This chapter will be Esme's perspective. I would like to cover her meeting her granddaughter in the beginning, so I would imagine that this takes place just after Esme and Carlisle get back. To avoid confusion, Carlisle is upstairs checking on Bella (who is in the early stages of transformation), and the Cullen's know of Jacob's imprinting.
A tiny child peeked out towards me, disappearing shyly into Rosalie's blond, wavy hair. Instinctively I leaned closer, eager to meet the newest addition to our large but strong family. My experience with newborns was limited to the few days I spent with my own precious child, but I could remember every second with my tiny boy so accurately. Taking a deep breath, I tried to repress the memories of crippling sadness so I could meet the new angel we have been blessed with.
"Hello, Renesmee," I whispered, unable to keep myself from smiling. The room was all but silent, only the sounds of breathing and heartbeats from the Quileute's and this half-human beauty in front of me. Like with any baby, little noise was made as not to disturb the newborn, but Renesmee didn't cry or wail like other children. Instead she hid shyly, perhaps overwhelmed with all these new people wanting to experience the glory all at once.
Only a few minutes ago we were receiving the news from Alice. Every second without contact had been agony, running towards home faster than we had ever run before. The last we had heard from anyone had been that the placenta was detached. Both Bella and the baby couldn't breathe. Then the sound cut off, disappearing for some reason we did not know. Every second which passed seemed like hours, not knowing if we would make it in time to save the most recent members of our family.
And then Alice called Carlisle. Watching his brow relax slightly and his mouth spread into a smile, I knew my daughter was okay. I couldn't contain my excitement as Carlisle delivered the news that Bella and her child were both safe and alive. As I found out that their child was in fact a girl, I couldn't help but feel shocked. I had relied so much on Bella's prediction; she was adamant that the little baby she carried was a boy. Then there was the floor of warmth as I heard her name. Renesmee, half Bella's biological mother, half my name. I couldn't think of a higher honour.
Renesmee moved, just a small shift of her hand from Rosalie's neck outwards, reaching towards the space between us. As if acting on instinct, I held my finger out to her, feeling strength much beyond that of a newborn baby as she grasped onto my finger. While Renesmee was only hours old, she was bigger than any other newborn baby I had experience with, at least two weeks old, physically. Even then, she seemed to be able to support her neck on her own, those Rosalie held her head cradled in her hand like an expert.
"Would you like to hold her?" Rosalie asked softly, offering Renesmee's small, blanket-wrapped body to me. I formed a cradle for her, holding her body close to my chest, her head against my shoulder. For the first time, I saw Renesmee's whole face, and gasped. She was absolutely stunning, more beautiful than any vampire or human or angel. In her face I could see my son, her straight nose and the curve of her eyes resembling his exactly. Bella was there too, shining in the brilliant, beautiful shade of her chocolate brown eyes, the rosiness of her cheeks reflecting the colour of her mothers. Even Charlie had a place in her curls, their bronze colour the same shade as Edward's hair. She was unlike anyone I had ever met.
A small, hot hand pressed against my neck, and there was a flow of images in my head. Rosalie had explained this to me, but I had never been able to understand until it happened. I could still see Renesmee through the vision, but the memories were strong in my mind. It started off somewhere dark and warm, with slightly muddy voices drifting from the distance. I breathed in one quick breath as I realised I was seeing what Renesmee saw before her birth, hearing the voices of her parents. It was such an amazing thing.
I cringed as the perfect family moment turned into something taken straight from the pages of a horror memory as Renesmee entered the world. Almost as if she could sense my discomfort, Renesmee shifted her thoughts, showing me more pleasant memories; her mother smiling at her for the first time, the sight of her father as she took her first breath, Jacob as he reached out towards her. Such a unique situation! I had listened patiently as Jacob explained imprinting to our family, watching the judging faces of some members as he struggled to describe his connection to Renesmee. Like I would do anything for her, be anything for her, that's how Jacob described it. Not romantic at all, but like a protector, or a brother. None of us, not even Rosalie, could deny that we wanted the same thing for Renesmee that Jacob did; for her to be happy, and for her to be safe.
After a few minutes, Renesmee dropped her hand, smiling blindingly at me. I beamed back at her, delighted to finally meet my granddaughter. I brushed my fingers through her curls, keeping her body close to mine. Renesmee captured all my attention so absolutely. The others had come closer, all huddled together, our eyes fixed on Renesmee. Emmett held his arms out, asking.
"My turn," Emmett said, impatient, as we all was to have our time with Renesmee. I leaned down to kiss Renesmee on the forehead.
"See you soon, Renesmee," I whispered to her, knowing she would understand every word. Her intelligence was as clear as day. "I'm going to go see your...parents, but I'll be back soon." Unwillingly I handed Renesmee over to the next person wanting to have time with her. With one last smile, I walked off towards the staircase.
Parents, I thought. I had been a biological parent myself, and since then I have always thought of myself as a parent to my children. Despite their age, and the lack of a biological connection between us, I have always fit into a mothering role with Edward, Rosalie, Emmett, Jasper and Alice. It's true, I do think of them as my children, Edward especially. Of course I love all my children equally, but I have always had a special spot for my youngest, or in some ways older son.
But now I was a grandmother. My children have a child together, now they too will be parents. There is not a doubt in my mind that they would both make amazing parents for Renesmee, even if they haven't met her properly yet. Maybe I should be bringing Renesmee upstairs, introducing her to her father. But then again, I would have to let Edward meet her in his own time. No doubt Bella has him more than anxious at the moment.
It was Alice who waited by the door, opening it for me as I reached the top of the staircase. Of course she would have seen me coming as soon as I decided to visit. There was little noise, only the slightly fast beating of a changing heart, a lot stronger than Bella's shallow breaths. The sight of my newest daughter had me frozen in the doorway. When we left, she had seemed so much better, laughing with colour in her cheeks. There was no colour to her now, whether that was a product of the venom working already or a sign of her condition, I was not sure. Seeing her body, broken, her legs splayed and her bones looking like they would break through her skin...I had to close my eyes and focus on her heartbeat to remind myself she had survived.
After a deep breath, I managed to open my eyes again. This was not fair of me to think this way. Of course Bella was alright. The venom was already healing her. In a couple of hours, she would look a hundred times healthier. Carlisle flitted around her body, checking her pulse, repositioning her legs, made lifeless by her broken spine. I could see that Alice had changed her into a lovely blue silk dress, not something Bella would choose, but beautiful all the same. The fabric looked loose around her body, but hopefully the venom would return her body to how it was before. It had for the rest of us.
Edward held Bella's hand, anxiety clear in his expression. Acting on instinct, I went to stand next to him, sitting in the seat Alice must have been sitting in before I came upstairs. I put my arm around his shoulders, a gesture meant to be comforting.
"She will be fine, Edward, you know that," I reassured him. He took a deep breath as if to calm himself before replying.
"I know," Edward said eventually. "She's just so still, and so...broken. I don't know if the venom will heal her properly..."
"Her injuries aren't much worse than mine were, Son. Her heart is strong, and already she is getting better. In a few days, she will be completely healed, and you won't have to worry about her getting hurt again." Edward didn't look so convinced.
"I think there is someone really wanting to meet you, should I get Rosalie to bring her up?" I offered, sensing he needed a change in topic.
"Not yet," Edward said knowingly. "She is fine at the moment, maybe in a few hours, when Bella is a little better. I don't want her feeling...guilty at all, seeing Bella at the moment. She's fine. I can hear her thoughts perfectly, so obviously she doesn't have Bella's mental block." Edward even smiled a little, before his brow creased and he looked back to his wife in concern.
"She is a lot like Bella, and you too, Edward."
"She has Bella's eyes, exactly. That was something I didn't expect, seeing her for the first time. I'm so glad I didn't lose that part of her. And her colour, too. She's so much like Bella," Edward mused. It was so like him to not see himself in her, even though he had seen her stunning hair and striking perfection long before the rest of us had seen her.
"Renesmee has your hair colour, and your face. And somehow, your gift has gone through to her," I explained, thinking how one so young could be so talented.
"I have seen it through Rosalie's thoughts, and then everyone else's as she has shown them what she is thinking," Edward shook his head, in awe. "I wonder if I would have noticed if I didn't know already. It does seem like she puts the thoughts into your head, so maybe I would have picked up on it."
"I'm sure you would have. She's so talented, Renesmee is. I can't wait for you to spend some time with her, Edward. You'll love her every bit as much as you love Bella. And she loves you every bit as much as she loves Bella," I told him, wondering if he had seen it in her thoughts, that there was a connection between them.
"I can see hear her thoughts, yes. It's hard to believe, though. Her loving Bella, I can understand completely. How could anyone not love Bella? But I still can't believe she would love me like she loves Bella, like a child would love their parent."
"But you are her parent, and she knows that, Edward, she knows who her dad is," I smiled at my son, a father, a parent now, like me. A little hesitantly, Edward smiled back.
"And she knows who her mother is, right from the very start she has known and loved Bella. Her intelligence is shocking really, but I can see her thoughts, see how she knows who Bella is, and how she understands what is happening to Bella now. I should have known after her rapid development in the womb, she would develop at an immense rate after birth. You don't think something is wrong, do you?" Edward asked frantically, looking up at Carlisle who had been silent throughout out exchange.
"I'm sure she's perfectly healthy, Edward. I'll go check on her right now, maybe take some measurements again. We should probably start tracking her growth, fast as it is, just to see if there is any pattern. Don't worry, Son, we can talk about this later. I'm sure you would like Bella to be involved in that particular conversation as well," Carlisle explained, to which Edward nodded in agreement.
I could see how hard it was for him, having to wait for Bella to wake up, suffering all the worry involved until them. I wondered if that is how Carlisle felt, waiting for me to complete the transformation. Mind you, I wasn't silent like Bella, and I had no idea what was happening to me, or what I would become. Bella went into this completely aware that she would come out the other side a newborn vampire. Could she hear us? Her body, so still and silent, suggested she heard nothing of the outside world at the moment. Seeing her face, expressionless and emotionless, I wondered how the venom was affecting her. Could she be in pain, so silent and quiet?
"She must be in pain," Edward responded, agonized, leaning over to press his lips to Bella's cheek.
"You don't know that. There is still a lot of morphine in her system, maybe that is keeping her numb? Don't take this out on yourself," I told him, rubbing my hand comfortingly on his shoulder, as I had done for Rosalie when Emmett was changing.
"I can't help it. Look at what I have done to her!" Edward said, looking horrified as he signalled to Bella's broken spine. I didn't know whether he was referring to her change, or if he still blamed himself for how Bella's health deteriorated during her pregnancy. Edward didn't answer my mental dispute; instead he closed his eyes and buried his head in his hands.
"You know Bella wouldn't want you blaming yourself for this. This is what she wants, remember, she chose this, to make the transformation. And she loves Renesmee, she was willing to die to save her, but she didn't have to. Bella will be okay. You have given her more than she has ever thought of," I tried again to reassure Edward, but he was stubborn. I wondered how much of his and Bella's personalities have gone through the Renesmee. She is impossibly caring and kind, full of love and devotion towards the ones she loves, just like Bella and Edward. And then she has her own personality, her own character. So much life in one little, but impossibly unique girl.
"I have never really thanked you," Edward said quietly after a long silence. Thanked me? For what? "For being there for Bella, for protecting her and listening to her when I didn't. Just thank you, for everything. For welcoming Bella into the family, and then Renesmee. It's more than I ever thought possible." I beamed at him, my heart flooding with warmth despite being physically cold.
"You're very welcome," I replied, still smiling. "You know Bella is like my own daughter, and now Renesmee is my granddaughter! Thank you, for both. Without you, I wouldn't have the honour of calling either of them my family members." Edward smiled in return, the happiest I had seen him in weeks.
Finally my family was all united. Couples were no longer torn apart by Renesmee's mystery; friendships are as if nothing happened. Renesmee has been the missing piece of our family we never knew existed. She's brought Rosalie to a level of happiness I rarely see in her. She's captured Alice, despite being blind to her. Even her uncle's can't take their eyes off her. I could only predict the feeling she would evoke in her parents. In only a few days, everyone will be happy and perfect. It seems like everyone will finally have their happily ever after.
Thanks for reading! if you have any ideas or wish to any particular perspectives, please tell me!