Disclaimer: Twilight is the creation and property of Stephenie Meyer. This fanfiction is nothing more than an homage to her series of books, which most of us wish never had to end. Any references to plot devices/characters/etc. used in Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn, or the draft of Midnight Sun belong exclusively to Stephenie Meyer. The short lyrical reference in this chapter is from Pain by Three Days Grace. It is not my property. The welcome sign referenced is real and exists on Highway 30 (not 101 which is the direction the Cullens would have driven from Forks, WA) at the edge of Astoria, OR. Artistic license has been taken but this sign is not my property.

Author's Note: Thanks to aPPle-FrrEAk, TwilightFreak00, RaithsEnvyMe, Kim Fortner, XOXOJordan, SIDANDSAM, and Kyrou for reviewing! If you're reading but haven't been reviewing, I hope you'll leave one for this chapter. Feedback is very important to me and makes me write faster (hint). I hope you guys like this chapter. Tell me what you think. Thanks!

Back in the car, Bella turned to Edward and opened her mouth to speak. For a moment, she forgot about the need to have a mom-and-dad conversation and sat contemplating his complete beauty. The idea that she had conceived a child with this man-angel was still startling at moments. The gold in the center of his eyes was swirling now and she mentally counted days until a hunt would be necessary. His self-control was

beyond her own. Pride in him swelled where her heart used to beat and she admired

everything at once - the strong line of his jaw, the deep-set of his eyes, the tousled bronze locks seemingly never out of place. Well...she could think of a time or two. She smiled with a naughty thought.

Edward sighed, his eyes on the road ahead, "You know I can't hear what you're

thinking."

Bella carefully pushed on the shield around her mind, shifting it just slightly, giving him a peek of an old memory.

Edward's lips turned upwards, "Oh."

Bella ducked her head shyly and bit the side of her fingernail, one habit that hadn't disappeared when she'd changed.

The silence took them over, then. Five minutes passed, ten. Bella spoke, at last, "It's weird, right?"

"What?"

"This line we're walking with Renesmee. Like, she's four but she's not. And I don't know how we're supposed to treat her."

Edward considered this, "We treat her like our daughter."

"But what does that even mean anymore? I mean, she was in diapers three years ago and now she's…well…not. She's changing so fast. I don't know how to keep up with her. I mean, is she sixteen? Seventeen? Four?"

"Carlisle said she's almost reached what humans consider physical adulthood. But maturity-wise, she's all over the map. Besides physical development, most children have years to work through each mental and social stage. But Renesmee has raced right through."

"Well, she sure acts like a teenager," Bella muttered.

"Most of the time," he conceded. "But there are moments when I wonder…" He trailed off, a dark thought appearing.

"You wonder what?"

Edward smiled grimly, "If she's as ready for the world as she looks."

……………………………………………………………………………………………...

"Jacob," Renesmee whined. "Let me pick the station!"

That was enough for Jacob. He feigned a look of annoyance and huffed once for good measure. And then silently wondered if the pretense was worth the trouble anymore. Renesmee knew he'd do absolutely anything she asked, didn't she? There was no question. He watched her slender fingers on the radio dial, thin shoulders hunched, the soft ringlets falling in her face. His own hand itched to reach over and brush the curls back so he could see her smiling. Normally, there would have been no hesitation but something in Edward's words had alarmed him, set him on edge. He felt suddenly that something very important might be at stake. Something Edward had not told him. No, he wouldn't touch her now.

Renesmee settled on a station, something slightly angrier and heavier than normal. Jacob cast a sideways glance at her, her feet shoved up on the dashboard, her head nodding vigorously to the beat.

His ear caught a line of song lyrics, "Anger and agony are better than misery. Trust me I've got a plan. When the lights go off, you will understand. Pain, without love, pain, I can't get enough. Pain, I like it rough 'cause I'd rather feel pain than-…."

"Oh…kay…then," Jacob said shakily, switching the radio off. "Maybe we should just talk for awhile."

"Hey! I was listening to that!" Renesmee sat up in her seat.

"I…noticed," Jacob tried to ignore the guilt of upsetting her by planting his foot more securely on the gas pedal.

"So why did you turn it off?"

"Because I…" he looked into her brilliant eyes, now glaring fiercely back at him. "Nessie, c'mon," he pleaded. "Do you really think your parents would want you listening to that?"

"What's wrong with it?"

"It's just so…depressing and…creepy."

Renesmee snorted, "My parents are vampires, Jacob. Or did you forget?"

"And I'm a werewolf. What's your point?"

"My life revolves around depressing and creepy."

"I don't know," he argued half-heartedly. "Your grandma isn't really much for the doom and gloom. And you know…Emmett watches football and stuff. And your grandpa reads a lot and your parents are all in love. That doesn't sound too depressing to me."

"You wouldn't understand."

That stung a little but Jacob just squared his shoulders and sighed, "I guess not, Nessie."

………………………………………………………………………………………………

An hour later, Highway 101 veered to the right off the Astoria Bridge and a sign hung on a stone marker came into view: WELCOME TO ASTORIA THE OLDEST CONTINUOUS SETTLEMENT WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI.

As they drove through town, Bella was struck by the seeming timelessness of the town. Victorian homes lined many of the main streets. Shop windows carried touristy items and sea-shore themed gifts. As they turned finally onto 5th Street, she caught a glimpse of the ocean and gasped. She had smelt it, of course, for miles and miles, but the view was something entirely different. "Edward, it's beautiful!"

"Of course." Edward turned onto a narrow drive leading up to a hillcrest overlooking the water. Several moments later, a three-story mansion loomed above them. Large bay windows, shining and clean and already bearing large white drapes framed a door leading to a porch and walk-way. Above them, the narrow towers of the highest rooms pointed towards a cloudy sky as if to say, See? Perfect for vampires.

Esme poked her head out of an upstairs window and waved sweetly, "Edward! Bella! Come in and see the house!"

Carlisle appeared on the porch, his face content. Esme appeared behind him, "Your father's so happy, Edward. His study is twice the size of the one in Forks."

The sound of Jacob's Rabbit chugging determinedly up the hill caused everyone to turn and look. "Oh, is that Jacob?" Esme asked. "I should cook something."

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Renesmee stepped out of the car and stared up at the gigantic home before her.

Jacob gave a whistle as he followed her to the front entrance. "It's big."

"Of course, it is," Renesmee answered him, trudging forward. "It's always big."

"Renesmee, I thought since you're the one who does the most sleeping, you might like to have the first pick of the bedrooms," Esme smiled kindly at her granddaughter.

"Sure, Grandma. That sounds good," Renesmee tried to smile back as she climbed the stairs to the landing. She didn't spare a glance at her parents. Jacob followed her, throwing a wary look at Edward as he went.

"Rough day," Bella answered quickly the questioning look in Carlisle's eyes.

"I see," he nodded. He seemed about to say more when a whoop and holler issued from the grounds outside. He smiled, "Emmett's arrived."

……………………………………………………………………………………………...

Author's Note: Thoughts? Thanks for reading! I should have a new chapter up tomorrow but only if I get enough reviews…that's right. I'm threatening now.