Chapter 1

A Not so Normal Girl

Renesme Carlie Cullen took a step into the sun and let the warmth float through her beautiful porcelain skin. She was always cold of course, but not in an uncomfortable way. You see, vampires are cold blooded. Her skin began to sparkle and glow in the morning spring sun. A little boy and girl picking out a lollypop looked over wide-eyed.

"Mommy look!" the girl said tugging on her mother's purple tank. As soon as the girl's mother turned her head, Renesme's mom, Bella, had her arms around her daughter and tugged her into the shadows of the shopping market.

"Renesme Carlie Cullen! If I see you stepping into that sun one more time-I-I-I…"

" What you'll kill me?" Renesme laughed at her own joke for vampires don't die very easily. Bella just sighed.

" No. We're here for you remember. Your 10th birthday is in a week. Now stay with me and don't wander off. Besides, don't you want to pick out your cake?"

"Yes."

"Why are you so sad, Nez? Your birthday is coming up! Aren't you excited? All your friends and cake and ice cream!" The child's eyes lit up the tiniest bit.

" Yes, but-"

" But what?"

" I want to be able to feel the warm sun on my back as I race through the soccer field. I want to feel the continuous dripping of sweat on my neck while I play tag on a hot summer evening! Is that not too much to ask for? I'll never be able to do anything a normal kid would do. I hate my life! I'm stuck in between vampire and human. I can't stand in the sun. I don't have any powers. I can't enjoy having contests underwater to see who can hold their breath the longest cause I don't have to hold my breath!"

"Sounds like fun! You would win every time!"

"Right. I just want to be normal for once in my life!"

Her mother's eyes were filled with great pain. "Nez," her voice cracked so she cleared her throat. " Nez, I would do almost anything to give you a normal life. You know that right? There's just nothing we can do. We are what we are." They sat in silence for a few moments. " Lets pick a cake and hurry home before your father, Edward, worries. You know how he gets." They shared a halfhearted laugh and headed towards the counter.

"There my girls are! I was starting to worry!" Edward had his crooked grin that Bella melted over every time!

" You worry to often!" Bella stood up on her tiptoe, and having rehearsed so many times before, Edward bent down and lightly kissed her soft sweet flawless lips.

"Because I love you." Both of the parents were waiting for the common ewww from Renesme, but she was probably off with Alice again. They adored each other. They both had a pixi like personality and both loved hair and clothes. Seeing as they were alone, Edward leaned down and kissed his lovely wife once more. But this time, more urgently. He pressed down harder on the soft velvety lips of his angel. He didn't let go for a few seconds before releasing. Then he pressed down again. Bella entangled her arms through Edward's mangled bronze hair, while Edward wrapped his arms around her upper back and torso. "This is an unusal treat."

Bella laughed in between kisses.

"Excusme! Get a room!"

The two looked over to see Renesme stomping her foot with a frusterated face, and Alice trying to suppress a giggle. " We were just going to the kitchen to look at some catalogs I ordered for decoration ideas for her birthday. She was going to help me pick them out. Sorry," Alice apologized.

"It's fine. Go ahead ladies." Edward said in a perfect gentleman's voice.

Alice and Renesme walked through the open pale room, and into the kitchen where the whole Cullen family had once decided whether to change Bella or not.

" Oh, and lose the attitude, Nez!" Bella shouted over her shoulder.

" Whatever."