I do not own these characters, just have an inability to let them go. Stephenie Meyer created them.

Bella's POV

I took a deep breath and sighed contently. Many scents mingled together. Trees, the river, small animals and moss, lots of moss. It amused me to think of a time when my then human eyes were repulsed by the greenness of Forks and its surrounds. But there was one sweet scent that had a power over me like no other. Edward. Perfect Edward. My love, my life and father of my incredible daughter Renesmee.

Edward held my hand in his as we strolled through the lush forest returning to our cottage after a moonlit hunting trip in the nearby mountains. The rising sun was trying to break through the blanket of mist that hung over the forest. Unconsciously, I smiled to myself.

Edward tilted his head, "And what has you so happy Mrs. Cullen?"

"Oh the usual, you, Renesmee and you some more," I replied while fingering the gold band on his left hand.

Edward smiled my favourite crooked smile and raised my hand to his lips. Even after four years of vampire life my happiness had not rescinded. With Edward and my daughter in my life it never would. My mind wandered through my favourite memories of my life with Edward. I removed my shield to allow Edward in. He wrapped his marble arms around me and pulled me tight to his chest.

"I love it when you do that," he whispered deliciously in my ear. I allowed my mind to wander further. The forest was suddenly filled with the sound of Edward's laughter as I remembered my initial fear of Edward's driving during my human life. We continued our journey home eager to welcome our daughter to a new day.

As we neared our cottage I could hear my now teenage daughter organising herself for her day in Forks High School. Renesmee was both a miracle and a wonder. Even though she was only brought into this world four years earlier, she resembled a sixteen year old, but her mind was as old as any of her family. She was not only as beautiful as her father, but she was intelligent, loving, gentle, determined, compassionate and humble. She had a bit of all of us in her, not just Edward and me.

We hadn't expected Renesmee to mature as swiftly as she did. In a mere three years she could pass for a teenager. Her growth in the last year had slowed down significantly, and after careful consideration and consultation with Carlisle, Renesmee was enrolled into Forks High School. Her education was not our reasoning behind this move. Our daughter had been home schooled by her family for the past few years. She was fluent in many languages, could assemble any car engine thanks to Rosalie and Jacob, and was an accomplished musician. No, Renesmee did not need an education; she needed a social outlet away from her family. As hard as it was for us to make this decision, Renesmee was half human and should not be deprived of human experiences. I now understood why Edward had been adamant about the prom!

Renesmee's contact with the human world was limited to Charlie's and a select few in La Push. Her rapid growth rate had prevented a wider knowledge of her existence. Clearly, her true relationship with Edward and I was not revealed, but so alike Edward she was, we stuck to the story of her being Edward's orphaned niece as originally explained to Charlie. It was comforting to at least being known as her legal guardians on official forms.

Renesmee's first day at school was traumatic for Edward and me. It seemed wrong to allow her into the human world without our protection. My maternal instincts were in overdrive. We stood still and silent, holding hands by the window in the main house as we watched Renesmee drive away from the house in her silver Audi TT Coupé. The rest of the family behind us.

"She'll be fine," announced Alice confidently. "Seriously, everyone is going to adore her. How could they not?"

"Especially the boys!" teased Emmett.

Rosalie elbowed him in the ribs while Jasper suppressed a snigger. Esme shot them warning look. My brow furrowed in annoyance and Edward clenched his jaw.

Jacob, in wolf form, followed the car as close to the school as possible through the forest undetected by the ordinary folk of Forks.

Edward and I both exhaled in relief simultaneously as we saw our precious daughter return that afternoon. We were still at the window. It had not been a traumatic experience for Renesmee. She loved school and continued to love it.

As we reached the front of the cottage, Renesmee burst out the door with her bag slung across her shoulder.

"Hey Mom, Dad, in a hurry, gotta fly, working on an English group assignment before school with Naomi and Harry. See you later. Love you," announced Renesmee hastily as she bounded up the path towards the main house.

I chuckled at the eagerness of my daughter and expected Edward to join in. When his silence continued I searched for his face and was surprised by his expression. It was a combination of concern and confusion.

"What is it?" I demanded. "What's going on in her head?"

"She's translating the lyrics of U2's All I Want is You into Gaelic. Obviously a trick she's picked up from Alice."

Learning Gaelic was a new undertaking of Renesmee's. She wanted to be able to write emails to Maggie and the rest of the Irish coven in their native language. We tried to keep in touch with most of our friends who stood with us against the Volturi in order to give witness to what Renesmee truly was. They all adored her and Renesmee adored all of them in return.

"Why is she hiding her thoughts from you? Should we be worried?" I wondered aloud.

Edward turned to face me, "I'm not sure yet love, but this is becoming more of a habit. Yesterday she was quoting Austen's Emma."

"Is something up at school maybe?" I suggested with a pang of worry in my voice.

"I don't believe so, she thinks about school a great deal in my presence and it is always positive," he answered while gently stroking my hair. His touch immediately calmed me.

"However," he began tentatively, "There is one person she has not thought much of when I'm around."

Edward paused and looked deep into my eyes. It didn't take long for the penny to drop.

"Jacob," I breathed.