Outtake: Uncle

(Bella PoV)

Elia was completely healthy, a fact I was relieved and proud to hear. Just six weeks old, she was the most astounding newborn Carlisle had ever encountered, though that was to be expected. She rarely slept through the night, though I didn't mind much, as it allowed Edward to have quality time with her. She fed fine, always accepting my milk when I offered it to her. She was rarely fussy; she acted like the quintessence of a newborn baby.

Though, there were aspects of her that hinted at her vampire side. The most obvious sign was that, whenever I fed her, she sucked some of my blood from me; not enough to hurt or make any difference for me, but enough that I could notice the droplets when I would reattach my bra strap. She was intelligent, everyone knew that; she understood things that regular newborns babies did not have the capacity to know. Her ability to communicate through her touch was the evidence to her unique nature. She was able to convey to anyone what she wanted or felt through one touch; it was mystifying and often helpful.

I carried Elia down the hallway toward Edward's office, rocking her gently. She took to looking at everything around her, staring at the pictures on the wall, looking out the windows. She was a quiet baby, a trait that Elizabeth attributed to we because, apparently, Edward was not a quiet baby at all. I couldn't help the smile that came to my face as Edward ducked his head at his mother's comment.

The Denali coven had visited last week and all of them were taken by Elia. She was enchanting, no one could deny that, and it was amusing to watch the five, gifted and strong vampires melt to butter in her presence. Much like with us, her family, she was the princess, and everyone loved her. I believed it went beyond our familial love for her; she was always happy, wiggling, it was intoxicating. The one time we took her out in public, we took her to a private park in Olympia. Everyone who went by us smiled at Elia out of instinct, it seemed. Whether young children, middle-aged adults, or the elderly, they all were so taken by her it was fascinating to watch. She was charismatic; her personality literally leaked off into everyone around her.

I knocked gently on the wooden door and Edward looked up from his desk where he was typing. He smiled and stood up, meeting me at the door. He immediately leaned down and kissed Elia on the forehead, whispering to her gently in Italian, a habit he had picked up from his mother, who often spoke to her granddaughter in fluent Italian.

Edward looked up and greeted me, kissing me chastely on the lips. I returned the gesture and leaned into him, utterly content. He recommended lunch and I agreed. We walked downstairs at a human-ish pace together. I sat on the bar stool as Edward and Elizabeth began to make dinner. Elia was awake by then and she watched her father and grandmother dart around the room at vampire speed. She was able to follow their movements easily.

She began to whimper, and I automatically unclipped my bra strap. Elizabeth stopped her whizzing around the kitchen to hand me a baby hand towel, which I smiled in thanks. I laid the towel over my right shoulder and folded my tank down. I maneuvered Elia slightly, holding her head and allowing her within reach of right nipple. She latched on hungrily and began to suckle in earnest. I sighed, leaning back into the seat as I watched Edward and Elizabeth. They were both at the counter on my side, the countertop slightly lower on their side than mine. Edward smiled slightly at the sight and I couldn't help but smile back.

"Hey, Bella," Emmett said as he bounded into the kitchen with Jasper and Alice on his heels. He stopped in his tracks at the realization that I was feeding Elizabeth. I looked back at him evenly with slight amusement.

"What? I'm family. This shouldn't bother you," I said, gesturing to my half bare chest.

"It doesn't really. It's just weird to see her doing that," Emmett said, slightly nervous. Alice hopped into the chair beside me and watched her niece calmly.

"How, Emmett? It's a natural thing," she said. Emmett shrugged, watching Elia with fascination and nervousness. He and Jasper were always nervous around her and they had yet to hold her. I wanted to rectify that; a plan formed in my head. Alice giggled at me and I smiled secretively. Edward saw the plan in her head and smirked. Elia finished drinking and I held her upright to burp her. When she burped, I allowed Alice to help me redo my tank top strap. I turned toward my brothers.

"Come here," I said. They approached cautiously, eyes wary. Jasper was closer and Alice reached out her hand and pulled him up against her chair. I resituated Elia in my arms and offered her to him. His golden eyes widened in fear and he shook his head feverishly.

"It's ok, Jazz," Alice reassured him. He was still undecided; I made the decision for him. I gave Elia to him and his arms automatically curled around her. He cradled her carefully, but gradually became more relaxed. Elia looked up at him curiously and wiggled in his arms. She made a small gurgle of delight and her lips turned up into a open smile. Edward and I laughed lightly; she had only done that a couple of times before to each of us. Alice joined in and Jasper smiled widely down at his niece. He held her for several more minutes before she began crying for me. I took her from him gently, bouncing her slightly to calm her. She quieted and tilted her head back and looked at Emmett with curiosity.

Emmett's face seemed to getting slightly paler as Rosalie, who and Esme and Carlisle had joined us while Alice was convincing Jasper to hold Elia, pushed him forward slightly. Edward had abandoned making dinner and had watched form beside me as Jasper handled Elia. When it was apparently Emmett's turn, Edward asked for her and I transferred her into his arms. She went willingly, cooing as she always did when he held her while still watching Emmett curiously. Edward took a step toward Emmett, offering her to him.

Edward's actions were apparently just what Emmett needed to feel alright with holding Elia. He took her gently from Edward and Rosalie helped him hold her properly. I got up from my chair and stood beside Edward, who stood beside Emmett. Elia cooed and gurgled happily in Emmett's arms and none of us could help lauging slightly at her actions. Emmett slowly relaxed his tense position at his niece cuddled into his large chest. A sweet, tender smile came into his features, dimpling, and I could see the boy that still lived inside Emmett. We stayed that way for an immeasurable amount of time, until Elia fell asleep in Emmett's arms. He gave her back to me and I held her gently as she dreamed.

Hey guys!

This outtake was originally going to be the wolf one but it went in this direction and I loved it too much not to upload it! :)

~Melinda :)