All Grown Up: The Story of Jacob and Renesmee Part I

My Little Flower

Jacob

I came home from work early for the party and did a quick stop to the grocery store to pick up flowers for my ladies. Swan was practically bouncing out of Nessie's arms when I walked through the door. I handed one of the lilies to my sweet Swan before giving the rest to Nessie. She rolled her eyes with a smile and said it wasn't necessary but gave me a kiss still.

Ness held Swan, who was still holding onto her flower, and did all her party tasks one-handed. I was curious to see how she'd react to being around so many people at once. The only people who were coming who hadn't met her yet was the Denali clan. We weren't going to try taking her in the pool again, but she was wearing her little suit with her little bathrobe.

Anthony, who was already in his swim trunks that matched mine, was watching me set up the outdoor speakers. We'd found a good satellite radio station whose motto was, "We'll play anything" so it had a great mix. Ness wanted me to dance with her, we'll see.

My phone started vibrating with "on our way" messages, so I got the grill going. Knowing them, they'd want to get right to chowing down. Around me, Emmett and Edward were messing with kegs of beer, I could hear Bella and the rest of the Cullens doing things upstairs. We'd gotten some air mattresses and set up pack n plays to set up in the unused bedrooms. No matter how good my brother's reflexes were, there sure wouldn't be anybody driving home from MY house who'd had too much to drink, or was too tired.

"Are you gonna have lots to eat today buddy?" I asked Anthony as he watched me putting some chicken on the grill.

"Yes!" he said throwing his hands up in the air.

"What would you like to have?"

"Grapes?" he asked.

"Sure you can have some grapes. Will you have some ribs with me?"

"Yes!"

"I'm sure Mommy will have some too. She really likes ribs."

"Swan?" he asked.

"Swan might like that."

"Chick fingers?"

"Not way, she'll scream her little head off," I told him.

"Bread?"

"Nope."

"Peas?" I looked over at Ness to see if she was paying attention to us, she was. I shrugged at her, should I let him rattle of every food we'd ever had in the house, or just explain? . She shrugged too, and nodded.

"Keep it simple?" I asked. She nodded again. She read that at times like these, it's best to keep it simple, and if kids want to know more, then elaborate.

"Swan only drinks milk and eats like Mommy, buddy."

"I like milk," he said.

Well then. I guess that's that.

My dad and Charlie the were first to arrive. Anthony stayed near me as my brothers started to arrive with their families. He was glad to see Caroline and Forrest, but Caroline, although she was close with Anthony, was more intersted in Swan. So Caroline followed Swan, while Anthony left my side to follow Forrest around.

I let Charlie take over the grill to go greet the Denalis when they arrived. I waved at the group as I approached and they offered their congratulations on becoming a father for the second time. Anthony was in Carmen's arms as Swan was passed around. When she ended up with Elezar, his face lit up with a sudden understanding.

"Oh!" he said quietly.

"What?" Ness asked him.

"It seems your little one has a gift," Elezar said. It was the only thing I remembered what Elezar's own gift was.