Disclaimer: Not my toys.

--EPOV--

I heard her before I saw her.

Her footsteps fluttered by lightly above my head, her breathing shallow and rapid, her heartbeat, usually as fast as the beat of a hummingbird's wing, sped up by an extra two beats per second.

Curious, I focused in on her thoughts. I heard only one word.

Jacob. Jacob. Jacob.

I sighed and shut my eyes, wishing I hadn't listened in.

It had been a month since my daughter, now six years old and nearly fully mature, had returned Jacob's affection and entered into a romantic relationship with him. After setting down some ground rules (school comes first, home by eleven on school nights, absolutely no sex), I accepted their relationship and bit my tongue whenever Jacob held her hand in front of me or kissed her cheek in greeting.

Her flip-flops clapped against her feet as she skipped down the stairs.

"I'll be back by eleven, daddy," I glanced up at my little girl and couldn't help but smile at the grin that graced her perfect features, "I'm meeting Jake at Grandma and Grandpa's."

I nodded,

"You've got your keys?"

"Yep."

"Phone?"

"Yep."

"Cleaned your room?"

"Mm-hmm."

"Finished your homework?"

She paused.

"Ermmm…"

"Renesmee?" She sighed,

"It's just one little two-page paper!"

I shook my head and plucked the keys from her fingers. Her jaw fell open.

"Daddy, it'll only take me fifteen minutes!"

"So then go write it."

"Daaaadddyyyy," her voice stretched to a whine, "Jacob's waiting."

I leaned over to grab the remote resting on the back of the couch, flipping on the television. Motioning to it, I pocketed the keys.

"He's watching the Yankee game with your uncles. I'm sure he won't mind waiting."

"But…"

"But nothing. What's rule number one with you and Jacob?"

"School first, but it's such an easy paper!"

"Then it'll take you no time at all." Her brows knit together and her mouth set into a scowl.

Seriously, Daddy? She thought.

I only pointed one finger up the stairs.

Nessie's bedroom door slammed and I collapsed back into the couch as her thoughts mingled with my own. It was impossible for me to drown out her ranting.

This sucks. I don't need to do this. I could finish this crap in two seconds flat. Stupid rules, pain-in-the-ass, utter bullsh…

"Language, Renesmee!" I called up after her. I heard her expel an angry puff of breath, and then her thoughts changed.

This sucks. This sucks. This sucks.

Shutting my eyes tightly, I rubbed my temples to banish the dull ache that had developed. Carlisle had always told me that having children resurrected many of his long-dormant human traits; only after having my own daughter did I fully understand what he meant.

Apart from those caused by wrestling matches with my brothers, I never had headaches before I had a child.

My phone buzzed from my pocket then and I pulled it out to find a text message from Emmett.

Dude, what did you do?

I sighed. Of course Nessie would run right upstairs and text Jacob, who of course would be forced to share with Jasper and Emmett. Between Jasper's ability to sense emotional shifts and Emmett's brute strength, it was safer to not attempt secrets.

My fingers worked skillfully over the keyboard.

She knows the rules. Homework first.

The response text was almost immediate.

You're not her favorite person right now.

I know. It's a sacrifice I'll make for the moment.

I turned the sound up in a vain attempt to drown out my daughter's furious thoughts, refusing to allow them to affect me. She could be upset, she could kick and scream, she could refuse to speak to me, but I would not shirk my responsibilities simply to placate her, no matter how tightly she had me wound around her little finger.

Ten minutes passed and I heard the printer whir to life in Renesmee's bedroom. She stomped down the stairs seconds later, thinking pointedly about the computer screen she had just closed out. She punctuated her thoughts by simply adding,

Finished. Happy?

"Extremely," I deadpanned, pulling the keys out of my pocket and tossing them to her, "Have fun."

She caught them and placed them in her purse, never making eye contact with me.

"And Ness?" I called as she stormed towards the door. Her thoughts were frustrated, but were calming with every passing second. I considered my words carefully, but ultimately decided that my warning was more important than my desire to pacify my daughter, "Let's not forget any of the other rules tonight."

"Ugh!" she exclaimed, wrenching the door open and turning to me, "Anything else?"

"Just to have fun. And be back by eleven. Love you!"

She slammed the door behind her and her thoughts faded as she ran towards my parents' house. I sighed, allowing myself a sardonic smile.

Tonight, I was sure, she would come back blissfully happy after a few hours spent with Jacob. She would curl up under my arm and would spend a little while with her mother and me. All frustrations will be forgotten, and she will be back to being my sweet little girl.

And the next time she chose to act like the sixteen-year-old she appeared to be, I would be ready to start the cycle all over again.

I'm not really sure why I have Edward in most of these... The dynamic intrigues me, I guess?

Thanks for all the response on this story, guys! I really appreciate it! I'm still deciding on what my fifth chapter should be, but hopefully I'll decide today and have it written within the next few. I also have an idea for a one-shot/drabbley type thing, but I won't start on it until I finish this story. Be on the lookout!

Reviews are phenomenal. Please and thank you :)