Bellas POV

"She's just too beautiful" I sighed to Edward. Watching our daughter play with Jasper and Emmett made me laugh. They were always so careful with her. Sunlight streamed through the trees and bounced off of her bronze hair – perfectly matched to her fathers.

"I hope she doesn't take too much advantage of them. They always do whatever she wants. In fact, I'm a bit amazed that she doesn't have them doing somersaults just to keep her amused" Edward always found it funny to watch Renesmee wind her uncles around her finger. Jasper, always so serious and somber and Emmett playful but extremely protective. They never gave it a second though when it came to Renesmee's wants.

"Do you think she realizes what's coming?" I was always so afraid of something like this happening. I felt better knowing that Edward felt the same way as well.

"I think she's a lot smarter than we give her credit for. Stop worrying Bella, she's inherited a lot of strong characteristics from all of us…Carlisle, Esme, Alice, Rosalie, Jasper and Emmett…Even Jake's Pack and our human family contributed to our little girl."

"But Edward, she's not our little girl anymore. Look at her, she picked Alice up yesterday, tucked her under her arm like a football and ran to the Baseball field when Alice wouldn't go."

Edwards soft laugh took some of my tension away. Today Charlie would be informing us about his condition. He had been seeing Carlisle in secret.. As much as Charlie knew about our 'special' family, he didn't know enough to know that there were no secrets between us. Only Renesmee did not know about the bombshell being dropped this evening.

I thought of the first time Charlie met Renesmee. He had found out just enough about us to allow us to stay in Forks, but not enough to endanger himself. Before he left that night, he was another one of her puppets.

"C'mon Bella. Let it go, we can't do anything that Carlisle isn't doing already. Sue's helping him transition as much as possible, and we need to be strong…especially when Nessie finds out."

"Fine." I walked over to the couch and curled up to watch T.V. Anything to take my mind off of what was to come later tonight.

"Hey Bella, why so sad?" Jake said as he walked out of the Kitchen. As always Jake never took anything serious unless someone was in complete danger. Since danger was equated with the Volturri, and we haven't heard about them in a while, he never gave them a second thought.

"Charlie" sighed Edward.

"Ohh…Hey Bell, no worries. You know Sue and Billy and everyone else will be helping him along. Besides, Charlie isn't going to want anyone to help him unless he absolutely needs it."

"I know Jake, just drop it for now, I can hear everyone coming to the house. Remember Nessie doesn't know yet and we want to make sure that she's okay when she gets the news."

"Whatever you say Bells." Jake sat on the couch with what looked like a half pan of hash browns and an omelet made out of 6 eggs.

"Hey Momma, can we go see grandpa now?" I turned to look at my beautiful daughter. It had only been 5 years since her birth, but in Renesmee's life, 5 years was enough to have her almost full grown. She looked about 15 now and in a couple more years, she'd be fully matured. Her brown eyes – my brown eyes reflected happiness. Was I ready to go to Charlie's and see those eyes brim over with tears?

"Momma?"

"Alright…Jake you coming with us?"

"Sure, just give me a few to finish up"

"Hey Aunt Alice" Renesmee called out "you got anything new for me to wear?" She flew up the stairs in a flash. Edward and I shared a grin – being very fashionable was something Nessie definitely got from her Aunts and not her mother.

Ten minutes later we were in the Volvo heading to Charlie's. On the way Nessie and Jake argued about where we should go this summer. Jake wanted to head somewhere bright and cheery with sunshine and warm waters. He had heard about Esme's Island, but hadn't been there yet. Nessie wanted to go to see the Denali clan. Garrett had told her about the Big Horned Sheep living in Alaska and she wanted to see if they tasted as good as Garrett said.

In less time than I was prepared for we pulled up to Charlie's. Charlie had the door open before we were all out of the car. "Hey kids! Nessie, you want some cobbler? Grandma Sue just took some out of the oven!"

"Charlie! – That's for Dessert" Sue came walking out of the kitchen.

Since their marriage 2 years ago, my Dad had been a totally different person. Sue made sure he was well taken cared of and he made sure he kept her happy.

"Edward! Bella!" Seth came running down the stairs. He was getting ready to graduate this year. We were talking to him about College, but he wanted to take a year off first. Seth gave Edward and I big hugs. Turning to Renesmee he picked her up and swung her around. "Nessie!"

"Not in the house Seth!! You know you're too big to play indoors. Get outside before you break something else." Sue called from the Kitchen. Seth grinned sheepishly while we sat down. Jake had already gone to the kitchen to see if he could steal a bite of Sue's Cobbler.

Edward and Seth were busy talking to about his finals. Good old Edward. Always asking if he could help. Charlie and Renesmee were in the corner finishing up a puzzle they had started last week. I watched my Dad and Nessie, making sure I ingrained all of my Charlie memories into my mind. I didn't worry so much as my Vampire brain wouldn't let me forget a single thing.

"Dinner!" Sue called. Good thing…I could already hear Jakes stomach growling.

After Dinner was done we all made our way back to the living room. It was getting crowded. If Seth got any bigger he'd have to listen to us from the front porch.

"Well everyone, I have something to say." Charlie was already gravely looking at each and everyone one of us.

Edward gave my hand a squeeze. Thank goodness for him, he always kept me stable. "Yes Charlie?" Edward answered.

"I've been taking some tests for the headaches that I've been getting and it seems that Carlisle found the problem."

"What's going on Grandpa?" Renesmee whispered. I moved over to take her hand. She squeezed it very tightly.

"Nessie, Bells, Edward….Carlisle found a Brain tumor. He wants to try and take it out, but it's near a part of my brain that allows my eyesight to function. If I agree to the surgery, there's a good chance that I may lose my sight." Charlie looked at Sue then. She had tears silently falling down her cheeks.

"Grandpa, what happens if you don't get the surgery?"

"The Tumor is growing very rapidly. Without the surgery, there may be more serious complications then just the headaches."

"Do it Dad. Do what you have to, stay with us as long as you can. Please." I could feel it. My breath was started to hitch in my chest. My eyes were starting to burn. I looked to my daughter and watched in envy as tears formed in the corner of her eyes.

"Please Grandpa!" Nessie pleaded.

"Well, Carlisle said I had a couple more weeks to get thing in order prior to scheduling the surgery, so I thought it best for you to know already. I don't' need you guys to take care of me – Even you Sue. I'll let everyone know the specifics as soon as I do. And don't go pestering Carlisle with questions when you guys get home. I told him to keep quiet, so don't be upset with him."

We talked for a while more. Mostly Renesmee asked Charlie questions until she could wrap her mind around what was going on. Jake, Edward and I just listened and waited. Seth was holding Sue.

About 30 minutes later, we were ready to go.

"Now don't forget what I said…don't be upset with Carlisle." Charlie said as he walked us out to the car.

"Of course Charlie" Edward said as he shook my Dad's hand goodbye.

"See you later Dad. Call me when you know more." I kissed his cheek and got into the car.

"See you later Charlie!" Jake was always trying to be upbeat about everything.

"Bye Grandpa. Love you!" Renesmee gave Charlie a gentle squeeze. Wiping her tears, she got into the Volvo.

On the way home everyone was silent. When we parked Nessie got out and started running.

"On it" Jake said as he took off after her.

Edward grabbed my arm before I could take off as well. "Let her go Bells, she keeps forgetting that Charlie isn't like the rest of us and that one day he'll be gone. Jake will keep her sfae. I know." He lightly tapped his temple.

"I know, but I hate seeing her sad."

"We all do, love. C'mon, let's go home. Jake and Nessie will be back when she feels better." Edward and I walked to our home. Our thought were always so synchronized that we knew exactly what one another were thinking. Renesmee loved Charlie. I was well prepared for anything that may happen. It was part of my decision to become part of the Cullen's life…part of Edwards life. Renesmee never had a choice. This life was a balancing act. An act we all had to perfect in order to maintain our secrets as well as our safety.

Edward and I headed into our room. Hopefully tomorrow would bring a better day.

Edwards POV

I wonder if Bella can see through my charade right now. Did she know how concerned I was for Renesmee? Does she know what our daughter is trying to do right now? She and Jake have come so close in age at this point. Jake has absolutely no control when it comes to Nessie. He'll just give in and give her what she wants – no matter what the outcome is. Damn! Where are they?

"Edward, what's going on?"

Too late. "Nothing Bella, just relax, I'm trying to 'hear' Renesmee. I just want to make absolutely sure that she's okay."

"Weren't you the one who said that she'd be fine?"

"I know, but I just want to make sure."

Bella wandered over to her books and picked up Sense and Sensibility. I wish Renesmee would exercise more sense right now. If Bella knew that our daughter was currently making out with Jake, she'd have a fit.

Renesmee's POV

"C'mon Jake. You know you want to!"

"Ness…how can you want this when we just found out what Charlie's going through?"

"What? You mean the information that my parents kept from me? You know as well as I do that my Father would have known all this time from hearing it go through Carlisle's head. You also know that he would have told my Mom by now. Which means, that they could have told me from the beginning….but no they had to let me find out like this. From Charlie. I can just imagine what he's been going through – without anyone there to keep him sane."

"HEY!!! What about Sue? She's there with Charlie, Ness. Besides, give Charlie some credit. He's a lot stronger than you think."

"Whatever Jake. He's still human. AND, why aren't you a little more angry? I know how much you hate when Mom and Dad know things and don't keep you in the loop as well."

"Umm, well, I'm not going to be angry at a time when you need me to be strong Ness."

"YOU KNEW. I can't believe this Jacob Black. You knew and you didn't tell me. Whatever, I'm outta here Jake. Leave me alone for a bit – just go back to Billy's"

"Ness, don't be like that. They made me promise not to tell you. You know I would have, but we're all worried about you right now. We just want to make sure you're alright."

"Don't worry Jake. Charlie is going to be fine. I won't let anything bad happen to him. I am not going to sit on the side and watch while he goes through this alone."

"Ness, what about Sue? And Seth? They're there…."

I took off in a sprint before he could finish his last sentence. I started going home. I knew Jake wouldn't follow me as long as he knew I was going there. Half way home, I made a detour. I needed to go somewhere and think. If I stay around the house my dad would come out to make sure I was okay. I was tired of everyone babying me. I can take care of myself. Apparently I'd have to show them that I was old enough to be treated like an adult and not a child. They'd see.

CHAPTER 2

Bella's POV