Sunlight - Book 3

Chapter 18

After my friends left that evening I decided it would be a good idea to get my homework out of the way. I had sat down at my desk only to realize my book bag wasn't there. One by one I re-accounted for every move I made since I got home from school. Still no place in particular came to mind, except maybe one. My parents bedroom.

Rising up from my desk I left my bedroom and headed down the hall. I knocked twice.

"Mom, dad?" I called as I stared at the faint ornate patterns that were carved into the wooden door.

"Come in Renesmee." I heard my father reply back.

I took in a deep breath as I reached out for the doorknob and opened the door. Pushing the door back slowly I froze as I got the partial view of my parents room from where I stood at the threshold.

Wait... what the heck am I doing? Why on earth did I act like this when it came to entering my parents room. They are my parents after all.

Rolling my eyes at my ludicrous behavor I entered the room and began scanning the room for my father. He was sitting behind his desk going over some paperwork.

"I left my backpack up here." I said, to give reason to why I was in their room.

My father pointed to the spot on the floor beneath the family portrait without even glancing up. He must be pretty busy.

I quickly walked over to my backpack and picked it up before slinging it over my shoulder. As I headed back to the bedroom door I froze. My fathers expression seemed frustrated.

"Dad, is everything okay?" I asked curiously as I made a detour to his desk.

His eyes fluttered briefly before he sighed, set the paper down that he was reading, and forced a smile as he looked up at me. "I'm fine I was just going over to events calender for the music department of the school. Next Friday we have the "Welcome Back" Concert and I'm not sure if the Orchestra and Choir will have had the proper amount of practice they needed together in order to perform the way they need to."

I set my bag down and then picked up the papers he was looking at. After a few seconds I set them back down. "We have nothing going on this third or fourth week so push the "Welcome Back" Concert back a week or two and change the name to something that fits." I suggested.

"That still leaves a slot needing to be filled this next Friday. Everything for that day has been paid for."

"Do a talent show for the Choir and Orchestra. Award prizes or something and let people choose whether they want to be apart of it and what they want to do for it."

My father's eyes glazed over as I saw him turning over the idea in his mind. Then he smiled. "That is a wonderful idea, Renesmee." He pressed a button on his computer and I watched it wake up before he began typing something that looked like an updated news letter.

I stooped down to recollect my bookbag and then headed out the door. "I'm going to go and practice my talent." I chuckled before I left the room, taking care to close the door behind me.

This would be exciting. A talent show. This would be my first ever so it had to be good. Only problem is what would I do?

My bedroom door opened and in walked my mother. I smiled almost immeadiately. "Renesmee, get ready for bed." She said to me as she began walking around my room and causually straightening things up here and there to make it look more orderly.

"Why?" I frowned slightly. "I was just about to start with my homework."

"It's almost your bedtime and I want to make sure you get enough hours of rest."

"Mom, there is no school tomorrow remember?"

"This I know but you will be going into town with your father tomorrow. Daddy daughter time." she winked at me. "Go take your bath and then I'll brush your hair and braid it for you like I did when you were little."

A smile spread across my face. Three treats in one, there was no way I could turn them down. I hugged my mom and then headed to the bathroom where I turned on the appropriate knobs to get the bath water the way I liked it.

After my bath I would get to have my mom brush my hair and then braid it. Then the next day I'd get to spend the entire day with my father. I was so excited for the events to come that I accidentally tore my shirt as I was undressing.

Once I was unclothed I slid into the oversized tub and the music began to play. It was Florence and the Machine. I began singing along to her song Shake It Out. My voice was more higher pitched then hers so I had to bring my octaves down a couple notches in order to harmonize with her.

After a few more of her songs had finished I got up and rinsed off before I got out of the bath and began to dry myself off. The second I slipped my nightgown over my head and I climbed into bed my door opened. I sniffed the air lightly, it was my mother and father.

My father was the first to appear. He sat down on the edge of my bed and wrapped his arms around me before kissing my forehead. I smiled sweetly.

"I was thinking, if you didn't have any ideas for the talent show, you could sing. Just an idea." I flashed me his half crooked smile that my mother always loved.

"I was actually thinking that as I got out of the bath. The only problem I had is that I'm unceartain as to which song to sing."

My father ran his fingers through my long curly hair before he tapped my nose and rose to his feet. "We can figure that out tomorrow. Until then, my love, sweet dreams." He headed down the spiral stairscase that led to the floor below and then I heard my bedroom door close.

"Momma." I grinned as I looked at her expectantly. I was deeply determined to have my hair brushed and braided.

She pulled from behind her back a hairbrush and then moved to sit behind me so she could begin her work on my beautiful locks.

"You know, once upon a time your aunt Alice almost got into a row with your father over your long hair."

I scrunched up my face as I was unable to come to terms on why they would be arguing over my hair. It's just hair.

"Why?"

"Your aunt wanted to give you a pixie cut and your father didn't like the idea. He didn't want your hair touched at all, except when it was being braided and brushed."

I closed my eyes as the brush bristles ran through my hair. It felt so good, so unbelievably good. It was one of my favorite feelings. After a few minutes I could feel my body relax to the point of drowsiness. I was getting tired. The last thing I remembered was my mothers fingers running through my hair, gently weaving my strands into braids.

I woke up the next morning, not to the music of an alarm clock but, my fathers voice.

"Renesmee love, its time to wake up." I heard him say before I opened my eyes to his smiling face.

"Mornin' daddy." I yawned.

He kissed my forehead and then rose to his feet. He was still in his clothes from yesterday.

"Get dressed, Alice has chosen your outfit for the day." He said before he headed downstairs.

After I heard the door close I rose to my feet and headed down the stairs to my bathroom. I got into the shower and quickly bathed before I got out and dried. Just like my father said Alice had an outfit hanging in my bathroom.

When I was finished getting ready I was dressed in khaki capris and a pale blue button down with a pair of flip flop sandals. My hair was in two braids and my face was framed by trendils. The only makeup I wore was a gentle pink lipgloss.

I met my father downstairs after I packed my day bag with a light jacket, a book, my ipod, my camera and my swim-things just incase. He, like myself, was wearing khaki's -shorts- and a pale blue button down with sandals. We matched.

"You both have a good day." My mother said as she kissed me and then my father.

"Sure you don't want extra company?" Jake said as he called from the second floor landing. He walked down the stairs and came to a stop, his eyes on me the entire time.

My father cleared his throat, grabbing Jake's attention. "It's our father daughter time, not father daughter and Jake time." He said.

Jake's eyes flickered to meet mine and then he smiled. "Alright." He wrapped his arms around me and gave me a hug before stepping back. "Have a good time." he grinned before he turned and headed down the left wing. I knew he was on his way to raid the kitchen.

My father put his arm around me. "So are we ready? We have a long day laid out before us." He grinned as he opened the door and stood aside to let me pass.

When I left the house I noticed for the first time that the sun was barely up. It had to be no later then six in the morning. I wondered where we were going and what today had instore for us