Lunar Legacies

Chapter Five

DISCLAIMER: Again!? I swear you people never learn. Stephanie Meyer owns the characters, not me. That'd be nice though...

The morning of their departure arrived faster than Renesmee expected. The house was quiet as she made her final preparations, the early morning light filtering through the trees and casting soft shadows across her room. Everything was packed, every goodbye said, and now all that was left was to take the first step out the door.

Renesmee took a moment to look around her room one last time. It was filled with memories—photos of her family, trinkets from various trips, and gifts from Jacob that marked different moments in their lives. It was hard to believe she was leaving it all behind, even if only for a while.

A soft knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. Jacob leaned against the doorframe, his expression warm but tinged with the same bittersweet emotion she felt. "Ready?" he asked, though his eyes told her he already knew the answer.

Renesmee nodded, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "Ready."

They walked downstairs together, where the family was waiting to see them off. Bella stood by the front door, her eyes red-rimmed, though she tried to hide it with a brave smile. Edward was beside her, his expression stoic, but Renesmee could see the worry in his eyes. The rest of the family gathered around, their goodbyes already said, but the air was thick with unspoken words.

"Take care of each other," Bella said softly as Renesmee approached her. She pulled her daughter into a tight hug, holding on just a little longer than usual. "And remember, you can always come home."

"I know, Mom," Renesmee replied, her voice thick with emotion. "I love you."

"We love you too, sweetheart," Edward added, stepping forward to embrace her as well. "Stay safe, and trust your instincts. You’re stronger than you know."

Esme was next, her embrace warm and reassuring. "I’m so proud of you, Renesmee. You’re going to do amazing things, I just know it."

The goodbyes continued, each one a mix of sadness and encouragement. When it was finally Alice’s turn, she pulled Renesmee into a hug and whispered, "Don’t worry about us. We’ll be fine. Just focus on your journey and finding what you need."

Jacob stood a little apart, giving Renesmee space to say her farewells. He knew how important this was for her, for all of them. When she finally turned to him, she saw the patience and understanding in his eyes, and it gave her the strength she needed to take the next step.

"Ready?" he asked again, offering her a hand.

Renesmee took it without hesitation, feeling the familiar warmth of his touch grounding her. "Ready," she echoed, and together they walked out the door.

As they stepped outside, the cool morning air greeted them, crisp and fresh with the promise of a new beginning. The forest around them seemed more alive than ever, the trees swaying gently in the breeze as if to bid them farewell. Renesmee looked back at the house one last time, her family watching from the porch. She waved, a small but determined smile on her lips.

And then they were off.

They drove in silence for the first few miles, the weight of their departure settling in. But the silence wasn’t uncomfortable—it was filled with anticipation, with the knowledge that something new and exciting was just around the corner.

As they left Forks behind, the familiar roads began to change, giving way to landscapes Renesmee had never seen before. The world was vast and filled with endless possibilities, and for the first time, she truly felt the magnitude of the adventure they were embarking on.