Ugh, work has been keeping me busy so this update might go up later than I planned, sorry. However, I want to thank you all so much for reviewing! Like I said, chapter thirty six is one of my favorite moments and the review count, though a bit slow lol, was great, so thanks everyone, you're what's making me want to finish :) I have gotten several requests to bring Jacob back so he and Nessie can kiss and all that good stuff, but…I can't do that quite yet, I'm sorry (please don't hate me!) but there's a reason for all the events in this story…Just have patience lol. Alright here's the next chapter, read, review, and enjoy!

To those that are not aware, I of course do not own any of Stephanie Meyer's work, solely the plot and some new characters in this story.

**********************Jasper*********************************

Of all my years as a vampire, I'd never felt a mind whose emotions I couldn't alter. Nessie was miserable. Today was Christmas day and her whole life had just crashed down on her. She hadn't moved from where she'd fallen onto the floor this morning, simply sat there facing the front door, staring absentmindedly at the door, her bare feet smudged with dirt from running away last night and her hair and dress unkempt.

Emmett had suggested we call Jacob right away, if only to calm her down a bit, but Edward and I had countered. I could sense that she still considered going out and looking for him, be it my ability to sense her emotions or my history in scheming that told me so; Edward justified my suspicions, he was keeping vigilant records of her thoughts. If she so much as had a vague idea of where he might be, she would be gone in an instant. We decided to wait a while then…though it wasn't looking good.

As for the 'plan' we decided to wait some more as well, which basically meant it was all up to Alice. I kept a wary on my little one as she strained her mind, searching for anything that might reveal to us more of Jane and Alec's part in this whole ordeal. She'd been watching the Volturri very carefully as well, but nothing out of the ordinary had come up yet. The Jeanine character was another matter to consider. If Carlisle's theory about her being a threat to the wolves was correct…then I was quite sure we'd have to change course. I'd been very particular when revealing my thoughts to Edward…

"You understand why we'd have to bring Jacob back if Jeanine really is that dangerous?" I said.

But Edward shook his head aggressively at me. "Bringing him back is only going to speed up Nessie's risk of entrapment. It's better that he's out of reach, no one can reach him that way, not even them."

"But Edward, don't you think they'd be ready for something like what we're doing? You saw how they directly showed us the main part of their plan?" I beckoned.

Edward could see what I was getting at though, and his eyes flashed angrily. "I understand you're thinking of this tactfully, Jasper, but thus far this is the safest accommodation for Nessie, and I will NOT have the safety of my daughter be further risked by a mere theory!"

…

I sighed. Edward was thinking as a father would, and I couldn't blame him…but…if Jacob were here and we caught them—whoever besides Jane, Alec, and Jeanine 'them' was—in the midst of their plan…but I knew Edward would never go for it, the same way he hadn't even considered Bella being used as bait back when she was human and Victoria's army would attack.

Bella and Edward had left earlier in search of Sam. They were going to fill the wolves in on everything, including sending Jacob away…

A small sigh made me turn back to the little half-vampire slumped on the floor. Nessie had rearranged her position and was now sitting Indian style with her hands on her face, obviously forgetting she still had a dress on…

"Um, Alice?" I said quietly. Alice blinked before coming out of her trance. She looked up at me annoyed for interrupting, but I nudged my head towards our miserable, unaware of anything little niece. Alice's face was one of torture when she saw the mangled figure that was Nessie, and she quickly made her way over. Rosalie, who'd been casting frequent glances towards her as well, followed.

Without words Alice lifted Nessie off the ground, holding her under her back and knees and carried her off to her room. Nessie didn't struggle at all, she just closed her eyes and nuzzled her face into Alice's chest.

***********************Esme********************************

I'd tried several times to convince my poor granddaughter to eat something for breakfast, or to at least go upstairs to change into something more comfortable, but she'd only looked at me like I was speaking in some foreign language. It broke my heart. Carlisle had tried reasoning with her as well, in his most compassionate voice, but to no avail. Nessie was just too heartbroken.

I watched as Alice and Rosalie took her upstairs, her silent sobs echoing through my ears. No grandma liked seeing their only grandchild suffering this much, I needed to do something! I made to follow the three girls upstairs but Carlisle stopped me, grabbing me tenderly around the waist.

"No dear," he said to me softly, "Nessie will want to be alone. Alice and Rose will only be up there for a second. Edward is keeping an eye on her."

"I know," I said, moving away from him, "but I have to do something." And with that, I followed.

*******************************Nessie*******************************

I still couldn't believe it. Jake was gone. No matter how many times I told myself that, I imagined him coming through the door with that incredible smell, that amazing 'everything is going to be alright' smile, ready to pick me up and twirl me around before plopping a huge wet kiss on my forehead. I imagined the look on his face when I revealed to him my revelation, how I understood now why he was so jealous of Oliver, how it was supposed to be me and Jake all along, how he'd probably lift me up and kiss me, a sensation I would undoubtedly love…

But he didn't come.

Several of my family members had tried approaching me, speaking meaningless and empty words. As if I needed breakfast now? As if changing out of my dress would make any difference? Rosalie had offered me the phone at one point, something about Oliver wanting to wish me a merry Christmas, but I'd just ignored her. Oliver was the last person on my mind at the moment…though I knew I would have to have a talk with him as well.

Someone lifted me up, and I looked up for a second into Alice's petite face. Rosalie was alongside her and they took me up to my room. I didn't struggle, what was the point?

"Alright, Ness," said Alice, "I know you're hurting, sweetie, but you need to get out of those clothes—"

"And a shower might be good for you too," chimed in Rosalie, dabbing at my stained face with a wet cloth.

"Yes, you're hair is already way too tangled—" Alice again, then—

"Oh, Nessie, what a beautiful necklace!"

"I don't know how I didn't notice it before, where'd you ge—"

I began to cry all over again, shoving away from my aunts. They immediately stopped gushing over the stupid necklace and hesitated. I brought my knees up to cover my face as the tears poured out. Why didn't they understand that I didn't care about showering, or my hair, or even the stunning necklace, all I cared about was my Jake!

"Nessie, we did—"

"Just leave me alone," I said through muffled sobs. I didn't want anyone trying to cheer me up. If Jasper, who'd obviously been trying to change my emotions all day, couldn't do it then there was no hope.

"Ok dear." Rosalie said softly, patting me on the back. I didn't even hear them leave the room, or the soft thud of the door closing behind them, but I knew I was alone.

Just like I'd always be as long as Jake wasn't around…

I sighed, looking up into my empty room…I knew Alice and Rosalie meant well, and yet here I was being a little brat about everything…I didn't really want to be alone…but I didn't want them trying to cheer me up either, as if everything were going to be ok, I mean, they didn't even know where he was?

How could I 'pretend' to be happy? How could I look at the 'positive' side of things when there was no positive side? No…I didn't want anyone 'cheering' me up…

A light knock on the door and a soft voice made my ears perk up.

"Sweetie, it's Esme…can I come in or would you rather be alone?"

I hesitated for a moment…Esme, the caring and devoted mother of our family, the heart and soul that held us together…then I ran towards the door and into my grandma's arms.

"Oh Esme!" I sobbed, the helpless child again, but my caring grandma simply stroked my hair and carried me to my bed, never saying a word but saying everything with her silence.

I think that's the best comfort I could've had.

**************************Jacob**********************************

All the happy faces, kids and stupid couples alike, were REALLY getting on my nerves. I mean, I knew it was Christmas day, but did everyone really have to be all happy and excited? It was so unfair…

I'd spent most of the day just walking around, not really knowing what to do. I figured New York was a good place to stay, at least for a while…lots of people, lots of hot dog vendors, too busy for a werewolf…I'd been constantly checking the phone for any missed calls or texts, but every time I looked I knew it was a lost cause. There was one instant when a girl about Nessie's age, with the same color hair, walked by me…I almost started crying all over again; I'd even pulled out the phone, tempted to call Bella, just one quick, simple little phone call…but I knew I couldn't.

It was just so frustrating! I'd been gone what? Not even twenty four hours and I was already a blubbering mess! And for what? Because of some jerks intent on using me somehow to endanger my Ness…It just wasn't fair! I suddenly felt a small tap on my shoulder. I whirled around, the anger still quite visible on my face…only to see a pretty Asian girl staring at me with a now frightened expression.

"What?" I growled. She stuttered, muttering inaudibly and looking down.

I tried calming down, if at least slightly. "Excuse me, miss, but I can't hear you." Even then I still managed to growl…

"I was just wondering if—if you were singl—oh nevermind," and with that she fled.

It took me a moment to figure out that the girl's intentions had been to hit on me…what was it these human girls? Seriously!

Suddenly, my phone rang. I had it out in a second, pausing slightly to see who finally had some news for me…then I paused another second…it was…Rosalie.

Alright, not too exciting, but hang tight, I'll be uploading the next chapter really soon. Coming up, an interesting turn of events concerning our two 'favorite' siblings, probably an even more interesting phone conversation, and Oliver decides to visit…uh oh! So please review and I will update sooner, thanks!