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Following the moon – Chapter 4

The journey home was quieter for Edward and Bella, Renesmee fell asleep in the back of the car almost as soon as they drove away from the house. Edward put on some soothing music concerned that his chosen topic of conversation had further upset his wife.

"Bella... I'm sorry to bring up out concerns so blatantly" he said in automatic defence

"No, no, I feel a lot better knowing that I'm not the only one thinking about this. You are looking after your family, how can I be angry at that, my love" she purposely dropped her defences allowing Edward to understand and trust the relief she felt deeply.

He seemed satisfied so she continued "What do you think is going on?"

"I don't know, I really don't but Carlisle will find out if there's anything strange or unusual going on and we can keep an eye out around here. I'll speak to Jake as well. I'm sure he'll be more than happy to help" he looked out of the window, hardly concentrating on the road at all. Watching the forest flowing past he realised he felt better than he had for weeks. Bella's defences were down and he could hear that her thoughts were easing and the negativity melting away. This he knew was the catalyst for his own relaxation.

He glanced at Bella and smiled to himself as he took in her beauty. She was not the same as the first day he'd seen her in Biology class back in Forks what seemed like a lifetime ago, even to him. Her face was tighter, more enhanced by the Vampire blood now running through her veins, her smell was no longer the intoxicating perfume she'd had when she was human and the understanding of her powers now allowed him access to her thoughts, when she allowed it.

All these things had drawn him to her like a moth to a flame and he had thrown caution to the wind to be with her. None of these existed anymore other than in his memory. But now, looking at her profile, the slight smile on her lips, the long dark hair moving in the breeze as the car moved effortless across the south west of Canada he was struck by how little had changed since those days. His love for her had never faultered, never skipped a beat from the moment her met her. So much had changed, and yet, nothing had.

Bella returned his glance and smiled warmly at her husband, no nothing important had changed since they first found each other, her thoughts conveyed the same depth of emotion that he felt.

"Edward?" Bella asked in a curious tone "You can read my thoughts, I, unfortunately, cannot do the same, what are you thinking?"

"Nothing, just having thoughts" replied Edward playfully

"I know that look Edward, and... I know you" she replied huskily

"I know you do" Edward said tapping his head "remember?"

Bella snorted a muffled laugh as she saw Edward's expression reflect the sudden silence in his head "You're not the only one with powers" Bella imitated Edwards head tapping "remember?"

They both stifled laughs, glancing quickly behind them to ensure Renesmee was not being disturbed.

"I love you... wife" Edward said with sudden intensity.

"and I love you... husband" replied Bella mirroring Edward's tone.

Their hands linked over the gear shift, binding together as if a physical expression of their mutual love.

"You never answered my question" Bella said quietly

"I was thinking about how much has changed since we first met, and yet how little has changed"

Bella raised an eyebrow questioningly

Edward sighed "When we first met, you were so many things, there were so many reasons for me to fall in love with you, it took a long time for you to see them. Some of them have changed but the love I feel for you has never faltered, not once. So you see, a lot of changes, but also very few"

"As long as we're together, that's all that matter to me" Bella replied

"We will be love, always"

The rest of the journey was driven in relative silence, just the muted sounds of Indy music mixed with a light rain pattering on the roof and the gentle and steady breath from the back seat. Bella and Edward settled in the mutual love they shared between each other and their miraculous daughter, asleep gently in the back seat.

As Edward turned the car off the main road he got a vivid image from Bella's mind. As soon as they thought had entered her head the defences had shot up instinctively.

"Really?" asked Edward in slight surprise

"Well, yes, what thoughts did you think this discussion would lead to!" Bella replied, slightly flustered, but only slightly.

Edward smiled at Bella, his flashest most endearing smile. Bella sniggered "that only works now because I love you, you know that, right?"

Edward feinted a pained looked "Yeah, I guess so" he replied jokingly

They pulled up to the house and continued round to the back. With a flick of the switch mounted to the sun visor on the car Edward opened the garage door for the Mustang, drove slowly into the empty space and stopped.

"Well, before anything else, I guess we have a little one to put to bed" he looked lovingly at the back seat where Renesmee was passed out.

Bella nodded and before another breath had passed Renesmee's lips her mother was bundling her gently into her arms and her father was holding the door into the house open to allow them both to move freely, and quietly to her room.

Bella tucked Renesmee into bed, making sure she was comfortable and Edward leaned over and gently placed a light kiss on his daughters forehead and smoothed back a stray strand of hair from her face.

Her parents looked at her lovingly seeing the angel that they bore together. Knowing the trauma of her first few hours in the world and the difficulties they had faced to protect her only made her all the more amazing to them.

They slide quietly out of the room and went to the kitchen. "So, your barrier is still up, want to let me into the secret?"

"Nope, you'll have to wait" Bella replied fluttering her eyelashes, taking him by the hand and guiding out of the back door toward the darken forest.

"Bella, where are we going? What about Renesmee?" Edward asked concerned

"Renesmee will be fine, if she wakes up, we'll probably find her in our bed, as usual. As to where we're going, you'll need to wait and see, won't you" Bella said tapping her head and chuckling.

"Oh!" replied Edward, a smile broadening on his face "some alone time?"

Bella's only reply was a smile and a gentle tug on his arm before she seemed to float into the forest. Edward raced to catch her. "Playing again?" Edward called as he increased his speed.

The two lovers flew through the forest in their playful race, Edward leapt at Bella and caught her shoulder, twisting her round and throwing her to the ground lustfully. He moved quickly pinning her down and kissing her deeply. Bella broke the kiss smiling playfully, twisting her body she broke his hold on her but only managed to get a few feet before he pounced again, they both laughed playfully as they rolled together.

Gradually the sounds and activities of the forest restarted as if it was reawakening, birds called and the wind whistled through the branches.

There was a movement high in the trees as a large black bird unfurled it's wings. An amused expression came to its face lighting the deep gray eyes which were partially hidden by the jet black feathers.

It lifted off agilely from the branch and let out a craw of amusement. It concentrated hard, a thought erupting from it with immense power. Controlled, the thought was directed to a single mind as precisely as an arrow from a bow knowing instinctively it would hit it's mark.

"Guess who I just came across?" the bird taunted its target.