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Act II
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They were talking about the light haired female again. She felt the weight of their emotions on her. It annoyed her. She was too young and too pretty to have to deal with their sadness.
The female, Rosalie, would be proud if she was still living. She was the first to provide the most powerful being alive with sustenance. Okay, she wasn't the most powerful. She was still a baby after all. But she would be, soon.
The two dark haired females were crying again. Apparently they didn't agree with her assessment. Not that they would know her opinion. She had to stay silent until her mother awoke. Until then she would play the perfect, albeit well developed, baby.
Twenty hours and some minutes had already passed since Jasper left for his hunt. Her forced silence was already gritting on her nerves. She couldn't even show too much intelligence around them.
Only the scarred male, Jasper. He said his name was Jasper. The others had looked at him strangely for conversing with the infant. Screw them.
No. Jasper used nicer words. Fuck em.
She'd been with him for most of the hours since her birth. The others would ask if he wanted assistance but their emotions betrayed them. They were still wary of her. They sensed the danger in her, hidden behind a cherub face and thick curls.
But Jasper went in search of prey. He'd explained that to her. Hunting and their diet, strictly animals. They expected her to follow that example in the future.
Morons. Why hunt lesser beings when vampires were so, delectable? Wolves were just as good. Humans, not so much, they were a bit bland. Satisfying but compared to supernaturals, they were boring.
She could only imagine what animals tasted like. Maybe not so far off from the wolves.
The male who fathered her entered the room. They'd moved her from her mother's room, for safety. It was yet to be said whose safety they were worried about.
She side eyed the male, Edward, he was keeping his distance from her. Good. He spoke to the two females in whispered tones, something was happening.
Another male entered, Carlisle.
"We have to measure her. And she needs to be fed and changed."
Finally, the smart one. She'd been mellowing in her own filth for minutes now. Couldn't they smell it?
Esme, the only other vampire, besides Jasper, that actually held her so far, stepped over and picked her up.
The bath was quick but fulfilling. She felt clean.
The smart one came forward with a long tape. He was going to measure her again. She patiently allowed him to work. Whining wasn't on the schedule. With Jasper, her only ally, gone she had to play nice.
"She's four inches taller than when we measured her eight hours ago." Carlisle's voice was grave.
"If she continues to grow like this..."
"Don't. Let's not think negatively. There are more pressing things to think about. Like how soon we plan to leave Forks after Bella awakes." It was Esme who spoke.
Alice whimpered, "She'll miss Charlie."
That was a new name. She never heard any of them mention this Charlie.
"She knew what she was getting into." Edward said irately, he left the room without another word.
Esme stopped Alice from going after him, "Give him time. He has a lot to deal with right now."
Where were they going? She wanted to hear more about this Charlie. Was he or she an obstacle that needed to be removed from her mother's path?
They left her in the room, in the stupid cage they called a crib. Getting out wouldn't be a problem, going unnoticed was. Even if none of them outwardly paid her mind, she knew they were watching her.
Never mind. She had ways of getting information. It was the one good thing that moron did for her, other than aiding in her creation of course. It wasn't to his level of mind reading, however she didn't have to suffer mundane thoughts like he did. She would have to focus.
Laying back in the crib, she closed her eyes and focused her mind, aiming for the psychic. She searched the female's mind for everything on this Charlie. It was then that she found out that there was a large settlement of humans not so far away. Forks.
Charlie lived there. The father of her mother. A liability. He was still human, therefore he would be a hindrance in her mother's new life. He would have to die. As a kindness to her mother, she wouldn't drink from him. He wouldn't suffer.
The problem was getting to the human without these beings noticing. A distraction, but what? Even if she found one, there was still a problem getting there. She couldn't crawl and she had yet to actually try walking. Walking took practice and she couldn't practice at all. The fools of this group would 'freak the fuck out', Jasper had told her to hold off on the grand occurrences for a while.
The shortest female came back in the room, Alice. She was carrying clothes in her hands.
"Come on Renesmee. Mommy wouldn't want you sitting around in diapers all day."
Like you care what 'mommy' would want.
She stayed silent as stuffy and itchy clothing was forced onto her. Play nice. It was a dress, according to the female. A pink sundress.
The female leaned in and whispered as if gossiping with an old friend, "Don't tell the others but I'm so happy you're the size of a toddler. We can play dress up."
I will take great pleasure in removing your innards and squeezing them dry.
"Are you hungry?" Alice asked at the baby's angry warbling. She hoisted her into her arms and hurried off to the kitchen.
The psychic made quick work of heating up a bottle of baby formula and strolled into the living room, with the child still in her arms. She placed the child onto the floor and handed her the bottle.
The child eyed the bottle in her hands with contempt. It was filled with that ghastly liquid the one called Carlisle had tried feeding her. She dumped the bottle carelessly on the floor and began to crawl away from the female.
Alice watched dumbfounded as the child moved towards the stairs. The baby was on the fifth step when Alice decided to scoop her up.
"Where are you going? Want to see mommy?"
She nodded. At least the female wasn't completely useless and almost all of the family members had accepted she was intelligent. But this female was so annoying. The baby found herself regretting killing that other female. She would have been a perfect doting minion. Someone to worship her in every way and form.
She cursed her infantile mind for that incident. The hunger was too much for his juvenile mind it appeared.
They entered the room and was greeted by silence. Edward sat on an armchair beside the window wall, staring out with a blank stare. Bella lay prone on the bed, decked out in the impractical blue dress.
Alice bounced the child in her arms, trying to gain Edward's attention. When the baby made a displeased sound at being jostled, he turned to stare emptily.
"She shouldn't be in here." Edward said reproachfully to his sister. Alice pouted, clearly disagreeing.
"Yes she should. When Bella awakes they won't get to see each other immediately. She's still a baby, which means she'll need this time."
Edward frowned and turned away with a grumble. Since Rose's death, Alice had tried her best to show the child some attention. Attention they all knew Rose would have given the child. It was halfhearted though. They were all uncomfortable around the little mystery. The child regarded them with an air of indifference most of the time, all expect for Jasper.
Alice tried to hide her grimace at his dismissal, but moved to the bed nonetheless. The child wasted little time in climbing out of her arms and onto the bed to lie beside her mother. She cuddled into her mother's still form and garbled nonsense.
Inwardly, she was making plans. The black haired female said she wouldn't be able to see her mother during her reawakening. Outrageous.
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"Peter, how are you brother?"
"The fuck Jasper? Why so proper and shit?"
"This isn't really a friendly call."
"No fucking shit! You never call me anymore. I've been feeling so unloved. First Char decides she won't let me fuck her in the ass anymore coupled with you constantly ignoring my calls. It's a wonder I haven't tried to off myself yet. You heartless fuck."
Why did he call this idiot again?
"Good for Char." Jasper muttered to himself, "My place in Colorado, is it livable?"
"Depends on what you consider 'livable'."
"Four walls and a roof."
"Floor optional?" Peter quipped before continuing, "You got the space. Haven't been there in this decade. Last time I saw it there was a family of rats living in the kitchen. No plumbing but there is that monster generator. What's up? Thinking about a move?"
"Yes." Jasper replied, not willing to elaborate.
"That dreary ass backwaters town not doing it for you anymore?"
Jasper sighed mentally, "You know Edward recently married—"
"Poor girl." Peter immediately sympathized, "Or guy."
"Girl. She's going through her change now. Which means I'll have a newborn to deal with soon."
Noticing his emphasis, Peter asked, "Cullens are fucking useless with the youngin' eh? Figures. Tell me, why waste your time with this lil' thing? Far as I see, its Edster the no-longer-a-spinster's problem."
"The change came as a surprise. Edward isn't taking it well."
Peter scoffed loudly, "Did he go crying to mommy? Notice you didn't answer my question…Lemme guess. She's cute."
More than cute, Jasper thought to himself, "Quit thinking with your dick Pete."
"Fuck off Jazzy. I told you not to call me that you pussy whipped motherfucker. Does Edster know you think about fuckin' his wife?"
"I don't. She was human only two days ago."
"So? Like you never dipped the D in some warm lil'—"
"Captain."
Peter laughed at his brother's shout of indignation, "So testy. Alice not putting out eh? It's a conspiracy. Char's been acting like a friggin' nun lately and not in the fun way."
"Again, good for her."
"Fuck you Major."
"No."
"Wasn't an offer, cactus dick."
"Where do you get your insults, Disney?" Jasper chuckled.
"Like those lil' shits would ever say dick. Anyways, need help with that hot newborn? Is she a redhead? Say yes, I've been wanting to get the big boy wet by a redhead."
"Brunette." There was no point in evading the question. Peter didn't give up easily and his mind lived in the gutter.
"Oho! Major, you tots wanna tap that."
"Tots? Didn't think you hung around teenage human girls Pete."
"They love me, what can I say."
"No. I don't need your help with the newborn. I handled you well enough."
"Yeah and look how awesome I turned out. Char's home, gonna see if she's given up the celibacy act."
He hung up before Jasper could respond. He didn't bother getting pissed by it. He had plans to make. Like how were they going to fake Bella's death well enough to convince Charlie?
They were already filling his head with the spiel of her contracting a virus in South America. Carlisle was going to break the news of her death to Charlie within the week. But even that wouldn't be enough. Charlie would want to see her body to give her a proper burial, something that was impossible.
They could just tell him they cremated her. Again, not very convincing. The family thought that would be enough, he disagreed.
It was the reason he'd suggested using the good old car accident routine. Bodies burnt beyond recognition.
He'd have to think on it further. Right now he had to get back to the house. There was a stewing newborn and killer hybrid baby waiting for him. As he ran, he tried to push thoughts of Rosalie out of his head.
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He entered the house and found everyone, including the baby, in the living room in the middle of a heated discussion.
He immediately moved to Alice, who was holding the baby. She instantly handed the devil child over to him.
"What's wrong?"
"Charlie called. To tell us about the death of Jacob Black. Hunting accident." Carlisle said softly, his voice heavy with emotion.
"He wanted you to tell Bella." Jasper deduced. He got a nod as a reply.
"Alice thinks we could use this to our advantage." The doctor explained, "Claim that Bella immediately decided to come back to Forks. But couldn't stay on a plane. So she and Edward decided to drive back."
"Car accident." Jasper finished with a nod.
"Charlie will be devastated. His friend losing a child like that, only to lead to him losing his." Esme whimpered, burying her face in her hands.
Jasper grimaced, he agreed. The man would lose it. He almost wanted to just kill the man to prevent the suffering.
Emmett seemed to think along the same line, "Might as well kill him ourselves."
Esme gasped, Carlisle reprimanded him. Jasper ignored them, in favor of the child in his arms.
"Did anyone feed her?"
Alice informed him, "She doesn't want the baby formula."
"What about the blood we have on ice?" He asked impatiently.
Carlisle shook his head, "No, we have to be careful with feeding her human blood."
You have to be careful she doesn't eat you instead. Jasper thought wryly.
"If we're done discussing this…I'll return to Bella's side." Edward said stiffly and zoomed out of the room.
"Has he even held her yet?" Jasper asked bitterly.
"He just needs time Jasper." Esme tried to appease.
Jasper scowled but said nothing, "I'm going to feed her. Blood. I'd rather not have her munching on me again."
"You'd think she likes venom more than blood the way she bites." Alice said with an uneasy chuckle.
He didn't respond to her either, instead he walked into the kitchen. In less than a day he'd already developed a routine with the little imp. It seemed like he was the only one bothering to feed her. The rest of the family either tried to force baby formula on her or just outright ignored her. He could understand why Emmett seemed distant. He lost his mate. But Edward had no excuse. His mate was changing. But the way he acted, one would assume he'd lost his will to live as well.
It was insulting, to Emmett especially, who had suffered the ordeal and was now impatient for death.
He watched the child drain the bottle of blood slowly.
"What should I call you?" He thought to himself. His eyes moved to the herbs jars sitting on the island behind the child. He grinned.
He took the bottle when she handed it to him, "So…Would you mind if I called you Cilantro?"
Surprisingly, the little imp didn't growl at his suggestion, like she did when the family called her Renesmee.
He chuckled as he washed the bottle, "Cilantro it is then."
With the feeding done, he took her upstairs, into his study.
"What should we read?" He asked her, gesturing to the bookcase. She pointed.
The Art of War by Sun Tzu.
He wasn't surprised by the choice, more so that she understood words already.
"Should have expected that." He commented to himself as he pulled the book from the shelf and moved to lie on the chaise lounge beside the window. He held her to his chest and opened the book.
He'd gotten to the third chapter when he realized she was asleep. Staring down at her cherub-like face one would never expect such an innocent looking child to be such a vicious killer. But that didn't stop the surge of protectiveness in him. The damn child had cemented her place in his unbeating heart already. Much like the way her mother did.
Bella had trampled into his life with her clumsiness and openhearted disposition, accepting his family without thought. He didn't expect to feel anything towards the human. He denied it for the first months, until James hunted her.
Traveling to Arizona together had been what started their fledging friendship. But then her disaster of an eighteenth birthday put a temporary stop to that. Then there was the newborn Army. That single conversation he had with the doe eyed girl in the clearing, the day he told her his history, was monumental in forging a relationship with her.
Fast forward to the present and that protectiveness had tripled. Seeing her wither away because of the child she carried was heartbreaking, but the strength and determination he felt from her had rocked him. Sure she was foolish for risking her life in such a way, but it was her decision to live with, or die with.
She was changing now. With his venom coursing through her. He didn't know why that made him giddy. No, that was a lie. He knew why. He just wasn't willing to admit that Peter had been spot on with his assessment.
Cilantro stretched in his arms and yawned softly, invoking a smile from the usually stoic man. This child had managed something that took years for others. He would protect her, with his life.
He carefully placed the book on the lounge before carefully standing and heading into his adjoined bedroom. He settled into the bed, little Cilantro resting on his chest, still in deep sleep. Gently, he caressed her head of curls, making her sigh adorably.
He smiled again.
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"She's about to awake." Alice's whisper echoed through the house. Jasper stood firmly at the foot of Bella's bed, waiting.
Esme was with the baby. Alice and Carlisle were with Emmett. Edward and Jasper were the only ones in the room. They didn't want to overwhelm her when she awoke. Edward didn't want him there to begin with. But he was the only one with experience to deal with her.
Her heart had stopped more than fifteen minutes ago, but she hadn't opened her eyes. He knew she was aware though. She breathed deeply, familiarizing herself with the new scents, he deduced.
It was a strange behavior for a newborn. He should be more surprised. But spending two days with a baby hybrid had taken all surprise out of him. Bella could jump up and declare she was the pope and it would not faze him.
She inhaled through her nose and exhaled through her mouth. Her eyes opened. Edward reared back with wide eyes. Bella sat up and looked to Edward, then to Jasper.
The empath swallowed loudly. Okay, he wasn't expecting that.
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"Bella?"
She didn't turn to address the mind reader. Her eyes were locked on the scarred male standing by the foot of the bed. He stood tall, his back slightly arched as if waiting for an attack. His fingers curled carefully, tense and ready.
She looked pass him and found a large floor to ceiling mirror standing behind him. She saw her reflection. Beautiful. She glanced around the room. Tiny dust motes drifted in the air, sunlight reflecting off them strangely.
Inhale. Scents. Things she'd never smelt before. Foreign, new. But there were familiar scents. Like the scent of the male standing at her right. She looked to him.
Handsome, chiseled features, reddish brown hair and dark hollow eyes. Her eyes moved back to the other male but soon focused on her reflection again.
Red eyes. She was finally a vampire. Pale, but not unnaturally so like the two males in the room. The burn of venom was something she remembered keenly. Long lustrous brown curls fell around her.
Red eyes. Black cat-like pupils. She gasped and sat up straighter. Her pupils dilated into wide circles, almost blocking out the red in her eyes.
Edward inched closer, his hand outstretched, "Love are you—"
Bella's growl stopped him immediately. Jasper glared at his brother for his abruptness.
"Edward. Stay." The major instructed, his eyes never left Bella. She turned to him and frowned, confused.
"Do you remember anything Bella?" Jasper asked carefully, keeping his voice low and even as to not startle her.
She nodded, "Everything. Where is she? Where is my Renesmee?"
An almost silent hiss of annoyance was heard down the hall. Bella's eyes widened.
Jasper smiled, but didn't expose his teeth, "Unfortunately, she doesn't like that name. She bites anyone who calls her that."
Bella's forehead creased and her plump lips formed a pout, "How can she?"
"She's a very smart little girl Bella. Too smart."
"How long…" She paused, eyeing Edward who seemed put out by the conversation, "How long has it been?"
"Two days." Edward replied, his voice heavy with misery. Jasper wanted to smack him over the head. Bella seemed to notice his behavior as well, she frowned at her husband but turned her attention back to Jasper.
"Two days?" She whispered in surprise.
"Yes." Jasper nodded. He was about to comment on the shortness when she suddenly leap from the bed and moved pass him in a blur. He stiffened. She was fast, even for a newborn. Her scent washed over him as she passed. He felt his dick twitch.
Goddamn, he was in trouble.
She stood before the mirror, her fingers touching her cheek, "My eyes…What's wrong? It shouldn't look like this." She said in a panic, her eyes constricted and dilated within seconds.
Jasper slowly turned and felt Edward move to stand beside him. The mind reader had finally noticed the abnormality.
"Bella," Jasper said softly, "How do you feel?"
She glanced at his reflection, into his golden eyes and felt a stirring in her stomach, "Like I've been sleeping for two days straight."
Jasper couldn't help his chuckle at her reply, "I meant if you're thirsty. You seem to be adjusting well. Almost too well. Like nothing at all happened."
"Like I'm still human." Bella said in a small voice before continuing, "Does an annoying burn in my throat mean I'm hungry? Er, thirsty?"
"Yes," It was Edward who answered. His face was set in a displeased mask. He moved to approach her, but Jasper stopped him.
"She's still a newborn, trying to cuddle with her now could result in you losing a limb."
"Don't be ridiculous. Bella would never hurt me." Edward huffed and shoved Jasper's arm away.
Bella stepped away from him when he tried to hold her.
This was her husband. Why did she feel such annoyance when she looked at him? Only two days ago she had been vying for some attention from him.
That was it. She remembered how he'd acted during her pregnancy. It had gritted on her nerves how callous he was towards her. Sure, she could have died because of her baby, but she would give her life for that child. Edward had wanted to kill her baby, their baby.
He's tried to force an abortion on her when they'd returned from the island, completely ignoring her pleas. She growled at the memory.
It was only Rosalie, Esme and Emmett standing by her side that stopped him and Carlisle. Alice agreed with him. She couldn't see Bella's future, which meant the baby had to go.
Sparing a glance to Jasper, Bella frowned. It took her a while to recall what he had done during her pregnancy. He'd voiced his opinion once and left her be.
The child could possibly kill her, but it was her decision whether she would take that risk or not. He called her foolish for wanting to keep it but stated that her resolve and love for the unborn child spoke volumes. It was worth it.
There was nothing else said between them after that. He would sometimes shadow her, drawing away some of the pain and discomfort, but still kept his distance. Bella suspected it was out of respect for Alice, since the clairvoyant couldn't stay close to Bella without a headache.
"Where is she?" Bella asked loudly, stepping further away from them and closer to the door.
Jasper mentally slapped himself for his slip up. The conversation with her had been so civil he'd almost forgotten she was a newborn. He noticed her glance to the door.
He sighed and inched closer to her, "She's half human Bella. It's possible you might want to—"
"NEVER! I would never hurt her!"
And she was gone. Something broke down the hall. The door. Jasper quickly followed.
He found the door to the nursery in splinters. Bella was backing them, leaning over the crib. Esme was on the floor, her head twisted all the way around.
"Ma!" the happy exclamation from the child stalled him. Bella had her baby in her arms, she cooed softly and inhaled her child's scent.
He stepped into the room and slowly made his way to Esme. Bella turned to stare at him. She looked at Esme and blinked.
"She tried to stop me." Was all the information she offered before going back to whispering sweetly to her child, "You've gotten so big!"
A crunch and soft shriek pulled Bella's attention back to the others in the room. Jasper had fixed Esme's neck and gestured for Carlisle to slowly approach. Bella smiled at him before frowning.
"Oh, sorry about Esme. I…Huh…"
"She'll be fine Bella." Carlisle quickly appeased but grabbed his wife and left the room quickly.
Jasper stood staring at mother and daughter, waiting for the typical newborn anxiety to catch up with Bella.
"Ma pwetty!"
Bella gasped and looked to Jasper.
He smiled, "Like I said, she a smart little girl."
Smart, and devious, evil, manipulative…Adorable, intelligent, strong. He continued mentally, She killed your best friend by the way.
He didn't know how he wasn't going to break the news of Jacob and Rosalie's deaths. Or how he was going to tell her it was her little angel that did it.
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