Chapter Twenty Six – Shiny

Chapter Number: 26

Chapter Name: Shiny

Page Numbers: 512 – 524

Date of Chapter: Sept 14, 2006

Summary:

Charlie’s visit to see Bella ends late; he is reluctant to leave Bella and his new granddaughter because everything seems so unreal to him and he worries that Bella will leave becasue Jacob mentioned that they were “going to take off”.  Charlie learns that Renesmee’s middle name is Carlie, which is a mix of Charlie and Carlisle’s names and this makes him very happy. He even asks to hold Nessie, which surprises Bella. He finds her “sturdy” but also the prettiest baby in the world. Charlie notices that the Cullens are behaving “differently” and he realizes that things are not as they seem, but he decides not to pry.  They jointly decide not to tell Renee about Bella’s “change” because she might “freak out”. Bella is overjoyed that she was able to associate with Charlie without endangering him, and she is hopeful that she can maintain relationships with her old and new family.

Emmett mocks Bella’s triumph with her control as a newborn vampire and this leads Bella (with Edward’s prompting) to challenge Emmett to a bet. Bella and Emmett choose to have an arm-wrestling match. At first they intend to compete on Esme’s dining room table but Alice advises against it because it is a precious antique. Instead they choose a boulder near the garage. Even after setting the rules (if Bella wins, Emmett cannot talk about Bella’s sex life; if Emmett wins, he is allowed to tease her whenever and wherever he wants), Emmett continues to trash talk Bella. Bella wins decisively and breaks the rock in the process. Bella is interested in testing out her new strength and squishes, kicks, and punches the rock into little tiny pieces. Bella’s acrobatics makes Nessie laugh. Jake suggests that as a mother, Bella should be a bit more restrained but Renesmee enjoyed the scene and tries to crush the rock herself.

At that moment, the sun comes out and all the vampires begin to glitter. Nessie is dismayed that she just has a little glow and doesn’t shine like her mother. Bella reflects on shining, both literally and figuratively, and realizes that she was never the best at anything as a human but excels at being a vampire.

Characters Involved: Jacob Black, Seth Clearwater, Alice Cullen, Bella Cullen, Carlisle Cullen, Edward Cullen, Emmett Cullen, Esme Cullen, Renesmee Cullen, Jasper Hale, Rosalie Hale, Charlie Swan.

Character Mentioned: Renee Dwyer, Sue Clearwater, Billy Black, Phil Dwyer.

Places Visited: Carlisle and Esme’s house (living room, porch, near garage)

Memorable Quotes:
“I would have tried to protect you, too, if I’d known how. But I guess you’ve never fit into the fainthearted category, have you?” ~ Charlie to Bella, page 512

“I’m not even sure she’s really a vampire, let alone a newborn,” Emmett called from under the stairs. “She’s too tame.” ~ Emmett to Bella and the others, page 517

“You gonna back down so easy, little sister?” Emmett taunted. “Not much wild about you, is there? I bet that cottage doesn’t have a scratch.” He laughed. “Did Edward tell you how many houses Rose and I smashed?” ~ Emmett to Bella, page 519-520

“Bella’s supposed to be a grown-up. Married and a mom and all that. Shouldn’t there be more dignity?” ~ Jacob to Edward, page 522

“You’re the prettiest,” I assured her.
“I’m not sure I can agree to that,” Edward said, and when I turned to answer him, the sunlight on his face stunned me into silence. ~ exchange between Bella and Edward, page 523

I had found my true place in the world, the place I fit, the place I shined. ~ Bella, page 524

Important Information learned:
Renesmee’s middle name is Carlie, which is a mix of Charlie and Carlisle’s names.

Emmett and Rosalie destroyed several houses in the first few years of their “marriage”.

Nessie’s skin has a tiny glow, unlike a true vampire’s sparkle in the sun.

Chapter Prepared By: LadyDi