Chapter 3 The Cullen Addition (EPOV)

Carlisle was already sitting in his chair behind his desk. He stood as we walked in and held his hand out to the two waiting seats opposite him. "I do sincerely apologize for my rudeness and interupption but it's important." He smiled looking back and forth between us. "I have to thank you Bella, I haven't seen Edward this youthful and…happy in a long time. These 7 years with you have been a blessing, now that Renesmee is almost grown, it must be fun to act your human age."

Carlisle must be feeling sentimental, he had expressed his gratitude to Bella already, years ago. "It's my pleasure." she said sweetly as we glanced at each other. Our stares caused us to voluntarily take a deep breath as we got caught up in our "mood" again. A humanly clear of the throat coming from Carlisle brought our attention back to him.

"Also Edward, I commend you on the way you handled Nessie during the…talk earlier." Carlisle gave us a smile, "We had bets you would break something…thank you…I won, Esme thanks you too."

I shook my head, "Emmett and Jasper?" and rolled my eyes.

"Of course."

"Well again your confidence in me is more than I probably deserve as usual." I squeezed Bella's hand, "Is this what was so important?" I knew it wasn't but didn't know why he was stalling.

"No…there is no need to be alarmed or anything but we have had some news come to us from our friends in Denali. Kate and Garrett called while you were talking to Nessie and I thought it best to fill you in."

"Are they alright?" Bella asked concerned.

"Yes all is well…I know you are aware of the situation with Huilen and Nahuel. He has been adjusting without his aunt fine and adjusting to the lifestyle beautifully." I was glad to hear this. Huilen was Nahuel's mother's sister who had raised him since birth. Nahuel had become close to us and the Denali coven, we really wanted to learn about Renesmee as much as possible and he just fit in so perfectly with us all. Huilen had been killed and left Nahuel alone. At Garrett and Kate's wedding, they had chatted with Nahuel a great deal. They had really taken a liking to him before and had asked if he would like to live with them? Nahuel gladly accepted and this was the first I had heard of his time there.

"Well that is good to hear Carlisle I had been wondering how our friend was adjusting, we should invite him down soon. He hasn't seen Renesmee in a long time; I bet they would get along great." I said with a smile.

"Well…actually that's what brings you here. In Denali, the nearest high school is four towns over. Kate and Garrett are thinking about relocating here. They thought it would be a good idea to be close to us and Renesmee, since they are isolated; they want Nahuel to feel comfortable and experience life, after hearing Nessie was attending school, Nahuel asked if he could attend with her. Our lifestyle is what bonds us and they know he will be in good hands with us so close. Esme and I told them it was no problem at all for Nahuel to stay with us until they can get situated here and we are all excited to have him. We owe much more than loyalty to them for helping us."

"Nahuel…living here…that's great." Bella said excitedly. "Renesmee will be excited to have a friend in school that isn't her aunt or uncle."

"My thoughts exactly Bella." Carlisle smiled.

"So why the talk Carlisle, didn't you want to get everyone's opinion in the matter?" I was confused. Hid thoughts hadn't revealed anything to me yet.

"They know, they were present when Kate and Garrett called but really this meeting has more to do with Bella."

"Me?" Bella asked innocently.

"Well see…Nahuel is half vampire and half human as you well know, and he does fine in the presence of both. But high school will be new to him and it would help if…"

"Oh I see." Bella said with a deep breath, "You want to ask if I mind if Edward attended school…to keep an eye out on him, to make sure he is fitting in."

I looked at Carlisle reading his thoughts; I know you would never go without her. "Yes Bella, that was my intention, you know…it might do you some good to go too, I know it gets boring and with everyone in school there wont be much to do around here. We could always use your help. I am sure everything will be fine, but it would be nice if all of you were there, to make the transition easy on him. You know how kids can be and having a big family already established would make him more comfortable. Also truthfully, as I discussed with Kate and Garrett, it is much more believable to the humans that we are fostering him then them. Already the town knows a little about Esme and I and our extended family. Kate and Garrett could pass for high school students themselves. It was just more believable, you understand right?"

Bella nodded her head, "What about Nessie? She isn't going to like Edward and I there. I honestly don't mind attending school or if Edward wants to attend without me but I don't want to upset Ness."

"I'm not going without you love." I just didn't feel comfortable with it. It wasn't that big of a deal and Bella had nothing to worry about but what was the fun in going back to school if she couldn't go with me? I didn't like the idea of spending most days without her.

"I understand your concern and that's why Ness and the rest of them are downstairs waiting for the family meeting. I just wanted to fill you in before we told her the change of plans." Carlisle gave Bella a sympathetic smile. I gave her a reassuring nod and after a few moments she agreed.

Moments later we were all sitting around the dining room table, our family meeting spot. We all sat around as Carlisle stood at the head of it. He began filling everyone in about the addition to our family, repeating himself mostly because it was new to Renesmee. She seemed excited Naheul would be there and was looking forward to having him around. Then Carlisle hit her as gently as possible with the news.

"What?" she raised her voice and stood up, "this is your doing." she looked at me, it wasn't a question, "You just want to hover and watch every move I make." I prayed to myself for my sweet 7 year old daughter to come out but it looked like the sassy teenager wasn't going anywhere. I hated her to be angry with me. It made my non beating heart ache.

"I didn't have anything to do with this…I promise." I murmured sadly, it hurt me a great deal that she assumed I had something to so with this. I felt Bella's hand squeeze my leg under the table and it instantly calmed me.

"Nessie…baby, our intention is not to make you angry or uncomfortable; we will stay out of your way. And neither your father nor I had anything to do with the change of plans."

"They are right sweetie; I just filled them in minutes ago. I wanted to make sure they were okay with it before anything was decided." Carlisle chimed in, his voice was always so calming.

"And let me guess, they are both okay with it?" she huffed.

"Nessie…Nahuel has never attended an actual classroom before like you. His aunt home schooled him and he is both excited and nervous about it. Surely you can understand where his emotions are at. We just thought that if you guys were all together it would make the transition easier…that's all." Carlisle tried to explain, Nessie was less likely to give him attitude than Bella or I.

"Whatever." she whispered, tears had started to form in her eyes but her thoughts were more angry than sad. I wondered why she was so against me being there. It wasn't Bella at all. She rather liked the idea of her being there, but me…I was a different story. It made me think what the talk had to do with all of this. Could Nessie be thinking about boys already? Did she know I wouldn't stand for it and since I could hear what everyone was thinking including herself that she was less likely to keep the secret if she was to find herself interested in someone? Then my thoughts moved to Jacob, he wouldn't be happy about this and then a smile crept across my lips unintentionally and I hadn't noticed until Bella scorned me. Edward Cullen…stop that now. Can you at least act like you aren't enjoying this?

"Sorry baby." I spoke quickly and quietly and I was sure only Bella heard me.

Renesmee plopped back down on the chair, "So let me guess…Edward is my brother?" she said it almost disgusted, "I know your loving this…Edward." She said my name in the most hideous tone I have ever heard come out of her mouth. "Being able to control me and what I think or don't think, you do it to mom, well I am not mom, I won't let you control me, I'm an adult, I can do what I want!" She glared at me and then I was angry. This attitude and disrespect had to stop. Honestly I thought she would be the death of me, now I knew and if she kept this up, I may actually kill her myself, figuratively of course. I was about to reprimand her but to my surprise Bella did.

"Renesmee Carlie Cullen…don't you take that tone with your father." I was speechless and proud and weirdly turned on, "We know life around here can be crazy, we know the back story takes some getting used to, do you think I enjoy that fact that I can't act like your mother in public? When we are at home…address us like your parents and we deserve respect. This attitude has got to stop, you want to be human? I have no problem grounding you for all of eternity. If you want us to treat you like an adult than start acting like one, the only thing I see here is a spoiled little brat." Renesmee stared at her mother in disbelief, her lips quivered and tears streamed down her face.

"Well fine…I hate this…I hate both of you." Nessie screamed standing up and stomping her foot like a child.

Oh my god Edward, what have I done? Bella thought. I could feel the silent tearless sobs trying hard not to escape. I wrapped my arm around her.

"Renesmee…go to your room. We will figure out the back story and fill you in." I tried to speak as calmly as possible. Her lip was still quivering and her thoughts were blank, I think she was as shocked as the rest of us at Bella's outburst, which in my opinion and the minds of everyone sitting at that table was entirely justified.

Renesmee sat there staring at us, "I…" she wanted to apologize.

"Renesmee." I said more sternly; "Upstairs...now!" my voice was deep and had a growl behind it. I couldn't control it, I was angry but I also ached as I watched her turn in tears and flee from the dining room.

Bella's hand flew to her mouth. The whole family stared at her in disbelief. "I don't know where that came from." Bella whispered mortified. She began to get up, "I should talk to her." Bella's voice was shaking, her shield was still down and she was disgusted at her own behavior, not Nessie's.

I got up quickly stepping in front of her. I placed my arms around her waist, "No…let her think about what she did."

"Edward, I hurt her feelings, I called her a brat, she said…she hated us." Bella had was crying, tearless or not I never forgot the look. I felt a rush of happiness wash over us and I knew Jasper was trying, but it wasn't seem to be helping much over the initial hit. I was about to let her go, because again I couldn't deny that heartbroken expression when Carlisle spoke up.

"Bella sweetie, Edward is right…she needs to know she can not speak to her father like that, to any of us like that. She is bright child and outspoken, but she is passionate and caring, she will figure it out, she is acting normally, teenagers have tantrums, you did the right thing."

"I agree." Rosalie added, "Bella honey, she was being a brat. If I ever talked to my father like that I would have gotten slapped."

"Love, you were not wrong, she was acting spoiled and spiteful and there is no excuse for what she said, if you hadn't said something, I would have." I looked around the table and everyone nodded quickly. "Let her think about her actions." I lovingly placed the back of my fingers to her cheek, running across her jaw.

Bella hesitated and stared into my eyes. I could see the pain and guilt but after a moment she quietly nodded and moved from my embrace, sitting back down at the table.

The mood was indeed different then. Things hadn't been that serious in our home in a long time. No one spoke and for the moment I blocked their thoughts. I knew they were trying to block them too.

"Well…we should discuss the back story, of course everyone will be a Cullen but the need for more of a story will always be warranted." Carlisle continued, "You can choose to keep your maiden names if you wish. I don't mind either way, but I know it gets difficult for all of you when you're with your mates. did send over everyone's documents, it will be a day or so before Nahuel has any sort of identification. All of you are enrolled except Bella and Edward. I will make a call to principle Dregs in the morning so they will be expecting you. Go ahead and go to the office tomorrow morning and work out the classes and such." Carlisle took a deep breath looking at Bella as she looked at her hands in her lap, then he eyed me, It's part of being a parent Edward, she wont be mad at you or Bella forever, she did the right thing, please tell her so for me.

"So I guess that's all, Naheul will be here tomorrow afternoon, he won't be attending the first day but maybe that's better, you all know how hard the first day is, the looks, the thoughts." He looked at me, "It will give you a chance to handle it and hopefully it won't be overwhelming to Naheul. Does anyone have any questions?" he looked at the somber faces, "Ok well, whoever is going to hunt should go. Esme and I will go when you return so someone is here for Nessie." Carlisle held out his hand to Esme and she took it and they walked away.

I stared at Bella as she slowly stood up. I didn't notice the rest of my family staring, even though their thoughts were exploding, shocked, nervous, concerned about Nessie, and concerned more for Bella. All of us were from another time. We didn't speak to our parents the way Nessie had. Like Rosalie had said, if we did there would have been huge consequences. Most of us grew up in a time where hitting and harsh discipline was enforced, normal even. To us, what Bella had done was customary, to Bella, it seemed to be the worse thing to do. Bella wasn't a difficult teenager, besides the craziness she had got in because of me. But over all she didn't talk back to Charlie or Renee. Her mother had treated her like a friend and not a parent and I had seen the same relationship developing between Renesmee and Bella. There was a difference, Bella was taking care of us, not the other way around.

"Bella honey…you should hunt, we all will, it will be better if all of us have control when we arrive at the high school." I said as I grabbed her hand. She looked down at it and then met my gaze. She didn't say anything she just gave me a nod. She was quiet and reserved and I hated it. Alice, Jasper, Emmett and Rose got up and moved toward the window. Everyone was looking at Bella, almost waiting for her to do something, say something. She was like a zombie.

Dude Edward…do something…she looks dead…no pun intended. Emmett thought.

She will be ok Edward…she is just sad I think, she will be better after a good hunt. Alice said chipper.

Bella was right in yelling at Nessie and for calling her brat. She has to remember, she is like a child to all of us, we all love her and she gets whatever she wants. We all know it Edward it was only a matter of time before it caught up. We all need to realize, even though we love her more than life, she can't always get away with everything. Rosalie said in honesty. She was right but she was one of the people that always gave her what she wanted, even if bella and I said no, so I took it with a grain of salt.

Bella stepped up to the window, I joined her on the ledge, I reached down to take her hand. I held it but she never grasped back, instead she leaped from the window, landing silently with both feet and ran to catch up with Alice. My thoughts and anger that I felt with Nessie disappeared for the moment and I wondered what was wrong with Bella. Was she upset at me? I quickly caught up with the group, most had fanned out. I saw Bella's attention focus east and I knew she was stalking her prey. I took a whiff as the wind moved past and caught the stench of the grizzly about a mile southeast. I hated to watch Bella hunt things such as bears. Old habit I guessed, he wouldn't hurt her but it was just easy to worry about her. I saw Emmett's head turn and Bella raised her eyebrows at him, a challenge? Maybe a hunt was all she needed?

Bella was off silent and quick, some of her newborn strength had subsided but she was still stronger than the other girls. I watched almost humorously, ignoring the number of elk Jasper and Alice had found, Bella had the bear in sight, she noticed him before Emmett had a chance and while it registered to him she sprung, jumping to his back.

Damn it, Emmett cursed to himself. He huffed as a line of obscenities ran out of his mouth quietly, he wanted that grizzly. I smiled and shook my head but then something happened that I had never seen from Bella. The bear swatted at her, missing her but then jerked and Bella went flying off of his back, hitting a tree. Emmett was quick as he jumped before the bear had even registered he threw Bella off. With a swift jerk the bear's neck cracked and Emmett sunk his teeth in as the bear fell to his side.

I ran to Bella. I knew she wasn't hurt, but again it was habit. She huffed as she got up and brushed down the front of herself glaring at Emmett.

Emmett lifted his head, running the back of his hand across his mouth wiping the blood away, "Want some?" he said feeling badly.

Bella shook her head, and huffed again, "Ass." she said almost so quietly I didn't know if anyone heard. If Emmett had he didn't care.

"Fine…suit yourself." Emmett shrugged and continued to drain the enormous male.

"Bella?" I tried to reach for her seeing she was upset but she pulled away.

"I am just going to go back to the house Edward, I am not in the mood to hunt I guess." she said calmly without eye contact.

"Bella…love, you really should hunt." I tried to explain, "You haven't been around human blood as long as we have. High school will be hard enough for all of us, especially since it has been years since any of us attended. It will take some getting used to to build our tolerance up again, it will make it easier if you have fed." I tried to explain but she just stared at me.

"Fine." she breathed out and just within an instant she ran.

I looked at Alice, Jasper, Emmett and Rose utterly confused. I knew she was upset with what had happened to Renesmee but why was she upset with me?

I don't know what's wrong with her Edward…maybe you should go after her. Alice thought.

Almost as though the others heard Alice which I know they hadn't, they had their opinions too.

Just leave her be…let her hunt and have some time alone. Rosalie thought sternly.

She'll be okay Edward. Jasper gave me a small comforting smile.

I looked in the direction Bella had went and took off. Rosalie was probably right but I didn't want to be away from her, I wanted to comfort her and understand why she was angry with me. I followed her scent a few 100 yards north and stopped as I found her sitting on a log. A drained mountain lion lay to the right of her. I was impressed. She knew I was there but didn't turn to look at me. As I slowly walked behind her my head tilted as she sat quietly.

"Looks like your finding all of our favorites tonight." I said lightly.

She was silent.

I continued to walk closer to her, "Bella." I whispered placing my hands on her shoulders from behind. I gently started kneading them and I felt her relax. "Please talk to me my love…this is torture."

"It's nothing." she whispered.

I moved in front of her, kneeling to the ground so I was eye level. I placed my hands on her knees spreading them lightly so I could move between them and get closer to her, "Are you angry with me?" my hand found the back of her head making her look at me.

She stared into my eyes and shook her head.

I traced the contours of her face as she looked at me. Running my fingers across her lips, "You have to stop being mad at yourself for what happened in the house. You were just being a mother…and you are a damn good one." my voice hitched deeper at the end. I hadn't meant to and it sounded more harsh but I was serious, she was.

"I just feel horrible, not entirely for yelling at her, she had it coming but I guess…" Bella looked down, "I guess I am hurt she feels so strongly about us going. Do you think she is embarrassed by us?" she asked.

I sighed, "No…and to be honest honey, she wasn't upset you were going…it was me."

Bella tilted her head at me sadly, "Why you and not me?"

I shrugged sorrowfully, "I don't know exactly, I assumed it was because I was stricter than you, more protective. She has no problem with you going. She considers you both a mother and a best friend." I smiled at her to try and encourage her to cheer up. She didn't buy it.

"Well that doesn't make me happy, I didn't like how she talked to you." Bella placed her hand on my cheek. Her fingers grazed down it, she stopped at my chin and gently pulled it to her. She kissed me softly, running her tongue delicately across my lips parting them before meeting tenderly with mine. My hand found the small of her back and jerked her toward me, deepening the kiss. Vampires have really short attention spans. Your memory and mind is endless, your senses are strong and precise, but with hearing and sight, comes touch and other sensations. They are heightened too. The sparks and electricity that Bella and I had when she was human had also heightened and it was easy to lose focus and get caught up with it. As it was for anything we did, hunting, arguing and sex. The relationships that my family had with each other were very human and attached. It's what set us aside from others of our kind. Meeting Bella had made me get in touch with my human emotions and as I kissed her I began to think about what Renesmee said. About controlling her and controlling her mother. I pulled away and looked down thinking about the way Bella had looked at my hand when a grabbed it, I was gentle but she pulled away. I was old fashioned, men and women were not equal like they were now. I didn't mean any harm or sexism by the way I treated my wife but part of me questioned if Bella thought that way. I suddenly became sad and wondered if Renesmee had noticed my actions or if Bella had confided in her. Of the little time I was human, I remembered my mother and father. I remembered my father worshipped the ground my mother walked on. He supported her with his love and money and took care of her and my needs as best as he could. I was taught to be respectful to women, to shower them with presents and love and to take care of them. It was customary as a man to take care of his woman. But I realized Bella had grew up in a time when woman were independent. They had careers and didn't just stay home taking care of the kids, making sure the laundry was done and there was dinner on the table. She had never shown any sort of anger towards me for the way I treated her but…I still couldn't stop thinking about it.

"What is it?" she whispered leaning her forehead against mine as she closed her eyes.

I shook my head, I didn't want to upset her more. "Nothing…are you done? I should hunt but if you want to go back, I could just meet you home when I'm finished?" I tried to ask her politely and not make it sound as though I was telling her what to do.

She looked at as if she was trying to read my mind. Knowing she couldn't I just smiled lightly at her and kissed the tip of her nose. After a few moments she sighed.

"Alright." she agreed. "Alice will probably want to discuss my outfit." she forced a smile and a joke.

I forced a laugh as well. I concentrated on Alice and saw she was already going through our closet. "Your shield isn't your only gift sweetheart. She is wondering if you will go out for cheerleader with her and has already picked three choices for you ." I smiled.

"Great." Bella rolled her eyes. She leaned in and kissed me again. "There is another mountain lion 3 miles to the west. And a black bear." She raised her eyebrows to me. Her senses were so on point tonight, I had been too preoccupied with her to notice. I nodded and gave her a smile, kissing her deeply one last time before she got up.

"See you at home." I said as I watched her walk away.

She smiled at small smile at me. I knew she was still upset but she was putting up a good front. I ran my fingers through my hair as I tried to get the direction of the lion. My mind was all over the place thinking about Renesmee and Bella. I had to hunt, high school was like a Vampire's dream. Surrounded by young humans. They smelled sweet and potent. It was one thing to go into to town and come across them in passing, it was another to be surrounded by them, confined to closed classrooms. Just thinking about it made me thirsty. Putting aside my concerns of my two girls, I picked up the lion in the area and sprung to take her down. At this point both the lion and the black bear were going to be mine tonight, just thinking about the thoughts I would have to endure tomorrow with Bella and Renesmee. I had already caught glimpse of what Alice had picked out for Bella to wear. I was going to have to behave and not let my temper get the best of me.

So what is everyone thinking? I know there has been an absence of Jacob and I don't mean there to be. He will most definitely be part of this story. He will actually be in the next chapter, I just didn't really know how to fit him into this but he will be back. Please tell me what you're thinking, review review review and thanks for reading ;P Also do you guys think it would be smart to change the rating to Teen? I feel when its rated M that it doesn't get read as much and even though my stories do contain sex it is rarely smut filled. Just wanted an opinion.