V a p o r.
Some call it cursed, blinded or even bewitched— I call it love.
Which, to some extent, might be close to the same. Being vulnerably close to another being, close enough that you might become one, entering your soul, coursing through your body, affecting your whole day, month, year or life. It's an energy, positive or negative, that brings us to life. It's an act, that creates life itself.
Mom would always say, "Call it faith, science, or humanity,— the answer always stays the same. Love."
Growing up with a hippie of a mother, and little to none discipline, it was easy to roll my eyes and ignore everything that came out of her mouth.
It was easy because I didn't know better.
She'd shake her finger at me, and then proceed to laugh. "You can ignore me all you want, Dema. But, love will always be the answer."
Little did I know, she was actually onto something.
The feeling of love— infatuation— reduces cortisol, the stress hormone, which alters brain structure for the better. If everyone loved right, in this messed-up world we call home, there would be less problems to be concerned about.
As it turns out, love really might be the answer to almost everything. At least, scientifically speaking, it might be.
When I was younger, I'd daydream about it. About love being the anchor to our existence, to our soul. I'd use to think that whenever our lives ended, our ghost-like souls would still be tied to our dimension— tied to our loved ones.
Tied to the physical world by love.
Sounds silly now, but back then I used to dream about being swept away by a charming man, getting married, having children, and growing old by his side.
Back then, when normal was still an option.
Sometimes, I like to think about how my life would've turned out if I had never moved to Forks. If I had never gotten the curse or met Bella. If I had never met Jasper Hale.
Would I have been complete? Would I have been happy?
Of course, back then I didn't know magic existed. I didn't know what sacrifice was, or what it meant. I didn't know what having real friends felt like. I didn't know how to love.
I still don't know how to love, but that hasn't stopped me from doing so.
That hasn't stopped me from loving Jasper Hale.
And I have a feeling it still won't stop me from doing it for the rest of eternity.
Because, maybe normal is not an option anymore, but eternity is. Forever and always, is an option. And it might be the only one I have at the moment, but spending the rest of my days, side by side with a gloomy-looking vampire— which I happen to be in love with— sounds like a hell of a good time— if you ask me.
At the end of the day, I'll never know how my life would've turned out if I had turned out 'normal'. But, if I'm being honest here, I don't think I even want to know.
Because the answer always stays the same— I choose eternity with him.
Even if the journey here has been recklessly tiring, dysfunctional, terrifying, dangerous, and borderline comedic— I'd go through it a thousand times if it meant I'd still end up by his side. Cracking jokes at his expense, enjoying our silent dates, and his overly-pessimistic attitude over life.
If I hadn't moved to Forks, I don't know what would have happened.
But there's one thing I do know— I'm in love with a vampire I met a year ago, and I plan on spending every waking moment by his side.
Because if there's one thing this wretched journey has taught me, is that life is short— even for a vampire.
Even for a werewolf.
_____________________
The Cullens'.
September 13th.
Sunday, 12:03 pm.
Soft thunder rumbled through the trees, echoing deep inside the busy Cullen mansion. Dema glanced up with an expectant glance, as she analyzed the cloudy sky with uninterest. She turned back down, gazing at her ring as a warm smile spread through her lips. Her head rested against his broad shoulders, as he leaned down and kissed the top of her head softly.
The recently engaged couple had decided to stay outside after the whole proposing-commotion. They sat by a large pine tree, resting their backs comfortably against it— even though Dema was practically sitting in his lap, as she happily gazed down at her hand. Oscar laid down by Jasper's side, peacefully chewing on a stick he had found on the ground. They had shared very few words during this whole time, but it wasn't uncomfortable— actually, they were both pretty used to hanging around each other silently, just enjoying each other's company.
Dema let out a happy sigh as she glanced up at him with a curious grin. "When did you even have the time to get this ring?"
"I already had it," He started, as Dema sent him a questioning glance. "From the southern vampire wars. In Maria's coven-"
"You stole it from your psycho, vampire ex, and proposed to me with it?" She got off from his lap, and sat in front of him, with a frown.
Jasper smirked with amusement. "I definitely did not steal it, Dema." He chuckled lightly. "Redstone gifted her the ring, once he was released. She refused to take anything from him, so I kept it. As a souvenir." He shrugged.
"This was Redstone's?" Dema said softly, as she inspected the ring closer. Her eyes were inches away from the dark jewel, as she analyzed the silver ring. She could actually see a cursive 'R' engraved on its side. She turned back to Jasper with a loving gaze. "You proposed to me with my own family heirloom?"
"Not really. Technically-"
"Shhh!" She hissed at him, before throwing her arms around his neck and holding him tightly against her. "Don't ruin it."
He smiled against her soft skin, before pulling away and sitting back down in front of him.
"So, did you really ask my mom for my hand in marriage?" She asked, with a small smile practically inked to her face. She hadn't been able to stop smiling, and her cheeks were starting to tingle with exhaustion.
"I did," He nodded with a small grin, as he too couldn't help but smile. Dema stifled a giggle, and he frowned. "What?"
"I'm pretty sure you're the only one who's still asking for someone's hand in marriage." She shrugged.
"Well, I'm an antiquated man."
"I've noticed." She smiled. "I still can't picture it, though. How did my mom react? What did she even say?" She leaned forward with curiosity.
Jasper's shoulders dropped a little, as he hesitated for a second.
"She said yes, right?" Dema frowned.
"Of course she did," Jasper said. "But, the first time I asked her-"
"First time?!" Dema's eyes widened. "How many times did you have to ask her?"
"Just two," He shrugged, and Dema covered her mouth with her hands as she chuckled. Jasper chuckled lightly too. "You know, she laughed too. A lot."
"What did you tell her?"
"That I loved you and I wanted to spend the rest of my existence making you happy," He started explaining, as her eyes gleamed lovingly at him. "Of course, she burst out laughing and said we were just kids. To which I reminded her, I am certainly not a kid."
"Alright," Dema nodded softly. "So, you asked for my hand in marriage, by reminding my mother you're a century-old vampire— genius idea." She laughed, and he shook his head with an amused smile.
"She thought so too," Jasper said. "That's why she started laughing. And because she thought she'd be sent to hell by the tribe by condemning
"And then, she just said yes?"
Jasper nodded. "She said that, as long as you were happy, she'd be okay with any decision you make."
Dema smiled, as she turned to gaze down at her ring.
"But the news got to Jacob and-"
Dema's head snapped at him, and she frowned.
"Oh... That couldn't have been pretty." She mumbled and he just shrugged lightly.
"Actually-" And before he had a chance to finish that sentence, heavy rain started to pour from the cloudy sky.
Dema shrieked, as they both jumped to their feet. Jasper immediately shed his jacket and wrapped it around Dema, before taking her hand and rushing back into the house. They laughed and shrieked, trying their hardest not to slip over the puddles that formed on the tiles by the entrance.
Hand in hand, they entered the warm house, before sharing a brief but fiery kiss by the door. Dema smiled mid-kiss, before slipping away from his hold and dragging him up the stairs. With enticing thoughts roaming through her head, she hadn't realized Alice was standing at the top of the stairs, with Rosalie by her side.
Dema would have crashed against them if Jasper hadn't held her back. She smiled sheepishly at Alice, and the pixie-haired vampire just grinned.
"Alright, so— let's talk wedding decorations!" Alice exclaimed, and Rosalie rolled her eyes at her. "Since Bella's wedding was such a success, I was thinking we could do almost the same for yours. Oh, but of course, completely different styles, decorations, food-"
Dema and Jasper stared at her, as the youngest vampire rambled on and on about their wedding plans. Rosalie couldn't help but laugh at their overwhelmed expressions, right before elbowing Alice's side softly.
"What?" Alice frowned at her, before sighing in realization. "Right... So, if you really— and I mean, really— want... we can go to a strip club for your bachelorette party." Alice said, with the tiniest hint of regret on her tone.
Rosalie sighed, before laughing lightly at the brunette. "That's not what I was trying to-"
"You mean that?" Dema eye's widened as a grin appeared on her face. "You'd go to a dirty, tacky— icky, strip club for me?"
"Well, it is your wedding... and if it makes you happy-" Alice couldn't finish her sentence, due to Dema embracing her in a bone-crushing hug. The vampire sighed with content, as she hugged Dema back. "I'm so happy for you, guys."
Dema squeezed Alice lightly, before letting go. "But, one small thing —we can't have our wedding here, Alice."
Alice's golden eyes widened in surprise. "B-but, Bella's was such a success! Everyone had a blast and-"
"It's not that, Alice," Dema said softly, as she patted Alice's shoulder reassuringly. "This is pale-face territory for my family. Most of them would rather eat snow for a week than step into your territory... No offense, though." She turned to Jasper with a sheepish smile, to which he replied by placing a soft peck on her nose.
"None taken," He shrugged.
"Well, we just have to find someplace decent..." Alice said, with an exasperated look on her face. "With a pleasing view... and a lot of space... and here... in Forks..." With every word that Alice uttered, her expression turned into panic and hopelessness. "It can't be that difficult, can it?" She turned to Rosalie and the blonde's eyes widened.
"Don't look at me," She frowned. "You're the family's party planner."
Alice turned to Dema with a hopeless look, and Dema chuckled lightly. "It's still way too early for that, though."
"But, we must save the date-"
"Give 'em a break Alice," Emmett's voice rang from the living room. "Dema just proposed to Jaz."
Jasper's eyes lit up as a small smirk grew on his lips. He quickly guided Dema into the living room.
"I proposed to her-" Jasper corrected Emmett.
"Yeah, and she said no-"
"Emmett!" Alice hissed at her adoptive brother, and he shrugged.
"What? Then she proposed and he said yes. It's a happily ever after for everyone." Emmett said as he stretched over the couch lazily.
"Yes, that was... weird," Rosalie mumbled as she plopped down on the couch by Emmett's side.
"It's the twentieth century, babe! There's nothing wrong with chicks proposing to us—" He said, winking at her. Dema couldn't help but grin, because for a second, she thought Emmett might've been hinting at Rosalie to consider the idea. "It's badass." He said, turning to Dema and holding up his fist.
Dema fist-bumped Emmett with a grin. "It was pretty badass, wasn't it?"
Jasper rolled his eyes. "As long as we ignore the part where you turned my proposal down, then yes— it might've been somewhat badass."
"Can't do, brother. We're never forgetting that part." Emmett chuckled before Jasper rushed to him and punched his shoulder, sending him crashing against the wall. A loud crash rumbled through the house, and a large crack appeared above Emmett, as he slowly got to his feet.
Dema stood frozen, as Emmett just brushed his clothes and then burst into laughter. If there was something Dema would never get used to, it would be when the Cullen brothers decide to engage in a playful fight and rumble around. The fights always look dangerous and aggressive, but Dema relaxes once they burst out laughing.
"Stop it, you two!" Esme rushed into the room. "You're going to wake up the baby." She hissed, but not even a second later, soft steps echoed from the hallway.
"Too late," Jacob quipped, as he slowly walked into the room, with what seemed like a six-month-old baby, sitting in his arms. "She woke up the second they walked into the house."
Dema's heart drummed against her chest with excitement, as her mind filled up with several images of Jacob's imprint. She immediately covered her mouth with her hand, as to hide the loud —yet, excited— gasp she let out, once her gaze fell on Renesmee. Tears started welling up in her eyes, as a broad smile appeared on Jacob's face. He approached her slowly, whilst rocking the baby ever so slightly.
Dema had just started to realize that she hadn't had the opportunity to even hold Renesmee when she was born, or after. With all the chaos going around Bella, and the pack, the thought of the baby hadn't even made it's way to her head. She felt guilty for a second, but it quickly vanished, once Jasper's loving gaze fell on her.
"She's gotten big, huh?" Dema said softly, as she reached a shaky hand towards the baby. Renesmee glanced at her intently for a few seconds, before smiling and cooing warmly at her. A wave of hot energy washed over her and Dema blinked with confusion. "Did she just-" She took her hand back and inspected the baby in silence.
"What?" Jacob frowned. "She won't bite, Dema." He chuckled, as the baby reached up towards Dema with her small hands. "Just, take her hands. You'll see."
"But, I swear she just... she recognized me... somehow... and then she-"
"Just take her hand, dog!" Rosalie snarled at her, and Dema huffed at her dismissively.
"Alright, alright! Jeez, just calm do-" Dema started, as she slowly held her finger against the baby's opened palm.
Renesmee grasped tightly her finger, before pushing it towards her chest. Dema blinked curiously at the baby, but before she had the chance to say anything, an even stronger wave of energy hit her.
All of a sudden, everything turned pitch black.
"Yes! I'd be honored to be EJ's or Rene— whatever her name is— godmother! You're not going to regret this! That kid is gonna have the happiest life— I'll make sure of that."
A voice started to echo through her head, and she immediately recognized each word as her own.
"Renesmee... I'm not gonna lie, it's got a nice ring to it."
When Edward and Bella asked Dema to be Renesmee's godmother.
"I'm gonna sneak him out of your house at midnight once he turns eighteen, because maybe then, and only then, will I be able to go to a strip club."
When Dema comforted Bella after being warned that she could die whilst giving birth to Renesmee.
"I won't let anything happen to you, or that baby, if that's what you want,"
When Bella told Dema she'd keep Rensemee, no matter what.
"If I must fight against the pack in order to keep Bella safe, then I will. She's as much of my family as the pack is, if not more."
When Dema promised to protect Bella.
These were Rensemee's memories of Dema, from the womb. Renesmee remembered every time Bella stood by her mother's side. Every time Dema comforted, defended, or simply chatted with Bella.
She had heard every word.
And Renesmee was grateful.
Suddenly, an image flashed through her eyes. Dema assumed it was Renesmee's first memory since at first, all she could see was fumbling of white cloth. Then, she heard Bella's voice and saw her face.
With bags under her eyes and pale skin, Bella smiled. "You're beautiful."
Then, Renesmee's gaze fixed on someone beside Bella.
Dema stood there, gazing at Bella with a warm smile. "You're a mother Bella," Dema chocked out, ignoring the tears that tainted her cheeks. "You have a beautiful daughter, B."
"I do," Bella replied faintly. "I really do."
And with that, her vision turned back to normal, and she returned to the Cullens' living room, with her finger tangled in Renesmee's tiny fingers. Dema grinned down at the baby, before turning to Jacob with widened eyes.
"Cool, right?" Jacob smirked and Dema nodded dumbfoundedly, still in awe.
"What is that?" Dema turned, and Jasper wrapped an arm around her waist. "What did she just do?"
"She's gifted," He explained. "It's called tactile thought projection. She can project her thoughts, through her touch."
"Huh," Dema turned back to the cooing baby. "It felt just like the Wraith's visions, but warmer... It felt surreal."
"She's amazing, isn't she?" Jacob asked, before gazing down at Renesmee lovingly.
Dema glanced at him before turning back to Renesmee. "Can I..." Dema stretched her arms, and Jacob glanced at her wearily, before nodding.
'Careful, Dema,' Jacob thought, and Dema rolled her eyes at him.
Jacob handed her the baby gently, and Dema wrapped herself around Renesmee lovingly once she was in her arms. The baby babbled through the tight embrace and melted into Dema's body. Dema pulled apart slightly to take a good look at her, holding her a few inches away from her.
"She's got her eyes, doesn't she?"
"She does," A soft, male voice rang through the room. Dema turned to the doorway, where Edward stood with a small smile. "Congratulations on the engagement." He said, glancing between Dema and Jasper.
"Thanks, Eddie." Dema smiled at Edward.
"Thank you, brother." Jasper thanked him as well and Edward hugged him briefly before turning to Dema.
"But, I strongly advise you two— to not do this." He pointed at Renesmee, as the baby threw her arms in the air, for him to hold her. "Under any circumstances."
Dema blushed, as the newly engaged couple mumbled a few 'Absolutely not!' and 'Never!' as the family laughed amongst themselves. Dema gave the baby back to Edward as gently as she could manage, even though she silently wondered if the hybrid baby would even feel a thing if she was dropped from the third-floor window. Edward glared at her momentarily, before she turned back to Jacob with a shy smile.
Jacob was staring out the window, by the staircase, when Dema approached him slowly. She peeked around his shoulder and found that he'd been staring at Seth as he ran around in the rain, playing with Oscar in his wolf form. The werewolf and the puppy chased after each other and bit playfully at each other's paws.
Dema raised her eyebrows, before face-palming herself.
"Ugh! Seth!" She shrieked, and Seth stopped in his tracks, before turning to the window. "You got Oscar all railed up and he's all muddy, now!"
Seth's ears dropped, as he glanced down at Oscar. 'Oh... I'm sorry D! I just-'
Dema sighed before waving at him dismissively. Seth's eyes lit up before running back into the forest, with Oscar right behind him.
"I wasn't even aware that he could connect to your dog at that level," Jacob said softly.
"Well, he's a kid. He's just like Oscar— a playful, little puppy."
Jacob chuckled lightly but still shrugged. "It was different, though. He somehow communicated with him, and they just started running around... I've never seen anyone else do that. We can order a few animals around, but not have a perfect line of communication."
"Well, we've always known Seth's something really special... maybe he's more connected to nature than we thought, huh?"
"Yeah... maybe," Jacob mumbled as he turned back to the window, his mind clouding over with thoughts. "So," He scratched his throat. "Engaged, huh?" He pointed at her hand.
Dema nodded lightly. "Imprinted, huh?"
Jacob gave her a knowing look. "Well, you didn't waste any time with male blondie either, did ya?"
Dema chuckled lightly. "Hey, at least mine can walk." She retorted playfully.
"Technically, he's also dead," Jacob shrugged and Dema slapped his arm lightly. They smirked at each other before laughing lightly. Silence grew amongst them, as Jacob hesitated for a moment. "Listen, Dema," He straightened his spine as he scratched his throat awkwardly. "I'm sorry."
Dema rose an eyebrow at him. "For what?"
"For— uh— judging you... with Ken Doll-"
"Jasper." She corrected him.
"Yeah, him." Jacob shrugged sheepishly. "I'm sorry. I tend to jump to extreme conclusions— and, well, I was too quick to judge... I didn't know you had imprinted. If I had only known, I wouldn't have-"
"It's okay, Jake." Dema waved him off. "I'm sorry, too. I was afraid you'd hate me and, well— I should've trusted you."
Jacob nodded silently before smiling. "I should've trusted you too." He said, before gazing back at her firmly. "No more secrets, alright? From now on, we tell each other everything."
"Deal." Dema nodded with a small grin.
"After all, how can the two Alphas of the pack not trust each other completely?"
"Ye-" Dema blinked in confusion. "Hold up. What? Two Alphas?!"
"Yup. I can't do it by myself." He shrugged. "I've got Nessie now."
"But, is that even possible?"
"Well, it is now." He grinned at her.
"But, what about the second in command-"
"Leah just got promoted," Jacob said nonchalantly. "Come on, D. We were both born to be Alphas. Just like grandpa."
"How will it even work?"
"Simple," Jacob shrugged. "The decisions will never be final. We've got different points of view, personalities, and experiences. Everything will be agreed upon by both of us. We've got different strengths, and that's why this will work. Plus, we'll take turns, and we'll each have enough free time to spend with Nessie."
A grin spread through Dema's face, as everything slowly made sense in her head.
"Fine," Dema nodded. "I'm in."
Jacob smirked, before pulling her in for a tight hug.
"Oh!" Dema exclaimed as she pulled away from her cousin. "My house's not gonna turn into the pack's den! I'm not making tons of food for those hungry beasts!"
"Damn it!" He groaned, before chuckling. "Fine, you win." He said as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "But, I'm not training the newbies."
"Agh," Dema scoffed, but they quickly burst out laughing. "I've got a feeling everything's gonna be fine now. No more wars against vampires, or werewolves..."
"No more immortal babies..." He gave her a knowing look, and she shoved him away playfully.
"We're finally going to begin the rest of our lives," Dema breathed in deeply. "Bella will wake up, and our happily ever after will begin."
"Actually, I have a feeling you're right, D."
"We're on top of the world, Jake," Dema said softly. "And nothing will bring us down now."
"Nothing..."
_____________________
The Cullens'.
Sunday, 2:27 pm.
"I know it hasn't been that long," Dema said softly, as she gazed down at Bella's frozen body. "But, I miss her... so much."
Jasper wrapped his arms around her shoulder and kissed the top of her head comfortingly. She rested her head against his chest, as she glanced down at Bella's lifeless body. Soon, her sadness vanished, but an empty feeling still remained.
"We all do," Alice's sweet voice rang through the eerie room, as she brushed Bella's hair gently. "She didn't even talk much, but it still feels a lot more silent without her around."
Dema nodded, right before nestling her face into Jasper's chest.
"Is the makeup necessary?" Emmett asked as he peered down at Bella. "It feels kinda morbid." He shrugged.
"I agree," Dema said, through muffled words.
"Well, we don't want her to look like a corpse when she wakes up," Rosalie said, as she applied bronze to Bella's cheeks. "She'd give little Renesmee a fright."
"I don't think her hybrid child will care much about makeup," Jasper added silently.
"You can call her Renesmee, y'know?" Dema gazed up at him, and he shrugged.
"Don't even bother," Emmett said. "Being creepy is his thing."
A soft chorus of laughs echoed through the room, but it quickly quieted down as Carlisle and Edward entered the room. The rain had stopped
"Where's Renesmee?" Rosalie asked almost immediately.
"With Jacob," Edward said, clenching his jaw ever so slightly. A small knowing grin grew on Emmett and Jasper's faces. Edward scratched his throat, as he glanced down at Bella.
Everyone started leaving the room silently, except for Dema and Jasper. They stayed, watching as Carlisle and Edward examined Bella. Dema buried her face deeper into Jasper's body, and he brushed his fingers through her hair soothingly.
Edward's eyebrows furrowed, as he turned to his adoptive father. "She shouldn't be this still."
Carlisle approached Bella with an expression of complete concentration. After a few seconds of examining her body, he turned to Edward. "It's the morphine."
"Maybe I was too late," Edward retorted, and Dema's breath hitched in her throat.
"No, Edward," Carlisle placed a hand on Edward's shoulder. "Listen to her heart."
There was a short moment of silence. Dema frowned until the tiniest thump reached her ears. She turned away from Jasper, and locked eyes with Edward, his eyes had lit up with hope as well.
"I heard it," Dema said, placing a hand over Bella's cold fingers. "What does that mean?"
"The venom's going through her body," Carlilse explained. "It's a slow, and extremely painful process... It must be even worse for her, due to the circumstances."
"Oh, Bella..." Dema squeezed Bella's frozen hand.
Jasper frowned. "But, I don't feel anything. No pain, no fear... no emotions, whatsoever."
"For that, I have no explanation," Carlilse gave them an apologetic look. "I'm sorry. All we can do is wait."
"For how long?" Edward asked.
Carlisle pursed his lips together, unable to answer the question.
"Not long," Dema whispered, and Edward gave her a questioning look. "I had a vision right after her heart stopped. Right after you injected her with your venom." She let go of Bella's hand, before taking Jasper's. "I saw Bella waking up. I even felt the pain of the venom going through her body— it was almost the same as the one from the newborns' bitemarks... But I also saw Jacob imprinting. And, since he imprinted-"
"That means your vision did become reality. She'll probably wake up..." Edward mumbled.
"Yeah," Dema smiled. "I also heard a baby's laugh, meaning she probably won't take long to wake up. Since Renesmee grows at an exceptional pace..."
"She'll be fine, Edward," Jasper reassured his adoptive brother. "She's strong."
Edward nodded but quickly fell back into deep thought.
Dema kneeled by the table, placing her head right by Bella's ear.
"Hey, Bells?" Dema whispered. "I don't want you to rush, or anything... but we all miss you, a lot. And your husband and baby are waiting for you. They need you," Edward glanced at Dema with a small smile. "I need you... Come back, Bella. Please."
Jasper tapped Dema's shoulder lightly, motioning for her that it was time to go. Dema nodded, realizing that Edward probably wanted some time alone with Bella. Jasper helped Dema back to her feet, and right before leaving, Dema kissed the top of Bella's head lightly.
The second her lips touched Bella, a burning sensation coursed through her veins, like lightning striking a tree.
It was painful, but it was full of life.
It was Bella's way of telling her, she's coming back.
And she's coming back soon.