Chapter 1
The meadow is full of wild flowers; a sea of them swaying in the gentle warm breeze, the sun washing over the splashes of colour in the long grass. The deep forest surrounds it, the ancient trees protecting it from intruders.
I lie still listening to the myriad of sound around me – birds in the trees, insects in the flowers, a deer in the woods, the growl of a wild cat further away. I can hear the flowers opening: see the pollen floating in the air. I lift my hand and admire the sparkle of my pale diamond skin in the sunlight. I turn my head and look into the most perfect pair of golden eyes. If my heart could beat it would be pounding in my chest; if my skin could blush it would be flushing deep crimson; if I needed to breath the air would catch in my throat.
"Bella…." he whispers.
"Edward" I reply.
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My human life had ended 21 years ago and my new forever existence had begun. I closed my eyes and ran through the hazy memories of that first life – keeping them fresh in my mind; so many moments I want to remember for all of time.
It was so good to be back home in Forks. We had been away for twenty years: long enough for people to forget us, or move on or die even. A human life was a moment in time for me. After all I did have forever.
I thought of my family, seeing their familiar faces in my bright, spacious "new" mind. The speed and clarity of my thoughts still amazed me.
I thought of our travels over the past two decades – the rainforests of South America, the plains and deserts of Africa, the mountains of Asia, Alaska for school and now the dark, rainy, green forests of Washington State.
I thought of the few dark shadows that hovered at the very edges of my bright shiny mind, threatening to intrude on my happy almost perfect forever world. As always, the golden amber eyes that watched me noticed at once.
"Time to head back home", Edward murmured softly.
I leapt to my feet, a blur of movement that took less than a second.
"Race you!" I called, already at the edge of our meadow.
I won, almost flying through the forest, delighted as always at the speed I could run yet could still see so clearly every tiny detail: the sun glinting on a spider web, a bird nesting at the top of a fir tree, every blade of grass, every dew drop that I ran over.
"You let me win!" I laughed; the tinkling bell sound still surprised me. I was no longer a newborn and my strength had lessened some. I had to think twice now before accepting an arm wrestle challenge from Emmett, my huge bear of a brother–in- law. Edward just smiled my favourite crooked smile, took my hand and led me up the steps to the front door of our family home.
Despite our many years away, enjoying time in our other homes and living different lives in new places, this huge house in the forest, with its glass walls and light airy rooms was home. It was where I had first met the Cullens, married Edward, begun my new life, and of course had our daughter, Renesmee. We had moved away to give her a "normal" upbringing. Once she had reached maturity she had attended high school, graduated and gone to college. She had mixed with humans and vampires, equally at ease in either world. Our entire family, and Jacob too for most of the time, had moved with us. But now college was finished and we had decided it would be fairer on Jacob to return to Forks. We planned on keeping a low profile; Carlisle had a new job to go to and the family would have no need to go into Forks. Edward, Renesmee and I would spend time with Charlie; now retired and happily married to Sue Clearwater.
The family were gathered in the main living area. Esme was almost hidden behind a pile of gardening books, determined to tame the jungle like garden surrounding us. Tiny birdlike Alice and tall blonde Jasper were standing together by the stairs. Rosalie was busy with the computer. The television was on a sports channel with Emmett sprawled on the sofa in front of it. Carlisle, just back from his working day as a doctor at Port Angeles Hospital, straightened up from kissing Esme and looked enquiringly at us.
"Renesmee is with Jacob", Edward answered his unspoken question.
Immediately I tensed. Jasper moved toward me bringing a wave of calm with him. My eyes flew to Edward.
"How do we even start to tell her?" I asked.
Alice danced her way over to us. Her face went momentarily blank before she shook her head and glared at Edward and me.
"You know I can't see her reaction until you make that decision", she scolded.
Renesmee: our beautiful half vampire – half human daughter. Mine and Edward's. Fully grown by age seven and now frozen in time forever, she had been born 21 years ago tomorrow.
"We'll tell her tomorrow, after the party", decided Edward, his eyes seeking mine. I nodded my agreement.
"Great timing", moaned Alice, "Now I can't see anything". A mini whirlwind appeared to be tearing across the lawn towards us. It slowed up at the door, revealing itself as a giant russet coloured wolf with a slight bronze haired, brown eyed girl balancing easily on its back. She leapt lightly to the ground, stumbling slightly before regaining her balance and darting up the steps into the house. Edward snorted with suppressed laughter,
"Yes Emmett; she has her mother's human genes alright" he muttered. I glared at Emmett who rumbled with laughter before returning to the sports channel.
Jacob, who had phased to his human form and dragged on some jeans and a tee shirt, followed Renesmee inside.
"Happy to give you a ride Ness," he said, "Just don't kick me, OK?"
"Sorry Jake", she laughed putting her hand on his cheek to show him how she had felt on his back. Jake's hand slid around her waist and she leant into his side resting her head against his shoulder. Edward growled quietly and Jacob grinned broadly at him.
Not that I was entirely happy to see my beloved daughter in Jacob's arms, but who better for my daughter than my best friend who had been through so much for us – to protect us, to keep our secrets.
Jacob had imprinted on Renesmee the very day she was born. From the moment I had woken up to my new life I'd had to share my child with him. Apart from trying to rip his head off that first day I had got used to the idea. So had Edward; for all his growling. In fact the four of us spent a great deal of time together. But it had not always been easy to see their feelings for each other change. Jacob had been her protector, play mate, best friend, boyfriend, lover and now, if Alice was right, soon to be husband.
I pushed my protective shield away from my head to surround Jake and Renesmee. No need to subject Edward to hearing Jacob's thoughts! His face registered this and he smiled quickly at me.
"How has your day been dear?" Esme asked Renesmee, appearing from behind her books and kissing her cheek.
"Fine, thank you Grandma" said Renesmee in her clear voice. "We caught up with the pack. Sam and Emily have another baby, Seth's getting married, so's Leah! Billy's good. The garage is doing great but the elders are still not happy with the name….." her words tripped over one another in her eagerness to pass on all the news. She put her hand onto Esme's cheek and continued her news silently. Edward quietly told us the important facts, hearing it all in Esme's head. We had visited often over the years, stopping off on our way through, to catch up with Charlie, Sue, Billy and the wolf pack. Jacob had spent more time at home, leaving every few weeks to run across country in wolf form to find his beloved Nessie. The wolf pack had put their love of tinkering with cars to good use and had opened a repair garage in Forks. Naming it the Wolf Brothers Garage had not gone down well with the elders at the Reservation.
"Hey Jake", I murmured taking a good look at my best friend as he flung himself down on the sofa, next to Emmett. Jacob hadn't changed much in the last two decades. Tall, muscular with a shock of black hair, dark eyes and a ready smile on his warm russet face. Due to the fact that he spent so much time with vampires and a lot of time as a wolf, he hadn't aged at all. So technically I was still older than him. I frowned and glared at him.
He glanced up and smiled at me. Immediately he was my Jake again.
"What's up Bells?" Without waiting for a reply he wandered into the kitchen in search of food.
"Its time for party planning!" trilled Alice excitedly. "And I need you all!" Emmett, Jasper and Carlisle groaned. Rosalie looked up eagerly. Even Esme clapped her hands together.
"Emmett, Jazz, Jake – outside! I need trees moving. Rose – take Ness to the cottage out of the way. Try on clothes! Edward – you can make me a playlist. Esme – go order food for the wolves. Carlisle – I need lights all around the garden. Bella – you're with me…."
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By dawn the party preparations were finished. Renesmee was sleeping back in the cottage with Rosalie watching her. She was not allowed back until the party started. Jacob was back at the reservation, or checking in at his car repair business.
Alice had surpassed herself. In a long line of extravagant celebrations, this one had to be near the top. The lawn area outside the house that led down to the river was now covered by a huge open sided marquee, held up by tree trunks. More trunks had been hewn into rough benches and tables. Brightly coloured flowers, ivy and fairy lights wound their way around and over everything. Huge church candles waited to be lit around the edges of the marquee. Oversized flower arrangements and more candles lined a pathway from the house to the marquee. An enormous bonfire was ready to be lit at one side with yet more trunk benches encircling it.
Most of my family had drifted away to hunt or to spend some quiet time before the party got underway. Our guests, mainly the wolves and their wives or girlfriends were due at five. Some of our vampire friends were expected too.
My mind drifted. My mother Renee was in town for the first time since our wedding. We had finally been able to introduce her to her grand-daughter when Renesmee reached her 15th year of life. Her looks and age matched up by then. Since then we had seen her only a few times so today was a big moment for us all. Renee and I were no longer close which was a great sadness to me. She couldn't understand my "life choices" as she called them and was convinced I had undergone extensive cosmetic surgery along with Edward. What she would make of the rest of my non-ageing family would be interesting.
"Stop fretting, love". Edward was immediately by my side cupping my face with his hands and kissing away my worries. "After this is over I'll take you to Isle Esme", he promised. "I think we need a second honeymoon!"
A wolf howled in the distance, quickly echoed by more howls from the pack.
"Its nothing" Edward reassured me, "New scents in the area. Probably our friends arriving".
"Sure", I agreed. "Let's hunt!"
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The party was underway. At ten to five precisely Alice had appeared with Renesmee. My daughter looked even more beautiful than usual. Dressed by Alice, of course, in a simple red dress that brought out the bronze in her long wavy hair and the rich chocolate brown of her eyes. Her pale skin glowed more than usual and her eyes danced with excitement. Alice was a picture in a bright yellow short fitted dress and Rosalie looked as stunning as ever in white. Alice cast an eye over my dress – a simple shift in Edward's favourite blue – and smiled her approval.
Nessie was dancing round in excitement, her eyes trying to take in the transformed house and garden. "Aunt Alice! Its soooo amazing!" she yelled, her rich clear tones echoing into the forest.
"Well you only have one 21st" trilled Alice "or one first 21st anyway…" Our family celebrated a lot of firsts a lot of times! We had all graduated more than once, married the same person several times.
"And remember its Bella's anniversary too" said Edward "21 years since she was changed!"
I shuddered discreetly – that's one day I didn't enjoy revisiting.
Our guests had begun to arrive. The wolves, in human form, with their wives, girlfriends and children were spread around the marquee. The Denali clan had arrived bearing gifts and spoiling Nessie completely as always. They were standing together in a corner, wary as ever of the wolves. Renee had arrived with Charlie and Sue. Billy was with them.
"Need to know….." muttered Charlie as Renesmee ran up and enveloped him in a huge hug.
"Where's Jake" I wondered, realising he was not present. "And Sam…. And Seth?" My voice rose slightly, remembering the howls from earlier.
"They're on their way Bella" Edward reassured me. "Just checking an unfamiliar scent that's been around for a couple of days". I could hear a slight edge in his voice. Something he wasn't telling me. I glanced around the room. Alice looked relaxed – she hadn't forseen a problem. The wolf pack weren't worried – eating and drinking with abandon. I pushed my worries to a corner of my mind and went to greet the Denalis.
"Jake!" Renesmee shrieked over the pulsating music. I turned to see Jake, Sam and Seth making their way down the candlelit path. Night had fallen. The only light came from the candles, fairy lights and bonfire. "So pretty…." I thought, relaxing at last. Renesmee flew into Jake's arms. The party was perfect for her now.
More guests had arrived. The evening was in full swing. The air was full of laughter and music. The wolves were becoming rowdy. The dancing becoming wilder. Alice and Jasper were in the middle of the dance floor, Alice flying through the air, spinning and twisting. Rose and Emmett were hardly less restrained.
"Uh….you know I don't dance" I wailed as Edward held his hand out to me. He laughed and swept me into his arms, lifting me off the ground and spinning me round.
Much later Jake cut in, dancing me away to a quiet corner. He seemed on edge, nervous even.
"I'm going to ask her tonight, you know" he said quietly. His eyes serious, studying my face, my reaction.
"We have to tell her first Jake", I whispered.
"Sure sure", he muttered.
"Seriously Jacob – we have to. She can't marry you unless she knows how much you loved me ….that I loved you back. You need to give me and Edward a chance to explain it to her, make her see that we didn't have a choice".
Suddenly Jake became Jacob the pack Alpha. His voice deepened and he spoke as if the decision had been already made.
"Tonight I will ask Renesmee to be my wife. And then you, Edward and I will explain the past to her. We will make her see I only loved you, Bella, because she was already part of you, just waiting to be born".
I opened my mouth to argue with him, plead for more time when I realised that a hush had fallen over the party.
It had got late; the humans had all gone home, along with most of the wolves and their families. The Denali clan had left too; a problem with their newest recruit, Garrett, and so many humans! The fire had burnt down low to a soft glow. Someone had switched the music off. My eyes flashed around the marquee, looking for Edward and Renesmee; reassuring myself that my loved ones were safe. I saw Alice, statue like, a blank expression on her face. Her lips were moving,
"I didn't see …. how can that be … the wolves blocking me? ….." she sounded confused. Jasper was by her side, his body tense and a low growl coming from deep in his chest. The rest of my family were close together, Edward shielding Renesmee behind him. The remaining wolves, Embry and Seth it looked like, had phased and stood like guards on the flanks of the vampires.
They were all staring into the corner, by the fire. Shock and surprise on every face.
I spun around, anxious to see what they were all staring at.