The Cullen's house was going to be empty, except for Nessie. Bella and Edward were gone on a second honeymoon. I thought about making a joke about not coming back with third person- but under the circumstances I didn't think it would be appropriate.

Apparently by Edward's glare he didn't think it was appropriate either.

Rosalie, Emmett, Jasper, and Alice were all hunting for a couple of days. Carlisle and Esme were having a date night. I guess even after being married for a few decades it's still important to have date nights- it must be tough to come up with creative dates at that point though.

Even though Renesmee wouldn't be home alone for long, I still wanted to come over and hang out with her, her ever present shadow… the title I was glad to claim, even if Rosalie meant it as an insult. As if she was any better.

I had gotten to the house around 1:30 and Esme left just afterwards to meet Carlisle at the hospital. Nessie stayed up in her room saying she was busy with schoolwork. Esme whispered a warning to me, "She's been a little moody the last couple of days. I think she misses her parents."

Well, that made one of us…

"I get it," Or I would if her father was anyone other than Edward. I smirked and wondered what Edward would do if he heard that thought. Esme tapped on Renesmee's door and called softly, "I'm leaving now, dear, we won't be gone long…."

"Okay. Have fun," She called without opening the door. I waited until Esme drove away before knocking on the door myself.

"Are you okay?" I called softly, tempted to open the door and go in. She probably meant for it to be inaudible, but I heard her sigh. That was all the encouragement I needed to open the door and peak in.

Nessie was sitting on her bed, papers and a book spread out in front of her, she held a pillow close to her on her stomach and didn't smile when I came in, but she also didn't ask me to leave. "Anything I can help with?"

She shook her head. "I don't have much left."

I shrugged and put my hands in my jean's pockets as I walked into the room. "If you ditch the rest of your school, I won't tell…" I said to try to lighten the mood.

She smirked at that but didn't say anything, just flipped a page in her biology book. "It's crazy how narrow minded people are. They think that because something can't be explained with science it must not be true…. Their brain would probably break if they were introduced to my family."

"Only your family?" I raised my eyebrows and put a hand over my heart as if I was offended.

She almost laughed at that. "You're family at this point too."

I was happy to hear her say that, but I jokingly warned, "Don't let your dad hear that."

"He knows already, he can't get rid of you."

My heart squeezed because of the truth. I'm glad Renesmee knows that she can't get rid of me so easily. I took that as an invitation to sit down on the bed next to her. "So… what's bothering you?"

She shrugged even though she knew what it was. "I just don't feel that great." She stretched out a hand rested it on my cheek. Whenever she did that my heart would squeeze… she trusted me show me her thoughts, her feelings, her experiences.

This time, though, what she shared disappointed me.

She was tired, and for some reason on the verge of being in a bad mood, she wanted to yell at someone or cry, or maybe both- but there was no reason for that… and she knew it. Her stomach ached and she hoped she wasn't sick.

She stopped sharing there, and pulled her hand back, a look of embarrassment on her face. "I just… I'm confused."

"That's okay. Everyone has off days… look, your dad dislikes me enough so I won't try to encourage to ditch school—but if you wanted to I still won't say anything," I winked because I wanted her day to improve. "But once you are done with school, why don't we watch a favorite movie and eat some snacks."

A small smile graced her face and she nodded. "Thanks, Jacob. It shouldn't take long."

I left her in peace then, venturing to the kitchen to see what kind of food they kept in this house. I made two cups of hot chocolate, set up Nessie's favorite movie- something horses that I always tuned out halfway through, and popped some popcorn, hoping the smell would lure her down and give her a break.

I sat on the couch and waited patiently for her to come down. I heard her go on the bathroom and it sounded like she slammed a cabinet door to hard. I slight metallic smell met my nose… Did she hurt her finger on the cabinet door? It took everything in me to not run up the stairs and see how much she was bleeding. She could handle a small cut though, and if it was anything more she could call me.

Just a few minutes later Nessie crept down the stairs as if that would keep me from hearing her. I didn't turn around though, waiting to see if she was trying to surprise me.

"I need to call Esme." Her voice wavered, and concern made me spin around.

"Are you okay?" I asked, pulling out my cell phone at the same time. Whether it was my fault or not Edward would never forgive me if anything, no matter how minor it could be.

Nessie didn't answer me, just took the phone from me and gave me pleading look. "Please don't listen."

Part of me was offended that she automatically assumed I'd listen to her conversation, but… there was some truth in that. Sometimes I can't help but overhear, and when Nessie looks as concerned as she did it would be hard not to.

I nodded and she stepped away, even going so far as to go outside on the porch. I started the movie for extra noise, to go the extra step of showing her I wasn't listening to her conversation.

I few minutes later Nessie came back in and handed me my phone. "Thanks, Jacob. You can go ahead and leave…"

"No way," I said and shook my head. "What's up?"

Her cheeks tinged pink for a moment and she didn't answer.

"Is there a guy?" It was hard to keep up with Nessie. She was barely three, but she more closely resembled someone around fifteen because of her accelerated growth

She shook her head, but her pressed her lips together and clasped her hands behind her back, unwilling to share this with me.

Because of being a werewolf slows down my aging I was only physically seventeen… and now that Ness was getting older my emotions frequently went back and forth to extremes. I thought of her as a person I needed to protect, and at the same time, it wasn't a brotherly affection that drove that. I tried to fight it and keep it in check- we were both still young…. But mostly because her parents would rip off my head if anything happened, even something like… holding hands.

"It's personal, Jake," She whispered.

I took a step back. "I didn't realize we had started to keep secrets from each other."

Her face turned a deeper shade of red. "Please don't be upset." And I wasn't angry, but I was a little hurt and concerned. Something obviously wasn't right and she didn't feel like she could share it with me. I just nodded, but apparently that was enough for her to see that I was a little hurt. She sighed. "It's not that big of a deal. I just…"

"You don't have to tell me," I said and forced a smile. I turned off the tv and took the uneaten popcorn and full mugs of hot chocolate back to the kitchen. Nessie followed me.

"I got my period."

Oohh.

It was my turn to be red and uncomfortable. This is why she didn't want to tell me.

"Are you… healthy? Is this normal?"

I'm not a complete jerk, I know the bare basics…. But nothing about Nessie was, in the best way possible, normal.

Now we stood across from each other, both uncomfortable.

She shrugs. "I talked to Carlisle. I thought… if it was going to happen, it already would have. I just figured I just couldn't have kids…"

Ness thought about kids? Whether or not she could have them?

I tried to hold back my thoughts more than that, even though Edward wasn't there to growl at me. But… in a few years would she consider maybe wanting a child with me?

"Carlisle said ages vary, and he wouldn't worry about it… but obviously, there's nothing in the house for me," She blushed again. "So Esme and Carlisle are stopping at the store and coming home."

I nodded. "I shouldn't have tried to guilt you into telling me."

She shrugged. "You're right, though, there are no secrets between us. Besides… you'd find out eventually, as some point… "

I grimaced for her. "It must be hard living here with no secrets."

"It's annoying and hard sometimes, but we are all pretty close. I just wish Dad couldn't read my thoughts."

I chuckled. "Me too." Especially as Renesmee gets older and it became less about being a friend and protecting her, and more about wanting a future with her. Especially now that I start thinking about kids…

"So does this mean you can have kids?"

She rolled her eyes. "This is why we don't have any secrets. You're too nosy."

"I'm sorry." I forgot sometimes she doesn't owe me anything… that she doesn't care for me as much as I care for her.

She hesitated. "I don't know. Carlisle doesn't know. It's not like I'm a typical patient."

I heard Carlisle and Esme's car pull up. I stepped forward and kissed the top of her head. I roughed up her hair to make it seem more a friendly gesture instead of a loving one. "Eh, typical is overrated."

Before she could respond I slipped out behind her and went out the backdoor before Esme and Carlisle got to the kitchen. Ness was uncomfortable enough without me being there with Dr. Cullen asking her whatever questions doctors ask in regards to that.

I glanced back at the house and saw them through the windows in the kitchen. Carlisle and Esme were holding hands. Nessie stood there, one hand across her stomach.

For a moment I let the freedom of Edward being gone let my thoughts run free. I imagined Nessie and I holding hands, going on walks, whispering secrets that would make each other smile, and in a few years maybe getting engaged… married. One day, maybe, we would even have children.

I smiled as Carlisle made a joke that made Nessie laugh.

If I got to laugh with her for the rest of our lives, I would be extremely happy.