I thought I would pick up where Breaking Dawn left off, tie up loose ends, and make changes according to what I and other fans found lacking in the story. This is a reupload of the first chapter where I made a miscalculation of Renesmee's age, placing her in middle school instead of elementary. Every state that I've moved into, had different grades begin in middle school. I've checked and Renesmee is an elementary school student.
Prologue: The First Steps of Independence
The Cullen household was bubbling with energy this morning. This was Renesmee's first day of school. It was also the last year that we could safely reside in Forks without arousing the suspicion of those around us. Sooner or later, townspeople would become aware of the never-aging doctor, Carlisle's family of forever youthful children, and notice that his beautiful wife was frozen in time.
At the age of three, Renesmee appeared to be a ten year old child. We were always very careful about allowing her to meet anyone that was not included in our family secret. Charlie was the exception, simply because he knew something was strange, even if he didn't know the full truth. This was to protect my father from suffering the wrath of the Volturi—the vampiric royalty of Italy that barely more than bullies in fine clothing. The overlords of the vampire world were very unforgiving, and I couldn't afford to risk Charlie's life. We could never let Charlie in on the secret of the vampires, but he was fully aware that something supernatural had occurred. Jake had seen to that by shifting in front of my father three years ago, as a way of explaining that magic really did exist. Charlie respected our decision to keep him in the dark, and actually preferred that he know as little as possible.
Renee on the other hand…Well, I haven't met my mother in person since my wedding day, and she grew increasingly impatient for a visit from Edward and me. She wanted to meet Renesmee, she wanted to see how I'd grown—photoshopped and carefully edited photographs weren't enough to satiate her need to see me. Alice was talented with a computer, and had returned some of the color to my cheeks, removed some of the unearthly pallor gained by becoming a vampire. These photographs were sent to Renee during Christmas time, accompanied by gifts and handmade cards bearing our love.
There were too many important events scheduled this year, and Alice could only foresee a small number of them. We could only assume that Renesmee or the werewolf pack was involved, muddying my sister-in-law's ability to predict trouble. Alice had a knack for scouring the future and determining that something would happen. The surrounding imagery in the vision sometimes allowed her to determine when an event would happen. She had used this ability more than once to save all of our lives. Unfortunately, the addition of half breeds and werewolves dispersed her visions. We tentatively planned a holiday visit to Jacksonville despite the anxiety that resulted from not knowing the future.
"Mama, do you really think that I will fit in?"
"Of course you will, baby," I told my half-vampire daughter without a second of hesitation. I had never fit in. Even as a child in Phoenix, I found my life surrounded by mediocrity.
My Renesmee was as beautiful as a young girl as she had been as a baby. Shiny bronze ringlets fell in soft curls to her waist, matching the length of my own mahogany mane. While my hair had ceased to grow the day that I was changed, Renesmee's had a hastened growth pattern. It had become necessary to perform a monthly hair trim otherwise she would be walking on her perfect curls. Her skin was flawless, perfect ivory with a soft touch of warm color at the cheeks. Her greatest inheritance from my human life was the unique, milk chocolate color of her eyes. My daughter had the looks of a child star destined for the big screen: limbs sleek and toned to perfection, smile bright, teeth perfect, features flawless.
We were claiming Renesmee's age to be nine years old, soon to turn ten. According to falsified records, she had been homeschooled the past year at the Cullen residence following the death of her parents.
"Would you like me to drive you to school?" Edward asked, appearing at my side within an instant. He moved so fast that it was almost difficult for even my vampire eyes to see. Edward had waited as anxiously for this day as I did. From time to time, Renesmee proved to be so advanced that there was actually very little parenting to do. We jumped at the most minute opportunity and it frustrated each of us when Jacob stepped into an authoritative role, negating her need for us even further.
Renesmee hesitated. Instinctively, my eyes cut to Jacob. My best friend had just arrived, but that was all that it took for Renesmee to become filled with indecision. The choice was always between her father or Jacob. Edward tried to show his understanding but it was moments like these that I could see the strain. There was tension in his throat and I could see the tightening of my husband's jaw whenever Renesmee seemed to show preference for Jacob over her own father.
This was ridiculous. She was only a little girl. Renesmee was my little girl. I had given birth to her three years ago but Jacob had already become such a big part of her life that we could only try to remain neutral. Edward's patience was beginning to fail, the inexplicable bond between his daughter and my best friend wearing away at his sanity. The effort was so plain that even Jacob seemed to understand that he had intruded on something special, on something that we, as Renesmee's parents, could never regain. She would grow up soon and no longer need us in this way. Then she would be his…something. His what? That was something that none of us could answer, despite Jacob's claims that his most important desire would always be Renesmee's happiness as a friend. How could he possibly want her in that way after he'd helped raise her from a baby?
"Only came to wish you good luck, Nessie," Jacob grunted awkwardly. The werewolf interloper was a part of our daily life now, ever since he imprinted on Nessie. As a family, we had debated what would happen when it was time for us to move from Forks. Would Jacob come with us? Would his pack come along with him? In my head I could picture moving to another small town, one large family of nearly eight vampires, half-breed child, and over a half dozen Native Americans. This was sure to be conspicuous. Aside from the obvious, there were other complications that would prevent such a move. It wasn't as simple as forcing the werewolf pack to pull up roots to accompany us during the cross-country flight to a new city…
"Oh." She blushed and tucked her chin. My little girl, my angel, was blushing. I didn't need Edward's powers to read his mind. Nearby, Jasper moved to the edge of his seat. He could sense Edward's rage and the Herculean effort involved in his self-restraint. I knew that he could also sense my discomfort and tried to ignore his scrutinizing glances.
"You should put your jacket on, Nessie. You'll be late for your first day." Jacob helped my daughter into her jacket, and gave her a kiss on the forehead, but not before he smoothed a bronze ringlet from her forehead.
The tendons stood out on Edward's forearms. His fists were clenched. I knew that Jacob was only alive because Edward could hear the genuine innocence in his thoughts and knew that no underlying threads of debauchery could exist. Jacob truly loved Renesmee the way that Edward and I loved her. I knew that he wanted her safety and her happiness, but how long would this last before she matured into womanhood and Jacob wanted…more? Three more years? I was the world's first mother to birth and grow a child to adulthood in six years. I felt robbed. Escaping the dirty diapers, the colic, and teething wasn't enough of a consolation prize. I wanted those toddler moments and years of awkward adolescence. I wanted time to adjust to each of the pivotal steps of motherhood, to prepare myself for dating, for love, for losing my daughter the way that Charlie had lost me. I knew that our departure from Forks was inevitable, but would Renesmee leave us to move to La Push in three years? Was I doomed to only enjoy six short years as her mother before Jacob became what was most important in her life. I may have left Mom and Charlie to pursue a life with Edward, but nearly two decades had past. Mom had time to prepare for this. She'd been able to raise and love me for seventeen years.
"Will you pick me up from school, Jacob?" Renesmee asked innocently, oblivious to the discomfort, or simply unaware that she was also hurting us.
"If…" Jake's eyes cut to Edward and he realized that he was drastically close to crossing that invisible little line that kept him in our lives. "Your parents aren't able to." Thickly muscled arms crossed over his t-shirt clad chest. Jake was only nineteen years old, but he appeared closer to twenty-five. He and many of the other Quileute boys had grown to full adulthood over the course of a year following their first change, experiencing rapid growth. Despite their rapidly enhanced growth and aging, their parents and families had also enjoyed raising their boys for no less than fourteen or fifteen years each. Why was I the only one robbed of raising a chid?
"We'll be there," Edward told Renesmee. Her face didn't fall, but I could tell that she was disappointed Jacob might not be with us. That Jacob wouldn't be with us. Edward had made many concessions and allowed many things, but I knew without his speaking that Jacob would not be a part of this day.
Along the way to Fork's Elementary School, Renesmee was chipper and full of life. The typical conversation with Renesmee was uniquely vivid, consisting of a combination of spoken words and images that were relayed by a mere touch. Whenever Renesmee wanted to illustrate a point or provide emphasis to her words, she found a way to do it by a colorful visual image or replayed memory.
Edward and Renesmee discussed the classes she would endure, and that they would likely bore her to tears. Renesmee was sure to be admitted to every advanced placement class available at the school, if they didn't simply allow her to skip a grade or two outright. She was extremely intelligent for a child and considered to be at the genius level.
"Do I have to go to school in Fork's, Papa? When I'm a year older, I can enroll in highschool."
"It's good to get a little experience now, Nes—Renesmee." Edward gave me a sheepish look, smiling apologetically for the near-slip. He knew that I had never adjusted to the nickname that Jake gave our daughter. "Practice keeping things secret from humans and learn to control your powers. I know that it's difficult for you to hold back, but you can't treat them as you treat our family at home."
"I know," she grumbled petulantly. "I may as well become a mute."
Edward and I laughed at her childish disappointment then pulled the silver Volvo into the school parking lot. We could only do this because of the overcast day. If this special day had occurred during one of the very rare sunlit mornings, we could not have stepped from the car. The standard day in Forks consisted of a cloud fluffed sky, the air damp with the perpetual misty drizzle that clung to the air.
We walked Renesmee inside. The issue with Jacob was entirely forgotten. We were too eager to walk her to class, to meet her teacher, and enjoy the excitement of giving our child her first steps toward independence.
Forks Elementary School was as dull and disinteresting as its sister high school, though it consisted of only two buildings. The main school was separated from the Independent Learning Center by a short distance. The unimpressive building had a brick exterior, crumbling and cracked. Forks couldn't afford to renovate its older buildings, and the school was in desperate need of a layer of paint—or to simply be pushed over and razed. Built anew. Renesmee clung to me now, changing her mind about going easily without a fight. Edward rolled his eyes.
"The teachers will be friendly to you, Renesmee. There's nothing to fear," he told her gently. Edward ran his fingers through his tousled bronze hair, confident that his family's good reputation would ensure that our little girl was treated like gold. Carlisle was prone to making large donations to charities and educational institutions, but avoided throwing money around the city of Forks as if it grew on trees. There, he was simply known as the talented surgeon Dr. Carlisle Cullen. He did not want to buy the love of his coworkers, the patients, or the townspeople.
We each kissed her, and watched as she moved into her class. Leaving Renesmee behind was difficult. I worried and began to fret as hours passed, unconcerned that I would wear a hole in Esme's expensive rug or pace grooves into the floor. The drive home to the main Cullen resident was a quiet one, peaceful silence now that Edward and I no longer felt the need to fill every moment with conversation. We both also knew that the maturing of our relationship wasn't the cause of this moment's silence.