Charlie and I sat down at the kitchen table while Sue made our plates. She always so badly wanted to do things for others, just to show them she cared. I always appreciated even the smallest of gestures from her. Such as bringing me a plate of spaghetti. When you're a human living in a household full of vampires, sometimes the fact that you eat real food can be looked over. Sue knew this when I was growing up and always put in the effort to make sure there was a home cooked meal ready to be served when I was visiting. I've always considered her my "cozy, motherly, human mom."

She sat the plate in front of me "Here you go! Enjoy! How lucky you are it wasn't a burger and fries carry-out night!" She laughed and pulled up a chair beside me. I missed this.

Charlie sighed. "I have to ask. Do your parents know you're here?" he twirled the pasta on his plate around a fork. But didn't as much as take a bite. I could tell he was nervous that I was here. The poor guy had been put through so much at the hands of my family. His first instinct is probably to assume something worse is about to happen.

"I'm supposed to be at college.. At my dorm. Which is where they think I am at the moment. But, I finished all of my coursework two weeks early and I just.." I trailed off. Trying to find the right words to say. "I really needed to be here. I'm sure they'll catch wind of my whereabouts soon." I took a deep breath in.

"You needed to be here? Nes, is everything alright?" Sue said, placing a gentle hand on top of mine on the oak table.

"Everything is fine. I just.." I trailed off. With so much to say, I couldn't think of a simple way to put it all without being blunt. My parents were always poetic with words. I didn't quite inherit that trait. "I've been struggling lately. It's been hard on me being away from here. Especially with how.. My family left things. It's hard not to be sad when so many people you love aren't in your life. I never adjusted. I thought if I came back, things could be like they used to be." I sighed.

"Nes, nothing has changed here. We're the same us. You're the same you. Except maybe a little taller." Charlie said while laughing. Then his face fell and he looked down at his plate. "Where've you been? What happened, kid? How's the rest of your family? How's your mom?" He trembled the words out. I could tell he had been avoiding asking. But I knew this part of the conversation was inevitable. My family packed up in the middle of the night and left three years ago. Leaving none of our family an explanation. Not even a note. I wasn't allowed to have contact with them after our departure. They said for my safety no one could know where we went and talking to them was a risk. I always did what my parents asked without argument. With a dad that can read minds, an uncle that can change your mood, and an aunt that can see your decisions there's really no point in being disobedient. They always knew what I was up to. Not being able to have a normal teenage life was always frustrating to me. This was the first time in my life I've ever defied them.

"It's a really long story." I said quietly.

"Well.. We've waited three years for an explanation. I think we can make the time." Charlie announced with a laugh. I knew he was serious though. I wasn't getting away from this table without telling the truth.

"My parents are fine. Everyone's okay. They just didn't think it was safe for me here. I didn't want to leave but I wasn't given much of a choice." Sue squeezed my hand tight hoping to comfort me. She smiled. She had to have been aware of the incident that made my family leave. As a council member, she's kept pretty in the loop about all of the wolf happenings. The one thing that gave me peace in all of this time is that I knew she wouldn't tell Charlie. She wouldn't want him to hurt for me more than he already was with us being gone.

I took a deep breath. "There was an accident the day that we left. I was walking in the woods, by myself. Like everyone always told me not to. And, I crossed paths with a bear. And.." I stood up. Unzipping my jacket. "It's probably just easier if I show you." I pulled my left arm out of the jacket sleeve and revealed the scars that trace down my arm and to my fingertips. Almost like a tattoo. But, a bit more gnarly. A look of concern and worry painted Charlie's face as he studied my healed injury.."It was painful then but, I think they're kind of cool now." I said to reassure them. "Carlisle transferred me to a special hospital in Alaska. And when I was better, my family was so scared for my safety and angry they didn't want to come back. So, we stayed there for a few weeks. When they broke the news to me that we weren't coming back, I was hysterical. Everyone, besides me, agreed that it was best if we just disappeared. They thought if they cut off my life in Forks, I wouldn't want to come back. They were insistent. And I obeyed. Until now."

It felt amazing to get it off of my chest. To provide Charlie with some truth. Even if it wasn't the whole truth. He deserved answers more than anyone else. My family has put him through hell and it was always something that bothered me. He deserved better. The guy has been through enough.

"A bear attack." Charlie stated almost as a question. "Are you okay now?"

"Oh I'm totally fine! Doesn't hurt. Makes me look pretty tough." I laughed. He didn't.

He looked shocked. "I thought of every possible scenario. Never once did 'Renesmee got attacked by a bear and Bella and Edward took her away to Alaska and were too scared to come back and communicate with their family anymore' never once crossed my mind. That doesn't even make sense. Why can't they talk to us? But then again, nothing ever does with the Cullens."

"I know. It's just... " I went to say when Charlie cut me off.

"Just a 'need to know' situation I'm assuming?" He asked. It was a term my mom used to explain things to Charlie when him knowing the truth put him at risk. Like her being a vampire. He didn't "need to know" if he wanted her to stick around. It's how she explained my incredible growth rate to him. He learned to just accept things and not search for explanations.

"I think so. Maybe for the both of us." I said. He stood up and pulled me into a bear hug.

"I can accept that. No more questions. Just promise you'll stay a while." He said almost begging.

"I promise to stay a while." I pulled away from him so I could see his face. "As long as I can stay here?"

"Nes, you don't even have to ask! I'll get your mom's old room ready for you!" Sue squealed running towards the stairs.

I was finally home.