Time has a way of rushing by like an angry swollen river. It sweeps away anything willing to get too close. The only things that won't leave are the memories. They stick in my mind like spurs, only hurting when I try to move. It's easy to remember when you were a child yesterday, an adolescent today.

I look into the mirror again. My mother's chocolate eyes stare back at me, or so I'm told. Hers change color now with her appetite. I dab a tiny bit of eye shadow on my eyelid and turn my head to see the effect. Dad says that makeup is unnecessary but I don't care. I like it. Like I'm adding to the mask I wear already.

My hands don't shake as I fasten the little heart pendant around my neck. Pleased with myself I look at it in the mirror. It's tarnished now; the cheap gold had long ago lost its shine. I finger the heart and try not to think of him yet again. I was just a little girl, now I am grown.

My hand checks my hair one more time, making sure the curls fall the way I want. My pale skin has a glow to it, a healthy sparkle I think smirking at myself in the mirror. I lean forward and check the corners of my eyes in the mirror. Not a wrinkle, just the same as yesterday. I guess the changes are slower now. That is a relief. I look like any other teenager. Well almost… even I have to admit I'm almost too pretty.

Alice has been shopping for me yet again and I pick up the dress off my bed and slip it on. It seems almost pointless to me, to dress this fancy, when it will only be family. But Alice can't be dissuaded, so I might as well get it over with. Besides, this will probably be my last birthday party for a whole year. No doubt she's been planning it for months… Sweet 16 only comes once for most.

The dress falls to a little above my knee with bows and frills. It's cute, and there is no doubt it's expensive, but it looks like it was made for a twelve year old. I slip on the low heals that match and ignore the jewelry she had laid out. She should already know I won't wear it. One last look in the mirror.

I wasn't exactly surprised when my Dad was quietly behind me. I turned and there he was gazing at me with that intense look again. It's a sort of game of cat and mouse with him. He constantly tries to read my motivations. I constantly try to hide them. Typical teenager things, I suppose.

We just stood there for a moment, for me it seemed like forever. Then he stood a little straighter and asked, "Do you really want this?" I wish I hadn't known what he meant, but that was another little piece of the puzzle called Nessie that he had figured out. So, there really wasn't any way to play ignorant. I nodded. I could tell he wanted more of an answer but I said nothing, waiting for his mind to shift, to touch mine searching for what I really thought. I waited… nothing.

"Do you want this for you or them Nessie?" he tried a second time.

My face still did not betray my thoughts as I looked back into his eyes. "Both", I said shrugging my shoulders. He placed his hand on my cheek and I could feel the love through his touch. I could feel his need to protect me both physically and emotionally. I looked into his eyes as he spoke, "Renesme, I have been telling you all your life that you are special. You know that. You are a treasure and we all have to share you. We all seem to want a piece of the miracle you are. That doesn't mean that we own you. Don't be so caught up in what we want for you that you miss out on what you want." Before I could stop it Jacob came to my mind along with the familiar ache. My father winced as he felt it.

"I know you blame us for his leaving Nessie. I'm not going to deny that we had a part in it, but Jacob made his own choice. He was trying to do what he thought would be best for you."

My eyes began to itch, and I placed my hand on his cheek like when I was younger. I opened up and let him see the images of Alice and Mother trying to keep me a little girl. I let him see every look every sigh they thought I hadn't seen. Then before I could stop it the loneliness shone through, an image of Jacob from my childish point of view. My best friend was just gone and there was no one else to fill that gap. My only friend gone, sacrificed to this sometimes suffocating love everyone felt. I felt my skin color. I was embarrassed to show my resentment, how I blamed them all for his disappearance. I looked into his eyes seeing guilt, regret? Whatever it was he hid it quickly bowing his head and closing his eyes.

"I knew the time would come when you would feel..." his voice trailed off. "I love you," he finished. Then he was gone.

I practice my smile. I put my hands in front of my mouth and giggle. I wiggle my eyebrows a couple of times and stick out my tongue. No I'm not losing it, just readying for the performance. With one more deep breath, I leave the haven of my bedroom and walk down the stairs.

Alice had truly out done herself. Lights sparkled everywhere and splashes of pink made a light festive mood. I grinned at Alice and whistled appreciatively.

"I knew you'd like it", she whispered as I gave her a hug. I jumped up and down and clapped my hands once in feigned excitement. She hugged me again, her pleasure obvious as she wrapped her arm in mine and brought me to the living room, where our guests awaited.

I knew better than to search for him. My Jacob. I knew that he wouldn't be here, but my eyes did a quick trip around the room anyway. My Father and mother stood by the door holding each other. She smiled up at him and he tenderly kissed her then turned back to me. Funny to think they looked as though they should be my friends not my parents. I felt a slight pressure as my father tried to hear my thoughts. I was ready for him and let him see visions of presents and pretty dresses. That is what I should be thinking, a typical 16 year old would. He continued to watch me and I pretended not to notice.

Now I looked at the rest of my family. Charlie seemed a little more fragile. A little older, too. It made me sad to think of him all alone in his house. Sue had left to visit family and had made it an extended visit. He seemed to be taking it hard. Emmett and Rosalie held hands. My other set of grandparents stood still watching, moving every few minutes to shift their weight.

I heard a knock at the door and I looked around quickly trying to think who wasn't here. Jasper had already joined Alice by the gifts so there should be no one else….

I thought my heart was going to stop. I looked at Alice trying to keep my face free and easy but I knew everyone could hear the acceleration of my heart. "A surprise!" I joked, widening my eyes as I skipped to the door. I tried not to hold my breath as I opened it.

His shaggy black hair hung around his shoulders the black satin a dark contrast to his white dress shirt. I felt my breath whoosh out of me and my heart skip a beat as he turned to meet my eyes. I tried to keep the smile from freezing on my lips and the joy from leaving my eyes when I saw it was only Seth. For a moment… but no. Better not to think of that now. Better to stay in control.

"Hey Seth", I gushed, my smile a little over done.

He seemed so awkward in his dress clothes. He held out a small corsage, and smiled timidly at me. "I got it for you", he said quietly looking into my eyes. "O ya, that's so sweet", I replied taking the offered flower. "You shouldn't have, I mean it's so nice that you did.. but um.. well.. come in won't you?"

The words just kept tripping over my tongue and I was embarrassed at my loss of control. I could feel a flush coming to my cheeks and the tears itching behind my eyes. I gave a huge smile and placed my arm on Seth's turning to my parents.

I know I shouldn't have but I was just trying to protect them. I should have caught my breath or thought of a better way but the bitterness of my disappointment seemed to have dulled my brain. As I brought Seth in the living room I smiled a dazzling smile and glowed at him. "I'm so glad you came", I flirted. I'd never tried to flirt before but it seemed to be working. Seth's eyes widened and his golden skin went two shades darker. He ran his hand through his hair nervously.

It wasn't him I was doing this for; the real performance began once we were in the living room. I kept my eyes on Seth throughout the whole party. I figured I was laying it on a little thick but it was the ultimate distraction for me to appear to have formed a crush. I knew it was going to be a problem later but my selfish heart needed, this needed to get everyone to stop worrying about me and think I was moving on.

As for Seth the poor guy didn't have a chance. He sat half stunned from my attention with a silly grin on his face. Sadly, I wondered if I had dazzled him a little too much for the boy barely said a word. Instead he sat on the couch blushing.

I could feel my father's eyes on me yet again and knew he was trying to find his way in. It made me a little angry I admit. Imagine never being able to relax and have a thought without your Dad trying to peer into your brain and looking at your motives. I kept my thoughts to hearts and Seth's face even letting him see thoughts of a first kiss. That ought to fix him I thought with a mental smirk and thought I caught him shudder. Serves you right I thought to myself as I prepared to hear happy birthday yet again.

Usually this was Alice's favorite part of my birthday. Each year she would have the perfect gift waiting. This year she seemed a little put out and I couldn't help but wonder if she would see my real wish or the one I had prepared for her. As I leaned in to blow out my candles I scrunched my face as though thinking real hard. Then I winked at Seth and blew out the candles to the applause of everyone else. Poor kid. Perhaps I had over done it a little. When I opened my eyes again I could see my Uncle Jasper and Emmett scowling at him and my father looking at him deep in thought. Well, crap. My plan wasn't going to work as well as I thought.

As I opened my gifts I gave the appropriate "oohs" and "aahs". When I got to the one from my parents I shook the small box and looked at them questioningly.

"Your mother's idea", Dad said. I looked at her, and she smiled a little sadly. I pulled the box open and looked at the cell phone. Not exactly what I had been expecting, but I smiled and looked at her, waiting for the explanation. "There's more", she said with a sigh. She gave a nod to Alice who stood and walked to me.

"This year was the hardest year for me Renesme. I wanted to give you the best gift yet, but when I saw what you wished for, I realized I wouldn't be able too. So I talked to your parents and I talked to Charlie…" she paused and then looked at my father questioningly, as if to see if he was sure. I sat a little shocked, not saying a word. It couldn't be.

"You're going to high school, Renesme. You're going to have a normal high school experience, well not really normal, but close."

I felt my mouth fall open and snapped it shut. "What?" I asked in a whisper.

The details almost fell on deaf ears, I was so shocked. I looked from one face to another trying to read their expressions. They all seemed happy for me. I stood speechless holding the key to my mom's truck.

You would think that would be enough drama for one night, but of course it wasn't. As everyone settled in to chat and discuss the plans for my education, I saw Alice stiffen. Her eyes got a slightly glazed look to them and my father looked at her intently. In a moment Alice snapped back to reality and met my father's eyes. I wondered what it could mean.

No one else seemed aware of the meaningful looks. If I hadn't been trying so hard to pick up on what everyone was feeling about my entering the human world I would have been able to catch the conversation that passed. I walked to my father placing my hand on his arm. As he looked down into my eyes I searched his mind for what Alice had seen. I saw people who seemed familiar but I couldn't place from where. They were here with us in this room so they must be arriving soon. I saw my father crouch and my mother hiss but the reason why was not there. Then all went blank as though a wall had been thrown up. I looked to my mother and saw her watching my father and I.

Before I had time to roll my eyes at her for stopping my brain invasion we heard a single knock at the door. We all turned to the sound and I could read confusion on everyone's face. Everyone was here and accounted for… who?

Emmett went to the door. Carlisle and Esme trailed behind. Alice and my father moved in front of me blocking my view and I made a little sound of annoyance at their attempt to shield me. I heard Emmett and Carlisle as they greeted the new comers and asked them in. Their friendly tone of welcome but a slight tension too. I peeped from behind my father to watch them enter. As I did I felt a hand grip mine and I looked to see Seth had a hold on me. I met his eyes and saw the hesitation and questions there. I shrugged my shoulders as if to say no idea and tried once again to see. As my father shifted his weight the four newcomers came into view.

The three in the front were female. Beautiful and dark they stood arrogantly regarding Emmett with interest. Rosalie was quickly at his side with her hand possessively on his arm. The three didn't speak but a light smile filtered across their lips. They glided forward and parted allowing the forth to come forward.

He strode forward boldly. He was dark and tall also. His long dark hair was pulled back into a braid that fell past his shoulder. The clothes he wore did little to hide the thick ropes of muscles which rippled as he moved. His dark eyes swept the group before him till they met mine. He gave a slight bow with his eyes never leaving mine. His lips were thick and sensuous and as he continued to stare boldly at me I saw one corner curve up in a mocking smile. "So good to see you again Renesme", he said. His voice was low and smooth and I felt the pull to move closer so I could hear him better. Emmett and Rosalie stiffened as his eyes raked over me. I searched my mind for the teasing memory of his eyes… and in the silence I heard their heartbeats. Fast and strong.

It all came rushing back to me then. The clearing, all the clans, the Volturri. I wondered why I had never remembered this before. The man that stood in front of me had unwittingly saved my life. He had come all the way from the Amazon with Alice and Jasper to witness for me. He was like me. Vampire hybrids of a sort. I looked at my mother almost accusingly as I wondered if she had shielded me from the memory. All this time I had been searching for someone like me and I had already known about them.

I moved to step past Alice and my father but I felt a grip on my wrist. I had completely forgotten poor Seth. Looking back at him I offered a smile to show it was ok but his eyes held more than fear for me. I wasn't sure but perhaps a little jealousy too. I sent him a thought of these are my friends and he almost pulled back surprised by the intensity of the communication. I had never spoken to him through touch before.

Nahul relaxed his stance jutting one hip out and extending both hands palms up. I did not touch him but stood a few feet from him looking. "Welcome Nahul. It has been so long. I must ask what brings you to this damp cold part of the world?"

He smiled again flashing his perfect teeth. "Why ,you of course Nessie. I have come for you."

The tension that had been just lingering on the edge flared immediately. My mother and father took a fighting crouch and Seth rejoined me. I felt him quivering at my side. Emmett and Jasper had also stepped forward but Carlisle held a hand up and everyone quieted.

"I do hope your attentions are not as you have spoken them. We are all very protective of Nessie as you can see. We wonder, when you said that, what were your intentions?" Carlisle never lost his temper but I thought I could detect a slight sharpness in his tone over the perceived threat.

"You certainly get to the point quickly", Nahuel responded. During the moments after his first statement he had not moved. Instead he had seemed relaxed, the mocking smile on his face widening a fraction.

"When I met Nessie in the clearing that day I was amazed. For so many years I thought my sisters and I were the only ones of our kind. I saw us as the monsters my father had created. My aunt raised us to be as you say vegetarian but the villagers all saw us as an abhorition. Welcomed nowhere, we hid in the jungles avoiding the humans as much as possible. It was lonely even with my sisters. Then Alice and Jasper came." He paused to give them a grin. "We came here and we saw a different way to live. We saw we do not need to hide in the jungle. We can have lives. Most of all the things I desire are here. Most important… a mate." He said the last quietly without the arrogance that has been present before. It didn't stop the collective gasp or growls that emerged.

"While we understand your desires, we hope you understand that we hold different values and traditions", Carlisle spoke quietly. He paused thinking of his next words.

My father interrupted. "Nahuel, better than anyone else here I understand what you want. I also waited many years to find my mate. He reached his hand to Bella pulling her to his side. It is not easy to wait but worse when you find what you want and can't have it. Nessie is still too young. Though she matured both physically and mentally much faster she still has learning and maturing to do. She is not ready to be… in a relationship."

Nahul pursed his lips as though thinking hard. "I know what you say is true but the wait is too hard. I would ask to get to know Nessie now. My sisters and I would like to live here in America and see better how you have adapted. We do not wish to take Nessie against her will", he stressed the "her" part giving me a reassuring smile. "I just want her to know I am waiting."

I knew before he spoke that Seth was not taking all this as calmly. "I don't know who you think you are but Nessie can't be with you. She already has..," he paused looking for the right word. There was no need for him to finish, his claim was apparent.

Before he could find it Nahuel was a breath away from his face. His eyes seemed to be lit within and his hands were in fists by his sides. Despite his anger he spoke quietly, "She will be with her own kind, dog. You are not man enough to claim her."

Everything after that happened too fast. Mom grabbed Charlie and pushed him to the kitchen. Emmett and Jasper moved between Nahuel and Seth pulling him back. Seth growled deep in his throat and phased his huge wolf body filling the space. Snapping and growling he advanced on Nahuel, seemingly unaware of the vampires surrounding him.

Then all became very calm. I felt myself feeling heavier and wanting to sit down. My mind told me it was Jasper but I couldn't resist the need to sink to the floor. Seth also laid down giving a whine. Though Nahuel remained standing you could see it was with great strain that he fought the urge. His eyes remained on Seth burning.

"This is not the time or the place. Let us be calm. You have just arrived. I'm sure Nahuel has much more to speak of and we have a party to finish. Join us, we have a debt to you for your help years ago, let us repay it with our hospitality." The festivities wrapped up quickly. The tension remained to high, the mood ruined.

Carlisle dismissed us all. I was sent to my home with my parents and Seth was to return with Charlie. Nahuel and his sisters would stay with Carlisle and Esme to discuss things. For once I was glad to be out of there. I rode back to my parents house in silence. My parents were too lost in their own thoughts to worry about checking mine.