Chapter 6: Do not mess with my Mother. (Revision)
When we got to Mom's room, she closed the door and took a few deep breathes while her body tensed; I had no idea why her mood had changed so quickly and as subtly as I could, I placed my hand on her neck to try to find out. 'Protective. Possessive. Fear.' It was only the tinniest bit of the last emotion, but I was sure I understood why. The conversation hit too close to home; her fear that something bad would happen to me like it did her would probably never fully disappear.
'Reassurance.' It was the only thing I could think of to send her to remind her that I was here, in her arms. 'Safe.' I felt more than I saw her shoulders relax as she let my reassurance wash over her. I knew she didn't want me to feel her more negative emotions, but we were a team. I wasn't just hers. She was mine. I wanted to take care of her too.
She laid me on her bed, and I tilted my head while studying her every move, my confusion written plainly on my face. She smiled softly at me and started to remove my onesie. I thought she was simply going to change me out of this outfit; until she took off her own shirt. She lifted me and placed me gently against her chest, my ear against the place her heartbeat would be.
"Before you were born..." Mom started to explain, her voice barely a coo as she moved to lean against the headboard of her bed. She reclined there with me snuggled against her chest, her extremely smooth fingers massaging up and down my back. "While Bella was pregnant, I read more books on babies than I care to admit."
I snuggled closer to her chest and closed my eyes, 'Contentment. Satisfaction. Serenity.' As she continued talking, I could hear the smile in her voice. "We had no idea what to expect. How you would turn out; and truthfully, I'm not sure any of the reasons for it pertain to you, but skin on skin contact is supposed to have multiple health advantages while helping improve the bond between us."
'Disgruntled.' As if our bond needed the extra help. She giggled softly, placing lingering kisses across my forehead to soothe my furrowed brow. "I know. Our bond is much different than a human one, but I didn't think you'd mind either way." 'Agreement.' She was right, I didn't mind this at all.
'Sleepy. Comfortable.' I yawned and Mom squeezed me softly in acknowledgement, draping a blanket over us both. I was careful to conceal the 'Disappointment.' I felt at not being able to hear my mom's heartbeat. I knew she didn't have one, so I wasn't quite sure why I was bothered by it. It simply felt like something was missing and I was more than confused by my own thoughts.
"I was wondering where you two disappeared too," Dad hummed when he opened the door, shutting it behind him.
"I thought we could use some uninterrupted peace. That was a lot for me, I can only imagine how it was for her." Mom sighed, shifting when Dad slid into the bed next to her. She turned so her head was resting against his shoulder; my ear still pressed against her non beating heart and my body supported by his chest. One of her hands absently tracing patterns on my back with her fingers.
His hand came up to also play with the hair on my head and at this point I was only barely conscious from all the pampering, "She's strong just like her mom."
Was the last thing I heard before I fell asleep.
*****
I woke up slowly and took my time monitoring my surroundings. My ear was pressed against a shirt, instead of a bare chest. The blanket from before was wrapped around me, but I knew I hadn't been redressed. I was swaddled and it was surprisingly relaxing. I yawned, my little body stretching as much as it could in its current position. My face rubbed softly against the fabric of my –
'Alarm. Agitation.' I couldn't smell my mom! I inhaled again; I also couldn't smell my dad... this was someone else. It wasn't exactly that I had anything against my other family members; but where was my mom? Had Edward managed to take me while I was asleep?
'Anxiety. Fear.' My legs and arms started trying to kick and flail from where they were tucked, grunts of annoyance and unhappiness spilling from my mouth as I tried to get away from the hold I was in. Maybe I was more traumatized by what happened yesterday than I thought I was.
A wave of calmness settled over me that wasn't my own and despite my protests my body relaxed. "Hush Lil Darlin. Your momma isn't very far. She and your daddy had to go get something to eat, that's all." Uncle Jasper reassured me. 'Relief.' washed over me, I was fine with him holding me while my parents hunted.
Finally opening my eyes, I tucked my face into his neck and inhaled. I was sure as I got older and maybe better, I'd be able to scent less noticeably but for now this was how I could differentiate between my families' scents. Uncle Jaspers scent was... rich, sweet, balsamic, like Sandalwood with a hint of Lavender and Rosemary.
I nodded satisfied with myself; now in the future I'd recognize at least mom, dad, and Uncle Jaspers scents immediately. That brought on the realization that I had no idea what Renesmee smelled like... I'd have to scent her later and let her scent me too.
"Gracie.." Uncle Jasper whispered and I looked up to see him watching me with some mischief in his eyes. "Your momma really wants your next word to be 'momma' but ... how about we try to say Uncle Jasper, instead?"
I snickered; Mom would be so mad, but I needed the practice if I was going to say 'mommy' anyway, didn't I? I mean, I had only said 'daddy' and that was during an extremely stressful situation.
"J..." I started small, just sounding out the letter J. I wasn't sure I would be able to just shout the word out like I had before. In that situation my fight or flight instincts were running high. Adrenaline and fear driving me. I had none of that now. Or maybe I just didn't want to fail. I had always hated failing; I had even hated not being able to do things on the very first try. It was a sore spot for me. Fear of failure.
"Jazzy!" I blurted out after a bout of 'Determination.' And 'Resolve.' hit me. I wanted to make both my mother and my Uncle proud of me. 'Excitement. Elation. Enthusiasm.' It hit me hard, and I realized that we were feeding each other emotions while simultaneously feeding off each other's emotions. It was nearly overwhelming.
"Again?" Uncle Jasper asked, his smile wide and blinding. Eyes wide and filled with giddiness, that mischief wasn't gone though. I had never seen him so unreserved, although I supposed in the movies, he was always keeping himself together so he didn't eat Bella.
"Jazzy!" I squealed in a voice filled with laughter and the 'Pride.' I felt doubled how I was feeling. I realized rather quickly how disturbing this could become. With the both of us lost in emotions; sending them back and forth with seemingly no control... how were we supposed to break out of them? Either he didn't notice, or he knew he had more control over himself than I did. "Jazzy!" I couldn't help but scream again at the deep laugh that left his chest while he bounced me.
"Someone's quite vocal today..." Mom teased from somewhere behind me and both my eyes and Uncle Jaspers flew to see her watching us from the doorway. Had he really been so caught up that he hadn't heard her coming? The smile on her face as she looked at me was soft and sweet; the look in her eyes as she looked to Uncle Jasper promised pain and a lot of it.
'Impatience.' I hadn't been aware just how much I had missed her until I saw her standing there. I reached for her; trying in vain to get to her from where I was being held by Uncle Jasper.
"She also lacks patience," Uncle Jasper teased, pulling me closer to his chest as if he meant to keep me. I knew he was only joking but my emotions were irrational. 'Irritation.'
"Mommy!" I whined before all three of us froze. Uncle Jasper was looking at me, impressed. Mom was looking at me with shock and I was just surprised, though I shouldn't have been. It wasn't as stressful as the situation with Edward but Uncle Jasper, joking or not, had been keeping me from my mom. I was a determined little hybrid, no one could deny that.
"Alice. Esme." Uncle Jasper barely called out and they were there, staring at the three of us. It was probably a funny scene. Mom was still staring at me with wide eyes, like she couldn't decide if it had happened or not while my arms were still stretched toward her.
"What's going on?" Esme asked slowly, eyes flicking between us all as if she could work it out for herself.
"Did she change her mind about Bella?" Alice asked in a hopeful tone, snapping Mom out of her trance. Her jaw was clenched angrily while I glared at the pixie like vampire. Way to ruin the freaking moment. 'Irritation. Annoyance. Hostility.'
"Alice," Uncle Jasper sighed in genuine exasperation, "You have to let it go. Graciela really doesn't like it.." He tried to explain while Mom finally grabbed me. My eyes were still locked on Alice; my emotions twisting inside of me. Out of nowhere, Alice stumbled. Almost like she tripped though she had been standing still. She grabbed the wall for support.
"Are you alright, dear?" Esme questioned, reaching out to help steady Alice. Even mom was looking at her in concern; vampires didn't just stumble.
"Yeah," Alice mumbled, looking down at herself like that would explain anything. "That was strange... I – " She shrugged helplessly. Uncle Jasper must have worried for his mate because he pulled her into a hug.
She had no explanation, that was clear. Neither did the rest of us. Maybe it was selfish on my end but I really wanted to get back to what had happened before. I had finally said 'mommy' just for my mom! I felt like it had been glossed over by Alice's insensitivity.
"Mommy," I spoke clearly; it was easy. I had already said it, the block on my speech must be a mental thing. Once the block is gone, there is no resistance. 'Vulnerability. Disbelief. Happiness.' Mom didn't bother to hide how glossy her eyes had become, filled with tears that she couldn't cry. The feeling of something 'missing' hit me again and I pushed it aside; I didn't want mom to think I had an issue with her being a vampire.
To help with her 'Disbelief.' I did the only thing I could do aside from pushing 'Reassurance.' and 'Love.' at her. "Mommy," I sighed in contentment, tucking my face into her neck when she pulled me closer. The place where her scent was the strongest was the most comforting to me and her 'beast' knew that. She also tucked her nose into the side of my neck. Another way our bond differed from humans; scenting made us feel closer.
I lifted my head to attempt to leave a lingering kiss on her cheek like she usually did to me; only I didn't account for the fact that babies drool a lot. A long string of drool was left on her cheek, still attached to my mouth after I pulled away. I cringed away from it and she laughed at me.
It was the thought that counts, right?
Considering that I was more than aware of future events, I was hardly concerned with the consistency of my development. Renesmee, in the books, was speaking full sentences a week after her birth, had full mobility at 3 weeks and was basically a child at 3 months. Though a huge part of me hoped I grew slower than Renesmee did; I wanted to enjoy my childhood with my mom, not become full grown in 7 years. I knew Mom would feel that same way.
Esme handed mom a wipe for my mouth and her face before they popped a pacifier in my mouth that was almost as cold as Mom's face had been on my gums, leading me to believe she had pulled it out of the freezer. Vanilla wafted off the pacifier; so strong I could nearly taste it.
"Vanilla?" Uncle Jasper asked having felt my own confusion; though Mom would have felt it in a moment and answered anyway.
"It's said the smell of vanilla can provide a calming and soothing aura for babies," Mom mused while Aunt Alice grabbed another out of the freezer for Renesmee.
"We haven't had the chance to talk..." Esme smiled warmly at Mom, who had turned with a questioning look when she felt Esme following us back to her bedroom. An outfit was already laid out on the bed for me. "I'm happy for you, sweetheart."
"Really?" Mom asked with a small smile while she carefully laid me on the bed, "I figured you, like Alice, would be upset on Edward and Bella's behalf."
Esme sat on the bed beside me, crossing her legs as she ran her fingers through my hair while mom dressed me. "I feel for them, how could I not? But he is putting the blame on you when you have done nothing wrong. Graciela soul bonded with you and no one in their right mind would ever assume you wouldn't have accepted that bond and given this little girl the mother she needed."
The onesie mom put on me was red, with the words ' I got it from my mama,' with a white skort decorated in red roses. Ruffles lined the bottom making it resemble a skirt. She put my hair into as much of a ponytail as she could manage with a few loose hairs framing either side of my face and then put in a matching headband with a bow.
"It's all I've ever wanted," Mom finished my attire off with a pair of white sandals, "I don't even have to pretend." She admitted, picking me up with a kiss to my nose causing me to giggle. "She looks so much like me and Emmett. She's our mini me. Our baby. Our daughter. My daughter."
Her voice gained confidence and determination as she went on. The confident, girl boss that my mom was coming out again. My smile was wide around my pacifier, even if it was toothless.
"She is," Esme smiled at the two of us, Moms smile easily matching it. "She does have some Emmett in her, but she looks just like you, Rose. It's like someone copy and pasted her." Both laughed gently at Esme's description.
"He's not going to let this go and it's only going to get more stressful for her when Bella is finally awake." Mom spoke barely above a whisper; I could feel her 'Worry. Protectiveness.' Esme and I both knew she was right.
Esme visibly hesitated before she pulled both myself and mom into a hug; me being snuggly cuddled between the two of them. "Trust in your bond, Rose. All anyone has to do is look at the love Gracie has for you to know that it's genuine. You are her mother, and no one can take that from you."
*****
When we came back down the stairs the first thing, I realized was that Renesmee was being held by Alice. Jacob was lingering close enough to monitor them both, but not close enough to set off Uncle Jasper's protective instincts. Though Uncle Jasper would occasionally look up from where he was sitting, watching television with Dad, to give Jacob a warning look.
Edward was nowhere to be seen. Leading me to believe he was with Bella. Did he just sit and stare at her while she was unconscious? How did no one else find that to cross all boundaries? Though, he did watch her sleep when she was human; and that was before he got permission to do so. At one point, he had even brought oil so he could oil her window and prevent it from squeaking when he broke into her room. Wouldn't want to wake her up. Although knowing Bella, she probably would have found his effort more romantic than 'restraining order' worthy.
{Hey! We match!} Renesmee's voice brought me out of my musings. She was right, they dressed us in matching outfits though inverted. Her onesie was white with a red skort and white roses littering it; her headband matching her skort.
{Barefoot?} I questioned when I realized she had no shoes on.
"You can hardly call them twins anymore," Aunt Alice sighed while she eyed me in Mom's arms. Truthfully, I wasn't sure if you ever could; aside from sharing a 'tomb' we were fraternal twins, at best. Renesmee looked like a mixture of Edward and Bella with bronze hair on her head and chocolate brown eyes that she inherited from Bella as a human.
If the differences in our appearance didn't do it; the fact that Renesmee now looked older than I did would ensure no one could tell we had once shared a womb. I had only seen my reflection once but it was enough for even me to notice she looked older than she was.
"And she wouldn't let me put shoes on her," Aunt Alice whined with a pout causing my lips to twitch. That explains why Renesmee was barefoot.
Edward entered the room and the amusement faded quickly. Suddenly the atmosphere was tense once more, no one so much as daring to breath as they waited to see what he would do, today. Mom's arms tightened around me subtly, her body tense and prepared. 'Protective. Possessive. Suspicious.' Obviously, she had learned from her mistake, short of bodily harm; no way was she letting Edward get his hands on me again.
Renesmee cleared her throat and Edward's eyes, that had been focused on a blank space in the room, shifted to her. She gave him a pointed look as stern as a child could look and I wasn't the only one that felt as if they were suddenly missing something.
"Daddy." It was one simple word but it spoke volumes. It was somehow a reprimand, a demand, and a reminder all at once. Edward near whined, a petulant pout on his lips with a long and insufferable sigh before he turned his attention onto both mom and I. Mom narrowed her eyes suspiciously while I tried to figure out what was going on.
"Graciela," He started with another glance toward my sister who raised her eyebrows at him. Another sigh. "I sincerely apologize for my atrocious behavior. To you as well, Rosalie." His teeth were grit and his hands curled into subtle fists. "I truly did not know how to react to that fact that you," He practically spit the word at my mom, "stole one of my children and in the future, I will remember to behave with proper decorum."
Another silence. Edward stole a glance toward Renesmee who looked as if she was seconds away from pinching the bridge of her nose.
{Good enough?} I didn't miss the hopeful note in her voice.
{Good enough.} I grunted in reply. It was more than I was expecting though I didn't appreciate the accusation near the end.
When he turned toward Renesmee requesting to hold her now that he had 'apologized' my violet blue eyes sparkled with mischief. A small smirk on my lips. 'Mischief. Mirth. A bit of ruthlessness.' Now Moms suspicion was turned onto me along with 'Amusement. Curiosity.'
"Mommy," My voice was soft and sweet; like sleigh bells and honey while I looked up at her with wide glittering eyes filled with love and adoration, the mischief carefully concealed behind faux innocence.
Moms eyes were dancing in her own 'Mirth. Pride. And a hint of Vindictive Pleasure.' Neither of us missed the fact that Edward had paused, lip lifting in a near silent snarl before he forced himself back into a carefully composed state. Face blank and eyes trained on Renesmee.
In a voice nearly devoid of emotion he asked, "How do we expect Bella to handle this? She's a newborn; they're not prone to being able to control themselves." He didn't look up from Renesmee but I could practically hear the gears in his head turning. He wanted Bella to be able to get away with attacking my mom.
"We could ask the same question for how she's going to handle the wolf and his imprint," Dad drawled in a deceptively bored tone though his eyes were trained on Edward and dangerously hard; clearly, I wasn't the only one who realized his motive behind the question.
I didn't really care how Bella would handle it, similar to how I didn't care how Edward was handling it. Part of me wanted to be sympathetic, but if everything Carlisle said was true, I had never been theirs.
Bella had merely been an incubation system, a surrogate, an obstacle.
You can't miss what you never had. His upset was a product of his own imagination and considering that he spent most of the time we were in the womb wishing we had never been conceived, I truly found his reaction baffling.
"Bella will deal with the soul bond as you have too, Edward. You heard what Carlisle said, there is no reversing the consequences of your own actions. The parental bond, if it ever existed between you and Graciela to begin with, is gone. She is Rosalie's daughter. You are so used to acting out and having things still go the way you want them too." She shook her head woefully. "This is not one of those times."
I was proud, and surprised, that Esme was the one to put her foot down in the situation. She was usually softer spoken, choosing to take a back seat to Carlisle's decisions, even if she didn't agree with them. This was definitely a matter for celebration.
BUT....
It was with much irritation I realized my reactions were really limited to squealing, crying, clapping, squirming or the few words I had managed to speak, so with that in mind I squealed and clapped to signal my satisfaction with her words. If anything, Uncle Jasper could explain my reaction if no one else understood.
"She supports your statement, Esme." Uncle Jasper smirked while he watched me fondly,
"I do not agree with Carlisle's assessment, it simply makes no sense that I would be at fault for a dissolved parental bond before she was even born!" Edward grumbled bitterly. In the spirit of being understanding and sympathetic, I just managed to stop myself from rolling my eyes.
"Edward," Esme sighed with her own sympathetic look before she went over to stand by him and Renesmee. Smiling down at my sister with a gentle expression on her face. "None of us were subtle in our worry about the pregnancy and while Rosalie and Bella were firmly for carrying the twins to term... most of us in this room are guilty of at the very least thinking she should terminate. Either for the risk to her life, or for fear of what the girls would become." She sounded regretful, ashamed and a little self-deprecating. It was easy to beat themselves up now that they knew that we were innocent children and not monsters like they feared.
Even Uncle Jasper had looked down in some sort of shame making me reach for him. Mom walked over to where he was sitting with dad and nudged him with her elbow. When he looked up, she motioned to me with her head. Her eyes were sympathetic and understanding; Uncle Jasper hadn't been one to choose a side when it came to the pregnancy. He had stood with his mate, which was usually the right place to stand.
It was Alice's own fear for Bella's life, and her inability to see our future, that blinded her to the possibility that we could actually be babies.
He smiled gently at her before he welcomed me into his arms. Dad reached over to rub my back while Uncle Jasper cuddled me against his chest. His nose buried in the hair on my head to breathe in my scent.
I ensured he felt all of my 'Forgiveness. Understanding.' I had been afraid in the 'tomb', but it was all water under the bridge as far as I was concerned.
"Your belief we have no souls twisted your views and from the start of it all, you fought for their destruction. According to Bella, it was one of the first things out of your mouth. You were insistent they would be monsters and didn't deserve to be alive." Esme continued when he didn't say anything, I couldn't tell what he was thinking. I wasn't completely heartless, though. I was sure he felt quite similar to how the rest felt. "I'm not blaming you. None of us could know, not any of us truly had any idea, but that doesn't mean it didn't affect them."
"They could hear us," Uncle Jasper continued when she went silent again. He pulled me back just enough so that he could look at me while he spoke. While I would never claim that my family chose favorites...I was clearly his. "They knew how we felt. It's how Gracie managed to soul bond with Rosalie. They don't blame us. They forgive us, but the fear we made them feel turned them away from you, Edward."
"Renesmee forgave you," Carlisle added from where he appeared out of absolute nowhere. It was sweet how everyone was trying to help him come to terms with what was happening. I just thought it was a waste of time. He was too stubborn, too set in his ways. "Whether it was caused by the soul bond with Bella or not, she forgave you enough to still accept you as her parent." Carlisle looked to Uncle Jasper and asked some silent question that he shook his head too. "As for Graciela, she didn't. She feels no parental bond, no soul bond to you. To either of you. You made her afraid, we all did but Rosalie made her feel safe, protected and loved."
"If you were young and afraid and someone made you feel that way, who would you choose? The one who you fear or the one who you trust?" Carlisle proposed the question, further driving his point home, but Edward didn't answer. As predicted, his stubbornness made him unable or unwilling to listen. He simply turned and deposited Renesmee in Jacob's willing arms before he left for Bella's bed side...again.
Now, Rationally, I was aware that Jacob wouldn't hurt Renesmee. I understood the imprint and I didn't hold anything against him, personally. I was even sure that when he wasn't pining over Bella like a pathetic puppy, he was probably a really chill and cool dude...but I didn't trust him.
I could only assume it was my instincts telling me he was dangerous, which was true. They weren't wrong! Sam still managed to hurt Emily, even after the imprint, accident or not.
Not to mention, had Jacob not imprinted on Renesmee, he would have been right next to Sam's pack trying to kill us. In fact, he was marching in here to do just that!
If it hadn't been for the imprint, I don't really want to think of what would have happened!
With the way no one had even registered the very obvious danger he had presented in that very moment, my sister would have been either hurt or dead before my family managed to get us away from him.
After all, at one point he had wrongly assumed he imprinted on Bella! Love very clearly, makes you an idiot sometimes.
With all of that evidence laid out in front of me, I couldn't stop myself from at least checking on her.
{Are you alright, Ren?} I was prepared! More than prepared! To scream, cry, kick and...well, throw the absolute fit of the century to get her far away from him if she said anything other than 'yes.'
{I'm fine, Gracie. My Jakey won't hurt me.}
The declaration left me relieved, and a little sad. My sister had a soulmate already and while I was aware the imprint didn't have to mean any kind of romantic connection, as far as Jacob and Renesmee go, it did. As long as this followed the books and movies, at least.
He had given her a Quileute version of a 'promise ring' in both the movies and books for Christmas. She was only four months old at the time! Though she did look like she was a large one year old or a small three-year-old (in the books), or around seven (in the movies) ...that truly didn't make it any better.
For that reason alone, I couldn't help but hope it was when she was eighteen and not just when she looked eighteen that their relationship began. If her growth rate rang true than she would only be seven or eight years old, despite how she looked physically. Just the thought had a shudder of pure revulsion run through me. Mom must have assumed I was cold because she took me from Uncle Jasper and wrapped a blanket around me.
I didn't want an imprint situation. I had no interest in Seth or Embry romantically given that I was gay. Leah would have been more than disgusted with herself had she imprinted on a vampire, even if I was only half.
She had every right to be upset, I just wished someone would explain to her that imprinting itself wasn't to blame for her situation. Sam and Emily could have easily been 'siblings', or he could have just been her best friend and protector. Romance was not a requirement!
It specifically states that you'll be 'whatever she needs you to be!' The imprint can only be blamed to an extent, the rest was all Sam and Emily. Although, to play devil's advocate, I guess when someone becomes the center of your world, it's hard not to love them.
"So," Carlisle called the minute he re-entered the room, interrupting my thoughts and bringing all attention to him. "Given recent events I have been researching Hybrid Children. Previously, we had only been looking into the union between vampires and humans or Dhampirs. However, given the obvious," He motioned to me with his hand, "It's become apparent that we may not be able to rely on one type of myth."
"What do you mean?" Mom asked while she rocked me in the rocking chair, and she wasn't the only one who looked interested but confused.
"There are three prominent types of hybrids that are the result of the supernatural and a human," He further explained, moving to sit next to Esme on the couch, "A Nephilim, a Cambion, and a Dhampir.
"What is the difference between the three?" Dad asked moving to stand behind Mom and I with his arms crossed over his chest. Edward slipped into the room, standing against the wall next to Jacob and Ren.
Carlisle tapped his pen against his notepad as he answered, "A Nephilim was said to be the union between an Angel and a Human. A Cambion was between a Demon and a Human. While a Dhampir was a Vampire and a Human."
"Then shouldn't they be Dhampirs?" Jacob questioned finally looking up from where he had been staring at Ren.... again. With the amount of time, I spent staring at mom, I guessed it was hypocritical of me to judge.
"That was our assumption," Carlisle nodded, "However, in none of the myths or legends does it mention wings or halos. Those are gifted to Nephilim." He raised his hand to stop any further questions when multiple mouths opened to speak. "I did a bit more research and I came to the conclusion, and I am quite certain, that we can safely assume that the myths for all three apply to Vampires and their unions with Humans."
"What does this mean for the children?" Esme asked with a furrowed brow of worry at the same time that Uncle Jasper asked, "Why would they all apply?"
"I'll answer Jasper first, his question is the easiest to explain. When researching the origins of Vampires. the consensus seems to be that we are the result of Fallen Angel and a Human. Whether that is true or not, I am unaware. No one; Not even the Volturi know where the very first vampire came from...but we had to come from somewhere.
"How could we possibly come from angels if we are soulless monsters?" Edward's retort was dripping sarcasm, but he was silenced by a look from Carlisle.
"As I was saying," It sounded like he would have rolled his eyes but just managed to stop himself, "Essentially that would mean, to at least some extent, we are the 'Angels' consummating with Humans."
"That seems like a leap," Uncle Jasper spoke slowly, with mom nodding her support.
"I disagree," Carlisle countered, "A Fallen Angel bedding a Human would only result in a Vampire. Our otherworldly beauty draws in Humans and to them we would appear to be an Angel,"
"Meaning Nephilim would be the result of a Vampire and a Human but because we naturally draw in our prey, they would assume it had been an Angel," Alice mused aloud, golden eyes piercing as she watched Carlisle explain his findings.
Carlisle nodded with a smile, "My thoughts exactly! As for a Cambion, well - it would be on the virtual other end of the stick. These Vampires wouldn't have used our natural allure and instead would have revealed our more monstrous tendencies when consummating - leading to a Human believing it had been a Demon in her bed."
"Why couldn't it just be an Angel that wasn't a Fallen Angel creating a Nephilim?" Jacob was particularly invested in this explanation, I assumed it was the imprint. Anything to do with Renesmee interested him.
"Excellent question," Carlisle praised him, and Jacob tried to fight his grin but failed miserably, He coughed and looked down to try to hide it. Mom, Dad and Uncle Jasper shared an eye roll at his actions. "It is against the natural order of things for Angels to procreate with Humans. They would be breaking a very important rule in heaven, resulting in them falling from grace."
"Okay, again, what does that mean for our children?" Mom asked with minor irritation leaking from her tone.
Carlisle sent her an apologetic look for getting sidetracked by his excitement and ran a hand through his hair in what appeared to be frustration, "It means we know very little about their potential. All three children are similar in terms of strength, speed, senses and life span but they are all very different in reference to abilities and weaknesses."
"Lifespan...." Mom's whisper was sad as she gripped me, my eyes widened as I felt her emotions. 'Anxiety. Fear. Grief.' A majority of the room looked particularly bothered by his statement, sending distressed glances in either of our direction. 'Reassurance. Love. Misunderstanding.' Moms emotional spiral paused when she felt the last one, looking at me with a curious look but she was interrupted from inquiring by Carlisle.
"Immortal," Carlisle hurried to assure the room before they could sink further into their sorrow, wrapping a comforting arm around Esme's waist. "They'll grow until they reach maturity and then simply stop. Though they do grow differently. I have no idea which one they will follow in that regard."
'Relief. Comfort. Curiosity.' I carefully avoided Moms eyes now that her emotions were settled; maybe I should have let Carlisle explain before I rushed to claim it was a misunderstanding. How would I have known that?
"Differently?" Uncle Jasper asked, "How so?"
Carlisle nodded, "One can will themselves into adulthood. One grows naturally until they reach maturity and then they stop. The last grows faster than normal children, around 2 in a half years per one, resulting in them reaching maturity by the age seven or eight. Truthfully I do not know which applies to the twins."
"We could try asking them?" Dad suggested, but Mom's glare silenced him. 'Panic. Protective. Possessive.'
"No," She snapped, "Don't you dare." She directed it to the rest of the room with a low growl to accompany her words. 'Must Protect Young.' I was more than startled at the words whispered in my head, they weren't my own or Renesmee's. They were moms; or more specifically, moms 'beast.'
"You don't want to know?" Esme asked but her eyes and voice were understanding.
"They deserve to be children as long as they can be," She looked at me as she answered, adoration in her eyes. 'Love. Trust. Agreement.' I didn't want anyone to try to force Mom to question neither her own nor her 'beasts' instincts. This was her way of protecting me. All parents wanted their children to enjoy their childhood; to be children as long as they could. Too many are forced to grow up early, I could feel Moms 'Determination.' That I would never be one of those children.
"Stealing my daughter wasn't enough for you? I knew you wanted to live vicariously through Bella and I while she was pregnant. I never thought you would stoop so low as to steal our daughter and then control her in such a way after the way you felt the consequences of a lack of free will."
Mom's eyes had darkened as he spoke, 'Anger. Grief. Rage.' Mom took to taking deep breaths in an attempt to control the snarl I could see attempting to burst free. The room once again held their breath. I wasn't the only one who knew he had crossed a line in accusing her of controlling me; her own free will was taken from her not only by the disgusting men who hurt her in that alley way nearly a century ago, but by Carlisle changing her into a vampire to be a mate for Edward. I was beyond angry that he was trying to hurt her and he was doing it on purpose.
'Irritation. Annoyance. Hostility. Rage.' If what I felt against Alice earlier was boiling hostility; this was a raging inferno.
How dare he accuse her of stealing me?!
How dare he accuse her of controlling me?!
The only one trying to control me is him!
"Watch how you talk to my - " Dads cold and hard tone was cut off by the snarl that I released. All attention was on me but I paid them no mind. My heart was pounding in my chest, my breathing coming out in quick and shallow pants. A growl built in my chest that nearly shook the walls around me.
"Daddy!" Renesmee's voice was both disappointed and admonishing.
I was sick of him trying to hurt my mother!
She was mine! Mine to protect! Mine to care for! I would not let it happen!
"Her eyes...." Someone whispered but it was drowned out by the ferocity of my newly released snarl, my sights focused on Edward and Edward alone.
'Anger. Hatred. Protective. Possessive. Hostility.' So many emotions burned through my body, swirling inside of my chest. The growl only became louder and fiercer.
Uncle Jasper opened his mouth to assumedly say something but he was cut off when Edward was lifted into the air and thrown violently backwards against the wall; it splintered and cracked under the strain.
'Anger. Rage.' He was pulled forward and slammed again.
'Possessive. Protective.' And again.
'Hostility. Hatred.' And again! The wall no longer looked as if it could hold up under the onslaught of abuse. Edward was flailing his limbs, trying, and failing to find a way to come down but I was not finished.
'Vindictive pleasure. Mirth. Mocking.' Watching him panic and flail made me want to laugh aloud. He looked pathetic as he should. As he was.
"I can't move!" He gasped and near whined as he continued to struggle uselessly. Every time he squirmed the wall groaned in protest. 'Smug Satisfaction.' Hit me while I surveyed the damage, the only thing that stopped me from throwing him again was the fact that I was sure the wall would fall if I did.
This was a statement and one I hoped would not soon be forgotten.
Do not mess with my mother!
That last thought brought out another bout of 'Protectiveness.' And I focused on punishing the idiot for his audacity. So far, the damage had been done to the wall. I wasn't even sure if he was hurt. I smirked when I redirected my anger onto him and watched in 'Glee.' As small cracks began to liter his skin. I had crushed the wall and now I was going to crush him.
"Gracie. Lil Darlin'." Uncle Jasper found his voice once again. He moved slowly, not completely stepping in the way but enough that he knew I could see him more clearly in my peripherals. That was probably smart; I couldn't rule out that my newfound 'gift' wouldn't affect him should he try to interfere. "Edward is very sorry that he said that to your momma. Sometimes he doesn't think before he speaks, ain't that right, Edward?"
As if a lightbulb went off, suddenly everyone realized I was the cause of the destruction they were witnessing. Edward nodded slowly, wincing, and whimpering due to the cracks on his skin. I wanted to laugh mockingly at him.
{Gracie! Gracie, Daddy is sorry. Please don't hurt him anymore.} Reluctantly I tore my eyes off the pathetic form of Edward to see my sister watching me with tear filled eyes, pleading me not to harm her father. I almost sneered but forced myself not too. She didn't get to choose who her father was; I can't blame her for him.
I closed my eyes momentarily and forced myself to take deep breaths in through my nose and out through my mouth in an attempt to control the anger still bubbling inside of me. I didn't want to snap at my sister.
"Rose," Esme pleaded in Mom's direction; clearly just as worried as my sister was. I kept my eyes closed, deep breaths. I was not going to snap at anyone for worrying for him, even if I wanted too. Why was he allowed to do and say what he wanted but the minute he gets hurt because of it suddenly everyone forgives and forgets?
No. I was not going to do either. The golden boy was going to learn to shut his mouth or I was going to shut it for him!
Mom took one of my small hands in hers, soothing kisses placed across the back. She had been using our connection to monitor my emotions. I was sure she felt my irritation at Esme and Renesmee. 'Pride. Love. Adoration. Calm. Yours.'
I puffed my chest out at the praise. She was proud that I had defended her, and she conceded that she was mine, which soothed the possessive and protective nature of my own inner 'beast'. Belatedly, I realized she was stroking not only my ego but my 'beasts' not that either of us were going to call her out on it.
"Let him down for me, sweet girl." Mom cooed, small kisses across my face and nose to accompany her words. Soothing rubs of her fingers against my back. 'Hesitance.' "Mommy is proud of you for protecting me. You did such a good job," I was torn between realizing she was placating me and preening at the praise. "He's learned his lesson, let him down, for me?"
Damn it. She learned my weakness already. There was a very small list of things I wouldn't do for my mom...like eating Brussel Sprouts, for example.
Continuing with my slow breathing as mom continued to lather me in physical affection, I felt the anger dissipate completely. Edward dropped harshly to the floor with a pained groan causing a smirk I hid in my mom's hair.
If only any of them realized next time I wouldn't be so forgiving.
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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stone