Chapter 1

Unexpected

"Edward?" Bella whispered, not wanting to wake Renesmee, but knowing full well her husband could hear her across the river. "Come home." She heard the slight breeze as Edward was suddenly at her side. "I think it's time."

He sighed, knowing she was right, but not wanting to admit it. "Long past, love. We've remained here only to spare you and Charlie the inevitable."

She leaned her head against his shoulder and curled up into his side. "And I am grateful for the time we've had. But we can't keep hiding here. Renesmee needs room to grow and explore, and we need to let the memories of our family begin to fade… So we can come back here someday."

He smiled as kissed the top of her head. "We have plans in place for a move. We have a few different options."

"Alaska."

Edward pulled away from her. "Why there? I thought you didn't like Tanya."

She laughed. "That's too strong a term. Tanya and I will probably never be close, but dislike is a long way off. Besides, I think she needs some family. She hasn't been the same since Irina was murdered by the Volturi. Kate has Garrett, and Carmen and Eleazar have each other."

"So, it's completely altruistic this plan of yours?"

"Well, not totally. Renesmee can finish growing, and have plenty of room to explore and hunt without worrying about prying eyes, or whispers." She sighed. "I just want some peace for a while. Alaska seems to offer the best hope for that."

Edward smiled at her. "It's perfect."


The Cullen family exodus began with a flurry of packing as they prepared to shutter their Washington home for the foreseeable future. Jasper worked his computer wizardry to create new Alaska based documentation for all of them, while Bella liaised with J. Jenks to obtain the actual paper copies. Rosalie arranged to donate the cars, as they would buy new vehicles upon arriving in Alaska. Emmett was doing the heavy lifting in packing away the larger pieces of furniture, carefully directed by Esme. Carlisle was busy wrapping up his exit paperwork at the hospital, while Edward ran the small errands that are inevitably part of a large move. Alice was carefully packing the unworn clothes for the family, and preparing the rest to be donated, all whilst keeping a watchful eye on the future. Which was made a bit more difficult due to the presence of Jacob. He had resigned his position as Alpha of his little pack, in order to remain close to his imprint. Leah had taken it the hardest, because it meant she would be subjected to Sam again. But Seth, Embry and Quil, having all now imprinted, understood.

Jacob looked into the small knapsack of belongings he had. He smiled at the small picture of his father, who had passed just 6 months ago. He had been in pain for so long, that Jacob felt nothing but relief at the fact that his beloved father was no longer in pain. He smiled again and sat back against the now empty wall. He watched Alice flit between the various bedrooms, and was stunned when she ran into a wall. He shot up, just as everyone in the room stilled. Only a powerful vision could derail Alice in such a way. She had a faraway look in her eye. In the next second, Edward, who had just arrived with a few new suitcases for his sister, gasped as he dropped them where he stood. "Charlie!"

Jacob was the first to stir. "What? What happened? Is he ok?"

Alice came out of her vision. "No. He's not. He's out fishing. But he's about to clutch his left arm and fall in the water. He's going to die… I couldn't see before. Bella is going to be devas-" She stopped. "Edward, go now. There's still a chance."

"No! You can't mean-"

"Do it, you can see-"

"But-"

"GO!"

Edward hesitated less than a second, and then hurried as fast as he could towards Lake Pleasant, where they knew he had gone fishing that day, clearing his head. No sooner had he left, then they heard the dull roar of Carlisle's Mercedes pulling onto the drive drove them into action. It was Bella. She soon raced in the door, but her smile faded as she took in the shock and dismay on the faces in the room. "What's happened?"

Alice came to her, with a tragic look on her face, the future still so uncertain. "It's Charlie. He seems to have had, or is having, a heart attack. A bad one. I can't see what's going to happen. Edward went to him-"

"I have to go to him, to help Edward-"

"No, Bella. Please. Edward is there and- YES! He got there in time. They're coming here now." Alice was jubilant, but soon looked a little sheepish as she stared up at Bella, anticipating what she was going to say.

"But he needs the hospital. Why is he bringing Charlie here?"

"That's the thing…" Alice sighed.

Bella's eyes grew wide with shock as she completely and fully understood what was happening. Just as she was about to speak, Charlie screamed.