Renesmee

What could possibly make my father behave in a way that would ultimately draw attention to him in that manner? Whatever it is, I intend to confront Nahuel and find out, but I know that I cannot do that with so many listening supernaturals and humans nearby.

The rest of the night, I dance with Aunt Alice and Uncle Jasper, laugh and talk with Seth and Jacob, but I can't seem to relax. I can feel Nahuel's eyes on me with every step I take. Finally, the party begins to wind down and everyone is leaving. Soon, I know I will get to find out what is going on, but there is a nagging feeling in my gut that I am not going to like what he has to say.

*After the party*

"Nahuel, what is going on? Why did my father growl at you like that?" Nahuel and I are sitting outside on the porch watching the rest of my family cleaning up. Jacob had reluctantly left with the pack to notify the elders of my answer.

"Well, a couple years ago, you told me that you would give me a fair shot at winning your heart, but since then, you have done nothing to back up that promise. In fact, you've done quite the opposite. You have all but ignored me, and then proceeded to pursue a relationship with a werewolf. I guess I am just having a bit of an issue with all of that."

"That still doesn't explain my father's actions." I don't acknowledge his words about the promise, and I don't intend to until he explains what happened when he arrived.

"Well, he most likely saw, in my thoughts, the reason I came earlier than usual. I wanted to ask you to fulfill your promise of giving me a fair chance, by traveling with me for six months. Six months to get to know me, and figure out if you truly want to be with your werewolf, or if you could somehow love me enough to be with me instead."

"SIX MONTHS!? Nahuel, you must be out of your mind! What makes you think I would leave my family for six months and go anywhere with you?"

"Well, what I didn't think was that you would just accept straight away, I know you need to think about it. But all I am asking is that you give me the chance you promised. It's all I ask. Then, after that time, if you still want to be with Mr. Black, I will step aside and not say anything else about it." Nahuel tried to take my hand, but as he reached forward, I took a step back, jerking my hand away from him.

"Nahuel, I will think about it, because I made a promise, but what I can tell you, is that I will be holding you to your new promise, that you will step aside. I know what I want. I know WHO I want. And that person is Jacob." Quickly, I turn, and throw over my shoulder, "I will talk to you tomorrow to give you my answer."

I know I need to agree to go, just to fulfill my promise, but I know I will have to convince my family and Jacob to let me go by myself. There is no way anyone will just lay down and let this happen.

Later, at the cottage with Bella

"Ness, I don't like that you would be gone for six months, but I think it is the right thing to do. Nahuel has visited faithfully for four years. He has stood by while you aged, he has done what he was really allowed to do during that time, but you and Jacob have fought him every step of the way. You made a promise, and there really is nothing more important than a person's word. If you break a promise, your word is as good as done. Have you spoken to Jacob?"

"I don't know what to tell him. We just got engaged tonight! How is he going to respond to me leaving and being with another man for six months!? It was bad enough when we were separated for the short times that we were, now six months? How would we survive?"

"Well, your father and I went through a pretty tough time in our relationship too. He left Forks for months because he felt it was the right thing to do. He was trying to keep me safe. He ultimately came back, but not until we had proven that we were better together than we were apart. If after the six months with Nahuel, you can come back and truthfully say you are still in love with Jacob, and he is the one you want, then, I will support you. And you know I support your relationship with Jacob, but I think you owe Nahuel at least the chance that you promised."

"How did you survive that time away from Dad?"

"To be honest? I spent a lot of time with Jake. We fixed up these old motorcycles, went to movies together, hung out, listened to music, hung out with the pack, and just got to know each other. We became really close friends. And then when I went to Italy to save your dad, Jacob knew he needed to step back and let me be with Edward."

"Wait, step back? I thought you guys were just friends? Why would he need to step back if you were only friends."

"Well, we really didn't want to tell you about any of this, but I think you need to know before you make your final decision to marry him. Back then, Jake and I were close in age, and I was going through a very hard time. I really leaned on Jacob. Nothing ever happened, but there was a connection I never could really explain. I was drawn to him and he treated me like I meant the world to him. After your dad came back, and we ended up getting back together, Jacob was still fighting for me to give him a chance."

"Wait! Jacob... MY Jacob, was in love with you!? You're my MOTHER! So what!? He couldn't have you, so he just decided to settle for me!? He couldn't have all of you, so he figured part of you would be better than NONE of you!? How could you not tell me this!?" I felt the heat rise in my face as I tried to wrap my brain around what my mom was telling me.

"Ness, it wasn't like that. I loved Jacob, but truly, never really more than a brother. We discovered later, the reason he was drawn to me was because you were still apart of me. I can't really explain it, but it's like deep down, he knew that you would come around one day."

"I still can't believe what I am hearing. So what would have happened if Dad hadn't come back? What would have happened if you had stayed with Jacob? Do you think you would have fallen in love with him!? He's MY imprint!"

"Honey, honestly, I don't know. Jacob once said he felt that he could have made me happy if your dad had just stayed away, but I don't know if that is true or not. I love Jacob, but I am IN LOVE with your father. It never was the same kind of love. I am sorry. I know this is all confusing, but I really thought you should know."

"Well, at least I found out now rather than from someone mentioning it in passing at MY WEDDING!" I spat out bitterly. I knew I was probably overreacting, but this was my MOTHER and my FIANCÉ! I mean, when did I become the main character in a soap opera?

Before my mom had time to respond, I jumped up from the couch, "Don't follow me, I really don't want to hear anything else. I am going to talk to Jake." In the next second, I was out of the front door, and sprinting toward the house Jacob had bought on the edge of the reservation. Jacob had a lot of explaining to do.