More Than My Own Life (Twilight Fanfiction)

Welts And Bruises

Esme's POV

I paced the living room, more anxious than I cared to admit. Bella and Edward had gone hunting, so once Renesmee came out of her bedroom they could spend time with her. I wanted to see my granddaughter, desperately. But what should I do, what should I say?

Carlisle walked into the room and put his arms around me. "Just go talk to her", he whispered. My husband knew me so well. I took a deep breath. "Oh, but Carlisle, what am I supposed to say? How do I start a conversation with her? How am I supposed to -" he interrupted me with a soft kiss. Pulling back, he ran his fingers through my hair. Staring into my eyes, he muttered, "Esme. Go talk to your granddaughter." He gently nudged me towards the stairs.

I made sure to make a little bit of noise so I didn't startle her. I heard scurrying from her room. It sounded as if she was running back to her bed from the left corner of the room... So, her closet. Why was she afraid of being caught in the closet? Perhaps she did not want me to think that she was snooping. A ridiculous idea, really, seeing as we had made sure she knew this room was hers.

I knocked on the door and waited for a 'come in.' She didn't answer but I noticed her heartbeat seemed to speed up. I frowned. Was she alright? Realizing that she wasn't going to answer, I called out, "Renesmee, honey, can I come in?" She seemed hesitant but squeaked out a quiet 'yes.' I opened the door as soon as the sound escaped her lips.

I smiled at my granddaughter. She seemed nervous, as if I would be upset at her for looking around the room. I chose not to point out that the book she was holding was upside down. She scooted further up in her bed. I hesitated, not knowing if that was her way of getting away from me, or inviting me to sit down. I decided to take a seat on her bed so I wasn't standing over her intimidatingly, and she didn't object.

She looked so nervous that I felt my panic was nothing compared to hers. Trying to calm her, I said the nicest voice I could manage voice, "hi, sweetie. You doing okay?" She simply nodded and dropped the book. Not noticing much change, I thought that maybe she would feel more comfortable with physical comfort rather than verbal. I reached out and grabbed her hand.

"You know you can change anything you want. The wall color, the bed.. " I trailed off as she stared at me oddly. Had I crossed a line by touching her? Renesmee shook her head and I prepared to leave. I was clearly making her feel even more uncomfortable. But then, she said something that shocked me. "No thanks. I won't be here too long so -"

I was at a loss. Had we not made it clear to her that she was wanted? We had adopted her, given her a room, shown her comfort. How much must she have been hurt to not let any of that sway her? I felt physical pain at what she had been forced to endure. Needing to somehow comfort my granddaughter, I wrapped both of my hands around one of hers. Her palms were sweating and I realized just how nervous she was.

When Renesmee looked at me I smiled. This was the first eye contact she had made with me. She had Bella's eyes, the eyes that I had not seen since Renesmee had been lost. I promised her that we wouldn't take her back, though I doubt she believed me.

I remembered how she had been looking in her closet earlier. Not wanting to make her uncomfortable by calling her out on it, I gently pulled her up and led her to the closet door. Already knowing the answer, I asked her, "have you seen your new clothes?" She looked at me in disbelief, so I assured her that they were for her, and gently guided her in the direction of the closet.

She began to walk through the closet. She stopped at a blue dress and smiled, running her fingers up and down the fabric. She looked amazed, in awe. I wondered why. The dress was likely one of the least expensive pieces that Alice had purchased. Nevertheless, I came up behind Renesmee and took the dress down for her. It was clear that she wanted to wear it. But then she looked at me and her smile dropped. She walked back to the bed and sank to the ground, her head in her hands. What had I done to upset her now?