Prologue
Aro
I couldn't believe we'd lost to them again. I didn't speak on the way home to Volterra. I was more than disgusted with the latest events. How could the Cullens get away with so much? Bringing volunteers was a bad idea. There was no doubt that the child was not an immortal child - so-to-speak, but I couldn't have cared less if she was. They needed to be taken down. They were becoming far too powerful. A mind reader, a future teller, a shield and a projectionist in the same coven was ridiculous. They should be mine! I am the ruler.
We set foot on Italian soil once again. Home would have seemed pleasant to anyone else. It didn't to me. It signified another defeat at the hands of the Cullens. Caius would be impossible to live with. I couldn't even bare to look at my dear Sulpicia. I had failed her also. I couldn't even bare to think about what the future would entail. Surely, the Cullens would realise their power and attack us. With the newborn they were sure to render my puppets useless. Jane would rip the newborn to shreds if given the chance. Of course she would probably get destroyed by Edward before even reaching Bella.
I needed a tactical change. One that Alice couldn't see. I knew her mind as well as my own. From what I had gathered from Edward's mind she could she neither the shape shifters, nor the hybrid child. Hybrid child. That little abomination may just be the key to bringing her own family down. I chuckled to myself. My guard all stared at me, as if I'd gone mad. In truth I wasn't far from it. Damn those filthy Cullens. I stared at Sulpicia, she was staring right back at me with a shocked expression on her pale face. "Oh why darling, I think I've just solved all our problems." I felt a grin spread across my face, mirroring hers. We were inside the Volterra gates now. Everyone seemed to relax. That ordeal was over. But I was planning what was sure to be our victory. Alice would never see us coming.
Chapter 1
Bella
Edward's hand grazed my thigh as sun broke. It trickled up my back and twisted in my hair. This life I had with him was amazing now we didn't have any threat. I knew Renesmee would wake soon, and every moment of my daughter was precious. But every moment with Edward was undeniably the best part of the night time. I traced the outline of his bare chest and flipped quickly to see his glorious face. "I love you" I sighed and kissed his lips. He smiled my favourite crooked smile and mouthed 'I love you too' into the hollow of my neck. He flipped me round onto my back and kissed me ferociously. At least I knew we were on the same page. His hand pulled my leg round his waist, as it did so many years ago, when I was still human. Only this time we didn't have to hold back. He kissed me down to my rib cage and then stopped abruptly. "Nessie's awake!" He said with more melancholy then glee. I sighed too. As much as I loved my little Ness, she had really bad timing. He slid up to his feet and began dressing. My eyes lingered a little too long and then I too began to dress. He glided out of the room to retrieve Renesmee. I pulled on some jeans and a t-shirt. Alice would hate me for it.
Edward flew back into the room with Renesmee in his arms. She smiled widely at me. "Good Morning Momma!" She said hopping into my arms. I kissed her hair and shuffled her around so I could see her beautiful face. "Good Morning Renesmee. Did you find the necklace I left you?" After throwing Aro's wedding gift into the corner of her room, I wondered if she'd found it. She pressed her hand to my face and showed me her wearing it. All three of walked into her room. Edward passed her the necklace. She fastened it around her neck and smiled. "It looks beautiful, sweetheart." Edward smiled.
"What's the plan today?" Edward asked. A sense of liberation filled me. We could go wherever we wanted. We no longer had the threat of the Volturi looming over us. They would be back in Italy now. "Anything you want." I smiled up at him. He wiggled his eyebrows playfully. I glanced down at Renesmee. "We'll go see our family." I said. It was nice to call it our family. It truly was now. "Okay, love." He smiled his crooked smile. My thoughts turned to goo. "Will Jake be there?" Renesmee's little face lit up at the prospect. "Probably. He'll want to see you after yesterday." We all scowled, Renesmee shuddered a little. "There's no need to worry about them now, Renesmee. Everything's going to be just fine." Edward stroked her face.
We walked at a slow human pace on the way to the house. We had no need to rush now. Renesmee gripped our hands, and swung freely between us. "Let me hear you again?" Edward asked. His voice had a well controlled hint of impatience riddled in it. I felt the elastic band of my shield come away from me. I felt truly naked without it, but I didn't mind. I knew Edward would never hurt me. "Never." He echoed. I could feel it start to recoil and pushed it harder, really concentrating. I showed him the dwindling human memories of being a child, and the childhood I wanted for Renesmee. My shield recoiled as I lost my concentration. I was slightly frustrated. "Practice makes perfect, love." Edward appeased. "I think Renesmee will have a brilliant childhood, Bella. She has every opportunity, and every possible future." He smiled. But I knew she didn't have every opportunity, she would always be Jake's, in some shape or form, whether it be big brother, best friend, boy friend or husband. They were destined to be together.
It wasn't a shock when we found Jacob waiting for us. Alice had told him of our impending arrival. Though she still couldn't Jacob nor Renesmee, she still had an uncanny prediction. "Morning Bells, Edward. How're you today Nessie?" I cringed mentally at Jacob's pet name for our daughter. I was adjusting to it, and sometimes accidentally calling her by it myself, it still made me think of the Loch Ness Monster. My baby girl was not a monster. "I'm fine. Jake can we hunt today?" She asked, letting go of our hands and running to Jacob. My hand felt empty for awhile until Edward's hand soon replaced our daughter's delicate hand. "Course we can. That okay with you, Bells?" I smiled and nodded. "Course it is, Jake. You're great with Renesmee. Just make sure she comes back in one piece, before noon time. She'll want a nap." I accentuated her name. Renesmee chuckled and grabbed Jacob's hand. "Thanks Momma!" She smiled. They jumped over the river. I heard Jacob phase. I sighed.
Edward led us up the steps. A conversation I was trying to block out before, invaded my ears. "Emmett, I don't care if everything's over, you can't ask Bella to do that. She won't!" Esme shouted exasperatedly. Uh oh. Me and Edward glanced at each other at the mention of my name. We opened the door and stepped through. "What won't I do?" I asked, confused. Esme shot Emmett a warning glance but he proceeded anyway. "Well, little sister, I want you to put your shield around me, so hubby dearest can't read my thoughts." His face was smug. He folded his big arms over his chest, accentuating the rippling bands of muscle. "And why would I do that?" I challenged, a wicked smile crossing my face. I knew why he wanted me to do this. "So that we can fight, and he can't cheat!" He stabbed an accusing finger in Edward's direction. It was exactly what I thought. "Nope, sorry no can do big brother. I'm not angering Esme, and I'm not letting Edward be at a disadvantage." Emmett's chin jutted out. His face turned into a sulk. "Fine. Just have to make do with kicking your ass." He took a step forward playfully, before Esme stepped between us. "Emmett! Not in the house!" He rolled his eyes, but smiled. "Sorry, Ma."
His eyes glanced to the river. I nodded. I was still stronger than him for the time being. I might as well use it to my advantage. I heard Alice tell Jasper what was about to happen upstairs. The were stood next to us in the next second. Emmett bounded over to the land beside the river. "First one in the water loses." He stated. Again I nodded. Jasper leant over to Esme, "My bets on Bella." he whispered in her ear. Esme wasn't a big gambler but I saw her sneakily shake Jasper's hand. So she was betting on Emmett then. Alice just chuckled, giving nothing away. "Be careful Bella." Edward cautioned. So I was going to lose then, if Edward said that. No way. "3, 2, 1" Jasper counted. Emmett launched for me. I jumped in the air lithely, landing on a delicate branch. He turned around to find me, but I wasn't there. The trees rustled and he looked up. As he jumped for me, I landed on the ground. He dove down and began charging at me again. I ducked out of the way. He swore under his breath and charged again. Instead of ducking out of the way this time, I crouched into a ball. The speed he was going caused him to crash straight over the top of me and into the river. "Son of a b-" "EMMETT!" Esme chastised. Edward laughed loudly, it echoed off the trees. "Sorry Esme." Jasper said asking for the money. Esme pulled a wad of notes from her back pocket and placed it into Jasper's hand.
Emmett continued to curse me all day. I couldn't help but find it amusing. When Jacob returned Renesmee, I couldn't help but return to my earlier worries. According to Nahul, Renesmee would be full grown in just six years. Full grown and no longer my little girl. I saw the same look on Edward's face. We were both so grateful to have such a wonderful daughter, but who couldn't worry, when the minute their daughter became an adolescent she would have a waiting boyfriend? I didn't know how I would handle that part of being a mother at all.