After Forever (a Twilight Saga fanfiction: 10 years after Breaking Dawn)

28 ∘ Crushed (JPOV)

October 2nd 2016

Ness and I were walking through our trail to the waterfall. She seemed peaceful.

A rabbit scurried across our path, causing her to giggle. Despite my mood, I laughed with her. She made it so easy for me to be happy. It made me wonder if I should stop worrying. She was clearly fine.

I’d been waiting until we got the chance to be alone for me to ask her about what Bella and Edward wanted me to. She obviously didn’t want to talk about it, otherwise she would’ve. I wouldn’t press her on it, but if she knew how anxious I’ve been, she’d probably tell me.

We were almost there when I got a phone call.

“Who is it?”

“Your dad. I better take it. Go ahead, I’ll catch up with you in a few minutes.” I kissed her cheek, then sat against a tree as I answered. “What’s up?”

“Are you busy?” Edward asked.

“Kinda. Why?”

“Bella and I need to discuss some home details with you. We’re gonna be with Renée today, but can we talk tonight?”

“Sure, sure.”

The receiver shuffled, and I heard Bella sigh. “Hi, Jake.”

“Hey, Bell.”

“Have you gotten a chance to talk to Renesmee yet?”

“I’m about to.” I looked toward the waterfall, about fifty yards to my right. “I don’t think it’s anything too bad, though. She doesn’t seem upset at all.”

“I thought that, too. And maybe it’s none of our business, but it’s rare that she’d go anywhere without us knowing about it.”

“Yeah. I’ll find out. We’ll talk about it tonight. I gotta go. Love you, Bells.”

“Love you, too.” I heard the smile in her voice. I mimicked it as I hung up, standing again.

I started to walk back, picking up a fallen flower on my way.

“Renesmee?” I called out when I got close. She didn’t respond, but I heard her heartbeat. It sounded kind of unstable, like she was having a problem with her breathing. I rounded the last few trees, and saw her sitting by the water. Her back was to me, and I could see her trembling. Her arms were wrapped around her knees.

“Ness!” I dropped the flower and rushed over to her, kneeling next to her. I heard my knee caps groan as they smacked hard against the rock, but the slight pain quickly went away. I wrapped my hands around her face, making her look at me. She was sobbing. “Hey! Hey, shh, talk to me. What is it?” She leaned her head heavily against my chest.

She tried to even her breathing so she could speak. I was in agony for an intense minute. The longer she didn’t answer, the more my anxiety thrummed my heart.

“I got a phone call today,” she sniffled, slowly raising her eyes to meet mine. “From Bradley Enterprises... I didn’t get in.” A new round of sobs broke her calmed state. I pulled her onto my lap, and rubbed circles on her back.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, honey.”

“I’m on the waiting list. They said I was close. If someone were to leave the program, I would get in. But still... Who would be stupid to drop out?” She paused, and I wiped the tears from her red, tear-stained cheeks. Her eyes were swollen and the sight made my heart throb.

“This is all I’ve wanted for so long,” she continued. “This scholarship was supposed to start the new chapter of my life... Our life. And now it’s over, before it’s even started.”

“Hey.” I pulled back to look at her more intently. “Our life is far from over. We have an eternity to live out our dreams. And I promise you, this will happen for you.”

She smiled through her tears. Unbeknownst to me, I was crying, too. She wiped away my tears, then kissed me.

I felt an intense surge of passion as I whisked her off her feet, into my arms. I lightly spun us around, and her giggles broke the tension.

“You always know how to make me feel better!” She tried to calm her laughter. “What did I ever do to deserve you?”

“I’ve been asking myself that very same question for quite a long time.” I trailed my lips all over her face, causing her to smile. Something clicked, and I pulled back quickly. “Wait! Bradley Enterprises... That guy’s name is Morrison, right?”

“Yeah...” she mused in confusion.

“I can’t believe I didn’t put that together faster.” I rolled my eyes, annoyed at myself, immediately knowing my anguish had been for nothing. Well, almost nothing. I narrowed my eyebrows. “Who’s Kalona?”

Her eyes widened. “What? Where’d you hear that name?”

“Edward.”

She sighed deeply. “Crap. I guess I’m not the expert at mentality as I claimed myself to be... Kalona is Morrison’s son. I met him in the office, the day I had the interview.”

“Oh.” I nodded.

Her fingers pulled through my shaggy hair as she leaned up to kiss me again. I welcomed her completely.

I moved slowly to the edge of the rocks, then leaped into the water. She screamed.

She groaned when we got back to the surface, and shoved my chest. “Why?! Alice is gonna kill me for ruining this outfit!”

“Too late now.”

She rolled her eyes, reaching down to her waist. After pulling her sweater over her head, and tossing it toward the grass, she ducked under the water again. When she came out with her head tilted, she smoothed her hair back.

I grabbed her arm, and moved us closer together. I rested my head on the top of her head, and she leaned into the crook of my neck. I sighed.

I could stay like this forever.