Chapter 26
Renesmee was relieved Peter was handling the divorce as well as he was. After signing the paperwork, Edward and the rest had come back inside. Edward took the paperwork and confirmed that he would take it into town in the morning to turn into the courthouse. He also confirmed he had no problem being portrayed as the bad guy in the situation so long as Peter didn't talk about Renesmee's pregnancy or that she was returning to the reservation. As far as anyone was to know, Edward was furious with Peter for allowing his poor daughter to be kidnapped and the last five months had been spent with Edward trying to force Peter to sign divorce papers so they could take Renesmee back to Chicago with them. During their conversation, Edward had come to the trees where Jacob was hiding ready to tell him what was going on. He had good hearing, but it wasn't that good. Either way, Jacob didn't perk up until Edward told him that Peter finally signed the papers. That perkiness diminished when they all went back inside and Jacob was told he had to stay outside with only the promise they'd leave as soon as the paperwork was turned into city hall.
Later that night after Peter had gone to bed, Renesmee stayed downstairs to finish up the jams. More so, though, she wanted to be able to speak to Jacob. While the jams were cooking, she left Bella to keep an eye on it so she could go outside. When Renesmee stepped outside, she took a deep breath. The air was cool and crisp, exactly what she needed after being in the kitchen cooking for so many hours. After her deep breath, Renesmee walked down the stairs of the porch around the house to the back woods where Jacob was. He hadn't seen her coming. Jacob was asleep against a tree. Renesmee smiled when she saw him and woke him by gently squeezing his shoulder when she was before him.
"Jacob," she whispered his name, squeezing until he finally opened his eyes to look at her. Then he smiled.
"Edward said Peter signed the papers," he said.
"Yes, he did. Daddy will turn them in to City Hall first thing tomorrow morning. We'll leave the day after that."
"Why not leave tomorrow night?"
"Because that would seem strange to Peter," Renesmee answered. "He already finds my family very strange. No need to make things more suspicious."
"He's not wrong necessarily," Jacob joked.
"Well, no reason to make it worse." With the ever present smile, Jacob stood up and hugged Renesmee. The two shared a kiss while Jacob placed his hands on her belly. The baby didn't kick this time. Jacob kissed her nose and looked down at her belly, continuing to touch it waiting for a kick that didn't come.
"The baby's not kicking."
"He's usually asleep this time of day," Renesmee said. "He'll perk up again by morning."
"He'll perk up once we're back home," Jacob said while rubbing her belly tenderly. "I can't wait to tell mom. She'll be so happy."
"I know she will be," Renesmee nodded. "Is there any special ceremony for our son once he's born?"
"There'll be a big celebration. My sisters and their husbands and children will be invited this time since it's a direct family affair for my sisters. And since he's the first boy, he'll take over after me." Jacob continued to look at her belly while Renesmee looked at him with uncertainty.
"Chiefdom falls on the eldest son after the death of the chief right?"
"Yeah, that's how it usually works," Jacob answered, not noticing her melancholy tone.
"I thought you were immortal as long as you continued to turn into a wolf." Finally, Jacob realized Renesmee seemed distraught and was quick to reassure her.
"I am," he said. "Our case will have to be different. I imagine I'll step down one day and let our son take over from there. It's too soon to talk about it, though. I'm not even a chief yet. I hope not to be for much longer."
"Good," Renesmee smiled again. "You made me nervous for a moment." They smiled at each other and shared a brief kiss. Renesmee wrapped her arms around his neck and kept their faces close even after they stopped their kiss. "So what will the ceremony for our son be like when he's born? While Caevia was pregnant, the women talking about a party for the mother was typical. What will make our son's birth different?"
"I don't remember the exact ceremony. I was a baby the last time we had one," Jacob joked. "I do know our son will receive gifts as a welcoming into the world, but all Quileute children are treated to that. Sokajili will remind us of the proper protocol and what our son's celebration will be like once we get back. All we can do right now is make sure we're back at the village before the baby's born."
"We'll leave soon, Jacob. No need to be so impatient. We've still got time. Carlisle says the baby isn't due until about late September early October-ish."
"What does October-ish mean?"
"Ish is something tacked onto the end of a word to express estimation. I'm thinking it'll be closer to October."
"What month is it now?" Jacob asked, trying to determine how much time they had.
"It's August now," Renesmee said. "August 4th," she clarified, "so we have time so long as there are no problems. I'm sure father will get a cart for us to use. It would be better for the baby that the travel be as smooth as possible."
"I know that," Jacob said. "I don't care how we get you back, so long as we get you back."
"I admit," Renesmee said, "I wish the baby were born closer to summer like Caevia's baby was. It was a lovely summer for having a baby."
"We can have our next baby closer to summer," Jacob said and gave her another kiss. "And the next pregnancy will go better. I'll be able to be there for you through the whole pregnancy. I'll be there to make our child's toys and have time to add room to our tent so we're all comfortable."
"Will our second child get the same celebration as this child?"
"So long as it's a boy, he will receive a similar ceremony, but the biggest one goes to the first born son. He's the one that will be chief unless something happens to him. Our younger sons having a big ceremony is just in case."
"So our daughter would've receive that ceremony?"
"No, our daughter wouldn't. Granted, there's a possibility the man she marries someday could become chief but that would be the absolute worst case scenario. If something happened to every one of our sons and they were unable to take over, that's the only way our daughter's husband would become chief. Now that we're having a son, or we're pretty sure we're having a son, if something happens to me and father passes away, Kevin would become chief, regardless of his age."
"Our son won't be chief until he's of a proper age," Renesmee said. "I'll make sure of that." Jacob smiled and gave her a kiss.
"As I said: they're the worst case scenarios. I figure one day when father does eventually pass away and I take over, our son will take over once he's much older."
"You won't be disappointed if we turn out to have a girl will you?"
"Not at all," Jacob said. They rubbed their noses together and he kissed her again. "We just keep having babies, that's all."
"I don't know if you and I ever really talked about how many we would have. I don't recall a number at least."
"I'd suggested six as I recall, but you weren't terribly keen on that umber," Jacob said before giving Renesmee a tender kiss while she giggled. He proceeded from that kiss to her cheek, her ear, and then her neck stopping only when he reached the collar of her prim blue dress. "I've missed you so much."
"I've missed you too." Jacob continued to kiss her neck and even started nipping at the collar of her dress. Renesmee stopped Jacob there. "Not right now, Jacob. My family's right inside." Rather than protest, Jacob sighed and took his face from her neck.
"I suppose you're right," he answered.
"When we get back home," Renesmee said. "I promise."
"You'd better," Jacob joked and the two shared a gentle laugh and another kiss.
Renesmee stayed outside with Jacob for another hour, only going in when she was getting tired. She wished Jacob could come inside with her and Jacob had suggested as much, but she and her family didn't want Peter to know Jacob was there. It would make the situation all the more difficult. Back inside, Renesmee fell asleep downstairs staying with her family. Then the next morning, as promised, Edward went right into town, rain be damned, to turn in the divorce papers. Renesmee didn't see much of Peter that day. He kept to himself working to keep the pigs inside and warm and picking up rotting apples from the ground in hopes to avoid hornets. Renesmee and her mother finished all the butters and jams by that morning and everything was jarred and ready. Renesmee would only take a few jars of apple butter and jam, leaving most of it with Peter so he could sell them. Jacob stayed outside and out of site, hidden in the trees so Peter wouldn't see him. He watched the man in the rain picking up rotting apples and tossing them in a large bucket. He overheard the man mention to Renesmee's mother that he'd be giving the apples to a friend of his that would use the apples for compost, whatever that meant.
Occasionally, Renesmee would be near the window in the kitchen that look in his direction. Renesmee chose to occupy herself with cleaning dishes so she could look out the window frequently to see Jacob. Every time they locked eyes through the window, Renesmee would smile and wave at him. Jacob would smile and wave back. He noticed the blonde one roll her eyes from time to time. He just scrunched his nose at her and the blonde would do the same. He had a feeling he wasn't going to like her. Back inside, after their most recent cruel mutual stare, Rosalie huffed and looked at Renesmee's belly.
"That boy's lucky he's about to be a father," Rosalie grumbled.
"He's your niece or nephew's father," Renesmee said. "Please make an effort to get to know him."
"If you insist, perhaps we'll bond over a game of fetch," Rosalie said sarcastically. Renesmee just took a deep breath and ignored the jab. She looked back outside at Jacob and they shared another mutual smile and wave.
"Are you still feeling alright, Renesmee?" Carlisle asked.
"Yes, I feel fine." Renesmee put her hand on her belly so she could provoke a light kick from the baby. "He's kicking away."
"That's good," Carlisle said. "An active child is a healthy child." After a momentary silence, Carlisle spoke up again. "Is there any way I can convince you to stay here at least until the baby is born?"
"No," Renesmee said firmly. "I know you all think it's just to please Jacob, but it's not just to ensure our child is born in the family home. I want the whole family there when our son is born. I want Sara to be able to see her grandson. She deserves that. I know this isn't her first grandchild, but it will be the grandchild she will be able to see be born and I know that would make her happy. I've already told Jacob that we'll leave the morning after daddy's turned in the divorce papers. So I would prefer we leave tomorrow. That'll give us time to get back to the reservation before the baby is due."
"The trouble with children, Renesmee, is that sometimes they come sooner than expected."
"Then we'll just have to make sure we don't waste any time."
Edward returned hours later with the good news, or bad from Peter's view, that Renesmee's and Peter's marriage was legally dissolved. Peter was still outside when Edward returned with the news. That news was all Renesmee needed to go straight upstairs and finally officially pack all her things. On the one hand, she felt a little silly packing any more than the books she'd originally brought, but she knew very well she couldn't just leave her clothes. Perhaps she and Jacob could sneak into the city at some point and locate Janine. She'd certainly make better use of the clothes than Renesmee would. While Renesmee packed, Peter finally made an appearance for the first time all day, soaking wet and dripping all over the floor. Renesmee looked at Peter and stopped what she was doing.
"You really stayed out in the rain this whole time?"
"I was heavily clothed," Peter said as he proceeded to remove three of the jackets he'd been wearing. "I don't suppose I could take a shower could I?"
"Of course," she said. "I'll let you shower. I can wait to pack until you're done."
"So you will be leaving in the morning?"
"Yes," Renesmee answered. Peter took a few deep breathes to calm himself.
"I wish you the best then," he finally said.
"You too," she replied.
Following their awkward talk, Renesmee left with her packed things and brought them all downstairs. Renesmee had wanted to go outside to see Jacob, but Edward insisted that Renesmee go to bed. They would be doing a lot of traveling the next day and she needed to get her rest. The next morning, Renesmee woke up with the sun in her face. She opened her eyes when she felt the baby kick just a little. The rest of the morning was rather awkward, at least with respects to Peter. He helped load some things onto the cart that Edward had purchased for this trip. Peter made one last suggestion that perhaps Renesmee should consider staying until the baby was born, but Renesmee simply refused. She wanted to go back to the village and be with Jacob and his family. He wanted her son to be born with all his family around him, not just hers.
Once everything was loaded into the cart that Edward had purchased the day before, Renesmee sat at the back where it would be more comfortable for her. Peter wished her good luck again, the exchange just about as awkward as it had been the night before, and Renesmee wished him the same. They went along, veering away from down town Olympia going south and then west. Jacob caught up to them when they were in a more wooded area and started leading the way to the village. Jacob remembered Edward could read his mind, so he circled around and went to Renesmee's side on the cart, just voicing to Edward where they needed to go while he stayed with Renesmee. When he was close, Renesmee reached over the cart and started petting Jacob's head. It was once they were completely out of the Olympia area that it was safe for them to make the horses run.
Upon running, Renesmee kept her hands on her belly and made sure to relax through the trip. And through the whole 4 ½ hour trip back, Jacob never left her side. He stayed in his wolf form for most of the trip, but he changed to his human form when they neared the first town on the way to Forks. After changed and in some pants, Jacob hopped onto the cart and sat behind Renesmee so she would be more comfortable. He rubbed Renesmee's belly lovingly and finally got to feel his child kick like he really wanted. Edward, Emmett and Jasper were the only ones on the front of the cart, leaving everyone else either in the carrier or jogging beside the carrier. Esme was among the group to be sitting in the back of the cart with Bella and Alice. Rosalie had been sitting in the cart, but with Jacob's 'intrusion' she chose to run rather than sit in the cart. Having not really had a chance to speak with the boy, Esme smiled and proceeded to converse with Jacob.
"So are you excited about the baby?"
"Yes," Jacob smiled and rubbed Renesmee's belly. "The first of many," he said.
"Many you say?" Esme smiled.
"One at a time, Jacob," Renesmee said. They all smiled.
"Renesmee said you had her while human," Jacob said to Bella.
"Yes, that's correct."
"I wonder how a vampire fell in love with a human." Jacob asked curiously.
"I've asked my daughter much the same question with regards to you," Edward said offhandedly.
"I'm not a vampire," Jacob said harshly.
"No, you're a mutt," Rosalie said.
"Both of you stop it," Bella said, earning a grateful smile from Renesmee. "To answer your question, Jacob, we just fell in love. We met where I was working at the time, he started walking me home every day when it was over casted or dark out and one day, he asked my father if he could marry me and we got married."
"I suppose my question is why didn't he just make you a vampire right away?"
"Well," Bella sighed, "Edward became a vampire under less than favorable circumstances. I suppose all of us became vampires under less than favorable circumstances. But Edward had lost his family to illness and was on his way to dying as well when Carlisle found him and changed him."
"I think you'd told me about that right?" Jacob asked Renesmee.
"I believe so," Renesmee said before yawning and closing her eyes to relax a bit more. Jacob smiled and ran his hand once over her head.
"So because of that," Bella continued, "her father wasn't keen on changing me despite my protests on the matter. And then, moreover, Edward was raised Catholic just like me and such a life of a vampire, in Edward's mind, was a sure route to eternal damnation and he didn't want to put me through that. However, I thought it horrible to leave me mortal when my husband was not. Of course, her father had no idea he could get me pregnant but when he had, he was left with no other choice but to change me or lose me to child birth."
"Do you ever wish he'd not changed you? I've seen the beginnings of that change before killing a victim and it appears gruesome."
"That's only three days," Bella said, waving her hand dismissively. "If three days of pain meant living my life forever with my husband and daughter, I'd gladly do it again. I wouldn't change it for the world." Jacob stared at her a moment, rather intrigued. "I suppose such a thing must seem strange to you."
"Many things seem strange to me," Jacob said. "What did your family say?"
"They never knew," Bella said. Then she sighed sadly. "I suppose that is one regret I have. After being changed, I never saw my family again. I never got to go to my father or mother's funerals. I could only hear of them passing away and visit their graves in the middle of the night when no one was around. Sadly, that was not a situation I could control."
"Did you not miss them?"
"Of course I miss them," Bella said. "All of us miss our families." Alice gave a sad, knowing look. "Well, most of us I should say."
"You don't miss your family?" Jacob asked of Alice.
"No, I do not," she said bluntly. "You see, Jacob, some vampires only realize their gifts once they're vampires. Some, like Bella and me, realize our gifts beforehand when we're human. It's unusual but not unheard of."
"What is your gifts?" Jacob asked of Alice and Bella.
"I'm a shield as you might call it. For example, Edward can't read my mind like he can everyone else. My mind is unaffected by mental powers of other vampires and I can extend that power onto others."
"I can see the future to some degree," Alice said after Bella finished her explanation. "Granted, my visions are prone to change based on decisions made by the person, but I can see what will be the outcome of a decision an individual makes. The only exception to my gift are Renesmee and, as it turns out, you."
"So you can't tell me what the outcome of a decision I make would be?"
"No, I would not," Alice confirmed. "It's the reason I wasn't able to locate Renesmee or find what you'd done to her."
"Why is that?" Jacob asked.
"The only conclusion I can come to is because you're both something I have no tie to. I've been human and I'm currently a vampire, so I can see those futures. I see vampires with the greatest clarity and humans I see with some blur."
"Was it the same way when you were human then?"
"It was a little different when I was human. Firstly, I could only see things happen that were the work of man. The frequency of my visions were less and sometimes I would get them in my sleep rather than when awake. But I would be able to predict things that were going to happen. It began to frighten my parents. By the time I was in my early teens, my parents became so frightened by my ability to see into the future that they had me committed to a sanatorium. I hadn't seen or heard from them again since then."
"How did you become a vampire?" Jacob asked.
"Honestly, I don't know. I was kept in a dark room most of the time when I was in that sanatorium. I was only taken out for shock therapy."
"What is shock therapy?"
"It's when doctors attached me to an instrument that shocked me with electricity. I suppose you might think of it as being struck by lightning." Jacob scrunched his nose and shuddered. "Indeed," she said. "All I remember is one day, I was outside, I felt a bite and I was in pain. Then when I changed, the first thing I saw was a vision of Jasper. It was a vision of him telling me he loved me." Alice and Jasper looked at each and exchanged a loving glance. "I had that image in my mind and spent a year looking for him. When I found him, I brought him with me to meet the Cullens. That's when we joined their coven. We're a very recent addition to the family, actually. We came around about fifteen years ago, long after Renesmee was born."
"So you've been happy since changing?" Jacob asked Alice, with a touch of surprise.
"Much happier," Alice said with a nod. "I remember very little of my human life and most of the latter part of my life was spent in long periods of darkness. Anything is better than that." Jacob didn't say anything. "You disagree?"
"My people have had bad experiences with vampires. We've lost people to them and it was a vampire that nearly killed everyone in our tribe. It's hard to see a vampire as anything but a monster after such troubling experiences."
"It's understandable, dear," Esme said. "I assure you that your people will be safe from us." Jacob smiled at Esme.
"I know they will be. I can't promise everyone will accept you at first. They may be more open thanks to Renesmee, but be prepared for them not to immediately like you."
"That's alright," Esme said. "So long as Renesmee and that child are treated respectfully, then we're all happy."
"I would certainly hope so," Edward said. "That child is their future chief after all."
"You don't need to worry about that," Jacob said defensively. "The village loves Renesmee and respect her and me. Our children will be just as loved."
"Renesmee mentioned that your doctor took her on as an apprentice," Carlisle said, turning his head to look at him.
"You mean our Medicine Man? Yes, he took Renesmee on as his student. Two children of our tribe were shot by a hunter in the woods and Renesmee was the only one who knew what to do to save their lives. After that, the village finally embraced Renesmee and our Medicine Man Sokajili was impressed with her."
"I'm pleased to hear it," Carlisle said. "She's always wished she could be more than a nurse. She also says your medicine man practices Aroma Therapy."
"Is that how it's referred? He uses herbs and extracts as much as he can from those herbs and plants for medicine."
"Yes, that is Aroma Therapy. In recent years especially, the craft has been shunned as witch craft and quackery, but I would say it's the most natural medicine one can practice. It's worked for centuries before modern medicine took its place in our society. Why fix it if it's not broken? The Medicine Man is your uncle correct?"
"Yes, he's my father's older brother."
"Why is your brother not chief if he's the oldest?" Jasper asked.
"My uncle didn't wish to be chief. He wanted to be a Medicine Man and he began working with the past Medicine Man since he was very young. So that left my father to take over after my Grandfather died."
"When did your grandfather pass away?"
"When I was young," Jacob answered. "I don't know how old I was. My grandmother passed away a few years after that. My father hasn't been the chief for very long: only six or seven autumns….or years as you'd call it."
"So you would've been roughly 12 or 13 when your grandfather passed away," Carlisle observed.
"I guess so," Jacob said. He looked at Renesmee and realized she was asleep. He rubbed her belly again and managed to get the baby to kick. It made him smile.
"The baby's been an active kicker for months now," Carlisle smiled, noticing Jacob's happy smile.
"Has he?"
"Oh yes," Esme said with a grin. "He's an active little baby."
"I'm glad to hear it," Jacob said. Jacob rubbed the belly a little more and as he rubbed it, an image suddenly appeared in his head. It was a strange image of a dark, warm place yet despite the darkness, there was an anticipation the baby would kick and when the thoughts in his head confirmed that the small foot hit the wall that surrounded it, Jacob felt yet another kick. Then the images stopped and Jacob took his hand away. He looked at Renesmee again to check if she was awake, but she was not.
"The baby shares Renesmee's gift," Edward clarified; having seen what was put into Jacob's mind.
"He does?" Jacob asked, surprised.
"Yes," Edward confirmed. "It's usually in the morning, but that baby has pushed his thoughts into most of our heads. While Renesmee has to be touching you to push her thoughts into your head, this child is able to push his thoughts into your head from a distance. It's rather remarkable."
"It is," Jacob agreed in awe. "It's very remarkable."
"There's another thing that's rather remarkable," Edward continued. "I can only hear the boy's thoughts when he allows it."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, at the present moment, I can't read the baby's mind. I can only hear his thoughts when he allows me to. It appears a little of Bella rubbed off on the boy."
"That's even more incredible," Jacob grinned as he returned his hand to the belly hoping to possible earn another vision. "You're very special, Kevin. Just like your mother." No one understood Jacob's words, yet they could all hear the affection in his voice. It made even Edward smile just a little. "I wish I'd had more time with Renesmee during her pregnancy. I feel a little unprepared."
"You've nothing to fear, my dear," Esme said. "You'll be a wonderful father." Jacob looked up at Esme and was touched by her genuine and kind smile.
"Thank you for saying, Mrs. Cullen."
"You may call me Esme, dear."
"If you wish, Esme."
The 4 ½ hour trip was an excellent time for the family to get better acquainted with Jacob. Bella was finally beginning to see what there was to love of Jacob. He could be rough around the edges and brash and even a bit childish, but he was kind and loving, especially with Renesmee. He could've been angry with Renesmee for keeping her pregnancy from him, but he was not. He kissed her and said he understood, embracing the child right away. He never even so much as questioned the possibility that Peter might be the father and not him. He'd embraced the child as his right away, knowing in his heart that he was the only man that could be the father. He was a smart young man that proved just how much he was willing to do for her daughter and the more Bella got to know Jacob, the more appreciative of him she became. By the time they'd all arrived in Forks, Bella, Alice, Esme, Jasper, Carlisle and Emmett downright liked him. Rosalie and Edward were the only ones that still found themselves put off by the boy. When they did arrive in Forks, it was only under the pretence that Renesmee's family needed a place to stay. Before entering town, all who'd been running outside the cart hopped in back.
When that cart came into town, everyone looked on to the strangers as was usual. Any time someone knew came into town, people stared at least a moment. The stared on further when they not only realized that the Quileute Chief's son, Jacob was in the cart with these new comers. Then they gawked when they realized that Renesmee, the woman that soldiers had made such a fuss over last year, was in the cart in Jacob's arms very heavy with child. The whispers began immediately. Everyone ignored any whispers as they rode up to the small in. When they stopped, Jacob gently nudged Renesmee to wake her. She stretched, yawned, and forced her eyes open.
"We're back Renesmee," Jacob said.
"We are?" Renesmee looked around, but then became disappointed. "This is Forks isn't it?"
"Yes," Jacob nodded. "But we'll be home soon. Edward just wants to check the family into a place to stay."
"Why bother?" Renesmee said. "It's not as if they sleep." Jacob smiled and just shrugged. Then he kissed Renesmee's check. Once again, whispers rang and Jacob glared in the directions the whispers came. "Ignore them, Jacob. It can't be helped. The point is they know about us. I'm not going to be hidden anymore."
"If you say so," Jacob said rather than argue with her. Jacob stepped out of the cart and helped Renesmee out as well, making sure her landing to the ground was as gentle as possible. He overheard the talk from the people mentioning Lovejoy. Once again, he ignored them, though Renesmee was a little more nervous. By the time they walked inside, Edward was already making arrangements with the unwitting innkeeper's wife.
"Why of course you're welcome...to….." she trailed off when she saw Renesmee and her current condition. She was speechless when she noticed the man whose arms were wrapped around her. "Sweet Jesus, Mary and Joseph," she muttered in horror.
"Good afternoon, Debra," Renesmee smiled sweetly. "It's a pleasure to see you again." The woman didn't respond. Instead, she walked away to fetch her husband, who immediately walked out, just as horrified that Jacob was in his hotel.
"I'll tell you right now: that Squaw is not welcome here."
"You don't need to provide him a room," Edward said, "only the family that will remain here. We need four rooms to use while my daughter and her….husband," it took a moment for Edward to release the word, "will be returning back to the Quileute tribal grounds."
"Husband?!" the innkeeper and his wife yelled.
"I thought Peter Wallis was her husband," Debra said.
"Well, it's a very long story," Edward went on, "one that, if you don't mind, I would prefer not to discuss in detail. I need only for you to provide us with four rooms of myself, my wife, and my family so that we have a place to stay while we're here."
"Certainly," the innkeeper said weakly. "You may take four rooms upstairs. But as I said before, the Squaw is not welcome."
"Dually noted," Jacob said harshly. Renesmee nudged him.
"Please don't be angry Jacob," she whispered to him. "We won't be here much longer."
"We'd better not be," he mumbled.
"We'll claim rooms for now, but we'll be gone most of the day. We shall return by nightfall." Edward walked away and went outside to assist with unloading the family's luggage, save for Renesmee's things and the suitcase with baby clothes and toys. The innkeeper and his wife just looked at Renesmee and Jacob slack jawed a moment before going about their previous business. Jacob and Renesmee stepped outside, but were greeted with much the same response as they'd received from the innkeeper and his wife. Renesmee could overhear the gossip that proceeded.
"Surely, there's something wrong with her," one woman in the distance said. "Why else would she come back with that beast?"
"You see her belly? He must be the father; an unholy abomination to be sure."
"Those heathens must have wooed her into a life of sin. Why else would she return? And the shame to be pregnant with a devil's baby? Oh, I would simply die!"
"A tarnished woman," a man said among his friends. "A sullied woman. She's certainly no worth to anyone of proper livelihood. Good riddance to her for Mr. Wallis I say."
"Surely," another woman began to whisper to her friend, "her husband found out about the baby and cast her aside."
"As well as he should!" the friend affirmed. "It's simply unforgivable. Clearly, she allowed herself to be wooed into an unholy union. No husband as loving as that Mr. Wallis should have to tolerate such unacceptable behavior!"
"Ungrateful!" another woman called her. "Her husband worked so hard to rescue her and she spits at him by returning to the arms of the monsters that held her captive. Simply ungrateful."
"She'll be judged for her sins," the woman's husband responded. "Just take comfort that she will be judged for her sins."
Renesmee was expecting the harsh words, yet knowing they were to come didn't make hearing them any less unpleasant. Jacob was prepared to say something in Renesmee's defense to the whole town looking on at her in disapproval, but Renesmee begged him not to. It simply wasn't worth it.
"What happened to Sgt. Lovejoy," a man said suddenly and both Renesmee and Jacob looked at who'd spoken. Renesmee recalled he was the sheriff if her memory served correct.
"I beg your pardon?" Jacob asked, prepared to pretend to know nothing.
"Sgt. Lovejoy went to arrest you and he never returned to town. What did you savages do to him?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Jacob lied. "After taking my wife from me," Jacob said harshly and the townspeople, some quite audibly, gasped at what he called Renesmee, "from me, I never heard from him again. We agreed Renesmee would go with him only if we were to be unharmed."
"And yet here you stand, backing down on that agreement."
"I missed my wife," Jacob said. "I went to retrieve her. What Lovejoy doesn't know won't hurt him," he hissed Lovejoy's own words at the sheriff.
"You've still not answered where Sgt. Lovejoy is."
"I don't have an answer to give you. I imagine you've already searched my village for the scoundrel have you not?"
"Naturally," the sheriff said. "We found nothing." Jacob kept his satisfied smile in his head, proud that Quil and Embry had been able to do just as he'd asked. "However, I can't imagine that whatever became of him wasn't the fault of your people."
"I wouldn't know," Jacob said. "I wasn't there. I left to bring my wife back shortly after she left."
"Really?" the sheriff said. "Then why did we not see you pass through?"
"I didn't see the need to pass through Forks."
"Sheriff," Edward came forward. Jacob looked at Edward suspiciously, nervous what he would do. "I can assure you, as God as my witness, this man was with us since a few months ago. I can't speak for the whereabouts of this Sgt. Lovejoy, but I can assure you Jacob had nothing to do with it." While Jacob was shocked by Edward's defense, Jacob remained stone faced as ever. "Now, for the life of me, I've no idea how he managed to make it all the way to Olympia on foot, but by God he managed it. He's been with us ever since." Though the sheriff seemed less than satisfied, he finally backed off with Edward's word.
"If you say so, sir," the Sheriff responded. "I suppose all we can do is continue to look for him."
Now that the conversation with the sheriff was completed, further whispers continued with the revelation that, not only was sullied Mrs. Wallis pregnant with a red man's baby, but she was married to that red man! A scandal to be sure!
"No wonder her husband cast her aside," one woman began. "She's a bigamist!"
"Disgusting," that friend went on. "To be married to a red man, why, just the thought of it makes my skin crawl." Jacob glared in the direction of those women and both of them stepped back in terror at the cold, cruel stare that went in their direction.
"Jacob," Renesmee said when she realized Jacob was glaring at the gossipers. "Do not do that. You'll frighten them."
"Perhaps the withered old bitches needs to be frightened."
"You watch your language in front of my daughter," Edward said to Jacob. "Now both of you get back on the cart. What this ruthless horde is thinking is far worse than what they're saying. I think it best we leave now."
More than happy to oblige, Jacob helped Renesmee get back in to cart and he followed behind. All but Jasper, Emmett and Edward went to the back of the cart while the three of them went to the driver's front seat, encouraging the horses to go forward. Even when the village was out of site, Edward still overheard the harsh words and thoughts.
"I don't see why you wish to tolerate such indignity," Edward said.
"It doesn't matter, daddy. I won't be living with them."
"You'll be living near them. I'd say that's just as bad."
"People are vicious and cantankerous, Edward," Bella said. "In a small town like this, especially, it simply can't be helped.
"Will that man try to persist regarding Sgt. Lovejoy's whereabouts?" Jacob asked Edward. "I suppose they'd label him as missing for about four days now right?"
"Just about," Edward said. "I wouldn't worry too much about it from now on. The sheriff already checked the tribe himself. Leah swore up and down that they'd not seen Sgt. Lovejoy since Renesmee was taken away and when he searched the grounds, there was nothing of him to be found."
"Good," Jacob said with a smirk.
"Don't make a habit of such behavior, mutt," Rosalie said, very displeased with his attitude towards the death of a man.
"Please don't be so mean, Rosalie," Renesmee said. "Sgt. Lovejoy was hardly innocent."
"I never said he was," Rosalie said. "But two wrongs don't make a right, especially when that wrong on your part," Rosalie said harshly at Jacob, "was murder."
"Are you really one to criticize me-"
"No arguing you two," Renesmee said. She looked over her shoulder at Jacob. "I don't want the two of you arguing."
"I'm sorry, Renesmee," Rosalie said. "I just don't think one should be so proud of himself for murdering a man that was doing his job."
"The man shot at Caevia while she was pregnant," Jacob bit back. "Or is such an atrocity just business as usual when employed by the good old US of A?"
"Jacob," Renesmee warned sharply. "I said enough." Then Renesmee looked at Rosalie. "You two, Rosalie. You've been nothing but nasty to Jacob since you met him and I expect it to stop. The same goes for you, daddy."
"I've only corrected the language he's to use in your presence," Edward said.
"That's not what I'm referring to. You've been unforgivably rude to Jacob since you first met."
"And how am I supposed to treat the man that kidnapped and sullied my daughter?"
"You're to treat him like the father of your grandchild," Bella stepped in and said to Edward sternly. "This boy has shown that he loves our daughter very much and has proven himself to be a good husband and I'm sure he will be a good father. I understand your discontentment with the matter, Edward, but for the sake of our daughter and our grandchild, this little feud needs to stop."
"You expect me to like this mutt then?" Edward said sarcastically.
"I don't expect you to like me, Edward," Jacob said. "Though for our family's sake, I would plead that you find it in your heart to tolerate me." A few of them snickered a little at the way Jacob made his request. It wasn't necessarily rude per se, but it was definitely a sarcastic tone that they all realized he'd intended to be humorous. Even Edward found himself laughing just a bit.
"Perhaps one day," Edward managed to play along. Renesmee smiled and finally rested her head back into Jacob's shoulder. She was beginning to doze off again when Jacob nudged her and kissed her check to wake her.
"We're back home, Renesmee," he whispered to her in a gentle breath. Renesmee opened her eyes, but she couldn't see past her father and the others sitting up front.
The people looked towards the cart when they saw it coming. None of them knew who the pale faces on the cart were except Caevia. Caevia was sitting at the fire helping make lunch with baby Embry in her arms when people began to whisper of the pale faces that were roaming into town. She looked up and saw Edward, Jasper and Emmett in the front of the cart and grinned brightly. She called for Embry to come over and handed the baby to him once he came to her. Once their son was taken care of, Caevia went running for the cart ready to welcome Renesmee home. They all saw Caevia and Emmett leaped down from the cart and hugged Caevia when they met.
"It's been too long, Caevia," he said.
"It has," Caevia said before releasing Emmett and proceeding to hug Jasper and Edward once they came down from the cart.
"I hear you had a baby," Jasper said as they hugged.
"I did," she said. "You'll meet him in a moment. Where's Renesmee?" While Caevia was conversing with Emmett, Jasper and Edward, the rest of the group left the back of the cart and Jacob helped Renesmee out of the cart as gently as possible. The first thing Caevia saw when Renesmee turned that corner was her belly and she went right to her. "Renesmee!" Caevia said as she embraced Renesmee in a hug then putting her hands on Renesmee's belly. "I see Jacob had left you with a souvenir before you left." Renesmee blushed, but nodded.
"I'd known before leaving, but I didn't say anything. I feared the worst."
"It's alright, Renesmee. You're home now. Let's go show Sara. She'll be so happy when she finds out."
"Sara is Jacob's mother?" Bella asked.
"Yes, she's my mother. Just a moment, I'll find her," Jacob said as he walked away to look for his mother and father. While he was gone, Renesmee asked to meet baby Embry. Caevia called for Embry to come over with the baby and took their son to show Renesmee.
"How're you feeling, Renesmee?" Embry asked, already knowing about the baby.
"I feel good. It won't be long now." Renesmee looked at Caevia's son and smiled. "He's so beautiful. He looks just like his father."
"He does," Caevia sighed in agreement looking at the little baby in her arms. Moments later, Jacob started to approach with his mother, father and Sokajili following. Sara ran to Renesmee's side, eager to see her again and to congratulate her on the new baby.
"Renesmee," Sara said, teary eyed, as she embraced Renesmee in a tight hug. "I'm so happy you're finally home." She took a step back to look at the bump. "Is that my grandchild?" she asked with a chipper tone, touching the belly. Then she looked right at William. "Kayechiwetchwe, do you see? Renesmee and Jacob are having a baby! We're having a grandchild."
"One of many we have already, Sara. No need to be so alarmed," William teased. Then he finally turned his attention to Renesmee's family. Already knowing what they are, he was very iffy and dared not get too close to them. Sokajili, on the other hand, made as great an attempt as he could manage to be friendly and welcoming to Renesmee's family.
"Jacob, let her family know we're happy to meet them and they're welcome on our lands. Is that not right, brother?"
"They're welcome," William agreed, though he was still quite hesitant of them.
"My Uncle and Father welcome all of you," Jacob translated for them. "You're welcome on our lands."
"This is Sara?" Bella asked as she approached Renesmee and Sara, who was still holding and cooing to Renesmee's belly.
"Yes, this is my mother. Mother, this is Bella. She is Renesmee's mother." Sara looked up at Bella and, for a moment, was a little frightened of her. She was so pale and her eyes were the strangest golden color.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Sara," Bella said with a smile.
"She said it's a pleasure to meet you," Jacob translated for his mother.
"It is a pleasure to meet you too."
Jacob relayed the comment to Bella and it was then that Sara finally smiled and seemed to relax just a bit with Renesmee's family. Jacob introduced the rest of the family to each other as best he could with the language gap between them. As they all conversed with Jacob acting as the main translator, Claire came from the woods with friends and when she saw Renesmee, she went right to her and nearly knocked her over when she took a hold of Renesmee in a big hug. Jacob held onto Renesmee and kept her stable while the little girl cried of how much she'd missed her. When she realized Renesmee was pregnant, she brought her ear to her belly to see if she could hear anything. She couldn't really hear anything, so she forfeited the activity and told Renesmee she wanted to show her how much she'd been practicing. Eventually, however, Sokajili and William had to pull Renesmee and Jacob aside so they could formally proceed as they should be and discuss the upcoming celebration. Caevia agreed to help Renesmee's family and Sara get better acquainted while they were gone.
"You'll forgive me for this question. Given the circumstances, I'm forced to ask," William said when they were in Sokajili's tent, getting straight to the point. "Are you sure Jacob is the father?"
"Why would you ask her a question like that? Of course I'm the father. Peter never laid a finger on her let alone did what was needed to make her pregnant."
"I already knew about the baby when I'd left," Renesmee admitted to Sokajili and William. She could tell this news did not please William in the slightest.
"Why did you not mention to Jacob he was to be a father? If you knew about the child, why would you walk away from the tribe with that baby, risking him to be born on foreign land and without his family?"
"I was scared how things were beginning to turn out, and I was right to be afraid. Those soldiers nearly killed you and Sara. If Jacob had known I was pregnant, he would have gone much too far to keep me from going. I knew he would and I couldn't live with myself knowing that I would be making things worse than they already were." William was thoughtful a moment, but was eventually satisfied with her answer.
"You made the right decision for the safety of the tribe. I cannot fault you for that."
"But now that we know of the baby," Sokajili stepped in, "we must discuss the announcement. It's best we do that right away. It would hardly be a surprise, so this is simply following tradition in the best way we can given our current situation. Then, when the baby is born, if it's a boy he will have a grand celebration. If it's a girl, it'll be a more usual party, though not quite the spectacle meant for sons."
"I'm quite certain it's a boy," Renesmee said confidently. "I decided to name him Kevin William."
"And if it's a girl?"
"Natalie," Renesmee answered.
"Both fine names," Sokajili affirmed. "After the baby is born," Sokajili went on to explain, "regardless of a boy or a girl, Jacob will need to take the baby outside and allow Kayechiwetchwe to announce the child's birth and name. This is only done for the first child unless, of course, Renesmee, you have a girl. She will still be announced since she's the first born, but if you two have a son the second time, that son will get an announcement since he's the one that will become chief after Jacob. We will have the people begin preparing for a boy so that once the baby is born, we'll be ready. Once Kayechiwetchwe announces the baby, the ceremony welcoming the son will proceed late in the day with a bonfire, a feast, and stories to be told that will explain what's expected of the boy and what to be warned of."
"This will only be for our first son, right?" Renesmee asked.
"Yes, only the first son," Sokajili confirmed. "We will have a celebration for all your children, but only the eldest son will be told stories of how to become a good chief one day. It is the hope that only the eldest son will be able to come to that mantle, unless, of course, that eldest son decides otherwise."
"I was about to say," Renesmee said. "I'd thought you were the eldest."
"I am the eldest, my dear, but I didn't want to be chief. I wanted to practice healing. Thankfully, Kayechiwetchwe was happy to step in," Sokajili joked.
Satisfied with their discussion, William permitted everyone to leave so they could return to the family gathering where, in their absence, Caevia had managed to translate Bella's and Sara's relationship to fast friends. Everyone got a chance to meet baby Embry and play around with him while Renesmee talked with all the women to catch up. She encouraged Claire to show off her growing talent with the violin to Bella, who eagerly joined in the song Claire played and later taught her a few new songs that Renesmee didn't know how to play. Claire was thrilled to have a new teacher at her beck and call.
The village people were as courteous with Renesmee's family as they could manage, though there was a great deal of nervousness around them regardless despite Caevia's and Renesmee's insistence that they were all safe around her family. Considering their respect for Renesmee, they were willing to be open but it would be a long time before they were comfortable. When all the food was ready for everyone to eat, William stood to get their attention onto him. Renesmee's family looked on as well, regardless of whether they'd understand the announcement. They figured what the announcement would be anyway. Purely a formality at that time.
"Everyone," William said and everyone that hadn't already been looking finally looked at him. "I realize you've all noticed by now, but Renesmee and Jacob are expecting their first child!" Everyone laughed a little and began to applaud.
"What's going on?" Bella asked Renesmee.
"William's announcing my pregnancy."
"I thought it was obvious," Bella said, making Renesmee giggle.
"It is, but it's just a formality. Usually, a pregnancy with a chief or chief's son's wife is announced formally like this."
"Ah," Bella said.
"She looks as though she will have the baby soon, so begin preparing immediately and let us hope for a healthy son or daughter to welcome to the tribe." Everyone applauded again and William sat back down.
"So Jacob," Edward started, figuring he may as well attempt to find something likable about the mutt. "My daughter tells us she's been teaching you to read, and with some classics no less."
"Yes, she has," Jacob nodded.
"Of the things the two of you read, what was your favorite?" Alice asked.
"Othello," Jacob answered.
"Appropriate," Edward said. "I prefer Hamlet."
"I wasn't as sympathetic to Hamlet," Jacob said. "He overreacted to the situation. And I was not fond of Polonius at all. The man was no less than comically ridiculous."
"Comically ridiculous," Edward repeated with just a touch of an amused smile. "Why do you say?"
"Well, first of all, when Laertes leaves to go to school he keeps him from going to the boat to tell him to be nice to strangers basically, then he tries to hire a man to spread false rumors about his son so that people will affirm for him they're untrue, and when Hamlet begins to act rashly, he assumes it's because he forced Ofelia to break off their romantic relationship and tries to tell her to reignite their romance. The man's an idiot." This time, Edward did laugh.
"So do you think Hamlet was truly haunted by his father's ghost?"
"I can't imagine why he wouldn't be given the circumstances. His uncle murdered his father and his mother may or may not have been involved."
"You don't believe she had anything to do with the death of her husband?"
"I don't think so. Just because she married Claudius doesn't mean she was involved. She's a woman in 17th century England. When her husband died, she had little other choice but to get remarried and Claudius, in all realistic sense, is a very logical choice seeing as he wasn't married. Though with proper actors, it's certainly not impossible to paint her as guilty, just like it wouldn't be impossible to paint Claudius as innocent if the director really wanted to."
"Indeed," Edward agreed. "Perhaps you'll see a production of Hamlet one day."
"I would prefer to see Othello. That was the play that had me touched."
"It is a touching story," Bella agreed. "Renesmee says part of the reason you like the play is because you don't think anything was Othello's fault."
"It wasn't," Jacob affirmed. "The man did what he thought was prudent and promoted the man he thought was best suited for the Captain's position. Iago was clearly unhappy with that and rather than speak with his boss about what was bothering him, which given Othello's personality I'm sure would have turned out fine, he dives into this bizarre and ridiculous scheme to cause Othello's downfall, all the while pretending to still be good friends with Othello."
"But Othello wasn't completely innocent," Edward said. "The man believed his friend over his wife and jumped to his own conclusions most of the time."
"With Iago's pushing and planting. Emilia didn't help either."
"Well, of course not. But this could have been avoided if Othello had sat down with Desdemona and confronted her rationally."
"Innocent or not, of course she would have denied it. And Iago made it sound like Cassio and Desdemona were having an affair just by asking intimate questions about Bianca. He never made Cassio specify he was talking about a prostitute and not Desdemona. What other conclusion is he supposed to come to?"
"But to kill her?" Bella asked.
"The action was brash, yes, but he thought she'd dishonored him. From what Renesmee's explained to me of England and their practices of the time, his actions by their standards would not be considered completely unacceptable. It turned out to be since she was innocent, but he didn't know. He was lied to. And when he realized he was lied to, he killed himself and died by Desdemona's side. It's certainly not the most romantic story in the world, but it's tragic. Everything that happened was not completely Othello's fault. It was Iago's fault."
"Are Hamlet and Othello the only plays she's had you read?"
"Yes, thus far. She tells me Taming of the Shrew is a comedy, so I wanted to read that next."
"I understand why it's called such, but it's hardly funny," Rosalie said. "The man beats down his wife until she's submissive to him."
"Yes, but she was a shrew, remember? She was loud, uncontrollable and just awful to everyone. She needed to be taught to be a lady."
"By arriving at their wedding late and drunk, making her leave for his home on their wedding day, starving her and mentally abusing her? Petruchio is a classless fiend that beat down a woman with passion until she was so obedient that she made an example of all the wives that were not obedient."
"And this is considered a comedy?" Jacob asked skeptically.
"It has its funny moments, but the themes of the play are questionable. I can be funny if it's played correctly, but it would have to be done very right," Rosalie said.
"I guess so." Jacob took a deep breath. "You're from England originally right?" Jacob asked Edward.
"Carlisle and I are, yes," Edward affirmed. "The rest of the family was born in America."
"Have you or the rest of the family returned to England since?"
"I'm afraid we've not been there since we left. Such travel would be too difficult for a mere visit. Though neither of us would be above a visit of home sometime in the future."
"I only know of England what I've read with Renesmee."
"And to my knowledge, those works include Shakespeare and select works from Dickens and Austen. Is that accurate?"
"Yes," Jacob confirmed. "I was a greater fan of Austen's Sense and Sensibility over Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Dickens is wordy to a degree that I have trouble enjoying."
"I will agree the man is wordy. Though I admit I'm a far greater fan of Dickens. Austen is certainly an excellent author herself. Perhaps next she should make you read a book from one of the Bronte sisters. Their books are typically a great deal more…..controversial. Seeing as you have such strong opinions with regards to literature, it might be quite a joy to debate the subject matter of their works."
"In that case," Renesmee stepped in, "might I recommend we begin Wuthering Heights? Of the works by the Bronte sisters, it is my favorite."
"Honestly, Renesmee, you may as well ask the man to walk on hot coals."
"Daddy, the book isn't bad. It's certainly something that would invite a great deal of conversation."
"So would Jane Eyre," Edward said. "That book is certainly greater liked than Wuthering Heights."
"It doesn't matter if it is greater liked. It's a matter of what is my preferred work and I prefer Wuthering Heights."
"And I'm sure I do not understand why," Edward said with a heavy sigh.
Renesmee's family stayed for the remainder of the dinner with the people, allowing them to grow just a bit more comfortable with them. It was a start. They only left when it was long past nightfall and most of the village was content to go to their tents to sleep. Renesmee and Caevia gave her family a warm goodbye for the day before they made their journey back to Forks. Edward assured Renesmee they would be back first thing in the morning while Alice and Jasper agreed they would go back to Chicago to make necessary arrangements to have their things brought to Washington. Edward made it very clear that they would be moving to Washington to ensure they could be close to Renesmee and their grandchild, to which Renesmee happily agreed. After her family finally left, Jacob very nearly swept Renesmee off her feet and led her back to their tent. When she was in there, she sighed a deep breath of relief and joy. She'd missed their home so much. Jacob tied the door shut behind them and immediately went back to Renesmee. Her back was to him and Jacob took a gentle hold of her shoulders as he began to tenderly kiss her neck.
"Welcome home, Renesmee," Jacob whispered in her ear with a gentle lick on her ear lobe and more scattered kisses along her neck.
"It's good to be home." Renesmee moved her head to the side so as to offer Jacob greater access, but he was impeded by her buttoned up light blue dress. The long sleeves, the higher neckline and fuller skirt and the yards of needless fabric covering her body made Jacob's intimate ventures difficult.
"How do you take this thing off?" Jacob asked as he tried desperately to find anything that would help remove the dress from her body. With a smile, Renesmee started from the top and began to undo her buttons one by one. She did manage to reach just below her collarbone, but Jacob grew exceedingly impatient. "Renesmee?"
"Yes?"
"Move your hands for me," he asked. Renesmee removed her hands, which were replaced by Jacob's hands. Rather than bother with unbuttoning each and every horrible button, Jacob tore the bodice apart so that she was finally free. Though under the dress was yet another, thinner dress. "Far too much material," Jacob commented. "I prefer our clothes. They're far simpler than this heavy nonsense." Renesmee smiled and lifted her head to give Jacob a kiss.
"Don't rush so much, Jacob. How long has it been since we were together like this? Eight months?"
"All the more reason to get this damned dress off," Jacob answered back before he ripped the second lighter bodice beneath the light blue dress so that her neck, chest and breasts were finally free for him to savor. While Jacob started kissing her freshly bare skin, Renesmee brought her hands behind her back and pulled the remaining fabric off her arms. She had to push her dress the rest of the way don with her belly keeping it up otherwise. When Renesmee was completely naked before him, Jacob's hands began to roam all over her until his fingers found her entrance and the bundle of nerves that came alongside it.
Renesmee whimpered when she felt Jacob's warm fingers inside her. While his fingers touched her, his lips continued to kiss her chest until he reached her breasts and gave them their dues. He started with her left breast, kissing her tenderly and taking her nipple into his mouth. As he livingly licked and sucked, a small amount of a warm liquid escaped. The same happened when he began his attention to her right breast. It wasn't enough for Jacob to really taste it, but it was warm, pleasant and, somehow, a powerful moment for him. After he gave her breasts attention, he brought their lips back together in a long and passionate kiss. Jacob's free hand wandered from Renesmee's back down to the firm rounded flesh of her hips so he could pull her just a little closer, though the belly made being much closer impossible. All the same, Renesmee finally wrapped her arms around Jacob's neck and continued their passionate kiss. Their tongues mingled and mimicked what Jacob's fingers were doing. He only took his lips away to gently place Renesmee onto the ground. But when she was laying before him, he realized he couldn't lay atop her while he thrust inside her. Jacob rubbed her belly with a loving smile as he looked at her.
"This makes things a touch more difficult," Jacob joked. So instead of laying atop her, Jacob stood to remove his own clothing, then returned to her and brought his hands under her butt to lift her hips up enough so he could enter her. They both groaned from the feeling. It really had been far too long and they stayed still a moment, just savoring the feel of each other.
Eventually, Jacob finally began to thrust his hips, gently at first, while Renesmee's hands went to hold Jacob's wrists as he moved. Her hands didn't stay there long, however. She returned her hands to the ground for extra support while Jacob had her hips elevated. It was a slightly different sensation and it felt so nice. She'd missed his touch so much in the eight months they'd been apart and she savored each and every thrust he gave her. He would be gentle for a moment only to be forceful and fast another, repeating the process numerous times until she was calling his name. Then Jacob attempted to rest on top of her, but she brought her hands to his chest so he couldn't lie down.
"Sorry," he said, "I forgot for moment."
"Get on your back," Renesmee told Jacob. He did as she told and laid down onto his back while Renesmee sat herself up to sit on his lap. She guided his erection back inside her and began moving on top of him. She was forced to stay upright, but she was alright with that. She simply wasn't able to rest her hands on Jacob's chest, so she settled for bending her back and resting her hands on his thighs while his hands stayed on her hips to guide her movements.
Her movements were slower. She would go fast a moment, but when she did, she would only do it a moment. And Jacob couldn't pull Renesmee down to him so he could go father. Wanting to go faster aside, Jacob just wanted to hold her and clutch her when she brought him to his release. So Jacob rolled over and brought Renesmee down with him as gently as possible. Then he turned her around so her back was to him. Firstly, Jacob lifted Renesmee's left leg up to rest on his own leg, then he guided his erection back inside her, and finally started thrusting again while his hand went right to her core to pleasure her further. This is where they stayed. Jacob had the freedom to go as fast or as slow as he wanted, all the while holding Renesmee tight to him with his right hand covering her breast, gently pinching her nipple, while his left hand paid its attention to Renesmee's clitoris. Renesmee had on hand over Jacob's while the other hand reached behind her to touch Jacob's hair or whatever her hand would allow her to grab.
Soon, Jacob began moving fast again, rubbing her sensitive nub vigorously and he didn't stop until Renesmee squealed his name. She turned her head to kiss Jacob while he continued his vigorous thrusting until he finally reached his own climax. After Jacob's release, he left her so she could turn to lay on her back. Jacob stayed on his side and immediately started to kiss Renesmee again. They kissed a moment longer until Jacob pulled away and began to kiss her neck again.
"I love you," Jacob whispered to her before they kissed again.
"I love you too," Renesmee answered between their kisses. They eventually went to sleep in each other's arms. In the morning, Jacob turned Renesmee around and made love to her again. It was like when they first married. They didn't leave the tent until word came that Renesmee's family had returned. Even then, Jacob was in no hurry to let her leave.