Hi! Most of you seem satisfied with the way things played out for Bella. Some of you were confused by Edward's mention of Renee. One reviewer guessed correctly how Edward might have known her though. She posted as a guest, so I could not reply to her. Well done, friend!

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Disclaimer: SM owns everything 'Twilight'.

Thank you, TeamAllTwilight, for polishing this story!

Chapter-25

Renee? Did he mean my mother, or was it some other woman who shared her name with my long-disappeared mother? And why would he dream of her?

"Edward," I asked in a soothing tone, "who are you talking about? Who is this Renee you have been dreaming of?"

His forehead wrinkled in thought as he lay upon his side, facing me, and took my hand in his. "Bella," he said slowly, "you know what is strange? I don't really know who she is—I mean, I have never seen her; not that I remember, anyway. I don't know what her last name or profession was. All I remember is her voice…and some things she told me."

My curiosity was increasing by leaps and bounds. "What sort of things?"

He squinted as if seeing something far away. "She told me that I would be okay, that I was caught in a deep sleep because my body and mind needed it, but I would wake up when I was ready." He scratched his head. "That makes no sense. Why would anybody talk to me while I was asleep?"

It made no sense to me either. "What else do you remember, Edward? "

He played with my fingers and then placed my hand on his forehead. "She talked about her little girl, I think. She said…that she loved her daughter, but she had to leave her with her father because his way of life could not be hers. And he never would have let her take the girl with her. She said it was the saddest day of her life when she had to make that decision, but there was nothing else she could have done."

"Quite a story," I murmured as my fingers played with his soft hair, making him smile and hum in content. "Did she tell you her daughter's name?"

Edward made a face. "Hmm, her name. Let me see—Lizzy? It was something similar to that." He frowned some more and then suddenly his face cleared. "Got it—her name was Izzy—yes, I am sure that's what it was. 'My sweet Izzy', she used to say. Do you think it might have been a nickname?"

Something seemed to be undulating in my mind, some hidden, almost-forgotten memory. Why did the name sound familiar? Was it even remotely possible that my mother might have called me Izzy for Isabella? Only Charlie could answer that question, but I was not sure that he would.

"Did you know that my mother's name was Renee?" I asked Edward who was gazing at me in a puzzled manner. He looked surprised at this sudden bit of information, but shook his head. "You never mentioned it, Bella. In fact, I don't know anything about your mother. I wondered of course, but then I figured it must be a sore topic. You think…the voice I hear in my dreams—it belongs to your mother?"

"It is not impossible," I mused aloud, "Renee is not exactly a common name, is it? And my mother left me and Charlie when I was three. That is why I don't talk about her—I know nothing about her, you see. I don't even know what she looks like because there are no photos of her in the house."

"That is really sad, Bella," he sympathized, stroking my temple and cheek lightly. "Your dad never remarried, did he?"

"No, he didn't," I sighed. "I think he still loves her, but he is so stubborn. He never speaks of her either, just goes on with his life as if nothing had happened, as if she had never existed. Edward, wouldn't it be wonderful if the woman you remember turns out to be my mother?" My voice rose slightly with excitement towards the end, and I could feel my lips stretch in a smile.

He smiled too, his eyes lighting up. "Yes, of course it would be! But Bella, how will we find out?"

I grimaced, thinking of the task that lay ahead of me. "I will have to ask Charlie if my mother used to call me Izzy, I suppose. That will give us something to work on, though the very thought of asking Charlie this question makes me nervous."

He nodded in understanding. "Of course it does. Still, he can't refuse you an answer, can he? And Bella, I will ask mom if she knew somebody called Renee, okay? Maybe she will be able to help us."

I agreed, and we drifted off to sleep again.

-JRFM-

Having that little disturbance during the night meant we overslept in the morning. Still, when I felt his wood poking me in the butt as a wake-up call, I smiled and lazily stretched myself, enjoying the warmth surrounding me. That of course made Edward yawn and open his eyes, and I could sense his own smile as his lips pressed kisses on my neck and shoulder.

"You taste so good, Bella," he spoke into my skin, tickling it and making me giggle. "See, this spot here is a pancake—I think I will take a bite now," he said and pretended to nibble it. "Hmm, blueberry, I think—my favorite. And what is this here?" He moved to another spot nearby. "Oh, this seems to be French toast, just the way I like it." I tried to squirm away, giggling madly at the sensations produced by his wandering mouth, but his arms only tightened around me. I wiggled some more, and heard him groan as my ass rubbed against his…penis. It sounded so clinical though—I knew I would have to find another word. Did cock sound better? Dick? Snake? Wand?

The last word made me laugh outright. Edward lifted his mouth from my neck and asked me what was so funny.

"Uh, I was thinking of the slang words for penis. Did you know some people also call it snake or wand?"

He snorted. "Where do you get all these terms from? Oh right, your classmates. Maybe we should Google it and find out what else is it called?"

"Maybe after breakfast?" I suggested. "I am kind of hungry right now."

"Why don't you try my shoulder and neck? I am sure I have bacon and eggs somewhere here," he grinned, making me laugh again. "Hey Bella, is it okay to tell Emmett that I had pancakes and French toast off you?"

I choked mid-laughter, and began to cough. Edward patted my back gently.

"I suppose not, then," he murmured. "I just wanted to reply to Emmett's question from yesterday morning—you know, when he asked me if I had nothing to eat before coming down for breakfast."

I am sure my eyes widened to double their size. "Um, Edward, I don't think he meant it quite that way," was the best answer I could give. "I am going to brush my teeth, okay?"

I could see he wanted further explanations, but he did not push me. By the time we were having breakfast, he seemed to have forgotten the topic, concentrating on beating Emmett at having the most number of omeletes. When were all done and leaning back in our chairs, Edward addressed his mother.

"Mom, have you ever met someone named Renee?" he asked as if the question had suddenly popped into his mind. I recalled what we had decided to do today, and my stomach dropped at the thought of asking Charlie about my mother.

Esme frowned, clearly puzzled. "Renee? Can't say I have. Why—what happened?"

Edward shrugged. "I have been having these weird dreams where I hear a woman talking to me, but I can't see her. Last night I recalled that her name was Renee, and I wondered if we ever knew someone by that name, that's all."

Naturally this statement made everybody curious. "What does she say to you?" Rose asked, sitting straight and leaning toward Edward.

He explained what he had told me, with everybody listening attentively. Esme closed her eyes for a second as she thought hard.

"I really can't remember, and you are right, it is an unusual name." She drummed her fingertips on the table. "Anyway, Bella, you should ask your father about this Izzy thing. If your mother really called you Izzy…I am sure Charlie would like to know about this."

I nodded gloomily. Esme raised an eyebrow, looking at me quizzically. Edward answered her unspoken question. "Bella is afraid that her father won't like being questioned about anything related to his wife, because she left him years ago. He doesn't talk about her, ever."

"Ooh," said Esme thoughtfully, "I see. Would you prefer that I speak with him? I don't think he will yell at me!" She gave me a mischievous smile at the end. Everyone laughed.

"I really think I should be the one making the call, Esme," I said regretfully. "Thanks for the offer, though."

"Why don't you make it now, in that case?" she asked. "We will give you moral support, if you like. Or you can go into the sun-room, have some privacy."

"Make it here, Bella," suggested Emmett eagerly, his dimples deepening, "if he starts yelling, I will throw a chair or something, and you can tell him there has been an earthquake!" He winked at me.

"That's not a bad idea," I chuckled, feeling better instantly. How could anyone be low around Emmett? I crossed my fingers, picked up my phone and pressed the number.

"Bella! How are you, sweetie?" came Sue's chirpy voice. "I miss you so much!"

"You should come visit me then!" I replied, truly happy to hear her. She had taken very good care of me whenever I had been home from the boarding school. "I am good, by the way, and very, very happy. How are you doing?"

There was a suspicious sniffle-like sound on the other end, and then Sue spoke again. "Yeah, yeah, I am okay. It's your father I am worried about—prowling about the house like a lost soul or something, he is. I had imagined retirement would bring him some peace, but no, he is not happy, that one."

I was taken aback by her comment. Firstly, Charlie had always come across as a quiet but strong man to me, and I could not imagine him being 'lost' and unhappy. Secondly, Sue had considered me grown-up enough to convey this information to me! Was it just because I was married now, or she was too worried and just had to let me know?

"Actually I need to speak with him," I admitted reluctantly. "Is he around?"

She sighed. "I am sure he is in his room, looking at those photos again. I tell you—"

"Wait, wait," I interrupted her, frowning. "What photos are you talking about, Sue?"

"Your mother's photos, that's what I am talking about," she grumbled. "He didn't want anybody disturbing him—not that many people call him nowadays—that's why he left his phone downstairs. I will just go—"

I stopped her again. "Sue," I said urgently, "you mean to say that Charlie has my mother's photos? And he looks at them?"

"Well of course he has them, and no, he did not look at them earlier. It's only after you got married…like I said, he feels lonely. Why he let her leave I will never understand—he loved her that much. Still does, I guess."

Her words had knocked me off my feet. I had imagined Charlie spending his days cleaning his beloved guns, hunting and fishing with a couple of his cronies and enjoying himself in general. Never had it occurred to me that he might be lonely. I mean, I had been at school for years anyway, though he had his business to look after at that time. It made me feel somewhat guilty. Perhaps I should not have been in such a hurry to get married—

"Bella, Bella dear," Sue was calling me, and I realized I had zoned off for a moment. Around me, I could see the anxious faces of my new family. I tried to relax and smile a bit.

"Yes, Sue. Sorry I got lost in my mind. Um, can I talk with him now, or is this a bad time?"

"Of course you can talk with him," she assured me. "I am just at his door—Charlie, Bella is on the phone. Here, take this."

There was a pause, and then my father was on the line. "Bella, how are you?" He didn't sound too different, but with the new knowledge I had gleaned from Sue, I could detect a weariness in his tone. "I hope Edward is treating you well." He tried to laugh.

That made me smile, but also feel sad. "Yes Dad, very well; I am very happy. How are you?"

He tried to brush it off. "Oh, fine, fine. So, what made you call me?"

"Well, I wanted to ask you something." I swallowed and glanced around. Everybody there nodded encouragingly, and Edward squeezed my hand. "Do you remember—did Mom ever call me Izzy, or something similar to it?"

There was complete silence at his end. I began to feel extremely uncomfortable. Just as I was getting ready to apologize, he spoke heavily. "Yes, she did, actually. I didn't think you would remember it though, after all these years. What's going on, Bella?"

"It's a little complicated," I answered. "Can you come over? There's something we want to tell you." I looked at Edward to see if he had any objection, but he just nodded.

"I will come over right now," he said eagerly. We said bye and then disconnected.

I filled in the others what they had missed, and Esme nodded sagely. Then she suggested that Edward and I talk with Charlie on our own, at first anyway. If he wanted, she could join us later.

Charlie arrived in a few minutes. Esme welcomed him, but then left us alone in the small sun-room that looked out into the front garden. It had a couple of cushy couches, into which we settled, both Charlie and I distinctly uncomfortable. Edward broke the ice by thanking him, and then proceeded to narrate his dream. Charlie listened, more fascinated than I had thought he would be.

"We think she might be important in some way," explained Edward, finishing his story. "If she really turns out to be Bella's mother, then of course that would be great. But since I don't know what she looks like, we don't have much to go on. If you could help us in any way—"

Charlie smiled a very strange smile. "Well, I can't say for sure if she is Bella's mother or some other Renee, although this Izzy thing makes it plausible. I do know where my Renee is, however, so yes, I can help you contact her."

For the second time in the day, I felt as if I had been knocked off my feet.

End Note: Were you knocked off your feet by Charlie's announcement?

What do you think Bella should call Edward's 'wand'? ;) TAT voted for 'Southpole'!