Chapter 2: The Look in His Eyes

“So what is it Aunt Rose?” I asked in exasperation “I should be open to new things? I need human experiences? My parents upendo me and want the best for me?” My Aunt Rose smiled at me and waited patiently as I vented. Most view her as being callous and hard to get along with. I have a special relationship with her though. She has never once been fierce towards me. Years zamani my mother told me that she felt that my aunt looks at me as though I am her baby in a way. Her human life was cut short before she could have children of her own. My Aunt Rose was my mother’s ally during her tumultuous pregnancy with me. The pregnancy had been dangerous to my mother as a mortal, and it had basically killed her. My father knew this would happen and tried to talk my mother out of it but her and my Aunt Rose refused to hear it. My father’s view of the pregnancy changed when he was able to read my thoughts towards the end of my mother’s pregnancy. My mother died shortly after I was born and my father injected her with his venom straight to her moyo which changed her into a vampire and gave her new life. From my conception, aside from my mother, my aunt has always been my strongest ally. She stopped walking and wrapped me in a hug. “I know this isn’t easy for wewe Ness. I completely understand. I didn’t like high school, I hated the façade and I wasn’t thrilled with the thought of being around humans. I was very upset when your mother and father started dating because I worried about the same things that wewe are worrying about now, our secrets getting out and the implications that it might hold for our family. I worry about all of this for wewe too, but I know that wewe will handle it. I raised wewe to be tougher than this.” “Aunt Rose this is not what I want.”
She decided to switch game plans, “Ok then what is it that wewe want?” “I don’t know zaidi time maybe. I want to be nyumbani schooled and then in a couple of years I want to go away to college so I can attempt to be normal and fit in.” She mulled over it a bit, “That all seems very reasonable, but wewe know your parents will never go for it. She thought for a moment, “What if wewe commit to one mwaka of high school. After that I will do what I can to convince them to let wewe go to college early.”
“Really?!” I shrieked barely able to conceal my excitement. “Yes, really” she laughed “I cannot make any promises wewe know how your parents are when they want something for wewe but I will do my best. Try to maintain high grades it will probably help and will be zaidi believable that wewe were accepted to school early.” “DEAL!” I replied enthusiastically, I knew that wouldn’t be terribly hard since I had already learned all of the coursework I would be shocked to get anything lower than an A.
“Nessie, I need to talk to wewe about something else.” My Aunt went on to tell me about her life as a human and her horrific murder at the hands of her fiancée. I have never seen my aunt upset before and as she told me this her voice broke as though she would have been crying if able, “I had my hopes and dreams and life stolen from me kwa that man, I was so unbelievably happy when your mother had you. I was never going to be able to have a baby and Renesmee I upendo wewe like my own. I want wewe to be happy, believe me wewe have all of eternity stretched out before wewe to travel the world please just give high school one year. wewe never know what life will bring wewe so it’s good to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way and believe me this is an opportunity.” I turned away quickly to wipe the tears on my cheeks I didn’t want her to see how her story had affected me. I had no idea that life had been so cruel to my aunt Rosalie. No wonder she came off the way that she did, she had many reasons to be uchungu, chungu at the hand she was dealt. ‘I upendo wewe too Aunt Rose thanks for always being there for me.”
“I always will be” she squeezed my hand a couple of times and then said, “we should head back in” her smile changed to a grimace, “it’s time to kick that dog out for the night otherwise the house will stink wretchedly.”
“Aunt Rose, Jacob is my friend leave him alone” I giggled.
“Don’t remind me” she groaned. When we got back into the house Jacob and Uncle Emmett were still watching the game. My mother was in the dining room with my Grandmother Esme. “Renesmee?” My mother called me into the room. “Yea mom” I alisema impatiently. “Your father and I are sorry that wewe are so upset we upendo wewe and only want for your happiness”. I sighed. “I know that mom; this is just all so much to deal with.” Grandma Esme chimed in, “Your father is really upset, and he is upstairs in your grandfather’s study. wewe should really go talk to him.” If it was anyone else suggesting that I have my millionth discussion for the night about a very tired subject I would have berated them but I adored my gentle grandmother and she has an amazing ability to make me feel extremely guilty even when sekunde earlier I was livid. “Alright grams, I’m going.” I kissed her on the cheek and as I walked out I heard my mother’s upset sigh. “It will be alright dear, she will get used to the idea,” I heard my grandmother try to reassure her.
I found my father kusoma in my grandfather’s study. He didn’t even need to look over to see that I was walking into the room. “Feel better Nessie?” He asked. “No, but I can see I’m not going to win this one so I’m going to let it go”. He finally looked at me. The look on his face took my breath away. He looked so sad. The last time he looked this sad was when the Volturi were threatening all of our lives and he thought he would never see me again. “I have been thinking about this all day. Yes I want wewe to experience high school but do wewe know why I am so set on it?” “No dad, why?” “Because I ‘m not ready to lose wewe yet. I’m not ready for wewe to go away to school, au get married-“
“Wait who alisema anything about me getting married; I don’t even have a boyfriend”
My father had this weird look on his face as though he wanted to tell me something but he changed the subject instead,” Well wewe know first its college and then marriage. Nessie I have only had wewe in my life for 6 out of my 100 years, I’m not ready to let wewe go yet”. I went up to him and hugged him, putting my head on his shoulder I will never be too far… and wewe will always be kusoma my mind I’m sure” I giggled. “That reminds me, he said,” I know what wewe are up to with your Aunt Rosalie.” “Oh great” I moaned. He looked at me for what felt like an eternity. “I will give it a mwaka if wewe do. Then we can re-evaluate the situation.” “Really dad?! Thank you!!! I will really try!” He smiled at my response and said. “I know that it isn’t easy for wewe and that wewe feel out of place but just remember wewe are so special and completely unique. When wewe were first born I was worried for wewe because of the abilities that wewe have which make wewe exceptional. I was worried what it would mean to wewe later in life, but I know that wewe will be fine. wewe are smart, strong, beautiful, and stubborn (he alisema the last one with a smile) just like your mother. I know that wewe will be just fine in any situation that comes your way. Your mother and I adore you, and we are so proud of you.” I wiped the tear from my eye. “I upendo wewe too daddy, I will never be completely out of your life, but wewe can’t keep me here forever, I need to get out on my own, just like mom did.” He smiled a sad smile signaling to me that I won with my below the ukanda comment. He kissed me on the forehead and went back to his book, leaving me with my guilt for having opened my big mouth. I wandered back down to the living room to walk Jacob out. Once we were outside he asked me again what was wrong, this time I knew that if I spoke I would cry at the horrible thing I alisema to my father, so I placed my hands on his face and let him see for himself. “Oh.” He alisema softly. “Nessie he will forgive wewe just try to remember how much he loves you. Good luck tomorrow, do wewe want me to follow wewe to keep an eye on you?” “I snorted “Yea Jacob that will be a great way for me to make new friends, ‘Hi everyone I am not only a Cullen but this is my Werewolf Jacob.” He laughed, “Ok, I see your point, I will stop over tomorrow to see how it went, and everything will be fine.” I watched him run off into the forest and couldn’t help but think how easy it is for him to be so positive when he isn’t the one being brought before the firing squad.