Breaking Dawn

Edward Point Of View

(Part—6)

Stephanie Meyers owns all things Twilight!

Chapter 26—Unbound

I pressed my lips to the silken skin of her collarbone, damp with sweat, the salty moisture combining with her
sweet, lilting taste, creating a slight tang against my tongue. The sun filtered through the blue curtains, reflecting
the hue of morning sky over her body, as the waves embraced the shore outside. I listened as her heartbeat and
breathing finally began to slow, savoring the tantalizing, addicting thrill of her response.

She shifted slightly beneath me, sighing, her hands stroking my head through my hair, her airy touch a
breathtaking catalyst, provoking sensation through every nerve in my body. I stroked her shoulder with my thumb,
and then trailed my fingers down her arm, her bare skin exquisite, my hand then falling and flowing into the curve
of her waist. I stilled my touch against her hip, willing myself not to move, trying not to betray the wanton,
unceasing passion I felt, even in this moment when she was still languid and sleepy.

But, as if sensing my thoughts, her hand trailed fire down my cheek, weightless fingers encouraging my chin to lift
so our gazes met. I tried not to let my eyes reflect my need, but she knew.

"Again?" she asked, her face tired, but pleased. Feeling weak, and yet extraordinarily happy, I rose up slightly,
gently covering her body with mine, my lips meeting hers tenderly.

"Yes," I murmured. "Again..."

"Poisonous!"

I was jolted out of my memory by Bella's distressed shriek. I realized I was still standing in the doorway of the
dining room, gazing at her, with who knew what kind of expression on my face. I refocused myself quickly to see
her staring in horror at Jasper, who had his hand on Bella's shoulder and was trying to calm her. He looked up at
me.

Sorry, Edward. He shrugged. I thought she knew. I realized he'd just informed Bella that our venom was poisonous
to the wolves. That had she, purposefully or not, bitten Seth, it would have killed him, even if we had been able to
get her off him.

I sighed, giving Jasper a look. As if Bella wasn't already upset enough.

Well, he thought, slightly indignant at my expression. Seems like something she should know, if we are going to
have dogs hanging out here all the time. He tilted his head slightly towards the front porch, where Jacob was
listening intently.

I didn't know the bloodsuckers knew that, Jacob grumbled. Sam is going to flip!

"So you mean that if I had bitten Seth or Jacob, I would have killed them?" Bella's voice was still several octaves
too high.

"Well," laughed Jasper, "that's a heck of a lot better than the venom turning them into one of us."

Damned straight, thought Leah from outside.

Bella stared at Jasper with wide eyed dismay. I walked swiftly across the room to her side. "Don't worry,
sweetheart." I knelt down next to her. "They are just fine."

She looked at me, irritation flashing in her crimson eyes. Jasper was keeping a steady flow of calm into her. "How
could you never have told me that?" she growled.

I glanced momentarily at Jasper, again thanking him for bringing this up at such a perfect time. "If just…never
came up before, love." Suddenly, the phone rang loudly. We all looked towards it silently.

"See who it is, Edward," Carlisle said. He and Seth were just coming down the stairs, Carlisle carrying a
brace. Caller Id, he thought.

Oh. With Alice around we rarely used it. I shot over to the phone and glanced at the display.

Swan, C.

"Charlie," I murmured. Bella sucked in a swift breath.

Let it go again, Carlisle thought, worried. It's too risky without Alice here to see what he will do.

I nodded, walking slowly back to Bella. She looked at me with sad eyes.

"Oh, Edward," she said softly. "My dad. What are we going to do?" I sat next to her, rubbing her back gently.

You know this can't go on, Edward, Jasper thought. We have to leave soon.

Carlisle and Seth neared the sofa. Carlisle glanced up at me as he settled Seth down. Collarbone and shoulder, he
thought. I'm going to brace it.

"Can you give me a hand, Edward," he said aloud. I got up and moved over next to Seth, holding his arm in the
position Carlisle needed while he started to fit the brace to Seth's mammoth shoulder. Seth was keeping his face
passive, but I could sense the pain in his mind.

"Seth, again, I'm so sorry," I said softly. I heard Bella grind her teeth behind me, apparently still thinking I
shouldn't be apologizing.

"Really, man, it's not your fault," Seth said. Don't worry – it was actually kinda cool!

"Should we…should we call Sue?" Bella asked in small voice. "I mean, can you still not go home? Because of the
pack?" Then panic flared in her face, as if a sudden thought had struck her, and she stood up swiftly. "Wait - the
treaty," she gasped. "Do they know about me? That I've been changed? Will they attack when they find out?" Her
eyes flew to the front porch, where Renesmee waited with Jacob and Rose, exposed.

"Oh, no, love," I said quickly. "That's all straightened out." As much as it ever can be.

Bella looked at me with surprised eyes. "What do you mean?" she breathed.

"Well," I said slowly, thinking where to begin. "Firstly, technically we didn't break the treaty." Bella gave me a
questioning look. "Jacob, as Alpha, gave me permission to change you."

"He did? When was this?" Bella said quickly, her face hardening slightly. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't get a chance," I responded. "It was in the minutes before Renesmee was born."

"Oh," she said softly, her hand moving unconsciously to her flat stomach. She stared towards the front wall, relief
and gratitude passing briefly across her face before being replaced by a grimace.
"Uh, thanks Jacob, I guess," she muttered, clearly not up to being too nice to him yet. Jacob laughed softly out on
the front porch.

"And then Jacob went to see Sam," Seth said, "to explain everything. Alone, of course." He frowned, still
aggravated to have been left behind.

"Really?" Bella said, sitting back down slowly. I could hear the interest piqued in her voice, and I smiled. "Then
what happened?"

I let Seth do most of the explaining of what had passed between Jacob and Sam, and then later Sam and Carlisle. I
saw Bella glance at me, a conflicted, tender look in her eyes, when Seth explained that I had refused to leave her
side to translate between Sam and Carlisle.

"Wow," said Bella, when Seth finally stopped for a breath. "So, will you be going back to La Push now, Seth?"

"No," said Seth. Yes, thought Jacob and Leah in unison.

There was a small noise from the front porch, a light cry of protest from Renesmee. Bella stiffened, her face
immediately filled with fear and yearning.

"She's just hungry," I whispered reassuringly, reaching out and taking her hand to pull her onto the couch next to
me. Renesmee was squirming in Jacob's arms, her hand on his face, insistent pictures of him feeding her filling his
head.

The door clicked open softly, and Rosalie stepped inside. "Feeling better?" she asked Bella kindly.

Bella shrugged, tilting her head to the side. "I'm calmer," she said. "But I still feel terrible about what happened."

Rose smiled and swept into the kitchen. I heard the refrigerator door swing open. "Well, I certainly hope you aren't
feeling bad about almost killing that reeking throw rug out on the front porch," she said breezily. The refrigerator
slammed shut, and Rose carried a bag of blood over to the counter. "God knows he deserved it. I wanted to do it
myself when I found out, but…" Her head suddenly popped into the room through the doorway and she glared at
me. "Edward wouldn't let me." She disappeared back into the kitchen.

Bring it on, Ice-Queen, Jacob thought. I tried to bite back a smile.

"Honestly, Rosalie," Carlisle said, still adjusting Seth's brace.

Ow, Seth thought, grimacing. I felt a stab of guilt again, the smile dropping from my face. Whatever my feelings
towards Jacob and the imprint, Seth should never have had to put himself in the path of danger. Why couldn't it
have been Leah, I mused. Bella owed her one for that rant the other day.

"I'm so sorry, Seth," I said. "I should have been closer."

"Seth, I…" Bella tried to jump in with an apology, a miserable expression on her face. She glanced with despair at
Carlisle and then Jasper, and I knew, had she been human, her fragile skin would have been a deep shade of red.
She still didn't seem to appreciate that we were all impressed by how well she had been holding things together,
not upset.

"Bella, love, no one is judging you. You're doing so well."

"Don't worry about it Bella, I'm totally fine," Seth interjected.

Hand me that piece, Edward, please, Carlisle thought, gesturing to one of the final pieces of the brace on the table.
I handed it to him and he slid it into place. Seth winced again.

"Sorry, sorry," Bella whispered. I caressed her arm reassuringly.

You should be. Leah growled down by the river.

"Don't freak, Bella." Seth patted her knee. "I'll be back to normal in half an hour. Anyone would have done the
same, what with Jake and Nessie-." Oh, shoot. Seth realized his error with the nickname. He tried to think of
something positive to say. "I mean, at least you didn't bite me or anything. That would've sucked."

Bella moaned slightly, hiding her head in her hands, and I shook my head at him in exasperation.

He grimaced. Sorry! I was trying to cheer her up.

"I'm a bad person," Bella mumbled into her hands.

"Of course you aren't. I should have…"

"Stop that," Bella snapped.

Seth shifted awkwardly. Um, let's see… "Lucky thing Ness" – dammit – "Renesmee's not venomous. 'Cause she
bites Jake all the time."

Bella's head popped up. "She does?"

Seth grinned. "Sure. Whenever he and Rose don't get dinner in her mouth fast enough. Rose thinks it's pretty
hilarious." He caught my eye and I smiled back at him, nodding.

Several emotions passed through Bella's expression. I suspected she was trying to suppress a smile at this
revelation.

Carlisle stood up. All set. "Well, Seth, I think that's as much as I can do," he said. "Try not to move for, oh, a few
hours, I guess. I wish treating humans were this instantaneously gratifying." He was healing even as I worked on
him, he thought. He was caught by a sudden memory of treating Jacob after the newborn attack, and he placed his
hand on Seth's head, grateful his injuries had not been as extensive as Jacob's had been. "Stay still," he said
affectionately, and then he headed upstairs. He was anxious to take notes in his journal of everything he had
observed of Bella today.

Seth watched him go. "I can probably manage sitting still for a while," he mumbled, yawning. Yah, I'll just rest my
head for a minute. He carefully laid his head back, closing his eyes. These couches are so damn soft, he thought,
as his mind faded and blurred until he was breathing deeply, lost in sleep, looking very, very young.

Bella was watching Seth with troubled eyes. Without looking at me, she got up and moved towards the back
window. I debated a moment and then followed, not wanting her to feel alone. I took her hand and watched as her
eyes followed Leah's movements along the river bed. Leah glanced up, seeing Bella through the glass.

If you ever touch my little brother again, she fumed. She had wanted to come inside, but everyone, including
Jacob, had thought she needed to stay out and calm down.

There was soft click behind us. Rose had gone back outside with a prepared bottle for Renesmee. She had had the
good sense to wrap the bottle tightly in a dishcloth, and though Jasper and I both tensed, eyes on Bella,
anticipating the smell of blood, thankfully none came.

"Give her to me," Rose said outside. "I'll feed her."

"Just give me the bottle, blondie" Jacob quietly growled.

"No, damn you," Rose snapped. "I got it ready, I'll feed her. I let you hold her all this time." Consider yourself
lucky.

"Let me?" Jacob spat.

"Yes, let you. This is my house, and she is my niece, if you've forgotten, you damn vagrant."

"Listen, bloodsucker, I…"

I sighed, trying to shut out their voices. I wished they would keep it down – Bella didn't need to hear this. Her eyes
stared straight out, her mind obviously far away.

Edward, Jasper thought. She's getting tense.

I watched her carefully, wishing for the millionth time I could see what was going on in her head. For a moment, I
felt a flash of jealously towards Jasper, that he could at least feel her emotions, whereas I was shut out
completely. Why is that? I wondered despondently.

Jasper met my eyes. Still upset about the wolves? His gaze was questioning. His eyes moved back to Bella,
concerned, as her anxiety increased his own tension. She shouldn't feel bad.

"What's the matter, Bella?" he said softly. He glanced back at me momentarily, and I nodded at him. Cool calm
swept up in his mind, relaxing his own body before radiating out into the room. Bella's tight muscles eased slightly.
"No one is angry with you, or even surprised, really."

Speak for yourself, Leah snarled.

"Well," Jasper continued, "I suppose we are surprised. Surprised that you were able to snap out of it so quickly."
He smiled at her reassuringly. "You did well. Better than anyone expects of you."

Bella took a deep breath and then looked at him. "I was thinking of Charlie, actually."

"Ah," Jasper said. To be expected, he mused. Outside there was sudden silence, as Jacob took note of the
conversation.

"We really have to leave, don't we?" Bella asked, her expression strained. "For a while, at the very least. Pretend
we're in Atlanta, or something."

I stared at her intently. Many of the obstacles to our staying in Forks had been removed. The treaty was still intact.
And our greatest fear – controlling Bella – seemed to have been for naught. Her control was incredible.

But secrecy remained our greatest foe. The rule of the wider world of our kind could not be upheld as long as
Charlie remained such an immediate threat.

"Yes," said Jasper. He was pleased that Bella seemed to understand the necessity of removing ourselves from the
area. "It's the only way to protect your father." And our family.

Bella looked sad. "I'm going to miss him so much. I'll miss everyone here."

Jacob's mind was working outside, his stress level high, his eyes attached to my daughter, drinking peacefully in
Rose's arms. I can't be away from her, he thought with despair. I realized then, as he did, that no matter where we
went, Jacob would follow. Great, just great, I thought irritably.

My pack, Jacob thought, worried. They'll have to go back to Sam. But he knew in his heart that Leah would never
agree to that. There must be some way for the Cullens to stay in Forks.

Bella snorted suddenly, bringing me back to her. I looked at her questioningly, but she just shook her head. I
heard movement outside, and checked on Nessie through Rose's eyes. She had finished the bottle, and Rose was
looking at Jacob, tapping her watch. Six o'clock. Rose started towards the door but Jacob put an arm out in front,
pausing her moved, stepping in front of her to enter the house first. Rose tightened her grip on Renesmee,
following him inside. Both of their eyes moved directly to Bella.
Has she got this, Edward? Rose thought, worried.

Jasper, hearing their approach, moved directly to Bella's side. He looked at me. Do you think it is too soon to try
this again? Maybe we should ask the wolf the leave – he was the one who agitated her in the first place.

I considered. I'd love to throw Jacob out for the time being, and relieve us of his interference. And stench. But I
suspected Bella would protest - aggravated as she was with him, I knew she felt guilty about the attack.

Bella was watching Carlisle come down the stairs with the scale and measuring equipment in confusion.

"Must be six," I explained.

"So?"

"Time to measure Ness," – oh, oops – "er, Renesmee," Carlisle answered.

"Oh," Bella said, her brow furrowed. "You do this every day?"

"Four times a day," Carlisle said, gesturing Rose towards the couch. She approached apprehensively.

"Four times?" Bella said in confusion. "Every day? Why?"

"She's still growing quickly," I said quietly. I wrapped an arm around her, grateful once again for her presence. As
much as I hated to burden her with these concerns, it was a relief to know that now it was something we could
cope with together.

"What do we do?" Bella whispered, her terrified eyes sealed onto Renesmee.

What can we do? My thoughts mirrored her horror. We were nothing short of helpless to control her growth. "I
don't know."

"It's slowing," Jacob suddenly growled. It has to slow down. It has to.

"We'll need several more days of measurements to track the trend, Jacob. I can't make any promises."

"Yesterday she grew two inches. Today it's less."

Carlisle blinked slightly in surprise. He hadn't realized Jacob had been paying such close attention to the
measurement. But of course he would, he realized. "By a thirty-second of an inch, if my measurements are
perfect."

"Be perfect, Doc," Jacob snapped.

The god damned nerve, thought Rosalie, glaring at him.

"You know I'll do my best," Carlisle sighed.

"Guess that's all I can ask," Jacob muttered.

Edward, Jasper thought. I glanced at him and he inclined his head towards Bella. He's pissing her off again.

I looked at Bella – her eyes were narrowed at Jacob, her mouth set in a firm line. She seemed to be put out,
perhaps by his hovering, and questioning.
Carlisle picked up the smaller tape measure to use on Renesmee's head, but she had had enough. Mommy, she
thought, her eyes fixed on Bella. Mommy! She reached out a small hand and Rose bent forward to meet it. Rose's
mind filled with the image of Bella, the view from her arms when she had held Nessie earlier. There was no
doubting the demanding tone of Renesmee's thoughts. She was done with waiting.

"What does she want?" Jacob asked, anxious.

"Bella, of course," Rose said, sighing, glancing at me. Is it okay? She looked with anxious eyes at Bella, concerned,
but wanting to give Nessie what she wanted.

"How are you?" she asked Bella.

"Worried," Bella said, and I realized she meant about Renesmee, and what she had just witnessed of her growth. I
pressed her to me with my arm.

Yes, of course, thought Rose. "We all are. But that's not what I meant."

Bella sighed. "I'm in control," she said.

Her thirst seems firmly under wraps, Jasper affirmed.

I don't like it. Jacob went to open his mouth to protest as his eyes swept up to mine. But he stopped, seeing my
expression, from which he managed to comprehend, luckily for him, that interference now would lead to his
expulsion from this house. Ugh, fine, he thought, biting his lip to keep from saying anything.

Rose took a small step towards Bella, her body and mind tense. This is Bella, she reminded herself. She'll be okay.
We worked so hard for this – she worked so hard. She would never hurt Nessie.

But her anxious emotions, all of our anxious fears, betrayed us to Jasper. He was working to keep his mind calm,
to keep the tension that filled the room from bleeding his focus on the situation, and on Bella. He let Nessie's
radiating joy, and adoration, slip in a little, providing some relief, and a reminder what this was all for.

Bella reached her arms out for the baby. Carlisle stepped closer, his eyes fixed on the situation. Jasper and I
opened our hands, ready, but while Bella was nervous, Jasper could clearly sense her solid control. Renesmee
stretched out anxiously, and Rose took a step closer, gently allowing Bella to take Nessie from her arms.

Renesmee melted into Bella, a beautiful smile lighting her face. Mommy. Although her scent must have been
intoxicatingly strong, there was no sense of increased thirst from Bella. I relaxed, nodding reassuringly at Rose and
Jacob, although Jasper remained tense, stress in every line of his body.

Renesmee placed her fingers to Bella's cheek, her face growing more serious, questioning. Bella gasped as her
mind filled with the memory of Jacob being stalked by her across the lawn. I watched with pleasure - Bella was
amazing, her face a dazzling blaze of fury, her lovely body so lithe and powerful as she launched herself at him.
Jacob's mouth hung open in shock, and I couldn't help laughing at his rather dumbfounded expression at her flight
towards him.

Seth, stop! Seth's body entered the picture, and I cringed, the smile falling from my face, as the snap of his bones
rang through the air. Bella winced next to me.

Renesmee's vision took on an edge of satisfaction, and relief, as Bella's flight was clearly halted. There was a growl
and a flash of Leah's fur. Then Jasper appeared, a resounding crack as he slammed into Bella, followed by a loud
thump as she knocked him into the dirt behind her. Bella moaned, shaking her head and closing her eyes as my
arms wrapped around her in Renesmee's mind and she struggled to pull free. Then we all fell out of the picture as
Renesmee's thoughts focused solely on Jacob, safe, unhurt, and she smiled. Jacob, she thought, affection flavored
with a sort of possession. Mine.

"Oh, wonderful," Bella moaned, catching the tone of Renesmee's thoughts. "Perfect."
"It's just because he tastes better than the rest of us," I muttered.

"I told you she likes me, too," Jacob said, smiling but still tense, as he realized we were talking about him.

I watched more memories, of Rosalie brushing her hair, and Carlisle measuring, a bored tone to the thought. I
smiled – I could tell Renesmee was excited, just brimming with things she wanted to share with her mother.

"It looks like she's going to give you a rundown of everything you missed," I whispered in Bella's ear.

Renesmee's next memory grew – she was lying in Rose's arms. Then, unexpectedly, a silver cup appeared in the
image, and Nessie began to remember the scent, the taste of human blood…

No! I snatched the baby from Bella's grasp. Jasper moved immediately, grabbing her arms and bending them
behind her back, responding to my movement and fear, and then the flash of thirst he felt from Bella. Carlisle
pressed forward, his hands ready, Jacob and Rosalie watching in confused horror.

"What did I do?" Bella asked, her voice shocked but surprisingly calm.

I glanced at Jasper. What set her off? he wondered, thinking of the flicker of thirst he had felt. He didn't sense it
anymore – she was in control.

Still in control? How is that possible? I thought. How could she so acutely be reminded of the smell of human
blood, and not have her instincts driven mad with thirst? How could she have maintained control?

"But she was remembering being thirsty," I said desperately. I looked back at Bella. "She was remembering the
taste of human blood."

My god! Rose's eyes were wide.

Jesus. Jasper gripped Bella's arms harder, alarmed. That's a damn close call, Edward.

But as I looked at Bella, I realized, miraculously, that it wasn't. Her eyes were calm, no blaze of thirst in them, her
body loose, muscles uncoiled. There had been no instinctive reaction other than the slight burn Jasper had
sensed. Unbelievable.

"Yes," Bella said, her voice slightly puzzled. "And?"

I watched her carefully for another second, scouring her expression, and reading her emotions in Jasper's mind,
who was quickly succumbing to shock at her lack of thirst. What the hell? he grumbled.

I laughed. "And nothing at all, it seems. The overreaction was mine this time, Jazz, let her go."

Jasper released her quickly, his eyes wide. Bella immediately reached out for Renesmee, and I gave her back the
baby, my gaze locked onto Jasper's increasingly distraught face.

I don't understand, he thought, looking at Bella, questions and doubt suddenly spiraling through his mind. How is
she able to do it? How can a newborn be so controlled? Is it always possible? Are we all just weak to give into it?
Am I weak? His own mouth still stung with venom that had seeped in when he had sensed the quick burn of her
thirst, and he swallowed it down with disgust. His mind flashed through the hundreds, thousands of temptations he
had fought over the years, faceless humans, most with success, some not. He thought of his constant struggle
against the scent of human blood, the power that the barely controllable thirst held over him.

Then his eyes met mine, and the memory cut through both of us. Bella, standing by my side, the foil gift in her
hands. She watches me, her gaze full of adoration, and love, and such…such youth. In her eyes is an innocence
that I myself will strip away mere days later. Innocence that will no longer be there when I see her again, many
months later. Her finger slips, sliced by the thick paper, releasing a tempest of scent from a single drop, which
sweeps with blinding speed through the minds and bodies in the room, swirling into a burning, dark wind around
Jasper until it finally rips through him, engulfing his mind in black thirst.
Jasper closed his eyes, banishing the rest, before settling his gaze on me again. I almost killed her, he thought
despairingly. I almost killed her, and she forgave me. You all forgave me, for what was supposed to be natural,
instinctive. He shuddered, thinking of all the times he had disappointed Alice. But was it really just simple
weakness on my part? Was I always capable of more?

I sighed. As painful as that memory was, I knew Jasper was taking was taking this too hard. What Bella was
proving capable of was beyond anything that could be expected – truly beyond what was normal. I shook my head
slightly, trying to think of something to say to relieve him, but he saw only the pity in my eyes, and turned away.

"I can't stand this," he snapped. "I can't bear this." I need to get the hell out of here. He moved swiftly across the
room and out the door, running down the lawn and jumping the river, heading north. I felt a flash of concern,
hoping Alice was paying attention and would see where he was heading – I wasn't sure it was a good idea for him
to be alone filled with such self-doubt.

And then Alice's face filled his mind, her amber eyes always full of trust, and hope. I need Alice, he realized,
abruptly changing course. I relaxed – he was heading towards the cottage.

What the hell is that all about? Rosalie wondered.

I kept watching out the window. Renesmee's mind was filled with concern, and she was showing Bella her memory
of Jasper leaving. Jasper? She wondered.

"He'll be back," I said, watching the replay of Jasper's rather dramatic departure in her memory. And he always
accuses me of being the drama king, I thought, trying to suppress a smile. "He just needs a moment alone to
readjust his perspective on life."

"Is he mad at me?" Bella whispered.

"No," I said, glancing back at her, surprised. "Why would he be?"

"What's the matter with him, then?"

I sighed. "He's upset with himself, not you, Bella," I said quietly. "He's worrying about…self-fulfilling prophecy, I
suppose you could say."

"How so?" asked Carlisle.

I tried to frame the tumult in Jasper's mind, without betraying his more personal thoughts. "He's wondering if the
newborn madness is really as difficult as we've always thought, or if, with the right focus and attitude, anyone
could do as well as Bella. Even now - perhaps he only has such difficulty because he believes it's natural and
unavoidable. Maybe if he expected more of himself, he would rise to those expectations." I paused, smiling at
Bella, unable to suppress a feeling of pride. "You're making him question a lot of deep-rooted assumptions, Bella."

"But that's unfair," Carlisle murmured. He shouldn't put that on himself. "Everyone is different; everyone has their
own challenges. Perhaps what Bella is doing goes beyond the natural. Maybe this is her gift, so to speak."

Self-control as a gift? "That's an interesting theory, and quite plausible," I murmured. I looked at Bella with
interest, thinking. It would be a rather intangible gift, hard to quantify. And our gifts often came from strengths
present during our human lives – or at least that had been Carlisle's theory. Had Bella shown a penchant for self-
control when I'd known her? She was definitely a very careful person, but when she knew what, or who, she
wanted… I suppressed a smile, thinking of the many times in her small bed that she'd shown little self - control,
and worked hard to thwart my own, with her warm hands and soft lips. I glanced towards the back windows,
wondering when Alice was going to return.

"Have you ever seen an equivalent to self-control as a talent?" I asked, looking back at Carlisle. "Do you really
think that's a gift, or just a product of all her preparation?"
"It's slightly similar to what Siobhan has always been able to do, though she wouldn't call it a gift," Carlisle
answered. I frowned – Carlisle was aware I didn't fully agree with his theories about Siobhan's possible
talents. Keep an open mind, Edward, he thought.

"Siobhan, your friend in that Irish coven?" Rosalie spoke up. "I wasn't aware that she did anything special. I
thought it was Maggie who was talented in that bunch."

"Yes, Siobhan thinks the same. But she has this way of deciding her goals and then almost…willing them into
reality. She considers it good planning, but I've always wondered if it was something more." Rose looked skeptical.
"When she included Maggie, for instance. Liam was very territorial, but Siobhan want it to work out, and so it did."

"Well…" I started.

Carlisle cocked a head towards the furniture. Let's sit, if we are going to have a discussion. He glanced at
Bella. And give Bella a little time alone with Nessie. I nodded, hating to leave her side but wanting to give her
space. He and I moved over to the chairs, and Rose took a seat on the couch.

"Our gifts are an intensification of traits we held as humans," I said. "Or at least that is what you have always said,
Carlisle. What would Siobhan's human characteristic have been?" I paused, thinking. "What you theorize about
Siobhan suggests she has the power to affect the decisions or actions of others. Do any of us have that innate
possibility, human or vampire?"

"What about what Jasper does, though," Rosalie said. "He affects how we feel and act."

"Jasper affects our physical body, not our mind," I countered. "In saying Siobhan can will things to be, do you feel
she can extend her desires to guide future events?"

Carlisle shook his head. "I don't mean to say that she uses a mental power to control others, or a gift to
manipulate the future. More that she is gifted with a six sense of what others will do, of what motivates or
influences them, and she uses that information to help sway the outcome." He put a finger to his chin. "You could
say the same about Chelsea's gift. She can affect our emotions, our attachment, to another person."

"What exactly is Chelsea's gift?" Rosalie asked. Carlisle launched into a discussion of the Volturi's known gifts,
while I added some insight I had gained in the minds of those I had met.

My mind wandered back to Bella and Renesmee, catching Renesmee's memory of me singing my mother's lullaby,
Bella's still form next to us. As I watched the varying images Nessie shared, it felt, fleetingly, that sharing the
thoughts she put into Bella's mind was almost as if I was seeing into Bella's mind myself.

My eyes were drawn towards them. Bella was standing, her back to the window, gazing down at Renesmee's face.
Renesmee's small hand caressed Bella's cheek as she shared the many moments Bella had missed while she slept.
They were truly a vision. My wife holding my daughter, I thought, feeling suddenly inordinately happy, and
somewhat unworthy. How had this miracle come to be?

Watching them together, finally, I realized that although I had always been captivated by Bella's brown eyes set in
Renesmee's face, the resemblance went much further than that. Renesmee reflected Bella in the heart shape curve
of her cheeks, pale skin tinted with a familiar blush. In the delicate shape of her rose colored lips. And the shape of
her eyes…

With a catch of my breath, I realized, while their color had bloomed from her mother, the curve of her eyes were
mine. And I was present in the straight lines of her nose. And the color of the curls that framed her face. And I
grasped, suddenly, in a breathtaking, fundamental way, that she was truly mine.

From the moment I had laid eyes on my daughter, or, actually, from the moment I had been blessed to hear her
beautiful mind, I had known, irrevocably, that she was the child of my heart. But, perhaps, it was only now, as I
acknowledged my face echoed in her own, that I finally comprehended that she was also the child of my flesh. That
my body had been involved in her creation. There had been a time when I had thought this vessel that I lived in
was only capable of destroying life, through death, or the eternal loss of a soul. To know that I had contributed to
the organic process of life, that the essence of my body had been mixed with that of the one I loved to produce
skin, and bones, and mind, was a staggering, new awareness.

I was compelled to stand up and embrace them both when Bella's face creased suddenly with worry, her eyes
roving over Renesmee's face. I realized Renesmee was drifting off, her thoughts beginning to float in uneven
patterns, until finally her eyes closed and she was asleep. Her hand fell, but Bella carefully picked it up, placing it
gently against her cheek again. I smiled at the wonder in Bella's face as she watched the dreams of her daughter,
the moving kaleidoscope of faces against a sea of soft colors.

"Hello, Edward." Rose's irritated voice broke into my thoughts. "Are you listening at all?"

"Hmm?" I turned back to her and Carlisle, my eyes catching the clock. Almost midnight. Where are they?

"I asked you if you thought Kate's gift was physical, or mental." Rosalie said. I looked at her slightly confused.

"That is," Carlisle said, "does her body actually produce an electric current, or is the sensation a mental one?"

I paused, thinking for a moment. "I've seen in her mind as she visualizes the current. She has control over it
mentally. Much like Jane, to be truthful."

"Fascinating," murmured Carlisle. We spent some more time analyzing the respective gifts of our vampire friends
and family. Eventually, I caught Alice's mental call.

We're back, Edward. She was flying towards the house, brimming with excitement.

"Finally," I muttered. I turned my head, watching as Alice and Esme leapt from the far river bank, Emmett instead
obnoxiously plowing straight through the river, dousing the back windows with water.

Esme shot him a look over her shoulder. He's going to wash those windows himself!

Jasper followed, his thoughts slightly embarrassed. I'm fine, okay!

They came through the door quickly and we stood up to meet them, forming a loose group around Bella. She
glanced around cautiously, seeming to notice all the eyes on her.

Emmett was looking back and forth between Bella and me. Someone's going to get lucky tonight, he thought
gleefully.

Oh, I so hope she loves it. Esme was smiling widely. She caught my eye. We thought it would be nice for the two
of you to enjoy it just yourselves tonight, alone. After everything you've both been through, you need a chance to
just concentrate on each other. Her eyes flickered to Alice, and she shook her head imperceptibly, her expression
slightly exasperated. Alice insists on being there when Bella first sees the cottage, but she has promised to come
right back. The rest of us will stay here. She looked back, meeting my eyes, and I smiled my gratitude at her.

Look at her, Rose thought, taking in Bella's blank face. She had absolutely no idea what's going on. She really
believed they went hunting!

Alice danced up to Bella, her grin wide. Twelve o'clock on the dot, as predicted – by me! She held out her hand,
presenting Bella with a key to the cottage, decorated with an enormous, over the top, pink bow. Bella opened her
hand and Alice dropped the key into it.

"Happy Birthday," Alice squealed in delight.

Bella immediately rolled her eyes. "No one starts counting on the actual day of birth," she said. "Your first birthday
is at the year mark, Alice."
Oh, not this time! "We're not celebrating your vampire birthday. Yet. It's September thirteenth, Bella." Bella's
slightly annoyed look quickly melted into one of horror. "Happy nineteenth birthday!"

Bella shook her head desperately. "No. No way!" she cried, pushing the key back into Alice's hand. I smiled. Some
things never change. Bella glanced at me and her eyes narrowed. "No, this doesn't count. I stopped aging three
days ago. I am eighteen forever."

Alice shrugged. "Whatever. We're celebrating anyway, so suck it up."

Bella sighed, her expression turning somewhat resigned, making Alice smile even wider. There we go! "Are you
ready to open your present?" she asked excitedly.

"Presents," I said, pulling out the key Esme had given me earlier. Bella looked at it, and I saw comprehension in
her eyes that it was for her "after" car. She smiled weakly.

Back off, Edward, this is my show! "Mine first," Alice insisted. She checked the future quickly. Mine is closer, I said
in her mind, grinning. She stuck her tongue out at me.

"Mine is closer." I parroted my own words.

Jerk, Alice fumed. "But look at how she's dressed," she wailed. "It's been killing me all day. That is clearly the
priority."

I think she'll be getting undressed, not dressed, Emmett thought, chuckling.

"I know – I'll play you for it. Rock, paper, scissors." Alice smiled sweetly. See, I can be reasonable, brother.

Yeah, good luck with that, man. Jasper laughed.

"Why don't you just tell me who wins?" I muttered. Alice looked to the side, seeing me choose rock. She looked
back, grinning. Gee – I think I'll choose paper!

"I do," she sang. "Excellent."

"It's probably better that I wait for morning, anyway." I was just needling Alice as it was - I was far more excited
to get Bella out to the cottage. Plus, I was kidding myself thinking Bella would be excited about the Ferrari. She
was still mourning that damn red truck. "I think it might be more fun if Jacob was awake for the big reveal, don't
you agree? So that someone there is able to express the right level of enthusiasm?"

"Yay!" Alice crowed. "Bella, give Ness" – oh - "Renesmee to Rosalie."

"Where does she usually sleep?" Bella asked.

"In Rose's arms," Alice answered. "Or Jacob's. Or Esme's. You get the picture. She has never been set down in her
entire life. She's going to be the most spoiled half-vampire in existence."

I laughed. With Esme leading the helm in this family, there was never any doubt my daughter would be spoiled.

Rosalie had moved forward quickly, her arms aching to hold Nessie again. Spoiled just like her father, she thought,
grinning at me. "She is also the most unspoiled half-vampire in existence," she said, turning to Bella and taking
Nessie in her arms. "The beauty of being one of a kind."

Alice grabbed Bella's hand, pressing the key back into it, and then taking her arm and pulling her towards the back
of the house. Get a move on, Edward, she thought.

"Let's go, let's go!" she called.

"Is it outside?" Bella asked, her face confused.

"Sort of," Alice said. Don't give her any hints!

"Enjoy your gift," Rosalie said. "It's from all of us. Esme especially."

Bella turned and frowned. "Aren't you coming, too?"

"We'll give you a chance to enjoy it alone," Rose said. I'm not so much into voyeurism. "You can tell us about
it…later."

That's right, I expect details! Emmett laughed loudly. Bella glanced at him, slightly chagrined, as if she had an idea
what he was thinking. Then she smiled widely, as something seemed to occur to her. I wondered at the smile – she
couldn't possibly have guessed the gift – but was happy to see it. Alice pulled her out the door, and I followed.

"There's the enthusiasm I'm looking for," Alice said, catching Bella's pleased expression. She let go of her arm and
sprinted down towards the river. Bella jogged down after her.

I turned and raised my arm to my family, watching from the window. Renesmee's sleeping form was visible in
Rose's arms.

Don't worry, Edward, Rose thought. I'll take good care of her.

Congratulations, son, Carlisle thought. Esme waved, standing next to him. She reached out and put an arm around
Jasper.

Don't do anything I wouldn't do! Emmett grinned. Not that there is much.

"C'mon, Bella!" Alice called from the other side of the river. I turned and ran down the lawn, taking my jump
across the river just as Bella leaped.

I ran behind Bella, feeling no need to lead – I knew she would be able to follow Alice's quiet footsteps and lingering
steps. The path to the cottage was still well worn with the scent of my family, even though the visits had decreased
dramatically since we arrived home. I was reminded of running this same path with Esme in late June, hearing the
anxiety and excitement in her mind of her plans. I know I'm being selfish, she had said,but I can't bear to have
you far from us. She had always hated when Rosalie and Emmett had lived too far away. This will be perfect!

Esme had always been intrigued by the small, crumbling structure that lay on our lands. In fact, all of the family
had checked it out at one time or another. Emmett had been threatening for the last couple of years to fix it up and
fill it with a huge, custom made pool table. He said that men needed a place to get away from the women – a
sentiment that usually gained him a lot of glares and a smack from Rose. I was glad, now, that Carlisle and Esme
hadn't agreed to his request.

Esme had drawn up the initial plans, and Jasper and Emmett had done most of the carpentry. I hadn't been
allowed much of a hand in the renovations, since it was technically a gift, but I had been consulted on most of the
major decisions. We had all imagined at the time the idea for refurbishment had been agreed upon that Bella would
be living here with me as a human, at least for a little while. Now, although circumstances might force us to leave
soon, I hoped we could spend some days enjoying the cottage, on our own. Privacy would be at a minimum in the
house in New Hampshire, if we did end up there.

Don't let her see it! Alice thought suddenly, alarmed. It will ruin the surprise. I slowed slightly, not sure what she
wanted me to do, when suddenly she turned and raced back towards us. I realized she planned to grab Bella and
cover her eyes, and a vision flashed in her mind of Bella throwing her off.

I shook my head quickly at her. Hmm, Alice thought, slowing as she came up to where Bella had paused. "Don't
attack me," she said to Bella. The vision shifted to Alice hanging off of Bella's back. Alice grinned and then leapt,
putting a hand on Bella's shoulder and swinging herself around to cling on her back, pressing her hands quickly
over Bella's eyes.
"What are you doing?" Bella said anxiously, squirming slightly. Regardless of what Alice saw, I thought she might
still throw her off – any other newborn would. And I also thought Alice might just deserve it.

"Making sure you can't see," Alice said.

"I could take care of that without the theatrics," I said.

Ha, ha. "You might let her cheat," Alice said, turning to glare. "Take her hand and lead her forward."

"Alice," Bella protested. "I…"

"Don't bother, Bella. We're doing this my way." You both know this is a losing battle!

I sighed, reaching out and taking Bella's hand, interlocking our fingers. "Just a few seconds more, Bella," I said
loudly. "Then she'll go annoy someone else." I began to pull her gently forward, making careful adjustments as we
went so she didn't run into any trees or branches.

So that's the thanks I get! "You might be a little more appreciative," Alice said, her voice miffed. "This is as much
for you as it is for her." Do I need to show you my vision of tonight again? Because I've seen a few more!

I didn't think I could take anymore of Alice's visions, without grabbing Bella and taking off with her into the cottage
right now. "True," I ascented. "Thank you again, Alice."

"Yeah, yeah. Okay," Alice muttered. We came around a curve in the path and entered the clearing, the cottage
rising up in front of us. I sighed, amazed and thankful for the beautiful work my family had done. The flowers had
been lovingly tended, the honeysuckle curving higher up onto the house than the last time I had been here. The
roses had opened as well – specifically chosen by Esme so that they would hopefully still be blooming when we
returned from the island. I could see that Emmett and Jasper had laid the stone path we had discussed before the
wedding, and that Carlisle had installed the front door he had carefully refurbished.

I caught Alice's eye, trying to rely my gratitude for such a gift. She smiled. Because we love you both. Then we
turned our eyes to Bella, who was standing, her expression frozen. Alice's face wrinkled slightly, as she tried to
discern Bella's reaction.

"What do you think?" she asked. Bella's mouth moved slightly, looking as if she meant to speak, but she said
nothing. I could see that she was shocked, this gift completely unexpected.

"Esme thought we might like a place of our own for a while, but she didn't want us too far away," I said softly.
"And she loves any excuse to renovate. This little place has been crumbling away out here for at least a hundred
years."

Bella continued to stare silently at the house. Oh no, Alice thought. It's not what she wanted. It's too small, too
old.

"Don't you like it?" she asked anxiously. "I mean, I'm sure we could fix it up differently, if you want. Emmett was
all for adding a few thousand square feet, a second story, columns and a tower, but Esme thought you would like it
best the way it was meant to look." I saw a vision of you smiling! Maybe I misinterpreted. "If she was wrong, we
can get back to work. It won't take long…"

"Shh!" Bella said quickly. Alice shut her mouth, containing a flood of words. The silence stretched as Alice
panicked, but I was certain that the light in Bella's eyes was one of wonder, and admiration.

"You're giving me a house for my birthday?" Bella said, her voice just a whisper.

"Us," I said. "And it's no more than a cottage. I think the word house implies more legroom."

"No knocking my house," Bella said softly.

Yes! Alice sagged with relief, a smile forming quickly on her face. "You like it."

Bella shook her head, and I smiled.

"Love it?" Alice ventured. Bella nodded, and Alice clapped her hands, bouncing up on her toes. "I can't wait to tell
Esme."

"Why didn't she come?" Bella asked.

Uhh… "Oh, you know…they all remember how you are about presents. They didn't want to put you under too much
pressure to like it."

Bella looked surprised. "But of course I love it! How could I not?"

"They'll like that," Alice said, touching Bella's arm. Well, time for me to make my exit. I was ordered to return and
leave you two alone – they're probably sending out a search party now. "Anyhoo, your closet is stocked. Use it
wisely. And…I guess that's everything."

"Aren't you going to come inside?" Bella asked, looking confused.

Feel free to help me out here, Edward! But I rather liked watching her squirm. Alice backed up slowly towards the
woods. "Edward knows his way around. I'll stop by…later. Call me if you can't match your clothes right." She
glanced at me. Closet first! Before you get distracted. It's top priority. She looked at Bella for a moment, taking in
the too big white shirt over the tattered, dirty dress, and then back at me, her expression doubtful.

Are you sure you don't want me to stay and help, just for a little while?

I narrowed my eyes and she shrugged. Fine, your loss.

"Jazz wants to hunt," Alice said to Bella, avoiding her eyes, her voice unconvincing. Ah, awkward. "See you." She
turned and took off into the trees.

Real smooth, Alice, I thought.

Bella watched her go, frowning. "That was weird," she said. "Am I really that bad? They didn't have to stay away.
Now I feel guilty. I didn't even thank her right. We should go back, tell Esme – "

"Bella," I laughed. "Don't be silly. No one thinks you're that unreasonable."

Her forehead wrinkled. "Then what…"

"Alone time is their other gift. Alice was trying to be subtle about it." Trying being the key word.

Surprise flickered across her face. "Oh," she murmured, her stare seeming to become hotter, more intense. I
wasn't sure what she was thinking, but the look in her eyes made me want to clutch her to me, now. Don't be
selfish. She hadn't even seen the inside of the house yet. And I wanted to do this properly, if she would let me.

I reached out and gently took her hand. "Let me show you what they've done," I said, tugging her gently towards
the house. This was surreal – all the planning, and work, and we were actually here, as if in a far off dream.

Bella suddenly let out a single, unsteady laugh. I glanced back. "Do I get to hear the joke?"

"It's not very good," she replied. "I was just thinking – today is the first and last day of forever. It's kind of hard to
wrap my head around it. Even with all this extra room for wrapping."
I laughed, understanding both the exhilaration, and frustration, of a mind capable of many separate thoughts at
once. Like the concept of immortality, this was an aspect that took a while to embrace, most newborns initially too
consumed by bloodlust to appreciate. And as the lust waned, there was still a lengthy adjustment period. I had
forgotten the overwhelming sensation of the patterns of my thoughts during my early existence, coupled with my
forcible senses and strength, and joined by the bewildering concept of eternal life. And, specific only to me, the
onslaught of the thoughts from other minds.

And yet Bella was not only casually acknowledging these massive changes, she was doing it with laughter. Loving
her always, I gestured towards the door. She placed the key in the lock, turning it easily. I could smell the fresh oil
in the locking mechanism – my family had thought of everything.

"You're such a natural at this, Bella; I forget how very strange this all must be for you." What must be going
through her thoughts? "I wish I could hear it."

Then, afraid suddenly she would refuse if I asked, I swept down and lifted her quickly into my arms, hoping I
wouldn't spook her.

"Hey," she protested, but didn't push me away.

"Thresholds are part of my job description," I said, smiling, still wishing I could peer into her mind. "But I'm
curious. Tell me what you're thinking about right now."

Cradling her to my chest, I pushed open the door with my shoulder and stepped inside the living room.

I watched Bella's eyes roam the room, full of astonishment. "Everything," she said. "All at the same time, you
know. Good things and things to worry about and things that are new. How I keep using too many superlatives in
my head." She smiled. "Right now, I'm thinking that Esme is an artist. It's so perfect!"

I glanced around, not having seen the inside since it was furnished, noticing the furniture Esme and Carlisle had
purchased during endless hours searching antique stores. A selection of Bella's favorite paintings from the house,
which Esme and I had decided on together. Rosalie had even donated one of her own, knowing Bella enjoyed it.
There were books Carlisle had gathered from his own shelves, Bella's favorites plus others he thought we would
enjoy. In the purple darkness, Emmett's fire flickered softly.

It had all once seemed so untouchable, and now we would be living here. My family would be living here.

"We're lucky Esme thought to add an extra room," I said. "No one was planning for Ness-" uh "-Renesmee."

Bella's eyes narrowed. "Not you, too," she moaned.

I grimaced. "Sorry, love. I hear it in their thoughts all the time, you know. It's rubbing off on me."

Bella sighed, her face a mixture of exasperation and resignation. Hoping to distract her, I took another step into
the house.

"I'm sure you're dying to see the closet," I joked. "Or, at least I'll tell Alice that you were, to make her feel good."

As I walked through the small house with her in my arms, I was utterly distracted by the feel of her, by her scent,
her voice, her hair that gently touched my face. I could feel something twining within me – anticipation, need, but
also nervousness. I recalled similar emotions when we had arrived at Isle Esme, the first night of our honeymoon,
wrapped up in the fear of hurting her, and the expectation of the unknown. I could no longer hurt her, but I still, in
some ways, felt vastly inexperienced. Most of our love-making, for me, had been ruled by precision and control. I
never allowed myself to forget the marks I had left on her body the first time we had been together, determined to
never forget what my hands had done, and could do. Even caged by restraints, my body had still proved more than
capable of experiencing the intense pleasure she brought me. Still, I worried if I would know how to let go of that
control now, to give her the response she needed.
You didn't have any trouble when you kissed her earlier, I thought wryly. I watched Bella's face as we moved out
of Renesmee's room, trying to decipher where her thoughts were. Did she feel the tension between us? Did she
want what I so desperately did? Was she nervous, or excited, or just diverted by the cottage? I realized suddenly
how much I had relied on her human reactions to gauge her moods, and needs. The flush of her skin, the
intensification of her scent, her pounding heart - the small, learned signs of mounting passion. I felt slightly lost
now, her body silent as I tried to determine the intensity of her eyes.

Finally, we entered the sanctuary Esme had created, a cool, soothing shrine to the moments we had spent on the
Island. It was breathtakingly perfect, much more powerful in reality to what I had seen in her thoughts.

"Oh," Bella breathed, taking it all in.

"I know," I whispered, the atmosphere thick with memory. I glanced around, seeing the entrance to Alice's shrine
on the far wall.

"The closet is through those double doors. I should warn you – it's bigger than this room."

"We're going to tell Alice that I ran right to the clothes," she said softly, her hand moving into my hair, gripping as
she turned my face towards her and pulled close. Her passion was laid bare to me now, finally, in her breathless
voice, her glowing eyes, and in the lines of her heated expression, and I felt a rush of excitement. "We're going to
tell her I spent hours in there playing dress-up. We're going to lie."

Bella suddenly twisted her fingers in my hair, almost too hard, and sensation exploded within me, as I grazed, for
the first time, the exquisite border of pleasure and pain. I clutched her head with one hand, crushing her to me,
moaning slightly as her mouth urgently met mine. When we had kissed earlier, she had tasted of melted, sweet
honey, but now she was all fire and heat, scorching my tongue. She twisted out of my grasp, her feet touching the
floor so that she was standing in front of me. Then she pulled back, her hands gripping my shirt that she still wore,
and pulled, the buttons melting away as she wrenched it off. Her eyes seared into mine, hot and challenging.

Smiling, I reached out, twisting my finger into the top of her dress, and pulled her forward abruptly. She gasped
softly, and I kissed her again, hard, stone melting into stone. Then, I pulled my finger slowly down the front of the
tattered remains of her dress, dragging against her body, her skin molten under mine as her head fell back slightly.
The material split easily, like slicing through dark waters. I lifted my hands to her shoulders, pushing the dress
back, and heard it flutter to the floor. With a flick of my wrist I removed what remained on her body.

"Edward," Bella whispered, her lips meeting mine once more. With the swift movements of her insistent hands on
my clothes, soon there was nothing between us. Her fingers roamed against my bare back feverishly, the sensation
unparalleled. When she had been human, Bella's hands had been the gentle caress of soft feathers, ethereal, both
torturous and tantalizing. Now, they gripped at my skin, warm and strong, unrelenting, sending my body spiraling
into a new, overpowering abandon.

So much of this we'd never been able to experience before, only small glimpses, just dancing on the edges of the
real thing. To be able to touch and feel her without fear – it was extraordinary, familiar and yet racing with a new,
consuming intensity that had been bound for too long within me. And I knew now there was no doubt I could let
go.

Bella pulled back and raised her head, her eyes reflecting our shared fervor. My arms were wrapped around her
back, and I slid one hand slowly down, flowing over the landscape of her body before swiftly bending and gathering
her back into my arms. I cradled her for a second before falling to my knees and lowering her to the floor. She
tried to pull me frantically onto her body, her strength overwhelming, and I acquiesced until I was just hovering
over her. Then I pulled back against her clutching hands, pausing, savoring.

Our bodies were stretched against each others, barely touching, but bound securely by brilliant, burning love, and
want, and need, and devotion. At a million points between us there was the intangible electric spark that had
always been there, the connection that had once seemed against nature, that had survived heartache and loss, joy
and danger, and, in the end, had transcended even humanity itself. We belong together. Forever.

Then, I lowered myself down, and knew only her.

Chapter 27—Paternity

We moved together, shifting slowly, until Bella was above me, an angel hovering in the heavens over the fallen.
The faintest light was moving into the sky, filtering through the glass doors to reflect off the white-blue sky of the
walls, giving her skin the slightest diamond sheen. Her movements were slower, relieved of the frenzy after many
hours, but all the more potent in their aching depth and power. I reached out and touched one luminescent cheek,
and she placed her hand over mine, keeping it against her skin. Her grip tightened and tightened until a consuming
release came, soft eyes gradually opening to reveal brilliant pyres of love. Her body relaxed to lie against mine in a
perfect silence broken only by the gentle, lilting tune of a songbird outside.

"Do you miss it?" she asked quietly.

"Miss what?" I spoke with my lips pressed to her neck.

"All of it – the warmth, the soft skin, that tasty smell…I'm not losing anything at all, and I just wondered if it was a
little bit sad for you that you were."

I laughed gently, wondering how she could think that anything about her lovely, splendid body, that anything in
this moment, could possibly make me sad. "It would be hard to find someone less sad than I am now. Impossible,
I'd venture. Not many people get every single thing they want, plus all the things they didn't think to ask for, in
the same day."

"Are you avoiding the question?" she murmured. I could hear the doubt in her voice, and sighed. Holding her close
with my hands around her back, I moved so that we lay on our sides, face to face.

I remembered my thoughts on this, while Bella had lain sleeping, still changing. I had felt a simple melancholy at
the loss of the unique human in the girl I loved, taking solace that it would be preserved in the face of our
daughter. But what I realized now was that her humanity was not lost at all, for her human face and body, her
scent, feel and voice, were forever enshrined in my mind. When I closed my eyes I could see the face that changed
my existence, the features of the girl I fell in love with – her human presence was indelibly imprinted on my
consciousness, for eternity. Bella's memories of her mortal image would fade quickly for her, but not for me – I
would carry them always.

And yet, although I cherished her humanity, what I also now understood was that I did not miss her human
frailties, and the boundaries they created between us. I had once wished I could be human, so I could be with her
without fear of hurting, or even killing her, and I would have became so in an instance, if it had been in the range
of possibility. But now she was like me, and with every exquisite movement, with each shared moment of abandon,
I was intoxicated by the exhilarating freedom of being physical equals. She was everything, in every way.

I moved my hand around so it pressed against her cheek, no longer heated, fragile silk, but a temperate, lustrous
canvas.

"You are warm," I whispered. I slid my fingers along her jaw, trailing down her neck and savoring each part of the
skin along her chest and waist. She let out a throaty breath, her eyes unfocusing slightly. "You aresoft."

I inhaled her aroma of sweet flowers, no burn coating my throat. "And as for the scent, well, I couldn't say
I missed that. Do you remember the scent of those hikers on our hunt?"

Bella grimaced. "I've been trying very hard not to."

"Imagine kissing that."

Bella's eyes tensed slightly, and her hand slid up to her throat. "Oh."

"Precisely." I wrapped both arms around her again and pressed her tightly to me. "So the answer is no. I am
purely full of joy, because I am missing nothing. No one has more than I do now."
I dragged a hand up her back, fisting her hair and crushing her mouth to mine, rising so that now I was above her,
the dark angel this time, looking down on the innocent below.

As we stilled later in the increasing morning light, I knew we were approaching the time Renesmee would wake, if
she hadn't already. She would be looking for us, for Bella. My senses screamed in protest at the thought of letting
Bella go, and she seemed equally consumed with me, but it wasn't fair of me to take advantage of her
overwhelming desires, even if they matched mine. I thought about one of the conversations we had during the
night, about balance. Right now, I needed to be the responsible one, to help remind Bella of her priorities, when
her own mind, and body, prevented it.

And I knew what Bella's top priority would be this morning, even if it felt her body was telling me something
different.

"Renesmee," I said quietly to her, a gentle reminder, stroking her neck with my thumb. She sighed, shifting her
body away slightly, her loss an immediate blow to my system. Then her expression darkened, her brow furrowed
with worry, and I felt her muscles stiffen. Distracted from me now, the lost hours with Renesmee were clearly
totaling in her mind.

"It's all right, love," I said gently. "Get dressed, and we'll be back to the house in two seconds."

Bella nodded, and then rose swiftly, heading towards the closet before pausing and swinging her head back to look
at me. I looked at her questioningly as she glanced away towards the wall, in the direction of the house and
Renesmee, before looking back at me. As she repeated this movement several times, I realized she was betraying
her newborn status, her competing desires wreaking havoc in her newborn brain.

I smiled, beyond pleased that being with me presented such a tantalizing option for her.

"It's all about balance, love," I reminded her. And as she had already shown the ability to balance her newborn
thirst, I was sure she would learn to control these other desires. "You're so good at all of this, I don't imagine it will
take too long to put everything in perspective."

"And we have all night, right?" she asked, a flash of want in her expression.

Great minds think alike. "Do you think I could bear to let you get dressed now if that weren't the case?" I said,
grinning, my eyes roving her naked form. She nodded seriously. Then her expression darkened again, worry
creasing her face and she whipped over to the closet, throwing open the doors and exposing row upon row of
clothing, handpicked by Alice. I remembered having to endure two months of constant wheedling by Alice about
the size of the original closet before Esme, with rare exasperation, had relented on the expanded closet. Do what
you want, she had muttered. I just don't want to know!

Bella let out a fairly menacing hiss at the sight, her eyes moving restlessly around. "Which ones are mine?" she
growled.

I sighed, remembering Alice's plans. I touched a bar of clothing to the left of the door, which I knew contained
several Brioni suits and tuxedos, as well as my standard khakis, white shirts and sweaters. Alice had, over the
years, slowly come to accept what I would and wouldn't wear. I worried how long it would take for her to get to
that point with Bella. Judging from the assortment of cocktail dresses and evening gowns hanging on the racks, I
guessed it would be a while before she gave up on Bella.

"To the best of my knowledge, everything but this rack here is yours," I said.

"All of this?" Bella snapped. I shrugged. This was Alice we were talking about, and even worse - Alice given free
rein.

"Alice," I said, resigned.

"Alice," Bella spit out at the same time. When I didn't offer any other explanation, she rolled her eyes. "Fine," she
muttered, grabbing the nearest garment bag, unzipping it, and exposing a light pink evening gown. Bella growled
in horror.
I smothered laughter, thinking it would just infuriate her further. "Let me help," I said soothingly, touching her
arm. My Bella would want jeans and a t-shirt, and I was fairly certain Alice had bought a few. I inhaled deeply,
bringing a mixture of scents down my throat, Bella's floral nectar mixed with the sharp tang of cedar, and a
kaleidoscope of different materials, smothered in plastic. I moved further inside the room, inhaling again,
discerning each individual scent, and separating them in my mind, as I judged distance and direction. I easily
discarded anything synthetic, and then weeded out the light, refined scents of silk and satin. I concentrated on the
inky, heavy fragrance of denim, which seemed to be located in the back, laden with the smell of wood rather than
plastic.

I moved away from the rows of garment bags and towards a cedar lined bureau at the back. I pulled open a
drawer and smiled, pulling out a pair of jeans.

Bella was instantly at my side. "How did you do that?" she asked, her eyes wide.

"Denim has its own scent just like anything else," I said, kissing her cheek. "Now… stretch cotton?" I walked back
into the closet, searching for the clean, organic smell of cotton, finding a plain white shirt buried in the
racks. Almost as if Alice was trying to hide it.

As Bella got dressed, I moved over to my small section, unzipping a bag to uncover a matched outfit of pants and
sweater. It was hard to admit that rather than feeling insulted by being spoon-fed my outfits by Alice, I had grown
rather used to the ease of it.

I pulled the outfit on, turning to find Bella distracted again, sniffing at the clothes, clearly memorizing the scents. I
gave her a moment and then took her hand. She glanced up, thoughts clearly swinging swiftly back to Renesmee,
and I let her pull me out the back door. We jumped the stone wall and were running full out immediately. She
pulled away, flying forward as she glanced back at me with a glint in her eyes.

"Race?" she questioned. I grinned, taking on her challenge. She might as well learn, sooner rather than later, what
the rest of my family already knew – I was not to be beaten for speed.

After several seconds, during which time I pulled ahead of Bella, keeping in front but close enough to retreat back
to her quickly if needed, my family's thoughts filtered into my mind. Alice had already told them we were coming
back.

About time! Alice thought. I hope she's dressed properly – I'm counting on you.

I could see that Renesmee was awake already. Gathering from what I saw in my family's minds, it seemed there
had been several moments of panic when Renesmee awoke, wailing when Bella was not produced immediately.
Several various toys and household items had been destroyed, and Jasper and Emmett's improv attempts at
comedy had been soundly rejected, before Esme, in desperation and knowing Nessie liked shiny objects, had
garnered her attention with an antique silverware set.

She's demanding to see Bella, Rose thought, hearing our approach. She and Emmett were sitting on the floor next
to the baby. Nessie's mind was a jumble of images of Bella and me. She was also thirsty. She twisted a silver knife
into a ball before reaching up to touch Emmett's throat, showing him a picture of Bella.

Emmett snorted. "I told you, kid, Mommy's…well…been kind of busy." Right, lover-boy?

Sighing, I took the river in a leap, slowing as I approached the house so Bella and I could enter together. As we
came into view up the lawn, Nessie latched onto the sight of Bella, tossing aside a mangled piece of silverware and
pointing demandingly towards her with a small finger. Mommy! Mommy!

Everyone turned, smiling and laughing, to watch as Bella, whose excitement clearly mirrored her daughter's, flew
into the room and scooped her up. Bella hugged her tightly, and then looked her over, touching her growing curls
and smoothing her hands over Renesmee's lengthening limbs. At a glance, I could tell her growth was continuing
to slow. Jacob will be pleased, I thought, looking around but not seeing him.

Alice whipped her head towards me, her eyes narrowed. Jeans and a t-shirt! She wasn't supposed to find those!
That was the best you could do?
Esme was glowing up at me. Alice said she loved the cottage, she thought, a pleased smile on her face. I nodded,
smiling back.

Emmett winked at me. So, how did it go? Glad to see she left you in one piece – I was a little worried.

Renesmee touched Bella's face, her mind filled with the image and scent of a bottle of blood, flickering in with
pictures of Bella. She wanted her mother to feed her. I frowned, certain that was probably not a good idea, not
yet. I headed into the kitchen to prepare a bottle before she grew too insistent.

"How long has she been up?" I heard Bella ask.

"Just a few minutes," said Rose. "We would have called you soon. She's been asking for you – demanding might be
a better description. Esme sacrificed her second-best silver service to keep the little monster entertained." My little
angel, Rose thought, in direct competition with her words. Then she looked up at Bella, smirking. "We didn't want
to…er, bother you."

Emmett laughed. Yeah, and hopefully we would have been interrupting something!

"We'll get your room set up right away," Bella said to Renesmee, clearly trying to ignore him. "You'll like the
cottage. It's magic." She turned to my mother. "Thank you, Esme. So much. It's absolutely perfect."

The cottage made it through the night? Emmett burst out laughing. Only you, Edward, could go at it all night inside
that little wooden box and leave it in one piece! "So it's still standing?" he choked out. "I would've thought you two
had knocked it to rubble by now. What were you doing last night? Discussing the national debt?"

I could hear Bella grinding her teeth as I twisted the top securely on Renesmee's cup, my throat stinging slightly
from the scent. I was rather hoping Bella would snap and give Emmett what he deserved.

"Where are the wolves today?" she asked instead.

"Jacob took off this morning pretty early," Rose said. "Seth followed him out." I froze, slightly shocked. Jacob had
left? I searched the surrounding area as far out as I could go, but could not sense him. After refusing to leave
Renesmee's side for a moment, except for the necessity of confronting Sam, I could not believe he had voluntarily
left. It felt off, leaving an uncertain weight in my stomach. I scanned Rose's mind, seeing a vision of her memory -
Jacob's strained and worried eyes as he left silently, phasing at the edge of the yard and moving away.

Smoothing my expression to hide my concern, I went back into the room. "What was he so upset about?" I asked
casually. I stayed back from Bella, but saw her shoulders stiffen, her eyes on the cup. She stopped breathing, and
Jasper took a step towards her, his face serious but calm. She's okay. Bella handed Nessie quickly to Rose.

"I don't know – or care," Rose muttered, grabbing the cup from me and angling it towards Nessie, who wrapped
her hands around it and started taking long pulls. "He was watching Nessie sleep, his mouth hanging open like the
moron he is, and then he just jumped to his feet without any kind of trigger – that I noticed, anyway – and
stormed out." And good riddance.

I frowned at her – that didn't seem likely. There had to be something that precipitated his leaving. Could he have
heard something dangerous approaching? I glanced out the front window. Was Sam's pack rethinking our
agreement? But then why wouldn't Jacob tell my family if he was concerned?

Rose adjusted Nessie in her arms, tipping the cup back further as it quickly emptied. "I was glad to be rid of him.
The more time he spends here, the less chance there is that we'll ever get the smell out."

"Rose," said Esme disapprovingly.

"I suppose it doesn't matter. We won't be here much longer," Rose said. And then we'll be rid of him permanently.

"I still say we should go straight to New Hampshire and get things set up," said Emmett. I glanced at him, and
realized this was the discussion he and Rose had been having earlier, when Jacob left. I sighed – didn't they have
any idea what our leaving would mean for Jacob? This had been, I imagined, what had upset him, although I was
surprised he would respond by leaving the house. Perhaps he was making arrangements to follow us if we left, as I
suspected he would. Rose and Em should have been more discreet with the conversation…

Edward's going to kill you. I caught Seth's thought, just coming into my range. He was running full out towards the
house in wolf form, flanking Jacob along with Leah.

I think maybe you deserve it this time, Leah thought with disgust. You're such a freakin' idiot sometimes. Billy is
going to be furious.

I had to do something, Jacob thought. I had to explain to Charlie. He needed to know. It was the right thing to do.

I stiffened, motionless with shock. Jacob had been to see Charlie? What the hell?

I'm glad I told him, Jacob continued, his mind tense and wired. He'll come now, and once he understands, it will all
be out in the open and they won't have to leave. She won't have to leave. An image flickered in his mind of
Charlie's stricken face, followed by a view through the trees of Charlie getting into his car and driving away from
town. Coming here.

A furious growl burst out of me. That little rat had gone to Charlie, betrayed us all by telling him God knows what,
and lured him here, putting his life, all of our lives, in jeopardy!

"What is he doing?" Alice suddenly shrieked. She had been perusing visions of the afternoon - her and Jasper
hunting as well as a great deal of time with Bella in the new closet. Everything had just disappeared. "What is
that dog doing that has erased my schedule for the entire day? I can't see anything!" She struggled again,
searching for the image of her dressing up Bella in the closet, but it was completely gone. "No!" she cried, turning
to Bella. "Look at you! You need me to show you how to use your closet."

What's going on, Edward? Carlisle thought in alarm. Has Jacob done something?

"He talked to Charlie," I growled. "He thinks Charlie is following after him. Coming here. Today."

There was a collective gasp. "Shit!" Alice squealed. Her eyes! She turned, flying out the door. Contacts!

Jasper watched her go with worried eyes, and then whipped towards me. God dammit! What the hell, Edward?

"He told Charlie?" Bella cried. "But - doesn't he understand? How could he do that? No!"

Carlisle took a step towards me. Should we prepare to leave? I considered, but shook my head slightly. Jacob
would be here in a moment, and we might as well wait until he arrived to assess. Frankly, I'd like the pleasure of
killing him first before we made any other arrangements.

The wolves were pausing at the edge of the woods to phase and dress. Edward's gonna know what you did, Seth
thought. They'll be waiting.

Edward will see that I'm right, once I explain. I hissed softly, and Jacob cocked his head towards the house.

If they let you explain, Leah snarled. There were sounds of phasing and then three sets of footsteps across the
lawn.

Where is that future pile of ground chuck? Rosalie thought, furious, clutching Nessie.

"Jacob's on his way in now," I growled.

Jacob came through the door, wet and reeking more than usual. His eyes were alert, adrenaline coursing through
him. He had a smile of mock confidence on his face that didn't match demeanor, his anxiety betrayed in tense
movements. His eyes went immediately to Renesmee, relief and love flooding through him at the sight of her,
before glancing around to meet our eyes.
"Hi, guys," he said, grinning cheerfully. At his words the room spun red for an instant, and I fought the natural
urge to lunge at him, his casual cheerfulness infuriating me even further. My family was silent, regarding him. Rose
flicked her eyes towards me.

Now can we finally kill him?

Jacob regarded my dark eyes. Chill out, Edward. It's better this way, you'll see.

I didn't move, didn't acknowledge him, staying still as I struggled to control my reaction.

"Rose," Bella said suddenly, her voice low and determined. She reached out for the baby, and Rose gave her over.
I was surprised Bella wanted to hold her in such a charged environment, but she must have had a reason.

"Charlie'll be here soon," Jacob said, moving his gaze to Bella. "Just a heads-up. I assume Alice is getting you
sunglasses or something?"

Bella sucked in a furious breath. "You assume way too much," she spit out between gritted teeth. "What. Have.
You. Done?"

Jacob faltered slightly at the intensity of her wrath. "Blondie and Emmett woke me up this morning going on and
on about you all moving cross-country. Like I could let you leave. Charlie was the biggest issue there, right? Well,
problem solved." He grinned, looking pleased.

Man, he is a piece of work, Emmett thought.

"Do you even realize what you've done?" Bella snarled. "The danger you've put him in?"

Jacob laughed. "I didn't put him in danger. Except from you. But you've got some kind of supernatural self-control,
right? Not as good as mind reading, if you ask me." His eyes flicked towards mine momentarily. Right,
bloodsucker? He looked back at Bella. "Much less exciting."

My control broke then, and I moved across the room swiftly until I was standing right in his face, his scent thick
and dank in my nose. How dare he treat this so lightly? What the hell did he know about newborns, or self control?
He had no God damned idea what the temptation of human blood would be like for Bella. He would risk her killing
her own father just to keep what he wanted close?

"That's just a theory, mongrel," I growled. "You think we should test it out on Charlie? Did you consider the
physical pain you're putting Bella through, even if she can resist? Or the emotional pain if she doesn't?" For months
he did everything in his power to take her. And now – did he give a damn about her at all? "I supposed what
happens to Bella no longer concerns you!" You worthless piece of garbage!

Jacob's expression tightened. Physical pain? "Bella will be in pain?" asked the thankless mutt in obvious disbelief.

"Like you've shoved a white-hot branding iron down her throat!" I yelled. My wife had been through more pain in
the last couple of weeks than she deserved in her entire existence. That he would put her in this position made my
head reel with fury.

Damn. "I didn't know that," he said softly.

"Then perhaps you should have asked me," I snarled. I thought we had formed some sort of trust, a relationship.
He couldn't be man enough to come to me first before making decisions that affected my family?

I couldn't, he thought desperately. "You would have stopped me."

Of course I would have – he was being impetuous, selfish and shortsighted. "You should have been stopped-"

"This isn't about me," Bella interjected. I stepped slightly away from Jacob, and we both turned to look at her. Her
eyes were wild, but her body was still. Jasper was close behind her, sensing her control battling with despair, ready
to intercede emotionally. "This is about Charlie, Jacob. How could you put him in danger this way? Do you realize
its death or vampire life for him now, too?" Bella's voice was unsteady, catching in her throat. I reached out and
stroked her arm, furious Jacob had done this to her.

Incredibly, Jacob relaxed next to me. "Relax, Bella. I didn't tell him anything you weren't planning to tell him."

"But he's coming here!" Bella gasped.

"Yeah, that's the idea. Wasn't the whole 'let him make the wrong assumptions' thing your plan? I think I provided a
very nice red herring, if I do say so myself." Genius, really. I stared at him, slightly confused, trying to decipher his
thoughts.

Bella's body flinched with annoyance. "Say it straight, Jacob. I don't have the patience for this."

"I didn't tell him anything about you, Bella. Not really. I told him about me. Well, show is a better verb." He looked
at me. If you'd just let me explain, before you rip my head off.

I watched the memory unfurl in his mind. "I don't appreciate you being so secretive," Charlie said. He and Jacob
were walking down the path in the woods behind the Swan home. "I have to be at the house, in case Carlisle calls.
And Renee is getting suspicious she hasn't heard from Bella, and I don't know what to tell her. If you have news
about Bells that I don't, just tell me now!"

"Don't worry," Jake said. "It will all make sense soon enough." They walked in silence for several more paces when
Charlie stopped abruptly, turning.

"Okay, this is far enough. Just spit out whatever it is you have to say, Jake. You tell me Bella is in town – I don't
understand. Carlisle told me she was in Atlanta – was he lying? What about the disease?"

"Look," Jacob said. "She was…sick. Really sick. Dying…" His voice trailed off for a second. "But she's better now.
Except, she's a little different. It was the only way to save her, Charlie."

"What are you talking about, Jake? Different? Tell me what's going on!" Anger and confusion flooded Charlie's face.

Jake paused next to him, meeting his eyes. "The problem, Charlie, is this really isn't something I can just tell you
about. I mean, I could, but you'd never believe me."

"Then I have no idea why you dragged me out here," Charlie said irritably, turning away from him. "I'm heading
back. If she's in town, I want to see her. She's my daughter, and no one is going to keep me from her."

"Wait." Jacob grabbed his arm. "The thing is, I may not be able to tell you about this, but I can show you."

Charlie threw up his hands in exasperation. "Well, fine," he snapped. "Then show me, Jake."

Jacob nodded. "I'll just need you to back up a little, first."

Charlie rolled his eyes. "What?"

"Just back up for me, give me some space. Over by that tree."

"Fine," Charlie grumbled. He turned and walked towards the tree. "This better not be some sort of stupid teenage
prank, Jake." He reached the tree and turned, arms crossed. "Well, let's see it."

"Okay, I think you're as ready as you'll ever be," Jacob said, a nervous edge to his voice. "But just remember,
Charlie, deep breaths."

Charlie's brow furrowed in confusion. "Deep breaths?" His eyes widened as Jacob began to swiftly undress. "What
are you doing?" he gasped.

And then the world shifted, space altering in a rush of wind as Jacob's form phased into something new, his
changing eyes never leaving Charlie.
Charlie stood frozen, unblinking. The wolf took a tentative step towards him.

"No!" Charlie stumbled backward, hitting the tree behind him, his hands out in front. "Jesus Christ! Oh god, no!"
His expression was a mask of white-faced horror, and one hand went up to grip his chest.

Then the world phased again, folding in on itself until vision came from human eyes once again.

"It's okay, Charlie," came Jacob's voice. "Everything's fine. Remember what I said – deep breaths." He took
another step closer.

"Stay away from me!" Charlie shouted, his voice laced with fear. His chest rose and fell heavily for several seconds,
his wild eyes calming slightly as Jacob silently put on his clothes. "What the hell just happened, Jake? What did you
do to me? Did you give me some sort of Quiluete hallucinogen or something?"

Jacob laughed sharply. "No, I'm afraid what you just saw was very, very real, Charlie. I can assure you."

"Then what…why…what is going on, Jake? How did I just see…what was that…that thing?"

Jacob took a deep breath. "Charlie, you don't live in the world you thought you lived in. The good news is, nothing
has changed – except now you know. Life'll go on the same way it always has. You can go right back to pretending
that you don't believe any of this."

Charlie stared at him silently for a few moments. "I don't know what you're talking about. I don't want to know.
Why did you show me?"

Jacob took a deep breath, steeling himself.. "The reason I showed you this, Charlie, actually has nothing to do with
me."

And in a slow, agonizing moment, Charlie's whole figure seemed to grow smaller, pain and horror lashing across
his face, as he drew in a sharp breath. "Bella," he breathed.

"Yes," Jacob whispered. "Bella."

I was stunned by shock and anger. Jacob had changed to wolf form in front of Charlie? His impulsivity seemed to
have no bounds.

"He phased in front of Charlie," I hissed.

"You what?" Bella gasped.

Jacob looked at her. "He's brave. Brave as you are. Didn't pass out or throw up or anything. I gotta say, I was
impressed. You should've seen his face when I started taking my clothes off, though. Priceless." Jacob chuckled.

Emmett shook his head. Gotta say, kid's got balls. My family relaxed somewhat, relieved he had not betrayed us,
at least yet, to a human.

"You absolute moron!" Bella shrieked. "You could have given him a heart attack!

Jacob grinned. "Charlie's fine. He's tough. If you'd give this just a minute, you'll see that I did you a favor here."

"You have half of that," Bella snarled. "You have thirty seconds to tell me every single word before I give
Renesmee to Rosalie and rip your miserable head off." Rose smiled sweetly at Jacob behind her. That's my
girl."Seth won't be able to stop me this time."

Leah bared her teeth slightly. Just try something, bitch.

"Jeez, Bells," Jacob muttered. "You didn't used to be so melodramatic. Is that a vampire thing?" He glanced at
me. She's practically as bad as you now.
"Twenty-six seconds," Bella growled. Jacob rolled his eyes and sat down, Leah and Seth staying protectively close
behind him, not liking the air of menace in the room.

Seth caught my eye. He's just trying to do what's right, Edward, he thought. In his own, twisted way.

This has nothing to do with what's right, I thought furiously. This is about what Jacob wants.

"So I knocked on Charlie's door this morning and asked him to come for a walk with me. He was confused, but
when I told him it was about you and that you were back in town, he followed me out into the woods." He
explained how he had phased in front of Charlie, and told him he lived in a different world than he had always
thought. "It took him a minute to get his head together, and then he wanted to know what was really going on
with you, with the whole rare-disease thing. I told him that you had been sick, but you were fine now – it was just
that you'd had to change a little in the process of getting better. He wanted to know what I meant by 'change", and
I told him that you looked a lot more like Esme now than you looked like Renee."

Esme gasped while Carlisle stared at Jacob with a hard face. Why the hell would he bring Esme into this? Pointing
out the similarities among my kind was sure to lead to questions, and trouble.

Calm down, he doesn't suspect, Jacob thought. He was way too distracted by me. "After a few minutes, he asked,
real quietly, if you turned into an animal too." Jacob laughed. "And I said, 'She wishes she was that cool!'"

Rose snorted in disgust. As if!

Yeah, you wish, Blondie. "I started to tell him more about the werewolves, but I didn't even get the whole word out
– Charlie cut me off and said he'd 'rather not know specifics.' Then he asked if you'd known what you were getting
yourself into when you married Edward, and I said, 'sure, she's known all about this for years, since she first came
to Forks.' He didn't like that very much." I caught a glimpse in his mind of Charlie yelling in the forest. She's been
hiding this from me all this time? I always knew that guy was no good for her! I should have never let her out of
the house. I should have sent her to Florida! "I let him rant till he got it out of his system. After he got calmed
down, he wanted just two things. He wanted to see you, and I said it would be better if he gave me a head start to
explain."

Bella took a deep breath. "What was the other thing he wanted?"

Jacob smiled, glancing briefly at me. Here's the best part. "You'll like this. His main request is that he be told as
little as possible about all of this. If it's not absolutely essential for him to know something, then keep it to
yourself. Need to know, only."

Bella blinked with surprise. "I can handle that part," she said.

"Other than that, he'd just like to pretend things are normal." Jacob looked pleased with himself.

Jasper shifted uncomfortably. I don't know if we can let this happen, Edward. It's too dangerous for everyone. His
eyes moved towards the back windows, watching for Alice, and then back to me. He technically may not know, but
the Volturi won't care about the finer details.

"What did you tell him about Renesmee?" Bella's voice was still harsh, but the edge was relenting a little, her eyes
hesitant, and curious.

"Oh, yeah," said Jacob. "So I told him that you and Edward had inherited a new little mouth to feed." He looked at
me. "She's your orphaned ward – like Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson." Jacob laughed. Batman – perfect for
you. "I didn't think you'd mind me lying. That's all part of the game, right?" God knows you're good at it. I ignored
the jab, instead concentrating on Bella. "Charlie was way past being shocked at this point, but he did ask if you
were adopting her. 'Like a daughter? Like I'm sort of a grandfather?' were his exact words. I told him yes.
'Congrats, Gramps,' and all of that. He even smiled a little."

I watched the unexpected wonder spread across Bella's face, feeling a stirring inside at the look of yearning in her
expression that accompanied the idea of Charlie knowing about Renesmee. "But she's changing so fast," she said
softly.
"I told him she was more special than all of us put together," Jacob said quietly, rising and walking towards Bella
and Nessie, waving back Leah and Seth. Jacob, Renesmee thought, reaching out her arms, but Bella gripped her
tightly. "I told him, 'Trust me, you don't want to know about this. But if you can ignore all the strange parts, you're
going to be amazed. She's the most wonderful person in the whole world.' And then I told him that if he could deal
with that, you all would stick around for a while and he would have a chance to get to know her. But that if it was
too much for him, you would leave." Jacob smiled hopefully at Bella. "He said as long as no one forced too much
information on him, he'd deal."

My family was watching the confrontation silently now, their eyes slightly conflicted, hopeful yet uneasy. Some of
us had had relatives still alive when we had been changed. This severing of human ties was considered part of the
price of immortality for our kind, for the few that cared. And yet, just because we had been forced to follow what
we thought was the only possible way, didn't mean we wanted the same thing for Bella. She was showing us, and
had been showing us since she came into our lives, that, maybe, there was another path. For her to keep someone
so important to her in her life was an enticing possibility.

But other concerns troubled my family. It could be difficult to watch our human relations grow old and pass on,
even from a distance, through casual investigation, or careful inquiry. These ties, however few or even distant,
were what had once held us to the mortal world, our blood relatives in the family of men. But they faded away in
the blink of an eye. Time meant something else to an immortal, and Bella had yet to experience this expedited
passage of the hours, days, and years. Charlie was already more than halfway through his mortal life, and would
swiftly be gone. We feared the closer she remained to Charlie, the more heartbreaking would be his inevitable loss
would be.

And then there was the one rule of my kind – secrecy. Carlisle caught my eye, his expression tight. This is not
something I would normally condone, Edward, especially with a newborn. But the circumstances are certainly
extraordinary, as is Bella, and your daughter. His eyes moved momentarily around to everyone in the room,
resting for a moment on Esme. Then he glanced at Nessie, thinking about robbing Charlie of the joy he had
experienced in knowing her. The safety of the entire family is at stake, and it will need to be handled carefully. But
Charlie Swan is a man I would trust. Ultimately, it is up to you and Bella.

I looked at Bella's expression and I could see the hope invading her eyes, the desire to see Charlie, and share
Renesmee with him. There was a determined light in her face, and I knew – if it was at all possible, this was
something she was willing to try. I was torn. I had promised, promised, I would keep her from hurting her family,
or any humans. Allowing Charlie in such close proximity to her, all other issues aside, seemed like an incredibly
foolish risk. But Bella had proven beyond a doubt that she was not a mindless newborn, but an amazing, aware
creature with incredible control, and I felt a surge of sudden confidence that this was something she could handle.
If she wanted to go down this path, I would support her.

"I'm not going to say thank you," she told Jacob. "You're still putting Charlie at a huge risk."

"I am sorry about it hurting you." I truly still care about her, Edward, regardless of what you may think. "I didn't
know it was like that. Bella, things are different with us now, but you'll always be my best friend, and I'll always
love you. But I love you the right way now. There's finally a balance. We both have people we can't live without."
His eyes lowered for a moment to Renesmee's face.

Oh please, give me a break, Rose thought.

Jacob looked back up at Bella, pulling out the big brown eyes and giving her a sheepish grin. "Still friends?"

A small smile flickered on Bella's face, and I had to resist the urge to groan and roll my eyes. He'd better not
expect forgiveness so easy from me – his brash actions would still put Bella in terrible pain.

How does he do that? Emmett wondered. That crap would never work with Rose.

Jacob held out his hand. There was a moment of silence, and then Bella exhaled and shifted, her free hand
reaching out to grasp Jacob's.

"If I don't kill Charlie tonight," she said, "I'll consider forgiving you for this."
Eh, I know I'm already forgiven. Jacob smiled. "When you don't kill Charlie tonight, you'll owe me huge." Bella
rolled her eyes.

I'm almost back, Edward, thought Alice, darting through the woods. I still can't see anything, so I'm assuming you
didn't kill him."

Jacob held out his hands for Renesmee. "Can I?"

"I'm actually holding her so that my hands aren't free to kill you, Jacob," Bella replied seriously. Emmett laughed
softly. "Maybe later."

The back door flew open as Alice scurried inside, her face set. I want these wolves out of my vision!

"You, you and you," she snapped at Jacob, Leah and Seth. "If you must stay, get over in the corner and commit to
being there for a while. I need to see." She looked at Renesmee, her brow furrowing. "Bella, you'd better give him
the baby, too. You'll need your arms free, anyway."

As Bella handed the baby to a thrilled Jacob, Alice turned to Jasper, who was clearly unhappy. "It will be fine," she
mouthed at him, jumping up to kiss his cheek. He smiled a little, touching her hair before she flitted back to Bella.

The wolves headed over to the far wall, where Jacob and Seth sat down, but Leah remained standing, still tense.

I don't need this. I'm outta here. "Am I allowed to leave?" she asked.

"Oh course," said Jake.

"Stay east so you don't cross Charlie's path," Alice murmured.

Do you think I'm stupid? Leah banged out the back door.

She's upset, panicked, Jasper suddenly thought urgently. Bella. I turned swiftly, catching a look of desperate, red
terror in Bella's eyes. She was clearly second guessing herself. I moved close, touching her face gently.

"You can do this," I said softly. "I know you can. I'll help you; we all will."

Her expression remained frozen with anxiety. If she was afraid, or uncertain, we could leave right now. Someone
could intercept Charlie, slow him down, while I got Bella a safe distance away. But I knew that she would be able
to control herself around him. And, I realized, I wanted this to happen. As much as I hated to admit it, while Jacob
had been motivated by his desire to keep Renesmee close, what he had done was as much for my wife as for my
daughter. It would mean the world to Bella to not have to be separated from Charlie.

"If I didn't believe you could handle it, we'd disappear today. This very minute. But you can. And you'll be happier
if you can have Charlie in your life."

Alice glanced at Jasper, raising her eyebrows, and he released a wave of calm confidence, feeding mainly off of my
emotions. Bella's expression remained tight, but her breathing slowed slightly.

Alice handed her the contacts she had retrieved from the dresser table at the cottage. "These will irritate your eyes
– they won't hurt, but they'll cloud your vision. It's annoying." We'd all had to wear them during assorted times
when our changing eye color might be scrutinized – sometimes during overseas travel to better match a passport
photo. Those were a specially made topaz color. The ones Alice had purchased for Bella were darker, chosen to
cover red eyes – we'd used similar ones in the past for Jasper on a few unfortunate occasions. "They also won't
match your old color, but it's still better than bright red, right?" She tossed Bella the box.

Bella looked confused. "When did you—"

"Before you left on the honeymoon. I was prepared for several possible futures."
I tensed, looking down, not wanting to relive Alice's visions of my having to change Bella on the island, either
because of uncontrolled wantonness, or my own weakness. And then there had been the truly terrible visions, few
and fleeting, but leaving me shaken, ashamed, and certain I was nothing more than a black cloud on Bella's life…

Edward, Jasper gently admonished. I glanced over and saw him watching me with calm, aware eyes. Whatever you
are doing to yourself, stop. Now is not the time. I nodded slightly, inhaling, trying to refocus on the present and
not the past.

I watched Bella open the box. She picked up a contact, pressing it into her eye. She blinked and then frowned,
looking around.

"I see you what you mean," she grumbled as she put in the other contact. She blinked up at me, startlingly
different with her crimson orbs covered by a dark, dull brown, her fair skin flushed still by the hunt yesterday.
"How do I look?"

"Gorgeous. Of course-"

"Yes, yes," Alice interrupted me. "She always looks gorgeous." Alice explained how the venom would disintegrate
the contacts after a few hours. "So if Charlie stays longer than that, you'll have to excuse yourself to replace them.
Which is a good idea anyway, because humans need bathroom breaks." She looked Bella up and down, and then
shook her head. She doesn't look human, even with the contacts. "Esme, give her a few pointers on acting human
while I stock the powder room with contacts."

Esme raised her eyebrows. "How long do I have?"

Alice envisioned Charlie, passing down the road a few minutes from our drive. "Charlie will be here in five minutes.
Keep it simple."

Esme took Bella's hand. "The main thing is to not sit too still or move too fast."

Emmett nodded. "Sit down if he does. Humans don't like to just stand there."

"Let your eyes wander every thirty seconds or so," Jasper said. "Humans don't stare at one thing for too long."

"Cross your legs for about five minutes," Rosalie added. "Then switch to crossing your ankles for the next five."

As my family threw suggestions at her, I glanced over to check on Renesmee. She was seated in Jacob's lap on the
floor, her hand on his neck as she replayed various scenes from the day – her distress at discovering Jacob had
left, Emmett and Jasper looking like idiots doing headstands to try to amuse her, Bella's angry reaction when Jacob
had returned. Jacob remained silent, letting her sift through the images as he gently caressed one of her soft curls
between his fingers.

"No, I think I got it all," I heard Bella say, drawing me back. "Sit, look around, blink, fidget."

Emmett grinned. Pick your nose, scratch your butt... Emmett had his own ways of acting human, generally to
Rose's dismay. I glared at him before he could share his ideas.

"Right," said Esme, hugging Bella.

Jasper frowned, thinking about his struggles at school. "You'll be holding your breath as much as possible, but you
need to move your shoulders a little to make it look like you're breathing."

Bella took an unsteady breath, looking nervous. I wrapped an arm around her. "You can do this," I said softly.

Alice saw a vision of Charlie knocking on the door, and noted the time as she glanced at the clock on the mantle.
"Two minutes. Maybe you should start out already on the couch. You've been sick, after all. That way he won't
have to see you move right at first." She grabbed Bella's hand and pulled her to the couch. Bella moved with
exaggerated slowness, swinging her arms and legs in a strange, awkward manner.

What the heck was that supposed to be? Rosalie thought, grinning. We said human, not drunk.
Alice rolled her eyes. A born actress. Even she wasn't that clumsy!

"Jacob, I need Renesmee," Bella said urgently.

Jacob looked unhappy. That seems like a bad idea. He stayed on the floor, clutching Nessie, glancing briefly at me.

Alice was shaking her head as Bella suddenly blurred out of her vision. No, no! "Bella, that doesn't help me see."

"But I need her," Bella said, suddenly pleading. "She keeps me calm."

"Fine," Alice muttered, sighing. I hope you appreciate what I go through for you! "Hold her as still as you can and
I'll try to see around her."

Jacob remained still, and I raised an eyebrow at him. He sighed. Yeah, yeah, I know, you could still throw me out.

As Jacob got up and approached, Alice's vision faded completely. She watched him with impatient eyes as he
handed Nessie to Bella and backed away. When he sat back against the wall, she concentrated on Bella, finding her
slightly blurred, only her head and shoulders unobscured by Renesmee's presence, but clear enough to watch her
movements. This is going to give me a headache, she grumbled.

Is Nessie ready for such close proximity to a human? Esme looked at me with a worried expression, and then we
turned our eyes to Renesmee. She was quiet and still, sensing the tension around her. Although she controlled
herself fairly well around Jacob, I knew she was still very aware of the scent of his blood, and Charlie's would be far
more appealing. And I was afraid she would be tempted to communicate with him by her gift – something that I
suspected would overwhelm Charlie beyond what he could handle.

I know that she instinctively sensed, and understood, that Jacob and Seth were different from herself, as well as
her family. Although she had bitten Jacob, she controlled herself around Seth, even when tempted, understanding
that the parameters were different with him than Jacob. I thought that, if explained, she could grasp new
parameters for her grandfather.

I sat down next to Bella and Renesmee, wrapping my arm around them. I leaned over to catch Nessie's dark
chocolate eyes, and she gazed back. Daddy. I felt a soft thrill at the word.

"Renesmee, someone special is coming to see you and your mother," I said quietly. "But he's not like us, or even
like Jacob. We have to be very careful with him. You shouldn't tell him things the way you tell us."

Renesmee put her hand on my cheek, showing a memory of her reaching up to touch Jacob's face, and share her
thoughts.

"Exactly." I smiled, pleased she so clearly understood my words. "And he's going to make you thirsty." Her mind
filled with the memory of Jacob's scent, the sweet, enticing aroma hidden in deep musk. "But you mustn't bite him.
He won't heal like Jacob."

She frowned, remembering the sight of small, fading tooth marks on Jacob's skin. I nodded.

"Can she understand you?" Bella asked, looking shocked.

"She understands," I said. "You'll be careful, won't you, Renesmee? You'll help us?"

Renesmee reached up and touched my face, her mind filled with the image of sinking her teeth satisfyingly into
Jacob's chest. There was a questioning air to the vision.

"No, I don't care if you bite Jacob," I said. Please do. "That's fine."

Jacob laughed, remembering all the times Renesmee had bitten him. Let's hope the mother has better self control
than the daughter, for Charlie's sake!

I glared at him. Glad you find this so funny, mongrel. I wished he could feel the burn Bella was going to face
thanks to his actions. "Maybe you should leave, Jacob." I snapped.
Jacob balked, glancing at Renesmee. "I told Charlie I'd be here," he said. "Moral support."

"Moral support," I laughed. Please. I'd seen the look of horror on Charlie's face when Jacob phased. "As far as
Charlie knows, you're the most repulsive monster of us all."

"Repulsive?" Jacob said. Says the creature that sucks the blood out of people. He laughed lightly. Priceless.

I watched Charlie's approach in Alice's head while I listened to his tires turn off the highway. Alice could see as far
as Charlie knocking on the door, but not beyond – too many variables at this point to how Charlie, and Bella, would
respond. As Charlie's car took the turn into our driveway, I felt Bella turn to frozen stone beneath my arm, anxiety
pulsing out of her. I watched her face, concerned.

Tense, very tense, thought Jasper. If she doesn't relax this isn't going to… Oh. Surprise filtered through his
thoughts as he sensed Bella's anxiety slowly easing. "Well done Bella," he said softly. She's amazing, Edward.

I squeezed Bella proudly.

"You sure?" she asked me.

"Positive," I answered. "You can do anything." I leaned close, kissing her soundly, and she leaned into me, her lips
separating slightly, her sweet scent filling my mouth…

"Er, Edward," Jasper said, "you might not want to distract her like that right now. She needs to be able to
focus." She's about to drag you to the bedroom.

I blinked with surprise and pulled away. "Oops." I hadn't realized I was having that affect on her.

Bella laughed. "Later," she said, and her gaze locked on my face, eyes burning bright.

Geez. Jasper shifted uncomfortably. He was so focused on Bella that her emotions were coursing right through him.
He flicked a longing gaze at Alice, who winked, and then looked back."Focus, Bella."

"Right." Bella looked away, but her thoughts must have lingered on me because Jasper sighed. Give me a
break, he thought desperately as another wave of hot, smothering lust washed through him. If I unleash this on
everyone the situation is going to get ugly in here! "Bella," he said warningly.

"Sorry, Jasper."

Emmett laughed. Get your mind out of the gutter, woman!

Don't believe it…see her for myself…not Bella. Not my Bells.

My chest tightened as Charlie's characteristically indistinct thoughts began to break through to me as he drew
closer. I could sense heavy disbelief in his mind, even after what Jacob has shown him. Denial – a dangerous but
useful thing, I thought. I glanced at Bella, knowing her appearance would be an excruciating shock.

The car stopped in front. They better answer the door…done with lies. An angry haze flushed through Charlie's
thoughts as he approached. Who are these people…should bring her home…my daughter… His heartbeat was a
little fast, but impressively steady, although his thoughts were slightly shaded with fear. I caught some jumbled
images of Jacob's human and wolf facades, and surprisingly, Jasper's face, revealing the fact that Charlie had
always been intuitive enough to be slightly intimidated by my brother. I smiled slightly. Smart man.

As he approached the door, Carlisle looked at Bella and then caught my eye. Protect him, he thought. At all costs. I
nodded, his message clear. We would betray our inhuman abilities if there was any indication Charlie was in danger
from Bella. God knew the façade was already mostly dropped as it was – we would use all our resources to protect
him. I hoped if things did get tenuous we could physically remove him from the situation before his human eyes
could comprehend – it would devastate him to see the uglier side of his daughter's new nature, especially if it was
directed towards him. An image of a wild Bella lunging at Charlie appeared in my mind, and I pushed it away with
horror.
Carlisle's eyes moved to Jasper, who nodded slightly and stepped closer to Bella. Emmett watched and then shifted
his position so that he would be in the path of Bella and the door.

Alice caught a new vision of Charlie walking across the room towards Bella. I think it is going to be okay, she
thought. I hugged Bella against me, her warm, firm presence quickly reminding me that, fortunately for Charlie, his
daughter was in miraculous control of her nature. I needed to remain confident in that.

Here goes, Charlie thought. For Bella. He knocked firmly on the door. Carlisle smoothed his features and then
moved over to open the door.

"Hello, Charlie," he said, his eyes tightening as he remembered the last phone conversation, when Esme had
assured Charlie that Carlisle was in Atlanta with Bella and myself.

"Carlisle." Annoyance shot through Charlie's mind. Some nerve…hiding my daughter. "Where's Bella?"

"Right here, Dad." We all cringed as Bella's voice rang out, far too loud for around humans.

Oops, thought Alice. Forgot to tell her to tone down her voice!

What was that…? Charlie's eyes scanned the room looking for the source of the unfamiliar voice, his eyes soon
resting on Bella's face. Who is that one…haven't seen before…oh, god. Bella. Charlie's thoughts contorted,
unreadable for a few seconds as his mind painfully comprehended that the unfamiliar, altered face and body in
front of him belonged to the daughter he loved. His mind started shifting through a kaleidoscope of images of
Bella…a wailing newborn in Renee's arms, graduation day across the crowd, a sullen pre-teen with a fishing rod, a
young woman with a nervous face in her wedding dress, a toddler seated next to a Christmas tree, chocolate
smeared across her young mouth.

Then Bella's tear streaked face as we left for the honeymoon, her arms wrapped around him. The last time he had
seen her. I love you forever, Dad. Don't forget that.

You, too, Bells. Always have, always will.

He stared, unblinking. Oh, Bella. Impossible…how did this happen…should have protected her…failed. Failed her.
My daughter…no…my Bells…how…can't be…

"Is that you, Bella?" he whispered.

"Yep." Bella cringed, her voice too loud again. "Hi, Dad," she said softly.

…really her? Charlie took a deep breath. Jasper was radiating a subtle calm into the room.

"Hey, Charlie," Jacob said from the corner. "How're things?" Charlie started and then looked over at Jacob, a flash
of his wolf form running through his mind. …to think I wanted Bella with him…not human… I felt a flash of grim
satisfaction at this thought. Charlie looked back at Bella and began to slowly approach her. My family shifted, tense
and ready, as he came within a few feet of Bella. Alice's vision traced his movement, always one step ahead,
watching for any interference. Bella remained frozen on the couch, not breathing.

Charlie's eyes moved to mine for a moment, anger temporarily eclipsing his thoughts. Did this to her…no
good…leave my daughter alone. Perfect how she was…

He looked back at Bella, her differences and similarities even more startling at this close proximity. …eyes
wrong…so pale…different. Bella smiled slightly, and he took a half step backwards with surprise, seeing the
familiarity in the expression.

"Bella?" he asked.

"It's really me," Bella said softly.

Bella. The edge of his thoughts shifted slightly, to the role of the indignant, angry father. Why?
"Sorry, Dad," Bella mumbled.

"Are you okay," he demanded. …can take her away right now if she wants…

"Really and truly great," Bella said. "Healthy as a horse." Her shoulders tightened, and I knew she was out of air. I
tightened my grip around her shoulders. Jasper inched closer, his fist opening and closing with anxiety.

Alice was concentrating hard, trying to see around Renesmee's blur at the immediate future. No one's moving, I
don't see any struggles. I think she stays on the couch. She's got this.

"Jake told me this was…necessary." Charlie's voice was questioning. "That you were dying." His eyes flickered
momentarily back to my face. His fault…why…been another way…his fault. He looked back at Bella, and I closed my
eyes for a brief moment. I understood, and accepted his anger. I had taken his daughter, endangered her, and
changed her. Opening my eyes, I glanced at Renesmee, and knew I would feel the same if it was her. I realized
suddenly that Charlie and I shared this now - we were both fathers, and we were both eternally bound by the
paternal instinct to nurture, and protect, the daughters we loved.

I felt Bella press against me, and realized she was about to draw a breath. I heard the air flow down her throat as
her shoulders and chest raised slightly. Jasper stiffened behind us. She's burning…burning badly. I hugged her
tightly to me, restraining as well as comforting, hating the position she had been put in, and despising that she had
to experience pain, while we waited for the true measure of her response. After a couple of seconds, Jasper relaxed
slightly. In control. Total control.

"Jacob was telling you the truth," Bella said.

Truth…why hear it from Jacob…how many lies? "That makes one of you," he snapped.

The baby, thought Jasper suddenly. Renesmee was beginning to inhale deeply, pulling in Charlie's scent. She was
comparing it to Jacob's, realizing Charlie's scent was not lined with the less appealing smell of the wolves, more
similar to the scent that came from her metal cup. Warm, she thought. The blood in the cup was always
cold. Warm.

I saw Bella tighten her grip on Renesmee, and Charlie's eyes were drawn to her, shock registering. He hadn't even
truly realized her presence yet, his whole being having been concentrated of Bella.

"Oh," he said. "This is her. The orphan Jacob said you're adopting." He noted the similarity of hair color between
Nessie and me, and suspicion entered his mind. I realized suddenly it would be easier to stay as close to the truth
as possible, admitting at least a blood relation between Renesmee and myself. Many years of lying had taught me
the closer the lie was to the truth, the easier it was to keep up the deception. Trying to explain that Bella had given
birth would be too much, at least for today. Better to start with the story Jacob had given him, and what would
probably end up being the standard, public story we would used for Renesmee – adoption. Truly, I wanted nothing
more right now than to claim my daughter as my own. Bust as she grew, and Bella and I remained young, adopted
would be the cover story, much as it was for my siblings.

He'll believe it, Alice said, seeing a fairly clear vision of Charlie accept my version of the truth. I think.

"My niece," I said.

"I thought you'd lost your family," Charlie growled. …or more lies…

"I lost my parents." True. "My older brother was adopted, like me. I never saw him after that. But the courts
located me when he and his wife died in a car accident, leaving their only child without any other family."

Well done, son, thought Carlisle.

Rosalie rolled her eyes. Sounds like a bad movie script.

Renesmee's face was buried in Bella's hair. She turned her head slightly towards Charlie, away from Bella, inhaling
again, his scent even more potent when not mixed with Bella's. She quickly turned back away, remembering my
warning.

Striking, thought Charlie, surprised. Look at those cheeks. "She's…she's, well, she's a beauty."

"Yes," I said. Like her mother.

He looked between Bella and me. Eighteen years…too young… "Kind of a big responsibility, though. You two are
just getting started."

Renesmee was still inhaling deeply, Charlie's heartbeat starting to thunder in her ears. Warm. Close.
Thirsty. Alice's vision was still showing the edges of Bella sitting calmly on the couch, but she couldn't see
Renesmee at all. It seemed fine, but still – she was young. Her decisions might be impetuous.

"What else could we do?" I said to Charlie as I reached over and brushed Renesmee's lips with my finger. She
glanced at me, her mind replaying my earlier words…he's going to make you thirsty. But you mustn't bite
him. "Would you have refused her?"

"Hmph." Admirable, I suppose. "Well. Jake says you call her Nessie?"

Bella stiffened. "No, we don't," she snapped. "Her name is Renesmee." In the corner, Jacob fought back a smile.

Charlie looked at me. … young…to soon… "How do you feel about this? Maybe Carlisle and Esme could-"

"She's mine," Bella said sharply. "I want her."

Jasper cringed. Too emotional, he thought, upping the calm a little.

Charlie was uncertain. "You gonna make me a grandpa so young?"

"Carlisle is a grandfather, too," I said, smiling at my father. Charlie's eyes darted over to him. …grandfather…too
young to be a father…

He laughed once. "I guess that does sort of make me felt better." He looked back at Renesmee, leaning slightly
closer as if for a better look. Maybe 4…6 months old? He remembered Bella at that age, dark hair in ribbons, wide
brown eyes. So pretty. "She sure is something to look at." He exhaled, sending a current of scent towards us, cut
grass and fresh leaves combining with a warm, enticing sanguine breeze.

Ahh, thought Renesmee, his warm breath on her tongue. She leaned towards him, drawn instinctually toward the
scent, Bella's hair falling away from her face.

The eyes. Charlie stiffened, standing back up straight, a gasp leaving his lips. …eyes…brown…familiar…too
familiar. He looked at Bella's face, but in his mind saw only her human face, and back at Renesmee, seeing those
human features in her expression. And my own features. Theirs… Bella's…impossible.

I felt like kicking myself, wondering why I had ever imagined he would not see Bella in Renesmee. I had thought
he would be too overwhelmed by the changes in Bella – I had totally underestimated him. I glanced pointedly at
Alice, who shrugged.

Oops. My bad! She raised her eyebrows. He hadn't seen her eyes yet. That changed everything.

I watched as Charlie's mind filled with a vision of Bella in her wedding dress, as if he was trying to reassess, fit a
pregnancy into her slim form. Even if 3 months…4 months…been a few weeks…impossible. His mouthed
soundlessly as he counted the months.

Jacob suddenly got up and walked over to Charlie. Poor guy. He patted Charlie on the back. "Need to know,
Charlie. It's okay. I promise."
Right. He remembered Jacob telling him Renesmee was special. Now he began to understand. Bella's
child…special... Wait. He swung at me, my face confident in his memory, my earlier words filling his
ears. Adopted…my niece…died in a car accident. Resentment swirled through his mind, and he took a step towards
me. Lies…right to my face.

"I don't want to know everything, but I'm done with the lies!" he growled.

Totally busted, thought Emmett.

I looked at Charlie apologetically. "I'm sorry, but you need to know the public story more than you need to know
the truth," I said. It was the best way to protect him from the Volturi, although I had no plans to explain that to
him. And in protecting him, we protected ourselves. "If you're going to be part of this secret, the public story is the
one that counts. It's to protect Bella and Renesmee as well as the rest of us. Can you go along with the lies for
them?"

I watched Charlie carefully for his reaction, along with the rest of my family. If this had become too much, if
Charlie balked now at accepting the façade, we would need to leave now, immediately, putting as much distance
between us before he could learn any more of the truth. Not that any of us believed that Charlie would betray us,
but it would just be too dangerous for him if he inquired too deeply into our nature. If the Volturi appeared to
check on Bella, we could not risk being near Charlie if he might draw any of their suspicion.

He glared at me. Yeah, yeah…for them...

"You might've given me some warning, kid," he said, looking at Bella.

"Would it really have made this any easier?" she asked.

Maybe. He knelt down in front of us, bringing his warmth and scent even closer. Charlie, thought Nessie, smiling.
She reached out to touch him, wanting to show him his face in her thoughts, acknowledge him. Bella wrapped her
hand around her wrist, pulling her back. She reached another hand up to Bella's neck, her mind filled with Charlie,
and his scent and warmth, and her thirst.

"Whoa," Charlie said, looking at her smile. So many teeth. "How old is she?"

"Um…" Bella faltered.

"Three months," I said. She actually looked a bit older, but usually people accepted a slightly younger age for us.
We always started out younger than we were. It gave us more flexibility. Although, when Charlie spent more time
with her, he would quickly realize her capabilities were far beyond a three month old. Or a three year old. "Rather,
she's the size of a three-month-old, more or less. She's younger in some ways, more mature in others."

As if to prove my point, Nessie waved at him. His eyes widened.

Jacob smiled proudly. "Told you she was special, didn't I?" He nudged Charlie with his elbow.

Ugh, thought Charlie, Jacob's wolf form flashing into his mind. He pulled his arm away.

"Oh, c'mon, Charlie," Jacob said. "I'm the same person I've always been. Just pretend this afternoon didn't
happen."

A quick vision of Jacob phasing in the forest flashed into Charlie's mind, and he cringed. He eyed Jacob for a
moment. …why?… "Just what is your part in all this, Jake?" he asked. "How much does Billy know? Why are you
here?"

Should we tell him? An evil grin appeared on Emmett's face. I'd love to see Charlie's reaction to the idea the Jacob
worships his three month old granddaughter. I smiled, rather liking the idea.

"Well," said Jacob, not about to go in that direction. "I could tell you all about it – Billy knows absolutely everything
– but it involves a lot of stuff about werewo -"
"Ungh!" Charlie interrupted, covering his ears. Don't want to know! "Never mind."

"Everything's going to be great, Charlie," Jacob said, smiling. Because now you know, and they'll be able to
stay. "Just try not to believe anything you see."

…like to forget… Charlie mumbled something under his breath.

"Woo," Emmett bellowed from across the room. "Go Gators!"

I turned and stared at him incredulously. He raised an eyebrow back. Hello? Providing distraction here. You're
welcome!

"Florida winning?" Charlie asked.

"Just scored the first touchdown," Emmett replied. He looked suggestively at Bella. "'Bout time somebody scored
around here."

Bella's eyes narrowed furiously. I glared at him warningly, but his grin just grew wider. What are you gonna do
about it?

Charlie stood up, inhaling deeply, and moved towards the open chair, walking in a wide circle around Jacob. He sat
down like he was exhausted. Football – now that's something I can believe in.

"Well," he said. "I guess we should see if they can hold on to the lead."

"Who do you like this year?" Emmett asked.

"I think Ohio State is showing good promise."

"Oh, I don't know," said Emmett loudly. He turned and stared pointedly at Bella. "I think they don't have what it
takes to go all the way." He winked, and Bella growled softly under her breath. I rubbed her arm in sympathy.
Unfortunately, once Emmett got started on something, it was next to impossible to stop him until he'd completely
worn the joke out. And then some. And with Charlie here, I couldn't kick him out the back door and straight over
the river, as I'd like to.

It was silent for a few seconds. Rosalie sat down on the other side of Bella, smiling at Nessie. Alice, after sending
Jacob retreating back to the wall with a stern gaze, had moved behind the couch to stand with Jazz, holding his
hand. Carlisle and Esme moved over closer to Charlie's chair, their arms around each other and their eyes on the
game. Charlie's gaze wandered over to them, and his thoughts became slightly uncertain. I wonder…how far it
goes…

"You two are really married, right?" he asked suddenly. Carlisle and Esme glanced at him in surprise, and then
Esme smiled warmly. She reached out and touched Charlie's shoulder gently. His wary eyes followed her
movement.

"Yes, Charlie, we're really married," she said, laughing quietly.

"Right," he said. "Sorry. Of course." He looked to the side, at Rose next to Bella, and then Jasper behind her, and
then back to Rose. "And you two are really brother and sister?"

Rose opened and closed her mouth a couple times, looking desperately at Carlisle. "Uhh…"

"Forget it, forget it," Charlie said suddenly. "I don't want to know." He looked back at the television, and the
atmosphere relaxed when he suddenly whirled towards us again, glaring between Bella and me.

"When he left, and then you disappeared, was that related to all this…stuff? We're you really in California? I always
thought…."

"Dad," Bella groaned, rolling her eyes. "Please. That's all ancient history."
"Right, right," Charlie mumbled, turning away. Not to me. "Forget I said anything."

"Hey Charlie," Emmett said loudly. "What are your thoughts on the draft for the Seahawks this year?"

"I hope they can grab a cornerback, if they don't pick up one in free agency," Charlie said, distracted. "They are
sorely lacking, and I think it's a crucial position to shore up the defense."

"Great point," Emmett said. He turned to look at my wife. "And what's your favorite position, Bella?"

I sighed. It was going to be a long afternoon.

Chapter 28—Balance

Edward.

I glanced up to see Alice standing at the back of the room, at the entrance under the stairs. She was practically
humming with excitement.

Come and see me in the kitchen, she thought, and then suddenly was singing the Star Spangled Banner in her
head. She was obviously trying to hide some secret from me. I rolled my eyes and then nodded. As I turned back,
I caught Charlie watching us, taking in our obvious, silent exchange. He looked away quickly.

I sighed quietly. Keeping our subtle or less than subtle, in some cases, differences from Charlie had been harder
than expected over the course of the long afternoon. In spite of his desire not to know more, Charlie was just not
capable of turning off his policeman's brain, too long trained to notice and record the details of his surroundings.

Even with Emmett's nearly constant sports commentary, and numerous jokes and jabs at Bella's expense, Charlie
had been quiet and thoughtful most of the day. He was unable to avoid noting the similar tone of my family's skin,
including Bella. When Bella's hands moved too quickly as she talked or her voice rose too loud, he tried to look
away, but later would notice Alice flitting across the room with similar speed. He had watched with carefully
concealed interest as a rather panicked looking Bella had passed on increasingly squirmy Renesmee off to Rose to
be fed in the kitchen.

He also still harbored a suspicion that Bella might be able to turn into an animal like Jacob, despite his
reassurances otherwise, and had spent some time trying to decide what kind of animal it might be, until he got
frustrated with his own thoughts. You don't want to know, he had chided himself.

Nessie was asleep now, contented and back in Bella's arms. The second college football game was coming to a
close, with a resounding loss for the University of Tennessee.

"Whoa, I bet a lot of people lost their shirts betting on that one," Emmett said. His eyes glittered. "Still got your
shirt on, Bella? I bet you keep it all on."

Bella stared pointedly at the TV, attempting to ignore this latest comment. Charlie glanced at Bella blankly, his
mind distracted and confused. …don't get it…

I leaned over and kissed her cheek. She gave me a strained smile. I got up and headed towards the kitchen.

Jasper caught my eye. He was leaning against the wall, looking casual but ever vigilant. She's doing great, he
thought. The longer Charlie had remained in the room, the heavier his scent had become in the air. We could
handle it easily - but Bella should have been going out of her mind with thirst by now. Except that she wasn't.
I shook my head at him to indicate my ever increasing amazement, and then headed into the kitchen. Alice was in
there with Esme, who had something clutched in her arms and was absolutely glowing. Alice was bouncing up and
down on her toes and quietly clapping her hands.

I smiled at them. "Well?"

We're going to set up Nessie's crib! Alice danced around in a little circle, unable to contain her excitement. She can
sleep with you in the cottage tonight!

I paused with surprise, and then felt deep warmth spread through my chest at the thought of bringing my daughter
to our home to sleep in her own bed. Alice read my expression, and she bounced up and kissed me on the cheek.

Esme and I will go and get things all set up right now. Of course, the room needs some serious redecorating, and
we have to figure out where to put Nessie's clothes. There just won't be enough room in your closet, so we might
have to add another closet. She quickly sketched in her mind an additional closet that rivaled even the one off our
bedroom.

I raised my eyebrows and glanced at Esme, who was smiling warmly, unaware of Alice's thoughts. She
was not going to like that idea. Neither would Bella.

We really thought you'd like to keep her with you, Esme thought.

"Thank you," I murmured, looking at both of them.

Alice touched Esme's arm. "I'll meet you in the garage," she whispered. The wrought iron crib they had purchased
a couple days ago had been stored out there. Esme had originally hoped to shop for an antique wooden cradle, but
within the first day it had become obvious Renesmee would need something sturdier. The crib had been one of
Alice and Rose's purchases when they had gone out shopping for clothes for Nessie.

Esme nodded and Alice turned to glare at me. Don't tell Bella yet! I nodded and she disappeared. I glanced down
at the folded object in Esme's arms and cocked my head questioningly.

She smiled. Sheets for the crib. Studying them, I was surprised to find they were not the familiar pink, but a soft,
sky blue. They were delicately decorated with pure white clouds. I reached out and traced the edges of one with
my finger.

"An angel should sleep in the clouds," Esme said quietly. Her soft eyes rose up to meet mine, and she reached out
and touched my cheek.

There was an uncomfortable cough from the doorway behind us. We turned, finding Jacob behind us.

"Sorry," he said. "I was just, you know…" He gestured towards the refrigerator. Looking for food.

"What a surprise," I muttered. He flushed, glancing at Esme.

"Eat whatever you want, dear," she said kindly. Jacob glanced down at the sheets in her arms.

"What are those?" he asked. I held my finger to lip.

"Secret," I mouthed. "For Renesmee's new crib."

"Oh," he said in surprise. Suppose she needs one. Guess she can't sleep in our arms forever. He looked behind me
out into the hall. Where did you set it up? The office? His mind briefly filled with a vision of himself sitting in
Carlisle's office, patiently watching a sleeping Renesmee through the bars of a crib.

I sighed, realizing a turning point was coming that Jacob did not yet see. I caught Esme's eye, and she
nodded. We'll be back shortly.
I checked on Bella through Jasper's eyes, finding her distracted, discussing Renee's newest hobby, jewelry making,
with Charlie. Charlie, looking embarrassed, was telling her Renee had sent samples of her new creations to the
female Cullens. I turned to Jacob.

"The crib will go in the cottage, Jacob," I said in a low voice. "Nessie will sleep there, with Bella and me. Her
parents." He blinked a couple times, and I watched as the reality of my words sunk in, his shoulders lowering
slightly as some of the life drained out of his face. Damn.

We had been ensconced in a surreal state since Renesmee's birth. As I had been suspended in time, waiting for
Bella to wake, and we had all faced so much unknown, circumstances had allowed Jacob to spend almost every
moment in Nessie's presence. I could see that he had known it would end, eventually, that things would have to
change. But now he felt the pain of letting go. The last few days had been a blur for him, and yet were the most
extraordinary of his life, because of Nessie. And he didn't know, yet, how to be away from her.

"Maybe it's time you went home, Jacob," I said gently.

He stiffened immediately. Are you saying you want me out of here? Panic laced his thoughts, and a defensive
anger brimmed to the surface.

I felt a rush of familiar irritation. Why does he always have to be so defensive? I took a calming breath, not
intending to get in an argument.

"No, Jacob," I whispered. "It's just…my family. Bella, Nessie and I – we've had a rough start. We need some time
together, just us." I sighed. "You can't be here all the time. There has to be…balance."

I paused, feeling the weight, and truth, of my own words. It was time for us all to find balance. There had been
imbalance between Bella and me since the day we met. Since the first moment I saw her. Physical hurtles creating
impossible inequity. Inescapable emotional barriers created by discord over Bella's future, human or immortal.

And Jacob had brought for a time a new imbalance into our relationship, creating a painful, unsteady asymmetry of
three where there should have only been two. His life had also been out of focus, too long in love with one just
beyond his grasp. And now – while I knew that Jacob felt his imprint on our daughter created a sort of symmetry,
the nature of this powerful connection made him prone to extremes. As Bella and I finally found balance with each
other, he needed to try as well.

"You haven't seen your father since you left," I said softly. "And there is your pack's future to figure out, as well as
Sam's." I sighed. "And school, Jacob. You're young. You need to think about your education." I grimaced at my
own words, suddenly feeling like my father.

School, Jacob grumbled internally as he looked away. I could see he had no immediate plans to return. But there
was nothing I could do about that. I considered pointing out that the others who had imprinted in the pack went
on, to a certain extent at least, with their normal lives. But perhaps it was too soon for that discussion.

Finally he glanced back at me with a resigned expression. I know you and Bella need time alone with her, he
thought. I want her to have a family. A miserable edge crept into his mind as he averted his gaze again. I only
ever want her to be happy. That's all I want.

I closed my eyes momentarily as the sympathy I didn't really want to feel began to seep in. Damn his sincerity. He
did only want to make her happy. How could I pretend not to understand that?

I took a deep breath, opening my eyes. "Having you around is one of the things that make her happy," I said
softly. His eyes rose to mine, brightening slightly, and gratitude flashed across his face. "And I'm not telling you to
leave. I'm just suggesting you remember the other things in your life. You are welcome here, anytime.
In moderation." I stressed the last word, although I suspected his definition of moderation and mine were probably
drastically different things.

Jacob nodded slightly. Thanks, Edward. I appreciate that. Then he grinned. Guess you're not that bad for a
bloodsucker.
I laughed once. "I'll take that." I reached out tentatively and grasped his shoulder briefly, before turning and
heading back into the living room. The second game had officially ended, and sports commentary was beginning.
Charlie was still settled in his chair.

Talk about overstaying your welcome, Rose thought irritably. He's as bad as those wolves. I gave her a dark look,
and her expression turned slightly chagrined. Sorry, but I'm so sick of football.

I considered letting her know she was welcome to leave moved slowly through the sports show, and then the 5
o'clock news. Eventually Esme and Alice returned, slipping quietly into the room. Emmett inquired into Bella's
preferences on bed style ("I bet you like something sturdy"), and even went as far as to ask Charlie if he had heard
the sounds of two animals mating in the forest the night before. Finally, though, an uncomfortable silence settled
over the room. Charlie was staring at Bella, going back over the time since she arrived to live with him, looking for
the signs he had missed that she was getting involved in all this.

Well, I'm starving. Seth stretched dramatically, and then stood up. "It's 5:30. You gonna stand Billy and my mom
up, Charlie?" Jacob had quietly instructed Seth earlier to accompany Charlie to dinner at his mother's house. Seth
also hadn't been home since leaving the pack. "C'mon. Bella and Nessie'll be here tomorrow. Let's get some grub,
eh?"

Anxiety mottled Charlie's thoughts at Seth's words, and he glanced nervously at Bella and Nessie, sitting next to
him. …be here tomorrow… Jacob had told him earlier in the forest that our family had been planning to leave –
would be forced to leave because of the secrets we held. He had stayed so long today partly because he was afraid
to leave. Fearful that we wouldn't be here when he returned. Scared that Bella might change even more in his
absence. Or find herself in more danger.

Finally he took a deep breath and nodded, patting his stomach and standing up. My family rose with him. "Well,"
he said, turning to Carlisle. "Uh, thanks for the hospitality." He slowly held out his hand, and Carlisle reached out
and grasped it, shaking firmly. Charlie made quick note of his icy skin, trying to recall if he had noticed it before
during interactions with my father at the hospital. Then he nodded at Esme. "Good to see you again." She smiled
back warmly and he met her eyes, a realization of their golden hue washing over him. …familiar… He looked at me,
my eyes reflecting a similar color, and then slowly he took in my family around him, varying shades of the same
golden amber. …idiot…never noticed before…how. His gaze rested on Bella …so different…such a strange
brown…almost like…

Emmett suddenly slapped Charlie on the shoulder, making him stumble forward a couple steps and earning a glare
from everyone but me. I was glad for the interruption to Charlie's thought process. "Great watching the games
with you, man."

Ow, Charlie thought, smiling at Emmett weakly. "Yeah, thanks. Bye, everyone." He turned and faced me, his
slightly cool eyes appraising. They flickered to Bella and Nessie at his side, and then back to me again. …can I trust
him…keep them safe…I hope… "Edward," he said, inclining his head.

"Thanks for coming by, Charlie," I said sincerely. "Your…visit…means a lot to Bella. And myself." Charlie's gaze
softened slightly as love for his daughter, and new granddaughter, flushed into his mind.

"Well, see you, guys," Seth said brightly. He tugged on Charlie's sleeve. Charlie glanced up at Seth. When did this
kid grow so tall, he thought.

"Yeah, I'm coming," he mumbled, watching Seth lope quickly out the outside.

"I'll walk you out, Dad," Bella said. She moved with her father towards the door, Jasper and I trailing behind at a
cautious distance.

Charlie sighed as they reached the front porch, turning towards her. "I don't know how much we should tell Renee
about this," he said.

"I know," Bella said. "I don't want to freak her out. Better to protect her. This stuff isn't for the fainthearted."
Charlie cringed internally, wondering what else there was he didn't know. "I would have tried to protect you, too, if
I'd known how," he said softly. …still will … His mouth twisted into a small smile. "But I guess you've never fit into
the fainthearted category, have you?"

Bella smiled, inhaling. Jasper and I tensed with her as she burned.

Charlie frowned slightly. …what to tell Renee… "I'll think of something. We've got time to discuss this, right?"

"Right," Bella said.

But how much time… "Jake says you guys were going to take off on me," he murmured, hurt tingeing his thoughts.

Bella looked apologetic. "I didn't want to do that if there was any way at all around it," she said softly. "That's why
we're still here."

"He said you'd stay for a while, but only if I'm tough enough, and if I can keep my mouth shut."

"Yes…but…" Bella looked pained. "I can't promise that we'll never leave, Dad. It's pretty complicated."

Curiosity flared for a moment in Charlie's mind, and then he pushed it away. "Need to know."

"Right."

"You'll visit, though, if you have to go?"

"I promise, Dad. Now that you know just enough, I think this can work. I'll keep as close as you want."

…always want you close, Bella. I realized Charlie was leaning in for an unexpected hug, and took an anxious step
forward. Could Bella keep it together being pressed against him? Jasper circled around behind me to be in a closer
position.

Bella reached out an arm and wrapped it around his waist.

"Keep real close, Bells," Charlie murmured. "Real close."

"Love you, Dad," Bella whispered roughly. She was clenching her teeth. Then he pulled away and she straightened,
in control.

I couldn't believe she had touched a human, and still managed her instincts. She hadn't even fed today! When I
thought of how his body must have felt under her newborn hands – soft and warm, coursing with blood just under
the surface – she was just incredible.

Jasper caught my eye, shrugging and backing away slowly. She doesn't need us. If she can do that, she's got this.
I don't think I could have done that right now.

I nodded, waiting another second before backing away, moving silently up to the piano. I looked around the room
for a moment. The atmosphere had quickly rebounded, and it felt satisfying to see my family fall back into some of
the normal patterns of existence that had too long been put on hold. Carlisle disappeared for a second, returning
with a book on genetic research for himself, and Esme's sketch pad, which she hadn't picked up in days. Alice had
drawn Jasper over to the stairs, where she caressed his head in her lap and tried to ease the tension of the day out
of him. Rose had dragged Emmett over to build a card house with her, a passion carried over from her human life.

Jacob, unbelievably, was in the kitchen again.

Looking down, I played a few notes lightly on the piano, remembering the tune I had been thinking of for Nessie.
Charlie was admiring Renesmee. "Do I ever get to hold her?" Bella stiffened slightly, examining Nessie, but I knew
she was deeply asleep, her mind immersed in colors and starry images of loved ones. Bella carefully passed the
baby to Charlie.

Charlie felt a flash of surprise as Renesmee's weight moved into his arms. "She's…sturdy." Bella looked surprised.
"Sturdy is good," Charlie went on. "She'll need to be tough, surrounded by all this craziness." He rocked her
slightly, again reminded of Bella at this age. Seems like yesterday. Nessie's curls swayed slightly against her fair
skin, just the slightest flush on her cheeks. …like an angel…

"Prettiest baby I ever saw, including you, kid. Sorry, but it's true."

Bella grinned. "I know it is."

Charlie leaned closer to Renesmee. She smells good… "Pretty baby," he murmured gently. …my
granddaughter…hope they're safe…

"Can I come back tomorrow?" he asked suddenly. Keep an eye on things.

"Sure, Dad. Of course. We'll be here."

"You'd better be."

I tried to concentrate on my song, giving them privacy for final good-byes. I was thinking of something light and
playful. I ran through a couple of arpeggios, trying to decide on a key.

I heard Charlie's steps on the front stairs, and I glanced over to see Bella standing in the doorway, watching him
go. She stood there long after he had driven out the drive and onto the freeway. I gave her a few moments with
her thoughts, continuing to play quietly.

"Wow," Bella finally whispered, breaking her reverie. I got up and moved swiftly across the room, wrapping my
arms around her waist.

"You took the words right out of my mouth," I said in her ear.

"Edward, I did it." Relief painted her voice.

"You did," I said, kissing her neck. "You were unbelievable. All that worrying over being a newborn, and then you
skip it altogether." And she always accused me of being good at everything.

"I'm not even sure she's really a vampire, let alone a newborn," Emmett called out. "She's too tame."

Bella's head whipped in the direction of his voice and she growled, eyes flashing angry red. It seemed she'd
reached the end of her rope with Emmett. Actually, she'd probably reached it a long time ago but couldn't do
anything with Charlie here.

Please. "Oooo, scary," Emmett mocked. I'm shaking here.

Bella hissed loudly, waking Nessie, who squirmed and then inhaled, searching for Charlie's scent. Her instinct to
use scent before sight, much as my kind did, surprised me. She touched Bella's cheek, showing his face.

"Charlie will be back tomorrow," Bella said, calming slightly.

"Excellent." Emmett grinned, rubbing his hands together. Rose laughed next to him.

Bella growled angrily. Behind her, Jasper raised his eyebrows. Do I have to stop her if she attacks him? I hope not.
Emmett was such an idiot. Rather than trying to keep Bella calm, he was intentionally antagonizing her – had been
all day. Despite his bravado, Emmett actually had no direct experience with trying to handle a newborn, except for
the ones he had torn to pieces last spring. But Bella was no brainless, blood crazed creature. And clearly Emmett
was having difficulty recalling his own newborn days, when we all had to walk on eggshells for a year to keep him
from blowing up and destroying the house.

I recalled suddenly a conversation I had had with Bella a few months back, regarding how strong she would be as a
newborn. "As strong as Emmett?" Bella had asked.

"Yes," I had said, wondering how Emmett would handle not being the strongest one of us for once."Do me a favor
and challenge him to an arm-wrestling match. It would be a good experience for him."

Yes! Alice cheered mentally as she saw a vision of Bella and Emmett arm wrestling at the table. Teach him a
lesson.

"Not brilliant, Emmett," I said, reaching out to take Renesmee from Bella. She would need her hands free. She
glanced at me in confusion, and I winked, letting her know I had a plan. I slid my hands under Nessie, and folded
her soft body into my arms.

"What do you mean?" Emmett asked suspiciously.

I knew just how to get a rise out of him. "It's a little dense, don't you think, to antagonize the strongest vampire in
the house."

Emmett laughed loudly once. "Please!" Strongest my ass!

"Bella," I said softly, but clearly loud enough for Emmett to hear. "Do you remember a few months ago, I asked
you to do me a favor once you were immortal?"

Bella face clouded for a moment, as she struggled to sift through human memories. Then, suddenly, her eyes
brightened. "Oh!" she gasped.

Alice's vision shifted, clearly showing Bella easily slamming Emmett's hand into the table, a stunned look on his
face. She burst out laughing. Jasper, Carlisle and Esme watched, looking slightly perplexed, as Jacob appeared
from the kitchen. What's so funny?

Emmett glared at Alice for a moment, and then looked back at me. "What?" he growled.

"Really?" Bella asked. I could see the doubt in her eyes that her strength could possibly match Emmett's. I smiled
– forget match it, she would exceed it.

"Trust me."

She nodded, taking a deep breath and turning to Emmett. "Emmett, how do you feel about a bet?"

Sweet! Few things made Emmett happier than a bet. He jumped up. "Awesome. Bring it."

Rosalie stood up quickly next to him, putting her hands on her hips. Don't get him started, Edward!

I ignored her. Bella was looking nervous again, biting her lip.

"Unless you're too afraid…?" Emmett taunted. The girl's not fool enough to take me on.

Bella's eyes flashed, and she stiffened, pointing a finger at him. "You. Me. Arm-wrestling. Dining room table. Now."

Excellent. Emmett grinned widely, and his eyes met mine for a second. Hope you don't mind your woman getting
her ass kicked, my brother.
Alice shifted nervously, surveying her vision, which showed Esme's much-loved dining room table smashed to
splinters. Esme will kill us!

"Er, Bella," she said, "I think Esme is fairly fond of that table. It's an antique."

Esme's eyes widened in realization. Oh my. "Thanks," she mouthed silently at Alice.

"No problem," Emmett said, smiling. Alice's vision moved to the large boulder behind the garage. "Right this way,
Bella."

Emmett turned and headed out the back. I took Bella's hand, squeezing it, and we followed with the rest of the
family, with even Jacob trailing along. Renesmee placed her hand on my face, replaying the exchange in my mind,
confused and questioning "You'll see in a minute," I whispered, and kissed the top of her head. She pressed into
me, sighing quietly.

Emmett reached the stone and bent his arm, placing his elbow against the granite surface. His eyes glittered with
anticipation at Bella. He waved at her to come closer. Prepare for defeat.

Bella paused a couple feet away, looking uncertain. Her eyes flickered for a moment between Emmett's unnaturally
bulging biceps to her own arms.

Come on, Bella, Alice pleaded, as she temporarily lost the vision. You can do this!

Suddenly, Bella smoothed her expression and bent her arm against the boulder.

"Okay, Emmett," she growled, her face serious. "I win, and you cannot say one more word about my sex life to
anyone, not even Rose. No allusions, no innuendos – no nothing."

Emmett looked at her appraisingly. "Deal. I win, and it's going to get a lot worse." And you ain't seen nothing yet,
kid. His grin grew as Bella froze in dismay.

"You gonna back down so easy, little sister?" Emmett widened his eyes innocently. "Not much wild about you, is
there? I bet that cottage doesn't have a scratch. Did Edward tell you how many houses Rose and I smashed?" And
ten times as many beds.

Bella's eyes narrowed to crimson slits, and she ground her teeth. She grabbed his hand. "One, two-"

"Three." Here we go. I felt a slight pang of anxiety as Emmett shoved against Bella's hand with all his strength,
wanting to take her down quickly. But her hand didn't move. What the… Emmett's face twisted in confusion and
shock, and he shifted so that he could bear even more force down on Bella's arm.

Nothing. God dammit. What the hell! No God damn way I'm losing this. She is not stronger than me. His face
creased under the strain, and yet there was no movement of Bella's hand. I relaxed, pleased.

Oh, this is so much fun! Alice thought delightedly, exchanging a smile with Jasper. Five more seconds before she
puts him in his place!

Jacob was watching open-mouthed. He was well aware of Emmett's strength from our battle with the newborns. He
found it almost impossible to equate Bella's physical power with the girl he had known. Damn, he thought.

Bella's was staring at her arm and Emmett's with a slightly surprised expression. Her muscles were relaxed, and I
didn't think she was even applying any pressure. Then her eyes narrowed and her muscles twitched slightly,
pushing Emmett's arm back an inch. She laughed in delight.

No! Emmett snarled in fury and frustration.

"Just keep your mouth shut," Bella said sweetly, and she smashed Emmett's hand into the rock. A fissure opened
under their hands, and a portion of the rock fell off, slamming into Emmett's foot. He looked down with furious
surprise. Dammit!

I choked back laughter, pressing my face into Renesmee's hair to try to muffle the sound. Alice jumped up and
down, clapping her hands. You go girl!

This is bullshit! Emmett launched the rock off his foot and across the river, where it smashed through one tree
before knocking down two others. It was a fluke! I wasn't ready. He turned to glare at me. You tricked me! I
couldn't hold back my laughter at this.

Esme looked at the downed trees unhappily while Carlisle patted her arm. Nessie's hand shot up to my neck and
she replayed Emmett's outburst several times with a mixture of confusion and amusement.

Emmett whirled on Bella. "Rematch. Tomorrow."

Bella blinked innocently. "It's not going to wear off that fast," she said. "Maybe you ought to give it a month."

Emmett growled. In your dreams, baby. "Tomorrow," he snarled.

"Hey, whatever makes you happy, big brother."

Emmett turned, punching the boulder, creating a spray of crushed rock, before charging back towards the house.

Oh, real mature, thought Rosalie in irritation. She turned and glared at me. Thanks for nothing, Edward. Now I
have to listen to him sulk all night! She stalked away after Emmett, and I quickly got out of her mind as she began
to formulate plans to help him feel better. I had a feeling he'd be happy soon enough.

There was a loud, grating noise and I turned quickly to see Bella pulverizing a handful of rock with a delighted look
on her face. "Cool," she said quietly, grinning, and then whirled in a blinding circle and smashed the rock with the
side of her other hand. There was a sharp crack, and the rock fell apart in two pieces.

Nice, thought Jasper, smiling and nodding. Bella began to giggle, pulling back her arm and punching one of the
halves, splintering it into several pieces. She spun again and kicked at the other half, smashing it into a dozen
small pieces. One flew past Jacob's head and he ducked.

Now she's really lost it, he thought, chuckling.

Further up the lawn, Rose and Em had stopped to watch. Show-off, Emmett grumbled, and then grinned.

I watched with pleasure as exhilaration filled Bella's face, her laughter elated, as she stomped and kicked and
punched, clearly reveling in the abandon of letting her strength flow through her limbs. She was a sleek and
graceful vision of destruction, and I drank her in.

So long I had feared Bella would hate me if she ever became one of us, hate me for making her a monster like
myself. Seeing her joy in this moment was a balm for many agonizing moments of indecision and apprehension. I
remembered Jacob's words from earlier. I only ever want her to be happy. This was all I had ever wanted for Bella
- to see laughter, delight, and happiness in her face, although I had often not known how to create it.

Renesmee squirmed in my arms, chortling quietly. Bella suddenly jumped, somersaulted twice in the air and came
down, smashing the few remaining bits of rock to dust under her feet. Nessie drew in a quick breath of surprise,
and then suddenly she laughed. Not the bubbly giggles of infanthood we had heard from her before, but a high,
clear, almost adult peal of laughter that echoed softly around us. Mommy. Funny.

I looked at her in amazement as this new sound left her lips. There was sudden silence, and I glanced up to see
Bella staring.

"Did she just laugh?" she asked, her eyes wide.

"Yes," I murmured, smiling.

Jasper had been enjoying the flow of emotions coming from Bella, happiness and pleasure. Now, almost
instinctively, he reached out from behind me and touched Nessie's arm, absorbing her pure, innocent joy. Ahh,he
thought with a contented smile, basking in the emotion. Standing next to him, Alice squeezed him around the waist
with her small arm, pleased to see him so happy.

"Who wasn't laughing?" Jake rolled his eyes. Considering the production you were putting on!

Like he doesn't understand the thrill of new power. "Tell me you didn't let go a bit on your first run, dog," I said,
raising my eyebrows.

"That's different," Jacob said, giving me a light punch in the shoulder. Hey, I'm just a kid, remember? He smiled.
"Bella's supposed to be a grown-up. Married and a mom and all that. Shouldn't there be more dignity?"

Nessie touched my face, replaying the scene of Bella pulverizing the stone several times, slightly insistent, her
message clear. More.

"What does she want?" Bella asked anxiously.

I grinned. "Less dignity. She was having almost as much fun watching you enjoy yourself as I was."

"Am I funny?" Bella smiled brightly at Nessie, flitting over and taking her from my arms. She gave her a small slice
of rock from her hand. "Do you want to try?"

Carlisle stepped forward slightly, interested in this test of Nessie's strength. His mind did a quick calculation of the
pressure per centimeter necessary to crush the stone.

Nessie smiled, teeth bright, and squeezed the rock in her small palm, her face creasing with exertion. She opened
her hand – she had ground the rock down slightly but it was still intact.

Fascinating, Carlisle thought, already cataloguing other substances he would present her with to see how her
strength compared with ours.

Nessie held up the stone to Bella. "I'll get it," she said, taking the stone between her thumb and forefinger and
pressing it into sand. Nessie clapped her hands, laughing loudly again, and everyone smiled.

Suddenly, heat bathed over me. I glanced up to see the sun move out of the clouds, its rays slicing through the
brilliant red-orange sky of sunset. I moved my eyes down slowly to the vision beside me. Bella glittered, a
thousand diamond sunsets, iridescent loveliness of every discernable color. I let the crystal beauty of her skin blind
me with pleasure for a moment. I had seen the skin of my kind in the light of the sun countless times before, seen
my own skin reflect in the golden rays. But with Bella, it was different somehow. Everything was new, and more
intense, and more beautiful with her.

Nessie touched Bella's face, filling her mind with a comparative vision of her slightly luminescent skin against
Bella's brilliance. There was something of an envious edge to the thought, and an acknowledgement and yet
question of the contrast. I felt a flash of worry, as I realized that the differences between herself and her parents
were beginning to quickly gather in Nessie's mind. As advanced as she was, it might be a while before she grasped
the idea that those precious, irreplaceable human traits belonged to a part of her mother she had only known in
the womb.

"You're the prettiest," Bella said reassuringly.

"I'm not sure I can agree to that," I said, smiling. Their beauty was of equal miracle. Bella turned to me as if to
speak, but fell silent, merely holding my eyes.

Ugh. Too weird. Jacob held up his hand as if to ward off the glow. "Freaky Bella."
Alice narrowed her eyes at him. She's gorgeous, she thought.

"What an amazing creature she is," I said softly in agreement.

We all watched in silence as Bella regarded her shining arms, her crimson eyes reflecting the shimmering colors
with a dozen facets of red. Finally, Jacob moved, kicking at the ground nervously.

"Well," he said with a forced casualness, glancing at me, "I think I'll take off for a while. Swing by the Clearwater's
and make sure Charlie is doing all right." He frowned suddenly, thinking he probably should have warned Billy and
Sue in advance that Charlie was now in on the secret.

"I'd really appreciate that," Bella said earnestly.

"But I'll be back in a few hours," he responded quickly, a desperate tone creeping into his voice. I'll run the
woods, he thought looking at me. Then he turned his eyes to Nessie, and she held out a small hand towards him.
He leaned forward and she touched his neck, filling his mind with a memory of walking along the river with him.

"Tomorrow," he said. "I promise." He took her hand from his neck and gave it a squeeze before letting it go.
"Goodnight, Ness."

Jacob, she thought with affection, flashing brilliant teeth.

"Bye, Jake," Bella said.

He smiled broadly at her. "Bye." He glanced around at my family. "See ya."

"Take care, Jacob," Carlisle said. We all murmured goodbye. Except Rose. He turned, ran up the slope and
disappeared around the house. Off to the side in the forest, there was a snap of branches and a flash of fur – Leah
moving to meet him.

Jasper suddenly shifted next to me, his focus on Bella as he felt a sudden burn of thirst. I turned to see Bella touch
her throat anxiously. I bent close to her ear.

"Time to hunt again?" I asked in a quiet voice.

"Ooh." Alice clapped her hands. "Let's all go together."

Bella frowned. "We can't bring Renesmee," she said, her voice slightly panicky as she clutched the baby to her.

Esme stepped forward, smiling. "Carlisle and I would be happy to stay with Renesmee." Her eyes were alight with
the prospect of having Nessie to herself. "Please, you kids go and have fun."

Bella glanced at me and I nodded, smiling reassuringly. She handed Nessie to Esme. Everyone smiled at each
other, pleased. Jasper was particularly anxious to hunt after a long day bathed in Charlie's scent. Even Emmett
brightened, moving closer.

"Hunting. Great idea." He grinned at Bella. "Maybe it will finally bring out the animal in you."

"Hey!" She punched his shoulder and he winced. "You lost that bet! No more comments!"

Rose came up behind him. "Yeah, time to shut up, Emmett." She grabbed his hand and pulled. "Come on." We all
turned and ran, flying across the lawn together, Bella quickly pulling in front.

"Bella!" Alice called. Bella slowed and Alice grabbed her hand. They jumped the river together, Alice pulling Bella
into a synchronized somersault halfway over. Behind us, I could hear a shriek of delight from Nessie. The rest of us
leapt at random intervals, nothing but a soft brush of air as we landed.
I reclaimed Bella's hand from Alice and we ran together for a few moments. But soon she pulled away, chasing
Emmett up into the trees, where they taunted each other, launching branches to try to knock the other down. Alice
and Jasper disappeared somewhere off to the side together, while Rose stayed out in front.

Finally, Bella appeared like an arrow in front of me. "Where are we going?" she asked.

"You'll see." I grinned. Everyone was automatically heading towards a large boulder at the foot of the hills we
called "The Rock" – our normal launching off spot for any group hunt.

Bella broke out in front again, and I ran beside her before catching her hand and pulling her gently to a stop as the
large stone rose out of forest before us.

"Wow," she said, looking up.

Rose appeared out of the forest, running past us and climbing straight up to the top of the rock, some twenty feet
above. Alice and Jasper slipped through the trees, pausing by us. Then Emmett burst out behind them, leaving
bent and trampled branches in his wake, and scrambled up to the top of the rock. He grabbed Rose, bending her
over backwards and kissing her before throwing his head back and roaring.

"I am vampire. Hear me roar!" he bellowed.

"Idiot," Rose scoffed. "Get off me, Em." She straightened, giving him a shove. "Stop acting like an animal."

He slapped her on the bottom. "Oh, come on, babe – you know you love it."

Alice and Jasper were laughing. Jasper grabbed Alice around the waist, lifting her off her feet and biting her lightly
on the neck. She shrieked, kicking wildly.

Bella was watching my siblings with interest, her eyes bright with excitement, and some surprise in her expression.
I realized she'd never truly seen my brothers and sisters in a totally relaxed, carefree form.

Something Carlisle had always schooled us on was that one of the keys to successful, safe interaction with humans
was physical and, most importantly, emotional moderation. Our dangerous, instinctive nature was provoked by
scent and thirst, but it could also be triggered by any extreme emotion: anger, despair, excitement. I had, of
course, learned to show all of my true self to Bella long ago. I had too. But my siblings, even though they were
mostly completely comfortable around Bella, had remained somewhat restrained in her presence, under the advice
of Carlisle.

This ability to finally let go and be himself around Bella was particularly freeing for Jasper, who had now slung Alice
over his shoulder while she giggled and beat him on the back. Emmett was murmuring quietly into Rose's ear
above us. Glancing at Bella, I was suddenly hit by the very boyish thrill that for once, I was not the tag along with
the two couples on this hunting trip. I was not on the outside. I was not alone. I had my own mate with me. My
wife, I thought with giddy satisfaction.

Feeling exhilarated, I grabbed Bella suddenly to kiss her. Too suddenly. Surprised, her hands shot out defensively,
hitting my chest and sending me flying several feet backwards where I landed hard in a sitting position on the
ground. There was a moment of stunned silence as my siblings turned and stared, and then everyone around me,
except Bella, burst out laughing.

Emmett jumped down from the rock next to me, howling with laughter. "That was awesome, Bella," he choked out.
"High five." He held up his hand, which Bella looked at in horror for a second before turning back to me.

"Edward, I…"

"Oh, he's fine, Bella," Emmett said. He grabbed me under the shoulders, trying to haul me up. "See if you can do it
again."
I shook him off irritably and stood up by myself, trying to cover my embarrassment. I reached out, slowly this
time, taking Bella in my arms. She still looked stunned. "It's alright, sweetheart," I said, laughing lightly. "I asked
for it."

"Yes, but…" she stammered.

"Don't sweat it, Bella," Jasper said. "None of us can ever get an upper hand on him. It's been a long time coming."

"Yeah, Bella," Emmett said. "And who would have guessed that you like it rough."

Bella twisted in my arms to glare at him. "Emmett," she said in a warning voice.

Rose jumped down, still laughing. "Come on, let's hunt."

We took off in a group again. Jasper and I scouted out to the sides, searching for mountain lion, but none were
around. Bella caught a scent and we followed her to a large clearing filled with a herd of elk. We stood silently just
within the trees together.

"Ugh," Bella whispered. "I really wish they smelled better."

Jasper grinned. "I am totally with you on that one, Bella."

"Complaints, complaints," Alice muttered. "I see you both enjoying it just fine."

"Well," Emmett said from behind us. "Last one in is a rotten egg!" And then he was flying over us, landing in the
middle of the herd and yelling "Boo!"

The elk screamed with terror and scattered. Watching them flee immediately triggered all of my instincts,
narrowing my vision as a rush of flames shot up my throat. I went for a large buck when I heard Emmett yell
"Edward, catch."

Seeing his thoughts, I whipped my head around just as he launched an elk right at me. I caught it easily, breaking
its spine and emptying it in a moment, the hot blood, as always, inexplicably and imperfectly cooling to my blazing
throat.

"Grow up," I yelled at Emmett. He grinned back, an elk in either hand. I whirled, looking for Bella. She was on the
ground again, gripping a struggling buck. One already lay dead beside her. I grabbed one more elk, draining it
quickly and then jogged over to her. She looked up at me from the now still elk, and then shook her head and
rolled her eyes.

"Perfectly clean again," she muttered.

"And you're a perfect mess again," complained Alice, coming up behind us. Jasper was just inside the borders of
the forest, draining his third carcass. He preferred to feed on his own, out of sight.

Alice reached out a hand and pulled Bella to her feet, shaking her head. Bella's white shirt was smeared with dirt
and blood, and her jeans were ripped.

"You. Me. Closet. Now."

"Alice," I said sternly. "Tomorrow."

She huffed and crossed her arms. I'm going to hold you to that! She caught a vision of a sullen Bella dressed in a
gold sundress standing before her in the cottage closet, and smiled. That's better.

Her thirst sated, Bella's face suddenly creased with worry. "I want to get back to Renesmee," she said.
"Of course, love."

"I'll grab Jazz," Alice said, spinning and heading into the forest.

"It was fun watching you finally get dirty, Bella" Emmett said. She tried to swing at him but he had already darted
away, grabbing Rose's hand and taking off into the forest.

I lifted Bella's hand, kissing her fingers, and then we started back towards home. I wished we had more time to go
further into the mountains. There was so much I wanted to show her. So many places I wanted to take her.

You have all of eternity, you fool, I thought to myself. Time, finally, was no longer hanging over us. During Bella's
pregnancy, time had been a black evil, inching unstoppably towards seeming death. Now, the curse was lifted, and
there was so much I wanted to do with her. To do for her.

Thinking of that dark time, I was reminded of one of Bella's wishes as she lay fading away. I wish we could have
visited the meadow again. Another day, she had said, although at the time hopelessness had forsaken that a new
day would ever arrive. But now, miraculously, it had.

Fantastic idea! Alice chimed in mentally from ahead of me, seeing my plan. Don't worry, we'll go on ahead.

I smiled, suddenly excited. "Bella," I said, pulling her gently to a stop. She paused, looking at me questioningly.
"Do you remember, when you were…sick, you wanted to visit the meadow again?"

Her face clouded temporarily as she searched her thoughts. "Yes," she said tentatively.

I smiled wider. "Well, it's about three minutes from here."

She looked startled. She turned her head, staring in the direction of the house. "But Renesmee…"

I reached out and touched her cheek. "Will be fine with her grandparents for a little longer. And Rose will be home
soon."

Bella's face creased for a moment, and then relaxed. She turned towards me, and happy anticipation danced in her
eyes. I held out my hand to her.

"Shall we?"

Chapter 29 —Absolution

It was twilight when we entered the meadow.

The sun was below the horizon, casting a gentle glow even in its physical absence. Autumn had begun its descent,
turning the tips of the longest grass a golden brown, weaving in the circling air. There was a spread of fall flowers,
yellow willowherb and purple aster, and the air spun with drifting insects. The meadow still smelled of warmth and
sunshine, as if the heat of the setting sun had yet to leave its memory.

I paused at the edge of the grass, letting Bella walk ahead of me into the fading light. As her form was embraced
by the landscape, I felt myself drawn back into the past, remembering the first time we had entered this field
together. The first time I had hesitated just outside, riddled then with doubt and anxiety. I could still taste the
memory of my fear, my apprehension of how she would react when she saw my inhuman skin in the sun. The sting
of the burning, impossible desire for her to stay with me. And the profound terror of what would happen if she
didn't – if she ran.

As if aware of my memories, a living ghost of the past, Bella turned when she reached the middle of the meadow,
reaching out with a hand as if to beckon me, as she had that first time. Her hair blew gently in the breeze, and
curious excitement, and questions, lit her eyes. My breath caught as it had then, ever overwhelmed by her beauty
and her smile. But this time, there was no fear. No insurmountable walls. There was just her. And her hand did not
beckon but instead reached for mine, waiting, confident, perhaps to pull me forward out of the past. And so I
strode quickly into the openness, reaching my hand out as well, giving into the magnetic pull until my hand was
clasped in hers.

"What is it?" she asked, eyes searching my face.

"Nothing," I murmured, caressing the back of her hand with my thumb. "Just you. Here. In this place." I gestured
around the meadow in an arc with my other hand.

"I know," she said quietly, looking around. Her eyes moved restlessly, as if taking in every detail, before concern
seemed to flash across her face. Her gaze swept around the field one more time, and then suddenly her breath
caught in her throat, and she shut her eyes with a small, anguished cry.

"Bella!" I said in alarm.

She opened her eyes, and despair was etched in the features of her face.

"What's wrong?" I gasped.

"It's all so beautiful," she said desperately. "So beautiful through these eyes. I never truly saw it before. It's all
so…so perfect."

I studied her, confused. She shut her eyes again, turning from me and taking a step away.

"This place," she whispered. "The time we spent here. The beginning. I never want to forget. It all means so much
to me, and I…I…"

She turned back, eyes searing red with emotion. "I'm so scared, Edward, of losing those memories. That
everything will be replaced by these new images, so bright and pretty, but so…so different. My human memories…"
She stumbled over the word human. "I want to remember this place, remember you here, as I always have."

"You will, Bella," I said quietly. Like everything else about her transition, this cognizance was unusual. For most of
us, we were too consumed by thirst when we first awoke to worry about the loss of our human past. And then
when we finally comprehended what we had lost – if we did at all, as most of my kind had no interest in looking
back at their human life – it could be hard to extract our remembrances from the gray fog within which they had
became encapsulated. We all seemed to retain the events of our last few minutes of humanity, and even the odd,
older memory our mind chose to embrace, but beyond that, it required vigilance and devotion to hold onto specific
memories

She shook her head. "I can feel them slipping away." Her voice was desperate, nearly inaudible.

"Bella, shh," I said, reaching out and taking her hand, an ache building within me at the sight of the anguish in her
eyes. But it was a blessing, really, that she was yearning to remember at such an early point – I believed it would
allow her to retain many more memories than she would have otherwise. "You will remember. Just keep those
memories alive in your mind, keep bringing them back, and they will stay with you. I promise. I won't let you lose
them." I pulled her to me, and she came easily, allowing me to wrap myself around her. I hugged her, pressing my
face into her hair, inhaling her sweet scent. I'll remember for both of us, love. Everything. Every moment.

Bella lay against me for a long moment, while I stroked her back, smoothing my hand down again and again. Then
she finally sighed, pulling back slightly.

"Sorry," she muttered.

"Don't be." I pulled her a couple feet into the center, and then lowered myself to the ground. "Sit with me."

Her expression was still slightly clouded, but she nodded and sat swiftly next to me. We were silent for a moment
as she swept her hand over the top of the long grass, her eyes far away.

"You know, actually, I came here once without you," she murmured absently. "When you were…gone."

I froze, pain lancing quickly through me. "Yes," I whispered. "I know."

She nodded, eyes on the trees beyond the meadow. Her hand lifted, almost unconsciously, and touched her chest,
as if remembering a distant, lost pain. She shivered slightly, and then dropped her arm.

She smiled somewhat grimly. "Well, that's a time I'll be happy to forget."

I felt air pull sharply through my teeth as guilt, familiar guilt, flooded through me. I had caused the pain she was
happy to forget, by abandoning her.

Bella glanced at me, her expression falling immediately.

"Oh, Edward," she gasped. She lifted a hand to touch my face. "I'm so sorry." She searched my eyes. "You…you
haven't forgotten. I wish you would. It doesn't matter now."

I leaned into her hand, forcing a smile, knowing that I would never forget. It was as I deserved. Bella pursed her
lips, like she wanted to say something else, so I bent forward and kissed her gently, putting my hands on her
shoulders and lowering us until we were lying face to face in the bed of autumn grass. Her hand reached up and
she ran her fingers through my hair, my skin dancing with pleasure under her touch. Then she pulled back
abruptly.

"We'll never get back home if we start that," she said wistfully.

I grinned. "I'm sure they'd eventually send out a search party."

Bella snorted. "Oh, I'm sure Emmett would have a field day with that."

I laughed, rolling onto my back, looking up at tableau of the darkening sky above me, evolving blue-gray clouds
with faint stars suspended between them.

"Tell me more," Bella said, rolling onto her back as well.

"More?" I questioned.

"About when I was, well, out of it. Changing. After you managed not to kill Jake for the imprint." Her face darkened
slightly.

"Ah." This was not something I was particularly anxious to discuss. The thought of Bella's still, almost lifeless body,
even with her now safe beside me, was agonizingly clear. But I knew her curiosity would demand feeding, as
always.
"Well, I cleaned you up a bit. Alice helped." I glanced at her sideways, and she smiled up at the sky. "Then the
others returned, and Carlisle checked your…your injuries." The memory of the sound of her spine snapping rung,
cutting, through my mind.

"Oh," Bella said quietly. She stared upward, her brow furrowed as her other hand brushed over her stomach.

"Bella," I said anxiously, watching her. "You shouldn't dwell on those things." It was awful enough that those
memories lay crystal clear on my consciousness – she did not need to be burdened with the memories.

She shrugged. "I don't remember a lot of it." She looked suddenly at me, her hand still on her stomach. "But I
remember I knew you wouldn't stop fighting to save me. When I wasn't…I don't know how you did it, Edward. How
you kept going."

I pulled my eyes from her, cringing internally. I didn't want to relive, or describe aloud, how I had felt as I watched
Bella fading away from me. As I had faded with her.

Finally, I rolled so that I faced her again. "It was very dark," I whispered.

Something sparked in her eyes. "It was dark for me, too. So dark. I felt like I was losing everything, everyone.
Even you." Her voice caught slightly. "You know what kept me going, in the end." Her hand tightened into a fist
over her stomach. "Renesmee. I thought of Renesmee."

The world grew very still for a moment. "I thought of her, too," I said quietly. We stared at each other silently for a
long minute. I thought of the incredible creature we had created, together, one who not only bound us to each
other, but to the earth itself when we were threatened with a descent into endless darkness.

Finally, Bella sighed, a smile lighting her eyes. "Speaking of…"

I reached out and brushed a soft wisp of hair from her face. "Time to go back?"

She nodded, and then suddenly grabbed my arm, pulling me up with herself so that we faced each other on our
knees. Her hands gripped the side of my head, almost too hard.

"Nothing will ever separate us again," she said, her voice fierce. Not even death. The words hung, unspoken.

"No," I said, matching her fierceness, plunging momentarily into the cold oblivion of the thought of losing her, and
then reemerging in a surge of conviction I would never let it happen. "Never."

"Together," she growled. "Forever."

Forever. So many times she had asked me for forever, and so many times I had wondered if she understood the
enormity, the magnitude, of what she asked. And yet, here she was, still asking, even with eternity now in her
eyes and body.

"Forever."

She nodded her head, as if satisfied, and her hands slid off my face and took my hands, gripping them tightly
between us. She kissed me hard and then hauled me up to my feet before I could protest.

"Because watch out – you can't run and hide from me any more." She grinned.

"Bella," I said. Still smiling, she turned, keeping just one of my hands and tugging me to a run into the forest.

"I hope she's still awake when we get there," Bella said after several seconds of running. "I don't want to miss
her." Her face creased with worry. "I hate to leave her all night again."
I smiled, pleased I could put aside that worry for her. I pulled her gently to a stop. This was one reveal Alice would
just have to miss.

"You won't have to leave her," I said. Bella looked at me questioningly. "Alice and Esme set up of the extra room in
the cottage for her with a crib. We can bring her home with us."

A smile flared on Bella's face. "Let's go," she said anxiously, pulling me towards the house. After several moments
we passed close by a herd of elk. I half expected Bella to want to hunt them – the scent was very strong – but her
anxiety to get back to Nessie was stronger.

I can't believe you told her! Alice was shrill in my head as we approached the house. I laughed as we jumped the
river and came up the lawn. Alice was standing by the back door, hands on her hips. Rosalie and Emmett emerged
as we came close.

"Where's Renesmee?" Bella asked anxiously.

"Upstairs with Esme," Rose said, smiling.

"Back so soon?" Emmett drawled, looking us up and down. "Why am I not surprised? Enjoying the scenery too
much to do anything else? If Rose and I had been alone in that meadow we would have…"

"Emmett Cullen!" Bella shrieked. "That's it! I'm not leaving until we settle this."

Ugh, Alice thought. I foresee more arm wrestling. Images of Bella and Emmett, arms clasped, filled her head. She'll
win, of course.

I leaned over and kissed Bella's cheek. "I'll get the baby. You go to town on him."

She didn't look at me as I left, glaring at Emmett as he held his arms up in a mock, defensive pose. Jasper slid out
the door as I went inside.

I'll make sure there isn't any permanent damage, he thought.

I moved quickly through the front room and up both flights of stairs. Esme's thoughts were in my bedroom. I
quietly pushed open the door. Renesmee was lying on her back on my bed, asleep, arms and legs splayed out
around her body, copper curls darker than the gold fabric beneath her. Esme hovered, sitting on the edge of the
bed. She glanced up as I came into the room.

Sorry, she thought. I tried to keep her awake. I think she is only just lightly asleep.

I smiled, sitting down on the bed on the other side of Nessie. Esme and I leaned over her, watching the rise and
fall of her chest for several minutes. I could hear the steady, swift beat of her heart, the draw and push of sweet-
scented blood through the delicate veins of her small body. Finally, Esme looked up at me.

I'm so happy for you, Edward. I don't even know how to put it into words.

I lifted my eyes and nodded. Esme regarded me for a moment, and then she reached out with one hand and
grasped my arm.

I hope you know you deserve this, Edward, she thought fervently. Every happiness, you deserve.

My mind flashed suddenly back to the moment in the meadow with Bella, the pain I had once caused her, and the
constant presence of my unchangeable mistakes. I glanced away quickly. Over the last couple of days I had been
enamored by my immediate happiness, swept up in the newfound joy of Bella's reawakening. But I had not truly
faced the demons beneath, layers of guilt and regret, beliefs so long or deeply held they had become part of the
very fabric of who I was.
I knew that, deep at my core, I still felt unworthy, as I always had. Selfish. Not deserving. I was blessed with my
sudden fortune, and yet, it was inexplicable. Looking back up, I found Esme's eyes burning into mine, and knew
she saw into me.

I stared at her silently, and she took my hands in both of hers, so that they were clasped over Nessie's sleeping
form.

"Edward," she said, her voice quiet but steady. "Would you do anything that would take Renesmee away from this
earth? Would you change one single thing that led to her being born?"

I shook my head, unable to speak. Esme reached up with one hand, running her fingers through my hair.

"Oh, Edward," she murmured. "You always take so much on yourself. Even before you met Bella." Her hand moved
down to touch my shoulder. "And after she came into your life, you were so much better," her hand moved to my
cheek, "and so much worse. You finally tried to be happy, and yet you despised yourself for it. You had what you
wanted, but you considered it weakness, a tragedy, to finally reach out and take it. You carried so much guilt just
for loving her, and so much pain for the ways you felt you hurt and endangered her."

Esme leaned towards me, gripping my hands tightly, her gaze intense. "Don't you see, Edward? You don't need to
regret those things anymore. You are absolved. Renesmee is your absolution. Everything you, and Bella, have
done, everything that has passed, has guided you to her. She is the meaning in this all, and neither of you would
dream of changing anything that led to her birth."

I stared, rapt, into her ocher eyes. She was right. The journey Bella and I had taken, both alone and together, all
the decisions we had made, right or wrong, the ones that brought us terrible pain and the ones that begot
unsurpassed joy, had led to the creation of Renesmee. I remembered the day I had stood by the river, watching
the path of the water as death shadowed me, thinking how it was our many individual choices that ultimately
determined the course of events. I had not truly known at the time where the current was taking us.

For I had always thought, and feared, that the love I had for Bella was an aberration, a selfish act on my part, that
ultimately, would destroy her. And when I had impregnated her with what I had thought was certain death, this
fear became utter reality, the cold, hard truth of my monstrous nature. But with the birth of Renesmee, I knew
Esme's words were true. Neither Bella nor I would change any of the choices that led to her existence. She was a
beautiful miracle, and she never would have existed without our love. She was proof that my loving Bella, and
becoming a part of her life, had never been a mistake.

Esme squeezed my hands hard. "No more guilt, Edward. No more regrets. It's time to let it go. To just let it all go,
and move forward." She took my face between her hands. Be happy, Edward. It's all we've ever wanted for you.

I sighed, bending forward so that our foreheads met. "I'll try," I promised. I wrapped my arms around her, hugging
her close.

I love you, she thought. Always.

"Me, too," I whispered.

She pulled away, smiling. "Now, why don't you bring your daughter down to her mother. I'm sure Bella's anxious
to see her."

I smiled. I could hear Bella and my siblings just coming into the house. Carlisle appeared in the doorway of the
bedroom, smiling down at us.

Standing up, I reached down, carefully sliding my hands under Renesmee's sleeping form. But as soon as I began
to lift her eyes flew open. Her hand shot up to my neck and her mind filled with the thought of Bella.

I cradled her to me. "We're going to see her right now." Esme and Carlisle followed me as we descended the stairs.
As we came up to the banister, I could see Bella standing against the far wall with Alice and Jasper, looking pleased
with herself. Emmett was sulking on the couch. Apparently Bella had challenged him to best out of ten arm
wrestling, and after losing six straight times he seemed considerably more subdued.
I think she may have finally shut him up, Alice thought, smiling at me. I gave her a skeptical look - I found that
very hard to believe.

Bella glanced up, and seeing us coming down the staircase moved swiftly across the room. But before she reached
us, Rose appeared in front of me at the bottom of the stairs.

"Do you want me to take her for a while?" she asked.

I paused, slightly surprised. "No thanks, Rose, I've got her."

"She may be getting thirsty – I can feed her for you."

I frowned, glancing down at Nessie. Judging from her thoughts, Esme and Carlisle had fed her while we were gone,
less than an hour ago.

I shook my head, looking back up at Rose. "I think she's fine. Besides, Bella and I are going to take her back to the
cottage now."

Something flashed through Rose's eyes – panic, before she muted it quickly. "So soon?" she asked.

"Yes," I said quietly.

"Oh." Her hand rose suddenly towards Nessie, as if to touch her, before dropping quickly by her side. She looked
down as something twisted within her, pain, new and yet achingly familiar. Her eyes lifted just for a moment to
look at Nessie before she turned away swiftly, her body stiffening. She tried to mask her thoughts from me, but as
she dragged her eyes from Nessie one thought was torn from her mind. Not mine.

I sighed internally. The last several days Rose had, essentially, been Nessie's primary caretaker. Renesmee had
filled a gaping hole in her, but yet at the same time fired life into desires Rose had worked long to suppress. As
Rose's thoughts spun away from her, I could see she feared the loss of what Nessie had brought so briefly into her
existence, and the despised relegation back to only being able to look in from the outside.

Bella walked slowly up, watching in surprise as Rosalie walked away without saying anything. Rose strode over to
the back windows, laying a hand against the glass. Emmett watched with concerned eyes from the couch, but
knowing Rose as he did, did not approach her.

I started to lift Nessie into Bella's arms, but she held up a hand to stop me. Her eyes were troubled, watching
Rose's back. She turned without speaking and walked over to where Rose stood. I followed her silently with Nessie.

"Rosalie." Bella reached out and touched her arm. Rose turned, trying to compose the pain off her face,
embarrassment flooding her mind. She hated to expose weakness, or emotion. Her eyes flickered to mine.

Stop looking at me like that, she growled internally, seeing pity in my expression.

"Rose," Bella said, her hand still on Rosalie's arm. "I've just…I've just never gotten a chance to thank you."

Surprise flitted over Rose's face. "For what?"

Bella laughed softly. "For what? For so much. For supporting me, to start." She glanced uncomfortably in my
direction, and then back. "For taking care of me. And Renesmee."

Rose nodded stiffly. "Of course." And now my services are no longer required.

Rose," I said gently. "Do you understand how much it means to us how you've cared for our daughter the last few
days? To have you provide Renesmee with such love and support while we weren't able to be with her." Rose
blinked, her features softening slightly. "We'll never be able to repay you for what you've done for her. And us."
"You don't have to repay me," she said quietly.

Bella smiled. "Renesmee loves you so much." She moved her hand over and touched Nessie's cheek. "I can tell.
She's so lucky to have you in her life."

"She needs you," I said softly. "And so do we."

A smile played on the edges of Rose's lips. Yeah, yeah, she thought, glancing at me, but I could tell she was
pleased. She reached out and laid her hand over Nessie's other cheek, so that she and Bella cradled her face
together. I need her, too, she thought.

Nessie lifted her hand, wiggling her fingers, and Rose bent forward. Nessie filled her mind with the memory of Rose
brushing her hair.

"In the morning," Rose said. "I promise." Nessie smiled, teeth sparkling.

Rose straightened up, and then reached out and took Bella's hand. "Come upstairs with me – I have a few of
Nessie's things in my room." Bella, looking pleased, followed her.

I wandered slowly off with Nessie, eventually moving across the room and up the step to my piano. I sat down,
propping Nessie into a sitting position on my knee. I took her hand gently in mine, curling in all her fingers but her
index. Lightly holding my finger over hers, I pressed a key, and its clear tone sang.

"Middle C," I said, smiling down at her. Nessie glanced up at me, her eyes fascinated, and then back at the
keyboard. I lifted our fingers and pressed the same note again.

"C," I repeated.

"C," sang Alice from behind us, laying a hand on my shoulder. Her voice was a perfect continuation of the tone,
more perfect than the expertly tuned piano. I glanced back over my shoulder, smiling up at her. Although she
could not remember, I had always suspected Alice had been blessed with perfect pitch as a human. We all could
carry a flawless tune – a vampire gift, I suppose. But Alice's talent was so pure.

I relaxed my grip on Nessie's hand, and she pressed the key down herself. C, she thought. She played
again. C. The tone echoed in her memory.

I inhaled, feeling a swell of pride. "Good girl, Renesmee." I moved her hand so it lay over mine, her small fingers
the faintest rose blush against my white skin. "Watch this."

I began to play a slow simple tune with our fingers, singing softly.

Sway to and fro in the twilight gray,

This is the ferry for Shadowtown,

It always sails at the end of the day,

Just as the darkness is closing down…

Nessie breathed in, and her mind flooded with the memory the song – the soft sound of my voice first singing to
her, cradled in my arms. Bella's gentle breaths filling the quiet spaces around us. I sang in unison with her
memory, past and present coming together.

She looked up at me, simple wonder in her eyes. I smiled, suddenly filled with the desire to share more of this part
of me with her.
I'll hold her while you play, Alice thought, my hopes and intentions forming visions in her mind. She lifted Nessie
from my arms, allowing the simple notes to continue uninterrupted.

When my other arm was free, my fingers moved to the keyboard and began to play, adding dimension to the song.
I caressed the keys, and the notes multiplied and grew, until a complex melody moved in the air around us. As I
played, I tried to balance the melancholy tones this song brought from my past with the intense joy of the memory
of singing it to my daughter for the first time.

Dear little passenger, say "Good night",

We've reached the harbor of Shadowtown.

When I finished, I glanced up. Alice shifted Nessie so she could clap her hands, and Renesmee smiled and did the
same. She eyed the keyboard with speculative interest. I stood and lifted her into my arms, hugging her against
me.

"There's so much I want to show you," I murmured. She replayed in her mind the memory of our hands moving
together on the keyboard. "Tomorrow."

"That was beautiful," Bella whispered. I glanced over to see her standing at the bottom of the stairs, Rose beside
her. Bella was holding a small hairbrush and a book of nursery rhymes. Rosalie clutched Nessie's blue blanket in
her hands.

I moved to them quickly, brushing Bella's cheek lightly.

"Ready to go home?" I asked softly. She nodded, and we both turned to Rose.

Rose held out the blue blanket slowly to Nessie, who took it in one hand and then hugged it against her body. She
inhaled, thinking it smelled of Rose. Rose leaned down, pressing her cheek to Nessie's face.

"Goodnight, sweet girl," she said quietly. I love you.

Emmett came up and put his arm around Rose. His eyes were on her, but he shifted his gaze back at me as she
rose.

Thanks, Edward, he thought. What you said to her before, what you both said, I…I know it means a lot to her.

He reached out and rustled Nessie's hair. "Later, kid." He glanced up at us and grinned. "Keep an eye on your
parents for me."

Bella and I turned. The rest of my family was standing several feet behind us, Carlisle and Esme with their arms
wrapped around each others waists, and Alice and Jasper next to them, holding hands.

Bella reached and took Nessie from my arms. She walked over to Esme and I moved with her.

"Say goodnight to Grandma," she said. Esme inhaled, her eyes sparkling and her hand rose briefly to touch over
her heart. Then she reached out and gathered Nessie from Bella's arms. She drew her into her body, and Nessie's
small arms wrapped around her neck. Esme pressed her face into the silky curls haloing Nessie's head.

"Good night," she murmured. "I'll miss you."

Lifting her head, she turned towards Carlisle. "Say goodnight, Grandpa," she said, smiling.

Carlisle grinned, placing a hand on Nessie's head. "See you in the morning, sweetheart." Esme handed Nessie back
to Bella. She looked at me for a long moment, her eyes nostalgic. Don't forget, this is always your home, too. I
smiled and nodded at her as we moved over to stand in front of Alice and Jasper.
Jasper's eyes were somewhat distant, worry creasing his expression. He was still thinking over the interaction with
Charlie, still worrying about our safety and anonymity. He held out his hand somewhat solemnly, and Nessie
reached out tentatively to grip one of his fingers. Then she slowly lifted a hand and he leaned down so she could
touch his neck. Their minds filled with a vision of Jasper earlier in the day after the arm wresting, hugging Alice, his
face alight with rare, unguarded happiness and contentment. Nessie turned the vision slowly, focusing on Jasper's
face, his smile, and his bright eyes. Her message was clear. She liked to see Jasper like that.

Jasper stood slightly, soft awe breaking out over his expression. Then he bent and pressed his lips to Nessie's
forehead.

"'Night, darlin'," he said, a soft southern lilt invading his voice as it often did during times of heightened emotion.

Alice bounced up and swiftly kissed Nessie's cheek. "I'll be over in the morning with your outfit."

Bella looked affronted. "Alice, I can dress my own child."

Alice cocked an eyebrow, her eyes moving slowly down and up over Bella's dirty jeans and shirt.

"Oh, fine," Bella muttered.

Alice grinned. "And then I'll choose your outfit." She narrowed her eyes at me. You're fired.

Rolling my eyes, I took Bella's hand and moved towards the back of the house. As we passed out the door, I
glanced back. No one had moved. Esme smiled and held up a hand. Alice winked.

See you bright and early, she thought. 7:22 am to be exact – Nessie will be awake by then.

I turned and went out the door. We jogged down the hill, holding hands, Nessie's arms clinging around Bella's
neck. We paused at the edge of the river.

"Should we jump?" Bella asked. She gazed over the water. "There are a lot of trees over there."

I smiled. "Better than wading through the water." It would feel fine to Bella and me, but Renesmee might not
appreciate it with her higher body temperature. "Let me take her."

Bella looked relieved and placed Renesmee into my arms. I looked down at her. "Ready?"

Nessie nodded vigorously. I chose a spot, just on the opposite bank – a small, grassy patch well before the tree
line. Caging my arms protectively around Nessie's body, I vaulted off my back foot. We sliced easily through the
wind, Nessie smiling and laughing, her small hands clutching my shoulders. I took the weight of my landing on the
balls of my feet, careful not to jostle her.

With a soft breeze, Bella appeared several feet in front of us, swinging around a high branch before landing. Nessie
clapped with delight. I strode over and wrapped an arm around her waist, kissing her lips quickly. Nessie giggled
with amusement, ascending silver bells. I kissed her cheek, too.

"My girls," I said, feeling slightly giddy. Bella rolled her eyes.

"Come on, silly." She pulled my arm from her waist and grasped my hand, leading us into the forest.

We simply walked for a while, passing Nessie between us. It was night now, the sun's light completely
extinguished, leaving the woods bathed in lavender tones. Nessie could, miraculously, see nearly as clearly as us in
the dark, darker purple and grays, and the familiar forest suddenly seemed fascinating through her eager eyes. Her
hand reached out constantly, straining to touch and examine each new leaf and tree. We stopped patiently, letting
her rub her hand over rough bark of a conifer, or caress a fire red leaf with her fingertips.

"A maple," Bella said, as Nessie fingered a leaf the color of yellow sun. She turned it around slowly, eyeing it from
every angle. Then she slowly drew it into her palm with her fingers, crushing it into oblivion.
"Vine Maple, actually," I murmured. "Acer circinatum."

Bella groaned. "Vampire or not, I am never going to become such a know it all."

I grinned at her. "Oh, just give it time, my love."

Nessie laid her head against Bella's chest, sighing. Bella brushed the curls back from her face.

"She's getting tired," she said, looking up at me. "Should we run? It will be a while before we reach the cottage at
this rate."

I laughed. "I don't know. She might not like it. Remember your reaction the first time I ran with you."

"Oh, yeah." Bella's expression furrowed. I took Nessie from her arms.

"We'll start slow," I promised. Propping Nessie up slightly in my arms, I began to jog, Bella just behind me.
Nessie's eyes brightened, and she smiled, her head moving back and forth, taking in the slightly blurred, speeding
landscape. She squealed suddenly, and her voice was caught by the wind our passage created, swept off into the
trees.

As we moved faster, I concentrated carefully on our surroundings, cognizant of every branch that might scratch her
skin, every particle that could get swept into eyes or mouth. I was reminded of running with Bella, when she was
human. Of course, Nessie's body seemed far more resilient than Bella's ever was, but I did not want to take a
chance. Bella ran quietly behind me, and I wondered what she was thinking in her silent mind.

After several minutes, I became aware that Nessie's thoughts were taking flight, traveling out of consciousness to
the flowing depths of sleep. Her body shifted, weightless and relaxed, and it was only my arms that held her to me.

Finally, the forest parted and the cottage came into view. I slowed as we approached.

"We're here," I whispered into Nessie's ear, into her sleeping mind. "We're home." Home. Having her here with us I
felt the truth of the word. Circumstances for our kind could change quickly. And so Nessie might live in many
places in her lifetime. But, I knew, this would always be home. For all of us. This cottage. Forks.

Bella appeared next to me, taking in Nessie's slumbering pose in my arms.

"She's asleep," she said, a note of disappointment in her voice.

I touched her shoulder. "We'll show her around in the morning," I said gently. "We have time."

"Yes," she said, a quick shadow passing over her expression. The unknown. But then she smiled. "Lot's of time."
She reached out and I laid Nessie in her arms.

Quietly we entered the house, still unlocked from the night before. Holding Bella back with an arm I stepped in
first. I inhaled deeply, searching for the scent of the dangerous, or unknown, but I detected only Bella, Nessie and
myself, Alice and Esme layered behind it, sweet citrus, lavender and a myriad of scents mingled together. An older
scent of Bella and I lingered from the night before, and then faintest of all wisps of my entire family. I stepped
aside and let Bella pass in.

She looked around for a moment and then walked quietly to the extra room, Nessie's room now. The wrought iron
crib stood against one wall, blue sheets within, pure snow clouds floating in random patterns. The walls were still
plain white, unfinished, but someone had hung a single picture – a woman holding a child, standing on a hill,
staring out into an eternal blue sea.

Bella drew in a slow breath, looking around. I moved next to her, placing my hand on the small of her back, and
she leaned her head on my shoulder for a moment. Then she turned towards me and I bent down and kissed
Nessie's cheek. I straightened and ran a finger down her satin cheek. Sleep well, angel.
Bella moved further into the room and leaned slowly over the crib, carefully lowering Nessie's sleeping form onto
the sky sheets. She extracted Nessie's blue blanket, which was still clutched in her grasp, and laid it carefully over
her lower body, tucking it under her arms. Then she put a hand on Nessie's chest, watching as it rose up and down
with each measured breath.

I looked at them, mother and child, the divine forms of my world. I thought of Esme's words earlier, and I knew
that it had been both Renesmee and Bella who had absolved me. Only a few days earlier I had held their existence
in my hands, all light and love balanced precariously on my ability to save them. And I had. But now, I realized,
that it was they who had truly saved me. Together. They saved me from loneliness and self-hate, pain and regret.
Together they had weaved for me a soul I once thought lost forever, and poured love back into the empty chalice
of my heart.

I wrapped my arm around Bella, cherishing her steady softness, her silent heart still beating in the echoes of my
mind. Her scent swirled around and within me, but it was her love that I inhaled with every breath, that filled and
animated my being. I turned and guided us towards the white blue bedroom in the back of the house, calling to us
with memory and promise, body and spirit.

Together, we moved forward.

So, we come to the end of the story. I feel sad, but don't worry – we still have the "super-sized" epilogue coming. I actually wrote the very end of this chapter, the end
of the story, many, many months ago – on a spare piece of paper in my car in a parking lot. For some reason I always have ideas for my writing while I'm driving! I
wanted to bring them to a point where Edward was happy – there are still unresolved concerns, but he and Bella are going forward.

I do feel that, for me at least, the idea of Renesmee as an absolution for Edward is a theme from SM's book. I feel if Edward had changed a healthy, vital Bella, simply
so they could be together or even under a Volturi deadline, they would have been happy but there would always have been a small part of Edward that could never
forgive himself. That would view his choice as selfish. It was important not only that he change her to save her life, but also that the reason her life was in danger
(Nessie) was something he wouldn't want to change as well. What happened helped free Edward to start moving forward w/o guilt.

Many people have written to me asking me to continue the story through the rest of Breaking Dawn. I just want to let you know that I do hear you, and I so appreciate
your support and encouragement. But I just felt for me the story was winding down – I hadn't even originally planned to take it this far, and I am afraid if I had
stretched it over the next several months in the book it would have begun to drag and lose its way.

That said, I am still planning to write a probably two chapter epilogue of the confrontation with the Volturi. I am excited to write it, and hopefully you will enjoy it.

As a writer, it's hard to express what your reviews mean to me – to hear that someone loves your story/writing is an incredible feeling. I never expected anything like
the response I have gotten. I have absolutely loved hearing your comments and insights on each chapter – you are an amazing group of readers.

I've been incredibly lucky to have two wonderful beta's, lada_8 and noamg - to have people to read through your chapter is an incredible relief. They've caught my
many typo's, as well as provided great comments and suggestions, and kept me in canon. My favorite mistake one of my beta's caught was when in a scene I gave
Bella fangs! What was I thinking? Talk about getting your vampire mythology mixed up!

Thanks for everything, and off to the Epilogue.

NicoleTwilight

A/N : This is the original Author’s note. Her name is Nicole Twilight. The name of the original story is ‘The Ties That Binds’. If you want to
see her profile please follow the above link.

When Nichole will upload the epilogue I’ll post it. I will combine all the parts of this story into one and post it. Till then…

floralfs