Chapter 14: Fragile

“Nessie, Nessie Please!” I heard a faint cry it sounded like Jacob but he was so far away. “Renesmee?” This time it was my mother with a frantic pitch to her voice. I felt something cold on my face I slowly opened my eyes. The lights were so bright; I tried to sit up but was immediately pulled back down. “Nessie, take it easy” my Grandpa Carlisle instructed. I opened my mouth to speak but no sound came out my throat was on fire and my head throbbing. My hands flew to my throat. My father spoke up, “She’s thirsty, Alice grab her a glass of blood quickly!” He was silent for a moment as he was reading my thoughts, “She’s alright. She was just extremely thirsty and worn out from the changes she went through today.” I felt my father’s hands on my face. “Sweetheart, can you look at me?” I slowly opened my eyes again; this time they adjusted to the brightness of the room. “Ok, very slowly sit her up my grandfather instructed. Jacob and my father propped me up as Aunt Alice brought me a cup full of human blood. I suddenly realized how ravenous I was I drank the contents of the glass in one gulp. “Alice please grab he another one, my grandfather asked. After three glasses I felt normal again. I finally could focus on everyone around me and was coherent. I was in my grandfather’s study with my mother, father, Jacob, grandpa Carlisle and Aunt Alice. Everyone looked concerned and Jake’s eyes were riddled with panic. What happened?” I asked breathlessly. Jake looked at me and spoke softly, “We were going for a walk and you just collapsed.” I touched his face in an attempt to show him that I was ok. “You went too long without some form of food Nessie” my grandfather told me. “I’m sorry to have worried you all the past few days have been so stressful, I just haven’t been hungry or thirsty. Really I am fine now though.” I looked into an ocean of doubtful eyes. I slid my legs over the side of the leather chaise lounge that I had been laying on. As I went to stand up Jacob held me down, “I think that you should stay right here.” “Jake I have to get back to my party,” I argued stubbornly. My father looked at me critically, “I agree with Jacob on this one, you need to get some rest Nessie you have had too much excitement today. The party is almost over anyway.” My family filed out of the room leaving me with my Jacob. His face was drawn and worried, “Renesmee, I need you to answer this honestly. Why haven’t you wanted to eat the past couple of days?” I looked down, “I felt so horrible over what I said to you that food was the last thing on my min.” He looked troubled, “I caused this?” he asked in a wounded voice. “I am so sorry” he mumbled. “Jake it’s not your fault. I felt guilty over how I treated you. It’s over now, I’m fine. Just please don’t ever leave me again.” He sat down next to me and put his arms around me I laid my head on his shoulder. “Well, I guess this is one way to get out of one of Aunt Alice’s parties,” I giggled. “Not funny Ness” he said with a smirk. He cupped my chin with his hand and stared intently into my eyes “I will never leave you, but you have to promise me that you will take better care of yourself. I was terrified, you can’t scare me like that again.You are my everything; my future. I need you to be well, you are the reason that I exist I hope to be with you for all of eternity.” With that he kissed me so gently as if he was afraid that I might shatter into a million pieces. I kissed him back, although not as gently I pulled him to me. Whenever he touched me I just didn’t want to let go it was as if some primitive force had taken me over, his scent was intoxicating. Finally, he pulled away, “you are supposed to be taking it easy he said with a smile. I smiled back at him demurely, “oh, am I being too rough with the big bad wolf?” He laughed out loud at me, “Well you are clearly feeling better, I should really go you need your rest.” I shook my head vehemently, “No, please stay…its still my birthday” I gave him an enticing smile. He rolled his eyes, “You know, in twenty minutes you will not be able to coerce me with that excuse any longer.” His eyes shown with laughter as he sat down in surrender I returned my head to its rightful place on his broad shoulder and floated off to my first peaceful night of sleep in days; as he caressed my cheek and played with my hair. The last sound that I heard was the contented sigh that left my parted lips as it mingled with the sounds of our relaxed breathing and strangely beating hearts.