Beating Hearts

Chapter 3

Renesmee took her time at the little cottage that was her childhood home over the next couple of days.

Granted, it was a short childhood. But it was still full of so many beautiful memories. It would be hard not having any of her family members just through the woods like they always were, but the idea of running across the country sounded nice.

Hell, even her mother did that once.

Zipping up her last suitcase, the oxygen gets caught in her lungs, her chest caving in on itself as she holds back a choked sob.

Her entire life has been flipped upside down. Now she felt completely out of control, which was not a feeling she usually had.

Somewhere in the back of her mind, she thought of Jacob and the pain he must be feeling. But the mere thought of smelling the stench of a wolf made her teeth clench together in fury.

A light tap knocks on her bedroom door, pulling her out of her thoughts. "Are you almost ready?"

Renesmee turns to find Esme standing in the doorway, wearing that same soft smile she had perfected over the centuries. "Yes," she sighs, pulling the suitcase from the bed and onto the floor.

"Here, let me." Carlisle pushes passed Esme, retrieving her last bag. "Thank you."

Gnawing at her bottom lip, her gaze drifts down to her feet in thought. "Grandpa?"

"We told him you were going on a trip to clear your mind, study art; you know, the usual lie."

Renesmee releases a sad chuckle, guilt tugging at her chest from leaving him behind. "We'll take care of him, Ness. Don't worry."

"I know you will."

As she follows them out of her bedroom and through the hallway, her steps come to a halt, all of the Cullens waiting to tell her goodbye in their family living room.

She found herself lucky that vampires couldn't physically cry. It made it easier.

"Don't look so sad, Rose. I'll be alright." Her arms wrap around Rosalie's neck with a suffocating hug.

Once she's finally able to break from her embrace, she moves to Emmett. "I'll miss you, pipsqueak." She grins, punching him in the shoulder. "You too, stud muffin."

She feels a force on her mind, her whirling emotions coming to a halt; a soothing emotion taking over. Giving Jasper a pointed look, he can't help but to give her a toothy grin.

They don't exchange words. Only hugging with a soft squeeze.

And then finally, Alice.

Alice was always the sweet, funny, caring one. She rarely ever saw her angry, if at all. It was hard to see any type of emotion other than her usual giddiness in her eyes.

"You're making the right choice," she whispers in her ear as they hold each other. "It'll be frightening at first, but they will take care of you just as we have."

She pauses, separating from their embrace to look into her eyes. "You were happy. I saw it."

Those words shocked Renesmee to her very core. She couldn't tell if she found comfort in that revelation, or fear.

"Thank you, aunt Alice."

Everyone gathers in front of her, each clasping onto their partners as they always have. "What do I do now?"

"Reach out to them," Carlisle gently reminds her.

Renesmee crinkles her nose, not fully understanding. "How?"