Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
*Lizzy's POV*
"That's actually really funny," Felix said to me as we walked along the corridor together.
"Yeah, well Aidan and I have done some pretty odd things in the past," I said, smiling up at him. "Just one of our many shenanigans."
"Sounds thrilling," Felix replied.
It's been an odd couple of weeks. First off, I've become close to Felix. Demitri and Heidi were even starting to warm up to me. Demitri reminded me of a mix of Uncle Emmett and Uncle Jasper, which was comforting in a way while Heidi was like Aunt Rose and Aunt Alice. She loved fashion and to have fun, but she had such a cool and composed way that only someone like Aunt Rose and Lily have.
It's been odd becoming friends with the people I thought to be monsters. Since Abby's been keeping to herself lately, only really talking to Lucas, I decided to expand since I got lonely. It somehow lead me to befriending the guard. It's not the worst thing I could've done. I do feel guilty though. Grace was dead and my family was probably in immense pain right now and here I was- making nicey nice with the people responsible for all our heartbreak.
"Here you are, Little Cullen," Felix said, gesturing to the door. "The dungeons of the Volturi."
Today I was visiting Dru. I really needed to talk to her. I've gained enough trust to hopefully figure out maybe an escape plan or better yet, try to get her out of there. I needed help trying to pick Aro's brain, which I haven't had a good look at quite yet. I'm sure Dru could help me.
"Is it really necessary to keep Dru in here?" I asked curiously. "She won't do anything."
"It's the master's orders," Felix stated sternly.
"Right…" I trailed off. "Does everyone do what Aro says around here? Kind of annoying, isn't it?"
"Didn't you listen to everything Carlisle said?" Felix retorted.
"No," I said, shrugging. "I mean…Yes, but not like this. He wasn't exactly in charge of me. I had my parents to do the ruling and ordering. Just because my grandfather was leader of the coven didn't mean that he had the right to dictate. He had the final say if things got out of hand, but that rarely happened. We're a family. It's not just one voice, it's many voices. Grandpa represents us and helps guide us in the right direction."
"I see…" Felix said. "But that is not what we do here, you have to understand that."
"I get it," I replied, shrugging. "I think it's silly, that's all."
"Well, here it's not," He said.
"Yeah, yeah," I muttered, rolling my eyes.
"You realize what your displaying is insubordination," Felix warned, his eyes wary. "Don't make me tell the masters you've been out of line."
"I'm technically a prisoner," I remarked with raised eyebrows. "Why does it matter? He's already throwing me for a loop."
"It does," Felix responded cooly. "It matters because he can do a lot worse. You can be in that dungeon with Dru right now, except cut off from everyone and all food supplies. I'm sure you'd love that."
"Not really," I answered. "But I don't have to agree with the man who stole me from my family and is forcing me to be part of his coven. I came here by force, so that doesn't mean I have to agree with his ideology. I'm my own person with my own mind, a mind you all need."
Felix paused, "Lizzy…I'm not trying to start a fight with you."
"Sounds like you are," I mumbled.
"I…I just don't want to see you get hurt or worse…."
I nodded, "Thank you for caring, but I can take care of myself."
Felix snorted at this, "You may be a bright individual, but you still have the mentality of a fourteen year old. You are not ready, you've barely lived a life."
"I've seen enough in my short lifetime to understand things," I spat back, my eyes narrowed. "When I was just a baby I watched my sister get attacked by that deranged Lorenzo. A year ago I was attacked and almost lost my brother and sister in the span of two hours. I've seen people get killed. I'm not unfamiliar with tragedy, so don't you dare push this adult crap in my face."
Before Felix could say anything else, I opened the door furiously to the dungeon. I began to walk down when I saw Iris and Dru…
"Oh my god," I whispered.
The two of them were there, full throttle making out against the dungeon walls. Dru's hands entangled in Iris's blonde hair. Iris's legs wrapped around Dru's waist while they passionately made out. My jaw dropped and my legs got wobbly.
"Dru?"
The two of them broke apart immediately. Her eyes widened seeing me, "Lizzy, um hey…."
Iris was blushing bright red, but I could feel the red rising within me. "How could you!? You're kissing the enemy!" I blurted out.
"The what?" Dru questioned incredulously. She then turned to Iris, "But…Iris is one of us. She's good."
"You may think that, but I can see into her head!" I snapped, narrowing my eyes at Iris. "You haven't been completely honest!"
"What is she talking about, Iris?" Dru asked, turning to the disheveled woman she was making out with.
Iris sighed heavily before turning to Dru with a nervous look, "I haven't been completely been honest with you…"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Dru said with raised eyebrows.
"My family life, that is," Iris explained hesitantly. She bit her lip, "I…I'm the daughter of Serena Peterson…"
"You mean Abby's mom?" Dru frowned and looked at me incredulously, "Are you serious? You're judging her for that?"
"She's not done," I stated bitterly, narrowing my eyes at Iris.
Dru turned to look at her with a confused glance while Iris bit her lip, "Serena's my mother. Jo is my sister and so is Abby…But my father…"
Dru blanched, "Please don't tell me it's Aro."
"No! No, no, no," Iris said, shaking her head furiously. "My father…His name was Lorenzo."
*Renemeee's POV*
My breath hitched and my heart pounded a mile a minute as Jacob slowly opened it to reveal a sparkling diamond. "I…Renesmee Carlie Cullen, will you marry me?"
I stared at him for a few moments, my mind racing. I couldn't believe it. Jacob was doing this. He was actually, really, physically doing this. I wasn't sure how I was feeling, but the one thing I was certain was that I could see the pure love and admiration in his eyes.
Suddenly, a smile crept onto my face. Without another beat I let the word fall out of my mouth,
"Yes."
Jacob, who was waiting nervously, blinked and looked at me incredulously, "Yes? Did I hear that right? Did you say yes?"
"Yes! Of course!" I exclaimed, laughing. "Jacob, there's nothing more I want than to spend the rest of my life with you. So yes, of course. I want to marry you!"
"Oh thank god," He whispered in relief.
I chuckled, smiling brightly, "On one condition though."
"Anything," He breathed.
"We will not get married until Lizzy, Abby, Dru, and Lucas are back home," I stated firmly. "I will not marry with two of my bridesmaids kidnapped."
"Of course," Jacob whispered. I then held my hand out and let him put the ring onto my shaky finger. It was a silver band with a sparkling diamond in the center. Written on the band were words in Quileute. I could make them out to read my forever on it. It was simple and classy. It really represented Jake and I and I don't think I could've asked for a more perfect way to symbolize our unity.
"It was supposed to be my mothers. My father got it to her for their anniversary, but before he could give it to her she passed," He explained to me sadly.
"Oh Jake," I said, softly stroking his cheek. He smiled against my touch, pressing a kiss to my hand.
"It's okay. My dad wanted us to have it so the last time we were in Forks he gave it to me. Said it didn't have to be soon, but wait for the timing to be right. I did just that and right before your graduation I got it engraved with Ethan. After that I waited for the right moment and something about now seemed like a good time to express our love for one another," Jake explained, stroking my hand. "My dad told me it was time one of us gave it to a woman worth loving and you are worth every single day that I've been with you, Renesmee Cullen."
"Soon to be, Renesmee Black," I pointed out giddily.
Jacob chuckled at this and cupped my cheek. I then reached over and pressed my lips firmly to his to form a kiss. As we were midway through making out, Lily popped out of the window, "Did you finally do it!?"
"Lily!?" I cried out, Jake and I breaking from one another incredulously.
"Are they engaged yet!?" Aidan yelled from behind her. "Are they? Are they?"
"I wanna see the ring!" Jen squealed. "Please! Please! Oh pleaseohpleaseohpleaseohplease!"
Jacob and I both shared a look with one another before laughing. I then held out my hand to show them the sparkling diamond that shined brightly.
"Oh my, it's beautiful," Lily whispered, admiring it with Jen.
"Jen! When we get married, I want a ring just like that," Aidan said, his eyes looking at the piece of jewelry in awe.
"When we get married hmm?" Jen asked with a smirk.
Aidan blushed, while Jen just laughed and hugged him by his middle. Lily grinned at this while she went to press a kiss to my cheek, "I'm happy for you cuz."
"Thanks, Lil," I replied.
"Congrats, guys," Ethan added, coming over so now he was in view. He wrapped an arm around Lily's waist.
"Thanks," I replied, leaning against Jacob's shoulder.
"Am I too late!?" Grace cried out, looking through the window with Masen. "Ohhh Ness!"
"Just in time," I said happily. Jake and I then crawled back into the house so I could reach over to hug my best friend. The two of us squealed in excitement and I let Grace begin to examine the ring in awe.
"It's absolutely beautiful," Grace whispered, admiring the piece of jewelry on my finger.
"Guess we're gonna have two Cullen weddings," Jake said, looking at Masen with a grin.
Masen nodded and chuckled, "Guess we are."
"Wait, really?!" I exclaimed, looking at Grace. She nodded and showed me her ring.
"Masen proposed awhile ago. It was kind of informal, but we hope to one day get married. Not until Lizzy and Abby are with us though," Grace said.
"The same with Jake and I," I added softly, looking down at our two diamond rings. I was so happy that I was going to be married to Jacob, but I couldn't help but feel the guilt wrack through me. I was happy, yet part of our family was gone.
Masen noticed this right away. He looked at me for a moment before quickly bringing me into a side hug. I clung to my little brother tightly while he buried his face into the crook of my neck. The tears welling up in both of our eyes as we held on. "We'll get her back," Masen quietly said to me, pressing a kiss to my forehead.
"I know," I replied.
We all then headed downstairs to show the adults. When my mom and dad saw Jake and I coming down, I was immediately taken into a bone crushing hug by my mother.
"Aw, baby," she said, pressing multiple kisses to my forehead. "I'm so happy. My little nudger is growing up!"
"Yeah," I said with a watery laugh, trying to stop the tears from falling. "Thanks, Momma."
"You and Jacob are going to have a good life together," She said as we pulled apart. My mom brushing the hair back so it was out of my face, "I want you to be so happy. I love you more than anything, baby."
"I love you too, Momma," I said, bringing her into another hug.
"I'm so happy for you, Angel," my dad said once my mother and I were done. I smiled as I then jumped into his arms and the two of us hugged. "Your mother and I are so proud of you."
"Thank you, Daddy," I said, hugging back tightly to him.
"You should've seen Jacob for asking Eddie for his blessing," Uncle Emmett teased from behind. I raised my eyebrows at my now fiancé, who looked visibly shaken.
"You actually asked?" I questioned with raised eyebrows.
"Well," Jacob said hesitantly, running a hand through his hair. "I asked both your parents and to be fair, I did imprint on you when you were a few minutes old and well, since they're so old school-"
"I'm not old school," My mother said, chuckling as she came to my dad's free side. "It's your father."
"Way to throw him under the bus, Bells," Uncle Emmett chortled, earning a glare from my mother and a smack upside the head from Aunt Rosalie.
"I know, the old man and his outdated ways of dating," My dad said, shrugging. He chuckled as he looked at the suddenly pale Jacob. "I appreciate the sentiment, but even if he didn't ask I would've been fine. There's no one more I trust more than Jacob to marry Renesmee. It was just an extra bonus for me to see Jacob almost soil himself."
I laughed while Jacob playfully frowned. Suddenly, my fiancé smirked and then looked at my father, "So...Can I start calling you dad or what?"
"Too soon," My dad said, causing me to laugh as I pressed a kiss to his cheek.
"Well, I'm excited for a wedding," Aunt Rosalie declared, coming over to give me a hug. "Seems like yesterday you were that little baby waddling all around the house, sinking your teeth in the mutt's arm. I miss those days."
"I didn't realize our engagement announcement was going to be a roast-Jake fiesta," Jacob remarked.
"Oh calm down, dog," Aunt Rose said, rolling her eyes. "Don't be so dramatic."
"Right back at yeah, Blondie," He said, winking.
The two of them just chuckled as Aunt Rose gave me another hug. "And we're so happy for you, Renesmee," She told me, pressing a kiss to my cheek.
"Thanks, Aunt Rosalie," I said, hugging her back. Even though Aunt Rose had her own children, I will never forget our special bond and how much we mean to each other. My unofficial godmother.
"Don't forget your dear Uncle Em, squirt," My uncle said, pulling me into a massive bear hug. I chuckled as I hugged him before being placed on the ground.
"Thanks, Uncle Em," I said, laughing.
"Seems like yesterday Bells and Eddie were getting engaged, now the two of you. Boy, time goes by fast," Uncle Emmett whistled.
"That it does," my grandfather agreed as he came over with grandma to congratulate us.
"It's glad to finally have you officially a part of the family, Jacob," Grandma said, giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you, Esme," Jacob chuckled as he also then shook hands with my grandfather, "Carlisle." I smiled as I then curled into Jacob's side and watched my beaming family before me.
"At least there's some happiness around here," said a light voice like bells in the background.
We all turned to see Aunt Alice and Uncle Jasper walking into the area. My aunt smiled for the first time since the girls had been taken. Before saying anything else, she walked over and brought me into a good old Alice Cullen hug.
"I can see it already, and the wedding is going to be beautiful," Aunt Alice said, pressing a kiss to my forehead.
"And Abby and Lizzy will be there," I announced, smiling at her as we pulled apart. "They'll be in the wedding procession. It's going to be a good day."
Aunt Alice just smiled at me aging and brought me into another hug after that, "Oh, I taught you well, Ness. My little optimist."
I chuckled tearfully, hugging her and then Uncle Jasper before celebrating with the rest of my family. I noticed my best friend and brother off to the side, holding one another lovingly as they watched the family congratulate Jacob and I.
"I think it's time Grace and Masen also make their official announcement," I announced, smirking.
"You're engaged too?" My mother exclaimed, wide eyed.
"Well..." Masen said as Grace shyly flashed off her ring. Elaine let out a loud squeal while Robert came over and brought his sister into a swirling hug. Soon, the Sanders, Williams, and Martins all came out to congratulate both new couples. For the first time since the girls had been taken we were able to enjoy the time we had together. It was pure and good. I could even see a smile on Seth's face as he joked with my father and Aidan.
"I wonder if Ty's gonna be able to be the ring bearer," Jacob teased as he tickled the baby on Grace's lap. Tyler automatically started to giggle and reached out for my fiancé.
"I'm sure he'd love to help out his Auntie Ness and Uncle Jakey," Grace said, handing him over to Jacob. "Right baby!"
Tyler giggled as he began to fool around with the hem of Jake's collar. I giggled, placing a hand on his forearm. "Pretty great with kids," I mentioned quietly.
"What can I say? I had practice," Jacob joked, tickling Tyler some more and causing his joyful squeals to fill the air.
I smiled as I then quickly pressed a kiss to my fiancé's lips, "We're going to be together."
"Forever," Jacob told me.
"Forever," I repeated, smiling at him.
I then turned my attention to the very last bits of the sun set. As the sun turned darker, I only hoped that whatever happened to Lizzy and Abby they were safe. At this point, that's all I wanted.
That night, I fell asleep with Jacob by my side. The next morning, the two of us would be getting into Jake's rabbit and heading across country to LA. I couldn't wait, even though everything was extremely over whelming right now…I still couldn't wait. We were going to start our life together and we were going to safe our family. Things suddenly seemed in our favor.
As I slept, I ended up having a good dream. I was on Isle Bella. My feet were trudging through the water, the waves hitting my ankles. I smiled, taking in the sweet sea breeze and letting myself enjoy the serenity.
As I walked further down the beach, I found myself coming face to face with a girl. She had blonde hair and grey eyes, but looked oddly familiar….
"Who are you?" I asked.
Before she could speak, she vanished, and soon her body was replaced with a shorter one. The girl before me had cooper hair, bright green eyes, and a look of relief.
"Oh my…" I whispered.
"Nessie!" she cried. "It's really me, I found a way to talk to you…"
I blinked as I tried to struggle for words. All I could make out was her name….
"Lizzy."
A/N: Well...You're probably all a bit confused. Don't worry, things will be explained in the next chapter. In the meantime keep looking out for the next update and thanks for reading ;)
