Chapter 4

After three months, Zachary was the size of a one year old and was still a mystery to his grandfather who logged his growth spurts vigorously. Carlisle's research with Renesmee and Nahuel did little to help in Zachary's situation. All they knew was that in five years, Zachary would look like a seventeen year old and he no longer looked like a newborn baby, but a toddler. Zachary was very intelligent as well. He spoke fluently and grew intellectually and emotionally. Rosalie and Emmett spoke to Edward and Bella as much as possible to learn about parenting a being that grew so rapidly. It all seemed to happen so fast and Zachary, like Renesmee, kept them on their toes.

The family loved every moment of it though. Zachary truly was like his father when it came to being adventurous. Jasper and Emmett showed him techniques of hunting and how to drink without getting too messy. He loved the arts like his mother as well and enjoyed listening to his Uncle Edward play the piano. His least favorite part was putting on outfits that his Aunt Alice bought him however and when she became too persistent he would call for his grandmother to rescue him which she did every time. Bella and Carlisle loved telling him fairytales and stories about vampires of the past and Zachary was always intrigued. Renesmee kept him entertained with pictures in his mind that made him give a booming laugh like his father and Nahuel let him win in races even if it meant Emmett heckling him about it. Zachary's favorite pastime however was cuddling with his mother. It was clear that he was a mama's boy and Emmett loved to see the serene look on his wife's face when she would hold their son. She enjoyed reading him stories or humming to him while he relaxed in her arms at night. While Zachary did not sleep, he did have downtime each night where he would get cleaned up and settle down for an hour or two.

The only people not around Zachary were Seth and Kaya and Rosalie was starting to notice. The couple had just returned home after being gone on a month long vacation, one Seth assured they needed as a married couple, but even before the trip he made excuses like being too tired to play or not in the mood. Something was wrong and Rosalie decided to speak to him about it.

It was a rainy night and Zachary was occupied playing in the rain with his daddy. Rosalie made her way to Kaya and Seth's cottage and quickly knocked. Kaya answered giving a small smile.

"Hey Rose, come on in," she said and Rosalie entered, but frowned when she saw the luggage by the door.

"Where are you two going now? You just returned three days ago," she informed and Seth plopped down on the couch not saying a word. Rosalie looked at him puzzled by his aloof demeanor and Kaya sighed.

"I won't do this anymore. Seth, you need to talk to her and I am tired of just acting like everything is fine. I don't want to move and this is getting ridiculous," said Kaya and Rosalie's eyes widened.

"Wait, move, what are you talking about," she asked and Kaya pointed at Seth.

"Talk to him about it. I will be at the house," she informed before running out of the cottage. Rosalie closed the door and crossed her arms as Seth looked down.

"Care to tell me what is going on," she asked and he shrugged.

"Nothing, I just think it is time that Kaya and I spent some time alone. No big deal."

"Seth, you haven't been around for almost three months and now you say you want to be alone. What is going on? What am I missing?"

"Nothing…."

"Stop saying nothing because it is something! Tell me the truth," she shouted and he stood up.

"I am leaving because it is obvious I am not wanted here! I get it alright? You have your family now. You and Emmett have a son and don't need some wolf running around here with you. I am doing what you don't have the guts to do!"

"Oh and what is that Seth? Run away with your tail between your legs? The only person acting like they don't want someone around is you! When did you start feeling this way?" He shrugged and stuffed his hands in his pockets.

"Zach doesn't like me. Emmett doesn't have time to play with me anymore and you don't even care about me."

"That is absurd!"

"We were gone for a month and you barely noticed. I used to not be able to be gone a few days without getting a call from you."

"So this is about attention," she asked shocked.

"No, this is about not being where I am not wanted. I can take a hint," he grumbled and sat back down. She sat beside him and nodded.

"Okay so you feel a bit neglected. I'm sorry about that. Things have just been hectic because Zach is a handful. I thought you would be happy to have a playmate." He smirked.

"You mean one that hurls me into trees?"

"One time, he did that once and now understands it was wrong but how do you expect him to get used to you if you are never around? You have to make the effort too Seth and….well I guess I should be more considerate of the fact that I have two sons, not just one," she admitted and he sighed.

"You don't have to say that. I know you don't feel that way. It was convenient to treat me like your kid before but now it isn't. Now you have your own kid."

"Is that what you truly think?" He nodded and she huffed. "Seth, I love you. If I didn't, it wouldn't infuriate me that you kept all of this bottled up for three months. Maybe I should have seen it but now I think of you as a grown man even if you are my son. You have a wife and your own place. I didn't know you wanted me to baby you."

"I don't, I just want you to pay me a little attention," he whined. She giggled and nodded.

"Okay so what is classified as a little attention?"

"I don't know. I just miss the good ole days."

"You sound extremely old right now," she teased and he chuckled.

"Maybe I do," he teased back and she moved a strand of hair out of his face.

"You know, I was serious about making the effort. Emmett still plays just as much but you aren't around when he does and there are plenty of things you can do with all of us but you have been gone."

"Yea, Leah said the same thing. She said I was being a baby and she already had one baby to take care of."

"That sounds like a Leah answer. I can't believe she knew and didn't tell me."

"I told her not to. I just didn't want you to think that I wasn't happy for you. I am happy you have Zach now."

"You know when I had Zach, I never at any time thought that meant that I wasn't still connected with you as well. I meant what I said that night before I found out I could have Zach. You are my son and I love you so if you think you are leaving then you are in for a big surprise. And if you ever think about pulling this stunt again not only will I be the one hurling you into a tree, but I will be sure that Esme gives you a stern talking to as well," she informed and he chuckled.

"Okay Rose," he smiled and gave her a hug.

"Good now unpack and then come over to the house so you can spend time with Zach." He nodded and she left before pulling out her cell phone to call Leah. The phone rang once before Leah picked up.

"I was expecting a call from you soon," said Leah.

"Why the hell didn't you tell me Seth felt left out?"

"Hey Rose, oh I am doing good and you…..great…how is Zach….aw that's great…."

"Shut up Leah, you know that you are wrong for not telling me Seth was upset."

"I knew he would eventually break down and tell you."

"Well imagine my surprise when I got to his cottage and saw luggage!"

"Oh wow, you fell for that? I bet you those are clothes from his trip here. That boy wasn't going anywhere. If he didn't phase into a wolf every once in a while I would think he was a vampire by now."

"Wait, you think he was bluffing?"

"Sorry Rose but I know my brother better than you. You fall for the puppy dog eyes and mumbling stuff. Did he pout and slump his shoulders when he talked?"

"Hold on," she said and ran back to the cottage. She jerked the door open to see him pulling dirty clothes out of the suitcases.

"What is this," she yelled and he looked at her curiously.

"Uh…I am about to do my laundry unless you want to. Oh would you mommy please," he asked giving her a pout and she glared at him.

"You weren't moving!"

"Yes I was….well I was going to eventually….um….soon….."

"I can't believe I fell for that!"

"Hey I was going to move….but Kaya said no and that I needed to work out whatever issue I had with you because she wasn't moving away from everyone," he confessed and she glared even more as she heard Leah laughing on the other end of the phone.

"Seth Clearwater, you better go play with Zach before I…."

"Going, going," he said and ran outside to phase. Rosalie put the phone back to her ear as Leah cracked up and she gasped.

"Is that Jacob laughing in the background? Oh this is war Leah! Mark my words I will get you back."

"Hey don't be mad at me because you have a soft spot for my little brother. All he does is pout and say please Rose and you're all, okay Seth. It is pretty amusing to see big bad Rosalie all mushy and over a wolf at that. What would other vamp…." Rosalie hung up the phone shaking her head and sprinted toward the house. Seth was walking onto the porch in his shorts when she got there and she glared at him. He pushed out his bottom lip.

"Are you really mad at me," he asked and she crossed her arms refusing to let his pout affect her. Alice walked onto the porch and before Rosalie could speak she put up her hand.

"I am not in this. I just want to take some pictures of my little nephew in three….two…one." Right on cue, Zachary's squeals of delight could be heard and Emmett emerged from the forest soak and wet with his son on his shoulders. They jumped from tree to tree before Emmett climbed to the top of one. Alice took pictures as the rain slowed to a drizzle before stopping altogether.

"Mommy look at me," yelled Zachary from the tree and Rosalie beamed with happiness as she waved to her son. Alice tried to sneak by her but Rosalie grabbed her arm to spin her around.

"Why didn't you tell me Seth planned on moving," she asked and Alice shrugged nonchalantly.

"Because I knew he wasn't going to do it, he couldn't go through with it," explained Alice as she ruffled Seth's hair.

"Alice stop," he chuckled as he tried to dodge her hand but she continued.

"Seth is stuck with us forever and ever. Oh but if you ever bet against me again I will kick your pouting temperamental wolf butt," she warned before going inside and Seth gave her a sheepish smile. Rosalie motioned for Emmett to come over.

"Em, get out of the tree so these two can get acquainted," called Rosalie and Emmett jumped from the tree with a laughing Zachary enjoying every moment of it. Rosalie looked at Seth.

"Go phase and come back," she instructed and his eyes widened.

"Um, I don't feel like being thrown by the three month old today thanks," he said and she gave him a look. He whined and stomped toward the forest as Rosalie smiled at Zachary. She pulled him into her arms and kissed his dimpled cheeks.

"Okay sweetie, remember what we said about Seth being a good wolf?"

"Yes," nodded Zachary and she winked at him.

"Well now you get to play with him. Don't be scared. He is just as nice as a wolf as he is a human," she assured and he slowly nodded. Emmett stood beside them for support as Seth cautiously emerged from the forest in wolf form. Zachary tilted his head curiously when he saw him and Rosalie giggled.

"He looks just like you Em," she whispered to her husband as they watched Zachary and Emmett beamed with pride. Seth trotted over to them and Rosalie held out her hand. Seth moved closer so she could pet him and Zachary giggled at the sight.

"Go ahead Zach, pet him," urged Emmett and Zachary slowly held out his hand. Seth nudged it with his nose and Zachary smiled before touching his fur.

"Seth, I have an idea. Let Zach ride you," suggested Emmett and Rosalie's eyes widened.

"I don't know about that Em. Let Zach get used to him," warned Rosalie but Emmett shook his head.

"Trust me Rose, this will work," he assured and picked up Zachary. He placed him on Seth's back and Zachary grabbed some fur to hold onto. Seth slowly but surely started to walk around and the others came outside with smiles on their faces to see Zachary giggling as he rode Seth.

"This is fun daddy," squealed Zachary and Edward chuckled at his nephew's excitement.

"Good idea Emmett, he likes Seth already," informed Edward and Seth started to speed up.

"Faster, faster," called Zachary and Seth picked up the pace as Zachary's booming laugh echoed through the trees. Carlisle laughed and smiled at Emmett.

"That is definitely your son," teased Carlisle. Rosalie sighed happily as she watched Seth and Zachary play. Carlisle, Jasper, Emmett, and Nahuel decided to go with them into the forest for a run and they disappeared while Rosalie stood holding her breath. Esme noticed and winked at her.

"They will be fine, but a mother always worries," assured Esme and Rosalie nodded. They walked inside and Renesmee, Kaya, and Bella went to find a book to read in the study to keep them entertained. Alice and Edward stayed on the porch and she told him in her mind to head in the opposite direction into the forest. He groaned knowing his sister had something important to speak about and followed her heading west. Once they were out of hearing range, she stopped.

"Something is wrong," she announced and he held the bridge of his nose.

"Not again Alice, please, I can't take anymore horrible life ending visions."

"Oh yes like I am so pleased when I have them, but this is different. I didn't get a vision. I just have a feeling, like an instinct."

"An instinct," he asked and she nodded.

"Something just feels, off, like this woman that we know nothing about and yet she comes into the picture to give Rosalie what she has always wanted. Emmett was right. Why now, why all of a sudden after all of these years? It just seems…."

"Convenient," agreed Edward and he ran a hand through his unruly hair.

"Exactly like something does not add up."

"I don't think we should tell Rose or Emmett until we know for sure though. They are happy right now and deserve this," he explained and she slowly nodded.

"So what do we do?"

"We do what we always do, wait until you have a vision before finding our strategy. Maybe we are being paranoid. We have no reason to truly believe this woman is out to harm Rosalie or Emmett and you haven't had a vision about it."

"But what if she is blocking me? I had no clue this woman even existed and she blocked my power before easily, yours as well."

"Then we will just have to keep an eye out. Don't worry we always find a way don't we?" She smiled and nodded before hugging him.

"You're right and for now let's just enjoy the fact that our family is safe and happy," she agreed. If something was wrong, they would find out about it and until then they would just count their blessings that Zachary was brought to them.