Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight
Chapter Twenty-Three
*Renesmee's POV*
My bedroom was bare. Just like my bedroom was when we left the islands. I was very familiar with this feeling- moving on. I mean, this wasn't the end of New York. My room still had it's furniture and the memories we made here. This place will always be here since I would definitely be coming back when I could. This is where I met my best friend I fell in love with Jacob, and went to high school for the first time. But, it was time to make new memories. That's why all my personal stuff would be getting shipped to California in the upcoming month.
Aunt Alice and I picked out a whole new California themed wardrobe. I couldn't wait to move to such a sunny state. I would be enrolled in the University of Los Angeles's pre-med program. Jacob would be looking for a job at a garage. Our apartment was only a few minutes from the school. Everything was falling into place, but first I needed to make sure my little niece or nephew would be okay.
That's why we're going to Vermont. It was going to be a long drive, but none the less we would be in a state that isn't very populated. Carolyn's house was pretty deep in the wilderness. Apparently it used to be the old Sanders vacation home.
"Are you ready?" Jacob asked me, coming into my room.
"Yeah," I said, nodding softly.
"Does Carlisle know when the baby is going to be born? I don't want you to miss the birth, but we'll have to hit the road right after," Jacob said to me.
"Yeah. He's predicting early August. Right around my parent's anniversary," I mentioned softly. "Ava confirmed this. Her specialty is prenatal surgery and children. She studied all kinds of surgery, but she's an OBGYN."
"Oh. That's good then, for Grace and Masen," Jacob said as we took a seat on my bed.
"Yeah," I said, shrugging. "I can't believe I'm going to be a doctor one day."
"And a mighty fine one," Jacob chimed in, causing me to chuckle. I shook my head and turned towards my boyfriend.
"Well that'll have to wait. Once this baby is born, then I can focus on that. I won't be able to focus on that until I know everything here is okay," I confessed, grabbing my duffel bag for Vermont. We would be there for a few weeks, almost a month it seems.
Jacob nodded his head, "Alright. I can live with that. So speaking of baby, you think it's a boy or a girl?"
"Hmmm." I grinned, biting my lip. "To be honest, I want it to be a girl but I think it's a boy."
"Interesting response," Jacob said, chuckling.
"What about you? Do you have a gut feeling?" I asked him, a smirk appearing on my face.
"I'm going with twins," Jacob remarked jokingly. I chuckled, rolling my eyes at him.
"Let's hope it's just one. My brother and Grace need to adjust to the real world still," I pointed out. "Which is why we're not having kids until we're married."
"Deal." Jacob chuckled, pressing his lips to mine. When we pulled apart he looked back at all the boxes stacked in my room.
"Alice is going to ship them out for us while we head up," I explained to him, looking at the cardboard maze that formed in my bedroom. "They'll be sent to the apartment. Only the essentials of course."
Jacob chuckled as he picked up my old stuffed wolf from one of the cardboard boxes. I couldn't help but grin.
"Scout," I mused happily, brushing the fur of the old stuff animal. "Remember when you gave her to me?"
"Yeah," Jacob replied, a playful grin on his face. "Your first birthday. Man, you carried that thing everywhere you went. Then you got Lizzy one after Seth imprinted on her."
"Oh yeah. God," I whispered, shaking my head. "Time really went by fast."
"I mean, it sure did," Jacob pointed out with a smirk. He then looked few other things I had stored away. "I can't believe we're moving."
"Same," I agreed, nodding my head slowly. "It's just going to be just me and you."
"Are you going to miss your family?" Jacob asked softly.
I nodded, "Of course. But it's a step I'm willing to make. Everyone has to do it eventually. Anyway we'll be closer to Washington. We'll make trips to your family."
"It's okay. My dad's fine. He's been dating Tiffany Call and my sisters are pretty occupied with their lives," mentioned Jacob. "Rachel and Paul are going to be married by the end of this year. They're thinking about maybe moving to Wyoming or somewhere in the midwest. Rach wants a ranch with a big family. Paul seems content about it though. Then, Rebecca and Solomon have their son. They all try to visit dad when they can."
"That's good," I said, leaning against his shoulder. I liked hearing that his family was okay. I know how much he misses them.
"So are you ready for Vermont?" Jacob asked, looking at me for confirmation.
"More than I'll ever be," I replied, taking his hand in mine as we proceeded to walk downstairs.
When we got to my grandparent's side of the house, everyone seemed packed and tired. Grace and Masen were on the couch, curled up together. Lily had a coffee in one hand as she leaned against Ethan's chest, half asleep. Jen and Aidan were swinging their hands back and forth while Seth hung by them awkwardly. I frowned to see Lizzy on the other half of the room with Abby. It was really early in the morning, probably around four now.
"Is everyone ready?" My dad asked, coming into the room with my mom.
"Yeah. We should be hitting the road about now. Don't want to waste anymore time before we get stuck in traffic," Ethan mentioned.
"Alright then, Cullen's let's move out!" Aunt Rosalie announced as we all piled out of the house.
I looked back at our townhouses. Like I said, I was going to miss them. There were way too many memories. I smiled thinking of Lisa, Tori, Bryan, and Dylan- but they would all be busy in a few weeks time with college. We all said goodbye the other day since they think that I had to leave early due to some stuff with the apartment while Grace lied and said she was going on a family trip until she left. I didn't want to do this and I know Grace hated every moment of it as well, but we had to. Our lives were changing and fast.
I sighed as I got into the front seat of Jake's rabbit. We probably would stand out later on because of all the cars we were taking. My dad had his volvo, Uncle Emmett driving a truck he just bought, and finally my grandparents with BMW leading the way. The Martin's all left last night to prepare the house in Vermont for our upcoming stay while Aunt Alice and Uncle Jasper would be making their way later on today. They had a few things they had to do at the houses before we left for the summer.
After this, they would be returning to the New York homes, possibly, but only for a year. That's just for Lily and Aidan. After that, our family would be bound for a new state.
In our backseat was Lily, Ethan, and Seth. My parents had Grace and Masen while Uncle Emmett had Aunt Rose, Aidan, Jen, Abby, and Lizzy. Lily told me that her parents wanted to get to know Jen better now that she's dating Aidan.
Seth automatically fell asleep on the way there. I felt like something is off for Seth. What, I'm not entirely sure. Lizzy hasn't mentioned anything to me in the past couple of days and I worry. Jake's even said he doesn't seem like his normal self.
Ethan meanwhile seemed to zone out as he stared out the window. Lily fell asleep in his lap and he just kept running a hand through her hair.
"This reminds me of the drive to the cabin last year," Jacob whispered to me quietly. We were out of the city by now, somewhere deep in the middle of nowhere. Possibly New York still or Vermont. I wasn't really sure. We were just following my parent's car to the new destination.
"Why?" I asked him curiously.
Jacob shrugged, "I don't know. Going out into an area where civilization can't be heard for miles. I just...I just have a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach about this."
"About what exactly?" I asked quietly. The baby? Grace? Masen? The fact it's Carolyn's house?
"I don't know," Jacob answered truthfully. "Probably giving myself the heepe geebes. That's all. Just being reminded of a really bad time."
I nodded, grabbing his free hand that was resting by the gears. I squeezed it tight and placed a kiss on his knuckles, "I'm not going anywhere. I'm right here. I'm alive. We're all okay."
Jacob gave me a bittersweet smile before turning his head back to the road to pay attention. "Yeah. Let's just hope this goes well," He responded as we pulled up to a house.
"It will," I insisted, reaching over to kiss him as we stopped at a stop light. "It will."
*Grace's POV*
The moment I got out of Bella and Edward's car, I looked at the house in awe. The gigantic log cabin in the midst of nowhere. Flashes of memories filled my mind: Holidays spent by the fire place, sledding down the nearby hill with Robert, the snow capped trees, my grandmother smiling as she told us stories of my grandfather, Aunt Ava teaching me how to ski, an image of my parents- the two of them cuddled up by the fire. My father's arms around my mother's torso as the two of them laughed about something. Memories long forgotten.
I sighed, placing a hand on my forming bump. The baby inside of me was growing- and fast. I felt a lot more tired than I used to. I couldn't believe it though. I was going to be a mother. Me, a mom. The very thought stunned me. A few weeks ago I was ready to head out to Boston, but now, all I wanted to do was protect this child.
I had a dream about having children with Masen a few nights ago. A little boy with his brown eyes and my blonde hair and a little girl with my blue eyes and his brown hair. The four of us a family. Sitting around a table. I could already picture the vacations we'd take together and different holidays.
I took a deep breath and held on tightly to Masen's hand. A future. That's what I wanted. A future with Masen and our child.
"How are you feeling?" My boyfriend asked me.
"Fine," I answered simply. "Just a bit tired."
I looked back at the house. I felt guilty that the entire Cullen coven and my own family were stopping everything they were doing just to come up here.
"Hey sweetie!" my mom called out, walking over. "How are you?"
"I'm good," I told her. Ever since she found out I was pregnant she's been a lot more overbearing- I guess that would be the right term. Not that I didn't appreciate it, I just wish she didn't have to worry like this. My mother spends most of her time worrying anyway.
"We got your room set up on the first floor. Everything will go smoothly. Promise," My mother told me as she guided me into the house.
The moment I got in there, I spotted my grandmother right away. She was sipping tea in her nook. My grandfather had that nook built just for her. It was really beautiful. It looked out at the lake that was in the backyard. It was her favorite view watching the sunset every night, so he made sure she would watch it every evening they were up here.
"Grace," My grandmother addressed me.
"Nonna," I replied, looking at her hesitantly.
"Let's just hope for the best," She told me before turning her attention to my mother. "They'll be set up in the room right next to your father's office. The guest room. Robert, Lucia, and Cordelia will be in your old room, Elaine, and Ava, Zach, Lexie, and Tommy will be in Ava's old room. Elaine you have the trundle bed in the loft. I'll be in my room of course."
I watched as my grandmother stiffly turned her attention to the Cullen's. Worry filled within me about what she was going to stay.
"We'll I've never had vampires stay with me. Not really something I wanted to happen," She said curtly. "But...You're helping my granddaughter. We have a finished basement. The adults can stay in there, even though you don't sleep, that'll be your personal space. As for the rest of you..."
Her eyes now turned her attention to Lily, Lizzy, Jacob, Seth, Aidan, Jennifer, Jacob, Renesmee, and Abby. "I have two other guest rooms in here. You can decide who's sleeping there and the rest of ya in the garage apartment. It's very big. It has a bed, a couch, and an air mattress. There's also a kitchen, a bathroom. All the essentials."
I was surprised most of them were even staying. I got Renesmee and Lizzy- Masen's sister and my best friend. Lily was Masen's best friend, but I just felt so grateful they all came out here. Jen and Aidan didn't need to and neither did Abby. But they did. I felt so grateful all these people wanted to help Masen and I, yet I didn't know how to repay.
"Alright, why don't you get some rest," Aunt Ava suggested, looking towards me. "That's why we're here. For your rest."
"Right," I agreed. Masen followed behind me quietly into the guest room. A smile crept on my face as I entered. I used to stay in here when we came up with Robert. Instead of the two twin beds my grandmother must've had the queen moved in here.
"So...What do you want to do? Watch T.V? Sleep?" Masen asked me the moment I hit the pillow.
"I don't know. I mean, you realize I'm not that pregnant yet," I replied, shrugging.
"True, but Grace I can see it in your eyes. It's starting to have an affect on you," Masen pointed out, rubbing the back of my hand. "You're getting more tired, slower. Weaker- I just. As much as I want this baby, I want you to be safe- that's first."
"Alright," I said, leaning my head against his shoulder. Masen then placed his hands on my swollen baby bump. The moment that I relaxed, I didn't realize how tired I really was. Soon I dozed off, with Masen's arms around me.
*Robert's POV*
"So, what's exactly going to happen?" I asked. My sister was now sound asleep in her bedroom with Masen. Meanwhile there was a meeting of Carlisle, Esme, Aunt Ava, my grandmother, Bella, Edward, my mother, and Rosalie in the office. It was a meeting of the experts, I guess, and the main family.
"What's going to happen is we'll monitor her very closely," Carlisle explained, looking over my grandfather's stuff. He and Ava were getting the area prepared. "We don't know what this baby is going to be exactly."
"Right now we know it's part Lux Lamia, so he or she needs blood. Grace is half human- this is going to have a toll on her system. She's not full witch. If she was full witch she could handle this birth, after all your mother and I were able to deliver children normally," Aunt Ava pointed out. "Our systems could handle the pregnancies. Grace may have witch genetics, but the magic she processes won't help her body. You see, as a practicing witch you're like a vampire in the sense, your immune to disease, you are fairly indestructible, not immune to fire though. Fire is a no no, but a witch is just a vampire- more human, technically alive, and doesn't need blood to survive. It's all because of the magic we posses. Now Grace posses magic which will probably help her, but it's not going to be as strong."
"She'll have an easier time carrying than a human carrying a half vampire child- but it will still be difficult," Carlisle filled in. "This is going to be a long few weeks. We need to prepared for the worst to happen."
I bit my lip, "I could get Dru to come up here."
"Dru? Who is Dru?" My grandmother questioned.
"Cordelia's sister," My mother spoke up quietly.
"Great. Another child of the Volturi living in my household. If I already didn't have enough," My grandmother muttered, rubbing her temples.
"Her power is to heal," I said sharply, narrowing my eyes at my grandmother. "She can help heal Grace. She just didn't come up because she's supposed to be going back to Tulsa, but I'm sure if she hears we need help she'll come."
"It's probably best we have Dru come," Carlisle agreed.
"After all, we all know how she healed Renesmee." I saw Bella and Edward's faces darken when Carlisle mentioned that. How couldn't anyone want to shutter thinking back to that? It was the day I got away from the Volturi, but it's the same day that Bella and Edward almost lost their daughter.
"She can surely help us," the Cullen leader added.
"I'll call Dru," I said, taking out my phone. With that, I left the room. They were now just talking about a bases of action. I hate how this has become like a plan of action. When Cordelia had Lucia, it was a lot more simpler than this. Then again, Cordelia's body could handle delivering Lucia. That day was madness though. I was at work when I got a phone call about Cordelia going into labor...
I was sitting at my desk. I had just gotten this job with my uncle. It was a starter job, but none the less it paid well. I didn't need much. Just something to occupy me and pay the bills.
I was going to have a baby soon too. Well technically Cordy, but we'd be parents very soon. All I wanted was to give Cordelia and our new baby everything my wife possibly dreamed of. She never had a real family. The Volturi were kind to her the beginning years of her life, but they were never a family. She was always treated as a weapon. She just wanted love.
I had just finished when I got a phone call. I looked at the caller ID and groaned. Lucas. What could he possibly want? He was staying at our place with Dru because of the baby- but Dru was out today with my mother. They were baby shopping our something. I don't know. Those two got along pretty well.
I ignored it. I would see him when I got home. Not that I was annoyed at Lucas- okay, that was a lie. I loved the guy, don't get me wrong, but he was bored. He does that every time he's ever bored. So with that, I just let it go to voice mail.
Problem was, he kept calling. Over and over again. I groaned, finally giving in and picking up. "Lucas, what do you possibly-"
"You dumb ass! I have been trying to get a hold of you for the past twenty minutes!"
"I was busy, what is it?" I asked just as I was leaving my uncle's building. "If you're bored, I'm going to be home in five-"
"I'm not bored you moron! Your wife's in labor, Bertie!" Lucas yelled into the phone. That's when I heard the cries of my wife in the background and I immediately blanched.
"Oh crap," I muttered meekly.
"Look, just get over here before the kid comes flying out!" Lucas shouted. "I love Cordy, I really do. Like my own sister, but I refuse to see a child come out of her honeypot! Understood!?"
"What's a honey-"
"Her vagina, Roberto! I don't want to see your wife's vay jay jay, so get over here! Now!" He roared. I could hear Cordelia yelling in the background for me to get over there immediately.
"Coming," I replied, hanging up. With that, I didn't waste any time. I got straight over to my house where I found Lucas on the kitchen floor with Cordelia. She was in labor alright.
"We need to get to Carlisle's," I muttered, frazzled. "Carlisle-"
"Buddy, you need to get a grip," Lucas said, moving me over to my wife. "Now, I called Elaine and Dru. They're coming over here with Grace. From there, they're going to bring you to the Cullen's. Alright?"
"Alright," I said, nodding my head. "Thanks buddy."
"No problem, now go comfort your wife. She's got an iron grip from hell," Lucas told me.
I sighed, going to Cordelia's side. We didn't have to wait long because my mom came rambling in a few minutes later. We then drove to the Cullen's.
At this point, we were all in a frenzy. "You got this, love," I coached Cordelia, holding tightly to her hand.
"Just one more push," Carlisle announced.
"I can't," Cordelia cried, shutting her eyes tightly. "Robert, I can't-"
"Yes, you can," I told her, pressing my lips to her forehead. "Yes you can."
With that Cordelia let out a roaring cry. Soon I could hear a new cry enter the world. I looked to see Carlisle holding up my baby girl and suddenly, everything became clearer.
"It's a girl," Carlisle announced. I looked at Cordelia and we both couldn't help but cry. My mother was in the room and I could see the tears streaming down her face as Carlisle handed the bundle to my wife. The rosy pink face was crying at us.
"She's beautiful," I whispered.
"Perfect," Cordelia breathed, her finger rubbing the young girl's cheek. "Absolutely perfect."
We named her Lucia Grace- after my sister, of course, and Lucas. I hate to admit it, but the guy's probably my best friend. Ever since we got stuck together in the dungeons on the Volturi, I trust him. Trust him with my life and my daughter's life.
"Robert?" Dru answered, "What's going on?"
"Hey Dru," I replied into the phone. "Look, we're going to need you to come up here."
A/N: Hey guys! So i have some time off so hopefully I'll be posting more. Anyway I hope you're all having or will have a good holiday! Thanks for everything! And be on the look out for the next update :D
