The story "Trying Times", is written by Stargirl888. This is my entry for the Trying Times adoption contest. Again Stargirl888, thank you soooo much for this wonderful opportunity.

Trying Times Chapter 8

APOV

A FEW MONTHS LATER

It has been a few months since the incident between Jenny, Jasper, and Renesmee, and so far it has been pretty quiet here. Nessie is improving in her habits and wrong doings, and she has never been better.

The thing is, I'm worried about my daughter, Jenny. I feel like she is hiding something from me and Jasper, but I don't know what. I mean don't get me wrong, she is being polite and makes sure she doesn't do anything wrong, but I feel like it is an act. I've talked to Jasper about my suspicions, but he doesn't believe their true. I'm beside myself.

Everyday after school, Jenny stays for the school play. The play is taking forever to be put together, since Jenny has been doing it for a couple of months now.

Lately, Jenny comes home later and later, and I'm afraid her grades are going to suffer.

Right now in fact, I'm sitting in the living room, waiting for Jenny to come home. It's past 9 pm, and I'm sure play practice doesn't last that long. The wait is making me more and more anxious, and half of my mind is screaming at me to get up and bring Jenny home myself. But, I don't get the chance to, when I hear the sound of gravel crunching under fast moving tires.

I shot off the sofa, and threw open the front door. There on the stoop, was my very late daughter.

"Where have you been young lady?" I asked, the anger clear as day across my face.

"You know I'm in the school play, Alice." Jenny said.

Even though we have told her several times we consider her our daughter, Jenny won't call us "Mom" or "Dad".

"Jenny, it is past 9 pm, and you still have your homework to do!" I reminded her.

"I'm sorry Alice, I guess I just lost track of time, it won't happen again." she promised.

"It better not happen again young lady, or you'll be across my lap before you can comprehend what is happening!" I warned her.

"Yes ma'am." she answered in reply, knowing that I meant exactly what I said.

"Good, now head straight for your room, and don't come out until every scrap of homework is finished." I ordered her.

She obliged, and went off to do her homework. I walked back into the living room, and just sat on the sofa, brewing everything in my head over and over again. A few minutes past by, and I heard footsteps descending the staircase. For the love of God, and my sanity, that better not be Jenny.

I look up, and coming down the stairs, is my wonderful husband, Jasper.

"Hey, is everything okay with you sweetheart?" he asked.

I smiled, "I'm fine, why?" I asked.

"I just could sense how angry and frustrated you were, and I wanted to make sure you were okay." he said.

"Oh, I was just frustrated about Jenny." I told him.

"Alice, I told you, she isn't going behind our backs." he assured me.

"I just feel deep inside me, she is doing something she shouldn't be doing." I said.

He didn't answer, but he wrapped his loving arm behind my back, and pulled me closer to him. We sat like that for a few minutes, just enjoying the moment. But, being me, I broke the silence.

"I swear, if that girl gives me a gray hair." I said.

"I don't think you have anything to worry about." he laughed.

I smiled, and burrowed deeper into him, loving every moment of it. But, even Jasper couldn't mask my suspicions of our daughter.

JennyPOV

They are to easy to deceive. I mean, for the past four months, I've been going to "play" practice. But, what they don't know, is what type of "playing" I'm doing. I'm not staying after school everyday for a stupid human play. The "playing" I do everyday, is seeing my vampire boyfriend.

Joss and his coven moved here exactly four and a half months ago. At first, we didn't bother them, and they didn't bother us. Well, that all ended, when I bumped into Joss during school.

We would talk whenever our families were not within hearing distance, and we found that we have so much in common. And that was that; me and Joss fell in love. I never thought I would ever find my mate, even after that little chat I had with Alice. But, now I had, and I couldn't be happier.

The snag in our love was with our families. Alice and Jasper were being extremely weary about the new additions to the town. Then, with Joss' coven, they just plain hated my family. Joss and I were the 21st century "Romeo and Juliet".

We started the "play" bit, after two weeks of knowing each other, and we have been doing it since.

Last night, when I came home late, Alice was ridiculously angry. It wasn't that big of a deal; I've been late before.

Right now, I was in the school library doing my homework. It was after school, but Joss was hunting with his coven tonight, so we couldn't hang out. Then, with the whole pretend play thing, I couldn't just come home; it would look suspicious.

At 5 pm, I got into my car, and headed home. I couldn't risk getting Alice more angry at me, and I was bored without Joss. So, when I pulled up to the house, everything seemed the same, yet a little quiet. I grabbed my stuff, and walked up to the porch. When I found my keys, I unlocked the door, and pushed it open. Then, I came face to face with a very pissed off Alice.

APOV

I had been having a pretty good day today. Me and Jasper spent the day basking in each other's love and company., and we even got a little hunting in. we had taken the day off from school, but when 3:30 pm came around, we headed back home to greet Renesmee and Jacob. Then, I would be waiting to see if Jenny's promise was fulfilled.

When Jasper and I got home, Jacob and Renesmee weren't the only things waiting for us. On the coffee table was five report cards from our high school.

When I looked through them, I found four good reports and one bad report. Just guess who had the bad report card. That's right, Jenny. I swear, that girl is going to be the death of me!

Jasper knew I was absolutely off my edge with anger at our daughter. So, he decided he would take Jacob and Renesmee to a movie. I appreciated that so much.

I stormed back and forth across the living room, trying to walk off the anger, but not succeeding at all. And when 5 pm came around and Jenny came home, I was ready to pounce.

Jenny came through the door and looked right into my face. I believe her face paled even more with seeing me so upset.

"You are in monumental trouble young lady!" I screeched at her.

She flinched, and when I grabbed her arm, she tried desperately to get away. But I had the better advantage, and brought her to the sofa in the living room.

"Alice, no!" she shouted.

But, I ignored her and pulled her over my lap. I started my rhythm of continuous swats on her backside, and she wailed in protest. After several smacks and her being a little quieter, I started my lecture.

"I come home from having a wonderful day with your father, to find a very in lighting report card on my table." I began.

"This play of yours has made you fail! All f's, do you hear me, ALL F's!!." I said.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, please I'll bring my grades up. Just please stop." she cried.

"I'll stop, when I think you have been punished enough, Jenny." I said.

I ranted on and on in my lecture. Eventually, my hard, sharp swats, turned into comforting rubs. I pulled her up, and held her in my arms, letting her calm down.

"Shh, it's okay, it's over." I comforted her.

Jenny pulled away from me a little, and looked into my eyes. She sniffled, and opened her mouth to speak.

"I'm so sorry Alice, please forgive me." she pleaded.

"Oh honey, I forgave you minutes ago. I'm just worried about you." I told her.

"Thanks, Alice." she said.

"Your welcome, sweetheart."

I gave her a reassuring hug, then kissed the top of her head.

"Now, until further notice, you will be grounded. No play, just school, then home. Am I understood?" I asked.

"But Alice, the play, I can't just quit." she said, quite anxious.

"Yes you can, and you will." I told her.

She was about to protest, but thought better of it.

"Wise choice darling." I said, with a smile on my face.

"I love you." I told her.

"I love you too, Mom." Jenny said, and I couldn't help but smile.