Growing Up In The Shadows - The Life of Renesmee Cullen

Back - Chapter 53

"I still feel terrible," I complain, leaning my head against the window and gazing out at the trees speeding by,

"You didn't tell him to go and get his ass kicked by a vampire, so you don't need to worry," He chuckles lightly, squeezing my hand encouragingly.

"He didn't have to defend me," I mumble,

"He does, it's part of the tribal laws. Each one of us, needs to stick up and protect, not only our imprint, but each others as well, because it literally kills us if they get killed or hurt. Which reminds me, I'm taking you to a party in a couple of weeks,"

"A party? I don't know anyone apart from my family and vampires who live around the world, you really expect me to mingle at a party?"

"Relax, it's a council meeting, about the tribe. But you won't be the only new one, Collin and Brady just phased, so it'll be their first one too,"

"Council meeting? Who's on the council?"

"Well, my dad is the head of the council. Sue took over for Harry, and it's just all of the fathers and grandfathers and uncles who are generally on the board," He explains, "Don't worry, it's just like a bonfire and we all sit around on logs. The whole pack, all of the imprints, and then the council leaders,"

"Even Claire?"

He chuckles shaking his head, "Well, not all of them. Claire's too young to understand all of it. She understands the wolves part as her family is part of another tribe, but she won't understand the legends and reasons,"

"It sounds fascinating," I say awe-struck. 

"I'm glad you seem interested,"

"The only thing I understand about you and the pack, is the imprinting and the fact that you all are shape shifters,"

"Well, that's most of it. It's pretty much the same legend over and over again, then other legends that some people may not have heard,"

"I'm looking forward to it,"

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"Where's Layla?" I ask Esme and Pa who are sitting on the couch, Nan, Esme in his arms,

"Upstairs with Rose and Sunny,"

"Thanks," I say, bolting up the stairs, Jake walking up slowly behind me,

Rose and Layla were sitting on the floor playing with her until she notices my entrance,

"Hey beautiful," I say as her face lights up with seeing me, "How are you?"

"Where did you go?"

"To see Uncle Seth,"

"Why? Is he hurt?"

"Yes, but he's fine,"

She nods and hugs me, pressing her face into my neck,

"Were you a good girl for Rose and Sunny?"

"She was great, she's very mature for how old she is, she's just like you were, not quite as fast though, she looks like she's 1 turning 2 in a few weeks, instead of turning 1 in a couple of weeks," Rose smiles looking intently at Layla and I. Not so much at Jake which makes me chuckle, because she's all smiles and then she looks at Jake and a scowl claims her face.

"Well, we better get you to bed then shouldn't we?" I coo looking downwards but only catching a glimpse of her hair. She nods twice but I think she might be already half asleep, "I'm going to take her home," I say, kissing Jake on the cheek,

"What? I'm going to stay here with a bunc- your family? No way, I'm coming back too," He says, raising a hand as a wave to the people in the lounge room.

"You going to say goodnight to everyone?" I whisper in her ear and she shakes her head, "Alright then," I say and she giggles, "Did you trick me?" I say pulling her back so she can look me in the eye. Her face is lit up by laughter and her eyes are bright and happy, 

"Good night everybody!" She says waving to everyone. Pa and Esme flash up and kiss her on the cheek to say goodnight.

"Ready to go?" I ask Layla and Jake and they both nod their head, "Good, because I've had enough for one day," I mutter ad Jake wraps an arm around my shoulders,

"Did Leah really catch him? Is he gone, will he be back?"

"Yes Renesmee, you're fine now and so is Layla and so is Charlie," He nods and pats my back and we speed out of the door on our way home.