Edward…" my mother was beside him again. She put her hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "It's not a big deal…"
"I haven't said anything until now…"
"Don't get bent out of shape." She told him. "Resesmee hasn't even been here five minutes—."
"Exactly." He sighed, looking at me. "You can't keep doing this, Ness…"
I knew that he was just trying to address the situation the best that he could as a parent without letting his anger get the best of him.
"Dad, I'm safe with Jacob." I tried to reassure him.
"You're still half-human." He shook his head. "And you can't be running around in the woods at night…"
"I can take care of myself." I felt my face getting hot.
"Ness, your father is right." My mother sighed. "It's not safe for you…"
"You've taught me to defend myself…" I began to protest. "And Jacob has been working with me…"
"He can't protect you from everything, Renesmee." My father shook his head. "There are things out there that neither of you are prepared for…"
I was growing defensive. "Jacob can hold his own."
"I never said that he couldn't." he closed his eyes. "I just want you to understand where I'm coming from. If anything were to happen to you…"
"I'll be fine." I took a deep breath and let it out. "Jacob would never let anything happen to me…"
"He's not with you every moment, sweetheart." My mother broke in. "I realize that the two of you—."
"Are friends…" my father finished.
I rolled my eyes.
"We just want to know that you're safe." My mother added. "Maybe you should stick around here at night, from now on.
I shook my head. "You don't understand how difficult it is…" I knew that it sounded selfish. "…to be away from him."
"Ness…please." My father looked at me.
I wanted to protest…but the concern on the faces of my mother and father persuaded me otherwise.
I raised my hands in surrender. "Okay." I agreed. "I'll stay home at night…"
Their expressions softened. "We love you, Renesmee…and we would do anything to keep you safe." My father embraced me in a tight hug.
My mother joined him and we stood there for what seemed like minutes in a silent bond. He kissed the top of my head and gave me one last squeeze before pulling back a little. "Promise me that you'll always be careful, whatever you're doing, wherever you are…"
I sighed and reached for my mother's hand. "I promise."
