Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, just my own characters.
Renesmee Cullen
"I've gotta run!" I announced as I snatched my handbag dangling from the couch.
I walked over to Jake, sitting by his office desk he had in his room as he worked on his college report that was due soon.
"Okay. Gimme a kiss goodbye," He called.
I giggled as I draped my arms around his shirtless shoulders and bent down to give him a passionate yet brief kiss on the lips before showering him with a few kisses on the cheek.
"See you later. Love you! Bye!" I responded, patting his cheeks with my hands.
"You too," He replied, not moving his eyes from the computer screen as I walked out of the room.
I left Jacob's place and drove my way to school – subconsciously taking the route past the weird Oakland Creek Bridge. That bridge was so creepy but so intriguing at the same time.
But the bridge was the last thing on my mind right now.
I couldn't stop thinking about what I saw fall out of Jacob's pocket this morning.
The mysterious midnight blue velvet box.
What could be in it?
Could it be what I think it was? Or was it just an elaborate hoax?
My mind kept swirling, telling me it was anything but an engagement ring, but my heart was telling me another. I wanted to believe he was ready to propose but my confidence was dwindling every time I brought myself back down to earth.
Jacob wasn't against marriage, but I got the feeling he was reluctant at first. We only just started talking about it and we agreed that we were in no rush to make it to the altar right now.
But I would marry him in a heartbeat if he asked me tomorrow.
It was a Monday, and our one-year anniversary was this Friday.
Could it be that he's planning –?
Argh! I need to stop thinking about it or else I'll get my hopes up too high, only to have them potentially crushed.
It could just be a pair of earrings he bought me which shouldn't be a let down but…it kinda would be.
I love earrings. There's no doubt about that. But I have earrings to spare. I don't have a cascade of engagement rings though, in contrast to someone like Victoria Beckham.
Oh snap! I sound entitled, don't I?
No! I don't need an engagement ring to know that Jacob loves me. If he bought me earrings, I would accept them gladly. Yup! That's the mature way to go, Nessie.
I moaned as I gripped onto my steering wheel.
I decided to tune my mind out of it by turning on some music on the radio.
Yep. That should do it! That should not make me not think about big white puffy dresses, wedding bouquets, centerpieces and honeymoons.
But then this happened…
"Here's Marry You by Bruno Mars for all you lovebirds out there." The radio host presented and then the song blasted in my head.
I gasped, rolling my eyes.
Oh, c'mon now!
"Are you kidding me?" I exclaimed, then grumbled as I switched radio stations.
I reached the grounds of my school and parked my cherry red Toyota Camry in my usual parking space. I have had this car for over 2 years now and it has never failed me. It was possibly the best first car any girl would love to have.
I slipped out of my car and breathed in the breeze of the air as I threw my bag onto my shoulder and adjusted my creamy knit sweater over my blue jeans.
As I skimmed through the class of students making the way to the building, I noticed Alex, wearing a bright olive-green top with calottes, staring ominously at her surroundings in the outskirts of the parking lot. It was as if she was looking for someone and was determined to find them.
I furrowed my brows as I approached her.
"Alex!" I called.
She didn't respond.
"Alex!" I called again.
This time she slowly turned her head to look at me.
"Hi!" She replied with a weird smirk.
I smiled back regardless. "How did you get here? Did you come with Seth?"
"Seth?" She questioned with confused brows.
"…Your boyfriend?" I reminded her.
"Oh! Yes! Seth! Of course, I did." She stated.
I frowned. She was acting weird.
Well who could blame her? She was probably still traumatized by last week with Connor. Her mind is likely all over the place.
"What are you doing just standing there for?"
She looked at me strangely, giving me a quick survey with a distinct look in her eye before masquerading it with a smile.
"Oh, I'm just…Thinking." She stated.
I nodded. "Listen," I began as I laid my hand on her arm which was oddly cold. "I know what happened last week with Connor is still hard to process but I promise I won't let anything happen to you here. you can count on me."
Her eyes were bothered yet also confused at the mention of Connor as if it were the first time, she heard about him or received this piece of information about him.
"Yes. Connor." She whispered. "Thanks, I really appreciate it."
I smiled. "C'mon, let's go. We should talk about what I found in Jacob's pocket this morning. You won't believe it." I began as I attempted to drape my arm around her.
She quickly slipped out of my grasp and dodged my touch.
"You know what, you go. I'll catch up." She smiled back at me.
"You sure?" I asked, concern creasing my face.
"Yeah. We can talk about it later. Maybe when we go shopping."
That's weird. Alex hates shopping. She would never suggest it as she would never take the time to do it.
"Um…okay. See you later," I said ineptly.
She smiled politely with a tinge of mischief and intrigue as I started making my way to the school building alone.
As I walked through the halls of Oakland Woods High, I was met with a mixture of various scents from the human students as there was a huge buzz in the air. Everyone was excited for the big game this weekend with Harbor High. It was the first big game of the year and the start of the final season for the seniors.
But it wasn't the game they were most excited for; it was the after party.
It's a bummer I won't be there.
Jacob has got something planned for our anniversary that day, but I don't exactly know what to expect from it.
My train of thought was halted when I caught sight of Alex roaming the halls, chatting to a few girls from our newspaper club. I was recently appointed the chairman last year with Alex as the co-chairman. It was practice for when I begun my journalism major at Columbia in the fall.
Hopefully…
I furrowed my eyebrows.
How did she get passed me so fast? I just left her a minute ago.
I frowned as I went over to her.
"Hey, Alex!" I called. She spun around to see me and smiled. "How did you get here so fast?"
She frowned. "What do you mean?"
"I mean I swear I just left you in the parking lot after we talked for a bit and now, you're here." I stated, looking at her. "And clearly you did a quick outfit change. Weren't you wearing a green top?"
"Ew! No. You know I hate green."
"I know." I said, my face in frustration. "But I swear I talked to you,"
That is so weird.
She chuckled. "You doing okay, Nessie?"
I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms. "Alex…Don't make me look stupid. Do you have a twin I don't know about?"
"A doppelganger! That's awesome." She laughed. I sighed. "Fine! It was me. It was a nice conversation."
I pursed my lips as she continued chuckling at me.
I shook my head and let it slide. She was probably just messing around with me as usual. Alex loved to humiliate me any chance she got, but in a fun way so I just let it go.
"Listen, I gotta tell you what happened this morning at Jake's," I whispered to her as I draped my arm around hers.
"You found a used condom?" She gasped.
I sighed, glaring at her through my long lashes.
She giggled impishly.
"This is serious Alex!" I told her as we walked to our homeroom. "So, I was arranging some of our clothes from yesterday when I heard a something fall to the ground and under the bed. When I went to retrieve it, I found a large velvet box."
"Okay…" She simply replied, not understanding where I was going with this.
I sighed and gripped onto her wrist.
A velvet box, Alex. I reaffirmed into her head, showing her images of the box.
Her eyes bulged. "No!"
I nodded. "Yup."
"Well, did you see what was inside?" She demanded.
I shook my head. "I was too scared to open it. Plus, he was already coming out of the shower by then."
I was honestly too afraid to be disappointed in what I found.
She hummed. "You don't think he's planning on proposing, do you?"
I felt my cheeks burn a deep red as I thought about the prospect of him proposing to me soon.
"Well, our anniversary is this Friday." I told her. "But honestly, it can't be. We haven't seriously talked about marriage. Well – I mean we have talked about it seriously, but I never put pressure on him. We kind of mutually agreed that there was no rush but…I don't know. I get butterflies just thinking about it, but it could mean anything right? You don't think it's actually an engagement ring?"
"Wait. What kind of box was it?"
I shrugged. "I don't know. It was velvety and boxy?"
She frowned. "Show it to me again."
I did exactly that as I replayed the images in her head from my perspective one more time.
"Hmm…It doesn't look small enough to hold an engagement ring to me," She stated. "It looks like a wristwatch box to me."
"A wristwatch box?"
I suddenly felt a twinge of disappointment in my heart.
Of course, it wasn't a ring box. Who was I thinking to actually believe or…dream that it couldn't be something else?
"What do I know, really? It could literally be anything Ness."
I was gutted.
I should've peaked in the box while I still had the chance.
So, if it wasn't an engagement ring then…then what did that mean for us? Where was Jacob's mind at about our future? Did he change his mind? Was he not planning to propose at all anytime soon?
I involuntarily clutched my stomach as the butterflies I had been feeling turned into what felt like flesh-eating worms.
"I feel nauseous." I groaned, suddenly feeling sick.
And I never get sick.
"Don't worry about it. Just give it some time. You will find out soon enough." She assured me.
I smiled politely back, but her words weren't aspiring confidence at all in me.
As Alex and I walked into our homeroom class, I noticed Felicity seated on the far end of the class, chatting to Jennifer who was seated right behind her.
When Felicity looked up, she locked eyes with Alex and I and mustered a small smile and waved to us.
I waved back before she resumed her conversation with Jennifer.
Although our friendship has rekindled, it would still take some time for Felicity to warm up to me again. It would take time for me to regain her full trust and for our close friendship to be restored to what it once was.
I didn't mind.
I was simply happy I still had her in my life, and she didn't write me out of her life forever.
After homeroom, we were called to the gym to have our weekly assembly gathering.
"Good morning, students of Oakland Woods High. I trust you all had a good and well-rested weekend. Because it's gonna be a busy week ahead for all of you. Mid-terms are coming up," Mr. Phillips mentioned. The entire school grumbled in unison. "I trust that you're all preparing for it because this week your teachers will be giving you a slew of mock exams to get you ready for what's to up. Plus, I know you all are jazzed up for the big game this Friday so our guys will be getting ready for that as well."
I smiled as I glanced back at Justin, seated three rows above me with Luke. I caught him looking down at the new girl Gina he seemed to have taken a liking to -who was too busy frustratingly finishing up some of her homework.
He caught my gaze from his fixation and blushed slightly as smiled back at me.
"And to our seniors, I trust that you've all got your permission slips for the upcoming Senior Camping trip. Remember, it is mandatory for you to all be there as it will constitute a quarter of your final grade. And boy do I know some of you need it."
Alex laughed beside me. "Ha! He looked at me when he said that. He knows. Yep. I totally need it."
I giggled, rolling my eyes and shaking my head at my silly best friend.
After our principal's final remarks, he dismissed us all to our next classes.
I might as well not have been at school today because it was literally the last thing on my mind.
My state of mind was somewhere else.
I couldn't stop thinking about this morning. When I found that box that fell out of Jacob's pocket, it changed everything. Now I look at life differently. I envision a life that I thought was far beyond reach as of this moment.
A future where Jacob and I are more than just boyfriend and girlfriend.
A future where I would be known as Renesmee Black.
What a world it is indeed.
But will it happen soon? Am I getting my hopes up too high?
God! I should have opened the box to see what was inside while I still had the chance.
Now my mind is racing about the unknown.
I guess time will reveal the truth.
… …
Jacob Black
Friday, January 30th.
Today was the day. This is it.
Today was Nessie and I's one-year anniversary, or as I'd like to call it 'The Day Jacob Black Stopped Being Dangerously Single'.
Today was a milestone for Ness and I for so many reasons. On this day, Nessie confessed her love for me. On this day, I stopped being a whimp and claimed my girl as mine. On this day, our imprint bond reached its pinnacle level, from being a mere protector to her, a brother, a friend, a best friend to now a lover…a mate.
On this day, Nessie and I became bonded for life as soulmates.
But today was an important day for another reason.
It was the day I took the plunge.
The day I formally commit myself to Nessie as my mate for life –even though I pledged my allegiance to her the day she was born.
I was going to ask Nessie to marry me.
I was going to ask her to be my wife.
Whew!
I get chills just thinking about it.
My wife. It has a nice ring to it.
I much prefer the title of mate but that was just the alpha in me. My wife would do for now. It's the next best thing I suppose.
Alice has dedicated this entire week to helping me make sure today goes off without a hitch. Bless her heart. She was crazy but girl knew how to get the job done, I will give her that.
The pixie was a cannonball. Always ready to fire shots at any opportunity.
We agreed to make this anniversary an Anniversary/Engagement Weekend Extravaganza or something like that. I don't know what runs into Alice's head when she plans these events.
So far, Nessie hasn't suspected a thing about what I've got planned. Even if I asked Edward if he read anything in her mind, I doubt he'd tell me. He really does want me to suffer.
Anyway, I wasn't always available to Alice this week, so I gave her a list of things I wanted to be done and then I left the cusps of the preparation to her. I took a day off today to see if she needed any help – and to also compose myself – but she had already been done with everything and she instead took me shopping.
She and I spent the day running to every fashion store around Los Angeles. I lost count how many bags of clothing I carried for her, but I knew I wouldn't be able to count them with my hands…or my toes. Some of the guys I walked past gave me eyes of sympathy.
It wasn't my finest hour, but I suppose I was glad I got some nice stuff for myself for tonight. I offered to pay for some of my own stuff – even though I knew I couldn't afford any of the clothes that ranged from Gucci, Alexander McQueen and Tom Ford.
Alice kindly paid for everything and stated I should think nothing of it. Knowing Alice, saying 'no' shouldn't be in my vocabulary when I was around her.
There were two bags in particular that Alice didn't want me to carry at all. I guess they had something to do with Nessie.
I managed to make it back to my apartment around 2pm. That was around the same time Nessie got off school. I wouldn't be seeing her until 5:30 pm when I picked her up.
That gave me roughly 4 hours to gather my thoughts and compose myself.
I would be lying if I said I wasn't a tiny bit nervous about tonight. I was confident about the outcome of tonight but whether everything will go off without a hitch was another thing.
I only hoped everything went off smoothly.
I began pacing around the room, thinking about what non-cliché words to say as I got down on one knee.
"Wait…Should I even get down on one knee?" I contemplated.
No. I definitely should propose on bended knee. It's tradition.
But…isn't it a bit cheesy?
Nah!
Nah! On one knee is good.
"Crap! What should I say?"
What should I say? I don't wanna sound like a massive cheeseball with cliché catchphrases like: "You complete me,' (which she does) or 'You are the reason I am the man I am today' (which is true).
"You should just be honest and speak from the heart, Jake." Leah said to me as she flipped through channels on my tv. "You will be fine."
"Thank you, Leah," I sighed.
I decided to leave the room and take quick shower as I got ready for tonight.
I jumped out of the shower and grabbed my black towel and draped it around my waist as water dripped from my body. I stared at the mirror cupboard above my sink, wiping the excess evaporated water clean off and then grabbed some of my shaving cream and electric razor.
The last time I shaved was over a year ago. I had just been trimming my beard all along because Nessie dug the beard look. But it gets uncomfortable over time and I've always put off shaving it off completely. I suppose today is a good a time as any to do so.
After shaving, Leah offered to give me a haircut which she was actually really good at. Back at the res, she often gave the wolves haircuts when we couldn't afford to the barbershop.
"Where are you taking her anyway?" Leah asked.
I was taking Nessie to a very fancy restaurant I booked a reservation for near a vineyard that overlooked the sunset and ocean. The restaurant was called, Le Petit L'amour Chateau. Nessie has always wanted to go out to somewhere nice for dates and this French restaurant was on one of her bucket lists. Although we do go out all the time (but most of the time we prefer staying in) we haven't been to any expensive restaurants. Partially because I couldn't afford to treat her out to one, but today was an occasion of celebration that warranted a fancy night out the town.
Tonight, was gonna be an evening to remember.
"Done." Leah stated.
I stared at myself in the mirror, looking at my now neat and tidy look from what it used to be. My hair was cut into a low fade where the sides were cut moderately short and the top cropped in a decent length which was slicked back by a dollop of wet-look gel.
It was a stark contrast from how I looked before where I let my hair grow out a bit over the years. I could've had a manbun if I wanted to. And the longer the hair I had, the more fur I had as a wolf, so it did become a bit discomfiting over time. It was pretty clear that I was due for one.
And I gotta say…
Damn. I looked good!
I grinned as I ran my hand over my clean-shaven beard and ran my fingers over the sides of my head.
"Get over yourself, Rico Suave." Leah laughed.
I growled. "I'm just admiring your work, Leah. You did good."
She chuckled as she began sweeping away my chopped hair off the floor.
"Alright! Time to get ready." I muttered to myself as I walked into my bedroom.
I halted in my tracks as I stared down at my bed, seeing my outfit for tonight sprawled across the center of the bed with the ring at the midpoint of the pile. I smirked as I bent down to open it.
The sparkly rose gold diamond ring stared right at me as it glistened in the sunlight that raid through the lace curtains of my bedroom. This ring won't be hidden away in a box for much longer. It will be on someone's hand, my girl's hand, my imprint's hand, my mate's hand…it will be on worn on the hand of the love of my life and my every reason for existence, for all eternity.
It had to be a special ring because it would belong to an incredibly special girl.
I hope she ends up loving it.
After admiring the engagement ring for a few moments longer, I decided to get dressed up.
I had a lot planned for tonight and for the rest of the weekend. Execution was key. I didn't want Nessie to suspect a thing. She's gonna be so surprised.
… …
Renesmee Cullen
I got home with the biggest smile on my face with a pip in my step.
I would be seeing Jacob in a few hours.
He had something planned for our one-year anniversary evening. It was on this day a year ago that I confessed my feelings for him and vice versa. It was all exciting!
My parents knew exactly what Jake was planning, although my father had a killer poker face so I knew I wouldn't be able to get anything out of him, but my mom was always the worst at hiding her emotions and thoughts. Usually whenever something big is happening in my life, she doesn't hide how she feels about it. She made a point to let her emotions show on any big milestones. Some days it was happy emotional and some days it was frantically sad or concerned emotional.
But she was different this week though.
She was strangely…calm.
Yes. Calm. Controlled. Zen. Almost unfazed or unbothered.
She acted as if this week was like any other usual week. It was very uncharacteristic of her.
Which led me to believe that my delusions of an impending proposal from Jacob were just that…delusions.
But when today finally came along, I felt an energy shift.
It was oddly my dad whose poker face started to show cracks.
This afternoon after school, he was the first to greet me with an unusually long hug and when we ended the embrace, he kept rambling on about how my day went and even begun randomly reminiscing about the time I was still a little girl.
My dad was weird don't get me wrong so none of this surprises me.
But why did he choose this day in particular to be weird?
Hmm…
I decided to let it slide though. I wanted to go into tonight with as little expectations as possible.
All I knew was that I should expect a surprise from Jacob tonight. I didn't know what we're doing or where we're going. I was just told to wear something pretty and fancy.
And so, I bought a cute little dress I saw at the boutique after school. I bought a dress for something I don't know what I'm walking in to. Like I said, it was best if I had low expectations.
I mean why should I have any expectations? It's not like I found a big velvet box that eerily resembled – one would use to hold an engagement ring in – slip out Jacob's pants or anything like that.
It's gonna be like any normal evening.
Right?
Right?!
I heard a knock on my bedroom door as I paged through some wedding magazines.
Oh, don't judge me!
I shut the catalog abruptly and shoved it underneath my bed pillows. I hopped off my bed and began sauntering over to the door.
As soon as I hauled the door right open, I was met with Alice's blindingly bright grin that showcased her shiny white teeth as she waved multiple bags, a make-up and hair kit and a dress bag in my face.
"Surprise!" She exclaimed in high levels of excitement, letting herself through past me. "Your fairy godmother has arrived!"
"Aunt Alice." I sighed, giggling as I watched my petite aunt speedily toss all her equipment on my bed and dresser. "What are you doing here?"
"What does it look like I'm doing here? I'm getting you ready for your anniversary!"
My breathing hitched. Did Jacob recruit Alice to get me prepped for tonight?
Nope! Remember, Nessie. Low expectations.
"Um…" I began. "What exactly am I getting ready for?" I tried to ask.
She waved her finger at me. "Nope! You are not gonna get anything out of me, Nessie. I am sworn to secrecy."
I sighed and pouted my bottom lip. It was worth a shot.
I exhaled. "Okay! So, what do you got there?"
"Oh, you'll see. Just you wait." She giggled. "Did you take a shower?"
"I was just about to hop in about an hour," I told her.
"Well then get right on it! This could take a while." She said to me.
Subsequently after I took my shower, Alice pulled me down into full makeover mode. She sat me down by the dresser and began doing my hair and make-up -which wasn't much anyway. She then told me to slip into three dresses to choose from.
The first was a sparkly champagne-colored sequin, quarter sleeved, bateau, knee length cocktail dress from Elle Saab with a paper of cream Manolo Blahnik pumps. It was a very pretty dress, but it seemed too flashy for my taste. The second dress was an ankle length scarlet red skin-tight, bodycon velvet wrap dress with a deep neckline that stretched to above my stomach, with a huge slit that showcased my legs that were covered in skin-tight leather heels.
Alice seemed to love it. "Now that, that's a winner!"
"You think so?" I asked.
"Mhmm, we could lose the leather heels though. I think this dress needs stilettos so you can show off those amazing legs. Yup! Skip the boots." She mentioned.
I glanced back at her and gasped in shock. She wanted me to reveal more?
I sighed as I turned back to the mirror.
I furrowed my brows as I uncomfortably adjusted the waist strap. I mean the dress fit me like a glove, but I felt as though I was revealing a lot more than I should.
"Don't you think it's a little much, you know?" I said, staring at my reflection in the mirror.
The dress hugged my figure in all the right places, I will admit, and I am sure Jacob would love to see me in it. Hmm. I don't know. It just didn't feel right. My gut instinct just told me that this wasn't the dress I should be wearing tonight.
"You don't like it?"
"No. I do. It is a nice dress but, it's just a bit too revealing for my liking." I stated, flipping my hair to the side as I eyed my body up and down.
My entire butt was exposed!
Not exactly but the silhouette left much to be desired and gosh, the back was so open and wide that I was surprised I didn't see a crack of my lacy panties sticking out.
This was the definition of a sexy dress.
Rosalie has always mentioned that I had a body many women would die for and she always likens to one of those Victoria Secret models. Like she has any room to talk when she has the body of someone straight out of Sports Illustrated.
Anyway, I have been told that I was a skinny girl with a moderately curvy body for a girl my age, but it was nowhere near as curvy as someone like JLo or Beyonce. I would consider myself more of a Barbara Palvin body-shape wise.
Jake has made no secret about how much he enjoys reveling in and mesmerizing my body which is comforting to know, especially from him because his opinion is the only opinion I value most apart from my own.
Social media and the internet today have set impossible body standards for young girls today, it is almost hard to look at oneself and appreciate how they look without finding something to critique. It's a sad reality.
Even I fall into the trap of feeling inadequate or unworthy when I am around women who I think have features that I lack. The same can be said about girls who look at me and feel the same way.'
But if Jake loved me the way I was and I was okay with the way I looked overall, then nothing else matters.
However, I was not wearing this dress tonight…
"You don't like it, do you?" She asked, although it came out as more of a statement.
"Not really. I don't know. I mean, I do. I can think of an occasion where this dress would work." But that will only happen when I was in a room alone with Jacob.
It would help if I knew where I was going and what I would be doing with Jacob to make this decision easier. I don't know if we're going to a public place or if it's somewhere private.
"Hmm. Okay." She conceded.
"You know, Alice. I bought a dress this afternoon –" I tried to speak but she cut me off.
"Last dress! It's just this one dress! If this isn't a winner than I don't know what is." She rambled as she ran inhumanly fast over to retrieve the last dress from my bed and returned.
I looked at her with an amused smile.
"Just try it on," She urged.
I giggled. "Okay!"
After slipping on the dress, I came out of the dressing room of my large open closet in my sky high 4-inch sparkly, glittery Jimmy Choo Ombre pumps, dressed in a spaghetti strapped, a mint green silk-satin, midi-length dress –by Haute Couture brand Givenchy – with a flattering neckline.
This outfit must have cost a fortune –like every other outfit.
I stared at my figure. The dress gave my silhouette an hourglass figure.
I genuinely liked it. It gave me Carolyn Bassette-Kennedy's wedding dress vibes. And her dress was everything goals!
Wedding…dress…?
Wedding dress!
Nope!
If I wore this dress tonight, it would only lead me to have even more expectations about how the night will end.
"So? What do you think?"
"Oh! Alice, I absolutely love it!" I exclaimed.
I was absolutely in love with it.
She clapped her hands. "Yay! I knew you'd love it! Okay! Now let's see about what coat you can wear over it. I was thinking a nice faux fur coat? Or maybe even a leather jacket! Ooh that would be lovely."
I looked to the door to see my mother leaning on the edge, staring at me with a smile as she looked in thought.
I hadn't known she was standing there.
I wonder if she was standing there long.
"You look amazing, Renesmee." She stated.
Renesmee? She hasn't called me Renesmee in a casual moment in forever. Usually, she reverts back to Nessie or Ness like everybody else, or she uses some of the many pet names for me. She only ever uses Renesmee when she's serious or she's rather emotional.
It was funny because she never broke her poker face ever since.
Until now, I suppose.
"Okay. You look hot, Nessie! You're gonna have Jacob dripping in sweat in more ways than one tonight." Alice giggled uncontrollably.
I frowned. In more ways than one?
Is there another reason why he would be sweating?
Nope! Shut up, Ness!
Just enjoy the moment and let the night happen as it should.
I stared at myself in the mirror in this gorgeous dress and I couldn't help but realize…
…something wasn't right.
… …
Jacob Black
I parked my car behind the backyard of Edward and Bella's house. I nervously gripped onto the steering wheel as I let the car run for a bit, staring up into Nessie's bedroom where I saw her bedroom light shining through the balcony.
She probably doesn't know I've arrived.
Good.
I want it to be as much of a surprise as possible.
I stopped the car and took one whiff of air before pulling my keys out of the ignition. I dug into my blazer inside-pocket and pulled out the ring box and stared at it for at least a minute before deciding to jump out of the car.
I ran over to the trunk to pull out the bouquet of flowers. It was Nessie's three favorite flowers: hyacinth, lavender and tulips along with some white roses all rolled into one bouquet that I got at the florist in the industrial district. Thankfully, I got them at a discounted rate because Jennifer worked there.
I locked my car and sneakily walked through the backyard door where I suddenly found myself setting up the place. I pulled the box of red rose petals I also bought from the Flower Shop and began making a trail that led from the patio to underneath the tree where Nessie and I had our first kiss after she confessed her feelings for me last year.
Then I laid a dozen of tiny, round, scented, lit candles on either side of the path I made towards the tree. I hoped Alice and Bella were keeping Nessie occupied. I wouldn't want her to see me still preparing for her arrival. Knowing her, she probably smelt my scent before I even parked the car in.
"Evening, Jacob." Edward's voice reached my ears.
I shot my head up to see him emerging from the patio doors.
"Edward, uh, how's it going?" I muttered.
I kinda didn't register the fact that Edward could still be here.
I hadn't seen him for over a week. I didn't wanna be around to hear or give him the satisfaction to suddenly change his mind about giving me his blessing to propose to his daughter tonight.
I know he was more reluctant than Bella.
He chuckled. "No, I'm not here to change my mind. You still have my blessing. Don't worry about that. I'm just here to see if you're okay."
I exhaled a heavy breath as I dug my freehand in my pocket.
"I'm good. Confident, but slightly apprehensive. I want tonight to go smoothly." I answered honestly. "But I, uh, I feel good. Exciting stuff."
"I know. It is." He sniggered as he reminisced.
I smiled.
It wasn't awkward talking about Bella anymore with each other. I have to wonder how far we've actually come from being immortal enemies and now I'm about to marry his daughter. Things really do come full circle.
"You are right about that, Jacob." He responded to my thought.
I smiled.
He cleared his throat as he crossed his arms.
"Listen, Jacob. I know our history has been rocky and I know we've come a long way from our days hating each other but, I want you to know that I am happy you are in my life. That you're in our life. You are part of the family and you will be forever and always. You make my daughter happy but most of all you protect her and love her in a way that I can't even believe myself. You will honor her as your mate, as your wife and possibly someday as the mother to your children. I'm grateful to you for that reason. Nessie will never be alone, she will always be loved, comforted and protected by you when Bella and I aren't around."
"And I do have to admit, you've changed. Maybe it was Nessie's existence that made you into the man you are, but I think you also put in the effort willingly to prepare yourself for this moment. You have matured into a standup young man and a fierce leader who can readily lead his own household. I know that whatever happens tonight, I have to let my daughter go. I have to snip the reigns I have on her and give them to you and over the past nine years, it hasn't been easy controlling her."
I scoffed. "Believe me, I know how hard it is controlling that firecracker."
He laughed. "She's headstrong, determined, independent, tenacious and very stubborn. Like her mother. But I'm sure those are the qualities you love most about her."
That was true.
"And I'm sure some days those same qualities will drive you nuts,"
I laughed. That is also true.
"Anyway, what I'm trying to say is…Enjoy each day that comes with each other. Marriage is not easy, it never is. There is no beginner's guide on how to navigate marriage, you do what works for the both of you. It's a good thing you guys have a head start than most couples because you know each other's ins and outs like a training manual, so my only piece of advice is to not rush anything, take each moment as it comes. You guys have got forever together so there will be times where you need to compromise. Also, you need to communicate. Communication is key to a successful marriage. You need to be open and honest with each other in almost everything you do."
"Almost?" I said, cocking an eyebrow.
"Little white lies never hurt anybody." He stated. I scoffed. "I'm kidding," He laughed.
I chuckled.
"Thanks, Edward. I hugely appreciate it, really." I said, extending my hand out to shake his hand.
He gladly shook it.
"Like I said, there is no need to rush anything right now. You have all eternity with each other. You know I have made no secret about how I would have personally liked it if you waited until after she graduated to propose because I don't want her to get distracted about wedding planning deep in her senior year, but I trust you, Jake and I trust my daughter. I'm hopeful you will make it work."
This time I didn't respond.
Instead, my mind was chockfull of thoughts and resurfaced feelings I had suppressed. I kept repeating his words in my head.
Rushing. I'm not rushing into this.
Am I?
Nah., I know exactly what I'm doing.
"With all due respect, Edward but I've thought long and hard about this and I do feel that Nessie and I are ready to take this next step."
"Oh! No! God – I wasn't trying to cast doubt or anything. I was just expressing my preferences, but I gladly approve of your union, Jacob. I apologize if I overstepped."
I smiled back politely and nodded.
"Looks like Nessie is about to come down. I should probably be out of your way and leave you to it,"
I nodded. "Thank you, Edward."
He then disappeared back into the house and out of view.
I exhaled a heavy breath as I held the flowers up and took a few steps back as I waited for my beautiful Nessie to arrive.
I watched from afar as she began descending the steps, her legs, the first things on full display. My mouth dropped to the flower as I watched her emerge into focus as she sauntered in a beautiful, sensual yet adorable little gait, decked out in a jaw-dropping midnight blue high low dress with what I think was a lace halter neckline and a silky kind of shirt, finishing off the look with some sparkly, glittery high heels.
As she came into view, coming out of the house through the patio doors where the sunset glistened her long bronze hair that was elegantly styled in flowy, wavy tendrils and a low braid.
She was mesmerizing. Absolutely drop dead gorgeous. My heart almost stopped when I saw her beautiful face.
"What's the occasion?" She joked, her beautiful giggle like jingle bells.
For a moment it felt like time stood still and all that was moving was Nessie. Her widespread, gorgeous grin from ear to ear and wonderful, foresty milk chocolate eyes staring right at mine. I think I might lose myself in them.
"Wow. Nessie, you look…" I was a loss of words as I gazed into her stunning brown eyes.
She giggled as she began descending the steps in her sparkly shoes.
"You look gorgeous too, my love." She uttered as she stared me down. "Aww, you got a haircut and shaved?"
I blushed, rubbing my cheek. "Yeah, I was definitely due for one."
"I'm gonna miss the long hair and beard look but I have to say, you look just as gorgeous without it." She whispered.
I smirked as I watched as my gorgeous girl made her way through the path, I laid out for her, giggling as she examined the area.
"You did all of this?" She asked.
I smiled. "Yup."
She giggled some more. "Well, it's a really beautiful setup."
I extended my hand out to her as she got closer to me and when our hands found each other and intertwined, I felt whole again. I felt home.
"Happy anniversary, my love." I stated, handing her the bouquet of flowers.
She gasped. "Babe!" She squealed emotionally. "My favorites, thank you." She smelled the aroma of the flowers before draping her one arm around my waist.
I planted my lips onto her head and then moved my lips to leave multiple kisses on her forehead, making her giggle in response before we pulled apart to look each other in the eyes.
"Is this where you're taking me? My backyard?" She joked.
I snickered. "No. I've got a lot of other things planned for the night, but first I wanted to mark the occasion where it all began. Underneath this tree. One year ago, to this day, we…"
"…confessed our love for each other." She finished my sentence.
I smiled.
"That is so sweet and romantic, babe." She uttered, throwing her small arounds around my body and resting her head against my chest.
I then rested my head against hers, my tall 6`7 frame still towering over her body even with the high heels.
"Love you," I told her.
"As I do you." She replied.
We stood there in the comfortably silent embrace for a few more moments before pulling apart to lock eyes.
"Should we get outta here?" I asked, taking her hand in mind and locking them.
She grinned, blushing a deep scarlet red before nodding her head.
"Right, then let's go." I said before making our way out of the yard and into my car.
… …
Renesmee Cullen
"I still don't know why you need to blindfold me while we're in the car." I told him as I gripped onto his hand that was resting itself on my thigh.
"No, baby. I don't wanna ruin the surprise." He mentioned.
I sighed. "We're not going to a nightclub, right?"
He scoffed and laughed. "No! What would give you that idea?"
"I don't know!" I exclaimed, nervously.
He laughed as he grabbed hold of my hand and lifted it up to his lips to give the back of my hand a kiss.
"Just trust me, okay." He stated.
I exhaled a much-needed sigh of relief as he calmed my nerves down.
"Okay." I replied.
After what felt like forever, Jacob seemed to have parked his car somewhere and as soon as the switched off, I felt Jake's presence disappear. I swiftly felt my nerves and anxiety spike up as I frantically began feeling the area of my wolf.
"Jake!" I called. "Jake!"
"Relax. Relax. I'm here." His voice whispered on my side as he opened the door and rested his hands on me, keeping me cool.
I giggled. "Sorry. This blindfold is not aspiring any confidence in my surroundings,"
He helped out of the car. "Clearly. Guess it's time to take it off."
I felt his fingers work their way to remove my blindfold and when it fell off, I fluttered my eyes open to view my surroundings. Jake had parked his car in what looked like the back of some sanctuary or vineyard. It looked like something out of a movie. There were fairy lights in almost every corner of every tree and wide-open fields around us in this large parking lot. There were overgrown vines, that were lit up by lights and flowers, encircled the building and pathway like a canopy, making it look like we were in paradise.
"Jacob." I whispered in utter shock.
"Yeah, that's not even the best part." He said, grabbing my hand and directing me onto the grass.
"This place overlooks the ocean which looks incredible in the evening when the sun goes down and the moon as it its peak. Look!"
He pointed to the horizon and sure enough, the ocean looked immaculate as the sun went down.
"Wow!" I remarked.
He smiled. "Let's go in." He suggested.
I grinned, biting my bottom lip as I held tightly onto his hand and arm with the other as he helped me navigate our way out of the grass and onto the canopy pathway that led to the…
"Is this Le Petit L'amour Chateau?" I asked, noticing all the French styled cobbled tiles and French scenery with French music playing in the background on the megaphones and from the inside.
"Yes. How did you know?"
"Oh! I just heard about it somewhere." I mentioned.
He smiled back at me. "I have to say. You in that dress … is amazing, Nessie. You are breathtakingly stunning."
"You think so? I bought it this afternoon for today. I was originally gonna wear something else Alice picked out for me, beautiful as well, but I decided against it."
As much as I absolutely adored the satin mint green dress Alice picked out for me, the connotations of marriage –what with me immediately thinking of Carolyn Bassette's dress – really wasn't going to make this evening any easier on me. My mind will be solely on something else, expecting something else, like right now.
Shh! Shut it, Ness!
"Well regardless, you are dressed to the nines. That dress is driving me nuts." He uttered, shaking his head and grumbling like a dog in water as he twirled me around.
I blushed a scarlet red.
I was glad he liked it because I loved it too. It was a high-low midnight blue dress with a lace halter top with a deep v-neckline (but that didn't reveal too much cleavage) and the skirt was silk caddy by Chloe. The dress was simple and elegant. And much more my style. I paired the look with the shiny, glittery Jimmy Choo pumps I fell in love with earlier.
Jacob was also dressed to impress in a look I rarely see on him. Casual formal attire.
He kept it monochrome yet still sexy and classy.
He wore a sueded black tuxedo jacket that I was sure was from Alexander McQueen which led me to believe he went shopping with Alice – with a crisp white buttoned-down shirt tucked in some dark, fitting slacks, finishing off the look with a pair gorgeous dark brown suede ankle boats.
He looked very sleek and manly.
And he smelled very nice too.
The French doorman, dressed in snazzy a Frenchman type of uniform with epaulettes, asked for a ticket to which Jake showed to him and then allowed us in.
As we entered the gorgeous scenery, we were met by a middle-aged, typically good looking, brown-haired French waiter who smiled as we entered.
"Bonsoir, mon charmant couple. Welcome to Le Petit L'amour Chateau. Should I request a table for two, no? But I have to warn ju, this a reservations only restaurant." He said with a thick accent.
I looked to Jake, holding onto his hand gently.
"Yes, I have a reservation for two. Under Jacob Black." He told to restauranter.
The restauranter flipped through his booklist of reservations and smiled.
"Ah! Fantastique! Jacob Black. I do remember speaking to ju earlier today and all of this week." He stated. "And I suppose this must be la belle mademoiselle Renesmee," He extended his hand out to me.
I extended it to him, and he gave me a customary kiss at the back of my hand.
I giggled, looking up at Jake who just shrugged his shoulders, although I wondered if he was bothered by the Frenchman way of being flirty to women.
"C'est très agréable de vous rencontrer, monsieur." I uttered to, telling him how lovely it was to meet him.
He seemed genuinely surprised at my fluent French.
"Ah! Tu parles Français, n'est-ce pas ? Une femme aux multiples talents." He applauded me, his ocean blue eyes glistening with joy.
I giggled. I noticed something about foreigners who lived in the U.S., when you speak their language they become overcome with joy because they spent years trying to speak ours because nobody understood them.
« Où apprenez-vous à parler si bien dans français?" He asked, wanting to know where I learned French.
I already knew a handful of languages by the time I was three years old physically, but I wouldn't say that to him.
"J'ai appris de l'école," I responded that I learned it from school.
He laughed again and glanced back at Jacob.
"Votre homme connaît-il français?" He asked me whether Jake spoke any French.
I noticed Jake was becoming apprehensive being left in the dark in the conversation.
I laughed. "Non, mais j'ai l'intention de lui apprendre très bien tôt."
The man laughed loudly, causing me to gurgle in laughter and Jacob not wanting to look like an idiot, laughed along with us.
Bless his heart.
"Vous êtes un homme chanceux!" He laughed at Jacob.
Jake frowned, laughing along involuntarily and then looked at me.
"What did he say?"
"I said ju are a lucky man!" The restauranter said to him. "Come, come! Let's get you to your table sir, s'il vous plaît."
The restaurant was filled with high-end fancy people dressed in snazzy getup. The romantic atmosphere was felt in the air as I watched as couples looked lovingly into each other's eyes. Although the crowd wasn't as big as I expected, I suppose it was only reserved to the exclusive elite. I honestly wondered how Jacob was able to get a reservation here at such short notice.
I think Alice might have pulled some strings.
The restauranter personally directed us to our table – with our initials on them – that was located on the balcony that overlooked directly at the ocean.
"Oh, my…wow!" I remarked.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Jacob smirked, moving the chair back for me to sit.
'It is. Thanks, babe." I replied, setting my Givenchy clutch onto the table and shrugging my creamy cardigan off my shoulders.
"Oh, I will help you there, mademoiselle." The waiter stated, helping me take my cardigan off before wrapping around my chair.
I noticed Jake's eyes cock up at the scene, but he quickly moved his eyes over to the scenery, nervously clearing his throat.
I laughed nervously. "Thank you, monsieur." I told him.
He pressed his hand against his chest.
"Please, call me Jean-Claude Jacques, I am the manager of this restaurant so I won't be your waiter but this young garçon, Pierre will be your waiter today." He whistled over a young boy dressed in a black vest, black pants and long-sleeved white shirt with an apron draped around his waist.
"You may look over this menu with exquis cuisine to your liking." He said, as the young waiter came to hand us our menus.
I smiled.
"Care for something to drink?" Jean-Claude Jacques asked.
"Can I have a list of your finest wines?"
I stared at Jake with cocked eyebrows.
He winked at me then turned back to the manager.
"Hmm. The Chateau Greysac is one of our favorites and we also have the Jean-Baptiste Les Natures." He spoke. "What is the occasion?" He questioned although he snuck a wink at Jake who smiled back nervously.
I frowned. "Uh, it's our anniversary."
"Merveilleux!" He retorted. "Then I suggest the La Croix Ducru-Beaucaillou Saint-Julien Bordeaux. We source them from the vineyards on our grounds. It's an incroyable cabernet fit for a happy couple. The first round is on the house."
I stared back at Jake with a smile.
That was incredibly thoughtful of him.
He smirked back.
"Thanks, dude." He spoke. "Hey, listen…." He gestured for him to come closer and then whispered into his ear.
I didn't catch what he said so I decided to eye the menu before the restauranter bid us a good evening along with the waiter who would return to take our order.
"He was friendly," I said.
"Yeah, a little too friendly." He muttered through gritted teeth, although he had a smirk.
I sighed. "Jake. C'mon! He's French. What do you expect?"
"I don't know. He was pretty handsy. And that's on Frenchmen standards." He joked. I giggled. "Isn't he like 50?"
"C'mon, Jake."
"Hey! He could be a pedophile."
"And you're 25." I reminded.
He groaned. "Your point?"
I laughed, shaking my head and eying my menu.
I felt Jake begin to play footsies with me underneath the table. I giggled as I began playing with him as well.
"Stop it!"
"Start it." He countered.
I rolled my eyes. "Oh, Jacob!"
"Man. Is there anything on this menu under $100 dollars?" Jake said.
I looked up at him, suddenly concerned.
Did he not want to eat here?
"Is it too expensive?"
He scoffed. "That's an understatement."
I gnawed my lip. "We can go somewhere else."
Jake glared at me and then his face softened at my worried look.
"No! Baby. I'm kidding. It's okay. I picked this place, remember. Don't worry about it."
"Okay…I mean, I don't want you breaking the bank." I stated.
He sighed. "Ness," He stated, reaching for my head. "Don't worry about it, please. It's our anniversary. We deserve to treat ourselves out once in a while."
I smiled, gripping his hand reassuringly.
"Good," He winked at me. "Order anything you want, babe."
I glanced back at my menu.
I suppose I would treat myself to something nice. But I'll still be money-conscious though.
As the night progressed, Jacob's mood suddenly began to change. He started becoming uncharacteristically clumsy and nervous. His palms were sweaty, and he began perspiring all over his forehead.
"Baby, are you okay?"
"Yeah! Just feeling a bit hot. It's hot, isn't it?" He retorted nonchalantly as he began to shove his suede blazer off his large muscular body.
I frowned. "You don't look so good."
"Nessie, babe. I'm good. I'm just hot." He stated. "In more ways than one," He jokingly teased as he winked at me.
I rolled my eyes but giggled as I stared at the outline of his large pecs through his shirt.
Damn. He sure was hot.
But I was still concerned.
… …
I don't know what the hell was wrong with me. I was sweating like a turkey on Christmas.
No, I was sweating like a sailor.
I was sweating like donkey in a field of wheat.
I was sweating like a glassblower's ass crack.
I was sweating a nun in a sex shop.
There was no accurate simile to emphasize how much I was sweating.
But I had a good poker face so even though Nessie noticed, I managed to convince her that all was good with me.
Why was I so anxious?
I was just merely going to propose to the love of my life.
It was no big deal.
"Argh. You know what I think we should do? We should do a tour of France this summer. I would love to make a trip down the French Rivera, maybe tour the Louvre Museum or have romantic strolls down the Latin Quarter. Wouldn't it be fun?"
"Definitely. I don't know much about France outside of the Eiffel Tower, mimes and weird funky hats with funk accents." I stated.
She giggled loudly and whimsically, like music ton my ears.
I snickered. "It would be nice to travel around it a bit."
"Oh! It would be fun. It would be a nice retreat before I go off to college in the fall."
My smile fell slightly.
Damn. That's right.
She was going to college in the fall.
Some days I forget that she was a teenage girl still in high school. She never carried herself as a teenage girl. She always seemed more mature to me, which she was. As soon as she was finished up with school, I was planning to follow her to wherever she chose to go as we officially start our life together.
"Still haven't heard from Columbia yet?" I asked.
She shook her head, eating a mouthful of her tender steak.
"Not yet. Columbia University is notorious for late acceptances. I mean, the rollout for early acceptances only begins in two weeks, I think."
I nodded. "I am sure you will get that letter by then,"
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, babe." She said to me.
I smiled weakly.
New York.
I haven't even begun to look at the real estate over there. I can only imagine the rent for some of the apartments there.
"You thought of where you're – we're gonna stay?"
She fell silent as she stared down at her plate.
"Um…" She began. "You know, I haven't really thought that far exactly. Felicity and I were talking about being dormmates, but that isn't our choice, it's the college. I could always request a roommate, but that process takes forever."
"Is there any room for your non-college student boyfriend?" I scoffed.
She looked up at me. "Um…."
Did she not consider me when planning to stay with her friend in New York?
That wasn't right, was it?
I thought we had it all figured out a while ago. That she and I would find an apartment together somewhere in Manhattan closer to her school or Brooklyn where it was more affordable.
But I guess we hadn't talked about it more than we should have.
"Listen, I haven't thought that far. I still don't even know if I'll get accepted to Columbia in the first place, y'know."
I nodded. "Right."
She sighed as she grabbed a napkin to wipe the sides of her lips.
"I've got a gift for you." Nessie grinned widely before digging in her clutch.
She pulled out a fancy box that was tied with a ribbon and handed it to me.
I looked at her with a curious smirk as I began opening the box to reveal a stunning silver and gold luxury watch that looked like a Rolex, but it was actually from Tag Heur which was also notorious for being crazy, shitty expensive.
My eyes bulged in utter shock.
"Nessie, what the actual hell?" I scoffed. "You shouldn't have."
"I know! But I wanted to. You needed a watch after the last one broke so…And I needed to treat my man to somehow after all that he's done for me."
These watches went for nothing below $3500 in the market. I never had such an expensive watch before. The most I had spent on a watch for myself was probably around $730.
"Baby, I don't know what to say."
I smiled. "Just say you like it,"
"Baby, I love it!" I stated, gripping her hand.
She blushed.
"Lemme put it on for you." She told me as she took my wrist and the watch.
Oh boy! How was I gonna top that gift?
An engagement ring perhaps?
I looked around for the restauranter and gestured to him to bring in the music entertainment in a few minutes.
"Who are you talking to?" She questioned, glancing back and examining the surroundings.
"What? Nobody!" I told her defensively.
She frowned. "Hmm. Sure." She said, clipping the watch on my wrist. "There you go. Perfect fit."
"Thank you, babe. I absolutely love it." I assured her, taking her hands in mine. "I don't know what to do to deserve you."
"Aww, Jake!"
"No. Seriously," I asserted, gazing deep into her eyes. Her smile slowly dropped. "You've profoundly changed my life. You've turned my world upside down and flipped it in and out like it was your own personal mission. You've truly opened up my heart in a way that I didn't even know was possible. This past year has been absolutely incredible. I would've been okay if you didn't reciprocate my feelings for you because you're my imprint and I wanted you to be happy, but I honestly don't think I'd be content without you in my life this way. As my mate. As my partner in crime…as the love of my life."
Her breathing hitched as I expressed my love for her.
Her heart began thudding like crazy, like a jackhammer on steroids.
This made me feel slightly better because my heart was no better. It was threatening to rip out of my chest.
"Nessie…Words can't explain how you truly make me feel and no token can express how much you mean to me, but I was hoping this would a good start." I nervously began as I dug into my blazer pocket where I kept two boxes –one to mark our anniversary and another to hopefully mark our future.
As I began pulling the one box out, I heard the sentence I thought would be coming out of my own lips in a matter of seconds, be replaced by the voice and lips of another man.
I spun my head around to see a man, dressed in a suit that barely fit him, bend down to his knee as he proposed to his girlfriend.
"Will you marry me, Zooey?" He asked, flashing a ring at her.
My mouth agape.
Are you fucking kidding me?
… …
Renesmee Cullen
My heart was beating like a crazy unstoppable drum as Jacob's eyes intensely bore into mine as he spoke wonderful words that I suddenly tuned out as I imagine the words, I couldn't wait to fall out of his lips.
Four words.
Fourteen letters.
One question.
I was waiting to hear them.
And my golly, I think I was going to hear them.
Jacob's heart was pounding like fists of a thousand zombies trying to eat his precious brain. No. that sounded morbid.
His heart was pounding like the persistent waves against the crumbling cliffs of the ocean we were overlooking right now. Yes. That was more accurate.
This was happening! This was truly happening!
I felt it.
"Nessie…Words can't explain how you truly make me feel and no token can express how much you mean to me, but I was hoping this would a good start." He uttered as he dug into his suede jacket pocket where he likely kept the midnight blue velvet box, I saw a week earlier.
As he was about to pull it out, we heard the voice of a man proposing to his girlfriend inside of the restaurant.
"Will you marry me, Zooey?"
If I had a heartbeat, I wouldn't have found it at that moment. I might as well have died.
No! No! Why?
They totally stole our thunder!
We had a good rhythm going and that annoying man I never met and his now fiancée – I puke – Zooey had to ruin it.
When the girl responded with an elated yes after what felt like forever, the entire restaurant erupted into cheers.
Argh! That should be the restaurant cheering for us!
Dammit!
I rue the day Zooey ever said yes to that annoying man I never met.
I turned to Jacob who was almost fuming in anger but hid it with a pursed lip.
"W-what were you going to say, Jake?" I asked him, holding onto his hand.
He slowly shoved his hand back into his pocket and then tapered his eyes over to mine.
"I'm sorry, uh…" He began stammering and then he dug into his jacket again to pull out a long velvet black box.
A long velvet black box?
"T-this is for you." He said, sighing in defeat as he slid the box in front of me.
I looked at him with my mouth agape. His head was staring at the ground in shame and utter disappointment, but he quickly hid it with a Jacob-y grin that I absolutely adored.
Oh my god! Was he really gonna propose to me right now?
Dammit!
Or…maybe he wasn't gonna propose at all?
I don't know what to believe! I was conflicted.
I flipped the velvet box open and surely enough, it revealed a gorgeous diamond necklace with our initials dangling down the center.
I couldn't bring myself to speak as I stared at the gorgeous piece of jewelry that I frankly was immensely and devastatingly disenchanted and underwhelmed by.
No, Nessie! You made a pact to have low expectations tonight and this is the fruitage of your labor.
Accept it!
I managed, albeit begrudgingly, let out a bright white smile as I looked into Jake's eyes.
"I love it, Jacob! Thank you." I stated.
He smiled back. "Glad you like it. It's my pleasure."
As if on cue, we heard the sound of a beautiful line of violins playing the tune to my favorite song from my favorite musical Moulin Rouge, Come What May.
I gasped, glancing back at Jacob who smiled weakly at me.
"This is all for you." He stated.
"I love it!" I gasped again. "Thank you."
Although I tried my best to hide my emotions, I knew how this night could have ended.
With me being engaged to Jacob Black.
But that didn't happen.
And would it ever happen?
I had no idea.
But one thing's for sure, I loved Jacob regardless.
And I wanted him to know that.
I shot up from my chair and walked over to sit onto his lap. He comfortably opened the way for me to sit on his lap as I draped my arms around his neck and leaned back as he slung his arm around my waist to support me in his grasp.
I grinned as the orchestra continued playing the instrumental of the wonderful tune.
"I love you, Jacob." I assured him, running my hand against his head.
He stared up into my eyes. "Ditto."
I smiled as I implanted my lips onto his in a passionate yet gentle kiss, gripping a handful of his shirt right next to his heart whereas he held me tightly by my thighs, securing me in his arms like a blanket.
After the loving and romantic smooch, we pulled away to smile at each other.
I was crushed that tonight didn't go as I wanted it to.
But I was hopeful that…maybe someday...
Someday we'll get our chance.
To be continued…
A/N: I hope you enjoyed that long chapter.
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