Chapter 28: The Bitter Winter

Renesmee skipped by me as she headed to the piano where Edward sat. I couldn't believe the girl who looked like a mature two year old was only 3 months old. Her hair brushed mid back, and her brown eyes held so much wisdom. "Daddy! Look what Jake gave me today!"

She held up a dreamcatcher, smiling widely.

Edward stopped playing his song and took the feathered object from her. "It's beautiful, Love. We'll have to hang it in your room later."

She nodded and took it back. She turned back towards me and skipped over. I crouched to her level so she could press her hand to my cheek. This was a common gesture between us. She showed me an image of her on my wolf back.

"Maybe later, sweetie. I promised your grandma I would help her get some food ready for dinner."

She beamed. She showed me another image. This one of a clock showing 6pm.

I giggled. "Okay. But only if you try your broccoli."

She pouted. But then she nodded. She pressed her hand one more time. She showed me an image of Mulan.

I smiled. "Now?"

She nodded.

Edward laughed. "I still can't believe you've won her over with that. Jacob is mortified."

I shrugged. "Hey… Renesmee's a princess to everyone. Why not learn how to be a female warrior too?"

Edward smiled. "I guess you're right." He then looked at Renesmee. "But we're at least sticking to educational books."

Renesmee giggled.

I grabbed the remote and turned the TV on. The DVD player on the shelf beneath lit up. I darted upstairs and grabbed the movie, then rushed back. Renesmee was already on the couch, her eyes full of thrill. I put the movie in and it started to play. As I sat on the couch with Renesmee, she moved so she could sit on my lap. I hugged her and gave her a kiss on the top of the head.

It was hard to watch Renesmee grow so fast. But I still hoped she would stop. We noticed her growth was slowing slightly. But we still weren't sure what to expect. This had Edward and Bella stressed out. And what was worse was they had not found any answers still.

Like me, Renesmee seemed to be one of a kind.

As the movie played, Edward went upstairs to speak with Carlisle more about theories. I could hear Bella on the phone in Edward's room with Charlie. Emmett and Jasper were in the garage. Emmett had been pouting a lot because he still couldn't beat Bella at the many arm wrestling contests they had. Alice and Rosalie were shopping for more clothes for Renesmee online. They had to buy new clothes every week it seemed.

I felt Renesmee play with my hair while watching the movie. She liked the feel of it and the darkness. It was different from her bronze curls. As I held her, I wondered how Seth was doing at school. He'd been at La Push most of the week, but I knew he'd be back over Saturday.

"Hannah!" Jacob whined in protest as he came inside the house. "Why?!"

I defended myself. "Hey. Don't look at me. Renesmee suggested it."

Jacob sat beside me, meeting the child's eyes. "Nessie. We talked about this. Disney. bad."

Renesmee giggled. She touched his face. He pouted. "I am nothing like Mushu!"

I laughed. "I don't know... You do look scaley to me."

He flicked me on the side of the head. I stuck my tongue out at him.

Since seeing Rachel and Dad, things had calmed between Jacob and I. There would never be that same bond we shared as kids, but I was willing to let him in just a little. Renesmee had a lot to do with that though. She loved me just as much as she loved Jacob. I knew I had to let go of my bitterness for her sake.

We watched the movie together, and in that time Bella came back downstairs. Renesmee looked over at her as soon as she did. "Mommy! Sit and watch with us!"

Bella smiled at Renesmee. "Not at this moment sweetie. But I did want to ask you if you want to go for a hunt after dinner?"

Renesmee reached for her mother from my lap, and Bella moved forward to let her press her hand to her cheek. Bella smiled. "Of course Hannah and Jacob can come. Hannah probably should hunt something anyway." She shot her eyes at me. "Since she ignored Carlisle this morning and slept in."

I pouted. "In my defense, it's wet outside and wet makes me sleepy."

Bella laughed. "I will catch you something while we're out. I'll carry your clothes for you. It seems you promised Renesmee a wolf-back ride?"

I shrugged and hugged Renesmee. "What can I say… my niece knows how to get her way with me."

Bella glanced at the movie smiling. "You two seem to have a lot in common." She kissed Renesmee on the cheek, and then me on the forehead.

As she headed away towards the kitchen, Jacob feigned disappointment. "Where's my kiss?"

Edward arrived downstairs and scoffed. "Trust me, Jacob. Bella has had enough of your kisses." He followed Bella into the kitchen.

Jacob shrugged. "No worries. Be too weird to make out with my future mother-in-law."

Bella snapped, "Shut it, Jacob!"

I rolled my eyes and looked back at the movie. Renesmee seemed oblivious to Jacob's comment, which I was glad. She was too young to think about marriage. If she ended up looking old enough to marry in a year, there was no way Edward and Bella would let a marriage ceremony take place for another twenty years. Staring down at Renesmee who had grown a few more inches since the day before, I frowned slightly. I hoped we had that time.

A few hours later, after I helped Esme cook and clean up the kitchen, I headed out with Bella, Renesmee, and Jacob. Just as she said, Bella carried my clothes while I let Renesmee ride on my back through the woods. Jacob ran beside me, making Renesmee giggle as he kicked water from puddles back at us. I growled in irritation. He knew I didn't like the cold and wet stuff on my face, even in wolf form.

Hey. Don't be a party pooper. Jacob said.

Watch it! Or when I phase back I'll chuck you across the meadow!

He snorted. Ooh! I'm so scared!

I growled.

When we got to the meadow, Jacob and I both phased back. Renesmee stayed with Jacob while I followed Bella towards a moose a little ways away. She took it down for me, and I quickly drained the carcass. Once I was satisfied, I let Bella run off to hunt her own as I returned back to Jacob and Renesmee. Jacob was laying in the leaves, tossing them up and letting them hit him in the face as they floated back down. Renesmee threw her own pile on his face trying to cover him. I laughed at their childlike actions.

As Renesmee and I started to make a pile of leaves, Jacob was confronted by Bella who returned from feeding. She had been trying to reason with him in the last few days. We were leaving soon to take a trip to South America to start looking into the local legends there and see if we could learn more about Renesmee. Jacob said he was coming, and Bella kept trying to dissuade him.

"Jacob," she said. "You've got obligations here. Seth, Leah—"

He snorted. "I'm not my pack's nanny. They've all got responsibilities in La Push anyway."

"Sort of like you? Are you officially dropping out of high school, then? If you're going to keep up with Renesmee, you're going to have to study a lot harder."

"It's just a sabbatical. I'll get back to school when things… slow down."

Renesmee jumped up from our leaves then as snowflakes started to fall above. She grinned and held her hand out, then jumped almost fifteen feet in the air catching one. I had stood from our pile at this point and returned to Bella and Jacob. Once she landed, she turned to us and showed the perfect flake in her palm.

"Pretty," Jacob called to her appreciatively. "But I think you're stalling, Nessie."

She bounded back to Jacob; he held his arms out at exactly the moment she leaped into them. Renesmee touched his face, scowling.

"Suuuure you're not thirsty, Nessie," Jacob answered a little sarcastically. "You're just afraid I'll catch the biggest one again!"

She flipped backward out of Jacob's arms, landing lightly on her feet, and rolled her eyes. Then she darted off toward the trees.

"Got it," Jacob said. "It doesn't count if you cheat," he called to Renesmee.

I laughed. Bella smiled at their childlike nature.

"Like two kids," she muttered.

"Can't take him anywhere," I commented.

Bella laughed and put an arm around my shoulders. The two of us started to follow the hunters who were chasing the elk ahead.

A strange scent hit me though. An unfamiliar vampire scent. The wolf part of me was what helped me pick it up before Bella. I froze. Bella stopped beside me. "Hannah?"

My eyes shot around the clearing. Then I saw a figure up on the ridge at a distance. A female vampire. Her skin was marble white. Her hair was pale blond. She was definitely the first vampire, apart from the Cullens, I had seen in months. Bella was surprised and stepped in front of me to protect me.

Bella knew who she was. "Irina…"

For one moment we stared at her, and she stared back. Bella half-raised her hand, about to wave, but the vampire's expression showed hostility.

Renesmee let out a cry of victory from the forest, and Jacob gave an echoing howl. Irina's face jerked towards the sound. We could see Jacob and Renesmee still, slightly through the treelines. Jacob was in his russett wolf form.

Irina's face spasmed in pain.

Bella opened her hands in front of her in an apologetic gesture. Irina turned from my brother back towards us, and her lip curled back over her teeth. She growled and darted back into the forest.

"Crap!" Bella groaned.

She grabbed my hand and we sprinted into the forest after Renesmee and Jacob. We were there in only two seconds.

"Mine is bigger," we heard Renesmee insist as we burst through the thick thornbushes to the small open space where they stood.

Jacob's ears flattened as he took in our expressions; he crouched forward, baring his teeth. I cringed when I saw the blood on his muzzle. Jacob was not against killing as a wolf, and sometimes this act really freaked me out. Jacob growled knowing there was something wrong.

Renesmee was alert as well. She left the dead stag at her feet, and leaped into Bella's waiting arms.

"I'm overreacting," Bella assured them quickly. "It's okay, I think. Hold on."

She pulled out her cell phone and hit the speed dial. Edward answered on the first ring.

"Come, bring Carlisle," Bella trilled. "I saw Irina, and she saw me, but then she saw Jacob and she got mad and ran away, I think. She hasn't shown up here—yet, anyway—but she looked pretty upset so

maybe she will. If she doesn't, you and Carlisle have to go after her and talk to her. I feel so bad."

Jacob rumbled.

"We'll be there in half a minute," Edward assured us.

We darted back into the meadow.

I was confused. "What's going on?"

Bella answered as we waited for Edward and Carlisle. "Irina… She's from the Denali clan. She was in love with Laurent. The werewolves killed him when he tried to attack me, and she feels I've betrayed her by having Jacob with us."

Edward was at Bella's side suddenly and Carlisle came a moment later. I heard Leah following behind them.

"She was up on that ridge," Bella told them at once, pointing out the spot. "Maybe you should call Emmett and Jasper and have them come with you. She looked… really upset. She growled at Hannah and I."

"What?" Edward said angrily.

Carlisle put a hand on his arm. "She's grieving. I'll go after her."

"I'm coming with you," Edward insisted.

Carlisle nodded, and they took off to find the trail. Jacob huffed impatiently and poked Bella's back with his nose. He wanted to go home. He didn't feel Renesmee was safe anymore. Bella nodded in agreement.

After we got home, the others were there waiting with worry. They had heard Edward and Carlisle take off. Bella explained to them what happened, and Esme was heartbroken. "Irina is probably still mourning over Laurent's death. She blames the werewolves so much. It's why she refused to come to your wedding."

Bella sighed. "I know. I wish she would've given me time to explain."

Carlisle and Edward were suddenly back. Alice had rushed downstairs with towels at this point, and when they came in we could see they were drenched. They took the towels and explained to us that they couldn't catch her trail after she jumped into the sound.

Carlisle rushed upstairs and called Tanya, but he explained to us that her and Kate hadn't seen Irina since they'd decided to come to Bella's wedding, and they were distraught that Irina had come so close and yet not returned home.

Alice tried to see Irina in the future, but she could not figure out where she was. She could tell that the vampire was not going to return to the Denali's in Alaska. She seemed to be wandering around the wilderness.

As the days passed by though, we stopped worrying about it. We decided she probably had just gotten upset seeing Jacob and was trying to run off her anger. Seth came over Wednesday night, and we both took a run together through the woods in our wolf forms. He told me about school, and about how weird it was that Charlie was over at his house so much. He also let me know he was still bitter that Leah got to be the Beta of our pack, because that meant she got to order him around even more now.

Hey. At least your sister isn't the Alpha. You can still try and ignore her orders. I'm trapped having to do whatever Jacob wants.

Seth snorted. He likes to boss me around too. You're not alone. He then fell quiet for a moment. His thoughts replayed Jacob telling him about our trip soon to South America. You're going with them?

I stopped running and hung my head. I don't want to leave… but I can't stay here without them. I'll end up not hunting because I'd have to kill, and then I'll lose myself again. And I can't come to La Push… I don't want to be alone...

Seth whined. He nudged me with his nose. How long do you think you'll be gone?

I don't know… That's the part that scares me.

Seth looked saddened by this news. I wish you could stay… but I understand… I'll be waiting for you.

I nuzzled his muzzle. I'll miss you every day.

You better, he grinned.

The next day I was sitting on the floor against the recliner, sketching another image of Renesmee who was dozed on the couch. Emmett and Jasper were analyzing maps of possible hunting areas in South America. They were tired of Washington animals and looking forward to something exotic.

Bella stood with Edward beside Renesmee, while Carlisle and Esme were in the kitchen discussing packing plans. Jacob and Leah were out on a run in the woods. Jacob had been doing this a lot more frequently since Irina had come to make sure Renesmee was protected.

Just as I moved to press my pencil down to the page again, a loud sound echoed through the house. Glass shattered and water spilled. I jumped up to my feet and turned to see Alice standing by the shattered crystal vase with white and red roses scattered around her feet. Her back was to us as she had turned to head into the kitchen to put more water in the vase.

She turned to face us then, and the look in her eyes was one of absolute horror.

Edward gasped.

"What?" Jasper growled, leaping to her side. He grabbed her shoulders and shook her sharply. She shook in his hold. "What, Alice?"

Emmett was on alert. Esme, Carlisle, and Rosalie were with us in the room as we stood frozen in angst.

Jasper shook Alice again. "What is it?"

"They're coming for us," Alice and Edward whispered together. "All of them."

There was more silence. I was confused.

"The Volturi," Alice moaned.

"All of them," Edward groaned at the same time.

"Why?" Alice whispered to herself. "How?"

"When?" Edward whispered.

"Why?" Esme echoed.

"When?" Jasper repeated.

Alice concentrated. She was still horrified though.

"Not long," she and Edward said together.

Alice continued. "There's snow on the forest, snow on the town. Little more than a month."

The snowflakes from the other day had melted because the ground was not cold enough. There was no telling if Alice had the correct amount of time. But I understood from everyone's looks of terror that the Volturi coming here was not a good thing. I crossed my arms in fear. But I kept silent in observation.

"Why?" Carlisle was the one to ask this time.

Esme answered. "They must have a reason. Maybe to see . . ."

"This isn't about Bella," Alice said. "They're all coming—Aro, Caius, Marcus, every member of the guard, even the wives."

"The wives never leave the tower," Jasper spoke with confliction. "Never. Not during the southern rebellion. Not when the Romanians tried to overthrow them. Not even when they were hunting the immortal children. Never."

"They're coming now," Edward whispered.

"But why?" Carlisle said again. "We've done nothing! And if we had, what could we possibly do that would bring this down on us?"

"There are so many of us," Edward answered dully. "They must want to make sure that . . ." He didn't finish.

Carlisle snapped. "That doesn't answer the crucial question! Why?"

"Go back, Alice," Jasper pleaded. "Look for the trigger. Search."

Alice shook her head slowly, her shoulders sagging. "It came out of nowhere, Jazz. I wasn't looking for them, or even for us. I was just looking for Irina. She wasn't where I expected her to be. . . ." Alice trailed off, her eyes drifting again. She fell quiet again as she searched. "She decided to go to them," Alice said. "Irina decided to go to the Volturi. And then they will decide.… It's as if they're waiting for her. Like their decision was already made, and just waiting on her. . . ."

"Can we stop her?" Jasper asked.

"There's no way. She's almost there."

"What is she doing?" Carlisle asked

Bella was the one to respond. She was kneeling beside Renesmee brushing her hand over her daughter's curls as the child continued to sleep. "Think of what she saw that afternoon… To someone who'd lost a mother because of the immortal children, what would Renesmee look like?"

They were shocked by her words. I really had no clue what they were talking about. I knew I would ask later once I got the chance, but at the moment I remained silent still; listening in horror.

"An immortal child," Carlisle whispered.

Edward knelt beside Bella, wrapping his arms over her.

"But she's wrong," Bella went on. "Renesmee isn't like those other children. They were frozen, but she grows so much every day. They were out of control, but she

never hurts Charlie or Sue or even shows them things that would upset them. She can control herself. She's already smarter than most adults. There would be no

reason. . . ." Bella was full of panic.

Then Edward whispered into her hair, "It's not the kind of crime they hold a trial for, love," he said quietly. "Aro's seen Irina's proof in her thoughts. They come to destroy, not to be reasoned with."

"But they're wrong," Bella muttered.

"They won't wait for us to show them that." He spoke with so much agony.

Bella tried to keep the courage. She wasn't ready to give up. "What can we do?"she demanded. She picked her daughter up in her arms holding her as if she never would again.

Emmett was the one to answer. "We fight," he said calmly.

"We can't win," Jasper growled.

"Well, we can't run. Not with Demetri around." Emmett made a disgusted noise. "And I don't know that we can't win," he said. "There are a few options to consider. We don't have to fight alone."

Bella snapped her head up. "We don't have to sentence the Quileutes to death, either, Emmett!"

"Chill, Bella." Emmett spoke calmly. "I didn't mean the pack. Be realistic, though—do you think Jacob or Sam is going to ignore an invasion? Even if it wasn't about Nessie? Not to mention that, thanks to Irina, Aro knows about our alliance with the pack now, too. But I was thinking of our other friends."

Carlisle argued. "Other friends we don't have to sentence to death."

"Hey, we'll let them decide," Emmett said. "I'm not saying they have to fight with us. If they'd just stand beside us, just long enough to make the Volturi hesitate. Bella's right, after all. If we could force them to stop and listen. Though that might take away any reason for a fight. . . ."

Emmett smirked.

"Yes," Esme said eagerly. "That makes sense, Emmett. All we need is for the Volturi to pause for one moment. Just long enough to listen."

"We'd need quite a show of witnesses," Rosalie said.

Esme nodded in agreement. "We can ask that much of our friends. Just to witness."

"We'd do it for them," Emmett said.

"We'll have to ask them just right," Alice murmured. "They'll have to be shown very carefully."

"Shown?" Jasper asked.

Alice and Edward both looked down at Renesmee. Alice's eyes glazed over as she looked into the future.

"Tanya's family," she said. "Siobhan's coven. Amun's. Some of the nomads— Garrett and Mary for certain. Maybe Alistair."

"What about Peter and Charlotte?" Jasper asked.

"Maybe."

"The Amazons?" Carlisle asked. "Kachiri, Zafrina, and Senna?"

Alice shook. "I can't see."

"What was that?" Edward asked, his whisper a demand. "That part in the jungle. Are we going to look for them?"

"I can't see," Alice repeated. "We'll have to split up and hurry—before the snow sticks to the ground. We have to round up whomever we can and get them here to show them." She zoned again. "Ask Eleazar. There is more to this than just an immortal child."

Alice searched again.

"There is so much. We have to hurry," she whispered.

"Alice?" Edward asked. "That was too fast—I didn't understand. What was—?"

"I can't see!" she exploded back at him. "Jacob's almost here!"

Rosalie took a step toward the front door. "I'll deal with—"

"No, let him come," Alice said quickly. She grabbed Jasper's hand and began pulling him toward the back door. "I'll see better away from Nessie, too. I need to go. I need to really concentrate. I need to see everything I can. I have to go. Come on, Jasper, there's no time to waste!"

We all could hear Jacob on the stairs. Alice yanked, impatient, on Jasper's hand. He was confused but followed her.

"Hurry!" she called back to us. "You have to find them all!"

"Find what?" Jacob asked, shutting the front door behind himself. "Where'd Alice go?"

No one answered; we were all stricken with horror and confused. Jacob shook the wet from his hair and pulled on his Tshirt. It was late at night, so he was surprised to see Edward, Bella, and Renesmee weren't at the cottage yet.

Jacob was oblivious to our horror. "Hey, Bells! I thought you guys would've gone home by now. . . ." He trailed off though when he finally saw Bella holding Renesmee with worry. "What?" he asked flatly. "What happened?"

He fell beside Bella with concern.

"Is she okay?" he demanded, touching her forehead, and listening to her heart. "Don't mess with me, Bella, please!"

"Nothing's wrong with Renesmee," Bella choked out.

"Then who?"

"All of us, Jacob," Bella whispered. "It's over. We've all been sentenced to die."

That night when I went to bed, I was petrified. Carlisle finally explained to me about the immortal children and why Irina was so upset after seeing Renesmee. I couldn't picture a bunch of infant vampires running around killing people without thinking of some sick twisted horror movie. Carlisle also told me that Tanya, Kate, and Irina's mother had made an immortal child, and that this act was illegal. The Volturi killed their mother and the child. When Irina saw Renesmee, she believed the Cullens had broken a law and rushed off to inform the Volturi.

"I can't believe she would just turn on us like that though… you told me the Denali were like family to you…"

Carlisle had let out a heavy breath. "When someone is angry they don't think rationally." He brushed my cheek. "But I wish Edward and I had stopped her."

I shivered. "What's going to happen…? Are we really going to die…?"

Carlisle pulled me into his arms to give me comfort. "I promise you, Hannah… we will do all we can to protect you. But from this moment on you have to do everything we tell you to. And you have to be brave."

I nodded. "I just… I don't want to lose anyone… I love you all so much."

He pressed his face to my hair. "I believe this will work… the Volturi are not mindless. Once they see that we have witnesses they will listen."

Thinking over what Carlisle said, I sat on my bed hugging my pillow tight to me. I prayed he was right, but I was still scared. I was sure the packs would join them as reinforcements. I knew I would fight alongside my family. How many would we lose though if a fight did come down?

I never imagined ever having to fear losing my vampire family. The Cullens were everything to me now. They took me in when no one else would. They loved and protected me. I couldn't imagine any of them being torn to pieces and turned to dust…

The next day when I woke up, I was a bit thrown off. The family seemed to be in better spirits. Esme pulled me into a hug to explain. Alice was gone. She and Jasper received permission from Sam last night to cross through La Push and head to the ocean. My family had followed her scent while Renesmee and I were asleep.

While they could not find Alice and Jasper, they did explain to Sam what was happening. Sam quickly insisted on an alliance, and stated that the wolves would assist if a fight were to occur. This relieved my family immensely.

"We have a chance," Esme said. "Be brave my daughter."

I shut my eyes, hugging her back. "I just don't want anyone to get hurt."

Esme brushed a hand through my hair to comfort me. "Nobody will. I have faith in our family and friends. The Volturi will listen. It's going to turn out the way we hope. You can trust me on that."

I gave a tight smile. "Okay." I was still terrified though.

I joined the rest of the family in the living room then. I was surprised to see everyone was dressed in travel clothes and had backpacks ready to go. A globe was on the coffee table, and it was clear to me they had used it while I was sleeping to make their plans. Jacob was holding Renesmee in his arms trying to stay happy for her.

"We're to stay here?" Edward asked, looking at Carlisle. He didn't sound happy.

"Alice said that we would have to show people Renesmee, and we would have to be careful about it," Carlisle said. "We'll send whomever we can find back here to you—Edward, you'll be the best at fielding that particular minefield."

Edward gave one sharp nod. "There's a lot of ground to cover."

"We're splitting up," Emmett answered. "Rose and I are hunting for nomads."

"You'll have your hands full here," Carlisle said. "Tanya's family will be here in the morning, and they have no idea why. First, you have to persuade them not to react the way Irina did. Second, you've got to find out what Alice meant about Eleazar. Then, after all that, will they stay to witness for us? It will start again as the others come—if we can persuade anyone to come in the first place." Carlisle sighed. "Your job may well be the hardest. We'll be back to help as soon as we can."

He then looked over at me.

"Hannah. I need you to do me a huge favor as well. I hate to banish you from the house, but the vampires that come here will not understand you. We've spoken to Sam, and he has agreed to send members of the pack to be with you for company and protection at the cabin while we are gone. You will be staying there until the Volturi come. The wolves can help catch animals for you to hunt. Seth will also stock the cabin up with food. It's imperative you remain there and stay away from this area. Once we get back in a few days, I'll come check on you."

I frowned. "I just have one request," I whispered.

Carlisle waited.

I took a heavy breath. "I thought about a lot of stuff last night… I came to the conclusion that I'm a Cullen and have a role in this as well. I heard you all talking about me staying away from the battle, but I want to join you all when the Volturi come. I want to protect my family too."

Carlisle looked like he wanted to disagree. But then he let out a deep sigh. He smiled after a moment and cupped my cheek tenderly. "I understand. You'll come with the pack then. I want you in your wolf form only. I want to avoid the Volturi finding out about you as much as possible. And I only want you to fight if absolutely necessary… but I do not believe a fight will occur."

I pressed my hand over his. "Thank you for understanding."

He kissed me on the forehead. Then he hugged me tightly. "Don't worry about the witnesses. We will take care of all of that. Just focus on your health and strength while we're gone. We'll be back before you know it."

"Okay… I love you dad."

He hugged me closer. "I love you too."

We embraced the rest of our family with melancholy. We were sad to see them go. As they departed, we watched all of them take off across the yard and disappear into the forest. My eyes burned with tears. Once more, I felt like my world was falling apart.

Edward heard my thoughts. He left his wife who he was embracing, and stepped over to me placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. "They'll be back, Hannah. And we will be okay. I have a lot more confidence than before. I believe we will win this."

I squeezed his hand, staring at the forest with longing. "I just hope they all return safely… and Alice and Jasper come home…"

"They will… I don't know what Alice is doing, but I believe her and Jasper leaving will be a benefit to us. She has a plan."

Bella agreed. "We're going to win this Hannah. I can feel it."

Renesmee twisted in Jacob's arms to touch his cheek. "I don't know if Carlisle's friends will come. I hope so. Sounds like we're a little outnumbered right now," Jacob murmured to Renesmee.

I was surprised. Then worried. Renesmee was too young to be stressing out about this too. Not even over three months old and she was already in danger.

"No, we can't help; we've got to stay here," Jacob went on. "People are coming to see you, not the scenery."

Renesmee frowned at him.

"No, I don't have to go anywhere," he said to her. Then he looked at Edward, his face stunned by the realization that he might be wrong. "Do I?"

Edward hesitated.

"Spit it out," Jacob said, his voice tense.

"The vampires who are coming to help us are not the same as we are," Edward said. "Tanya's family is the only one besides ours with a reverence for human life,

and even they don't think much of werewolves. I think it might be safer—"

"I can take care of myself," Jacob interrupted.

"Safer for Renesmee," Edward continued, "if the choice to believe our story about her is not tainted by an association with werewolves."

"Some friends. They'd turn on you just because of who you hang out with now?"

"I think they would mostly be tolerant under normal circumstances. But you need to understand— accepting Nessie will not be a simple thing for any of them. Why make it even the slightest bit harder?"

"The immortal children were really that bad?" he asked.

"You can't imagine the depth of the scars they've left in the collective vampire psyche."

"Edward . . ." Jacob wanted to protest

"I know, Jake. I know how hard it is to be away from her. We'll play it by ear— see how they react to her. In any case, Nessie is going to have to be incognito off and on in the next few weeks. She'll need to stay at the cottage until the right moment for us to introduce her. As long as you keep a safe distance from the main house .. ."

"I can do that. Company in the morning, huh?"

"Yes. The closest of our friends. In this particular case, it's probably better if we get things out in the open as soon as possible. You can stay here. Tanya knows

about you. She's even met Seth."

"Right."

"You should tell Sam the family has already left. There might be strangers in the woods soon. Let him know the Denali are coming tomorrow. I want the pack alert, especially at the cabin. I don't know how any of the vampires would react if they learn about Hannah. We want her safe."

"Good point. I'll call him. He should be getting ready to meet you at the cabin. They're already setting up shifts to be with Hannah. She's Seth's imprint, so her safety is just as important as Renesmee's." Jacob looked over at me. "I'll feel better knowing she's being protected with a ton of human killing strangers in the area."

Edward agreed. He looked over at me with a sad smile. "I know it's going to feel like you're a prisoner, but it is honestly for your protection. And none of us want you to feel what you did three months ago. You don't have to be stuck as a wolf for the next few weeks."

I nodded. "I just… I hate being away from you all… I'll be worried."

Jacob reassured me. "I'll have Seth give you updates. You'll feel like you're here by the time he's done. Seth likes to talk, you know."

I smiled slightly. "Yeah…"

Bella took my hand then. "Come on, Hannah. I'll help you pack. Edward's going to give you a ride to the cabin later."

Bella and I went upstairs to start getting my stuff together. They were pretty sure from the way Alice spoke that the battle would be taking place near the new year, so I would be away for at least two weeks. As I packed my clothing, I fell quiet thinking about the future ahead. My heart thudded painfully as I worried for everyone I loved.

She noticed my hands shake as I put another shirt in the suitcase. She took my hands to hold them in her comforting grasp. "We're going to win this… I just know we are."

I met her gaze. "We have to protect her, Bella… She's done nothing wrong." Tears formed in my eyes. "I knew the Volturi were cruel, but I didn't realize they were so evil as to wipe out a whole family."

Bella squeezed my hands. "They don't see us as a family, Hannah. To them, our family is just a growing threat because of the gifts and numbers we possess. That's why we need witnesses, and the pack… If we can stop them from attacking long enough, we can show them just how innocent Renesmee and the rest of us are."

My tense muscles relaxed slightly from her reassurance. "Call me if there's any problems… I'm not worried about being discovered if it means being here for you all."

She hugged me close. "You just don't let the pack drive you too crazy. I heard from Jacob that Quil and Embry are already planning on making you watch a ton of action movies to stop your Disney craze."

I laughed. "They're welcome to try. But it took them eleven years to knock it out of me before, so I doubt two weeks will be any easier."

When I got back downstairs with my suitcase, I took Renesmee from Jacob and gave her a big hug. She touched my face to show me her sadness at me being gone. I kissed her on the cheek and whispered, "I'll see you soon, Renesmee. You're going to have a lot more fun than me. You get to meet new friends. And they're all going to love you."

She pressed her face into my hair to take in my scent one last time. I handed her over to Bella once we were done embracing. Looking at Jacob then, I stepped over crossing my arms. "I'm guessing I probably won't see you for a few days..."

He frowned. "I need to be here."

I nodded. "I understand." I stepped forward and gave him a hug. He was relieved by my willing embrace. "I love you, Jacob. Take care of Renesmee and my family while I'm gone."

He pulled me up off the floor a little to kiss me on the cheek. He put me back down and brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. "You know I will. The pack will take care of you as well. But if anyone gives you trouble, tell Seth and I'll run right over to beat some heads."

I laughed. "I can take them."

He smirked. "I'm sure you can."

A few minutes later I was in Edward's Volvo as he drove us to the cabin. He seemed to be lost in his thoughts, and I knew why. He was worried about the battle. He was worried about our family. He was worried about Bella and Renesmee. He felt like he was losing control, and I could see he was scared.

"We'll protect her, Edward… They won't get to Renesmee without getting through us first."

Edward sighed. "I still don't feel comfortable with the idea of you being there, sis… If the Volturi discovers you, I don't know how they will react. You are one of a kind, and this may be seen as a threat to Aro and his brothers."

I crossed my arms. "I don't care… You all are always protecting me, Edward. It's my turn to do something for you. But, I won't fight unless I absolutely have to. And I'm hoping everyone is right and this will not end with death. But if you all are going down then I'm going down with you."

He reached over and grabbed my hand. He gave it a squeeze to comfort both of us. "No matter what happens… I want you to know that from the very first time I saw you in Alice's vision back in March, I loved you as a sister. You mean the world to my family... To Bella and I... And Renesmee too."

A tear slid down my cheek. "I love you all so much. I will never be able to repay you for all of the kindness you have given, and the sacrifices you have made for me."

Edward released my hand to brush my tear with his finger. His touch was comforting as well. "That's what family is for, Hannah."

Eventually, we arrived at the cabin. Paul was sitting on the porch steps when we got there, and I saw Sam standing in front of the small place that would be my home for the next few days or weeks. Once Edward was parked, he got out and got my door for me. I stepped out and looked at the two men. Paul smiled at me, while Sam looked straight at Edward.

"Sam," Edward said. "Thank you for this."

Sam nodded. "Jared, Leah, myself, and Paul will switch out with her during the school week until Seth gets out of class and can come. I can't have the younger members skipping school so many days. Once winter break starts next Friday I'll have more options."

Edward nodded. "If something occurs with La Push and you all can't be with her then call me. Bella or myself can come be with her for a-"

I interrupted. "I don't need a babysitter every minute." I let out a heavy breath. "You all need to focus on the coming threat."

Paul scoffed. "Please! Knowing you, you'll probably trip over something in the kitchen and break your neck. Supervision is essential. Plus, Rachel is taking classes again, double time since she was out for a few months, so I got nothing to do."

I was glad to hear Rachel had started school again. This filled me with a small rush of happiness.

Edward grabbed my suitcase out of the car and handed it to Sam. Then he kissed me on the forehead again. His hand caressed my cheek, and he brushed his thumb with reassurance. "We're going to win this, Hannah... I know we will."