Chapter 8: Shopping

Nessie

I secluded myself in my room when we got back home. I was tired and wasn't in much of a mood to be around people. My mom and dad were still not speaking to me anyways. Evidenced by the fact that they both left as soon as Jacob and I returned home. I wondered when and if my parents would ever forgive me.

I heard a soft knock on my door followed by a "Can I come in?" from Brian.

"Sure," my voice sounded flat even to myself.

Brian came in holding Aiden. "What is going on here?" he asked.

I looked at him. I took a deep breath. I opened my mouth to say something and then immediately shut it instead. The truth is that I had no idea what to say to him.

"Why do I feel like there is something that you're not telling me?" he asked me. He looked concerned, very concerned.

I took a deep breath. "There is nothing to tell you,"

He chuckled. "Renesmee I have only known you your entire life. I can tell when you're lying,"

"I'm not lying,"

"Yeah you are. You might be a good liar but you can't fool me. I know you too well,"

I sighed. "There is nothing to tell you," I thought that sounded very convincing.

"Fine. I'll pretend that I believe you. For now. I know there is something that you are keeping from me but I can see that you're not ready to tell me just yet. And that's fine. I won't pressure you,"

I shook my head slightly. Brian was way too perceptive for his own good. All the boy had to do was look at someone and right away he would have a feeling that they were not exactly an honest person. It was a talent. He would make for an excellent police interrogator.

"How has Aiden been?"

"Your family monopolized him the entire time you were gone. I didn't think it was possible for one baby to be doted on so much. You really do have a good family here Nessie. I can tell,"

I smiled.

Aiden started to cry. Brian rocked him for a bit until he calmed down. "Here I'll take him. You look tired,"

"I am. But if you need anything, if you need any help with him, don't hesitate to wake me up,"

"Thanks Brian,"

Brian closed the door softly. I started to nurse Aiden. Less than fifteen minutes later Aiden fell asleep on my breast. I placed him in the crib and then went to sleep myself. I somehow managed to get a decent amount of sleep that night. When I woke up the following morning the house was really quiet. It didn't take me long to realize that everyone, apart from Brian, had left.

There was a note left on the kitchen counter. "Gone hunting. We will be back soon,"

I crumpled up the note and threw it in the trash. I opened up the refrigerator and saw that it was completely empty. Of course there would be no food in this house. I shook my head. Why my family had a refrigerator in the first place was beyond me. I was suddenly ravenous and my stomach growled. I grabbed Aiden, packed up a few things, and left.

With any luck I'd be back before my family could even notice that I had left the house. That was my plan anyway. Get something to eat and then get back home before anyone could notice that I was missing. I stopped at a McDonald's that I frequented whenever I had the chance. My food stamp card had just been reloaded so why not treat myself to something nice.

I sat down outside with my plate of pancakes, eggs, biscuits and orange juice. I had just taken my first bite when I suddenly noticed my mom on the other side of the street. She wasn't looking my way and I wondered what she was doing way over here on this side of town all by herself. "Mom," I whispered under my breath. She looked back and saw me for the first time. She looked relieved.

I turned back to my food. A few minutes later I heard the chair next to me being moved. "There you are, I was worried sick about you," mom scolded me.

"You were worried sick about me?" I asked her.

"Of course. I've already lost you once and I am not about to lose you again young lady,"

"I thought you were mad at me,"

"I was. I still am but that doesn't mean that I don't love you and worry about you. When we came home from hunting and realized that you and Aiden weren't there we immediately began searching for you two. Don't you do dare do that to me again young lady,"

"I'm sorry mom. I didn't mean to worry anyone. I was just hungry and there was no food at the house so I just went to get something to eat,"

Mom shook her head. "Food. We didn't think about that. We'll take care of that later,"

"Mom?"

"Yes?"

"Will you ever forgive me for what I did?" I asked her.

"I already have," she said. "I love you and of course I forgive you. We all forgive you. We are still angry and hurt by what you did but we will always love you and you will always be part of this family no matter what," she said.

"Thanks mom,"

"Did you even doubt that for a second?"

"You seemed really mad yesterday. I wasn't sure if you could ever forgive me,"

"Renesmee. Look at me. How would you feel if Aiden decided it was best to leave you thinking he was dead? How would you feel if you suddenly discovered that he has been alive for the last 18 years and only left you because he felt like it was best for you?"

I nearly doubled over in emotional pain. I felt crushing pain. I couldn't even begin to imagine how I could live like that for any length of time. My mom, my dad, my family. They had lived like that for 18 years.

"It would be unbearable,"

"And now you can understand, at least somewhat, what your father and I went through,"

I started crying and my mom hugged me. She rubbed soothing circles on my back like she used to do when I was little. "It's going to be okay sweetie. It's going to be okay. Why don't we do something together? Just you and I and my grandson of course,"

"Like what?" I asked.

"Whatever you want,"

"Why don't we go to the mall? There is a nice one on the northern side of the city. I've been in a lot of times but have never actually bought anything.

"Shopping," mom shook her head in disapproval.

"You don't like shopping?"

"I hate it. But I'll do it, for you. I just want to spend time with you. Even if it means subjecting myself to the torture that is shopping,"

Mom's phone rang. "Alice," she shook her head before answering the phone. "Of course you can come Alice. Uh huh, okay, we'll see you there in twenty minutes,"

"Let me guess she saw us decide to go to the mall and she wants to join us to,"

"You're exactly right. Her and Rosalie will be joining,"

I was surprised by how quickly this morning out had quickly turned into a girls' shopping trip. Girl plus a baby boy that is,"

We got to the mall at almost exactly the same time that aunt Alice and aunt Rosalie did.

Alice squealed excitedly.

"What is going on?"

"We get to shop for our niece and grandnephew," Rosalie said just as excitedly. Shop they did. Right away aunt Alice started finding outfits for me that she knew I would love. I was looking at a nice pair of jeans when I heard someone walking toward me.

"Nessie, what are you doing here?" I looked and saw Belle walking toward me. Her arms were full of designer clothing.

"Hi Belle, I'm shopping here with some friends of mine,"

"Oh," she said. Belle and I ran into each other a lot here. She was always spending money here at the mall. I was usually just looking. Sometimes she would offer to buy stuff for me but I'd always say no. I was secretly envious of the girl though. How is it that she had money and looks that would put Rosalie to shame? It didn't seem fair. "Are you and that Jacob guy like an item now?"

"What? No?"

"Oh, good. Then maybe you can do me a favor and give him my phone number. I'd like to see him again,"

I fought back the sudden surge of jealousy that I felt bubbling toward the surface. It was irrational and I knew that.

"Nessie there you are we were- who is this?" mom asked. Even my mom was caught off guard by Belle's beauty.

"Oh m-um Bella this is my friend. Her name is Belle,"

"It's actually Isabella but I hate that name," Belle said.

"Really? That's my name also,"

"Wow, huh, small world," Belle said. "Is this the friend you were talking about Nessie?"

"Yes, well, one of them-" I trailed off.

"Nessie, Bella, there you two are," Aunt Alice and aunt Rosalie walked toward us. Both of them stopped when they saw Belle. Rosalie stared at Belle in absolute shock. Shocked that a human girl can be even more beautiful than she is. Then Rosalie got angry, really angry. She started to crouch down, ready to kill.