Chapter 5

Jacob's POV

There were so many colors. The rich green of the forest. Warm, golden-brown and flashes of pearly white. Blue, like the sky. Or was it water? Before I could decide, the dream shifted, and everything turned crimson. That one made me feel warm all the way down to my toes: warm and lethargic and happy.

A small nudge against my side pulled me out of the dream, and all I saw was the vibrant copper of Renesmee's wild curls spilled over my bare chest. She shifted again, waking slowly. The creamy skin of her back felt warm and smooth under my fingertips as I stroked gently up and down, my hands eager to reacquaint themselves with the tantalizing curves they'd become so familiar with throughout the night.

Her warm breath tickled my chest as she sighed, turning her face to place a lingering kiss just over my heart.

"Morning, gorgeous," I rasped, feeling exhausted in the best possible way.

"Morning," she mumbled against my chest, sighing in contentment as she nestled even closer against my side.

Without warning, her warmth was torn away from me as she sat up in a flash. The wide-eyed horror in her chocolate eyes instantly put me on alert.

"Ness, what…"

I tried to sit up, but she held me still with one firm hand on my chest. The other gently traced over the skin of my throat, finding it smooth and unblemished. Her brow wrinkled in confusion, and it suddenly dawned on me what she'd been looking for.

"It's okay, baby. I heal almost instantly." I reached up to stroke her flushed cheek, wanting more than anything to soothe that worried expression away. "You didn't hurt me."

She drew in a deep breath and relaxed, letting me pull her down into my arms again.

"Oh, thank god!" She covered her face with her hands, and I immediately pried them away, wanting to see those gorgeous brown eyes again. "I've never, ever done that to anyone before! Jacob, I'm so…"

"Don't you dare apologize to me, Renesmee Cullen," I cut her off, turning on my side to face her. "I liked it, in case you didn't notice."

"Really?" she asked, skeptical.

"Really," I reassured her, leaning closer to brush my lips against hers.

She kissed me back with enthusiasm, winding her arms around my neck. My breath caught in my throat as she hitched her leg over my hip. I wanted nothing more than to resume our nocturnal activities, but one nagging concern stopped me.

"Ugh. Ness?" I groaned, reluctantly putting a couple inches of distance between our lower bodies.

"Yeah?" she breathed, undeterred. Her lips were moving over my jaw and down the side of my neck, threatening to make me forget anything and everything that wasn't my desire for her.

"Your parents," were the only words my lust-addled brain seemed capable of putting together at the moment. Ness seemed to get the message though.

"They said they'd call when they're leaving the airport in Seattle," she explained, "so they're at least a couple hours away."

I exhaled a sigh of relief. It was too much to hope that Edward wouldn't figure out what I'd been up to with his daughter last night, but if he barged in and caught us in the act, my fate would be sealed.

Ness laughed a little at my nervous expression. It was a musical sound, like the tinkling of a flute.

"Why are you so worried about my parents?" she asked, as if the idea had never occurred to her.

"Because…" I paused. How did I explain this without making an ass of myself? "Because they'd probably already be weird about me dating you, and the fact that I couldn't even keep it in my pants for twenty-four hours certainly isn't going to help my case."

"First of all," Ness shot back, obviously fighting an amused grin, "I'm a grown woman. It really isn't any of their business who I sleep with or how quickly. Second, why would they be weird about you dating me? I thought you and Mom were friends."

I sighed. The list in my head was so long, I wasn't sure where to start.

"Well…vampires aren't exactly big werewolf fans to begin with," I said, stating the obvious. "And then, there's…uh…"

"The little fact that you used to have a crush on my mom?"

Laughing at my panicked expression, Ness continued.

"Relax, Jacob. Grandpa mentioned it yesterday, and, no, I'm not mad."

I did relax, just a little. "It really doesn't bother you?"

She shook her head, tossing those glorious curls. "You were just a kid then, and she was with my dad. Granted, it is a little bit weird, but in my family, weird seems to be the new normal."

I exhaled a relieved laugh and pulled her close, wrapping her tightly in my arms.

I nearly jumped out of my skin when her cell started vibrating. The countdown to my execution was about to begin.

Ness leaned over to the bedside table, and I caught a brief glimpse of the touchscreen before she put it to her ear. There was a picture of her with her arm around Bella, who looked almost comically short standing next to her statuesque daughter. It was the first time I had seen Bella as a vampire, and my heart gave a little stutter as I beheld what had once been my worst nightmare. Ness must have heard it because she rested her hand on my shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Hey, mom," she answered brightly. "You guys in Seattle?"

"Hey, sweetie," an eerily familiar voice answered through the phone. "Yeah, we just pulled onto the highway."

Ness giggled. "With the way Daddy drives, you'll probably be here in two hours, tops."

Bella laughed, a nostalgic sound that made me feel oddly peaceful.

"So," Bella continued, her tone turing suggestive, "I just got off the phone with Charlie."

I'm sure my eyes were big as saucers. Ness was nonchalant.

"Oh, yeah?"

"He mentioned Jacob was with you last night," Bella prodded, her tone somewhere between curious and concerned.

I cringed. Charlie didn't know the half of it.

"Yeah, we ran into each other in the woods yesterday morning and really hit it off," Ness explained, throwing me a mischievous grin over her shoulder. "You never told me how gorgeous he is."

I felt my face grow hot, but my shit-eating grin just wouldn't quit. Sitting up beside her, I gently swept aside all that glorious long hair so my lips could reach her shoulder and neck, eager to show just how much I appreciated the compliment.

I heard Bella laugh again. "Your father's eyes just rolled so hard, I think they might be permanently stuck up there."

Ness laughed, but I was internally screaming. Just great. Now Edward had the whole drive from Seattle to think up creative ways to end me.

After hanging up and tossing the phone aside, Ness turned back to me, pressing me into the pillows as she boldly straddled my waist.

"Now, where were we?" she cooed against my ear before tracing it with her tongue.

"Mmmm," I groaned in response, sliding my hands up her smooth thighs to grab two overflowing handfuls of that perfectly rounded ass. "What time is it, babe?"

"Quarter past seven," she breathed against my neck.

Oh, for fuck's sake. "Dammit!" I growled beating my fist against the mattress.

"What's wrong?" Ness asked, laughing at my frustrated expression.

"I have to be at work in less than an hour," I groaned, gazing longingly at her perfect, bare curves as she hovered over me.

She started to slide away from me, and my hands reached out of their own accord to stop her.

"I guess we'd better kill two birds with one stone then," she said suggestively, brushing off my hands.

I watched, mesmerized, as she sashayed away from me, those perfect curves on full display in the bright morning light. She had just disappeared behind the bathroom door when I heard the shower cut on.

"Well, are you going to join me, or what?" she called, her tone simultaneously teasing and seductive.

I didn't have to be told twice. If I was going to die today, I might as well die happy.

Bella's POV

I had so many fond memories of this house, all hazy human ones, but beautiful none the less. Meeting my new family for the first time. Edward playing my lullaby. Marrying the love of my existence and father of my incredible daughter.

I was almost bouncing in my seat as Edward pulled into the massive garage. It had been months since I'd seen Renesmee in person, and I couldn't wait to hug her close to me and smell that delicate floral scent that still reminded me vividly of holding my baby girl in my arms. Even after twenty years, it felt like only yesterday.

We parked next to a shiny red mustang I didn't recognize. Renesmee's rental, I assumed. It looked like the kind of car she would choose: fast, but unpretentious.

Ever the gentleman, Edward insisted on getting all our bags himself, though even the most overstuffed suitcase weighed no more than a feather to me now. I rewarded him with a quick peck on the lips before dashing excitedly into the house.

My eager smile morphed into a grimace as I was assaulted by the cloying stench of wet dog. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what it was, especially after my conversation with Ness earlier that morning. Jacob had been here.

The large house was completely silent. If Renesmee had been anywhere inside, I would have easily detected the fluttery sound of her heartbeat.

Edward appeared silently beside me, effortlessly holding both our suitcases in one hand with my carry-on tucked under his arm. His nose wrinkled as he scowled, probably more at the knowledge that Jacob had been here with our daughter than at the smell itself.

"Did Ness mention which room she decided to stay in?" he asked, ignoring the giant smelly elephant in the room for the moment.

"She didn't," I answered. "If I had to guess, I'd say Alice's."

Edward's scowl softened as he looked down at me, his lips quirking up in a suggestive grin.

"Let's stay in my old room, then. For old time's sake."

I trailed my fingertips lightly over the smooth skin of his forearm, stopping at the rolled-up sleeve. "So we can finish what we started in there, all those years ago?"

"Mmm," Edward moaned softly at my touch, leaning down to rest his forehead against mine for a moment. "I'll go put our bags down, then we can call Ness and see where she's run off to."

I nodded my head and watched as he flashed up the stairs. I had just turned to look out the back windows when a ferocious snarl floated down from the upper floor.

A split second later, I was standing outside the door to Edward's old room, gaping at his furious expression as he paced back and forth like a caged lion. Our luggage was strewn haphazardly across the floor were he'd carelessly dropped it.

"Edward, what…oh."

My nose wrinkled as the concentrated werewolf stench assaulted my senses, and I immediately stopped breathing. I looked past Edward into the room and quickly realized why he was so upset.

The huge iron bed was a disaster. There were several large rips in the golden bedspread, which was mostly on the floor with only one corner still tucked in. The mattress was turned at an odd angle on the bed frame, which was at least several feet further into the room than it had been. I could see the faint lines on the floor where it had skidded across the hardwood. The iron headboard was warped in several places. It looked like soft clay that someone had squeezed, leaving the imprint of their hands behind.

There wasn't any mistaking what had happened, and though I wasn't nearly as angry as Edward was, I was still concerned.

My eyes immediately zeroed in on several crimson drops dotting one of the rumpled white pillows, and I had it in my hands almost instantly.

"It isn't her blood," Edward managed to reassure me through tightly clenched teeth.

I sniffed delicately at the pillow, tossing it away as the most potent concentration of wet dog smell yet made my throat close up in disgust.

"It looks like Renesmee made a meal out of your friend." There was no humor in Edward's tone. He was beyond furious.

"I can't believe she would drink that," I whispered, trying not to breathe. "It smells horrible."

"There are traces of it in the shower, as well," Edward grumbled, and my eyebrows shot up to my hairline. "Apparently, the dog doesn't smell so horrible to her."

Suddenly Edward's pacing stopped, and his features softened into an eery calm that was almost more terrifying than his furious snarl.

"I'm going to kill that mutt," he announced resolutely, making a move toward the door.

I grabbed his sleeve, temporarily delaying him.

"Edward, don't be rash," I cautioned. "You can't go to La Push. The treaty…"

"Is null and void anyway because I turned you," was his pointed rebuttal. "I know you still have a soft spot for the dog, Bella, but don't try to stop me. You forget, I've been inside Jacob Black's mind. I'm sure he thought it great sport to defile my daughter in my own bed. Well now, he can just face me like a man."

I rolled my eyes in exasperation. Next Edward would be calling for pistols at dawn. I loved my daughter and thought no less of her for it, but chastity wasn't exactly at the top of her list of virtues.

"Oh, please, Edward. We both know Jacob didn't defile anybody. It's not like she was a virgin, or anything."

Edward made an inarticulate sound of disgust and quickly covered his ears. He hated any mention of our daughter's sexual exploits, preferring to pretend she was as virtuous and pure as the driven snow. Unfortunately, the nature of his gift had made it an even touchier subject than it is for most fathers. I truly felt sorry for him sometimes.

"Nevertheless," he continued, undeterred, "I can't let him get away with blatantly disrespecting me, you, and our daughter like this." He gestured to the wildly disheveled bed, a wicked gleam appearing in his amber eyes. "I think it's time the dog got spayed."

Gently brushing off my restraining touch, Edward shot past me and was almost out the front door before I caught up with him.

"Edward! I think you should think this through!"

He ignored me, continuing to fly through the trees at a record-setting speed I could barely keep up with. I sniffed the air, easily catching the scent trail he was following. It led alongside the highway towards Forks, rather than La Push, and it was clear that Renesmee was with him. Her lovely scent was still slightly discernible beneath the werewolf musk. I was glad. It would take all three of us to save Jacob's manhood from her very angry vampire father on the war path.

After a few minutes, I saw Edward stop, crouching just inside the tree line. I stopped beside him and did the same. We were across the street from Dowling's Automotive, and Jacob and Renesmee were both standing out front, holding each other in the sweetest embrace. I was shocked to see my old bike beside them. Jacob must have given it to Renesmee when she told him about her (unfortunate) obsession with two-wheeled death machines.

I was stunned for a moment by what a striking couple they made. It had never occurred to me before, but a werewolf might be right up Renesmee's ally. They were all big enough to make her statuesque six-foot frame look small by comparison, not to mention having an intimate understanding of what it was like to be part supernatural that no human or vampire could offer her. It seemed strange that Jacob — that any of the wolves, really — would take an interest in a half-vampire, but, then again, who wouldn't instantly love my incomparable daughter? Even on her worst day, you could stick her on the cover of any magazine without airbrushing.

A strange feeling washed over me as I watched my former best friend cradle Renesmee's face between his massive hands and lean close for a gentle, reverent kiss. It wasn't jealousy, exactly. I had no regrets about the choices I had made. It was just a little strange to think of him kissing her the way he'd once kissed me, and yet something about the two of them together just felt right, like destiny or kismet or something.

I glanced over at Edward, who was watching the tender scene in front of us with a curious expression. He was clearly listening to the words Jacob wasn't saying, and I couldn't quite place his reaction. It certainly wasn't the blind rage I had been expecting. He didn't even flinch when Jacob told Renesmee that last night was the best night of his life and she returned the sentiment.

We watched them say their obviously reluctant goodbyes in silence before Ness started the bike and rode away, and Jacob's familiar form disappeared into the shop.

Edward was frozen like a statue, still staring blankly after Jacob. I remembered asking Carlisle if vampires could go into shock, all those years ago. He certainly looked stunned, and I was nearly coming apart at the seams in my eagerness to know why.

"Let's go, Edward," I encouraged him, tugging on his sleeve. "We need to get back to the house before Renesmee does."

That roused Edward just enough for him to turn and run with me through the forest back towards the house. Thankfully, Ness was in the mood for a leisurely ride this morning, so we were easily able to make it back several minutes before she did.

As soon as the front door closed behind us, I began my inquisition.

"Edward, what in the world happened back there? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Jacob imprinted," he blurted suddenly, "on Renesmee."

I felt my eyes grow big as saucers. Warring emotions began to churn inside me, anger not the least of which.

"He…what?! On my daughter!"

Edward had the audacity to look amused by my reaction.

"Oh, so you have no problem with him jumping into bed with her the same day they met, but eternal love and devotion is where you draw the line."

A snarl escaped me at his teasing tone before I realized he was right. The smug bastard.

"I just…don't like the idea of anyone else having a claim on her like that. Like she belongs more to him now than she does to her own family."

Edward put his arms around me, holding me comfortingly against his chest.

"But isn't that the way it's supposed to be, love, when we find our mates?"

My anger subsided as I realized he was right. It had been the same way when he and I met, over two decades ago now. The thought made me nostalgic, and I pushed up on my toes to nuzzle my cheek against the smooth skin of his neck.

"I saw inside his mind, Bella," Edward continued, his voice growing wistful, "and, as much as it pains me to admit it, he's actually perfect for her. He's exactly what she needs, just as the legends say. A lover she can be herself with, a confidant, a best friend to share all her secrets. Someone who knows what it's like to straddle the line between two worlds."

We were silent for a moment as I took all this in, still trying to absorb the shock of it all.

"Bella, you know I've been dreading the day Ness might fall in love with a human and ask me to turn him for her." He sighed deeply at the thought, which often haunted him in quiet moments when we pondered our unique daughter's future. "Now, we'll never have to worry about that. Jacob can stay young as long as she does, and, if she ever does start to show signs of age, he has the ability to grow old with her too."

"Does Renesmee know about the imprint yet?" I asked.

"No, she doesn't, but she's quite taken with him. Her thoughts were happier, more hopeful, than I've seen in a long time."

I relaxed into Edward's embrace, finally ready to accept that, though our beloved daughter's life was about to change dramatically, it was all for the best. She wouldn't have to face eternity alone feeling like there was nobody who fully understood her.

"Well," I finally concluded, pulling away just enough to meet Edward's loving gaze, "she could certainly do worse. After all, Jacob did give you a run for your money, once upon a time."

Edward laughed along with me, his hands encircling my waist possessively. "I like to think there was never any real competition."

"You just keep on thinking that, Mr. Cocky," I retorted, laughing as I pushed up on my toes to kiss away that maddeningly self-assured grin.

Just as our lips met, the sound of an approaching motorcycle interrupted what was quickly escalating into a passionate moment.

"Renesmee's back!" I cried happily, taking Edward's hand as we flew out the garage door to greet our daughter together. What we'd started would just have to wait until later.

After all, she would't be our little girl for too much longer.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed! Do me a favor, and hit that review button, pretty please. :)

P.S. I just started a new story, if you're interested in Bella/Jacob AUs. It's an angsty Breaking Dawn AU, if you're up for something darker than this story. Our beloved Renesmee isn't in it, but I can promise lots of hot werewolf/vampire sex. ;) It's called You Haunt Me Still, if you'd like to check it out!