SUMMARY: Renee and Phil gave a baby girl: Neveah Rose. When Rose is on the verge of her seventeenth birthday she goes to visit the 'Other Father' she's never seen. Who else will she meet in the town of Forks whom her elder sister left broken so many years ago? Jacob/OC

All right, everyone. This is kind of an experiment to see who likes the idea because I just thought of it half an hour ago and I don't know how it's going to go. So PLEASE review, because I really need the feedback! Thanks!

IMPORTANT NOTE: I'm still working out the kinks of Bella's gift, but just so there's no confusion, part of it is she can open her mind and communicate mentally to whomever she wants. Obviously, her link with Edward is strongest. She can take down the walls of her mind and let Edward read her thoughts, or keep it private, etc. Please note me with any additional questions. DR

Prologue

I have never been more glad to have Edward by my side, his hand on my back giving me strength as I hold this precious child. The desire for blood is pushed aside in the beautiful light of my mother's smile, so radiant against the dull hospital pillows. My baby sister sleeps peacefully, unaware of the danger she is in – but she is in no danger, from me or Edward. Such a wonderful thing, life. If it were not for Edward, I would miss it.

Rose wakes up and begins to whimper softly.

She's cold, I inform Edward worriedly. He smiles and brushes a finger against Rose's flushed cheek.

Don't panic, Bella. You won't drop her.

Are so sure about that? I mutter, provoking a smile to form on his perfect mouth, but I bend and place the lightest of kisses on her forehead and return the tiny pink bundle, wailing lustily now, to Renee's waiting arms. Some cooing and petting later, the baby sleeps again.

I smell Phil before he enters, but feel no bloodlust as the scent washes over me. All I feel, watching the glowing couple before me, is pride.

We emerge from the hospital hand in hand, a young couple strolling down the street in the middle of L.A. It is raining, a first for this city, but we simply tilt our heads back, letting the coolness wash over us.

Edward's hand tightens on mine.

"Bella."

"Yes?"

"You did very well back there."

I roll my eyes. Thanks, but that's not what you were about to say.

Edward scowls. There are times when he hates my gift.

"Fine. Do you… have you ever… Bella, do you wish we could have children?"

The question does not surprise me. Edward had been thinking that the entire plane ride from Denali where we are currently staying.

"Not really. I have you. And now I have Rose." I shrug. "If I ever get the motherly urge, I can just zip over to L.A. and say hello. In any case," I tease him, "what kind of mother would I be? Let's see: clumsy, danger magnet, married to a vampire – have I mentioned clumsy?"

"I think it would be more prudent to mention danger magnet again," Edward replies, deadpan, and I can sense the relief in him. "Maybe several more times."

I hit him in the arm, and am gratified to see him wince. If I had done that three years ago, I would have been the one wincing.

"Does that answer your question, then?" I ask.

"Yes, thank you." I feel the kiss on my cheek only after he's straightened up again. I look around surreptitiously at the crowd around us. No one seems to have seen the inhumanly fast kiss.

"You worry to much," he murmurs in my ear. "Relax."

But it's getting harder. Suddenly, it seems, every scent is sharper. The damp weather cannot hide the scent of blood for long. Edward glances at my darkening eyes and wraps one arm around my wait. "Come on, beloved. Let's get you home."