10. Pretty Girls

A/N: Sorry I have not updated! I lost the original file and I just finished my freshman year of college, so I have time on my hands again. On with the show…

Renesmee

Jamie poked me and stood up from her seat.

"We're here."

"I realize that." I turned off airplane mode as she held out my suitcase. We reached the concourse quickly. A text from Jake popped up as we got into a rental Lincoln.

U there?

Yeah, en route to the house.

Good. Tell them all hi.

I will. Kiss the kids for me.

I turned the radio to FM as Jamie pulled on to the highway. Traffic was light given the extremely early hour. We pulled up to the house ninety minutes later, at precisely 8:15 a.m. I used my key to unlock the front door. Once the door shut behind us I could hear Mom and Dad coming down the stairs. Jamie braced her ears for their shrieks of excitement. When they stopped, we were led into the living room where the others waited. As we sat down, the replacement mom came downstairs.

"Have you eaten?" Aunt Rose asked.

We had taken the red-eye out of JFK, right after Jamie's shift ended.

"Tea would be wonderful," I said as Gwendolyn stepped into the room.

Carlisle glanced at her, apologetically. It was a given that the shrieking had woken her, shown by her bed head.

"Gwendolyn, this is Vanessa and her best friend Jamie. They flew in from New York".

"Nice to meet you" we said politely. Emmett stood up.

"I'll be right back" he said picking up our bags with ease.

Rose went towards the kitchen.

Jamie stood up. "I'm sure Mrs. Daniels is starving. I'll help you Rose".

Jasper frowned but Jamie gave him a look. She was not considered a guest after so many years of being around.

Gwendolyn

I shot up at the sound of shrieking. When I got, downstairs I was shocked to find everyone sitting calmly in the living room, with two beautiful strangers, as if the commotion had never happened. One had the same bronze hair as Edward only in curls. The other was black with gold and brown waves. They were both too well dressed for the hour in dresses like those I had seen on the shopping trip. When Jamie and Rosalie went to the kitchen I sat down with Carlisle. Vanessa frowned almost imperceptibly.

"How was the flight? I hear New York's very busy."

"There are worse airports. It was a nice flight, we got to catch up, watch TV".

"So, do you enjoy Venezuela?"

"It's enjoyable most of the time but I miss everyone here and the home cooking."

"Do you have children Vanessa?"

"Two boys Will and Alex. They're two and one."

Emmett reappeared sans luggage, "Is Alex still not sleeping?"

"He's doing much better since you sent him that book. Jake worships it."

"I'm glad."

Before I could ask what, they meant Rosalie appeared. "Breakfast is ready."

The table held eggs, French toast, fruit, and what looked to be bacon, along with orange juice, coffee, and tea.

"I'm no longer a vegetarian," Vanessa said putting some of everything on her plate.

"You should have some French toast," Bella said. "It has Nutella inside."

Jamie nodded, munching bacon. "It's my brother's recipe. We all love it."

Curious I put a little of everything and a lot of bacon on my plate. I took a bite of the French toast and had to stifle a moan. The food was amazing. Jamie smirked.

"I'm glad you like it."

Everyone chuckled quietly into their napkins. When we were done eating Jasper and Emmett loaded the dishwasher, while the girls unpacked. I found Jamie in the room two doors down from mine.

"Who taught you how to cook?"

"My whole family helped. The French toast though was a gift for my sister in law on an anniversary and it's just ensconced itself in everyone's minds and stomachs."

"I can see why. Do you have any plans?"

"As a matter of fact, we do. I'd suggest you get ready. We need to be going in about an hour."

"I don't want to impose."

"You won't be. I would really appreciate it if you come. You might even enjoy it."

Though I highly doubted it I made myself presentable and headed downstairs. Vanessa, Alice, and Jamie were seated on the couch, talking softly to one another. They glanced up at me after a moment. Alice seemed to contemplate something.

"So, Gwen are you excited for our trip?"

"I'm curious," I hedged. "Jamie tell me about yourself. The others told me all about Vanessa."

"I'm an anesthesiologist and a social worker. I went to Hopkins. I have five siblings, and two kids with my husband. I'm from Manhattan, he's from Portugal."

"Do they speak it?"

"Yes, English was their fourth language. Their grandfathers' idea."

"Do you visit?"

"Once a year. They come to New York more often because my brothers are married to Peter's sister and cousin."

The others came into the room before I had a chance to respond. They weren't as bad as the Cullens at least.

"Who's riding with us?" Jamie asked. "The Lincoln seats five."

"We will," Bella said.

"Alice should ride with you," Jasper added.

"I wanted to ride with you," Emmett sighed. "I haven't talked to the kids in forever."

"I'll call Peter later and you can read to them. He's under a massive deadline so he could use the break."

"Ok," he was content with this. I certainly couldn't complain though I did not particularly enjoy Rosalie's company. Carlisle's conversation would likely make up for it.