Present Day

I walked quietly into her old room and sat softly on the bed and leaned down, kissing the exposed cheek of the most perfect creature that ever lived.

"Wake up, Nessie, baby," I cooed into her ear. I rubbed her back. She grumbled and turned her head from me. "It's your birthday, sweet girl! You're 4 today!" Upon hearing that reminder, her eyes popped open and a grin spread across her face. She sat up with excitement.

"I'm BIGGER now, aren't I, Mama. Am I taller, now," She squeaked. I nuzzled her long, wavy auburn hair and breathed in her scent. I sat back and examined her, dramatically gasping. She giggled with anticipation as to what my findings would be.

"Why, Renesme Charlolette Swan, I do believe you HAVE gotten taller in your sleep! It wont be long until you are taller than Uncle Jacob," I said, enthusiastically. She clapped her hands together, giggling as I moved my hands to tickle her. I kissed her on the top of the head again and reached around to grab the cupcake with pink frosting and a mess of sprinkles. I popped in a candle and pulled Nessie under my arm and began to sing her birthday song. She followed along, rocking her head side to side.

"Now, blow," I said at the end. She looked up at me and scrunched her nose.

"But Mama, the candle isn't on fire," She said.

"Just pretend," I replied. I was paranoid about lighting a candle in a bed filled with cotton. I didn't have the greatest luck. She shrugged her shoulders and sucked in a huge breath before blowing at the candle with all her might. I applauded her efforts and hugged her tighter. She sat back, proudly and grinned.

"What did you wish for," I asked as I began peeling the paper off the cupcake for her.

"My Daddy," She replied, matter-of-factly. My fingers froze in place.

August 2005

I had known the Cullen's what feels like my entire life. While I lived with my mom throughout the school years in Pheonix, I always came and stayed with my Dad in Forks during the Summer. But he worked and that meant I needed somewhere to go during the day. I usually stayed with my Grandma, but she died when I was 4. My Dad made arrangements for me spend the summer with Dr. Cullen's family. They had three children themselves, Alice who was my age, Edward who was 8 at the time and Emmett who was 10. Alice and I became instant best friends. We did everything together from playing dress-up to making mud pies out in the back yard. We were inseparable. We would cry and hold on to each other like our lives were ending at the end of each summer, knowing I would have to return to Pheonix until the following May. During the school year apart, we would write to each other weekly. When we met again the following ummer, we would pick up right where we left off.

For the'[]\\] most part, we ignored her brothers. I was secretly jealous, being an only child. When the boys would tease us for chase us, I didn't mind as much as Alice did. The summer I was 13, Alice and had walked down to the river to swim. There had been a storm the night before so it was larger than usual. A strong wind knocked my hat off and it landed on a rock down river, close to the other side. I sighed, annoyed, and went to swim after it. Alice had been sunbathing on the shore. When she heard the splash as I went out into the middle of the river, she cried out a warning. Being from the desert, I didn't really understand the dangers of currents in a swollen river. Before I could react to Alice's voice, the current dragged my feet out from under me. Although I was a strong swimmer, I could not get myself out of this current that at time would drag my head down underneath the black water. I kicked and thrashed my arms, but to no avail. The water was blinding as it splashed into my eyes. I tried to keep breathing, but water was filling my lungs. I started to lose hope. I then felt strong hands grab my arms. The water rushed mercilessly around me, threatening to break the connection.

"I got her, pull, Emmett," I heard Edward's voice against the rushing of the water around me. I felt my arms getting pulled further and further out of the pressure of the river. I could feel the ground beneath me know. I could feel Edward's arm around my waist, pulling my closer to shore. I coughed and

choked violently on the water that had filled my lungs and blackness started to take over my vision, my hearing.

The next think I know, I feel a mouth on me, pushing air into my lungs which causes me to cough again. I am being rolled to my side as my body rids itself of the river water. I take in a labored, but wonderful breathe and my eyes flickered open. I see Edward's face over me, a look of fear melts into a crooked grin. His head blocks the sun and the light goes around his head like he is an angel.

"Welcome back, Bella," He says, gently brushing his thumb over my cheek. That is the moment I knew I was in love with Edward Cullen.