Chapter Eight

Bella


I got to my old home in less than fifteen minutes, pushing a hundred and thirty the entire way. Pulling in behind Charlie's cruiser, I felt a stranger sense of nostalgia. I had a lot of good memories here, memories that lay behind the cloudy veil of my human mind. I had calmed down quite a bit on my way over here, my thoughts finally under control. I didn't knock as I reached the front door. I pushed it open, calling for my Dad in the doorway.

"Bella, is that you?" His voice came from the kitchen. I sensed another presence. It was most likely Sue, but the scent didn't match.

"Mom?" I called out. They both came rushing around the corner.

"Bella, what are you doing here?" She said wiping her hands on a familiar kitchen towel. I couldn't think of the last time that my mother had cooked, much less stepped foot into a kitchen. I had done all of the cooking when I had lived with her. I stared grimly at them before I moved into the living room. They followed behind me.

"What's wrong?" My dad took a seat next to me, his arm embracing my shoulder. "Did something happen… with Edward." I shook my head.

"Something did happen, but it's nothing with Edward. We're fine." My breathing seemed to decrease, growing slow. I struggled to keep up the motion.

"Then what, dear? Please say something, your scaring me." Renee held my ice cold hand in hers as she seated herself on the other side of me. She didn't seem to even notice.

I hadn't spoken to both my parents about something that bothered me in such a long time. I wasn't sure how to even go about that now, with out saying too much. Need to know and all. But I could feel the tension, the worry that held my mother. I didn't like to do that to Renee, though she did worry a little too much. I must have gotten it from her. I shuddered. I was turning into my parents. I could now identify with how Renee felt about me. I sighed and went for it. I told them everything that had occurred with Renesmee. I wasn't shocked that her growth spurt surprised them, it had surprised me as well. But I continued to explain what had happened later around the dinner table, leaving out a few details, like the broken chair I'd have to replace that. Sorry Esme, I apologized mentally.

"As a parent you have every right to feel that way. She's your child and you only want to love and protect her, it's kind of your job." I took in the words that Renee spoke. As my mother I knew she'd understand where I was coming from. But what she said next amazed me.

"But when she's old enough, in this case grown enough and as a good parent you have to let her spread her wings. Stand on her own two feet. Take you for example. I didn't want to let you come and live here, away from me. But I had to respect the decision that you made. You were old enough and I had to let you do this on your own. Granted your father was here, but it was still hard for me to let you go." I had never thought about it like that. I knew it was hard for her, but I had believed that it was solely because she depended on me so much. I was wrong.

"So what should I do?"

"I understand how you feel, Bella, believe me I do." Came my dads deep, raspy voice. " I had a hard time letting you even date Edward, but you were at a reasonable age and you were very determined. I had an even harder time giving you away to him at your wedding. I thought I was losing you to him. I didn't want that. But I later realized I wasn't giving you up and was just sharing, gaining in this case, a son. And just knowing that you'd always be my daughter was more than enough for me."

He was right. I wasn't losing her and when the time came I'd be gaining in more ways than one. I'd still be her mother even after then. The more I thought about it, the more I understood the words Edward had told me. She'll always be our first. No matter what the future brings. Yes, she'd always be ours. Edwards and mine.

"Beside, Renesmee loves you more than anything. She will not abandon you. She's a smart girl. It's our job as parents to worry, though. And if she's anything like you she'll be just fine. Both and Edward just need to be there when she needs you. And believe us, she'll always need you. Look, you've come to us after all this time." Charlie smiled, his cheeks wrinkled up and he looked older than he was. But after hearing my Dad's words, I felt as if a huge weight was lifted from me. I only needed to trust my daughter and hope that in the short time that she was young, that we all raised her right. It took only a quarter of a second as all these things flashed in my head.

"Thanks, Mom." I kissed her cheek. Then smiled to my Dad. "Thanks. I think I understand." I stood.

"Now," I grinned down at them. "Do you want to see your grandchild?"


I let my dad drive the Ferrari back. He grinned the entire way, but still held to the speed limit. What took me fifteen minutes to get there, took us thirty to get back. Edward came rushing out before we even pulled up. Apparently having read my parents mind, because his face held a sort of quirky grin. Charlie parked behind the Volvo and we got out. I rushed to Edward. He received me like always, his lips on mine. Nothing had changed. My body still shivered under his touch.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled in-between kisses. "Forgive me?" He pulled back holding my head with his hands.

"There's nothing to forgive. We all understand." He eyes spoke the truth, and I relaxed into his chest my arms around his waist.

"Mom," I peered around Edward. Renesmee came running down the porch and across the lawn. Her eyes were red and puffy. She had been crying. I was pretty sure I was the cause. She flew into my out stretched arms, holding me tight.

"I'm so glad your back. I missed you." I was sure I wasn't gone for that long. But instead of saying so I only kissed her head.

"I'm sorry I made you cry sweetie. It won't happen again." I promised. "And you have my permission to grow up." She tilted up to look into my eyes.

"I never wanted that. I only wanted you to accept me." the maturity in her voice stunned me.

"Accept you. How could I not. I accepted you before you were even born. This is who you are and I'll accept you no matter how many times you change on the out side. You'll always be my baby." I pulled her back to my chest and held her there for a moment.

"Oh, Charlie and Renee are here to see you." She pulled away and looked behind me.

"Grandpa, Grandma" She was out of my arms and flew into my parents'. I felt Edward's arm slip around me and his lips to my ears. His warm breathe tickling my skin.

"I was thinking that we should continue what we started last night." I smiled, knowing exactly what he was scheming.

"That reminds me, you never even got to use your gift." I dragged him to the house. "Come play for me." I heard his sweet laughter behind me as I pulled him along.

"Thats not what I meant."

"I know," I grinned.


Once again I was happy that I didn't need to sleep especially when I lay next to Edward, and the room was lit by the rays of the full moon. I had spent most of the night making up for my behavior earlier. Something that Edward said wasn't necessary but was quite invigorating. My eyes closed, I began to hum the lullaby that I had written for Edward, the low sound sweeping through the room.

"Beautiful, and you did it all on your own." I nodded, tilting my head up to him, eyes still shut.

"Most of it, at least." I felt his lips press to mine for a moment. A moment that was too short. We heard a low knock on the wall outside the door fame. We still didn't have a door.

"Are you dressed?" I gasped, and Edward chuckled beside me. He pulled the dark sheets over us and called out.

"We are now," We hadn't had time to get the bed replaced, sort of preoccupied, but we did clear out all the broken furniture, including the head board, door and broken mirror. We had gotten rid of the feathers for the most part. I saw her peek her head quickly into the doorframe, before stepping into the room.

I sat up, the sheet pressed to my chest. I wasn't sure about Edward, who was completely relaxed with his hands folded behind his head, but it was sort of awkward to be naked in front of ones child. She didn't seemed to notice. She wore a pink matching cotton pajama set. The moonlight paleing out her skin. Her hair braided down her back. I pondered if I'd ever get use to her being so different.

"Is something wrong?" where the words that slipped from my lips came from I didn't know.

"No," she shook her head. "I couldn't sleep. Today was a pretty hectic day, it's not everyday that you become a teen." she gave her fathers slanted grin. She was more like him than I remembered. Maybe that's why I loved her so much. "And I was wondering if I could…"

"Just come already," Edward urged her. Her face lit up as she launched herself into the foot of the bed. I raised an eyebrow.

"Don't wanted to get too close." She gestured to my hand that clung the sheet to me and Edwards bare chest.

"You have some of Emmett's humor, don't you." I added. She giggled. At least that hadn't changed.

"So what do you have planned for tomorrow. I mean you're a woman now, can't hang out with your parents all day." Edwards asked, humor dripping from his speech. I cringed. He was all to calm about this whole situation. Maybe he knew something I didn't.

"Alice said she was taking me shopping."

I groaned.

"I actually like shopping with Auntie."

"Great," I said smugly. Another Alice running around here. But I didn't want to miss her first shopping spree as a young women.

"Do you mind if your old mom comes along." I added, since no one seemed to be taking this situation seriously anyways.

"I don't mind and your not old. No older than I look." I cringed, but hid it before it could be seen.

"Besides no one will believe I'm your daughter anyways. More like your sister."

"Or sister- in law. You look too much like Edward." She pulled on her braid.

"Yeah I guess." She was silent, pondering something.

"Is it okay if I get a motorcycle."

"No," I spat. Where had all these request come from. I sort of understood what Edward had meant earlier about her wanting to do stuff. I couldn't blame her. I had wanted a motorcycle once too. But that was no reason she'd have one.

"Why not, you have one. If your worried about my safety, you had it when you were still human."

"She has a point," Edward chuckled. I glared at him. Yeah she had a point. He just didn't have to point the fact out.

"I'm only half human and I'm virtually as indestructible as you are." she added. I thought for a moment. No motorcycle, but maybe a nice car with tons of armor. I gasped. I had just thought that. I shook my head. Maybe we were spending too much time together, because he was really starting to rub off on me.

"No motorcycles, but we'll find you something." she beamed.

"Though it's much too early to discuss such things. You don't even have a drivers license.

"Oh don't worry, vampires are the best drivers in the world." She winked to her father.

I wonder who told you that. She placed her hand over her mouth and yawned into it.

"Get to bed, it's late." I urged her.

"Okay, good night." She skipped out the room and I heard her door close behind her.

"You weren't serious, were you? About the car, I mean." he asked. I grinned causally.

"Or course I was. I can't go back on my word. I just never said when."

"That's my girl." He pulled me into his arms. Things hadn't changed so much, right.


YEAH, chapter eight is done. Please review. It really makes me want to continue the story, and if you don't I don't know if it's any good or not. Thanks...