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Chapter Fourteen

New Life

EPOV

Adjusting to fatherhood with Renesmee had been one of the most wonderful experiences in all my existence, only thing comparable to marrying my Bella. Having Masen brought the same incredible feeling as the first time. Adjusting to Masen was not at all difficult, but his bloodlust was what Carlisle and I had expected. Bella was having difficulties with it as well. She had wanted to invite Charlie over immediately after having Masen but I wanted to give it at least a week so that she could adjust to hunting again. I was proud of Bella being able to resist again and she was no surprise with her self control. Carlisle and I had watched Masen, he was quite thirsty after drinking several bottles of animal blood. Our worries about his growing had ceased as he was growing, but not at the super speed that Renesmee had. Our daughter was close to a year old but was more like a graceful seven year old in body, older in mind. She had taken to sisterhood with finesse. She loved spending time with Masen and playing. She would talk to him and teach him and they would share their gifts with one another.

We had not taken our new son into town or anywhere away from our family's home or our cottage for that matter. We needed to determine if he was venomous, which he most likely would be because both Bella and I were. I had asked him to bite me on numerous occasions but our newborn knew wrong from right already and refused to do so, even when I insisted we needed to know. If Masen accidentally pricked Charlie, it would be vampire life for him and I knew that Bella nor Charlie wanted that for him. Bella would love to keep her father with the rest of her family forever, but she knew that this would not be a life Charlie would choose, so she would rather respect his wishes. We would figure something out soon enough.

Bella and I with our children and Jacob were walking toward the cottage. Bella had took the lead with the children as Jacob and I walked slowly behind. Jacob began to think loudly so that he would grab my attention. Jacob's thoughts had always been more vivid and clear than all of those I had ever been around before, but over the past few months, having Jacob around all the time, I had learned to tune them out of my head. I knew if Jacob was yelling so loud, he was trying hard to get my attention. I looked at him quizzically as to say what's on your mind. There was a bloodsucker near the line yesterday. Sam and his pack chased for quite some time. She fled.

My face changed immediately at hearing this news. The Volturi had been gone for some time. Nobody had smelled another scent, but none of us had been out today. She must be passing through. I shrugged my shoulders to say I didn't know and that nor did my family. The smell was familiar to us. It was a woman. A familiar scent but I don't know which bloodsucker. Sorry. All of us believe it was a woman from when your royal family came here after Nessie. It wasn't a scent of one of the good guys. It was from the bad lot of you.

If I had blood running in my veins, it would have frozen. My body felt very heavy. Since becoming a father, protecting my family had become my top priority. I could taste the venom filling my mouth. I had known that the Volturi would be checking on us eventually. Aro was too interested in too many members of my family. I heard his thoughts when he had allowed our Nessie touch his skin. I had not shared all of the things I heard with my family, not even Bella. I did not want them to spend every day looking for the Volturi and not enjoying life. "Jacob, lets not tell Bella about this," I said low enough for only Jacob to hear. "Let her enjoy Masen without interruption until I discuss this with Carlisle."

Bella isn't going to like this, Edward. Keeping secrets from her. She will be irate at the both of us and in turn will make Nessie angry with me for upsetting her mother. I will do the best I can brother but if Bella starts asking questions, or if Seth or one of the others lets it slip…

I nodded in response. It wouldn't come to that. I needed to go back to the house and discuss this with Carlisle. Had the Volturi sent someone to spy? To see Nessie's progress? To spy on our truce with the wolves? "Bella," I called my wife. I bounded to catch her. Nessie always enjoyed watching my speed so I tried to make this as casual as possible. I wanted to be close to my family. They didn't know they needed me. I grabbed Bella and pulled her close. Jacob had phased and caught us shortly after I reached my wife and child. Nessie climbed on top of Jacob's back and laughed in glee.

Masen looked to Jacob and Jacob nodded. "Masen wants to ride too," Renesmee spoke. "Can he? I will hold on to him and not let him go."

I looked to Bella and she shrugged. We tried hard not to spoil the children but how could you not say yes to Nessie. It would be Masen's first ride on his future brother-in-law's back. I lifted my son into the arms of my daughter. To the outside world it would sound crazy that I was placing my newborn son, a week old, but looked four months, into the arms of my one year old daughter who sat there like a seven year old, with her being stronger than any human adult. "Take it easy, Jacob," I warned. "If…" No more words were needed. I could hear Jacob's thoughts and he knew to behave with my children.

Bella linked her arm around mine. We ran at a slower pace than normal behind Jacob. Renesmee and Masen were laughing in pure joy. I looked at my Bella and smiled. I hated keeping the new information that Jacob had given me a secret from her, but I had to until I figured it all out. My Bella could overreact, or did she? So far, she had been right about most things that had resulted in her reacting in that manner. "We are so blessed, Edward," she said. Her face showed that her thoughts were elsewhere. I new that face.

"Love, a penny for your thoughts?" I said as I pulled her closer to me. I touched her along her face, brushing my fingertips lightly over her jaw line and down to her neck. "What's on your mind, gorgeous?"

Bella sighed. She brought her arms around my neck. I kissed her lips loosely. We had stopped moving but I could still hear Jacob not far from us. Nothing more than a bound or two away. I pressed her face into my chest. "I was just thinking of how lucky I am to have you, Ness, and Masen. And I was thinking of the future…"

I leaned back and pulled Bella's chin upward so that I could look in her eyes. Her beautiful chocolate eyes had now become those beautiful topaz eyes. I thought I would have missed them, but I still have Ness's to look at. "We are. My three reasons for existing. I never thought it possible to be a father. You gave me everything, Bella, love. But what are your thoughts?"

Bella leaned in again. "I was just thinking if some time, not in the near future, but some time in the future, would you want to have another child? I know that as Nessie grew I had thought of how it would have been nice, but would have never thought it possible."

I had already thought of those things but with the news I had gotten earlier, that had shifted from my thoughts. "Eventually, Bella, I would like that. Once Masen and Nessie are grown to their full potential. We know that Masen grows slower than Nessie, but still quite fast. Carlisle and I have decided based on Nahuel's estimate of mature growth for hybrids and the rate Masen is growing now, it will probably take nine years for him to be fully matured. I think we should enjoy the two of them for that length of time."

Bella smiled. "I was hoping you would say that. I was hoping we would have another but wait because….I think it would be hard for Rose if we did again soon."

I nodded and agreed with my wife as we arrived at the cottage. As she and our children went into the house with Jacob, I held back outside. I needed to speak with Carlisle immediately but if I ran back to the house, Bella might would get suspicious. When I knew that Bella was out of the hearing zone, I flipped open my phone and dialed. "Carlisle, we need to talk."