*Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns the Twilight Saga and everything affiliated with it. I'm just playing wither her wonderful characters and ideas. Clive Staples Lewis wrote the Chronicles of Narnia.*
A few hours later, Carlisle came home from work. Edward and I returned to the main house so we could talk to him.
"Grandpa!" Nessie said excitedly as she jumped into Carlisle's arms and put her hand to his face.
"You are a beautiful ballerina, Nessie."
She touched his face again, smiling.
"You are very welcome dear," Carlisle said while setting her down. He walked over to Esme, sat down next to her on the couch, and kissed her.
"Carlisle," Edward said when they were finished, "Bella and I would like to talk to you about something."
"Why don't we go to my office," he suggested. Everyone but Alice and Nessie gave us inquisitive looks.
Edward and I followed Carlisle up the stairs and down the hallway to his office. I still remember the first time I came in there, even though it is a fuzzy human memory. Back then, I was scared that Edward's family, who are now mine as well, would not approve of me. Boy was I wrong. But now, we needed to figure out what to do about Nessie. Edward wrapped his arm around my waist and began talking.
"Carlisle, Nessie wants to take ballet lessons, and we are not sure what to do. Do you think it is even possible?"
"Well her accelerated growth is slowing, and we are going to have to move in a few months—"
I cut him off, "Wait, months? What about Jacob and Charlie?"
"Bella, people are starting to notice that we don't age. And, none of you, children can go in public, since you are supposed to be in college. But, we wouldn't have to move too far, so Charlie could still visit you and Nessie. And as for Jacob, he is welcome to come along or visit as often as he wants," Carlisle assured me.
"Alright. I understand. That would be okay," I replied as Edward kissed the top of my head to comfort me.
"As I was saying, I believe that as long as you enrolled her in a class far enough out of town, it would be alright until we have to move."
"Oh Nessie is going to be so happy! Edward, we should go tell her now!" I am so glad that Nessie is going to be able to do this.
"It is getting close to her bedtime, love. We don't want her awake all night with excitement," Edward reminded me.
"Alright, we can tell her tomorrow. Let's take her home and get her to bed."
Carlisle, Edward, and I walked back downstairs to find Emmett and Jasper playing their own version of chess that used eight joint boards lined up along the back wall, Esme looking at her latest plans, Alice working on a fashion design project, and Rosalie fixing Nessie some donated blood since we didn't take her hunting today. Nessie needed to feed more often than the rest of us.
"Nessie, once you are finished with your dinner, we are going home for the night," Edward said to her.
"Momma, Daddy, do we have to?"
"Yes sweetie, it's almost your bedtime," I told her.
Rosalie walked into the living room with Nessie's cup of blood and handed it to her. When she was finished drinking it, she hugged everyone good night. After Edward and I said good night to everyone, he pulled Nessie up onto his back, and we ran back to the cottage.
Edward took Nessie to give her a bubble bath while I turned down her bed and laid out her pajamas. Alice had taken the courtesy of adding clothes for Nessie to our already over stuffed closet. After Nessie finished her bath, I came in to brush and dry her hair. She was sitting at the mirror in her fluffy pink bath robe. Edward stood behind me with his arms around me while I stood there brushing Nessie's beautiful bronze curls. This was one of those perfect family moments that I wish could last forever, but unlike most families, we actually have forever. For that I will always be grateful.
"Momma, Daddy," Nessie asked, "have you decided if I can take ballet lessons yet?"
"We'll talk about it in the morning Nessie. It's almost bedtime," Edward told her.
"Alright Daddy," she sighed.
When her hair was brushed and dry, we walked into Nessie's room, and she put on her pajamas. Edward sat down on her bed and pulled her into his lap. I sat down next to them and opened the book we were reading, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. We had been looking for some new books to read with Nessie at night, and Carlisle had suggested The Chronicles of Narnia. We had just finished The Magician's Nephew last night. Nessie was really enjoying the series so far, and Edward and I loved spending time with her, just as our little family. Edward draped his arm over my shoulders; I opened the book to the first page and began reading.
"'Once there were four children whose names were Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy…'"
Nessie stifled a yaw after the end of the second chapter.
"Alright, time to go to bed," Edward told her.
"But, I want to find out what happens next," Nessie said as she yawned again.
"Tomorrow night, okay sweetie," I said as I put the book away.
Edward scooped her up and tucked her under the covers. He kissed her on the forehead, and then I did the same.
"Goodnight Nessie. Sweet dreams," I said.
"Goodnight sweetie. I love you," Edward told her.
"I love you too Daddy and you too Momma. Goodnight."
Edward turned off her lights and we headed to our room for the night.
"Thank you Bella."
"For what?" I had no idea what he was talking about.
"Thank you for fighting for our daughter. I will always hate myself for wanting to get rid of her."
"Oh Edward, you were just trying to protect me, and we both know how over protective you can be, especially when I was still human," I said smiling at my husband as I hugged him.
"I love you Bella," he said as he wrapped his arms around me and leaned in to kiss me. I opened my shield, as was custom now. It was a slow but building kind of kiss, and soon we were on the bed.
