Renesmee was pretty proud of herself when she saw the way the pack was getting along.  Everything had been so crazy since Jake got hurt, but tonight felt like the old days when things weren’t so complicated.  But it was better now...because she had her Jake and he had his Ness.  And she loved seeing him so happy.  He kept glancing over at him as he talked to his friends and he would beam at her.  Her heart was bursting with happiness.

“I heard someone was having a party,” Sam called as he joined the group, arms full of beer and wine.

“Oh yes!” Quil hollered as he rushed over to Sam.  “I’m so glad we put that old fridge in the new garage.  It’s gonna come in handy tonight.”

Jacob chuckled lightly as the guys took the alcohol from Sam and started loading it into the fridge.  He approached Sam and shook his hand.  “I guess I should be thanking you, Sam.  I’m sure you had a hand in building the garage.”

Sam nodded as he inspected his work.  “We just helped.  This was all Quil and Embry.  And we’re all just so glad you’re home.”

“I know I’ve been putting the pack through some shit these last few months, but I’m done with that stuff.  Thanks for stepping up and leading them when I couldn't.  I don't really know if I'll ever be able to be a real leader to them again, so I’m glad they have you.”

Sam gripped Jacob’s shoulder and smiled.  “You’ll always be the true Alpha of this pack and I’m pretty confident you’ll get your wolf back.”  Sam paused when he saw Renesmee sauntering up to them.  “With Nessie by your side, I think you can do anything.”

Renesmee reached up and pulled Sam into a big hug.  “I’m so glad you’re here,” she gushed.

He hugged her back, her happiness was infectious.  “There’s nowhere I'd rather be, Ness.”

“You guys should start a fire,” she suggested when he released her.  “Me and the girls are gonna make some food,” she paused to look at Jacob.  “Are you tired?  We don’t have to…”

“I’m doing great,” he beamed as he gave her a big squeeze, lifting her right off the ground.  “This was just what the doctor ordered.”

“Come on, Ness!” Rachel called.  Emily and Kim each held up a bottle of wine and laughed, “It’s wine time!”

Renesmee pressed a kiss to Jacob’s cheek and breathed, “Welcome home, baby.”

Jacob held her for another moment more before she was dragged away by the other girls, all giggling and teasing her endlessly.  The pack joined him as Sam began piling up wood on the fire.  “So…” Jared began.  “What’s this about you getting Ness naked last night?  I thought you just ‘slept,’” Jared punctuated with finger quotes.

Jacob just shook his head.  Nothing could ruin his mood.  He was back where he belonged, with his pack and with his Ness.  It was perfect.
…….
Emily opened the wine and began pouring glasses as Nessie rummaged through the fridge.  “Thank God me and Esme went shopping,” she announced as she pulled packages of bratwurst and hot dogs out and stacked them on the counter.

Leah strolled into the kitchen and nodded appreciatively.  “Wow, Renesmee. You have done wonders with this place.  It doesn’t look like a bear cave anymore.”

Kim giggled as she handed Leah a glass of wine.  “It definitely needed a woman’s touch.”

Ava joined the girls just then and beamed brightly.  “So this is where the party’s at?”

“Ava!  You’re finally here,” Renesmee beamed, passing her a glass of wine.

Ava took a sip and smiled.  “Yeah, Seth was waiting for me and Amara to get done at the diner.  I hope you don’t mind that I brought her too.”  Ava glanced at Leah and smirked.  “When her brother, Wesley found out you’d be here, he asked if he could come too.”

“The more the merrier!” Renesmee exclaimed.  Then she noticed the look on Leah’s face.  “What’s wrong?”

“Wesley is here?”

Rachel giggled.  “Ooh you’re boyfriend’s here, Leah!”

“Who’s Wesley?” Emily quizzed as Leah’s face turned bright red.

Leah sighed, “He works at the hardware store and… I don’t know…”

“She has a crush on him,” Kim finished her thought.

“Do not!”

“Well, he certainly likes you,” Ava observed, reaching for a handful of grapes from a tray on the table.  “You should have seen how fast he went to change his clothes when I told him you’d be at this party.”

Leah’s expression softened.  “Oh!  Well he’s okay...I guess.”

“Quit lying, Leah,” Rachel teased.  “You’re in that store all the time.  Nobody needs that much plumber’s putty!”

They all roared with laughter and Renesmee tried to reel them in.  “Let’s get this food out there before the guys start gnawing each other’s arms off,” she instructed them.

Each of the girls grabbed an armload of trays and serving bowls.  Renesmee remembered to grab the hot dog forks so they could cook over the open fire.  She began digging around in the pantry when she felt two warm hands on her hips.  “Need some help?” Jacob whispered huskily.

Renesmee turned into his arms and nodded.  “I can’t find the hot dog forks,” she replied innocently.

He kept one hand on her hip as knelt down and felt around the bottom of the pantry for the forks.  He passed them to her and she placed them on the counter.  Jacob stood up slowly, running his fingers up her calf and nodding.  “I really like this dress,” he commented.  “But it’s starting to get cold out.  You may want to change your clothes.”

Nessie bit down on her lower lip and nodded.  “Okay, come on then.”

Jacob absently followed her as she tugged on his hand, leading him to his bedroom.  “What are we doing?” he murmured curiously as she shut the door behind them.

“Two things,” she informed him as she led him to the bed.

Jacob looked at his bed and furrowed his brow.  “Whose bed is this?”

“It’s ours,” she announced happily.  “Well yours, I guess.  It’s a homecoming gift from my mom.”

Jacob raised his eyebrows expectantly.  “Wow, nice gift.”

“She didn’t think your old bed was big enough...and it was kinda lumpy,” Renesmee explained.

Jacob laughed as he wrapped Nessie in a warm hug.  “That was nice of her.  Does that mean you’ll be staying the night?” he asked hopefully, pulling away to peer into her gleaming emerald eyes.

Renesmee tipped her head to the side thoughtfully and shrugged.  “If you want me to, I will.”

Jacob squeezed her tightly and swung her around happily.  “That’s all I want.  I know I still have a lot to make up for, but I hate the thought of not waking up with you in my arms.”

“Hey, guys.”

They both turned toward the face in the window.  Jared smiled widely as Jacob scowled.  “What is it?” Jacob asked impatiently.

“Hot dog forks?”

Jacob crossed the room.  “They’re on the kitchen counter.  Send one of the girls in to get them.  We’ll be out in a minute,” Jacob retorted as he tried to shut the window.

“It takes longer than a minute,” Jared sleazed, his eyebrows wagging.  He barely had a chance to jump back before Jacob shut the windows on his hands.  He sighed as he snapped the curtains closed, then turned his attention back to Renesmee.

“What was the other thing?” he asked as he approached her once again.

Nessie shrugged, looking confused.  “Oh!” she exclaimed when she remembered.  She turned her back to him, glanced over her shoulder and whispered in a shaky breath, “Unzip me?”

Jacob stepped closer to her, running his fingers up her back and eliciting a hitch in her breath. He slipped his hands inside the back of her dress, holding it in place as he slid the zipper down excruciatingly slow.

Jacob swallowed thickly as her naked back was exposed.  “Take it off,” she ordered.  She whimpered when he pushed her straps down and let the fabric fall to the floor.  “Thank you,” she exhaled, stepping out of the garment and crossing to the dresser.

Jacob spun around and blew out a deep breath as he sat back on his new bed.  He turned to see her in front of the dresser, hooking her bra behind her back. “I put some of my things in here earlier today.  I hope that was okay.”

Jacob rolled over on his side, propped himself up on one elbow and smiled.  “Of course it is, Sugar.  Make yourself at home.”

Renesmee beamed at her new nickname as she slid a dark pair of skinny blue jeans over her hips.  He watched as she buttoned and zipped them, then chose a slim fitting turquoise long sleeved t-shirt.  She slipped that over her head, leaving the top three buttons open.

When she twirled for Jacob, he smiled appreciatively and pulled himself off the bed.  “This bed is just too comfy,” he murmured as he raked his fingers through her hair and tipped her head back.

“Mmm hmm,” she hummed as he pulled her hair gently.  “We should probably get back out there,” she suggested as he leaned in for a kiss.

Jacob tried to hide his disappointment. “You’re right.  At this rate, we’ll be lucky if there’s any food left.”

Renesmee leaned against Jacob as they made their way out to their guests.
…..
Jacob and Nessie returned to the party, arms wrapped around each other and totally oblivious to everyone around them.  The pack stood up and clapped for Jacob.  “Way to go, big guy!” Jared cheered as Renesmee rolled her eyes.

“Ignore them,” Emily advised, handing Renesmee a shot glass full of brown liquor.  “We finished off the wine,” Emily replied apologetically when she gave her a skeptical look.

“She needs to eat something before she drinks that,” Jacob called from the other side of the fire as Quil handed him a bottle of beer.

Renesmee crinkled up her nose at Jacob as the girls joined her in a toast.  She held up her shot glass and smiled.  “Here’s to great friends, good food, strong drinks, and…” Nessie paused to glance at Jacob as she finished her toast.  “True love.”

The group raised their glasses and cheered, “Here, here!”

Jacob gazed intensely at Renesmee as she tipped her head back and swallowed it all in one shot.  “God!” she cringed, “what was that?”

“Fireball, baby!” Kim hollered, pouring her a little more.

Jared and Paul shook their heads.  “Look at ‘em.  Those girls can’t ever hold their liquor,” Paul grumbled.

“Look at Kim, she’s already swaying,” Jared gruffed.

“Looks like Jake’s gonna get lucky again tonight,” Quil added. 

Jacob sighed.  “Oh ease up, guys.  We always overdo it and they take care of us.  Let them have their fun for once.”

Seth and Embry gave each other knowing looks.  “You’re totally whipped, Jake. What the hell?” Embry cackled.

“Even the ice queen is thawing out tonight,” Paul nodded in Leah’s direction and the guys all turned to look.

“Whoo, get it, Leah!” Quil hollered as Wesley leaned in to kiss Leah.  She snaked her hands around his neck and flipped both her middle fingers off to the guys as the girls cheered.

“Well, cheers to no more bitter inner dialogue from Leah. Yes!” Jared raised his beer.

Even Sam raised his bottle to that toast.  He watched Leah kiss Wesley again.  His expression unreadable.  Jacob wondered if he was really okay with her moving on.  He guessed anything was possible.

Jacob took another swig of beer and casually glanced over at his girl.  She was huddled on a log with the other girls, laughing and sipping her drink.  Jacob watched as he swept her long wavy hair over her shoulder and gazed intensely at him.  He had never seen her drink hard liquor before, but she seemed to be handling herself okay.

Renesmee caught Jacob staring at her and she couldn’t look away.  She tipped her head a little and stood up from her spot on the log and headed his way.  He gave her a lopsided smile and walked around to join her in the garage.  They both reached for the refrigerator door at the same time. “Go ahead,” Jacob said smiling.

Renesmee offered her hand and smiled back.  “I’m Renesmee Cullen.  Most people call me Nessie.”

Jacob narrowed his gaze at her and then played along.  “Jacob...Black, nice to meet you Nessie.”

“So this is your house?” she asked, handing him a new beer from the fridge.

Jacob nodded, wondering how long she wanted to keep up this ruse.  “So do you live around here?”

“I live in Forks, with my parents.  They’re cool, but I can’t wait to move out on my own.  I swear sometimes it’s like my dad can read my mind.”

Quil walked up to Renesmee and Jacob, giving them both strange looks as he reached for another beer.  “You two...are really weird.”

They both laughed as Nessie noticed two more bottles of wine tucked in behind a case of beer.  “Quil! Did you hide these on purpose?” she demanded as Quil scampered off.

“Come on,” Jacob urged, as Renesmee retrieved the bottles with a scowl on her face.
….
When they returned to the group, they were trying to decide which drinking game to try.

“Spin the bottle?” Quil suggested sheepishly.

“Too grade school.”

“Truth or Dare?” Seth offered.

“Too high school.”

Renesmee held up the hidden bottles of wine and said, “How about we play Never Have I Ever?”

“How do you play that?” Seth asked as he sat with Ava and put his arm around her.

Nessie took a seat on the log and looked up to Jacob, hoping he would join her.  “Everybody takes a turn saying something that they haven’t done.  It can be as simple as ‘I’ve never ridden in a cab before.’  If you have, then you drink.  Then someone else goes,” she explained.

The girls passed the wine around as Jacob sat down with Renesmee and pulled her close to him.  “Do you think this is a good idea?”

“Better than Sexmaster,” she answered honestly.
.......
A/N: part of the next chapter will include the gang playing the drinking game or I can leave it out.  What do you think?