CH15: HOMECOMING

Renesmee's POV
It felt odd not coming back to the home I've always known. I've grown accustomed to the specific smells each room had, intermixing with my family's various scents. The house was still ours but just vacant. Lots of memories invisibly written all along the walls. It was depressing to move, even if it was just about 20 miles away.
I had to be careful with my thoughts; it would break my grandmother's heart if she found out my dislike towards the new house. Here I am, complaining away before seeing it myself.
I replayed and replayed particular memories at the old house while we drove closer and closer to the new destination.
Like the old one, this house was also hidden among the forest. I guess one good thing came with the house: a sweet, big balcony with an awning to shield the rain and a couple bean bag chairs for me to lay on for those nights I like to look up at the stars and sky. My room faced the south end and that meant sunsets would always be spectacular since we were pratically neck and neck with the beach.
Poppa's mercedes slowed. (We're here already?!) I asked slightly annoyed. This homesickness really stuck with me.
"Renesmee, this IS home," daddy said with a steady gaze as he twisted in the passenger seat.
"I know, I know," I muttered under my breath, knowing he heard me. I stole a peek at my mom beside me and sure enough she was looking at me with sympathetic longing. One of her hands were idle and I took it in both of mine.
(It just feels wrong leaving the house so soon when Ms. Hill was buried, basically, not too long ago.)
By this time, Poppa had driven up the winding driveway. He probably sensed something wrong because as fast as he parked, he was gone all the same time.
Momma looked to daddy. She was probably telling him something secretly for my sake. I sighed and dropped her hand, placing mine on my lap. After a minute of discussing silently, she said, "Ness, honey, I know it was a hard for you to let go of Leila but you have to remember that she wanted this. Emmie and Rommel are here with us now and that's all that matters. Because of them, we've become more complete," she paused assessing my reaction and continued, "besides, you can go back anytime you want to visit her grave. I'll even help you tend to it properly, okay? So turn that frown upside down because everyone missed you terribly."
I nodded, feeling slightly better. As if to prove my mom's last statement, Aunt Alice's face appeared plastered on my window, her expression complete excitement. To a stranger, they probably would've died from being surprised to death by her sudden welcoming.
"What's taking you guys so long?!" she asked an octave higher than usual.
"Carlisle said you were having a little family disussion but hurry and come out so you can look inside!"
My parents laughed and I couldn't help but join in at her sillyness.
Our doors opened and shut and at the same time Uncle Emmett, Aunt Rosalie, along with Emmie and Rommel came out to greet us.
The twins were as fast as lightning and their hugs were just as forceful.
"Ness! Nessie!" They exclaimed together. These two passed as small 5 year olds a mere week ago. Now they were around 7 or 8. Emmie stood beside my aunt who hugged and kissed me next. There was no denying their resemblance despite there being no biologial thread holding them together. Uncle Emmett punched daddy's shoulder and kissed my mom's cheek before throwing the both of us on his shoulder. It was nice seeing my family again. One week was too long to be separated from them.
Rommel carried our bags in with his power; his practicing was really paying off. The next to welcome us was Gramma. She practically slammed into me the second I went through the door.
"Oh sweetie how we've missed you," she cooed, "all of you. Now come here and hug your mother," she commanded playfully to my parents.
With all the welcomings done, I took in the new atmosphere. We were all standing in the living room; it was a lot roomier than the old one. The flat screen was bigger as well. I'm glad we kept the compfy white leather couches. The walls were still white, perfect by Cullen standards.
"C'mon, Ness, let's give you a tour of the house!" Emmie squealed, tugging at her brother's arm.
"Okay," I replied wholeheartedly. Everyone was so jubilant that I couldn't help but catch their happy mood, too. Each section of the house was grander than the old one. The dining room had an all-glass cabinet that displayed Gramma's finest china with the table a huge, beautiful white granite surface and color coordinating with the cabinet's black wooden frame. The kitchen had light mahagony cupboards with dark gray countertops. This kitchen looked more professional than the old one with a brand new oven and stove, all stainless steel along with the giant refrigerator. I'm sure all of this was for our grandmother, now that she had 3 grandchildren to cook for.
Once that tour was done, Emmie pulled me into the direction of a room that had double doors. Rommel was especially excited for this one because the minute it took to walk all the way inside he covered my eyes. When he let go, I was astounded to see a screen that took up a whole wall. I looked behind me to see a grinning Emmie, bouncing up and down on her seat with her brother beside her smiling in anticipation as well. This was a mini theater.
"Wow, this must've cost a lot," I observed.
The twins looked to each other and shrugged.
"Does it matter? I mean we're rich enough to own China if we wanted to," Rommel answered wiggling his eyebrows mischievously.
I laughed knowing he was right. With an aunt that can see into the future stocks and such, we were pretty wealthy.
"Next is the music room. We kept the grand piano but we also added a drumset for Rommy and a cello for me" Emmie said as we exited the theater room and entered the new and improved music room right across.
They played a little piece they practiced together. They were really talented but then again, who wouldn't expect that since they were the children of Rosalie Hale and Emmett Cullen. In fact, Rommel looked a little muscular for a 7 or 8 year old.
After spending time in the entertainment rooms, we went up the stairs to the rooms. All the art along the walls like the large, dark wooden cross hanging above Poppa's office were splattered evenly throughout the house. "Mom and dad's...Aunt Alice and Uncle Jasper...Gramma's..Aunt Bella and Uncle Edward..." the twins gestured, taking turns speaking, as we passed their rooms. Emmie showed me her room next and then Rommel's.
Last was my room. It was perfect! It wasn't that much bigger than daddy's room in the old house but I was completely fine with that. My walls were painted a cute, subtle pink. My bed, queen-sized of course, was right in the center with a net canopy that reminded me of Isle Esme. My bed sheets were a light yellow, with my pillow cases fluffed and flower printed. My eyes flickered to the big, blue bow on what seemed like a rocking chair right next to my computer desk. My parents replaced the presence of my cousins in my doorway.
"What's this?" I asked, intrigued. Momma left daddy's side to sit cross-legged at on my bed. With her elbows on her knees and her chin resting on her palms, she answered: "It was my rocking chair when I was little. I didn't think of giving it to you until now because it slipped my mind. This, among other items, were still at your grandpa Charlie's house when your father and I got married. My mom gave it to me and so now I want you to have it." I walked over to it and gently removed the huge bow. Behind it revealed Renesmee Carlie Cullen in superscript and My Little Nudger in subscript below it and was written in smooth, perfect calligraphy.
I was so overwhelmed that I began crying.
"Oh, Momma," I said now that her arms her around me. "I love it. Thank you so much," I whispered onto her shoulder.
"You're welcome, baby girl," she replied into my hair. Just then, daddy's arms were surrounded us, too.
"My angels," he claimed with his velvet voice. It wasn't long until they left me to explore the rest of my room. I walked into my bathroom to find a huge tub in one corner and a glass-covered shower in the other. There was a toilet, but I didn't need it. In the middle was a mirror big enough to see every aspect of the bathroom staring right back at me.
When I was done basking in my big room, bathroom and all, I went out to my favorite feature: my balcony. I was right on time, too, because the sun was setting. As I watched the rainbow of colors reflecting off of the water I realized that I missed Mia. We didn't hang out together for quite a while now. Good thing I would be going back to school in a few days. I still couldn't have her come over because of the twins but I guess I could ask to go to her house more often...
My thoughts were interrupted by my mom calling me to come downstairs. I closed my sliding doors and started making my way to the voices below. I was on the top of the staircase when the smell hit me.
I ran full speed to the kitchen, where I heard him talking to my mom. It seemed as if they were having a deep conversation but I didn't care.
"JAKE!" He turned around just as quickly to open his arms. We collided and didn't let go of each other for about 5 minutes. My mom looked slightly uneasy so I reluctantly let go.
"Momma, what's wrong?" I asked, finally realizing that whatever they were talking about was clearly upsetting her. But as soon as I acknowledge her discomfort, she composed herself.
"Nothing, sweetie. Just reminded Jacob about something, that's all," she said all too quickly. Before I got too suspicious, she started making her way towards the back door.
"Your dad and I have some things to attend to. We'll see you later on tonight. Oh and say hello to Seth for me." Her eyes flickered to Jake for a few seconds and then she was gone.
"Seth's here?" I questioned, confused.
"Yeah..uhm that's why your mom and dad left. They're going to talk to Rose and Emmett."
"But why?"
As if to answer my question, Seth came into the kitchen with Emmie on his back. He leaned towards the floor so that she can get back on her feet.
"Again! Again, Seth!" she commanded joyously.
To my surprise, he adhered equally cheerful. Seeing them together like this sent waves of nostalgia through my mind. Me and Jake were exactly like this. And now look at us.
"Oh. My. GOD. He..." I was too flabbergasted too continue.
"Yeeaup. Seth imprinted on Emmie," Jake sighed.