Chapter 12: Shopping & a Shock

Chapter 12: Shopping & a Shock

The rest of that day passed in a blur of welcomes and hugs. All that I felt, all I could comprehend, was Nessie’s warm little body in my arms and her happy thoughts in my head. We refused to let go of each other, and I focused solely on her. After a few hours I quietly excused myself from the discussion the others were having and carried her up to Edward’s old room. I hadn’t actually been in here in a long time, as we spent most of our time downstairs or in the cottage.

The big black iron bed with the gold covers still dominated the space as it had when I was human. The stereo had been made slightly more accessible, and a clear jewel case sat on top of it. On the pillow of the bed was a red-brown toy wolf, which I recognised as one of her birthday presents from Jacob last year.

I sat down on the bed and slid into the middle, lying down and cradling Nessie to my chest. Her hand went straight to my cheek, and she started on one of her little report sessions. She seemed determined to tell me everything that had happened. She remembered being frightened by my disappearance, devastated when Alice came home sobbing, slightly hopeful after Emmet’s return, and worried for her father, still all alone in the cottage. She wondered when he would come back.

“It’s too late now,” I said softly, “but first thing tomorrow, I’ll go and get him back.”

Nessie nodded, her expression serious. Then she reached inside her dress and pulled out the locket from her first Christmas hanging around her neck. She opened it and held up the picture.

“Then we can be like this again?” she asked.

I looked at the picture. The three of us sat together on the front porch, smiling; happy. Could we be that again? Would Edward forgive me?

“I hope so.”

The words came out in a whisper. Nessie frowned and pressed her hand to my cheek again. She showed me my own face, creased with doubt, and wondered what was wrong. I forced a smile.

“Don’t worry honey. We’ll get him back.”

She studied my face for a moment more, then smiled and snuggled onto my chest. I held her tightly.

We lay there for a moment before she sat up again.

“What’s wrong Nessie?” I asked, confused.

“Can’t sleep without music,” she mumbled. By the sound of it, she was half asleep already.

She leaned over me, stretching her arm towards the stereo. She couldn’t quite reach, and huffed in irritation.

“Let me,” I murmured, reaching up to press the power switch and then the play button.

Nessie sighed and sank back into the mattress as the first notes of the piano sounded from the speakers. She curled into me, and I pulled the comforter over us so she wouldn’t freeze. Her eyes were closed, a small smile on her face. Suddenly, I realised that I recognised the song.

It was my lullaby.

My eyes prickled. I hadn’t heard it in so long. The sweet melody wafted through the room, and I closed my eyes as well, wishing it could put me to sleep as it used to. I made do with day dreaming, remembering one summer afternoon when Edward had tried to teach Nessie to play the piano. Her reward for trying was a private concert, and she curled up on my lap to listen. I remembered humming the familiar tunes in her ear, and listening with her to the ones I didn’t know. The music had filled the house all afternoon, making everybody smile.

The night seemed to stretch on forever, more blissful than any night I had had in months. Nessie’s warm weight pressed against me, her heartbeat fluttering like a hummingbird, comforted me and filled my stone cold heart with adoration and awe.

How could someone so precious and beautiful possibly be mine? What had I done to deserve such good fortune? I couldn’t think of a thing.

The morning sun slanted through the windows and sparkled on my skin. Odd, sun didn’t find Forks in summer, let alone December. Then again, it did snow in June the year I graduated. Who am I to say what’s impossible?

Nessie stirred in my arms, stretching and letting out a wide yawn.

“Good morning,” I said, and she jumped.

“You’re really here,” she whispered in amazement, stroking my face. “I was sure I dreamt it all.”

I smiled. “I’m here to stay. Forever.”

She smiled too. “Good. ‘Cause I’m never letting you go anywhere without me ever again.”

“Fine by me.” I laughed. “Bring on the shackles. I am your prisoner.” A dim memory of the words tugged at my mind, and I struggled to place where I had heard them before.

Momma? Nessie asked, her hand on my neck. Are you ok?

“Fine sweetie.” I forced a smile, trying not to let the workings of my mind show. I knew where I had heard those words before; in my bedroom at Charlie’s house, so long ago it seemed like a lifetime before this one... which it was. I remembered the same words I had said to Nessie coming from Edward’s lips as we sat on my bed the night after he showed me the meadow for the first time. I remembered his actions contradicting those words, as his hands wrapped around my wrists like steel chains.

“I had an idea last night.” Nessie said, capturing my attention again.

“What’s that honey?”

“Well, instead of going to get Daddy today, Jake and I can go get him on Christmas, and bring him back here. We can pretend we just want him to spend time with us, when we’re actually bringing him to see you. It’ll be an awesome surprise.”

I chuckled at her enthusiasm. “So, what? I’m Daddy’s Christmas present?”

She laughed and nodded. “You’ll be perfect. And it’s much more special than just fetching him. It will make him extra happy. I just want everyone to be happy.” Her voice wobbled a bit and I pulled her close.

“It’s ok baby,” I whispered, “everything’s going to be ok.”

Nessie sniffed, but she was smiling when she looked up at me.

“I love you Momma,” she breathed.

“I love you too Renesmee.” I smiled and cuddled her closer.

“Nessie!” a loud voice called from downstairs, and she sat bolt upright in response.

“Jake!” she squealed, and I laughed as she took off like a rocket out of the door and down the stairs. I carefully fixed the sheets before following her at a human pace. Seeing Jacob again was almost as nerve racking as reuniting with Edward. Had I finally stretched our friendship to the limit?

“Ness, Ness, slow down!” I heard Jacob laugh as I reached the top of the stairs. “I can’t keep up with you. Stop bouncing and tell me slowly and calmly what’s going on. Did I see something about your mom?”

Nessie huffed and I heard her little footsteps run towards me. “Momma, come on, hurry up!”

“Bella?” Jake whispered, obviously talking to himself; but I heard him. I smiled

“Coming honey,” I called down. “Stop hassling Jacob, it’s not fair.”

As I reached the bottom of the steps, I took a deep, unnecessary breathe and held it, waiting for his reaction. I couldn’t even look up from the floor.

“Bells? That really you?”

I looked up at him at last and smiled weakly. “Yep, it’s me.”

A grin split Jacob’s face from ear to ear, and I saw that somehow – impossibly – he was still getting taller. Was that even possible?

I only had a half second to take him in before his scorching arms encircled me and he whisked me off my feet. I shrieked and laughed all in the same second, revelling in the feeling of completeness; of being with a kindred spirit.

“Jesus, Bells, don’t scare us like that will ya? We thought you really couldn’t stand us any more.”

I smiled at him as he placed me back on my feet.

“I’m sorry Jake. I could never hate you, any of you. I didn’t have a choice.”

Nessie pulled on my arm and I looked down. She frowned at me.

“What do you mean Momma? Why did you go?”

I gave Emmet a pointed look. “How hard is it to relay a message Em? One simple little message, that’s all I gave you.”

He grinned sheepishly and shrugged. I sighed and scooped Nessie into my arms.

“I didn’t want to go anywhere baby, but if I hadn’t, Aro would have come after Grandpa. I had to protect him, and I couldn’t see any other way to do that.”

Nessie was still frowning. “Why doesn’t Aro like Grandpa? He doesn’t even know him.”

“I know sweetheart,” I soothed, “but he thinks Grandpa knows too much, and he doesn’t like it. He’s just trying to protect us.”

Her frown changed to a look of pure determination. “We won’t let him hurt Grandpa. He’s family, and Uncle Em says we protect our family.”

I smiled. “Yes we do.”

___________________________________________________________________________

Renesmee and I decided to go shopping, as I needed to get presents for everyone, and just to fill time. I was browsing through the stores in the mall in central Olympia, Nessie playing in the kids play park in the centre of the square, when I felt a hand tap my shoulder.

“Bella? Is that you?” a very familiar voice asked, and I spun around. I felt suddenly grateful to Alice for making me wear my contacts ‘just in case’.

Mike had changed, but only slightly. His face was less boyish, his body slightly longer and more muscled. His eyes widened in shock and his jaw dropped as he took in my appearance. I smiled sheepishly. “Mike! It’s been so long! How are you?”

“Good,” he gulped, evidently struggling to form a coherent thought. I couldn’t help my silent exultation. And he thought I looked good in high school...

“What are you... uh,” he cleared his throat. “How are you? Doing some last minute Christmas shopping?”

I smiled properly, and heard his heart splutter. I was going to have fun with this. “I’m very well, thank you Mike. And yes, I am shopping. I somehow managed to procrastinate so much that I haven’t gotten anybody’s gifts yet. I can’t think how it slipped my mind. Anyway, enough about me. How’s Jess? Are you two still together?”

He gave a shaky nod. “She’s looking at dresses with Angela. Ben got roped into being their judge, but I escaped.” He chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.

I laughed with him. Watching him flounder was almost entertaining.

“Mommy!” a little voice called, drawing Mike’s attention. I turned and leaned down to catch Nessie as she raced towards me.

“What’s up princess?” I asked, bouncing her up onto my hip, trying to make it look like a struggle. She was big enough to be almost too heavy for me to carry now.

“Who’s he?” she asked, pointing at Mike. He stared at her like she had two heads.

“Darling, it’s rude to point,” I said, taking her hand. “This is Mike, and he is a very good friend of mine from school. Now say hello nicely.”

She flashed him her most radiant smile. “Hello Mike.”

“Uh...” Mike seemed lost for words. I decided to let him off the hook.

“Well, it’s been lovely talking to you, but we’ve really got to get going. See you around?”

He nodded mutely. I placed Nessie back on the ground, handing her the smaller shopping bags and taking one of her hands. She skipped along, happy to be helping me.

“Hey Bella!” Mike called. I turned to look at him. He eyed Nessie meaningfully, and I sighed. I should have seen this coming.

Renesmee saw my predicament. I’ll go wait in the car. She squeezed my hand once before dropping it and taking off. If the place hadn’t been so quiet I would have panicked.

Mike caught up to me, frowning. “Start talking.”

I sighed again. “What do you want to know Mike?”

“Try who the hell was that and why did she call you Mommy?”

I began to walk after Nessie, and he fell into step beside me. I took a deep breath before I started.

“Her name is Vanessa. She’s Edward’s niece, and her parents were killed in a car crash when she was little. Because of the complications with Edward and his brother being adopted by different people, it took the courts a while to find him. When they did, we met her and... We just couldn’t say no.” My voice broke in exactly the right spots as I spoke. Perhaps my acting skills were improving, despite what Alice thought.

“She thinks of you guys as her parents? I mean, how long has she been with you?”

“We’ve had her since just after our honeymoon. She barely remembers her birth parents, and she never had anyone to consider as a replacement until us. I think Edward looks like her dad, which helps.”

He was quiet for a moment. I could almost hear the gears clicking in his head as he thought through my words. Of course I had no idea exactly what he was thinking, which was why his next words shocked me more than they might have if they weren’t so far removed from our topic.

“Jess is pregnant.”

My jaw dropped, just as his had done when he saw Nessie. What?!

“Seriously?” was all I could manage to say, my voice coming out in a squeak.

Mike nodded. “Just confirmed it yesterday.”

“Mike, that’s fantastic!”

He grinned. “I guess so, but...”

“But...?” I pressed.

He sighed. “I don’t know if I’m ready, you know, to be a dad. It’s kinda scary. I don’t know what to do, or say, or...” he trailed off, biting his lip.

I smiled at him gently. “Mike, you are going to be fine. It’s natural to be nervous. I know I was, and Vanessa was already five by the time I met her. I’d be willing to bet a baby is ten times worse. But if you and Jess are anything like the way you were last time I saw you, you’re going to be great parents.”

“You really think so?” Mike was beginning to look cautiously optimistic.

“Absolutely.”

“Thanks Bella. I’ll let you get going now. Don’t want Vanessa getting worried.”

I gave him one last smile. “It really was great to see you Mike. Say hi to Jess for me.”

“Will do!” he called as I headed for the parking lot and he went back towards the dress shop.

I placed the carefully wrapped presents under the humongous Christmas tree in the living room. There was already a huge pile there, all neatly labelled and arranged. The whole thing looked like a postcard.

It was Christmas Eve. Nessie and Jacob had gone to fetch Edward an hour ago, and I was trying my best not to let the length of their absence worry me. If he’d really shut himself up so long, he would have to hunt. And he was so stubborn, who knew how long it would take them to get him outside in the first place.

The crunching of leaves and branches alerted me to the approaching footsteps. Only one set, small and light. Why was Jake letting Nessie run around on her own? Panic filled my throat as my mind flipped through all the possibilities.

I hurried to the back door, opening it just as Nessie reached it. She flung herself into my arms, tears streaming down her face and sobs racking her body. They were so strong, it was a wonder she was even able to run. Something heavy and metallic clunked against my arm. Alarmed, I quickly carried her inside, sitting on the couch and settling her on my lap. I smoothed her wild hair and brushed away her tears. Her breathing hitched so violently, I worried she would be sick.

“Sweetheart, what’s wrong?” I asked. I heard the rest of the family enter the room, but remained focused on my daughter. She didn’t seem able to answer me with words, so she held up the object in her hand.

It was a hand gun.