Chapter Seventeen

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Another Rescue Mission to Italy… Hope We Get There In Time

We flew into Italy less than twenty-four hours later; and for me it had been the longest day in my life. We had called on Hayley and she said that she was physically okay, that she had felt odd but hadn’t experienced any physical pain. This confused me but Carlisle explained it away, saying that the bond between Jacob and I was probably stronger because of the time we had been together, but I wasn’t totally convinced. We waited for the few wolves without familial obligations to arrive from Forks. It turned out to be Brady, Collin and Will; all of who were eager to assist in destroying the vampires who had stolen members of their family. I had suffered several more bouts of ‘transferred pain’ and was being watched closely by my family, especially Carlisle whose concern was noted by my dad. I was exhausted but I was also determined and, even without my fathers’ ability to read minds, my family knew this and they didn’t bring up my exhaustion. After we touched down in Italy we made our way to Voltera. We set up base camp; that was what it was called according to Jasper, on the outskirts of Voltera and went about setting our rescue operation into effect. We were pretty certain that they had at least one wolf within the city because Alice couldn’t see any of the Volturi and the only things, or so she said, that could do that was a Halfling or a wolf, she had trouble seeing others when I was with them, so I guess she was right. We wanted to ascertain if they had all of the wolves hidden within Voltera and since we couldn’t just walk through those imposing city gates and ask and our best offensive weapon was flying blind, so to speak, we sent our next best weapons within the walls of the enemy city; my parents. The minute they left our side I started to pace. Not only did they have the other half of my soul but they might also have my parents, the only consolation was that together they would have advanced warning against danger, thanks to my dad, and against any mental torture –a preferred method of the Volturi - my mother could cover them both but it still didn’t make the fact that they were only two against a legion any easier to swallow. The wolves that were with us made it impossible for Alice to see how this was going to work out and I hadn’t realise until that exact point how much our family relied on her visions to make sure everything would work out.

Speaking of the wolves that were with us, they were still learning to fight the repulsion that was inbred through generation upon generation of fighting our kind rather than working with us, they had remained in human form for the majority of the time they had been with us and I knew that they were itching to cut loose and go for a run. I turned my attention towards them and said “Collin, Brady, Will why don’t you guys go for a hunt. There isn’t anything we can do until my parents get back and even then we’re not sure what we can do, if anything.” Collin, who had assumed the role of Alpha while away from the pack, stood considering me for several long seconds before he spoke “We will go for a hunt but I want your promise that you will rest while we are gone. If you can feel Jacobs’ pain then he can probably feel your strength, if you’re dead on your feet how will that help?” I swallowed the acerbic retort that bubbled up within my throat, I wanted to help Jacob and if Collin thought rest would help than that was what I do. So sighing loudly in the quiet room I agreed to his terms “Fine I’ll rest but don’t expect me to enjoy it!” the wolf pack barked their laughter in unison and what was left of my family snickered to show their amusement. The trio of wolves went out of the room and phased before racing toward the forest behind us, as they flew away from us Alice sighed in relief, I shot her a look and she said “Sorry it just makes everything so much easier to see.” I nodded and sitting in a nearby chair I curled up and closed my eyes.

I had only meant to rest my eyes but the lack of sleep that I had suffered and the effect of the transferred pain had taken toll on me and when I woke up it was dark and there was murmuring voices coming from another room in the small house we had commandeered as our headquarters. At first I had trouble distinguishing voices but as sleep faded and alertness replaced the exhaustion from earlier I was able to discriminate to whom the voices belonged. The rougher, deeper voices belonged to the wolf pack from Forks, the varying high-ringing tones belonged to my family, and then there were a third set of voices. These voices I didn’t recognise but I could tell two things straight away about our guests, one they weren’t vampires and two they were locals. Realising that I was no longer in the chair that I had curled up in downstairs and that I was in fact in a bedroom upstairs I checked my appearance within the mirror hanging over the small dresser and seeing that I look at least presentable I hurried out of the room. I figured the voices were coming from the small kitchen at the rear of the downstairs so I headed in that direction. I was at the foot of the stairs when one of the voices, a woman’s, said “What is that noise? I thought you said that there were no humans here.” I continued my course and reached the door as my father answered, relief that he and my mother had made it back safely was overwhelming, and ignoring the fact that there were people in there that I didn’t know I raced across the small space and threw myself into his arms, crying “Daddy your back.” I wrapped my arms tightly around his marble smooth next and hugged hard; I was beyond relieved that they were back. I released him and crossed to my mother’s side where I snuggled in close to her while observing the stunned looks from the new-comers to our group.

My father chuckled as he read the thoughts of the people within the room, he grinned at the astounded faces of the Italian wolf pack before saying “The noise you heard is our daughter Renesmee, as you can no doubt already tell she is not a vampire, not totally, she is a Halfling and the reason we are here. Jacob, whom we already spoke of, is her imprinter and the others that have been taken are part of his pack and so part of our family. Nessie these are Joseph, Antonio and Luciana they are from the local wolf-pack, your mother and I came across them as we were searching Voltera for Jacob and the others. Luca was telling us before your, enthusiastic, entrance that three of their number had also been taken, and that they had been trying for the better half of a week to find a weakness to exploit but they have been unsuccessful.” I leant forward and shook the hands of the three unexpected allies, they all wore expressions of disbelief and in Luca’s case outright scepticism, their scent was off and I couldn’t quite put my finger on why but I took a deep breath and said “Welcome, we need all the help we can get. We are flying a little more... blind than we’d like but we are prepared and any information you can give us would be appreciated.” The trio noticed my slight pause but none of them commented but I was hesitant in how much information I was supposed to be giving them.

Once they had gotten over my abrupt entrance the conversation returned to the breaching of Voltera’s walls, the dangerous trip my parents had undertaken had paid off handsomely. They had been able to get close enough for my dad to ‘hear’ whether or not they had the people we were seeking and it was while doing this that they had found out about the three extra captives the Volturi had acquired. I was weak in the knees with relief at hearing that for now Jacob was alive and so were the others we sought. Continuing his story Dad told us how they had gone in search for the tribe to which these extra wolves had belonged, they had taken quite a lot of persuading especially considering their natural abhorrence of our kind. Once they had been persuaded they had sent their three best fighters to our aid with express conditions that this was a one-time offer, fighting together was a once in a life-time thing. I was feeling better with the knowledge that we had extra fighters at our disposal and for the first time since Jacob had been taken I felt confident that I would see him again.  The conversation around the room was breaking into smaller components and I found myself being confronted by Luca. She cornered me away from everyone else, saying “How are you even alive? What are you and what gives you the right to belong to a member of a wolf-pack?”

I was taken aback by her attack on me but I understood where it came from, Leah had once yelled something similar to me and when that had happened Jacob had stood in front of me and protected me from her anger. He had said to her ‘Renesmee is mine and I am hers, she chose me and I chose her, we are meant to be and nothing will keep us apart. You understand the imprinting Leah, you of all people should know that no matter what when you meet that special person that is it, it doesn’t matter who they are or even what they are, they are your life and nothing else matters.’ I smiled slightly at the memory and it was this that I channelled as I spoke to the angry young woman in front of me “I am a Halfling, my mother conceived and carried me while human, my father is a vampire and I have several vampiric traits but I have many human traits as well. Jacob is my life, my husband and nothing and no-one will stop me from getting to him, I love him and he loves me. We belong together and if you understand the imprinting that happens within your tribes then you know that we didn’t actually have a choice, it was together or nothing.” I watched as Luca tried to find an ulterior motive behind my explanation but before she could voice them I was struck by another wave of pain.

Crying out I doubled over in agony, there were hands holding me and guiding me to the nearby sofa where they pressed me into the soft fabric of the chair. I looked up through my pain and saw the sad eyes of my mother. She crouched down and whispered to me “I am so sorry that this is happening Renesmee, if I had’ve been strong enough to leave Forks and Jacob I wouldn’t be seeing you in so much pain and agony.” I grimace, for it couldn’t be called a smile, and said “Don’t worry Momma, I would have found Jacob even if you hadn’t been friends. He is my sun, I can’t grow and I can’t live without him.” My mother turned clouded topaz eyes to me and said “I know exactly how you feel, it is the way I feel about your father.” She sighed and there was something hidden in that sigh, something that I couldn’t quite grasp “What’s the matter Momma?” She sighed again and fluidly rose to her feet, she started to pace up and down in front of my chair and I was momentarily distracted by her beauty. She and I were the same height, we had the same build and I had been told that when she had been human that her eyes were the exact shade that mine were now, but that was where the similarities ended. She was so beautiful, her skin gleaming like diamond infused silk and her gorgeous hair hung down her back in a gleaming curtain, I always felt pale and insignificant next to my mother. I knew I was considered beautiful by my family but I just couldn’t see how, when compared to them, they could say that. My skin had a nice glow to it, even though it was alabaster white, my eyes were a nice chocolate brown colour and my hair was the same bronze colour as my dad’s and I was soft but in a tough sort of way. I shook myself out of my self-induced comparison and focused more on the pacing my mother was doing, she finally stopped in front of me and said “I understand the all consuming love you have for Jacob; I do but I also know how it feels to lose that love. I don’t want you to go through what I went through when you’re father went away, thinking it was the best thing for me, it almost killed me and I would do anything to prevent you feeling that type of pain.”

I sat shocked as she talked to me so openly, I mean not that we haven’t always had an open relationship but momma was one of these people that found it hard to talk about their feelings, I understood what she was telling me but I already knew that I couldn’t handle losing Jacob so I said “It is impossible for me not to love him, I can’t think properly when he isn’t near me, and no matter what anyone says Jacob and I belong together, I know where you’re coming from but can’t you understand where I’m coming from?” She nodded her head so swiftly that anyone else would have missed it, before saying “I do understand where you’re coming from sweetheart, more than you know.” She pulled me closer and kissed my forehead. “I will be here for you for as long as you need me.” I smiled up at her through my tears and said wetly “I will always need you Momma.” We sat holding hands and not moving as we watched the various sentient beings race around our make-shift home.

I had been sitting there beside momma for a while when Alice came up and spoke to us “We have decided to go and meet with the Volturi and ask them to give us back the wolves, Edward has told me to let you know so that you can go hunt and be prepared for tonight. Bella, he wanted you to take Renesmee and go with Emmett, he said she would be safer if she was with the two of you, he doesn’t want her too far from you if she is hit with another bout of pain, and since I can’t see what is going to happen he has decided to not let anyone go anywhere solo.” Both momma and I nodded as she danced away to take Jasper’s hand before flying out the door followed swiftly by Rose. I knew it was a ridiculous feeling in the face of the danger that we were facing but my heart beat a little faster with anticipation of seeing Jacob again, and having been present for the last battle between my family and the Volturi and knowing that we defeated them without bloodshed before buoyed my spirits. I could probably even have been jovial if it wasn’t for the bouts of pain that were coming in ever increasing frequency and intensity. I was glad that tonight was the last night that we would have to be without the rest of our family because I didn’t think that I could handle one more night.

Chapter Sixteen

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Where For Out Thou Jacob?

It was Friday, two weeks after the wedding, and Jacob and I had celebrated in our new home. We were coming home from our spot when we decided that we should hunt and then go home and watch TV. I pretended to decide whether I wanted to hunt or not and when Jacob was aptly annoyed I took off running, calling as I ran “Catch me if you can Jake.” I heard the ripping of his body as he phased and I could hear him racing after me. I laughed and lengthened my stride, this was one time that I wasn’t going to let him win, as I raced further away from him and as I entered a clearing I caught the sickening scent that had been lingering around for the last fortnight but this time it was so over-poweringly sweet that I felt my stomach jump. This triggered a memory of a different field not that long ago, a field where my family faced death but somehow managed to escape. I paused mid stride and switching my direction, I ran towards Jacob and called out his name, it was as I did this that I saw the creature who’s scent I had just caught, he was hidden in a copse of trees to my left and even though he knew that I had seen him, he never moved. I wasn’t overly scared, that was until Jacob didn’t answer my call. I looked around for him without really taking my eyes from the vampire in front of me. I called for Jacob again and still there was no answer that was when the vampire in front of me spoke. “Is that the wolf? He has been... detained, unavoidable actually but whatever.”

                I swore softly and he laughingly said “Now what would your parents think about that kind of language?” I opened my mouth to speak when, with relief, I heard my fathers’ voice answer from behind me. “Why don’t you ask us yourself Alec? What are you doing here?” I felt panic mounting within me as I listened, their banter continued. Alec smiled at my Dad actually it was more a bearing of teeth before saying “Edward, Bella, it’s been a while. How have you been?” I heard my mother’s snarl and Alec’s chuckle before he continued “Did you honestly think that the Volturi were going to let you get away with the way you treated them before?” I waited for my dad to speak and I knew that he was searching through Alec’s thoughts to see if there was any immediate danger to us and when he growled I knew that it was not good. Edging closer to Dad I placed my hand in his and he shot me a confused look. He turned his attention back to Alec and he asked “Where is the wolf?” I felt my heartbeat jack up a few notches and the acceleration didn’t go unnoticed by the prowling vampire facing us. I saw his pupils dilate and his nostrils flare and I knew- even without the ripping snarl that came from my Dad- that Alec thought of me as food. I didn’t care about my safety I wanted Jacob, nothing had ever stopped him from coming to me when I called, and this thing knew where he was. I crouched into an attacking position and growled at him through my clenched teeth “Where is Jacob? What have you done with him?”

                Before Alec could answer my Dad said “He was sent as a diversion. Several others were sent to capture Jacob and any other wolves they could find. So far they have Jacob, Seth, and Leah. He hasn’t hurt them they were under strict orders to deliver them safely.” Apparently Alec had enough of my Dad poking around inside his head because he hissed “Enough, I am bored with this.” He crouched down into a position identical to the one I had held for several minutes. He launched himself at me and I tensed, waiting, for his body to collide with mine. I felt the flood of adrenalin flow through me and I had never wished more, than I did at that precise moment, that I was a full vampire and that I had the strength to take him on. As he sprung at me my father hissed “Bella grab Renesmee and leave.” He slid in front of me and Alec crashed into him, the sound was like two boulders smashing together. I felt my mothers’ arms holding me tightly against her and suddenly we were several feet away, even as I fought I knew it was hopeless, there was no way Momma was letting me go until she was sure that we were safe. The battle between my father and Alec lasted less than five minutes and in the end my father stood over the disassembled and flaming remains of one of the Volturi’s greatest weapons. The smoke that drifted skyward was so sweetly sick that I actually had to cover my nose and turn away. As dad walked towards us I saw in his eyes the pain and fear that I was feeling and it wasn’t until momma loosened her grasp and turned me to face her that I realised I had been sobbing, great wrenching sobs that wracked my frame. I watched as they embraced and a fresh stab of pain pierced my heart, would I ever see Jake again? Would I ever again hold him like that? I looked into the faces of two of the people I loved most in this world, beside Jake, and saw reflected there, in degrees less than my own, the pain I was feeling. Dad’s softly spoken words sounded false to my ears as he said “Ness, this isn’t your fault. Aro had them target you and Jacob because he knew that Alice couldn’t see either of you and that, as long as they didn’t plan to hurt any of us, Alice wouldn’t be alerted to their plan. We need to contact everyone, Carlisle and Esme’s place is closer and it’ll make a good enough headquarters so we can figure out where to go from here.”

                We raced back to my grandparents house and I wasn’t really surprised to see my entire family there waiting for us and that they already knew what was happening. As I mounted the steps Rose came forward and wrapped me up in her cold embrace, she kissed my forehead and said “Don’t worry Ness, the dog’ll be okay.” I almost smiled at the use of her name for Jacob, they had a hate-hate relationship, but the situation was far too serious for nicknames. Carlisle was standing at the front of our family line letting my dad see his thoughts and at the stiffening of my dad’s spine I knew that Jacob was in deeper danger than I had first anticipated. The silence stretched further and my nerves, being as taught as they were, couldn’t take the inaction any more. I pulled away from Rose and cried out “What are we waiting for? They have Jacob! I can’t stand here and wait for them to send him back to me in a box!” as I said the words my bravery crumbled and a fresh wave of panic and fear crippled me. I sank to the floor and whispered “Oh God what if they’ve killed him. What am I gonna do?” My mother crouched down beside me and pulling my hands away from my face she spoke in a clearly agitated manner “You need to calm down! We will get Jacob back. In the mean time we need to discuss our plans and you need some sleep. Go up to the spare room and crash.” I stared at her and as her words sank in the pain and fear were replaced by fury, I leapt to my feet and as I spoke I was amazed at how calm and rational I sounded “You want me to go and sleep!? You want me to get some rest when they could be torturing Jake right now?” I felt nausea roiling inside my stomach at the thought of what they could be doing to him right now as we deliberated on how to go about saving him and the others.

My voice rose as I continued to speak “How am I to do that? I can barely breathe for the pain I’m in and you want me to not have a part in this? No way! I am helping and there isn’t anything you can do to stop me. I have heard about your impromptu trip to Italy when dad had gone there after he thought you had died, and after feeling that way you want me to sit here and what? Twiddle my thumbs while you traipse off to try and rescue the wolves. Nah ah, no way, I am coming and that is all there is to it.” As I opened my mouth to continue to rant a feeling of peace and contentment washed over me, I knew immediately who was responsible for this feeling and I shot him a dirty look before snarling at him “Stop that right now. I have every right to feel this way, stop trying to make it go away. What if it was Alice they had taken?” Jasper stared open mouthed at me, I had never spoken this way to any of them and I regretted doing it now but Jakes’ life was at stake and I wasn’t going to sit idly by and let someone else go after him.

                I pushed past them and entered the house, I made a bee-line for the phone and the second I picked it up my dad was there to put it back in its cradle “You can’t ring Sam. We can’t risk anymore of them to try and get Jacob and the others back.” I was frustrated that my plan had been thwarted but I wasn’t going to give up. I turned to stare at him when a sharp pain in my chest caused me to gasp out loud, clutching my chest I sank down onto the pale carpet that covered the floor. Everyone was suddenly there, they all reached for me with concern and worry in their golden eyes and before I could tell them I was okay another pain hit me. This time it was like a serious blow to the abdomen, I had only once felt this type of pain and that had been when I had been mucking around with Emmett and he had forgotten that I was only part vampire and that he was a lot bigger than me; he had broken two of my ribs, I cried out as the pain struck again and again. Through the pain I heard my parents cry out for Carlisle to do something and I felt him examining my body as pain after pain ran through me. After several intense seconds there was a break in the pain and I was able to gulp in enough air to whisper huskily “Jake” before I slid into unconsciousness.

I came to with the awareness that for the moment the pain had stopped. I moved my limbs carefully making sure that everything was still where it should be before I swung my legs over the edge of the bed I was lying on. I could hear everyone moving about downstairs and I knew that my dad knew that I was awake and as I made my way downstairs I prayed, perhaps futilely, that there had been a break in the situation. The second I walked into the tense atmosphere in the kitchen, the only room that wasn’t used for its intended purpose, I knew that no further breaks had been made. I walked over to Carlisle and placed a hand on his arm, he shook his head as I ‘asked’ him if he knew what was happening to me. Everyone was staring at me and I waited patiently for them to ask me the questions that blazed in their topaz coloured eyes. It was momma who asked softly “Renesmee how do you feel?” I knew that they meant health wise but I couldn’t allow myself to worry about my health when Jake had been taken from me. “I’m worried. It has been long enough already can we please go and get Jake and the others? Hayley must be beside herself.” I said and I knew instinctively that she had been feeling the same pain I had been feeling earlier. My father creased his marble brow and said “I never thought about that.” I stared in confusion at him along with everyone else and he finally answered the room “Ness was just thinking about the pain she was experiencing earlier” I saw his agony as he relived the pain again before saying “Maybe she isn’t actually hurting.” I huffed in disbelief it sure had felt painful to me. The corner of his grimly set mouth twitched upwards as he continued “Maybe it’s a pain transference thing. Maybe Jacob was in pain and as his imprintee Renesmee felt the pain too.” This explanation clarified the pain I felt earlier but also caused grief to well within me, Jake was hurting and I couldn’t do anything to prevent it. I walked further into the room and said “We can’t wait any longer. We need to go to Italy, now, before they hurt him anymore.”

My proclamation wasn’t unexpected but it was still greeted with silence, well except for Emmett who growled “You can count me in, I’m always up for a fight, when do we leave?” I smiled gratefully at him only to have my hopes dashed by Alice “I don’t think it is going to be that easy. I can’t see them, the minute they grabbed the wolves I couldn’t see them anymore, we don’t even know if they’ve taken them to Italy. We have no way of knowing anything because we have nothing to go on. There is a way; well at least I think there might be a way, but...” Alice was cut short by the instant dismissal of my father “We can’t Alice. I don’t want to put them at risk; if we take them to Italy and the Volturi are ‘collecting’ them we are putting them in immense danger.” Carlisle broke in gently “Edward we need to ask them to help us, can you imagine if it was Renesmee that the Volturi had and the Werewolves never told us about it, we would be furious at being kept in the dark.” I was grateful that the rest of my family felt the same way I did; we needed the rest of the packs help. I walked across the room towards the phone and Dads’ sharp “Renesmee.” Would normally have stopped me in my tracks but I ignored him and picking up the phone I dialled Sam’s number. It rang twice before Emily’s soft friendly voice called down the line “Hello.” I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat and clearing it noisily I said “Emily, its Renesmee, is Sam there?” I heard her cover the phone with her hand before calling softly for Sam. It took barely a second for Sam to get to the phone and as he answered I could picture him standing in the kitchen of the house he shared with Emily and their kids, I could see his hands trembling as he waited for bad news, which would be the only reason I would be ringing and not Jacob.  His gruff voice masked his intense feelings of love and affection for his pack and I hated having to ask him what I needed to. I cleared my throat again and as I did he spoke “Where is Jacob?” I caught the sob before it escaped fully but I know he heard it and I said as simply as I could “The Volturi have him, and Seth and Leah as well. We didn’t know and they ambushed us while we were alone.” I couldn’t make the pleading note that had crept into my voice leave, I needed him to understand that I would have done anything to prevent this, Sam swore loudly in his native tongue and I cringed because I thought the curse was aimed at me but his next words confirmed that he didn’t hold me responsible “They used the flaw in Alice’s foresight to get close without alerting anyone didn’t they.” I was nodding my head until I realised that he couldn’t see me and I croaked “Yep.” He swore again and this time I heard Emily’s admonishment, before he told her what had happened, and when he spoke to me again he said “Was it the same one from when you were down here? What do you need from us?” and I felt tears of relief course down my cheeks. Between bouts of crying I outlined the plans we had for getting our pack back.

Chapter Fifteen

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Surprises

As the night drew to a close we discovered that we had at least one surprise waiting for us that we hadn’t known about. Jacob and I were preparing to leave (someone, though no-one was telling me who –my guess was Mom- had arranged for us to go on a honeymoon) and as we were saying goodbye to our friends and family we were stopped short by the presentation of a small nondescript box. I felt my confusion mirrored by Jake and only when prompted did either of us actually make any move to open the box. I lifted the lid and stared in mute mystification at the two tiny metal keys that lay inside on a cushion of velvet. I looked up at Jake and he just shook his head and shrugged his shoulders, I dropped on hand from the box and touched his palm, his smile was reassuring and he cleared his throat before saying “Ah, thanks, we think anyway.” The crowd laughed and Emmett spoke from near the back of the room “That was pretty much what Bella said when we handed her a similar box.” Still confused I just stared at the tiny keys and obviously our inability to understand what they were was irritating for him because Emmett growled “They are keys,” ‘no kidding’ I thought and heard Daddy snicker before Emmett continued “For your new house!” I stood staring in stunned silence at the many faces of our family and the only words my stunned brain could get out were “No way!” laughter erupted around us and I felt a blush stain my cheeks, I buried my head into Jacobs’ chest. It vibrated with suppressed laughter but I didn’t care, I couldn’t stop the tears that flooded my eyes and spilled over onto my cheeks and I didn’t want my family to see them. I gripped Jacobs’ hand tight and he hugged me closer, his words echoing through his wide chest. Emotion rich in every word “We can’t thank you enough for everything that you guys have done for us.” He bent down and kissed my head before continuing “We feel so blessed at having family and friends as wonderful as the ones we have.” There was a resounding cheer at his words and I finally felt in control enough to look up, every one of the faces staring at us was filled with love and happiness. I smiled wetly before saying “Thank you all for making this day so special and we will see you when we get back.” We kissed and hugged everyone again before making our way out to the waiting car.

We made it to the car and out onto the road before we spoke, and the silence was broken by Jake “Ness, are you okay?” I smiled over at him and said “I couldn’t be happier if I tried, why do you ask? Are you happy?” He glanced over at me and his smile seemed to glow in the dim light, he sighed and said “I am fantastic, I get you to myself for an entire week and we are finally married and I am ecstatic!” I laughed gently at him; I leant across the small space between us and whispered in his ear “I can’t wait to get you alone.” My breath against his earlobe caused him to shudder, I felt the deep breath he took and wasn’t surprised when he said “I think you had better sit back and give me some space otherwise we won’t get to the airport for our flight.” We had a flight booked that left for Hawaii at one in the morning and it was already pushing midnight so I leant back and closed my eyes. I was tired from the emotions of the day but wired at the same time.

I must have drifted off to sleep because the next thing I knew Jacob was shaking me gently whispering “Ness you need to wake up, we’re at the airport.” His words jolted me awake and I practically bounced from the car saying “I’m good, I’m awake. Let’s go.” He smiled softly and wrapped his arms around me as we walked into the almost empty airport. We checked in and barely had time to go to the bathroom before our flight was called. As the plane taxied down the runway I felt nervous, I had never been in a plane and I was a little scared about the whole thing. I focused on Jacob and before I knew it we were in the air and I had felt nothing. Jacob pulled me closer to him, kissing my hair and touching my face, I held still, enjoying his attention. A flight attendant asked if we would care for anything to drink and I touched Jakes’ hand ‘asking’ jokingly, if he thought they’d have blood. He chuckled before shaking his head and asking for two cokes to be brought over. The attendant looked at us strangely before walking away.

The flight wasn’t as long, or as stressful, as I thought it would be and before I knew it we were bustling through the airport and out into the warm night air of Hawaii. I was excited about the sunshine and being able to go out into it without a care in the world. Jake didn’t sparkle and the shine to my skin was subtle and it lent a luminosity that many would pay money for, so we didn’t have to worry about that. It was early enough that the streets were basically empty and when we checked into the hotel we were greeted by a sleepy concierge and directed to our room, assisted by a slightly vacant looking bellhop. The room that had been booked was the penthouse suite, I was as surprised as much as Jacob at the generosity of my family and we were also surprised that even our activities had been paid for. Jake tipped the bellhop and we turned from the door to look around the luxuriously appointed suite of rooms. When Jake swept me off my feet and carried me into the room, I squealed in surprise “Jacob what are you doing?” He chuckled and said it is customary to carry the bride over the threshold.” I laughed and said “Yes but isn’t that of the home you’re going to share, not every threshold?” he frowned at me before asking “You don’t want me to carry you?” I sighed, my shoulders slumping as I realised that I had upset him. I touched his cheek and said “Honey you can carry me anywhere any time but the one place I would like you to carry me is the bedroom.” I had barely gotten the words out before I was being laid down on the silk coverlet of the king sized bed.

I was amazed at how quickly the time does go when you want it to last forever, the morning of our last day in Hawaii dawned with sizzling heat and as I strode to the window I thought about the people waiting for us at home. It was then that I remembered that we hadn’t gotten any souvenirs for anyone. I turned from the window, sensing that I was no longer alone, and said “We had better go and do some souvenir shopping before we go home, Seth and Emmett will be bitterly disappointed if we return without gifts for them.” I laughed softly as I walked into Jake’s open arms, the second they closed around me I felt safe and loved and a fierce need for him that hadn’t faded in the time we had been alone. He kissed my cheek and whispered “Can’t we just get them something from the airport? That way we can spend the rest of the day right here.” My stomach pulled as my blood heated, I did want to spend the day with him but I wanted to buy something special for our family, I pulled out of his arms and mock-scolded him “Jacob Black is that all you think about?” I laughed as he growled “Hell yes it is” before stalking me through the room. I bounded lightly over the couch but as I landed a wave of vertigo struck and I stumbled to my knees. Jacob was beside me in a second, gathering me into his arms. Concern shone from his eyes as he asked ‘Ness! Are you okay? What happened?” I laughed, the sound coming out hollow to my own ears, because I didn’t want to worry him on the last of our time together so I said “See what happens when you wear me out! I need some time to recover so we need to shop.” He smiled warily before agreeing to my plan. He went to shower and I let my worry run rampant, I was so concerned about the dizzy spells and the clumsy episodes but I hadn’t wanted to worry anyone else so I hadn’t asked anyone about it but they were getting more frequent and obvious to everyone around me. I resolved myself to ask Carlisle when we got home if there was something wrong with me.

By the time Jake had finished in the shower I was calm and before he could ask me how I felt I escaped into the bathroom, I locked the door and stood beneath the calming spray of the shower for longer than I normally would. I hurried through dressing, deciding that I wasn’t going to give him the time to ask if I was okay, and met him in the lounge. I smiled brightly up at him and said “Let’s go shopping there are so many people I want to buy for. We should get something for Seth and Hayley’s wedding while we are here that way it will be unique.” This comment distracted him enough “Wedding? What wedding? Seth never mentioned getting married!” I smiled and said “Neither did Hayley but if the conversation we had the day before our wedding is anything to go by there will be another wedding shortly.” I replayed the conversation with Hayley through my head as I held his hand; Jake chuckled and shook his head saying “I know what you mean. That girl is definitely stubborn and poor Seth is like a love sick puppy, no pun intended, around her.” We laughed as we made our way through the tourist laden streets. By lunchtime we had brought for almost every one, we only had Carlisle and Sam to go, in the end we brought Sam a carving of a dolphin and Carlisle a landscape painting, I was pleased that we were able to get such personalised gifts but I was exhausted and I suggested we go back to the hotel and sleep before our flight that evening. Jake agreed and we did go back to the hotel but we didn’t sleep.

As we followed the bellhop through the noisy lobby I felt fatigue come over me in a wave and I could barely keep my eyes opened to get through the airport and onto the plane. Jake was supporting me the majority of the way but I couldn’t have cared less. The second we were seated on the flight home I closed my eyes and flaked out, I woke briefly about two hours into the flight but sleep claimed me again quickly. It wasn’t until Jake moved from beneath my resting head that I woke enough to ask him “Are we back yet?” He smiled softly and said “Yeah Honey we are, I was just going to carry you out but I think the stewardess was concerned that I had kidnapped you and I think she might be planning on calling security if you don’t walk out of here on your own power. Once we’re in the car you can sleep again, your dad sent me a text with the directions to our house but if you want to be more awake for the great exploration than we should just go back to your parents until morning.” I was so grateful that he knew me as well as he did and I said “If you can hold off carrying me over every threshold than I think we should go back to my parents place, we can give them their presents and then in the morning when I’m more awake than we can go explore our new home.” And as I said the words ‘new home’ I felt a kick of excitement but it wasn’t enough to ward off my exhaustion. I crashed within seconds of falling into the car, I wasn’t even sure that I had put my seatbelt on. I slept until we reached the house my parents lived in, the second we pulled to a stop and Jacob cut the engine my eyes flew open and I felt energy flowing through my body, more energy than I had felt in days.

I jumped out of the car and flew across the yard to throw my arms around the marbled hardness that was my father. His arms came around me and I felt great joy at seeing them again, he pulled me tighter into his embrace saying “It is good to have you home Renesmee, it seems that you have been gone forever.” I laughed and looked past him for Mom, I wasn’t disappointed because she was standing several feet behind Daddy but she wasn’t alone. My entire family were waiting for us and I felt joy and happiness welling within me. I disentangled myself from Daddy and went to hug Momma, she pulled me hard against her and whispered “Welcome back baby.” Her voice rough from the emotion she was trying to hide. It was as I pulled away from her that I noticed the smell, it was kind of sweet and slightly sickly. I sniffed and wondered where it was coming from. Daddy’s voice came from behind me saying “I can’t smell anything.” I shrugged and tried to forget about it as I went to greet the rest of my family but the smell lingered and it was causing my stomach to revolt. I was careful to keep my mind blank so that Daddy wasn’t alerted to my distress and I quickly threw myself into handing out presents.

Since we had missed Christmas while we had been away, Jake and I had decided that the presents could act as Christmas gifts as well. I handed out each gift, giving my family strict instructions that they were to wait to open their present until everyone had their gift, I knew that it was pointless because Alice could see every present and Daddy could read the thoughts as they passed through her mind but I still wanted it to be a surprise. Both Jacob and I were pleased that everyone seemed to genuinely love their present and exclaimed their delight loudly. After they had opened all of their gifts Mom got up from the lounge that she had been sitting on and disappeared, she appeared seconds later with an armful of gifts of her own. This made several other members of our family do the same thing. I was touched that they had waited to have a Christmas until we had returned and we were all together and happy.

Several hours later I was still wide awake and still struggling to discover the origin of the scent that I could smell. Jake eventually called an end to our night and whisked me away from my family to the house they had built for us not far from their own. As we drove away from everyone the smell became less noticeable and I was thankful that I didn’t have to worry about it. I looked out through the windscreen of the car watching the world fly by as we sped towards our house. We rounded a bend in the road and sitting straight ahead of us was a single storey ranch inspired house. It had wide sprawling verandas wrapping around the entire building, it was painted a bright clean creamy-white and the shutters on the windows were a deep red. I fell in love with it the second I saw it, I could see myself here, raising a family and watching the ones I love coming and going. I barely waited for the car to come to a stop before I jumped from the passenger seat and walked towards the front steps. I had climbed them and was about to open the front door when strong arms swept we off the ground and I was suddenly looking up into Jacob’s intense features. He looked slightly perplexed at the sudden about face in my exhaustion and I could hear it in his voice as he playfully asked “Were you really going to deprive me of carrying you over the threshold after I restrained myself from doing it in every room in your parent’s house?” I giggled and said “Of course not! I wouldn’t dream of depriving you of anything you wanted.” I knew he got my meaning because he swiftly shifted my weight, swung the front door open and had me over the threshold and into a wide foyer before I could even finish my statement. He didn’t put me down as we quickly searched every room for the one room we wanted, the master bedroom. The rest of the house could be explored later.

Chapter Fourteen

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Goodbye Renesmee Cullen… Hello Mrs Black

I felt my heart beat faster than I thought it was capable of beating as I was ushered into the large bathroom where Alice had set up enough cosmetics to make a department store envious. There were creams and powders that I hadn’t even heard of and some things that I didn’t even know the name of but Alice seemed to be in her element. I was ordered to shower and put on my robe before I was forced into what looked like a barbers’ chair that was now sitting in the middle of the room. I watched as she dried my hair with a blow dryer and the proceeded to straighten the curls out of my hair. I had never straightened my hair before, mainly because I had so much hair that it would have taken forever but partly because Jake had always said he liked it the way it was, but as Alice straightened it bit by bit I was amazed at how lovely it looked. I was hoping she was going to leave it there and let me have my hair out, so I could have something to hide behind since I wasn’t wearing a veil, but I should have know better than that; she finished straightening it and the proceeded to section it and twist the sections into a fancy braid. The end result was that all of my hair was pulled back from my face but twisted and pinned into a loose braid that fell down the middle of my spine. I loved the way it looked by the expression on Alice’s face was one of discontent, she tapped a small finger against her full pursed lips and the skin between her eyebrows crinkled and she sighed “It’s missing something. Stay there I will be right back.” I had barely nodded my head before she had shot from the room. I was thinking about getting a drink when she flew back in and scolded me “I thought I told you not to go anywhere.” I blinked in surprise and said “But I didn’t go anywhere!” There was a chuckle from the doorway and I spun to see Momma standing there with a big grin on her face. She looked stunning in a one shouldered deep blue gown that fluttered around her like clouds of silk; her beautiful hair was twisted and pinned in an elaborate knot on top of her head. She laughed again before saying “Yeah but you moved an inch and that counts. Alice is there anything I can do to help with her hair?” I smiled at Momma and watched as Alice seemed to lose focus slightly, she did this when she ‘saw’ something and immediately the tension in the room doubled. “What did you see?” I asked quietly but she shook her head and whispered “Nothing I was just checking that everything was going to run smoothly today.” She patted my shoulder and spoke to Momma “Bella, there is something you can help me with.” I watched as Momma danced over to us and Alice said “It’s missing something and I thought maybe flowers but now looking at it I think they’d over-power the whole look.” Momma nodded and dashed from the room, I had drawn one breath before she was back again, and in her hand she held an old flat box. I was curious about what was inside and leant forward in my chair to get a better look, and when Momma came and stood beside me before opening the lid she said “These belonged to my Grandmother and Charlie and Renee gave them to me on the day that your father and I got married and I think that they’d look lovely in your hair if you would like to wear them.” I nodded and she flipped the lid of the box open, when I saw what lay inside that little nondescript box I felt tears well in my eyes. Inside that flat little box lay two beautiful hair combs, of course I had seen pictures of them from Momma and Daddy’s wedding but seeing them twinkle in the light, shining with colour and life, was something else entirely. Alice sighed and removed the clips from the box saying “Bella you are a life saver! These are perfect!” and I couldn’t have agreed more.

Alice fixed the combs into my hair and sighed with pleasure over her creation, she held up a mirror so I could see the elaborateness and I was amazed at how skill-full she was. I hopped out of the chair and hugged her tightly saying “Thank you for making me look beautiful, I love you Aunt Alice.” She smiled in a distinctly wetly way, even though vampires couldn’t cry, and hugged me back before stepping out of my embrace and saying “Sweetheart you don’t need help looking beautiful because you already are, always have been. Okay, I am going to leave you in the capable hands of your mother to get dressed so I can go and get ready for this fabulous wedding and I will see you at the ceremony.” And she danced out of the room leaving just Momma and me. I looked over at Momma and grinned; she laughed and said “I can’t believe you’re getting married! You look so grown up and I want to lock you in a room and never let you out.” I laughed and we both said at the same time “But Jake wouldn’t let that happen.” Momma chuckled and said “No he wouldn’t. Okay let’s get you dressed before Alice comes back in and tears us to shreds.” Again I laughed but this one sounded distinctly nervous and when I reached for the dress bag that hung on the back of the door my hand shook. Momma reached a steady hand out to take the dress from me, I released my hold without a fight and stepped away as she unzipped the bag and pulled my dress free. I was again struck by how beautiful the dress was, I loved that as Momma moved it shimmered and twinkled like thousands of tiny stars. I shrugged out of the dressing gown that Alice had made me wear over my bridal underwear (a corset -that did amazing things for my cleavage- with matching panties and a garter that attached to the stockings that encased my legs) Mom raised one eyebrow at the under garments and I felt colour heat my cheeks “Alice told me I had no choice, that this was what I had to wear!” was all I could say at the look she was shooting me. Shaking her head and taking a deep –albeit pointless- breath Mom said “I know she said the same thing to me, I was just wondering where my baby went. That’s all.” I crossed the space between us and said “Momma I haven’t gone anywhere, and I don’t plan on going anywhere.” She kissed my cheek before checking her watch saying “Quickly before Queen Alice comes back in.” I started as Alice’s voice sounded from down stairs “I can hear you and I am not that bad, nor is the underwear! Hurry up or Nessie is going to be late.”

Both Mom and I looked at one another and burst into fits of laughter. Once we had control of ourselves we concentrated on the task ahead of us. I stepped onto the tiny dais and held my arms above my head as Mom lowered the skirt of my dress down, carefully, over my head before securing the hidden zipper. She brought over the bodice and laced it up over the top of my corset, I was grateful at Alice’s insistence on the corset as Mom laced me into my dress. I had an okay figure without the corset but with it I had a shape that most women would envy, I was a nice hour-glass shape which accentuated the gown and made me feel extremely feminine. I sighed as I lowered my arms but before I could say anything Mom said “You need to give Alice credit, she does know her stuff.” I laughed softly and just nodded my head in agreement; I couldn’t have spoken even if I wanted to.

We both heard the slight footsteps of my father on the stairs and when they stopped outside the dressing room door I said “You can come in Daddy.” And when he walked through the door his breath hitched in his throat and he said in quiet reverence “Renesmee you are beautiful! Almost as gorgeous as your mother was on our wedding day.” I smiled and said “Is it almost time?” he nodded and said “Everyone left about ten minutes ago and the car is waiting downstairs, we have fifteen minutes before we should leave.” I was surprised at how quickly the time had flown while I had been getting ready. “Wow!” was all I could manage to force out past suddenly frozen lips. Momma came and stood by me and whispered “It will all be okay, just focus on Jacob and you will get through this. Let’s put your shoes on and go and see your future husband.” I shivered at the feeling of excitement that coursed through me as she said ‘husband’. I lifted the front of my dress so Daddy could help me slide my feet into my shoes, I was thankful that he couldn’t see what was under it, then I rolled my eyes as his shoulders stiffened before he said “I will have to have a talk with Alice over her choice of under garments she thought were appropriate.” I bent down and kissed his cheek saying “Daddy, honestly they aren’t that revealing and I think they look nice.” He huffed but returned to helping my put on the high-heeled beaded satin pumps that Alice had chosen to match the dress, once my feet were safely encased within my shoes I dropped the front of my dress and stepped down of the dais. I was stunned by the sudden popping of a flash and found Mom taking pictures of me, I walked over to stand beside Daddy and she took a picture of the two of us before exchanging positions with him and standing beside me with her arm wrapped around me while he took a picture. By the time we had done this we had time enough to walk down the stairs to the waiting car and race towards my future.

When we arrived at the small chapel on the outskirts of town and I was stunned at how many cars were parked in the lot. I waited as the door of the car was opened and Daddy exited the car and held out a hand to help Mom out; once she was out he turned back to me, held out his hand and said “It isn’t too late, if you want to stop this now we can go home.” I laughed at him and said “It was too late the second I saw Jacob.” I placed my palm in his waiting one and let him help me out of the car. Once I was free of the vehicle I was greeted by Hayley who said “I know I’ve been pretty slack with the whole bridesmaid thing but I thought you would be more grateful for the time spent alone with your family.” I hugged her briefly, a flare of hunger flashing through me, before saying “Thank you for that, I will remember what you have done for me forever.” She grinned wetly before going about straightening my skirt and checking that I was right before we walked towards the doors of the chapel. We were greeted by a volunteer who directed Mom to her seat before signalling that the wedding could begin. The music started and Hayley, shooting my one last grinning glance, walked away from us and down the tiny aisle of the chapel. I watched her go and the fluttering wings of nervousness that I had been feeling suddenly settled and I lifted my head and looked for Jacob as Daddy and I begun our walk down the aisle.

He was standing at the end of the aisle, waiting for me. The look of love on his face made my eyes well but the tears didn’t fall, they sparkled in my eyes as I gazed lovingly at the man I was about to marry. He looked so handsome and debonair in the tuxedo that had been made specifically for him and I felt my heart swell even more with love. He moved a few steps up the aisle and waited for us to reach him, he held out his hand to receive mine and when Daddy put my hand within Jacob’s he smiled and whispered “Treat her well or I’ll tear you to pieces.” Jake laughed as I whispered “Daddy!” but he let go of my hand and hugged my father saying “Thank you for this gift.” Daddy looked surprised but nodded and took his seat beside Momma and the ceremony begun.

Thankfully the ceremony was only short but when the priest asked us to repeat our vows after him we did so, my voice shaking slightly with emotion but Jake’s voice rang out loud and clear; the love he felt for me clear in every syllable he spoke and when the priest declared us man and wife and said that Jake could kiss his wife the crowd cheered. I looked up into the eyes of my loving husband, smiling as his head lowered towards mine, and then he pulled me closer and placed his mouth against mine. Kissing me softly but thoroughly enough that there were a few hoots from our family and friends, we turned to face the crowd and the Priest spoke to them saying “Please help me in welcoming Mr and Mrs Jacob Black.” Our friends and family cheered and we made our way back down the aisle and out to the waiting cars.

The reception that followed was more a party than anything, except this party had guests in formal gear instead of jeans and shirts, we danced and ate and generally enjoyed ourselves. The only thing that irritated me about the entire night was the fact that I was passed from man to man like some sort of prize, each man wanted to dance with me and all I wanted was to dance with Jake. I was rescued by my father after what felt like the thirtieth dance, he swung me around the dance floor effortlessly saying “I know all you want to do is dance with Jacob but would it be too much to ask that I can have one dance?” I relaxed into his hold and thought ‘Daddy you are different, you can have as many dances as you want you’re my Daddy.’ He smiled before twirling me around again. I felt my stomach drop as the world continued to spin even though I had stopped and I stumbled slightly “Whoa that sucks.” Daddy held my elbow and waited for me to right myself, chuckling under his breath “Nessie that is the first time I have ever seen you stumble, maybe you got more of your mother in you than we thought.” I laughed along with him, careful to keep my mind blank because I didn’t want him to worry about me. I had been doing it a lot lately, stumbling or tripping and it had been bothering me but tonight wasn’t the time to think about it. I suddenly noticed that our dance had come to a stop and we were standing in a quiet corner, I looked around confused but the reason we were there became quite clear when Jacob materialised out of the darkness. His deep voice was happy and calm, I walked towards him and felt his arms cradle around me. I rested my head against his chest and listened as his words rumbled out “Thanks Edward. It’s kind of like déjà vu, another wedding yet you still have given me the greatest gift.” I turned my head to look towards Daddy in time to see him smile and walk away. I looked up into the face of the man I loved and smiled brightly; he grinned down at me and whispered to me “Are you hating this whole thing?” I smiled and said “I didn’t like being passed around but I am definitely enjoying this part.” I stood on tip-toe and kissed his jaw, the only part of him I could reach, before saying “So Mr Black would you like to dance with the bride?” He laughed and hugged me close, saying “Yes Mrs Black I would like that very much.” I shivered as his voice dropped to a gravely tone and his lips grazed my ear. It was then that it struck me that I was somebody’s wife! Amazement and joy danced through me as I straightened in Jacobs’ arms. He had other ideas of how he wanted to dance with me and I was relieved to just sway slowly, revolving in circles, in his arms.

Chapter Thirteen

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

It’s A Love Story

Once the males were far enough away that they couldn’t hear us the females who had stood watching with varying looks of emotion on their faces as they watched Jake, Momma and I; sprang into action. Alice come closer and said “Okay, your mother refused to celebrate the final night of her freedom and I’m not going to let you do that. We are going to celebrate and you are going to enjoy it, okay?” I laughed as Rose said “Yeah and if you don’t Alice will force you to.” Alice laughed her tinkling musical laugh before saying “Oh, I guess I am being a tyrant. Let’s go inside and have some fun.” As they marched me towards the front door I felt a spike of anxiety at what waited for me behind those doors, this caused a jump in my heart rate and almost every other being in the vicinity laughed in unison and Momma said “Was this what it was like with me? Could you guys tell what was going on inside my head even without me saying anything?” Esme giggled and wrapped her arm around my mother as we continued our way into the house, which I hadn’t realised was covered in balloons and streamers, saying “Bella with you it was worse. Every time Edward touched you or even looked at you, your heart nearly beat its way from your chest. At least Renesmee has the decency for her heart to stutter and almost stop when ever Jacob touches her; much more considerate of those in the area who were hunters, don’t you think?” she smiled to show that her words had been meant as fun, Momma threw back her beautiful head and laughed loudly.

The rest of the night passed more easily than I thought it would, and considering the others with me didn’t need sleep- not to mention that I couldn’t have slept if I wanted to, I was way too nervous- we sat up all night. We talked about the others first weddings, I hadn’t really thought about the marriages of the women in my life. I knew about Momma and Daddy’s wedding and the weddings that I had attended, but I hadn’t ever thought about the very first weddings of the women before me. Esme had been the first to get married so her story was first. She smiled sadly before beginning her story:

“You all know that I was married while I was a mortal and that the death of my husband and then my son was what caused me to throw myself from that cliff, when they took me to the hospital Carlisle was the only one to know that I was still alive, it was 1921 and they didn’t have the medical knowledge they have now, which I am grateful for because it brought me Carlisle. He had changed Edward three years before but longed for someone to love, a wife, he chose me. When I woke up from my transformation and looked into Carlisle eyes I was beyond smitten, if my heart had still been capable of beating I think it would have stopped, every other colour in the room dimmed and when it seemed that he felt the way I did we decided to ask Edwards’ blessing- we needn’t have bothered because he knew what we felt for one another- our wedding was presided over by this ancient priest, with Edward as our witness. I wore a plain ivory coloured dress, since I had already been married before, and Carlisle and Edward both looked absolutely dapper in their three piece suits. It was about six months after our wedding that we were able to go on a ‘honeymoon’. Carlisle took me to this small island, it took us forever to reach but the second I stepped from the small boat I fell in love. As we stood on the white sand and looked around Carlisle asked me quietly “My dear wife do you like the island?” and I was speechless and I just nodded, he smiled and said to me “I am glad my dearest Esme because I would like to welcome you to Isle Esme.” I had laughed and asked “How did you find an island with the same name as mine?” He laughed and said “No sweetheart you misunderstand, the island doesn’t just have the same name it was named for you, this is your island Esme.” I fell even more in love with him.”

I sat agog at the love story Esme was telling me and when she continued to speak I made sure that I was paying close attention, this was my family history and I wanted to be able to tell my children about it. “We came back from our honeymoon and it was then that we decided to find someone for Edward to love the way we loved one another, it took us over a decade and we thought we had found him someone. Carlisle had found her lying on the road dying, he had raced her home and begun the change, when he explained to me why he had really bought her home I agreed with him but then it seemed that Edward just found her irritating, we worried about him but it wasn’t long after we welcomed Rose into the family that she found her one true love.” Esme stopped speaking and I looked expectantly at Rose who smiled her beautiful smile before she begun to tell her love story, her eyes glazed over as she got lost in her memories, her voice far away and dreamy

“I was hunting and I came across Emmett being mauled by a bear. He reminded me of someone I had known in my mortal life, he also reminded me of something I thought I had lost. I was terrified that I wouldn’t do it right so I carried him back to Carlisle so that it could be done right. I knew that I needed him and that I would do anything to save him, even if it meant condemning him to this life we live. I knew from the early months of my life as a vampire that Carlisle and Esme had hoped the Edward and I would make a connection the way they had but as much I irritated him, he irritated me just as much. The love we felt was more that of a sibling than a romantic one, not that it matters because the second I saw Emmett I knew that he was the one I wanted. I got so very lucky that he loved me and that we are compatible, He holds my enormous ego in check and I hold his impulsiveness in check. The day I found Emmett was the day that I truly forgot the past and actually started looking forward to an eternity together. I had lost my need for a huge wedding when I had lost my humanity and I wasn’t in any hurry to marry, anyone, but Em was stubborn enough he wanted me, forever, so we married for the very first time about six months after Em had been turned. It was just us and Carlisle and Esme, Edward had gone off on his rebellious teenage phase and we found this out of the way chapel in the middle of nowhere. It had the nicest stain glass windows and they filtered the light in a way that allowed us to marry in the middle of the day with no fear of exposing what we were. I have never wanted anyone else and I’m so thankful for the universe for bringing me Em and I’m glad that you have had the same opportunity with Jacob, Ness.” I swallowed back my tears at her horrific love story but I was so pleased that they felt I was old enough to tell me their stories. Rose smiled before looking towards Alice my gaze wasn’t the only one to follow hers. Except when we looked at Alice she had a far away, vague, look on her face. Momma laughed and said “Are you checking up on the guys?” I figured this was a normal question but even I knew that if Jacob and Seth were with them that Alice wouldn’t see them, Momma’s question seemed to jolt Alice from her trance and she shook her head before saying jokingly “Nah Rose’s story was boring me.” We all laughed as Rose threw a candle at her while saying laughingly “Well at least my story wasn’t so sugary sweet that it makes you want to throw up.” Alice chuckled and said “So I guess it’s my turn now.” I nodded and she started to speak but her words seemed off and she seemed preoccupied.

“I don’t remember anything about being human because it turns out that I had visions while I was human and they had put me in a psychiatric hospital and performed horrible tests on me. My transformation happened in the hospital, I don’t remember any of it, and from everyone else’s stories I am glad that I don’t. Jasper’s and my story, I believe was written in the stars, from the moment I opened my eyes to this life he was there in my mind. I knew we belonged together and I set out to be where I knew he was going to be. I waited for him in a small cafe in Philadelphia and when he came in I knew I had been right, he had stood by the door of the cafe looking completely out of place. I knew he was hungry, I could tell but he had placed himself within reach of temptation. Of course I knew he wouldn’t do anything to harm those inside, or me for that matter; I approached him and scared the life out of him, to him I was a threat. A person to avoid until he focused on my feelings and noticed a feeling he wasn’t familiar with, love. We spent the next few weeks making our way to the family of golden eyed vampires I had seen Carlisle, Esme, Edward, Rose and Em and I knew that there was a whole other life for both Jazz and I. We got married about a year after we met, it had taken Jazz that long to be able to control his impulsive feeding, though he still has the harder time of controlling his cravings than the rest of us, and he had told me that until he did he didn’t want to drag me down with him. I told him that I saw him adhering to this new way of life but he needed more proof than my say so.” Laughing disparagingly she said “Now they rely too much on what I see, back then not so much. We had had a fortnight of solid rain and we were walking down the main street of this tiny little town in east Texas, a place Jazz had passed through while in the military, and I saw the church sitting all alone, surrounded by grass and gravestones. I loved it and when we walked through the front doors of the church I had a vision of us standing at the altar. Jazz felt the shift in my emotions I whispered what I had seen and he smiled. We stood at the end of the aisle, I was wearing a flower printed blue skirt suit and a wide brimmed straw hat, the padre who presided over the marriage laughed at the fact that I had been wearing such a hat after such a long period of rain. We laughed and then signed the certificate before heading back home to our new family.”

I was amazed at how lucky my family had been in finding love in a supernatural world of darkness and pain. I had always known that my family were lucky in the fact that they had been able to find one another and overcome the life that had stretched before them but until I heard their love stories I hadn’t realised just how lucky they were. I looked over at Hayley, who was sitting next to Esme, she was staring open-mouthed at my family as they told their stories and when Alice finished she had looked expectantly towards my mother, I followed her gaze and waited for Momma to tell her story. I knew most of it because I had made her tell me how she and Daddy had met and fell in love; it had been my favourite story as I was growing up. I smiled at Momma encouragingly and she laughed before saying “Renesmee, I think that you might be able to tell this story better than I could, you asked for it so often when you were little.” I nodded but said “I want to hear you tell it, besides Hayley hasn’t heard how you and Daddy ended up together. It might help to explain Jacob and I little better.” Hayley, who until this point had not said a word, spoke softly “Please Bella, I am curious. The rest of you ladies have spoken of the love you found and how it seemed destined, I know of destined love. The second I saw Seth something inside me changed and I couldn’t explain the need I had for him.” I nodded and was slightly surprised to see my mother do the same and when she spoke her eyes took on a far off look:

“My story starts very similarly to yours and Seth’s, Hayley. The first time I ever saw Edward, something shifted, I couldn’t understand the fascination I had for him, especially since the very first time he saw me- well what I thought was the first time- he glared at me with eyes filled with hate. He disappeared for a week after that, I swore it wasn’t my fault that he had left but I still couldn’t stop the odd pain I felt and when he came back it was as if he had brought with him the sun to that small dreary town. It took my almost being killed for him to admit to himself that he couldn’t be without me. We became inseparable and then something happened and he felt it best if they left me behind and started new somewhere else. Silly man, anyway that didn’t work so well. But in the time that he had left me I had formed a close friendship with Jacob, I say it like that because the feelings Jake and I had for one another were more than just friendship but like the imprinting phenomenon I couldn’t love anyone the way I loved Edward but I couldn’t be without Jake either. That strangeness was explained when we welcomed Renesmee, it was clear that the feelings I had for Jacob were there to make sure that he and Ness found one another.” Mom took my hand and kissed my cheek before continuing “I was still human when Edward and I got married and Alice was given free range on the details, which I am grateful for,” Alice jumped up and did a strange little jig before saying “I told you so! Didn’t I tell you that you would, one day, thank me for making that day a special memory?” Mom laughed and said “Yes Alice you did and I know that I haven’t actually ever thanked you for it. I remember feeling overwhelmed by everything and the only thing I wanted was for Edward to change me and for that to happen he requested that I marry him. I eventually realised it was something small I could give him in return for an eternity with him. I don’t remember much about the time leading up to the actual ceremony,” again she was interrupted but this time it was by Rose “I thought you were going to have a heart attack, your heart was beating so fast and you looked so sick. It was funny.” Mom rolled her eyes and said “Thanks Rose now I’ll have that added to my memory.” Everyone laughed before she continued “The thing I remember the most clearly is the look on Edward’s face when he saw me at the end of the aisle. It was then that my body relaxed enough to actually enjoy the day.” Mom stopped her story because almost everyone else here knew what had happened after that, everyone except Hayley, who had slid to the edge of her seat. She looked eagerly at Mom and said “When did you become, I mean when did you change, sorry, I’m not exactly sure how to phrase it.” She blushed and looked away from the probing gazes of the women in the room but Mom smiled and said “That’s okay Hayley, I was changed when I had Renesmee; I was dying and they, Jacob and Edward, agreed to allow it this one time, to save me. That is my story well the one of how I fell for Edward and how we got married and tomorrow our daughter will be beginning a new chapter of her life as a married woman. I never thought that I would see this day, and now it’s here and I couldn’t be happier. I know that apart from Edward and myself that Jacob loves Renesmee the most and would do anything to protect her.” I smiled and leant over to hug one of most important people in my life.

The night deepened around us and the stories got more intimate and eventually I laughingly called a stop to them because I didn’t want to embarrass Hayley, well that was my story and I was sticking to it. I couldn’t sit around discussing my sex life with my family or listen to my family talk about their sex lives. I couldn’t believe that I was sitting with the women in my life, talking openly about their intimate lives, and preparing myself for the next day, I was getting married in less than 24 hours and the butterflies that had been fluttering for the last week had taken flight and were beating wings against the walls of my stomach. I walked into another room of our house, away from the laughter that was coming from the front room, this room was in darkness and I looked out the window at the stars that lay scattered against the velvet curtain of the sky. I found comfort in the quietness of the night, I heard footsteps from behind me and I smelt Esme’s scent as she came and stood beside me, she wrapped one of her arms around my waist and whispered “Nessie are you okay?” I smiled over at her and said “Yeah, I was just thinking about tomorrow.” She hugged my tighter and asked “Are you having second thoughts?” I laughed and said “No second thoughts, I want to marry Jake it’s just that I was thinking how much our lives are going to be different after tomorrow.” Esme smiled softly and said “Not different, just better. After tomorrow you begin a new chapter in the love you share. You listened to all the stories about how we fell in love and how we all felt that the love we have found is destined, you are the only one- besides Hayley- who can actually say that the love you have found is destined. The love of your existence was decided by the gods at the dawn of time, it is the type of love that some people will never know and a love that very few have ever known. You are blessed and we are blessed to have you.” She kissed my cheek before checking her wrist for the time as she did the doorbell rung. “Oops I almost forgot, we need to go hunt, if you don’t want to leave Hayley I have ordered some pizza. That should be it now,” she paused and we both heard the swift intake of breath from the teenage delivery man as Rose answered the door and his Mumbled speech as he waited for payment. I smiled to myself as I imagined the sweet smile Rose would give him as she handed over the money. The boy stammered his thanks at the large tip she gave him for driving all the way out to us. I walked slowly from the sitting room where Esme and I were talking and was in time to see the delivery vehicle drive away and as Rose closed the door and turned to hand Hayley the pizza I said “You guys go hunt, Hayley and I will stay here and eat this and talk girly talk until you come back.” Tinkling laughter in varying tones swelled around us, Hayley and I stood on the porch that wrapped around the front of our house and waited until they had disappeared into the forest. After several seconds of quiet Hayley said “Let’s go eat this pizza before it goes cold, I can’t stand cold pizza, how ‘bout you?” I felt my stomach flip at the mention of eating but I said “Yeah, I can’t stand cold pizza. Let’s go eat.”

We walked back inside and settled onto the lounge where we cracked open the pizza box and, ignoring the flip of nausea that gripped my stomach, we begun to eat. Hayley was such a pleasant girl and we got along fantastically, we chatted about everything that we had to do before the wedding tomorrow afternoon. Hayley was my bridesmaid, Jacob and I had agreed that we would keep it low key, Jake was having Seth as his best-man and both of them would act as witnesses and sign our marriage certificate. As we talked I had a feeling Hayley was working up the courage to ask me something. She got up and walked away into the kitchen I could hear her pouring herself a drink and when she came back into the lounge I said “Hayley, what’s the matter?” she sighed and sinking back onto the sofa she said “I was wondering how you and Jacob, you know, it’s just I was thinking about Seth and I and I was just...” she stopped and flushed red, the colour making my hunger flare. I grinned over at her and patting the spot next to me I said “Come here.” She came and perched on the sofa beside me and said “I am so sorry. I can’t believe I asked that, you don’t need to answer. I was just curious.” I was still smiling as I said “Honey, seriously? If you can’t ask me, than whom can you ask? Jake and I, it was amazing. The love I feel for him deepened a million fold after making love to Jake but do you think that you and Seth are ready for that big a step?” I felt slightly hypocritical as I spoke these words considering that I wasn’t that much older than Hayley and I was getting married in less than, I checked my watch, eighteen hours. She smiled shyly at me and said “Oh no, not right now but I have never had anyone else to ask. I just wanted to know if it was, you know, different, or whatever.” I laughed and said “I don’t know about how different it is from a ‘normal’ relationship all I can tell you is, it was phenomenal, and when you guys are ready you will know it.” I reached over to hug her and another streak of hunger struck me, shaking this away I concentrated on talking about some more of the details for the coming day.

The night wore on and at just after two Hayley and I bid my immortal family good night and climbed the stairs to my bedroom, where we crawled into bed. I woke to brilliant shafts of colour shooting through my window, rolling over to face the door I saw my father standing there watching me sleep. I sat up and smiled warmly at him, saying “Hey Daddy, how are you this morning? Or better yet how is Jake doing? I don’t have to go rescue him from a lamp post where you guys have tied him naked do I?” He laughed and said “No, he is out hunting and I wanted to use this time to come and tell you how proud of you I am and how much I love you.” I leapt off the bed and flung myself towards him, I wrapped my arms around his neck and said in a tear clogged voice “I love you too Daddy.” He held me away from his body and whispered “I can’t believe that my baby girl is getting married today. I can remember the first time I held you. Unbelievable.” I laughed and said “Considering how good your memory is and factoring in that I was only born like five years ago, I’d be a little concerned if you couldn’t remember the first time you held me.” He grinned at me before taking my hand and walking beside me down the stairs and into the kitchen. I grabbed a bowl from the cupboard and poured some cereal into it, adding the milk I went and sat at the table. I didn’t notice the strange look Dad was shooting me until I sat down, it made me feel uncomfortable and I asked “What?” His marble brow creased and he gestured towards the bowl in my hands before saying “When did you prefer cereal over a hunt for breakfast?” I shrugged and said “Dunno, I’m feeling a bit lazy today and since the cereal is here, I figured I’d eat it.” I couldn’t see what the big drama was so I continued to eat my breakfast. It wasn’t until I had almost finished eating that it struck me that we were alone in the house, even Hayley had disappeared. “Where is everyone?” I knew I didn’t have to ask the question out loud but sometimes it got annoying to have a seriously one-sided conversation. I focused on Daddy as he spoke “Your mother and you Aunts went to get the rest of the flowers, Esme is overseeing the final catering touches and Hayley has gone to talk to Seth. Poor Seth he has no idea what is coming for him. I’m glad to hear that you’re not spouting marriage at an early age for them, though truth be told in this situation I don’t see the point in waiting because it isn’t like there will be anyone else for either of them.” I shook my head and laughed at his explanation for Hayley’s absence, I leant forward and said “I actually feel sorry for Seth as well because she is one determined woman and nothing is going to persuade her if she doesn’t want it to.”

Daddy laughed and said “Is it any wonder that you and she have become fast friends.” I chuckled before shaking my head. I danced to the sink and deposited my dirty bowl before quickly washing, drying, and putting it back in its place. I turned back to face Daddy and said “Yeah it’s really nice to have someone who knows all the crazy things in your life, someone who you can complain to and not offend them and beside that she is one of the sweetest most sincere people I’ve known.” I smiled and checked my wrist for the time, it surprised me that it was almost eleven and I had actually slept longer than I had in a really long time “Oops if I don’t start getting ready Alice is gonna kill me.” Daddy laughed and said “They are almost here. So I will kiss you goodbye and go and get ready and I will be back to walk you down the aisle, I love you Renesmee.” He kissed my cheek and hugged me close before he turned and flew out the back door, as the door closed behind him the room was suddenly swarming with women, and not just my family. Sue, Hayley, Emily, Leah, Rachel, and Rebecca were with them as well and I was so excited to see them – even Leah- that unexpected tears filled my eyes. They all surrounded me asking concerned questions. Smiling through my tears I said “Nothing is wrong, I am so excited to see you all and I am so pleased that you all came,” Leah rolled her eyes and I smiled wryly at her and said softly “Even you Leah, you might not like it but I think of you as family and I wouldn’t have it any other way.” The room held its collective breath waiting for Leah’s reply, a soft exhalation spread through the room as Leah said “You know what, I have been angry for so long at you, your mother, your family, the whole situation, that I hadn’t taken into consideration what my behaviour was doing to others. It has taken me a long time to get over what happened with Sam and when I turned I was so mad and I felt so isolated that I turned it into anger and hate, I have recently discovered” at this she shot Emily a small smile “that life is moving on without me and if I let it I will lose out.” I knew that my smile was one of confusion and Leah laughed before saying “You make a member of my family happy and that is what I want more than anything, for them to be happy. I can’t promise that I won’t slip up but I am going to try and behave myself.” I was so shocked that it surprised even me when I ran at Leah and grabbed her into a tight hug, her body stiffened but after barely a second she relaxed and returned my embrace. I released her when Alice spoke, her voice irritated and slightly off “Okay, everyone knows their assignments and since we only have five hours before the ceremony, I suggest we get started.”

Chapter Twelve

CHAPTER TWELVE

Normality… Is There Such A Thing?

I felt my breath wheezing in and out of my lungs, from a distance I heard Carlisle come and stand behind me and gently force my head between my parted legs. I didn’t resist the pressure, Nahuel’s final words rang loudly within my brain and I felt sick with the pain they caused me. I slowly lifted my head and looked into the stunned face of Carlisle he opened and closed his mouth several times but no sound came out. I pushed away from the table and fled the house. I felt tears of rage, fear and pain sliding down my cheeks, my breathing sawing in my lungs. I ran until my legs couldn’t run any more, finally I collapsed in a huddle and cried myself out. I didn’t want to acknowledge the poisonous words that Nahuel had uttered and yet I couldn’t escape them. I could still hear that cruel jibe as it echoed within the confines of my mind, I knew that I should have stayed and spoken to my family but I couldn’t handle the looks they would throw my way. I knew Carlisle well enough to know that the second I raced from the house he would have contacted the family, and I knew that I didn’t have much time to compose myself before either my father or Jacob found me. There was a tiny voice inside my head that whispered that maybe Nahuel was right and that Jacob and I were pushing our luck by being together, I squashed it because I knew that the cosmos wanted us to be together otherwise he couldn’t have imprinted on me. I lay huddled on the floor of the forest as the world welcomed another day, the sun rising quickly in the east, shining rays of strengthening golden light down on my prone form.

The sound of walking penetrated my sorrow and when I recognised the scent of the person closing in on me I was surprised to discover it was Momma, and not Daddy or Jake, as I thought it would be. She stood beside me, not saying anything, just watching. She slowly sank to the ground next to me and whispered “Honey are you okay?” I shook my head, feeling a fresh wave of tears start, she cuddled me closer and said “Don’t let what Nahuel said worry you, if I had listened to everyone- besides Rose, who had her own motivations- I wouldn’t have you.” I jerked away from her and spluttered “What?” She smiled sadly and said “You have heard the story of your birth but you have never heard the story of your conception, we didn’t think you were old enough until now. You know that I fell pregnant with you when I was human, your father wasn’t happy. At that point they hadn’t heard of anything like you. The second I realised I was pregnant I loved you but you scared everyone else. Carlisle and your father had made a plan to get me back home and to get rid of you before you did me any harm, I couldn’t let them do that so I enlisted Rose. Your father even went so far as to ask Jacob to offer his stud service if I wanted a baby so badly but he didn’t realise it was you I wanted.

It was towards the end of my pregnancy that your father heard your thoughts for the first time, and once he realised that you couldn’t be anything but good he was so eager to meet you. What I’m trying to tell you is that the answers aren’t always there and sometimes you need to take that leap and see where it takes you. I never told you but I had, I don’t know if vision is the right term for it but let’s call it that, a vision of me with Jacob and two little dark haired children. It wasn’t until you were about eight that I realised that it hadn’t been me and Jacob, it was you and Jacob. It was the cosmos’ way of telling me that Jacob had a bigger part in my life to play than I had thought and it was their way of assuring that I couldn’t walk away from him.” I sat staring at my mother, this was the most she had ever spoken about the days before my birth, the things she had just told me made a lot of sense but I still wasn’t sure why she was telling me. I opened my mouth to ask when she smiled and said “Renesmee, that vision- or whatever it was- proves that you and Jacob are meant to be and that you will have a wonderful life. One filled with friends and family, just like ours.” I felt my eyes tear up again but I smiled through the tears and said “Thanks Momma.” She smiled and smoothly got to her feet saying “Everyone is waiting for us back at the house, Jacob in particular was difficult in restraining, he wanted to hunt Nahuel but Carlisle thought it would upset you more if Jake wasn’t there when you came home.” I nodded, grateful that my family restrained Jacob and said “Let’s go and show him that I haven’t run off because of Nahuel.” She smiled and nodded her head, we ran quickly back towards the house.

As we cleared the forest at the edges of the house I was swept up into a pair of strong arms. I buried my face in Jacob’s neck and he hugged me close to him, his whole body was shaking and I pulled away enough to see his gorgeous face. His tortured eyes met mine and I said “Jake, I’m okay. I needed some space and Momma helped me see something I hadn’t really thought about.” He swallowed but when he spoke his voice was still rough with emotion “Nahuel was wrong for telling you that.” I looked at Carlisle who looked in turn to Daddy who said “I’m not sorry for telling him Renesmee. He had every right to know, what Nahuel said effects both of you.” I smiled weakly and said in a voice hoarse from my crying jags “It’s okay Daddy and I’m glad that you stopped him from going after Nahuel because he would have regretted it, and as for what he said,” I sucked in a deep breath and continued “It was nothing but a way at getting back at me for saying no to marrying him, he said it to get even, there was no truth in what he said.” I smiled into Jacob’s face before whispering “There is no way I am allowing you to ditch me now. You tell me you love, always, please don’t let him spoil our day tomorrow. We will cross the baby bridge if and when we come to it; there is no point worrying about it now.” He smiled weakly at me attempt at levity, he placed me gently on the ground before saying “Okay we still have the rest of the day to ourselves what do you want to do?” My stomach chose that precise moment to growl, everyone laughed and I smiled saying “I need to eat but I don’t feel like hunting, I feel like cereal.” Jake stared at me strangely but took my hand and we walked away from the rest of my family and headed towards the house we shared with my parents.

We spent the rest of the day finalising details and as the sunset on our last day of singledom Jake and I decided to do something that normal teenagers do all the time, we went and watched a movie. It was nice to pretend that we were a normal couple, sharing popcorn and cuddling up to one another. It was the nicest way to spend the hours before we had to separate and spend the night apart, something Alice insisted on, I was staying with Momma and the female members of my family and Hayley (Leah had been invited but had declined) while poor Jacob was being kept hostage by the male members of my family and Seth. The rest of our guests were arriving in the morning with the wedding taking place in the afternoon, just before dusk. As the credits started to roll I felt a certain dread at having to leave Jacob, it was an irrational fear but I couldn’t shake it. Of course he noticed and after our talk about keeping secrets I was honest and said “I feel like, I don’t know, I feel like we’re not going to see one another again. Stupid I know but that’s what I’m feeling.” His face which had been tense while he waited for me to tell him why I was acting so weird, relaxed into his signature grin before he said “Sweetheart I think those are pre-wedding jitters you’re feeling. I will be there tomorrow, waiting for you so we can start the rest of our lives together. I am looking forward to be able to call you my wife, eager actually.”  I smiled and said “Me too, except for me it’ll be husband.” As I looked at him his chest swelled and the grin on his face grew larger and his swagger became more pronounced as we walked from the theatre. If I had’ve had any more doubts about the wedding the look on his face would have dispelled them. We drove my Mini Cooper back home at normal speed, I think we were both wanting to prolong the separation for as long as possible but as we pulled up outside our house we were suddenly surrounded by five large vampires and one hulking human-shaped wolf, they all stood crowding the car, smiling and jeering as they pulled me from the passenger seat before relinquishing me into the strong arms of my mother. Jacob smiled expectantly before coming to my side and kissing me gently he said “I will see you tomorrow, I love you.” He raised his head and looked into the topaz eyes of my mother and said “I don’t think I’ve ever actually said thanks to you Bella.” I jerked in surprise and looked up into Momma’s face in time to see her shake her head in confusion and for her to whisper “For what Jake?” the love she felt for him, and I could now look at that love for what it was - friendship, was shining in her eyes. Jake smiled a small bittersweet smile before saying “If you had’ve listened to any of us we wouldn’t have Nessie, if you hadn’t have had the strength it took to love her and carry her inside you, even while she was breaking you apart, I wouldn’t have found the love that you tried to tell me you had for Edward. I didn’t understand how one person could make you feel that way, until I first saw Renesmee, from that moment I understood. I just want to say thank you.” He leant over and kissed the marble skin of my mother’s cheek before dropping another lingering kiss on my mouth. The kiss must have lasted too long for the impatient males because before the kiss finished they had dragged Jacob away, they pulled him reluctantly in the direction of my grandparents house, Jake calling the entire time “Love you Nessie, see you tomorrow, bye!” I found I was laughing and crying as I waved goodbye to the other half of my heart.