BPOV
We hunted until nearly dawn, both boys not satisfied until I was practically sloshing when I walked. My legs felt fairly leaden as we walked back to our suite, each foot feeling as if it were a hundred pounds pulling at me. When asked, Emmett told me that he's never glutted himself to max capacity before but as bright as my eyes are, he thinks any more and I'd explode. The closest feeling I could remember this to was at a birthday party as a child and having eaten half of a party-sized double decker pizza by myself before topping it off with cake and ice cream. Renee made me eat some pink, vaguely mint tasting things to help keep me from throwing it all up. I giggled as I thought of her tending to my misery as I laid on the cold bathroom tile flooring.
“What so funny, munchkin?” Emmett was leading the way through the streets, constantly stopping to sniff for any approaching humans. So far a few on foot blocks away were all that he picked up and my thirst was satiated to the point I hardly felt the pull of human blood and stopped breathing until it was deemed safe. I tentatively took in a breath to speak, my remaining oxygen let out while laughing. It stung a little but nothing unbearable.
“Just a human memory of over eating and trying not to puke.” The boys looked at each other and laughed so hard they held onto each other to prevent falling. I think I heard the words “only Bella,” “stupid humans,” and “free entertainment” mixed in with their laughter. I'd have smacked their heads together but I was worried they'd retaliate and end up carrying me to the hotel while screaming as they tickled me, again. As it is, I don't know if the tamarins will return to that area of the jungle after Emmett started tickling as Jasper held me down, raising my hysterics until venom flowed out my eyes as I laughed, clutching my sides and tried to get them both off of me. My screeching echoed off the trees through the valley and made the boys tickle harder as they laughed. So I settled for a soft snarl and stalking off ahead of them as fast as I could go while looking human as they stood there laughing at me. Apparently they knew better and let me go off on my own to cool off as I had a few minutes for composure before they reached the hotel.
I pulled my suitcase out of the closet where I'd left it and grabbed the clothing set from the top, a pair of apple bottom jeans, white halter top with a silvery silk shrug. I was in the shower when I heard the boys return to our room. If it hadn't been for the fact that I knew the sooner I finished the sooner we could be on our way to Renesmee, I'd have stayed in long past the water running cold. I dried my hair in the bathroom, letting the boys sit in their hunt marred clothes and worry about what I was going to say when I stepped out. Getting ready to hold my daughter in my arms removed any lingering anger I had for Emmett and Jasper beyond the steady frustration they seemed to thrive on creating in me.
Rosalie and Alice had far more patience than I could ever gain for the sex jokes and emotional backlash the boys create. Once while Emmett was out on a hunt, Edward explained that Rosalie often used sex to keep Emmett quiet, so for his entire existence as a vampire his life revolved around having sex with Rose, thinking about sex with Rose, or making sexual innuendos- more recently at my and Edward's expense. Without his primary outlet, his sexual frustration was getting stronger each day- perhaps the main reason for Jasper's less than innocent turn of events on the plane.
Edward had called during the hunt while the boys were tickling me; Jasper grabbed my phone and after assuring Edward that I was quite alright but being tickled until I admitted Emmett was king, Jasper was told where my highly ticklish spots were in exchange for the promise of keeping me calm when we got home so I wouldn't exact revenge. If Edward thinks that there will be reunion sex, he's got another thing coming. He has a lot of things to answer for, including his less than forthcoming explanation of his thoughts regarding Alice and her messages. True, I didn't explain the airplane events completely, which I will, but preferably when Jasper is several miles away and I have Edward quite calm, and after a promise not to destroy anyone for what was an innocent game that ran awry. Things will be better once Renesmee is home. He'll be so pleased to have his little girl home that nothing else will matter, and hopefully all will be forgiven so we can go back to life and helping piece our family together as best we can.
I exited the bathroom and the boys both looked at me sheepishly, waiting for the yelling they expected, Jasper holding out a bunch of lilies while Emmett had a pair of woven sandals from the market. I walked past them, set my case on the bed and began repacking my clothes, letting the tense silence remain in the air. I folded my hunting clothes and placed them into the plastic sack Alice had provided in the top of my suitcase, a sack for each day plus two extras- I'm assuming in case we have any emergency hunts to clean up after. The boys stood watching me as I went to the desk in the front room and pulled out Edward and Carlisle's binder and reviewed our next hotel's location and best route along with Alice's note with the suitcases that we'd find Jake and Renesmee on the Sugar Loaf Mountain cable car.
“Aren't you going to say anything?” Emmett's voice boomed through the room, obviously more loudly than he had planned based on his wince. Jasper had one eyebrow arched while watching me, obviously trying to discern what I was feeling and being a tad confused at my lack of overt anger. Frustration yes, anger no.
“Not about the two of you getting my husband to turn traitor and holding me down while making me scream. I do want you to get your butts in gear and clean up so we can go get Renesmee once the weather permits. We also need to discuss who will stay with Jake and Ren while we hunt. I know that you want me hunting every night so I will, but we should probably alternate who stays behind. Jake will most likely want to have a turn at babysitting me and you will allow it, you owe me that after earlier. Are we clear?” I looked at each of them before spinning on my heel and heading back to the bed to stretch out and relax until they were ready. I could overhear whispering followed by a thunk and Emmett swearing while Jasper shoved him towards the bathroom.
“I really am sorry, Bella” his southern gentleman twang entering his voice as he purposely tried to dazzle me. He held the flowers out as a peace offering. I couldn't stay irritated despite my best intentions and cracked a small smile before sitting up. “Friends?” he offered.
I stood up and wrapped my arms around Jasper. “More than friends, we're family. Even if you are a jerk at times, I still love you, Jasper” I inhaled his scent, more cinnamon and spice than Edward's sweet smell, but entrancing nonetheless. He chuckled and tightened his arms around me.
“You smell good too, sis.” He swatted me on the ass before sitting me down on the bed. Emmett came out wrapped in his towel “What about me, someone tell me I smell good. Don't leave me out of the love!”
Jake POV
We had been in Rio a week when I started smelling traces of bloodsuckers. I kept Nessie with me at all times, it was safer for her to encounter a vampire with me than on her own. It was only when we went through the forest preserve during our second week that I smelled Bella. Her strawberry shampoo and the smell that was simply Bella clung to the cloying burning smell the leeches leave behind. Nessie was clinging to my back, piggyback carries being her favorite mode of transportation lately.
“Hey, short stuff. I think today we need to play a game, are you up for it?” Nessie raised her hand to my cheek. Game? I like games! What kind? Jake, my Jake. Tell me what game! “Well, I was thinking of a game of hide 'n' seek if you think we're up to it. We need to find three people in town. I just don't know who they are yet, exactly. Well, I know who one of them is, but the other two I'm not completely sure on. So basically, your part in the game is to see if you can spot or smell anyone you know besides the hotel staff and the woman at the market that gave you the dolly. I think we might go up to Pao de Acucar for some sightseeing plus since it's such a high vantage point, we should have better views of the city, perhaps see our prey of the day. What do you say, Nessie?”
The images she gave showed following me through the city, through a desert, over a mountain, and even into a rolling surf. “Anywhere Jake. I'll follow you anywhere.” My Jake. Mine. I turned my head to look at her, her chin settled on my shoulder. Nessie was looking straight ahead and started sniffing the air. She leaned her head into me, released a hand from my neck to smell it, and pulled on me to make me turn around. Another sniff. She'd smelled it too. She stopped, her legs tightening around my back as she kept twisting her head back and forth, questions crossing her chocolate eyes. She showed herself smelling the air, an image of me in wolf form following a trail, and then Bella. Mama. I smell Mama. Hunt now, Jake. Find Mama. Find another sniff Find Uncle Jasper. Maybe Emmett, not Daddy. Want Daddy! She reached up and pulled my hair as if to prove a point.
She can speak perfectly well, and looks as if she were five years old, but speaks and communicates as if she were an adult. Her mental communication is via images and senses, not so much specific words. When Nessie wants something, she slips back into her childish demands and pleas as well as hair pulling and biting. At least it doesn't sting, just hurts for a moment before healing over. She thinks it's funny that she can bite me, and well, if she enjoys it, I'll let her do it. I'm here to look over her, Bella's daughter. I know why it doesn't hurt anymore to think of Bella, but it's odd not loving her like that anymore. Bella was my everything since I was a little cub wandering the reservation, tagging along on Dad and Charlie's fishing trips; she was my summer princess. Then she stopped coming and had only come back into my life before being ripped away.
Maybe vampires imprint like we do and that's what happened to her. While he was gone, things had been going so well once she opened up and then she ran off to save him and I knew she was lost to me forever when they came back together. And then she kissed me, really kissed me, but it wasn't enough. Then they married and brought Nessie to me.
Renesmee? What was Bella thinking? She almost ripped my throat out when I called her Nessie for the first time in front of her. I wonder if that was my draw to her even as children, the egg that became Nessie was inside of her begging me to watch over her mom until she was conceived and born. Now I must wait until she's old enough to love me the way I loved her mother, the way her parents love one another. At least I don't have to wait as long as Quil does for Claire. The guests the pixie brought back said that Nessie will grow until she's seventeen or eighteen and then stop, staying there for as long as she exists. I guess I won't be giving up on phasing until I have to. Fate's a cruel mistress having a werewolf imprint on a leech, even a partial leech, but Nessie is the center of my world.
I am humbled by Bella's trust in me with Nessie, trusting me to leave the country with her, to keep her safe. These days have been filled with unshed tears, worries that my best friend was finally lost to me forever. Coming across her scent revived a part of me I didn't know I'd lost. She's here, looking to find us. I didn't know how things have changed, or why I couldn't smell Edward with her. What will she do if those Italian guys toasted him? I can't be there like I was before, well I can, but not in the same way I was before and I think it would confuse Nessie if I were.
Nessie is my life, my future wife if she'll have me, but Bella is... Bella is my best friend and we have a history that no one can take away. I felt a smile twitch across my face when I thought of kissing her at home and then taking her home to put ice on her hand. She was so beautiful when pissed at me. I think I kissed her in part because I wanted to see that fire. I hope that her daughter has kept that human fire as well as Bella's beautiful eyes. I'm glad those were saved. It's like having the best parts of her saved just for me, meant for me. I hope that her family has been good to her if Edward is gone. I don't know how the pack would take it, but I'd have her and Nessie live with me if need be. It would make for some grand confusion but we'd take things a day at a time.
Nessie touched her hand to my cheek, wrinkling her nose. Scratchy. You need to shave and cut your hair. She showed me a picture of me phased with my fur dragging the ground. She tried to look serious but a small giggle escaped her lips and she began shaking with laughter. I took off on a jog, following the scent as best I could, following the forest edge until my nose burned more on the trail coming from town. I made the turn which led to a hotel, reaching it as a soft rain started to fall down on us.
“Before making fun of me, what were you going to ask Ness?”
What were you thinking about? Images of my face as I was thinking, twitches of smiles and sadness crossing my face.
“I'm just worried about your mom and very thankful that she's here. Let's go find her.” Renesmee pulled my ponytail so my head was tilted back and she kissed my cheek. Thank you, my Jake. My Jake. Always my wolf.
We walked into the lobby and approached the main desk. She looked at us questioningly and I did my best to remember my high school Spanish- the whole one semester of it I'd taken. I gave up. “Do you speak English?” The girl shook her head and held up one finger as she went to find someone who could help us. She came back smiling with a small boy, maybe fourteen or fifteen years old.
“I speak English, how can I help?”
I explained that I was looking for the Cullens, a pretty brunette American and most likely her husband. He looked back at the girl and translated for us. She looked through some paperwork on the desk and typed a few things on the computer. “Bella?” My smile must have been answer enough as she said something quickly to the boy. “Are you Jacob and Vanessa Wolfe?” I nodded and he grinned. “Mister Jasper left a note for you.” He handed it to me, but I had no chance of reading the Spanish.I looked at it apologetically. He took it back and scanned it quickly. “It looks like your friend and her brothers are waiting for you- they said they'd meet you where you were planning on going and Edward will pick you all up at the airport when you return home.” Edward didn't come with? He let her go without him? I know I took off as soon as Alice fell but still, he'd let her go with Emmett and Jasper? What about Rosalie? I mean, I'm grateful to not deal with her in a plane but I don't see her letting Emmett out of her sight now that Nessie is safe. I wonder if she too fell beneath the Volturi... The family ripped to shreds for my clumsy best friend. All she did was love someone she shouldn't have.
“Thank you for everything. I guess we'd best be on our way. Come on, Vanessa.” I slung Nessie back up onto my shoulders. Her hands tightening around my neck. I'm not Vanessa, Jakey. Just because the papers say so doesn't mean you have to call me that. Her nails pressed into my cheek.“Okay, okay I get it, Nessie. I guess we're headed up to the mountain, same as before." They seemed to know where we were going.
B POV
We waited in line as long as we could, climbing into the car and spreading out so that our dense forms didn't tip the tram more than necessary. The rain was pelting down around us, no one but us and a few college students, most likely on winter holiday, were sightseeing today. The wind whipped the cable car, rocking it against the movable stairs the assistant had placed. Then I got the first scent I wanted. Jake! I looked out into the rain and saw him running towards us, a head of bronze hair like her father's showing over his either picked up the scent or noticed my excitement and stood up, joining me, holding the door open so that the guide couldn't send us on our way quite yet. Jake's legs sprinted across the concrete, straining at running as quickly as he could without breaking any known world records. The students saw that we were watching someone and stood to watch.
“Bella!” I heard his shout and could see him trying to hurry, the cable car guide getting impatient at Jasper's refusal to leave the platform. Then he was in front of me, climbing the stairs, my dear Renesmee jumping from his back and into my arms. She reeked of him, smelled of wet dog, but it was my girl, here in my arms after too long. I showered her in kisses, blowing my sweet breath over her in much the way Edward had often done to me, masking the scent she'd picked up. She raised her hand tentatively before I grabbed it, pressing it against my cheek. Renesmee's thoughts were a mess, trying to tell me everything all at once.
I saw them running through the woods, finding a car at the edge of the woods with a note attached, “For Jacob,” and a ribbon holding the key. Driving to the airport, taking several planes, going for the fastest route out of the states but still trying to confuse any followers by taking many short trips sometimes in directions opposite what they needed. Finally getting to Rio, finding a cheap but clean hotel to stay in, hunting in the woods together, going to restaurants together, shopping for clothes, playing in the fountains and in the ocean, going for a walk this morning and picking up my scent, Jasper's hurried note left at the desk in case they came looking for us, running all the way here in hopes of making it in time. Seeing me and her uncles. Daddy? Where's Daddy? Where's Aunt Alice? Auntie Rose? Why didn't everyone come? Oh Mommy, I missed you. Jake missed you too.
She showed me pictures of Edward, Alice standing in front of Aro and then Jake whipping around and running out of the clearing before she could see anything more, pictures of Rose holding her as a baby...I started crying, the tears burning my cheeks. Happiness of my reunion warred with the pain my brothers, my whole family felt at losing my sisters. I'd never had sisters and to lose them like that was unfair. We were all supposed to have our happily ever after. Jake pulled Renesmee from my arms, handing her off to Emmett before wrapping his arms around me. He shook with his own tears, mine eating holes in his shirt. He hissed as one hit his bare skin.
“Tears? A crying leech? Only you, Bella.” He laughed, rubbing the skin where my venom had reached before rubbing my tears with a handkerchief he pulled from his pocket. He sat down, pulling me next to him, his arms feeling hot, too hot, around me. I cringed from the discomfort and smell but leaned against him, gathering strength from him as always. “I missed you, Bells. Even if you stink.” He smiled into my hair and watched Renesmee with Emmett and Jasper, laughing and playing with them at the other end of the car. The students looked confused, three pale Americans, wearing sunglasses in the rain; a tall, well built American Native with his hair past his shoulders in a ponytail, and a little girl who was more beautiful than any child model or actress, and all of us apparently together in some fashion. Two of the girls were swooning over my brothers while the other shot dirty looks my way for curling up into Jake's side. I knew he looked good but he was my future son-in-law, my best friend- only those things. So I giggled and turned my face towards him, murmuring quietly.
“They think we're together. If they only knew. Oh Jake. I missed you. Thank you for everything, for keeping her safe. I knew you would, only you could. I guess we're back to the lifetime of servitude now. Human lifetime or more?”
He laughed and kissed my cheek. “So Bells... where is he? I don't smell him here. I didn't think he'd let you leave his sight. What's up? What did I miss?” I knew that question wasn't far behind. I looked to Jasper, not knowing how to answer. His eyes went hollow, he'd heard the questions as clearly as I had. He was still talking to Renesmee, telling her about the treehouse they were going to build when we were back home- a huge tree palace for her. Her giggles sounded like the child she'd become while away. Jake noticing me watching. “I took pictures of her every day so you could see the changes. For that scrapbook you guys had started. So are you going to tell me or do I need to ask them?” I sighed and tried to collect my thoughts.
“They're gone. Alice you saw, when Aro pulled her back. We didn't have a chance to save her. There were traitors on our side, the Egyptians. How they hid their thoughts from Edward I'll never know- Aro and Caius must have gotten to them before they came to us at witnesses. Benjamin murdered Rose. The Denali clan lost two sisters. All the Volturi guards fell, only Marcus remains because he surrendered to Edward and Carlisle accepted. Edward had to stay behind to help with Marcus, to be his guard so to speak. He's constantly scanning Marcus's thoughts for any further betrayals. Marcus wants to disband the Volturi and then live out his existence in quiet exile. I think we may have to go with to ensure his actions but we wanted to bring you and Renesmee home first. Our plane leaves in four days; we thought we could enjoy a small vacation, a break from the sadness, before returning home to pick up the pieces.”
Jake's arm tightened around me and he was watching my brothers. He whispered his apologies, tears freely flowing. “I don't know what I'd do if lost Nessie or you. I can only imagine what they're going through.” He pulled me closer so that I was molded against his side, when Jasper's control slipped. The human smell was building from the rain and the burn had started growing in me so I knew Jasper felt it as well. He was stalking towards our end of the car, closer to the group of twenty-somethings. “Sit down Jasper. Stay with Bella.” Jake stood, putting his hand on Jasper's shoulder, ignoring the low hiss and pushed him towards me.
Jake saw it in his eyes too.
Jake slid into a seat between us and the humans. Not a smart place for a werewolf to be, our combined strength could rip him apart if we lost our grasp on the monster inside. He kept his voice low and calm towards us. “Guys, we've just got another minute, two at most, until we reach the top. Hold it together. If not for them and yourselves, for Nessie. She won't want to see that. I”ll throw you out the door if I have to but you need to get a grip. I know you just went out this morning so you can't be hungry already.” Jasper's hands began to twitch on the seat, I could see that his eyes were darkening behind his glasses. “Bella, calm him down. Emmett, I need you to come over here with Nessie and sit beside me. I can't do this on my own- we've got a possible meltdown coming and I don't think the clean up would be pretty.” I had stopped breathing as soon as Jake took a place of authority. He was an Alpha and he used that voice to take control of the situation. I understood a little of why an Alpha cannot be refused. He was calm but firm, Jake left us no room to disobey or he would take care of things in his way. He was protecting humans, what his kind were made for, and in this space us being vampires took precedence over us being friends. “Jasper. Hold your breath; I know you can. Do it, man.”
I took Jasper's hand in my own and started rubbing small circles on it, tracing a few of his scars with my fingertip, until he looked at me. I tried to think of anything calming, the warm water at Isle Esme, okay bad idea... I could feel the edge of his anxiousness slipping as he felt that tingle of lust before I started thinking of other things. I thought of the woods, the evenings Jasper and I spent reading, the calm I felt while laying in the meadow watching the clouds, my love for Edward and Renesmee, and I finally felt a tentative wave of calm emanate from him. I let it wash over me, calming every fiber in my body and focused on that feeling and Jasper finally relaxed, his hand uncurled from mine just as the tram squealed to a stop. We let the humans exit the car and sat there for a minute before Jake and Emmett looked at each other and then us before nodding. I stood up, pulling Jasper with me, scooped up Renesmee in my arms and went out onto the pile of cement that looks like something more out of a videogame than a tourist attraction. I focused on Nessie and watching her enjoy the view of the ocean and city beneath us. We stood, overlooking the city until after the college kids had left and we saw a tram empty itself of tourists. Jake tilted his head, issuing us back inside. He closed the door and we took a rather more comfortable ride down the mountain. Jasper was staying far away from me though. Once we'd gotten out on top of Sugar Loaf Mountain, he had kept as far from me as possible. I wonder if he's still embarrassed by my ability to shut down my senses and run away or in this case, hold my breath and focus until I could breathe again? If he wanted to be alone, I'd leave him alone; there was no sense in upsetting him more.
While I pondered the current state of Jasper, I heard Jake and Emmett discussing further lodging. His hotel was being paid daily as he had not been sure of his next step. He'd been dragging his feet about leaving the city but they'd exhausted all of the interesting things in the first week. Emmett said we'd take a detour to their hotel to pick up their belongings and head to our next suite. We have a new hotel, closer to the airport but still with an easy path to the the woods. Emmett told Jake about the golden lion tamarins, making Jake laugh and smack Emm on the back. It warmed me to see them getting along, my three brothers? I wonder if that's how Jake would fit into my life now, as my brother. As a son would be difficult but as a brother I could manage. His presence on the plane ride home would certainly keep Jasper's games in line.
We made it through the town, each of us carrying some of Renesmee and Jacob's bags. Jasper was still staying as far from me as he could. My recollection of events must have hurt him, I'd just have to let him be. I got them all settled in and ran a bath for Nessie. I searched my suitcase for something that would work as bubble bath when I felt the rather obvious bottle of Mr Bubble at the bottom of my case. Attached was a note in Alice's neat script. For my little Nessie, a bubble bath to wash away the werewolf stink. Love Auntie Alice. PS. Bella- take a blanket with you tonight...
Jake ordered room service for himself and Renesmee. I called Edward from the bathroom and let him talk to Renesmee while she played in the bubbles. He mentioned again that Marcus was giving him a lot to think about and just begged me to go along with whatever happens. That we can discuss everything at home, that he loves me more than anything and knows we'll get through everything. He told me how many more minutes until I was back in his arms and said he'd call in the morning after I've had another night of hunting that Emmett had already told him of the potential problem while I ran Nessie's bath.
I watched Nessie dress herself in her nightgown, the cotton draping down to her knees, the blue ribbon at the neck so sweet, so innocent, belonging to a girl not born into the eternal life like my little girl was. Not so little anymore though.. I brushed her waves out, having been without a good brushing since she left home, happy that Jake at least made her bathe daily and brush her teeth each night before bed. I watched her eat supper and then tucked her in for bed, stroking her hair back out of her face and kissing her forehead. I sang the song Renee used to sing to me
“Dearest Duckling, Close your eyes, Crickets chirp your lullabies, Daddy duck is swimming near, Turtles you need never fear, Go to sleep my downy one, Moon is shining, Day is done.”
Renesmee looked up at me, smiling sleepily. I love you mommy. I'm glad we found you again. I missed you so much. We can go shopping tomorrow. Then I can show you the parks and maybe go for a movie... and then we'll go see Daddy... and uncle Emmett said...she showed me an image of Edward building a room onto the cottage and Jake flopping down onto the bed in it and uncle Jasper... tree house... and then she was out. I sat there, holding her hand against my cheek as I had done when she was so tiny, watching her dreams. Now they were of Jake and running through the woods on his back, how he held her close, called her short stuff, of Edward and me holding her on the couch, of Esme and Carlisle, of Alice and Rose. I know she heard me talking to Jake even if she didn't let me know she did. She hears as well as any of us do. I was pulled from watching her sleep, the closest I'd ever get to it again, by Jasper's hand on my shoulder.
“Come on. Let's go for a walk. We both need to hunt and I need to talk to you.”
We hunted until nearly dawn, both boys not satisfied until I was practically sloshing when I walked. My legs felt fairly leaden as we walked back to our suite, each foot feeling as if it were a hundred pounds pulling at me. When asked, Emmett told me that he's never glutted himself to max capacity before but as bright as my eyes are, he thinks any more and I'd explode. The closest feeling I could remember this to was at a birthday party as a child and having eaten half of a party-sized double decker pizza by myself before topping it off with cake and ice cream. Renee made me eat some pink, vaguely mint tasting things to help keep me from throwing it all up. I giggled as I thought of her tending to my misery as I laid on the cold bathroom tile flooring.
“What so funny, munchkin?” Emmett was leading the way through the streets, constantly stopping to sniff for any approaching humans. So far a few on foot blocks away were all that he picked up and my thirst was satiated to the point I hardly felt the pull of human blood and stopped breathing until it was deemed safe. I tentatively took in a breath to speak, my remaining oxygen let out while laughing. It stung a little but nothing unbearable.
“Just a human memory of over eating and trying not to puke.” The boys looked at each other and laughed so hard they held onto each other to prevent falling. I think I heard the words “only Bella,” “stupid humans,” and “free entertainment” mixed in with their laughter. I'd have smacked their heads together but I was worried they'd retaliate and end up carrying me to the hotel while screaming as they tickled me, again. As it is, I don't know if the tamarins will return to that area of the jungle after Emmett started tickling as Jasper held me down, raising my hysterics until venom flowed out my eyes as I laughed, clutching my sides and tried to get them both off of me. My screeching echoed off the trees through the valley and made the boys tickle harder as they laughed. So I settled for a soft snarl and stalking off ahead of them as fast as I could go while looking human as they stood there laughing at me. Apparently they knew better and let me go off on my own to cool off as I had a few minutes for composure before they reached the hotel.
I pulled my suitcase out of the closet where I'd left it and grabbed the clothing set from the top, a pair of apple bottom jeans, white halter top with a silvery silk shrug. I was in the shower when I heard the boys return to our room. If it hadn't been for the fact that I knew the sooner I finished the sooner we could be on our way to Renesmee, I'd have stayed in long past the water running cold. I dried my hair in the bathroom, letting the boys sit in their hunt marred clothes and worry about what I was going to say when I stepped out. Getting ready to hold my daughter in my arms removed any lingering anger I had for Emmett and Jasper beyond the steady frustration they seemed to thrive on creating in me.
Rosalie and Alice had far more patience than I could ever gain for the sex jokes and emotional backlash the boys create. Once while Emmett was out on a hunt, Edward explained that Rosalie often used sex to keep Emmett quiet, so for his entire existence as a vampire his life revolved around having sex with Rose, thinking about sex with Rose, or making sexual innuendos- more recently at my and Edward's expense. Without his primary outlet, his sexual frustration was getting stronger each day- perhaps the main reason for Jasper's less than innocent turn of events on the plane.
Edward had called during the hunt while the boys were tickling me; Jasper grabbed my phone and after assuring Edward that I was quite alright but being tickled until I admitted Emmett was king, Jasper was told where my highly ticklish spots were in exchange for the promise of keeping me calm when we got home so I wouldn't exact revenge. If Edward thinks that there will be reunion sex, he's got another thing coming. He has a lot of things to answer for, including his less than forthcoming explanation of his thoughts regarding Alice and her messages. True, I didn't explain the airplane events completely, which I will, but preferably when Jasper is several miles away and I have Edward quite calm, and after a promise not to destroy anyone for what was an innocent game that ran awry. Things will be better once Renesmee is home. He'll be so pleased to have his little girl home that nothing else will matter, and hopefully all will be forgiven so we can go back to life and helping piece our family together as best we can.
I exited the bathroom and the boys both looked at me sheepishly, waiting for the yelling they expected, Jasper holding out a bunch of lilies while Emmett had a pair of woven sandals from the market. I walked past them, set my case on the bed and began repacking my clothes, letting the tense silence remain in the air. I folded my hunting clothes and placed them into the plastic sack Alice had provided in the top of my suitcase, a sack for each day plus two extras- I'm assuming in case we have any emergency hunts to clean up after. The boys stood watching me as I went to the desk in the front room and pulled out Edward and Carlisle's binder and reviewed our next hotel's location and best route along with Alice's note with the suitcases that we'd find Jake and Renesmee on the Sugar Loaf Mountain cable car.
“Aren't you going to say anything?” Emmett's voice boomed through the room, obviously more loudly than he had planned based on his wince. Jasper had one eyebrow arched while watching me, obviously trying to discern what I was feeling and being a tad confused at my lack of overt anger. Frustration yes, anger no.
“Not about the two of you getting my husband to turn traitor and holding me down while making me scream. I do want you to get your butts in gear and clean up so we can go get Renesmee once the weather permits. We also need to discuss who will stay with Jake and Ren while we hunt. I know that you want me hunting every night so I will, but we should probably alternate who stays behind. Jake will most likely want to have a turn at babysitting me and you will allow it, you owe me that after earlier. Are we clear?” I looked at each of them before spinning on my heel and heading back to the bed to stretch out and relax until they were ready. I could overhear whispering followed by a thunk and Emmett swearing while Jasper shoved him towards the bathroom.
“I really am sorry, Bella” his southern gentleman twang entering his voice as he purposely tried to dazzle me. He held the flowers out as a peace offering. I couldn't stay irritated despite my best intentions and cracked a small smile before sitting up. “Friends?” he offered.
I stood up and wrapped my arms around Jasper. “More than friends, we're family. Even if you are a jerk at times, I still love you, Jasper” I inhaled his scent, more cinnamon and spice than Edward's sweet smell, but entrancing nonetheless. He chuckled and tightened his arms around me.
“You smell good too, sis.” He swatted me on the ass before sitting me down on the bed. Emmett came out wrapped in his towel “What about me, someone tell me I smell good. Don't leave me out of the love!”
Jake POV
We had been in Rio a week when I started smelling traces of bloodsuckers. I kept Nessie with me at all times, it was safer for her to encounter a vampire with me than on her own. It was only when we went through the forest preserve during our second week that I smelled Bella. Her strawberry shampoo and the smell that was simply Bella clung to the cloying burning smell the leeches leave behind. Nessie was clinging to my back, piggyback carries being her favorite mode of transportation lately.
“Hey, short stuff. I think today we need to play a game, are you up for it?” Nessie raised her hand to my cheek. Game? I like games! What kind? Jake, my Jake. Tell me what game! “Well, I was thinking of a game of hide 'n' seek if you think we're up to it. We need to find three people in town. I just don't know who they are yet, exactly. Well, I know who one of them is, but the other two I'm not completely sure on. So basically, your part in the game is to see if you can spot or smell anyone you know besides the hotel staff and the woman at the market that gave you the dolly. I think we might go up to Pao de Acucar for some sightseeing plus since it's such a high vantage point, we should have better views of the city, perhaps see our prey of the day. What do you say, Nessie?”
The images she gave showed following me through the city, through a desert, over a mountain, and even into a rolling surf. “Anywhere Jake. I'll follow you anywhere.” My Jake. Mine. I turned my head to look at her, her chin settled on my shoulder. Nessie was looking straight ahead and started sniffing the air. She leaned her head into me, released a hand from my neck to smell it, and pulled on me to make me turn around. Another sniff. She'd smelled it too. She stopped, her legs tightening around my back as she kept twisting her head back and forth, questions crossing her chocolate eyes. She showed herself smelling the air, an image of me in wolf form following a trail, and then Bella. Mama. I smell Mama. Hunt now, Jake. Find Mama. Find another sniff Find Uncle Jasper. Maybe Emmett, not Daddy. Want Daddy! She reached up and pulled my hair as if to prove a point.
She can speak perfectly well, and looks as if she were five years old, but speaks and communicates as if she were an adult. Her mental communication is via images and senses, not so much specific words. When Nessie wants something, she slips back into her childish demands and pleas as well as hair pulling and biting. At least it doesn't sting, just hurts for a moment before healing over. She thinks it's funny that she can bite me, and well, if she enjoys it, I'll let her do it. I'm here to look over her, Bella's daughter. I know why it doesn't hurt anymore to think of Bella, but it's odd not loving her like that anymore. Bella was my everything since I was a little cub wandering the reservation, tagging along on Dad and Charlie's fishing trips; she was my summer princess. Then she stopped coming and had only come back into my life before being ripped away.
Maybe vampires imprint like we do and that's what happened to her. While he was gone, things had been going so well once she opened up and then she ran off to save him and I knew she was lost to me forever when they came back together. And then she kissed me, really kissed me, but it wasn't enough. Then they married and brought Nessie to me.
Renesmee? What was Bella thinking? She almost ripped my throat out when I called her Nessie for the first time in front of her. I wonder if that was my draw to her even as children, the egg that became Nessie was inside of her begging me to watch over her mom until she was conceived and born. Now I must wait until she's old enough to love me the way I loved her mother, the way her parents love one another. At least I don't have to wait as long as Quil does for Claire. The guests the pixie brought back said that Nessie will grow until she's seventeen or eighteen and then stop, staying there for as long as she exists. I guess I won't be giving up on phasing until I have to. Fate's a cruel mistress having a werewolf imprint on a leech, even a partial leech, but Nessie is the center of my world.
I am humbled by Bella's trust in me with Nessie, trusting me to leave the country with her, to keep her safe. These days have been filled with unshed tears, worries that my best friend was finally lost to me forever. Coming across her scent revived a part of me I didn't know I'd lost. She's here, looking to find us. I didn't know how things have changed, or why I couldn't smell Edward with her. What will she do if those Italian guys toasted him? I can't be there like I was before, well I can, but not in the same way I was before and I think it would confuse Nessie if I were.
Nessie is my life, my future wife if she'll have me, but Bella is... Bella is my best friend and we have a history that no one can take away. I felt a smile twitch across my face when I thought of kissing her at home and then taking her home to put ice on her hand. She was so beautiful when pissed at me. I think I kissed her in part because I wanted to see that fire. I hope that her daughter has kept that human fire as well as Bella's beautiful eyes. I'm glad those were saved. It's like having the best parts of her saved just for me, meant for me. I hope that her family has been good to her if Edward is gone. I don't know how the pack would take it, but I'd have her and Nessie live with me if need be. It would make for some grand confusion but we'd take things a day at a time.
Nessie touched her hand to my cheek, wrinkling her nose. Scratchy. You need to shave and cut your hair. She showed me a picture of me phased with my fur dragging the ground. She tried to look serious but a small giggle escaped her lips and she began shaking with laughter. I took off on a jog, following the scent as best I could, following the forest edge until my nose burned more on the trail coming from town. I made the turn which led to a hotel, reaching it as a soft rain started to fall down on us.
“Before making fun of me, what were you going to ask Ness?”
What were you thinking about? Images of my face as I was thinking, twitches of smiles and sadness crossing my face.
“I'm just worried about your mom and very thankful that she's here. Let's go find her.” Renesmee pulled my ponytail so my head was tilted back and she kissed my cheek. Thank you, my Jake. My Jake. Always my wolf.
We walked into the lobby and approached the main desk. She looked at us questioningly and I did my best to remember my high school Spanish- the whole one semester of it I'd taken. I gave up. “Do you speak English?” The girl shook her head and held up one finger as she went to find someone who could help us. She came back smiling with a small boy, maybe fourteen or fifteen years old.
“I speak English, how can I help?”
I explained that I was looking for the Cullens, a pretty brunette American and most likely her husband. He looked back at the girl and translated for us. She looked through some paperwork on the desk and typed a few things on the computer. “Bella?” My smile must have been answer enough as she said something quickly to the boy. “Are you Jacob and Vanessa Wolfe?” I nodded and he grinned. “Mister Jasper left a note for you.” He handed it to me, but I had no chance of reading the Spanish.I looked at it apologetically. He took it back and scanned it quickly. “It looks like your friend and her brothers are waiting for you- they said they'd meet you where you were planning on going and Edward will pick you all up at the airport when you return home.” Edward didn't come with? He let her go without him? I know I took off as soon as Alice fell but still, he'd let her go with Emmett and Jasper? What about Rosalie? I mean, I'm grateful to not deal with her in a plane but I don't see her letting Emmett out of her sight now that Nessie is safe. I wonder if she too fell beneath the Volturi... The family ripped to shreds for my clumsy best friend. All she did was love someone she shouldn't have.
“Thank you for everything. I guess we'd best be on our way. Come on, Vanessa.” I slung Nessie back up onto my shoulders. Her hands tightening around my neck. I'm not Vanessa, Jakey. Just because the papers say so doesn't mean you have to call me that. Her nails pressed into my cheek.“Okay, okay I get it, Nessie. I guess we're headed up to the mountain, same as before." They seemed to know where we were going.
B POV
We waited in line as long as we could, climbing into the car and spreading out so that our dense forms didn't tip the tram more than necessary. The rain was pelting down around us, no one but us and a few college students, most likely on winter holiday, were sightseeing today. The wind whipped the cable car, rocking it against the movable stairs the assistant had placed. Then I got the first scent I wanted. Jake! I looked out into the rain and saw him running towards us, a head of bronze hair like her father's showing over his either picked up the scent or noticed my excitement and stood up, joining me, holding the door open so that the guide couldn't send us on our way quite yet. Jake's legs sprinted across the concrete, straining at running as quickly as he could without breaking any known world records. The students saw that we were watching someone and stood to watch.
“Bella!” I heard his shout and could see him trying to hurry, the cable car guide getting impatient at Jasper's refusal to leave the platform. Then he was in front of me, climbing the stairs, my dear Renesmee jumping from his back and into my arms. She reeked of him, smelled of wet dog, but it was my girl, here in my arms after too long. I showered her in kisses, blowing my sweet breath over her in much the way Edward had often done to me, masking the scent she'd picked up. She raised her hand tentatively before I grabbed it, pressing it against my cheek. Renesmee's thoughts were a mess, trying to tell me everything all at once.
I saw them running through the woods, finding a car at the edge of the woods with a note attached, “For Jacob,” and a ribbon holding the key. Driving to the airport, taking several planes, going for the fastest route out of the states but still trying to confuse any followers by taking many short trips sometimes in directions opposite what they needed. Finally getting to Rio, finding a cheap but clean hotel to stay in, hunting in the woods together, going to restaurants together, shopping for clothes, playing in the fountains and in the ocean, going for a walk this morning and picking up my scent, Jasper's hurried note left at the desk in case they came looking for us, running all the way here in hopes of making it in time. Seeing me and her uncles. Daddy? Where's Daddy? Where's Aunt Alice? Auntie Rose? Why didn't everyone come? Oh Mommy, I missed you. Jake missed you too.
She showed me pictures of Edward, Alice standing in front of Aro and then Jake whipping around and running out of the clearing before she could see anything more, pictures of Rose holding her as a baby...I started crying, the tears burning my cheeks. Happiness of my reunion warred with the pain my brothers, my whole family felt at losing my sisters. I'd never had sisters and to lose them like that was unfair. We were all supposed to have our happily ever after. Jake pulled Renesmee from my arms, handing her off to Emmett before wrapping his arms around me. He shook with his own tears, mine eating holes in his shirt. He hissed as one hit his bare skin.
“Tears? A crying leech? Only you, Bella.” He laughed, rubbing the skin where my venom had reached before rubbing my tears with a handkerchief he pulled from his pocket. He sat down, pulling me next to him, his arms feeling hot, too hot, around me. I cringed from the discomfort and smell but leaned against him, gathering strength from him as always. “I missed you, Bells. Even if you stink.” He smiled into my hair and watched Renesmee with Emmett and Jasper, laughing and playing with them at the other end of the car. The students looked confused, three pale Americans, wearing sunglasses in the rain; a tall, well built American Native with his hair past his shoulders in a ponytail, and a little girl who was more beautiful than any child model or actress, and all of us apparently together in some fashion. Two of the girls were swooning over my brothers while the other shot dirty looks my way for curling up into Jake's side. I knew he looked good but he was my future son-in-law, my best friend- only those things. So I giggled and turned my face towards him, murmuring quietly.
“They think we're together. If they only knew. Oh Jake. I missed you. Thank you for everything, for keeping her safe. I knew you would, only you could. I guess we're back to the lifetime of servitude now. Human lifetime or more?”
He laughed and kissed my cheek. “So Bells... where is he? I don't smell him here. I didn't think he'd let you leave his sight. What's up? What did I miss?” I knew that question wasn't far behind. I looked to Jasper, not knowing how to answer. His eyes went hollow, he'd heard the questions as clearly as I had. He was still talking to Renesmee, telling her about the treehouse they were going to build when we were back home- a huge tree palace for her. Her giggles sounded like the child she'd become while away. Jake noticing me watching. “I took pictures of her every day so you could see the changes. For that scrapbook you guys had started. So are you going to tell me or do I need to ask them?” I sighed and tried to collect my thoughts.
“They're gone. Alice you saw, when Aro pulled her back. We didn't have a chance to save her. There were traitors on our side, the Egyptians. How they hid their thoughts from Edward I'll never know- Aro and Caius must have gotten to them before they came to us at witnesses. Benjamin murdered Rose. The Denali clan lost two sisters. All the Volturi guards fell, only Marcus remains because he surrendered to Edward and Carlisle accepted. Edward had to stay behind to help with Marcus, to be his guard so to speak. He's constantly scanning Marcus's thoughts for any further betrayals. Marcus wants to disband the Volturi and then live out his existence in quiet exile. I think we may have to go with to ensure his actions but we wanted to bring you and Renesmee home first. Our plane leaves in four days; we thought we could enjoy a small vacation, a break from the sadness, before returning home to pick up the pieces.”
Jake's arm tightened around me and he was watching my brothers. He whispered his apologies, tears freely flowing. “I don't know what I'd do if lost Nessie or you. I can only imagine what they're going through.” He pulled me closer so that I was molded against his side, when Jasper's control slipped. The human smell was building from the rain and the burn had started growing in me so I knew Jasper felt it as well. He was stalking towards our end of the car, closer to the group of twenty-somethings. “Sit down Jasper. Stay with Bella.” Jake stood, putting his hand on Jasper's shoulder, ignoring the low hiss and pushed him towards me.
Jake saw it in his eyes too.
Jake slid into a seat between us and the humans. Not a smart place for a werewolf to be, our combined strength could rip him apart if we lost our grasp on the monster inside. He kept his voice low and calm towards us. “Guys, we've just got another minute, two at most, until we reach the top. Hold it together. If not for them and yourselves, for Nessie. She won't want to see that. I”ll throw you out the door if I have to but you need to get a grip. I know you just went out this morning so you can't be hungry already.” Jasper's hands began to twitch on the seat, I could see that his eyes were darkening behind his glasses. “Bella, calm him down. Emmett, I need you to come over here with Nessie and sit beside me. I can't do this on my own- we've got a possible meltdown coming and I don't think the clean up would be pretty.” I had stopped breathing as soon as Jake took a place of authority. He was an Alpha and he used that voice to take control of the situation. I understood a little of why an Alpha cannot be refused. He was calm but firm, Jake left us no room to disobey or he would take care of things in his way. He was protecting humans, what his kind were made for, and in this space us being vampires took precedence over us being friends. “Jasper. Hold your breath; I know you can. Do it, man.”
I took Jasper's hand in my own and started rubbing small circles on it, tracing a few of his scars with my fingertip, until he looked at me. I tried to think of anything calming, the warm water at Isle Esme, okay bad idea... I could feel the edge of his anxiousness slipping as he felt that tingle of lust before I started thinking of other things. I thought of the woods, the evenings Jasper and I spent reading, the calm I felt while laying in the meadow watching the clouds, my love for Edward and Renesmee, and I finally felt a tentative wave of calm emanate from him. I let it wash over me, calming every fiber in my body and focused on that feeling and Jasper finally relaxed, his hand uncurled from mine just as the tram squealed to a stop. We let the humans exit the car and sat there for a minute before Jake and Emmett looked at each other and then us before nodding. I stood up, pulling Jasper with me, scooped up Renesmee in my arms and went out onto the pile of cement that looks like something more out of a videogame than a tourist attraction. I focused on Nessie and watching her enjoy the view of the ocean and city beneath us. We stood, overlooking the city until after the college kids had left and we saw a tram empty itself of tourists. Jake tilted his head, issuing us back inside. He closed the door and we took a rather more comfortable ride down the mountain. Jasper was staying far away from me though. Once we'd gotten out on top of Sugar Loaf Mountain, he had kept as far from me as possible. I wonder if he's still embarrassed by my ability to shut down my senses and run away or in this case, hold my breath and focus until I could breathe again? If he wanted to be alone, I'd leave him alone; there was no sense in upsetting him more.
While I pondered the current state of Jasper, I heard Jake and Emmett discussing further lodging. His hotel was being paid daily as he had not been sure of his next step. He'd been dragging his feet about leaving the city but they'd exhausted all of the interesting things in the first week. Emmett said we'd take a detour to their hotel to pick up their belongings and head to our next suite. We have a new hotel, closer to the airport but still with an easy path to the the woods. Emmett told Jake about the golden lion tamarins, making Jake laugh and smack Emm on the back. It warmed me to see them getting along, my three brothers? I wonder if that's how Jake would fit into my life now, as my brother. As a son would be difficult but as a brother I could manage. His presence on the plane ride home would certainly keep Jasper's games in line.
We made it through the town, each of us carrying some of Renesmee and Jacob's bags. Jasper was still staying as far from me as he could. My recollection of events must have hurt him, I'd just have to let him be. I got them all settled in and ran a bath for Nessie. I searched my suitcase for something that would work as bubble bath when I felt the rather obvious bottle of Mr Bubble at the bottom of my case. Attached was a note in Alice's neat script. For my little Nessie, a bubble bath to wash away the werewolf stink. Love Auntie Alice. PS. Bella- take a blanket with you tonight...
Jake ordered room service for himself and Renesmee. I called Edward from the bathroom and let him talk to Renesmee while she played in the bubbles. He mentioned again that Marcus was giving him a lot to think about and just begged me to go along with whatever happens. That we can discuss everything at home, that he loves me more than anything and knows we'll get through everything. He told me how many more minutes until I was back in his arms and said he'd call in the morning after I've had another night of hunting that Emmett had already told him of the potential problem while I ran Nessie's bath.
I watched Nessie dress herself in her nightgown, the cotton draping down to her knees, the blue ribbon at the neck so sweet, so innocent, belonging to a girl not born into the eternal life like my little girl was. Not so little anymore though.. I brushed her waves out, having been without a good brushing since she left home, happy that Jake at least made her bathe daily and brush her teeth each night before bed. I watched her eat supper and then tucked her in for bed, stroking her hair back out of her face and kissing her forehead. I sang the song Renee used to sing to me
“Dearest Duckling, Close your eyes, Crickets chirp your lullabies, Daddy duck is swimming near, Turtles you need never fear, Go to sleep my downy one, Moon is shining, Day is done.”
Renesmee looked up at me, smiling sleepily. I love you mommy. I'm glad we found you again. I missed you so much. We can go shopping tomorrow. Then I can show you the parks and maybe go for a movie... and then we'll go see Daddy... and uncle Emmett said...she showed me an image of Edward building a room onto the cottage and Jake flopping down onto the bed in it and uncle Jasper... tree house... and then she was out. I sat there, holding her hand against my cheek as I had done when she was so tiny, watching her dreams. Now they were of Jake and running through the woods on his back, how he held her close, called her short stuff, of Edward and me holding her on the couch, of Esme and Carlisle, of Alice and Rose. I know she heard me talking to Jake even if she didn't let me know she did. She hears as well as any of us do. I was pulled from watching her sleep, the closest I'd ever get to it again, by Jasper's hand on my shoulder.
“Come on. Let's go for a walk. We both need to hunt and I need to talk to you.”
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