded shakily.
"I can hear your heart racing and you're trembling," Jake pointed out, placing a hand on my arm gently. "Was it a nightmare?"
"Yeah." I breathed, rubbing my temples. "Just..."
"Tell me what happened," Jake pleaded gently, rubbing smooth circles on the back of my hand. "Please."
"I...They are the same thing. Serena, Lorenzo, the Volturi...They all kill me and none of you guys aren't there. You're with me one minute, and then you leave," I whispered, rawness in my voice as I tried to control my emotions. "I just...I keep dying. Over and over again. I can't do this anymore."
"It's okay," Jacob whispered, gently bringing me closer to him. I immediately gave in and buried my face into his chest. The way his warm bare skin and his rustic smell filled my nose. I took a deep breath as he began to rub circles on my back. "You're going to be okay. It's going to be okay."
I nodded against him. How could he know that? He doesn't...I didn't want to argue with Jake. Cry about the fact he couldn't know, but I couldn't say anything because just being in his arms made me forget everything going on. It made me feel safe and that's what I focused on. I focused on his breathing, the way his chest was rising and falling beneath me or how his heart was beating underneath my cheek. I focused on that as I tried to calm my own breathing and heart rate, back to normalcy. In his arms I was safe. That's all that I could feel.
"I was thinking about college again," I mentioned to him, trying to get my mind off it all.
"Yeah? Where would you like to go?" He asked me.
I bit my lip, "Would you maybe...Would you want to move to California?"
"California?" He questioned, causing me to nod.
"Yeah." I smiled. "I mean...Look, I would like to do premed. I want to be like my grandfather and I think I can find that there. But at the same time, I also want to be somewhere sunny. You and I can live in sunny and not be suspected of being sparkling vampires. Imagine how great that'll be, and Forks isn't too far away. We'd still have to fly, but it's better than being across the country."
"That sounds really nice," Jacob mused, causing me to smile.
"I mean, you could even take some engineering classes. Plus, I was looking at things to do in LA...We could have a really fun time there, you and I," I mentioned.
"We always did talk about going somewhere warm," Jacob said, causing me to nod excitedly.
"Yeah. It could be really great," I insisted.
"I'd like that," He agreed, smiling at me. I then yawn against him as his hands run through my hair some more, "Now, Ness. Why don't you try to get some sleep. You need it."
"Yeah. That's probably a good idea," I agreed, nuzzling my face into his chest.
"Think happy thoughts like graduation, partying, camping. There's so much good around you, Ness. Just try to think of all of that," Jacob said, trying to help and reassure me.
"Thanks, Jacob. I'll try," I muttered sleepily. "Let's just, like you said. Try to sleep."
"Okay," He said back, kissing the top of my head. I smiled and buried myself further into the man I love.
The thing was, everything seemed fine, but then nights like this tend to reveal all the emotional trauma and scars that still lay embedded within me. I couldn't help but feel that even though we felt like we owned the world right now, it wasn't over. Something bigger and badder would come for us. Our fight wasn't done just yet.
*Lizzy's POV*
I smiled at all the geraniums in the garden. Grandma Esme planted these recently. They were beautiful. So many different vibrant colors emerging from the ground. My grandmother told me they mean comfort. Then again, it seems flowers have many different interpretations than one. Anyway, I needed comfort right now.
Sitting in the garden was peaceful, even though all the noise from the city seemed to penetrate here...It was still peaceful. It wasn't like sitting in the middle of the woods in Forks. A nice mossy tree trunk to relax on while the cool wind blew around you. There was also sitting on the beach of LaPush, watching the waves tumble and fall while the sun set behind the cliffs. Or even the South American islands we lived on where beautiful pinks, yellows, and oranges filled the sky as the sun set or rose. New York, the urban jungle, had it's own beauty. It's own aesthetic you could find. There is beauty in this world, it just depends where and how you look at it.
I've been sitting here for a few hours now. I guess it has to do with the fact I overhead Seth speaking to Aidan this morning. Part of me wished I never heard the conversation. All it did was make me feel even more guilty than before...
The rain was drizzling down on the world today. Everything seemed gloomy as I made myself a warm cup of blood. I normally loved rain, but not today. Something about it made me less enthusiastic.
"Whatcha making there, Liz?" Seth asked from behind.
"Warm cup of blood," I told him, showing it off. He immediately scrunched his nose up causing me to laugh.
"Oh Liz." He sighed as he picked up a nearby magazine, "So, whatcha doing tonight?"
"I don't know. Curl up. Read a book. Grandpa Carlisle is letting me read some of his novels. Gonna practice my German," I explained to him.
"Oh, that sounds fun," He mentioned softly, giving me a small smile.
"Do you have any plans?" I asked curiously, taking a sip of my um beverage.
"I don't know...Um nah. You know what, nothing much," He told me, his lips quirking in a smile. Oh god, here we go again..."Maybe just chilling around the house too."
"Oh. Okay," I responded, trying to give him the best smile I could. "I'm just going to get my robe," I lied, shrugging.
"Alright. See ya in a bit," He said. I gave him another smile before walking out of the kitchen.
"Hey Liz, where's Seth?" Aidan asked me, shoving his hands in his pockets.
"In the kitchen." I directed him with the jerk of my thumb.
"Cool. Thanks," He replied. Quietly, I moved towards the wall so I could listen in on the conversation.
"Hey man, you ready to head out?" Aidan asked Seth.
"I don't know...I don't know if I can go tonight, Aide." My stomach dropped with that sentence. My hands curling around a piece of my shirt as I listened in on more.
"Wait...What? Why can't you go man? We planned this like two days ago. Come on!" Aidan begged.
"I just...I just can't-"
"Don't tell me it's because of Lizzy. I swear to God man, she's relaxing today. You don't need to follow her every night and day."
"But, as her imprint-"
"No. Do you see Jake following Ness everywhere she goes? They're very attached now, but they need their space too! You know that of all people! Take notes bud!" Aidan remarked.
"I can't though. What if something were to happen- she's my imprint. I feel wrong leaving her..."
"She's not a kid anymore. I got it when she was little, man. It was fun having you around...But now she's thirteen. She's still a kid, but it won't be long until she's grown into a teenager. She can survive on her own. Then I guess, when you guys date then she'll just be with you all the time. Just base it on Ness and Jake. Give her space now, and then after that she'll be lusting after you."
"When you put it like that, it sounds a bit weird," Seth responded. I could almost sense the frown on his mouth.
"Come on, man. It's guys night out. Lizzy will be fine at home. Not that I don't want my cousin to come. Lizard is my best friend too- but it's just you and I tonight."
"Could we invite her?" Seth meekly asked. I immediately felt my stomach twist and turn. "It's my duty to keep her safe. I'm bound to her. I want to know she's safe."
"Ugh! Fine. Don't listen to Aidan's advice then," My cousin grumbled. "Just invite her."
"Alrighty then!" Seth then began to make his way out of the kitchen while I scampered away to make it seem natural. Like I just reading the whole time. I ran into the library and quickly placed a robe on in no time.
"Liz? You in here?" Seth asked, his voice echoing in the room. I turn around to great him with a small smile, being fake as ever no doubt.
"Yeah. Hey, Seth. What's up?" I asked as casually as I could.
"Nothing, I just wanted to know if you wanted to go out with Aidan and I tonight?"
I knew it was coming, but I didn't really want to go...I wanted Seth to have fun. "Nah. I'm good...Weren't you two supposed to just have a guys night?"
"Well um...Yeah, but ya know-"
"You can go, you know," I said, raising an eyebrow at him. "You don't need to stay here with me."
"No, it's more so because I'm tired and I just-"
"Seth, you obviously want to go hang out with Aidan. Go with him," I demanded. "Because I don't want to see you hanging around here another night bored out of your mind."
"I just...Liz-"
"No...Just go with Aidan."
"I'm staying here, with you," Seth insisted. "I'll be right back-"
"Seth, wait-" But he was already out of the library. I just felt my entire being feel as if it turned to stone. My stomach was like it was outlined with lead. I wanted to cry in frustration right there and then. So badly.
I looked at Seth from across the garden. He was reading a magazine on the swing, occupying himself, but being my body guard like always. I knew Seth and I always had a connection. The moment I laid eyes on him, I felt like we were bound. And I do love him? How could I not love that big lug? He's so good natured. He's sweet, kind, funny, and it's very easy for him to make you smile. Either by his goofiness or just his presence. But then we came to this transition in my life, from child to adult. I'm in the between. I'm not either exactly yet, so I don't think Seth understands what he should do. It was easier before this because we all used to hang out, but as things changed there were times, like today I just want to read a book in German to myself. I wanted Seth to have a guys night out and have fun. Aidan is my best friend too, but sometimes there's certain things they want to do together. But Seth feels obliged to me and it breaks my heart.
"Hey Liz! How those plants?" Seth asked me, quirking his head towards me. I smiled naturally. I did like having him around, just not when I know the reasons...
"Yeah! They're great!" I exclaimed, gently touching the leaves of another one.
"Are you studying them?" He asked me curiously. I nodded as he hopped off the swing to see what I was doing. Another thing I did like about Seth was the fact he was always genuinely interested in helping me research or something. He would learn a bit too, so I think he liked that.
"Yeah, I guess," I said, shrugging. "I'm also admiring the beauty."
"Nice," He exclaimed, smiling at me. I smiled too.
I love Seth, don't get me wrong. This wolf will always have a big place in my heart, but people keep comparing us to my sister and Jake. My sister was in love with Jake the moment she could figure it out, and even though she had a little trouble trying to find herself...Her and Jake always belonged with one another. We all knew it was going to happen, but when it comes to Seth...I feel like people just believe we belong together because we're imprints...And I don't know how I feel about that. When Ness was my age, she was already lusting after Jake. He was her first crush. Meanwhile, I love Seth but I'm not in love with him just yet and I'm kind of scared I never will feel that way with him.
"Are you okay, Lizzy?" He asked me curiously. "You seem off?"
"No," I lied. He looked genuinely worried. "Perfectly fine."
"Good. Now come on, tell me some more about these flowers," He said, grinning up at me.
"Sure!" I agreed enthusiastically. I was happy to explain the flowers to him, but my heart was breaking. I don't know what was going to happen with Seth and I was terrified.
A/N: Alright! Here ya guys go! I hope you enjoyed! Things will be getting a bit dramatic shortly so be on the lookout for that ;) In the meantime, thanks for reading and please review!
