Chapter Six: Doves

He hadn't signed up for babysitting, but it seemed that's what this assignment would be. He couldn't find the will to be bothered, however. Eden was more than what any of them realized, he could feel it. He could feel other things too, but words were incapable of explanation at this point. Alec stood silently as the Cullen clan took their leave, no one furthering the discussion on Eden's whereabouts for the remainder of the day. Edward confirmed Alec was genuine in his promise and that seemed to be enough for the lot of them. The only one not so concerned was the curly haired one with the horrid scars, Jasper, Alec believed his name to be. Unlike Aro, he had little interest in any of the various covens. What he knew of them was what he was told and he held those statements in his mind with a grain of salt, as was custom in his position.

When the last of Carlisle's offspring had left, he made his way toward the muted sobs. Although fleeting, the look shared between Eden and Renesmee was one he could not get out his mind. So obvious was it that Renesmee, the golden child everyone admired and held in the greatest of respect, had killed a human. It delighted Alec for the strangest of reasons, knowing that this symbolic hybrid had skeletons in her closet and blood on her hands. She wasn't so perfect after all.

Alec came to find Eden awkwardly collapsed on the stairs, her body still as death, but he heard her soft, ragged breaths as if they were upon his ear. He wasn't sure what to do, as he wasn't one to usually offer sympathy nor consolation to anyone on an occasion such as an assignment. Alec briefly considered passing his gift over her mind, allowing her to slip away for just a moment, but it felt wrong. That raised his head with a start; never before had he considered right and wrong when it came to his gift. This day, and the many to follow, he was sure, would be so much easier if he kept her in a gift-induced coma until the Cullen coven returned. That would be preferable to them, he was sure of it, but as he looked upon her stillness, it unnerved him. She separated mind and body all on her own. It seemed criminal to further that connection.

Eden's head rose in that moment, her eyes meeting his. Thick, dark burgundy steaks masked her cheeks from the tears of blood she had cried and yet, he still saw so much beauty. Alec removed a handkerchief from his coat pocket, gently caressed her face. Vampires cannot cry, so he naturally assumed that Eden would not be able to cry, but perhaps, this was a hybrid's way of shedding tears. Alec made a mental note to ask of Renesmee's tears, if they held the same quality, or if she could even cry at all. His thoughts quickly drifted back to Eden, her clear face seeming to glow in the darkness of the morning storm. She held her gaze steadily in to his.

"You take care of me too often," she murmured, her hand tangling around his wrist, "I don't understand why."

He shook his head, "Nor do I, dove."

"Dove," she repeated the pet name, testing the taste upon her tongue, "I've not heard that one quite before."

Moving his hand away from her face, but still holding her gaze, a shadow of smile flickered in his eyes. It bore the warmth of pleasure upon Eden, as she felt proud to have startled such a reaction from him.

"It's not of common use... I've not said it nor heard it in quite awhile myself." his statement was weighted, the amusement fleeting from his eyes as they drifted to another world, another time. Eden watched, mesmerized by this impossible man. He was a difficult puzzle to solve, but she wondered so much what the full picture would show. Something beautiful, something wonderful, that she was sure said picture would show.

Renesmee moved through the halls in a daze, her books clutched tightly to her chest. Jasper walked with her, sensing the strange mixture of emotions rolling off the young hybrid in waves. The deep, intense guilt that surrounded her confused him, seeing as Renesmee rarely did anything wrong. He couldn't even think of a time she had disobeyed a word of Edward or Bella, or anyone else. She was a great child and becoming a fine young woman, which made him incredibly curious when it came to the misplaced emotions she was feeling so deeply.

"Is everything alright, Ness?" he couldn't control his tongue and immediately regretted asking when her large, mocha eyes met his. The golden flecks seemed to pulse, anxious and terrified. Her skin, already pale as ivory, seemed to lose the slight glow of warmth. Her innocent face seemed overrun with secrets and before he could say anymore, she rushed off. He was left in the hallway, even more perplexed as he watched her disappear in to the mass of bodies. The bell rang, signaling the beginning of the next class, but Jasper's priorities lied elsewhere. He moved out of the way of the passing students as he dialed Bella's number.

Renesmee wasn't sure if Jasper knew anything or not and she wasn't sure how to keep her secret for much longer. It was a horrible, ugly thing that she did and even though it was an accident, she felt the weight of that mistake pushing against her body like the weight of the world. She turned in the bathroom and locked herself in a stall, heart racing furiously against her chest. It was there that she finally allowed herself to feel freely, think openly, and cry uncontrollably. She also realized her secret may not be able to be kept for much longer. Sniffling, she pulled out her phone and texted Jake, asking him to come get her. She had long wished not to have to share the burden with anyone, but if anyone must know, they must know it from her. Especially Jacob.

Eden had been gazing out the window when she felt it, the sudden anxiety washing over her followed by immense guilt. Worry and fear were not things Eden felt often, as she had very little that bothered her. Before moving aboveground, that is, but guilt was something she regarded very carefully. She was not one to apologize for something that was not her fault and that was how she distinguished between her emotions, and the ones that Ren subconsciously shared. No matter what the distance, Eden could feel her sister. Blinking, she stood and made her way towards the front of the house, but stopped short. She knew exactly where her sister was, though she couldn't be sure how, and she felt a pull to go to her, care for her, comfort her, but she was ordered to stay here. Alec was watching her from his place on the couch, a book in his palm that he had not given an ounce of his attention. Since the moment they shared earlier that morning, he longed to know Eden and grow close to her, claim her even, but he saw that she was not ready nor were they all that acquainted... she hardly knew herself, let alone him.

"Has someone come to visit?" he asked, though he knew there was not a soul for miles in any given direction. He gave Carlisle credit for always moving his family to such secluded, rural areas while also maintaining a modern feel to the home. Practicality and safety seemed to be his top priority, which made Alec question his reasoning abilities when it came to Eden. Everyone seemed to lose their wits about themselves in her presence.

"Ren is upset."

Alec tilted his head, "Do you desire to go to her?"

"Very much so," Eden murmured, her arms wrapping around herself as she forcibly turned from the door and took a seat beside Alec on the couch, "I worry for her. Her ignorance is a pawn against her when it regards our family and that Jacob man."

He noted the grimace on her face, but said nothing. It was true; Renesmee was not aware of the dealings her family and the man she loved had going on. Everyone kept things from her, afraid that it might taint her or change the innocence that they worshiped in her. Though, Eden knew that innocence would soon fade with her childhood as nothing ever stays the same for too long. Alec wasn't sure how to comfort her so he simply took her hand and turned his attention to the book, unaware of the impact that made on the ever-learning Eden.

The only physical attention she had received since emerging in to the world was from this man she felt an undeniable pull too and she wished to further her knowledge on what could become of it, but in the same thought, uncertainty waited. She wasn't sure what was to be said on his feelings toward her. He found her to be fascinating, beautiful, and intelligent, but what more could he possibly know? Less than a hundred words had been spoken between them. To share more than these subtle shows of affection seemed rushed and foolish, premature if not cherished before something more than an acquaintanceship blossomed. Eden bowed her head against his shoulder, allowing the steady flow of static to move between them. Alec was already still, but something about her allowing his comfort froze him. The book he held was merely a prop for him to direct his nerves, before he realized what a foolish man he was being. With one hand, he closed the book and put it off to the side.

His full attention was upon Eden. She blinked, turning her head up to him, "What of me calls to you so?"

"I could ask the same of you." Alec sighed, curling his fingers through hers before raising their joined hands as an example, "You seem just as hypnotized by these small shows of a budding friendship as I. I know not what to make of this or you or anything, if I'm honest, but perhaps I should lie, pretend that I'm not completely enamored by your presence."

"Awfully strong choice of words, sir," she mused, smiling slightly as she took their hands in to her lap. "You hardly know me."

"You hardly know yourself." he said, unabashed in admitting to her what she already knew. Her eyes fluttered at that, lips parted with a sigh, "Be that as it may, you should know that sets us apart... I know not myself and therefore, cannot know you any better."

"Patience, dove, is a learned quality when you have forever."